Ok,

So after having a clear up from the suit workload and digging out all my little trays of ongoing projects, digging around on Deviant Art and then getting very excited about too many ideas in my head, I decided that my GD (UK 2009) blog should be restarted with a view to:

1: To decide out of lots of WIP's, which entries to go for.
2: To get the forums input on what is popular in terms of colour choices, modelling style and context, which will hopefully push the entries further towards being a winner!
3: To divulge some of the techniques and processes I go through in order to win a coveted trophy!

So, the challenge is this.
At each stage of this process, I will be asking for your input, with a poll feature to gauge peoples reactions. While I will keep the idea on track (and in keeping with my original idea) the whole thing is over to you guys!! (MODS can you give me POLL function?)

I want this to be a completely original concept, whereby I am essentially a puppet, but through open discussion, we can all learn and get some good ideas bouncing around. More importantly, it will make me work harder to get stuff completed on time!!!;-) and keep my desk clean and focussed!;-)

THE FIRST ROUND:
Now to choose the projects that I will concentrate on. I will list below the various works ongoing along side fresh new ideas that I would like you to choose from. By each idea will be the category that the piece will go into and a rough time estimate on how long each will take to complete. When voting, please remember that I can only have 1 entry in each category, so while you might love 2 x single miniature, you will need to sacrifice one for the other (this is the pain that I am going through now!)

Until I can organise with the mods to get a Poll facility, please feel free to free-post your votes!

40k Single

Genestealer Hybrid (3rd gen). 2 Weeks painting to do...



Necron Lord. 3 week build, 3 week painting. (with dead commissar being held up- thanks to Hokunin!)



Eldar wraithguard. 3 week build, 3 week painting. Multipose conversion styled closer to the wraithlord of today.


40K Squad

My Tau suits (x3) 3 weeks build- 4 weeks paint- 2 weeks on the basing. (these could be hyper based in a similar but simpler diorama setting previously described)

Pre- Heresy Death Guard squad- 7 guys with sorceror, pain merchant/ butcher and possesed 'fly marine', plus possible 3 guard conscripts.


40k Vehicle
Dark Eldar Artillary piece (thanks to Ignus Dei at Deviant art!!)- 1 month to sculpt (with 2 x crew) and 1 month 2 paint.


Eldar Autarch with Jet bike




40k Monster/ vehicle

XV88 Broadside (my own) with nice base- treading on rhino door- combat stance


Old one on dias (Slaan Mage priest) contemplating the universe. Think grumpy frog on a throne with pipe and lots of skulls around him in a dank cave- skin the colour abraham from Hellboy with Stargate style black granite architecture.



Eldar wraithguard- multipose conversion styled closer to the wraithlord of today.

Scratch build Tombspider- I don't like the current one and the Tomb Stalker just floats my boat! (based loosly on this one- not to scale!)


Duel
Battle at the Gate. Custode vs Worldeater on jetbikes at the emperors palace- VERY dynamic



Diorama
Blackpod down
(based on the discussion here; viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13275)

Open (this is scary for me, as only the studio staff tend to win and so I would be up against the BIG boys!;-)

Old one on dias (Slaan Mage priest) contemplating the universe
Eldar Autarch (as before but with more elaborate base)

I have a fair idea of what people will like/ want to see here, but it will be an interesting process none the less:-)

So, who's on board? (EDIT) I must point out that I am posting this here, at Warseer and also Dakka Dakka, so the results will be a combination of all 3 communities opinions. The reason being is that each forum has a very different way in which it critiques and also how opinions are shared. The result will be entries that are balanced as a result and hopefully therefore more likely to win!

Cheers

Wa'Rhound

(Full shots and other inspiration- here: http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa19 ... und_photo/)

Warhound you are officially a nut job. I'm gonna call the men in white suits to take you to the loony bin! I thought I had a lot of ideas swimming round in my head, but you have more ideas than if my ideas started to have ideas of their own!

I suspect that many of the people here will be voting battlesuits (myself included), but we're a bit biased

Ok, missing shots aside, what's you favourite 3 ideas?;-)

If all could post this until I get polling sorted that would be ace;-)

cheers
W!

1. Blackpod down. It's a great concept
2. Scratchbuild Tomb Spyder. I hate the GW model too but think the concept has soo much potential.
3. Autarch with Jetbike. Dunno why. You've done a good job so far.

Oh man, so many good options!

I have to agree with mangozac for the most part:
1.) Blackpod Down is just a really great idea. I think we can really develop it along.
2.) Autarch with Jetbike. I gasped when I saw the model. It looks so good! You've really come a long way with it too. How do you sculpt so well!
3.) Crisis Suit Squad. These guys are just way to cool. I'm sure people would freak upon seeing them. And the thought of a whole squad just sounds so awesome!

Ahh, may be I didn't make myself clear...

The Black pod down diorama will be using the XV8 suits. SOoooo the options are:
XV8 squad done in down town B'aGh'Daa'd basic scenery- just to base them for squad
OR
ramp up the effort on the scenery to make the diorama work.

Either way, the XV's will be the main 'point' of each entry. I hope that makes more sense? Ie, there is no point in me doing both those 2 entries as I will already have the XV's in play;-)

Cheers re: Autarch! You haven't seen anything yet!! It has been moved on months since those shots;-) Up tonight!

cheers
W

Ah, now I see. Well then change my number 3 to the Tomb Spider. I really do think it'd be interesting to see what you'd come up with.

New shots added and for further info please go to:

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa19 ... N%20GOING/

Cheers Warhound!

There is one thing I REALLY hate in duals/battle scenes. That's when the combatants aren't looking each other in the eye... or even at each other. While your lower jetbike rider is looking at the higher one. The higher one can't even see the lower one, thus he is thrusting out blindly.

It is bluetacked- hence the droop- don't worry they are fully 'locked';-)
cheers
W

Good news everyone- I have the commissar torso on the way for the necron lord!!

That's not to say that it is a done deal on entries- I just like to have all the bits lined up and ready so that I can start work on the model asap!

cheers
Warhound

Great modelling Warhound, still admiring your upscaled XV8s!

Look forward to the progress!

Official note : The Poll is up, vote now!
(Set for 5 server side days)

~ Tael.

doffs cap in appreciation.


Thanks Tael!

Come on then folks- get voting!

cheers

WaRhound

Regarding voting:

While I realise that most if not all(!) people voting will love the XV8's being used in a category, can I remind all that if they are going to be used in the diorama, then I will not be using them within the squad category.

This means that you get to choose 3 different cool ideas and not effectively double up on them!;-)
ie
Dark eldar,- vehicle
tombspider- monster
Black pod down- diorama

Thinks models, then category.

cheers

Warhound

Hi Guys,

it just dawned on me that I needed to put my arguments across for which entries that I think should be put forward for completion.

As mentioned before, many of these are works that have been sat on the shelf for the best part of 3 years now (since my last win) and so some I have a great deal of affection for. Other are very much more recent additions and so there are arguments for both new and old as I will put forward here:
SINGLE
Genestealer Hybrid:
As mentioned, revisiting old concepts that GW just couldn't do justice back in the day has become a little project of mine- the Space Hulk duel won a gold- so the idea must be right;-)

Necron Lord
I have always loved the aesthetic of the necrons, but they are very restrictive in their very nature. Therefore, given that Necrons are Apparently due next year, I wanted to get a strong concept out before the studio produce something better;-) I think the concept art, my WIP and this backbanner would do the job? http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/wezhu.htm :-)

Wraithguard
Since sculpting my Tau suits, I have been thinking about what other models could do with a multipose action- and being £8 a pop- wraithguards could certainly do with an overhaul!! A single model, not much taller than an Ogryn and bizarrly based on the same Necron lord chassis above would be ideal;-) Posed, dynamic, enigmatic.

SQUAD[/B

[B]Tau XV8.2 suits

What can I say?! I love what I have achieved with these guys and being able to recreate the iconic artwork based on them will be a dream come true!

Pre-Heresy Deathguard
As per a few comments, the deathguard while a different take (white armour etc), will be labour intensive and who hasn't seen a nurgle entry before??;-)

VEHICLE
Dark Eldar Artillery
When I first came across this piece I fell in love. It is different, eldar in feel, evil, floaty and quite 70's in its styling. With a bit of further work, I think this could be like my preacher sentinel years ago and reinvent the vehicle category!

Autarch with Bike
This is by far my tightest sculpt/ scratchbuild ever. If my photos could show it off better:-( The whole piece is coherent, tells a tale, is how eldar should look- lithe, tall etc and the bike with its detailing a think works well in its slightly upscaled aspect. I think that the blend between Scorpion and Dragon is subtle and carried across to the bike well with little design flairs like the antenna and engine cowling. Could be good for the open too. The shuriken pistol from his left arm is missing.

MONSTER
Old One
Been sat there for ages. Looking grumpy. Good strong story. Solid base model and if painted right would really stand out from the pack!!

XV88.2 Broadside

Again- just because I have one now. However I feel that the others in this category would be stronger.

Tombspider
This seems to be getting a lot of attention! I have played with some bits at home but not come up with anything that I am overly happy with. The end concept would be akin to the Tombstalker sketch. Again- necrons need some love.

DUEL

Battle at the Gate
While I love this piece, has a very strong story, is dynamic and well modelled, it would be painstaking to get done and would be a massive time sink I think?

DIORAMA
Black Pod down
To be honest, once the basic squad is done, there is not a lot extra to be done from the squad base to adding the rest of the story. I think I would prefer this option to the squad. Think Crashed escape pod, injured Aun, escorted by Shas'O who is very hard and ornate defending the pod until the suits can come in and secure the area [snapshot-click]

OPEN
Old one
Autarch
As above!

Ok, so who would I like to win?
Autarch- open. It is the strongest concept, sculpt and realistic piece that for me punches above its weight.

Dark eldar Artillery- Vehicle. A very strong concept which will naturally interest ALL eldar players and fluff meisters alike. Given a tight paint job and hovering over the eldar base that i have sculpted (ala Mr Footit), I think that this will stand out from the normal 500x Bane/storm/shadow/spider/banana blade entries with their oh so done to death weathering. (Yes I use those techniques, but really, does every vehicle entry have to have rust?)

Black Pod down- Diorama. This is an iconic setting which will be recognisable to most, contain very dynamic original sculpts (the suits) and have a strong story to accompany it. Also, should be technically quite easy to put together and do it well!

So there you have it guys- but they are only my thoughts, as I say, this is all over to the community!
I am tempted however to put in a caviate. Call it the 'Simon Cowell system' whereby, I am allowed to bump a choice once in the process. Call it my get out of jail free card if you will;-)

So what are your thoughts? AND KEEP VOTING!

Cheers

WaR'hound

Okay, so here is my opinion on all the entries:

SINGLE
Genestealer Hybrid:
If anyone looked at my Tyranid project blog in my signature, then they would know that I love Tyranid. I just read a Caiphas Cain novel that featured Genestealer hybrids, so I find this to be a really neat project. However, I feel that to really make this model stand out, it would need more of a story. It seems to me that a model like this would benefit from a diorama of some kind; perhaps one that featured more hybrids. I think your time would be better spent on other projects, considering the options you have.

Necron Lord
What you've done so far with the Lord looks fantastic. I have always thought Necron looked really cool, but suffered from being so static and un-characterful. This new idea adds a personality and depth to an otherwise kinnda dull model. Personally, I do not like gore on models, so the dead Commisar is a little too much for me. I think just the Necron Lord alone would look great. This is actually a pretty strong contender.

Wraithguard
This is a really great idea! The metal models look good, but suffer from being really static. I think it would be great to see a whole squad of these guys on the table. I think you have an opportunity to make some really inspiring work for other Eldar players.

SQUAD
Tau XV8.2 suits
These are absolutely lovely. There isn't much more to say about them that hasn't already been said! These would make any Tau player drool. Plus, now we have Tau that can really look ultra dynamic, which is what Tau really need. (Although, I'd love to see a tutorial on how you painted that XV8)

Pre-Heresy Deathguard
I really do not like Chaos. I stay away from it like the plague (pun!).

VEHICLE
Dark Eldar Artillery
This is a very cool piece. I love the fin at the top! I think this would be a really cool and unique vehicle that will get a lot of attention. But would the DE actually use Artillery? They seem more like a quick strike kind of force to me.

Autarch with Bike
This model is amazing. Like you said, it tells a story beautifully. This option is right up there with the XV8's for coolness. I think you have a real winner here.

MONSTER
Old One
This thing is so cool! It reminds me of Jabba the Hutt. I don't think this one would be the best entry to spend all your time on, but it really does deserve some love at a latter date.

XV88.2 Broadside
While cool, the other options you have would probably be a better use of time. They would just attract more attention, I think.

Tombspider
Very cool! Again, it's cool to see different Necrons. I'd have to see the actual model to get a better opinion on it.

DUEL
Battle at the Gate
Very cool, but it would take a lot of time to get it right. How much more would you actually have to do?

DIORAMA
Black Pod down
I would love to see more pictures of the scene. The concept is great though.

OPEN
I think the Autarch would be the absolute best choice in this category, for the reasons stated above.

Hey Wolfy,



Exactly! From my sources in the studio, Dark eldar when relaunched will have this as a very strong trait. Anyone not with their own transport literally hitches a lift through grab handles etc on all vehicles making the whole army mobile!

I am in talks with the artist at the moment to just tweek the concept to have some sort of small platform for the 2 crew to stand on, and make it a skiff as opposed to just hovering platform;-) This will be an Assault X weapons platform!;-)

The Duel will be a big time sink- more needs to be done to ornate the architecture and then painting will be intense!

cheers for the thorough comments- much appreciated!

Warhound

As awesome as the Tomb Spider concept is, personally I would find it a little daunting. I feel that the Necron aesthetic is a bit too vague to really get a handle on. And if you're having trouble working something out it would be safer to abandon the idea for now.

This is good stuff!

Whittling the choices down in addition to the vote! (looks like spider and duel are out;-)

I agree, the tombspider, while I would love to nail it before the new codex, has to go on the back burner. Conceptually, the Old one and DE piece are far stronger.

Cheers guys!

Don't forget, voting ends soon!

cheers
W

Pure Curiousity:

The XV8 squad has a very high percentage in comparison the other options, and nearly as much as the diorama. Does this mean that those who like the suits just want the suits and nothing else, or that there are a roughly equal amount of people who don't give a damn and just want to see the suits in any guise?

The only reason that I ask is that if I am going to do the suits, I think that the dio would be the best stage for them, or do people not agree?

cheers
W