Smaug the Magnificent

BrentS · **Posted:** Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:50 pm

That is looking really outstanding. Its nice to see that you've inspired to work on some more scales

Keep at it and you'll get him finished next year in time for the next OR awards.

joris267 · **Joined:** Sun May 25, 2008 6:07 pm **Posts:** 112

it's geting better and better. how many scales?

Natarn · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:38 pm

joris267 wrote:

it's geting better and better. how many scales?

I don't know. I forgot to count the latest lot, so my tally is now completely shot! :-X

I know roughly how many, but I can't tell you because it's a secret. :wink:

Natarn · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:47 pm

This shows the amount of dragon skin I've sculpted so far on this side.

Please note that the current head will be removed at some point in the future and replaced with a better sculpt.

And here's the current state of his right side.

The view from above.

Olofér · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:51 pm

Very nice, you should make a diorama out of it with Smaug and a little bilbo running for his life!

lorderkenbrand · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:01 pm

Quote:

Please note that the current head will be removed at some point in the future and replaced with a better sculpt.

WHAT!?!

That's insane! The head is what makes this dragon so unique. The long, slim face is striking and has that 'presence' that the GW dragon sadly lacks.

The rest of the dragon is coming along very nicely, lots of tiny scales everywhere! The only thing that's bothering me are its legs, so hurry and pad them out a bit

MacGothmog · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:11 pm

Great set of piccies! I'm loving it! :yay:

Gondolin · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:39 pm

I can hear GW think: Damn man, why don't we have such good sculpters.

You're really doing great with the dragon! Keep up the good work and hurry up

I can't wait to see it finished!

BrentS · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:57 pm

lorderkenbrand wrote:

Quote:

Please note that the current head will be removed at some point in the future and replaced with a better sculpt.

WHAT!?!

That's insane! The head is what makes this dragon so unique. The long, slim face is striking and has that 'presence' that the GW dragon sadly lacks.

I agree with LE. I think the head is absolutely perfect. However, its your artistic model so I understand that you need to do what you think is right for finishing it up.

Natarn · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:35 pm

I am happy with parts of the head, but the sculpting is quite rough. The thing I dislike most about it is that it is asymmetrical! The final head may resemble the current one, but will be as symmetrical as I can make it and will be more finely sculpted - with a tongue and teeth etc.

The angle of the head also needs correcting. It is very unnatural at present.

Lord Hurin · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:07 pm

WOW! Seeing the close-up of patches of scales was impressive enough, but in his full glory this Dragon is simply AMAZING!

I think the head looks great, but you may be pickier than I

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:41 pm

.... 726, 727, 728, 729.... :yay:

..... 818, 819, 820..... :no:

Damn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5....

Natarn · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:58 pm

Dorthonion wrote:

.... 726, 727, 728, 729.... :yay:

..... 818, 819, 820..... :no:

Damn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5....

Exactly!

Ukfreddybear · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:53 am

Quote:

I can hear GW think: Damn man, why don't we have such good sculpters.

Because they don't pay them good wages that's why.

Blimey Nat, and I thought I was slack with sculpting stuff but you are dragging this out beyond belief!

Seriously though, I know how easy it is to put it off for another day. It's all to easy to get sucked into starting another project. But days become weeks, and weeks soon become months if you're not careful! I find threads like this help motivation as others spur you on to do more.

I can understand why you want to redo the head. As it stands it is a very good sculpt, but I'm guessing that you're aiming for a great sculpt. Don't neccessarily make it symmetrical though. No-one in the world has a symmetrical face. Eyelids, Ears and Nostrils are often different from their opposite number. Look carefully in the mirror or at photos and you'll see what I mean.

Now stop reading this and get back to the sculpting.

DurinsBane · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:45 am

Another fantastic update !
I can totally understand why the members are asking why you want to change the head, but I guess you see things that we cannot from the images...still looks fantastic to me though !

I do have one critisism on the work so far though...I have reread The Hobbit 4 times over to ensure I am correct in this, and I am sorry to say you have made a MAJOR flaw !!!
At no time, ever, did Smaug keep a score of the his kills on his side !

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:30 am

Just a suggestion - have several alternative heads. That way you can please everyone, but mainly yourself as you have something in your mind's eye that the current version does not fulfil.

999, 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004.....

TheBucklandBrewer · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:28 am

OMG, those pics really show some great things I hadn't noticed yet before!
The shape of his body is really fantastic! Anatomically it seems so perfect from what I can see.
That's excellent work there!!

I can't wait to see you starting on a pair of wings for this guy!

Fantastic mate!

I better start saving up money to buy a copy if you plan on reproducing it! I really want one, enthough I know it will take ages to paint it... I just want one aswell!! :yay:

Natarn · **Posted:** Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:06 pm

ukfreddybear wrote:

Blimey Nat, and I thought I was slack with sculpting stuff but you are dragging this out beyond belief!

Seriously though, I know how easy it is to put it off for another day. It's all to easy to get sucked into starting another project. But days become weeks, and weeks soon become months if you're not careful! I find threads like this help motivation as others spur you on to do more.

True.

True.

This is a long, long, long, long project. It's a love/hate thing!

I look at the model and hate how fiddly I made the dratted thing and how long it takes to add each tiddly bit of skin - but I love the effect that it creates.

If I were a full-time hobbyist (and I had more dedication) it'd be finished by now. But, I do have a job and a family, so sculpting often has to go on hold so that I can do the things that really matter in life!

This WIP thread definitely helps me. Sharing what I've done with people who are genuinely interested is great!

If I didn't have this way of sharing - and the motivation that comes through it, then this dragon would definitely either be wasting on a shelf in my loft or, worse still, in a bin somewhere.

As it is, I work in phases of activity and inactivity (when I've just had enough of it) and, bit by bit, it moves a little further towards completion. I've cut out all other sculpting and painting at the moment, so that should also help move things along a bit.

So, sorry that it's a long wait for you all to see the thing finished but I hope it's of value and interest anyway. I appreciate your comments, crits and encouragement a lot.

Cheers,
Natarn.

BilboOfTheWhiteTower · **Posted:** Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:37 pm

Absolutely amazing!!

Yes, when you resculpt the head please keep the same look to him...it resembles Tolkien's vision and drawings of Smaug so well!

Natarn · **Posted:** Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:42 pm

This afternoon I sculpted another 8 belly spines and a load of scales under his right foreleg.

Smaug the Magnificent

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