Gandlaf The Grey WIP - Bag End 06/02/15

Gene Parmesan · **Posted:** Sat Apr 06, 2013 8:58 pm

Rognarr wrote:

here's a little something for you

just a quick and quite rough shop-job, but i hope it's ok

damn, i really like your diorama!!

Excellent, great job. I mean the both of you.

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:01 pm

Wonderful photography! An epic scene and the lighting is reminiscent of how Tolkien described the fragmenting of the Reek of Mordor and the sun breaking through. Now, all you need is to do it again with about 20 mumakil and say, 5000+ Rohirrim

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sat May 04, 2013 4:34 pm

After my week away I'm back and catching up on the Legolas I started before the April paint challenge. I simply love this pose and want to do a top rate effort with it.
I was fairly pleased with the start until I took the photo as it looks completely different to the painted version. This has made me consider about completely re doing the face. I think some highlighting and or shading is needed for the hair.

While I was away I made a start on the base. I have a few plans for this which will involve a fair bit of vegetation. I mounted it on one of the larger bases to give more stability.

This one will test me and I hope I don't have to re paint many more areas.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Sat May 04, 2013 5:22 pm

Hi G, where have you been anywhere nice?

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sat May 04, 2013 7:01 pm

Hi H been for a dog walking week in Cornwall, it was fantastic. I got loads of inspiration for bases and scenery and too often I thought - how can I recreate that ?

Harfoot · **Posted:** Sun May 05, 2013 7:02 am

Nice, lovely scenery on the coast and moors. Did you know Tolkien honeymooned in Cheddar Gorge and that's where he got his inspiration for Helms Deep!

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sun May 05, 2013 7:06 am

Fascinating. Never knew that and I've never been there though I've passed it enough times.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Tue May 07, 2013 11:18 pm

I've managed to move this figure along but I have to admit I'm disappointed with the photo. I've messed about with all sorts to get it better but it is not as good as the figure is.

For example - on the left chest (as you look) there is a tiny white horizontal line to the right section of the highlighted area. This isn't on the figure ?
Also the face looks too grainy where in reality it is smooth ?
Also the darkish line down the right cheek doesn't exist.
And he certainly doesn't have the dark hungover looking eyes
Anyway, I'm happy enough to progress with the other areas.

Crucifer · **Joined:** Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:31 pm **Posts:** 128

Legolas looks awesome if you ask me Gandalf! If you keep this up he will turn out great \o/

Harfoot · **Posted:** Wed May 08, 2013 3:17 pm

He looks brilliant, i find photos never do the picture justice, i to like to paint with White or Brown undercoat, the old masters,pre-raphaelite always used white undercoats. I find black to hard to "lighten".

Gandlaf the Grey wrote:

And he certainly doesn't have the dark hungover looking eyes

I know the feeling! Thanks for the vote by the way

garmenhord · **Posted:** Wed May 08, 2013 4:35 pm

very nice painting on legolas so far!

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Wed May 08, 2013 10:24 pm

Thanks for the comments everyone. My drive is that I want this to be the best I've done and to a degree I'm heading that way but it's frustrating when the picture belies reality.
I have noticed some blending issues on the forehead that I fixed today so bit by bit I'm getting there.
And truth be known I don't think I've got the face and eyes right. I'm having to be careful not to tinker too much.

Oldman Willow · **Posted:** Thu May 09, 2013 9:39 am

I can not wait to see it finished

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Thu May 09, 2013 9:01 pm

Moved on a little further and tried out a cheap light box. I think I will back it with white paper for next time

The boots are only base coated so far but the rest speaks for itself.

Rognarr · **Posted:** Thu May 09, 2013 9:14 pm

Fantastic.
I have nothing to add to that.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Sun May 12, 2013 1:19 pm

Coming along nicely, did you try the milk bottle light box?

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sun May 12, 2013 7:23 pm

Yes it was, it was dark outside at the time. The photo you see is a 4 pint milk carton cut in half with a desk lamp shone above it.
I think this gives a better image of what the mini actually look like.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Tue May 21, 2013 8:24 am

Unfortunately the photos aren't that good but I hope it gives you the idea.
The real life version looks great to me and I'm really pleased with how this has come out.
I tried a couple of new things for the base. The tree I made from a root dug up during our garden re-working and the blackberry bush is made from poly fibre. I made a concerted effort to get the grass looking better with more variation to it.
The inspiration was purely down to finding the stone. I instantly realised how this figure would look on it and from there the idea flourished to what you see.

Celevue · **Posted:** Tue May 21, 2013 9:02 am

That's a stunning Legolas! Love the paint job and the base with the rock & tree! Based on the close-up photos, it's hard to believe that I'm trying to paint similar sized figures... I'd need at least a 54mm figure to achieve even half as good a face as you have done. Good job!

ElfLover · **Posted:** Tue May 21, 2013 9:56 am

That is amazing :shock:

Best Legolas I've ever seen :yay:

The base really makes the figure

Gandlaf The Grey WIP - Bag End 06/02/15

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