Over the weekend I picked up some Vampire Counts Vargheists from my FLGS (Dropzone Games) and set to work adding some techno bitz, most of them from the Dark Eldar Talos kit. With a few sessions of greenstuff application I ended up with these three 'Chrono Gladiators'.
These three beasts have just been primed (white) and stand ready for me to dive in with the paints. I'm pretty excited about them, so they may push aside the servitors currently getting a makeover.
Some of you may have noticed the small, circular sockets embedded in the flesh of these combat servitors, somewhat reminiscent of the sockets from The Matrix. I thought I'd boost the value of this post by showing you how I did them.
Greenstuff and a sculpting tool are required, in addition to two "new" tools, shown above. A is a thick plastic rod with one end drilled out to create a little hollow inside. B is a thin plastic rod with a diameter smaller than the hole drilled inside the thick rod.
Step 1. Place your little ball of greenstuff onto the model where you want the socket.
Step 2. Smooth out the ball of greenstuff, blending it into the surrounding flesh.
Step 3. Push the end of Tool A into the center of your greenstuff bulge.
Step 4. Push the end of Tool B into the center of the greenstuff nubbin.
Step 5. Let it all dry
Simple, really. And don't forget to use some sort of lubricant on all your tools when working with greenstuff. I use my paint water because it's convenient ; )
Cheers
Dave
Ingenious sockets there, Dave.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fulgrim!
DeleteWonderful work as always Dave, but (gee, never had to do that on a comment here before) I think they may rely a little too heavily on the Talos kit. There isn't anything particularly Imperial or Mechanicus to them. I bet 9/10 people who saw the models with no context would guess they were Grotesque conversions.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it seems these models will never be without a heaping helping of context, so it is probably okay!
I get what you're saying, and I think it could also be helped along by my unfulfilled desire to convert some Grotesques out of this kit.
DeleteContext will certainly be important, but of course once the paint goes on I'll have a better feel for what else I need to add. I think these guys will be a "build-paint-build-paint" kind of journey.
Thanks for the honesty, it's always welcome. ; )
Cheers
Dave
I don't think you'd go wrong with some bar-code tattoos!
DeleteI've avoided the bar-code tattoos as I feel they're much more 2K than 30K or 40K.
DeleteLove em!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jugger!
DeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind that you copied me, but a little credit would've been nice...
ReplyDeleteHi Luke
DeleteI'm not sure exactly what you're talking about. I haven't seen your models before. Could you post a link so we can all enjoy them?
Cheers
Dave
As usual, great work on the models, though I can't help but agree with Aventine in that they do not seem that Imperial. Personally I think it is mainly the legs that give the 'wrong' impression (if there is such a thing) as they are the most distinctively non-human parts of the models, seeming far too bestial when compared to the rest.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the making of the sockets, please allow me to suggest the following alternative to the rods (not that there is anything wrong with your method, this is just something that came to mind when I read your post):
1) Get a few inches of coaxial cable or other multi-layered cable.
2) Push the copper core and the attached plastic out of the outer shell.
3) Trim the plastic away from the last few millimeters of the copper core, making sure the core itself stays pointy.
4) Wrap a bit of tape around the plastic and push it back into the outer cover, jamming it in place.
5) Done! The resulting object now functions as both tools A and B at once, saving you one 'prod' per connector. As a side-effect, the individual fibers of the copper core should leave a connector-like pattern within the inner hole.
Hi Xerus
DeleteThanks for your comments, and your alternative tool building idea. Very cool. Now I just have to get some old co-ax ; )
Cheers
Dave
Now those are something special. Well played
ReplyDeleteBrilliant conversions, very darkcore and sinister - somehow they almost feel like family ;) The Talos kit is simply one of the best/most twisted kits to ever leave GW - oh the multitude of parts.
ReplyDeleteExcellent shot GS tutorial - please feel free to add similar drops of gold in all posts.
Thanks very much Manus.
Deletehttp://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/downloadAttach/146998.page have a look-see ;-)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/downloadAttach/146996.page
ReplyDeleteWell, how about that! Do you mind if I include these links in an update to the original post? That blood you've got going there looks great!
DeleteLol. No not at all. I got the idea when I was looking at the crypt horrors at a tourney last summer. The talos bits fit perfectly. Especially the little flasks that fit into the sockets on their backs. We even both used the bionic hand to get rid of the headstone. Great minds think alike eh? I need to get the other two painted up soon. Are yours for Inquisitor-scale?
ReplyDeleteThe hand works perfectly, doesn't it? Indeed great minds ; )
DeleteMine are for my Mechanicum/Adeptus Mechanicus army in 28mm scale.
Cheers
Dave
Also, the blood is nothing more than Tamiya clear red, applied with a sponge
ReplyDeleteHi Dave,
ReplyDeleteThose are brilliant. I like the idea for the joint hardware. It really gives the look of cybernetics in a very subtle way.
Cheers,
Nick
Thanks Nick!
DeleteI think their look and aesthetics will change when some paint is added. That's where all of the magic can come in when trying to make them look more Imperial/AdMech.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I would not have mind something done to the legs to change things up a bit. Maybe hooves or casings around the legs to make them look more mechanical or as if they were just released from the flesh vats.
++Vox goes to static++
Mmmmm... your "hooves" suggestion has really hooked in my mind. I might have to try something out tonight.
DeleteAnything good yet? I am waiting with baited breath!
DeleteI just finished painting them, hopefully I can shoot them tomorrow and get them up. I think you'll like the change.
DeleteCheers
Dave
I enjoyed them very much! Glad to hear my criticism wasn't too harsh. :p
Delete++Vox goes to static++
Stunning work mate :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to see them painted - that will really give them the last edge :)
Cheers
Janus
Thanks Janus. Hopefully the paintjobs will "seal the deal".
DeleteA fantastic work Dave, undoubtedly some main class. Regards.
ReplyDeleteAwesome conversions!
ReplyDeleteStill a bit Dark Eldar looking, but I am sure they'll look stunning with your painting.
...Wow!! Well, there goes a few hundred bucks in two units of Grotesques!
ReplyDeleteCool figurines! I like the way you approach the process of making them. I think you should post a detailed video guide on creating such bizarre figurines on tiktok where tens of thousands of interested connoisseurs of such art can see it. And by the way, you can always buy tiktok followers to quickly increase their number.
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