WIP Sarnia Miniatures ‘Dwarf Lord’ 1/10 bust

[Fenlander]

Well, fantasy is not my thing but I couldn’t resist this cheeky looking chunky Dwarf Lord sculpted by Peter Gillson, original stunning box art by Peter Day.

Trying not to sing along with ‘its all about the bass’, this is all about the beard lol. Of course the armour and helmet will be an exciting challenge to go with metallics.

As there is not a lot of face, I decided to have a go at this with acrylic. I can always overpaint with oils if it doesn’t work out.

First up, a base coat of Vallejo Beige Red with a tip of the brush of Revell Anthracite and Vallejo Ivory to get the shadows and highlights.



Then the eyes were lined using Vallejo Mahogany



The ‘whites’ of the eyes were then painted in with ivory and a touch of beige red to create a very light flesh colour. While this was drying I ran some glazes over the very rough looking flesh tones. The pupils were painted in and a highlight spot added

So this is where I am at the end of stage one



There will be more refinement done to the flesh once I have blocked in around it. I find it easier to judge flesh contrast after blocking in

 

[Jim R]

Hi Graham
That is an excellent start. Although I am not a figure painter it is a big part of the hobby so it is great to see figures on the forum.
Jim

 

[Fenlander]

Hi Graham
That is an excellent start. Although I am not a figure painter it is a big part of the hobby so it is great to see figures on the forum.
Jim

Cheers Jim. I used to hate figure painting but cannot get enough of it now. Can’t do the small stuff though

 

[Peter Gillson]

I like the way you have him looking to the side. A great start.
Peter

 

[Fenlander]

I like the way you have him looking to the side. A great start.
Peter

Inspired by the box art :smirk:

 

[Fenlander]

Decided to try out a ‘dark’ look with this guy. Blocked in the metallics using mixes of Darkstar Steel and Bronze plus Steel on its own. The lions heads and other details painted black then a buff overall with metaliser powder. This kills colour and makes it too shiny for what I want so this was then overpainted with matt varnish before a coat of Future floor polish to bring back a more natural shine.

Not sure it has worked yet so I will live with it for a couple of days before I either carry on or get the paint stripper out

 

[Fenlander]

Failed miserably trying to sort out the colours so the Dwarf Lord is taking a bath in Dettol lol.

Must try harder

 

[Richard48]

Shame as i thought he was looking rather good.
Richard.

 

[Fenlander]

Shame as i thought he was looking rather good.
Richard.

It was getting messed about too much trying different colours, the paint was getting too thick and I just couldn’t get it to work. Never mind, it is all practice

 

[Fenlander]

Right, back to the preverbal drawing board

 

[Deleted member 6559]

Shame about the first attempt Graham, but when you're not happy - Flash Bathroom Cleaner is always at my side (and often used).

 

[Fenlander]

Shame about the first attempt Graham, but when you're not happy - Flash Bathroom Cleaner is always at my side (and often used).

Be better than Dettol, it stinks lol. I learned quite a bit back that flogging a dead horse, or even Dwarf, is pointless. Strip it, start again, no sweat

 

[Peter Gillson]

A shame, but better to start again than end up living with something you are not happy with. Good luck with version 2.

 

[Armorguy]

I'm in Graham.

 

[Fenlander]

Ok, had a bit of time at the bench this morning so I have done the face, may need tweaking, and blocked in the beard. Time to walk the dog while it dries off. All acrylic.

 

[Armorguy]

You've nailed the eyes already Graham, they look great !

 

[Fenlander]

You've nailed the eyes already Graham, they look great !

Thanks Guy

 

[Deleted member 6559]

Looking good Graham.

 

[Fenlander]

Looking good Graham.

Thanks Peter

 

[Fenlander]

Right. I said at the beginning that I wanted this Dwarf to be a bit ‘darker’. As I got into it today I decided to go for a bit of a ‘Romanesque’ look. If I knew how to, I might even have sculpted a feathery crest for his helmet but I don’t so I didn’t.....

Due to holidays followed by a wedding I doubt I will be back at the desk for a couple of weeks so I will leave him as he is, have a look when I get back and decide whether to keep going, call him finished or strip and start again.

He is growing on me and I did want a different look.