Let's make a commissar, brother!

[Rat13]

Having just started a 45 figure batch paint of guardsmen, I decided a side project may be in order. Just a little something I could fiddle with off and on to disrupt the monotony and I knew just the project. 

 

About a year ago, after I finished my first commissar,  I thought it would be a good idea to paint all my commissars differently. That way I could tell all of my HQs or elites apart, but wouldn't you know it after a couple games I realized it was completely unnecessary. Having already started down that path however I decided to press on.

 

Within about the first week of pondering different color schemes I had a great idea. Unfortunately I lacked the skills and hobby confidence to attempt it. This past year I've managed to learn quite a bit though, especially about sculpting/working with greenstuff. So I think it's time to attempt a Hulk Hogan commissar.

First up was locating a good reference photo for both his moustache and boa (see above).

 

As the moustache was the trickier of the two I decided to start there. In a twist of fate getting a good texture was the easy part, but getting the proper size wasn't. After some back and forth I finally got the size correct. Then it was just a simple matter of using a pin and a toothpick to achieve a hair like texture. 

This is what you get zooming in, but at a regular viewing distance I think it looks good. 

 

Next came the boa. Try as I might I couldn't get a good feathery texture going. I could get a good amorphous blob/coral like texture though. Much like the moustache it'll fail upon close inspection but I think with a good paintjob it'll hold up just fine.  

See I told you that moustache is passable with some distance.

Now it's just a matter of letting everything dry before priming. I guess it's a good thing we have holiday commitments for the next couple days.

 

As with any greenstuff project you always end up with some leftovers. After adding a skull to the Hulkster's base I thought I'd share the wealth with a few random models from my desk.

[WhiteWulfe]

Ooooh, Hulk Hogan Commissar.  Niiiice. 

[Rigel]

Oooooooo! What chu gonna do when these 24 genetically engineered fanatically loyal MARINES run WILD on you?!???

 

You really have a gift for flamboyant Commissars! Hope we also get to see Randy Savage!

[Glitterwolf]

He should lead the Fabulous Marines!

 

The Enemy will simply die laughing or be too bewildered to fight when they  see this coming.

Edited November 27, 2019 by Glitterwolf

[Rat13]

5 hours ago, Rigel said:

Hope we also get to see Randy Savage!

Now there's an idea. Taking a second to think about it all I'd really have to do is add texture to the preexisting coat and add some sunglasses. Doable, but I feel that without a signature color scheme I'd always have to explain who it is. Now depending on which era Hulk you go with you run into the same problem, but I think the red and yellow scheme is globally recognizable. You've certainly given me something to think about though.

[Rat13]

I finally got around to priming the figure today. That means it'll be ready for paint tomorrow, though I probably won't get to it until later, probably days later.

 

@Rigel's comment has been rattling around my brain since I first read it. Thursday night inspiration hit for a "Macho Man" Randy Savage conversion. It's funny because the actual commissar sculpt is probably better for "Macho Man" than for the Hulk. I think the conversion is simple enough though; remove the hat, greenstuff or repurpose a cowboy hat, greenstuff a pair of sunglasses, greenstuff "streamers" to the coat, and add a greenstuff beard. To tie the two together I could also paint it with the old red and yellow scheme.

[Rigel]

16 hours ago, Rat13 said:

 

@Rigel's comment has been rattling around my brain since I first read it. Thursday night inspiration hit for a "Macho Man" Randy Savage conversion. It's funny because the actual commissar sculpt is probably better for "Macho Man" than for the Hulk. I think the conversion is simple enough though; remove the hat, greenstuff or repurpose a cowboy hat, greenstuff a pair of sunglasses, greenstuff "streamers" to the coat, and add a greenstuff beard. To tie the two together I could also paint it with the old red and yellow scheme.

OH yeah! Snap into a chapter-approved dehydrated flavored-protein delivery vesicle! 

I'm very excited about this. 

[Rat13]

As you can see I ended up shelving this project for a very long time. Though my Hulk Hogan commissar has been sculpted this whole time I felt I didn't have the skill necessary to create the "Macho Man" Randy Savage commissar. Once I knew I wanted to make both commissars shelving the project became necessary as I didn't feel confident enough to complete the second figure.

 

Though I have practiced greenstuff sculpting off and on since shelving this project my skill never really improved. Lately I've been in a bit of a hobby funk the last few months. So yesterday when I saw Hulk Hogan sitting on my desk I made the decision to just go for it. 

 

After an evening of working with greenstuff I finally had the second figure. It wasn't perfect and I hope that in the future I'll be better equipped to try again but for now I think its passable. After a quick prime today I'll be able to start painting it tomorrow. Unfortunately I have no pictures of it so the reveal will also have to wait for tomorrow.

 

Today however Hulk Hogan received a fair bit of attention. Getting a some free time during the little one's naptime I went ahead and started blocking out colors.

 

Then in the evening (when I usually paint) he recieved even more attention. Aside from some details he is almost done after nearly two years of sitting on my desk.

The wash was still pretty wet when I took these pictures so I know they're not the best but I'll have better pictures tomorrow along with the "Macho Man" reveal.

[Chaoswolf]

Like the Nike ad says, 'Just Do It'.

 

God work!

 

 

[Rigel]

OH YYYYYYYYEEEEEAAAAHHH!!

[Rat13]

First up as promised better pictures of commissar Hulk Hogan.

 

Here is my attempt at the Macho Man before he recieved any paint.

This one technically has more customization than Hulk Hogan but to me it felt a lot lazier and I don't know why. I removed his iconic hat and swapped it for one from a Reaper gunslinger that I happened to pull from the latest Box of Goodwill. Using greenstuff I added a pair of M shaped glasses as well as tassels to his arms.

 

I figured I'd also include a shot of the figure he swapped hats with just for fun. It'll take a paintjob to know for sure but I think I really like this "new" figure. 

 

Finally here he is in all his painted glory. For your consideration I present the "Macho Man" Randy Savage commissar. 

Not too bad. There are definitely things I could have improved but overall I'm pretty happy with this one. Hopefully in the next few days I can truly finish them and get some nice "final" pictures too.

[Rat13]

My commissars are now sealed flocked and ready to join the rest of my joke Guard units.

 

Now entering the ring of "final" pictures here comes the Hulk Hogan commissar. 

 

And of course standing by to assist is his partner the "Macho Man" Randy Savage commissar.

 

Seeing as I made a tag team and that's how I'll play them on the table it doesn't seem right not to snap a couple good pictures of them together.

 

[Rigel]

More beautiful than I dared to dream!