Workbench Update 11/30/12

I don't know if I can really call this a workbench update as I haven't done much in the way of miniatures in the last two months. Work has been the main focus of the last couple of months as I have been working on a bunch of awesome projects from a variety of RPG publishers. But it looks like I am about to emerge from crunch time this weekend and I'm hoping to put in some time painting and modeling.

The one thing I have had time to mess with over the last couple of months is trying my hand at sculpting some customized basing. Now granted, I could use some of the pre-made bases out there....Secret Weapon and Coolminiornot both have some fantastic stuff, but it's never quite what I'm looking for. I can't help it...I'm a little picky. Plus, I come from that bygone era (it's called the 90's kids) where miniature enthusiasts had to make all that stuff for themselves and I take pride in that DIY spirit. On top of that, James Wapel has had some fantastic "how to's" on his blog that have been a big inspiration.

Pictured to the left is the product of that inspiration. The sculpting is a bit simple and kinda rough in places...but it's a start.

Most of the pieces in the photo have already been baked with the exception of the small round insert on the lower left hand corner. That is part of the current batch of sculpting experiments. I've got it sized to be an insert on lipped 30mm bases...or Dark Age bases (you are welcome Dave Poole). Right now I am going for a simple square flagstone base that can also pass for concrete slabs with seams in them so I can use them for both Fantasy and Near Future/Urban Warfare/Zombie type basing. 

The biggest problem I have found with the lipped bases is the size. The little area the insert sits in is about .875 inch. I've found some metal washers online that might work as a "template", but I really don't want to order 300 washers for something I may need only 5 for. Why do I need a template? That's easy, so I can get the edges perfectly rounded. I have on philosophy when it comes to sculpting or converting...if you are going to do it, it needs to look super professional. A half assed conversion can make the best paintjob in the world look like total crap...same for a half assed base. I'm planning on trying out some of the techiniques James Wapel demonstrated on his blog...such as rolling out large sheets of sculpey which you can break up into interesting shapes as well as carving complex patterns into them.

You will also notice some "chunks" on the upper right hand corner. Those are supposed to be bricks...they need some trimming to clean up the edges...but they are bricks. I'm going to use those for some Urban Ruin bases for my Urban War/Metropolis models that I've had sitting around for the last 4 years. They are in random sizes as I am going for rubble rather than neatly piled bricks. I've also made some flat chunks that will work great for broken pieces of concrete.

That's all for tonight. I am up waaaaaaayyyyy past my bedtime. 

Workbench update 10-13

As you can see, I'm slowly getting back to painting once again. September and October have both been busy months with vet visits, lots of graphic design, illustration work, and tons of other stuff. But as I am wrapping up some of the longer term projects I had going, I find I have a little time to sit down and paint once again. Pictured above is "the queue"...or in Chaney terminology "all the stuff I gotta paint". 

Yes, there are quite a few historical models in the queue this time out. They are all part of the grand website/painting service revamp that I have been putting off for the last six months. Probably would have only been four, but it's not my fault that Skyrim and Mists of Pandaria are awesome. 

In the photo you will see a Germanian Tribesman and Viking Bondi from Wargames Factory. As much as I hate to say it, those will be representing the lowest cost painting tier as there just isn't much you can do to get them to a "collector" standard. The detailing is not that great (hands are pretty much a blob of plastic) but you do get 30 models for under $25 and they are good for filling out regiments (just not my regiments).

Next you will see a Viking Berserker and a Celtic Chieftain from Black Tree Design. Black Tree is my "go to" for historicals (although I'm sure Warlord will soon become my "go to"). They have great quality on a lot of their sculpts (not all...but most) and their prices are fantastic. Really looking forward to painting that Celt Chieftain.

Next, from Foundry we have Viking Berserker (I needed 20 for a regiment in Warhammer Ancients) and a Viking Shield Maiden. Scary thing is, I've painted both of them before, but I felt they needed a bit of a facelift.

And at the very end is an Imperial Assassin and a crewman from the old Empire mortar crew set. The crewman is almost done, just requiring a little bit of work on his leggings, shoes, bucket, and the feather in his hat. The assassin actually needs some more work as I don't care for some of the work on her bodyglove and purity seals.

Back to painting this week....

After a three month crunch of graphic design and illustration work, I have some breathing room once again to do some serious painting as well as some serious reflection on my painting work ethic over the last few months (I'll be covering that in a later entry).

Projects in progress (or at least ones I have a photo of): 

The one to the left is a crewman for an old Empire Mortar from 1992.This is before they started mounting the mortars on wagons, so it is a "static" mortar emplacement. The models of the crew were sculpted by Alan Perry while the mortar itself is a Norman Swales sculpt.

Also on the bench this week...until I pitch it into the Pine Sol..is a Sci Fi soldier type from Reaper Miniatures. I like the sculpt, but I'm not happy with my color scheme. Not enough contrast between the cloth and armore I think.

There will be a more in depth post on Sunday with some finished shots of the Mortar Crewman. Please bear with me while I get my painting back up to speed.

...been awful quiet around here...

I've been working on an illustration assignment over the last few weeks, so my miniature painting is on hold until next Monday. However, I can give you an idea of the next project I will be working on.

This is Medusa from Kabuki models. She is probably one of the most detailed model I've ever attempted to paint at this scale. Needless to say, it's going to be a challenge.

Epic project pt 3

Put the finishing touches on the Stompa. You can see it to the left with his little brother, the dreadnought. I have one more dread to go and then I tackle something out of my to-do bin. It has finally gotten to the point where I have to actually work on the stuff in it (crazy, I know).

Once the second dread is done, I'll do up a nice set of "glamour shots" for the three of them (along with several other models).

Epic Project pt deux....again...

Another update before I head off to bed. Mainly added metallics and started some of the detailing on the front of the Stompa.

The dreadnought also received an initial coat of metallic paint. I'll wash the metallics with black paint mixed with a bit of burnt umber. 

Both are coming together nicely. When they are done, I'll take a nice group shot of the two completed dreadnoughts and the Stompa.

Epic project part deux

Things are progressing along on my Epic project...not quite as quickly as I'd like, but progressing none the less. Since my schedule this week was actually kinda hectic with vet visits and cool new graphic design/art direction projects, I've only gotten to the second dreadnought and the first Stompa. 

As you can see, I'm sticking with the Evil Suns color scheme for the first part of the project. Once the five dreadnoughts and three stompas are complete, I will then switch over to painting some of the Stompas in Goff colors along with some of the infantry.

I've mounted this stompa on a 1 inch metal fender washer while the dreadnought is mounted on a half inch fender washer...both of which hav had gravel added to give it a "broken earth" appearance. I will be picking up some fine sand for when I do the infantry stands...the gravel comes up to their knees.

Stay tuned as I should have these two finished up on Friday night and will be starting on the rest of them on Saturday. With any luck, I should have the five dreadnoughts done and possibly two of the stompas as well.

Oh yeah...Imperial Assassin in the background. Have to make some time to work on her.