Out for Blood

Among the many experiments that I've been conducting in materials for basing, I accidentally stumbled upon a possible idea for making blood drips from weapons.  This would expand upon the technique that I already used for making blood, which involved transparent red paints and Secret Weapon Realistic water.

The additional ingredient would be Liquitex gel medium, which I had gotten to use as a clear water splash material.  Initial tests proved this material to be even more robust than the Vallejo water effects medium, which had a tendency to collapse or shrink.

As a result, several layers needed to be painted to get a desired wave or splash effect.  I was quite surprised at how well the Liquitex gel held its shape!

While flames and other non water techniques are things I have already worked with, the use of blood spatter and 'trails' of cast off blood had not been tried until now.

I ended up using a strand of foliage material, which was very thin, but very strong and rigid.  It attached it to the weapon with a gob of the gel (with paint mixed in for color).  Once that was secure, I started placing additional blobs of water effects (also mixed with paint), and a bit of the gel.

Letting gravity do its work, I was able to create the impression of the blood dripping down!  Success!!

He's also here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/221945834468?

This image shows the materials in question. The Liquitex gel medium provided most of the 'body' of the blood, while the Secret Weapon Realistic Water made everything more shiny and transparent.

A stroll in the garden

When I uncovered this unknown miniature from an old batch of RPG figures, I thought that she would be a perfect test for a new kind of foliage that I was able to obtain this week from Hangar 18.

The actual name of the foliage is called Buttercup, but it is one of several colors.

There is also a white, red and a purple version.  While I have used the 'standard' type of flowery foliage (dots of color on top of grass clumps), this product is taller, and it simulates the leafy stems of a flower.

In fact, the height of this foliage allowed me to create the impression that she is reaching out to grab another batch of flowers, matching what I put in her right hand.

The yellow flowers also acted a s very nice color contrast to the blues in her dress.  This has been a new element in my basing... which used to be exclusively about what color marble or tile I used :-)

I think I have about 30 different kinds of foliage, grass, vines, leaves, etc. at this point, and it has massively expanded not just the ability to create little environments for my bases, but to have something which will work hand in hand with the colors of the figure.

These days, I actually "paint to" the colors of my foliage.  I know which one that I'll be using, and I make sure that the colors I paint on the figure include or contrast with such foliage.

Here's a quick picture  of the two products which were used.  The spring leaf foliage on the left was used to fill out the basing, and help the yellow flowers to 'stand".

She's also here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/321925210539?

Black Friday!

It's almost that time again folks!  The Black Friday sale from Wild West Exodus approaches.

Obviously, there are lots of great deals on current figures from all the existing factions.  However, the best news is that you can pre order items from the Unfinished Business kickstarter campaign!!

Not only that, but I believe there is also a discount on those pre-orders as well.

So, get your shootin' irons ready to take aim at Outlaw Miniatures after Thanksgiving.

Dashing though the snow

It's been a while since you've seen another Tharn cavalry, so here's one just in time for the Holidays!

These are very heavy figures, so at times they like to fall out of my hands onto the palette. :-)

The view from above!

Defense De La Republique

This is the second of the Renault AMR series.  It's also the first Flames of War vehicle I've done with a commander figure sticking out of a hatch.

Ironically, it does show just how small this tank design was.  The other AMR with the closed hatch could almost be perceived as a larger scale, since there was not this kind of reference point!

Speaking of size comparisons, these shots will really give you a sense of how different all these sizes are!

The view from above... with the tiny AMR's off to the right.

It's very fun to see these images of the vehicles in formation!

Much more to come, including the 75mm mobile AA artillery!  Stay tuned.  Vive Le France.

No need to hush...

I have one more series of images for you of amazing goodness coming from Raging Heroes.

These are every bit as stunning as the previous posts.

When you look through these last several sets, it's incredible to see just how many dramatic, elegant sculpts are being created.  Each one has a ton of character and story.

The Daughters of the Orphanage would work in so many different systems, it's scary! :-)

These ladies will certainly be part of a Kings of War Basilea.

This pose has quite a story by itself.  I love the "You shall not pass" attitude!!!

This one is equally incredible.

I'm thinking that I will have to come up with some kind of very special freehand for all these robes.

The tiny lanterns will also provide a lot of opportunities to add some object source lighting.

Look at this amazing group.  Yes... this is a 'unit'.  Raging Heroes has created a lot of great five figure sets for the previous campaign, but now it is at an all new level.

So, I felt the need to proclaim the wonders of the Sisters... not keeping it silent.

Stay tuned for part two, where you see more of the Children of the Orphanage.

The Magic Circle

What I really like about this newest age of miniatures is the way details such as the face are being sculpted.  This figure is a fantastic example of that.  When a face is sculpted and cast so well, it makes painting it a joy, as opposed to a potential nightmare :-)

The flowing cloak was also well done, allowing me to do some fun new freehand designs without being impeded by a maze of fabric folds!

There's a few images here that show the base.

She's also here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/221943352518?