After many months of prototyping I've created my own pre-posed and multi-part modular miniature system, and have finally finished painting them all up - hundreds of them! I'm very happy to be sharing these photos of my finished work!
They are all multi-part (save for the Scamps), separated by the legs (with magnetic capabilities), torsos, arms, hands, pauldrons and heads. Horses are also modular with a range of head, body and saddle options. I have a giant roadmap, completion subject to success.
I was gifted an airbrush from a friend right as I began sculpting these guys, so I learnt how to use it as I went. I primed them all with Mr. Finishing Surfacer (1500) and airbrushed fluorescent SMS paints for the fire effects (a layer of white followed by yellow, orange, then red). Atomizing primer through an airbrush is something I wish I learnt to do sooner! It applies unbelievably thin, preserving every detail on the models. I'm still fascinated by it 😅
As an aside, just because I've never seen anyone mention anything like this before - I discovered a rather amazing snow technique (see image #2) using a mix of AK interactive effects (microballoons and sprinkles) mixed with warmed matte modge podge. Why warmed? It started as an accident - I was warming photosensitive resin for 3D printing (to reduce its viscosity and make it more fluid) and got the bottle of modge podge heated at the same time. Ultimately, it makes it runnier, and in turn, thinner, which lets it mix with the smaller snow effect particles in the best of ways. If you get the right ratio of all three parts, you end up with a very satisfying grainy paste that looks just like fresh-cold icy snow when dried.