Sharp Practice - WFR Russian Jager Officer (Nick)

Another one finished courtesy of the new 'paint on brush' every day routine mentioned last time, it's definitely working (and I hear Carl's still on track too, with some Roman archers no less).

This time a Russian Jager officer as a counterpart to the French officer in the last post, and another 'rescued' Contrast Paints experiment - again, figure from the Wars of the French Revolution range by Eureka Miniatures:

This one actually took longer to finish than anticipated as the finer details took some complex, cross-referenced research but I now feel a lot more confident going forward although NCO's and troops are different again!

I guess the good news is that in the meantime paint has been thrown at other random models so there might be more finished before year end.

Sharp Practice - WFR French Chasseurs Officer (Nick)

Time to hang out the bunting and ignite the fireworks? ...maybe not, but another miniature has been completed as the nights draw in at the end of the year.

Yet another departure from anything I've done before, and my first proper Napoleonic(ish) figure since those Airfix plastics of my youth - I say Napoleonic(ish) as it's a French Light Infantry officer from Eureka Miniatures and their 'Wars of the French Revolution' range, a completely new period for me just before what is generally accepted as the Napoleonic era and quite fascinating.

Starting as another experiment with Games Workshop's range of Contrast Paints this one didn't quite go to plan originally and so was put to one side in shame!

This last week he has been 'rescued' with the application of some highlights and detail using more usual acrylic paints and techniques, and I'm beginning to see how useful the Contrast Paints can be when used in conjunction with other mediums as a basecoat & wash all in one - something my good friend James Morris suggested when I was looking at buying into the Contrast Paints.

This week has also been a revelation for both myself and Carl's painting regime, as we had both stalled due to other commitments and finding it very hard to find time and/or motivation for a 'painting session' - then YouTube suggested I watch a video by the always excellent Zumikito Miniatures on how to get/keep yourself motivated to paint on a regular basis: 6 tips to paint more miniatures when MOTIVATION is low

Now we already know about being set up ready to go, and removing other distractions etc. but the one thing that stood out for me, and then Carl when I shared it, was his #4: set an easy daily target ie. put some paint on your brush even if you don't paint anything - silly as it may sound it was just what we needed, and a real game changer that hit home with both of us... the above is just one on the results for me, and Carl has finished at least one figure too so one week into painting rehab and we're both doing good and getting to our paint station at least once every day because of it.

Onwards and upwards, I can hear my paint station calling and a brush with no paint on it... Vive la France!

Warhammer 40k - Ork Boy (Nick)

Yes, it finally happened, I managed to move something from the half finished to the done pile... and it's only taken me 16 1/2 months since the last one!

What a crazy year it's been and this certainly isn't what I expected to be my first and, so far, only finished miniature to show for it - an Ork boy from Games Workshop.

The inspiration to dig out my 40k Orks came with the release of the latest edition of the 40k rules and the new narrative 'Crusade' style of gaming, which instinctively appealed to both myself and Carl and the way we like to play (when we can once more that is).
I know one of Carl's ongoing 40k armies are old skool 80-90's Orks, which I have quite a few of myself, but I also have a good handful of the newer style Orks even though these too are about 10 years old (but never got beyond a few being built).

With this in mind we decided to have an inter-clan Ork rivalry as the basis for our Crusade campaign, or more specifically as both of us favour the same Bad Moons clan, an 'old' Warboss vs 'new' Warboss power struggle and the 'War of da Teef' was born (Orks use teeth as currency, and Bad Moons are known to grow theirs quicker than other Orks).

As I was effectively starting this project from scratch (even though I already have just enough figures to build the required force), I decided it was an ideal opportunity to upgrade the boyz with the new, larger 32mm round bases and keep all the 25mm ones for something at a later date - might as well bring them up to date while I'm at it?
It was also an ideal opportunity to experiment with Games Workshop's 'Contrast Paints', something which I've been wanting to try and bought into very soon after 'lockdown' came into effect earlier this year.

I started with a brown Zenithal highlight prime using Badger Stynylrez 'Ebony Flesh' primer followed by Vallejo 'Skeleton Bone' surface primer at a 45° angle, an idea I had picked up from a suggestion in one of the excellent Little Wars TV YouTube videos - the idea being that it creates added depth to the 'contrast' effect but with a warmer colour than a standard black/white Zenithal prime (especially important for the yellow colour scheme) but also muting the 'bubblegum' finish often seen with the Contrast paints over their standard base coat.

This guy is 90% Contrast Paints over the Zenithal prime with just the metal being in gunmetal metallic and Strong Tone wash, and the yellow armour receiving a quick Skeleton Bone highlight and Golden Yellow glaze to bring the brown/yellow of the Nazdreg Yellow contrast paint back up to a warmer shade I was happy with - before adding some scratches and chipping, an extra level of detailing for what is otherwise is supposed to be quick paint job but something I felt it needed and quite a focal point of the model.

I also decided to try out my new portable LED Lightbox from Green Stuff World which worked very well I think, and certainly provided plenty of light just where it was needed... I didn't even require my usual mini tripod either.

So one down and plenty more to go, I certainly won't be completing a figure per day this year (much like the previous attempts then!) but hopefully I can get a few more table-ready before 2020 thankfully draws to a close - several are quite close already.

2019 that was, and into 2020... what's left of it! (Nick)

After quite a promising start to 2019 various changes with work made it very difficult to really get stuck into anything with any conviction, especially setting up my own business which then meant all my 'spare' time was gone - so including the pin markers I only completed 5 minis last year... eek!!

2020 - well unless you've been in outer space you already know what a weird year we've had, and while others were furloughed and got stuck into their Lead Mountains for me work just got busier and busier - coupled with the non-existent gaming opportunities as an incentive meant a lot of stop/start and half finished projects but mostly working evenings, weekends and/or sleep.

I know Carl has painted stuff although I'm not sure what and how much, but most is being saved for his next publication which is due very soon I believe - hopefully he will find time to pop by sometime and give us all an update as I reckon he must have at least 50+ minis not shown yet.

Not much of the year left now, however my brushes have been dusted off at last and things might start to happen... no promises though! LOL!!