MALIFAUX UPDATE

Care for some tea?

I am making some progress with my Malifaux miniatures. I’m trying to finish off my Viktorias, and then complete the Ortegas. I’ve also been working on a Convict Gunslinger. Here’s some updated photos. Enjoy.

The first is my Convict Gunslinger. He is nicknamed “Sloth,” He’s sporting bright green hair, and an orange jumpsuit. I played around a bit with his skin tone, and tried to focus on his face and eyes. I’m not good at faces, so I am using these models to practice. I’ll probably base the model with some sand, a little flock, and a littering of shell casings. 

Convict Gunslinger - WIP - 6/2011

Next, we have Papa Loco. I just plain like this model, but he’s been a bit of a pain to paint. I put a bunch of Woodland Scenics “Junk Pile” details on the base to give the appearance that Papa has been tossing his dynamite as he advances on the enemy. I decided that I’d paint him in an orange prison jumpsuit as well. Right now, all I have to do is clean up his face, dot the eyes, and pick out some details.

WIP ~ Papa Loco ~ 6/2011

Next, we have Viktoria with Swords. I have officially called her done. I touched up some of her details, and stepped away from the model. I find that sometimes I start to obsess about details with some models, and this is one of those. I needed to just call it done and move on to the other ones on the painting table.

Viktoria stalks the streets

 

Well, that’s all for now. I have plenty of painting to do, and I will continue to log in and share my progress with you. Thanks for checking things out.

Ready for a Show Down!

Oh, hi there. Time to die!

CENTRAL OHIO MODELER MEET

Image via Wikipedia

The Central Ohio Prototype Modeler Meet begins Thursday night at 8:00 pm with photos and slides. Early arrivals will dine at the ledgendary Shovel bistro across the parking lot. Friday and Saturday the event starts at 9:00 am and runs until at least 8:00 pm each day. A dinner break is set around 5:00 pm with evening movies and slides until we can no longer keep our eyes open.

Nightly slide and movie shows will feature work of noted photographers Joe Slanser, Dale DeVene, Warren Calloway, Robert Graham, and others. Clinics on a variety of prototype topics will offer ideas and techniques to further your modeling skill and knowledge. Additional event details will be posted so check for updates.

An optional cookout lunch is set for late Saturday afternoon. An extra $10.00 cost covers your all-you-can-eat meal. No advance notice or payment needed. The $10.00 can be paid when you attend the cookout.

The Marion Model Railroad Club will be open during the event. More information available HERE.

Clean Your Files

Four Needle Files

Needle files don’t work very well when they are dirty and caked with debris. To clean them, use a small clean jar of choice. I like to use pickle jars, but if you prefer olives go right ahead. Fill it with lacquer thinner. Put the the clogged needle files into the thinner, making sure not to submerge the rubber ends of the files. Close the lid to avoid fumes, and then wait for about an hour or so. Remove the file, and clean it off with a stiff brush. An extra tooth brush will do. Then you’ll be good to go with your next modelling project.

SLOW PROGRESS: BLACKCLAD WAYFARER

Breaking slightly from Cygnar, I am working on one of my Wayfarer models.  This one missed getting done with my Druids and other Wayfarer because it was hiding in the deep, dark recesses of my Army Transport. All I have done with it right now is the basic basecoats.

 

Wayfarer #2

Simple Update

 

The Mad Hatter

During my last few games of WARMACHINE, I have returned to playing Cygnar. I decided that I would start using some of the Warcasters that I haven’t played yet in MKII. I chose to start with Jeremiah Kraye. I was influenced by the fact that I figure we’ll be seeing a Ranger solo and a unit of Light Cav sometime soon in the future.

I have played a total of two games with him so far, and have managed to lose both games due to rookie mistakes. I will write up a small summary of these games in the near future and tell the tales of my little dead men.

I’ve also been slapping some paint on my models when I have the time. I will post some pictures when I have time to sit down at the Table. Maybe I can manage to take some clear pictures for once. It depends on whether my camera wants to cooperate.

Until then, I’d like to invite you to leave a comment discussing Jeremiah Kraye and his Themed List.

FOUR NIFTY TOOLS

There are certain tools that I use on my painting table that I simply cannot do without. I’m not talking about paint, brushes, or anything like that. Here is the short list:

 

1. GORILLA SUPER GLUE:  Yeah, getting models put together and keeping them together is an issue for anyone who deals with miniature wargaming. I don’t care what anyone else says, Gorilla Super Glue is my first choice in adhesives. The stuff claims to be “impact tough” and it certainly is from my experience. I remember having assembled a Heavy Warjack in the living room while watching TV. I left the Warjack to sit long enough to walk into the kitchen to get a drink. Pouring my drink, I heard a flutter of activity in the living room and a loud “THUD.” Of course, my cat had jumped up on my TV tray and batted the model to the floor. I was happily surprised to find that the model was fully intact, and undamaged. And no, I hadn’t used any pins. That sold me right there. The glue lasts a long time, is easy to use, and is formulated to be super tough. Read more about it here.
2. LOCTITE PUTTY: I used to use Green Stuff and then started using Blue Stuff. And it worked just fine. But I generally had to order it online and it wasn’t readily available. When I was buying some Gorilla Super Glue, I noticed Loctite Putty and decided to give it a try. In my opinion, it works just as good as any of the other putty and it’s easier to get my hands on. Generally I am not sculpting anything, just using it to fill gaps so it works great for me. And it lasts a long time, so that’s always a bonus. You can check it out by clicking on this link.
3. PINK SOAP: I started using Pink Soap after a tragedy in my apartment. I had a mishap with some bright blue paint, and dropped the paint pot in my lap. Trying to snatch the paint pot up to save my clothing resulted in sending it like a mortar shell into the air and on to the rug … the light colored tan rug. After doing some investigating online, I found that most people suggested using Pink Soap. It not only worked on the rug and my clothing, but it’s intended purpose of cleaning brushes was a happy little surprise. It’s the only thing I use to clean my brushes these days.
4. PAINTIER 80: Simple, but effective. This thing keeps my paints organized and easy to access. I picked it up a long time ago, and have not regretted the purchase. You can read more about it on the website by clicking on this link.

That’s all for now. You can take a few moments to read about the sorting devices I use on my painting table as well. When you’re done, please leave a comment here about the tools that you find useful on your painting table. I’d like to hear about them!

 

 

An Open Letter To Sabol Designs…

Dear Sabol Designs:

I know that you are in your 11th year of making Army Transport cases for miniature Wargames. However, I believe that you have missed your true calling: Cat Beds.

I have found that since I started using your miniature cases that my cats love to sleep in and on them. I’m not sure if it’s the material that the cases are made of or if you line them with cat nip, but my cats will seek them out, fight over them, and ultimately end up using them as a bed.

You should really consider desgining some kind of feline sleeping device to add to your products.

Thank you!

∞

 

A WORD FROM MAGNUS

Asheth Magnus would like to take this moment to thank the widows and children of the many Steelheads who bravely gave their lives to achieve yet another victory for The Agenda.

Sadly, the coin gained from the expedition is being diverted to the repair and maintenance of Magnus’s Warjacks, so the remaining funds were adequate only for meager burial in unmarked, simple graves. Rest easy understanding that they faced down an army of blighted mutants with courage that was unmatched. Besides, rum and cigars are expensive. And dammit, we’re going to have to hire some new cannon fodder, so don’t expect any death benefits from your fallen husbands and fathers …

Ω

Ω

I played a 35 point game last night (vs. Legion) using the following list:

 

Magnus the Traitor

Renegade

Renegade

Freebooter

Freebooter

Steelhead Halberdiers (Leader and 5 Grunts)

Steelhead Riflemen (Leader and 9 Grunts)

Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist

Stannis Brocker

•

Facing Bethayne was tough. Most of the game was one sided, quite frankly. Litany of Everblight is pretty awesome. “Models in Bethayne’s control area gain boosted magic attack and damage rolls.” And my opponent made sure that he used this to his best advantage. Magnus had Blur up on the attempted assassination run from Hex Hunters and a Hellion. Bad dice rolls and a high defense helped Magnus survive the attempts to put him in the ground.

A well placed Obliterator rocket from a Renegade ended the game, turning Bethayne to paste. Damage was +4 and I rolled a 15 on three dice.

Sometimes dumb luck, and Arcing Fire can do the trick.

Score one for the Mercenaries!!

 

FREE TERRAIN FRIDAY

Do you live near an Ikea? Then read this thread to find out how you can get some free terrain making materials from Ikea.

Long story short, Ikea uses plastic frames to package some of their housewares and picture frames. These are pretty cool for making small scenery sets like ruins and bulkheads.

Ikea just throws these away.

According to fastolfrus of The Lead Adventure Forum:

“Just go into the shop mid afternoon (when they are tidying stock), find a member of staff in the pictures department (that’s often the hard part), and explain that you would like some of their scrap packaging for a modelling project. If you show them a piece (it’s usually easy to find some in the bottom of a picture box) it’s easier. If you’re lucky they will be half way through tidying the stock and have a pile of frames that they were about to bin, if you’re really lucky they will give you them in a cardboard box -easier to carry – and some helpful staff might go and find other odd bits of useful packaging for you.” – fastolfrus

SUMMER RAMPAGE 2010 TERRAIN

The following pieces of terrain are suggested for use during Summer Rampage 2010. For full details check out the Privateer Press website and download the rules PDF.

Building, Outcropping, Crates – Obstruction
Pond or River – Shallow water
Swamp – Shallow water, provides concealment
Barbed Wire – Linear obstacle
Hedgerow – Linear obstacle, provides concealment
Stone Wall – Linear obstacle, provides cover
Plowed Field – Rough terrain
Brush – Rough terrain, provides concealment
Ruin – Rough terrain, provides cover

If you’re looking to buy some nice terrain instead of making it, check out Noble Knight Games for their selection of Pegasus Hobbies terrain.