I've been busy doing some Mage Knight figure repaints for my D&D game, but I worked extra hard this week on them so that I could get to the Craftee goblins I've been wanting to do as well. As I said in an earlier post on the Skaven, I've always wanted to do hunched over goblin figures and I've never been happy with any of the probably six different constructions I have tried. I think I'm finally happy with the design for the ones I finished tonight. I should go to bed, but I wanted to do this post before turning in.
I am now convinced of several things. First, the addition of the feet to some of the monsters really matters. These goblins look so much better with the tile spacer feet than without. Second, and more importantly, I dig these little guys! It's so easy to make goblins that just look ... well ... wimpy. These guys look like the last fellows I would want to run into in a dark dungeon hallway!
The body was essentially the same as for the Skaven. 1/2" x 1/2" spool with a split spool glued on the top, flat side down, to make the "shoulders." The head is a split bead. Tile spacer arms and feet (and weapons in the case of the blades). The shield is the usual small precut thin wooden piece, and the spears are toothpicks. The ears are tile spacers cut to shape. Really easy to make and paint. Now for some action shots!
Just as our small adventuring party with hireling torch bearer was about to investigate the chest on the table, an angry group of goblins streams forth from the dark hallway opposite the adventurers intent on ridding their underground home of these surface-dwelling interlopers!
I didn't want to paint the goblins green ... I almost painted them yellow ... but instead I decided I wanted to use some color that was neutral, but would also give a nice "washed out" look. I considered several different shades of gray, but that is sort of a "cop out" for these figures, I think. But they do need to have a neutral skin tone and they need to look washed out. After all, these guys are not exactly soaking up the sunlight every day! There is a craft paint color called "Mississippi Mud" which I thought was perfect. I'm happy with this choice for the goblin's flesh, although I might do some greenish or yellowish ones in the future for variation.
Next up, goblin archers! I need to put on a Mine of Moria Lord of the Rings Fantasy Battles Game for my gaming group when I get enough goblins done!
Wow! Your builds are getting really involved, which is great! Posted to Facebook.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they are getting more involved. I am finding that when I am preparing figures that I know are going to be used in a skirmish type game (like a rpg), I am less hesitant about putting more details into the construction. But for my historicals, like the Battle of Zama project, I know there are going to be hundreds of figures on a side, and a) no one will see the details looking at hundreds of figures on a 6' ft. x 10' ft. table, and b) if I put that many details into them, I'll never finish the project. When I'm making a dozen or half dozen orc or goblins, or better yet one big monster like a giant or ogre, throwing in more details is just easier and seems more like the "thing to do."
ReplyDeleteThe construction looks like a horizontal spool on top of a vertical spool. Is that correct? Thanks! Jonathan
ReplyDeleteIt is a split (1/2) spool on top. I believe Matt splits them himself. I have seen split spools for sale online, but never in my local Hobby Lobby or Michael's.
DeleteI believe he said the head was an axle cap.
It creates a great hunched effect, doesn't it?