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The Howling of Wolves- a TWC project and army building blog


Euphrati

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*Pads out of the shadows and takes a look around*

 

Well, I've haunted the forums for long enough and finally decided to get my act (and my army) together so making a blog seemed like a good place to start to keep myself going and share my work. To be honest, I've been a bit hesitant as the skill level of some of the artists here is just awesome to say the least. But, here goes... be gentle!

 

Ever since being introduced into 40k with my copy of Space Wolf, the Sons of Russ have held my heart in their claws. I've always leaned more towards the fluff side of things, so it is high time that I get off my arse and get my army into some semblance of shape with the new codex. Now, I've done moding of models in the past, but when I couldn't find a single TWC model that I really liked... I discovered myself between a bit of a mead cask and a hard place- either wait for TWC to be released, or open my mouth like a boastful blood claw and state that 'I should just make my own!'

 

Well, you can guess which of the two choices I found myself suddenly faced with. I've modded models in the past, but wireframe up? This was a first, but i'm fairly pleased with the results and hopefull can get some pointers to making the next of the pack even better. So, here goes-

 

I started with a basic wireframe-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3218.jpg

and worked up slowly bulking him out in stages-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3221.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3228.jpg

Then started on his front claws/legs then moving to the hind and doing some work on the head-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3239.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3240.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3248.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3250.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3251-1.jpg

Then I moved to the claws/face/teeth. This is the part I might change in the next one as the claws made for hard handling in more ways than one!-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3254.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3262.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3264.jpg

At this point I did some side work on the tack while deciding just how I wanted the saddle to sit/look-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3275.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3279.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3273.jpg

Time to get hairy- I started with the hide quarters and worked forwards with fur, having to stop mid-way to ensure the saddle and tack was correct-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3286.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3288.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3289.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3291.jpg

Doing the fur on the face was really fun, because Skol started to take on some personality and look less skinned-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3326.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/DSCF3322.jpg

I, personally, detest the 'bit' in the mouth of many of the wolf mounts that I have seen so I went for more of a 'pinch' or 'bite' collar meant to simulate an alpha's bite to the neck which I thought fitting.

I've decided on winter-themed ruin city for my bases, so there will be patches of dirty snow on them in the rubble once done-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/IMG_0640.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/IMG_0643.jpg

 

So, where I am at now is Skol is basically done and I've started on his rider, (after tracking down a Wolf willing to be tossed in the saddle)-http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/IMG_0645.jpg

Right now he is just loosely pinned in place for visual. I need to gs the gaps in his legs, finish the frost axe (gs the joint where the blade meets the haft and wolf/clean it up), as well as track down stray casting lines to clean up before he can get a basecoat.

I tossed a grey hunter that is waiting for his own basecoat in to give some scale, but he stands (with rider) ~twice the height of a standard wolfbrother-http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/minis/IMG_0649.jpg

 

So, I'd like to see what others think so far... am I on the right track?

Incredible!

 

Though, the mouth looks....freaky.....like the wolf is daemonic....

 

You should also sculpt riding legs, as the wolf ones look out of place....

 

Your skill is...well...incredible and I'm sure these will turn out fantastic....

I dont like the fangled look of the teeth. They seem more like a mole rat or possum's set of teeth than any wolf or monster Ive seen. I also think the model could use a bigger chest. It seems kinda scrawny and slender for a TWC.

 

The detail is spot on. Amazing actually. Im very impressed... If you are truly asking for feedback, then I wouldnt purchase it if it were sale. Not yet. But if it had a more symmetrical set of teeth, proper wolf fangs sort of thing and larger thoracic area, I'd say hell ya.

First off, welome to the Fang! you sir, have talent! the detail is very impressive! although I must agree on what's said about it's mouth. Also I'm thinking the proportion doesn't look right. It feels/looks more like a Fen Wolf than a Thunder Wolf compared to a Space Marine figure. A thunder wolf should have a larger body in both width and over-all size. A space marine in power armoir weights allot. In order for it to be carried around in battle and quickly for that matter, by a beast.. the beast itself has to be very large and strong looking.

Thank you for the replies! And on a side note... I'm a Sister Wolf, not a 'sir'. :rolleyes:

 

The teeth are one of the things I'm not pleased about in the end and I've come close to giving him a dental job a few times now but have held back to get some other opinions. As well as the description seemed almost more shark-like with the multiple rows of teeth always growing. In the end though I have a feeling I'm going to have at his overbite with my knife. Some of the referance images I used for the face/teeth were-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/TW_ref.jpg

 

The codex notes that thunderwolves are around 8 feet at the shoudler, hence the scaling to be about the same height as the grey, although I might try bulking up the next of the pack a bit more.

the only negative thing i would say is the size of the mount. i picture something able to carry a space marine being alot bigger.

 

other than than, i am in awe of your skill. when i saw the first pic i was "nah, that aint going to work". on the last picture i had to pick my jaw off the ground. i could go on all night on just how amazed i am.

 

WLK

on a side note... I'm a Sister Wolf, not a 'sir'. :rolleyes:

excellent! I know MavGirl is happy she's not alone anymore! I'm sure she'll try to recruit you, in her Vinteren Vakt/Winter Guard LOL. On a more serious note, your gonna have to do some nice tutorials for us in the future. You've got crazy skills with the green stuff. I'd be lucky to even make a simple ball hahahahaha.

If anything Mav...a simple ball is anything but.

 

As others have said, welcome to the Fang.

 

And once again, its a bit small for a TW

 

With the marine legs. Maybe try adding them on before scripting the fur around them? Just an idea.

 

And yes please to tutorials. Especially sculpting fur :rolleyes:

Welcome to the Fang! yet another daughter of Fenris joins our ranks. This makes me happy! Ohh and nobody seems to mention about her camera and lighting. The pictures are beautiful, clean and crisp. I'd like to know more about your set-up, and camera. About your sculpt, all I have to say is wow! I hope your not discouraged by some of the comments made here. But your work is stunning! would like to see your other works and as mentioned future tutorials. We need more people with your kind of talent here in the Fang! --EDIT-- I can only think of stinkenheim, at the moment who has crazy GS skills. Your a welcome addition!
Thank you for the replies! And on a side note... I'm a Sister Wolf, not a 'sir'. :rolleyes:

 

Gotcha! <_<

 

Some of the referance images I used for the face/teeth were-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/TW_ref.jpg

 

The codex notes that thunderwolves are around 8 feet at the shoudler, hence the scaling to be about the same height as the grey, although I might try bulking up the next of the pack a bit more.

 

Those pics are epic awesome wolves. Never have I seen any sculpter capture that look. If you do, can I buy some? Anyway, I think I see your problem. You are using a 40mm base, yes? Try using a 60mm base. It will let you scale the wolf to the size it really needs to be. Besides, I think that is supossed to be the proper base size to use. And I hope Maverik Girl wasnt talking bout my previous post... I'll say it again, your scuplting is very impressive.

 

Edit: stupid keys,...

Just gunna jump in quick and agree with everything that's been said so far. Disproportionate, and fugly teeth, but ultimately amazing sculpting skills.

 

My two cents on adjustments for the future, look at the 2nd reference photo you provided. Note the amount of girth in the shoulders on the TW in both width and length. There's a decent amount of distance between where the rider's saddle ends and where the neck begins off the shoulders. Also, check out head ratios. The rider's head looks like a baby's compared to the wolf.

 

I know there's a ton of criticism regarding the Canis Wolfborn model, but one thing you can't fault for it is that it's pretty well proportioned between mount and rider.

 

As for the teeth, it might help if you keep the canines more definitive and maybe keep the jaw/muzzle more squared and box-like ala ref. photo #3.

 

Last thing (promise!) is that the base is tiiiiiiny. TWC are cavalry, so it'd be perfectly reasonable to put them on bike bases, however I think they should be on 60mm bases (dreadnought/Canis) and that should reflect how big (imo) they should be to support the weight of a space marine.

 

Grain of salt and all that, take what you wish. Good luck, and welcome to the Fang!

Oh! I nearly forgot...

 

One of the things I think give most TWC sculpts out there an "off-putting" feel is that the sculpts try to capture a lithe, lupine movement. However, with the references you've provided, I think you're better off thinking of their posture and movement as more of a hulking, stalking bear. First impressions, bears are too big to be fast, but bears are actually surprisingly fast (not only more than capable of chasing down a human, but bulldozing small trees in the process -- which is more the demeanor I get from those photos).

I always HATE that wolf helmet, but ading the fags looks fantastic, consider that idea stole.....borowed :rolleyes:

 

 

Cant wait to see the wolf primed and painted, perfect work, could have been a bit bigger but its fantastic

Just another comment....

 

Everyone is advising you to make the wolf bigger....

 

Don't scrap this wolf....see if you can remove the saddle and just use it as a Fenrisian wolf.

 

Another ball GW has dropped.....big scary, realistic looking wolves....we're still stuck with the cartoony wolves from the 90's.

Wow, I go to sleep and wake up to a whole pack of replies! Thanks for the input to all- I guess I will start from the top and work my way down here in replies:

 

All- He does seem smaller in the pictures than he does in person for some reason, perhaps it is the slight downwards angle I had with the camera but I can agree that my next attempt could use a bit of a scaling up in size. Like I said this was my first go at sculpting from scratch/wireframe, so I am still learning on getting the proportions right.

 

MaveriK, Forte- I'd be more than happy to aid my brothers/sisters with tutorials, what would you like to see? Just Fur or pets/skins? The chainwork is fairly simple as well, would you be interested in that?

 

maverik_girl- Sister! Well met indeed! Someone has to keep these brazen men in check... who better than a hot-blooded fenrisian maiden, aye?

 

dizzy-xc- Yes, I have him on a 40mm right now as I was worried that 60mm might end up too big. Frustrating that I can't find any reference to just what base the TWC should be on in the first place. With scaling the next up I think I will go with 60mm though.

 

Wulfebane- Fangir. Oh how I loathe this ferocious lord of the thunderwolf's poor model- but comments on over-fed huskies aside.. the point is well taken as to the scale. I'm keen on movement in models, static postures make me twitch for some reason but you bring up a valid issue. Hulking strength vs. lithe movement. I'll see if I can't pull of more of the former with the next attempt.

 

Max_Dammit- feel free to 'borrow' the fanged helm. It was a pretty simple mod and I was happy with the look in the end so I will be doing all of the wolfhelms I use like that. If you wish I can include that into a tutorial but it is pretty straight forward.

 

KGatch113/wolf363839- I'd rather not carve Skol up to remove the saddle! What do you think about a mounted Wolf Scout? But the shield maiden idea is interesting as well...

 

Edit- Forgot to add the camera I'm using is a Cannon Rebel T3i digital with a 18-55 mm lens and a 3x macro filter. I need to get a better set up for the actual pictures though. Right now i'm using a two way lighting set-up with simply a curved sheet of copy paper used as a the backdrop. One light source is over top the model and one from the front- both are Ottlites so colour balanced for my design and graphics work.

so a new member walks in, tells us she's female and shows us these amazing sculpts

and yet all of you forget to welcome her in the ways of the fang! honour needs to be satisfied and as such i am obliged to forfill the ancient tradition.

"mekboy, a stein of your finest wolfwhizz for the new whelp here"

:D

pêrsonally i'm quite growing fond of the wolves heads as shown on the prospero burns cover but maybe as nan experiment you could try to model all those wolves heads and then decide which you like most/is the easiest to get right?

 

edit: don't forget to pass by firenze to recieve your first and only powertankard

@Hendrik I would welcome the new pup in the usual way...apart from the fact that she's a maiden of the Fang and if Skadi is a good example....there's no way I'm brawling with her. Also, I only carry women's clothes for pranks so that won't work either.

 

To make up for it have an ale and I'll hit Greenhorn harder when he turns up.

 

 

On topic. Any tutes would be great. Especially fur and skin. Everything you've done here would be of great use to anyone experimenting with green and thank you in advance.

Welcome to the Fang!

Awesome modeling and sculpting skill

 

Rember do not trust forte.

do not fall asleep around the other Blood Claws

if offered milk from a "special" stein dont drink it,after a few mouthful's you'll lose your memory.

dont be afraid to defend your self if attack

dont be afraid to cause fights

 

so while that sinks in have an ale

 

Thank you for the replies! And on a side note... I'm a Sister Wolf, not a 'sir'. :P

 

The teeth are one of the things I'm not pleased about in the end and I've come close to giving him a dental job a few times now but have held back to get some other opinions. As well as the description seemed almost more shark-like with the multiple rows of teeth always growing. In the end though I have a feeling I'm going to have at his overbite with my knife. Some of the referance images I used for the face/teeth were-

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/tecfalcon/TW_ref.jpg

 

The codex notes that thunderwolves are around 8 feet at the shoudler, hence the scaling to be about the same height as the grey, although I might try bulking up the next of the pack a bit more.

Theres actually on 2 thunderwolves out of the four,The left most is a fenrisian or cyber wolf,middle is a Thunderwolf,right middle is a fenrisian wolf and the right most is a thunderwolf

 

dizzy-xc- Yes, I have him on a 40mm right now as I was worried that 60mm might end up too big. Frustrating that I can't find any reference to just what base the TWC should be on in the first place. With scaling the next up I think I will go with 60mm though.

Check what Canis Wolfborn is on.it should say the base size

 

edit: don't forget to pass by firenze to recieve your first and only powertankard

Hey,I didnt get on,unless that milk stein counted

 

@Hendrik I would welcome the new pup in the usual way...apart from the fact that she's a maiden of the Fang and if Skadi is a good example....there's no way I'm brawling with her. Also, I only carry women's clothes for pranks so that won't work either.

 

To make up for it have an ale and I'll hit Greenhorn harder when he turns up.

 

 

On topic. Any tutes would be great. Especially fur and skin. Everything you've done here would be of great use to anyone experimenting with green and thank you in advance.

Hit me and you'll lose a limb,and how the frick did you get womens cloths?....unless theres something your not telling us Mr.forte,or is it Mrs. forte? ;)

:D

 

 

See from the top of my pos,dont be afraad to start fights,and the forte having women's clothing is the reason i said not to fall asleep,eh Zynk? ;)

but in your case Euphrati i guess it wouldn't be such a bad thing :P

 

one again Welcome to the Fang!

And so he show his face...Arez 'Greenhorn'. Who also forgets the bra, hula skirt and green drinking horn incident.

 

As you can tell, if you've browsed all the sub forums, this is the most boisterous and fun so stick around and get stuck it

 

*punches Arez twice in the kidneys then trips him over*

And so he show his face...Arez 'Greenhorn'. Who also forgets the bra, hula skirt and green drinking horn incident.

 

As you can tell, if you've browsed all the sub forums, this is the most boisterous and fun so stick around and get stuck it

 

*punches Arez twice in the kidneys then trips him over*

the what now?remember if it was when i drank the "milk" i cant be held responsible for anything.

 

who let a fly in?it just landed around my kidney.

 

Oh speaking of which watch out forte jacks threads by trying to fight me.Just a heads up

 

you know arez, you telling euphrati about your "milk" might have been your worst idea so far,especially the mouthfull part! the whelp doesn't know anything about it and might start thinking very wrong things about you! ;)

i guess i shouldn't of said milk.i thought it was.nobody told me what it was.what was it?any who dont drink white stuff if its given to you in a stein(if anyone takes that the wrong way their fault).

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