HELLBOY - On-line painting article part three

The third post in this latest On-line build and still no real painting! The Lego blocks have been superglued on to a Games Workshop 40mm square, plastic base. A perfect fit for a display plinth such as this.

The miniature (and plinth) have been spray painted, first with Games Workshop Chaos Black and then, more lightly with Tamiya Brown. The mottled finish (brown over black) is a base that I find easier to paint over, rather than plain black.

I have had to do some 'cleaning-up', removing mould lines and flash, but overall the figure was very well cast. The miniature including plinth is 80mm tall.

Hellboy has now had his right arm attached with thick or gel-type superglue. Quite an imposing figure.

I would hope that the next post will show some actual painting, but for now I hope that you agree with me that the plain Lego block base or plinth (now finished off with a GW plastic base) is looking very good.I particularly like the way that the groundwork and base blend into one another. Simple, but as you can see very effective.

Tony

HELLBOY - On-line painting article part two

I wanted this particular miniature to be mounted on to a small plinth or display base. After much searching I decided not to use one of my ready-made wooden bases, but instead to use Lego building blocks!

As you can see in this first photo the figure has been superglued on to six, 8 prong Lego building blocks, which have in turn been glued together. The ground work has been built up with DAS modelling clay over white PVA glue, with the rear left area being sculpted into a larger rock for Hellboy to rest his right leg on. I sculpted the rock with a couple of metal sculpting tools and when fully dry used a scalpel blade to further detail the rock face.

You can also see that I have modelled the DAS to overhang the sides of the Lego blocks, once set I sanded the sides flush and smooth.

Once the sides of the plinth had been sanded and the groundwork detailed I added some small stones and fine sand to the centre of the base area. In this photo you can see how I have carved the rock or stone face with a scalpel and how the DAS groundwork now matches, seamlessly with the building blocks. You will also notice how I have not yet attached Hellboy's right arm, as this would have made sanding the sides difficult.

The sanding was done by attaching fine sandpaper to a toughened glass tray with double-sided tape and gently sanding in a circular action until the sides were smooth.

These photos do not show how fine, ready-mixed filler was used to fill the joins between the building bricks. I added some filler and white glue to the joins and when dry the joins were sanded - this took about three attempts before the fine joins were hidden.

Before undercoating I added some larger stones and a couple of pieces of broken cork with thin superglue and allowed the glue to fully set before starting the painting.

This is the first time I have used Lego blocks in this way - but am very pleased with the result and can see further plinths, and even sculpted or part plinths being used for future miniatures. I would recommend the technique to modeller's who want a 'custom base' for their display miniatures.

In part one, I mentioned how heavy this particular sculpt is - I now wish that I had added some ballast to the inside of the Lego blocks prior to gluing them together. If anyone wishes to copy this base building technique, I would suggest that you think about this earlier in the build.

Tony

HELLBOY - On-line painting article

Following my first On-line build, an actual time article on modelling and painting an early Grenadier Miniatures Orcus figure, I am starting a second. This set of posts will detail how I modelled and then painted a Graven Images figure - Hellboy.

The miniature is one of three that I purchased off e-bay last month for £2.00, plus P&P. They are 40mm metal figures from the Graven Images range, distributed by Monolith Designs and sculpted by Jim Bowen. To the best of my knowledge these three are part of a larger range which were sold either as individual models or as a set. The range is no longer available due to licencing issues when the film Hellboy and official figures were released.

This photo is the actual e-bay auction illustration and not one of mine.

For this On-line build, I will be basing, painting and finishing the Hellboy figure only, the Abe and Liz figures will follow in future 'how I did it' painting articles.

The Hellboy figure is a two-piece casting and stands just over 43mm tall, it is quite a heavy casting.

Tony

Flash Gordon Orcus - part six

I had expected this on-line build to last longer, much longer if I'm honest, but this post (part six) takes the miniature from detail painting right through to varnished and flocked!

Photo One - Shows the miniature painted, additional highlighting to both the purple and blue/green skin tones, the teeth, tongue and eyes painted and a number of washes, the final one being a Flesh Wash to take away the stark pink tones.

Photo Two - The base painted in my 'house style' - black and scorched brown, highlighted with scorched brown and then snakebite leather/scorched brown. The stones picked out in black and grey with white highlights. Then all washed with a water-down black wash.

In my opinion finishing the base in a 'house style' (all miniature bases painted in the same style) can help to bring all the collection together, much more that what style you paint the actual miniature can.

Photo Three - As above but now varnished with Ronseal - 'it does exactly what it says on the tin' gloss varnish.

Photo Four - Matt varnished with a custom mix of Galeria Acrylic Matt Varnish and Tamiya Flat Base X-21. Two or three coats are sometimes needed.

These final photos show the figure based, painted, varnished and flocked with green static grass. The eight eyes and open mouth have been brush painted with Klear acrylic gloss varnish.

I've enjoyed recording the painting of this old Grenadier miniature much more than I thought I would. I initially started this On-line build after seeing a similar series of posts on a 1/32nd scale aircraft site and wondered if I could keep up the interest with a single figure. If nothing else it has been a fast paint-up, taking about a week from start to finish and maybe, painting one figure at a time and keeping an on-line record is the way forward for me.

The miniature is a Grenadier Miniatures Orcus - M36, bought second-hand on e-bay, it is mounted on to a 40mm round base and stands 60mm tall.

Tony

Flash Gordon Orcus - part five

The colour scheme is evolving. I think I prefer this purple/grey more than the turquoise/purple! See the artwork below

The green skin has had blue added to it, with blue washes and a final drybrush of blue/green on the upper surfaces. I have also added black washes to the areas that will be purple, the heads and stomach. (It still looks very green in this photo).

The purple colour is mixed from Blood Red and Midnight Blue from Games Workshop (I don't have a ready mixed purple in my collection as this is not a colour I use that much). Adding touches of white to the mix as I highlight up to almost pink. I have then used the Citadel Purple wash to blend the highlighting and a purple/black wash to define the blue/green skin from the purple stomach and heads.

The other change is to paint the tentacles in the same purple colour - I had intended keeping these just blue/green (the same as the main skin colour). Yet another example of how my hap-hazard painting style can change the final overall scheme, sometimes without planning.

The initial colour scheme - green has changed quite considerably during the course of this on-line build, sorry paint and I am sure it will develop further before the final varnishing and flocking.

I'm pleased with progress so far - purple is not a common colour scheme for me and this is something very new in colour schemes for me to get to grips with. The purple has been the biggest challenge so far.

I can't help thinking of Rhubarb, when I look at this painted figure?

Tony

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

Over the last twenty years I have read all (nearly all) of the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett. It would be difficult to choose my favourite as all have some fond memories, however Monstrous Regiment has to one of my favourites. Then this weekend at the Toy Soldier Show, I was in discussion about books based on Black Powder fantasy and I found myself recommending this book. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE - Mark!

Monstrous Regiment - the 31st Discworld book and in my opinion one of his best. But as stated above, it is so difficult to choose a 'best' amongst so many greats. I also found my self reviewing the story - searching the Net for a suitable quote, but with this particular story it is so difficult to do without giving away main threads of the story. You will just have to take my work for it and go out and buy a copy!

Given the content of this Blog, I would be amazed if Pratchett was not known to my followers, however any one who is yet to discover the wonders of this author should go out now and buy a Discworld book - you will not be disappointed.

Tony

Toy Soldier Show - Birmingham

Earlier today I visited the 19th Birmingham Toy Soldier Show at the Clarendon Suite, off Hagley Road, Birmingham. The show is for model or toy soldiers rather than wargaming or modelling subjects, think old Airfix, Hat or the 54mm painted figures from Timpo, Britains or King & Country. There were thousands of toy soldiers - ranging in price from a couple of pence to hundreds of pounds each!

I felt that it was not as well attended or as many traders as last year, filling just the main hall and a bit. Overall, I was disappointed and apart from the entry fee I did not spend anything. The highlight for me was studying the beautiful models made by Allan Colclough from Small Wonder Models, which were on display in glass cabinets. Allan was kind enough to show me some additional photos and these and others are featured on his Web site;

http://www.smallwondersmodelmakers.com/index.html

The Gallery and Product sections show some truly fantastic 'scratch built' models, a real inspiration to me. In addition Allan was quite happy to talk about his modelling techniques, share his experience and give modelling hints and tips, a real gentleman thank you.

I also spent some time studying a huge 1/32nd (or 54mm scale) WWII German E-Boat. A very impressive 'full hull' model.

I am not convinced that I will be attending this show next year. We will have to see.

Tony