A few words about chainmail in answer to an e-mail enquiry:

"I'm encountering a problem getting my chainmail finer and cleaner and was
wondering if you could provide a few pointers or suggestions."

The method I most commonly use for chainmail is to make a foundation so the final coating of epoxy is a consistent thickness which depends on the size of the rings, too thick and you run into the problems you describe, too thin or inconsistent depth and you don’t have enough material to form the ring and have it settle in place. You want enough material so it settles but doesn’t blur or bleed into the previous row.

I find a tool with a slightly bent, flattened end (again diameter depending on the size of ring you want to do) gives the most control.

"I'm assuming the bend in the tools just makes it easier to use"

Yes, it makes the angle more comfortable and easier to see the ring form as you make it.

"Are there any techniques to make it easier or is it just practice?"

Both, the techniques take time and so the ideal is to dispense with them eventually so you have more time for pulling rings. Try applying the putty in strands which you then blend, also a very fine probe like the point of a needle pushed through the final coat in places will tell you how thick it is and you can correct it before you start pulling rings.

The important thing about practice it to get the best feedback for the time spent practicing. Design practice so the feedback shows you the error clearly, as it occurs and you will learn most quickly.

The pictures are from a Nativity and Epiphany set I plan to make over the next couple years in 1/32. It’s not available this year unfortunately.

This entry was posted by Tom Meier on Thursday, November 30. 2006 at 20:44. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own blog.

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  1. Ming-Hua says:
    #1 2006-12-01 03:45 (Reply)

    Hi,

    I don't know if this is of any help:

    http://www.lyonstudio.biz/Sculpting/Sculpting%20Textures.htm

    Bye, Ming-Hua

  2. Jonas says:
    #2 2006-12-03 04:37 (Reply)

    Hi,
    wow, great minis! I've been looking for good figures of the nativity for so long...
    Are you going to make sheperds and all that stuff, too?

  3. Ken Oakley says:
    #3 2006-12-03 10:09 (Reply)

    Are you still doing the 28 mm George R.R. Martin miniatures? Do you have any information on them?

  4. Tom says:
    #4 2006-12-03 12:14 (Reply)

    I hope to have a complete Nativity by the end of next year. And an Epiphany set the year after.

    I am still supposed to be making figures for ‘Ice & Fire’, I have quite a few pieces done but Testors has had difficulties sorting themselves out.

    The gaming figures will be 1/48 which makes an average man about 35mm from sole to crown.

  5. Jeff says:
    #4.1 2006-12-06 18:09 (Reply)

    The Nativity figures are lovely. I would love to have a set sculpted by you. I really hope you produce it. Do you have a set plan for how you are going to produce this. As in is it going to be a compleat set of figures, or do you plan on selling each piece by itself? You have talked about doing this for some time it is really nice to see the first pieces.

    Best
    Jeff

  6. Tom says:
    #5 2006-12-07 09:52 (Reply)

    We will certianly sell them individually for people who want to paint them. As a set they will probably be in polished pewter or bronze in a gift box.

  7. Tim Skupin says:
    #6 2006-12-08 09:10 (Reply)

    Just beautiful.

    I'm looking forward to getting three sets - one for the household, and one to put into storage for each daughter.

    Merry Christmas, and thank you for starting this project. There are a million more lucrative miniatures that you could be sculpting, but I doubt if there are any that will be more enduring.

    This is one set of miniatures that will be passed down in many families, for a long, long time.

  8. Joe Videki says:
    #7 2007-01-04 09:23 (Reply)

    Just wanted to let you know that my package arrived and I was left speechless with delight. Marvelous drapery and sharp crisps casts. Looking forward to the future releases in your nativity set as well as your upcoming historical releases!

    I've followed your work beginning in the late 70's. You're a phenomenal sculptor - (my favourite)! The attention to detail, and realism captured in your sculpts far exceed what is on the market in whatever scale you choose.

    Excellent!!!!

    thks
    joe

    ps I'm sure you've haeard all this many times before :-)

  9. Stuart Laing says:
    #8 2007-11-13 06:37 (Reply)

    Love the nativity set, any word on how things are going in regard to their supply to the general public?
    Keep up the incredible work mate

  10. Tom says:
    #9 2007-11-13 13:51 (Reply)

    I think we have about twenty sets left of the run which was about 115.


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