Gandlaf The Grey - Thror Finished 22/01

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 12:26 pm

This just hasn't worked in the way I wanted and I am abandoning this, for now.

As you can see, once I had basecoated I realised the surface isn't nowhere near as smooth as I wanted, it isn't quite square and basically looks shabby.
I kept looking but I wasn't happy. I will need to seriously rethink the material I use as the foam board didn't work. I need something that has more rigidity, like a plaster that I can file away easily yet it keeps it's form.
I had considered using a polyfilla on top of the foam but that is too coarse when filled and wouldn't have been suitable for dwarven stonework.

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 12:45 pm

cover it in milliput Mally. its cheap and if you want it smooth apply it and keep it wet while you smooth it over the surface. you can give it a stone effect by crunching up alluminium foil and pushing it into the wet putty. don't give up buddy.

EDIT: heres a pic to show you what i mean. This whole base is just bits of wood covered in milliput white superfine and then crunched up foil gently pushed into the wet putty.

hollowcrown · **Joined:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 3:52 pm **Posts:** 164

Have you tried using those Hirst Arts blocks?

mertaal · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 1:11 pm

But it has so much promise! Perhaps painting it with watered down miliput will help, as DMS suggests. Milliput superfine?

I once had a tube of Vallejo liquid putty, which was a handy and easier way to fill gaps than greenstuff, although not as strong, which is why I didn't replace it when it was finished. However, it has a very fine texture, and with a bit of water and a palate knife (or bit of plasticard) you might be able to get a very smooth effect. Might be worth it if experimenting with Milliput doesn't work out?

Rognarr · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 3:03 pm

Dead Marsh Spectre wrote:

don't give up buddy.

Same opinion. Don't let this stop you from your lovely work!

Oldman Willow · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 3:48 pm

Take a brake then come back to it

I really like the idea so much I put it on the list to copy.

My suggestion would be to paint it with several layers of drywall filler then sand it smooth.

Dry brush it white so that you can see the flaws better it may take less work than you think with the filler. Maybe some one with formal art knows a formula for fresco that might work better than an house painter trick.

I was going to cheat and cut mine from MDFB

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:50 pm

Thanks for all your responses, it is sort of humbling.
I have decided to give milliput a go and I have about half the front covered with it. Hopefully it will dry ok and with a bit of filing it will look better.
To answer a couple of points

Kev - I like the tin foil idea but this stonework needs to be marble smooth. It is Thrors throne at the height of Erebor so the dwarven stonework will be exemplary. I think it is this which dismayed me when I compared what I had done.

Charlie - our drywall filler is polyfilla. It will not go that smooth, though they do a fine version, I have never tried it.

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 4:59 pm

Glad your sticking with it.

Oldman Willow · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 5:31 pm

Gandlaf the Grey wrote:

Thanks for all your responses, it is sort of humbling.
I have decided to give milliput a go and I have about half the front covered with it. Hopefully it will dry ok and with a bit of filing it will look better.
To answer a couple of points

Kev - I like the tin foil idea but this stonework needs to be marble smooth. It is Thrors throne at the height of Erebor so the dwarven stonework will be exemplary. I think it is this which dismayed me when I compared what I had done.

Charlie - our drywall filler is polyfilla. It will not go that smooth, though they do a fine version, I have never tried it.

It is the sand paper that makes it smooth. The milliput takes some effort but it should work well.

Erunion · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 6:16 pm

Please don't give up on a fantastic idea! If you do decide to start over from scratch, maybe plasticard?

Harfoot · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:53 pm

Glad you are not giving up, looks really good. Agree with mertaal Vallejo liquid filler is good, bit like a ready mixed fast dry fine polyfiller.

I would remove the giant babies milk bottle from the finished diorama, just doesn't go. :-)

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:59 pm

Harfoot wrote:

I would remove the giant babies milk bottle from the finished diorama, just doesn't go. :-)

As always, your attention to detail is spot on. I will endeavour to remove it.

Mortaal · **Posted:** Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:06 pm

Perhaps you could find a Laser cutting company, they could basically cut all your parts out of wood (even very thin veneer for the intricate detailing, or they can engrave it straight into the wood). I could help with the drawings if wanted

regards,
Mortaal

Barnsley Burglar · **Joined:** Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:32 pm **Posts:** 126

Gandlaf the Grey wrote:

Harfoot wrote:

I would remove the giant babies milk bottle from the finished diorama, just doesn't go. :-)

As always, your attention to detail is spot on. I will endeavour to remove it.

If the dwarves wanted to build a giant milk bottle, I'm sure it would be of the finest craftsmanship!

Glad you're cracking on, I've enjoyed following the WiP

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:20 am

I've finally managed to coat this in milliput and although I'm not 100% happy! it is at least better than it was.

Gene Parmesan · **Posted:** Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:28 am

I think it looks fine as it is. The rough surface may make painting it with that slight shimmer easier

Crucium Giger · **Posted:** Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:16 am

Looks good to me though I know what its like to be self critical of your own work, sometimes you're just not happy with something though everyone says it looks great.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:38 am

coming along very nicely, Thomarillion had a version on their site yesterday, but its gone today!

mertaal · **Posted:** Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:04 am

RE: Gene Parmesan's comment.

Yes, I was just about to say the same thing: it looks a lot better, but the texture will actually make it look a lot better when you're painting it than a totally sheer surface.

It's looking great, and i'm really pleased you decided to stick with it.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:45 pm

So heres my latest offering.
It has not been done to a standard I am completely happy about but I think I have slightly rushed this so I can start on the diorama challenge. The stonework is not as smooth as I wanted and some angles are a bit askew but I will just have to live with that.
On the positive side Thror was a pleasure to paint, a great sculpt set in a dynamic pose. I did intend to do a plaque for this but once again I don't want to waste anymore time and get cracked on with my diorama.

A closer look at Thror. I have let a bit too much light into the photo.

Finally, The Arkenstone

Thanks for looking and as always C & C eagerly awaited.

Gandlaf The Grey - Thror Finished 22/01

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