How to sculpt a top hat?

[JollyBob]

That's it, really. 

I need to put a top hat on a werewolf, and would like tips on how to sculpt one since it will need to be slightly bigger than normal.

Any ideas?

Thanks
JB

[Black Cat Bases]

What style of top hat?
One sort make a cone type shape, the other use a piece of tubing once in place make the rim with either metal or green stuff.
Hope that helps
Ben

[Svennn]

Brim first and let it cure, you could add a rough core at the same time and then do the rest afterwards. I would be tempted to slice the top flat with a blade when set rather than working it flat, you would need to make it taller than required obviously

[JollyBob]

What style of top hat?

Now you see, I hadn't even considered that... 

Thanks for the replies, useful ideas all. 

[oxiana]

Some great tips, but only on LAF could a line like this one pass without comment:

I need to put a top hat on a werewolf

  

[Daeothar]

I vaguely remember a miniature just like that; a anthromorphic wolf figure with a top hat. He's stalking along on his hind legs and pointing with his right hand/claw  (arm not fully extended) in an exaggerated, almost comicy way. I believe the hat had a feather in the brim as well...

Now you've done it; I'll be wondering all night now, about where I saw it and who makes it...

[Dolmot]

a anthromorphic wolf figure with a top hat

Well, the concept has fairly long traditions, after all.



I've even sculpted an oversized top hat once. OK, neither my sculpting or painting were that good back in the fantasy days, but life was kinda fun...

[Heldrak]

There's a reasonable topper in the "Hats and Guns of Malifaux" set (if you don't mind steam-punky goggles):

http://wyrd-games.net/shop/Hats-and-Guns-of-Malifaux.html

Black Cat bases also sells a topper with a doctor's bag:

http://blackcatbases.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=458_461&products_id=2623

You might be able to cut the toppers of some of the LAM conversion heads as well (many of them also have steam-punky goggles, though):

http://www.lead-adventure.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=74

http://www.lead-adventure.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=75

Reaper miniatures also has several hat sprues:

http://www.reapermini.com/Miniatures/Conversions/latest/03202

[Jonas]

I vaguely remember a miniature just like that; a anthromorphic wolf figure with a top hat. He's stalking along on his hind legs and pointing with his right hand/claw  (arm not fully extended) in an exaggerated, almost comicy way. I believe the hat had a feather in the brim as well...

Now you've done it; I'll be wondering all night now, about where I saw it and who makes it...

http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/wolf/latest/50045

[Daeothar]

Thank you Jonas, that's the one. 

You just saved me hours of fretting. And also proved that our memories are everything but perfect...

- Tophat = bowler hat.
- Pointing finger = shotgun. In the other hand...

 

[Jonas]

To be honest, right when you mentioned it I had the miniature pictured in my head and he was wearing top hat and pointing. But then I found the picture at Reaper. I am not 100% sure if some other company have made a lookalike model, or maybe my memory is just bad too.

 

[JollyBob]

Thanks again, chaps, plenty food for thought.

Heldrak - thanks for those links, that may save me some cursing and chopped fingers.