Kilroy was here!

Hello,

This time there are two more Bolt Action pieces served:

US medium machine gun team and Warlord / Italeri wrecked house.

MMG team it my entry for painting contest on https://strategie.net.pl/ forum. There are several categories to choose, I decided to prepare unit / squad (25/28mm) and vehicle.

The first entry is Warlord Games' medium machine gun team - this time whole team has been placed on single base a contrary to another MMG painted recently: sure it's more practical to have ammo runt staggering around to mark casaulty easier, but I thing 3 models packed on single base simply look better. 

So as usually I chose more-less the same color choice to make guys fit rest of the force. Noting down colors used during work turned out to be good idea. 

Looking now at these bricks I am considering basing a single squad on city rubble - to make them pop on the battlefield. The only problem is models I use are "pre-slotta" which will make basing rather pain in the ass.

Most probably.

But still it's better idea to give a squad specific, coherent look than just painting jackets with another tone of olive.

Full MMG section ready to defend my painting station against German invaders! 

As for the terrain piece it's been at my place for quite a long time - over 1,5 year now so it's good to  finally see it finished and in use, sheltering my infantry.

As well as other infantries fighting battles in the gaming dungeon.

Like those damn German mini-units containing 2 light machine guns...

Initially I had not much of an idea for painting this until getting oil paints. Must say I love these - not only for painting vehicles, these paints are perfect for buildings:

base colors were painted with airbrush and quite large brush, then came brown and black oils and for the final dry pigments. And of course Kilroy! All fast and easy.

I am now preparing another wrecked building hoping to see oils in action again, but in the meantime:

And the last thing - quick annual summary:
2018 was busy and hard. At work, hobby and emotional level and sadly I don't think 2019 is gonna be much better for me.
As for the hobby statistics during the just passed year I painted 33 models and played 18 games (while in 2017: 53 models and 19 games). I think my newborn kid is the one to blame for such a result but since she's over 1 year old now I am hoping to find bit more time late night which I could spend on the hobby.

Over and out!

Summary 2015

...and definitely the very last thing this year: summary (I didn't want to throw this trash into the Chimera tutotial - those creatures are natural loners).

The passing year was slightly better (we're talking only about hobby that is) than 2014:
in 2014 I managed to paint 43 minis and play 17 games while in 2015 there was 53 models and 20 matches.Looks that's max I can get now.

I am pretty happy I painted some oldie Warzone models and came back to painting brill EM4 stuff. I am also glad for selling some unused minis - I would probably never paint them anyway. There are no big goals for the next year, there are some models I'd like to see finished but hobby should be fun, no reason for deadlines, goals, strict planning and whole the shit from the real life.

Have happy life in the coming 2016 and the following years, hope every choice you make will be the right one, don't ask questions if you don't want to hear the answers.

And remember - money is not the most important thing is life.
The more I think the more I am sure it's just source of most problems in this shithole world.

We're only swirling ashes after all.

One more OOP plague marine, full scavvy gang + bit of summary

New year is coming so it's time for the very last post in 2014.

But first something more interesting: painted stuff!

For starters - my response for Rob Hawkins converted skeleton archers.
This guy definitely saved the model from being forgotten forever in small box in the darkest corner of my cellar, together with some more old and mutilated hobby junk.

Although paintjob is nothing special I am pretty satisfied of the conversion - it was fun and easy. I should check are there any other old undead in the lead pile, maybe it's high time for me to get Mordheim gang? Or I could try to assemble mixed regiment of skellies and zombies - blocks of troopers always look effective, especially dead ones...

Another one is the second classic plague marine model.

I said it before - those old sculpts are just great, full cooperation with painter! 

Bunch of servants of Rotten God will sure look great on the battlefield especially supported by minor demons, spawn of beast of Nurgle. Or all of them!

As for the marine it was painted using more less the same color palette as for the previous one (earlier post) but I tried to achieve stronger contrast. Still not exactly what I wanted so there's another one (the cult leader - mr Fabius B.) to improve. Hopefully.

And the boring part - annual summary.

The chart says most of it - this year I painted 43 models - more than in the year before but on the other hand we played few less games - 17 only.
I want more - both gaming and painting but I also know real life can fuck just everything, especially such a fragile and precious matter as the miniatures hobby.
On the other hand I should be happy I can constantly play with toy soliders: I know some poor souls which cannot get even close my score.
Poor unfulfilled hobby souls - here's the candle for you:

[*]

The reasons remain the same: my family life, some more work to do, my opponent's studies and of course - he got married so now he has to negotiate leaving the nest for quick game every time with his second half. Congrats again, bitch... ;-)

This time I tried to avoid setting some big, long distance goals to achieve to avoid disappointment in the end but if turned out I finally managed to paint all models from the Scavvy family. Sure, some of them were finished few years back but they will be getting fresh paintjob eventually. Probably after acting well on the battlefield. The first candidate is definitely Deadeye - the only scavvy with autogun:
2 games back he managed to deal with 3 pit slaves using only gun's butt and teeth!!!

 

Which reminds me - we managed to find 2 gamer - candidates recently. They seem to be optimistic about whole gaming idea so there's tiny little chance to play BIG match in the coming year. That's what 72" x 72" game table was built for! Fingers crossed for that.

As for any hobby plans for the comig year - not much really.
I hope to finish some models staggering on the desk, build another photo background (the "vault entrance" is cool but I want some change), play more regulary and maybe start another gang - Ratskin Renegades or Redemptionists.

That's it for 2014, seeya next year!

Another mile through Styx

Hey there in the brand new, shiny and still smelling factory year 2014.

The whole depressive christmas time is over, the same for ghastly new year's eve so it's time to focus on something what really counts.

Once again I managed to paint something.
It's nothing big sadly, but definitely enough to be added to annual summary: medium size wreck markers for my Cryx force. Original wrecks stand on flat bases but I decided to put them on 40mm round  lip ones. My warjacks use them so my wrecks will as well.

Painitng junk is fast and easy - I think painitng both piles of junk took me like 2 hours?
This + waiting until wash on the sand dried (that's probably the most time consuming part of whole painitng process). It's nothing contest worthy but fits the battle force well so hope to use them shortly (in the Ashhyxious' tier based, uber-nasty list hehehe...)

 

Speaking of Cryx: last night while I was having a break from doing some boring paper work I found mutilated mechanithrall miniature, which steam fists and head I needed for converting model for "Enthrallment painitng challenge" on No Quarter. You can read a bit about it here if you have some spare time to waste.

So I found that poor dead soul and decided to muster it back to the animated legion of Master Toruk. I was also quite happy to use spare placcy parts from EE models (finally these silly termie arms were found useful). Several drill holes and wallpaper knife cuts later brute thrall* wannabe was ready for painting. It's pretty skinny as for brute thrall so I think I will add some mode pipes to make it differ more from ordinary mechanithralls. And of course I need to get mechanithralls unit ^^

And the last thing now - annual summary.

The official score is 30 painted models vs 21 played games.
It's definitely not as much as I'd wish for but it's still something. I mean, on average it's more less a model painted and game played once per 2 weeks so (on average) every week I either played a game or painted a model.
Statistics is such a crap ^^

Even though the chart below doesn't look optimistic I shouldn't complain: after all I am still in the hobby business even though I work more and even though we're quite busy with trying to properly raise that little spawn ov hell who lives under the bed... eee... I mean the baby.
There're no goals  for the coming year - I still have several started projects which I'd love to see finished one day but it's nothing worthy acting under pressure. I want to finally enjoy the hobby 100%, the fun is what hobby is for.

So is there anything I can wish you all for the new year? And for the years coming after?
Yup: try to take things easy, keep distance from life, live and let others live the way they want. Life is short and there's no guarantee for another.

 

Keep warm!

* Some time ago I used original brute thrall model for painting contest. It was fun but the price was high: Dragonfather's legion in Elbląg lost 5 reliable slaves. 

Better late then never

Yup, I guess that's truth. 

Especially when it comes to posting old stuff while new minis are being painted. But first of all - little explanation for this big posting gap. Since I got involved in painting the garden gnomes... eee... Firefall mmorpg models (note: these are models, but definitely NOT miniatures) I was trying to concentrate on the job to send back the toys to client as soon as possible. I tried to avoid any distractions like painting own stuff and also decided to keep all the news on hold until the models are done. Blogging can be distractive after all.

So the first and big (double big!) news is - the gnomes have been painted!

I feel embarassed it took me so much time to get them done but once again life issues have put the hobby aside. As you remember, or not, initially I got 4 models to paint but because shit got way too thick here I asked the CofC team for a little help. Moreover shortly after my desperate post Benathai agreed to take 2 of the models so my mission became possible to execute again. 

So here they are: I had no idea how to take fine pics, hope mahon will get any. I also have no idea how to send them safely for photo session, not mentioning 'uuuge trip over the Pond.

I'd like to say painting these learnt me something: 

do not take a commission if you are not sure about model's size. I'd like to but cannot say that for sure since it was another large scale experience after painitng Mezoghoul. Both were painful...

As for something more pleasant and proper scale while I was waiting for thick layers of paint on the gnomes to dry I started painitng banners for zombie dragon display piece.

Since it is oldschool project there was no other choice than using paper banners. The banners were based on ones from Orcs and Goblins armybook 5th ed. Painitng them was just fun and pretty nostalgic - I remember painitng standard bearers in old times when I used to think Warhammer Fantasy Battle is actually cool game ^^

Below you can see some unused, test banners and the final versions. I am more than sure they will look much better carried by plague zombie and wight lord when the whole piece is done.

We're talking about greenskins which leads me to little shopping did yet last year.

There were some strange days on January during which I got strongly interested in playing fantasy skirmish again. That was probably caused by old farts RPG talking here...

Anyway I 've always wanted to play Mordheim or Warheim (unofficial thing based on EE thing) and always wanted to lead greenskins to battle. 5th edition period sculpts are just essence of Warhammer for me.

I've already  had several metal night goblins but to build playable and more important: nice looking warband I was in need of bit support. I decided to get some big 'uns as leaders and troll as heavy support. Evilbay is full of greenskins so I quite easily found what I wanted: the command group of 4 tough bastards. And thank to  manatic from the Frothers I got the heavy hitter, in exchange for my old Hydralisk miniature.

As you can imagine just after I got the models they all ended up in string bags waiting for Tsathoggua knows what. This whole miniature buying is some fucking madness...

What else, what else...

Miniature exchange of course!

Once again Namaless did great job and 6th edition of the CofC community play launched. I really love these events - it is great motivator to paint something especially knowing that sooner or later you will get a model from another painter. The piece I chose for Grish (my ME victim hehehe) was one of Escher juves. The model is nice sculpt and it was also used to test hair color for my new gang and clothes colors for my buddie's Goliaths. If you want to see more works - just visit the Chest of Colors forum.

The model is standing on one of wooden bases I still have since the Plinth Country disaster. The store's site has finally vanished from the webspace but in exchange something else was spawned.

Several posts ago I wrote about  fucked up exam I managed to pass - the site is one of consequences ^^

If you ever decide to get a real estate somewhere in my region (central north Poland) it might be good idea to ask a real estate valuer for the opinion - more details available here. Sadly there's no English version of the site.

Where were we... Ah yes, miniatures!

My gallery was updated with 3 brand new photos of really fine quality. Which leads us to obvious conclusion pics weren't taken by my (thanks mahon ^^). There are photos of old works I decided to Ebay-off (Cryx bloat trall and sea witch) but there's also new piece: epic version of Commander Irusk, from Khador range. The client wanted me to paint the model dirty and battleworn so I hope the guy is happy with the paintjob. It was such a refresh to paint something dirty after the whole Firefall thing. Really wouldn't mind to paint a warjack this fashion.

And last but not least (of painted models of course) is small update for my Scavvies.

I wanted to get the second scaly done for a long time and it's finally ready to obliterate each and everyone who dares to cross Scavvy territory. I wonder who and why would like to invade sump anyway... 

Let's be frank - scaly sculpts are pretty poor, sure they have some oldschool character but these are just nothing special at best. So the decision was made to convert the model a bit to hide some of it's uglyness. As for the changes - it's a guardian so it was chained to the ground by caring gang leader. The shoulder pads come from placcy terminator set and pieces of wooded barrel. The helmet was taken from 40K ork. 

All in all it's nothing spectacular but:

- it adds bit more character to the gang

- I didn't make it look worse =P

The second one is just another plague zombie - it's lead pipe was broken so I chose the weapon from placcy zombies box. Colors were already used on certain gangers but since there are several more Scavvies waiting for painting / repainting I thought some practice might be good idea. Really can't wait to see whole the gang painted.

This year started nicely (at least: the hobby matter) because I managed to get Dieter Helsnicht model - one of models I considered very cool years back, when I was still info WFB, and which make me smile only nowdays. I remember the manticore was my very first auction purchase (LONG time ago) but it was sold without necromancer. I was trying to use it as mount for chaos lords but eventually drybrushed model ended up on the pile of shame.

When I saw the rider for sth about 1,5 quid - I just couldn't resist so the set is complete once again. I am really curious what the final effect will be - such a model can be solid choice for another oldschool display project.

And the last cool thing for this long post - Namaless was probably doing some "spring cleaning" in the hobby stuff because I got small gift from him: in the parcel there was orc - thing and old Heartbreaker models catalog. Thanks a lot man, you definitely know how to turn rotting zombie into happy rotting zombie! Homebrew is waiting for you =)

As the cherry on the cake: 2012 summary chart.

I've been tracking down the hobby activity since 2011 and the only conclusion for nowis: it's is getting worse.

As for 2012 there are several reasons: my exam thing, moving out, garden gnomes which paralyzed November and December. But my Necromunda opponent is equaly to blame - studies he started take lots of precious time which could be used for wargaming.

 That seems to be all for now - there are materials for next post coming slowly so hope it will be launched in reasonable term.

Cheers!

2011: summary

Hey again - and for the last time this year.

Today it's the very last day of 2011 so it's time for short summary of the hobby activities. But first some goodies:

Few days back I got ork buggy from Kromlech - I must say the casting quality is just fucking sweet. Really - I can recommend the model to anyone!
It's so full of character it brings back old time od Gorkamorka :D
I decided not to rush with it because the model deserves quality paintjob. I also decided to make short review + painting progress article so it should appear in Gameforces magazine sooner or later...




Guys have just posted the official paintjob yet I will do my best to beat it :p ;)




Speaking of GF - yesterday mailman delivered several issues and looks like Mario decided to use the bile thralls speedpainting text I wrote almost exactly a year back. Once again my ego got boosted big time =]




What else?
Today we had the very last Necromunda game this year and it was 34th game we played in 2011. The game was played at 7 AM so my opponent can go to New Year's Eve party tonight.
Once again scavvies provided me ton of fun - even without terrifying presence of Karloth Valois.
Today we tested Ramshackle Games big spider as terrain feature - the casting quality is pretty poor yet the model is definitely full of character and turned out to be extremly useful: models were small enough to walk and fight under it's limbs. Pinning it was just one big pain in the ass but pinning it ALWAYS worthy effort.
I didn't manage to assemble it for the game (there were only main body + 4 legs) but the already finished model looks like this:




I am sure we'll be using it in most of coming games - it will look very effective painted steel and rusted like hell.

After the game we decided to quit the current campaign (4th we played this year) and made a plan for the gaming in 2012. We decided to play only one big campaign but we will both choose 3 gangs to lead.
Every game we will be randomly choosing which gangs will fight. Deco chose Goliaths, Van Saars and Orlocks and I decided tu use Scavvies, Eschers and my EM4 proxied Goliaths.
And the dice rolls decided the very first game will be match between Scavvies and Orlocks. Really can't wait!

Also can't wait to to finally see the table sanded and painted so we can write a battle report. Hope to convince Deco to stay longer aftr the next game and help me in sanding the modules.

And as for the proper summary here is is:
Last year I saw Nameless counting all of minis painted in passing year and was really got hooked but such an idea. But because we also play a bit I decided to add played games to the chart.
So it looks like below: in passing year I managed to paint 36 models and play nearly the same amount of games. It was close to cross the line and play more games than painted models but maybe next year we manage to beat the score.




All in all it was very busy time. Not sure was it "good" but surely busy: there was lots of dice rolling, beer drinking and having fun but also managed to replicte and finish the appraisal practice - exams start in March 2012 and I am shitfuckingscared of it - hope I will pass it next year so I can concentrate on conquering the Underhive ;)

Cheers!