Forest Guardian Squadt, complete with a few progress pics!

Been working what feels like non stop this past couple months, trying to balance finishing up the corrupter project, and pecking away at custom commissions when I can. Been working on this piece for a while now, and I took more pictures during the process than usual, so I though it would be fun to share some shots of this progressed from this:

To a finished piece.

So, the Collector loved everything about the sketch, but we agreed that he would be better suited with a staff than a sword, so I kept that in the back of my mind while the piece started to take shape:



It starts with several sessions of magic sculpt, each leaf being hand shaped and laid down, as opposed to sculpted into a mass on the figure. This is a bit more intensive and has it's own unique challenges, but I think it gives a better layered look that I was going for.

Everything was primed and then base coated with flat black spray. I had a can of a nice green color laying around, so I gave the body a quick hit of that as well, to help get the base color going:


Then, layered on some greens, and started painting on the veins into the ivy, which took a bit of time. The white stuff on the baldric strap is a layered paste, which gives a really nice texture to make it look more like a weathered leather.


I didn't take many pics of the head process, as it was pretty ugly at first. The trick to this was doing lots of subtle passes, to help blend the wood, and bring out contrasts without making it look deliberate or too unnatural.


Working mostly in shades of browns and yellow ochres, I then gave the head several glazes with purples and blues to help really lock in all the tones and lines in the mask.


Then, the staff started to take shape:




You can kind of see the shimmer of iridescent green on it, but only the owner of the piece will get this effect to the fullest.

It's mostly finished at that point, but I'll end up giving everything a couple quick hits with the airbrush to help sell the glows, and shadows I want in the piece.

After some final details, and several varnishes to help protect everything. The Guardian is finished!



The Banteshians are not a people per se, but the spirit of the forest itself. The Majik energy of the forest God Bantesh, is concentrated and born into a tangible warrior weaved from the resources of the forest. They serve as vigilant sentries, guarding The more important and secretive groves and villages of Bantesh's domain. Although the guards often take the form of a solitary being, they are actually comprised of many consciousnesses, as several spirits work in tandem to control and manipulate the visage of the guard, making them incredibly difficult for mortals to best in combat, as should be expected when dealing with a sliver of a God itself.











I'm really happy with how the staff holder turned out too!



The shoulder pads have small dichroic glass beads in them a friend made for me. I'll definitely be working with these more in future pieces, as they have a truly unique effect in person.





I think I have five or six more squadts to do in the next few months, and I'm really excited about the variety and challenges of all the designs! I'll be accepting limited commissions going forward to work on other projects in the future, so if someone wants to line up a piece, let me know, as I'm booking up quickly this year.

seeing wip photos is awesome!
the staff holder rocks and handmade beads!
its all so cool, the owner will be proud
thanks for sharing

Very cool.

Damn josh that custom kicks some serious ass looks great. Love the way all the green looks

awesome !!! great work !!!

That thing rules!!!!! fantastic work!!!!!!

WOW.... just WOW.

you continue to outdo yourself josh!!!

Looks so good man!!!!

amazing, every piece you make keeps toppling the previous. great job, F+

Very impressive piece.
As always a great creation ! Congratulations

This is absurd!!!



Silver

Looks really great!

I wonder if the brown looks more dried out only in the pictures or if that was the finishing touches. The picture with the staff has the wood paint looking more warm compared to the final shot.

fender wrote:Looks really great!

I wonder if the brown looks more dried out only in the pictures or if that was the finishing touches. The picture with the staff has the wood paint looking more warm compared to the final shot.

Yeah, After that progress pic, I ended up doing a bit more drybrushing, and then when applying the varnish, I sometimes actually mix a little purple and blue in there to cool things down a bit.

I'm glad everybody likes it so much! Hopefully I can continue to exceed everyone's expectations in the future!

Fucking hell man... that is AWESOME!!! Great work!

Forest Guardian arrived today.

If you have the chance to get a custom from Josh, DO IT!!

I suck at pictures so will let his do the talking even though they do this piece no justice whatsoever.

Fantastic work Josh, I couldn't be happier!!

The "glow" effect technique he uses is brilliant. Amazing. Simply amazing.

chiprender wrote:The "glow" effect technique he uses is brilliant. Amazing. Simply amazing.

i love how josh really made the green glow on this one it looks amazing

rad!

phenomenal!!!!!

Great stuff like always!

Keep it up.

Beautiful, I love your customs!

gregm wrote:Forest Guardian arrived today.

If you have the chance to get a custom from Josh, DO IT!!

I suck at pictures so will let his do the talking even though they do this piece no justice whatsoever.

Fantastic work Josh, I couldn't be happier!!

Thanks Greg! I'm super glad you're so happy with it, that's always my goal! I won't settle for anything less!

And thanks to everyone else for all the kind words, I feel like I'm spending every waking hour in my studio lately, but all your responses and support makes it worth it!

2 Words...
Fucking Awesome...