Flings, Fling

Now, I'm not the fastest painter, nor do I claim to be the best. But it would seem that some people like what I do. In this case, so much so that I've gained a new friend, Robin. We met as you sometimes do in the 21st Century, on Facebook after he was selling some old miniatures. Turns out that he also has a love of the old Halfling Blood Bowl team, in particular, the style that I've painted mine. At the time I was look for some Skaven (ratmen) to increase the models I had so that I could start a Skaven team of my own. So in exchange of the Skaven he had, I said I would paint him some Halflings and he'd send me the minis. Though I did warn him, I'm slow, and I paint in waves. 6 months later, I've finally finished. I don't know the team name, I'll add it once Robin has decided, but they are done and posted yesterday. Painted in a style similar to my 'Fondant Fancies', but with something a bit different so they are not just a clone of what I did before. Even the Treemen are painted in 2 different styles, with one just a light brown/sand and a Earthshade wash. Then the other one is also brown/sand base, but with ink washes in 2 different colours.
I hope they bring him years of enjoyment, it was nice to paint the little guys again.

 

It's All For Charity Mate!

Sometimes I paint stuff not just for myself, but also for a charity auction. This weekend 3/4/5 August in Bognor there will be a Blood Bowl weekend, with auctions and other events going to charity. Its called Thrudball and organised by a chap named Andy and some other guys who's names escape me. But Andy did ask if I'd be happy painting a few models for him, as its for charity I agreed.
First one is a fat Ratman produced by Impact! Miniatures named Glart Smash-n-Rip if you interest in owning one of your own. Lovely sculpt, and very true to the image that I remember from Blood Bowl second edition. So I was looking forward to painting him, though he is made of resin, which so far, I hate painting.

This resin was a bit easier than some I've painted, having washed him soapy water first, and then priming him with Vallejo Air surface primer (70 600). I chose a base colour for him of Elf grey (from my 80's orginal citadel paint collection) and then gave him a wash of Agrax Earthshade and Nuln Oil. These gave him a nice fetted look, more unwashed and unkept Ratman. After this, it was just a mass dry brush of more Elf Grey, simple by effective.

As you can see above, I've added some other details into this mini. First was picking out some flesh on the Ratman, so the toes, palms of hands, tail, scar, mouth, nose, eyes, and ears where painted with Coat d'arms Dwarven Flesh (124) and then washed with Ink Wash Flesh (133). You can follow the link to this and get them from Black Hat Miniatures, where I get all my paints now. After this, the skin was highlighted with some more Dwarven Flesh, and a few touches added round the body to give a hairless feel to some of it. The rest is just dark red, with a light red highlight, white pads and silver items where needed. Anything leather is a dark brown, washed with Agrax, and then highlighted with a ligher brown. Then after a satin varnish, you get your finished Glart.

 Along with Glart, I also painted up a Werebear, this chap too was from Impact. Just follow the link if you want to own one of your own.
Again he was washed in soapy water, then based coated with Vallejo white primer. The base colour for him this time was Citadel Dryad Bark, then some tests with 2 highlights. First was Gorthor Brown, but I decided it wasn't strong enough, so followed up with a Ratskin Flesh. But in some areas I didn't think that was strong enough and added Troll Slayer Orange. His armour I wanted to give a bronze look, so this is a base coat of 80s Citadel Shining Gold, then a wash of Biel-Tan Green and Druchii Violet.

D&D Party Time

Maximising my nerd level, I'd recently joined a D&D group. As part of that I'd started on some sketches of the characters in the group, but then the DM decided combat was getting a bit confusing. So added a dry wipe maps and some models, so on behalf of the group I painted us all up. I've tried to pick and paint models based on the characters, so first a group photo.

As you can see we have (left to right, front to back), A Halfling Monk (me) called Perry, a Druid Dwarf called Ulfgar Frostbeard, 'Elf' Barbarian called Jerry Jackson, Elf Rogue called Oakenheal, and finally a Dragon Born Rogue called Skylax. 

My own model Halfling, is not the same as I'd imagined, but I was rather limited by the range of miniatures. But a more slender figure then the usual tubby Halflings worked well, and he has a nice set of chops (Halfling Fighter). Perry was nice and quick to paint, and didn't need any modification. The 'sculpted' eyes where a bit of a challenge and he looks a bit 'squinty'.

 

Next is the Druid Dwarf, he's built from a Dwarf Champion. His axe lopped off, and a pickaxe added, along with a cape and some 'animal' hand shoulders. Tried to keep the skin tones dark, and and simple clothes, along with his 'shoe-less' feet. Took the opportunity to add some grass to his cloak to add more or a earth feel.

The Elf Barbarian was a bit of a challenge, all the models I could find where clothed or had mssive beards. This didn't really suit him, so this one is probably a bit more 'bulky' then a traditional elf. But it is tall, and had a rather awful pony tail, so won it for me (Merc Barbarian). I added a cloak, just a protect from the elements, and the axe head is swapped from the Dwarf model.

 

Another Elf this time, a Rogue. This model fitted in perfect with the image in my head, and was in a nice pack of 2 from Ral Partha. So she just needed some 'firey' red hair and a nice clean finish, though I also added some deep purple to the leggings. To show off that Elf 'refinement'. I had to play with her skin tone a lot, and I'm not sure its pale enough, but she does have a little flush in the cheeks. 

Finally we have our Dragon Born, who a Lizardman mini, with his spear removed. A magical sword added, and a little clothing. I did want to give him some proper 'Rogues' clothes, but the shape of the mini rather limited this. Plus it would hide his glorious copper skin, which is a gold base, light green wash. Followed by a purple wash and gold highlight.

If you like the Ral Partha miniatures, then do take a look at their website. Or direct to the links I've added to this blog above.