Departure

Its is with heavy heart that I've decided to part ways with my retribution. If I were to get to a club/event then my first choice would be hordes. As much as I live the models and the time spent painting my ret, it is a waste having them simply sitting in their foam case.

If there is any interest at all please contact me here or message loftybloke on the privateer forums.

Thanks
Lofty

Rocky Road

No, not the ice cream flavour. I'm talking about my experiences painting Hyperion.

The main thing I've learned is that I should have started painting before I knew about the event I'm getting ready for, and given myself far more time to spend on such an awesome miniature.

That said, it really has been a journey to get it to the stage it is at today. I've tried out some new techniques this time around, some of which will be visible when I post up completed pictures.

The first of which was pre-shading. I discussed this in a post a week or so ago, and to surmise, I decided that airbrushing detail really wasn't going to work for me.  I'll revise the technique & my method after a total strip down of the brush and a clean, in case this was affecting flow etc and see how I get on painting bog trogs.

The second method I've adopted that I haven't really done before is line highlighting. I had the intention of trying to blend my highlights a lot more on the large armour plates on the colossal, but I really haven't left a great deal of time at all for something like this, more 's the pity. Instead, I've been pretty satisfied with applying a reasonably fine light of a highlight colour to the edges of each section as a highlight, and a similar method to shade selected areas.  I also tried some edge highlights which came out pretty terribly if I'm honest, and I hope they won't stand out too much on the finished article.

I've felt pretty overwhelmed by the project over the past ten days or so of work, and it was only last night, when I was adding the glow to power lines etc, and had the base snow added that I felt like it was going to look great when completed. I'm taking tonight off to avoid burning myself out and not wanting to finish, but I ahve the afternoon off work tomorrow, and a late night planned to get the finishing touches (and Ravyn finished for hat matter) done and dusted. I've learned the hard way that the night before an event is a bad time to be waiting for paint to dry in order to pack models into cases, so Saturday will also be a hands-off day (busy during the day).

I'm confident that I'll be done in time, and confident that the final product will at least look half decent, as well as being fairly excited about getting some table time with the model :)
Definitely disappointed however with the rush I've imposed on painting such a great model, as well as a little bummed out about my visions of airbrushing being un-realistic.

A bit of a bitter-sweet post today, but I hope to be able to lighten the mood with completed pictures of Hyperion either late Friday night (early Saturday morning) or from the event on Sunday.

Until then, thanks for stopping by
Lofty

Committed

As I mentioned in previous posts, I have things coming up which I've committed to with the amateur theatre group that I stage mange for, and of course I have literally zero time at the moment for hobbyisms.  It's all hands on deck until Sunday morning, including not getting home at all after work & rehearsals 'til gone 10/11pm.

It's not all bleak news though my friends, fear not!
I've two 'missed delivery' slips from the postman, so I'm hoping that my copy of Gargantuans is waiting at the post office, along with my respirator.
Which leads me nicely on to the fact that I will be airbrushing like a man possessed in order to get Hyperion painted. I learned recently (Tuesday) that there is a Colossals release event at my LGS in two weeks on Sunday. Pretty short notice if you ask me, but no-one did. Of course, me being me, I went into panic mode and started trying to cram on the new rules, and on casters and tactics etc... Where as what I think I'll be concentrating on is painting.

All I need to complete is Ravyn, an Arcanist who are both at around 80% and of course Hyperion.
I do have a plan of attack on how to approach the big man, involving pre-shading and weathering/battle damage, so we shall see how he turns out.  I suppose I can always go back and add to the model if I feel like it needs it at a later date.

The only thing I have literally no idea about is lists. I will be using pVyross and Ravyn, but other than that I've no real clue what to field.  I won't have time to get my Destors assembled for Ravyn unfortunately, but I've never really played her before so I'm stuck for other options.

Can you guys help suggest anything for these two casters at 50 points? The only Ret models I DO NOT OWN are;
Vyre 'jacks
Houseguard uints
eEiyriss
Sylys

Radio silence for now then, but hopefully I'll be back to it on Sunday with something to show on Monday late on.

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

Into The Groove

After my post the other day, I turned my attention to the PP community at large, and repeated the text on the forums. I was reminded yet again why this is one of the best communities in wargaming - solidarity and support from the start.  You faithful followers here are always just what I need to keep me blogging as well.

I'm typing this after being at home all day waiting for an engineer to fix our phone line and get us back online. During that time, I've got Hyperion ready for undercoat, and tidied up my work area & got eVyros out ready to gap fill, and hopefully undercoat.

I've also been considering all the advice I've had from various sources over the past week or so, and come away with the following lessons;

- Goals - The last time I got any considerable amount of painting done was to the deadline of Breast Cancer Brawl. This is a great way of staying motivated, as it takes away the need to motivate yourself, as there will be others painting to the same deadline, and (I personally) would want to appear with as few unpainted miniatures as possible.

- Variety - One of my biggest problems recently I think is that I've decided I want to work on my Ret' but then spent all day at work daydreaming about how I could airbrush my bog trogs, or what I'm going to change about my Skorne scheme.

So in light of all this, the next few things I'm going to be working on are;

- Minions - Some really great models for the airbrush here, farrow bonegrinders will be great to 'two tone' with grey fur and darker brown skin. Bog trogs similarly so, coupled with the fact that it was a real chore to get them together so I'd love to be able to get them painted quickly and add the detail.

- Skorne - I've been racking my brain and trying to decide what it is that I'm not happy with about my current paint scheme, so I'll hopefully be posting some examples soon of what I'm going to modify to get some opinions on this.

- Retribution - I've slipped a fair way from the fully painted collection I once had, so I really would like to drive this home. As it stands, I've WIP solos/Ravyn to get finished, Destors, eVyros and Hyperion all nowhere near started so this will be a long haul interspersed with the other projects to keep me going.

- Other models - There are a number of ranges that I own models from/intend to pick up models from, like infinity and Malifaux for example. I doubt I'll ever really game with these miniatures (except Malifaux with the wife) but they are nice enough for me to paint for paintings sake, and provide a decent amount of variety.
I also want to pick up a few GW display pieces. Their recent releases have really grabbed my attention, but they've priced me out of their games forever. I don't mind picking up a centrepiece as a project (magnets etc) but I won't be buying enough to play ever again.
First up in this regard is a unit of custom terminators with round shields, watch this space :)

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I'm hoping to start getting more hobby work done, and that can only mean WIP pictures a plenty once I get going :)

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

Last Minute

Managed to get a few minutes work on my base today, so here's a very quick update in amongst getting ready for many and various client meetings tomorrow

I'm pretty pleased with how it's looking so far, and I think it'll look pretty good even after some coloured washes etc.

Hopefully have some time in the week to do some more work

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Overflow

I don't usually like to post on consecutive days, but I'm really pleased with tonight's progress, and how things are shaping up against my original plan;

I've added a load of Polyfiller to the area where I will be putting the water in order to simulate the flow of water in the stream. I think it looks great at the moment, and will only improve with paint and water effects, so I'm really pleased, and wanted to share the progress with you all :)

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

Up Stream

Made some major progress with Hyperion today (I finally remembered to buy some glue..) I did manage to go through nearly an entire tube of super glue however making the base, I think I need a hot glue gun to do this kind of thing more effectively.

Anyhow, Hyperion is now green stuffed where necessary, and the shoulders are fully assembled, awaiting posing in order to be added along with the arms.

I asked you guys last post for inspiration regarding a base, and one response to the blog, and one verbal response confirmed the same idea - an ice crevasse type thing.

I really like this idea, and have had a blast making this today. I started off with a circle of card the right size for the inside of the base, and marked a rough design & blocked out the stance.

After that, I started building up the layers, and shaping the cork;

Once this bad boy id painted up, water effects will just be the cream on top, I think it'll look fantastic. The only drawback is that the next two weekends are pretty much fully booked so I'm not sure how much time there will be for hobby stuff. Ho-hum, I suppose that's life eh?

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty

Titanic

Today's post title works on a couple of levels
- Hyperion is a Greek titan.
- Ice sunk the Titanic, and I'm considering doing an ice themed base.

Weak pun? Of course. Worth it? Not really. Am I ashamed? Never.

As I mentioned Hyperion in the opening few lines, you may have guessed what I've been up to this weekend. That's right - more house sorting! I'm only half joking, family birthday took up Saturday, and Sunday was housework, and putting stuff away ( I have too much stuff - 1st world problems right?), but I did manage to bust out my box o' crafts and get Hyperion washed, and the legs assembled.  The plan was to assemble up to this stage and then be able to gauge the stance in order to be better prepared to take on some basing.

However, me being the Muppet that I am managed to get the feet on the wrong way round, and end up arguing with skin>resin>superglue for a good twenty minutes or so. I manage to sort it all out, and I currently have the pelvis down assembled, as well as forearms.  I also managed to get both halves of the top hull assembled, and will be searching for some fine grit sandpaper this week to gap fill (Khador gap eh? You ain't seen nothing till you've seen Hyperion).

I'm quite glad I didn't get so far as mocking up the base though to be honest.  Whilst frantically Googling images of the model (with feet semi-glued to my hands typing is no mean feat (feet - PUN that one's for free)), I saw some pretty spectacular work done to bases of various PP Colossals, and I felt siginificantly daunted by the project I was undertaking. My initial thoughts were to have the model standing astride some kind of icy crevasse, but I'm thinking something more detailed might be in order here.

Which, dear readers is where I turn to you.  Does anyone have any suggestions for a suitably epic basing theme/project for my mighty colossal?  I'd like to put a fair amount of work into this based on the price & size of the model as I feel it deserves something stand out :)

Let me know your thoughts, I'd like to maintain the snow/rock theme of the rest of the army but with something special about it:)

I've also been puzzling out plans to move forward with the trench templates I'm making.  I've been sent a mock up diagram of the requirements and will hopefully be able to get something together sometime this week to check with the client before I proceed with the build(s), so stay tuned for WIP & results.

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

On Call

I've been given a laptop from work and I'm on call all weekend :( maybe I'll have time to start assembly next week

Mi Casa

Might seem daft posting again without having unpacked any miniatures... I've been musing though so I thought I'd share :)

Hyperion is still AWOL, but I've been trying to come up with a good base theme for the model when I get it. Its a huge model and no small chunk of cash so I wondered if any if you guys had suggestions based on seeing my basing work to date?

I've also been wondering where to go after that with my ret, vyre jacks and Ossyan, (eventually leading to some houseguard) or eVyros and a Destor thane (because Vyros is awesome and who doesn't love cavalry?). Again, any thoughts guys?

After the house us a bit more sorted and work/ social events have calmed down I'll be able to establish my hobby setup again and get into it :).
Until then, Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

Boxed in

Yes, it's me, Yes I'm still alive, no I've not unpacked my hobby stuff yet...

Just wanted to add a  post saying that We've made it to the new house, and I've still got a room (shared this time) to have a gaming table and keep the majority of my stuff.

Also still chasing the Hyperion I've had on order, and eager to get hold of eVyros, and a destor thane. Vyre myrmidons might have to be either magnetized or purchased when I get my bonus this year :p

Thanks for stopping by, hopefully I'll be able to update soon with more relevant hobby stuff

Cheers
Lofty

The Gap of Ravyn

Another busy week I'm afraid.  It looks like it might be this way for some time as well unfortunately. We are looking into mortgages, and houses etc. which is a pretty full time thing, on top of other social commitments, and the fact that I've picked this time of year to start running, madness right?

I've manage to put some of the Destor mounts together this week, and I plan on doing a full write up of the kit at some point, but for the moment I'll just say that I don't like the kit.  The gaps on the horses are consistent and massive between the two halves.  It will take a lot of GS to fill the gap, and for someone whose manipulation of modelling putty is as poor as mine, the join will look glaringly obvious aster painting. I'm quite disappointed with the mounts for sure.

I've also got a couple of layers done on Ravyn, who is my last caster to get any paint (baring Ossyan who I don't own yet).  Mark (our illustrious PressGanger) has ordered Hyperion into our LGS for me to use my regular player discount and my raffle voucher (£20) on, so I'm really stoked about that, and once I've got a decent respirator for use with the airbrush, I'll be trying to get as much done without using a traditional brush.

Last but not leasts, Movember is upon us again, and I'm in the fledgling stages of this year's charity moustache. Please feel free to donate to prostate cancer awareness as supported by Movember on my page (or any other) here

Hopefully I'll have a better update next time, but thanks for stopping by :)
Lofty

Progression

I'm about to sit down and do my first hobbying since the blitz on my Blindwater congregation ready for the BCB and I really don't know what I want to get on with.

I've my Ret (Destors, Ravyn and Discordia away from fully done)

Skorne (a massive amount to paint)

and finishing the Blindwater (I have my alt boneswarm and snapper now too)

I'm going to be able to get one with the custom bases for the give away as well this week, so I can get them to their 'lucky recipients'

I also have a £20 voucher from the BCB raffle to spend.  What do you guys think I should pick up and get on with?

Cheers

Lofty

Call in the Cavalry

My LGS is having a clear out of some old stock, and I managed to snag a unit of destors at half price.  Yes that's right, a full cav unit 50% off.

Expect some early WIP shots this weekend.

That's all for now :)

Lofty

WORK in Progress

Still having trouble leaving on time, which quite frankly is depressing. had to cancel a game at the club (again) today. Both messing around a friend, and missing my weekly warmahordes fix.

This also unfortunately means that this week's progress is limited to base coating & washing the first layer on the posse, and dry brushing the shell of the Spitter. Progress is progress though :)

I've been leafing through Domination as well this week. Pleased with the results for Skorne and Minions. Once I'm painted up with Minions, I'll be working on Xerxis at 50pts, and picking up Naaresh, and Tiberion.

Hopefully by the time I'm through with all that stuff, the Vyre Myrmidons might have seen the light of day, so I can work a little on my much neglected Retribution. It's good to have a plan right? :)

Sorry there isn't much of note today, late home and all the rest. Hopefully this week I'll have some more done. I'm also hoping to pick up some decent desk lamps & bulbs (if anyone has any tips for bulb types/wattage, it would be much appreciated) as well as a portable photo booth for painting and photos, let's see what Santa brings ;p

Thanks for stopping by

Warpath

More fun with Barnabus this week. Won one lost one, and still really enjoying him as a caster.

I also made some progress with Discordia and hope to been done with pics soon. Slowly getting back into the swing of painting, and I'm looking forward to getting some momentum going.

I think I might switch forces for a while once this 15pt league is finished at the club. Barny is a little limited and makes for a pretty predictable game. Being so tough doesn't help his image.
I'd like to try Vyros again, but he really isn't the easiest caster to use. Possibly Garryth I suppose, time will tell :)

Not much else goin on really but I aim to blog at least once a week.

Let me know your thoughts on next caster and maybe why :)

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty


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Closure

I've finally got up the courage to catalogue my Warhammer High Elves (and soon to be dwarves) for sale. I was particularly pleased with the price offered for my elves, and I'm going to use the money to fund models to take Xerxis to 50 points.

I've had a hectic Easter filled with bank holidays and time away, so I've nothing really to show as progress until after the weekend maybe. I'm still part way through assembling bog trogs at the moment (fiddly little beggars) but I hope to have my posse ready to basecoat at the weekend, as well as some WIP pics of Barny and my Wrastler, so stay tuned!

Going to be testing my 35 points of gators on Monday, and then I'll be up at 50points for the foreseeable future as both of my regular opponents are testing tourney lists for the summer. One of whom is looking to grab some farrow and has a posse for sale, which means I'd have very little left to buy to take Barny to 50.
I'm pretty sure though that Ret will be waiting until Wrath for some love, except for when I finally finish discordia and Garryth.

Lots of wedding Stuff going recently too (funnily enough), so painting progress may be slow.

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty


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Clubbin'

Last night's game was a bit of a farce. Not only did my I forget to deploy my battlemages (my opponent kindly let me place them on my deployment line turn2) but I got munched by shooting through indecisive deployment/first turn manoeuvring and I'm still leaving Garryth backfield doing not a great deal.
I'm still not really convinced he wants a jack at all. Or at least I need to work out how a light can be useful to him as I can't get the chimera working.
Practice practice practice. I really like Garryth and I'd love to learn him enough to use him well at least. I get pretty frustrated that I spend so much time and money on figures and then make such stupid mistakes lol.
In other news, I've ordered a case of foam for my gators, and bog trogs plus croak for my 35pt barny list.
I've also planned out this list to 50, 35 and 50 with calaban and Xerxis to 50. My good friend 'griffin' is entering a 50pt tourney later this year, and I've agreed to get as many different 50point lists (with proxies) as I can for him to refine his circle tourney lists. Works out well for both of us as it will help me think about synergies for lists, and also get me used to tourney play (assassinate/defend) and scenarios.
A friend of mine who hasnt games in a while has also shown a lot of interest in the gaming table planning, and whilst he is insisting we get some games of WHF, I'm sure I can get some Warmahordes demoes in as well.

Life's good :)
Thanks for stopping by
Lofty

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Structure

Since we moved house, I've found it very difficult to concentrate on one faction, to either paint or be enthusiastic about. I've just got Garryth and Ravyn for my Retribution, and excluding maybe some riflemen for Ravyn I'm more than happy running lists with them both from my current collection.
My Gators on the other hand are only just 25 points.
So what's my point you may wonder? Well I'm glad you asked. Basically once Garryth, Ravyn and Discordia are painted, my Ret will be fully painted.
This means I can buy for my gators up to 35 points. Barnabus first, an then once his force is painted, I can grab some pieces for a Callaban theme force which would pretty much just be him and some farrow. This will give me a bit of structure, and more importantly goals to keep working towards. It also means that if I go with the painting then buying idea, Xerxis' 50 point list is only a handful if gators away :p

How do you guys plan your purchases? How close are you to fully painted?
Let me know I'm not the only one whose OCD invades their hobby?!

Thanks for stopping by
Lofty


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Superiority

Superiority is a spell which doesn't need to be upkept on a dead jack...
To quote my opponent from this evening.

Very fun game. Mainly because we both forget things and it becomes a little hectic. Also because Garryth is a great caster.
With whip snap, intrigue (madelyn the merc lady's ability) and parry, he would've been moving 16" to get to Strakhov.
That is if he wasn't knocked down, easy target for kossites after having the sentinel standard slammed over him...
Most useless model ever, I just moved him somewhere arbitrary as he would've clogged up charge lanes. I also thought vortex lock would keep me safe, but I elected to utterly ignore the kossites.
Lesson learned. :)

I'm going to stick with Garryth for a few games for sure, I enjoy the way he plays (sents with mirage and vengeance is still mind boggling) and would love to get him into combat.
Must read on him some more though

Thanks for stopping by

Lofty


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