Jupiter Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 So I tried to sculpt a wolf pelt on one of my scout snipers as a test-run for doing it to the whole squad (6 models). I'm not sure how I feel about it... I feel like the head is too skull-like and the whole pelt is too small. Anyway, here are some pics: http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/195/img0168li.th.jpg http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/5551/img0167wz.th.jpg http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7703/img0166pf.th.jpg What do you guys think? Any good sculptors out there who can give me some tips? This one wasn't too hard to do (took a few sessions of letting progressive layers of GS dry) but I'm not sure if I like it enough to continue with it. Thanks! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248993-sculpting-wolf-pelts/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durus Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I think the proportions are off. The head looks too round, which makes it look a bit like a wombat rather than a wolf. The snout has to be distinct from the head and much thinner. Another problem is that the eyes seem to be facing to the left and right, which is usually seen in flight animals and not predators. They eyes need to face forward. Most of the GW animal pelts are sculpted in a way that suggests that they still have a skull underneath the fur indicated by the shape of the head and the presence of teeth, like you did. In addition to that some still have eyes/glass eyes. Up to you to decide if you want that, but it might help with the skull like appearance, if you don't like the empty eye sockets. Either way, they way I'd go about sculpting a wolfs head would be something like this, letting the GS dry after each step: - Make armature with GS on head, roughing out the proportions of the head and the snout with two rough boxes. Leave indentures for the eyes. - Put eyeballs into the sockets. Put theeth on the snout. Block in some ears. - Put eyelids around the eyes, add lips and define shape of the nose on the snout. - Define 'brow' over eyes to match GW's style (Angry Eyebrows. Even on Animals. Even the dead ones. :angry: ) - Fur in as many or few layers as you are comfortable with. I sculpted a wolf head on one of my captains a few years ago. Did the whole thing in one go without making the steps I would break it down into now. So this is basically what I learned from that plus all the sculpting I did inbetween. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248993-sculpting-wolf-pelts/#findComment-3015653 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaeus Marius Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 The problems with the head aside, I think the fur looks pretty good. I do agree with you that it may not be large enough; it just doesn't feel complete to me. I applaud your bravery attempting to sculpt the head on the first go as well. Maybe you should finish the pelt off with the last two legs and the tail? I am working on my scouts now, and covered the whole cloak with fur, like this Maybe that would work better for you? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248993-sculpting-wolf-pelts/#findComment-3015715 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jupiter Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 Thank you both for your comments! You both had some great suggestions I'm excited to try. @Durus: I totally agree about the head/skull being the main issue; you described it perfectly as a wombat :D Maybe I should be the Wombat Chapter? ...Nahhhh. Anyway thanks for the anatomical tips on the design of predator skulls/faces! I didn't have my computer handy when I was sculpting originally so I didn't have a reference to look at. I might completely resculpt the wolf head and try your method. Sounds like it makes sense to me. @Gaeus Marius: Thanks! I'm decently happy with the fur texture myself. I like what you did with your scout though, so you've sold me on making the pelt larger. I think that should help quite a bit! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248993-sculpting-wolf-pelts/#findComment-3015796 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durus Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Forgot to say that you could also try to make some pressmouldings of the old Space Wolves cape if you want to do this for the whole squad. There are some nice models in your blog by the way. My first DIY had a quite similar theme. I also noticed that you have a pic of misterjustin's crests in your blog. He sells them through his site here, should you get tired of converting them ;) . Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248993-sculpting-wolf-pelts/#findComment-3015808 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jupiter Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 Forgot to say that you could also try to make some pressmouldings of the old Space Wolves cape if you want to do this for the whole squad. There are some nice models in your blog by the way. My first DIY had a quite similar theme. I also noticed that you have a pic of misterjustin's crests in your blog. He sells them through his site here, should you get tired of converting them :) . Ah yeah I think I have some old capes from previous projects that might work -- that's a great suggestion. I'll look into it, because I'm planning on adding some ccw/bolt pistol scouts somewhere down the line and that would save a lot of time. Thanks for the praise! I'm happy with the theme, so great minds think alike, huh? And yeah I picked up 10 of his small roman crests (I think?) from secret weapon minis. They came in the mail a few days ago and I'm really happy with them. I figured I would sculpt my own and save the money for the tactical marines, but I was thinking of using the smaller ones for bikers or maybe some scout conversions. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248993-sculpting-wolf-pelts/#findComment-3016096 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jupiter Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 Forgot to say that you could also try to make some pressmouldings of the old Space Wolves cape if you want to do this for the whole squad. There are some nice models in your blog by the way. My first DIY had a quite similar theme. I also noticed that you have a pic of misterjustin's crests in your blog. He sells them through his site here, should you get tired of converting them :) . Ah yeah I think I have some old capes from previous projects that might work -- that's a great suggestion. I'll look into it, because I'm planning on adding some ccw/bolt pistol scouts somewhere down the line and that would save a lot of time. Thanks for the praise! I'm happy with the theme, so great minds think alike, huh? And yeah I picked up 10 of his small roman crests (I think?) from secret weapon minis. They came in the mail a few days ago and I'm really happy with them. I figured I would sculpt my own and save the money for the tactical marines, but I was thinking of using the smaller ones for bikers or maybe some scout conversions. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248993-sculpting-wolf-pelts/#findComment-3016097 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperors Immortals Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 First, looks great all ready and inspires me to get a move along with my GS plans. Second, with all these cloaks, furs and trinkets - how are there any wolves left on Fenris? (or wolf like non-terran animals, or terran-descended species). Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248993-sculpting-wolf-pelts/#findComment-3016128 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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