Ork Biker

I haven't had much opportunity for painting in the past few weeks but did manage to get this Ork biker finished and mounted. He is, of course, sitting on a Secret Weapon "Trench Works" bike base.

There are a few things I'll do differently on the next Ork biker I do - but I'm pretty pleased with the overall result on this guy. Although I couldn't get the rays into the freehand did sneak in the sun and some tiny, tiny checks.

These are brilliant and fun models and I hope to paint more.

Commissioned Forge World Vulture - FINISHED!

Barring any changes, corrections or additional weathering requests from the client this bad boy is finally finished.

I'm very pleased with the overall result and will be re-using this yellow recipe on future projects. The shading really pops and allows for some decent weathering effects.

The cockpit is fully detailed although painted to a lower standard than the rest since it won't be visible through the black frosted glazing.

There are a couple of little things I might have done differently if this were my model. Namely more decoration on the wings - stripes or aquila wings most likely - and perhaps some checkers somewhere. I don't know why but this thing really screams out for some black/white checkers to me. Red/white checkers might work too.

Maybe I'll use this as inspiration for an Imperial Fist vehicle or a Bad Moons stompa...

Secret Weapon Update

This will be the last time I cross post about Secret Weapon Miniatures. But I just can't miss an opportunity to announce that the international flat rate shipping option is live ahead of schedule.

If you haven't already done so check out the Secret Weapon Blog for updates on the bases and conversion accessories coming out of the queue -- including new photo etched brass items!

There's also a product launch sale going on - click through to take advantage of it while you can!



And now, back to your regularly scheduled misterjustin painting goodness....

Video Tutorial: Salt Chip Weathering

With Secret Weapon Miniatures up and running I finally had a few minutes today to get the oft' requested tutorial on salt chip weathering put together.

This is just a very quick look at salt chip weathering using Krylon aerosol sprays for the base coat and the top layer. I would normally do all of the painting with my airbrush so that I could shade and highlight while I was working, but just wanted to demonstrate the basics for this technique.

If you're trying this with an airbrush for the first time let me stress one important point: wait a LONG TIME for your paint to dry! If you try to rinse off the salt too early you can easily wash all of your hard work away in the process. If you have the patience let the model sit over night in a warm, dry environment - but at least give it a couple of hours.

Secret Weapon Miniatures

++ From the Warp ++ just posted an "In depth review: Secret Weapon Miniatures" that I'd like to recommend.

You can also head straight over to Secret Weapon Miniatures to see the latest, greatest thing in resin bases. All of my commission pieces, and my army, are based on Secret Weapon products.

Rumor has it conversion accessories are already on the way.

Go. Spend money. People will find you more sexually attractive if you own Secret Weapon bases.^*





* This does not constitute a guarantee that using Secret Weapon products will make you more sexually attractive but, really, why not buy some anyway. It can't hurt.

Averland Steam Tank - The Base

WIP shots on the base for the steam tank.

The white in the first image is PVA that will dry clear to form a small stream. There are rocks and texture beneath the PVA to add to the effect.

The second shot shows the depth at which the wheels will be submerged in "mud" - an effect that I'll add to by adding more dirt and then coating everything with gloss.

The third image gives a glimpse of the track ruts... and the rough edge of the putty that I still need to file. I moved the model itself to the extreme front of the base so that some of the detail will be visible after I attach the s'tank.

The last photo is a WIP shot of teeny tiny cattails. After the glue dries I'll prime and paint them before adding paper leaves and attaching them to the base around the stream... under the tank. Yup, nearly invisible detailing. Why? Because it should be there.

Averland Steam Tank

I haven't had an opportunity to work on a Warhammer Fantasy piece in a long time and when the plastic Steam Tank came out... well, I've been sitting on this model for awhile. Since I was already working with yellow in the airbrush, and had planned to paint this tank in the black/yellow Averland colours, the time was ripe for Steam Tankage.

The model will eventually be mounted on a base that gives the impression of mud and rain. The idea being a long, drawn out campaign as would have been common for troops on foot and horseback. If I ever get around to an Empire force I'll stick with Averland colours and the same theme.

Nothing is glued down at this point and I have a long way to go before I start making things permanent. I will also make the top removable so that the interior can be fully detailed and visible.

September Painting Special - 20% Off Special Characters

It's time for another monthly painting special. This time I'm including something for both WFB and 40k players.

20% off any special character

All single 40k models will receive a display quality base at no additional charge.

I'm running this special for the entire month of September on a first come, first served basis. You don't need to have the model completed in September, you just need to have your order in before the end of the month.

UPDATE: I changed the special to reflect a 20% discount on *ANY* special character model. This includes named models and special units like Regimental Advisers.

Commissioned Forge World Vulture 01

I got back from a two week holiday on Monday and started work on a new commission.

The yellow recipe was painted with an airbrush using:

GW "Golden Yellow" (GY)
GY + VMC "Light Yellow" (LY) 2:1
GY + LY 1:1
LY

This was shaded with a glaze of GW "Dark Flesh" generously thinned and likewise applied with the airbrush. Preshading was done with a mix of black and GW "Dark Green" with just a tiny touch of the latter.

Photos were taken in natural, diffused light. Lack of shadows in the backgrounds gives an idea of how the shading/highlighting actually turned out. The last two images do a good job of showing the more subtle transitions.

Decals and the engine are next - weathering will come later.