Creation of a Chaplain - October 2015 reboot

[Dosjetka]

I'm trying to create a rather unique Chaplain as a small side-project, but I was wondering which of the two hands seen below suited the model better?

a. Open hand

b. Closed hand (fist)

I know it's just detail, but the feeling and emotion that the model conveys changes quite a lot depending on which hand is used, so any feedback is much appreciated!

Also, if anyone has any ideas as to which torso I could use? I don't mind using the simple Mk V one that can be seen in the picture, but perhaps there are some other torso that would fit better?

Cheers,

Ludo

[Nemac Vradon]

I like the closed hand. Looks like he's giving a speech ending in a line something like "And we will crush the enemies of the God-Emperor"

 

Nemac

[Ion]

Depends on the context of the model. If you want him to seem like he's preaching to his brothers the open hand seems more appropriate. The closed fist is much more aggressive and would seem to accompany an order to 'crush them'.

 

As an aside, where are the hands and his helmet from?

[Grotsmasha]

I'm going to suggest a fiddly alternative. Take the index finger from the open hand and put it on the closed hand to make the iconic 'come get some' gesture.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[Dosjetka]

Nemac: Aye, it does look like he's saying that

Ion: My thoughts exactly. I actually prefer the "preaching" pose, mostly because we see very few Chaplains in that kind of posture. Concerning your question, both hands come from the new Sternguard kit (it's a gold mine for converters) and the helmet comes from the Limited Edition Dark Angels Chaplain that was in the first 1'000 Dark Vengeance boxes, back at the start of 6th Edition. I just trimmed off the DA symbol on his forehead and voilà! a perfect plastic Chaplain head It's just a damn shame that the model was LE.

Grot: Gah! I wouldn't dare do that, mostly because I've tried something similar in the past and I ended up ruining a project because I had no more usable hands left :sweat: But thanks for the suggestion anyhow!

[Montuhotep]

Put a skull in hand no.1 and call the chaplain Hamlet!

'Alas, poor Yorick......'

[Nemac Vradon]

Put a skull in hand no.1 and call the chaplain Hamlet!

'Alas, poor Yorick......'

This :D

[Dosjetka]

Put a skull in hand no.1 and call the chaplain Hamlet!

'Alas, poor Yorick......'

Sorry, but not happening :P

So, seeing as I've decided to go with the open hand, I've given something to show the more brutal side of Space Marine Chaplains and to balance things out...

Close-up shot of the weapon:

I know that Chaplains usually have a Crozius Arcanum, but in the character fluff for this chap, he's only recently been promoted to the rank of Chaplain and so must earn his Crozius. So, in the meantime, he's got his own personal toy to smash skulls with :D

Thoughts?

[The_Chaplain]

The power maul looks sufficiently brutal.  

 

As far as the torso goes, have you thought about adding ornamentation to the mk 5 chest? Like a confessional stole similar to what Grimaldus has, or adding a gorget piece to it, etc.  MK 5 armor has the stigma associated with it being the "heresy" pattern, and some of the legions destroyed mk 5 suits wholesale rather than be reminded of the black stain on the history of the astartes.  

 

If you went the mk 5 route, having the armor be decorated might be indicative of a mindset of "learn from past mistakes, and transcend them-- just like we (astartes) transcended our own humanity to become something more.  Plus you could do stuff like add studs to the Seraphicus helmet to make it even more unique.

 

Just my 2 cents. 

[Freakiq]

I love how simple and elegant you made him, the simpler mace really fits the rest of him.

 

Great oratory pose, can definitely see him move amongst the squads while reciting litanies of hatred.

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

Doing chaplains proud, Ludo! This guys looks awesome already.

[deathspectersgt7]

This looks Sweet, On the torso there is a Death company one that would look Great on this but can't find the pic I'am looking for.Found it.

[Dragonkin Arenis]

"But soft! what light through yonder window breaks?"

:P

Crozius looks badass Ludo. Never thought about using the bayonets like that before.

[Cornelias]

I'm trying to create a rather unique Chaplain as a small side-project, but I was wondering which of the two hands seen below suited the model better?

a. Open hand

b. Closed hand (fist)

I know it's just detail, but the feeling and emotion that the model conveys changes quite a lot depending on which hand is used, so any feedback is much appreciated!

Also, if anyone has any ideas as to which torso I could use? I don't mind using the simple Mk V one that can be seen in the picture, but perhaps there are some other torso that would fit better?

Cheers,

Ludo

For the torso how about removing the vent on the "harness part" and carefully removing the skull from his belt buckle and putting it there, then stick a purity seal where the skull was to add some detail?

[Firepower]

"But soft! what light through yonder window breaks?"

Crozius looks badass Ludo. Never thought about using the bayonets like that before.

Gaaah you beat me to it! I just saw this thread, first pic I thought "Heretic, heretic, where for art thou heretic?"

But you ruined it!

I think with the open hand, you might try angling his chin down, rather than looking up at where his hand is pointing. Could add a more dramatic "North wind bwow! South wind bwow! SMOOOOG!" kinda look.

Otherwise, fist

[Demus Ragnok]

I saw the open hand and thought of the end of 300. 

 

Imagine him flexing his fingers as if to grip a still beating heart of an enemy. 

 

"If the presence of one squad of our breathren leaves their hearts in the icy grip of fear. What then shall they do when faced with our entire war host."

 

"FOR DEATH, AND GLORY IN THE EMPEROR'S NAME!"

 

Oh, and that woopin stick is the business. Very nice. 

 

The BA Death Company box has some unique torsos if you are looking for one. 

[marine7312000]

I am definitely stealing that crozius idea.

[Slips]

That mace looks kinda like Saurons

http://www.eigenspace.net/robot/mace/mace1.JPG

Looks sufficiently brutal, great Idea.

Also, how about doing the cliche windswept orator pose? IE; cape or other trappings fluttering in the wind.

That could help put some Grandeur and Menace(?) into the model.

[Ovidius Incertus]

Dat maul! So need to steal that.

I love the chaplain, but prefer the clenched fist, personally.

[BrotherCaptainArkhan]

Wow, that maul is inspired. Really good thinking there. I'd be tempted to make a Ludovic pattern maul as well but I need those bayonets for my Isstvan survivors.

 

Although it looks like you've made your choice, I'd have voted for the open hand as well - there's a risk the closed hand might have looked like you'd forgotten to glue on a bolt pistol or similar on the finished mini.

[Midnightmare]

I love that mace Ludo - I may have to steal the idea as a basis for a black mace.

 

A bit late also, but I like the open hand :)

[ninjasuperspy]

Oh man that looks cool. I like the open hand and I'm totally stealing that mace idea.

[jokaero weaponsmith]

Four pieces off the spruce placed just so.

Don't know why but I'm ridiculously inspired by this, has the potential to tell half a dozen stories and yet unfinished it tells the whole story.

Can't wait to see more, hope you won't mind if I use this as a base for my own work in the future.

[Kaedes Nex]

The selections you made for the helmet and both fists are ace, as is the ingenious bayonet crozius. And here I was gluing those things to my bolters like an idiot. I knew there had to be a better use for them since they're not nearly as cool as the chain bayonets.

[Dosjetka]

Wow. Never did I think this little side-project of mine would garner so much interest and praise. Many thanks to you all!

The_Chaplain: Thanks for the ideas. I thought about customising the torso a bit, but it would require some major work to look good and I actually quite like it the way it is. Also, the lack of lots of ornamentation makes him stand out a bit from other Chaplains (or at least I hope it does).

Freakiq: Thanks! Your comment about him walking past the squads reciting litanies actually helped me choose the legs I've used.

BCK: Glad you like him! And thank you for the praise!

dss7: Thanks for the suggestion! I didn't have any quick way of getting that torso, so I stuck with the one I have. If I make another Chaplain, I'll most probably use that torso (or maybe not, since I tend to change my mind about as often as women change their clothes... ).

Dragonkin Arenis: Nicely done, good sir. It made me laugh for quite a while and still does every time I look at that picture

Cornelias: I didn't go with the conversion you suggested, but I did add some purity seals, as you can see below, so thanks for suggesting them!

Firepower: I've tilted the head forward and he looks much better. Cheers for the good suggestion! I also tilted the purity seals a bit to add a bit more of a dramatical effect. Thoughts?

Demus Ragnok: Yeah, that scene was pretty epic and fits the Chaplain rather well! However, I suck at sculpting, so no heart in his grip. Glad you like the beatstick

marine7312000: Sure as sure! Steal and use as you wish

Slipstreams: Yeah, it does, doesn't it? No cape for this chap however, since a. I can't sculpt b. there aren't any particularly cool/usable capes out there and c. I quite like him without the usual "hero cape". I do appreciate the suggestion though, so thanks for that

Ovidius Incertus: Go ahead!

BCA: Many thanks for the praise, much appreciated! And if ever you have enough bayonets to spare, you're most welcome to build a Ludovic-pattern maul!

Midnight Runner: As I've said to the others, steal all you want! And I'm glad you like it

ninjasuperspy: Thanks and go ahead!

jokaeroweaponsmith: I'd be honoured if you would base some of your future creations on the measly ideas I've had, so feel free to do so

Ultramarini: Haha, yeah, they don't look half as good as chain bayonets

* * * * * * * * * *

Phew! Well, that's the answers out of the way. Here's the weekly update!

So, I've actually removed the maul because I don't like how big it is compared to the rest of the model. It would look perfect on a Terminator, but looks waaaaaay too big and ridiculous on a power-armoured model. So back to square one, which means that I'm looking for suggestions for a maul/Crozius that the Chaplain could wield. Any such suggestions will be much appreciated.

Also, I've gone ahead and have almost completed the model. I personally really like him as he is and I hope that he receives your approval too. However, if anyone has any ideas for him, fire away! I'm always open to tweaking a few things here and there, just to make a model that little bit more characterful and/or unique.

Anyway, enough blabbing. Here are the pictures!

Anyway, I'm off to eat some sweet somethings!

Cheers,

Ludo