okay, so i got to work on my 15mm mini's. It has been a good learning experience, but I had one fatal mistake from the beginning. I am not happy with the way the sand built up on the bases. It's probably due to the use of superglue. I never used super glue before to adhere sand, but I was a bit nervous about it not sticking to the metal washer (i am used to plastic bases). I am also not used to the bump up the mini's base has on top of the washer. I tried to be careful. I think the super glue must have been absorbed into the sand causing the layer above to stick. This made the sand layer up pretty thick and go well over the feet of the mini's. I just wasn't happy.
for
I intend to get a good process start-to-finish, before I buy the mini's I really wanted. (I got these Flames of War Germans cheap at a local store when I used to live in Washington State). So, i dunked them in acetone for a little while and scrubbed them clean. I normally wouldn't have used acetone, but I wanted to break down the superglue holding all the sand on. So far so good. I've got them down to bare metal and a little bit of sand remaining. They are in their 'final soak' right now. Later today I plan to get them finished up. Washed (soap and water), dried thoroughly (probably enjoy some sunshine). and then back to the paint table.
For attempt number 2 I plan to NOT put sand on until the model is completed. I will NOT use super glue for the sand. I am hoping that a roughed up washer with a little primer on it will give enough hold with PVA glue for the sand. I probably worried for nothing, I should put my paranoia energy towards something better, like the aliens that steal my underwear at night. Damn them...
I also plan to use my airbrush to lay down my initial base color.
It really shouldn't take a long time to paint these little guys up. I think I am spending too much time thinking of the details (which leads to procrastination). I also know that I will not be taking these to any award shows. (I have pride in my work and like a well painted model, but they don't all have to be 'winners'). I have to balance patience, lack of attention span, quality and quantity. I believe that if I can produce good looking models at a decent pace, I am more likely to return to the paint table sooner.
I had thought about mounting the models in a row on a craft stick but I really had no problem holding onto the mini by its washer base. I suppose if I hadn't mounted them on the washers, I'd try the craft sticks.
Well, more later. (no pics this time since the stripping of mini's is not that exciting to look at.)
Thanks for reading.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Some progress 21 Aug 2011
Okay, so I managed to get some painting in yesterday and today. I experimented with my wet palette.
Wet Palette... where have you been all my life!!!
I loved how the paint stayed wet on the paper the whole time I painted. It was as if the paper new just exactly how much to thin my paint and to keep it that consistency the whole time! I absolutely loved not having to re-wet my paint or to have to go back to the paint pot for more. I am certain I would have used 2-3 times more paint, for the short amount of time that I was painting. In addition, it is still wet inside my sealed container! I look forward to seeing the results of that tomorrow. This will change a lot in the ways I paint. If I can just sit down, open my palette and get 15-20 minutes done and then seal it up... it will be easier (for me) to accomplish more during the week, when I don't have the time to devote to multiple hours of painting.
I find that every time I sit down to paint, I feel better overall about painting and more excited to get more done. It has been a hard slump to get over. I had gotten so burnt out on "The Hobby" that is has been a difficult road of recovery. Fortunately, the medicine is to paint more!!! :)
So, yes I am still on the same 8 mini's pictured earlier in my blog. Difference is, they are almost done being blocked in (faces, guns and accessories remain). Shade and highlight will go quick and the sand on the base is already painted. Need highlight for the sand and then a little flock to mix it up. I can see the end of this project drawing near. My reward? Go buy some excellent mini's from Rebel Minis, Khurasan and Critical Mass. I've also got my eye on some over seas companies like Ground Zero Games (where I plan to also get some Full Thrust ships!)
Oh, I also made a mental break through today. Nothing I didn't know before, but some knowledge has to be reacquired as you get older... (and suffer from some burn out). So, at the start of this blog (1 month ago), I had begun my first 15mm scale models. I have done 6mm, 10mm, 25mm, 28mm, 54mm, etc.... So, when I first started, I looked at the little guy and thought, oh... it's just a small 28mm. Sort of like painting a goblin or some other shorter mini. No... What I should have thought was, oh these are like Warmaster (10mm) only a little bigger! This would have saved me some hassle. Once I changed my mindset, the mini's started painting up a lot quicker.
Okay, off to eat some spaghetti and hopefully paint some more tonight! I realize I need to get some pictures up.
Thanks
Wet Palette... where have you been all my life!!!
I loved how the paint stayed wet on the paper the whole time I painted. It was as if the paper new just exactly how much to thin my paint and to keep it that consistency the whole time! I absolutely loved not having to re-wet my paint or to have to go back to the paint pot for more. I am certain I would have used 2-3 times more paint, for the short amount of time that I was painting. In addition, it is still wet inside my sealed container! I look forward to seeing the results of that tomorrow. This will change a lot in the ways I paint. If I can just sit down, open my palette and get 15-20 minutes done and then seal it up... it will be easier (for me) to accomplish more during the week, when I don't have the time to devote to multiple hours of painting.
I find that every time I sit down to paint, I feel better overall about painting and more excited to get more done. It has been a hard slump to get over. I had gotten so burnt out on "The Hobby" that is has been a difficult road of recovery. Fortunately, the medicine is to paint more!!! :)
So, yes I am still on the same 8 mini's pictured earlier in my blog. Difference is, they are almost done being blocked in (faces, guns and accessories remain). Shade and highlight will go quick and the sand on the base is already painted. Need highlight for the sand and then a little flock to mix it up. I can see the end of this project drawing near. My reward? Go buy some excellent mini's from Rebel Minis, Khurasan and Critical Mass. I've also got my eye on some over seas companies like Ground Zero Games (where I plan to also get some Full Thrust ships!)
Oh, I also made a mental break through today. Nothing I didn't know before, but some knowledge has to be reacquired as you get older... (and suffer from some burn out). So, at the start of this blog (1 month ago), I had begun my first 15mm scale models. I have done 6mm, 10mm, 25mm, 28mm, 54mm, etc.... So, when I first started, I looked at the little guy and thought, oh... it's just a small 28mm. Sort of like painting a goblin or some other shorter mini. No... What I should have thought was, oh these are like Warmaster (10mm) only a little bigger! This would have saved me some hassle. Once I changed my mindset, the mini's started painting up a lot quicker.
Okay, off to eat some spaghetti and hopefully paint some more tonight! I realize I need to get some pictures up.
Thanks
Friday, August 19, 2011
Wet Palette
I am going to give the 'wet palette' technique a try this weekend. I purchased some easy to find supplies at the store this week, based on recommendations I found all over the web.
I am still working on the same 8 mini's. It's not a matter of speed or technique, just motivation. I do want to get these done so I can justify buying more!!
A side note. This is the first real post for my blog, on Blogger.com. I just completed the port from 6sided.net. So far, I am happier with blogger.com. I haven't dug into the fine details yet, but editing seems easier and I like the idea of connectivity with Facebook and other programs. It also ties in better with the blogs I follow, which are primarily on blogger.com
Shawn
- Simple roll of paper towels, plain white
- Baking parchment paper
- Small plastic, low profile, container. Resealable.
- Empty squeeze bottle
I am still working on the same 8 mini's. It's not a matter of speed or technique, just motivation. I do want to get these done so I can justify buying more!!
A side note. This is the first real post for my blog, on Blogger.com. I just completed the port from 6sided.net. So far, I am happier with blogger.com. I haven't dug into the fine details yet, but editing seems easier and I like the idea of connectivity with Facebook and other programs. It also ties in better with the blogs I follow, which are primarily on blogger.com
Shawn
Monday, August 15, 2011
30 minutes plus contemplating new paint
I got a little work done yesterday (Sunday). I painted the pants on 8 mini’s plus painted the base of one of them. Not a lot, but it’s more than the whole last week.
I got a little disappointed when I opened some of my paint pots and found them nearly empty or dried out. Almost all of my GW Foundation paints are useless. I wonder if the newer style paint pots aren’t as good as the previous. Most of my paints are GW with the screw on / flip top bolter shell style pot from about 2004-05. Those ones are fine, just upset about the foundation paints. Oh well, I wasn’t all that impressed by them anyways, but had looked forward to using some of the colors.
So, now that it is getting near time to start replacing paints, I am considering my options. Unfortunately, where I live there is little in the way of hobby stores. (about an hour drive). Sampling different brands will be difficult. Other than my foundation paints drying out, I’ve not had trouble with GW paints. I have noticed the newer bottles seem to be the same as the foundation, so that worries me a little. My mind is leaning towards Vallejo paints. 1) they have a selection of colors that match GW paints (game color). 2) I kinda like the idea of a dropper, but have had practical experience with it. 3) There are a lot more colors available beyond the GW color range.
Shawn
I got a little disappointed when I opened some of my paint pots and found them nearly empty or dried out. Almost all of my GW Foundation paints are useless. I wonder if the newer style paint pots aren’t as good as the previous. Most of my paints are GW with the screw on / flip top bolter shell style pot from about 2004-05. Those ones are fine, just upset about the foundation paints. Oh well, I wasn’t all that impressed by them anyways, but had looked forward to using some of the colors.
So, now that it is getting near time to start replacing paints, I am considering my options. Unfortunately, where I live there is little in the way of hobby stores. (about an hour drive). Sampling different brands will be difficult. Other than my foundation paints drying out, I’ve not had trouble with GW paints. I have noticed the newer bottles seem to be the same as the foundation, so that worries me a little. My mind is leaning towards Vallejo paints. 1) they have a selection of colors that match GW paints (game color). 2) I kinda like the idea of a dropper, but have had practical experience with it. 3) There are a lot more colors available beyond the GW color range.
Shawn
Friday, August 5, 2011
Still around
I haven’t gotten to the paint table in awhile. I just started work again on Monday and the same day my grandfather passed away. I keep meaning to paint some more, but have lacked the energy. Ever find yourself painting in your sleep / your dreams? I could get a lot done that way… oh well. Here’s hoping I get something done and some pictures to post by this weekend.
Shawn
Shawn
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