The Marvelous Miscellany of MMcV

[mmcv]

Shield designs painted for all the Tarascan ranged units and got a few of them based. Couple of figures converted to holding standards rather than back mounted.

Pottering about with some tweaks to the infantry on how to best represent them. Tarascans pretty much all had bows, even the infantry, and their dress differed from the Aztecs, so considering having my first foray into messing about with green stuff to add some more distinct Tarascan elements to the elite troops and add a few more quivers into the mix.

Whether I'll be able to do anything useful with it I don't know. I once tried a little modelling with milliput and it didn't go to well, but I understand green stuff is a bit better for fine details.

[mmcv]

Some Tarascan and Chichimec ranged troops:





Been playing with green stuff trying to customise some of the infantry. Done a few new standards and attempted adding quivers and bows to a couple of figures. Very fiddly, pretty messy. Phil must have the patience of a saint. Will see how they look when painted before deciding if I want to do them all... 

Would like to try some more detailed tweaks for the generals but not sure I'll be up to it.

[Techno II]

Those look cracking !! 

Great job on those , Matthew. 

I USED to have the patience of a Saint.......Not any longer.  ......I now use a lot of potty mouthed language !!

Those back banners were real pains in the bum to do.  .....And although bows look really simple, those are quite fiddly......especially if you have to have a feed in the base for moulding/casting purposes....You won't have to worry about that ! 

If you're trying to do some delicate tweaks.......Just take your time....that's probably the secret when you first have a go at conversions.
If you need specific tips...Just PM me, and I'll see what I can do to help.

Cheers - Phil.

[Steve J]

Very nice work Matthew .

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Marvellous work

[mmcv]

Thanks guys.

Phil, I may take you up on that when it comes to more detail bits. Some of my experiments have turned out okay looking, or at least should be when the paint hides the rough bits! I created one quiver on the end of a piece of wire with the aim of making a mould to potentially make a lot and stick them on rather than trying to mould onto the figures directly. Probably doesn't help that I've big hands that tend to squish the detail out already done bits when working on different bits. 😅

[Techno II]

 

Don't worry, Matey. I'm genuinely, more than happy to help. 

'Pushing putty' is a 'skill' (HAH !!!!) that takes a little time to learn......The more you do, the more you can achieve.
I would NEVER describe myself as having better than normal artistic abilities.... (I scraped an O level pass in art, a lifetime ago.)

There are probably little hints I could give you, that could help.

Big hands ?.....I suppose I've got thinner/longer fingers than most normal 'chaps'......But you CAN do this.....Genuinely.

Just let me know if I can help.

Cheers - Phil 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Please ask, it takes the pressure off me having to learn...

[Techno II]

Grasshopper..... ......You have learned SO much, in a very short time.
Like I've said before.....It's such a shame you don't live an awful lot closer.
Actually watching a talentless git, like yours truly.....You could see how I can take shortcuts.

Again....like I've said.....I was SO lucky to watch folk like the Twins, Ali & Trish, Kev Adams, Nick Bibby, Jez Goodwin and all, push putty about.

Cheers - Phil.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Any phyisical skill requires practice.

[mmcv]

Some more messing with green stuff this evening. Added a few bows and quivers to some infantry and a few more experimental standard designs. Painted up a unit with a few modifications. Looks okay with the paint on so long as you don't look too closely! Got a couple of other units mostly painted up too. Productive weekend.

Another few painting sessions should see the rest of the units painted for this army, leaving just the generals and their bodyguards and standards which I hope to do some more green stuff with.

[paulr]

Again....like I've said.....I was SO lucky to watch folk like the Twins, Ali & Trish, Kev Adams, Nick Bibby, Jez Goodwin and all, push putty about.

I've had the pleasure of watching the Twins sculpting and it is humbling, particularly as they look you in the eye while talking to you and keep sculpting

[Techno II]

I've had the pleasure of watching the Twins sculpting and it is humbling, particularly as they look you in the eye while talking to you and keep sculpting

I've said before, I found that 'skill' very disconcerting.....Bob Naismith used to do the same thing !! 

Matthew.....I've PM'd you.....I hope some of the drivel I've written down is of some use !!

Cheers - Phil.

[mmcv]

Cheers Phil.

Couple of in progress shots:



At least one of the standards is too awkwardly big so may redo it. You can see the quivers and bows attached to a few figs as well as the attempts I've been making to quivers from a mould rather than sculpted directly on. The ones out of the mould are more delicate than the chunky monstrosities I've moulded right onto the figures but not sure how well they'll trim and stick.



One that's painted up and in progress with basing. The standard is a normal Aztec one that's been clipper and bent a bit. The two guys at the back you can see have moulded on quivers. Quite chunky compared to the delicate ones on the archers in front but at tabletop distance only looks a little larger

[Steve J]

Nice to see your work Matthem and they look OK to me. As a former modelmaker, practice makes perfect. New employees would often find it amazing at what I could do so quickly, but then I'd say I'd been doing it for 30+ years and it was second nature. Ask me to do something on a computer or mobile 'phone and I'd be struggling to say the least!!!