Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Her Grace The Deaconess Dowager

May I, your humble sculptor of twisted imagenarium of the desolated 40k universe, present to you the third venerable member of the Femmes Imperum series - Her grace The Deaconess Dowager from the Ecclisiarch Hive.

Character once again based of wonderful John Blanche painting. She really challenced me in many ways - The original painting was perfect starting point - Rather tightly cropped image left many details open for the viewer. I started my project using Dark Eldar parts but as you can see, they got pretty much covered under layers and layers of stuff.

I wanted to give her full court dress as I visioned her to be honoured and high ranking official of the Ecclisiarch Hive. So this time I was able to go pretty over the top with the ceremonial dress and the hair peace.

The Deaconess differs from my previous Femmes having more volume around her curves. Total blast to sculpt from start to finish. Hair peace was pain to sculpt but it was totally worth the trouble. OK enough with the words here she comes...











- Mikko
Written by at 21:47
Ear Tags , , ,

29 comments:

  1. Don Hans28 May 2013 at 22:16

    Seriously awesome - very impressed with your sculpt!

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  2. davetaylor28 May 2013 at 22:19

    Oh my...

    speechless

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  3. Stygianheart28 May 2013 at 22:23

    Gods...

    That...

    Is absolutely, frickin' stunning..!

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  4. Janushedemann28 May 2013 at 22:29

    Jesus mate !

    Thats...seriously mate...

    Wow!

    If she werent that old - Id be in love :)

    Janus

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  5. Christian Schwager28 May 2013 at 23:04

    Wonderful work, as always!
    She's probably my favourite out of the three so far. Absolutely amazing :)

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  6. Eric Wier28 May 2013 at 23:11

    Yet another esoteric looking figure! Although all 3 of the ones you have created thus far are dramatically different, I like the similarities between them. I particularly like the sinister looking barbed lower jaws of your first and this most recent. Each also has a very defining pose that speaks a little of the figure itself, from the jovial waltz of the patron of Nurgle to the limber an lithe stance of the assassin, and finally to the labored gait of noble women consumed by politics and gospel. The gown and elaborate headdress were very well conceived, something that we do not frequently see in the models of the 40k universe. I really like the two-headed eagle (and that the heads are glancing in different directions). I feel the eagle is strong symbol in the Imperium, but one that is too often lost in the models to a sea of skulls. Keep up the great work!

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  7. phiq29 May 2013 at 03:57

    Wow man, this has got to be your best sculpt yet. I love her hair, especially how it snakes around the back, and the heft of her layered gown. The drapery is tight. Just excellent!

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  8. Kalervo Haudanpoika29 May 2013 at 07:46

    Magnificant! Every time better and better, or should I say better to the best ;)

    I have been watching your works since "Captain Gaga" and it is always pleasure to see such progress.

    Keep up good work!!

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  9. Steve Casey29 May 2013 at 11:33

    Totally brilliant. Could you post the image on which she is based?

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  10. NW Crew29 May 2013 at 13:09

    Spectacular!

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  11. KrautScientist29 May 2013 at 14:34

    Fantastic work, especially since this is a kind of design so intrinsically 40k, yet we usually do not get to see much of stuff like it outside of JB's artwork, unfortunately! The hair is marvelous!

    In other news, congrats for making it into WD! A well deserved honur, of course ;)

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  12. Neil10129 May 2013 at 14:45

    great work , reminds me of haute couture fashion .

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  13. Alexander29 May 2013 at 17:47

    Bloody hells Mikko, that's amazing. Kraut and neil are absolutely correct about her. She did change quite alot but bears her age with grace.

    Congrats on the WD coverage!

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  14. JimmyGrill29 May 2013 at 20:56

    Oh my, I absolutely love this sculpt.

    It boasts lots of great detail, foremost the mane of hair (where you somehow managed to get the lines almost perfectly straight), but also the double-headed eagle, mouthpiece, and dress. Not to mention the mind-boggling combination of the cane with *those* shoes.

    Pure genius.

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  15. Kari Hernesniemi29 May 2013 at 22:29

    Ever since Mikko first told me about his idea of this femme, I've been very anxiously waiting to see it materialize. Now, there she stands, more glamorous and gorgeus than I could ever imaginate her to be. Well done, rat-bro! Well done!

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  16. Unknown30 May 2013 at 01:57

    She's stunning, such an austere lady and a great interpretation of John's painting too.

    Always loved the genetically engineered two headed eagles by the way, very a striking idea, the Imperium modifiying real creatures to fit its emblem.

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  17. muppetman30 May 2013 at 02:44

    LOVE IT !!!!

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  18. Mikko Luoma30 May 2013 at 09:18

    Thank you guys for your encouraging comments!
    Im really starting to feel that I am slowly finding my "thing" with these Femmes here. With the femmes Imperum my art has reached new heights, so you will see lots of them in the future too ;)

    High heels & deadly curves
    May the Emperor be merciful for me!

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  19. Irwit30 May 2013 at 12:32

    Awesome!!!
    Couple of questions.
    What material do you use for sculpting.
    Also, have you thought of videoing your sculpting process? It would be amazing to watch these characters come to life and see what techniques you use to bring these gals to life :)

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  20. Peter30 May 2013 at 18:07

    Mikko - Just two words BLOWN AWAY!

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  21. J.E.30 May 2013 at 22:16

    Baby got back!

    Wow Mikko - that is really, really, cool.

    Love the egyptian style beardthingie.

    I really don´t want to come off as a nitpicker, but I know you´re a perfectionist so here goes: the heads of the psybereagle feels a bit on the small side though. For an eagle at least...

    Looking forward to the next one and to see them painted!

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    Replies
    1. Mikko Luoma30 May 2013 at 22:37

      Thanks!
      You got point there - Maybe I should go back to adjust them heads a bit;)
      Constructive criticism is always welcomed my friend.

      Delete
    2. J.E.31 May 2013 at 09:02

      That's what we do best!

      It's probably enough to fix one head - i suggest the vulture head from the ogre thundertusk - a little assymetry could actually just make it cooler.

      Delete
    3. J.E.31 May 2013 at 09:06

      Oh - another thing - the pompadour is such a vast expanse of hair. One might want to brake it up with a small imperial aquila or something?

      Delete
  22. Anonymous1 June 2013 at 20:08

    art reveal soon - perhaps ....

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    Replies
    1. Mikko Luoma2 June 2013 at 12:21

      This is great news! :)

      Delete
    2. Unknown4 June 2013 at 00:46

      Great news indeed. Loved the recent sketchbook shot on Gothicpunk by the way, the texture, quality of light and mystic atmosphere of it all.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous1 June 2013 at 20:18

    whilst you have a point jeff im comfortable with the raptors small head - it could be distracting next to the duchess's face and certainly does not have to be anchored in the reality of fauna in this space and tyme - good contrast in size between the two - and i like the hair plain - maybe the paint job will break the immensity of it up - on the whole it looks rather slavic which is good in mi books - what i would change is ditch the sunburst on hair top as the flow from the eagle across her head is a good line of energy .... the hair gives it an almost confrontation/necromunda feel - an interesting thing which just might see this femme painted first ....

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