Shipwreck Golem with Sophie's Mom Figurehead Conversion

[Gadgetman!]

For figureheads the rule really is 'what makes the figure look the best'.

Even the figurehead on the Cutty Sark shows full frontal nudity, with the 'pointy bits' in place.

 

just mentioning... 

 

More thinking out loud...

 

This is a Revenant. A Revenant is like a Golem in that it is animated by magic, but the difference is that a Golem is created deliberately for some task or another, while a Revenant, is usually caused by negative emotions from the dead associated with the revenant.

Maybe the succubus wasn't a wood figurehead... Maybe...

 

Goes back to admire your handiwork...

[Chris Palmer]

18 hours ago, Jordan Peacock said:

This is a brilliant idea!  I'm sorry I missed this thread the first time around.  I've been a bit iffy about the face for the shipwreck golem as well.  I know it already has a figurehead, but a pretty small one.  Your "figurehead head" solution is epic!  :D  And I think it would work just fine even with the "little figurehead" on the leg.  Maybe just paint the lesser figurehead in a more subdued way.  E.g., maybe go all-out on the painting and color for the main figurehead, but let the lesser figurehead just have a "bare wood" look, or maybe "bronze and verdigris," without too much detailing to call it out.

 

 

Thank you, Jordan, for your kind remarks about the project!    And thanks too for your advice on the other figurehead.

 

 

6 hours ago, robinh said:

I agree... Paint the leg figurehead so it blends in to the overall leg and amp up the main figurehead to draw attention to it.

 

Cutting off the head or whole leg figurehead would probably not look right and then draw unwanted attention to that section when painted.

 

Thank you for the input, robinh.   It looks like that is what I'll be doing. 

 

 

3 hours ago, Gadgetman! said:

For figureheads the rule really is 'what makes the figure look the best'.

Even the figurehead on the Cutty Sark shows full frontal nudity, with the 'pointy bits' in place.

 

just mentioning... 

 

More thinking out loud...

 

This is a Revenant. A Revenant is like a Golem in that it is animated by magic, but the difference is that a Golem is created deliberately for some task or another, while a Revenant, is usually caused by negative emotions from the dead associated with the revenant.

Maybe the succubus wasn't a wood figurehead... Maybe...

 

Goes back to admire your handiwork...

 

 

Gadgetman-   Yes, if it hadn't been for having to go though the trouble of posting to a third party site for the NSFW-ness throughout the entire project, I would have left the succubus topless, with, as I said, a bit of trimming to make it look more like worn wood, and less like she was in a cold room.  But I'm lazy, so in the end making the greenstuff top was easier as it was a onetime fix. 

 

  That was part of my thinking about the figurehead as well; maybe something had possessed the figure, or some foul energy has brought it to life... and that was what was steering the ship, so to speak.   In reality, I always thought the skeleton encased in coral at the top was the driving force, and "head" of the model.  I felt the "face" that was on the front of the piece, was something of a redundancy.  

 

 

 

So, anyway, I had time this morning to add the planking to the prow, in en effort to blend it into the front of the ship, and help secure the figurehead addition a little better.

 

 

I had the thought of wrapping her in  habit of chain.  If you look at the Dark Maiden figure I showed in my first post, it too has chain wrapped a round it; so I was wondering if it would look good here, or just be an unnecessary bit of business. Any thoughts?

 

And here's a picture of it all tougher.  I thought I was done, but then I noticed in the photo above, that I had chopped off her hand, as I planned to add a weapon; and then totally forgot to do that.  So I still have that to do.

   I'll say this, the old "face" was a much simpler front and center on what is a very busy model.  Looking at in it's almost completed state, I can see my additions look like they're only serving to make the piece that much more busier.  Hopefully painting will help that.  

     Also, given the downward angle of the ship on the top, there really was no way I could place the figurehead so it was in a position to be easily viewable from the average viewer looking at the model from a downward angle.    You can see in the photo, how it faces downward, and the shot was taken from just above being level.  If you set the model on a table and look down at it while standing, he figurehead all but disappears.  Not that any of this is important, but it was what I noticed.  Her gaze downward is understandable, as she is set to look at folks on the ground.  I think if you were an advenurer on the ground seeing that winged prow swooping down on you as the glowing demonic eyes of the succubus figurehead glowered at you, it would be very terrifying. 

Edited July 25, 2017 by Chris Palmer

[Gadgetman!]

What kind of chain link is that?

 

Chains used for nautical purposes are mostly simple torus links, or 'Stud link' chains. 

 

if you're going to use chains, why not rap them around her upper arms and connect them to the main body of the Revenant somewhere behind her, so that it looks as if she's straining against the chains?

[Jordan Peacock]

I love the "scrollwork" under the figurehead.  What sort of piece did you find to chop up like that?  I'm also very curious to see what happens with the coffee-stirrer "ribs" you were prepping.  The way those wings come together to make it look like the prow of a boat -- pure genius!  :D

 

This reminds me just a tiny bit of the Galleon (Warmachine -- Mercenaries "faction") from Privateer Press -- or, rather, how I so wished that the giant stompy nautical-themed steampunk robot looked more like, well, a GALLEON (or at least some sort of sailing vessel that might carry the "pirate" vibe).  Along those lines, some sort of prow and figurehead seemed in order, but I couldn't see how I'd manage something like that for a conversion (and the model was way too pricey to buy and risk messing up with such experimentation).

 

I've not been too fond of all the "coral" gap-filler.  When I first saw this model (and pledged for it in the Kickstarter), I envisioned slapping a couple of stovepipes and something to represent a boiler on the back, and transforming it into a big scrappy "shipwreck 'jack" as some sort of Cryxian horror (for use with Iron Kingdoms RPG in a campaign with a pirates-and-privateers theme), but I think I just totally misread the concept art.  I've been waffling over how to assemble it, and I think I've spent more time fussing over the base than I have with the figure itself (which is to say, I haven't accomplished much at all).  I love all the inspiration you're providing here!

 

(Random thought: maybe I should stick a mast and the tattered remains of a sail up top, with a Jolly Roger flag, and perhaps use some putty to make "wisp" effects emanating from the skeleton, to drive home that it's the "heart" of the monstrosity.  The "tiki idol" on the back is interesting, but I don't particularly care for its inclusion.  I might either try to carve it off and use it somewhere else, or just cover it up with my boiler or mast idea.  I just wish I could figure out a decent way to make "rigging."  Eh ... I need to stop wasting space on your thread, and actually set aside some time to tackle it again.  :)  At the rate I'm going, my campaign will be over before the thing ever crawls out of the ocean to terrorize the PCs.)

Edited July 25, 2017 by Jordan Peacock

[Glitterwolf]

Awesome!

[Chris Palmer]

5 hours ago, Gadgetman! said:

What kind of chain link is that?

 

Chains used for nautical purposes are mostly simple torus links, or 'Stud link' chains. 

 

if you're going to use chains, why not rap them around her upper arms and connect them to the main body of the Revenant somewhere behind her, so that it looks as if she's straining against the chains?

 

    I'm not a chain expert or a nautical expert, but, even though this chain came off an old ship model, I think it is a standard jewelry style one with the kind of torqued links that lie flat together.

   I kind of like the bound around the arms idea.  See the photo below for how that looks.

 

 

5 hours ago, Jordan Peacock said:

I love the "scrollwork" under the figurehead.  What sort of piece did you find to chop up like that?  I'm also very curious to see what happens with the coffee-stirrer "ribs" you were prepping.  The way those wings come together to make it look like the prow of a boat -- pure genius!  :D

 

This reminds me just a tiny bit of the Galleon (Warmachine -- Mercenaries "faction") from Privateer Press -- or, rather, how I so wished that the giant stompy nautical-themed steampunk robot looked more like, well, a GALLEON (or at least some sort of sailing vessel that might carry the "pirate" vibe).  Along those lines, some sort of prow and figurehead seemed in order, but I couldn't see how I'd manage something like that for a conversion (and the model was way too pricey to buy and risk messing up with such experimentation).

 

I've not been too fond of all the "coral" gap-filler.  When I first saw this model (and pledged for it in the Kickstarter), I envisioned slapping a couple of stovepipes and something to represent a boiler on the back, and transforming it into a big scrappy "shipwreck 'jack" as some sort of Cryxian horror (for use with Iron Kingdoms RPG in a campaign with a pirates-and-privateers theme), but I think I just totally misread the concept art.  I've been waffling over how to assemble it, and I think I've spent more time fussing over the base than I have with the figure itself (which is to say, I haven't accomplished much at all).  I love all the inspiration you're providing here!

 

(Random thought: maybe I should stick a mast and the tattered remains of a sail up top, with a Jolly Roger flag, and perhaps use some putty to make "wisp" effects emanating from the skeleton, to drive home that it's the "heart" of the monstrosity.  The "tiki idol" on the back is interesting, but I don't particularly care for its inclusion.  I might either try to carve it off and use it somewhere else, or just cover it up with my boiler or mast idea.  I just wish I could figure out a decent way to make "rigging."  Eh ... I need to stop wasting space on your thread, and actually set aside some time to tackle it again.  :)  At the rate I'm going, my campaign will be over before the thing ever crawls out of the ocean to terrorize the PCs.)

 

     The scroll work is from a plastic GW Wood Elf Glade Guard Standard.   I already put the coffee stirrers to use as the planking on the prow of the boat.  You can see them in the pictures near the top of this page.

 

     I like your robot idea!   It would look mighty cool with a boiler and smokestack!  Though I don't think that's the direction I want to go.    

 

      I'm not a fan of all the coral either.  I agree that it is a bit overdone, and could have been combined perhaps with some barnacle clusters and seaweed.  In fact, I was wondering if i could paint some to just look like a seaweed growth.  I was also considering making the coral where the skeleton sits into a treasure pile, and glue gold coins on top using glitter and add some gemstones.  

 

    I'm not a fan of that tiki head either.  Thank you for reminding me of it; I've been so busy looking at the front, I forgot about it around back.  I sawed it off, and plan to replace it with something simple.  See the photos below and let me know what you think.

 

I don't mind your mid-thread brainstorming at all.  Shared ideas help inspire. 

 

 

 

5 hours ago, Xherman1964 said:

Awesome!

 

 

Thanks, Xherman!

 

 

So I did some more work this afternoon.   

 

First here's a photo (not mine) of the wood elf banner I used for the scroll work, since Jordan asked

 

And here's a photo of her arms bound with chain (or the best I could do it without gluing anything) to let folks see how they like the look.  Let me know whether any of you think it's worth pursuing.

 

I added a sword where I cut off her hand.  I think it adds to her evil look, and helps make her look less like she's just a weird fashion model posing.  

 

I also cut off the tiki head like Jordan reminded me to do.  And took some shots of possible replacement pieces.  I don't want to do anything fancy, just something to cover the space.  They're hidden under the spoiler tag since there are a lot of options.  Take a look and let me know what you all like or dislike.

 

 

Edited July 25, 2017 by Chris Palmer

[robinh]

I actually like the half barrel   it is less "busy" than the other options

[Pochi]

I like the barrel best and compass wheel second best. The other two don't seem to go with the rest of the theme to me. This is gorgeous and I can't wait to see how you paint it!

[pcktlnt]

Barrel > Wheel > Succubus > Skull

[Chris Palmer]

14 hours ago, robinh said:

I actually like the half barrel   it is less "busy" than the other options

 

10 hours ago, Pochi said:

I like the barrel best and compass wheel second best. The other two don't seem to go with the rest of the theme to me. This is gorgeous and I can't wait to see how you paint it!

 

7 hours ago, pcktlnt said:

Barrel > Wheel > Succubus > Skull

 

 

    Thanks, Pochi for the kind words!  

 

    And thank you all for the input.  So everyone favors the barrel, with the compass being runner up.  I'll have to consider this.  I'm not a big fan of the barrel myself, as I feel it might make the back look too bland, with no point of visual interest.  I tend to favor the compass, as I can picture it all done up in a nice verdigris green as a compliment to all the brownish/greyish wood back there.  I agree with you all that, in the end, the shields don't really work. 

   I'll have to do some more fitting tests and see which of the final two I'll go with.  

 

      I also need to test some gold glitter around the skeleton to see if I like the look of him half buried in a treasure pile.  I think I might like that better than the current big pile of coral.  I think if I go this route I will put the gutter down first, and paint over it, and just use the glitter to represent the shapes of the coins; as I've tried using glitter for gold coins before and the natural gold of the glitter just never looks right to me.  I'd want these coins to be pretty grungy anyway, and not bright and shiny.

 

Edited July 26, 2017 by Chris Palmer

[Jordan Peacock]

Re: Coffee Stirrer Planks:

Derp!  Now that I look back, I see them.  Somehow I was focused on other things and didn't notice before.  :/

 

 

 

Re: Coral:

I like the seaweed idea!  I might have to break out the green stuff and make a few dangling strands to reinforce the "seaweed" look for my own model.

 

I think I have some Tyranid bits that could probably be used to suggest barnacles.  Hmm.

 

 

Re: Chain Types:

When I did a search for "cable link chain" for jewelry making supplies on sites such as Ebay, I found a few of the "simple" type of chains suitable for miniatures (rather than the "nested" chain links that seem to dominate jewelry otherwise).  On Joann Fabric, I found it described as "rounded oval" chain.  At Michael's, I found a "circle link" chain that seems to have about the right look.

 

 

Tiki Replacement:

As drab as it may be, I agree with the half-barrel as probably the best choice, but only because I think it would be a great excuse to attach something else.  The Chaos symbol with the skull at its center would be my second choice, as somehow it just looks like it COULD be something nautical -- plus I really like the idea of it being painted verdigris green to contrast with all the browns and grays that would probably dominate the wooden portions.

 

However, I think even better would be to have a mast post attached there, and give this crazy golem a tattered sail, or else a Jolly Roger flagpole.  There might even be some Warhammer Fantasy banner poles that could pass for a "sail" if painted up as such.  (I'm supposing this would be an OUTDOOR encounter.  :)  )

 

The barrel piece might still be useful as a way to cover up the spot where such a mast or flagpole might be bound to the back of the body.  You'd just need to Dremel or carve out a space for the pole/mast to be able to go through the top of the barrel, and use a bit of putty as gap-filler to complete the join.

 

 

[Chris Palmer]

15 minutes ago, Jordan Peacock said:

Re: Coffee Stirrer Planks:

Derp!  Now that I look back, I see them.  Somehow I was focused on other things and didn't notice before.  :/

 

 

 

Re: Coral:

I like the seaweed idea!  I might have to break out the green stuff and make a few dangling strands to reinforce the "seaweed" look for my own model.

 

I think I have some Tyranid bits that could probably be used to suggest barnacles.  Hmm.

 

 

Re: Chain Types:

When I did a search for "cable link chain" for jewelry making supplies on sites such as Ebay, I found a few of the "simple" type of chains suitable for miniatures (rather than the "nested" chain links that seem to dominate jewelry otherwise).  On Joann Fabric, I found it described as "rounded oval" chain.  At Michael's, I found a "circle link" chain that seems to have about the right look.

 

 

Tiki Replacement:

As drab as it may be, I agree with the half-barrel as probably the best choice, but only because I think it would be a great excuse to attach something else.  The Chaos symbol with the skull at its center would be my second choice, as somehow it just looks like it COULD be something nautical -- plus I really like the idea of it being painted verdigris green to contrast with all the browns and grays that would probably dominate the wooden portions.

 

However, I think even better would be to have a mast post attached there, and give this crazy golem a tattered sail, or else a Jolly Roger flagpole.  There might even be some Warhammer Fantasy banner poles that could pass for a "sail" if painted up as such.  (I'm supposing this would be an OUTDOOR encounter.  :)  )

 

The barrel piece might still be useful as a way to cover up the spot where such a mast or flagpole might be bound to the back of the body.  You'd just need to Dremel or carve out a space for the pole/mast to be able to go through the top of the barrel, and use a bit of putty as gap-filler to complete the join.

 

 

 

Jordan-  

Thanks for the continued input!

 

   I was just thinking you could probably do some simple barnacles just by rolling some small greenstuff balls, sticking them on the ship, and then sticking a pencil point down in each one.  I might try a couple as a trial.

 

Thanks for the info on the chain.  in the end, I don't think I'm going tp pursue that route, as it's just one more thing on an already very busy front.  

 

Lol...I know you've been pushing for a mast, and flag or sail, since the start.  And I agree the barrel would be a great way to easily conceal the mount.   I have a couple reservations on doing that.  First, I worry about the scale looking right.  Given the size of objects on this piece, any mast that would still have a sail or flag attached would have to be rather tall, and probably a bit thick in diameter.  I then worry that any type of mast, and sail or flag would become just an easy way to accidentally knock over the figure during game play.   I know how folks are always kicking over tall tress as the extend their arms back and forth.  Also, I don't know if I definitely want to identify this a a pirate ship with a pirate flag.  I mean I guess it probably is, but...

 

    That all being said, since you have been so insistent , I'll try a few things out today and take a couple photos for folks to look at and judge.

[Chris Palmer]

Ok, had some time before lunch, so I slapped some things together to get a feel for which directions I'm heading.

 

Here is the top piece, with gold coins and a couple gems added.  I like it, and think it will look better than just a field of coral.

 

I also added a small clump of barnacles to one of the legs, just to cover a small fraction of all the coral. 

 

And here are some mast trials (Hidden behind the "hidden content" ). I don't think they thrill me enough to overcome my hesitation at the problems they possibly present with game play and storage.  I could possibly go for the flag (Yes I know it's not a pirate flag, but it was the quickest proxy I could come up with in the workshop.);  but it would take some convincing. 

Edited July 26, 2017 by Chris Palmer

[hosercanadian]

what about a compromise?  I think a broken mast would look good without storage or height inconvenience.

 

As an added perk, a bit of sail and boom could be put on the deck as the remnants of the mast and rigging.

[Glitterwolf]

I vote barrel!

To make it look more interesting add XXX RUM on it..

 

I wouldn't glue that glitter ( gold/gems) to it before painting.