Mid-Week Update for the 10/31/2009 Goal

So this week I set out to paint five M4A1 Sherman tanks from BattleFront (the Flames of War people).  This is my first foray in 15mm scale.  I own some 12mm Warmaster models, but they came painted off eBay.  I had to buy them, honest.  It is the only game system where Kislev is fully supported with respect to the rules (and at one time miniatures), even if it is a finesse army.

So here is what I started with on Sunday Night.








Not much to look at and they take up room.  'Twas an ideal candidate for Goal of the Week.  As you can see on my other posts, those guys had stay on my desk for ages. These pictures were taken after I had painted the heavy machine guns and the tracks (basically black) and touched the metal pins in the tracks with boltgun metal.  I used the AFV FAQ book by Mig Jimenez to get that shade of bright green via an airbrush mix of Tamiya colors.  At first it looked way to green, almost like some kinda Home Depot spray can.  Later, we'll see why that color intensity is so important.  I was really worried they would come out looking like cheap toys doused in lime juice.  I really should have had more faith in that book.

On Wednesday, this is where I stood:







So, here they are with the basic painting, decal treatment, and washes done.  You can really see why the tank needed to start out that bright.  What is left?  Well, spot highlighting, armor fading, varnishing and weathering.  The tank commander poking his head out also needs more than a coat of Tallarn flesh and Badab black wash he has now.

On a side note, I have no idea how to use my new camera and my images will suffer until I figure it out.  it is a huge adjustment going from a decent but old point and shoot camera with a 3in near focus (Nikon Coolpix 4500) to a quality new DSLR with an 18 in near focus (D90).  With the Coolpix, I just zoomed in and shot. it was the only option really.   Now that I am at a tier of quality where the general purpose 18 105mm, is not as easy to use for macro photography, I need to actually learn what I am doing.

First Pictures with the D90

Note: This post does not appear to be rending properly under FireFox.
It seems to be fine under Chrome and Internet Explorer.

So on  a whim I pulled my DKoK Super Heavy Armored Urban Assault Division and laid it out on my staging/gaming/work area (er, pool table).  Using the heavily discounted tripod thrown in with the camera, I was able to raise camera above my head and keep it steady for a better high angle shot.  Later last night, I also started experimenting with the macro and zoom features for up close photography of this week's goal (paint to completion 5 FoW Sherman tanks).


Here is the wide angle from about my should level (so 5ft).



Here is the same set up about 1 ft closer and at about 6ft 6in on the tripod.

You'll have to bear with me as I handle the initial excitement with my new toy. While the D90 replaces a Nikon Coolpix 4500, which wasn't a slouch of a camera 8 years ago, this is my first camera that is designed to be used out of AUTO. I am way over my head. It turns out the 4500 has a near focus of like 3 inches while the D90 has near 18 inches. The D90 however has such a high resolution, and is such a quality camera, that In macro mode even 2-3 feet away, you can zoom way in on the images. Guess I need to add photography to the list of classes to take. It will be joining in no particular order: Classical & Koine Greek, Hebrew, Intermediate Ice Hockey and Medieval European History.


This evening I will post updated pictures of those M4A1s. The first pass of Badab Black was huge. I expect great things from some well placed judicious Delvan Mud. Sadly, I am anything but judicious.

Brass Monkey et al.

So off to the side there, you can see I got a stash of "phat l00t" this week.  So here goes...




Here you see what arrived.


The smaller stuff.


All the stuff from Monday.



Here is the MonPoc unpacked, yes that is a Brass Monkey in the center.  Those lads must be some kinda Beastie Boys fans.  Actually it is officially, Mega King Kanda. And more importantly, I got me some fishmen, er Tritons.


Then THIS arrived on Tuesday.  Nikon D90 with a Nikkor 18-105mm lens.  There is a remote trigger somewhere around here too.  I will have the most expensive poorly shot pictures of poorly painted minis in Dumfries, VA!  So long CoolPix 4500, Hello D90.

You know you might have a problem...

when you order $60 of mini's from the Warstore, get the wrong ones and are still happy as a clam.  Honestly, they are Malifaux miniatures, so the things are hard to get as it is.  Luckily, I couldnt't decide between Lilith and Victoria crews anyway.  Getting Marcus and Miranda instead of Sonia Criid's box set wasn't a big deal either.  If it really bothered me, I know Neal would have it swapped out in a heartbeat.  Now if this afternoon, the UPS guy delivers a box without a Nikon D90 in it, I won't be so generous.

The M4A1 Shermans for Flames of War are whole new experience for me.  I have never painted at 15mm before or to a real world color scheme.  It is really forcing me to paint like an artist (like Ron does).  I am more from the hyper-realism school like Mig Jimenez (the guy who has the killer FAQ book and the highly over priced, high quality weathering kits) (Note: I am not where near his quality, just his style).  At 15mm, I have to learn to exaggerate contrast and not busy the model with too much clutter (er, detail) which shouldn't be visible at that scale.  Washes and inks will be my friend for sure.  Still working on how to apply that soft fade for the goofy shade of green I used.  It is way brighter than OD green..  In fact, I used OD green from Vallejo on some of the molded on stowage and crew.  I hope this gives the impression that military paint isn't always held tot eh most stringent consistency.  Khaki chalk, pale green-yellow oil, heavily thinned tan acrylic?  Decals are going on like a charm, softened right up.  The setting solution is doing its thing while I am at work.  Turns out out I forgot put the stowage accessory sprue on the tanks.  Not a huge deal, but I also never put the appliqué armor plates on either.  While not required, they do break up the smooth lines of the M4A1 nicely giving a nice place for chipping and weathering.  Anyway, these things have been sitting basecoated on my desk for 8 months now and it is nice to finally be moving them along.

Tons of photos to follow tonight.  More testing out Google Chrome on my work PC right now more than anything.

Weekly Goals

I am finding these weekly goals kinda handy so here is a post that will contain all the goals and mid week up dates.  If only blogspot let you create blank pages rather than link everything through posts. sigh.


5 FoW Sherman Tanks Completed 10/31/09
5 FoW M4A1 Sherman Tanks Mid-Week Update for 10/31/09 Goal
4 ForgeWorld Tanks Completed 10/24/2009
4 ForgeWorld Tanks Mid-Week Update for 10/24/2009 Goal

Goal of the Week for 10/24/2009

So the goal was to finish principle building of 4 tanks.  The Macharius has numerous little bits that go on after significant green stuff work is done, namely the exhaust pipes which rest on a bad join.  The heavy stubber is too fragile to leave on the tank at this point and I like to paint my crew separately.  The two Leman Russ tanks are done including the mine plow, minus the crews as previously mentioned.  Those mine plows were a bear to install, and I discovered too late, FW sent me a mismatched set of smoke launchers, so I had to do a little conversion of a left doo dad to a right doo dad.  So here they are built.  Not sure when green stuff and detailing becomes goal of the week, but for now they go to the shelf.


Front view of the four all together




 Death Korps Leman Russ with Trench Rails and Mine Plow

 
 Macharius with Vulcan Mega-Bolter 3/4 view

Reviews

So I am thinking to myself on the drive from work "I buy tons of stuff.  I should review some of it." A key part of that is *I* buy a lot of stuff.  People don't give me stuff, and I don't want them to.  I have plenty of stuff.  I buy stuff out of sheer curiosity all the time. (As an aside, often this my biggest how my biggest mistakes start, either by thinking or buying.  Getting in the car with me is the passenger's mistake.)

I am not a reporter or journalist.  I am not an exhaustive fact checker in my personal life.  The English language is one of my weakest subjects.  Writing a blog does not qualify me as an expert at anything.  At best, I am just some random guy with way too much time on his hands;  at worst, and a self righteous dilettante.  Luckily, that is a fairly narrow and innocuous spectrum of possibilities. 

So what possible credibility do I bring to a review?  See the first paragraph.  I chose to buy things wide variety of thing, and I do it out of curiosity.  Am I absolutely impartial? No.  I, however, do not receive goods or services from entities seeking a review.  So often you read in a review the phrase "from the consumer's perspective...".  Well, in this case the reviewer is the consumer.  I neither buy things simply to review them, nor is my income premised on me reviewing them.  This is all stuff I bought and will continue to buy anyway.  (As of writing this, no one has read my blog yet anyway).  In addition, I purchased something out of desire, need, curiosity and sadly on occasion boredom.  This gives me a desire to actually use whatever it is (with the notable exception of things bought in a fit of boredom).  I have a at least a modicum of vested interest determining exactly what bought, not simply the state of art, because it sitting is my basement taking up room that could hold other stuff I do not need.


Hope you enjoy. (Reviews to start this weekend)

My Workspace

So this is where I do all my work.  As things change and I get new tools, I'll update this.

Painting and modeling station

  Yes that is 8 sq. ft. of my $4,500 1" slate, maple frame pool table.  I routinely assure myself it wasn't a waste of money.  I even believe it now.  The power of positive thinking!

Paints

   These are some of the lesser used paints.  Oils, Water colors, Tamiya, GW Fountations and Washes, Windsor Newton Calligraphy Inks, Testors Enamels

Supply Bench

  My father made this bench for me at my request.  Now that he is gone, I don't think I have the heart  mess it up.   I did mount a vice on it, and I think he would be proud (just not of the clutter, or the fact I not using it for working).

Pegboard

  Ya, I have a collecting problem.

Rarely used Paint

  Interference Paints, Craft Paints, other paints Mediums and Super Glue with a brush.

Weekely Goal Update 10/24/2009 Goal

So Wednesday nights are generally pretty busy as I am off imparting my knowledge and conviction to my congregation of munchkins.  As such, my Mid week update comes a little before midweek since I know if i put it off, then well, it wont get done.  Hmm, I see a theme running through my life there.  So here is the mid week update:

10/20/2009

I started here on Saturday Night while sick.

By Monday Night I was here

Tuesday Night 8:34PM this where I called it a night

And these are pieces I still have left to do.

Unnecessary Side Projects

So on top of a ton of minis and a new blog to maintain, I am always starting random side projects related to this hobby.  I'll try and update this with pictures as progress allows.  Yeah, right, progress from a blog with eternally unfinished in the title.

Currently under way:

Flagstone Bases for my Malifaux Guild crew.

From Blog Update photos

From Blog Update photos

From Blog Update photos

Warmachine Finished Models

Warmachine Miniatures

I am actually pretty good about finishing model from Privateer Press. I guess something about starting a new game system allowed me to be more disciplined about completing those projects.

Cygnar:  Somehow, I ended up with a Cygnar Battlebox and had it sit in the basement for years.  One day I decided I need yet another painting project.  After about a year, I actually finished the whole thing.

Cygnar Ironclad Heavy Warjack

I really liked how this guy turned out.  He was the first model I finished, based and varnished in years.

Cygnar Charger Light Warjack

Cygnar Lancer Light Warjack

Coleman Striker, Cygnar Warcaster

This Coleman Striker model doesn't look like much zoomed in that close, but at arms length looks really nice.  I would say he is better than the so called "Tabletop Quality", but I will agree the face is a little lacking.  He was more an experiment playing with mud and pure white.

May the Force be with me...

A long time ago, during an eBay bid I won Han Solo of Hoth. Today, when I checked my mail, it had finally arrived. Now I have completed The Force Unleashed set for Star Wars Miniatures. Now, I am short short a few minis from Alliance and Empire and a Jensaarai Defender from Jedi Academy and that is it. At last they are all collected. At last, we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi.

Why do this?

So why create this whole thing? Well, I have tons of projects started and not completed. There are space marines simply lacking that final coat of varnish to poorly primed Glitterboy hiding in a box. There is more Forge World terrain here than most people have scratch built. Every week, more stuff just appears from the Intermatum, destined to hang on a hook in a blister pack.

I have been in the miniatures hobby since 1996, far earlier if you count painting my Axis and Allies and HeroQuest miniatures. To date, I have completely finished 7 Middenheimers with accompanying Hired Swords for Mordheim, 1 Warcaster and 3 Warjacks (the Cygnar Starter pack) and 1 hyena. Now, I should clarify by finished I am referring to everything is finalized: basing, varnishing, specialized display, you name it. The thing is done. It goes in a box or shelf to gloat to all the models "in progress". I use that term loosely, as I start a lot of models and never come back to them.

With the holiday season coming, I will be having a great deal of time off. So I figured why not create a log to document the insanity of my miniature habit. In addition, it will give me a reason to do more talking about models than actually working on them. It will give me something to record my commitment to finish some of these models.

So what will be posted here? Lists of the models I have, projects contemplated and started, techniques I pick up, and assorted other stuff. And, of course, random moody blog rants.