Old and new sculpts. Which style do you prefer?

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Sophia

New member
Hey there everyone. After a long break from making miniatures I am finally back. I managed to get my home renovated and add another member to my household, my puppy Lily. I decided to re-launch Ultraforge and made some new resin kits.

For those whom I talked to before, the new stuff is kinda a modern take on classic Ultraforge miniatures. I remade both the Giant and the Treelord into a more realistic and gritty Giant and a sexy Treewoman. I thought it would be educational to post the before and after pics for discussion and critique.

The originals of the Mercenary Giant and Treewoman were sculpted with green stuff and also Fimo which is new for me. I love using Fimo as I no longer have to wait for drying. I just cook it with my hairdryer and go on to the next layer. I also manage to get sharper details and have an unlimited working time with the Fimo which is nice. It is much more fragile though so I have to be more careful when handling a Fimo sculpt.

Here is the giant. The one on the left is the new one.
compare1-1.jpg


... and here are the trees. The new Treewoman is on the left.
compare2.jpg



I think there is quite a huge difference in the way I currently sculpt. I now focus on multi-part kits that contain much more dimension. I am also trying to focus on using more surface texture since it is way more fun to paint rather than smooth models. After watching the Lord of the Rings appendices dvds over and over I feel I am taking a very similar approach in the way I depict fantasy imagery. Gritty realism is now winning over cartoon shapes.

Please feel free to critique my sculpts as I can learn so much from you. I also posted my Giant on Coolmini ( http://www.coolminiornot.com/181000 ) so any generous scoring is much appreciated!

Thanks for contributing and take care.

Sophia
http://www.ultraforgeminiatures.com
ultraforge@hotmail.com
 
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Gussy

New member
I like the ones to the right...kinda goofy/cartoonish. Although if I already have those, the ones on the left are nice too...especially the treewoman. I don\'t care too much for the new giant...looks too human. You should put the old ones back on sale too.
 
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Sophia

New member
My gamer friends tell me to put my old minis back up as well. If there is enough interest I will certainly do so as I still enjoy them quite a bit. Perhaps I can add a few more details and make an 08 version? Thanks for the input Guss.
 
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fenriskw

New member
While I like both of the old sculpts, I much prefer the new ones. And I must say that the new treewoman is absolutely awesome.

Great job.
 
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Pentrago

New member
All of these sculpts are awesome. But I like the new giant more than his fat ancestore because he shows more character and looks more interesting to paint.

It is hard to make a decision between tree man and woman, because both are unique in their very own way. But the many details on the lady are amazing.

P.S.
Check your banner, the link doesn\'t work correctly!
 
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DrEvilmonki

New member
I loved the old tree man when I first saw it but the new one absolutely rock! I think the old giant looks ok made the new one looks way cool and more interesting to paint.
 
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Sophia

New member
Thanks for the heads up on the banner Pentrago. I think its working now.

I actually pulled out the original green for the Treeman and was wondering how to give it some more detail, depth and dimension. I am considering keeping the same body and re-working the hands and arms a bit to make them a little more claw-like. Perhaps add some ivy and small details as well? Any thoughts on how I could improve the old Treeman are welcome.
 
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krom1415

New member
Wow, you certainly can sculpt, most impressed especially by the new tree lady, and I like the older treeman to, much more usuable on the gaming table.
The new giant, is fantastically sculpted, but I see too much influence from the GW giant, even though yours is better:D
 
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Ritual

New member
Since you make BIG pieces (at least from a painter\'s perspective) I would say that texture is important (as long as it is not too pronounced and \"unnatural\", if you see what I mean). Of course, you can have smooth areas too, and you should not put texture on everything just for the sake of it. But, to make it interesting for the painter you should work texture into surfaces where it makes sense to do so. If you\'ve ever seen some of Enigma Miniatures\' 54 mm sculpts you can easily see what I mean.

So, what I\'m trying to say... I like your new stuff better technique wise. Then, of course, it\'s a matter of personal preference if a certain sculpt is to my taste or not when it comes to design. :) I\'m not keen on the giant, whereas I love the new forest spirit.
 
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War Griffon

New member
Hi Sophia,

Old or New?
Well I think they both have their charms and characteristics, I loved a lot of the old sculpts that you have done especially the Demon and I think it would be a shame if you were to cut them out completely.

I love the tree lady, she has a sort of historic/mature presence and the old treeman still has its appeal as others have said.

The new giant I like but he still doesn\'t quite do it for me, I\'m not sure why it might be the pale skin??? but having that every time I see him he grows a little bit more on me :D
 
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Matt Cexwish

New member
I really like the Treewoman... wow, great, great detail... nice Pose and good Anatomy... very nice...

The Giant... I like both... they seem like taken from different World (Cartoony and a bit more realistic, still cartoony...)...

In general I like the exaggerated style... do you know the Computer Game \"Disciples 2\"...?... An Orc there is a HUGE Monster, really powerful and Big... I like the fact that they are totally overpowered both in strenght as in the looks...

It would be great to paint your minis...:)...
 
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Sophia

New member
I think I am getting re-excited about my old minis now. They just kinda sat there on the shelf getting lonely. I am now seriously considering doing another run for the website.

The skin on the giant is very textured but I also think I may have gone overboard in painting that texture. I could have put on a few less layers of highlights on the skin as I have made the skin texture quite sharp looking. I sculpted the Giant to looks extremely weathered and rugged in order to convey that he sleeps in the outdoors and has never had a habitat large enough to shelter him from the elements. Kinda sad really. Here is a pic of the skin texture alone.
skin.jpg


I also went pretty light on the skin tone. I was trying to make the Giant look sort of malnourished and unhealthy looking without making him look too greenish. My giant needs a tan! Perhaps this particular guy is spending his time in the wastelands where the sun dare not settle upon the earth!
 
Dragonsreach

Dragonsreach

Super Moderator
Well Sophia I have to say welcome back with a BLAST.

The treewoman is a superb piece of sculpting and really really really really tempting.
One thing I would prefer would be that there was an optional different set of hands as unfortunatley the integral blade of the right hand doesn\'t quite work for me.
Plus I think that a more human hand could give a more \"Earth Mother /Gaia\" feel to the figure. But that\'s just my opinion....just keep sculpting as you are. They are brilliant works and I\'m somewhat envious of your talent.
 
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Sophia

New member
Thanks for the welcome back DR. I am absolutely glad to be back. At some point I will be creating an alternate Treewoman so I will certainly keep the hands in mind. I could keep the current one as the dark version and create another to be the light one perhaps?

Wargrif! Let me know if you want grab those demons when they come available and I will give you a serious discount or perhaps throw and extra mini into the package. You have supported me since day one and you deserve a complementary mini by now!

I just finished the rivets on the armor for those guys tonight and I hope to get them shipped off for casting by the end of the week. I am happy about the Giant and Treewoman but these lil demons got me wanting to paint again!
 
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Sophia

New member
Here is a quick pic with the two new works in progress next to 28mm minis. I just checked out your gallery Ritual and would die to have these minis painted as good as those are. All those rust and grime effects would suit these very well.
scale1.jpg


About three times taller than the average heroic scale mini. As you may have guessed I wanted to make them even bigger but had to stop myself :)
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
Welcome (back?).
Your sculpts are amazing. Old and new.

Post wips often, but don\'t let it stop you from sculpting.
 
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