Painting course, day 1

August 3, 2019 DebbieForsterLeave a comment

Today has been spent in a rather warm Element Games learning from the masters at Siege Studios. James, the fellow who set up the company, had a great deal to tell and it seems only a fragment of that knowledge has sunk in. We started the day with a talk all about airbrushing and the basics of how to use one. Apart from what Gary showed me the other week, I was pretty clueless. It seemed to be a little like driving a car, in regards to pressure and effect, so I was set loose with a door and boundless enthusiasm.

I spent a while practicing on the mat before having a go at the door above. Not too bad for the first time I’ve ever used an airbrush if I say so myself. I have a lot I want to practice to say the least.

The next part of the day was spent learning about layer blending. Again, this was similar to what Gary showed me but added in the use of a hairdryer and why they are used. It involved thin layers built up to create the blending effect. I have done this before but it was good to see the theory behind it too.

We then spoke about using decals and good methods of applying them. Again, something I have not done before but now know how to do. I do need to buy some supplies, and I do need to have a think about my home set up. It’s good to know that some of the things I’m already doing are good practice, it’s now refining those techniques and gaining muscle memory. All in all, a good first day!

Suddenly, Night Lords!

May 30, 2019 DebbieForster3 Comments

I made it no real secret that I liked the Night Lords after reading the first few pages of Soul Hunter on my last post – the bit where one laughed when his friend got shot sold it for me, and if that wasn’t enough, I also read Prince of Crows and got some amused looks when I laughed out loud while I was reading in a coffee shop a few months back.

The Sevatar-off with Office on Twitter was an awesome contest and made me really think about what I want to learn to do with my painting next. I used blending techniques I have never tried before on that mini and I think they turned out really well. The there was the Master of Possession I used to practice lightning on as well.

So, I decided I can’t have just two Night Lords causing issues in the cabinet, I had to get some more. I might even be able to make a Kill Team out of them if I think carefully. Maybe.

The next guy has been given the nickname Gloves. I am using him to refine the blending process on ceramite and try to work out where the light would hit it if it came from a certain angle. I am sure this is a pre-requisite to Non Metallic Metallic painting (NMM) and that is something I want to practice. Here are some shots so far:

I still think the lines are a little sharp and could use more gradual colour changes, but this is me learning how to blend using this method and for a second attempt, I don’t think this is too bad.

I also tried something on his jet pack to make it look like it was glowing. I do think this worked well and I am pleased with it.

I still have a lot of work to go on Gloves, but he is coming along well. I am learning a whole lot from this too, which is the most important thing.

On a side note, I also listened to The Long Night while painting the other day. Sevatar’s voice was hilarious and at first I was put off. It grew on me though, and after listening to that tale, I just want to go and hug the poor fellow, maybe give him a cup of tea… which makes me horribly British.

40K · Age of Sigmar · hobby · horus heresy · miniatures.

Games Day!

May 12, 2019 DebbieForster3 Comments

Today, I went to Games Day. I did not enter the Golden Daemon contest as my diorama would not have been finished in time – the competition was exceptional and there were some amazing miniatures on display. It was good to see them.

There was a lot to see and get involved ith that it is difficult to know where to begin. I’ll try and keep this focused… Contrast paints. These have the ability to revolutionize the painting aspect of the hobby. They allow anyone to create decently painted miniatures in next to no time at all. After applying a special smooth undercoat, these paints are quite literally slapped onto a miniature and the rest of the work is done. I managed to paint two Brimstone Horrors in under 2 minutes.

All these miniatures were painted using Contrast paints. There will be lots of experimentation going on in the future that much is certain. It will cater to those who do not like painting!

I did a speed paint! In twenty minutes I painted a Storm Cast to what I think was a good standard. I challenged Caitlyn, who spent a good deal of it screaming! Meet Erik:

There was a lot of people dressed in cosplay as well, the costumes were amazing. I took several pictures, got shot by a Kreiger and watched as another friend was captured and slaughtered for heresy!

My favourite part of these events is chatting to the design teams. I got to meet the people who created my personal favourites: Ahriman and Abaddon, and enthused with them. I saw concept sketches and had in depths conversations about how they work and design the models we all love so well. I then got chatting to one of the artists about the Dark Angels Legion. The artwork was spectacular, however the chat about how the legion is differently organised was also interesting.

They have different heraldry depending on who they are. Their squads can be compromised of multiple marines from different specialities and it is a lot more fluid than any other Legion. In the same squad, there might be different individuals who have fought in different areas – the squads are not fixed. So, there might be a guy who fought against orks, a guy who fought genestealers, a seige specialist etc, and each of them will have different runes, while they all share squad, chapter heraldry as well. I think this makes each miniature in a squad an individual rather than a batch painted one and that is awesome!

Finally, there are some shots of the Chaos Knights. Beautiful miniatures they are indeed. They did have a copy of the codex, but it was behind glass and locked – no-one was allowed to look at it, not even the staff!

What an amazing day it was! Exhausting, but a lot of fun! I am sure there will be more posts about this in the near future as I remember things, but for now, this is all I have.

40K · hobby · Uncategorized

Hobby Update!

May 6, 2019 DebbieForsterLeave a comment

I have been out of teaching for a few weeks now and after the initial amazement of having visitors and catching up with my sleep, I have begun to turn my thoughts to what I am going to do next.

It’s not an easy thing, my focus was teaching for at least seven years and had always floated in the back of my mind. I’ve been in some sort of limbo, which has been strange. Fortunately, I have the support and encouragement of good friends around me who have helped keep my head clear.

What I truly want to do, is commission paint miniatures. I have a few avenues to explore to make this happen and I am in the process of doing so. One of them is streaming on Twitch. I plan to make this happen a few times a week after the success of the Paint-a-thon. Other plans will be announced when there are more solid details to announce.

If you are interested in commmissioning me, here is the link. Feel free to get in touch.

https://blackhandmarines.com/commissions/

Other hobby news:

The diorama is not going to get finished in time, to the standard I want it to be done, before Golden Demon on Sunday. I have decided to keep working on it but it won’t be entered this time around. I will not be participating this time, however I will enter it into the next contest, should I be able to do so.

And so, my next major task is Sevatar. I have great plans for him, great ones indeed. No spoilers, this contest is all hush. I don’t want to give away any advantage after all – this is a high pressure contest.

I have a warp smith to paint for someone who won it a month or so ago.

I have also been asked to paint the Master of Possession in the Black Legion colours.

There is no shortage of tasks to keep me going, I just hope that everything I want works out. It won’t be for lack of trying, that much is certain.