"FAILED Conversion Attempt - 15mm SF" Topic

As some of you know, by body (back and feet) has taken somewhat of a beating these last couple of years. My last back surgery was Sept 30.

That was then, this is now. The last couple of weeks I've been able to sit upright for a decent amount of time and thought I should try my hand at converting some figures I ordered recently***. I basically wanted to test myself and get a feel for how much I've been set back.

Well, I must say I am EXTREMELY disappointed with how bad I've gotten during my recovery:

More here:

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I've clearly lost A TON of manual dexterity and, despite wearing a visor, it's obvious that I need new glasses. That last one I can remedy right away.

Question:

Should I even bother finishing this test at all? I feel like I've just globbed on putty on two perfectly fine figures and simply ruined them.

Thanks,

Dan
*** In this case fine figures from 15mm.co.uk (2 Skorath into Prangs)
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This is the original Skorath, by the way:
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Look like some pretty cool Prang conversions to me.

-Eli

As a general practice, I think you always finish. You never know if a flash of inspiration will give you the idea that will fix them. It's more practice to regain your chops before starting the next project, and I find that if I quit and start over it becomes tempting to quit the next one even earlier. Plus, sometimes when you're just finishing to finish and you're not trying to be perfect the absence of perfectionism leads to serendipitous results. So unless you have something that's obviously better to work on, finish them and see what happens.

That said, they're not terrible as is.

It wasn't until I took these photos a little while ago, and then looked at them closely, that I noticed how little definition there really is in my sculpting (around the armor, boots, pants, everything).

And what I thought had turned out nice and smooth, looks just plain sloppy.

Ugh.

I started with the Skorath (the one seen here in black:

But I got nowhere near what I was shooting for, which I hoped would be some combination of these features::

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Dan
PS. The only thing I'm semi-happy about is the way the general shape of the face had started to turn out. Maybe I should have just stopped there. :)

I'd say finish them, having them unfinished will only make you feel worse.

For what it's worth, I think they're fine.

You guys are much too kind.

Well, if I do go on to finish them, I think I may have to use a hobby knife to create the missing definition, and sandpaper to smooth out the uneven globs. Those are two things I swore I would never resort to long ago.

Dan
PS. Yes. Not finishing something is not a good feeling. I don't seem to have a good track record:
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Not finishing is a Wargamer peril… Squirrel!

"'Practice, practice, practice,' said Miss Helga." It is from a children's book but it is good advice. Great sculpts not currently but you learn more from the failures than The successes so go on sculpting!

Yes. It seems "Squirrel" should have been my name a long time ago. :)

I think you do yourself discredit. They might not be what you want but I am impressed. Practice and repetition are what you need to hone your skills again. Finish them up and I bet once painted they will be quite serviceable. They are prang, they will not mind, I promise.

"They are prang, they will not mind, I promise."

Lol. Good point! Thanks. :)

Dan

How about I 3d print you a vehicle for them, a prang porter as it were.

They look good to me. Painted up and on the table, they will be great.

If you have to use a different technique to finish them, and you don't want to practice that technique, just move on.

BTW, those sculpts you posted as references have been treated quite well by some amazing painters.

Those early sculpts of mine are very rough compared o what I turn out now.

-Eli

They kind of resemble earless Mangalores… ;-)

Good to see you back, Dan! No pun intended.

I do have to say that your worst days' efforts are better than most of my best days' efforts. Keep on sculpting!

Thanks so much, Javelin! I'm glad to be back and extremely glad to see so many of you guys here and carrying on.

Dan

Bashytubits, that is one sweet ride! Now you've got my wheels turnin', pardon the pun. :)

Ok. I'll get back to finishing this project then … as soon as I get myself some new glasses. Lol. Maybe taking those close-ups ended up serving more than one purpose.

Dan

Welcome back, Dan! If those are failed attempts they beat anything I can do by a mile!

Welcome back cc !

I look forward to your posts of sci-fi ideas to resume….hopefully when your at full speed.

Those prang look good to me.

I think they are Ok, and you should work on them until your happy, better than my efforts anyway.

Nice work. Great to see you around again.

I also think, they're pretty good. Once you'll have them finished they'll look even better. Don't give up!

Welcome Back!

They look fine to me, I have bought worse.

I think you may be over critical, I know after my wreck over 15 years ago I still feel the same way about my painting, it just is not what it was, to me.

Those guys look great! I agree I have seen worse and these guys are not it good work there Dan

Dan, I'm sorry you didn't get what you wanted. Everyone is sincere that they like 'em, but I understand you just aren't satisfied.

So, if you wish, I'll PM you from LAF with my mailing address, and you can send all such 'failures' to me. Honest, I'll pay for postage and all original models.

Really, you don't have to thank me.

Doug

Dan you should finish them. Just think of it as physical therapy, the more you work on it the more dexterity you'll get back. I also wish some of my failures looked that good.

Jim

You guys are the best. I'll keep trying.

Good news. My wife took me for my eye exam yesterday. Doctor says some of my medications are interfering with how my eyes are focusing on objects. Once I finish this round of pills, my eyes should be getting back to "normal". Maybe things aren't as hopeless as I imagined. Fingers crossed.

Dan

Failed, no.
Not perhaps exactly what your original concept for them may have been, but definitely usable or modifiable.
Upward.
Onward.
Excelsior!

Well, I'm told my new glasses are ready for pickup!

So I'll find out tomorrow if I have lost my mojo forever or not.

Dan

Now that you have glasses you can drive that new prang mobile!

I'll get back to it right away, this week. Thanks.

Dan