Hydra miniature for Pathfinder Battles by Wizkids, roughly 28mm scale

[micahrogers]

My next project, as chosen by the wife, The Hydra miniature. Roughly 28 mm scale, comes with open mouthed, closed mouth, and multiple heads. The heads are designed to be interchangeable. Most of my work will be creating a realistic base, and painting.
I'm only posting the thumbnail because this is an un modified pic.

next will be the unboxing.

 

[micahrogers]

The parts in the packing plastics,

The Body out, and the 3" diameter disk it came with.

The molded terrain base it came on is larger than the disk.. Grrr

5 single heads, and 5 double heads.

The main body just popped off of the terrain base, which will actually make my job easier in making a new display base.

and lots of visible seems to be filled
The terrain base is just a bit larger than the 3" dia disk it came with
and the heads out of the plastic.

Vallejo Plastic Putty used to fill seams,

and wiped most away with a moist Q-Tip.

And a quick mock up with heads attached...

 

[zathros]

Nice, reminds me of an old girlfriend for some reason.

 

[micahrogers]

I used Sculpy II oven bake polymer clay to form a larger base for the hydra. I used the existing base to "texture" the clay base, then baked it in the oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes to harden it. Then the terrain base is glued in to the Sculpy II base.

 

[micahrogers]

Three layers of AV Vallejo Plastic Putty to fill the seams.

Texture applied to the putty.

And the Sculpy II primed with AV Vallejo Acrylic Polyurethane Grey primer.

I know the "step" is still visable, but the ground cover will "cover" that.

 

[zathros]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Hydra painted up. It would be neat to make a Golden Fleece on a tree for Jason to find!!

 

[micahrogers]

Plans changed for the base, I am going to try to replicate a bog type terrain.

 

[micahrogers]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Hydra painted up. It would be neat to make a Golden Fleece on a tree for Jason to find!!

Thanks to you I've deceided to add a tree to the bog base.
my original thought of a bog... Morphed by @zathros statement into a bog with a tree.
Hydra body for sence of scale.

My wife thinks the tree looks too big, so it's up for discussion.
The tree can can turned...

more work done on baseing, now to wait for glue to dry to add "water" in the "ponds"

 

[micahrogers]

First layers of "water" added to the bog,

and the second layer,

and this is the green I'm going to base the Hydra's color on,

This green, actually US Olive Drab, is the darkest green,

 

[micahrogers]

I decided to go with a smaller bush, instead of the tree. flat coat applied.

final layer of water added to bring back the gloss.

And the base is finished. A decent resemblance to a bog or swampy area...


now painting of the Hydra body begins in earnest, and all those little heads.

 

[micahrogers]

I haven't taken any in progress photos since my last update here, my brother has been visiting from Mississippi, and my "hobby Room" has been his bedroom. I have finished the Hydra, and the body and all 15 heads are ready to take thier place on my shelf. fisrt set of pics are in the normal 5 headed configuration.


And the 5 headed beauty shot.


The full 10 headed option,


And the 10 headed beauty shot.


The heads mount to the necks via keyed pegs, that give you options from 5 to 10 heads, in multiple arrangements.

 

[zathros]

You really know how to paint. Quite a display piece. It should be under glass!!

 

[micahrogers]

Practice, lots o practice and good paints and brushes.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

The paint job on this, is AMAZING!!!
You could easily make money painting figures as a side job.

 

[micahrogers]

The paint job on this, is AMAZING!!!
You could easily make money painting figures as a side job.

Unfortunately, with materials prices like they are now, the professional miniature painters are down to the ones who can pump them out fast.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Unfortunately, with materials prices like they are now, the professional miniature painters are down to the ones who can pump them out fast.

Understandable.

 

[micahrogers]

My paint collection while nice, is not comprehensive. The individual bottles either came in 8 (1), 10 (2), or 36 (1) count color sets, at an average cost per bottle of $2.00 or as singles for between $3.99 and $4.89 a bottle. each of my racks holds between 56 and 78 bottles, and three are full... one set or bottle a week... Now cut down to one set or bottle per month?