GD Valhallan diorama

[Guilliman]

Well I'm back with an update. First I thought I'd show you the progress of making the rubber mould for my cast. First half should have hardened by tomorrow. Then I'll turn it over and pour some more rubber into my lego mould. To cover the first half I used a speciel sand. I got it from a friend that's got tons of it. I'll let the photos speak for themselves:









Next up is the guy sitting. I just finished him, although he will have a helmet lying behind him on the box. I hope to get started on the third sculpt tomorrow. Problem is I've almost run out of GS and although I ordered more this friday it hasn't even been posted yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed they post it tomorrow.

[Guilliman]

I was going to take a picture with both models in front of each other but realized the other one was lying in liquid rubber.

[ephrael]

What kind of sand is that? I've been using clay and it is a bit of a hassle to clean off the master.

[Guilliman]

What kind of sand is that? I've been using clay and it is a bit of a hassle to clean off the master.

It's some kind of moulding sand. I know it was available from the same store (don't remember which one) I bought my casting equipment but I was to cheap to purchase some. Luckily my friend got his from our university's workshop. The sand packs so tight it's actually possible to produce two mould halfes made completely from sand possible to use for 1-2 casts in metal. Not as detailed casts as this will be though.

[synthet]

Your sculpting skills i amazing! I saw your minis i nyköping a few days ago, and I most say that they look about 10 times better IRL! I would be surprised if you didn´t get one statuette on GD

[Mega Nutz]

The second finished pose is fantastic. Can't wait to see the two in situ!

[Xepher]

Are you sure you don't work in GW's design studio? these are fantastic. Definitely professional standard sculpting. Can't wait to see the finished product

[Munchy]

Looking great Guilliman! I hope your mold doesn't damage the first trooper though!

[Guilliman]

First mould half is finished. The trooper is fine but it turns out I should have looked into this sand a bit more as the rubber soaked up the upper 1 mm layer of sand. I think one's supposed to spray some kind of release agent on the sand first. But i managed to cut away the sand layer and everything seems fine by now. The second mould half is hardening outride in the garage the moment I'm writing this.

Now I'll finish the helmet I started working on yesterday and pour some of the rubber on top of it unless it's hardened to much in a couple of hours.

Then I'll get started on the sleeping guy.

[Ash]

Really looking forward to seeing how these turn out. Your sculpting is superb.

[Balerion]

That looks fantastic. Really smooth work, I wish I could do that.

Yes! Smooth both literally and figuratively.

Actually, Guilliman, I was wondering what sort of tool + technique you use to smooth areas of greenstuff. It's something I find very difficult to get right, and you are clearly excellent at it.

[Guilliman]

Yes! Smooth both literally and figuratively.

Actually, Guilliman, I was wondering what sort of tool + technique you use to smooth areas of greenstuff. It's something I find very difficult to get right, and you are clearly excellent at it.

I usually use the knife end of the GW sculpting tool. I have however heard that many people complain about the GW tool. I think I was lucky to get a good one. The important thing is you've got a flat tool you feel you have good control over then simply use it as a trowel as if you're smooting out filler.

Another important thing when using green stuff is to apply all GS you need at one time. I usually apply a bit too much for, lets say, an arm. I then form it to the approximate size and shape by pushing the GS towards an "end" (in the case of an arm that's usually the wrist), then cut the excess GS away. If yo do it the other way around with to little GS in the beginning you have to add small balls of extra GS all the time. Those are always a pain and sometimes impossible to smooth out.

The nest thing I can think of is to mix your GS in proper amounts. I like my GS a bit dark. Though it hardens faster this way it's much more easyto get smooth. This is because it gets less sticky and doesn't stick to your tools as often.

Which leads to the last thing I can think of: Always keep your tools clean from GS. The moment you've got tiny amounts of putty covering your tools it's impossible to get a smooth surface. Keep the tools wet at all times to avoid this and have a tissue to wipe if off when it happens anyway.

I hope that will give you something to start from.

[adpMagos]

You'r truly gifted man, both for skill and concept!
May I ask you where did you get those faces/hands and what did you use to make the barrel?

[Guilliman]

You'r truly gifted man, both for skill and concept!
May I ask you where did you get those faces/hands and what did you use to make the barrel?

Thanks Magos!

Faces are from the Cadian Command squad and the hands on my last model are from the Empire Flagellants box and the smoking hand is from the Empire Militia box.

If you read though my post ons the first pages I've tried to write down a pretty good guide on how to make the barrel.

[adpMagos]

Thanks Magos!
If you read though my post ons the first pages I've tried to write down a pretty good guide on how to make the barrel.

My fault: I noticed that after I had already posted
Thanks anyway

EDIT: what a shame they're gonna be so few...I'd like to see a regiment of these!!!

[drewxfu1]

Great sculpts

I wish the GW valhallans looked as good as these!

[icecream boy]

The only problem I can see you coming across in the comp is people assuming they're simply conversions and not realizing how much work has gone into them.

[Guilliman]

The only problem I can see you coming across in the comp is people assuming they're simply conversions and not realizing how much work has gone into them.

I've learned the GD udges are more observant than most people. I'd say the risk is bigger they think they're models from another company. But given how they resemble valhallans so much I doubt it. If I see it's not made the first cut I'll have a serious talk with them.

Finished the first stage on the third guy today. The feet and shoulders and up will be the only thing visible outside the cover he'll be sleeping under. He'll also be resting his head on the medic satchel from the Cadian command squad. I'm taking a lot of inspiration from this pic I found on the net:



And here's a pic of the progress so far:



Here's a little something I did for fun and detail.





I've also made a mould so that I won't have to sculpt two more identical to it. Speeking of moulds: today the second half of the mould for the first sculpt has cured. Everything worked out fine, so I'll probably be able to make a few casts after games day.

I'm going away for the weekend though. I'll hopefully have some material for the scene delivered when I get home, so I'll probably start posting pictures of the whole thing next week.

[TheConverter15]

Looks absolutely fantastic! The posing is perfect!

[Gustovic]

Mmmhh, the soilder isn't sleeping, he's dead...