As a follow up to our Making Worbla Smooth Experiment, here is the detailed write-up regarding the methods used in that experiment.
Making Worbla Smooth
There are many methods for making Worbla smooth so I decided to do a test run myself based on the primary methods others have used. The three main ways of covering Worbla have been using Gesso, Plasti-Dip, or Wood Glue. This experiment only covers Gesso with Mod Podge acrylic sealerorGesso with Plasti-dip. I didn’t have Wood Glue available during the time of conducting the test so there will be another part to this series that will include a comparison using Wood Glue.
Method
I used 8 layers of Golden Sandable Hard Gesso and 150 Grit Sandpaper. I prefer this Gesso over any clear Gesso as you can actually see the streaks so that when you sand it, you can see the Worbla getting smoother (pictures 3 & 4). In addition, the sandable Gesso has additives that makes it thicker so that you don’t have to do as many layers or as much sanding to make it look good. Yay for that!
You’ll notice I didn’t do a good enough job of sanding so you can still see some streaks in the forth image. If I were to do this again, I would do 6 layers, sand with 150 grit, and then add another 4 layers, then sand again with 150 grit to get a smoother finish (instead of just 8 layers straight). I tried sanding only 4 layers in and unfortunately, I exposed the Worbla, so 6 layers of Gesso is the very minimum in guarding against Worbla exposure. Also, it’s very important that each layer of Gesso dries completely before you put on the next. Otherwise, if you start sanding, the Gesso will chip and take, along with it, all the layers underneath. In picture 4, you will notice this happened on the edges of the Gesso which is why the Worbla is exposed there.
Results
Picture one (left) shows the top piece which is Worbla painted without any additional work. The bottom piece is 8 layers of Gesso, sandpaper, one layer of Mod Podge acrylic sealant, and then one layer of Gold Metallic Paint.
Picture two (right) shows the top piece which is Worbla painted without any additional work. The bottom piece shows Worbla with 8 layers of Gesso, sandpaper, 2 layers of Plasti-Dip, and one layer of Gold Metallic Paint (Rustoleum brand).
Conclusion: I was surprised that the piece with the Mod Podge sealant looks smoother than the one with the Plasti-dip! I think the Plasti-dip made the items look more foam-like than I anticipated. It seems as though the Plasti-dip reacts oddly to Worbla.
Stay tuned when I try this experiment with Wood Glue.
Michele Carragher, the head embroider on Game of Thrones, made this awesome tutorial to show how she created the dragonscale fabric that appears on several of Daenarys’ costumes in S3 and S4.
Ms. Carragher says that the dragonscale fabric was created because “In season 3 the Costume Designer Michele Clapton wanted a Dragonscale like textured embroidery that starts to emerge on three of Daenery’s costumes, which becomes heavier and more pronounced, growing and evolving as the season progresses” (Carragher).
In stages 9-11 of the tutorial we see how the textile evolves from lightly to heavily embellished. This progression is meant to illustrate Daenarys’ personal growth and the growth of her dragons (source).
I thought I would share my knowledge about tags with you all, because I noticed when this topic comes up, most simmers don’t know what it is about tags on tumblr.
Tumblr allows you to use 30 tags!
BUT:
Thefirst 5 tags are your best bet
Only the first 5 tags show up in tracked tags
So make the first 5 count! (Like use your creator/artist name)
Sostart with the important tags for tracked tags / search and then add your blog tags like “my edits” or “my cc”.
External Links:
Posts with external links will NOT show up in search
Not Linkable:
Deviantart
Kickstarter
Ko-fi
Patreon
Tinyurl
If you know of more please let me know and I will add them!
Linkable
Instagram
Twitch tv
Youtube
If your post links to a non linkable site, I recommend to use the “content source” link (click on edit post and enter your link in the gear in the top right corner of the edit post options) then write something like “download link is at the bottom left of the post”
Feeling pretty proud! These tutorials are actually the biggest project I’ve consistently worked on time-wise. Crazy how a little sustained effort can get you a long way.
I’ve noticed by making these tutorials I’ve also learned a lot alongside you all. The best way to learn is to teach after all, haha. I will endeavor to keep improving and keeping my style & tutorials accessible to all.
I’ve also added a #kobold-tutorial tag so you can find these more easily.
Thank you everyone for your overwhelmingly positive responsive and your support! Even if I don’t respond to every comment, I read every single one of them and they mean the world to me. Sometimes encouragement is even more valuable than money; it can’t buy food but it lifts up your spirit and makes it that much easier to pick up the pencil and keep going. (Also, reminder to encourage your artist friends, especially the ones just starting out!)
Keep scribbling, experimenting and don’t forget to have fun!
Had to make two on tails because I’ve got strong opinions on the subject. As usual, I’ll be happy to answer any questions and clarifications, don’t hesitate to comment if there’s any part that’s unclear!
Tutorial 08: Tornado Tails Sponsored by my patrons! As usual, I’ll be happy to answer any questions and clarifications, don’t hesitate to comment if there’s any part that’s unclear Tut 09 will be up tomorrow Post link
Lightning Bolt Legs! Digitigrade legs pretty hard, same tier as hands, but hopefully this will be of some use. If you’re having any trouble, don’t hesitate to ask for help in the comments or via DM. Toes & Claws tutorial is up on my Patreon, will be posted for everyone in a couple of days as well. As usual, this was sponsored by my lovely Patrons! Post link
I’m making those ‘how to gif’ tutorial videos again, in english this time so if you find it interesting pls go watch/like/subscribe and make suggestions for future videos and things you want to learn about gifs!
Created this monstrosity for those who want to follow the Procedural Animation Tutorial without the hassle of creating their own skeleton, download link in the free patreon post!
a really nice anon requested a gif sharpening tutorial (referring to this gifset) and I’m only too happy to oblige! First off, I’d like to credit this tutorial for the base sharpen settings and PiXimperfect on YouTube for this sharpening tutorial and action - I can’t explain the principles as well as he does, so please do watch the video! For more gifsets from me, see my sideblog here.
You’ll need:
Any version of Photoshop with Timeline - I’m using CC 2018 (I’m currently exploring the version without timeline, send me an ask if you’re interested and I can update you).
As an aside, the best thing I’ve discovered through this is that you can make gifs out of higher-end 480p quality gifs. See this set from a bootl*g I got online. They won’t be as amazing as 4k or 1080p gifs, but they’re great for stuff where you really cannot get the best quality. This point clarifies that you do not need a 2160p or memory-heavy 1080p video in order to use this sharpening method.
Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ if doing manually, ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ if using the actions. This works best with portrait shots, i.e. a gif focusing on about one to three people as this sharpening tool really benefits the outline of the subjects more than anything else.
The rest of the tutorial is (very screenshot heavy and) under the cut!
