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Converting miniatures is much easier then you would probably imagine (unless you are a veteren sculpter!). In this article we will give you some simple techniques that will enable you to convert your existing Splatisphere miniatures into unique works of art, and show you heaps of examples of simple conversions we did ourselves.  CRE - 1 (Crelin) - Weapons cut off, right arm bent down at shoulder, Left hand detail etched with file, new weapon added (Taken from BRA - 2 model). 20 minutes To start, you are going to need: Fingernail clippers (with file) Quick stick Superglue Greenstuff putty (optional) Sculpting tool (optional) CLIPPERS are your main tool. With them you will be able to cut weapons and parts off models in a clean fashion. You can also use the file in the middle of the clippers for a number of purposes: Firstly, you can use the point of it to etch (scratch) in detail to your models when needed. Secondly, you can use the rough surface to flatten areas, so that they glue together better, or to simply smooth an area. SUPERGLUE is another essential tool. You will need it to glue all your pieces together, and for strength and quickness of drying, it is recomended that you get a good quality glue. Make sure it is one that doesn't dry-up in the nozzel, as it gets annoying trying to squeeze glue out of it when it has dryed up. GREENSTUFF PUTTY is not essential at this stage, but can be used for more advanced conversions. It is available at most hobby stores, and is used by rubbing together equal portions of the material inside the packaging, until it is fully blended together. Now you can mould and sculpt it into anything you want, with the aid of a sculpting tool, and put it on your miniatures. You have a couple of hours to play around with it beofre it goes hard. When it is hard it can be filed and sanded. Miliput is an alternative, which is used the same way and is also available at most hobby shops. SCULPTING TOOL once again not necessary, unless attempting harder conversions with greenstuff putty. One side of the tool has a scoop-like blade, which can be used to push putty, and to smooth it out. The other end is a flat blade, which can be used to cut putty, and to scratch detail. When using this tool used vasoline on the blade so they dont stick to the putty (you can also use water).  TRO - 1 (Trogun) - Weapon cut off, shield nub cut off, left hand filed flat, new shield added, weapon added (weapon and shield taken from other miniatures). 15 minutes  DRA - 1 (Draal) - Weapon cut off a few mm above hand, new weapon added (weapon taken from DRA - 2 model). 8 minutes  VES - 2 (Vestage) - Weapon cut off, new weapon added, file work to finish weapon handle (weapon taken from TRO - 1 model). 15 minutes Simple Techniques: WEAPON CUTTING using the clippers, you can cut weapons easily. Make sure you are careful, so that you don't ruin weapon or miniature detail, and keep in mind that you will want to leave some of the old weapon in place if it is to be used with the new weapon (Eg. like with the pommel examples in this article). With swords it is best to cut just under the crossguard and file it flat afterwards. This will give you a nice surface to glue it easily onto your new model. FILING using a file you can etch and flatten detail. With sword pommels you can create a simple effect by rounding the sharp edges with a file. The tops and bottoms of a clenched hand often lose their detail when a weapon is cut off, and you can simply scratch that detail back in with the pointed end of the file. Clench your own hand and look at the detail you need to apply. The file can also be used to flatten or smooth rough surfaces. BENDING with just the right amount of pressure, you might be able to bend the arms of different models into new positions. This is best done by putting the limb to be bent against a wall or unmovable surface, and by using your weight to bend the limb. Be careful, because certain models will break easy, depending on their metals hardness and pliability. To stop the model being damaged, place material between wall and miniature. Please note that some models arms may be too hard to bend, or too thich to budge. Best to leave the alone in that case. GLUING with the superglue, you will be able to piece together all the different parts of your model. Be careful not to use too much glue, as it may effect model detail. Too little glue, will make it hard to stick parts together. The best quantity is a small blob, which will cover the surface area plus a little more. Wet both ends to be joined with the glue then push them together reasonably hard. A good glue should fix them in place within about 20 seconds. To reinforce, you can apply more glue afterwards, around the join.  BRA - 2 (Krypht Brave) - Weapon cut off (leaving some staff left for sword pommel), new weapon added, pommel filed, left arm bent down at elbow, detail filed into hands, shield added (shield taken from TRO - 1 model, weapon from another model). 25 minutes  OUT - 2 (Krypht Outcast) - Weapon cut off (leaving some staff left for sword pommel), new weapon added, pommel filed, left arm bent in towards body (weapon taken from BRA -1 model). 20 minutes  BRA - 1 (Krypht Brave) - Sword cut down and filed into dagger, right arm bent down and towards body, left dagger filed to create notches on blade, left arm bent down and toward body slightly. 35 minutes  OUT - 2 (Krypht Outcast) - Weapon cut off at top (a few mm above hand), new weapon added, greenstuff putty added for support (weapon taken from CRI - 1 model). 15 minutes  CRI - 1 (Krypht Criminal) - Weapon cut off, new weapons added, greenstuff putty added as pommels and shaped with sculpting tool (weapons taken from other models). 25 minutes After Word: So there you have the basics of simple miniature conversion, not that hard really, and you can use tools from around the house that you probably already own. The number and detail of the effects you can create with the above techniques is endless, and the results are truly fantastic. Now you will be able to give your warriors the weapons and positioning you want them to have, and give them a creative edge over other Splatisphere teams. Good Luck! |