Bange and Oafson - part six

The Trolkin twins, Bange and Oafson from Alternative Armies (LE045), finished.  I have painted the base in my usual manner, varnished the miniatures with Ronseal Gloss Varnish and then two coats of Galleria Acrylic Matt Varnish before adding some clumps of static grass applied over uPVA glue.

Photo One - The Twins.

Photo Two - Bange. The miniature has been slightly modified from the original casting with higher trousers, a revised rear jacket and some Green Stuff buttons.  I painted the spectacles with a bright pink colour as it is well know that Bange sees the world of Valon 'through Rose coloured glasses!'

Photo Three - Oafson. The 'brute' and armed with the modified lance. Once again the casting has been remodelled with Green Stuff.

Photo Four - A rare view of the rear of these two Trolkin showing the conversions and painting.

Photo Five - A different view, with Oafson having yet another disagreement with his twin and Bange left wondering what it is that has upset his brother.

These Limited Edition miniatures are available from Alternative Armies, for full details go to this link.

I have already commented, that with this pair of figures I was trying a new painting technique. One that I feel did not suit my own painting style, however the Block Painting/Wash technique did work for the grey skin tones (Trolkin are supposed to be 'as tough as granite'), so I would have to admit that it has been a partial success.

The Pledge 2012, has so far, moved along quite quickly. However unlike earlier months I have (at least so far) not chosen a subject for the August Pledge.  This may change, but also it will be good to have a month off.

Tony

Flintloque - The Alternative Sharke

Barking Irons Online have uploaded another Miniature Workshop article written by me and labelled Rekhardt Sharpe The Alternative Sculpt. The short article details how I based and painted what is a very rare Special Edition figure of the Flintloque hero Sharke that was given away free with subscriptions to the Orcs in the Hills magazine.

After a long delay between writing and publishing, the article was released yesterday morning and then last night I received a comment on this very Blog from Marzio (Fog Soldiers) giving a link to his own miniature painting tutorial of the very same figure. For more details go to this link for an update on the painting and this link for details of the bare casting. Marzio's painting style is very different from my own - but well worth checking out as he produces some fantastic painted miniatures and it is a great comparison of styles - as we are using the same basic figure.

For more Flintloque Miniature Painting articles, go to this BIO link.

Tony

Bange and Oafson - part five

Since the last post I have painted over most of the miniatures, using my traditional or usual style (dark base colour and two or three highlights). The one exception is the skin or grey flesh areas which I have left as the original Block Painting and Wash finish.

Photo One - Bange and Oafson just waiting for varnishing and flocking.

Photos Two, Three and Four - Detail shots of Bange.  I have kept the rose-tinted glasses, repainted the trousers with gold stripes and finished off the knapsack and Bakur Rifle.

Photos Five, Six and Seven - Detail shots of Oafson. His trousers have been over-painted in Skull White and his Green uniform highlighted in a brighter or lighter Green. I choose a Blue and White stripped bed roll to add some colour and as above, the knapsack and Bakur have been painted.

Both miniatures have had their metallic areas painted with GW metallics. I use metallics in the same way as plain acrylic paint - that is a darker basecoat and one or two highlights in brighter metallic colours. All metallic areas have been washed with the GW Sepia or Black wash (as is my usual style or technique).

It would be fair to say that the Block Painting and Wash technique has not been a total disaster, but I don't see me painting other miniatures in this style, preferring as I do my tried-and-tested Black undercoat with bright or primary layers with two or three highlights.

In summary Bange and Oafson are fantastic miniatures to paint and the 'mix-and-match' painting technique seems to have worked in this instance.

In the next post I plan on showing the varnished and finished Bange and Oafson from Alternative Armies. More (but not too much more) to follow.

Tony

Some experiments with a Light Box

This afternoon I have been experimenting with a 'Heath Robinson' Light Box built out of a couple of sheets of cardboard, a melon carton and some bamboo sticks.

Photo One - A plain white background in direct sunlight.

Photo Two - Again the plain white background and direct sunlight, but this time with the Macro setting on the digital camera..

Photo Three - Indirect sunlight through a diffuser, some clear packing film held in place with masking tape. (I told you it was Heath Robinson!)

Photo Four - As above but with the Macro setting.

Photo Five - Artificial light this time, a single 60watt standard bulb lit from above.

Photo Six - Artificial light but with the Macro setting.

Interesting experiments. At this moment I am going with the diffused lighting as it has less stark shadows.  However what am I going to do when the winter comes and good sunlight is in short supply?

For the past three/four years I have been using a pale blue background (see earlier posts) but I have been told that if I want to proceed with a PDF book on building wargame terrain, I will need A - a better camera (unlikely at this moment as funds are tight) and B - a light box.

I'll keep you informed of developments.

Tony

Wargame Terrain for sale on e-bay

I have decided to sell these two pieces of Wargame Terrain on e-bay.

The first building is a Stone Storehouse built from blue foam and mounted on to an oval of MDF. The building is 78mm wide x 90mm deep and 100mm tall.

The model is finished to a very high standard and is suitable for 28mm wargame figures.

The second model is a converted plastic kit of a Ruined Gateway. Once again mounted on to MDF, the model base is 180mm long x 130mm wide and 80mm tall.

The model is finished to a very high standard and is suitable for 28mm wargame figures.

Both items are now sold.

Tony

Bange and Oafson - part four

Just to re-cap. I have decided to paint these two Trolkin from Alternative Armies in a new or different painting style. A simple block painted basecoat with Citadel washes. This is a style of miniature painting that I first saw/read about on a You tube video from Rob Alderman.

Stage One.  The two figures have been roughly painted in a style that I believe is called 'block painting'. The flesh is cold stone - Vallejo Stonewall Grey, the uniform Forest Green from Foundry and the trousers Off-White (a mix of Ivory, Stonewall Grey and Skull White). Prior to washing the figures, I have tidied up the Chaos Black undercoat.

Stage Two. I have 'washed' the two Trolkin with both Badab Black and Devlan Mud (the original washes - not the new ones) from Citadel/Games Workshop.

Stage Three. I am not happy with the finish, but have persevered and highlighted the Grey/Green/White areas with at least one highlight, added the Gold braiding and detail as well as adding some additional colour - the Blond Mohican for Oafson and the Rose-Tinted spectacles for Bange.

These Troklin Limited Editions are full of character, really nice sculpts which seem to come to life when 'washed' but is still some way to go before the miniatures are finished. I have to admit to not enjoying this new painting style. In fact I have thought about repainting the Black undercoat and starting again! As I proceed, I find myself using the Block Painted/Wash technique as a base painting technique, but adding layers in my usual style.

I will review progress before my next post.

Tony

The Knights Tomb on Barking Irons Online

Craig Andrews has just uploaded my latest Modelling Masterclass article The Knights Tomb on Barking Irons Online.

The simple terrain piece was built as an addition to my group of Witchlands Cemetery scenery and uses a simple 'toy soldier' model on a scratch-built cardboard base.  The same techniques could be used to produce a statue or fountain.

Photos One and Two - The finished Knights Tomb model.

Photo Three - A close-up shot of the cardboard built base.

For even more examples of my scratch-built terrain please go to this link.

Tony