Beauty and the Beast

I just finished a couple of what I think are really cool looking figures.  The armor-clad maiden is from Reaper Bones Miniatures.  She is called Taroya.  I renamed her Athenia.  She got pink armor.  A pink and gold shield.  Her pink helmet has a metallic-look white
plume.  She also has a metallic white and gold cape.  Don't let her fool ya, she's a killer to the core. 

Her sparing partner is a dragon I picked up at a thrift store for a buck.  I gave him a repaint and he's ready to light up just about anything that gets in his way.  

Not sure what I'll be doing next in this hobby passion of mine.  You'll just have to check back in to find out I guess.  Take care and be safe out there.

Smash Brothers

It's been a while since I painted any Reaper Miniatures.  After painting Space Orks and Dark Eldar, I thought I would like to do some fantasy figs for a bit.  I've had the one Hill Giant, Golan, for some time and recently purchased the other one Krug.  I took them out of their packaging, assembled them, and set off to get them painted.  I am fairly happy with the results.

Have a gander.  I can see them fighting off a nasty band of barbarians or some dwarves perhaps.  Anyway, they're done and ready to beat some arse.

Kool for Kats

Congratulations to the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.  The "Big Cats" defeated the Edmonton Oilers last night 5-1. The Panthers took the series 4 games to 2.  The Oilers put up a good fight in some of the games but looked tired in the rest.  From the puck drop last night, the Panthers came out to play high caliber hockey for which the Oilers had no answer.  Sergei Bobrovsky was amazing in the net throughout the series.  Top to bottom, the Florida Panthers were awesome and deserve their time with Lord Stanley's cup and to have their names added to it.

Florida Panthers Win 2nd Consecutive Stanley Cup

Well Oiled Machine

After a dismal 3-0 1st period and the pulling of their starting goaltender, the Edmonton Oilers started to play hockey,  They scored 3 unanswered goals in the 2nd period to tie the game.  The Oilers went up by 1 in the third period and held off the Florida Panthers until 18 seconds on the clock.  With the game tied at 4, it went into overtime.  Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl bounced a puck off a Panther Defender which found its way past Sergei Bobrovsky for the win.

The game had its ups and downs but was great to watch from start to finish.  Edmonton played last night like they were meant to be there.  Awesome effort from both teams.  The series is now tied at 2 each.  Game 5 will be in Edmonton on Saturday.  I'm looking forward to it!

Respect Your (Dark) Eldars

I purchased a set of Games Workshop Dark Eldar Kabalite Warriors back in January on eBay.  There were 9 of them for 19 bucks.  Not a bad deal.  The nice part was that they were assembled and 2 were partially painted.  I ended up repainting those but kept the bluish plumes on their helmets.

Flat black undercoat.  Purple for the helmets, gloves, boots, and shoulder armor.  A 2nd coat of purple metallic paint was then applied.  Some parts of the helmets, were painted silver along with the blades and guns. The eye areas were given a clear blue .  The silver areas were then given a black wash.  Everything else was given highlights.  The plumes were given an extra bluish white highlight in some areas.

I'm psyched at how they turned out.  Check 'em out.  I hope ya like 'em!

Off topic:  I watched Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals last night. WOW!  The Edmonton Oilers embarrassed themselves royally.  The Florida Panthers gave them a whopping like I've never seen and laughed in their faces as they did.  I really don't care who wins.  I'm not a fan of either team.  I'm a hockey fan and would love if the Oilers can provide a least a half decent effort to make the series interesting.

Been (W)Orking on It

I just finished a set of Mantic Games Marauder Commandos.  These Orx (Mantic's term for them) come complete with a Captain, Flammer, 2 Battlesuits, 5 Commandos, 2 Goblin Snipers, and 2 Mawbeasts (as seen in an earlier post),  It's a pretty nice group.  I was really happy with the way they turned out until I clear coated them.  When they dried, the colors were pretty dark.  It is what it is now.  They will make a pretty formidable foe for other factions in the grim dark universe(s).  Check 'em out, boys and girls.

Marauder Commando Unit

Battlesuits

Goblin Snipers

The Gang's All Here

Keep On Truckin' (Tanking Too!!)

I found this little gem at the Goodwill the other day.  It was too good to pass up.  Three Humvees and a tank for 5 bucks...great deal.  I think they will scale fine with most of the stuff in my collection.  I plan on customizing them and doing some repainting.  I don't know 100% right now exactly what I want to do with them.  I'm sure in the end they will turn out just fine.   

I got about 200 projects or so before I might get to them.  We'll just have to see when the whim to get them (or one of them) done strikes me.  Stay tuned to this very blog to see what happens.  Have a great week and keep on truckin'!

Just Plain Nasty

These two Mawbeasts are from Mantic Games.  They are a part of an Orx Maurader Set in their Dead Zone Line.  Mawbeasts are Canine-Like creatures that have been augmented with bionic parts least of which is a chainsaw tongue.  Unleashed on the enemy, they cause havoc among their infantry.

After giving them a coat of Jet Black, I painted their bodies purple, their manes blue, their harness brown, and all metal parts silver.  I added lighter highlights to raised areas and edges.  I gave them a clearcoat and called it a day.

In the days ahead I will be painting the Orx Combat group that they came with.  I enjoyed painting these "puppies".  Peace out.

Zoom Zoom

Since I first saw a Mantic Games Marauder Raptor, I wanted one.  I found one online at a Canadian Store in Montreal called Abyss Games.  It was used, painted, assembled and at a really good price.  Sold!  They shipped it to me in no time.  

When I opened the box (it was well packaged), I was elated.  This Bad Boy was AWESOME!!!  I had to share some picks with you out there in the real world.  Have a look.  

Great White Apes of Barsoom

These three figures are called Nuclear Apes.  They are 3D printed by Invictus Miniatures (check them out on Etsy).  When I saw them I thought they looked exactly like the White Apes in the film, John Carter of Mars (2009) and could not resist buying them.  I have a bunch of John Carter figures (John, Deja Thoris, a bunch of Tharks, some Red Martians, even Woola.  (One of the many projects to paint at some point!)  

I've included a pic of the Apes from the movie to show you the comparison. Take a gander.

Two More Tau

I saw this Tau Ethereal for sale on eBay at a great price....click....mine.  It came fully assembled which made painting some areas difficult.  I had a vision in my head as to how this should look and went with it.  I am super pleased with how it turned out.

The other miniature is by Reaper Bones.  I have a special place in my heart for their miniatures.  This particular one is called an Andromedan Female Hunter.  I've seen her painted up as a Tau on some sites on the Web.  I'm going to use her as a scout/sniper.  I liked the way she turned out as well.

That's all for now.  Do something nice for someone today.  Peace out.

It Was Great While It Lasted

I just wanted to take a minute and say farewell and good luck to long time Pittsburgh Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan.  Sullivan coached the Pens for a decade posting a 409-255-89 record and 2 Stanley Cup Championships.  He is the winningest coach in Penguins history.  Lots of great hockey under Sullivan's tulidge. 

The Pens have not made the playoffs for the past 3 seasons leading to an agreement between the organization and Coach Sullivan to part ways.  He leaves some big skates to fill.  I'm sure he'll hit the ice with a presence in New York.  Nothing but best wishes from this Penguins fan.  Thanks for everything you did here in the Burgh, Coach.

Southern Exposure

Needed a change of scenery.  Loaded up the Highlander and headed South.  

First stop - Rock Hill, SC

Great place.  Have stayed there many times on the way to Florida.  Lots of restaurants and shops.  My son is going to school down there.  Spent of few days and then headed for the beach.

Second stop - Myrtle Beach

Hoping to grab a few rays on the beach.  No go.  Temps in the 50s.  Went a few places:  Broadway on the Beach, the Sneaky Beagle (restaurant for people and their pups), Lost Treasure Mini Golf, Benito's Italian Restaurant.  Myrtle is Myrtle.  Been there several times.  Not my cup of tea.

Third stop - The Villages, FL

We have family there.  It was great to see everyone.  Lots of catching up to do.

Fourth stop - Savanah, GA

Have wanted to go there for some time.  It didn't disappoint.  What a Beautiful City!  The weather was great.  Did some sight seeing and the walking dinner tour (Savanah Taste Experience).  We stayed at the Hamilton Turner Inn. It was a really wonderful visit.

Back home now.  Fun to travel  More fun to return home.

Gator Country

Not the Molly Hatchet song...but the state of Florida and maybe even the entire nation.  The Gators went down to the buzzer with the Houston Cougars in one of the best ever NCAA Championship Games.  Congrats to Coach Golden and the Florida players.  What a great team effort!  The Gators trailed by as many as 14 points at one point in the game.  They believed in themselves and never gave up.

Also congratulations to Coach Sampson and his Cougars.  They are truly a fantastic team.  Their season and run through the tournament was epic.  They were a force to be reckoned with. Kudos to all.

There is something unique and special about March Madness.  The talent, the effort, the skill, the gamesmanship...it is all on display for lovers of the game to see.  I've been watching it for nearly 30 years.  For me, there is nothing else like it in sports.  Thanks to all the teams and coaches for another amazing spring of college basketball.

On Top of Their Game

Congratulations to Alex Ovechkin for his milestone achievement of surpassing Wayne Gretzky's goal scoring record.  As a Pittsburgh Penguin fan, I have both loved and hated Ovechkin over the years.  Love him as a great player, hated him for the fact that it was often one of his signature goals that beat my beloved Pens (who are not making the playoffs again).  Keep it rollin', Ovi!!!

On the hard wood, the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four has been outstanding.  Florida has been amazing.  Auburn just didn't have enough fuel in the tank to beat them.  Duke fought Houston down to the wire in an absolutely fantastic game.  The championship game tonight ought to be one tough match.  Looking forward to it.

Stinging Sensation

Periodically I check out videos from Boylie Hobby time.  He does an outstanding job creating miniatures related dioramas.  I'm especially drawn to his Weird West creations (see earlier post).  One I recently viewed involved a Monster Hunting Wagon.  In the video was a giant scorpion.  I thought to myself, "Hmmm...I don't have one of those."

I ran down to my neighborhood, hobby store (SCG Hobby), and picked up a Pathfinder Magma Scorpion.   I was inspired to paint it similar to a Deathstalker Scorpion.  While not my best job to date, I'm decently satisfied.  I'll probably attach it to a Tomb-King like army or some such.  

Thanks for checking in.  I'm always glad that you do. Have a great one!

Sink Your Teeth into These Bad Boys

It's a pirate's life for me (or not).  I found these guys on Etsy awhile back.  I thought they were so cool looking.  I couldn't wait to get them painted and ready to sail...swim...IDK!  Anyway...they're all done.  Take a gander, old chum (LOL).

It's Tauriffic!!!

I've been keeping myself busy (and out of trouble) lately.  Putting my time to good use, I assembled and painted a rather cool looking Tau Army with Auxiliaries.  Included is a Pathfinder team (which I painted a very long time ago), the Crisis Battlesuit (which I did a few weeks ago), the Vespid Set, a set of Stealth Suits, a Kroot Carnivore Squad (painted a while back) with Krootox Rider, and some human mercenaries.  Not too bad all-in-all.

See attached pics.  I hope you like them.

Krootox Rider

Stealth Team

 

Greater Good Sniper Team

Human Mercenaries - Gue'vesa

My Tau Army
Gue'vesa (front left), Kroot with Krootox (center), Sniper Team and Vespids (right)
Crisis Battlesuit (back left), Tau Pathfinders (back center), Stealth Team (back right)

The Sniper Team are some 3D prints I think I got from Etsy.  The Gue'vesa (human helpers) are a set of Merc Figures I bought several years ago.  I saw that the Tau Empire had humans in it and decided to use these Kem Var figures as some mercenaries for the Tau Army. 

Crafty

I got to check out some really cool items made by some really nice folks out here in da Burgh.  The business is called REimagine Handmade.  Rather than me blather on about what they do and how they do it, I'm putting the link to their website below so you can see for yourself. If your looking for something special for someone near and dear, take a gander at their goods.

REimagine Handmade

Float Like a Butterfly....

...Sting like a Bee.  But these little buggers (LOL) are no Muhammad Ali.  What they are are a kinda sorta almost nearly not quite WH40K Vespid Stingwings. I got them on Etsy.  They are called the Mantomorph Assault Squad.

I liked them better than the 40K version of Vespids that came out fairly recently.  They are a little chunkier and I felt would not break as easily. (I did breakoff and repair 2 antennae and a wing).  In the end, I loved how they turned. out.  

I went with an orange paint scheme that I had seen online.  I used a deep red/brown wash.  I highlighted them with yellow/orange.  The eyes were painted metallic yellow. The wings got a coat of white.  I then gave them an aqua wash.  The wings were then coated with several layers of glitter paint.  Weapons and armor were painted silver then given a black wash.  All the metal parts were highlighted with platinum.

Rock areas were painted black. They were dry-brushed a dark gray and then highlighted with a light gray.  I gave them all a coat of clear sealant and called it done.  

Check 'em out, boys and girls.  Just be careful!

Paradise Found

If you haven't been watching the series Paradise on HULU, then you've been missing out on something special.  Great concept, great story, superb acting.  It is intense!!!!  There are 8 episodes this season.  The last one will air on March 4.  I usually don't get too crazy about TV shows, but I've made an exception with this one.  Trust me, it's super good!  Lots of plot twists and turns leaving you at the edge of your seat.  (I intentionally didn't give any details, I don't want to spoil anything for potential viewers.)

The Great White North

Last night's championship game between the U.S. and Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament was great!  It went back and forth all night ending in a tie in regulation.  The Canadians won 3-2 in overtime with Connor McDavid getting one past Connor Hellebuyck.  NHL regular season play resumes tomorrow.  After the tournament, it might all seem anticlimactic.