Undivided Renegade Knight - Petey returns to Chaos

[Grotsmasha]

So glad to see you back on this one

[PeteySödes]

17 hours ago, Dr_Ruminahui said:

Have you done anything on her wardog assistants or their accompanying rabble?

 

Just experiments but since you asked...

 

My original vision was based more off the lost and the damned style list with mutants and stuff so i had made a few tests of some ghoul rabble. I was really happy with it but its pretty high effort for the amount of bodies i need AND since i last worked on them some of the parts are discontinued (warcry faceless). Next to the larger ghoul is a lil' guy i recently thought would be fun to use as nurglings given the jungle setting that would have the wonderful side effect of trigging several friends for whom Diablo 2 lives rent free in their heads.

 

Spoiler

 

Next experiment is a traitor guard house retainer:

 

Spoiler

 

Still needs a lot of love modeling wise but i think the concept is good. I think the creep factor here needs to come from the paint job vs the modeling but im hoping im not wrong. Really trying to maintain the line between realistically getting the amount of these id need done and something awesome. I do think though the volume of blank faces once a unit is done should be a force multiplier though. We'll see.

 

This one's not even what id call half baked but i was just testing sizes etc but im looking forward to making this one:

 

Spoiler

 

Dont want to get too far ahead of myself though. Baroness first!

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Those are awesome!  That laughing baby head on the wardog is especially freakish - are you planning on keeping it a head or turning it into a mask like on the big girl?

 

Hopefully you can find some new bits to be able to do the number of cultists you want - I can understand the amount of work that might be , though I'm not familiar enough with the base mini to know what on your model above has changed other than the obvious head and dagger/shard.

 

I love the mini mutant to give your Diablo 2 playing friends PTSD.  One thing I would suggest was to group 2 (or maybe 3, depending on how much they fill the bigger base) on a 40mm base if they are going to be nurglings (I think that's the base size nurglings use).  That way you'll better match the original models and the expectations of opponents as to how big a nurgling base should be.  Plus, it better replicates the swarm effect that had in Diablo 2. 

 

Also really like your guardsman - I think the mask is a really good match for your Castigator's and I think it will be plenty creepy when painted to match your knights (indeed, its pretty creepy already).  Did you sculpt it yourself?  It looks really good, and I agree that it doesn't need much (or any) more work.  Some thoughts, though:

 

a)  You may want to change to contours (so the outside edges) of some of the masks so as to match the shape of the Castigator's (so, with a flat edge on top).  Maybe for your sergeants/squad leaders?

 

b)  You might want to think of how you want the masks to be attached - you could add a strap across the back of the head like a hockey mask, you could add staples like Handsome Jack has in the Borderlands series or something like sutures, or you can keep it as is and have it not obvious how they stay on.  Don't know what the right answer is, but I think its worth a thought as what best suits your image.

Edited December 20, 2024 by Dr_Ruminahui

[PeteySödes]

3 hours ago, Dr_Ruminahui said:

I love the mini mutant to give your Diablo 2 playing friends PTSD.  One thing I would suggest was to group 2 (or maybe 3, depending on how much they fill the bigger base) on a 40mm base if they are going to be nurglings (I think that's the base size nurglings use).  That way you'll better match the original models and the expectations of opponents as to how big a nurgling base should be.  Plus, it better replicates the swarm effect that had in Diablo 2. 

 

Oh yea for sure they'd be stacked and packed on those things, im actually really looking forward to basing this whole thing.

 

3 hours ago, Dr_Ruminahui said:

a)  You may want to change to contours (so the outside edges) of some of the masks so as to match the shape of the Castigator's (so, with a flat edge on top).  Maybe for your sergeants/squad leaders?

 

b)  You might want to think of how you want the masks to be attached - you could add a strap across the back of the head like a hockey mask, you could add staples like Handsome Jack has in the Borderlands series or something like sutures, or you can keep it as is and have it not obvious how they stay on.  Don't know what the right answer is, but I think its worth a thought as what best suits your image.

 

Yea the shape is a good suggestion, i hadnt really gotten that far as to consider it. The plan is to do a strap in the back sort of thing but had to wait for the rim of the mask to cure so i didn't mess it up. Some may also get a scarf or headwrap/hood that would obscure it too, I wanna play with some variation so it doesnt come off so much culty (genestealer or otherwise). The heads are printed but i had to add that mask rim effect with putty. I was playing around in blender to see if i could add it but big shock, 3d modeling is a whole thing. 

[PeteySödes]

Got some paint on models finally after too long, forgot how much fun oils are. It just feels more relaxing.

 

Spoiler

 

I definately forgot my recipe for the armor color but i think its close and im pretty sure it had some steps to filter it after the initial base dried so im not too worried. Plus when i do the seals and sigils i think it'll tie it together.

 

Got to try some of the paper plants id been looking forward to using for flippin years as well. I went way too bright initially and toned them down a bit and like them. Im figuring out the best way to apply them too as in figuring out the lighting etc, i think i can be careful and give another highlight but it may not be necessary. Still sculpting the shoulder plates but im darn close to being done there too. Thinking i need to go a bit bolder on the accent colors, in trying to make it creepy and grim i worry its kinda bland? I think the jungle stuff helps so we'll see.

[Firedrake Cordova]

Looking great  

[Dr_Ruminahui]

I think you've done a really good job at capturing the colour at the edge of your previous armour plates, but that it extends too far into the plate.  Your older armour seems to be muct lighter, greyer and colder in tone (except at the edges), while the shin pads are much warmer and greener.  This isn't necessarily a problem, though I think I prefer the contrast your older plates have with the face over that of the shin plates, which are much closer in tone and colour to the face.  Plus, if you have a bunch of greenery on the base, the increased greeness of the shins might cause them to blend in more than you might like.

 

Personally, I think the overall effect of the model will be best if the face is the warmest non-metallic portion of the model, and at this point I feel that the shins might be warmer in tone than the face.  Again, not necessarily a problem, but it may pull attention away from the face.

[PeteySödes]

Yea i hear ya. To your point i suspect, i used the incorrect pre-shade in a beige (warm) vs. grey (cool) for under the initial oils. 

 

Lots of moving parts to tweak. Im currently doing the sigils on the shins, then will do the trim which will lighten it up and i feel could cool the armor color a bit. Once thats done, i'll look to any additional filtering i need to unify it. I think doing damage will help a bit too. Order of operations here is a mess TBH :D

Edited January 7 by PeteySödes
added context

[PeteySödes]

Still rocking, trying to order of operations on this thing. Got some of the runes on the shins, I do a few passes on them in different mediums to get that layered blood look and i like where it's going:

 

 

Got my banners (stoles?) done-ish as well:

 

 

Im pretty excited about how it turned out movement wise but I'm still kiiiiiinda at a loss with how to paint them. Red seems like it would throw off the balance but I'm between that or a black. The reason I'm thinking black is that i think it would add some *realistic black values that will compliment the sword which I'm really excited to play with some black4 and musou blacks to create some real weird stuff haha.

 

Got a lot of the other parts and the ammo box in a good spot too. The heavy lifting is going to be finishing the green stuff on the right shoulder and the bolt cannon shield. Side project on hold to get this thing done by EoM but they previously included deciding on cultist models and refactoring by traitor guard to use the Exaction squad models as a base but with the same mask theme etc. Progress!

[Firedrake Cordova]

The runes look great (and so intricate ).  

 

For the stoles, what about a dark red or a burgundy? (on the basis that "it's still red" but it's also quite subdued)

[PeteySödes]

Yea I last night i did some playing with it to see and i def agree. Im thinking i can maybe invert the armor and do similar designs on them but kinda desaturated. That kinda frees up the haute-piece to be done in a black/grey with the house sigil. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

That looks great - I was going to suggest kind of pale yellow (the colour you can get with gold cloth) as I liked the colour of the one on the left in the first photos though was worried it was a bit too gold.  Now that I've seen you've completed them, I like the transition in colour and do hope you leave some of the yellowy colour at the top, like you have in the last picture.

[PeteySödes]

Interesting yea, the gold is just the natural brass sheet (RIP my fingers). I see what you mean though and I do like the gold idea. I think I’m going to paint up the haute pieces and then see what I need to do. I did do a black plate on the sword side but am very skeptical and think I’m likely to redo it in the regular armor color.
 

I really want to put the house crest on the shoulder but I think I went to out there on theme with the sigils and such to accommodate a “traditional” bold coat of arms/stripe type of thing. I think I just need to get weird with it.

 

I’m in the final stages and think I’m just getting the finicky not knowing what done looks like. More C&C is always welcome and appreciated!

[Dr_Ruminahui]

One thing I'm not a fan of is the tops - where it looks like you have a hole cut out at the top, and some bare brass above it.  Makes is look from a distance like you have a huge nail head, which really is disconcerting and incongruous.  So, I think you need to trim that bit (indeed, I suspect you had already planned to) either right below the hole or in the middle of it (to suggest banner "droop") or cover it up with something.

[PeteySödes]

No worries those get covered by more armor. I did it that way because i absolutely do not trust super glue alone to secure them! Another half paint half digital mockup:

 

 

 

[PeteySödes]

Quick update, been working hard on this! No more digital tests, all paint:

 

 

• Got a few more armor plates close to done. More sigils and trim highlighting to go
• The sword arm is in progress, just the steel done but needs the brassy gold, wires, and weathering
• Ammo pack is basically done, just needs the sigils on the armor plates on the sides and wires etc

The only parts with no paint but the pile is small! The thing have have in common is more GS needs (ammo belt needs none but thats basically last since i have to heat fit it)

 

 

Lots more to do though but i am close! Its insane its been almost 5 years since i got this thing. There was a real long stretch there where i assumed it just would never get done so im really excited i got the mojo back. Can't wait to get it on the table (with some friends, preferably not years later).

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Man, she's turning out to be gorgeous.  The orange ribbons were a really good call and look great, and while the newer armour plates are a bit warmer in colour than the old ones, they still fit in nicely.  Your detail work is incredible - not only on the sigils but on the model details like the shell casings.

[Firedrake Cordova]

It looks great - the pennant has a decidedly copper feel, which matches the brassy tone of the "shroud" above the head quite nicely.

[ZeroWolf]

She's looking stunning already. Everything you've put in shows already 

[PeteySödes]

9 hours ago, Dr_Ruminahui said:

Man, she's turning out to be gorgeous.  The orange ribbons were a really good call and look great, and while the newer armour plates are a bit warmer in colour than the old ones, they still fit in nicely.  Your detail work is incredible - not only on the sigils but on the model details like the shell casings.

 

Yea im still trying to figure out what or if i should do anything about the tones. I think I just need to wait to see it as a whole then correct if i need too. 

 

5 hours ago, Firedrake Cordova said:

It looks great - the pennant has a decidedly copper feel, which matches the brassy tone of the "shroud" above the head quite nicely.

 

Those just got a primer coat I mixed of a red brown and red color. I do like it though so it may not change much color wise but its VERY easily scratched on the edges ATM so i have to solve for that.

[PeteySödes]

Trying super hard to get done by EoM to that end i figured i'd start the more experimental part of the plan in case I fall on my face:

 

 

Wanted to make a void sword type of thing and was always really intrigued by some of the crazy materials people are making now. This is musou black through an airbrush and man is it finicky to get right. I think it looks insanely cool though, in person its not quite as dramatic but its still what id imagined. Im playing with some smoke/warpy tendrils id like to have coming off the blade like its fighting reality or bleeding into it. The finish is very fragile too so im not sure if it will hold up well but im honestly fully in art mode rather than gaming anyways. Hilt will be the armor trim gold so hopefully will provide more contrast but wanted to get a pic of the effect next to the black primer.

 

I feel like this one may be divisive but let me know!

[Firedrake Cordova]

That blade looks like a black hole, which is rather fitting for something warpy.  

[Dr_Ruminahui]

I really like it, but I think it would be served well by some rather extreme highlighting on the hilt end either only on the growthy/smokey bits or that fades almost immediately as it goes onto the blade.

 

I feel this is a model where you might need to use brush on matt varnish to seal - both the blade and the edges of the ribbons sound like they need something pretty substantial to preserve your paint job, and generally brush on varnish is more durable and resistant (and easier to get on thin edges) than spray.

[ZeroWolf]

Oh that is brilliant, it's like someone took the picture into an editor and straight up deleted the blade

[PeteySödes]

ALMOST

 

 

 

 

Basically just the bolt cannon to do, chest plates are done as of this AM. Once everything is on I'll check for wires i missed, some weathering, a bunch more plants on the base and , making sure the surfaces are right etc. Im excited to move on though now TBH. I wanna make some dogs.