Sparrow2z's 2012 P.E. Log

Hey All,

Apologies for the complete lack of updating recently - it's not because I've gone off (Far from it) but because the past few weeks have been far too busy. On the good side of things, I now know the name of where my prisoner needs to be sent...Now its just a case of figuring out what to do...

I was thinking, and still am, of actually making a miniature of a prisoner, cuffs and all. BUT reading through the logs I see that someone (and I can't remember who) has suggested a similar idea. On top of that, I also realised that if this is a means of pushing my ability, I ought to do something less...Human. I'm v. comfertable in the realm of IG and SM, but I really ought to have a look and see if I could do another race...

At the moment, I'm still at the beginning of things. But I thought it best to throw up a log, as then the pressure is on to actually get going on something...

Sigh...Inspiration...where are you??

Matt

What about a greenskin?

Different proportions and style to IG and Space Marine, plus conversion possibilities.

Or Chaos - corrupt one of your IG/SM

Cool conversion opportunities and great for a story.

Or go for a soon to appear Tau (very different paint style)

Any inspiration?

Laney:D

No worries.

I am sure you have the name of the individual that you are sending the prisoner to? If so, check and see what models that might like. The good thing about IG or SM they can be converted to be Chaos.

If all else fails, what would you love to make?

Why not an Eldar? Who does NOT love an Eldar in cuffs?!?! HAHAHA!

Hey all,

Thanks for the responses! Some good ideas, all told.

@Laney - I am tempted by the idea of the tau....hmmm, there's a thought. Although, I do wonder when the Tau will come out - I'm assuming around the same time as the SM Scouts - Around 30 years or so from now?

@DaBank - the first thing I did when I got the name of my recipient was to check what they were after. It wasn't much help!

@Mord - Why not an Eldar? Well, partly because I want something I haven't tried before (the challenge, always the challenge...) and partly because, dare I say it, the eldar are just too darn pretty. I want to keep some vestige of manliness...

Right! On with the task! Time to tackle the Internet and see if I can get some bits delivered...

More updates when I have them!

Matt

But how about an Eldar... shamed as a Prisoner! You imagine an arrogant Scorpion in shackles, being parade before execution? Interesting...

Just a thought.

Tau will be along with, or shortly after, the new rulebook revision. Seeing as it is a big revision it won't be here tomorrow, but Tau are one of the squads actively in the pipeline at the moment and quite far along in the development process.

Thinking of a good prisoner project is pretty hard...
I waited until I knew for who I was going to build it and that sure helped!
I had several ideas in the beginning and now I have one which I'm working out on paper and in mind first. I hope to start building it soon!
Curious to what you'll come up with!

@Col. Prius - I stand corrected. My apologies if the joke caused offense. I look forward to the update!

@Gatlag - Yes, it really is hard to think of something. But, like you, I finally have an idea! Now just to see if my converting skills are up to the task. I look forward to seeing what you come up with as well.

No offense what so ever taken! I only gave you that piece of information because secretly I want to see a Tau model And who says the next revision want take 30 more years to complete

"The corridor rang to the sound of boots. Gabriel was sure that they were closing. Hidden where he was, he desperately tried to get the radio working once more. He knew there was a chance that if he was successful, the noise would give him away...but help would be on it's way. And that was a risk worth taking...he glared at the machine. "For Frig's sake!" he muttered, as he struggled to get some form of response out of the machine's spirit. All of a sudden, the light on it began to flash green, and static burst out of its speakers. With a mix of elation and panic, he started to punch in the coded sequence, some form of old Terra code his sergeant had taught him. Help...Help..."

So, I've finally begun on modelling the prisoner! My idea is this - a lone guardsman in the midst of being captured by the enemy. It'll be a small diorama, showing the point at which the prisoner is captured. For the sake of scenario, theres going to be two models. I know the P.E specifies one model, but I can't make it work with just the one...

Trust me.

I think.

Anyway! Onto the modelling work so far!



This will be the corridor that the encounter will take place. Nothing too fancy. I want it to resemble a corridor in a factory or some such like...the more I work on the model, the more I'll get an idea of the fluff.



This is the mock up of the guardsman. I've used a head, arm and hand from the militia box. I've used SM scout legs and a torso from the cadians. I know theres some work to be done, simply because of scale issues, though have to say, the SM scout legs seem to fit well...

And this, this is the taster for his captor...a nod to Col. Prius...



As always, comments and constructive criticism welcome and much needed!

Matt

Excellent work! The Prisoner Exchange instructs of at least one model, the rest is up to you! It seems clear to me that you are pushing yourself very hard... and the results are fantastic! Love the idea of 'being' captured, rather than 'already' captured.

The corridor looks fantastic. Did you used parts of the Basilica (Tower)? Really cool. Make sure that the bases are filed smooth; not only it helps fitting the models, but the termination details make or break the diorama (which is I'm terrified of mine!) Speaking of details... place the bases on their holes and MATCH the grating shapes' direction. The last thing you want is to have amazing models and terrain... only to end up like they don't belong because the floor does not match.

The IG looks fine... but it will require some fitting to those SM legs. Look at the pic... at least there it looks like the torso is too small (look above left knee). You may get away with it (hehehehe) with some GS and some accessories... a pouch/ammo bit.

The Tau Fire Warrior... I REALLY hope you break the conventional wisdom and make him a bad mammajamma!

Keep up the GREAT work!

Looking very promising so far! Curious to the outcome!
You're right Mord, that's indeed a part of the floor of an Imperial Bastion.

Thanks for the feedback!

@Mord - What is a "mammajamma"? I only tend to speak english or bad english - american slang tends to confuse! As Gatlag's confirmed, the floor is from theImperial Bastion. About 6 or 7 months ago, a local store was clearing its stock, and I managed to pick up two of them for £12, and a stormraven for £20, and I've been looking for an opportunity to use them...

@Gatlag - will try not to disappoint! Though I'm making no promises. What I can guarantee is that I'm enjoying making it so far...

Matt

Sorry... MY bad. It is slang...

bad mamma jamma: (noun) A large man capable of whooping your ass easily. A bad situation to be in. A girl whose body measurements are perfect in every dimension.
Examples:
1. That dude is one bad mamma jamma.
2. Dude, my parents found my stash. I'm in one bad mamma jamma.
3. Well... just watch Carl Carlton's 1979-1980's hit, "She's a Bad Mama Jamma (She's Built, She's Stacked)"...



Basically, I mean that you could made the Tau Fire Warrior a tough guy, instead the wimps they are portrait to be when they are alone (like a Guardsman!)

Hey all-just a quick update. The project has changed slightly. Working on creating a tau which could be used as an assassin hired gunin game. Felt challenged to try to create something a little more imposing then the usual tau models, something more "mammajamma", as mord would seem to say...suffice to say, the starting points was a pair of sm scout legs, a tau body and greenstuff. Will post pictures when I can, but I'm having fun!

Matt

Wow! This will be something to see! Will be waiting for pics with glee!

Tau would be a nice choice.

Tau would be a nice choice. Its going well! The only thing I'll say at the moment is "night vision goggles." Also, trying to figure out how to bulk up the tau body so it fits with the SM Scout legs is proofing hard...

Green stuff. Harder to use than it appears...

Don't know if you need this, but here is a link on using green stuff and some tips.



http://tauonline.org/?content=browse&article=661

Thanks @Da Bank - the tutorial was a helpful reminder. I think part of the problem isn't inexperiance with the stuff, but more a realisation that no matter how hard I try, I still struggle to do justice to my mind's vision. With more practice, I can but hope...

Anyway! On to the prisoner. Remembering that the Mantra is "Pic's, or it didn't happen", allow me to post the first few pictures of my prisoner and his simple base:







First of all, apologies for the quality of the pics. It's like...5.30pm here, and ideally I would have taken the pics with better natural lighting. But I'm eager to show off the prisoner and get some feedback.

The prisoner is made out of:

SM Scout Legs,
Tau Body,
Empire soilder's arm (for the Gun arm)
Tau Arm,
Tau Backpack,
Tau Arm Armour Thing,
SM Scout night vision goggles.
and, even though you can't see it, that little bit from the cadian spru which has the waterbottle/dagger/pouch.

In order for the model to make sense, the body was pinned to the legs with a gap in-between. This was then filled with greenstuff which was then, with much amateurism, shaped into a belt of sorts. I was going to tackle the feet in order to make them look less Human-y and more Tau (they have weird hoof things), but after butchering a practice model, I decided not to bother. This Tau scavenged...In game terms, I see him being used as an Assassin Hired Gun - A Tau who has strayed from the path, as it where, or on some secret mission, during which he pays his way through accepting contracts. Or, when the Tau list is released, he could be used as some form of heavy for that.

Either way, this is the most fun I've had making a model. He reminds me a little of Abraham Sapian, from Hellboy. I don't know why...I'm hesitant to start painting, just in case I ruin it...but April looms close...

As always, comments and constructive criticisms would be appreciated!

Matt

PS - I know, it isn't on a base...yet. Part of that is because I'm yet to figure out how to do the base...bear with me...

Ooh, love the goggles, that is something I will remember and might steal one day for one of my own models.

Glad to help, I love the model so far. It is really cool looking.

Like the others I like it too!
Looks a bit like a Sam Fisher in space!

Wow! I like it! The belt WORKED for me. I look at the pics and made my conclusions... I thought you decided to make a nice artistic addition. I was surprised to know that it was a filler, which you had to make something. GREAT JOB!