Toy and Military Fair - Kidderminster

Yesterday Sue and I visited a Toy and Military Fare in Kidderminster. I found the prices a little high, but enjoyed browsing the stalls, For more information go to this link.

I picked up some second hand magazines.

Tony

Illustrators Quarterly - a Charity Shop Find

I recently came across this title at a charity shop in Leamington Spa and picked it up for just £1.50. Later I realised that there were quite a few similar titles and specials. Illustrators Quarterly published by The Book Palace.

The book/magazine is packed with full colour images and details relating to the artists. More details can be found here.

Tony

FIFA World Cup - Qatar 2022

On the eve of the start of the 2022 World Cup I have decided that I will not be watching the opening ceremony or the first match between Qatar and Ecuador. In the past I have looked forward to all the matches I can get to see and since I was a very young boy have enjoyed all the build up and circus surrounding this great tournament. However this year there are many reasons that I find myself uncomfortable with watching and supporting the spectacle from human rights abuses, corruption and the general bad taste of a football tournament that has so obviously been 'bought'.

As a very proud Welshman, I will find it very difficult to not watch Wales playing in their first World Cup for over 60 years, in fact the first time that they have qualified in my lifetime and will no doubt find time and the inclination to watch my Wales play, but other games will be less of a pull. 

In the past I admit to going a little overboard and watching as much World Cup football as I could (and if not watching - then at least listening on the radio while driving home) but 2022 Qatar just feels different and a little 'dirty', so in addition to making a very direct effort to not buy or support any World Cup sponsors, I will be cutting back on my football 'fix' for this year and who knows, maybe for the future.

FIFA have in 2022 ruined football for me. So thank you for that.

Tony

Warship of the Sea People - Miniature Wargames issue 476

My latest tutorial featuring a 1/72nd scale model of a Sea People Warship is included in the latest issue of Miniature Wargames - issue 476 December 2022.

The model is scratch built in card and plastic card with a bamboo mast and a water colour paper sail. The crew come from HaT Sea People - set 8078

For more information, see this link or pick up the magazine.

Tony

Where do you find inspiration?

When I write magazine articles detailing how I build and paint wargame terrain or structures, I try to include a paragraph or two on the inspiration for the piece or model, for example; an illustrated children's book, a structure from a film or TV series or an illustration I have found in a magazine or on the internet. Hopefully this preamble helps to 'set' the model in context, but I wonder as inspiration can be such a difficult thing to control - Where do you find your inspiration?

I enjoy working on themes - such as the series in Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy where I have produced linear structures or when I am asked to produce something that is outside my comfort zone, as seen in the recent Miniature Wargames model with a Biblical theme.

In 2022, I regularly produce models and articles for all three of the main Wargame themed, magazines but do occasionally find it difficult to find new models to produce and feel that I need to remain relevant and not repeat subject matter. To this end, do you have any suggestions or sources that may help me?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated and who knows, it could inspire me to produce a model or models based on your suggestion.

Thanks you

Tony

Bargain Paints from the charity shop

I picked up these paints and brushes from a charity shop in Coventry earlier this week. The volunteer was just putting them out for sale and at £3.00 for the lot - that's paint, tubes and brushes, I thought it too good a bargain to miss. They are a mix of glass paints, enamel paints and relief outline paints, something I have never used before. After checking them out, I am sure that I will find a use for all of them.

Tony

City by David Macaulay

My latest charity shop find is this book by David Macaulay called CITY - the story of Roman planning and construction which I picked up earlier this week for just £1.49.

The beautifully illustrated book has loads of black and white sketches showing everything from simple farm structures and road building techniques to huge temples.

I'm looking forward to choosing a couple to model.

Tony