Wow, thats really great Natarn! I was wondering how the dragon could possibly be formed out of the wire :S
Can't wait to see more progress!

This is a very interesting project and I'll definitely be following the progress of this WIP with keen interest.

WOW! This is far better than I thought it would be! what colour are you planing on painting it? I can't wait to see it when it's done! I'll definitly be watching this thread!

Very interesting indeed...I will watch this with a lot of interest!

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There are fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world

Same here.... Keep those updates coming!

It will very interesting to see this project coming along!

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wow that use of wire is incredable, keep up the good work

This looks to be a fun project and I'm glad to see that you're taking lots of pictures (could make a nice article... HINT) Natarn Ulka.

Keep it coming.

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Curunír
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I am very excited to see this project unfolding, I am not fan of games workshop's "SMAUG", but I doubt I would be so adventurous to sculpt my own (as I have never sculpted anything in my life). Your work is excellent, I can confidentially say your dragon is going to be perfect, the frame you have already created promises a dynamic fierce dragon, every inch what Smaug should be. BEST OF LUCK

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If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
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Wow, this is an ambitious undertaking. I'm impressed with the scope of the project. I'll be watching this thread closely and taking notes.

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Fractions: 4 out of 3 people just don't get them.

I sprained several major muscles bending that wire into shape!

OK, it took next to no time at all!

Teasing? Not intentionally, though I'm being a bit playful! I'm further on with this project than I'm revealing at present so I'll give you pictures bit by bit to show progress so far and then you'll have to wait longer for updates because the project is moving very slowly right now - due to the amount of detail in the skin.

I was going to keep it secret, as I said earlier, but it's far more fun sharing my progress with everyone.

J o D, the frame shouldn't need any more wire - apart from an added section to increase the length of the tail, as you'll see.

This shows the added tail wire, twisted around the spine, and some milliput to strengthen joints.
[center][/center]


[center][/center]

More milliput added to start building the bulk of the body.

[center][/center]

Colour? I think Smaug is red - so that will be the dominant colour of this beasty.

Scale? He's about 2 foot high. Not really! I'll post a pic with a mini in it some time in the next few weeks.

Thanks for the encouraging words, everyone.

Natarn.

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Painting again...

I used milliput to build up the bulk of the dragon's body. It is good for this because it is relatively cheap and can be sanded to refine the form.

[center][/center]

[center][/center]

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Painting again...

Hey this is coming together very nicely, and in just a few short days Smaug is taking definite shape. Cheers

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Curunír
Please visit My Gallery

This is going to be quite a nice dragon! I got prety far on one but i had to give up because i didn't know what millput was at the time and it got a little expensive The skin stuff in the wings is very hard to sculpt so i tried paper which didn't work so well... Good luck

http://mandragoreminiatures.free.fr/home.htm
(the tutorials link on the top menu)

That may be a helpful tutorial on sculpting wings, hes a very talented sculpter.

Its looking fantastic so far!

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Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep.

Thank you! Wow! His sculpts are absolutely amazing. I've a long, long way to go! After a few large projects like this, I think I'll try some smaller ones. That website is awesome and is now in my bookmarked list.

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Painting again...

Coming along nicelly! Its starting to take shape!

I would have started to bulk the body using something like aluminium foil. Its cheap, sturdy and light. Of course, milliput works ace, it will just be a bit heavy in the hand!

Good work! Keep the updates coming!

_________________
Tell me... Do you bleed?
You will!
Chewy, we're home!

You are right, MAC, using foil would have been a much better idea. The milliput was the first thing that came to mind that was cheaper than green stuff. I also had another reason; if I didn't like the shape, I could change it by carving. Carving foil isn't pleasant.

Anyway, it's not particularly heavy, and the mass it has should act as an anchor for when the wings are attached. Not sure how that will work yet, but Gael Goumon's tutorial will prove useful, I'm sure.


[center]These pictures show the belly filling out.[/center]

[center][/center]

[center][/center]

I've been trying to get some kind of balance between it being a lithe, sinuous beast and it having credible anatomy.

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Painting again...

I hope you're doing a guide...

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[size=84][b]Potenza[/b] - Silly (ex-) Staff Member - Beer Swilling Rock Pig[/size]

Well, its already looking great! Keep it up!

_________________
Tell me... Do you bleed?
You will!
Chewy, we're home!

You might want to read this before deciding on red -

http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/default.as ... smaug.html

And scroll down to see Tolkien's own painting of the beastie:

http://www.tuckborough.net/creatures.html

And the fantabulous versions by John Howe and Alan Lee:

http://fan.theonering.net/middleearthtours/dragons.html

I would have a range of reddish/gold metallics shading from near white to dull red. It would be like hot metal - Smaug the Golden!

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