Journeyman League

Privateer Press is always coming up with ideas to help grow their hobby. Journeyman League is one of them. It is a slow grow league which rewards players for painting their miniatures and playing games. Officially, over six weeks, the players will be able to grow a new faction and have a fully painted force.

However, our local friendly Press Ganger has decided to make this into a six months long event with Spore-Con 2012 as the destination. This would allow some of us who wanted a new faction at Spore-Con next year to be motivated to paint our miniatures. There are pretty cool patches for this league too.

The centre piece will be given to all players. As each player gain more points, they will be awarded chevrons. The overall champions will be awarded the additional patches on top.

So far, my Pyre Troll and Earthborn Dire Troll has netted me 5 points. I need to paint more! 

The Trolls Are Coming!

Been a while since I have done On The Painting Table articles. Partly because I was lazy, however the truth  was because I haven't done anything since my fourth half completed Shredder. In fact, it is still half completed. Over the weekend, I went on a painting spree and painted 15 points of models over three days. Sounds fantastic?! Actually it is only two models.

Pyre Troll and Earthborn Dire Troll.

I redid my Pyre Troll in more conventional flame color. Fire is still a bitch to paint well. Formula P3 Heartfire made this attempt look better than before.

Pyre Troll in old color scheme. I had problem with painting the usual flame and hence succumb to painting it the Cryx flame color.

Pyre Troll Mk II. New skin tone and the flame color. The flame is still too bright and probably will need to redo it. 

Pye Troll Front View. Actually the flames looked better in picture than on the model.

The new Pyre Troll has a new palette. The base color is Sanguine Base + Trollblood Base, then highlighted to Trollblood Highlight. This results in a more bluish tone compare to the burgundy from before. The flames are painted with Heartfire then 'highlighted' up to Fiery Orange. Scorched Brown was dry-brushed to dull the flames down. Seems like I botched that part. Overall, this is a slight improvement over the old color scheme.

What I am really proud about is my Earthborn Dire Troll. Putting aside the big stack of marking that I am suppose to do, I spent my whole weekend painting it.

Eathborn Dire Troll Front View.

Earthborn Dire Troll Side View. The teeth probably need some highlighting to Bleached Bone.

Two days of work to complete a 10 point model is a new record for me. I am on my way to reduce expectation, hence time required, for my painting. The speed painting still produce pretty decent result.

I discovered that Formula P3 paints have awesome, REALLY AWESOME, coverage. They are a bit thick if used directly from the pot (A habit I have when painting with Citadel paints). 

The colors used to paint this brute:

• Trollblood Base + Catachan Green + Umbral Umber
• Trollblood Base + Catachan Green
• Trollblood Base
• Trollblood Highlight

It is an interesting palette to play with. Some colors which I never thought can go well actually tied the model together. For flat regions I still have a hard time highlighting the musculature.

Back of Earthborn Dire Troll. The stones are highlighted 'roughly'. I am glad it still brings out the shape of individual pieces.

I did the stones very quickly. So far the rocks I have painted are grey. This is the first time I am attempting to paint brownish stones. It turned out well. There are a few layers. In fact I am now wondering if the Bestial Brown layer is necessary as it seems to hardly show. 

The leather cloth to make this Dire Troll more civilized. Actually I don't think trolls actually bother. This is just to lower the age limit of players playing this game. 

The leather is done in classic leather colors which I am rather proud of. The photo doesn't really show the highlights on the rock rune pieces.

Overall, this has been a great weekend with beyond expectation productivity. I hope to keep this up and have a fully painted Trollblood army for the Domination Book Release event in January. 

Now back to marking. :'(

The Great Cyclic Turn

Its funny that the last post declared that I'm shelving my Warmachine/Hordes for Malifaux. But now gone was my Malifuax. Trollblood is back on my painting desk again. Tonight I will be experimenting a new way to paint my Pyre Troll. I have my painting list drawn up in preparation for Spore Con 2012.


Model Name
Warlord: Grim Angus (Painted)
Warlord: Captain Gunnbjorn
Warlord: Madrak Ironhide, Thornwood Chieftain
Warlord: Borka Kegslayer & Keg Carrier
Warlord: Calandra Truthsayer, Oracle of Glimmerwood
Warlord: Jarl Skuld, Devil of Thornwood

Warbeast: Pyre Troll
Warbeast: Slag Troll
Warbeast: Troll Axer
Warbeast: Troll Impaler I
Warbeast: Troll Impaler II
Warbeast: Troll Impaler III
Warbeast: Dire Troll Mauler
Warbeast: Extreme Dire Troll Mauler
Warbeast: Earthborn Dire Troll

Unit: Pyg Burrowers
Unit: Pyg Bushwhackers
Unit: Trollkin Champions
Attachment: Skadi Bonehammer
Unit: Trollkin Long Riders (1 Model Painted)
Unit: Scattergunners
Attachment: Scattergunner Officer and Standard
Unit: Trollkin Scouts

Solo: Fell Caller Hero
Solo: Troll Whelps
Solo: Trollkin Champion Hero
Solo: Horthol, Long Rider Hero
Solo: Janissa Stonetide

Solo: Alten Ashley, Monster Hunter
Solo: Rorsch & Brine (Painted)
Unit: Dannon Blythe & Bull, The Bounty Hunters


This is my entire collection for Trollblood. No new army or model for another faction until this is done.

On the Painting Table

Things has taken a turn. Even the Legion of Everblight got temporary shelved. Work started to get busier, night class started. There are less time to paint now so I have to prioritize. Warmachine/Hordes gave way to Malifaux for the past few weeks. Now I am painting up Colette and her crew of Showgirls.

Not much to update yet because they have only been assembled and primed. Will do a proper posting when they are painted.  

On the Painting Table

I painted 6 points of models this week. Even though a week ago, every model in the to-paint list is a Trollblood model but strangely enough, all painted models are Legion of Everblight. I finally know why I am so drawn to the Shredders, they remind me of Squigs from Warhammer Fantasy Battle. For a long time I've wanted to paint the squigs and squig riders. I guess I might even convert some of my shredders to become mount. It'll be hilarious.

The black guy looks lonely.

To paint Everblight beast, some new colors entered my painting palette. Not the easiest colors to work with but constant practice will lead to improvement. I saw a black/purple color scheme for Everblight, I might copy it for some of my beast. 

Gone are the usual reds, greens and metallics. Enter shades of blues and pinks.

This week, I also tried to make snow. However, two attempts and I still failed. Even after varnish, the snow flaked off like dandruff when rubbed.

The other stuff now sat quietly at the extreme edge of the table. Surprisingly without influence from their warlocks, all the warbeast seems to become good friends.

And finally, due to the limited space on the painting table, the stealthy force of Everblight muster nearby. Maybe I should let them remain black to blend into their current background.

Nyss Strider (less one member), with UA, Nyss Strider Deathwalker, pLylyth and Legionaries.

Nyss Strider. Stripped, cleaned, pinned and assembled.

The Pack Grows

Painting these little critters was fun. It is very rare that I managed to paint three miniatures in four days in the midst of busy work schedule.

Painting skin and muscle is very different from painting warjacks and undead. I still find light colors a bitch to layer. The pigmentation of white is very strong. On the upside, the coverage is awesome. One coat is generally enough to cover even black. On the downside, if the paint consistency is not controlled well and/or color transition is too sudden, the layering will appear very abrupt.

First pack of Shredders. Their last pack mate is still black.

Showing their butts. Don't they look like docile bunnies.

You eyes are not playing tricks with you if you find the rightmost (bottom picture) model a bit more blue than the other two. It was my first model and I was still trying to figure out the shadings. Three models down and I am still not satisfy with my colors.

Skin
Coat with Spacewolf Grey*
Wash with a mixture of Hawk Turquoise*, P3 Mixing Medium, Delvan Mud and water
Hightlight with Spacewolf Grey*
Highlught further with Skull White

Spikes & Scales
Coat with Scorched Brown
Highlight/streak with Bestial Brown
Highlight/streak with Snakebite Leather
Highlight/streak with Bleached Bone

Gums
Paint with a mixture of any flesh and red

* I used the Vallejo equivalent of these colors.

I wonder if they will perform well in game. I have not played a single Legion game yet. Hope this Friday these guys will see some actions. Wonder how many Shredders is too many?!

Shredder Reporting!

While trying to paint this nasty little thing, I made some daring ventures with colors I have never used before (though I have them for years). Painting white/whitish color is really really hard. Luckily a warbeast need not be too clean, so the end result is not too bad. I should have waited after I spray varnish and have better lighting before sharing, but I am eager for feedback.

Lighting wasn't good because it's 12 midnight and I snapped both pictures using my mobile phone.

Another side view of this cute little sculpt.

Two things I really need comments on. First, how can I improve on the basing. It is rather plain now. Second, what is the feedback on the skin tones, carapace color/shading and overall scheme.

I'll do a more in depth tutorial for my next three or seven shredders after gathering feedbacks and making improvements.

The Evil Mind Cannot Escape Cunning Plans!

I admit I am sold once again. My mind has shifted from Toruk to Everblight. His whispers are smoothing against the harsh commands of the Dragonfather. I have acquired an Everblight army and my heart swell with the excitement of painting them.

Muhahahaha....... The Legion, my precious.

Looks like the Trolls will have to wait. Time to start painting the Shredders...

Terraclips and Warmachine

In the pursuit for better gaming experience, I have found that Terraclips (though made for Malifaux) is actually very good for playing Warmachine. After playing around with my Buildings of Malifaux and Sewers of Malifaux sets, an idea struck me. I can design a city terrain specially for "Battle for Five Fingers". Below is the mock up of a first venture into Terraclips.

A full 3' by 3' Terraclips terrain.

The terrain scale nicely with Warmachine/Hordes. What I particularly like is the interior is totally accessible.

Exterior of a building.

Interior of the building.

On the Painting Table

Inspired by "Workshop Wednesday" by Kakita at Here Be Geeks, I will be doing a "On the Painting Table" every Friday. In these entries, I will feature miniatures currently residing on my painting table. Hopefully this will be a motivator for me to paint faster.

Since this is the first entry of the series, lets take a look at my new painting corner. I've thrown away my old dedicated painting table and designated a corner of my current work desk for painting.

Old Painting Table (2009). Neat and tidy and not many tools and paints.

New Painting Corner (Sep 2011). See how the number of tools has grown over the years.

Now I have complete tools for assembling, conversion, sculpting, painting and basing. See how neat the 2009 table was, but now I can never keep my painting corner neat. There are just too many things. Let me introduce you to my brushes and paints. Boy, how I love brushes and colors!

Brushes that I am currently using. Small subset of their family. The rest are in the brush cup or brush bag. Notice the sharp pointed brushes, second from top and the bottom, you should get at least one of those.

Paint pots on the table.

And more paint pots in the paint drawer.

There are of course other tools which are required like files, cutters, hobby/craft knives, pinning device, glues, etc, those are for another post.

Keeping the story short, since I tend to be long-winded, let's zoom into the work area. There is of course the completed warlock, Grim Angus, standing at the side supervising all my work and giving me pressure to meet my deadlines. If I tarry, he will unleash the Bacons on me.

From top: Brine, Rorsh and Grim Angus

Work-in-progress (hopefully, work-to-be-soon-completed):

• Troll Impaler
• Earthborn Dire Troll
• Long Riders
• Dannon Blythe & Bull

Impaler. Primed him. He will be the next model I'll be working on.

Earthborn. Will be painting his base then start on him after or while I am painting up my Impaler.

Long Riders. Just their bodies. The bisons are all primed and in fact, one is already painted. Just need to paint one body to complete one full model.

Dannon Blythe & Bull. Hiding in the corner. Just added sand to their base on Thursday night. Will be priming them soon.

Xtreme Mauler. The big guy. Sitting quietly in the corner begging to be assembled and painted.

Of course, in anticipation of Domination book release event, I need to bump up to five Warlocks, so I have two more in their clamshells. They are sitting around my painting area waiting for my mood to strike to break them out.

Captain Gunnbjorn and Jarl Skuld. 

That's all for introduction. Stay tune next week for more updates. I am sure there'll be some colors on some models by then.

No More Cunning Plans! For Kith and Kriel!

Playing Warmachine with my Cryx for the past two years has been a lot of fun. I still remember having to borrow painted models from Keith for Sporecon 2010 where I played a eGoreshade list. If I remember correctly, that tournament ended with me losing all my games.

Cryx and me has come a long way since then. Now I am actually quite proud that eSkarry and pDenny has landed me a second place in Sporecon 2011. And I actually has two fully painted 50 point lists. Other smaller awards I've won with my Cryx army includes Thundercliff Peaks League and the recent Wrath Release event. I am really proud of my semi-undead army.

Steamroller second place award at Sporecon 2011. Right Top: Thundercliff Peaks coin. Right Bottom: Wrath release champion coin.

Even though I have a lot more unpainted Cryx models, I've decided to shelve my Warmachine for the time being and concentrate on my Trollbloods until Sporecon 2012. That said, I will do some features for my painted Cryx models to let them know that I still love them.

Bacon! Part II

Finally the both the Bacons are done. I am glad I managed to get them painted so that they can go into my Fully Painted list.

Came across this advertisement, so I am wondering if they will work for a Grind game. Then again, I think the game will fall under General Destruction. If the amount of peanuts is right, I am sure they'll do anything.

Bacon!

Work timetable was tight for the past two to three months, so it has been a long while since I had time to paint.
The first mini I got to paint was one I've been meaning to get for a long time.The pig army is always something I want to play but Trollblood took up my Hordes slot. The good thing is that Rorsh and Brine works for both my Cryx and Trollblood. Taking advantage of the 50% off Mk I models at PI, I finally bought them.

I think I managed to get Rorsh done in under ten hours (spread out between two weeks).

Rorsh holding Dynomite in his right hand and his ROF 2 Lever Action Pig Iron in his left.

The palette seems a bit too dull but I think its okay. I tried to use various browns but the distinction didn't seems to be too obvious. One method I did to bring out the details is to add some red to the shells he strapped around his body and red to his pouch of Dynomite.

A pocketful of Dynomite (RNG 6 AOE 4 POW 12).  There are some stray highlights on the right but I can't be bothered to correct .

I am quite satisfied with his trench-coat though there are some stray highlighting on the right. Next in line, I will be painting up his partner in crime, Brine. After painting up this duo, I am sure they will see a lot more action. 9 points is a bit painful though. Pigs or a Seether? Bacon of course! In fact, they have been drafted for the upcoming Grind tournament.

Spore Con 2011

With Spore Con kicking off tomorrow (28 May 2011), I finally got my 50 points fully painted. Actually these are not the lists that I would really like to use but to get 10+ more models painted before the Con, Impossible!

Fully Painted Spore Con 2011 Cryx Army

I think it's quite impossible to win top 3 in the tournament but I am sure this army will make it to top 3 best painted army. In fact, I hope to win Best Painted.

Pyre Troll Mk I

Numerous sighting of a burning troll was reported along the broken coast in recent moons. This rogue has burnt down uncountable dwellings. Due to current touchy relationship with the Trollkin, authorities has alerted them before taking any more drastic measures on their own.

Pyre Troll. Five points. Done in three days.

The flames look funny. I tried painting it the usual fire color twice and couldn't seems to nail it right. I gave up and painted a ghostly flame instead. This model took me three days. Half day to get everything (except the flaming parts) painted and the other two and a half to do, redo and redo then redo the flames. He was painted with simply with minimum highlighting and layering. I think it still turns out tabletop quality.

A very slight red/purple hue to the back.

Front view. Tabletop quality only. Personal rating: 5.5/10

I guess I will need to re-visit this model if I really cannot stand how it looks.

Defiling the Coast

I've finally painted something new. Finished this miniature in three sittings. And in a relatively fast pace (compared to my usual standards). A little insight into my painting style.

First things first. I worked with the green furnace which lies deep within the recess. Dark Angel Green -> Scorpion Green + DA Green -> Scorpion Green -> Scorpion Green + Bad Moon Yellow -> Bad Moon Yellow. Such small areas, why bother to paint so many colors? Well, old habits are hard to kick. Decide on where to put the metallics and bleach bone.

Next will be blocking out the zones using base colors. Nowadays, people rare use the deepest (shade) color as the first coat anymore. The in-thing is to use base color, followed by shading color then highlight. But I am Old School. So deepest colors first then highlight up. Usually Scorched Brown for browns (or bone) and Scab Red for reds.

Using a new tool no miniature painter should be without, Citadel Washes, I liberally washed over the metals and the head of the Defiler. Washes used are Delvan Mud, Ogryn Flesh and Gryphonne Sepia. I don't exactly remember the order or amount. Leave the wet mini to dry over a day. Pictures taken were too lousy to show anything so no pictures for this stage.

Finally, the finishing touches. Well, quite a bit of finishing touches.

• Highlight the head portion with Snakebite Leather + combination of Bleached Bone.
• The bone chassis is painted up with Bestial Brown, Snakebite Leather, Beached Bone in combinations up to a few layers.
• The red is a bit more interesting. Scab Red, Red Gore, Blood Red, Fiery Orange. Similarly layered up to desired effect.

Voila, done!

However, at this stage I found that having only red on the shoulder pads and leg pads makes the model look funny and disjointed. So I did some rework on the top of the chassis and painted it red. And the final result.....

Defiler. A new addition to Skarre's Battlegroup. She'll permanently have a Reaper and a Defiler serving her.

So, what good is a Defiler in the game. One, it is an arc node. Next, it is fast and it can spew corrosive spray. Most importantly, it is a joy to paint it. Go CHICKEN!