Making (smaller) Maskwitches

I have a bunch of projects to catch us up on - it's been an amazingly creative time as the Maskwitches GM's companion comes together, and I've ben building non-stop. Here I want to document a project I've been meaning to complete for a long time - some different sized witches so that I can vary up the scale of my shoots.

Previously I've made some much smaller figures - maybe 35mm tall? But they proved very difficult to sculpt, and were of limited value. I've never really used them, preferring where necessary to digitally shrink down the existing figures.

Finally this weekend I decided to take the plunge and sculpted two new smaller figures. This was an interesting challenge, as I knew they would end up being hybrids - not entirely clay but enhanced with materials like fibres and seed pods.

I began with a wired armature - these are purely production models, they won't be cast, and I felt it'd be useful if I could "break" joints into he finished clay and make them posable.

Here they are in progress. These figures are The big lumps around their feet are to make up for my lack of planning in not stopping to furnish them with a proper base. Super Sculpey is a polymer clay that goes hard when baked in the oven, and I took my time with repeated "firings" to fix details so I didnt destroy too much as I handled them.

As you can see - I'm not the best sculptor - and that's a serious understatement. But it'll serve my purpose, and I think that's important. They don't have to be commercially viable figures or anything like that - they're props that appear in part of the Maskwitches continuum.

The hands proved very difficult to sculpt this small, and I have nothing but admiration for people able to sculpt 28mm miniatures! Part of the process of this whole thing has been incredibly educational in highlighting how important those kinds of skills are. A funny thing for the amateur sculptor is you do one reasonable hand, and then you have to make another of the same size. It's not easy!

The figures got a good ole spray to make sure they were completely covered in paint.

The paint job to date has been dry brushing and washes, which I think will work well enough for photos. I dressed them, adding the natural materials, faux fur and all the rest.

The faces of the masks do a great deal to improve the illustionistic qualities of these models. And I think we can rely on sets and lighting for the rest!

Now they're completed (more or less - I might add some additional bits and bobs when I find the right seeds and pods etc) I can vary up the scale of shots a lot more easily.

In case you missed it: Late pledges for the Maskwitches ENnies Emporium are open now! But only for less than a week!