Well this is my second attempt at sculpting from ground zero. I decided to go for an eastern roman catafract from 10th century more or less. I spent quite some time studying icons, illustrations, photos of reenactors and reading thesis of historian friends of friends on eastern roman arms and armour. Its a complicated matter and one must combine many sources from Greece, Balkans and eastern europe in order to get a somewhat clear picture. Add to that the fact that Im a noob at sculpting and you have a really nice challenge
.
So enough words. The material is Beesputty polyper clay, over a green (or grey) stuff covered copper wire armature. I started with a general anatomy form, posed on a miliput copy of a Perry horse. The size of the mini is pretty much consistent with the Perry war of the roses and Perry lotr ranges.
Sadly I dont have any photos prior this stage. Basically I started from the bottom and gradually moved to the top. Started with preparing the larger surfaces, and then proceed to detail them. I made a little tool for the scales out of a bamboo stick (we use them for making souvlaki
) and a copper strip formed around a needle. The chainmail was done with a blunt needle. I must say that beesputty is a great material but the elasticity of greenstuff works better for chainmail. When I had the torso pretty much done, it went in the oven.
Once the torso was baked and secured, it was time for the arms.
So once this goes to the oven, I have to make the belts, sword, shields (I ll make a round and an almond shaped one) and offcource some heads.
Cheers
