Aggro84's Gothic Horror Thread

[aggro84]

I received my LAM miniatures yesterday and they are really nice.
They are beautiful sculpts and they have been cast up very well. 
I've have not seen any mould lines, or other imperfections.

Normally, I'd start right in trimming off the slottas and mounting them on to metal washers.

However, some of the miniatures are in some really dynamic poses where they are leaning forward running.
I'm worried they won't be secure with their slottas removed.

Now I'm debating a partial slotta removal, leaving bits behind to stick into putty, or just purchasing some nice slottas and mounting them onto those.

The nice slottas would look good and be the most sturdy; but so far all of my miniatures have been based somewhat consistently onto metal washers.

Decisions decisions. 

[Skrapwelder]

That's what I did to the bases on some. I trimmed it a bit and then flattened the portions away from the feet with pliers. Glued to a washer and then covered in green stuff to make a cobblestone base.

[aggro84]

That's what I did to the bases on some. I trimmed it a bit and then flattened the portions away from the feet with pliers. Glued to a washer and then covered in green stuff to make a cobblestone base.

Yes, I saw that. While I was waiting for my minis to show, I downloaded a bunch of photos from the forum of peoples LAM figures to inspire me (steal ideas from). 

I decided to trim down the slottas and mount them on washer bases built up with Sculpey.



Now I need to decide if I want to try to sculpt out brick work/cobblestone or go for the standard (outdoor) basing I've been doing.

[aggro84]

I did some test carving into one of the bases. About 10 minutes work and just a quick black wash to get an idea what the finished bases might look like.



Looks okay I guess. I'm still on the fence about this though.

Regular bases or cobblestone? 

[Steve F]

Looks more like crazy paving to me, I'm afraid.

If you want cobbles from Sculpey, the best way is to make a mould from some existing cobbled surface and use that as a stamp.

Failing that, you could try what I did for my "Holmes" bases: cut a cocktail stick in half, and drill a hole in the middle of the resulting flat surface.  Trim round the outside with a scalpel to make the rim as thin as possible.  Lubricate, and press into the putty or clay to make individual cobbles. 

[aggro84]

Looks more like crazy paving to me, I'm afraid.

Agreed.  

If you want cobbles from Sculpey, the best way is to make a mould from some existing cobbled surface and use that as a stamp.

Failing that, you could try what I did for my "Holmes" bases: cut a cocktail stick in half, and drill a hole in the middle of the resulting flat surface.  Trim round the outside with a scalpel to make the rim as thin as possible.  Lubricate, and press into the putty or clay to make individual cobbles.  

Both are good ideas, unfortunately a little late now.  

I'll try a brick pattern next and if I don't like those results any better I'll just go with my standard basing technique.

[aggro84]

I tried a brick pattern.
It looks a lot better and was easier to do; however, I'll need to putty over the exposed slotta bits.

I'm getting closer and closer to just going with my standard basing for consistencies sake but I want to make sure I've weighed my options.

[Laughing Ferret]

easier than trying to cover the slotta tab is to cut it, so you're left with two thin pegs under the feet, then drill into your base, using the pegs from the slot tab as pins.

the brick pattern does look better 

[aggro84]

easier than trying to cover the slotta tab is to cut it, so you're left with two thin pegs under the feet, then drill into your base, using the pegs from the slot tab as pins.

the brick pattern does look better 

Oh yeah, Skrapwelder suggested this

That's what I did to the bases on some. I trimmed it a bit and then flattened the portions away from the feet with pliers. Glued to a washer and then covered in green stuff to make a cobblestone base.

I thought I knew what he was talking about but but apparently I didn't.

This will help a lot if I decide to go with a brick pattern.

Thanks guys. 

[aggro84]

A small update. I've had these three weeks and this is all I managed to get done.
Not that great of photos either I'm afraid. It's too sunny outside so I tried a few indoor shots.

[Van-Helsing]

LOVELY STUFF ALL OF IT!

Keep It Going!

[nikharwood]

Superb - love 'em 

[Steve F]

Good work.  The distressed slabs on the bases work.  Are those all LAF minis?

[Mason]

Lovely work, aggro!
Those bases really work, a nice touch.
 

A small update. I've had these three weeks and this is all I managed to get done.

You embarrass me, my friend.
I have had my LAM figures for over a year now, and they are still in the blisters!
Some may well make it into my Strange Aeons project, just to get some finished.....

They look great.
You are making me want to paint mine.
At last...

[Dr. The Viking]

Nice job on the LAM's - hard to resist those figures.