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.