So here's a quickie that Google kindly put together for me. I was trying to get some shots done for a "how to paint a basic Minotaurs symbol" and after uploading it to my account, it ended up getting animated...
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Short but sweet
Trying to keep posting every once on a while and well, yeah.
So here's a quickie that Google kindly put together for me. I was trying to get some shots done for a "how to paint a basic Minotaurs symbol" and after uploading it to my account, it ended up getting animated...
So here's a quickie that Google kindly put together for me. I was trying to get some shots done for a "how to paint a basic Minotaurs symbol" and after uploading it to my account, it ended up getting animated...
Thursday, 7 November 2013
Back from the dead - minotaurs
Almost every day as part of my job I tell people they should have goals that are realistic and achievable. Well perhaps I can learn to listen to my own advice and paint something that matches the time I have available for painting!
It's not going to win any prizes (although I will admit that photography at this level does it no favours) BUT, it is a quick paint job to reproduce en-masse with minimal effort. By combining this with ramping down my desire for a successful list and literally just painting and assembling everything in my space marine box I've actually been able to make quite significant progress.
I traditionally play at around 2000 points and while this army shot is about 500 points short of that it is about two thirds painted and the 500 points of remaining models are waiting in the wings, ready for assembly and a quick paint job. Painting so far was done in three batches - two batches of troops and one of vehicles - with each batch taking a little over a week to complete. At this rate I may actually have a finished army painted inside a year. Inside 6 months even!
It's not a complete rush job either, there has been time for a few little touches to try and individualise the army. There are NO mark 6 beaky heads to be seen, all the sergeants have an approximation of mark 8 errant armour and I think the bases look pretty cool compared to my usual rather sparse flock job. Plus all the squads are getting painted squad markings. All in all it's a satisfying experience so far, and as a playable army it looks very nice on the table.
It's not going to win any prizes (although I will admit that photography at this level does it no favours) BUT, it is a quick paint job to reproduce en-masse with minimal effort. By combining this with ramping down my desire for a successful list and literally just painting and assembling everything in my space marine box I've actually been able to make quite significant progress.
I traditionally play at around 2000 points and while this army shot is about 500 points short of that it is about two thirds painted and the 500 points of remaining models are waiting in the wings, ready for assembly and a quick paint job. Painting so far was done in three batches - two batches of troops and one of vehicles - with each batch taking a little over a week to complete. At this rate I may actually have a finished army painted inside a year. Inside 6 months even!
It's not a complete rush job either, there has been time for a few little touches to try and individualise the army. There are NO mark 6 beaky heads to be seen, all the sergeants have an approximation of mark 8 errant armour and I think the bases look pretty cool compared to my usual rather sparse flock job. Plus all the squads are getting painted squad markings. All in all it's a satisfying experience so far, and as a playable army it looks very nice on the table.
Thursday, 20 June 2013
An Apocalyptic Change of Topic...
So I'm playing an apocalypse game in four weeks and counting. I've built myself a nice little Hierodule and its starting to look like it might actually be in a fit state to grace the table. Then Mark says "Build a BIG one."
Nah that's a stupid idea. In four weeks?
...
About 45 minutes of cutting and carving and we have this. This is a bad idea. I am sure of it. See the poor little hierodule at the top of the photo? He's not enjoying being second fiddle.
Oh dear. I repeat - THIS IS A BAD IDEA!!!!
Although that appears to be bang on ten inches to the top of the (temporary) spine-funnel-vent thing. Bang on the height given by FW. Maybe it was just meant to be?
Nah that's a stupid idea. In four weeks?
...
About 45 minutes of cutting and carving and we have this. This is a bad idea. I am sure of it. See the poor little hierodule at the top of the photo? He's not enjoying being second fiddle.
Oh dear. I repeat - THIS IS A BAD IDEA!!!!
Although that appears to be bang on ten inches to the top of the (temporary) spine-funnel-vent thing. Bang on the height given by FW. Maybe it was just meant to be?
Sunday, 3 March 2013
I Aten't Dead
Just to prove I aten't dead.
I caved and bought FW bits - only the Red Scorpion armour and some bolters though, so the next time eBay has a free weekend I can (hopefully) get some of my cash back. I've been spending more time thinking than actually modelling lately (this was MUCH easier before I had a life) but some of it seems to have paid off as I have been able to solve some of the issues I had envisaged with getting the look of the different marks mostly right.
Shoulder pads sorted, just need to plug the gaps. Might just ignore the fact that the groin plate is the wrong shape on these guys.
You could say this was completely unnecessary, but I think it is close enough for a cursory glance without being an overly convoluted conversion.
This is more necessary (at least I think so) there's something iconic about this mark of pack in my mind and I would like something that looks at least passable. I'm hoping that some way of streamlining the production process will come to me, otherwise it might be quite labour intensive (as this will probably be one of the more common versions in the army)
With all that it looks like I might even manage a half squad sometime soon! I also had a bit of luck on the shields for my breacher squad
Fixing these on midway down the arm seems to work beautifully - plus I had been eyeing up the minis they came with for ages, so it was a handy excuse to buy a squad of ten (even if they are going to be missing their riot shields)
I caved and bought FW bits - only the Red Scorpion armour and some bolters though, so the next time eBay has a free weekend I can (hopefully) get some of my cash back. I've been spending more time thinking than actually modelling lately (this was MUCH easier before I had a life) but some of it seems to have paid off as I have been able to solve some of the issues I had envisaged with getting the look of the different marks mostly right.
Shoulder pads sorted, just need to plug the gaps. Might just ignore the fact that the groin plate is the wrong shape on these guys.
You could say this was completely unnecessary, but I think it is close enough for a cursory glance without being an overly convoluted conversion.
This is more necessary (at least I think so) there's something iconic about this mark of pack in my mind and I would like something that looks at least passable. I'm hoping that some way of streamlining the production process will come to me, otherwise it might be quite labour intensive (as this will probably be one of the more common versions in the army)
With all that it looks like I might even manage a half squad sometime soon! I also had a bit of luck on the shields for my breacher squad
Fixing these on midway down the arm seems to work beautifully - plus I had been eyeing up the minis they came with for ages, so it was a handy excuse to buy a squad of ten (even if they are going to be missing their riot shields)
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Not actually Pre Heresy DG
OK, so further reading says that actually this can't be a pre-heresy army - or at least I'll have to go back to the start and create everything in lower marks of armour. Maybe one day - but definitely not any time soon (barring a sudden windfall)
Now that I've accepted that, its time to move on! Refining my concept for MKV and combining it with some techniques from another blog I've started mass production (if you can call ten guys mass production). Rather than show you lots of boring pics of legs in various states of disrepair (follow the link above to see a step by step guide in any case) I'll show you the one which I've moved further along to try and firm up the army design.
As you can see, I've started raiding my bits box for some scrappier pieces (and I'll have to work on my stud-work on that inside leg). As well as cleaning up on the technique I've also been reading up a bit more on Death Guard Tactics and re-reading the legion army list and decided on some extra details:
- Death Guard are renowned for self sufficiency, so everyone is going to have pouches to keep stuff in - not HUNDREDS of the things, but each model should have at least one. This should let me vary up the look of the armour a bit more while keeping things simple.
- All marines come with a bolt pistol, so everyone is going to have one!
- Ditto grenades (maybe more than one in some cases)
- All Death Guard carry some kind of blade, so everyone is going to have one. I'm going to cut them down though so they aren't too ridiculous (I hope)
I'm not sure alter this slightly to put them in sheathes instead though - I suppose I can mix and match that too though.
Now that I've accepted that, its time to move on! Refining my concept for MKV and combining it with some techniques from another blog I've started mass production (if you can call ten guys mass production). Rather than show you lots of boring pics of legs in various states of disrepair (follow the link above to see a step by step guide in any case) I'll show you the one which I've moved further along to try and firm up the army design.
As you can see, I've started raiding my bits box for some scrappier pieces (and I'll have to work on my stud-work on that inside leg). As well as cleaning up on the technique I've also been reading up a bit more on Death Guard Tactics and re-reading the legion army list and decided on some extra details:
- Death Guard are renowned for self sufficiency, so everyone is going to have pouches to keep stuff in - not HUNDREDS of the things, but each model should have at least one. This should let me vary up the look of the armour a bit more while keeping things simple.
- All marines come with a bolt pistol, so everyone is going to have one!
- Ditto grenades (maybe more than one in some cases)
- All Death Guard carry some kind of blade, so everyone is going to have one. I'm going to cut them down though so they aren't too ridiculous (I hope)
I'm not sure alter this slightly to put them in sheathes instead though - I suppose I can mix and match that too though.
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Pre-Heresy DG - AGAIN???
Well I've reached a bit of an impasse as I have ordered some "studs" to continue with this little project, so I can't continue till they arrive. Couldn't resist finishing off our MKVI friend first, so here he is in all his test model glory:
I think I might have to accept that this is the last time I can call a main torso a "test" - so it looks like I'll have to work out squad markings soon....
I think I might have to accept that this is the last time I can call a main torso a "test" - so it looks like I'll have to work out squad markings soon....
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Pre-Heresy DG (continued)
Good god - another update!
Well yesterday had me so disappointed with the results of my photographic experiments that I decided to hit the books and read up a bit, so here is something that's (hopefully) a little better.
Its not going to win any prizes as far as painting goes (or modelling or that matter) but its clearly recognisable for what it is and that's what will count on the tabletop. Let's all say thanks to Mortarion for having the only legion not obsessed with polishing its own armour.
I think for the production model I'll add in the nose-guard and maybe file the knee-pads a little flatter. If I'm going down the mass production route I'll also have to find a better source of studs, sticking them on is bad enough, but after having to MAKE the things as well??
Can't go pre-heresy stud-happy and not have some of these guys. I've got enough of the legs to do most of a ten man squad but I'll probably mod some others for a bit of variety. I'm not sure how much of the colour difference is due to my painting and how much is due to my "mad photo-skillz", but I think I'll need to work on consistency.
This is probably what needs the most work. I'm not shelling out for official DG pads for these guys, but to be honest I think a stencilled look (if I can manage to perfect it) would suit better. Kind of like IG in power armour.
Well yesterday had me so disappointed with the results of my photographic experiments that I decided to hit the books and read up a bit, so here is something that's (hopefully) a little better.
 |
| Mk V(ish) |
I think for the production model I'll add in the nose-guard and maybe file the knee-pads a little flatter. If I'm going down the mass production route I'll also have to find a better source of studs, sticking them on is bad enough, but after having to MAKE the things as well??
 |
| Now this makes me nostalgic.... |
Can't go pre-heresy stud-happy and not have some of these guys. I've got enough of the legs to do most of a ten man squad but I'll probably mod some others for a bit of variety. I'm not sure how much of the colour difference is due to my painting and how much is due to my "mad photo-skillz", but I think I'll need to work on consistency.
Monday, 11 February 2013
Pre-Heresy DG
Well, it would be too much to keep any kind of consistency to this wouldn't it? I should at least try and keep SOME kind of pace up though, so here's a test moodel for some pre-heresy Death Guard
Still struggling to get the light box to do its thing, think I need a better light source - akthough it does hide a multitude of sins...
Still struggling to get the light box to do its thing, think I need a better light source - akthough it does hide a multitude of sins...
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Rough and ready terminators
So apparently terminators kick ass again now that power weapons are generally AP3 or strike last. Well I've got a game next week and I'm not going to go out and spend I don't know how much money on a box of them when I've got a cupboard full of bits, so it looks like its time to dig out an old project...
Enter these guys. This is a project from waaaay back when - there were originally going to be eight of these guys to take advantage of the free upgrades given when you have squads of eight World Eaters (that should date them) now that I'm finally getting round to doing something with them, after all the cannibilising over the years, there are just three to fill in the gaps and bring me up to ten Chaos terminators.
Standing them next to a brand new guy they don't scale up that badly (although they are bulked out with plasticard). By the time I'm finished sticking guns and pointy crap to them I reckon they'll not look out of place at all - andn I'll still have thirty quid in my pocket!
How about that - mini's that I actually intend to use. The sky's the limit!!
 |
| Larry, Curly and Moe |
Enter these guys. This is a project from waaaay back when - there were originally going to be eight of these guys to take advantage of the free upgrades given when you have squads of eight World Eaters (that should date them) now that I'm finally getting round to doing something with them, after all the cannibilising over the years, there are just three to fill in the gaps and bring me up to ten Chaos terminators.
 |
| Not actually that bad... |
Standing them next to a brand new guy they don't scale up that badly (although they are bulked out with plasticard). By the time I'm finished sticking guns and pointy crap to them I reckon they'll not look out of place at all - andn I'll still have thirty quid in my pocket!
How about that - mini's that I actually intend to use. The sky's the limit!!
FPPaul
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Going Rogue...
Well, less than a week and already failing with to show any painted miniatures. Still from little acorns!
I'm going to buck the trend slightly though by staying on topic (kind of). The reason I created the programme from my previous post was that Advanced HeroQuest was wonderfully table-driven and lends itself perfectly to writing simple excel and access based tools to help things along - I've written a programme that happily stores converts AND generates HeroQuest character and monster profiles that I will finish one day I promise...
That brings us to another table driven game requiring lots and LOTS of rolling of dice...
Yes, good old rogue trader. Where the points system for generating your own characters was... entertaining to say the least. But years later, a little bit of wizardry with Access and we get this:
Now if we had all had something like this back in the day things would have been so much easier - imagine being able to generate rogue trader squads with multiple randomly generated heroes in a matter of minutes instead of hours. How much more time we would have had for painting and playing. I'm guessing that somewhere out there something like this already exists - a game that is a hybrid of both worlds, using computer programmes to generate the characters, playsheets and maps and the allowing the player to run a pen and ink campaign with minimal rolling. Now we just need 3d printers to drop in price a bit more and even out minis can be randomly and instantly generated!
This little toy also spits out random names for characters and forces (currently only loaded with Space Marine names, but one day...) which is where this blog's title came from.
Anyway, that's enough for now, here's hoping tomorrow actually involves the generation of new stuff that I will actually use in the next 12 months!
To finish here's a lovely little quote I found when I was re-reading the rogue trader rules as part of this project;
"It is unlikely that we’ll ever see a full range of plastic vehicles for Warhammer 40,000 from Citadel either"
Oh how times have changed...
I'm going to buck the trend slightly though by staying on topic (kind of). The reason I created the programme from my previous post was that Advanced HeroQuest was wonderfully table-driven and lends itself perfectly to writing simple excel and access based tools to help things along - I've written a programme that happily stores converts AND generates HeroQuest character and monster profiles that I will finish one day I promise...
That brings us to another table driven game requiring lots and LOTS of rolling of dice...
 | |
| At least I painted these, even if they are a few years old! |
Yes, good old rogue trader. Where the points system for generating your own characters was... entertaining to say the least. But years later, a little bit of wizardry with Access and we get this:
 |
| 307.75 points. Says it all really... |
Now if we had all had something like this back in the day things would have been so much easier - imagine being able to generate rogue trader squads with multiple randomly generated heroes in a matter of minutes instead of hours. How much more time we would have had for painting and playing. I'm guessing that somewhere out there something like this already exists - a game that is a hybrid of both worlds, using computer programmes to generate the characters, playsheets and maps and the allowing the player to run a pen and ink campaign with minimal rolling. Now we just need 3d printers to drop in price a bit more and even out minis can be randomly and instantly generated!
This little toy also spits out random names for characters and forces (currently only loaded with Space Marine names, but one day...) which is where this blog's title came from.
Anyway, that's enough for now, here's hoping tomorrow actually involves the generation of new stuff that I will actually use in the next 12 months!
To finish here's a lovely little quote I found when I was re-reading the rogue trader rules as part of this project;
"It is unlikely that we’ll ever see a full range of plastic vehicles for Warhammer 40,000 from Citadel either"
Oh how times have changed...
FPPaul
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Old school/new school
For me Advanced Heroquest will always be the game that first started me on the road to wargaming. While I no longer get the chance to play it very much its nice to be able to find ways to integrate some old favourites with modern technology...
Using this little piece of excel wizardry I can generate maps in no time flat - yes they're rudimentary, but they get the job done! Now all I need to do is finish my character and room occupant generators and find some guys willing to play a game that's been out of print for about twenty years...
FPPaul
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
A Seditious Start
Hello and welcome to my humble Blog! (Or something like that)
Like many wargamers around the world I struggle with the idea of beginning half the projects I want to - never mind actually completing them! With this in mind I have resolved to start Blogging about all the miniature-related crap that I do and that spills out of my head.
As I am hoping this Blog will spur me on with some of my ongoing projects the sensible place to start seems to be with the new Sedition Wars: Battle for Alabaster minis which arrived on Monday. I think it's a wonderful little package - I'll leave those with more experience to review it in full.
Here's my first test mini - both as a test of the paint-scheme and my photography skills:
What a wonderful start - look at that mould-line!! It really isn't that noticeable in person (and certainly won't be from the angle I will be playing at) but its just the sort of thing that I'm hoping to force myself to improve on. Looking at this test-piece again I decided it was a little bit too blue and decided to have another go - this time without wasting a nice fresh mini...
Much happier with the colours this time, but perhaps a touch more blue is needed. This time though I just don't care about wasting a mini as I have no idea where this one even came from!!!
Well I hope this start gives some indication of what this Blog is likely to be like - the first post features a game which I have yet to play (I'm a 40k man normally) and above and beyond that features a miniature that isn't even from the games own range. Come back next time for even more off-topic ramblings!
FPPaul
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