Cat's Marauders

Love your GS skills.

I'm been thinking for a long time how to do unique bases for my skaven warband (we already have planks, several different cobblestones, outdoor types, etc), and what you've done here looks perfect. Could you talk about how you did the glue water effects? It looks like you did something special to get ripples. As for the painting, did you just paint normally and then apply a gloss coat? The water bits still look shiny in your completed pics.

I agree with the others in this thread - your GS skills are amazing and good inspiration for the rest of us.

Thanks Identity. You seem to have accurately guessed how I did the water. Before it was painted, I spread out some PVA glue (Elmer's glue I think it gets called in the States) and let it dry a little for about 5 minutes before drawing the end of a cocktail stick through it. I let it dry fully then applied another layer of glue and did the same again. Keep doing that until you are happy with it.

For painting, I used some browns and greens then gloss varnished it. If you like to matt varnish your models then do that first then hand paint the gloss on the required areas after.

Your stuff is looking awesome my liege. I'm thinking that these warriors happen to be Graelings...

...and quite right that your warband will be needing a burlier looking Jarl. A mighty leader of a man would be required if they're to be taken seriously on the streets!

Glad to see that I'm not the only modeller who is working at a snails pace.

Regards,

Werekin.

Another quick question on the water effects on the bases: how much actual ripple effect did you get? Are the water areas which look raised actually raised or mainly just painted that way? I ask because my attempts to "ripple" PVA glue on such a small scale have proven rather unsuccessful due to surface tension and general viscosity. If i disturb the glue after 5 minutes, it seems to flow back to its prior state, but after 8 minutes or so, it begins to tear instead of deform. Maybe I need to experiment with a different brand of glue.

Edit:
Well I figured out a way to get what I wanted. To use surface tension to aid rather than hinder me, I just dab on really thin lines of glue with a toothpick. The surface tension then holds the ridges together instead of drawing them apart (as was happening when I tried to cover the whole area with glue, then use the toothpick to form ridges out of it).

This undoubtedly takes longer than the prior method, but I'm happy with the look so far.

Yeah, it's just experimenting mainly. The ripples are subtle but provide a guide mark when it comes to painting the "water".

In other news, there will be some sort of update later today. Nothing major, just a base for the spear armed Marauder and the pre-undercoated ogre that will occasionally be fielded with the group. Yes, I'm procrastinating on making the important stuff again...

Oh, and a sneak peak at a sort of related project that I can technically add to this thread too.

Ok, a little late...

Spearman now based.


Ogre Merc for the warband if they can ever afford him.


And some WiP pics of the Chaos Lord I'm working on. Still a fair amount of work to do. Touching up the fireball in his hand, detailing the robes, adding chainmail, then lots of detailing.

Now THAT is a chaos lord! That is an impressive mini, my friend. Can't wait to see it painted.

Awesome Lord! I also love the Ogre Mercenary figure. Cant wait to see these bad boys get a paint job.

Thanks guys. I'll get the ogre and spearman undercoated when there's some daylight. Chaos Lord will be a bit longer before paint, he still needs a lot of sculpting done.

I had been hunting for the '93 ogres for a while and eventually got the full set as well as a duplicate of the guy above so I decided I'd use the spare for Mordheim. Great models those. The rest are going in my Ogre army as Ironguts.

Oh man Im sooooo jealous of you Cat!!!
That Ogre is sweet!

Awesome work, Cat! I take it your leader is a follower of Tchar? Good choice

I love how you personalize your models. The Archaon upper body is an excellent choice for the leader (yeah, I did the same). I really can't wait to the this awesome warband finished.

VERY COOL STUFF! I always LOVED the old Citadel Ogres especially the Empire looking ones; their "cartoony" appearance appeals to moi, although they don't mix all that well with more "realistic" types. The Chaos Lord ROCKS; I LOVE the way the flame appears to be floating above his outstreched hand. VERY WELL DONE!

Cool stuff, cant wait to see your leader finished.

Holy cow-crap! That lord is mind blowing!

Cianty: He's actually my lord in my Chaos army, but he may see use in Mordheim if my Chieftain ever gets Chosen of Chaos skill. He is a follower of Tchar/Tzeentch though so good job that's obvious even before I add symbols.

I started him during the previous Chaos army book phase back when Tzeentch lords could cast spells. Oh well, it still looks cool even if he can't throw fireballs any more.

Deaf: The old ogres are still great after all these years, I still prefer them to the plastics that are out now. Sadly I could never afford a whole army of the metal guys so I'll content myself with a single unit of them in the army.

The Chaos Lord is amazing!

Reworked the fire a bit. It's a little better but I still haven't got the hang of flames.


Have also added the chainmail over the robes.


Next up will be a belt at the waist and some thigh armour plates.

Cat, your chainmail sculpt is amazing.
Looks better than GW's chainmail

That chainmail is amazing! Wish GW would employ you to do all their's...

Thanks guys, it needs a little tidying up with a sharp knife once it dries, but at least the bulk of is done. It's a big risk doing that amount at once because you can end up sticking your fingers in it and ruining the work you have already done.

I've been toying with doing a quick chainmail tutorial because it's actually very easy to do. Only problem is I'd need somebody else to take the pics because I need both hands to do the sculpting.

I'll see what I can arrange. Then you can all do chainmail and impress your friends.

catferret wrote:

I'll see what I can arrange. Then you can all do chainmail and impress your friends.

Is it really true?! *turns giddy*

I would love to see that tutorial as well.

Excellent chainmail work! The tutorial would be fantastic! Your flames are good too, I really had a hard time doing my fireball for my Dwarf Warlock as well.

Cant waith to see your tutorial! Looks like it will take you ages to sculpt such a big area!