Too Cold, Too Cold

I had mentioned awhile back that I had got a bunch of minis for cheap from a game called The Banner Saga.  I put up pics of some of the Dredge figures in an earlier post.   I just completed six super cool figures from the same game.  These guys are called the Varl.  They are giants with horns protruding from their foreheads.  Like all the rest of the miniatures, they are super detailed and nicely sculpted.  I had to do the old hot/cold bath to get some of the weapons straightened out, but it was a pretty easy fix.

I painted these guys to look like Frost Giants.  They're not as big as Frost Giants from other companies, so I will use them as half giants.  I decided to make them into two factions, so I gave them different looks.  I also modified a couple of them.  Take a peek.  I hope you like them.

More than likely these guys will be my last paints of 2020.  At least as far as my hobby goes, it was a good year.  For all of you who do me the honor of checking out my blog, a big "thank you" and a wish for a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous 2021!!!

The Start of the Day

About 8 years ago, the family (including my in-laws) decided to rent a beach house in Nags Head, NC for a little summer vacation.  It was a nice time enjoyed by one and all.  One morning as everyone was getting up, I suggested we all go out to breakfast together.  It was a slightly overcast so even the most loyal sun worshipers were okay with the idea. 

We found a local restaurant and the entire tribe headed inside (15 of us) to grab some grub.  Our waitress was a matronly African-American woman with one of the most pleasant smiles I have ever seen.  I don't think I have ever had a sweeter nicer waitress anywhere before or since.  The woman was a gem.  When it came to my turn to order I told her I wanted something that was more of a traditional Southern breakfast.  I also said told her I didn't want grits (sorry folks...not my thing!)  She said she had an idea and would surprise me with it.  Heck, I'm always up for some adventure and thought "why not?"

My meal came out last.  When the waitress put it in front of me, she smiled again and said, "Tell me how how you like it."  It was a huge plate of chicken and waffles.  I had never had it before.  I'd heard of it, but never had eaten it.  I'm happy to say, I LOVED IT!!!!  I've been eating it ever since.  The fact of the matter is I had some this morning which prompted me to write this.  If you haven't had some chicken and waffles, you don't know what you've been missing.  YUMMY!!!!

Reading is FUNdamental

Does anybody remember that slogan from when you were a kid? (I'm old. I admit it.)  I just got the new book from my old buddies, the Writers 3.  I got to know these guys a few years back and have been reading their stuff since.  I have featured their books on this blog several times in the past.  The guys do me a solid and put up pics of my minis on their social media every once and again.  

Future Imperfect contains a sci fi short story by the Writers 3 called "Peace at Last". SUPER!!! There are a bunch of really good stories by other authors in it as well.  Worth it!!!

Here is the link to their website in case you want to find out more about them and their books.  https://jflushing.wixsite.com/writers3

Rollie Pollie Trollie???

Forgive me for the title...sometimes I can't stop myself.  The trolls are from the Reaper Miniatures Bones Line.  I've had them for some time.  Searching for something new to paint over the Thanksgiving Holiday, these two felt  right for some reason.  The greenish one with the axe is a Mountain Troll and the white one with the rock is an Ice Troll.

It took me a few days to finish them.  I am pleasantly pleased with how they turned out.  Take a look and see for yourself.  Stay safe out there!

Storm Warning

Here are some Stormcast Eternals I just finished.  It has been some time since I worked on any models from Games Workshop.  Love the look of the figures.  Nice details.  Active stances.  I did a decent paint job on them.  Overall, pleasantly pleased!

When Your Ship Comes In

With Halloween coming, I decided to get out this amazing miniature from Reaper Miniatures.  It is the Shipwreck Revenant from their Bones Line.  So freaking cool!!!  

Halloween came, but no treat.  Too much going on and I didn't want to rush the painting.   I took my good old time and finished it up today.  I think it looks great.  I feel this might be the best paint job that I have ever done on a figure.  

Take a gander at the finished product, ya scurvy dogs!  Hope you like the pictures!!! 

 

 

Super Spreader Center

Stopped at Walmart in Delmont, PA to grab a few things on the way home today.  About a dozen people not wearing masks in the store.  People crowding in aisles, not social distancing.  I asked to see a manager and was told there was none on duty.  Won't spend another dime in a Walmart again.  With over 219,000 Americans dead from Covid-19, this is unacceptable.  Obviously Walmart doesn't give a rat's a$$ about public health and safety.

Getting a Little Chilly

Meet Boerogg Blackrime, Frost Giant.  This miniature is from the Reaper Bones Miniatures line.  I tried to keep true to what a Frost Giant should look like as far as hair, skin, etc.  I wanted a pale pallet for the furs, leathers, bones, and what not.  I stayed with grays and tans for the most part.  There are a couple of spots I went with a dark brown where I thought the leather would be thicker.  The ice sword was painted with a white-blue metallic finish.  I then gave it a coat of high gloss as well as the crown.  Lastly, it got iridescent glitter highlights.  I am super pleased with this little giant.

Riding High Again

I got a great deal on this D&D Skyjek Roc.  My original idea was to turn it into Tzeentch, a Chaos God from WH40K.  When I got it, I noticed that it had a saddle on its back.  I quickly came up with a Plan B.  I got out my old friendly neighborhood bitz box.  I found a body of a Nurgle Fell Beast Rider.  The head is from a HorrorClix figure.  The shield was from a dollar store bag of knights.

I cobbled a rider together out of the parts.  I gave it a paint job that I thought looked good.  With some Sculpey, I modified the saddle some.  When everything dried, I put it all together.  Check out the final product.

Salvation

After finishing my recent fire giant, I went down to the gameroom to seek out my next project.  Like many of you out there this can be a very frustrating endeavor.   I have containers galore filled with miniatures and terrain in various stages of completion.   I have even more in unopened boxes stacked in yet other bigger storage containers.  It can be overwhelming.  (I've addressed this before in earlier posts.)  

Today I came across this great article by Peter Thuborg.  It really sounded like this guy lived in my head (scary).  His thoughts about the hobby are my thoughts; his words are my words.  What hit home with me is his solution to the problem.  It is sound solid advice.  I'm going to give it a go, I mean a real go.  As I have stated before, a hobby should be enjoyable not an additional source of aggravation.  

 https://ageofminiatures.com/organising-hobby/

For those of you who read the article, I'm sure many of you will sympathize.  Miniature collecting can be an addiction.  It won't be easy.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Fire Good

I really like how this D&D Nolzur's Fire Giant turned out.  I had no idea what I wanted to do with it as far as paint scheme other than skin tone and hair.  I started to invision some dark leather armor and some copper metallics. Since he is a fire giant I went with a goldenrod colored kilt keeping with the yellows, oranges, and reds.  When I was done, I was pleasantly pleased.  Take a gander and see what ya think.  I'm always honored that you take the time to check out my blog.  Take care and stay safe out there.

You Can Count On It!

It's been a while since I took on a Reaper Bones Miniature.  Going through my bins, I came across these two figs which I actually started about a year ago and then abandoned.  With Halloween just around the corner, I figured I'd give 'em another go.  I like the way these two little suckers turned out.  

While I was on the Reaper craze, I pulled out this guy.  I haven't painted a troll in some time and this bad boy looked super cool.  I wanted him to look a little toadish but not too toadish.  I kinda think that's just what I got. Enjoy the pics!

More Russians are Coming!

 Yesterday, I finished a set of SSU figures from Dust and a Warp Gate that I found on Etsy.  The 2 figures are from the Operation: Zverograd Box set.  Grand Ma is the walker figure.  She is piloted by Koshka.  The walker is primed and decaled.  I went in and gave some areas a coat of dark silver.  I then gave the figure a wash with some watered down black paint and then went in and gave the model some highlights.  I have a bunch of AT-43 Red Blok figures.  I tried to keep Grand Ma's colors similar to those figs.  Koshka is painted closely to the way she appears on the box.  I liked the overall look.  These two will be nice additions to my Neo-Soviet Army.

The warp gate was a quick paint.  The stones were painted gray and the metals silver.  I gave the entire fig a wash and then came back in and highlighted.  Simple, easy, fun.  With the gate I finished a little while back, figures should be able to "port" across great distances on the table. Fun stuff!  Check 'em out!

The Russians are Coming!

Just finished this set of Dust Tactics SSU Heroes.  I love miniatures from Dust.  They are always well sculpted, nicely detailed, sturdy, and for the most part, easy to paint.  These guys will look great on the gaming table someday alongside other Weird War figures I have collected.  I'm super pleased with how they turned out.  Ya schastliv!

The Dead Can't Hurt You

They could if they escaped from this Obsidian Crypt from Reaper Miniatures.  This is a great little piece of terrain.  The details are awesome, the model is sturdy, and it is a quick easy paint.  For the most part, I kept to the color scheme to that of the photo that was on the box.  I think that it turned out well over all.

It was a real pain in the tush to assemble.  The slot and tab design where the parts went together did not work well.  Either the slots were too small of the tabs were too large or a combination of both.  It wasted a ton of my time shaving these pieces down so that they would fit together.

Despite it being difficult to assemble, I'm definitely happy with the end result.  I think the piece will go well with the warp portal I just completed.

A Little Warped

I found this little gem on Etsy.  Looks great.  Easy to assemble.  Quick paint.  I primed the model gray.  I gave it a black wash.  I did some light gray and then pure white dry brushing.  The ring on the floor was given a copper color.  The portal and mists were first painted metallic white.  I then gave the areas either a watered down metallic purple, blue, or green. When it all dried, I gave all the metallic paints several coats of glitter paint.  Lastly, I added a skull for that creepy mysterious feel.

Out of the Rubble

Finished another piece of terrain.  This is the Fabrication Plant from Novus Design Studio.  It is from their WWII line.  I like the piece because it is resin and very sturdy.  I gave it a good scrub and then primed it.  I gave everything a black wash and then started in on the details (oil drums, pallets, gears, iron work, grates, crates, motors, etc).  I added a few other items like the poster, chain, gas cans, pipe, and a bucket.  I did some highlighting and then gave everything a clear coat.  I really like it and am happy with the finished product.  See for yourself.

A Little Light Reading

I've not been very political on this blog.  I've tried to keep it light, social, directed mainly toward my interests and what was happening in my life.  I'm going to deviate from that today.

First, let me preface this by saying that for most of my life, I've been a big fan of Donald Trump.  In the late 1970s, he was a part of the New York limelight.  He was a successful businessman, he had money, he built Trump Tower, and he had a beautiful wife.  He was cocky and self-assured.  He was the American dream come true.

I should have seen things clearer earlier, but didn't.  The casino failures, bankruptcies, the collapse of the USFL, and a divorce.  But I had read The Art of the Deal and later The Art of the Comeback, "The Don" was going to be okay.  The Apprentice aired and I was hooked.  People were being given an opportunity to prove themselves and earn a spot in the Trump Corporation.  Then there was Celebrity Apprentice and money was being raised for charity.  Super good stuff!

I had watched Donald Trump kick around the idea of running for president.  He talked the talk, but never really walked the walk.  In 2015, when I heard he was thinking seriously of running, I was excited.  He talked of being an outsider and bringing real change to Washington.  I have to say, he did just that (and not in a good way!).

I read three books over the past several weeks about Mr. Trump, each, in their own way, an eye-opener.  All of the authors knew the president in different capacities.  John Bolton worked in his administration. Omarosa also had been on White House Team Trump, had been on The Apprentice, and considered him a mentor and friend.  His niece, Mary Trump, knew him her entire life and gave insight into the family environment that shaped the 45th president.  The three books were able to paint a clear picture for me of a man who should never have become president. 

It has been sad and disappointing for me to learn that a man that I had grown up respecting and believed was an American success story was not worthy of either.  The brash image that once was has become a tarnished shell of what he once represented.

Some of you will read this and start the hating, so be it.  I took the time to educate myself before I cast my ballot next November.  Look around, IS America Great Again????  Protests across the nation, over 150,000 Americans dead, the worst economic situation in our nation's history, and a man in the White House that refuses to take responsibility for any of it.  There is no leadership.  The dream has become a nightmare.  Read any of the three books and you will be able to understand why.

On This 4th of July

In appreciation for my freedom as we, Americans, celebrate our 244th birthday, I wanted to pay a little tribute to the men and women in uniform that protect it.  This is a set of U.S. Soldiers that come in the Mars Attacks Game from Mantic.  I painted them up last night and clear-coated and based them this morning.  Thanks to all who help keep my family and our great nation safe!

High Rise

I finished my final building from Amera Plastic Mouldings.  This sucker is big.  It's the third bombed out building I did from them (see earlier posts) and I think it looks pretty cool. When I clear-coated it, it caused the paint in some areas to crackle.  I covered those spots with the green paints to give it a mossy/organic feel. I'm okay with it.  I added some rubble and some debris (Tamiya, JR Miniatures, Mantic Games, Secret Weapon Miniatures) and a couple of posters/graffiti.  Here's the pics.  Thanks for takin' a gander.

Rear

Left Side

Front

Right Side

Puff the Magic Dragon

I picked this rascal up today at a comic book store for a song and a dance.  I've always wanted a McFarlane Dragon.  This a dragon from the Komodo Clan.  I love it!  It looks completely bad a$$!

I'd Buy That for a Dollar

One day at the Dollar Store I came across a bin of cheap plastic dinosaur toys.  I had tons of them as a kid.  The Tyrannosaurus Rex looked pretty cool and I thought for a buck, why not?

From day one I was determined to make "Dino" look like a fearsome beast that could torment some of my other miniature figures on the gaming table.  I gave him what I feel is a pretty dang good paint job.  I then created a base for him using Sculpey and some aquarium gravel.

I used this picture I found on the internet as a model for the paint job.

Old Soldiers Never Die...

I just finished these two figures. The Rommel and Patton models are cyborgs animated to keep the 2nd World War going.  I think they'll be perfect commanders for a Weird War game.  I have a ton of figures by Dust Tactics, Tannhauser, Mutant Chronicles, AT-43, Konflikt '47 and more to have an epic battle.  I'll throw in some aliens, vampires, werewolves, demons, superheroes, robots, and occultists for shits and giggles.  Sounds like fun! Check out the pic.

Bad Robot

Well, not exactly...these figures are Perforators from the Warmachine Line by Privateer Press.  These guys are cool looking with an Art Deco feel.  They reflect back to the early robots from films of the 1950s.  Perforators are not robots though, they are from a faction known as the Convergence of Cyriss.

The Convergence are by far the most technologically advanced of the human factions - although they can't really be counted as human anymore given that most members have had their souls magically encapsuled in mechanical bodies called clockwork vessels.

The Perforators are powerful.  They have armor piercing projectiles called Protean Javelins and some have Gear Blades as well.  They can repair one another and can move quickly on the battlefield.

I like the look of them and got them for a very reasonable price.  I stuck to the overall paint scheme that was on the box.  It will be nice at some point to see how they play in a game.

Historical Miniatures

A friend of mine from Connecticut sent me these fantastic photos of some miniatures that his brother painted.  Keith Gates does amazing work on historical miniatures.  I've seen some of his work first hand and it looks like the figures are alive.  His attention to detail is beyond belief.  I am envious of his talent to say the least.  I am sharing the pics so that you too can appreciate his very exceptional work.  These miniatures are all Civil War related.

 

Gimme Shelter

This building is from Amera Plastic Moldings.  It is a vacuform building.  I trimmed out the pieces (windows) and gave the floors some reinforcing.  I sprayed it down with gray paint, gave it a wash, and some highlights and ...presto...a pretty decent piece of terrain. I added some additional rubble, granny grid, a poster, and a barrel,,,done.  The building will fit in well with the other terrain pieces I have put together over the past couple of years.  I still have one more building from Amera Plastic as well as a few more from other companies.  I hope to finish the rest up by mid summer and get my wargaming table finally finished.  The best laid plans of mice and men!