Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Duke Donald on September 22, 2017, 02:00:51 AM
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I recently offered to try to sculpt Maiwa for Plynkes. I liked the picture he posted and was interested to try something outside my comfort zone. I wasn't planning to start so early but my laptop died on me earlier today. I haven't lost anything as everything's backed up but I can't really work and I decided to take advantage of this unexpected mini work break to start the sculpt.
The picture that Plynkes posted:
(https://i.imgur.com/r2qTtW3.jpg)
And the armature:
(https://i.imgur.com/wWDZqdf.jpg)
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Had no idea who - or what - Maiwa was. So, I regooglesearched and discovered she is a character in an H. Rider Haggard story. For the benefit of those as ignorant as I was a few moments ago.
However, I must say your armature looks distinctively too large to be of any use to me. A pox on the ants in your kitchen, sir! o_o
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Had no idea who - or what - Maiwa was. So, I regooglesearched and discovered she is a character in an H. Rider Haggard story. For the benefit of those as ignorant as I was a few moments ago.
However, I must say your armature looks distinctively too large to be of any use to me. A pox on the ants in your kitchen, sir! o_o
Too large!? I assume you're gaming in 15mm!
She's 29mm to the eyes unposed, 1m shorter than a copplestone male warrior and 1mm taller than a copplestone rank and file female, which is the size I chose her to be. The ruler is behind her, which may make her look slightly taller than she is.
Anyway, now with a first layer of muscle on the lower part of the body:
(https://i.imgur.com/3xaxAzH.jpg)
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FifteensAway is making sport with you, Duke Donald. As his name might suggest, he is a dyed-in-the-wool 15mm fanatic, and never lets an opportunity pass to bang that particular drum. He doesn't mean any harm. :)
As for myself, I am astounded and delighted at this turn of events.
Perhaps some background is in order. Maiwa is indeed a major character from an H. Rider Haggard short novel: "Maiwa's Revenge or The War of the Little Hand." She teams up with Allan Quatermain to make war on the tyrannical leader of a rival tribe who murdered her infant son. Quatermain has his own beef with the fellow and so becomes her military advisor as they take on a superior foe. The picture is a scene from the climactic battle where Maiwa's Nala tribe(who look rather Zulu-like) assault the rival Wambe (who in this illustration have a distinctly Basuto appearance) settlement.
A few pictures from the story...
The original full image that inspired this whole business...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/29/163_19_09_17_10_29_10_0.jpg)
Another illustration of the same scene from a different edition of the book...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/29/163_22_09_17_9_42_30_0.jpg)
Quatermain directing Maiwa's Riflemen...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/29/163_22_09_17_9_42_30_1.jpg)
If I'm honest I don't remember this scene (it's been quite a while since I read the book), but it looks pretty cool...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/29/163_22_09_17_9_42_30_2.jpg)
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Thanks for the background and additional images Plynkes. I wasn't sure whether FifteensAway was joking or was genuinely agrieved she may be 0.5mm too tall to his tastes. I'm relieved it is the former.
Thanks to my enforced break from work, I found an hour this morning to progress on the sculpt.
From the front, she already looks more human than stick insect:
(https://i.imgur.com/BGo4tML.jpg)
And from the back, she's even recognisable as of the female gender:
(https://i.imgur.com/fN1goon.jpg)
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Body essentially done. Given her clothes, which aren't overly revealing, I tried to get the anatomy right but didn't spend too much time on the polishing phase.
(https://i.imgur.com/Z6Hs5n4.jpg)
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Coming along nicely there! It's making me rather uncharitably hope that your laptop doesn't get fixed too quickly.
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Really enjoying seeing this figure come to life. ;D
Also looking forward to seeing Monsieur Plynkes paint job on the finished article. ;)
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Coming along nicely there! It's making me rather uncharitably hope that your laptop doesn't get fixed too quickly.
Don't worry, I'm quite enjoying this enforced break myself.
Thanks Malamute, I'm also looking forward seeing it painted by Plynkes.
The mini's getting there. I had to make some difficult choices for the face. The two illustrations are radically different. I kept the expression of the first but tried to mix the two. I'm not too sure this was clever, as it took me much longer to sculpt than if I had based it just one one picture. I don't think it looks too bad, but it is difficult to tell before the hair has been added.
(https://i.imgur.com/YQzIsy4.jpg)
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Enjoying this thread very much, thank you.
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Coming along nicely.
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Ha thats funny, the hair was the first thing I noticed. ;) lol
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Is this figure going to be available? or is it a one off for yourself? I think she would make a great officer for a Dahomey amazon corp.
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Thanks everyone for the comments. The figure may be available as a small series if there is sufficient interest. Though, note it would be in resin and it would be a delicate mini. Otherwise, I will send the sngle copy to Plynkes.
The last picture was a bit grim, here's some progress and a slighty better pic, with my cat in the background.
(https://i.imgur.com/lphlp6q.jpg)
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Ha ha! Now I'm thinking she's the priestess of the Giant Evil Cat God, not Maiwa at all. Rider Haggard did have a tribe that worshiped a great evil ape (guess what happens to it?*), and Holy Hippos, but I don't remember a giant cat. Wouldn't surprise me though, he did go a bit crazy towards the end of the series.
This is getting good. I find myself waiting for the next episode like it was Game of Thrones or something. :)
*SPOILER: Quatermain shoots it dead, like just about every other animal that he runs into.
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Thanks Plynkes!
The Cat Goddess looks fierce and evil but is fairly placid and cuddly.
A minor update but a significant one as the hair largely defines the character. She's actually prettier than in the picture. Please let me know if you like the face as it. I can make whatever change you'd like. In particular, I can increase her chin and cheekbones to make her look more like in the first picture.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZZexoG8.jpg)
And a view from the rear, as it will likely be the last opportnity to see her naked.
(https://i.imgur.com/AmiLvI8.jpg)
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Well, I do like the face in the original pic better than the one in the second pic, but I think the sculpt looks fine, and I'm not about to tell you to change it. That's your business. :)
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Something along these lines?
(https://i.imgur.com/omoKuP5.jpg)
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Aye, looks good.
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I am really enjoying watching your progress :)
Thanks for sharing this.
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Coming together nicely :)
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It is great to be looking at a so analytical stage-by-stage creation of a sculpt!
Very instructive! I'll be following this thread! Many thanks for sharing!
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Impressive! I couldn't manage sculpting, not at this level of quality anyway, but it's a fine show to watch. 8) 8) 8)
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Thanks all for the kind comments!
I'm getting there. She's essentially done apart from a few details to clean up and the spear. And I just realised I forgot the earrings :?
I made some concessions to castability, and she should be castable in one piece. Though, it would be a very delicate mini and the spear would have to be removed and replaced by a wire as it would be too snappy in resin.
(https://i.imgur.com/K97ntrL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/f9LoGTP.jpg)
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Great work. :)
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I'm impressed.
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Wonderful! Just like the picture. :)
I think you're right about the spear. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be best left out altogether of the final casting. It would almost certainly need to be replaced, as you say. But that's your call, obviously.
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Thanks again for the comments!
She's done :)
Wonderful! Just like the picture. :)
I think you're right about the spear. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be best left out altogether of the final casting. It would almost certainly need to be replaced, as you say. But that's your call, obviously.
I'm glad you like her. If there's a huge demand from LAFers, I would consider having her cast as is (without the spear). This would require a few tiny modifications to the sculpt. Otherwise, I'll finish the spear I've started and send you the mini, against the promise you paint her and show her on the forum.
(https://i.imgur.com/68E6rwE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5Z4f7CA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/A5amUeg.jpg)
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Lovely work, well done.
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Really gorgeous! Nice movement! A fine job! Congratulations!
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Absolutely fantastic! An amazing thread. I too can't wait to see the painted version!
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I would really like to have one if your are going to do a run. Resin or metal, she will make a great leader for my Dahomey amazons. (http://www.badassoftheweek.com/dahomey1.jpg) Looks ready to take a few French heads.
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I'm not into things Zulu but it is an amazing sculpt and I would buy two for my friends Axel and Rudi.
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I could also find a use for a copy if you get enough interest to make moulding worthwhile.
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Yep, I could find homes for at least 3 of them, maybe even 4.
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Splendid little model there, very nicely done.
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Thank you very much everyone for your kind comments. I feel very touched by your enthusiasm for the sculpt. There also seems to be enough demand to have it cast.
It will be a resin "master cast", the standard intermediate step before metal casting, which should ensure the highest casting quality. Such moulds have a limited life and it is difficult to predict how many copies can be made before the mould decays. I'll contact Rob Alderman from Hysterical miniatures (a fellow LAF-er) to ask for a quotation and advice on the cast.
I'll have to make a few minor modifications to the sculpt. I found a further few areas that need further cleaning up, such as the right biceps and the inner part of the right foot. I will also slightly reduce the undercut on the swirly bit at the bottom of the dress and will probably make the bits coming out of the knot on her left shoulder a bit stronger. Then, I will need to redo the bracelets on her right arm. I tried a new type of wire which was a bit too stiff, and there's a space between the arm and the wire which would lead to a casting disaster. I don't expect any of these changes to be noticeable. I've also already ordered wire spears like these https://www.blackhat.co.uk/product/ns101-50mm-wire-spears/, and each mini will get one. Then there's the issue with the base. I assume most of you interested by this sculpt prefer solid over than slotta bases, but please shout if I were wrong.
Finally, some information about the boring financial details. As I stated earlier in a separate thread, I don't wish to make any money out of this. I'm lucky enough to have a day job that pays well and I don't want to get bogged down with the administrative tedium of running a small business on the side. Thus, I will cover all the casting costs, but will probably have to ask for shipping costs. I also feel it would be nice if everyone who wants the mini made a small contribution to a charity. I was thinking about one supporting in education in Africa such as this one: https://africaeducationaltrust.org .
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More than happy to pay for the postage and some charity money. In fact if/when you cast them make that three for me. Pay¨Pal alright?
And yes definitely prefer a small base to a slotta- base!
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I would like to buy two miniatures please :D
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Thanks again.
I've been in touch with Rob Alderman, and he would be willing to cast the mini in resin, and the quotation he sent me was absolutely reasonable. I subsequently also enquired about the possibility to do an initial series of resin master casts (~30) until the mould dies followed by a small series in pewter, but haven't heard back from him yet. I'll make the last modifications on the sculpt as soon as I find the time and will send him the master. I'll keep you posted on the thread about any progress.
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I'll keep you posted on the thread about any progress.
Good news. Appreciate it, sir. :)
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Would also be interested in one for the collection if possible.
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I think it is your best work so far.
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Thanks again everyone for the nice feedback.
I made the last changes and she's ready to be cast. I'll remove her spear and send her to the caster next week or the following. There will be one small series of master casts in resin (~30) and one series of metal casts of 100-200 copies. Each mini will come with a separate metal spear.
(https://i.imgur.com/Nno3vvq.jpg)
I have to admit I didn't anticipate the interest in the sculpt, and even less so that several of you would like to get multiple copies. My initial plan was to make a small series in resin and to cover all the the costs myself. As I'm now considering 100+ minis, I'll need to ask those of you who want a copy to cover for the costs. I don't wish to make any money out of this, but I'm also not keen on this venture costing me too much. I don't have a final quotation yet for the metal casting, but the costs will remain below £2 per mini.
It would be useful if all of you who wished a copy could PM me with the number of minis you'd like. This will allow me to decide whether I should have 100 or 200 metal copies made.
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Great news!
Not sure how I feel about all these other buggers jumping on the bandwagon and getting my figure, mind. Kidding! Just kidding, honest! lol It's great that there has been interest in this little idle daydream I had. Can't wait to see a few painted up (I bet I'm the last to post one, incurable slowcoach that I am).
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No interest in the figure for me, but I wanted to congratulate you on your rendition of her - very nice sculpt.
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when the time is there, 3 please