Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Vermis on July 22, 2015, 09:11:01 PM
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The next sculpts in this occasional series, kind of a 'twofer' this time. The first concept is of the Gentleman Bat mark 2: older, bigger, angrier.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/259/18478762173_676cc2a2b1_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/u9UucP)
The sketch on the left shows the actual pose. For a different angle, here's a sketch at a slightly earlier stage of the brainstorming and selection process:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/524/19041010256_fbba4c8968_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/v1A9Yh)
The second concept: the Victorian bogeyman cum penny dreadful star, given a slight steampunk update.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/462/19915399012_9e1f0ecaa9_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/wkRChu)
The perspective of the right piston boot is several kinds of borked (I hate drawing mechanical things!), but hopefully the left one helps put across the idea. Also, the head on the main sketch is the 'historical', villainous version. The secondary sketch shows the alternate heroic version that will also be sculpted.
Lastly, for now, progress:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/19671753618_c3a0a1d9a9_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/vYjSZQ)
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Great sketches Vermis, I'm looking forward to the Sir Franklyn Miller Gentleman Bat!
Spring heeled Jack looks great too, I love the good guy/ bad guy head options.
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Can't wait!
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Looking good. Is the intention to have the bat taller than the last one?
With the left hand, it doesn't need to be a fist but the fingers need to be together in that position otherwise it'll just rip moulds or not fill. You could do that kind of finger posing but the hand would need to be a seperate part. With the cloak, just make sure it's not too thin (reinforcing with rod wouldn't be a bad idea either). I've had a couple of issues with cloaks/tabards recently, usually where they meet up with the body. They look fine until they've been pressed for production and they've been too thin which means the metal struggles to fit and small holes appear. A cloak of that size, coming back off a single piece cast, needs a bit of heft. :)
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Useful advice Dean, thanks. Yes, this is. BIG Bat so he will be taller than Young Bat.
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Well, more upright at least, though also with - what was it? - the weight of age. The first bat wasn't so short compared to the Empire of the Dead minis used for scale reference, but the hunched posture meant he couldn't exactly see eye-to-eye with e.g. the grinner. ;)
Ta for the advice, DBK! We'll be keeping it simple - clenched fist from the top sketch; side-blown, mostly-flattened cloak from the lower. It's have much the same bulk as the last bat's cloak.
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For Springheeled Jack, it seems to me that the piston-boot arrangement should extend to include the knee joint too. A steam- or electricity-augmented ankle joint doesn't suggest towering leaps to me - more like Steampunk-powered Ass-kicking potential. :)
Can't wait for the Elder Bat!
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Great sketches! I want a Gentleman Bat! ;)
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Lovely design sketches: if you sculpt these as well as the last two, they'll be splendid minis indeed.
I'd keep Jack's mechanical assistance as it is: he's Spring-Heeled Jack, after all, not Spring-Knee'd Jack!
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Very nice. Would love to own a couple. Waiting on an era-appropriate Catwoman, though. (whistles patiently) ...
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Waiting on an era-appropriate Catwoman, though. (whistles patiently) ...
(whistles wolfishly)
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Very nice. Would love to own a couple. Waiting on an era-appropriate Catwoman, though. (whistles patiently) ...
Funnily enough........
Just out of, you know, idle curiosity, what would you be looking for in a Victoriana Ladycat?
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Catwoman or a suitable Robin would be indeed greatly appreciated!
I am already planning the colours for my Crazy Bat, maybe the Thomas Wayne Flashpoint look?
(https://www.figurerealm.com/userimages/customs/58500/58229-1.jpg)
(http://www.cosmicbooknews.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/673/wysiwyg_imageupload/1/flashpoint-batman-skin-arkham-knight.jpg)
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Just out of, you know, idle curiosity, what would you be looking for in a Victoriana Ladycat?
Goggles. Ears. Sex appeal. Attitude. A whip or a CAT o' nine tails. (See what I did there?) If you're doing her like a cat burglar mid-operation, I think leathers and lots of buckles, even a dynamic and stealthy pose. If you've thinking of Madame Selena Kyle, running a string of soiled doves (from a CATHOUSE!) I want her elegant, attractive, even haughty. Maybe an outfit like she's attending the opera. A lorgnette and elbow-length gloves. And a CAT somewhere, like curling against her leg. Perhaps, in either pose, her wearing or holding and appraising a faceted gem of appreciable size.
Got all that?
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Here's hoping guys, if these two sell well enough maybe we can get another two in the next go-round as well.
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Here's hoping guys, if these two sell well enough maybe we can get another two in the next go-round as well.
Absolutely. We're only able to consider these two new ones because the Bat and Grinner have been so popular.
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Absolutely. We're only able to consider these two new ones because the Bat and Grinner have been so popular.
Well you can count me in for them.
Stick the word Frostgrave in the mix they will sell like hot cakes lol
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Well you can count me in for them.
Stick the word Frostgrave in the mix they will sell like hot cakes lol
Ha! Don't give us any ideas...
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I'm on board of coarse :D I felt like the last bat was a little small compared to the average 28 mm figure, but perhaps it was the hunched position. The pose in the new sketch also looks kind of similar to the old one to me. Maybe holding a crazy old cootarang instead?
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I'm in Crazy Old Bat is the Bee's Knee's and Spring Heeled looks good too!
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Put me down for these as well; haven't enjoyed painting a mini as much as He Who Grins for a long time.
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Good to hear guys! I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
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Put me down for two of each as well. :D
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Please put me on the list also! Big fan of the first two - lovely minis. Used to love the Spring Heeled Jack stories back in my Fortean obsessed youth.
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Just out of, you know, idle curiosity, what would you be looking for in a Victoriana Ladycat?
Since you kindly asked, I'd like something based on the way physically active women of the period actually dressed, rather than on steampunk tropes like goggles, straps, corsets-over-the-clothes and random clockwork. This picture from a 1903 exercise manual might be a good start.
(http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w519/SteveFlanaganUK2/Odds%20and%20Ends/AtHome%201903_zpske6lyvja.jpg) (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/SteveFlanaganUK2/media/Odds%20and%20Ends/AtHome%201903_zpske6lyvja.jpg.html)
The key thing among respectable women, in a variety of sports and activities, seems to have been to keep things baggy and shapeless above the knee, whether wearing bloomers or skirts (burlesque, circus and music hall performers showed rather more leg and thigh).
(http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w519/SteveFlanaganUK2/Odds%20and%20Ends/Sportswomen_zpsjlb9vz92.jpg) (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/SteveFlanaganUK2/media/Odds%20and%20Ends/Sportswomen_zpsjlb9vz92.jpg.html)
Similar concerns seem to have motivated women in physically active trades, like these two women colliery workers.
(http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w519/SteveFlanaganUK2/Odds%20and%20Ends/Women%20colliers_zpsy1dinjhb.jpg) (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/SteveFlanaganUK2/media/Odds%20and%20Ends/Women%20colliers_zpsy1dinjhb.jpg.html)
(I think the second photo may be just a wee bit staged!)
For authentic in-period cat theming, it may be worth remembering that Sarah Bernhardt inquired about the possibility of having a tiger's tail grafted onto her coccyx.
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An interesting collection of photos. I agree that it would certainly be nice to do something less overtly steampunk. Overcorsets seem a touch odd. As it's a collective project we each have a say on how we think something should look and we work with the majority. Funnily enough the Grinner sculpt was a breeze to agree!
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I was thinking Victorian circus performer as a starting point myself, Steve! Something like the unicyclist and trick cyclists here (http://vintage-ephemera.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/circus-performers-1890s-1910s.html), perhaps; though the fencer and football pics you posted also make me think. I could get behind the idea of a cat-themed fencing burglar (alternative hand bits holding whip and rapier) and look! Someone's done half the job (https://www.pinterest.com/craftymayhem/victorian-fencing-jacket-research/) for me...
I don't mind goggles, though. I think they're the most overused steampunk trope behind random cogs and overcorsets*, but they also seem to be catwoman's schtick these days.
But as with everything, it's more up to 'the syndicate' than me. ;)
*...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFCuE5rHbPA
The problem with things like steampunk costumes and minis is, unless the character's piloting some steam-powered walker or airship, or firing some form of giant radium rifle while exploring the thin atmosphere of Mars, I can't see much call for the dress to be wildly different or at least more tech-encrusted than that of real life. I guess that for me, that's where the hair-thin line between steampunk and VSF, that some argue for, falls. VSF feels conceptual, imaginative, adventurous. And sometimes steampunk feels like a nerdy fashion statement...
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Is there a sign-up thread for the newly planned additions? :)
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Some good stuff there. The top tightrope walker has some potential too.
Is there a sign-up thread for the newly planned additions? :)
Not as yet. Casting is probably some way off yet so there's plenty of time yet. Well assess casting numbers nearer the time so don't worry!
Thanks again guys for the continued interest.
The Syndicate! I like that.
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Some good stuff there. The top tightrope walker has some potential too.
Not as yet. Casting is probably some way off yet so there's plenty of time yet. Well assess casting numbers nearer the time so don't worry!
Thanks again guys for the continued interest.
The Syndicate! I like that.
Yep, I think "The Syndicate" should be our name ;)
What about this fencing outfit? ;)
(https://d9hblenkye35w.cloudfront.net/media/thumbnail/ext/xl/https%253A%252F%252Fscontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net%252Fhphotos-xfp1%252Ft31.0-8%252F1926236_619904051421492_1212106459_o.jpg)
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Some terrific pictures there, Vermis. There is sense in using a circus outfit as the basis, given that Superman wore Eugene Sandow's clothes with an added cape, but the fencers just look so stylish. They also fit the design philosophy behind Darwyn Cooke's redesign of Catwoman's suit, which, in his and Cameron Stewart's hands, looked liked soft leather, intended to provide some protection against knocks. Later artists decided to make it look like spray-on latex instead. The goggles were supposed to have night-vision lenses. Unless those are available in Victorian times, why would your ladycat wear them? Perhaps she climbs down chimneys and needs to keep the soot out of her eyes - in which case, she'd have to be small and light, not some strapping amazon.
Strapping amazons are another subject altogether!
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For what it's worth I like the women's fencing outfit as a starting point for our cat burglar suit. Maybe with a pointed masquerade type mask & some riding boots.
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Thought I could power through this sculpt, unlike the last two; but typically, things occurred. Ah well, it's still moving. Basic musculature and stuff added, some guide wires for the cloak. Now the hard bit starts.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5805/20336857620_59f0de12fa_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/wZ6Hfd)
Those'll be trimmed to size, BTW, once I've got a good, solid sheet of putty over them.
The goggles were supposed to have night-vision lenses. Unless those are available in Victorian times, why would your ladycat wear them?
Um... er... ah... because they're steampunk. (Just need to stick some gears on them) ;D ;)
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Getting there brother! Look forward to the next update.
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Just checking in to see if there is any update? :)
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Vermis is on with the Old Bat now. He may even put something up here.
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Vermis is on with the Old Bat now. He may even put something up here.
Good stuff. Cheers. :)
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I suppose the Victorian-era Bat-man would need a steam-powered, cog-driven suit of armour for those occasions when the Victorian-era Super-man needs a good thrashing? Hmmmm - I'd pay for that.
Now I need to draw a Victorian-era Super-Man. :)
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It's going, but crawling a bit at the mo. Kicking myself for trying to sculpt another cloak. There was too much of a gap between that and the right leg, for casting; so I had to dig out that supporting wire without cracking too much of the whole cloak shell (milliput...) and reposition it.
Previous:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/627/23131980275_27c44b3fb8_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Bf6rQ8)
A bit more, plus repositioning:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5690/23369151192_dbd6efca27_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BB41tS)
Hopefully that'll make cloak-filling a bit quicker, which is the trickiest bit at the mo. (Fine detail is relaxing, in comparison)
I suppose the Victorian-era Bat-man would need a steam-powered, cog-driven suit of armour for those occasions when the Victorian-era Super-man needs a good thrashing? Hmmmm - I'd pay for that.
Music to my ears. lol
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Amazing Sculpt! :o :o
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Stick me down for these please.
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count me in as well, are the older mini still available?
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Alas, I'll take one of each please lol
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I've got my original pair primed and ready for paint. I'd be up for the new additions in the future as well!
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Alas, I'll take one of each please lol
x2
Count me in as well for one of each :)
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Could I have one of the crazy old bats as well please when they come out.
Thanks
Chris
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Thanks for the interest guys. They are probably a little way off yet but we will probably orderthe casts based on interest, as we did with the Grinner.
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Well colour me interested for one each at least. ;)
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Ditto.
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Been a bit eventful over the festive season, but don't worry, I think I'm getting somewhere now.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1676/23572705523_852ba63ae1_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BV3h6i)
The first pass at the gaiters were a bit wide and ended up looking like leather ugg boots, so I shaved the sides down and redid them. I don't know if I improved the look much, but they were such a pain in the backside that I'm leaving the buckles for now and concentrating on other bits.
On that note, how's the first glove look?
Also, he ended up sitting in the putty oven for long periods, so I thought I'd better get on with another thing in the meantime.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1639/24199502185_fb48e4c3b6_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CSqLUi)
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The glove looks fine ;)
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Really awesome! Love your sculpts.
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Wonderful! :-*
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Wee bit more.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1491/25145678602_824595a046_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ej3bbN)
Bulk out neck, sort wee buckles and things, and attack that cloak.
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He's a mean looking Son of a Bat, isn't he.
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:o
Love it! :-*
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Oh yes, that is damn sexy.
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Awesome work! :o
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Oooh! Very nice! Please sign me up for one of each! Also, I hope the scale is a wee bit bigger on this guy? The last mini looked small next to most of my other Victorian figs from Brigade Games and Westwind.
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Details are really starting to come out. It's looking very good so far.
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Brilliant!
Love that face!
:-* :-*
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Lovely concept that's really starting to come together.
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Amazing. You're gifted.
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Love the crazy old Bat. I hope to be able to pick one up if he becomes available to go with the previous one and the Man Who Grins. :)
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Well I'd love to have news but our sculptor Vermis seems to have fallen off the planet. If anyone happens to see him tell him to give us all a yell!
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Yeah, he stopped coming to the forum in September :(
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Ah, I see. Well I hope Mr. Vermis is okay.