Tuesday, 30 March 2010

Easter Projects

I couldn't let a month by without shoving something on. I've been so busy at work that I've not really been able to do anything much, at all, even on any particular project. This Easter I aim to finish some Space Wolves, Space Hulk and Space Marines figures. However, over-ambitiousness is my middle name.

I did think about getting some Magic:The Gathering cards to muck about with - I'll see how it goes. One of my local cards/collectibles shops is closing down -Runik. So I may order online.
Got the new White Dwarf with all of the Blood Angels stuff in it. Like the models - lots of heroes, lots of sprues and options -I'm not sure they are as gritty and rugged as the Space Wolves though. They all look a bit scary and slightly psychopathic - but I guess that's the point really. Do like the Death Company though, they look like are hardcore 'cos they live hardcore.

Have watched some films though. Saw The Wolfman - useless- they had copied the 50's version in terms of costume, melodrama and looks then added modern gore and special effects. In the end it was well shot and staged but ultimately unengaging, which is probably one of the worst things you can say about a film.

Zombieland on the other hand was a bit of a hoot - a rag tag bag of characters, a bit rough around the edges and some nice humorous moments amongst the carnage. Nice touch the Bill Murray Zombie sequence -surreal - yet somehow totally apt.

Don't tell anyone but I am playing Final Fantasy XIII on PS3 at the Moment having just finished Bioshock 2. (The multiplayer experience wasn't enough to make me hold onto the game for longer.) I feel it's a bit of a guilty pleasure. The graphics are fantastic - generally, smooth and elaborate and breathtaking. The game play and fighting system is also quite friendly. Surprisingly. However, I am still lost in terms of weapons and character upgrading. I'll have to see what gives and take a sneak peek at some guide or other. They say there's 50 hours in it so I'll get my money's worth I guess.

So there you are - a quick review of what's been going on in my world. More in April!

Saturday, 27 February 2010

And the Space Hulk bit...


Ah! So, another reason Space Wolves have been slow going. Tinkering with the Space Hulk terminators. Haven't got very far and think perhaps the overall effect is too dark for Blood Angels - but I do like the effect. Mechrite Red base over Chaos Black. Blood Red overbrushing. Devlan Mud/Badab Black wash. Then drybrushes of Blood Red, some blazing orange added, then used on it's own for a bit of a highlight. Next time I'm going to go a little lighter on the wash...

Rune Priest and Blood Claw. Update!



It seems to have been an age since the last post. Computer and email problems - camera battery issues - and sheer laziness. Plus the fact that I have been reading a lot of Fables comics too.

So here goes with the progress ...


First off the Blood Claw model has had a little work done - Some armour plate highlighting (basically Space Wolves Grey) , ammo pouch, and a gem on each knee. Close up on these images it looks a bit rough, but from a little way off (!) it looks OK. I tried to sort the left eye out but the model was having none of it so I left it as is - fearing I'd spoil it completely if I messed about too much.



And then with the Rune Priest. In a similar way to the Blood Claw, I've essentially started with 50/50 SW grey and Shadow Grey mix. I'll add a Scorched Brown/Grey wash and then lighten the original armour colour slightly to paint the plates/ I saw an article on the net and in White Dwarf about power weapon painting. So I've experimented a bit and this is what I came up with.
Looks OK - now toying with the idea of a final, very thin blue ink(?) wash as a kind of 'glaze' I think they call it. But I could be wrong. I've also painted on the undercoats for fur and etc as you can see.

I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to have another bash at these... loft needs insulating don't you know.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Aha Fables!

I've just read Fables 8, 9 and 10 and I have to say they were well worth the wait. I ordered at Forbidden Planet online just before Christmas, and although they only came last week - they were good value and shipping was only £3 for 3.
The covers alone are fantastic, beautifully drawn and coloured. The stories didn't disappoint either although I do think I need an evil twist right now as the 'goodies' are in the ascendancy. There were some thoughtful touches in the story of Fly, as Prince Ambrose - even if it did smack a little of Aragorn and the dead army in LOTR. Nevertheless, there is a real sense of character in each of the episodes and I suppose the key measure of their quality is that I'm eagerly anticipating the next installments.
The only other graphic novels I have been reading recently have been the Preacher series - a whole different world in terms of gore, foul language, drunkenness and violence. Hooray for that!

Monday, 11 January 2010

Lone Wolf, the gift that keeps on giving.

Got the next four installments of the Lone Wolf collected volumes for Christmas. Volumes 18 - 21 in effect. This is another labour of love of sorts, but it's a fantastic series and I've been absorbed by every one of the 100 (or so) chapters so far. The icy steel of Itto and the innocent, yet grim determination of Daigoro are enthralling. The artwork vividly describes the speed and precision of the characters' movements and the dialogue preserves the rigidly caste driven social system and intricate layers of manners and ritual. Truly a classic, and I think the covers by Sienkiewicz and Miller are, to coin a phrase, 'chuffin excellent'.

It's a snow day.


Here we go again, a day off for snow so I thought I'd add some grey rock and some snow. Got the snow flock from GW but was a bit disappointed with the first layer. Added a bit of watered down skull white then a second layer, looked a bit better but it's all trial and error init. Added grey base. Spose I'll do the gems next, extreme highlights and other details.




But then the new model arrived and you gotta make a start somewhere - cool Rune Priest even if I do Say so... I'd seen the figure a few times and so bought it along with the Space Wolves accessory sprue and shoulder pads for Grey Hunters. Still planning to see if I can get two squads out of one pack if I judiciously use the new sprue plus everyday marines bitz.

It does look a whole mess of details though so I reckon it'll be months of work.......ho hum.

Thursday, 24 December 2009

At last an update on progress!


The batteries on my digital camera went so no pics for a while, then because the Wii remotes ran out I bought a batch... huzzah. Christmas tomorrow, everything all set so time for a little entry as the drunken revellers stagger by the house on their way home.

So next stage was bleached bone highlights, face, eyes, finishing touches to hair and brown strapping etc. All quite fiddly and I'm not entirely happy with the 'staring eyes' effect I accidentally got. However, I know if I try to correct it disaster is likely to ensue. The rest though is OK, although the trouble with digital photography, is of course that it draws attention to the wobbly lines and not so detailed detailing! Still, can't be helped...

I went for a dirty-ish overall feel. Over the pads I put a wash of Gryphonne Sepia and I didn't colour them up to a shiny golden yellow. Added thin red triangle as unit emblem and I faffed around with the wolf decal for ages, of course it doesn't go around the pad very well. The armour plating I left after the washing shadow into the armour plate recesses, I didn't want the blue to be too light. I added some scratch and damage effects but haven't quite done with it yet.


Last bits are the gems on the legs and finishing off the highlighting, the eyes scare me so I may have a go at toning them down...


Getting Space Hulk for Christmas - more posts soon.

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