Stef Paints
Golden Demon is creeping up fast now! I've been plodding along with my entry, although the last month has thrown a spanner in the works... Let's get into it.
Last time, we left off at the point where I was about to start the green stuff work, namely strapping and candles - because of course Cawdor are crazy enough to wrap their vehicles in straps and put candles everywhere!
Now, green stuff is something I've always struggled with, however lately I've been wanting to get stuck in and try and add a new skill to my repertoire. I watched some YouTube tutorials, mainly this one, and went for it.
Man was I pleased with myself at the results! The strapping came out great, I think they key I'd been missing all along with green stuff was to let it cure for an hour or so first - it makes it so much easier to work with. I even posted a reel on how I did it on Instagram.
So, feeling confident with my strapping work I went for it with candles too. This time making things up as I went along. These were trickier to get looking right, but I think I pulled it off. Again, I posted a reel of the process on Instagram if you're interested.
The problem now is parts availability. I mentioned last time that back in November Games Workshop previewed some Cawdor Ash Wastes stuff. These kits are kind of essential to this piece, and still 6 months later they are nowhere to be seen.
As we get closer and closer to the deadline, this gave me a dilemma. I didn't want to try and think of a plan B in terms of the buggy and not be 100% happy with the results because it's not how I imagined. Especially as I have quite a clear vision with this piece, I know I'd regret it.
So, sadly it was time to put the buggy on the back burner. I'm so excited about the buggy and I know it'll be worth the wait. But it won't be my entry for 2023. I needed to find an alternative.
Enter Ghazkull Mag Uruk Thraka!
As I now had a reduced amount of time I changed my tactic slightly. My aim is still to try and get a commended award, and personally I think the biggest thing I need to work on to strive for this goal is in my presentation and execution. Therefore, with minimal conversion work, I'm going to put all of my focus into the composition and execution of the paint job.
With Ghazkull built, the main thing when it comes to the composition was to work on the base and think of the environment I want him to be in. I'm seeing him in a desert environment, and with the pose of the model out of the box he would stand naturally on an angled rocky desert outcrop.
Using Milliput I build up a rough shape on top of a plinth from Taro Modelmaker. Once I was happy with the rough shape I took one of my clay shapers and started running rough horizontal lines along the edges to give it a rocky texture. Gradually working it until it looked good.
I also built a couple of rock piles with the spare Milliput but I'm not 100% convinced, so they might go or move around.
Then, looking at the kit, Ghazkull has a little friend in the box holding a banner. It only seemed natural for me to imagine this guy riding on Ghazkull's back, waving the banner as high as possible for the waves and waves of Orks to follow. As a composition I really like how this is working.
Next, there are a few gaps to go around and fill, but then it'll be on to painting. For the base I want a red desert colour, with some patches of moss around.
For Ghazkull himself, his head and the Grot are separate so I can paint them separately. I want to try and get a lot of depth in the small amount of green skin there is. The majority of the model is armour, and after running a poll on Instagram the consensus was yellow. I don't think I'm going to go full yellow, but incorporating some yellow armour plates along with chequered patterns I think will be the way to go. Along with some lovely battle damage of course!
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