My Sculpting Blog

[Horsleben]

Hello out there!

Thanks for stopping by – First, let me introduce myself:
Im a 23 young man living in Denmark and I recently began my biggest Green Stuff adventure ever! I have been in the hobby for around 8 years, and the last couple of years I have had an increasing fascinating of sculpting and converting, and now I have decided to try my luck at sculpting miniatures from scratch. As much as I like sculpting I have some problems of keeping focused If I don’t have a purpose – so random miniatures was out of the way. I somehow needed a goal – a line of miniatures that I could make my own version of. I have followed chaos-dwarf.com and the forum there for a bit, and after some time, I chose Chaos Dwarfs! Guys like Baggronor (the sculptor behind Titanwargames) and Grimstonefire over there have been a great inspiration in my choice of models I wanted to sculpt, and I really admire the work they have done.

This blog will be my way of keeping track of things, and show the models to the world – and hopefully get a few pointers from some of the pros out there :)

With the introduction out of the way, let’s talk a bit more about the dwarfs I want to sculpt.. I really like all the different versions of CD that are available out there, but I have some clear favorites. FW’s are awesomely detailed, and I like the overall style, but they look a bit to much like little chaos warriors. Baggronors im really impressed with, and I have been a bit influenced by his style, but I have tried to make them unique and personal. Lastly i admire the some of the old 3. ed models too, and they influence my work too..

The first unit I decided to make was a Blunderbuss Unit – I haven’t been able to find any other models with blunderbusses (with no hats ;) ) So it was a natural place to start – And now the first model is so far in the process, that I feel I can show it to you guys:


All he needs is some details and a little touch-ups.

Blunder nr 2 is also pretty getting worked on:


A bit more work left to do on this one - but im really pleased with the helmet.


Thats all i can show for now - but im working on two more Blunderbusses besides these, so i will have 4 different ones when im done :)


Im really hooked on this project, and feel like im getting better and better each time a mix another batch of putty :)

Let me know what you think, and Ill be happy to answer any questions

-Jon

[Student]

They look great. I'm looking forward to seeing the next two.

[MaxSigmund]

Wow, these are good - distinctive designs, beautifully sculpted. Will you be casting these to save you some work? :skull:

[Horsleben]

Thanks for the replies guys!

MaxSigmund - Yeah, i plan to get them cast once i got at least 4 different Blunderbuss-wielding dwarf and some characters.. Or in other words, when i have enough models to fill a mould

DISCLAIMER - Apparently photobucket (or me) is acting retarded right now, so the pictures *might* be a bit funky.. I will look into it tonight..


Heres a quick snapshot from my workdesk here mid-day.. I plan to make another update tonight too




Blunder number 2 now got both his arms!

Stay tuned!

-Jon

[lybban]

Great work!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Horsleben]

Lybban - thanks for the comment man

I have done some detail work to blunder nr 1 and 2, and they are nearing completion (nr 1 more than 2, though)


First, some pictures of nr 1's back side, which have received an improvement, and isnt so flat and boring anymore:





Im still debating with myself about adding a little pouch or some ammo to his belt, but i dont know - what do you guys think?


nr 2 recieved some details to his gun, and only needs some rivets and the like now:







Lastly, i want to show you the progress on the next two blunders - though i havent quite figured the poses out yet





Thanks for watching,


-Jon

[Lew_b81]

Wow! Incredible sculpting here. I really like your take on Chaos Dwarfs too. Are you going to be individually sculpting each miniature?

[Karak Norn Clansman]

Yep, really good sculpting mate. It's already obvious you've chosen good poses for the rifledwarfs.

And now the question is, do you plan to sell any cast Chaos Dwarfs? There's a danger zone of IP here, but just so you know there's also a market demand for blunderbusses. Yours look particularly good. For a professional "store" level you might have a few areas that would look a bit dodgy (the blunderbuss muzzle on the aiming dwarf and perhaps a few beard scales, both easily fixed if you fancy it), but these wouldn't be a large concern even if not "fixed", and the rest is entirely fine for the professional level which a release should have.

This little inquiry might seem to come out of the blue, but stems entirely from the high quality you've pulled off with those CDs.

[Horsleben]

Lew-b81 - Wow, thanks so much! It means alot when it comes from such a talented person as yourself! im a big fan of your ogres! About sculpting them all individually i must say no to that - i would end up insane, im afraid I plan on making 4-5 base-sculpts for each unit, and then get them cast

Karak Norn Clansman - Thanks for your kind words mate! About them going up for sale, the original plan was to only make enough models for myself - but if people like them, and there is a demand, i might set up a webshop and sell them - and expand the range to include more unit-types, such as Great Weapon-wielding warriors and Hobgoblins Oh, and about the fixes, i will certainly look into that! thank you so much for pointing them out! What do you mean about the blunderbuss muzzle? If you would like to elaborate

-Jon

[Karak Norn Clansman]

Sure thing.



A are some scratches, but those might be deliberate. B is a small indent in the rim of the muzzle. Nothing critical, but also easy to fix if need be. C looks like two areas which breaks the impression of a ring around the darker putty. This might in reality be a smooth surface, or it might not matter if you're going to drill out the barrels of your cast miniatures anyway.

Oh, if you'll search after a demand for the miniatures on CDO, then bear in mind that although Russian Alternative are releasing their own riflemen/blunderbussiers, they're all clad in big hats. That leaves you the niche to cater to the mask/helmet Chaos Dwarf market, and probably the 3rd edition old school one as well since your style wouldn't look out of place amongst those models. I think that'd be enough to make the potential little venture go around.

[Horsleben]

Karak Norn Clansman - Thanks alot for taking your time to point those things out! It really means alot to me! A and B are small mistakes yes, which i totally had missed - those will be fixed! C, is just color-differences between the putty - but i will check it again

I have thought about my dwarves filling a nice little niche, and i might just consider starting a little webshop! It is a bit out in the future right now, but i will certainly work on it!

Thanks once again, Karak!

-Jon

[Horsleben]

Okay, i got some work done this afternoon - not on the greens though..

Here is a quick sketch of the pose on the next two dwarfs - i will have some work to do, to differentiate the aiming one, but i think its manageable..





What do you think - is the poses okay?


-Jon

[Horsleben]

Well, its been rather quiet over the holidays, but i thought i would chime in on this last day of the year and give you a little update..






I got a little sculpting done after christmas, and the loading blunderbuss dwarf (or blunder nr 3 as he will be called from now on) is coming along nicely.. Im not overly fond of the hand grasping in to the pouch, but i recon it will be mostly covered by beard, so i think i will leave is as it is..





I also made a new body for the other shooting dwarf (still debating with myself if he should be a lefty), and tried triangular scales.. Damn thats hard to make! If anyone has some good tips, please let me know.. If i get these to work, i intent to mix and match scaletypes to differentiate the dwarfs a bit more..






As a finishing shot, i will show you blunders 1 and 2 in their current state (which is ready for casting )






I cleaned them up, and attached pegs to their bases - i also added the last rivets and pouches and so


Thats all i got to show for now - i hope you all get a wonderfull New Years Eve, and a happy New Year


-Jon

[MaxSigmund]

Excellent work, it's going to be a fantastic unit! Any plans for command figures?

[Horsleben]

Thanks MaxSigmund!

Yes, i plan on making command figures - either one for each unit-type, or one with interchangable equipment.. Havent decided which one yet, though..

-Jon

[Horsleben]

Allrighty then!


I got some more work done on the loading blunderbuss-dwarf, and he is already looking considerably more evil





As usual, a lot of work left, but atleast i fell like im going somewhere


Have a nice sunday!


-Jon

[Karak Norn Clansman]

They all look good. I think I'll put in an order when they're eventually up for sale. 15-20 of those blunderbussiers mixed with future Titan Wargames riflemen in a converted horde will probably look perfect for my army.

If you ponder about making a hexagonal scalemail, here's a tutorial to encourage an attempt.

[Horsleben]

You shall be most welcome to place an order once i get them cast.. Im honored by your interest in my work

Its a nice tutorial, and i will definately try it out!


I got some work done on blunder nr 4, and his basic body is about done:




Thanks for looking..

-Jon

[BlazeXI]

Really nice minis. GW should learn form people like yourself or Warewolf Miniatures, that gamers want to get their hands on Chaos Dwarfs.

[Bad monkey]

Very nice you should consider applying for g dub or some other company.