Goblin sculpting and casting project

[Grumbledook]

Honestly not sure how long it’s been since I’ve just been looking at the lovely projects going on here, but I’ve finally decided to start a new project.

Back when I started collecting in the early 90s I had a Dwarf army which I was delighted with, all those tough well armoured and armed brave diminutive warriors were a joy to collect. So, naturally, I’ve decided to sculpt an army or cowardly, poorly armed and armoured rabble in the form of the green tide of Goblindom.

I have started with some archers, one sculpt complete so far, but some more are on the go. I am attempting to hand cast these in metal but more on that in the next post.

Gobbo archer attached, fingers crossed it works since I’m doing this on my phone!

[Daeothar]

That's a wonderful sculpt! 

Will he get many unique compatriots, or will you fill the ranks with 3 or 4 copies of the same mini?

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

I eagerly await more from you.  I have a hankering to do some custom figs but thus far have only kit bashed and got hooked on terrain making, despite buying a ton of raw material to work with.  This is the incentive i need to fil those odd desires no commercial efforts seem to want to address.

[OSHIROmodels]

Looks great 

[Elk101]

Nice work!

[Little Odo]

That's a great little sculpt. Nice work

[Frugalmax]

Excellent sculpting! I really like the design- fits with some of the classic approaches to Goblins from my youth!

[Patrice]

Nice one! 

I have a Goblin army, most of them are very od Citadel / early GW, bought ...long ago, with some reinforcements from other brands, including some new.

And their skin is no green nonsense, I painted them all as suggested by the old AD&D Monster Manual: red brick / ochre yellow. 

[fred]

Great work!

Really has that old school Citadel vibe to him.

[Grumbledook]

Thanks all!

@Daeothar: I’m going to have a go at making some separate heads for 4 or so bodies. It might make the casting/mould making a bit easier.

@Aethelflaeda was framed: Do it, it’s immensely satisfying! What kind of stuff are you hoping to make?

@OSHIROmodels: Thank you!

@Elk101: Thanks!

@Little Odo: Thanks!

@Frugalmax: Thank you, kind of the vibe I’m attempting to channel!

@Patrice: Sounds awesome! I’m hoping to sculpt and cast a full army for myself…. it’ll take quite a while but will still probably work out cheaper than buying classic minis 🤦‍♂️

@fred: Thanks! Hopefully he’ll have some chums soon.

[Grumbledook]

Ok, so, these are the first casts and I must admit I’m pretty chuffed with the results!

I have since cut some more/bigger vents which will hopefully help the feet and bow come out bette. I might also be being a bit stingy with the silicone, a bigger and thicker mould might work better. Also, I’m using silicone that is normally used for resin, although I was told by the manufacturer (lucky me, I live very close so no postage costs for rubber!) that it is good up to about 260 degrees C…… I think I’m going hotter than this though. The more heat resistant silicone is pricier and more brittle but apparently you can mix the two, investigations for the future perhaps.

Anyways, thanks for looking!

[OSHIROmodels]

You could always clad the mould in something like mdf to increase its stability.

Looks good though.

[Frugalmax]

They look awesome! I'm interested to hear how you feel the detail transfers from the original sculpt.
 
I'm sure this isn't new info for you, but just in case- the molds we used to use for lead soldiers (all hail Prince August!) when I was a kid was a black vulcanized rubber, pretty dense and heavy, and not incredibly flexible (which I'm sure creates limits in undercuts on sculpts), but if I recall it was good for tons of uses. That said I just looked up that Lead melts at 621.5 degrees Fahrenheit (327.5 C), which makes me think we were using some sort of alloy because I doubt the little hot plate we used got that hot. Anyway, these look great and I'm looking forward to seeing how this project progresses!

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

Very cool metal cast.

I want to make early 19th century civilians and women with weapons in period garb for Silver Bayonet.  Lots of late Victorians and Edwardians are available but very few Regency garbed.

[Grumbledook]

Thanks for the interest! I’ve take a photo to give an idea of scale compared with some GW Goblins, sadly no really old school one to compare it with.

@OSHIROmodels: Thanks! I’m currently using a couple of plywood coasters and a Prince August clamp. It has been suggested that the clamp will be applying uneven pressure (it does seem VERY tight) and elastic bands may apply more even pressure.

@Frugalmax: I remember wanting to get the Prince August moulds when I went on a trip to Hamleys in London, it must’ve been the mid 80’s. My mum was not impressed and was convinced I’d either burn the house down or poison everyone 🤣.

The first few had some issues (a lumpy foot, a stumpy ear, etc) but quick and easy fives with greenstuff. I’ve since cut bigger pour channels and more vents which seems to have helped fill the mould with metal and the cornflour instead of graphite powder seems to give crisper detail.

In an ideal world I’d want to spin cast the models and get proper vulcanised rubber moulds made. Sadly all a bit out of budget at the moment. In any case, the silicone I’m currently using is reasonably priced and miscasts can always be melted down again if they are beyond rescue/converting. I’ve ordered a few bars of Prince August casting metal to add to my melting pot!

@Aethelflaeda was framed: Thanks, hoping to get some more cast today! Regency civilians sound great and, as you say, very underrepresented and much more interesting clothing than Victorian, etc!

Thanks for looking!