True Crusader

This iconic British vehicle is yet another fantastic kit from Rubicon Models.

As you can see by the following image, it has the usual multi-kit function, allowing you to make several different varieties in this single box.

As detailed as the sprues are, the instructions are just as detailed, with a number of helpful highlighted sections.  Those are concentrated in places where options exist for different turrets on variants, etc.

A very generous decal sheet means that you can adapt your vehicle to almost any unit or theatre. 

Here's the sprues, which are always nicely arranged, with pieces that are easy to remove, since there is not a lot of 'tension' exerted on each piece.

It is possible to use the extra pieces to create destroyed vehicle terrain, or even add to other kits as a potential conversion.

Once again, the instructions guide you very efficiently, letting you know when a piece should be put together first, or where your contact points might be.

It doesn't take long to see your new Crusader tank evolve!

I was asked to go with the Crusader 2 variant, with the light gun and armor skirts.

The extra fuel storage was a must, so that I could use the Mig AMMO oil and fuel stains paints :-)

All built, and ready for primer!!

Let the painting process begin!  First, a number of layers of Badger Stynlrez primer were used to create a solid base for painting the subsequent layers of oils.  Since there are now 12 colors of Badger primers, I never had to use any actual paint to get my original base colors!

I was able to try out the new Mig AMMO OilBrushers, which have a fantastic paint consistency.  It is as close to regular acrylic paints as possible.  I discovered that they mix quite well with my other oil products, such as the Wilder paints and Windsor Newton paints.

Here's a link to the facebook live session that was done to experiment with the paints.  It's about 110 minutes long, so check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/james.wappel/videos/vb.1056181987/10209772855572214/?type=2&theater

Wolf Pack

This is one of several "predatory animal" Algoryn skimmers that I painted for Gates of Antares.

These just happen to be the perfect shape to allow for the two eyes on either side of the cockpit, and even the pilot himself has those flat armor plates which make it easier to continue the pattern onto him.  The helmet also has a bit of a crest, so that helps as well!

Several critters are planned, including birds of prey, dragons and so on.

This was painted in a live Facebook session, showing all the materials and principles used to paint it!  Here's a link to the painting video:

https://www.facebook.com/james.wappel/videos/vb.1056181987/10209514481873033/?type=2&theater

The wolf pattern was a lot of fun, but the other predators will be also.  I have a few birds of prey, along with dragons and other serpents planned.  Stay tuned!

Base Camp

Here are some finalized images of the bases that you watched live of facebook!

Here's a link:

https://www.facebook.com/james.wappel/videos/vb.1056181987/10209658916083798/?type=2&theater

These are all created for the Algoryn skimmers.  Each of them was created with simple tree bark and branches, with a few added touches from Secret Weapon Miniatures

The more obvious add ons are the barrels, but the shell casings are also from Secret Weapon Miniatures.

This large base is from the C3 transporter.

One more shot of the entire set, and then it's on to showing them with the painted minis... stay tuned!

Oliver, With a Twist

Here's another figure from the Twisted Game range.  And yes, his name is Oliver Twist!  There muct have been something unusual in his gruel though, because he's a little more muscular than we are used to seeing.

The Twisted Game figures are all sculpted by hand, which definitely shows in the elegant flow of the figures.  The mechanical elements are frequently made of actual gears and brass in the sculpting process, so you get a very realistic feel to those parts of the figures.

The base is from Secret Weapon miniatures, which is from a large set of steampunk urban bases.

He's also here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/322473139276?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Making a Nest

Next up for the winter Americans would be a little fire support in the form of a machine gun nest.

These are the new winter figures from Bolt Action and Warlord Games.  The wall and street textures were created by pressing sculpey into the Happy Seppuku moulds.  More texture was added with Secret Weapon Miniatures weathering powders and crushed glass for the snow.

This article is a review of the basing technique for the winter Americans:

http://wappellious.blogspot.com/2017/02/urban-warfare.html

Creator of the Fall

I had a lot of fun with this Heirophant conversion that was done for my Tomb Kings army.  Using a bunch of chariot bits and green stuff, I was able to make him look more impressive than a standard skeletal cavalry figure.

I couldn't resist giving him a sceptre and a skull too!  Of course, he had to have a number of cartouches as well.

For those who have seen the story of my Tomb Kings, they know that this Heirophant was the source of the "First Fall", playing around with sorcery best left untouched.

I had him on the skeletal horse to make him more mobile, but also allow him to attach to the unit of cavalry for protection.  None of these things really worked out, as Tomb Kings tended to die from a random stiff breeze!

Arena Rex

This Medusa figure from Arena Rex was the first that I have painted from this wonderful line of figures.  She is mounted on a 50mm base, which was created using the Green Stuff World texture rollers.

The transparent cloth effect is always interesting to achieve.  While there are a few basic principles involved in translating the effect, it can be more difficult depending how the figure is sculpted.

If the cloth has a lot of heavy folds, that can make it more difficult to paint the lighter skin colored areas in the 'gaps' where they would show up.  The high points of the folds get the brightest 'cloth' color.  The trickiest part is that darkened zone in the middle, which helps to show those two areas of lighter tones.  One must have dark to show light!

The shield presented a nice opportunity to do some gold NMM.  That was done in my normal way,  including the use of the Vallejo fluorescent yellow to infuse into the burnt sienna and even purples.

Here are a few better images of that mosaic tile base.  Again, the texture was made by rolling a Green Stuff World texture roller into the unbaked Sculpey clay.  This was  broken into shape once it was baked, and placed on a piece of cork.  Sand and gravel were added around the sides to finish off the texture.

One more set of views, which also show the veiled face a little better.  

As a final note, this was entered into the Arena Rex painting contest, winning second prize!  Many thanks to the good folks who create so many fantastic miniatures :-)