Lots going on … but not on the tabletop

So Christmas is nearly upon us - no games played recently, but might get one in this evening. Been out and about - had a little trip to the moor.  Great day for walking. 

Almost got into trouble, as I had to be back for my sister in law’s birthday … let’s just say I cut it fine. But all was good. Then on Sunday I was at the home of the Chiefs - as they hosted the current European Champions - Toulouse. The Chiefs hoping for their first win against top opponents this season. 

Let’s just say I got to see some great rugby - Toulouse were a different class, I reckon they would give a National team a run for their money.  A bad result for the Chiefs who are still looking for a win … it’s going to be a long season me thinks …

I have managed to get some painting done - first some very old C series Goblins. A while ago I put some plastic shields on these, so I have painted those and put some highlights on their skin. Just need some varnish and to finish the bases - these will only see use in skirmish games.  

I also painted a Norn - from Norse mythology. A NorthStar miniature I picked up years ago for Of Gods and Mortals. 

Speaking of Gods - I present Thor - God of Thunder. This miniature by Reaper (again got for Of Gods and Mortals). 

Quite happy with how he has turned out - tried to roughly follow the marvel colour scheme. Again needs a bit of varnish and the base being completed -  I have a mounted Odin to paint. 

I had a good chat with DK today - about painting and playing games. Need to play more games and get more use out of the stuff I have. Fortunately I haven’t got a buying itch at the moment, but plenty of different things to paint, 15mm WW2, 28mm Celts … more Gods, Greeks and some Rackham miniatures too.

Have a good Christmas. 

Morts

Saxon Artillery and other things

After possibly 12 months plus of sitting on sticks ready for painting (and multiple years of sitting in bags and boxes), I have finally found the time to paint the Savon Artillery for the Great Northern War army. 

3 medium/heavy guns and a very light gun - apparently the Saxon guns had black carriages with yellow metal work - the crews have got red hat lace, although I found source which said it is white - but I had already painted them by then. Painting this lot has encouraged me to try and finish off the rest of the army - so along with the already prepped Guard du Corps and Cuirassiers, there are now 2 line infantry units and the “light” infantry for Maurice prepped too. While fiddling about a few painted pike men were found, so another Russian foot regiment is in the works. I have also got out the Bavarian units to ready for completion. Might try a game of Maurice in the near future - want to get (at least) one in before Christmas (but realistically one with be a good effort as things get busy).

On to the other things, while browsing eBay I came across a Mythic Battle Pantheon Aphrodite model for a bargain price, but I wasn’t sure of the size. 

As you can see - a nice model but she does tower above the Croc Games Athena demigod miniature. Part of me is not sure if I missed out on getting Hermes and the Persephone models, as I waited for her arrival - anyway she can still be used in Of Gods and Mortals.  

Morts

What’s on the painting table …

Well after the trip away I thought some Saxons for the Great Northern War or some Greeks, but what did I actually paint? A couple of Valkyries of course - why wouldn’t I? These have been knocking about for a while - bought ages ago for Of Gods and Mortals,

The Reaper bones miniature with a press moulded shield from an Odin miniature I have. 

The North Star miniature (again with a press moulded shield) from the official range. I have to say I quite enjoyed painting these ladies, something a bit different. Just need to paint one of the gods some I can have a force (as the vikings are already done for Saga). Of course I need to paint a Greek god so that there is somebody to fight. 

Before the escape to Corfu I prepped some treemen types - "Groots” for Kings of War type games. I picked these 3D prints up fairly cheaply of Etsy. 

The bottom picture shows them with a 28mm wizard (so they are big enough - I thought they would be a little bigger) and what will be a Treeheader (in KoW), an old Citadel Treeman - which turned up in the McDeath scenario pack as Klinty. I am debating whether to get some leaf stuff to put on them. 

I also made and magnetised (weapons only) the Breachers for the Ad Mech.

As alway plenty to do.

Morts 

Chimera Speed Paint Experiment

As I have said previously I had picked up the Army Paint Speed Paint base set. I had tried 2 contrast paints but had had mixed results with them - the brown was too dark and the purple not dark enough. So before trying the speed paints I did watch he a coupe of videos on YouTube. One was very helpful as it suggested mixing the different colours and adding water to thin it a bit. 

The chimera was black undercoated, but I dry brushed white on for a zenithal starting point  

 The model after the initial speed paints - the darker brown was a mix of a contrast and speed paints. A good start. 

The finished model - with teeth and horns done. A bit of extra dry brushing on the wings. I did bugger up the lion head when trying to paint the eyes which was annoying, but I think it has been sorted. I have to say I am pleased with how this model has come out with the speed paints.

Just have to see how the paints cope with brush on varnish …. The has been some mention of speed paints reactivating when it gets wet. 

Morts 

At last!

After missing out on the Kickstarter (years ago) I have finally got hold of a couple of Crocodile Games Wargods Minis. 

Namely the Demigods of Athena and Mars!

Really nice looking minis - would have like to get hold of the demigod of Hades 2 (but not in stock) and after seeing it the Corinthian captain looks good too. 

I don’t really have an excuse anymore for putting of the Of Gods and Mortals stuff I have been collecting for ..... years. 

So much to do ....

Morts

Back from Germany - stuff on the work desk!

Well back from Germany - great country, great beer and great wine. More of that in a later post.

Got some games in mainly "Coup" and "Have at Thee". These two went down well as there is plenty of  player interaction and opportunities for revenge! I managed the two worst defeats at "Have at Thee"  with a total of 19 hits at the end of the games - run out of gems! Must suggest to Forlorn Hope that they sell the game with the gems for recording hits, perhaps in a little bag like "Love Letters".

Anyway on with the stuff I have managed to get on with - apart from the SAGA stuff, that can be another post too!

First up a Frost Giant (Reaper Bones) NEARLY finished for OGAM and anything else - I am not happy with the photo - looks better in the flesh so to speak (or should that be write?)

Next up is Rogan (another Reaper Bones) being converted to a Ranger from Rogue.

The original mini out of the pack. 

Initial conversion.

Final pose with an adjustment to the bow arm. I am pretty pleased with how he looks. Just some green stuff to do and then paint. Will post more pictures later. 

Hopefully will get a quick game of something in this week.

Morts

Basing - dealing with duplication Part 3

Well I finally got around to playing with the laser cutter at work!

The office now smells of burnt MDF! Pretty pleased with what I have produced 😃

Need to make a few more things but I think most things are covered.

Warlord sabot base for SAGA (probably not legal - an elipse 60mm by 48mm) with my Saxon warlord and standard bearer.

The rest of the "frames" are 80mm by 60mm, with various combinations of 25mm circles and 25mm by 50mm "pills". Suitable for SAGA, OGAM and making armies into HoTT forces 😃

Berserkers modelling a 4 figure base. 

Saxon Heathguard with axes (and 2 others) on a 6 figure 2 rank base.

Next up Gondorian/Numenorian Cavalry on "pill" bases.

I noticed an error in my design while getting the pictures ready - on the 2 rank infantry bases the "space" between the circles had been cut out due to the design. Initially I though this could be a problem for the aesthetics but unusually for me I saw an opportunity! 

Mixed cavalry and infantry bases - useful for Heroes (and their hangers-on) in HoTT.  

The plan is to have some "blanks" to put in. 

I also have frames to take 25mm by 25/50mm rectangular bases. 

I need to do a couple more types - 2 "pills" on a base (the same for rectangles) and 3/5 circles on a base for light troops/warbands. 

Hopefully I will get more use out on the stuff I have already painted - always good!

Morts

The beer fest is over! Got some painting done.

Well the beer festival is over for another year so I can get on with some important ..... Well umm err painting.

First up for Maurice/Ga Pa Russian Horse Grenadiers. Only got the command figures in the picture - not sure if Horse Grenadiers carried a standard, but it will make the unit more interesting on the table.

For SAGA/OGAM, Lion Rampant and any other rule set Viking beserkers - these are old Grenadier Barbarian miniatures by Mark Copplesone (two with head swaps from the Gripping Beast plastics). I haven't painted these as well as I wanted, but I think they will have to do. As for using fantasy figures I believe there is some debate on if they were real. 

Also from the old Grenadier barbarians the Viking's shaman. 

Varnishing and basing to do. That's it for now. 

Morts