Need help with tunics and loincloths

[Deadite]

Hey all,
I\'m really having some issues adding some tunics and loincloths to my armies.
Right now I just kneed a small bit of GS, shape it with my fingers, apply it to the model and then work it with some tools to get some semblance of folds and overall decent appearance.
However, I end up with fingerprints, folds that aren\'t terribly convincing and edges/corners that could stand to be a lot sharper/crisper.

How do you guys add loincloths to your minis? How should I add loincloths to my minis?

I think my biggest problem is a lack of support between the legs. If I just press into the GS to create folds, it\'s just going to flop straight between the legs and not in any way I\'d want it to. Should I maybe create some support with a small bit of thin GS to support the loincloth so I can sculpt into it?

Any and all help would be appreciated!

 

[Chrispy]

First off, to make edges softr, I take a brush (can be old, but should be soft) and use a little water on it and go over the Greenstuff and it kind of \"sands\" it down.. also, using tools is a good idea, I got some cheap ones that served me well at a place called Harbor Frieght. For loincloths, I suggest you rough out the basic shape of a rectangle and let it dry, then go back and use new GS to make folds.. This is pretty much the way the pros do it.. I should see if I can find the Chris Firzpatrick article online..

Hope this helps!

 

[frenchkid]

Well I\'m no greenstuff expert (far from it) but for the fingerprints I would sugest using gloves, this will also protect you from any toxic effect the green stuff may have.

 

[Calavera]

Since when was GS toxic ???

 

[Deadite]

Thanks for the replies thus far guys.
Still looking for further tips if anyone has them!

Chrispy - thanks. I\'ll give that a shot and also see if I can\'t find Chris F\'s article (lemme know if you find it before me )

Frenchkid - I\'ve never known GS to be toxic (but a good tip for any of those allergic folks)... and the one time I did try some gloves, the GS stuck more to the gloves than the mini (even wet).

 

[frenchkid]

Originally posted by Calavera
Since when was GS toxic ???

Seems in a post long ago we had a long discution about this I\'m one of those guys who trusts the box in wich the green stuff comes. So I assume if the box says so it must be at least a little bit toxic. And anyway wearing gloves can\'t hurt you and no more fingerprints.

 

[minimaker]

@Deadite: First put a blob in between the legs as a support. Let this cure. Then add a layer of putty and sculpt the loincloth. If you only have a long overhang on one side: make a support from putty, metal strip or plastic strip and use this as an armature to sculpt on. Do one side first, sharpen the lower edge with a sharp knife, then sculpt the other side making sure the edges look thin.
Here is a nice article that shows some drapery work:
http://www.montecook.com/mpress_makingofmini.html

As to fingerprints: only use your fingers for roughshaping and when you know the technique, smoothing. Otherwise just avoid touching the putty with anything apart from tools. If there are fingerprints, clean them straight away. Rubber tipped clayshapers are nice for smoothing.

@Frenchkid, I just checked the box and the leaflet says it\'s possibly harmfull if swallowed. Not that it\'s toxic. I don\'t remember having seen it in the MSDS either. Can\'t check right now since I can\'t find it. Apart from that, one of the Polymerics people told me a dog once ate a roll (silly beast) and survived with no problems.
So that would not be a reason to wear gloves. One disadvantage of gloves is that you loose some sense of touch which you will need when sculpting.
Still, some people should wear gloves when handling epoxy putties though. This is when they have a special allergy to some of the components. This can cause irritation. GS is fortunately very mild but I can imagine some people being that sensitive they should wear gloves anyhow. As far as I\'m concerned, I only have this with Grey matter and the UK A&B. I avoid touching those without gloves.

 

[Itchy]

back in the day i\'d put crude pelts on Space Wolves (the type that hang from their belt) and i\'d just make a thin sheet of GS, stick the top end to a wet toothpick and push it onto the hip area under the belt, then push some curves into it with two wet toothpicks, let that cure, and come back and add the fur like putting hair on a mini\'s head. First like dreadlocks, then the individual hairs.

 

[mattsterbenz]

when you flatten out the green stuff initially, put the putty inside a plastic baggie with a little water. this will flatten it without fingerprints. let in cure a bit (20 minutes) and apply it to the mini, and add folds with your tools.

 

[dave3555]

I know that some people cam get an alergic recation to GS. Useually with most that are suseptable it just takes the form of a itchy rash. I have never had any problems with it though.

Dave

 

[Deadite]

Originally posted by mattsterbenz
when you flatten out the green stuff initially, put the putty inside a plastic baggie with a little water. this will flatten it without fingerprints. let in cure a bit (20 minutes) and apply it to the mini, and add folds with your tools.

I actually tried this, but I didn\'t get the dramatic results I\'m hoping for. Works great for larger flat areas like banners and such, but I couldn\'t get it to work well on smaller pieces like loincloths.

@minimaker - thanks for the tips. At the moment I can\'t seem to get your link to work. I\'ll try from another PC and see if that clears it up.

 

[Deadite]

Another quick question as I scrape off my previous attempts....

Ok, I mentioned I had fingerprint issues with some of the tunics I\'ve created.

How do you remove fingerprints from cured sculpts? Especially from areas that are hard to get to with any kind of sanding.

 

[minimaker]

Best way is to sand them off with really fine sandpaper.

 

[Itchy]

Originally posted by dave3555
I know that some people cam get an alergic recation to GS. Useually with most that are suseptable it just takes the form of a itchy rash. I have never had any problems with it though.

Dave

so i\'m not the only one?!lol