Trolls 22/06

mertaal · **Posted:** Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:17 pm

I am convinced that CMON is populated by idiots. I'm sure someone could make a very amusing analysis of the "types" of people on there, but I feel that for every person like those who post on One Ring there are 9 talentless morons who get a kick out of down rating people who's work is better than theirs, but not at "competition winning" level.

I know a few top painters who say that politics is a big factor in CMON as well. Some painters are very popular in the community, and so get a lot of high votes, even for the work that isn't quite as good as their usual standard. Then very talented but basically unknown painters get mediocre ratings for work which is clearly of very high quality.

The highest vote I've ever got on there is 7.1, and it was for a model that showed a lot less technique than others I've put up which have been voted quite a bit less. Thao is right- people aren't judging the miniature, they're judging the photograph.

This compounds the already prevalent problem there of larger scale miniatures getting higher votes than similar skill levels at smaller scales- people don't have to post the scale, and a lot of viewers probably think they're voting on a 28mm model, and expect all 28mm models to look as good as the 90mm figure they just voted on.

In short, it's a weird place. Don't take it too seriously!

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:53 pm

Here's a horse that finally arrived and I have prepared for the diorama.

This is a better photo and gives a fairly true representation.

Son of Fundin · **Joined:** Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:04 pm **Posts:** 258

Well, this is really beautiful! In my opinion it looks much better in brown than in white and you've done a really great job!

Great colour choice and surely great blending as well, I'd love to see the diorama finished.
There is only one slightly wrong thing: The horses eyes. You can't see the white of a horses eye, only if it is scared. And even then you can only see it at the edge of the eyes. But you can see a little white dot in the black, a light reflection. --> The colours should be the other way round...

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:14 pm

Thanks Bennett, I'm glad you appreciate it. The eyes as set to looking back / startled which will make sense when you see the diorama.
Does that answer your query or do you feel there is still something else ?

Son of Fundin · **Joined:** Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:04 pm **Posts:** 258

Well, if you look for example at these two pictures, you will see, that there is never a black dot in the middle of the white, if so there is a bit of white next to the black. (Sorry, I don't know all the special words...)

http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/wp-content/uploads/horse-2.jpg

http://www.parelli.com/uploads/2/3/1/1/23118228/6836495_orig.png

Cheers,
Bennet

hannanibal · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2012 2:55 pm **Posts:** 221

Astoundingly good work on the trolls and the horse. The flesh on the trolls is some of the best I've seen for those models, same for their faces. I like teh yellow skin tone. The hints of purple in the recesses are a great yet realistic contrast.

I wouldn't worry about ratings on CMON. There's no constructive criticism in an arbitrary rating given to you by some random people off the internet.
You'll know yourself when you've done good work

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:15 pm

Here is my completed piece, if I was to name it 'Here comes trouble' would be fitting.
I used this as an opportunity to try things I haven't before, like the waterfall. So without further ado, heres the whole piece

A view from the right. This depicts a troll preparing a tasty snack of horse leg before being disturbed. You can make out the blood dropping from the leg. That is the leg in his left hand. The live horse is in a pen and will be next on the menu.
Just behind the troll is a spear with a skull on top.

The top left corner and beginning of the waterfall

The bottom of the waterfall and the steam leading away

Now for an extra piece. I have opened up the back so you can see inside the trolls cave.

And finally a view up the slope leading out of the cave.

I still haven't got there with decent photography but I hope you can see everything ok.
Thanks for looking.

Crucium Giger · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:29 pm

Fantastic work as usual, the high points for me are the waterfall (which is top notch) and the cave which is a lovely touch for the diorama.

Amy · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:30 pm

This is brilliant! I absolutely love the waterfall!

Fëanor, the mighty elf · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:02 pm

Staggering, that's all I can say! :yay:

Dezartfox · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:10 pm

Amazing attention to detail! My only criticism is the trees look a bit thick for the amount of leaves they have,

Waterfall is amazing, how did you do that!?

Rognarr · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:15 pm

Gandlaf, you never fail to amaze me with your work! A wonderful diorama.
The only detail you could improve would be OSL for the glow of the fire.. but that's an optional minor detail. But if I am honest this Diorama doesn't really need any improvement

Sithious · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2014 2:28 am

That is an awesome piece. I really like the horse, very well blended. Waterfalls always look good but are not always easy to factor into a diorama, nice that you came up with something, also in days long past that same water could have carved up those caves so it is all very much in tune with nature to be there.

Adanedhel88 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:11 pm **Posts:** 216

wow, that is a really awesum looking diorama, really well done :yay:

Harfoot · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2014 2:31 pm

AMAZING, pure and simple, brilliant. the whole thing is just inspirational. I have spent ages looking at your photos.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:31 pm

Thanks everyone. I have to admit the photos aren't the best, I will one day learn how to take decent ones and being limited to the amount of photos for the diorama challenge was tricky. I will look to take some more for the WIP thread.
Maybe Amy and Tim aka Dezartfox may get the true look of this when it goes in GW Hull.
Tim - you are right about the trees but the only dowel I had was quiet thick and took a bit to thin down. Perhaps I should have done a little more but then again the photo has made them look a little thicker than the reality.
And a final mention to the wonderful Mrs G - she bought me the trolls and wanted a diorama for them. When asked what she wanted, she replied a cave and a waterfall. She is very happy with the result thankfully.

Dezartfox · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2014 9:11 pm

I look forward to seeing it in the window!

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:34 pm

I have tried to do some better photos and think these capture a much better feel for the diorama, what do you think?

And finally a couple of shots of the waterfall pool.

I hope you can see that everything isn't as clean looking as the first set of photos suggested.

abcdefg · **Joined:** Mon May 28, 2012 3:52 pm **Posts:** 273

How have you made the branches? It looks similar to asparagus fern but I can't quite work it out. They are certainly very effective. I am quite honestly totally in awe of the entire diorama. I love the first of the second batch of photos.

mertaal · **Posted:** Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:34 pm

Really, really cool. I LOVE the cut out piece with the Troll cave at the back- super idea, and beautifully executed. Top marks all round!

Trolls 22/06

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