Smaug the Magnificent

Natarn · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:37 am

ukfreddybear wrote:

If you cut the model in half, you can hollow out the majority with a rotary tool before casting. This will result in less metal per cast, cutting the weight and cost. However, the drawback of this will be that you require twice as much mould space as you have two large pieces instead of one. So your moulds would cost more, but the castings less.

Just something to think about.

I'd wondered about this - having looked at the pieces of a balrog. How can it be done without ruining the model?

If I make any similar pieces, I'd cut it in half before adding detail and then patch up the damage... but now it is getting more detailed, I wouldn't be skilled enough to cut it without destroying a lot of good work!
Any advice welcome.

The_Rhinosauros wrote:

This isn't meant to be the easy way around but it could really save you tons of time. You could possible sculpt a large section of scales on the dragon (as you are doing) and use pro create or greenstuff or whatever to make a mold of it. When it dries you can simply put the putty into the mold, let it dry a little and then pull it out and attach it to the dragon. I think it would be much faster and it would be imposible to tell that the patern repeats as ther are allready so many scales. Just an idea.

This is a good idea - but a bit too late now as I'm getting on so well (more pics soon). If I started that now, I think it would look too different to what I've already completed. Another difficulty is the contours of the body; getting 'flat' pieces to fit around the curves wouldn't be so easy.
Good thinking, though. Thanks.

Dragontomb wrote:

Wow Natarn Ulka great progress on your Smaug sculpture. Looks like a fun project.

Fun?! Fun?! You think this is fun?!

I think I'd describe it as 'highly tedious' yet 'greatly rewarding'!

Regards,
Natarn.

revolutionary · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:25 pm

This dragon is looking good, I am excited to see it finished, but I feel for you! Why? Well, I can only imagine what it would be like to sculpt a million scales... and once all of that is done, once all of the details are perfectly put into place, you still have to paint it!

It is great though, looking forward to more progress

As far as casting goes though, big projects like this are typically done in resin and not metal. The metal would be so heavy that the model might not even support itself. Resin isn't cheap, but much cheaper than metal. Casting something like this in resin would cost less than $20 (not including the mould), even with the cavernous body cavity being filled. You could even do all the casting yourself if you were so inclined.

n.

Natarn · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:12 pm

revolutionary wrote:

As far as casting goes though, big projects like this are typically done in resin and not metal. The metal would be so heavy that the model might not even support itself. Resin isn't cheap, but much cheaper than metal. Casting something like this in resin would cost less than $20 (not including the mould), even with the cavernous body cavity being filled. You could even do all the casting yourself if you were so inclined.

n.

Now that sounds like a great idea. Thanks, Rev.

Does anyone know of a company in the UK that would make a mould that would be suitable for making resin casts?

Hey, painting it will be a sheer delight! That's the icing on the cake. Much as I'd love Tim to paint it (he's a far superior painter), it would be like baking a delicious chocolate cake and never getting to taste it! Sorry, Tim! If I do get it cast though... would you paint one up for promotional purposes? :wink:

[center]

[/center]

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:45 pm

Resin would be fine with me if that was the medium you were eventually able to cast the beastie in... white metal - err, you might need to supply a fork-lift truck with every dragon to help move it around.

Dragontomb · **Posted:** Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:20 am

Griffon moulds based in the UK creates custom moulds. I haven't got a clue of the cost involved though.

Here's their link:

http://www.griffinmoulds.com/services.htm

Ryan.

Natarn · **Posted:** Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:00 pm

Thanks, Dragontomb. I contacted Griffin Moulds today and they said that they would be able to make a mould for me that will be suitable for making resin casts. If I can do the casting myself it should make the project more affordable... We shall see.

If you can't get to sleep tonight, you could try counting the scales I've done so far. :wink:

BilboOfTheWhiteTower · **Posted:** Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:59 pm

This project amazes me every time I check it out...fantastic job on those scales!

Natarn · **Posted:** Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:05 pm

BilboOfTheWhiteTower wrote:

This project amazes me every time I check it out...fantastic job on those scales!

Thanks, Bilbo.
I've just done another 42 and now it's time for bed.

Natarn · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:52 pm

lorderkenbrand has had a good idea regarding heads: make several so that a different one can be chosen if it gets cast. I'm not sure if I'll do this because it's enough work making one head... but I may sculpt some heads off the body to see which one I think looks best.

Now I'm getting better at using ProCreate, I shall use that to sculpt different heads. I find it far easier to use than green stuff.

I may also need to revamp the snake-like belly of Smaug using ProCreate (I want to call it 'grey stuff'). I think it will be easier to get a more realistic, smooth finish with that medium.

For now, though, it's back to the grindstone with scales. :roll:

Amarthadan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:57 pm

Natarn Ulka wrote:

Thanks, Dragontomb. I contacted Griffin Moulds today and they said that they would be able to make a mould for me that will be suitable for making resin casts. If I can do the casting myself it should make the project more affordable... We shall see.

If you can't get to sleep tonight, you could try counting the scales I've done so far. :wink:

You're crazy! :lol:

Looks cool.

Rueben

Natarn · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:08 pm

Amarthadan wrote:

You're crazy! :lol:

I won't argue with you. :wink:

skully · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:12 pm

its really coming along great Natarn keep it coming!!!

Natarn · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:51 pm

Update

Another 120 scales sculpted this evening.

The_Rhinosaurous · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:55 pm

Wow your dominating the WIP's right now! Before i meant you could use the mold while it was still soft so you could attach it around curves. Anyways another idea... You could make a sort of stamp on the end of a tool of some kind. Then you could stamp it along and either use that as a start for the scales or it could work well enough by itself.

Ps. the reason for all of these time saving ideas is that it hurts to see all of those scales, i get bored sculpting bark on an ent, i can imagine this...

Curunír · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:19 pm

Natarn Ulka wrote:

Another 120 scales sculpted this evening.

He's mad I say, MAD! :lol:

Natarn · **Posted:** Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:57 am

And getting madder!

Natarn · **Posted:** Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:08 pm

Sorry it's a bit dark.

Haldir_Strikes · **Posted:** Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:54 am

Never mind the darkness mate

It's looking absolutely spectacular! I'll say it again, sculpting all those scales must be tiresome work! Just wondering what you were planning for the underbelly of the beast? Just continuing what you're doing atm?

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:45 am

This elegant beast has a vicious poise and powerful presence. All that laboriously applied detail will be well worth it in the end. Smaug was arrogant, cunning and capable of besting a horde of dwarves and men; this mini has the sense of being able to manage that with relative ease. The GW rules are probably just not powerful enough... though I would increase the points value as well. Keep going!

Natarn · **Posted:** Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:40 pm

Thanks. Dorth. You've described him very nicely.

These shots give a better idea of the detailing.

Smaug the Magnificent

Who is online