Friday, 11 March 2011

New horizons and .... Tannhauser!!!!!!!!

And so, I know it's a long time since my last blog. And yes, I know that I've been a very naughty boy (and therefore not the messiah). And so, here goes... Here's what I've been up to.

Painting, er well, I did a bit on the Rune Priest. He's nearly finished. Snow to add and backpack, then done. The never ending project I calls it.

Graphic Novels - The Walking Dead is great! I've read volumes 1 - 4 and caught some of the TV programmes too. I like the thoughtful storytelling, the atmospheric art and the sense of tension that runs throughout. A good job done by all. It's a very 'now' concept...the end of the world as we know it. And it deals powerfully with all of the moral ambiguity that would entail. I've also read a couple more Preacher and enjoyed the stridently and unashamedly explicit and enthusiastically realised 'The Boys' - another fabulously over the top, yet intriguing offering from Mr G Ennis (and co.) All heartily recommended.

TV stuff - The Pacific, in the style of Band of Brothers is also something I have been 'dipping in' to. I must say that it hasn't caught my imagination in the same way. The characters are less defined and the camera spends a lot of time focusing on a specific character in each episode, meaning we never really get a coherent sense of a group dynamic. This was a real strength of BoB. Nevertheless, the conditions of Pacific warfare do come across strongly and the battlefield moments are as graphically conveyed as anything else out there.

Finally GAMES stuff  - Have now done a couple of YouTube posts introducing the game of Tannhauser which I got over Christmas. I'm still a real newbie but as the posts progress things'll improve. I also bought a few MTG cards and bits and bobs which I play now and again. Still rubbish at it, but it's a larf - and that's what I do it for. Don't you? I did buy the Cygnar Warmachine book, but I mostly bought that for reading at the moment.

Another time 'black hole' has been Fallout : New Vegas (surprisingly few glitches) and recently Mass Effect 2. I'm really impressed with both of them. Admittedly, New Vegas is Fallout 3, but it takes the game forward in a number of respects and still allows for engaging and engrossing RPG play. Which I heart. Mass Effect 2 is also well crafted with interesting nuances and bits to find and explore. My son plays this too (15yrs) but just likes to shoot things (He's a Black Ops Vet), in spite of this he's getting a lot out of the game too.

I think that about covers it  ... please view the You Tube posts below and - cheers!



Friday, 20 August 2010

Rune Priest update

Here we go, some work on bags, teeth, skulls and pistol. Still needs some tidying up and bits and bobs - sloowly does it....


Thursday, 19 August 2010

A little more done, but watch out for the cat...

Just so you know, I have done a little more on this Rune Priest figure. I played with the shading and highlights along with the colouring on the shoulder pads and pistol. Touched up the hair too. The changes are subtle but I did do some - honest. I did swear at the cat though because it knocked the figure over and the arm came off. Oh yes, I did swear.



Also 'on the table' are my fist ever completed unit (I'm ashamed to say). Theses were relatively quick and easy to do, although I kept missing bits and had to go back a number of times. For instance I only just noticed I hadn't painted the bags on the back of these little Goblin fellas. Anyways here you go - done and done.

And look a tray too!


This lot next...


















Last thing to add, I made an impulse purchase last week - look an Iron Kingdoms figure! Bought for trying out painting techniques - also to see what Privateer Press models were like. This was only £3.18 or something silly. Must say though, that the quality is excellent - I am impressed !

Valeria Alvaro, Ordic Pistoleer. Cool enough.





Monday, 16 August 2010

From the archives.

Thought I'd post a few of my previous painting efforts - given that graphic novels have caused a bit of a 'go-slow' on the Rune Priest front. These represent me painting slowly too! I have obviously taken the pictures too close. All blemishes are writ large. However, at a distance these look OK. I know not all advanced painting techniques are represented - I'm not an advanced painter - but you get to a point where you have to stop painting and move on  - so here we are. the Inquisitor Lorr and (original ) Cpt. Sicarius are special edition models I think, though Sicarius has been revamped since. I still think Lorr is a cool model. See what you think.


Cpt. Sicarius
Inquisitor Lorr

Ultramarine Jump Chaplain
Ultramarine Sergeant

Thursday, 12 August 2010

More what I've done...

You'll be pleased to know that this week I have been mostly reading comics. Managed to get through BPRD volumes 9 to 13- which was was quite an effort, and then Hellboy volume 10. All of which were splendid. I like the way BPRD is staying away from too much Hellboy crossover. I am enjoying the march of the 'frogs', although if I am being completely honest, I found the the idea of Daimio's story a little odd. Nevertheless a great read and the art creates pace and atmosphere effectively.Have a look at the art in Volume 13 Ba and Moon's work is pretty cool I think. I could write something more intellectual - but all you need to know I guess is that they were well worth the money from Amazon.

Next up Hellboy volume10  - this drifted away from the Excalibur storyline (I'll try to avoid too many spoilers...) and into strange dreams! I thought the Fegrodo art was inspired. It seems distant from Mignola initially but you soon warm to the way a real sense of manic darkness is created.
I'm now embarking on readin' Mouseguard Autumn 1152 - I'll let you know...

Lastly , a bit of goblin progress ...


I've also done some work on my Space Wolves Rune Priest, but I think I ought to do some more work before I brag about any 'progress' there!

Monday, 2 August 2010

New additions.

Well, this week has seen the arrival of a few items on my doorstep. Mainly because I've got a little free time and I aim to use it! So, Lone Wolf and Cub v. 22 - 24, BPRD 7-10, Warhammer Invasion LCG and The Warhammer 8th ed. rule book. There's more to come, but one thing at a time - sort of.

I read the Lone Wolfs (wolves?) and the series is moving dramatically to its conclusion. The story is as gripping as ever. The son and father in their meifumado (look it up!) and the final battles against their mortal enemy. Consistently, well paced and thoughtfully drawn. Yes, there is adult content, it's not for kids - but for a discerning reader it has incredible qualities and you soon forget that you have been looking at the glossary. It has meticulous attention to detail ; there is a real sense of place and the community. Also, despite the way in which Ogami Itto embraces death and destruction there is a real humble humanity about him that ensures our sympathies. I suppose that is the real point. It is not simply a tale of revenge.

As a quick added point I have just played through the first few starter sessions of Battle for Skull Pass. I have to say that it was all nice and easy. I really like the range of figures. Great for the price. I do realise I will have to adapt what I have learnt with the new edition but there you go... Any way, it all went OK. You do need trays for the figures though - compared to my starter efforts at 40K, movement is a right royal pain without them. Overall, I kept having to look at the stats but my 12 year old got them straight away. Shows something I guess!!
I did wonder about the Flee rule - I felt it might mean that low Leadership troops would be forever running away -but it didn't work out like that- perhaps only because of favourable dice rolls though. We shall see.
Nevertheless will move on to full starter scenario - then the 3 Advanced Scenarios on the Games Workshop website and let you know how they go. At the moment it seems quite accessible and I like the way you can get into the game before knowing the more complex rules.

I think you all ought to know I took back Final Fantasy XIII - I loved the graphics and the gameplay but it was more than my mind could take in terms of intellectual /time investment. I am ashamed to admit this. I really didn't understand the weapons upgrade system and I couldn't work out how to get really good. I hang my head. So I'm going back to Elder Scrolls : Oblivion for RPG and have bought Uncharted 2 to shoot stuff.

Time black hole approaches.

Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Warhammer Fantasy ahoy!

Thought I'd see what all the fuss is about by getting hold of  Battle for Skull Pass -yeah, I know a new game set is out later this year, but I liked the figures in this one - so there!
Anyhoo, have painted up a few figures - and I know this gets me further away from my other projects, but sometimes you just can't help yourself...



Tried to ensure that painting speed was high - these were done in about 5 hours, but I think I can improve on that. I'll have to. A few bits and pieces to finish but they look ok considering.


Next thing to do is have a bash at the game - I will let you know how I get on. I'm a complete novice at all of this type stuff, although I have painted and browsed through army bboks and rule books over the years. here we go then...

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