[The following is taken from one of my blogs]

What's on the paint table? [12th February 2015]
Nothing painted, for one thing!

All the following models were originally from the Pendraken Miniatures' Zombie Survivors pack - they've been converted/modified by me. The reason for this is due to requiring certain character archetypes to play Crooked Dice's 7ombieTV game.

As you'll see, I'm only half decent with the modelling putty, but there's still room for [amateur] improvement.

All figures are part of my own fictitious country of Ossia, so they don't follow any set fashion.

The Holy Man




If it wasn't for the cross in his hand (which I hope will paint up better than it currently looks) you wouldn't know he was a bishop or some't similar.
Issues to learn from: The hat's too high on his head.

The Outdoor Type



Just realised that I didn't sculpt any straps for the backpack!
The wooden bat's a bit rough, too! I best paint it up as wood grain

The Hunter




One thing in my defence is that the holstered pistol at his hip is distorted by the photo's angle. It's actually better proportioned when seen 'face-on' and not at an angle.

The Dude with the Crossbow



The Kid with the Bow



I know that the arrows in the quiver are too small to actually fire from the bow in his hand.
I also know that the quiver's detailing is perhaps too big.
The bow doesn't have a smooth finish; this is something that I need to practice more upon.
The reason why the modelling putty is thick where it meets the hand is to help strengthen the bond between metal miniature and the metal wire I used as a former.

The Policeman



Policemen in my country wear military -type clothes (with big epaulettes).
I'm not sure whether the scope's forward lens is too large, or not. 

All in all they'll get the job done and I'm happy with them.
I'll continue converting figures where needed.

[Obviously, the conversions were only possible due to the excellent 'original' sculpts offering a solid platform to work upon.]

Damn fine stuff, Roy.

A lot of the 'skill' in sculpting is basically down to practice and patience.

'Tip 1')
If you feel you make a 'mess' of something....Often, it's better to let that bit set and then carefully carve bits off with a new scalpel blade..(Then use the hardened putty as a 'former')...Rather than keep poking the putty around.....In the long run, it saves time.

Tip 2)
Smoothing.....Don't be afraid to use a new scalpel blade (again) to 'shave' putty smooth. ....Not possible in every case (you won't be able to get at certain parts of the model, to do this).....But you'd probably be able to use that method on something like the bow.
Alternatively.....It's relatively easy to use colour shapers to get a smooth finish. The putty won't 'stick' to the 'business end'.

Tip 3)
Experiment with mixing different proportions of the yellow and blue putties....They'll 'go off' at different rates, and allow you to use varying techniques.....When putty starts to 'go off' it's much easier to 'pull' sharp edges.....or make clean/crisp indentations.

Tip 4) If you're working on 'metals'...Make sure that they're 'clean' by giving them a quick wash with something like washing up liquid to get rid of any powder from the casting process. (Obviously rinse them and let them dry properly !!  )
Sometimes it can be a real b*gger to get the putty to stick to the metal !

Tip 5) Don't get too hung up about proportions ! At this scale you have to 'cheat' quite a lot ! 

I think you should be well chuffed with what you've done !.....Look forward to seeing those painted....I think they'll look stonking !!

Cheers - Phil

Thank you.

I've made a note of all that you've said 

Love the Holy Man; possible "Baron Samedi" thing going on there

I hope it helps, Roy.

The problem is (to a certain extent) that there are just SO many variables....So it IS a question of learning, and training your hands to the feel of the putty.
It isn't something that you can necessarily 'crack' in a few hours.....Practice and patience (click) Practice and patience (click).....The record's stuck 

I guess that it's basically down to hand/eye coordination, and a reasonably 'light touch'.......and your friend, the sharp scalpel blade, if things go a bit 'waffy'.

Cheers - Phil

I had a look at the putty work while I was gluing the grit to the bases and apart from the 'The Outdoor Type' figure's weapon I've left alone.

I took a scalpel blade and shaved it down ... a little too much, on one side 

Anyway, back to finishing off painting those zombies then I can crack on with these.

Thanks again.

 
Cheers - Phil

such a nice work

Good work there!

Looking good.

 

Thanks everyone! 

  Great conversions! Bravo.

Not too keen on the holy man.  The rest of them however are jolly good.  Can't wait to see them painted up and taking on some Zeds...

Quote from: Luddite on 14 February 2015, 12:57:53 AM
Not too keen on the holy man.

You do have a point.

Maybe, looking at it now, I could have made him more like this [from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves]





The mitre hat alone would of been a better solution. Anyway, we'll see how it paints up ... If need be, I'll have take a crack at converting another