Stomping out the competition

We meet Stompy once again, as I wanted to show some images from a different perspective.

When you have something of this size (vehicle, monster, etc.), these overlook shots reveal a number of details that just don't show up in the usual lateral style images.

The horns on this beast were massive, and very complex.  There were a number of unusual shapes, and I wanted to have more that just tans and browns.

I incorporated a number of reddish browns, greens and even blues into them, trying to make them less monotonous.

I also wanted them to contrast a bit with not only the darker colors of the face and mane, but the blue glow and the grays nearby.

This shot gives you a better view of the skeleton and the roots, which were a lot of fun to include on the base!

There are a number of posts showing how this base was made in the Basing Techniques section of the blog.

Wild West Exodus has some very fun monsters and vehicles in the game already, but the current kickstarter campaign has lots of brand new ones... four new factions worth!

So, be sure to check out Unfinished Business, the second Wild West Exodus kickstarer campaign that is in it's final week!  Join in the fun!

War in the Bayou...

War comes to the deepest South in Wild West Exodus!  Here we have Stonewall Jackson and Marie Leveaux... and her little pet.

The test versions of the cards for Marie and the snake can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/WildWestExodus/photos/a.253557478106902.61555.250419908420659/658902417572404/?type=1&theater

In fact, test cards for all the new bosses, underbosses, sidekicks and even hired Hands can be found on the Wild West Exodus facebook page.

Here's a link to those new boss cards:

https://www.facebook.com/WildWestExodus/photos/a.253557478106902.61555.250419908420659/655046204624692/?type=1&theater

The Zombie Snake has some very interesting and unique rules, which should be very fun to test out in the coming months.

Having these beta test cards out at this point has made it easier for folks to choose what they may want to add on to their original pledges.  While a certain miniature might look very interesting, the rules or play style of something else might interest you more.

Speaking of play styles, the four new factions will have a very different style indeed!  I am even more anxious to try out the Golden Army, as hordes of ranch hands will be supporting elite Conquistadors.

This will be just like my beloved Demonhunter army from years ago!

As for the Confederate Rebellion, ambushing will be their stock and trade.

But wait... who is this?  The Watchers may be able to appear at will, using vortexes and portals, trying to beat the Confederates at their own hit and run game!!

Talk about a swirling tempest of combat... two armies appearing from nowhere, only to vanish just as quickly?  Wow.  It's going to be a mind bender.

These figures are at Adepticon NOW... so go check them out in the Wild West Exodus booth!!

A tune from a Dragoon

Sound the trumpets, sound the bugle!  Time to CHARGE!

It looks like these lads will end up being my Crystal Brush Historical category after all.

Holy Order of Man?

We haven't seen something from the ancient Holy Order of Man for a while, so let's look at Sircan Nura.  This will be a new character for the Holy Order post Kickstarter.

I don't think I have seen a beta test card for her yet, but I'm sure she will be ready to whack some Watchers!

I would really like to see this new piece next to the Abner and Zain which I painted a while back.

Of course, even better when painting her for my own posse!!!

The city of brotherly love

Well, that would definitely not decribe Wappelville, especially when this Band of Brothers is on your tail!

This is Wyatt, Virgil and Warren Earp, ready to lead the Lawmen in their quest to stamp out all crimes and misdemeanors in Wappelville.

I went with the white coats to continue my color scheme for the army.  The Ghost Lawmen of Wappelville indeed...

Each of them offers some interesting individual leadership attributes.  However, I am looking forward to a larger game where all three will patrol the streets of Wappelville together.

They stand in front of the Wappelville Jail, ready to administer the justice delivered by the gavel of Judge Stern.

But the Earp Brothers do not stand alone...

The Law Army of Wappelville grows by leaps and bounds.  Truly indicating that Statehood cannot be far behind!

Wild Wolves...

Now here's something I have not had a chance to see since it was in the tournament last year!

This was my unit of Rough Riders.

It was a heavily converted unit, utilizing GW and Gamezone wolves, Secret Weapon bases and basing products, and of course Victoria Miniatures!

I used a variety of Victoria Miniatures kit pieces, mostly the Highland Moss Guard.  Victoria also has power lances designed for Rough Riders, so I had to make use of those!

It was a very fun unit, which was led be Mogul Khamir.  It actually wiped out a squad of Space Marines on the charge in the second game.

To make the sitting poses fit on the wolves, I made a saddle blanket, which did the trick.  It served dual purpose, as it allowed me to continue my tartan patterns onto these figures as well!

This was a very fun unit to create and paint.  Mr. Justin's fine urban rubble bases were perfect.  I added some tires to them, barbed wire, extra skulls, and more.

So, pay a visit to Victoria and Mr. Justin in the Dealer's room at Adepticon, or check out the figures here:

http://victoriaminiatures.highwire.com/

Closing in on the end...

There were a few other touches that I added before I did the glazing on the big base.  These were in the form of highlights and even some painting of cracks in the stones.

There were also a few more skulls that needed a touch of color.  These were the one that were sculpted into the original plastic pieces.  I was far more aware of all the Secret Weapon skulls that I added :-)

So NOW we are ready to go...

The usual suspects, Secret Weapon washes.  My Vallejo washes were still back at the studio, so a few of Joe's GW washes joined in on the fun!

As always, an array of colors out on the palette so that I can create new mixes and work just as quickly as I did with the Shaded Basecoat applications.

The casualty also got it's own series of glazes...

In areas where I went with a warmer dark, I enhanced that with a more reddish glaze color.

I did the same with the cooler areas, usually mixing blue and brown together, as opposed to just using black.  This not only makes more interesting dark shades, but it can extend the life of your washes, and you don't need to buy endless jars of black :-) 

This was the trickiest piece to do the glazes.  What was applied to one side of the piece wanted to leech into the other side.

So, I had to apply these more carefully... a little bit drier.  I also kept a soft tissue on hand to either wipe away any excess or to do a little mixing on the surface.  

I tried to make sure that all the glazes on the casualty were a bit more muted, and even had some of the glaze colors from nearby areas.  This would keep that color continuity going.

At this stage, I can get into more refinement and detail.  I began to finalize the cracks in the main stone sections...

This is about the only detail I will add on the stone sections, as I want to add rust and blood.  Once those final few effects have been added, I will look over the whole base once again to see what might need more emphasis and what might need to be toned down.

Now for a set of photos to give you an idea of how these base looks before those special effects.

It's been very fun to work on Joe's big base.  Just like any project, I learn a little something new each time!

I will do one final article on the base to show you how I approached the rust, blood, and possibly even some dust.

One reason the base was done in the limited palette style was to allow the huge demon figure to 'shine', as it will feature some very highly saturated red colors.