Wednesday 21 April 2010

Harker got greened

I've finally finished customising my Harker model and I've got to say, I'm quite pleased overall. It's been a hell of a journey, there's been blood, sweat, tears and a whole load of swearing! I know he isn't perfect, but considering I'm new to sculpting, I don't think he's that bad.

I did a bit more work sorting out the folds of his cloak, mainly smoothing out the folds on the back of the cloak and the clasp in the centre of his chest. I also did his cap badge (Damn you Admiral Drax!), in fact, I did his cap badge about 17 times before it ended up as a sort of winging V symbol. That was a real challenge but I'm glad Drax mentioned it as he'd look a bit stupid without a cap badge.


I used a mix with a higher ratio of yellow to blue for smoothing out the cloak as it easier smooth it over the faults with a softer mix. I found this bit really challenging as I'm a bit obsessive compulsive with my hobbying and not matter how much touching up I did, it never seemed done, I just kept seeing faults. Anyway, I'll leave it to you decide ....





I also did a bit more work on the hood, basically just building it up and sharpening the edges. I wish that I could have put more folds into the hood but the base sculpt had already cured before I realised that it needed them.



And there you have it, my take on Veteran Sgt Harker.


So, wrapping up, here's what I've learned since last time .....
  • The smaller the detail, the longer it takes to get it right, damn cap badge!
  • I need to remember that it's not going to be perfect, so I must stop beating myself up over it.
  • It would have been far better to have done each fold in one go, rather than in sections and then touching them up.
  • I really need to use references and have a proper vision of what I want to achieve, this would have helped with the folds in the cloaks hood.
  • I'm slowly getting better at sculpting but I still can't use metal tools.
Well, that's it for Harker, hope you enjoyed following my little project, time to start work on his squad now.

25 comments:

suneokun said...

Great work ... can't wait to see it painted!

MIK said...

Looks great, you've not only got a truly unique fig for the tabletop, but it's really well executed to boot. Kudos...

Allandaros said...

Your version of Harker is incredibly better than the one GW put out. Amazing the difference a bit of dedicated GSing can make! Looking forward to seeing the full squad.

CanolliCrusader said...

freakin awesome. end.

Karitas said...

Really nice job man.

And I agree, I'm not a fan of the Catachan models, so this tops GW's effort.

Plus he looks like a Para, and that always makes me start whistling the "Bridge too far" theme tune with a nostalgic smile on my face :)

HOTpanda said...

A nice center piece to an already incredible looking army. HARKER is one tough looking dude and I don;t think Nurgle could ever entice him into his rot. Well executed!!!

Grizzled Gorilla said...

Excellent modelling. I really like the beret.
I really can't wait to see this guy painted up.

davetaylor said...

Nice work Colonel! Can't wait to see him painted.

Cheers
Dave

Frag_Dad said...

Looks great! I can't see these faults you mention, but I know the feeling - you're always your own worst critic. Really looking forward to seeing him painted, and you've given me courage (and some tips!) to try sculpting my own cloaks!

Col. Hessler said...

That's hot stuff. Great work, there's nothing like the feeling of a completed project.

Cheers

Max said...

He looks great sir! Now time to get him looking all purty for the dance.

jabberjabber said...

I've got to hand it to you - Harker is looking awesome. The time spent on the cap, its insignia, and the clasp on the cape has totally paid off. Good job sir!

HergahBlergh said...

I'm very excited to see how Harker turns out. I'm a big fan of your work.

The Dark Templar said...

Great looking model Col. It's been great to see it take shape, and see you go through exactly what I went through the first time I tried something more ambitious with the greenstuff. The 'what I've learned' points have been very useful too – thanks!

Zombieburger said...

Off to a great start here! The front of the model looks fantastic with the beret, the clasp and the cloak going over his shoulders.

The backside of the cloak looks a little too symmetrical for my taste. especially in the middle. But that is more realistic than a flowing superman-like cape.

But overall this is a huge improvement on the existing miniature.

Dan Eldredge said...

Looks great! Now you just need to paint him up!

Ranger Rob said...

Well done sir! Finally got my Harker/Harper ordered. You are an inspiration.

Does it come with the bigger base, or was that your doing?

Da_Sub said...

Corbs,
If you are having trouble with divets or rough spots on sculpt that you want smoothed you can leave them to dry and then mix up a thin milliput paste and smooth it across the surface with a wet finger. leave to dry for 24 hours and spray prime as normal. regular green/grey will work just fine. I also use this method to fill air bubbles in resin minis as you get a better hardness match between the milli and the resin when you sand it all smooth.
But from what I can see it looks good anyway. Cloaks are usually the trickiest to get right and you seem to have hit it bang on.
top work man!

Mordian7th said...

Absolutely top notch work, Corbane! I know it's easy to be one's own harshest critic, but I think the cloak looks spectacular - can't wait to see him painted up!

Admiral Drax said...

Mate - I keep loving this mini more and more. Sorry to be a pain!

- D.

Lord TITANium Halfpenny said...

amazing detail! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished model!

jmezz382 said...

Absolutely amazing work Colonel !

Each of us is the toughest critic when it comes to ones own works. I give it two thumbs up and a pint on me .... if I get across the pond to buy it for ya !

Craig said...

brilliant work mate! love him. is he getting a red beree?

Messanger of Death said...

Looks great and it was interesting to watch you work through this part of your project.

Space Marine scouts would provide a good reference for cloaks.

Messanger

Col. Corbane said...

@Suneokun - Cheers mate, I'm not sure whether to paint him now or along with his squad.

@Mik - Thanks matey, must admit I do like the look he's got to him.

@Allandaros - Cheers mate, I do like him more than the original model. It's amazing what a bit of GS will do.

@CanollliCrusader - Cheers mate.

@Karitas - Thanks mate, he does have that Para look to him. I think this could be the start of something good.

@HotPanda - Cheers mate, I'm starting to think I might build a spec ops platoon around him rather than just a squad but it'd be a hell of a lot of work.

@Magilla Gurilla - Cheers mate, I'm chuffed with how the beret turned out as well. As I said before, not sure how long it'll be before he gets painted up.

@Dave Taylor - Cheers mate.

@Frag_Dad - Thanks mate, we are our own worst critics and I have serious hobby OCD. Glad it's inspired you to give it a go.

@Col. Hessler - Cheers mate, must admit, this one's been a long one for one guy but well worth it.

@Max - Thanks mate, I don't think purty and para really go but it did make me laugh.

@Jabberjabber - Cheers mate, it's amazing that the small details take the most time especially that cap badge.

@GreyCleric08 - Thanks mate, glad you like my stuff.

@DarkTemplar - Cheers mate, I always try to challenge myself but the 'what I've learned' is something new that's really helpful for me, glad it's helpful to you. I must collect them all together at some point so they don't get lost in mists of time.

@Zombieburger - Cheers mate, must admit, I didn't plan for the back to work out so symmetrical, it just turned out that way, so I'm going to have to plan them better in the future. It's a steep learning curve!

@Darkwing - Thanks mate, I think he deserves something special on the paint side.

@Ranger Rob - Cheers mate, he comes on the small base but I put all my specials on larger bases. No doubt that will shoot me in the foot at a tournament at some point!

@Da Sub - Thanks mate, that's a brilliant idea, I've never even thought of mixing the two mediums on one sculpt.

@Mordian 7th - Thanks matey, must admit, I'm looking forward to seeing the cloak painted up as well.

@Admiral Drax - Glad you like it matey, and glad you spotted he was missing a cap badge even if I was cursing you - lol.

@Pornstarjedi - Cheers mate.

@Jmezz382 - Thanks matey, I'll look forward to that pint and I'll hold you to it! - lol

@Kings Standard Bearer - Cheers mate, I'm really not sure whether to give him a red or a black one mate.

@Messanger of Death - Thanks mate, glad you've enjoyed the project. I'll have to dig out my marine scouts at some point, I completely forgot that I'd got them. Thanks for the tip.