First photos of my new project - updated

Following the earlier post, here is an additional photo showing the first two test castings of the covered, wooden well, painted, varnished and flocked.

The second well has been painted in a slightly lighter aged grey finish and has been modified by having the roof shortened and a wooden ladle inserted in to the bucket (as seen in a Google image search).

I think I like the second paint scheme or the one on the right more!

Tony

First photos of my new project

The following six photos show a pre-production test piece that is the first casting of my planned range of 1/48th or 40mm terrain pieces, a covered wooden well.

Photos one and two show the first casting, painted, varnished and flocked with a modified Flintloque figure for scale.

Photos three and four show the bare resin casting, a three piece casting, the main body, the winder and the roof.

Photos five and six show the master - balsa, plastic card, DAS and fuse wire.

I am hopeful that I will be able to give details of some of the larger casting later this month.The models will be released for sale soon, very soon.

Tony

Flintloque - The Rarest Tin, a collectors resourse

I have just received my edition of the latest publication from Alternative Armies, The Rarest Tin, a collectors resource detailing the limited edition miniatures from Flintloque/Slaughterloo.

The A5 booklet of 64 pages has a full colour cover with black and white photos and illustration inside. For anyone not familiar with Flintloque, there have over the years been a regular supply of limited edition figure, blister packs and even boxed sets. This booklet is a 'must have' for any serious Flintloque or Slaughterloo figure collector, detailing as it does all of the limited edition sets with the addition of background information and 2009 gaming stats.

The booklet is a collectors guide and resource for players, here you will find profiles for every limited edition and very limited edition miniature made by Alternative Armies over the years. The following page; LE001 Sergeant Obidiah gives and example of the detail included.

For more details, please see; http://www.alternative-armies.com/New_Releases.htm

I have collected Flintloque miniatures for over ten years and have most of the limited edition figures, in fact page 58 features a photograph of the XM97 Christmas Vignette set that was painted by me. I have yet to read all of the entries, but see this as a great addition to the Flintloque mythos and my collection.

Thank you AA, for actually going ahead and producing it, I wish you well with the sales.

Tony

The Japanese Patrol Aeronef MONI part two

This week the second part of the Workbench article - The Japanese Patrol Aeronef Moni is featured on TMP, see; http://theminiaturespage.com/workbench/163635/

Here is an additional photo showing the Nef finished, painted and based.

Tony
PS.
I know the Blog has been quiet this month, but that does not mean that I have not been working hard on new projects. I would hope to be able to announce some news very soon.

Starblazer Fantasy Fiction

I recently picked up a mixed batch of Starblazer - Fantasy Fiction in pictures. The comic books are widely available on the Internet, check out E-bay. They were produced by D. C. Thompson in the 1970's and 80's and are a great read, filled with inspirational artwork (originals of which are sometimes also available on E-bay!)

The Secret War - issue 178. Including magic and Ork-like creatures, a good story with some interesting characters that could be used in a 'Space Opera' game.

Return of Starhawk - issue 201. The return of a very famous character that has also appeared in The Crunch (see earlier posts). I like this character and the robot companion Droid, once again a good story and for anyone looking for a ready made hero, Rynn or Starhawk is ideal with loads of background information and back-story.

Here is the back cover illustration, offering a great villain Urga Thaad, a semi-human cyborg killer!

Cobra - issue 262. Very 'Judge Dread' in feel, but a twist in the story sees the hero visit a Victorian Science Fiction planet, see the three black and white illustrations below. Great VSF inspiration.

Finally, we have Alpha - issue 277. Again the story precedes later 2000AD stories and characters with a computer engineered private investigator called Alpha. Possibly the best story of the four.

I enjoy searching these early British Sci-Fi magazines out and would recommend them as great entertainment.

Tony

Toolbox - Epoxy Putties and Fillers

In part three I have listed the epoxy putties that I use and why. To begin with, my favourite two putties are Milliput (yellow-grey) and Green Stuff Kneadatite. I prefer the yellow-grey Milliput as it is cheaper and slightly easier to get hold of. The Green Stuff can be bought from Games Workshop (or on E-bay, but be careful, I have had at least one batch from E-bay that was very poor).

Milliput - can be used for filling gaps, adding detail, producing very strong bases and adding texture. As stated I prefer the yellow-grey for cost, but also have a box of white for special occasions. Milliput was the first epoxy putty that I used and I feel this is why I am so comfortable with it. It is also very widely available.

Over the last year or so I have begun to mix Milliput with Green Stuff (the ratio varies depending on the model or the use, but a 3 part Milluput to 1 part Green Stuff, produces a mix that has some plasticity when soft for sculpting detail as well as setting rock hard. I would suggest that other modellers experiment with the ratios for their own needs, I do not think there is a right or a wrong mix).

Milliput wins hands-down when it comes to 'sandability' and being able to carve detail. Green Stuff tends to 'pull' and maintains some flexibility even when fully set.

Green Stuff or Kneadatite - the sculpting medium of most of the 'great miniature sculptors' and not by chance, the product is just fantastic to work with. I have two little hang-ups with the product that I think maybe unique to me! I always cut the centre section out (where the yellow meets the blue ribbon). I am not sure if this is really needed, but as stated, it is something that I always do. Secondly I try to get a 50/50 mix of the yellow and blue, not always easy as the ribbon proportions tend to be more yellow and less blue.

You will see that I have also included DAS modelling clay. I have been working with DAS for many, many years and feel it is the best terrain modelling material readily available and again very widely available. I tend to mix some PVA glue with the clay and usually model on to PVA glue to make sure it remains in place. I use DAS in two very different ways - firstly over PVA and to build up terrain, for example on to MDF bases and using broken pieces of cork to add texture. Then secondly (once again over PVA glue) to add a skin which when fully dry can be carved, ideal for adding stonework to foamboard structures. I always seal DAS with a thin wash of PVA glue and water.

This second photo shows some of the other putties and fillers I use. From left to right they are; Humbrol Filler, OK as a filler provided that you do not have it too thick. Power Grip or any tube filler (Polyfiller for example), mainly used diluted with water and PVA glue to paint on texture. White Putty (or in some countries Green Putty), a perfect fine filler for modelling with plastic kits. The last is quick setting epoxy putty (there are very many different makes) - I use it when I need a quick setting putty rather than have to wait for it to harden or if it would be difficult to heat up and cure in the oven.

I also have a new pack of ProCreate Sculpting and Modelling Putty, which I recently picked up from E-bay. It is too new for me to comment on, but I look forward to practicing with it.

Tony

My Hobby - as included on a job CV

Due to a change in personal circumstances, I have been actively seeking a new job. While producing CV's and attending interviews I am aware that I have in the past only touched upon my hobbies and interests, concentrating more on my work or employment experiences all this changed when I stumbled upon a couple of articles recommending that hobby or outside interests should be featured more highly on your CV.

For example;
I am a keen modeller and wargamer producing 'scratch-built' models, painted figures and enjoying the research that goes with this hobby. My 'master CV' includes the following.....

Model making
I enjoy making models and painting model soldiers, based on historical information and uniform guides as well as Science Fiction and Fantasy subjects. I am also a keen wargamer, using model soldiers to re-enact historical or imagined scenarios over miniature battlefields.

Writing
I have over the last fifteen years had a number of articles printed in model making publications. In addition with the development of Web based magazines I have been published on the Internet in web based magazines and Fanzines. I also maintain my own model making Blog.

In the many interviews I have attended, I can count on the fingers of one hand the times that this inclusion has produced comments, however a couple of recent articles on the Internet have made me think about this part of my life, for example;

Model making, miniature painting and wargaming offer many unique skills for a potential employer.....

They show an ability to follow precise instructions and to translate technical information into practical application.

They also demonstrate the ability to plan, organise, project manage, overcome problems and deliver solutions, they show that you are numerate, logical and have attention to detail.

The detailed research and reading, both reference books and rule books, are educational and beneficial, they also help to introduce some very thought provoking views - we are talking about war, the reasons why wars were fought and the lessons learn. (I have heard comments from those outside of the hobby that model makers and wargamers 'glorify war'. This cannot be further from the truth as it becomes very clear to most wargamers that war is in fact completely futile).

The artistic side of painting and sculpting miniatures which exercise different parts of your brain - the recognised Left/Right cross-over that is so important to creative thought.

In many areas, practical mathematical skills are involved, for example converting scale and measurements in to a 3D model.

Table top wargaming demonstrates strategic, operational and tactical planning, proof that you are able to manage risk, evaluate and manage conflict, make decisions and solve problems.

Most wargaming involves others, a group of individuals - social networking which develop core competencies such as clear communication skills, influencing skills, team building, respect and leadership skills.

These are powerful skills in any work scenario. In fact I am amazed that model making and wargaming are not included in the school curriculum, given the 'core skills' they could help to develop.

I hope that these comments (which have been taken from various Blog or Internet sites) help others tho make more of their skills when producing a CV or attending interviews.

Tony