Specialist Arms Forum

Specialist Games General Discussion => Modeling & painting => Topic started by: marell le fou on July 23, 2019, 10:45:44 PM

Title: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on July 23, 2019, 10:45:44 PM
I have been working on this fortress for few weeks and forgot to publish y stuff here.

I have started from the 28 mm "Dwarven Stronghold" GW scenery.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/44283568612_57470a284f_c.jpg)

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/44283568732_0eb31a1de8_c.jpg)

I have removed the rocks to give some place for a gate.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48075776487_fe6aefe0ce_c.jpg)

Prepared two emplacements for canons on the left and right.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48075776647_e40e1986c9_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48075671751_49372202ce_c.jpg)

Prepared the main stair.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48075671886_31124d9e70_c.jpg)

Added a door and sculpted the floor.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48116475481_0fdce88f61_c.jpg)

Changed the 28 mm door for a round 10 mm gate.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48116475861_94a1fbaf64_c.jpg)

Added floors on the walls.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48116507873_c0657516f8_c.jpg)

Cut down the base of the scenery at the gate level.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48116508458_146d9cc6bd_c.jpg)

Too add a piece of solid foam to have more place.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48116508893_a8e836b13a_c.jpg)

Prepared some pavements for the circular wall floor.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48164324636_2d5918659c_c.jpg)

And glued them.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48164403767_3921fa8b0c_c.jpg)

Added a small platform on top of the inner round gate.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48164403892_71c5a094f8_c.jpg)

Started to work on the gate...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48164406642_51a3c38ed2_c.jpg)

And decided there was enough place for two gates and new walls !

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48164324031_ffed635488_c.jpg)

Cut down en balcony on the rear.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48164330006_09a02aef06_c.jpg)

Transformed the top floor on a gyrocopter area.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48225082927_6946ee071e_c.jpg)

Added stairways everywhere i could.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48225026016_e1b5db41a0_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48225081902_fa697b359d_c.jpg)

Went for round massive dwarvish protection on top of walls.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48244029372_cbb7226367_c.jpg)

And massive dwarvish crenels.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48244028707_e84b27859b_c.jpg)

And went on with them... At the same time than preparing new walls.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48285232501_b1951b97f1_c.jpg)

It was long but i'm happy of the walls aspect.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48285337337_3ea3a03117_b.jpg)

Modified the inner stair. It looked too big compared to the newly sculpted ones.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48285234311_65f8415f5b_b.jpg)

Negan to work on the first gate.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48285338182_130666f953_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48285338542_f446b2bfc8_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48285339177_e4bc1049c9_b.jpg)

And decided the second one should be crown by original stone, as if the dwarves had decided to let it as is on purpose. To honour the mountain.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48285236541_270da88298_b.jpg)

Crenels again...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48311743782_a8887105a7_b.jpg)

Fortification above the main gate.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48341463102_9db2c58433_c.jpg)

And crenels, again. I'm now expert in cutting them :)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48341462667_0c777463e7_c.jpg)

Addition of small decorations (molded Kharardron shoulder pads).

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48341462572_40e6ac2c5b_c.jpg)

Addition of reinforts on main tower.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48341462147_ca0c4aa6e0_c.jpg)

And finaly working on the idea to add a tower on the left.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48341461862_6d86abdd4d_c.jpg)

Happy to have reactions and ideas if you feel it :)
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Dave on July 24, 2019, 01:09:18 AM
That looks great.
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Chios on July 24, 2019, 06:43:15 AM
Awesome build!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Apocolocyntosis on July 24, 2019, 10:00:57 PM
wonderful, great to see attention to that old piece, i remember it from white dwarf
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Stormwind on July 25, 2019, 01:37:41 AM
Oh wow this looks wonderful!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on July 29, 2019, 06:07:08 AM
Thanks a lot, all !

I think the main gate will looke like that, more or less.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48380120441_281a9d1a53_b.jpg)

Or maybe with that main shield on top. Hesitating a bit.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48363525542_ed8cf2c83e_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on July 31, 2019, 12:59:09 AM
Hestitating finaly between those two options..

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48417500771_715095cb65_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48417653937_f4cc070be5_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Stormwind on August 01, 2019, 04:05:32 PM
The extra work you did with the green stuff really helps it!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on August 02, 2019, 12:55:36 AM
Thanks mate ! I will continue to use GS modling here or there. Mainly those Kharadron Overlords shoulder pads to decorare my walls reinforcements ;)
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: David Wasilewski on August 02, 2019, 08:45:16 AM
Awesome! You have the best ideas!!!

Dave
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Stormwind on August 04, 2019, 05:32:13 PM
Ha ha, I guess Age of Sigmar has it's uses for 'bits' after all! =P
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on August 05, 2019, 04:52:32 AM
Thanks mates ! It really helps keeping on working.

Yes, AoS bits can be really usefull. Kharadron i uses either for WM or for my 40K Squat army ;)

Adding some rosky parts here where i had removed too much to put the pick on.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48443821092_8843b430a2_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48443820932_3867b838f6_c.jpg)

Preparing the second gate.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48443821557_54cc344395_c.jpg)

A small stair.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48443821417_bd938cc989_c.jpg)

Texturing the main gate...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48443669961_0ae4b2c9a6_c.jpg)

Some few advances on the tower too. I'm still unsure if i add it or no.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48443670446_2e37f197a3_c.jpg)

I have added a large top... And i'm hestitating. It's frankly very very large. Must i make it smaller ?

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48457443497_8e3f2145d6_c.jpg)

But then i could not put two standard bases on it. And that was the point...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48457289266_83464b5b1f_c.jpg)

Here it is in what should be its place.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48457289086_e12fcef062_c.jpg)

I think it's pretty bad like this. Maybe with more reinforcments up and down.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48457288306_58f183fca2_c.jpg)

It looks like a modern ship carrier like this...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48457442757_22ef30d4fc_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Lord Borak on August 05, 2019, 09:35:15 AM
This has to be the best use of that piece of scenery I have ever seen. That's awesome stuff mate.

Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Stormwind on August 05, 2019, 07:39:33 PM
It's going to be great when it's painted up!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: andys on August 07, 2019, 03:24:42 PM
The stone slab battlements/walkways - what is supporting them?
Wouldn't they be the top of a stone wall as thick as the walkway is wide?
Excellent model, really coming together!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on August 13, 2019, 11:09:41 PM
Thanks for your returns, guys. I've been hill and stayed at home so it has advanced a lot those last days :)

Quote
The stone slab battlements/walkways - what is supporting them?
Wouldn't they be the top of a stone wall as thick as the walkway is wide?

From the very beginnig i'm looking for a good way to represents those reinforcements for the walkaway, but did not found it yet. I was thinking of using Warhammer Battle Shoulderpads to represent top of pillars, but the one i wanted are upside down.

Under the stairway, there will probably be stables, small wooden or stone houses, etc.

Well, so... Back one week ago, or maybe even a little bit more, to the work on the left tower. The problem was that it was too thin on the middle and too big on top. I really wanted it to be able to accept to WM bases on top, so i kept the size of the top platform and work on enlarging the aspect of the trunc of the tower itself.

I have worked on reinforcements large on base and thin on top.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478850741_c8dde4e092_c.jpg)

The point is to have a tower that seem really clutched to the stone.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478850941_0725016d45_c.jpg)

With that and some crenels, the whole thing seem already better.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48479001567_029f5565fe_c.jpg)

And on the end, here it is.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48479001897_82a6d942d8_c.jpg)

I had doubts, so far, with this tower... Not anymore. I'm happy of the solution of adding those new reinforcments.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478997997_8f1348305f_c.jpg)

As for the right platform, it will remain low, but i have solved the problem of the natural bordel that was going in all sens by cutting it...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48479002707_dcbd9f0900_c.jpg)

And add a new, straight, border.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478852361_e9c511cb68_c.jpg)

It even make the whole plateform a little bit larger.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478852761_f4d75a8095_c.jpg)

Most important is that it will be far easier to add walls.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478852971_dd24e6cc2d_c.jpg)

I like the new point it makes above the empty space.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478853211_4c2ccc31c7_c.jpg)

Addition of usual crenels...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478853461_916bde3341_c.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478854116_4e6f5011a9_c.jpg)

So, here is the global aspect.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48479004762_f09ce7712d_c.jpg)

Then, i have worked on the interior, making the second door looking like it had been entirely sculpted in the rock left natural around the entrance.

So i have added some foam here and there on each part of the door.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48479004927_82491e3ee0_c.jpg)

And my Prince August rock paste.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478855961_e25bda2417_c.jpg)

Tower has received in the same time reinforcements fro the above, when the new additions did not had rock under them.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478854901_ef0e8f765d_c.jpg)

Finaly trimmed again the main entrance way, that was too high.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478856226_74bdf6dbdf_c.jpg)

And texturing again.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48478998572_5abd4e41ba_c.jpg)

Addition of stone, again, under the tower bases.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514731876_b2dd7fc839_b.jpg)

The whole base is covered with artificial stone. Same i use for my bases. And everything is cleaned with a big pencil to be ready... For paint !

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514912432_ab1ee270a5_b.jpg)

And here it is with dark grey primer ! No more this light blue or green. Happy to at last have a stone appearance like it deserves.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514913182_130aa2edbd_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514912312_6bbf19262c_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514731341_78652a90d7_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514731151_9251a03781_b.jpg)

And then, of course, i have spotted some few parts needing more stone paste. Normal...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514732051_27a0408b90_b.jpg)

Done... It looks like what orcs stare at, when arriving in the morning in quest of a goold old fight.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514730996_16aef9c009_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Stormwind on August 14, 2019, 06:56:03 PM
This is going to look wonderful as a centrepiece of your table, Marell!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on August 19, 2019, 04:49:29 AM
Major advances those last days... I can at least say I'm close to finishing this piece !

It was a major work for me. I did not thought it would end with a so big fortress when i started the project, but well, it's clearly for the best !

I left you with the very beginning of the painting job. I have added liquid stone here and there where needed, since.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514895231_68b14e1b96_b.jpg)

And several grey layers since this early grey global treatment.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514895826_21a950c26b_b.jpg)

So, several layers of lighter grey.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514897456_0b114eb4ca_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514897996_d0997f2ed5_b.jpg)

A linning on front side of the crenels.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514898331_3685c2e5c5_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48514898921_c5acd7b164_b.jpg)

Added some beige to the natural rock part, to differenciate it from the sculpted walls.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48515078897_560392ac94_b.jpg)

And then enlightened the natural rocky part up to ivory. And with the earthy part, it looks at last like a fortress.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48515081472_af7f7e0881_b.jpg)

Addition of a brown wash between every pavement.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48515072642_17230ac545_b.jpg)

Yes it was long. But the reward is at the level of the effort.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48515072262_c3b9c1f3e4_b.jpg)

Traps everywhere when needed. And yellow base on the door.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48524966497_5b9e35933a_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48524801936_689f0ce939_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48524801851_f2a6234582_b.jpg)

And let's go for brown treatment on rock. Brown wash everywhere, with very dark brown additions on vertical parts of the natural rock.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48554921052_2a687e3619_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48554921467_ceb774965c_b.jpg)

And then lighter marron, on parts of the natural rock where light can shine onto.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48554920332_5be7c345ca_b.jpg)

Tanned old gold for icones.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48570294831_733d40305f_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48570295091_bee3100fa7_b.jpg)

And door.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48570295291_4df3408a05_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48570443372_72e559ddc4_b.jpg)

And several things like brown wash everywhere to blurr and link everything on the natural rocky part.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48570295596_ee084f1e43_b.jpg)

Not completly over, yet... But not far !
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Lord Borak on August 19, 2019, 06:30:27 PM
The stonework is fantastic.  :o
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Stormwind on August 19, 2019, 07:02:36 PM
A+ weathering work, there!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Tiberius on August 30, 2019, 08:05:08 PM
Holy Crap this is incredible!!!

Those details really make it pop!

I am in awe.
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: empireaddict on August 31, 2019, 09:03:15 AM
FantastIc work. Really impressed. Thanks for letting us see its development.
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on September 02, 2019, 06:09:00 AM
Thanks guys :) It really helps keeping the motivation.

Only few details missing. And vegetalisation.

I have made a small door in GS.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48662146157_6251dd9d5a_b.jpg)

It goes on the back.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48661644433_da251dc15d_b.jpg)

I have re painted the trapdoors. They where too orange.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48661644388_b4431a1171_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48661644183_a3e6acc4ed_b.jpg)

Next step... Well... Vegetalise the base. Not too greeny... It's more rocky ground than something else. Probably brown and yellow grass tuffs.

I dream of constructing stables for boars and a small forge under the walkway... I will see if i have time.
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: osjclatchford on September 02, 2019, 07:17:00 PM
Meant to say a while back now but this is an exceptional model. Fantastic work on all of this. Lovely stuff!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Stormwind on September 04, 2019, 11:51:27 AM
What wonderful little details!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Tiberius on September 30, 2019, 05:58:03 PM
How did you do those wonderful flat stones on the wall walk?  Is that just free hand green stuff?
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on September 30, 2019, 09:39:57 PM
Thanks all for the kind words !

Quote
How did you do those wonderful flat stones on the wall walk?  Is that just free hand green stuff?

HAHA no ! I could not have done that so quickly. They are made with Green Stuff and a texture roll, bought amongst the large range proposed by GreenStuffWorld. Precisely, it's the "small bricks" one, if i remember well.
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: Tiberius on September 30, 2019, 10:58:53 PM
Whew!  I thought it was something a mere mortal like myself could produce.  This gives me hope!  I'll have to add this to my list of things to someday order from Greenstuffworld.

And once again, just awesome work.  I hope to someday turn my mini Blarney Castle into a masterpiece like yours!
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on September 30, 2019, 11:06:45 PM
GreenStuffWorld really have nice tools. For my part, i have a dozen of their textured rolls and it helps to produce nice sceneries.
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: adamsg01 on October 18, 2019, 12:28:59 PM
Awesome stuff Marell.  Very inspiring - I am thinking of doing something similar inspired by the hobbit movie scenes (Erebor/Lonely Mountain, Balins tomb etc) but starting from scratch as sadly I don't have the dwarven citadel fortress (I did once but sold it- regretted selling it too).

Thanks for your work - have learned a few things regarding how to approach such a project. 

All the best
Gary
Title: Re: Dwarven fortress
Post by: marell le fou on October 28, 2019, 07:53:13 PM
Thanks Garry :)

Just for you to know, i bought it for 25 USD few months ago on ebay. Not the best scenery GW ever produced ;)