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. 

Fantasy Hero 7

A recently completed Citadel Orc from sometime a go - not really sure on the age of this one.

Opted for a more grey-green than some of the very bright greens that are often used with Orcs. The base colour is from Foundry's poorly received World War II range of colours and is Soviet Winter Green shades through A to C

Another member of the Black shields, this orc has a plastic shield from the late eighties with no decoration. Not sure on this and it may change in the future if a good alternative can be found.

Some previous victims of the over-sized chopper hide behind the plastic shield, one in slightly better condition than the other although both have seen better days.

As with previous figures from this range have used militaristic colours rather than some of the more flamboyant colour schemes that are often seen. It is a matter of personal preference nothing more.

Another single figure to follow shortly along with some work in progress.

Cheers for now

Blood and Souls for my Lord Arioch 5

First entry for this year's painting challenge saw a return to 2015's challenge and retro Chaos Warriors from Citadel's heyday - personal opinion there.

Opted for a limited pallette with both of these guys to let the figures to do of the work.

For sculpts that are over thirty years old, in fact closer to thirty five they have lasted well and not lost their detail.

The yellow has worked very well against the dark gray and near black of the gloves, clothing and cloak. The helmet has been likened to James Earl Jones' in the original Conan film.

Hope that you like them and there will be some more finished and work in progress pictures to follow.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 144

Seen a bit of chat lately on the blogsphere relating to preparing for the start of this year's Analogue Painting Challenge (VIII) which has get me to thinking: what to do this year. As no theme has been announced yet for the Challenge looking to complete a few pieces here and there pre challenge and then work on the following:

• Trojans for Basic Impetus
• Retro Chaos Warriors and Orcs from Citadel
• Macedonians in 6mm
• WWII Vehicles in 20mm - as it wouldn't be the painting Challenge without some WWII vehicles.

The best thing about all of the above is that they are already prepped and waiting on painting which will give more time to finish off some  other stuff before hand. 

Once the theme is announced will sort out painting challenge level and wait on the start date.

To follow will be some more finished and work in progress pictures. 

Cheers for now

Fantasy Heroes 5

A recently completed retro Citadel figure the Talisman range - this time a Ranger. A great figure from a great range of classics figures from a classic game.

The final highlight on the cloak is either missing or far too close to the midtone. Not sure that the new glasses will pick up on forgetting or poor mixing though.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 130

Some quick work in progress pictures starting with the Vikings moving ever slowly forward. The other two are having a well earnt break.

Next a few scenery pieces from Hovels in 25mm, these are versatile bits that will see use in a variety of small scale games once finished.

Lastly, a Ranger from the Citadel Talisman range circa 1986/87; that is so very nearly finished.

More work in progress to follow shortly

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 125

Been a bit under the weather the last few weeks, well we all have really which has meant nothing serious getting done on the hobby front during this time.

So here are the pictures taken before the onset of the family lurgy

A new edition, the Hellcat from MMS Models. A heavy all metal pieces that will hopefully be complete by the end of challenge. Pictured next to him is the Curtgeld figure from the Penda vignette from Gripping Beast. Might have to paint this set again in the future.

A Sexton from Britannia Models, not a challenge piece as it was originally start some years back.

Three more Mk II Carriers that are a bit further on than shown as are the Heavy Plasma cannons shown below from Ground Zero Games

Originally started for West the Rangers of Ithilien will have to muster for characters from a book theme.

There you have it, best part of two weeks out of action and very little to show for it.

Hoping to change this over the next few days.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 122

A few updates on progress for the AHPC VII

As the two German Armoured cars are now waiting on varnishing it's time to start on the Bren carriers for the British. There are eight Carriers, a Wasp and a Lloyd carrier here plus two jeeps. Being painted however not part of the challenge are a Sexton 25lb and a Sherman ARV; both of these have been loitering around the painting table for years now and it is time they were finished.

Some progress on the wagons and the prep is finished for the Curtgeld figures at the end of the row. Three figures and Two Painters will plot the progress on these as working in a team with RussG on this part of the challenge.

Lastly are the newly added rangers to the challenge with flesh underpainting complete and armour blocked in . Still struggling with poleyn being on the top right figure, however he is from the AD&D range that Citadel produced in the mid-eighties. There are another four ranger types that may get added to the mix depending on how well the AFV's go.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 114

A few work in progress pictures from the new fantasy warband and a few loose Normans that are being painted as the Battle of Hasting happened 950 years ago this month.

First, a view of the rear of an old Ral Partha cleric which the first layers of the primary colour of the tabard has been painted. Have opted for Foundry ochre and both the A shade and B mid tone have been used here.

Sometimes the fact that the camera never lies can help as it has shown either a flaw in the casting or air bubbles in the undercoat that haven't been noticed. At this stage will most likely just leave them as is as material is prone to wearing and this could be the start of it. When adding the other layers might add some light grey in to the mid tone here and there to "age" the tabard a bit to reflect its age.

Below are the first four of eight Normans from Foundry. Have to say these figures are so easy to paint and considering their age the sculpts are still as crisp as ever. Slightly smaller than some of their contemporaries though.

There is already one of them waiting on basing which at this stage will be for skirmish gaming such as Saga or Lion Rampant although that may change with the release of Basic Impetus in the coming months.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 112

The start of a new fantasy warband based around clerics and paladin types. Figures from Citadel, Ral Partha, Reaper and Mirliton.

Ral Partha

Hoping to use these figures to show a bit of the painting style used. This will include painting flesh, fabric and metal, three key elements of both fantasy and historical miniatures. This warband will all be fantasy figures for a change.

Citadel

First up, starting with a black undercoat, the flesh has been blocked in foundry Conker brown B then layered with Foundry Flesh A. The pictures are flooded with natural sun light so you may have difficulty in seeing the layers clearly.

Reaper

Should point out that the undercoat is Humbrol Matt Black acrylic and is brushed on. Trying to limit the use of aerosols in hobby pursuits as well as everyday life.

Citadel and Mirliton

An old classic from Citadel with a left handed sculpt; they do exist!

Citadel

The figures are hex based as they will possibly see use in roleplay as well as skirmish games.

The last figure is the long over due Curtgeld for last year's painting challenge. A Foundry figure with some reference below.

Below is an obvious source for the inspiration of the miniature and a good reference for colours. Not sure who the original was by. The differences are clear when both the miniature and the painting are studied at the same time.

More reference and inspiration with a painted version of the same figure below. Again not sure of the painter although they have done the miniature justice.

More to follow shortly.

Cheers for now

And Now for Something Completely Different 26

A brief return to the blog this morning with a few pictures of a miniature painted in March. Think this is one of the original LOTR Orcs from the mid eighties. Great figure to paint regardless and here are the pictures:

Hopefully some more finished pictures to follow shortly.

Cheers for now

And Now for Something Completely Different 24

The last of the figures painted for this year's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, an Uruk Hai leader from Games Workshop's Lord of the Rings range. This is a metal figure that has now been replaced with its new resiny counter part in "Fine Cast." Not something that will ever grace the painting table here.

Enough rambling here are the pictures

There will be more from this range throughout the remainder of 2015.

Cheers for now

Blood and Souls for My Lord Arioch 4

Another two Chaos Warriors from Citadel in the early eighties. These figures were a part of the last submission for the Analogue Painting Challenge and were a blast from the past.

First up is an iconic figure that was a major image in the start of what some now refer to Oldhammer: Harry the Hammer or Uthmog Elvenblade.

This figure will be used a Chaos Champion in Songs of Blades and Heroes and possibly Oldhammer itself.

A great miniature that captures the feel of the early days of this gaming life perfectly; looking forward to seeing the future games with this one.

Next is another Chaos Warrior as shown in the Citadel Compendium Two - a miniatures bible at the time of publishing circa 1984.

There will be more from this range throughout the rest of this year as the other miniatures from this range are awaiting undercoating.

Cheers for now