RA-7 protocol droid

 

Continuing on the theme of yesterdays bonus Star Wars post, here is another miniature from the Imperial Forces box set by Grenadier Models and West End Games. It is now known as an RA-7 protocol droid, but the "Death Star Droid" is only referred to as an "Imperial Droid" in the box insert (model SW17). These guys make good weak antagonists in the SW universe, and are appropriately sinister looking with their insectoid like heads.

The paint work here is super simple, just shaded metallics. For an idea of the 25mm "scale" from that era, it is mounted on a 25mm base - a small model by modern standards.

Keepin' it old school. 

Stormtrooper (2)

 

 

In celebration of May 4th I have been binging some star wars and have decided to post some additional models from my star wars collection. These are some *old school* stormtroopers in the truest sense - from Grenadier Miniatures 25mm West End Games' line dating back to 1988! These  two are from the same set as the Vader model I posted previously (Imperial Forces box, numbers SW14, SW15, for those of you interested in the WEG line). Apparently I was working my way through the set when these were completed  in 2015. 

Like many other models I have painted from WEG, these were speed-painted, so not my best work. Notably, though, these were my first real attempt at painting large areas of white using off-whites and greys. I think it turned out well, considering, and I still use similar formulas for painting white today (though I still avoid it - white is a tough paint palate to work with!). In retrospect, these retro models have been important learning tools in my painting journey.

For the SW geeks out there, it looks like these guys are packing the classic E-11 blaster rifle and a DLT-20A blaster rifle (without scope). 

May the 4th be with you & "Long live the Empire!"

Goblin Reinforcements / Bloodbite Goblins (2)

 I've decided to do some Paint Club stuff, so while I work on a new project I thought I'd play some catch up on existing factions I have going. These two handsome fellows are additions to my Ogres and Goblins warband from years gone by. They are slightly bigger than the originals, but also sculpted by the great Bobby Jackson in the same style. They bring a bit of muscle and chaff to my goblins, giving me nearly enough to run some of the encounters in published RPG modules, but still not quite the numbers needed to make a goblins-only battle group. I have some additional "command" models and I recently acquired a large number of new goblin recruits from the same range, so I  expect I'll be adding more to their number in the near future. 

Stone Juggernaut

 

This subject is way off script for any of my paint project goals, but the rule of cool wins! This TPK machine comes from one of my long running 3D sculpting subscriptions: "Roleplaying & Miniatures." This sculptor takes his queue directly from subscriber suggestions which are then voted on monthly. Its a pretty cool system, and sometimes my pitch makes the cut! The stone juggernaut was one such suggestion of mine that gained the favor of the masses, and immediately earned a spot on the printer. 

Now, what possessed me to request one, if I have no real plans for it? It is friggin' cool! Stone juggernauts always struck me as one of those horrible and hopeless encounters for PCs - a giant fantasy steamroller made of solid rock set on squishing the heroes to goo? Seems totally unfair! Some are even magic users, which makes me want to evil-laugh. It makes sense that every piece of artwork I have seen of one portrays people running frantically away. Staring down the business end would definitely make me run.

Hobby-wise it was a straightforward project. The hollow print was easy, and the paint-scheme is simplistic; it's just a rock. I couldn't quite figure out how I wanted to handle the base on this boxy construct and I had a few false starts. Eventually I decided to gore-up a flagstone base I had sculpted to represent the remnants of prior victims. It seemed appropriate enough and I don't often do gore, so it was something different. I created the bone fragments and flesh-pulp with a mix of course spices, eggshells, and shredded toilet paper in Modpodge. I think it works pretty well despite being a crude basing technique.

Wight, Monk / Dreadmere Wight

 

My painting has been sluggish with a slew of spring projects to tackle, so while I work on something new here is a piece from the display cabinet that I have never previously shared. This rotten fellow is from the Reaper Bones 4 Kickstarter, and was the first piece I painted when the loot came in. I was feeling inspired and knocked him out as fast as I could as a speed-paint. 

It is a nice standalone piece, and I really appreciate that it is an undead with some character! The living dead are often stripped down to rags, or just bones, so an undead with some personality, or at least personal history, is much appreciated. It is also one of the few robed undead I own - the old manuals are stacked with robed corpses and the concept is nostalgic for me, but they are surprising hard to find as miniatures.

This wight remained unshared for so long mostly owing to how difficult it was to photograph - it has a forward lean which throws much of the model into shadow under natural light. I'm happy with these shots, after a few prior failed attempts, which I achieved by using a vertical light source.

I really enjoy painting the dead; they are one of the few times I allow myself really let loose with a gritty style and "ugly" models, with lots of haphazard washes. Of course, that is a self imposed concept. At one point I remember finding a miniature artist who did everything like that, in a limited unusual color palate to really great effect. I envied the stylistic commitment which I could never fully push myself to adopt.

Wolf Eel Familiar

 Another tiny sea creature from Reaper. I modeled this paint scheme after one of my favorite local species, the wolf eel. Not a true eel, but so cool! They get really big, so this would be a smaller specimen. 

I had a lot of fun with the stippling on this piece. Its a technique used commonly in canvas painting, but rarely gets used by miniatures artists. 

The toothy smile is really fun and not unlike the real thing.

 This may be my favorite of the set, so far.

 

 

Gelatinous Cube

 Wellllllll, some posts just don't seem that impressive. looking at you semi-transparent ooze cube! Given that, I really thought making one was going to be easy - HA! how wrong I was.

 This model is from epic miniatures, printed in clear resin. The model is hollow, presumably so it can sit over another model and engulf it. I'm not a huge fan of that type of gimmick, so I elected to fill the cavity with clear epoxy resin. I made some mistakes here - I was in a rush and I didn't do the optional steps to remove bubbles. As a consequence, the cube has loads of tiny bubbles that give it a foggy look. I ultimately hope to make some cubes with items floating in them, so Ill need to work on getting my resin clear moving forward.

 The second pitfall was the frosty nature of the layers of the print. I initially tried using a gloss coat, and it sorta' worked to clear it up but resulted in some paint checking around "drip" features that needed to be carved or sanded away. the layer was a bit on the thin side to prevent checking, which allowed the print layers to remain more visible. So, I ended up painting on print resin as a coating, then coating that with a thin layer of gloss.

The final obstacle was how to attach the cube to the base I had sculpted and painted (a 60mm base, which broke in half at one point - this project did not go smoothly). I settled on welding it to the base with more clear UV resin, but I left a few bubbles in places, and while it worked out it was far from easy, and definitely messy. still, not a bad strategy (especially since the other option was epoxy resin with very long cure times), but an error would've been costly.

The next one will be better! I plan on two more at some point with different details and "floaters." 

I cant promise better photos, though, they are just clear goo, after all.

Young Green Dragon / Venomfang

 

 

This fellow is an important encounter in LMoP - he may not be the BBEG, but has the potential to be super deadly. What's more, he is almost certain to survive and become a recurring threat. 

Paint wise this piece is pretty simple and was completed quickly. In retrospect I could've upped the contrast - under the bright lights it looks a little washed out. That said, I recall consciously going for a brighter look. <shrug> Just an excuse to revisit the green dragons again in the future; I definitely enjoy green color palates.

A bright spot here for me is the base. I typically sculpt my bases the old-school way with mixed media: polymer clay and green stuff. These days it isn't really necessary, but pushing clay is very calming and lets me really tell the story I want. In this case I was inspired by some unusual terrain I have seen from time to time - elevated grass mounds in flood plains and marshes. Nothing too fancy, but I do like the effect and I'll continue to toy with the execution of the concept. 

This model was completed in 2020, but I have yet to share it anywhere, so it feels like a new accomplishment. I feel like I'm finally making some meaningful progress towards completing LMoP, and That is some nice motivation to push through.

Redbrand Ruffian #2 / Human Bandit

 

The second in my series of ruffians is not nearly as unique, but that is the point! I like to make my groups of baddies to have some unique recognizable elements that can step in as NPCs, and some more generic models I can use in multiple encounters.

You might notice that I went with a model that isn't strictly identical to LMoP stats. I like a variety of weapons on my baddies that make them more interesting to paint and also to play with. A spear will force some tactical decisions that can make game-play more interesting. I think varied equipment is also more fitting of a ragtag group of criminals. More generally, these projects are my interpretation of my favorite modules, so I make changes as I see fit. 

This model was made by Vae Victis, and was really nice to paint. It has an excellent balance of clean detail and feature depth that made it take paint smoothly without being too busy. I resized it a bit, as I do with nearly everything; it is on a 25mm base.

 

 

 

 use repeatedly in encounters 

Bull Ray Familiar

 

 

Another model from Reapers aquatic themed familiar pack VII. I did some light re-sulpting of this model; It was a faithful rendition of living rays, but had a cartoonish mouth with sharp teeth unlike the actual critters. I prefer my animal models on the realistic side, so I filed off that area and did a little work with greenstuff to give it a mouth more fitting a real ray. They have funny little mouths and I think the model is more realistic and a lot cuter!

I based my paint-job on a real species, the common eagle ray/bullray.  Sadly, while the bull ray was once "common" it is now a critically endangered species.

Redbrand Ruffian #1 / Nadia the tax collector

This is the first in my series of bandits for LMoP. I initially prepped and batch painted a collection of 12 models that were existing parts of my collection, freebee models, or the occasional purchase. The only real unifying theme was a bandana type element (rather than a cloak) I could use to visually link them. At a point I switched over to completing each model one-by-one to give each one a unique element for individual interest. Batch painting for me tends to be a little sloppy to keep things moving quickly, so the models in this collection aren't perfect, but they'll more than do the job as generic low level antagonists. I think this one will make a nice leader type for ruffian encounters in town.

This nice piece was sculpted by Galaad Miniatures. I took some liberties with her outfit design, and altered her scale a bit (I tend to scale things to be in line with "30mm" so that they work well with "28-32mm" scale physical models I own), but I think she it pretty faithful to the concept. 

 1 done, 11 to go!

 

 

Bullywug Mutant #2 / Inshon With Extra Eyes

 

Another fresh face belonging to my small collection of bullywugs. I stuck really close to the original color palate, but each does have a unique element. I really like the little fish snacks this fellow carries on its belt; details like that make it seem more like a creature with motivations than strictly a monster.

Wind Dragon, Grenadier

 

I enjoy painting dragons, but this one had a rough journey. I completed this *10 year WIP* this weekend - whiew! I love this model, but it was a struggle from day one and I was never quite able to make it live up to my vision-in-paint. It is an old piece, originally made in 1985, and when I got it it was a rescue piece - caked in paint and missing parts. I do enjoy salvaging the classics, but maybe I should've let this one go because it got me off on the wrong foot. 

 In particular the eye area was a hot mess. I have seen some versions of this piece with beautiful expressive eyes that weren't possible for me. I basically free-handed them in, such was the damage. The other parts were easier - the tail, etc, were simple to re-sculpt. still, a bad foot. I had an idea for the dragon being a brass dragon of sorts, with scales corroded with age to create a pattern. I think I came close to what I wanted, but missed the mark. The claws aren’t right; I tried a few things but none quite stuck. The blue-green is a little too bold, and I think I should've gone with a color palate similar to the hair instead. For the base I wanted an arid theme so the verdigris could remain the focus, but it always felt incomplete despite fussing with the idea for years.

Ah well, not every piece scratches that itch, some I'm just glad to have off the shelf-o-shame. I'm sure in time I will regard it as a labor of love.

Bullywug Mutant / Inshon With Four Arms

 

A model from my collection I have never shared before. I have a handful of  toad-like humanoids I fancy as bullywugs. I actually think the mutant theme works really well with bullywugs, and the lore of different types of tribes with different features plays well in to this idea.

 It is a simple paint scheme with its roots in the early days of my collection. The copper verdigris and golden eyes are my favorite bits, but easy to execute. The result isn't splashy but works to my advantage as it is pretty easy to fill the ranks.  I ultimately hope to have enough to run Dwellers of the Forbidden City, and the lesser known but excellent 4th ed adventure Reavers of Harkenwold. 

Why two very similar views? I dunno <shrug>, it felt right.

Giant Spider, Forest (3)

 

 

These were fun! Every collection needs giant spiders, and I wanted to mix it up a little.  The  LMoP encounter in "Ruins of Thundertree" calls for a pair in a woodland setting and I thought that the classic black or brown spider wasn't the best fit. Instead, I elected to base them on the white-banded crab spider, known for its diverse and interesting coloration. Check them out; crab spiders are really cool. This splash of color was a refreshing change of pace from the color palates I usually work with -  beautiful and deadly! 

The awesome models used here are from Otherworld miniatures. I am a huge fan of their old school take on monsters. In this case, the sculpting style definitely contributed to the impression of a crab spider - they were a perfect fit. I have a few more things from Otherworld in the pipeline.

My giant crab spiders sit on 40mm bases.

If classic dark creepy crawlies are more your style, don't worry, I plan to do some underdark themed spiders for their next appearance.

Green Dragon and Maiden / "Cat and Mouse"

 

I'm taking the lazy way out this week with a straight re-post of a previous miniature. Is quite old, though, so risks being lost to the dusty corners of the internet otherwise. It is one of my personal favorite pieces in my collection, so it definitely deserves a blog post. This mini diorama / miniature set dates back to 2013 and is probably the last true "competition" miniatures that I ever attempted to paint. It was done for an annual paint competition on the reaper forums: "There Be Dragons." To my recollection it won the category it was in, but the old forums are long gone so I'm not positive what the details of the contest were. In any case, I was pleased with the outcome. I do remember being time constrained on this project, but I definitely had inspiration and I worked fanatically on it up until the deadline. I must admit I am a bit curious how well I could do on a piece like this now - I consider myself a much better ( and far more efficient) painter. The time commitment for this type of thing is brutal, though, and these days my hobby focus is far more on the completion of "sets" of miniatures in the context of my whole collection rather than single showstopper pieces. 

Other than gratuitous use of gem effects, I really love the mini diorama aspect of this miniature. It can either be a vignette, or the maiden can be removed to act as a playable piece; It makes for a nice game play encounter. The bases were hand sculpted in an era before the rise of 3D printing, the dragon model is from Reapers Pathfinder line and the maiden is modified from an old Privateer Press miniature.

 

Animated Armor

This is a single session speed-paint I just completed as a rainy weekend project. It is Printed Encounters monthly paint club model and was a perfect casual subject. Low pressure painting exercises keep the hobby fun and light, not work. This suit also fills a useful spot in my collection; I plan to use it for the module Death House.

Living Icicle / Iceheart Lamproid (5)

BRRRRRRRR!

with the cold snap I decided to shake off my painting slump of the new year with a speed-paint. not one, but five models in a single evening session! these little fellows (from PrintYourMonsters) are definitely fitting for the deep chill outside. they are notable for a few reasons, not least of which is that they are possibly the fastest time-per-model I have achieved, ever.

 This is the first time I have worked with transparent models. while I typically use clear resin, I have never once tried the painting techniques for clear pieces that have become popular these days. The method is very fast, relying on clear inks and, in this case, a light drybrush. I have some alcohol based inks I received as a gift awhile back, and have never touched them until now. Now, I'm glad I have 'em because it was fun to try new techniques and materials. A word of caution, though: transparent models and paints are unforgiving! I think I went a little too blue here, but there is no way back once that pigment is down. I think it still works, though - I have seen some pretty blue icefalls, and maybe the magic that makes them tints their color. While it isn't super realistic, it is definitely visually striking. Definitely a technique I'll try again.

Also worth mentioning is that these are an example of prints I have been making lately where I print the model already attached to the base. The supports are a little more tricky, but darned if it isn't fast, and it seamlessly integrates the model with the setting. Well worth the upfront effort, so it is something I plan on doing quite a lot moving forward. These were slightly reduced in size (80%), so the bases here are 20mm.

Finally, I should mention my true motivation with these models: they are for an adventure! An aspect of my gaming hobby I don't often discuss is that I enjoy collecting adventure modules (the old school ones, mostly), and I enjoy tying in my painting efforts to them. In this case, they aren't for an old school module, but the new free "Peril in Pinebrook" introductory adventure, which I thought was cute (& perfect for my kiddos). These Living Icicles are one of three or so encounters I want to prepare for that mini-adventure over the next few weeks. 

Stay toasty!

 

Small Shark / Shark Familiar

 

This little guy is a slight change of pace, but on theme. It is from the aquatic familiar pack VII, by Reaper Miniatures, one of my favorite collections of small models. Sharks are a super popular topic with my kids, so this simple piece is much loved. It is a nice addition to my collection of animals and, though it is not representative of some specific species, I did my best to base the paint on real world images of sharks.  After a long hiatus it is nice to get back to a non-fantasy creature.

Fortune Hunters Tactical Dive Soldier / Steampunk Soldier Diver

 

Unfortunately, I was not happy with an entire photography session I had which was to cover my next several posts. As a consequence, I am running late with my posts; Better late than never, though! I am working towards having a better lighting rig so that I am not so limited by the weather and long stretch of dark months we get up north. Enough with that.

 I'm still a little unsure about these photos though - the size of the pics are significantly larger than the model itself, which I think undersells it a bit. Sculptors often include a scale reference to provide the viewers with a sense of the size of the piece, and I think that could be especially important (maybe more important) for paint where the size of the model has a meaningful effect on the perceived quality of the work. something to think about.

The real post: This model continues the series of my DeepWars Fortune Hunters and it might actually be one of the first models from that faction I painted. In fact, it predates my records of such things, which were started in 2013! That makes it one of the older things I have ever shared here. Still pretty solid, I think.

This fellow has a classic steampunk design and the model is pretty timeless. As a basic trooper I only wish there were more poses available. Fortunately, with the continuation of the line into the modern era, digital sculpting has ensured that some new equivalent pieces are available for my printer. I'm working on some of his buddies now to give my warband more (expendable) muscle.