[*] Smaug the Magnificent - by Natarn

The Inquisitive Hobbit · **Posted:** Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:09 am

Wow, such a great article! I would definitely get this cast... after a year and a half of work and such a great model it'd be more than worth it.
Can't wait to see your next sculpting project, hopefully even more epic than the last (If that's possible...).

gaarew · **Posted:** Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:34 am

The Inquisitive Hobbit wrote:

Wow, such a great article! I would definitely get this cast... after a year and a half of work and such a great model it'd be more than worth it.

So, yeah, 18 months hard labour, you just got it finished, and we demand you chop it up again...

Longbottom Leaf · **Posted:** Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:38 pm

That is simply the most amazing piece of sculpting I've ever seen. It shows superb skill, and dedication to the hobby. Congrats on the complettion of such an amazing project. :yay:

Natarn · **Posted:** Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:38 pm

@ Captain Ingold

Captain Ingold wrote:

I like the end quote, you're right: it is Smaug! Maybe Job read Tolkien?

Great article, 10/10!

Er... I guess you were being ironic... The book of Job was written over 3000 years before Tolkien was born!
I'm sure that Tolkien was aware of it.

Thanks for the comments though.

@ everyone. Thanks very much.

I won't get it cast. It would cost an absolute fortune to reproduce this model and, as gaarew says, the thought of cutting it to bits to make a mold isn't the first thing on my to-do list! :shock:

Sure, I will paint it. I'm looking forward to that. :-D

Corsair · **Posted:** Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:54 pm

Doesn't get anything less than a 10 from me. Absolutely remarkable mate! :-D

These are the articles which really make up OR.

Once again I emphasise, stunning!

Natarn wrote:

Sure, I will paint it. I'm looking forward to that.

A worthy article in itself I would say!

tidoco · **Posted:** Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:38 am

Absolutely stunning, it was well worth the wait to see this all come together as a finished piece. Now I would just like to see it painted.

lorderkenbrand · **Posted:** Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:07 pm

Superb work Nathan! Really pleased to see this piece finished after such a long time in the making. I can't find words that do justice to describe how well this project has turned out. All the changes that you shared with us in the forum have definitely improved the overall finish. By far your greatest sculpting achievement yet!

10/10 :yay:

geezer of rhun · **Posted:** Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:32 pm

Natarn,
Your work is absolutely stunning!
The care for detail in the anatomy and the textures of the scales and wings are beautifully artistic. The material use is innovative and creative.

I've seen many sculpts over the years, but your's blows me away!

Thanks for the excellent article, too. You have documented the process perfectly, even the revision steps. I'm looking forward to the painting and possible basing of this wonderful work of art! :yay:

OUTSTANDING!!!!!
Greg

The Inquisitive Hobbit · **Posted:** Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:04 am

gaarew wrote:

The Inquisitive Hobbit wrote:

So, yeah, 18 months hard labour, you just got it finished, and we demand you chop it up again...

Haha yep, pretty much

valpas · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:24 am

Absolutely great sculpt and an enjoyable read too. I'm probably never going to sculpt anything even remotely like that project but it was still fun to read and I may have learned a trick or too for smaller projects from the article. More of these, please!

-- Pasi

lotrscenerybuilder · **Joined:** Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:03 pm **Posts:** 128

A very professional sculpture, Natarn!

I share your sentiments concerning the GW dragon. No doubt these guys meant well by bringing out their ‘LOTR’-version but IMO they should have done their homework better; I think your model matches much better with the universal image of what a dragon should look like.

The sculpting of the underlying muscles adds to the lifelike pose of the creature; a less talented artist might have easily ended up with a scaled cow. This dragon, however, shows a ‘sinewy movement’ which catches the eye instead of all these scales which seem to play only second fiddle (as they should). And yes, there are more of them on this beastie than there are spikes on a Black Gate!

And a good read too: from a waste piece of garden fence to a full scaled Smaug in just eighteen steps… that’ll teach ‘em in Wellington!
:-D

TheBucklandBrewer · **Posted:** Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:59 am

Superb work mate! Lovely to see it back from the begin again, amazing to see the endresult and where it all started on one page. Who would ever though those few wires would turn into such an excellent piece of a real (!!) dragon!!

Masterpiece mate!

cameda09 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:13 pm

Quite simply, unbelievable. The hard work you put into this is clearly evident and has produced a very professional result.

Top stuff!

brynjolf irontooth · **Posted:** Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:08 pm

Stunning!!

Now, just don't mess up with the painting.

KJ Necromancer · **Posted:** Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:29 am

Amazing, I am completely at a loss for words!

The fact you did each scale shows pure determination and dedication... this is the quality sculpting that every wannabe sculptor should aspire to.

Congratulations of this magnificent feat.

Cant wait to see it painted.

imrail · **Joined:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:24 pm **Posts:** 666

Very good article, but I don't think any one will be able te make it also..
( I know, never say that no one is able)

Noddwyr · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:02 pm

Awesome article and awesome dragon. Wish I could do that, maybe some day. Really excited to see him painted. :yay:

Finli O'Tengo · **Joined:** Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:33 am **Posts:** 41

That work is so far above my meager sculpting skills that it's hard to believe we're working in the same medium.

Man Spider27 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 28, 2010 6:20 pm

Nathan nice one man! This is really well done. This is exactly how I saw Smaug in my mind's eye. The upcoming film The Hobbit shows a brief glimpse of him but it just doesn't look Smaugy enough..... this is better!

10/10

[*] Smaug the Magnificent - by Natarn

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