Proof, what proof?

Over the past weekend I got on a big painting kick.  I did a ton of basecoat painting on my DoA team.  At this point I need to finish up some small metal detail on only one model and then I can finish the washing phase.  I say finish because I got a little ahead of myself and washed the flesh areas already. 


A search online turned up some other Neomix Biker Dwarf Teams.  The ones I've found are much more talented than me but that motivates me to improve.  I can see that I really need to improve how I do skin and eyes.  I picked up some drying retardant so we'll see if that helps with the eyes.  Those post have also made me think more about the actual minis themselves.  I love the idea and many of the sculpts are great however I noticed some casting issues in the models.  I thought it was just a result of my "newness" to the hobby that made me have trouble with some areas but I now I see that it is a combination of my "newness" (95%) and the casting (5%) :) .


I hope to get some progress pictures up shortly.  My goal for this team is to have them ready for Zlurpee Bowl X.  The team is ahead of schedule but the sideline element remains untouched and since it is 7 degrees here right now, priming is out of the question.  But that's okay, I have plenty to keep me busy.

Excuses, Excuses

So I haven't posted in February... here's why.  The first week of February was preparation of the Dog Bowl II.  Last week was full of slumber as I was really rundown last week.  I finally got up the gumption to paint on the 15th and my eyes would not cooperate so I just based some DoA arms.


I would really like to attend Zlurpee Bowl X and I think that would make for a great debut for the Dwarfs of Anarchy.  Hopefully this will give me some extra motivation to get them done.  If I can get this done I'll be working on a human team to take to Chaos Cup '14.


Hopefully I'll get some actually picture updates on here shortly.

To Do List 1-27

I was granted a bit more time this week because a planned trip to see friends in Chicago got snowed out.  Let's see how we did:

To do for 1-27:

1. Highlight Jax (Done)

2. Basecoat and wash Juice (Done)

I decided to try out some different lighting and a new background for my pictures.  I'm still not happy with how they turned out but I'll keep trying.

After reviewing the photos I always see something that needs work.  This time was no exception so I'll be making some of-blog adjustments before I finalize anything.

Here are the photos.

 The color on the photos is poor but I see that improving the skin highlight is necessary.

I'll be adding his tattoos as well.

His pants need more highlighting.   The edges will be more defined. 

 Blonde-ish hair turned out the way I wanted.  I didn't add any yellow and I think that was a good call.

This is likely my favorite model of the set.   

 I would like to give him a slightly darker skin tone, maybe I'll add some to the mix and re-base his skin. 

 Little beefy for Juice but he is a dwarf after all.

Whoops, got to fix that glove.

making some of-blog adjustments before I finalize anything.

Here are the photos.

To do for 2-3:

1. Highlight Jax

2. Basecoat and wash Juice

To Do List 1-20

Time to keep myself accountable.

To do by 1-19:
1.  Finish Clay. Done
2.  Once 1 is done work on Jax. Based and Washed

Here are some photos and descriptions of the "finished" Clay.  The model is done but I may do some touching up of areas before sealing and basing.

Black areas were highlighted with Vallejo Black/Grey 50:50 with Vallejo Off White

Blue areas were highlighted with Vallejo Dark Blue

Brown areas were highlighted with Vallejo Ger. Camo Black/ Brown 50:50 with Citadel Calthan Brown

Metal bits were highlighted with Citadel Runefang Steel 75:25 with Citadel Dwarf Bronze

My favorite part of painting Clay was highlighting the medal bits and painting his "white" shirt.  To do the shirt I used Vallejo Black/Grey mixed with Vallejo Off White adding more and more of the VOW with each layer.

Before sealing (now that I've seen the pics) I think I need to fix his right shoulder and dull down his beard some.  I'll reattach the cigar I made for him and put him on his base.  

To do for 1-27:

1. Highlight Jax

2. Basecoat and wash Juice

Update 1-15-14: Clay

Switching from assembly line to singular models has already helped with motivating me.  I sat down last night and finished the base coating and shading for the miniature that will become Clay.  His cigar, that I added, fell off so I'll attach it later.  Here he is so far.

 All the "black" areas are Vallejo Black/Grey except the glasses.

 Jeans are Vallejo Dark Blue 50/50 with Vallejo German Camo Black/Brown.

 Boots and leg straps are Vallejo German Camo Black/Brown.  Metal bits are Citadel Chain-mail

Beard and hair are Vallejo Off-white 50/50 with Vallejo Black/Grey.

The shirt is Vallejo Off-white 70/30 with Vallejo Black/Grey.  I want it to look white when all is said and done.

To Do List 1-13

Man, I'm getting bad at doing this on time.  Let's see how last week went.

To do by 1-12:
1.  Work on more DOA team members. Done
2.  Assemble some Riot players.  Not done

As I've gone through this process I realize that my attempt to "assembly line" paint miniatures doesn't work for me.  I want each of these players to have their own feel to them and that makes the assembly line style too difficult.  Also it is not keeping me motivated enough.  My to do's for this week will show that.  Here are some pictures of my last "assembly line" session.

 Clay

 Jax

 Juice

 YTD Lineman

Bobby Elvis

What I'm going to do with this team is finish up one maybe two players a week.  I realize that they won't look as good as they do in my head but I think I need to work on them individually to get the best results I can.

To do by 1-19:
1.  Finish Clay.
2.  Once 1 is done work on Jax.

Let's see how this works for me.

To Do List 1-6

Vortex Delay

Michigan was one of many areas that had to deal with the Vortex.  Due to the weather this post got delayed.

Let's look back with joy on last week's list.

To do by 1-5:
1.  Watch Michigan State win the Rose Bowl! DONE!
2.  Enjoying Michigan State winning the Rose Bowl! DONE!!
3.  Pray no one is hurt in the riot sure to follow Michigan State winning the Rose Bowl! DONE!!!

Go Green, Go White!

Congratulations to the MSU Spartan Football Team!

Now, I suppose I should make a real list for the week.

To do by 1-12:
1.  Work on more DOA team members.
2.  Assemble some Riot players.

I got some storage for Christmas that I was able to set-up in my painting spot.  I just threw stuff in drawers for now but it has already helped my area stay cleaner.

Oh I thought I'd share one last photo.

Come on big sister, join us.