Back to the Brushes 408

Below shows the start of the next phase in the Bundeswehr force for Team Yankee; IFV Marder I.

Currently, the Marders are only primed with NATO green at this point prior to base coating with Vallejo Reflective Green. 

Keeping the theme of AFV going but changing period and scale to WWII and 10mm. This means long needed return to a stalled project: D.A.K for O Group.

Included in the picture above (from left to right are) 2 of Sf Kdz 221 & 3 Sf Kdz 222. Currently in their base panzer gray colour prior to being re-coloured for North Africa. 

More to follow soon. 

Cheers for now.

All Hell Let Loose 20

 Final submission for this year's AHPC below: 

Marder IIs and Sd Kfz 10/4 with 20mm AA all from Pendraken Miniatures. 

There are decals in the post for identification purposes however if being honest at 10mm scale not sure the need is really there. 

They are all painted up from a panzer grey undercoat to build up layers from dark to light. Takes a bit longer and won't necessarily use this style for all the models in this group but its rewarding. Oil washes would/will be much quicker and are a likely option for the next batch. 

The Pz IV is digitally printed model from last year and no idea who the files are from, probably on the internet of everything...

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 381

The first completed figures for 2024 will be coming shortly after appearing in AHPC IV this weekend. 

This has created a small space on the painting table to allow the D.A.K. for 'O' Group to be started. 

All of the miniatures in this project are from Pendraken Miniatures 10mm range and have incredible detail for small figures. Too much detail but that's another story for another day. 

For no reason other than they were there, the first group of models is a pair of Marder IIIs.

After the first session, already looking at ways to speed up the painting of these figures as they started using a painting scheme for 1/56 scale models. Way, way too much depth in painting. The main thing is that the models have enough character to distinguish them from Allied models on the table, the RAL colour reference isn't the driving force here. 

The second pair, still in their basic Pz Grey primer will Match slightly later colour schemes for Sicilian and Italian campaigns. Again, working to table top distances. 

Will be posting more work in progress pics from the ongoing Wars of the Roses project ongoing just now in the next few days as well. 

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 347

In between work, complaining about the weather being very good - it's a Scottish thing - and being more active painting continues on the Crusader spear and crossbows with pictures to follow. 

As a slight diversion put some flesh colours and started on the uniform in this motley crew.

The figures were built when purchased from eBay and are from earlier Warlord Games British infantry. By earlier, its the models not the period of WW2.

The rifleman on the left as view has a different approach to the flesh. 

Block base tone, in this case Foundry Flesh A. Then thin coat of Foundry Flesh B, followed by another. Next is a very light colouring with Army Painter Flesh wash, followed by glazing with the Foundry mid tone. Still to apply subtle highlighting which will be a mix of Foundry Flesh B & C.

Is it worth it, will see once finished, but the thin coats of paints suits the warm weather. 

Anyhoo, there will be another couple of figures from WW2 appearing over the weekend along with the first finished figures for this month's 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge. 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 318

 

A few of the different projects on the painting table at present.

Clockwise rom top left PSC Early Imperial Romans in 15mm

Arab light infantry from Minifigs again in 15mm

Fallschirmjager from Warlord Games in 28mm

British infantry from Warlord Games in 28mm

All to be included in this month's 30 Days 30 Miniatures Paintin Challenge.

Stay safe and cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 314

Last update of July and here is the progress so far. Too many things on the table distracting each other and competing for time to be painted results in not completing as much as planned or liked. 

However, another two stands of hoplites have joined the Spartan ranks from the forges of Xyston. The Crusaders are another stand of heavy infantry nearer the finish and the DAK have some cover in 20mm.

The two 28mm figures are at opposite ends of both periods and progress. The Norman is one of the last that will be singularly based for skirmish games and the musket armed fellow is the first Compagnies Franches de la Marine for skirmish based games in the French Indian War.

A larger picture of the 28mm figures. 

The tally so far this month is

12 x 15mm Infantry

2 x 28mm Infantry

1 x 20mm WW2 scenery

Stay safe and cheers for now

30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge - June 2021 Round up

As August looms it seems that July, June and May have passed in a flash. To be fair there has been a lot going on and a lot of things coming to an end at the same time, so sadly, hobby time was over powered by the challenges of real life. 

On the positive, there has been some painting done and the Spartan army is another two stands of hoplites nearer the finish line. The group shot below showing these and the Platoon 20 US Infantry from earlier in June. 

The Spartans are from Xyston and are great sculpts for 15/18mm figures. At present the hoplons have no markings on and this is only due to the fact that the decals are somewhere safe. You know, that safe place that you just can't find when needed. 

Next are the mortar teams from Platoon 20 and there will be bazooka and flame thrower teams to follow these. The difference a paint job can make to a miniature can't be under valued, especially in the lower scales such as 15 and 20mm.  

Hope that you found this interesting. 

Stay safe and cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 311

The first of a small run of US Infantry that were part of a larger group that has moved on to pastures new. Sadly, nobody wants these in their grey primer; so here they are with a bit more colour to their backs. 

The set comprises of one spotter team, two 60mm mortars and one 4.2" mortar that requires said mortar. The bases have still to be done on these then, its texture, static grass and varnished before going back to the market with them. Once they are complete will post full pictures and a price so if anyone is interested...leave a comment. 

These are also the first finished figures for June 2021

11 x 20mm figures

Hope that you found this interesting.

Stay safe and cheers for now.

30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge - May 2021 Round up

May passed by in a flash leaving this 30 Days 30 Miniatures six figures short of the finish line. To say that there was a lot going on is an understatement however, that's passed now and its time to rise from the metaphorical ashes. 

The pictures below show a mix of both scales and periods; starting with a few more terrain pieces for 28mm WW2. No idea who the manufacturer is for these which is a pity as rather like the single man sandbag emplacements. 

The greying hut is from Hovel's ACW range although it could be used for any North American conflict from the French Indian War onwards. This is a part of a small farm set with the barn being the next piece to be painted.

Whilst this month, as in May, there have been no 28mm figures completed a few have been getting worked on in the sidelines. This leaves the 15mm figures from Museum Miniatures and Gladiator Games.

The Mongols from Museum Miniatures are the first completed figures for well, Mongol armies across the period of the Mongol Empire. Starting here with the first bow armed light cavalry and medium cavarly. 

Next is the start of a second DBA army for the Late Crusader period and instead of representing a famous or infamous military order this time the figures are being painted for the Knights of Jerusalem. 

Still to find suitable decals for the shields etc for this army; not sure if there is a cross surround by 4 other crosses out there. If not will have to compromise with just the one. 

Although May and for that matter June have passed in a whirlwind did manage to complete 24 different miniatures.  Not close to that figure for June yet. 

Cheers for now

 

 

Back to the Brushes 309

 Oh my God! Where did May disappear to? 

Just as well that there a few things painted for this month's challenge as there are only five days left of the month to complete. A quick pic that is poorly composed and not clearly focussed either; the shame!

From left to right there are

• 2 x 28mm single man sand bagged terrain features for WW2
• 7 x 15mm Gladiator Games Crusader crossbowmen
• 1 x 15mm Chicken shed from Hovels
• 1 x 28mm Dragon's teeth terrain feature for WW2

This give a running total of 11 miniatures painted from 30. 

Best get a move on and get the brushes out

Stay safe

Cheers for now

All Hell let Loose 20

This was a cheeky way of grabbing a few points in the AHPC XI as it was used in the Chamber of Challenges - Hall of Traps entry. Well it is a tank trap. 

Purchased off eBay in late 2020 however have no clue on who the manufacturer is for this although there is another set of three to complete. 

 Cheers for now and stay safe

All Hell Let Loose 19

Another DAK squad based and ready for gaming in the future. The figures are from SHQ's Mediterranean German range and were painted a couple of months back in the 30 Days 30 Miniatures Challenges. 

Support weapons for the above squad including a MG42, a Panzerfaust, PanzerBusch 39 and a grenade rifle.

Next from these will be the first of the engineering squad. 

 Cheers for now

30 Days 30 Miniatures October 2020

A bit late considering that almost a third of November has already gone, however here is the round up picture for last month's 30 days painting challenge. 

Managed to complete the following figures last month:

3 x 20mm WW2 terrain pieces

2 x 28mm Norman Crossbowmen

8 x 28mm Prussian Landwehr

11 x 18mm Bavarian Grenadiers

8 x 28mm Caesarian Romans

Just for the fun of it I started another 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge the other night, 2nd November. As with last month there will be no theme to this, just to paint and complete 30 miniatures regardless of their starting condition. 

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

• To paint 30 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 - 2nd December will be the end date of this challenge
• To post updates as often as possible
• Lastly to show a round up post with a group picture of everything.

Hope that you will find this interesting.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 283

Been building this watch post or road side shrine based on the blog of Wargaming with Silver Whistle and the fantastic book that has been published as a result of this blog: Setting the Scene Vol 2. Recommend both to anyone interested in building their own terrain and wargaming modelling in general. 

Made from a 60mm round MDF base from Warbases, balsa wood, foam board and corrugated cardboard with grab adhesive and a fair bit of PVA :) 

Texturing and painting next up after the last tiles are added on. 

Hope that you found this interesting. 

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 282

A wee while has passed since the last post and a variety of things have been on and off the painting table. 

Below are three finished terrain pieces set on 100 or 120mm hexes. 

Originally intended for use on a 20mm version of Memoir 44 that hasn't yet happened. 

These came pre-flocked and painted however, this has been redone when based on the hexes. The entire piece has been covered in a mix of static grass, fine clump foliage and fine sand.

Then rubberised horse hair was added and covered with medium and burnt green fine foliage and turf from Footpaths to create the bushes. 

Once the PVA had dried the "flowers" were added by lightly covering set areas by brushing on PVA. Once dried the whole thing was sprayed with watered down PVA to seal everything in place. 

These are the first three things completed for this 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge. 

Hope that you found this interesting. 

Cheers for now
 

30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge September 2020

 Last months 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge was successfully completed as below:

A very different month with a return to painting some terrain features for a range of periods from Ancients to WW2. 

• 4 x 20mm Resin Buildings from Hovels (Farm house and out buildings)
• 1 x 28mm ruined Pillar fro Templar Miniatures
• 1 x 28mm resin altar from Grand Manner
• 1 x 15mm Haystack from Hovels
• 1 x 15mm ACW Farm building
• 1 x 20mm Flak 36 - lost the picture some how
• 9 x 15mm Confederate Infantry from Old Glory
• 12 x 28mm Iberian Spanish infantry from Gripping Beast 

Started another 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge the other night, 2nd October. As with last month there will be no theme to this, just to paint and complete 30 miniatures regardless of their starting condition. 

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

• To paint 30 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 - 31st October will be the end date of this challenge
• To post updates as often as possible
• Lastly to show a round up post with a group picture of everything.

Hope that you will find this interesting.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 277

 Continue the theme from the last post here are several more finished terrain pieces. 

First up is a haystack English Civil War style from Hovells in 15mm. 

Next, a shrine or altar piece from Grand Manner purchased when you could get bare resin from them. 

The next two pictures are of a 15mm farm house for American Civil War based games. This is also from Hovells in 15mm. 

The final piece is again from Hovells, this time from their 20mm Battlefield range and is a doocot from the farmhouse set, which will follow shortly. Whilst sold for use in WW2 based games, this piece and the others in the set could easily be used for earlier conflicts as well. 

This takes this month's 30 days 30 miniatures painting challenge to 

Day 19: 4 resin terrain pieces, for a running to total of 6 finished figures. 

Hope that you found this interesting. 

Cheers for now. 

Back to the Brushes 275

First finished item for this month's 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge and this time it is the dread 88mm Flak 36. This model has sat undercoated in desert yellow for many a year and finally saw the soft end of a brush over the last week. 

The model came from Under the Bed Enterprises (think) and was purchased at a show sometime ago; mostly likely Carronade. 

A full crew for this would be ten men and by looking at the base there isn't going to be enough space for them all - looks like a support base at the rear or side might be the order of the day. 

The base is from Warbases and is pre-laser cutting so it has also been gathering dust somewhere just like its figure. 

Now for the stats

Day 10 - 1 x 20mm Artillery piece

A few to go to get on target for this month. 

Cheers for now. 

30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge September 2020

 Last months 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge was successfully completed as below

Struggled with time to post updates for this challenge over the last few days; so here is a final recap of August's painting: 

• 20 x 20mm D.A.K from SHQ and Battlefield Miniatures (sadly out of production at present)
• 2 x 28mm Citadel Orcs
• 5 x 28mm Gondorian Archers from Gamesworkshop
• 3 x 28mm Late Roman Horse archers from Gripping Beast (Footsore mounts)

Starting another 30 Days 30 Miniatures Painting Challenge tonight, 1st September. As with last month there will be no theme to this, just to paint and complete 30 miniatures regardless of their starting condition. 

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

• To paint 30 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 - 30th September will be the end date of this challenge
• To post updates as often as possible
• Lastly to show a round up post with a group picture of everything.

Hope that you will find this interesting.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 273

Its bloody chaos here

In amongst all of this happening there has been some painting done and now mindful of the date here are the first finished figures; 16 20mm D.A.K from SHQ. 

These complete the basic platoon and support options for the D.A.K in Chain of Command although there are several other support options to be completed to finish the force off. 

Day 23

16 x 20mm figures completed

Cheers for now.