Egrimm van Horstmann - finished! (let's say...)

"When Egrimm van Horstmann was ordained as Grand Magister of the Order of Light he was acclaimed as the youngest and most gifted wizard to rule over a magical order. As he knelt down and swore allegiance to the Emperor, no-one guessed that his loyalty had already been given over to another, far more sinister master.

As an Apprentice Chanter of the ritual bound Order of Light Wizards he served under Master Chanter Alric, the Saviour of Apesto, who taught him many of the order's ancient secrets. But all the time he served the Order of Light, Horstmann prayed to the gods of Chaos for the power to defeat his peers. His progress was rapid. By day he studied Light Magic, and by night he pored over ancient manuscripts devoted to the lore of the Chaos gods. Daemons of Tzeentch whispered their timeless secrets into his sleeping mind and Egrimm's evil powers waxed strong..."

So it looks like I can finally cross another painting goals off my short list:  

one of my favorite models ever is now considered painted therefore it's sealed and placed in the comfy glass sarcophagus.

All in all I am very happy to know I won't have to fu*k with it anymore but just like in case of my beloved zombie dragon I know I should've spent some more time on finishing the beast. It's the thing I hate the most in such models: they have tons of character, they were sculpted the way I like the most (~5th ed Warhammer) but they are also nightmare to finish properly:

- assembling is pain in the ass

- manipulating is pain in the ass

- there's lots of surface to paint so waiting for the result is (for a change) - pain in the ass.

Apparently I am just way too lazy git to give such models paintjobs they truly deserve nevertheless I felt stings of remorse painting the dragon the fast, just to take it away from the desk. There was much more fun painting marauders, the sorcerer and minis fighing in the tunnel below. And this is another reason to bitch about:
once again I was trying to make model tell the story. The idea was to show ye corrupted Olde Worlde where mighty servants of Chaos march proudly through Empire of men, and even very guts of Earth are being consumed by chaotic ratmen.

Now watching at the piece I think I should've probably dropped the tunnel idea, even tho I had some fun making it the dragon is just too tall now. Oh well, at least I tested sculpting mushrooms and spinning spiderwebs - these should be more than useful on the next big (dark and necro...) thing I am planning.

So with no more babbling:
here's the official, minblowing paintjob...

Here's the sarcophagus...
 

And here's the piece itself.
Oh yeah, taking the pics was also pain in the ass! ;)
Hope you like it!

 

The game table is done!

More less, but definitely much more than less finished and ready for gaming.

But let's keep that cherry for the dessert.

First thing to be mentioned in the post is Chaos dragon - project which I've been working on for quite a long time. Funny thing but exactly like in case of the Zombie dragon painting small models and terrain building was fun, painting the big beast is just huge pain in the ass. I have absolutely no heart for painting this dragon which is kinda sad - it's one of my favorite EE models from the 90's.

So far only basic flesh tones were airbrushed as well some bone pieces were basecoated - it's going into Slaanesh style with no doubt. The beast was standing alone on work-base for some time so I decided to put in on the display plinth already: first to make it feel less sad, along and pissed and second - I was hoping this would give me hobby engine enough steam to finish painting.
I was wrong.
But since the end is so near it's just the matter of time to see the model painted. Hope you like the work in progress picture. 

But since the last post I managed to finish something.

Something rather big (compared to humans in that scale), fat and ugly. Fuckin' ugly!

Nepharite of Demnogonis from old Warzone range.

Again there's short story related to this old junk.

I got it few years back long after our Warzone gaming group fell apart but while we were still into game that model was rather hard to get for me. Despite model is damn ugly I've always wanted to see it in my glass case painted so here it is.

And scale shot with 3 plague zombies from Necromunda. Power of Demnogonis is so strong the Nepharite can control deaders (and 'uuuge worms) from different game systems.

As for the painting - before I examined model carefully I was suggested by official paintjob the guy wears no trousers - it's legs were painted same color as arms, head and belly. So while I was painting and realised there should be trousers I decided not to repaint flesh tone already painted but instead added one more nasty detail of the model so there's no doubt about the clothes.
Nor about the sex.

Click  - if you dare! =P

And the last thing for now - game table.
Last weeks I was coming to the gaming spot often before starting the job and late nights to finally paint the modular monster.
The base works are finished so there are just details to be added (small terrain fearures, posters etc) but it's already finished enough for gaming purposes.
It took quite a long time to assemble that battlefield but I took some wip photos which should be enough for separate post. I am kinda glad my short vacation is over so I will have plenty of spare time in the office to write that thing.

Cheers!

Real life strikes back

Like a Monty Python's 16 tons weight.

Sadly in real life there's not much laugh about it.

But everything is moving on so hopefully sooner or later sun rays will dissolve dark clouds which gathered above me. 

Right... let's go back to the hobby - this is not a weather blog after all.

Since the previous post there was something going on in the toy soliders matter. 

I am glad with a little dose of self discipline (and dropping some sleeping time) I managed to organize a day so there is bit painitng time almost every (late) night.

So let's start with Full Thrust.

The game is constantly good fun, since the last blog update we managed to play 2 games. The innovation was using bigger board (200cm x 200cm) but I think we will reduce it (180cm x 180cm*) to make moving models slightly easier. Bigger board gives more space for manoeuvres bringing even more fun.

And since we're in the space there are 2 pieces added to my annual painting summary:
Kiang class light cruiser and cosmic station mounted on an asteroid.
The ship was another quick paintjob as the rest of my Full Thrust stuff (small scale stuff FTW!) - again I used the same paints so when the last model is finished whole group should look very decent, especially on the deep space background.

Building the space station was also quick and pleasant process:
I simply got piece of pumice, glued several chunks of it using green stuff and superglue and added various bits: these here are leftovers from T-34 (if I remember correctly) tank model** and some electrical junk. Whole thing was covered with base coat mixed with PVA glue, drybrushed and after painting the installations that was just it.
Quick and easy.

I still have some pumice left so if the base works fine during the game I think I will add one or 2 more stations. Each and every way to reduce pile of bits is acceptable.

The reason it's been a while since the previous log update rides Chaos dragon:
Egrimm van Horstmann is finished!

Well... Only Egrimm... The mount is still waiting for some paint.
As for the rider I like the result - it's probably because it's one of models I wanted to see finished for a very long time (another old "beautie" is Dieter Helsnicht riding the manticore). Main concept was to paint it "bright" but now I think the darker version is even better: it will contrast nicely with the base and I can paint dragon's flesh pale so the sorcerer is even more striking.

The banner pole was slightly modified - 2 bars were added so I could use paper standard from old Chaos army book. Originally it was chaos knights' standard but I removed chaos stars and printed bit larger than the original.
Paper banners kick ass, especially in case of old school miniatures.

The next step will be filling all those damn gaps with milliput and I can start the job.
I'd really like to see it finished within reasonable time so I can bring it to some contest.
Any contest really, after this year's Pyrkon it turned out my models really enjoy travelling.

Pictures are damn bright even though I put filters on the lamps, so I am guessing I will have to ask somebody for help with taking decent photos.

And the last thing for now - pretty surprising for me:
I finally managed to paint Necromunda Escher ganger!
I really have no idea what is the reason but even though I love this gang I haven't managed to paint any ganger (or maybe: gangress?) until now. The piece is the gift for my buddy from real estates appraisal branch, which makes the paintjob bit more special.

The model was painted using colors I'd like to see on my gang: leather, spikes and pink here and there. Classic look of a pervert ^^ from 40th millenium.
Or any other millenium.

Anyway I had fun working on this toy so I hope to paint few more sistazzz shortly.
Maybe after the dragon is done?

Cheers \m/

*That is ~72"
** Which is part of my Necromunda / post-apo gaming board

Curse of a detective... True Detective!

I've been preparing this post for a while but got slightly distracted by Liebster award thingy and stupid tv. Well maybe this particular show wasn't that stupid...

About Easter weekend I met some of my old buddies and one of them mentioned something about cool HBO series with Cthulhu Mythos vibe which I might like.

It was HBO's True detective.

Within few coming days I've swallowed the series (fortunately it was 8 episodes only) and because of that I dropped any painting for a while. But it was definitely worth it.
It was like breath of fresh air, it gave me some nasty ideas for Escape from Innsmouth scenario (Call of Cthulhu RPG) I am now trying to prepare and I realised not everything served by television is just stream of diarrhea.

I can definitely recommend the show, not sure will the season 2 with Brad Pitt as main character be equally cool but cannot wait to see this.

Back on topic:
Shortly before getting myself within the range of True Detective's irresistible magnetic field 4th flyer was added to my "space Ruskys" - another corvette from the starter set. Not much here to add: I painted it using the very same color choice, small differences were caused by proportions of mixed paints (never cared about writing it down) but it's good to see some variation in the deep space.

Since we're in the space - recently I placed another order for some more GZG stuff, my buddy wants to run his own fleet so I am keeping fingers crossed for the success of Full Thrust in the gaming cellar. I am also hoping to find replacement for miscasted part of Pobyeda battleship aaaand the carrier + some fighters inside the parcel. That should provide enough gaming material for a very long time.
  

Anything more? Rather!

Last week I managed to finish the marauder "bodyguards" of Egrimm van Horstmann (frankly I have no idea what would he need them for since he's riding the badass dragon). These guys were purchased long time ago when I was into Warhammer Fantasy and until now they've never got any important job to do. From what I recall they were fielded as 5-men squad just so I could get them magical, shooty banner. Also remember I have never managed to paint them decently but I must say they look just fine now, as the integral part of display base. It's a shame display base isn't slightly larger so I could place there remaining marauders.

In the back you can also see materials for the banner: copy of oldie Chaos army book page and expanded van Horstmann's banner pole. The standard will be pretty big with some amulets and shiny bits added. It's Warhammer Fantasy after all - stuff must be shiny!

There must be something with this whole WFB come back, recently I got several more models from those times (chaos warriors sorcerer, minotaur and mounted demonette). I think I am now trying to get models unavailable for me years back. Funny feeling.
But quite pleasant.

Skaven saboteurs and more!

Heya,

Easter time is finally gone so we can all come back to everyday routine.

Fortunately last weekend wasn't totally dominated by Easter crap, there was also something going on in the hobby matter. First of all my small Full Thrust fleet got painted reinforcements since the previous post:

the second Ural class destroyer and Kunitsa class frigate have left the assembly line in the mother star base. I still cannot get used to painting these models but I also cannot wait to see just few more painted and photographed on black (deep space that is) backround.

I was trying to keep the same color choice, there are just minor differences: for instance while painitng the second model (flying coffin on the right) I didn’t use airbrush for base colors – it’s barely noticed and most of the paint was corrected with brush anyway. I also painted strong shadows around the windows (or lights or whatever it is) which looks very fine hovering a meter above – these are gaming models after all. I also tried to increase contrast by applying stronger highlights on reds and highlighting grey to pure white. Again – these tinies are gaming models and strong contrast is the key when it comes to painting such toys.

New models were sealed only with semi-matt spray varnish but I might consider using glossy varnish first for a protection, and then matt or semi-matt varnish for a good look.

 

It would be too nice and easy if I didn't find anything to bitch about, this time it's casting quality. All in all I am satisfied with what came from GZG. I was aware small metal models would probably require some cleaning and filing but in case of small units it was really no problem.

The problem appeared when I examined Pobyeda class battlecruiser model. Mold that cast came from was heavily used or just damaged so there is some "overcast" to be removed and probably resculpted. Which is pain in the ass because the toy is metal... 

I'll take a pic when I start painting the model so you can see what do I mean. I contacted the seller and was told there will be new molds and some models will be resculpted. Hope the next time I decide to place the order I will get no reason to complain.

As for now - I think I will try to mask the screwed cast with greenstuff and paint is as some battle damage or cosmic infestation - there are alien fleets in Full Thrust after all!

Which reminds me! Last week we also had the very first Full Thrust game!

It was big breath of fresh, deep space air... or vacuum. It was cool to play the game with no terrain features on the table. Rules are easy to master so I think this game has big potential. I just have to convince my opponent to purchase opposing starter fleet.

Let's come back on Earth, to the Old World.
The base for the Chaos dragon is nearly done, at least it's underground part: the very last of Skaven saboteurs was painted, sealed, armed, fed with drugs and launched against doom-seeking dwarf warrior.
Painting these furry bastards was ton of fun, models are full of character and painiting each one of them takes only about 2 evenings. It was so much fun I am considering (again...) starting small Mordheim warband: either Skaven or Chaos (like beastmen led by evil sorcerer). These should look pretty cool standing in sewer or dungeon themed display base. Keeping fingers crossed for it.
Pics below are way too bright but I had to point there direct light to catch any details, but I think when the project is done I'll have to ask someone* to perform some photo-fu on these minis...

And the last for now: while I was adding the Full Thrust game to the summary chart it turned out I reached nice number of 100 models painted since the summary started.
Sure I painted much, much more minis since I got hooked (I am guessing it's about 500 pieces but it's just a shot sadly) but it's nice to see my hobby thing is still rolling, sometimes slower - sometimes faster. For the next birthday I will probably wish myself reaching 200 figures painted and chart confirmed!

Cheers!

*Yes mahon, that's you ^^

Rats...

Indeed you have a problem dr Jones,

especially because each of these squeeking bastards weights about 50kg and wields hand weapons! Eeeek! Eeeek!

But no worries, you are not alone:

apart from that backstabbing b**ch Elsa Schneider behind you there's also the dwarf slayer desperately seeking for death! So just keep the distance and let him do the job.

That means the slayer model is finished and is now exterminating vermin dwelling beneath surface of Empire. Karl Franz surely is proud of this brave, brave warrior*.

I had fun painting these miniatures - it's good to be back to Warhammer Fantasy even just to paint several Mordheim style characters.
The idea for painting was simple: big contrast. Models are placed in the tunnel so I wanted slayer to be quite striking, compared to dark interior and dirty ratmen.
I had some problems with metalics - Revell super matt varnish just kills them so all in all metal parts were sealed with Vallejo satin and rest of models - with Revell stuff.
Works quite fine for my bad taste.

There will be one more skaven added to the group - it turned out this one wears chainmail so it should also be quite well visible. After this one is done - marauders should visit the painting desk. I should also find some putty to finally fill the gaps in dragon model and prepare the beast for undercoating. Any suggestions?

There's also something new!

last Monday I managed to paint test model from Eurasian Solar Union starting fleet: Ural class destroyer from Ground Zero Games.

As for my first impression - it was quite neutral. Minis are cool and definitely something new for me but I could complain a bit about casting quality. But it was nothing I couldn't have dealt with a hobby knife, I am veteran painter after all.

I wanted to keep color scheme bright and more-less clean so it looks really striking placed on deep space gaming mat. I also wanted to use reddish and white/grey tones, but honstly I am not sure this is what I wanted to achieve. But before I introduce the ship to breaking fluid I will paint several more similar way, such models always look better in packs. Switching dark red to bright (even with some orange hue) and gray to white should also work here. 

What do you think?

And the last thing! 

Last week I was cleaning some mess in display cases and found this vehicle: it's italian Autoblinda. It was painted to fit the Necromunda gaming board (desert theme) but all in all we don't play as much as I'd like to the vehicle is doing nothing else but collecting dust.

It has just been added to Miniatures Looking For New Home section - let me know if you are interested. It's 1:48 scale so it's fits all GW games I guess, as much as any other 25mm - 28mm scale toys. I pinned model to the base but I can take it off with no problem if that's what potential client wishes for.

<:8   )~

*Yeah, right...

Looks like a spider passed this way

And it sure was big and ugly!

Luckly it's gone now, not sure I'd feel comfortable planting mushrooms and artifical grass knowing there are 4 pairs of mean, hungry eyes starring at me.

With spider or without it the base is more-less ready and waiting for miniatures. 

I am still scared of painting the chaos dragon so it was clear and easy decision to start with small models: dwarf slayer, skaven clanrats, marauders.

Dragon will be sort of the cherry on the top of the cake.

Hmmm... 

Or rather everything else will be small cake under 'uuuge, two-headed chaos cherry! :D

The photo below turned out a bit "overburnt" - it's definitely too bright but you can see the general idea. This is also sort of test before assembling another piece - this time 100% under surface of the ground. I was thinking about something related to Skaven or Undead fluff: corridors under human empire or tomb of ancient wizard / necromancer.

Hirst Arts molds should be good material for such project.

Is there anything else?
Yup - yesterday  expeditionary force of Eurasian Solar Union from Full Thrust game landed in my study. It's my very frst contact with such sort of game so I am looking forward to see the results of painting the first frigate. Models are small (it's the tiny scale after all) so painting them effective way seems like a quite a challenge.

If the game is at least half as cool as guys at Pyrkon told me I will do my best to infect at least one more gamer here with GZG stuff.
Until then - picture of the fleet still in the space base (on my painting desk that is).

As for painting I've been considering several options. Most of ships I've seen in movies are white or at least bright. Which is quite obvious - there's no point ot painting camo in the deep space since whole flying, aiming etc is done by advanced computers, sensors, robots or whatever.
So I think I will start with applying bright grey + white base color, highlight it and when some red elements will be added (washes should work just fine for this job). Dependable on the result I will add details like glass windows, fire from the exhaust pipes, chipped paint.

Test frigate is on the way...

Spoils of war

Woooooooo-hooooooooooooo!!!

I met Sandy Petersen!!! I met Sandy Petersen!!! I met...

Hmmm...

Right... Right... That was that last post... 

But that news is so hot it definitely deserves some expansion.

So about 2 weeks ago my girlfriend purchased a lamp for the surgery (she's a dentist) on internet auction.

The lamp was cheap as f**k because the seller was retiring and closing down her business and she was getting rid of some old junk left. There was a snag though:

because the object was pretty big and fragile the seller didn't want to send it so the only option was picking it up:

from the very small town just about 380km away from where we operate...

It wasn't my lamp so it wasn't my problem who would like to spend about 6 hours behind the wheel each way. But last week I spotted advert of Pyrkon 2014 - really big fantasy / sci-fi convention in Poznań, close place from where lamp was purchased...

I checked the program and there was also painitng contest among other cool things. Shortly afer I contacted mahon, evil mastermind standing behind Chest of Colors so the plan of meeting some old friends was born. 

I was told the painting contest has been assembled the last minute so organizers were worried there might be not too many entries. So I packed some stuff from the display case and was more-less ready for the trip.

More-less, because of information on the even't site about Sandy Petersen coming for that weekend!

Woooooooo-hooooooooooooo!!!

I met Sandy Petersen!!! I met San... Right... Right... There'll be lots of time for it later...

So the creator of Call of Cthulhu was coming for whole weekend for Pyrkon - I couldn't miss such chance to try to hunt His autograph. I was bit worried 'cause the trip plan was just to stop in Poznań to take some rest and deliver minis for painting contest but there was not much else I could do: 

I packed Call of Cthulhu anniversary edition book, wore proper tee and tattoo and was praying hard to Great old Ones while driving. 

When I reached the place (and found some parking space which was just one huge pain in the ass) models were quickly delivered to the painters' sector and I took a short walk to see what was going on.

There are many relations from Pyrkon online already so I am not going to add another (especially because I was there just for a few hours and spent in one place). 

But what I can cay is the even was just brilliant thing: there were so many attractions for science - fiction fans I am sure I wouldn't be bored staying there for whole 3 days. Which I would really like to do the next year or when the kid is a bit older. There were lots of people dressed up as zombies, soliders, anime characters, wearing Fallout themed costumes and other, there were games, sellers, prelections, lectures of writers, game designers, lot of lots of things to do and see!

Check some of the lousy pics I've taken:

At 2 pm Sandy was giving the lecture about creating adventures for Call of Cthulhu.
Until then I didn't know I was his big fan, all I knew was he wrote the game, but after the lecture everything changed, everything!

I left filled with so many ideas and energy for hobby acting, I simply couldn't wait to come back home and play or paint anything. No sh!t!

That guy was speaking in such a cool way I was there sitting like mesmerised!

And now I do believe all those religious freaks about sudden revelations, hearing voices etc - I think I finally know what are these maniacs talk about. Words and my weak English cannot describe whole the coolness of that lecture so I am not even gonna try. 

It was great, and I am SO happy I decided to move my ass for the stupid lamp.
My only regret (huge regret actually) is I couldn't stay on Petersen's other lectures. Oh well, maybe the next time, when the stars are right and Cthulhu rises from the slumber.

As for the spoils of war I brought some goodies:
first of all I got the autograph - the limited edition of the rulebook is now priceless.
Besides 2 of my works brought to the contest got me statues: 1st place in large model category and 2nd among units. The base for Scavvies is borrowed from my Goliath gang but I think I will make proper display base for the whole hgang of my scavengers - about 30 models I think...

Cheers!