Great to see you back working on this wonderful project! Looking astonishing at the moment, incredible sculpting work on those scales. Brilliant stuff!

_________________
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
Jake

Nice, Smaug, very good. Can't wait to see it finished.

Cool model

Amazing dedication. Perhaps, when finished, send pictures to WETA to see if they could use your interpretation of Smaug? It is terrific.

_________________
The true story that no one believed.

It's all gone belly up! At last, working those chest and belly plates.



I haven't looked too closely at a dragon's reproductive organs because it's hard to get that close without getting a serious roasting. However, from sneaking around with my magic ring, I did get close enough to see that it's a little bit like how a horse looks (when not feeling excited). So, this is my best attempt at it, without it looking too obscene.



The belly so far.

_________________
Painting again...

you should consider about changing the title of this topic into:
"Natarn Ulka - the magnificent" ..

It's coming along so greatly, so nicely! Wonderfull work mate!
Keep 'em coming (the scales I mean ) !

_________________
CMON-gallery

This is simply superb mate. The amount of work you have put into this model is astounding and shows dedication bordering on the obsessive. Kudos to you.

The sheer number of scales adds to the impression of size. What is the next step up from magnificence? Opulence? Decadence (well he did lie about on a bed of treasure!)

Natarn, you are a real hero - now hurry up and finish it!

_________________
Published ebooks:
Instrument of the Empire
A Note of Defiance
Phantom Ships, Ghost Flotilla
More to come!

I've heard that dragon dung smokes and flickers with flame when dropped. The smell is terrible but many hold that it is a great cure for warts.

_________________
Painting again...

This is really coming along so well Natarn! Wonderful stuff there!!!

_________________
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
Jake

One of the best dragons I've seen for a long time.
I trust you'll be casting this in resin so we can all have one?

_________________
eBob.

Ebob, that all depends on its financial viability. I hear that having moulds made is quite expensive and I don't feel confident enough to cast such a complicated model in resin. I wouldn't want to put a lot of money into it and not (at least) cover my costs. You're the pro. Can you give me any advice?

_________________
Painting again...

Just what I would imagine a Dragons' "behind" to look like Natarn

He is looking absolutely brilliant, I just love the underbelly scales

That's awsome!
Why don't you give it to ebob to cast it?

Awesome job done on the belly scales, looks ver 'Geiger-esc' !
Remember to leave a scale missing

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

Thanks for the comments. I'm glad you like it.

The belly scales are now completed right down to the tip of his tail.



Now it's spine and scale time once more.

_________________
Painting again...

I started a discussion on the sculptor's forum about your dragon, thought you might be interested.

http://www.frothersunite.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14949&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=5d2d5df908d513c48a33a509048e5e42

Be warned that honest opinions are aired on the sculptors forum, you won't get a continuous stream of praise - but you will get honest feedback. Generally, I think it's well recieved - some discussion about the belly scales.

Regards casting, you need to cut him up - like remove the legs probably neck and tail etc - wings obviously - he'd be in several parts in the end I'd imagine, but the flat areas like where the tail is removed gives a place to pour the resin into the mould. (I don't do any resin myself - and this will be too large for metal casting I think)

For descent quality resin (without bubbles) you want someone that has a vacuum cylinder - you can ask that.

Regards cost, my advice would be to seek out someone would mould and cast it for you (you could ask that question on the sculpting forum) and get a rough estimate for the cost of producing the moulds - and casting up say 10 dragons. Once you have an idea what that might cost you can decide on a price per dragon .. so 10 dragons might bring you £xxx. Once you know the numbers and decided if you want to give it a whirl - I'd suggest you ask people to pre-order with you - ie. send you the money in advance - you could offer people free post if they order in advance or something as an incentive. If you sell 10, you'll have the cash to get 10 made, no risk. If you don't sell any, or you only sell 2 say, you'll know it's a bad idea, and you can appologies and refund the people that sent you money.

Personally, I think it's a very nice looking dragon, could have more than one head option if you sculpt some alternatives - you could do wings spread or wings closed as more options.. it would be nice if it fitted on the same size base as the current GW dragon model - so it can be used within the rules of the game.

[/url]

_________________
eBob.

Of course, if you didn't say that, and your wife decided to look at this website you've been spending alot of time on...the consequences would be dire to say the least...

_________________
Does that pupil look like it was done on MS Paint to you?

from the scale pictures i would say that that dragon was about 15-16cm long. i dont know how long GW's is, but from what ive seen its pretty similar

_________________
Does that pupil look like it was done on MS Paint to you?

Nice little comment from you there Ebob.

Nice progress so far!

Fantastic results so far!

_________________
No one feels as helpless as the owner of a sick goldfish.