First experiences with green stuff (pic heavy)

Hey guys! I'm here just so you can give me some tips about 'green stuff'. I know, it sounds simple and fun, but to the beginner is something close to nightmares.

Here's the thing: I had some odd spare parts from a bit grab bag I bought a while ago and was kinda bored. So I thought to myself: "with all this I could make a spawn."

I like all my minis to have a background, so I figured that this guy was the result of a warpstorm in a planet that was being invaded by the tyranids. But they were in battle with the planets PDF (planetary defense force). As a result we got this ugly bastard:




The hole on the chest is with a reason - a wound from a meltagun
As you can see, I'm not the best sculptor around.

But the thing is: IT came almost as good as I pictured. I was going for a :

Dead Space slasher (definition)

meets Resident Evil 5 Cephalo (definition) meets Warhammer 40,000.

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

Well, this does it. YOU are a disturbed man. Send Christine my condolences... better yet, tell her to RUN!

Not bad for your first try... actually, its fairly good. I'm NOT the best sculpture, so I can give you tips from a newbie angle. So if anyone with good skills care to share, please do not put me down too much!

1. Nothing to Fear: My first mistake was being 'afraid' of the Green Stuff (GS), sculpting and messing up. Do NOT.
   
2. Water is Your Friend...: Keep some clean source of water (not your painting and brush washing bucket!) handy... just like your friends. Wet your fingers before handling the GS; when you mix it, it will not stick to your skin, and when touching the model, you do not leave your finger prints (unless you squeeze it!)
   
3. ... and Tools are your Parents: Get some simple tools! Like your parents, you really don't want to have them close, until you grow up. Let's face it, we are sculpting on a 28mm scale... and your fingers are fat. Tools will allow you to do what you need. I just graduated from toothpicks to Gale Force Nine's 3 Piece Intro Sculpting Set. I got it new for $7.... so it does not need to be expensive! Once you get a sense of what you need, you can get others.
   
4. It is Just Like Painting: Yes, requires practice! Most people that get frustrated with painting, claiming its too hard, want to produce a Golden Demon model on their first try. Ironically, even MORE people want to produce a perfect sculpt (ready for mass production!) on the same amount of time. Keep trying.
   
5. Start Little: I started filling gaps, then adding hair, then working fur... simple stuff. Then I moved to make few other things.
   

My latest sculpt...


For your model, you may want to add a THIN layer of GS, and smooth it out (wet your fingers!) for a more even organic feel to the skin. The idea of the wound is AWESOME! Get some guts out! MUHAHAHAH! Good luck bro!

Hi Librarian,

I agree with everything Mordheimer has said, plus...

If you can get it try procreate (grey stuff) - I've found it less sticky to use than green stuff and it was cheaper.
As well as water, WD40 (or similar) sprayed on to the green stuff makes it easier to work (but do this in an open area).
Also scibor has some superb tutorials on his website (the man is a sculpting genius).

Just try stuff out - its great fun to get creative - love the spawn by the way - it's a really dynamic pose you've created and the greenstuff looks pretty organic and the commissar is brilliantly fluffy Mordheimer!

Here are a few of my efforts...
Daemonhunter Grand Master (Cloak and resizing body)


Blood Bowl Thrower (complete sculpt from scratch - used a reaper miniature armature for this one)



My Vulkan H'estan (sold on ebay - because were moving soon - got to save some cash and make some room) - scaly cloak, lava and cloth strips


Just have fun with it!
Laney

DUDE! You are a genius yourself! My, my! We are in the company of greatness. By the Emperor's Midi-chlorians... that Blood Bowl guy is... WOW! I got no word in English OR Spanish!

Do you have links for the tutorials you mentioned?

PS: Thanks for the compliment on the Commissar. I need to do some sculpting... I just wish I had time.

I think this is right address - there are also lots of nice goodies in the conversion part of his shop
www.sciborminiatures.com

I might have to try another green stuff conversion - I feel inspired.

Cheers
Laney

@ Mord: WHAT? I THINK I DIDN'T HEARD YOU CORRECTLY! YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE EMPEROR'S WHAT? ... never EVER bring that filthy word again in a conversation, or I'll personally send you to the commissariat to get BLAM'ed... (and we need a emoticon for that)

@ 02laney: Wow! Coming from someone with your talent, it's a big deal for me! Over here, in the distant lands of Brazil, we don't have any kind of 'stuff', but I'll look into buying some greystuff online. Your thrower is absolutely stunning! awesome work man! thanks for the tips!

Ah just get Commissar Fuklaw

dwi