Back to the Brushes 332

Will be starting another 30 Day Painting Challenge this evening although there will be a slight difference in this months Challenge: 

The difference being that the AHPC XII starts on the 21st December and from then on it's only miniatures that are prepped only - none already started. 

Prepping has been started and to be honest there is always enough on the sidelines to be starting with. First up will be some 15mm and 28mm being

• Sargonid Assyrians for DBA
• Carthaginians for SAGA
• Wood Elf Regiment of Renown for Oathmark
• Skeleton Warriors for Oathmark
• With various units to follow that will continue on with started projects from the last couple of years. 

As always for the 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge there is no theme to this, just to paint and complete 30 miniatures regardless of their starting condition or size. 

The outline of the challenge is detailed below, however the main point being to have fun with your hobby.

• To paint 30 (As Many as You Can month) figures of all shapes and sizes in 30 days
• The figures can be partly painted at the start as the main point is to complete figures that have been forgotten
• Basing is not necessary to count as completed
• Any scale is good
• Too have fun
• The end date is set by your start date - 21st December will be the end date of this challenge
• To post updates as often as possible
• Lastly to show a roundup post with a group picture of everything.

The Round up post for November 2021 will follow tomorrow or the day after. 

Hope that you will find this interesting.

Cheers for now 

Back to the Brushes 207

There are already points on the board and some fantastically painted miniatures to view in the Analogue  Hobbies Painting Challenge.

The painting table as it stands with the first figures for this year's challenge front and centre.

Next are freshly prepared Ancient Greeks from Foundry. These have now all been undercoated.

Will be a few days before there is any real painting time for these retro figures.

Cheers for now.

It was the night before

The Ninth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge...

Every where was quiet and all over the blogosphere hands were as busy as elves preparing the Little Lead Men for the challenge.

Some of the Little Lead Men were very very little whilst others were a bit bigger but they were all shiny in the beginning. That is of course until the busy hands used the big grey and black spray clouds and covered their shiny cores up.

Soon the grey and black sprayed Little Lead Men would be brightly coloured with glorious colours so they would shine once again.

As the days lengthen after the winter Solstice follow the progress of the Little Lead Men as they follow in the footsteps of the first Little Lead Man recoloured after a long time in the darkness.

The question is; which one will be first?

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 157

First real painting session since the end of the Challenge saw some time spent on a few varied pieces, some un-started some partially painted, some just needing a new base.

During the Challenge a solitary elf was painted, based and finished. The fact is the elf was part of the Citadel High Elves C08 range and the link shows that the elf is far from solitary. 

Strangely enough tucked away in a dusty drawer in the lead mountain there is a full set of these very High Elves and below is the companion figure for the early painted War maid. Some colour to follow shortly for this figure.

A while back a Warband for Songs of Blades and Heroes was started using 'Ranger' type figures and below are two that are so very near completion. These are the original Rangers of Ithilien from Citadel's Lord of the Rings range circa 1985.

These two Foundry figures from the War of the Roses range are being rebased to hex bases as henchmen for some of the fighter types painted last year. These two gents were originally painted over twenty years ago and show some early progress with layering.

Lastly, have been catching up with Vikings on Amazon Prime and as a result these three figures have been dug out for painting. The chap in the buff coat is one of these figures that will be painted because its there, not because of any other reason, not happy with the flesh tones on this one and the coat may well change.

Butterfly painting at present however that helps with keeping the interest levels high before venturing into painting a full base's worth of figures in the one theme.

Cheers for now

Fantasy Hero 8

The title should really be Heroine as the figure below is an Elfess, if such a word exists, but that would be too much like work - only joking. This figure is from the Citadel Compendium 2 released back in 1984 and along with others from the C08 High Elves were and are some of my favourite miniatures from this period.

To be retaken as face out of focus.

A great figure to paint and after some deliberation opted to paint the chest piece as a metallic breast plate with both steel and gold. The red and gold has worked well on this figure and although it will be difficult to see on these pictures the metal areas have all been lightly gloss varnished as well to lift the over all finish of the figure.

The basing shows some new oak leave foliage that was bought recently for use with this range of figures - yes there will be more later this year - and the leaves really are oak leaf shaped.

Added a few extra layers of tone to the flesh on this figure as felt it needed more depth in the flesh areas and was looking for a paler overall skin tone. The Foundry Expert flesh range was used to achieve the finished colour.

The red on the tunic ended up more red than its original base colour which was more burgundy in tone. The change isn't a bad thing just something noticed during the painting. Base colour was GW's Mechrite Red Foundation Layer and the next three layers were Foundry's Bright Red A, B and C to highlight.

Overall, very pleased with the finished look of this miniature and glad the extra time was spent on her to achieve the look wanted. Hope that you enjoyed the pictures. 

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 151

Some work in progress pictures that are ongoing at present.

Two different sets of Skeletons from Alternative Armies. Both are currently on 40mm bases however this may change as they may be based for Basic Impetus Fantasticus or maybe just saboted for the same.

Three retro Chaos Warriors from Citadel as with the other two recently completed brethren the colour schemes will be limited for these warriors.

Lastly, the next in line for black painting the twin of a recently completed Citadel High Elf and an old C01 fighter again from Citadel

Some completed pictures to follow shortly

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 149

The first work in progress pictures for 2018 - taken in 2017 - with a variety of periods and scales been shown.

Above a retro Citadel figure posing as an Evil fighter, so far the armour has been base coated and washed with strong tone. Further washes and edging to follow.

The solitary elf moves closer to completion with only the accessories to paint and maybe a little tonal wash on the face to deepen the colour round the eyes.

The first four stands of the additional twelve for the Undead Hordes of the Things army painted last challenge. Four more are shown further down the page in their base colour.

A unit of six peltasts for Basic Impetus and its big brother. The figures have been undercoated in Army Painter's barbarian flesh as a trial for this period. So far pleased with the results.

Eight Ninja from Dixon Miniatures to be added to those painted several challenges back.

The skeletons as mentioned above.

Fifteen days to the entry deadline for the Challenge, hoping to have a few different items for that date if not before. 

Cheers for now.

Back to the Brushes 143

A little progress on the retro elf from Citadel with all the flesh now complete and the hair blocked in. The hair still has to receive a wash of Devlan mud and then be highlighted with Rich Butternut B & C from Foundry.

The tunic will most likely start off with a base coat of Mechrite Red to cover the black before toning up to a brighter red.

There is one part of the figure that remains an issue as not entirely sure what it is; there is a breast plate or raised part of the tunic on the elf's chest. Don't think its a breast plate as there are no visible straps unless they are covered by the hair.

If its painted in the lines of a breast plate will opt for bronze or copper colours surrounding a red centre; if not will work the colours of the tunic to a brighter colour to show this more prominently.  The colours of the chest piece will also be used on the bracelets and weaponry where appropriate.

Will decide which way to paint once the tunic is blocked in.

Will be returning to the Moors very soon.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 142

First base layer on the elf's flesh blocked in last night. Looking to achieve a paler flesh tone than normal, not quite Milk Bottle Scots but paler than normal, so starting with Foundry Flesh B and working up through C to F as the final highlight. Sorry should have said, using the expert range here - not that makes you an expert just gives a wider range of colours.

Not the best pictures and only one layer down so far and perhaps the figure has lost some of the clean surface from its original casting. Still has taken the first coat well and the others will be thin layers to build the flesh tone rather than cover the black base coat.

More to follow later

Cheers

Back to the Brushes 141

So what has been happening here? Well, truthfully not really that much on the hobby front,  a lot of thinking about things and talk about painting but little direct action. It is all a question of time really, so when a window opened the other night the following appeared.

The orcs are just for the fun of it and why not? Avoiding the bright green flesh used for so many orcs and looking for a more strained and washed out colour picked Soviet Winter Green from Foundry's now discontinued range of WW2 colours. The figure second from the left has the full triad showing from shade to base to highlight. Fun to paint these guys regardless of colours.

Next up is a Citadel High Elf from circa 1984 and the C08 range. Touched up the undercoat for this one and have some thoughts on this figure being in autumnal colours to suit the changing to the season here with the base showing the change of the seasons too.

For all that this figure is the best part of thirty-three years old, she is in good condition after being stripped from an old oil and enamel painting job and then again from acrylics. Somewhere there is a duplicate figure so might paint them as an autumn spring pair but will think on that.

Since both pictures are retro based here is a bit of Bowie

There will be something finished next post.

Cheers for now

Rounding up 2013

As 2013 draws to a close in sunny Scotland its a time to reflect before the Hogmanay celebrations start. The year started with the 3rd Painting challenge and progressed  from there.  A new Impetus army has been started and hopefully early next year will see the finish of another one. Several warbands have been completed and a few others started.

In summary the total of figures finished is detailed below:

• 28mm Infantry - 88 figures
• 28mm Cavalry - 6 figures
• 28mm Chariot - 1 set
• 28mm Elephant - 1 set
• 20mm Infantry - 6 figures
• 20mm Vehicles - 4
• 15mm Vehicles - 17

Overall not a bad tally and hopefully something that will be improved on next year. 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 77

As promised here are few work in progress pictures of a variety of different figures on the painting table at present.

Above are Sassanid Light Infantry to be armed with javelins. Gripping Beast figures for the ongoing Sassanid Impetus army.

Below are two test Orcs for Songs of Blades and Heroes. These are being painted to try and work the colouring on the flesh for the up and coming Analogue Painting Competition. These figures will not be presented in the competition.

A Warlord for the planned Dux Brittanniarum warband. The blue was painted in the other day but not much progress on this figure in a while.

Another Elf for Songs of Blades and Heroes is shown below. Happy with the colouring on the flesh here, but unfortunately the eyes let the face down and will need some reworking.

Lastly, another two figures from Claymore Castings shown here after the armour has been block painted and washed. This is the first stage on the armour for these gents and there will be another three layers of paint added:

• Base coat
• Base coat mixed with highlight 
• Highlight only

Cheers for now.

And Now for Something Completely Different 14

A recently completed Wood Elf for Songs of Blades and Heroes. The figure is a Citadel pre-slotta High Elf from circa 1984 and has painted up well considering its age and that it has been stripped too.

The figures from this period of Citadel miniatures have a lot of character and are perfect for use in skirmish style games such as Songs of Blades and Heroes. The Warband needs another five or six figures before its complete for gaming.

Cheers for now.

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A few more work in progress pictures are below:

The first four picture show Claymore Casting's figures after a white under coat and a wash of Agrax Earthshade. This really brings the detail out on the figures and may spark a project of its own, but more of that later.

Next there is a Citadel High Elf from the early eighties. Very early stages with this figure but the face just doesn't look right so it may be back to black for this one.

Faces is a part of the miniature that really makes the figure and is an area of work that requires more attention and in my case more research. If anybody has some good tips on painting faces please feel free to pass them on. They will be gladly received.

Lastly, there is a Gripping Beast Germanic Tribes Archer that will used in an ongoing roleplaying game as a human Woodsman.

Cheers for now.

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Pictured below are the two figures that will make up the skirmisher stand for the Sassanids armed with slings.

These are very nearly completed and will be finished and based over the next few days all being well.

There was also meant to be a few pictures of the Daylami work in progress but due to very poor pictures these will have to wait a few more days. Some more work in progress pictures to follow shortly showing Claymore Castings and a retro High Elf from Citadel.

Cheers for now

And Now For Something Completely Different 13

Now finally based and pictured below is the first Elf for Songs of Blades and Heroes. There will be between five and eight figures in the war band and the second figure has been prepared and undercoated for painting.

The theme for this warband is going to be woodland, so the colours will be mid greens and greys as the elves are to represent the Elves of Mirkwood. 

A future warband will represent the Noldor or High Elves and the colours for them will be more in line with their heritage. These figures will also come from the same early eighties Citadel range.

More to follow shortly including Sassanids, Huns and Claymore Castings.

Lastly, a warm welcome to:

• Tomsche
• RazarOne223

Hope that you both find something interesting in these pages

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 72

Well, at last that is the stand of Huns finished painting; only the varnishing and basing to do now.

As a reward a bit of time was spent painting an Elf for Songs of Blades and Heroes. The figure is from Citadel's C08 range of Elves for the early eighties and is the first of a new warband for the above game.

Next up will be some work in progress pictures of the Sassanids

Cheers for now.