Modeling 10mm feathers for attachment to helmet/hats

[Jagger]

I am thinking of using green stuff on the Elizabethian EL3 and EL5 figures to create 1550's arquebus and pike Landsknechts.  I don't think it will be too difficult producing the drooping pluderhose but I am not so sure about adding the feathers in the hats.  I don't think milliput will work well in creating feathers for 10mm figures.  I find milliput is hard to work for very small items and doesn't really remain attached well without wire.  Besides I don't have wire small enough for 10mm feathers.  I have read of people mixing glue with tissue paper or using dried acrylic paint to create feathers.  I wonder if anyone has tried either method and how well it might work for 10mm feathers attached to helmets/hats?  Or are there any better ideas for creating 10mm feathers that will remain attached to the head.

[Techno]

Hi Jagger.

Very fine fuse wire shouldn't be far off the mark....The other thing you might be able to try is brass 'braid'.
By that I mean the thin brass 'rope' that can be used to hang pictures on the wall.
Simply take individual strands from the rope.
Green stuff would (I think) be your putty of choice - certainly as an initial very thin skin over the wire....Once that has set properly....(If you want to go to the extra expense)....a mix of 50/50 green stuff to Magic Sculp gives you a very soft putty in which to do any detail.

Cheers - Phil.

[Jagger]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the ideas.   Although I was at a hardware store today and forgot to check to see if they have fuse wire.  I also did a quick search for the Magic Sculpt.  The reviews on it are very positive.  I found a place that sells it for $14 for pound containers.  I will have to get some.

Last night, I forged ahead on trying to mod an arquebusier as a 1550's Landsknecht.  It didn't turn out great but it is not too bad.  It didn't take very long either.  The milliput was crumbly and didn't stick well at first.  I added a little water and it worked much better.  I also ended up using a dot of superglue and a bit of dried up acrylic paint for the feather.  Again, not great but not bad.  Should be interesting to see how it paints up.  Here are a couple of photos;

[Techno]

Hi again Jagger.

Your comments regarding the Milliput are pretty much 'par for the course' ...It's definitely NOT the ideal putty for the detail on the we chaps.
One point regarding Milliput (that I've found) is that it does   tend to 'go off' slightly as time goes by......Though I still use it very occasionally for 'straight line' work.
Even a brand new pack from a shop can be a little 'iffy' if its been sitting on the shelf for a long time.

Magic Sculp (again from personal experience) is mush more useful as a 'mixer' with other putties (Green stuff/ProCreate) than on its own.....as it IS a particularly soft putty to use 'straight'.....You'll find you have to use a VERY light touch.....But it smooths beautifully....and is easier to scrape or sand than Green Stuff.

My guess is that it would work better on much bigger models.....I've seen some stunning work done with it in larger scales.

From the pics you've put up....I really don't think you'd be able to get a much better result with Milliput on its own....But I reckon you'll find you can get an even better finish with the Green Stuff/Magic Sculp 'mix'.......Milliput is almost impossible to 'pull' around...It can only be 'pushed' into shape...(I hope that makes sense !! ...I know what I mean  )

I'll be very interested to see the results and whether you're happier with the end product if you try MS.

Cheers - Phil.

[Jagger]

Thanks Phil.  What you are describing explains a lot.  I clearly could not do many things I would have liked to have done with milliput.  And now, I think I understand why.  I need to buy some green stuff and some of the magic sculpt.   Thanks again!

[Techno]

My pleasure !
If you can do what you've done with Milliput...I'm positive you'll love what you can do with the other putties.
Take your time though..It'll feel so completely different to using Milliput.
Have a tiny bit of a 'play' with the Green Stuff until you get the 'feel' of it....Won't take long !

Cheers - Phil.