Michka's Star Trek project (1st Sculpt painted 5/5/15)

[michka]

I've been wanting to run a Star Trek campaign using miniatures for years. I've run a couple scenario-based wargames at cons in the past. And I've run more role playing games of Star Trek then I can remember. What I haven't done yet is run an RPG using minis. The biggest stumbling blocks were finding miniatures, and building sets. Since finding the DM's Craft and 2.5D scenery I've solved the terrain issue. (Well, at least I have the tools now. I haven't made anything yet.) That leaves the miniatures. I've collected a bunch of Trek minis from a number of sources, but none of them really inspired me. I've been sculpting with Super Sculpey for months now, but that material doesn't handle small scale stuff too well. It's great for giants and monsters, but 28mm humans in close fitting uniforms is asking a bit much from the material. I'd been planning to learn proper sculpting with Green Stuff eventually, so I decided that Star Fleet officers would be my first project.

I'm starting with a human male. This is what I've done so far.



and the back...



I was feeling pretty good about this figure. Sure he needs a head and some hands, as well as some smoothing, but otherwise I felt like I was kicking ass. Then I discovered I had missed one important element...



DEPTH ! He's too damn skinny. I had been paying too much attention to the silhouette, and lost track of how thick a human body needs to be. Well, this is supposed to be a learning experience. I'll keep working on this guy, and I'll start another couple figures at some point soon. There will also be terrain made for this project. I'll update when I have something to show.  

[curufin]

Hell yeah! I can't wait to see more!

[Draklith]

I think he looks pretty damn good,

great thing about sculpting is when your dude looks to thin, you just add more material   tah-dah

[michka]

And here is the mostly finished first sculpt. I'm feeling pretty good about this one.



back shot...



and finally, the side shot. This time with a little more meat on his bones.

<img style="max-width:100%;" alt="" src="">

It ain't pretty, but you can tell what it's supposed to be at least. I probably should have done this in stages, but I was too excited to wait for the green stuff to harden. I even got to use some tools Curifin made for me, mostly to get the texture of the hair correct. I've still got lots to learn. Let me know what you think.

[curufin]

The face, hands, and hair are incredible. I still haven't done those yet on my figure. You really did a fantastic job and you sped right through it! I am really impressed overall. I can't wait to see what you do next.

Glad the tools helped. What is the scale of the figure?

[tauster]

Great end result!

Thanks for the walkthrough. Can you show us the tools you used?

[michka]

Thank you guys.

curufin, He's a 28mm figure. Well, he's actually 35mm from bottom of foot to eye level. That matches the current height for modern miniatures. I've got a Tom Mason armature under all that green stuff. For the hair i used the tool you made that has the pins in a row with the points still on them. It makes a nice, even texture that can be modified as you twist it in your hand.

tauster, I'll get some pictures taken later tonight or tomorrow. I'd do it now, but I'm waiting for the cable guy to show. Who knows how long this internet connection will hold.

[Alexis]

Wow this looks awesome. It's so detailed!!i love it!

[michka]

Thank You Alexis. I do plan to make more of these guys. 

OK. I finally got this figure painted. It's not my best paint job, but it'll work. (Not the best photography either.) Here goes...



I've also taken a picture with some of my other Star Trek minis.



From left to right, these are a Kirk game piece from Monopoly, My sculpt, a private sculpt that I got a few of, and a really old Heritage Models miniature. When I say old, I'm talking about a miniature from 1978.
Looks like I have a scale issue here. Unfortunately I like the bigger scale, so now I have to make all my own Star Trek minis. Well it is motivation at least. Next time I will focus on making the hands and head the right size. Otherwise I think the figure isn't bad.

Let me know what you think.