Marathon LOTR/TH WIP Custom Builds..Reaper/Rider Wraith Redone & Finished.

It is looking gorgeous. Those chains were an excellent idea, adding further detail to the pauldrons and chest. If you have more to use, I'd say consider adding a second, if not a third set.

Stryker2011 wrote:Man, that is looking sweet! That flame effect under dark lighting is really creepy. (You need to get some rest now).

Cheers Stryker! Had a nap now.

GubernatorFan wrote:It is looking gorgeous. Those chains were an excellent idea, adding further detail to the pauldrons and chest. If you have more to use, I'd say consider adding a second, if not a third set.

Nice idea! A bit like what I did with the Reaper Wraith then? Sadly don't have anymore but must be able to find some of the same on ebay to order by the meter.

Yes! Exactly -- something like that, except the chains would reach to and go on the Pauldrons (that way you can add more detail there, especially around the top part). I think it would look great.

That was fast! More detail on the pauldrons? not sure there's any room! I had been thinking about adding small skulls on the pikes though, just forgot! When I say small they would be more like 1/10 rather than 1/6 but painted silver they could be construed as decoration rather than real skulls per say.

And since you like the new Star Wars trooper types, check out the new HT Patrol Trooper thread.

GubernatorFan wrote:And since you like the new Star Wars trooper types, check out the new HT Patrol Trooper thread.

I was just about to! Added more pauldron ideas in the post above.

shovelchop81 wrote:

LOL! I use stands for all my figures and that glass is really thick! The Hulkbuster is on it now with another 15 figures including heavy bases. The glass weighs a tonne, just glad I managed to get it on there by myself to be honest!

That's fine then. I remember my Mum got some mugs from a jumble sale once, they were knock off Pyrex and they spontaneously shattered while sitting in the cupboard. Could have been nasty had someone been holding them while full. So, I'm a bit wary of glass stuff.

CHEERS!

Rogerbee wrote:

shovelchop81 wrote:

LOL! I use stands for all my figures and that glass is really thick! The Hulkbuster is on it now with another 15 figures including heavy bases. The glass weighs a tonne, just glad I managed to get it on there by myself to be honest!

That's fine then. I remember my Mum got some mugs from a jumble sale once, they were knock off Pyrex and they spontaneously shattered while sitting in the cupboard. Could have been nasty had someone been holding them while full. So, I'm a bit wary of glass stuff.

CHEERS!

If you stack glasses etc.. they will explode on their own due to gravity putting stress on the lower ones from the ones above then it's like dominoes, ask any bartender, perhaps that's what happened?

Some pics of the mail idea, not cut all the way in these pictures yet, I say cut as I managed to cut lines down the mail using wire snips which saved a lot of time! I found some more chain, ironically on a 1:1 version of the 'One Ring'! I had a spare too so the one in the display box didn't need a chain, only the one I have hanging over Sting's crossgaurd does. It's a bit smaller but the same style of links and quite long. Some pics of the skulls too. Everything is in the spraybooth drying now and I'm finally watching 'Avengers Infinity War' after catching up with the other movies recently.

I like it all!

That looks cool. I must say when I read you were thinking of adding skulls to the pauldron spikes I was skeptical, but that looks creepy (awesome).

shovelchop81 wrote:

If you stack glasses etc.. they will explode on their own due to gravity putting stress on the lower ones from the ones above then it's like dominoes, ask any bartender, perhaps that's what happened?

That's the thing, they weren't even stacked, they were just stood in the cupboard. I heard a crash, went to look and the cupboard was littered with glass, it had just disintegrated!

CHEERS!

BTW, he just gets better!

CHEERS!

My god man, those flame effects look brilliant! I've been loving all of the wraiths, but I'm so utterly floored by Sauron. He just looks so epic and fierce. Quickly becoming one of my all time favorite builds.

GubernatorFan wrote:I like it all!

Thanks GF!

Stryker2011 wrote:That looks cool. I must say when I read you were thinking of adding skulls to the pauldron spikes I was skeptical, but that looks creepy (awesome).

They're starting to look even better now they're partially painted, he already had 22 skulls on him so what's 4 more (most of those are tiny ones on his faceplate.

Rogerbee wrote:

shovelchop81 wrote:

If you stack glasses etc.. they will explode on their own due to gravity putting stress on the lower ones from the ones above then it's like dominoes, ask any bartender, perhaps that's what happened?

That's the thing, they weren't even stacked, they were just stood in the cupboard. I heard a crash, went to look and the cupboard was littered with glass, it had just disintegrated!

CHEERS!

Weird! Must have been a change in temperature or something, or they had some seriously overkill built in obsolescence!

Rogerbee wrote:BTW, he just gets better!

CHEERS!

Thank you Roger!

ReverendSpooky wrote:My god man, those flame effects look brilliant!  I've been loving all of the wraiths, but I'm so utterly floored by Sauron.  He just looks so epic and fierce.  Quickly becoming one of my all time favorite builds.

WOW! Cheers RS! That's mighty high praise indeed! Thank you!

Did a bit of chain mail silver sponge work while watching the movie which I thoroughly enjoyed. I still need to add the bright silver and maybe a black ink wash here and there. The war hammer design isn't finished, I'm going to make it more aggressive.

Looking good.

shovelchop81 wrote:

ReverendSpooky wrote:My god man, those flame effects look brilliant!  I've been loving all of the wraiths, but I'm so utterly floored by Sauron.  He just looks so epic and fierce.  Quickly becoming one of my all time favorite builds.

WOW! Cheers RS! That's mighty high praise indeed! Thank you!

Did a bit of chain mail silver sponge work while watching the movie which I thoroughly enjoyed. I still need to add the bright silver and maybe a black ink wash here and there.

Well deserved. You are absolutely killing it on this figure. I'd be really interested to see a close up shot of how you sponged the chain mail. I love using that mesh material, and from what I can see, your additional coloring adds a real grittiness to it.

It's not actually mesh, each piece is an individual metal four pronged stud connected with four metal rings which is what allows it to be so flexible. I was pondering on how they make it (have done a degree in product design I can be entertained by the most mundane things! ) and I'm guessing the studs are cast in a big sheet and so are the rings, then they must be pressed together by a specialised machine tool that matches up the sheets and forces the prongs through and then closed, I think the combined cast sheets would then be put in a tumbler to break the purpose made thin connecting material (like flashing) and polish it off That way they can make huge sheets of it at a time...okay enough waffling.. The sponge work is as simple as it sounds, choose the type of sponge you want by the density of it to a get bolder or more delicate stippling effect, cut it to a shape that suits the size you're working on or if you need to get in corners, under ledges etc.. cut a wedge shape to use in there. Dab it in some paint or ink but just make sure you treat it like dry brushing so tap it on some newspaper to remove any excess paint/ink and go to town, with a bit of practice you just get a feel for which sponge works best with certain media and what effects you can create like rust, grit, snow etc.. adding another media to the mix like sand or plaster powder can get great results too, even dirt works. Oh, make sure to cut off any dried/hardened parts of the sponge from previous use to get a nice soft absorbent area again, you can also rip the sponge up to get random edges for blending into a flat finish (like rust into undamaged paint on a vehicle or weapon etc..) or for camo apps too.

shovelchop81 wrote:It's not actually mesh, each piece is an individual metal four pronged stud connected with four metal rings which is what allows it to be so flexible. I was pondering on how they make it (have done a degree in product design I can be entertained by the most mundane things! ) and I'm guessing the studs are cast in a big sheet and so are the rings, then they must be pressed together by a specialised machine tool that matches up the sheets and forces the prongs through and then closed, I think the combined cast sheets would then be put in a tumbler to break the purpose made thin connecting material (like flashing) and polish it off That way they can make huge sheets of it at a time...okay enough waffling.. The sponge work is as simple as it sounds, choose the type of sponge you want by the density of it to a get bolder or more delicate stippling effect, cut it to a shape that suits the size you're working on or if you need to get in corners, under ledges etc.. cut a wedge shape to use in there. Dab it in some paint or ink but just make sure you treat it like dry brushing so tap it on some newspaper to remove any excess paint/ink and go to town, with a bit of practice you just get a feel for which sponge works best with certain media and what effects you can create like rust, grit, snow etc.. adding another media to the mix like sand or plaster powder can get great results too, even dirt works. Oh, make sure to cut off any dried/hardened parts of the sponge from previous use to get a nice soft absorbent area again, you can also rip the sponge up to get random edges for blending into a flat finish (like rust into undamaged paint on a vehicle or weapon etc..) or for camo apps too.

Oh man, thanks for the thorough explanation! I may need to start experimenting with sponges a bit this weekend then. The comparison to dry brushing was a key element, and I think really makes the effect. I've actually been working with that mesh for a while too, and have knocked out a couple Red Sonja chain mail bikinis out of it. It's interesting to work with, selectively popping open prongs to get the shape you want. I looked for it on a roll for a long time, until I finally caved and did exactly what you did, and bought a purse.

A few years ago, I found dangly earrings that were like that purse, and I, too, made a Red Sonja outfit out of it, pain to work with, but turned out pretty cool.

Stryker2011 wrote:A few years ago, I found dangly earrings that were like that purse, and I, too, made a Red Sonja outfit out of it, pain to work with, but turned out pretty cool.

I remember that well, it was before they came out with an 'official' Red Sonia and looked great.

I looked for it on a roll for a long time, until I finally caved and did exactly what you did, and bought a purse. wrote:

Yeah you can get them dead cheap. a least the smaller ones as they tend to be used as freebies to promote products a lot like make up and stuff I think. Getting them from Ali Express would probably be the cheapest way.

Yeah, online would be the best way. You'd feel a bit odd going into Claire's Accessories and being stared at by teenage girls! "It's a present for my niece, honest!"

CHEERS!

Your Sauron looks incredible! The flames are really amazing. I think he will turn quite a few heads when he is done. Talk about a hotty!

JohnByng wrote:Your Sauron looks incredible! The flames are really amazing. I think he will turn quite a few heads when he is done. Talk about a hotty!

Thanks JB!

Been all about tiny metal chain links today, for his chest that took various attempts in lengths and attachment points etc.. to get it where I am happy with it . Also for his mail kama that needed loads of studs removed individually and manually to create a seam of holes/rings to slide wire (with the plastic striped off) through, connecting it to a bit of stiff pleather from that handbag to make belt/carry system for it. He's got so much metal on him now he weighs a tonne! He's going to need that throne!

Very nice progress. I love the extra chains. And all the other additions are great enhancements.

That is looking great.

Thanks guys! Spent all morning hacksawing, filing dremelling to get the tubes the right length, flat edged and have a compression/friction fit since the OD's and ID's were off by about a mm or so. The chains are now permanently attached to the weapon's ends but the staff segments are free to disconnect from each other so they can either form a rigid staff weapon or a flexible glaive, the sections can also be configured by being joined or separated in more configurations than I can count so they can be nunchucks, triple staffs, a staff with one or two flail weapons etc.. Needs to be tidied up then painted, probably should have painted the chain first but c'est la vie.. I also added more detail to the tops of the forearm armour as it was looking a bit spartan compared to the rest of the figure but blends in well now and done on both forearms.

Nice additional detail on the vambraces, and that weapon looks like serious trouble for anyone coming up against your Sauron.

Superb stuff! If you don't have a sign on your door saying Genius At Work, you need one. I know that some of the time I keep thinking some of your ideas won't work, but, I should have and keep faith as you always pull it off with great aplomb in the end. This Wraith army is shaping up to be some of your best work to date.

CHEERS!