Big Dog

[wolfgangbrooks]

Alrighty. Some of you might remember that I was trying to get some dogs done for my 28mm modern horror line? Well I just got some pics in from the sculptor. As he was trying to get correct proportions without causing potential breakage and casting problems the dog's scale got a bit out of hand. (please not that the dog and the girl are not standing on the same plane)



So that's 15mm high at the shoulder and 20mm high at the head. That is a big dog....a really big dog.

I love the sculpt though, so we're going to buy it and cast it for sale. Probably as a 40mm scale doge that could go along with Monolith or Honorable Lead Boiler Suit's 40mm lines. Or as a genetically altered/space dog or maybe as a halfling riding dog. (Which could happen. Armored versions anyone?) And there might be a couple of others that are nearly finished. I'm not sure on that point.

We're going to push on with the 28mm versions as well, and see if close to right proportioned legs can't be cast up well.

So I'm just putting this out there. Partly to show progress is being made on the line, and to get your questions and comments. Would you mind this as a 28mm figure? Do you mind proportional legs if it means the cast is potentially weakened by it? Would you like to see an armored dog with lance armed halfling riders?

I look forward to any comments you might have.

[Rhoderic]

Maybe it shows that I've never had a pet in my life (nor will I ever - and that's a promise!), but I didn't realize that dog was supposed to be "too big" until you said it. Also, I know first-hand that the Hasslefree figure you're using for comparison is quite petite. I'd use it in 28mm.

If by proportional legs you mean make them thinner and weaker, then I suppose I'd prefer you didn't. There's a chance that once you've filed away the mold lines between the legs, they'll have turned out even thinner.

[wolfgangbrooks]

Yeah, I've seen really thin casts work out. But also some that don't. Proportions can play hell with the look of a figure though. As much as I want it to be sturdy, I also don't want it to look like the legs are too short because they're thicker than they should be. So it's something we'll have to see about.

As for the height, the head comes up to the chest of Copplestone future wars police that I have handy as well as figures from my own line. Most large dogs only come up to about the average persons waist, with the shoulder at just above knee level. I guess it could be personal taste as to if it's too large, just like some people think cars look fine for 28's that would be 20 feet wide in real life.

Strictly speaking scalewise it would be gigantic, and while I realize that some dogs are four feet tall, german shepards aren't a breed that does that to my knowledge. I just wish I knew whether more people felt the way you did or if absolute scale matters more.

Thanks for the comment.

[Calimero]

I think it look good, even if it’s a tad big for a dog. If peoples paint them in a dark colors it will make the size less noticeable on the gaming table.

[archangel1]

I think you should go ahead with it, as is.  Like you say, it'll probably work with 40mm or even larger scales, and if somebody wants a really big mutant Alsatian in 28mm...
I don't think it's wasted as a sculpt but, you're right, as a 'true scale' dog, it is very large.  I hope you go can ahead with your original idea and get one 'downsize'.  Animals seem to be a bit like civilian figures.  In real life, they're everywhere but few sculptors seem willing to take a risk on producing them.  That's why I tip my hat to companies like Foundry and Perry Miniatures, who release them on a fairly regular basis.  In my case, they are often some of the first figures I'll buy from a range.  That, and casualties for some reason! (I see dead people!) 

[wolfgangbrooks]

"I don't think it's wasted as a sculpt..."

Oh, no it's definitely a keeper, and we plan on putting it up for sale. However we don't plan on going 40mm, at least not yet. So a pack of four of these in a more correct scale is coming. And maybe a follow up in doggie tactical vests.

[Weird WWII]

You should see my dog, he's a blue healer and German Shepard mix and he's about that big to say my wife petite wife.  I'm a fat bastard and he knocks me around.  I guess everything is bigger in Texas

Brian

http://www.whattheminiatures.com/

[Gluteus Maximus]

I can think of plenty of uses for him at 28mm. Eg, a fantasy war-dog, the results of an experiment by a SF/VSF Mad Scientist/Geneticist, a feral dog in a post-apocalyptic world etc. The potential armoured option for Halfling [or Dwarf?] cavalry is very intriguing......

I think he'll be very popular 

[white knight]

It's very easy to get oversized when trying to sculpt a dog. I had the same when I sculpted a Snowy to go with my Tintin set.

As you can see on this page, he's too big actually:
http://whiteknight.skynetblogs.be/post/6197795/tintin-haddock-and-snowy

[JollyBob]

Looks fine to me too. I just assumed he was meant to be a guard or hunting dog, and therefore meant to be big.

I reckon if your dogs come in smaller than a GW dire wolf (aptly named or what), most people will think it's ok.

[Gluteus Maximus]

... a GW dire wolf (aptly named or what)..

Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf? Come on, there must be someone 

[wolfgangbrooks]

"I had the same when I sculpted a Snowy to go with my Tintin set."

You did a great job on them too. It's pretty hard to do cartoony in 3D and have it look good. Just look at anyone non-japanese trying to do anime figures.

Bad news everyone. Apparently the sculptor wasn't happy with it and scrapped it, and is now taking a commission with a previously established client and will be busy for awhile. I wish I could afford a professional.