31 October 2011

Still here!

It has been a while, but I have not forgotten!  Yes, I am still playing World of Tanks, but recently it has given me a new sense of impetus towards getting some paint on small lead tanks.  Along with the MAATAC stuff, I intend to get some of the fine models from GHQ just to see if I can paint them again - it has been 30 years since I first picked some micro-armour so it is a bit of a nostalgia trip.  I also found a nice site about painting micro-armour - some interesting tips there.

It might be a while but more pics are in store for the future.

28 October 2011

Another month gone by...

Well, October did not come out as expected, but now the crazy work schedule is passed, unfortunately into what could be a too-quiet work schedule...

So, I am trying to pick up the pieces of the projects left off from September.

First, the Tékumel miniatures.  The priest of Hrü'ü is almost done, just needs basing.  The priest of Vimúhla is next but still needs work.  The others are just barely past the primer stage.  I still need to finish off the Hlutrgú champions and shaman.  There is a set of Sérqu spearmen on the table, but I seem to have hit quite a painting block with them; nothing looks right.  So, I might put them aside and bring out the not-quite-finished Ever Present Glory archers.  And the ships - yet another dilemma!

Second, my play of computer games continues, but I have not posted much about it for months.  I am considering splitting off the 'Pixel' part of this blog onto a separate site of its own.

Third, the other miniatures that I want to paint should get some attention also.  Dwarves, Reptus, etc. are waiting in boxes and bags.  Maybe soon...


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12 October 2011

Again...

3 months between posts is too long.

As I am without any discretionary funds at the moment, and with a desire to paint up something 15mm, I am going to dig through my 15mm figure stash and come up with something to work on, just to see if I can paint this size of figure to my liking.  I know that there are some Landsknechts (Essex) in the box somewhere, and some late Middle Ages from Rank & File, among others, which is helpful as I am leaning towards a medieval project more than the classical ancients.

Pics, hopefully, will appear shortly...

05 October 2011

Austrian ironclads, part 2

After a long delay, I decided to get the shipyards going again.  Here is a brief glimpse:





Drache








Kaiser Max








A couple of Austrian ironclads to get the ball rolling again.  I am cutting the masts down somewhat, as I understand the Austrians ships, at Lissa, had reduced their rigging in advance of the engagement.  It will help differentiate the Austrians from the Italians, although the hull paint will cover that!

01 October 2011

Some general notes on nickers

After nosing through the novels again, I have a few notes on nickers for the Half-Continent.

In Factotum (chapter 16), Europe and Rossamünd encounter a creature that could be straight out of a Lovecraft plot - a creature that is fairly amorphous and can reshape itself, even divide into smaller yet independent units.  And in chapter 22, there is mention of a 'pillboy' (pillbug) nicker and also one that is more akin to a treant.

During the fight for Wormstool in Lamplighter, some are described as bulbous and pudgy, while some are thin and lithe, and another has the legs of an enormous rabbit.

All of these are in addition to the beastman types that seem to be the most common.

So, in general, a wide variety of monster archetypes exist.  In my personal opinion, I would stay away from those minis equipped with armor and weapons, although some do use them.  The ettin in Lamplighter is using a lamppost for battering the walls of the outpost and he is wearing a small, two-wheeled cart on his head for protection!

A good example of nickers can be seen at this post at Lamplighter's Haven.