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Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: Inso on 09 May 2017, 08:00:30 AM

Title: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 09 May 2017, 08:00:30 AM
I have decided to bite the bullet and actually do something with the box of Dwarf sky-pirates I bought from GW (Arkanauts). I have already put scale pix up in my Squat thread on here and it was immediately obvious that they were not suitable for that army... so I thought it was the right time to try out making a Demiurg instead. The Demiurg are another race in the GW universe but they have very little fluff and even less in the way of images so I have had to use poetic licence.

Anyway, here's the first one. The arms are just tacked on and will be replaced when I have decided what with:

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/Inso/GW%20Stuff/Demiurg%20Project/Demiurg3_zpsmqaokodx.jpg)

The plan is to use these as Squad leaders for drone units. One of the back stories about the Demiurg includes information that they provided Ion tech to the Tau so I will likely be trying to find something that fits the bill. I have also decided that some form of control staff is in order.

As you can see, it's early days yet but at least it has started :) .
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: The Voivod on 09 May 2017, 08:05:36 AM
Is that face your own sculpt? Wow.

Looks really cool, like a space pirate should.
The floaty dwarves don't do it for me, but in this setting and some adjustmends....
Well, you're making them work.

Although I always thought Demiurg was just the updated name for squats....
Shows what I know.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: commissarmoody on 09 May 2017, 08:06:15 AM
 :D They should make for an interesting TechEd out crew.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Major_Gilbear on 09 May 2017, 10:24:42 AM
Looks great so far, although I assume you have some plans to up-tech the weapons too? :)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 09 May 2017, 11:03:11 AM
Looks great so far, although I assume you have some plans to up-tech the weapons too? :)

Absolutely.

I understand that the Demiurg were the ones who provided the Tau with Ion weaponry so that is where I will lean for the weapons (not Tau ones, Ion ones). I have also decided that each drone unit will have a controller, a technician and an up-armoured leader. The controller will have a pistol and staff (a control staff that doubles as a close combat weapon), the technician will have a pistol and possibly a hammer but will also have a mechanical harness (Doctor Octopus style) and the leader will be more armoured (from the Thunderers box - which I have also ordered) and will get a rifle of some description.

At this moment in time, I have not decided about which drones to use but I have been looking at Warlord Games' 'Beyond the Gates of Antares' for inspiration... :)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: dijit on 09 May 2017, 11:29:54 AM
Looking great. The suit really looks good as a nautical vacuum navy type space suit.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: The_Beast on 09 May 2017, 07:31:52 PM
Is that face your own sculpt? Wow.

Looks really cool, like a space pirate should.

Really! Would have loved to have heard that it would be available for DIY adjustments to the GW kits.

I'm assuming I'll break down and get some of the ships for VSF conversion, and I think there are a few fellows that could use that visage.

Doug
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 09 May 2017, 09:18:58 PM
Don't rule it out. I can press mould it in situ and build it up for casting so there is always a way.

Alternatively, I practice on my miniatures and then sculpt five for a set to be cast at a later date :) .
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Hobby Services on 09 May 2017, 10:59:39 PM
Interesting project.  I've been considering the merits of the ships (and the older Elf eagle chariot kit) for a Spelljammer-inspired kind of thing, but that's still in th edistant planning stage.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: The_Beast on 10 May 2017, 12:59:03 AM
Interesting project.  I've been considering the merits of the ships (and the older Elf eagle chariot kit) for a Spelljammer-inspired kind of thing, but that's still in th edistant planning stage.

Have you seen the 'chariot' in the flesh? It's the reason I'm keeping my expectations low until I have a Kharadron vessel in hand. 'Really, look at the size of the not-dwarf in comparision. It'll be teeny." I keep telling myself.  ;)

I have several chariot hull-and-wings that I'm thinking will end up small boats on my merchant flyer. Even if it's a 15mm LARGE flyer.

A Spelljammer project would definitely have my interest, though!

Doug
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 10 May 2017, 01:06:56 PM
So today, I have ordered some weapons and equipment from Anvil Industries and that means that I will have to wait to arm my Demiurg for now.

The controller has got a nice staff made out of the skypike from the box... so I will need four more of those from somewhere...

What I am going to do is knock up a little threesome (controller, technician and leader) and get them painted up. I have started a second controller but I am going to put him on the back-burner and redirect my efforts towards the technician instead.

In a strange twist of fate, I suddenly realised that I have some Ghar from Beyond the Gates of Antares and they would make great drones for this army (not exclusively... there will be other styles of drone as well).

It is all coming together nicely now :) ...

GHAR:

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/Inso/Ghar/Ghar7_zpsjffqpet5.jpg)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: The Voivod on 11 May 2017, 07:55:33 AM
Oh, those are nice models.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Gun bunny on 11 May 2017, 07:58:18 AM
 :D lovely face sculpts
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 11 May 2017, 11:10:00 AM
Cheers :)

I am thinking of making each unit like a knight and their household... that way I can have different colour schemes for each unit... so this first unit would be green but the next one could have a white/red scheme or even quartered red/yellow... Obviously, I am still at the 'milling it over' stage :)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 11 May 2017, 02:28:18 PM
The Thunderers turned up today so here is where I am at with the first three:

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/Inso/GW%20Stuff/Demiurg%20Project/Demiurg4_zpsne7btb1d.jpg)

From left to right we have a leader, technician and controller.

Still a way to go yet :)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Grumbledook on 11 May 2017, 05:58:05 PM
Oooh, great stuff! Really like those head sculpts and I've always had a soft spot for the demiurg since the squats got eaten.

I remember seeing pictures of what was allegedly an official concept head sculpt for a demiurg. That was years ago though, and i can't find it now but I was pretty excited by it. You're making those new overlord models increasingly appealing though!
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 11 May 2017, 06:19:05 PM
These concepts? (Not mine, i just saved them for reference):

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/Inso/GW%20Stuff/Demiurg%20Project/demiurg2_zpsvwblhuka.jpg)

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/Inso/GW%20Stuff/Demiurg%20Project/Demiurg_concept_sketch_zpseqj4zfuw.jpg)

I've steered away from the sketch, towards the sculpt... but have deliberately 're-styled' my version a bit :)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Grumbledook on 11 May 2017, 06:32:13 PM
That's the fella! I remember thinking the sculpt looked quite Star Trek-ish, but that kind of added to the charm. The drawing always looked a bit odd, especially with those eyebrows.

I like your versions, the chitinous looking scalp on the first one really adds an alien, dare I say slightly tyranid (oh the irony) look to them. Very much looking forward to seeing more.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 12 May 2017, 07:03:57 PM
Cheers :)

I've tried to keep the basic design of the sculpt in the pic but 'tone it down' a bit so that it is smoother. I've also been forced to make the head less 'cone shaped' because of the size of the armoured collar... if I had followed the design, the top of the head would be tiny and I wanted to have slightly larger heads to make the bodies seem more dwarf-like rather than chubby humans.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 13 May 2017, 09:51:19 AM
Now that my components have arrived from Anvil Industries, I have been able to finish the first two Demiurg. The controller is on the left and the technician on the right. The pistols, back-pack and spanner head are all from Anvil. The technician's head is a little more bony than the controllers because he is older :) :

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/Inso/GW%20Stuff/Demiurg%20Project/Demiurg5_zps6vifui9t.jpg)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Genghis on 13 May 2017, 10:59:49 AM
Wow, those are very cool; good use of the core sky pirate bodies.  I'm sure if you ever made casts of those heads available people would snap your hand off to get them.  I'd love to do something like this but there's no way I could do new heads justice with my cack-handed sculpting.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 14 May 2017, 10:01:04 PM
It is very likely that I may make some heads for casting... but I will get some practice in first :)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 16 May 2017, 03:54:49 PM
I have now finished the first group of three Demiurg. From left to right: Controller, Leader and Technician:

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/Inso/GW%20Stuff/Demiurg%20Project/Demiurg6_zps8qgcazwu.jpg)

I guess I will fill in the dimple in the base and get these painted but I won't be able to paint the bases yet because I need some of that crackle paint to make a martian desert effect :)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Genghis on 16 May 2017, 08:05:43 PM
It is very likely that I may make some heads for casting... but I will get some practice in first :)

Sweet.  Those first 3 are looking really good.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 17 May 2017, 09:59:05 AM
Cheers :) .

I have changed the crest on the leader after some good feedback. I think it works much better:

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/Inso/GW%20Stuff/Demiurg%20Project/Demiurg7_zpsuf23axsh.jpg)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Major_Gilbear on 17 May 2017, 05:13:46 PM
Lovely work on these Inso, well done! :)
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Momotaro on 17 May 2017, 05:43:40 PM
Love the mix of Anvil bits in there too.

Honestly, you should get more of your stuff cast up.  I can see GW gamers wanting helmetless Arkanauts too.
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: dijit on 17 May 2017, 09:51:28 PM
As always cracking stuff!  :-*
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 18 May 2017, 11:50:00 AM
These three are now primed :) .

As for separate heads for casting... I am getting the design set at the moment by sculpting these. Afterwards, I should be able to sculpt a few for casting... but that is likely to be after I have my Halfling snipers cast (after I've finished sculpting them :) ).

Anvil Industry have a great array of very useful bits at a really reasonable price. They are very cleanly cast and the resin is lovely to work with. They are my 'go-to' company for bits (before I try other places, if they don't have what I am looking for).
Title: Re: Demiurg
Post by: Inso on 20 May 2017, 06:48:30 PM
So... I was going to paint them... in fact, I got as far as spray priming them, letting them dry and getting all my paints out. Then... I couldn't work out what paint to use so I put my paints away again.

It isn't all bad though. I have got as far as cleaning and assembling the bodies/bases for the next three. I've also put the first dome of putty on for the three of them.

I have also sourced enough sky-pikes for all five of the Controllers (plus a couple extra, should I need them later).

Ticking along :)