Snow Bound

Here we have a larger scale figure from Albino Raven Miniatures, loaded with detail as usual :-)

It was very easy to get all kinds of interesting subtle color transitions in the darker areas, as those were very carefully sculpted and finely rendered,

The penny is for scale (he's on a 50mm base)

Now for some close ups!!

Visit their site to see more fantastic fantasy, sci-fi and historical miniatures!!

http://www.albinoravenmini.com/#!copy-of-miniatures/c1q65

Fire and Ice

The final day has arrived!  

This is the final day of the Parallax campaign, and the last chance to make sure fantastic figures such as these are created!

Some of you might be familiar with my "Katmandu", which won a gold at Reapercon last year.

I have been waiting quite a while to see both of these "Bark and Branch" bases next to each other!

Each has a very different color scheme, as well as freehand designs.  These were dictated by the two effects that I wanted to create.  One emphasized saturated warm colors, the other diminished and grayed down tones.

However, war and cool colors were needed in both figures, which helps to provide that "Contrast Triad" that I refer to so often.

Contrast is not just light vs dark.   It is also warm vs cool, and saturated vs grayed down colors.

This view shows how the exact same materials and construction technique on a base can be radically different in final appearance when the flock is varied.

One last link!  Go check it out:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/272734025/parallax-warband?ref=project_link

An Elephant Never Forgets

OK folks!  It's getting to be the final days of the Parallax Kickstarter campaign, and I thought I would save something fun for the countdown!

Here's a link to the campaign;

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/272734025/parallax-warband?ref=project_link

And then back to our shaman.  I had a lot of fun making the base and choosing the theme for the clothes.  With the flame in his hand, I just had to do some OSL.

I did add a little heavy gel medium to the flame to extend it in some places.

These views will give you a better look at the base.

And a penny for your thoughts for all those wondering what the scale is of this figure.  I believe the base is 80mm.

I looked through a number of saree patterns to find the right color to contrast with the flame, but also work with it.  Since the skin color was going to be such a neutral grey (as was the base), I knew that I had a little leeway here.

I shot some pictures on a different background, which gives you a different perspective on some of the brighter teal colors on the Saree.

One last image of an imposing character!

So, be sure to check out the campaign, and other fantastic figures just like this shaman!!

Leaf and Scale

The Swordsmen from the Galadhrim by themselves could be on the fragile side, but when backed up by spears, those additional attacks would force the issue against lower fight skill units.  Even with higher armor, losing fights again and again will put you in a bad spot!

I did spend a few extra points here and there to give the swordsmen shields, in the event that they would not have the pointy sticks behind them.

The katana shape of the blades made them interesting to paint.

The leafy pattern in the armor plates allowed for some interesting color reflections and contrasts!

The Raven in the Forest

Before I posted the finished images of this figure from Albino Raven Miniatures, I thought you might like to see the base in its raw form.  

He is a 54mm figure, with all the details you would expect from ARM.  Such details make a painter's life easier, and that is always fun!

There are many articles on the blog showing how I create the "Bark 'n Branch" bases.  Larger figures such as this one are a interesting to create, as I have enough space to add the larger branches, and utilize the smaller branches to get that forest look.

These are also bargain basement cheap materials as well... as in mostly free.    Grab branches and bark that's sitting there on the ground... pieces of mulch, all kinds of goodies!  Stay tuned for the finished pictures!!

Nightengale

I had a lot of fun painting this figure from Twisted Game, called Nightengale.

Everywhere I looked, there were all kinds of amazing details, such as the filligre on the apron.  I didn't put any additional freehand on this piece so that people could see it was part of the actual sculpt.

The metal wings were a nice area to offer a bit of contrast, and reflect the light of the lamp.  This meant that I could do the cool vs warm color contrasts as well.

The base is from the Secret Weapon series.  I wanted to keep this base as close to the bases you see in the game play images, but this one in particular allowed me to do something for the first time.  As you can see in these images, I was able to reflect the lamp light in the ripples of the water.

In all my years of basing and painting, I had yet to try something like that.

Yes indeed, it's never too late to try something new.  I'm just glad that I'm getting a chance to paint these fantastic miniatures!

Here's a link to the kickstarter itself, where you have the options of rules, unit cards, and even wonderful terrain pieces!

How to train your Fire Drake

I was hoping to include a few Clan Lords on Fire Drakes in the Salamanders army, since the primary theme appears to be fire!

I already have one ridden carnosaur figure painted on a lava style base, so why not give him a buddy?

I believe this is the Ork Wyvern from the Azhag set.  Since it really looked like a fire breathing dragon to me, I was hoping that I might be able to add the plastic carnosaur rider to it.

I had to do a lot of green stuff work anyway during the assembly process, so I tried to build up the area that would hold the throne.  I made a simple chain mail texture to fill it out.

There were some additional head pieces in the set, so I chipped away and modified one to fit the rather flat, squarish head.

Lo and behold, that rider and throne fit on here better than the original figure!  I have some additional straps and other decorative pieces to apply, so I will try to get some images once those are placed and it's been primed.

This is going to be very fun to paint!!  I will probably have glowing wings on this one, just as I did with the original years ago.