Modifying figures

[Cfury]

Is there anybody on here skilled at modifying figures? I bought the Swedish Infantry box and got two duplicate command figures (thanks Warlord!) and I wanted to modify one of them. I've already sanded off the moustache and I want to remove his legs and make him into a cavalry commander but I've never used the putty for anything beyond filling. Any tips?

[Cubster]

Take it slow, build up the shape one step at a time. Greenstuff is very nice to work with, but you need to allow each stage to dry overnight before working on the next.If you keep your sculpting tool wet (or some people oil it) it will allow you to work the putty without it sticking to the tool.If you're looking to sculpt a whole new set of legs, I'd advise having something to work from - be it another model, a picture etc.. It makes a lot easier than just trying to wing it.

[mikeland]

That sounds like a cool conversion. If you aren't bothered about using the legs for anything then I would use plastic clippers to clip them off, then tidy up with a scalpel. Then I would do the same to the top half of one of the ECW plastic cavalry. You might want to drill and pin the two halves together as well as glueing to give extra strength. (I use the games workshop hobby drill and bits of paperclip). I wouldn't worry about how perfectly the two haves fit together because my suggestion would be to use some green stuff to make a sash to cover the joint. Again I use games workshop green stuff putty simply because it is easily available, it isn't the cheapest (about £6 I think) but it does last for ages. It is good because you have quite a lot of modeling time before it sets.One of the big problems of green stuff is I tend to mix up too much so to avoid this before puttying I would use some blue-tac or plasticine and do a rough version of what you want to model using that, then take this off and split it into two, this will give you the right idea of how much putty you need to mix. I use a paperclip, an old brush and my scalpel to mould the green stuff. Doing things like sashes are reasonable do able in green stuff without being a sculptor.At the bottom of this thread (sorry about the poor photography) is a figure I green stuff-ed to give him Cavalry boots and a sash, he was just the usual spare pikeman body with arms off the cavalry set:http://www.warlordgames.co.uk/.....mp;ret=allI would give it a good 24 hours to dry then tidy up carefully with a sharp scalpel if needed and then basecoat and paint.Hope this helps.  

[Cfury]

Great stuff. Thanks and I'll keep you posted. Its greenstuff I have but with all the anti GW stuff we've been saying on another topic I didnt want to admit that .

[mikeland]

I happily use GW tools and paints, they are good quality and I am able to source locally. I used to model with fine milliput but find green stuff much better. I agree with Cubster, I use water to help smooth the green stuff and I would add that if you are going to sculpt new legs from scratch perhaps make little wire armatures to add the GS to.

[Cubster]

Greenstuff/Kneadatite is pretty much universally available. Warlord sell it too, but I buy it in large sausages and it keeps for ages (especially in the freezer).

[Cfury]

Loving the pictures Mikeland, and a big fan of your style of painting. I tried it myself but couldnt get the colour balance right. It reminds me of the portrait of Jan Six by Rembrandt (google image it if you havent seen it). I'll have to post some of my work as well, I'm all talk at the moment!

[mikeland]

Cfury Thanks very much, would love to see some of your painting if you get a chance to post any.

[Parmenio]

CfuryI mix my greenstuff with a bit of milliput (about 50/50), preferably the yellow-grey version with the red and white box rather than the standard grey. It keeps the greenstuff softer for longer. I'm, not a good scuptor either and so I need a bit longer to get things just the way I want. I find the greenstuff tends to harden quite quickly even when you run it under the hot tap to keep it soft a bit longer. Milliput on its own is no good for sculpting.I'd take the advice about using bits from other models as a basis for your conversion. It makes life so much easier. For instance, if you cut of the legs of any suitable cavalry trooper then you can sand, cut or file off the bits that are not compatible. All you have to do then is mould the holsters, scabbards etc and tidy up the joins. I just modified a BAM panzer commander last week by sawing off the arm that is resting on the turret hatch and replacing it with a BAM plastic German arm so now he is signalling his platoon forward. If you start with basic modifications like this then you will become pretty confident in no time.

[Cfury]

i was thinking of getting another Thomas Fairfax model with the legs already attached (and I can nick the arm holding the reins as well), although this may be due to laziness or cowardice!I liked the Fairfax sculpt but wasn't too keen on the head facing sideways. I admit it does look like he's urging his cavalry troop on, but on the other hand when he's closing for battle he doesnt look like he's paying attention!