Now You're Messin' With....

You know the lyrics.  You know the band.  You know the album and it's amazing cover art.  In case you don't, I've included  a pic for ya.  

When I first saw this Cuth Wolfson, Barbarian figure from Reaper Miniatures, the title song from the album (yes, I wrote album) was pounding through my head.

This figure screams Bad A$$.  It is the final piece for my Barbarian Army.  Over the past few years I've been painting and assembling it (see earlier posts).  I'm mega pleased with this one.  Check out the pic.

On to other things.  Not sure what.  I haven't done any sci fi figs for a spell.  Some pirates sound good.  I got a ton of Egyptian themed minis waiting around.  What about some cowboys????  

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Dr. Jones, I Presume

Not exactly,  This is the Frank Buck figure from Reaper Miniatures.  He is from their Bones Chronoscope line.  I painted him up to look like our favorite film archeologist.  No doom here.  This was a smooth, quick and easy, paint job.  It went well from beginning to end.  I have to say, this little guy turned out super.  To quote the esteemed doctor, "That belongs in a museum!"
 

Troll Slaying Demonic Succubus...

 ...in other words...the typical girl next door.  This figure is from the Reaper Bones Miniatures Line.  It is one of the many versions of their mascot Sophie.  I picked it up a couple of years back, started to paint it, and then abandoned the model.  I couldn't come up with a paint scheme that I liked.

While I was hunting for some barbarians for a another project (see earlier blog entry), I came across Sophie in a container with other unpainted/unfinished Reaper minis.  Better late than never, Sophie.  Sorry it took so long. Overall, I think she turned out pretty decently.

Well, here she is, ladies and gentlemen, making her debut on this very blog: Sophie, the Troll Slayer!!!

Ogres are like Onions

Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. This Ogre Chieftain from Reaper Miniatures Bones Line surely does.  The skin on this bad boy alone is six layers of color and probably just as many on the club.  All the leathers and wraps were painted pure black.  The furs were painted gray and the metals all painted pewter.  A wash of black all around, some dry brushing, and then the details and highlights.  When everything dried, I gave the figure a coat of satin finish and then went back in later to gave the metals a coat of high gloss.

I feel this guy may be one of the best miniatures that I have painted to date.  I am quite pleased with myself.  Take a gander and see what you think.  Enjoy the holiday and stay safe out there!

The Lucky 13

I've been at this for awhile.  I got the itch to do paint up some barbarians.  I had several from Reaper Bones.  While looking for them, I came across a set of Pathfinder Human Male Fighters.  I also had some figures from Banner Saga that I hadn't gotten round to. Many days and hours later..viola...my finished lot of lovely ladies and malicious men.  Check out the pics.

Reminiscing

I was doing a little work on the computer tonight (which I didn't feel like doing) and my mind started to wander.  As most of you know if you've followed my blog over the years, I am a miniature wargamer.  It's a wonderful hobby that I have enjoyed for quite some time.  My thoughts drifted tonight to a few years back when I played a ton of Heroscape with my sons and with friends.  It was always a great time with a few "friendly" arguments over rules along the way.  

My kids grew up, friends moved away, life became more complicated, I got busier.  Heroscape stopped being manufactured.  Tile, terrain, dice, and figures got boxed and put away.  For whatever reason, I thought about the game tonight and really missed it.  I sat here for awhile wondering what was it about the game that made it so much fun to play.

I found this gem of an article that summed up the greatness of the game far better than I could have hoped to do.  I would like to share it with you.  If you were a player back in the day or maybe even still rolling shields and skulls, take a minute or two to read it.  I'm sure you'll be nodding your head as you do and getting a wee bit nostalgic as well. Long live Heroscape!!!  

Heroscape Article

Monster Mash (Up)

I've grabbed a few new beasties to add to my miniatures collection.  They will be used as giants in my tiny 28mm world.   These creepy creatures were all acquired from Happy Hen Toys.  I purchased from them in the past and it's always a smooth easy transaction.  The Yeti is from Safari.  Great looking figure.  The creature is about 4" tall.  The Kraken is by Papo.  I have several of their figures and this one is one of their best.  Its well sculpted and pretty decently painted.  The Ice Spider figure is by Schleich.  Awesome pose.  The idea of an Ice Spider just struck me as bad a$$. The Kraken and Ice Spider are about 2.5 " tall.  I'll get some stats together for them and try to work them into a game soon.  Until next time...

Kid No More

Sidney Crosby played his 1,000 game last night in a Pittsburgh Penguin uniform.  He was the number 1 draft pick for the team back in 2005.  It has been a true privilege to watch this amazing hockey player for the past 16 years.  True to form, the Penguin's captain led the team to two straight wins over the New York Islanders during their recent series.

Last night he was honored for his achievements at PPG Paints Arena.  Family, friends and teammates paid tribute to one of hockey's all time greats.  Former teammates and hockey rivals chimed in via video their praise of number 87.  The only disappointment was that the fans could not be there to honor their hero in person.  Such is today's world unfortunately.  

Thank you, Sidney, for all that you've done for the Pens, the league, and hockey overall.  You will always be a legend in the sport, not just for the goals and trophies, but for your humbleness, leadership, example, hustle, and love of the game. I look forward to watching you and the Penguins for many more seasons to come!

Crosby with Malkin and Letang

Blizzard Conditions

Here are two of the most fierce looking Frost Giants you will ever see.  On the left - The Everlasting One and on the right is a Frost Giant Jarl.  Both figures are from WizKids.  They are pretty decently sculpted and have very active poses.  The paint jobs are adequate.  Both are bigger than the majority of Frost Giants in my collection.  I think they'll make some pretty COOL additions.

Her Majesty

I started off this crazy new year painting Svetlana, Frost Giant Princess, from the Reaper Bones Miniature Line.  For whatever reason, I've been on a Frost Giant kick as of late.  This is a great model.  The detail is nice and the figure reflects a sense of royalty in its pose.

I went with light blue skin and white hair.  The leathers got a dark brown with tan edging.  The cloak was painted a charcoal-grey and the fur boots were painted white.  Her spear tip was painted metallic white and then washed with blue and purple metallic washes.  The eyes were painted a yellow-green metallic color.  After everything dried, dark washes were applied to various areas and then the model was dry brushed to bring up the highlights.

I clear-coated the figure.  After it dried, I went back in and gave the leather areas a coat of semi-gloss.  The spear tip and any metals were given a coat of high-gloss.  Lastly, the spear tip was coated with iridescent glitter.

This one of the best overall paint jobs I've done to date. It's not perfect, but nothing ever is. The first figure of 2021 is done.  Not sure what I'll paint next.  I'm thinking something a little more Sci Fi.

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!!!