Painting Projects

While we were looking at some miniatures at the shop recently, one of the staff pointed a large prepainted miniature for D&D and proclaimed that this was the “…friendliest looking monster, ever…” and that nothing could be done for the miniature to make it otherwise, due to the “…strange, very ‘smiley’…” sculpt.

Well this sounded like a challenge to me, so I took it up. Here are some ‘before’ pictures of the miniature as it came out of the box:

Now after a little airbrushing, some simple washes and a little detailing here is the final result:

It still isn’t the most ferocious creature you ever did see, but it looks a lot better. One of my other goals for this was not to spend a lot of time on the model (as I have a lot of other projects going on right now). I am pleased to say that in this regard I was successful – it only took a little more than two hours total (not including drying times) to complete!

It is always satisfying when you can challenge yourself and rise to the occasion. J

Until next time…

Cheers!

Dan

Recently I posted pictures of some 1/72 modern Americans I was working on. I am very intrigued by the 1/72 (i.e. 20mm) scale as there is a plethora of figures and vehicles available in just about every genre and period, the miniatures are very reasonably priced (e.g. often you can get 45-50 figures for around $10) and, because of the size,  the battlefields look quite impressive.

In prepping the army I had been forced to figure out a new way of basing the figures so they could be used in an ‘army’ type battle, rather than the more customary ‘skirmish’ type game.  I wasn’t sure if the method would turn out, so I promised some pictures when they were finished.

Well, here they are:

Unfortunately it is hard to see the 'digitized' camo scheme on the figures in the photos - it is fairly subtle - but it shows up pretty good in person. Coming up with a way to paint the army's current camo pattern was probably the hardest part of painting the figures. I have also included pictures of one of the M1126 Strykers that I have based up for action as well, although I must admit they did come assembled and prepainted.  I did add some washes, highlighting and weathering though, which really helped them turn out great!

Overall I am fairly pleased with the results. The 1/72’s are really no more difficult to paint than 15mm miniatures, and now with a satisfactory way of basing them, I have visions of all sorts of forces to build and paint after I complete these modern ones.

Until next time…

Cheers!

Dan

Lately I have started a bunch of projects that I would deem “long term” as they will eventually get done and be spectacular, but they will take quite a bit of time in between to complete all of the steps needed. Occasionally having too many of these types of projects going at once can be a little demoralizing – you are constantly working on things, but there are long stretches where nothing ever seems to be finished.

To combat this, I mix in some of what I call “Quick & Dirty” projects – projects that, with just a little effort, can be complete fairly quickly and yet will still produce great results. One of my recent ones was to take some pre-painted D&D minis that didn’t really look the greatest, and give them a quick make-over with a new base, some washes & quick highlights. I don’t want to spend too much time on these as I have plenty of other projects that need time and attention as well, but to be able to start and finish something quickly does a lot to keep my head in the game, and my excitement level high.

The mini I tackled recently was a large troll warrior from the newest D&D set. Out of the box, it really lacked detail and character – the skin was a pasty, pale green with little shadow or highlight, the weapons were bland, and of course the base was nothing more than a black disk. So I mounted the mini on a new base and added some textures. I then applied a variety of washes via my “magic dip” formula (green, brown/black, etc.) and applied a few highlights.

Based up & ready to go...

After the green washes...

After the shadow washes & the base started...

I now need to fish the base and add a few final details, but otherwise the figure is pretty much done and looks great (I think). I will post another update when everything on it is done!

Until then…

Here’s to the joy of washes!

Dan

Just a couple of shots of some WWII 15mm stuff I have working on. I have really become a big fan of airbrushing tanks and such – especially since I got myself a nice, but affordable, working airbrush! In addition to the T34’s I was airbrushing that day there are some Russian infantry and LMG teams.

If you keep an eye to future Combat Card Campaign shots you’ll get to see them in action in all of their completed glory!

Until next time…

Cheers!

Dan