Salamanders space marine is done. Not the best paint job, but I think the freehand symbol isn't bad.

Still not much hobby time, but I have been putting a little more paint on my Ultramarines.


I also sculpted a Blood Angels symbol on a shoulder pad yesterday.

Slick sculpting once again

Thanks Graven I actually feel like I should have been able to do a better job, but the putty really wasn't behaving. I remember reading about a GW sculptor in White Dwarf talking about how hard green stuff was to work with on a really hot day.

I'm happy to say that I finished painting seven marines today.
The two Ultramarines from the flamer squad:


And the Sternguard Veterans are finally done, after having to repaint some mistakes.

Repaint... or repent? looking cool, like the combi plasma dude especially

Thanks Graven The combi-plasma and the heavy bolter are my two favorite sternguard.

I finished the Blood Angel. Only the Space Wolf is left of the flamer squad. (Sorry the pictures are blurry)




I just bought Space Marine: the board game, today.


I also bought a first born space marine librarian when I heard they were being discontinued. Been playing with molding.

I have been making some custom paints and testing them out on the start of my Tyranids.


I have also been making weapon arms for my favorite type of dreadnought to give it the same weapon loadout as a Ballistus Dreadnought.



I have also started base coating my Space Wolf

IRL isn't leaving me much hobby time lately, but I got a little sculpting in yesterday.

I have finished painting the Space Wolves marine, that's the last of my flamer marines. I should set up a group shot next time.




I have also gotten some more sculpting done on this one from yesterday.

Here's all the flamer marines together for the group shot I said I would make (I didn't realize the back line was so blurry. The Imperial Fist looks cell shaded)


I've also finished painting my Tyranid ripper swarms

The photo of all the flamer marines, each from a different chapter, reminds me of my earliest days playing 40K, back before every model had to have the same paint scheme. Very nice!

Thanks Josh!

IRL got pretty terrible, so I have been away for a little while. But, it's hard to stay away from this hobby.

I have built 6 more Plague Marines from the kit, bringing the total to 14.


I also finally have magnets, so I have attached two new weapon arms to my favorite kind of dreadnought to represent the Ballistus dreadnought from the Leviathan box set. Once this guy is painted I will have completed the entire space marine side of my homemade Leviathan box set.


I have also decided to try to scratch build an Earthshaker cannon for this months painting challenge "Suns out, Guns out".



Thanks for stopping by

Hey
Sorry RL is kicking you bud. Loving papa's boys and can't wait to see your big dakka!

Clean use of bits on this cannon Syro_, and cool plague marines ! Stay strong mate !

I love your blue little robot! It's so cute. I hope life gets better for you soon.

Thank you, you three. I appreciate the words of support.

I have been working on sculpting a Death Korp of Krieg guardsman. I started with a copy of the torso and legs of a chaos cultist.

That's a really cool build. Simple and effective GS work. Have you considered guitar wire for piping?

I also started a big squiggoth 14 years ago and have not finished it.......so you still have time!

@inmygravenimage: Thanks Graven! I'm happy with how it's turning out. Hopefully I can get better pictures of it. I have heard about guitar wire many times and keep meaning to try it, but never have. I never remember to get any, and I'm not patient enough to pause a project when it would be useful to use. Do you have any suggestions on which size/key of guitar would be best?

@Tommygun1918: Luckily I did finish my one big squiggoth after 10 years. Just not the other four

Jokes about g strings aside, I steal bass strings off friends

The Krieg guardsman is looking really promising!

 inmygravenimage wrote:
Jokes about g strings aside, I steal bass strings off friends

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for that size.

@Slinky: Thanks!

The variety of stuff you keep churning out always impresses me! Keep up the good work.

Thanks Commander Cain I'm equally impressed how you stay so focused and productive without jumping around topics the way I do.

I've been to busy to get much progress, but I did a little more work on the barrel and started building a wheel that I plan t make a mold of. The wheel started as a cast copy of a terminator base, 35mm.

That's some super scratch-building!

Thanks Slinky, I'm sorry to say that I haven't worked on it since that last post.

Work and the baby have been leaving me with barely any hobby time, but having recently bought the original Apocalypse book (I already have the one for 6th/7th edition), I've gotten excited and started trying to build a warhound titan using a paper craft file I found.

It's taken around four days of work to get this far on the feet:

After I cut everything out, before folding and gluing:


This is taking longer than I expected, and it made me think about how so far it has been pretty straight forward geometric shapes, all the complexity has been folding to give width. So I cut a copy of the pieces I have made so far out of XPS foam in about an hour.


About a month ago, my nephew wanted to run a Percy Jackson inspired D&D game. The big bad is a giant named Caucus who appears in the book in boxer shorts a robe and slippers. He can also breath fire. I made this guy for him in a single 3-hour sculpting session. I will have to try to grab a picture of it painted, I think my nephew did a good job painting him.

The paper craft warhound feet so far:

Nice feet. They look the part. My only concern would be how much weight they can support. A war hound is a proper engineering project.

Thanks theCrowe And your concerns may be well founded. I'm just following the directions, we'll find out together if it works or not. If it doesn't work I'll start trying to jury-rig it into working. I was surprised that this papercraft doesn't have any tabs for attachment, so I have been making tabs as I go.

I have been adding pistons (but ran out of styrene tubes)


While I wait for my order of more styrene tubes to arrive, I continued building.

Go for it. Looking great so far. There is a great deal of interpretation needed in these designs, from memory. I referenced pics alot and altered applicably. Your off to a great start.

Wow, that's a really great start!

Rock on, Syro! Consid4ring how full life is for you just now, it gives me some grit to keep at my little projects even more. It's one thing to have an established color scheme on familiar figures and mechanically crank things out by rote; it's another thing entirely to creatively design something from the immaterial goo (in your case, glue stick) like the giant or actively interpret the instructions for the War Hound- takes brain power.

Your progress in all the variety of your imaginative projects is impressive- keep having fun!

@Camkierhi: Thanks Cam! I remember you made a cool Warhound for someone as a gift before (Was it Sir Donald?) Were you following any plans like this, or just picture references?
@Slinky: Thanks! No way it will look as good as the warhound you just finished painting, but hopefully it turn out well.
@Meer_Cat: Thanks so much Meer_Cat but don't sell yourself short. I remember lots of amazing scratch builds on your blog, and everyone is enjoying the great job you are doing on the pixies

The styrene tubes should arrive in a few days, and with the long weekend over I won't be able to work as much on this. It feels good getting some hobby time in, it feels like it's been forever. I've worked some more on the legs:

Not everything has arrived yet, but I thought I would share my holiday hobby haul.


48 new fantasy miniatures.

A new ancient historic wargame.

And perhaps most exciting (since my unfinished Warhound titan isn't enough) my brother has been printing me a Reaver titan.

Wow! Double Titan build! That’s some serious hobby-load going into the new year. What skin-tone will you be painting them both?

Those monsters look interesting too. What are they?

Thanks theCrowe, a double titan build is a lot of work to take on. Me being ridiculous, I am actually trying to build three titans currently. I'm making a second warhound out of foam. I was feeling irritated about how long it was taking to make quite basic geometric shapes the paper craft way, so I wanted to see how easy/difficult it would be to craft mostly from XPS foam. I haven't decided on the titan paint job yet, but maybe I should try to have it from the forge world that I made up?


As for the monsters, they are Wildspire miniatures. This set:
https://wild-spire.com/products/monsters-of-solan-set-of-68

I just finished a Dark Angels space marine tactical squad today that I have been slowly painting for over a month during little snatches of free time.


I also finished this custom miniature for one of my D&D players a few weeks ago:


I have been trying to rush out some D&D minis for a new adventure, this is a quick giant electric eel (I have another mini at school that I can't photograph):

Progress on the warhound legs. I'm worried I will have to order styrene tubes again before this project is over.


I also forgot to post earlier, but my freind's Joseph broke in her Nativity Scene, so as a gift I am scuplting her a new Joseph. Everything but the face is sculpted.

So many projects on the go!

Good luck with the titans build - legs looking good so far. I'm making note to buy shares in styrene tubes in 2024...

Love the D&D work - we finally got to play a one shot after about a 9 month break from our Curse of Strahd campaign due to real life stuff. I like making minis for my players too - nice halfling (?) - and is that eel from a kit somewhere or did you make it out of hotglue/something similar?

Some sound sculpting on display with Joseph too - check out those hands!

Great stuff Syro.

Thanks tzurk
Awesome to hear that you were able to get back to playing. And yes, the sculpt is a halfling, an extra small halfling. And as for the eel, yes it was a quick and dirty hot glue creation.

A little more progress on the warhound, but that I have to make up the tabs for every piece slows things down a little. These will be the waist sections.

Jiminey, Syro- everything looks great and all kinds of talent showing up! The detail on the Warhound legs is amazing. I've always liked the idea of playing with different diameter tubes to make hydraulic or pneumatic actions on things, but never to this degree!

Wondering if you can't embed an LED and battery (or conceal the battery in a 'water weeds' stand for the figure) to make the eel light up? I may have to play with my hot glue gun!

rock on!

Go for it with playing with your hot glue gun But don't tempt me with that cool idea about lighting the electric eel, you can see how I over complicte things with my titan project And thank you.

I think the few new pieces really tie the warhound legs together


I'm also continuing to make pieces for the foam warhound titan. No that the card warhound's legs are done, I have a better idea of how to put together the foam warhound for a more dynamic pose

That's very exciting. I admire your ambition with this cardboard beast!

Thanks Graven!

I realize that I should share something hobby adjacent that I completed this year. I finished collecting the entirety of the Horus Heresy novel series.


I've injured my back, so I can't set up all my minis for an end of the year hobby retrospective yet, so I will just talk about it.

I sculpted a total of 54 miniatures this year (30 less than my record last year). Some highlights are Heracles, the prisoners from the D&D adventure "Out of the Abyss", and attempting to make my own custom made Leviathan box set.



I painted a total of 230 miniatures this year (23 more than any previous year).
Highlights include a homemade Ultramarines terminator captain, a member of each first founding space marine chapter, the big squiggoth from the first page of my blog, Mamon the daemon prince (also from the first page of my blog), a fire snake made from hot glue, and lots of tiny American revolution soldiers.


The highlight of terrain is that I went back and finished making Tresendar Manor from the D&D starter set.

Happy new year! Amazing work on the titans, and congrats on an awesome total for 2023!

Thanks Slinky!

" I finished collecting the entirety of the Horus Heresy novel series. "

Oh, you poor, poor man. You'll go blind!

 Tommygun1918 wrote:
" I finished collecting the entirety of the Horus Heresy novel series. "

Oh, you poor, poor man. You'll go blind!

Blind and broke
I finished 5 Horus Novels last year plus 9 other Warhammer books in 2023. Already finished two more HH novels this year because of my back injury.

I made this for a D&D game in late December, but left it at school, so didn't get to photograph it until today.

That's a huge output for the year mate, well done.

I actually saw a Horus Heresy book in real life for the first time the other day when I took the kids to the library. I did a bit of googling and got stuck in a rabbit hole before I'd ever read a single word of the series so good luck to you!

Sweet lobster boi too!

Thanks tzurk!

That giant shrimp (?) is an amazing scratchbuild, nicely done!

Thanks Slinky! I like how it turned out, especially since it was surprisingly fast to make.

Here are the first 7 painted minis of 2024. 6 more chaos gnomes and a giant electric eel.


I have also been working on making my last seven plague marines to use up the last of the bits from the kit.


I took out all of my painted (or mostly painted) space marines, and by 6th/7th edition rules my total painted force is 2201 points (though many aren't legal to play)

Using the entire Horus Heresy as a backdrop for your marines is so meta.

Nice work on the sculpting as always. Was eyeing up your Tresendar Manor too. Looks like a great table for skirmish gaming on too. Hope it stores away well.

How’s your back?

Thanks theCrowe, I thought it made a fun background
Luckily, Tresendar Manor packs up decently well, except the central chasm piece. I have a plastic bin that I hope to be able to fit everything for the entire starter set play through. I'm not sure if it will work. I will probably have to design something different for tree storage.

And thanks for your concern about my back. It's much better than it was, since I was basically bed-ridden for a while. My chiropractor says he's impressed with how fast my improvement is, but it's much slower than I would like. I miss being able to lift and carry things, and being able to exercise.

Small update. I've started slowly piecing together the second titan's foot. This titan is my attempt to see if I can improve on the paper craft titan build in speed and looks.

A little progress on the foam foot

Lecky eel took the paint really well!

Foam foot lookin good. Are you finding it faster than playing around with cardboard?

Thanks tzurk Making the shapes for the foam titan is definitely much faster, but unfortunately it's having plenty of it's own unique challenges.

 theCrowe wrote:
Using the entire Horus Heresy as a backdrop for your marines is so meta.

I'm realizing it will be hard to have the group photos of everything I made/painted in 2023 with many of them at school. Here is my entire painted ork force at the end of 2023, with appropriate backdrop . By 7th edition rules it is 1319 points.

Waaaaagh to you good sir !

Thanks Kernel Terror

I'm nearly finished making my last 7 plague marines, just a few more arms and details.


I had also already packed away my death guard shoulder push molds, when I realised I needed to decorate a plain pauldron, so I sculpted this creepy face on it.

I really love that cheeky wee face!

Nicely sculpted!

Have to exalt the painted army post there Syro_

Cheers,

CB

Thank you all, for so many comments

@inmygravenimage: Thanks Graven. For such a fast and simple sculpt, I'm quite taken with it's look too.
@Slinky: Thanks!
@Captain Brown: Thanks CB, it feels good to get them out and look at them.

With the two custom sculpted shoulder pad brothers, I am officially done making my Death Guard Plague Marines.


To not have left over bits and feel I got my money's worth, I have built 21 Plague Marines out of the kit of 7.

Impressive! Papa will surely bless you.

Great army shot of the orks - they look awesome all ranked up!

Very clever work getting triple the bang for your buck with the plague marines there too. Love the shoulder faces - Mike Wazowski and the Staypuft Marshmallow Man?

 inmygravenimage wrote:
Impressive! Papa will surely bless you.

I wonder if that's why I have been fighting a cold for the last 5 days

@tzurk: Thanks tzurk. The shoulder faces may be doppelgangers for those two

 Syro_ wrote:
...I have built 21 Plague Marines out of the kit of 7.

My man! Looks great too.

Thanks jabbakahut, and good to see you again. It's been a while.

I saw a post of a Warhammer Facebook group talking about Warhammer book collections and thought maybe this group would enjoy seeing mine (Rather than just Horus Heresy)

I have been collecting Siege of Terra for when I finish HH, but don't want to wait and get scalped like I did on some of the HH books.


I have read nearly all of the books on the bottom shelf, and I think now on the shelf above it Got some of these in book lots.


To read after Siege of Terra and because I seem to be having more trouble with impulse control, I've started collecting "The Rise of the Beast" as well. The Apocalypse Warzone books were Christmas and birthday presents.


Horus Heresy again, just to have the pics together (I'm 2/3 of the way through HH #33 "War without End"):


I also have the Forges of Mars Omnibus (not pictured), one book in the mail, and one pre-ordered. Not to mention I gave away around 20 of my 40k books to a friend about a year ago. They were duplicates and books/authors that I didn't like. This will be a lot of reading.

These four are a slow burn project that I hope to eventually finish, but am not expecting to any time soon.


I also just finished and sculpting a model that I am keeping as a surprise. Now I just need to paint it.

If anyone visiting my blog doesn't already know about theCrowe's TONKs blog, you should go check it out. It has a lot of fun builds and battle reports. With four elimination battle over, we are now into the semi-finals. And remember, root for Tekno-Rex
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/811749.page

In support of theCrowe's TONKs blog and Tekno-Rex, I give you Tekno-Squiggoth made in support of Tekno-Rex.




This was the model I was keeping as a surprise. I have been working on it for a little over a week, every since Tekno-Rex won its first battle.
WIP

I felt inspired to make an Alpha legionary for the current Dakka monthly painting challenge, because how could I not with that description?
"This month, keep an eye out for what comes From the Shadows -- A knife in the dark, camouflaged sniper, or any blow that your opponent will never see coming. Subtlety and deception should be the order of the day."



Going is slow with how busy and tired I am. I also keep forgetting putty and sculpting tools at school. I am teaching some of my students how to sculpt miniatures.

Good luck in the monthly painting challenge Syro_

Cheers,

CB

Thanks CB IRL is kicking my butt right now, so unlikely I will finish on time, but still progressing slowly.

Finished building/sculpting my Alpha Legionary:

Loving your work sir.

Thanks Graven

I just finished (possibly) Alpharius for the Dakka monthly painting challenge.

Great job on that alpha marine, Syro. Helmet really captures the hoplite vibe and goes great with the scales. Good luck in the challenge!

Thanks tzurk

Was a joy to browse through your recent (and not so recent) creations. They always make me smile!

Creating that many Plague Marines out of a single box is quite the accomplishment!
It was fun to see how there were less and less plastic bits from the kit the further away from the box the models stood, yet they still looked like they fit the group!

Thanks so much Ezki
I tried to arrange the plague marines in order of when I made them. I'm glad you like the effect and think they fit together.

Not much hobby time this month, but I have been working on fixing up and painting my six scratch built killakansfor the monthly painting competition.

Ooooh, this is awesome.
But can you put pringles in them ?

That's some very nice scratchbuilding, they will look great once done I am sure!

Amazing work on those Kans.

Wow, thanks for all the support.
@Kernel_Terror: heh heh, thanks They are too small to fit Pringles in, unfortunately. Also they are glued shut.
@Slinky: Thanks Slinky, I hope you like how they turned out.
@Not Online!!!: Thanks so much

The Kans are done

Those are some really funky models. They look exactly like something a Mekboy would throw together in his workshop.

OK, those killa kans are just plain fun.

Very nicely done- gotta say: my favorite is the one that appears ready to beat something to death with the upraised sprocket- that's orc-atude for ya!

Thanks so much Josh, Tommygun and Meer, I'm glad you guys like them.

I just finished painting all my remaining Dark Angels space marines with plasma cannons for this month's Dakka painting comp.


I started with these many pieces from Dark Vengeance starter sets


I was missing pieces, so cast some:



Painting process:




Thanks for stopping by!

Serious production going on here. Excellent work.

Thanks Cam, it feels good to accomplish something hobby wise after having no time/energy for so long. I hope I can keep up my momentum, because my next project is even more ambitious: I plan to batch paint all my remaining Dark Angels tactical marines.

There's been quite a few hold-ups and set backs, but I am chugging along with my tactical marines now. Though I seem to have lost enough of my plasma guns and bolters that I don't have enough on hand.

I have finally finished painting my Dark Angels green.


I also finally have someone to play Wrath of Kings with, so I'll be starting to work on that soon.

That's handy! They look fairly armless!

Great work. Nice neat work too.

Thanks Cam
Yep, perhaps foolishly I am painting them in sub-assemblies. None of them have hands, guns, or backpacks yet. I'm still in the process of figuring out how many bolters I need to cast, and finish priming them all.

Speaking of armless, I've started priming the guns and backpacks

Since it was for this month's Dakka painting contest, I buckled down and focused on finishing five of my 38 marines for the contest:




I think Pelegarth Blood Masks are probably the most inappropriate minis in Wrath of Kings. Since I play with kids, I'm planning to sculpt famous outfits on each of them.
Only basing done so far in this pic


Also, I have been sculpting a giant Tiamat with the kids I play D&D with. I'm in charge of the green dragon head/neck

I'm nearly finished sculpting on the Blood Masks' new outfits. They are cosplayers now, and once painted I hope they will be easy to guess. It's enjoyable sculpting these outfits quickly without pushing for them too be too impressive.


I also started a quick Wrath of Kings battle at school today during recess with two students who needed a break for health reasons.

I've finished putting together the blood masks with the new outfits and based the other Nasier minis that I have built. This force counts as 12 ranks of infantry, 2 ranks of leaders, and two ranks of specialists. This is the exact size force of what's listed as an intro game in the rule book.


I'm also going to be building and painting up these five minis for the monthly painting challenge, from the faction I like the most: Hadross.

I only got 5 of the 38 planned Dark Angels space marines painted last month. Still, here is an overall shot of my Dark Angels that are painted. the other 33 are close to done.


My force has gotten large enough that I needed to build an additional storage tray.



I built a second storage tray today too, to finally store my Plague Marines


On Friday, my table top gamer students and I got in a huge game of Wrath of Kings. They are really enjoying it so far. I play an underwater army, and my two teammates have the army that has pigmen soldiers. So I nicknamed us "Team Surf n' Turf". Our side ended up winning by a lot because of consistently lucky die rolls by my one teammate, and constant bad rolls by the other team.

Some recent crafting

I've sculpted ogre faces to make copies of for base inserts for a Wrath of Kings army that has celestial ogres that are sent by the gods to aid one faction. They have this kind of face on their belts.


Progress on my taxi crabs and Hadross army in general



And I've made the scale pattern for the underside of my Tiamat head. Not bad for section of yellow school pencil carved into shape for a tool.

Continued progress on my Hadross force

I've finished these Hadross minis for the monthly Dakka painting contest,and have about double this amount painted (which is an intro game size force)


All of Gobert's progress on his Void Panthers space marines has inspired me to get back to work on my Dark Angels 5th company.


I painted the green on 32 Space marine backpacks yesterday, front and back.

It makes me happy that my 1776th picture in my gallery is an American Revolution wargame picture. We played the first third of the battle of Germantown in our free time the last two days of school.



I have also finished painting 5 more Dark Angels space marines

That Tiamat looks good. It must be pretty time consuming getting the scales right.

Thanks Tommygun The whole thing with Tiamat have been really time consuming. Luckily, the scales didn't take too long. I carved a piece of wood to use as a tool to press into the putty to make the scale pattern. I learned the technique from the Youtube cannel Crafsman: steady crafting.

7 more Dark Angels space marines are complete

Some good work Syro_

Cheers,

CB

Thanks CB1

They just need their guns and backpacks, then my last 21 Dark Vengeance Dark Angels tactical squad marines will be done.

I've finished 7 of them:

I finished the second group of seven yesterday afternoon, and then the last seven that night.

Here's the total have complete for Dark Angels 5th company.

I've finished sculpting a rabbit bard that I started sculpting last summer. I can use it in Dungeons & Dragons or Burrows & Badgers.

please provide better angles from the face... for now it looks very characterful and I would love to make sure...

Amazing work with the DAs, Syro! Must feel good punching them out!

Clever work with those cardboard storage boxes, and some fun sculpting - amazing how those scales came up with just a pencil for a tool!

Thanks for sharing

@Viktor von Domm: Sure thing Vik, but I took the pic from what I think is the best angle. Hopefully you won't be disappointed.
@tzurk: Thanks tzurk! Yeah, it felt really good getting so many done like that, after stalling on it earlier this year. And thanks for your other comments as well. I just noticed that the piece of pencil I used is in the picture. I'm happy with how well the scale came out.

Now that is cute! Makes a nice change from power armour.

i beg to differ.... absolutely cool shots that assist in perceiving the character and his pose! you´re sitting on a gold mine of talent!!! looking really hard forward to see this lil´ fella painted up!!!

Love the sculpting on the bard - definitely a skillset that I'm lacking, so I can appreciate it even more!

Thank you so much, Cap'n Facebeard, Vik, and blockade23. I appreciate it.

I'm currently working on these three: 2 custom D&D character minis for players of mine and a rabbit martial artist.

looking forward to more!

Wow, that rabbit bard is delightful!

Also, that's a lot of marines! It's really cool to see a whole army arrayed like that.

Thanks Josh!

This sculpture isn't much to look at so far, but here's today's progress. Hopefully it will look good when finished.

And thanks Vik, I thought I had already replied to your latest comment, but actually hadn't

Slightly off topic, but I have finally finished drawing and cutting out the card board for a dungeon that I have been working on and off for years. I would lose a piece or get inspired to work on something else. I still have a long way to go, but my goal is to completely finish the dungeon, make the dungeon dressing, and make and paint all the miniatures I need to run the adventure in the next two months. Probably won't manage, but I will try.


I have also finished sculpting a custom D&D miniature for one of my students. This is Frub the kobold sorceror. He hides inside a dragon skull like a hermit crab.
I realize it will need to be painted before I can attach the top half of the skull.

The kobold inside the skull is a great idea. I can't wait to see this dungeon come to life - there's something really special about all that planning and building coming together when your players get to roll dice in a completed project!

Rabbit's face is working great as well - he is really singing his little heart out lol.

I really needed to focus and zoom in on the pic, which I usually don´t do... after that i like the idea behind frub...to really sell the idea I think it needs a really clashing color scheme between the skull and the kobold...

@tzurk: Thanks tzurk Building a dungeon this way is my favorite too, even if it takes forever and kills my storage space

@Viktor von Domm: Thanks for the suggestion Vik, the plan is for the kobold to have the dark red skin like my other kobolds with a blue cloak. The skull is meant to be aged, found in the ocean from a long dead dragon, so pretty brown.

Wow you have been busy!
Looking amazing. All those lads. Outstanding.!

But this wee sculpt is beyond amazing. He is absolutely perfect. Your skills have come a long way from where you started. That is a totally legit figure right there!

@Viktor von Domm: Thanks for the suggestion Vik, the plan is for the kobold to have the dark red skin like my other kobolds with a blue cloak. The skull is meant to be aged, found in the ocean from a long dead dragon, so pretty brown.

hmmm.... if I could make a suggestion: I would do it beach bleached... so rather as pale as possible to make the red hed of frub be still visible.it wiould from afar look like glowing eyes even...

Thanks for the advice Vik, I'll do bleached bone. The top of the skull will be open at about 45 degrees,showing Frub in the mouth. In game, he can close the jaw to hide, but I'm not managing that with the mini.

I've been collecting, casting, and making all the minis I will need for Madness of the Rat King.

looking forward!!!

I absolutely love that Rabbit Bard. Charisma crit every time! What a cute little guy. Do you have a name in mind? Something rabbit-pun/famous musician.

I like the Cubone kobold idea too. Looking forward to seeing both painted.

@Viktor von Domm: Thanks Vik. I'm about halfway through painting Frub.
@theCrowe: Thanks theCrowe. It will be a while until paint the rabbit bard. I want to try to mold make copies of it. I don't have any names planned either,so if you think of any good ones feel free to mention them.

I was working on painting minis for Madness of the Rat King today. I painted 18 dark mantles and 4 giant rats. All copies of original sculpts I have made. It's funny that you can't really see that the dark mantles were a burgundy and dark sepia over black primer with a dark wash. They look pretty monotone except the eyes. But, I'm still happy with them.

I get a strong grilled chicken vibe from the giant rats... especially from the brightest one^^

Always a joy seeing your creative updates Syro.

 Viktor von Domm wrote:
I get a strong grilled chicken vibe from the giant rats... especially from the brightest one^^

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to un-see that now
The plump bodies and legs probably don't help, but it works well for a push mold.

@Ragsta: Thanks Ragsta, I'll try to keep riding this momentum

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to un-see that now

sorry about that

No worries

Frub is finished. I'm pretty happy with how he came out, but disappointed that I didn't line up the top an bottom of the skull properly. Doesn't seem worth busting it apart to straighten and repaint.




Also here's a pile of random WIP minis for Madness of the Rat King

frub is more now like phteven...

Is that the skull pronouncing it?

Also, I still plan to work on my Madness of the Rat King D&D minis, but I will also try to paint up these 5 nobs for the Dakka monthly painting challenge.

I've finished some more minis for the D&D adventure "Madness of the Rat King"

a mimic:



swarms of rats, squeaker rats, and explodey rats. Some of these will never been seen outside of this one-shot adventure.

really? exploding rats are literally all over the place...

I bloody love a mimic

Heh heh, good point Vik

I love mimics too Graven, making them at least.

I have been sculpting details onto more Madness of the Rat King minis.

the rat kings are made from bears, right? fantastic idea! you´re really going the extra mile with your minis!!!

Good eye Vik, and thanks. You're correct, he two minis on the right are made from bears. There is a monster in Madness of the Rat King called a "rat-bear-pig"
The description in the adventure read: The strength of a bear, the keen snout of a boar, and
the skittishness of a rat, the mighty rat-bear-pig is a strange mix
indeed. Initially created by the Rat King to sniff out the deadly
violet fungi growing in the fungus chamber, the rat-bear-pig
also serves as a powerful bodyguard and beast of burden.

since an old terry pratchett book I always had a different image of a rat king in my mind... five or more rats bonded by their tails...

I love Terry Pratchett, but still have many books of his to read. Which book is the rat king from?

maurice and the amazing rodents.... one of the rather good ones!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
loosely based on the story of the The Pied Piper of Hamelin

Cool, thanks Vik. I actually have that one, but haven't read it yet. I'll move it up in reading priority. I've read all of the witches and Moist von Lipwig books, most of the guards books, Sorcery, Pyramids, and The Colour of Magic so far.

Not from madness of the rat king, but I finished sculpting final details and painted up these 4 D&D minis, more to get more space in my work area than anything.

Every garden needs a gnome with a big-a** sickle!

second the need for violent looking garden gnomes!!!


as for the books.... all guards books are the best.... second to the witch branch! then comes moist... in my opinion of course...(I don´t know where to put death tho in my top tier list...)

Heh heh, I might need to have that guy show up in an adventure now charging out of a garden.

@Viktor von Domm: Sounds like we feel pretty similarly, but Moist is my favorite character. His first two books are probably my favorite of all of them. I didn't like "Raising Steam" as much though. I'm currently on a Warhammer kick right now. Of the 14 novels I have finished so far this year 10 have been Warhammer.

I envy you, I am currently not able to read... concentration is at my lowest atm...I have to read a whole page at least three times to understand....

I'm really sorry to hear that Vik, I hope things improve for you soon. It doesn't solve the larger issue, but you've probably tried audio books if you miss the story side rather than the concentration.

I've finished painting 10 more minis for Madness of the Rat King: dragon rat, spider rats, and Nibbles the the intelligent albino rat familiar. (My new phone has a lot of trouble focusing on multiple minis, I don't know if there is a setting I need to find)


I've also painted up the scrap counters for GorkaMorka that I made in 2016.

never tried an audio book...hmmm

I'm reading through Henry Hyde's "Wargaming Compendium" and have gotten to the section that has multiple rule sets for different size games. It seems like it could be fun to try these out. The first is a 1 v 1 Roman Gladiator game. I have made these two gladiators.


The second is a Wild West skirmish game. I don't know if I really want to buy or make cowboys and bandits. I'm already pretty low on space, but maybe. I also had the idea of using Warhammer 40k as the setting for the Wild West game, either an Inquisitor's band vs a choas cultist cell or two rival ork gangs similar to GorkaMorka but as a Wild West shoot out.
Which of the three do all of you think I should go for? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

would love to see the wild west theme... I have for years quite a small army of cowboys sitting in a box... my son always asks me to make terrain to go with these...
inquisitor is a good idea, gorka morka is probably the best... the cultist idea doesn´t swing with me so much tho...

gladiators...that is also a nice idea!

Making a Wild West Game out of Inquisitor would be a bit of circular history as it was itself inspired by old cowboy skirmish games.

Thank you both for your comments. Hopefully a few more people will chime in as well.

I should probably go back and paint the bases black, but I have finished the 5 Fresco Spirits for "Madness of the Rat King"

They are described as 2-dimentional along with this description:
Created as guardians for malevolent entities,
these spirits appear as faded frescoes of robed humanoids with
fish-like heads and webbed appendages. When disturbed, the
paintings animate, darting across the walls, ceiling, and floor to
attack their foes

now that is a nice concept, 2D enemies! you do know you could get these apertures from amazon , but thumbsup for scratch building them!

Thanks Vik. Yep, I know about buying those 2D paper or acrylic standies, but much prefer 3D miniatures. For a 2D monster, you're right I probably could have just bought some fish people in that form, but they were pretty easy to make.

You really have the potential to quit your day job Syro, and go all in on a specialty gaming figure and terrain maker. The range and breadth of the pieces you're turning out is amazing and the quality is very high. Your gladiator pieces are top notch and the casual way you drop mention of making them is on par with Ezki's "I had nothing better to do one afternoon than make this sci-fi armoured car out of an old biscuit box".

Rock on!

I don't know if you realize how much what you said means to me Meer, but it really does. Truly, thank you.

I've been really busy, lately. I'm happy that I banged out the paint jobs on the rat-bear-pigs (Sorry can't see the rat tails too well)


I also finally primed and put a wash on the orks for this month's painting contest.

"ROUS's?"
"Rodents of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist."

Nice work, Syro!

Rig...rabig...batrig...peart...Looking great with a coat of paint.

Good luck in the contest with your orks! Let's goooooo

Thank you both I'm nearly done with the minis for Madness of the Rat King, but there is always more hobby stuff that I want to do, than I have time for.

I forgot to mention that my Reaper Bones 6 Kickstarter order arrived close to a week ago. I went for the core set and some paint. Like I have mentioned in the past, I buy minis with the plan to paint them, but then make my own and paint those instead

It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas, since I have only gotten down red and green on my ork nobs, so far. But it's some progress.

I'm finished my five nob body guards in time for the competition. These are the personal guard of my warboss/warlord all wearing his personal symbol.



I have also finished the two laser rats for Madness of the Rat King.


The description in game is:
"Laser rats appear as giant rats that have been
inflated like a balloon with alchemical gases. Grafted onto their
raised bloated bellies is a great beholder eye, along with two
eyestalks writhing at its sides. Why? Because SCIENCE, that’s
why!"

All looking good, nice work all round, but HELL, those bloated eye rats are next level horrific and skill.

Thanks Cam

I've finished painting five and a half merfolk


I will also be building five Iron Hands space marines to paint for this month's painting contest.
This is what I have so far:

I've put together this little scene on display for everything I have made for undersea encounters in D&D. (I didn't make the sand castle)


The giant sea horse is the newest addition


Here is my progress on my Iron Hands space marines

Did a bit of catching up on your blog as I have missed quite a bit
Really lots of awesome stuff in here that you are working on, especially loved the rabbit bard a couple of pages back

What are you using for your space marine molds? Looks like an easy way to replicate things quickly

Thanks Pneumo

For the space marine molds I'm using three different silicone mold making kits. The yellow molds are "Alumilite Amazing Mold Putty", the white molds are "Alumilite Amazing Mold Rubber", and the blue ones are "Let's Resin Silicone Putty". I also have "Let's Resin Silicone Rubber", but haven't tried it yet
The two called mold rubber are the pour-able liquid kind with a catalyst. For the figures I am currently using "Aves Apoxie Sculpt" which if you really time it right, you can get three casts per day. When I need a lot in low detail, I crank out as many as I want using cheap hot glue. I think you use liquid resin for your casts, right? I expect that takes longer to cure, but I'm curious how much you have to deal with mold lines and flash? In your pictures it looks like it's mostly just removing vents. My method can get such ridiculous amounts of flash that Viktor von Domm jokes with me that I must really love removing flash and mold lines.

I am really enjoying customizing these guys into Iron Hands. It's slow and messy, but here's my progress.

Ah cool, so it’s a pourable silicone as well. I have some silicone putty as well and really love it for quick molds of parts, super useful!

The resin I’m using actually almost has the opposite problem. 6 minutes pot life means I have to be super quick with mixing, pouring and pressurizing. Especially since I’m using a bike pump for my pressure pot
It’s cured after 30 minutes, but I tend to leave it for an hour as I had some weird leaking happening after taking it out with just 30 minutes. After an hour the thin parts are still flexible (shoulder pads on my marines for example) and can easily be bend, but in the end everything cures like hard plastic. If you want I can look up the product link again(company is called smooth on) but I would only use it with a pressure pot. Too many small bubbles otherwise.

In terms of silicone molds I can recommend this channel: https://m.youtube.com/@RobertTolone
I’m using one part cut molds now and have virtually no mold lines or flash. With two part molds I used to have a bit more flash as well. But then again, never used these with putty

 Pneumo wrote:
Ah cool, so it’s a pourable silicone as well. I have some silicone putty as well and really love it for quick molds of parts, super useful!

The resin I’m using actually almost has the opposite problem. 6 minutes pot life means I have to be super quick with mixing, pouring and pressurizing. Especially since I’m using a bike pump for my pressure pot
It’s cured after 30 minutes, but I tend to leave it for an hour as I had some weird leaking happening after taking it out with just 30 minutes. After an hour the thin parts are still flexible (shoulder pads on my marines for example) and can easily be bend, but in the end everything cures like hard plastic. If you want I can look up the product link again(company is called smooth on) but I would only use it with a pressure pot. Too many small bubbles otherwise.

In terms of silicone molds I can recommend this channel: https://m.youtube.com/@RobertTolone
I’m using one part cut molds now and have virtually no mold lines or flash. With two part molds I used to have a bit more flash as well. But then again, never used these with putty

Oh wow, That is freaky how fast that working time is. It must be hard to get the stuff poured and pressurized quickly enough. It's also a shame that it bubbles too much without pressure. That smooth-on resin, I think I have it bookmarked. I don't have a pressure system, so I'll wait on it. Thanks for the heads up. I watch Robert Tolone too. A few of my molds have what he calls "dunking chunkies".

I'm just about done making my Iron Hands, just a few more details and shoulder pads to add before I start painting. They have been a lot of fun to make. In lore they probably have the least personality of the first founding chapters, but these minis have more personality than most I have made because of all the customization.

I've finished off the last few shoulder pads and have put two layers of my homemade black contrast paint as a base coat.



I've also begun sculpting some violet fungi for D&D
Trypopobia warning

All looking very good!

I remember when Violet Fungi opened for the Stones back in '74....

Trypophobia warning... you learn something new every day...

@Meer_Cat: Thanks Meer
@Viktor von Domm: Yeah, Red Harvest brought it up on my blog years ago (page 9, I think)

@Viktor von Domm: Yeah, Red Harvest brought it up on my blog years ago (page 9, I think)


I guess it´s a case of old age memory loss i guess....:(

Iron Hands looking suitably mechanical, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, those fungi looking very organic and gross.

Looking forward to seeing some paint!

@Viktor von Domm: Don't be so hard on yourself. I have to look it up on my own blog to recall.
@tzurk: Thanks tzurk I haven't gotten back to work on the violet fungus yet, but...

I have finished my Iron Hands Space Marines. I thought I finished 2 days ago, but realized that I forgot to do the backpacks.






I also painted up an ork trukk that I scratch built back in 2016.

Congrats on completing the Marines- incredible that everything is as you envisioned it and caused it to come to be!

Love that trukk- Green Masheen indeed!

You never finish Space Marines, you just have short breathers until the next model release.

 Tommygun1918 wrote:
You never finish Space Marines, you just have short breathers until the next model release.

For me, I purchase the kits that GW is discontinuing. I still play 7th edition. But that is true, only temporarily done. It would be weird not to complete the squad at some point.

@Meer_Cat: Thanks Meer The trukks are still coming, but I can remember or find the paper with this one's name.

I have finished painting another of my scratch built ork trukks. This one is made from only foam core, the plastic from gallon jugs of water, six water bottle caps, hub caps from dollar store motorcycles, and a straw. I also built this one at the same time in 2016, when I was introducing some people to Gorka Morka. I am nearly finished with my third and final scratch built trukk.

I finished this trukk a few days ago, but haven't had time to photograph it. This is the third and final of my scratch built trukks.




I also made the little wiggling tentacles for my violet fungi

Love the crow's nest on the third trukk- very grotling/snotling oriented; and the Evil Sunz logo is perfect!

Very sustainable use of sprues, always thought sprues were an underused resource

Fungi Tentacles look creepy as all get out. Perfect!

@Meer_Cat: Thanks Meer The little crow's nest is originally for a gunner, but I love your idea. I'm going to try to fit a grot look-out up there now too. Thanks.
@Cap'n Facebeard: Thanks. I feel the same way about sprues. But sometimes they are too difficult to make look like anything except sprues. Have you heard of/watched the Miniature Hobbyist on youtube? He does so many over the tpamazing things with sprues.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOI4U71MJ81f1iAtoUzY0FT5Q8aWUYKgR
@blockade23: Thanks They are attached now. Just need to paint.

My violet fungi are finished with their tentacles attached. Just need to paint them now.


I'm also fixing up some skeletons, and added a loin cloth to my gladiator.

Fungi are very creepy. Remind me of the surface of the planet Remina in Junji Ito's Hellstar Remina manga.

Thanks Cap'n Facebeard I had forgotten about that manga. Talk about creepy.

The violet fungi and done:


up next should be some skeletons.

I started sculpting this guy slowly at least a year ago, giving a space ogre head a body. When I remembered, I would add a little bit here or there, or if I had a little putty left over, I might add it to him. I got sick of him not being finished, so I finished him today. (The darkest green parts are all today)

did we talk about trypophobia with those fungus already? look great and itchy, those tentacles came out really well.

The ogre is a lovely characterful sculpt and reminds me of my dad getting out the wooden spoon when I'd come home late without notice...

Spoon Man!!!

@tzurk: Heh heh, yep. We already talked about trypophobia with those. I did a warning and a spoiler the first post about them, then got lazy and forgetful about it. let me know if you think I should cover them with a spoiler. And anyone reading this, feel free to PM me to cover them up if you have trypophobia.
And thanks about the ogre, tzurk
@Viktor von Domm: Did you ever watch the old 90s super hero cartoon "The Tick"?

I've painted up 5 skeletons for an upcoming D&D adventure.


If you're curious, from left to right the skeletons are from Black List miniatures Fantasy 1 kickstarter, a copy of an old HeroQuest skeleton, a partial copy of the HeroQuest skeleton with a weapon swap, and a Reaper Bones skeleton from a learn to paint kit.

@Viktor von Domm: Did you ever watch the old 90s super hero cartoon "The Tick"?

some years ago the tv show with real actors only...

Good work getting the HQ skeletons off their original bases

Seeing you work on Orks is warming to the heart. Excellent work all round. Love the fungi. Your ork sculpt is amazing and your Iron Hands are exceptional. Great to see you still plugging away.

@Viktor von Domm: I haven't seen the live action one. But in the cartoon, the Tick decided his battle cry would be "spoon" at one point. Which is why I asked.
@Cap'n Facebeard: Thanks, it is hard to get them off the base. Have you done that as well?
@Camkierhi: Thanks Cam I'm happy to still be plugging away. Like you, this hobby is my major stress outlet and how I choose to spend what little free time I have.

I realized that except for my scratch built vindicator tanks and 2 Hellbrutes, that I never finished painting the majority of my chaos space marines. Even the starter set that was one of my first builds and paints. I'll be working on that for a little while unless I get excited about working on something else. I also can't resist adding some weapons, sculpting on some details to my early chaos conversions.

 Syro_ wrote:
@Cap'n Facebeard: Thanks, it is hard to get them off the base. Have you done that as well?

I've tried in the past, the HQ minis feet kind of melt into the base, so as you know it makes it very difficult to cut them off whilst also keeping a recognisable foot.

I had the same trouble. My skeleton is missing some toes.

I have finished sculpting a Tyranid spore mine for 40k. I plan to make a mold to mass produce some.


I already have too much to do with too little time, but I came up with a crazy challenge for myself. I probably won't succeed, but I was thinking it would be fun to add to my single White Scars flamer marine. Since with White Scars you gotta go fast: My personal challenge is re-create the Assault on Black Reach space marine force as White Scars, to cast all the pieces I need (with some kit bashing, sculpting, etc), remove flash, clean them, build them, and paint them all within a 48 hour period. I got started last night, working for a little over two hours.

That sounds like quite the challenge

Amazing amount for just two hours!

Your glue gun casts look like commercially mass-produced resin castings- outstanding work!

Thank you Cap'n Facebeard, Thank you Meer_Cat. Unfortunately, it seems fate is working against me. The morning after I started my personal challenge both my wife and toddler got sick. I haven't really had much time to do anything other then take care of them and do chores. And thanks, Meer, the casts are definately looking better than they used to, but once you can see them with more detail rather than translucent, their sins of being recasts will be evident
I do feel like I have gotten better at making molds than I used to be though, so there is improvement.

Am I understanding your whitescars project photo correctly? Are you casting your models in hotglue?

Yes, you are correct Warboss_Waaazag. I am casting them in hot glue.

I really like those Iron Hands, some of the best I've seen quite honestly from a Chapter that makes me fall asleep.

Awesome Ork trukks and fungus! And I was looking at Tyranid Spores just this morning... Uncanny that...

Thanks so much Ragsta and that is unexpected that you were looking at Tyranid spores the morning before seeing mine.

I'm almost done painting 5 of my White Scars space marines, they should be done by tomorrow.
I have given up trying to paint a scratch-built stompa for this month's painting contest, and have switched to two homemade Big Squiggoths.
This reddish-brown one has been nicknamed "the naked mole rat". The blue one is being painted by one of my students. He liked my squiggoths so much that I gave him one.

The final squiggoth will be green.


Here are the White Scars that I'm not currently painting. I dropped the terminator sergeant's head and can't find it. I'll have to make a new one. Two of the tactical marine's had pretty bad bubbles and needed gap filling since I already long ago failed my one weekend plan to finish these, I'm increasing the quality a little while still focusing on speed of quality.

I'm liking those home brewed Squiggoths. They add character to an army.

Looking very nice, especially as homemade projects go. You won't need GW at all anymore.

Thanks Tommygun and thanks Cap'n Facebeard. With GW's constant price hikes, I would like to rely on them as little as possible.

Here are the five finished White Scars

You would never guess they weren't official minis

Thanks so much Cap'n I'm showing them from their best angles, so sadly they don't look as good from other angles. Sorry for the slow response, real life has been kicking my butt lately.

Squiggoths are looking good. Are you planning to put guns and stuff on them?

I admire your bravery in attempting White Scars. I find predominantly white minis almost as difficult as yellow.

Been listening to the R.A Salvatore's Dark Elf trilogy as audiobooks lately and ever since have had the burning urge to run an Underdark adventure. Or at the very least, paint and build more Underdark dwellers. Those Violet Fungi really look the part and now I really have to have some. If the stars align, I might even try follow your guidance into sculpting some!

That being said:

Meer_Cat wrote:You really have the potential to quit your day job Syro, and go all in on a specialty gaming figure and terrain maker. The range and breadth of the pieces you're turning out is amazing and the quality is very high. Your gladiator pieces are top notch and the casual way you drop mention of making them is on par with Ezki's "I had nothing better to do one afternoon than make this sci-fi armoured car out of an old biscuit box".

I wholly agree with this statement. Like I've mentioned before, your knack for scratchbuilding and sculpting stuff out of nowhere is admirable and keeps baffling me still. It is truly inspiring.

And thanks for the lovely mention Meer_cat, even if I'm a bit late to the party

Great work on the white armour Syro! That's a daunting task. I'm cheating on my in progress white armoured sisters and using an aibrush.

Keep it up!

The Gluecast Scars are already looking real good, with a little more time Im sure youll get perfect casts, if it wasnt for you saying that some angles are not as good and that they are gluecast, I wouldnt have thought they werent plastic minis. Its a really interesting project, keep it up

@JoshInJapan: Thanks, Josh Yes, I plan to put armor, the howdah, and guns on the squiggoths. Hopefully I will have time, eventually.

@Ezki: I love R.A. Salvatore's dark elf series. I say go for it, with making some violet fungus. They are pretty easy. If you want more Underdark inspiration pages 46 of my blog has most of the Underdark stuff that I have made. And thank you, Ezki. I really appreciate that you and everyone here acknowledges my efforts and passions for sculpting stuff. I luckily like my day job, but it wuld be amazing to have the time to pursue a secondary career doing someone with these hobby sculpts and builds.

@The_Retromancer: Thanks so much, Retromancer. I'm glad they White Scars are turning out well. If you want to see the models' sins check the spoiler below. I have finially finished more of the White Scars.

Everyone, Thank you. Real life is leaving me with basically zero time and energy for hobbying, which has been stressful. I've finally squeezed a little time in the last three days, and have finished the rest of my White Scars tactical marines and terminators. All that's left is the captain and dreadnought to have a full Assault on Black Reach force of White Scars.


The whole tactical squad, together.


Terminators


If you want to see the bad angel of these guys' mold lines:

Tbh, the mold lines and the "bad" side of the minis are not that bad, and even less taking into account is hot glue! Yeah, real life can be really antihoby sometimes, similar situation here, but any little hobby step is progress

Thanks Retromancer, I'm glad you think they don't look too bad. I want big battles, so I'm more into quantity over quality for most of these guys anyway. I could never afford my crazy ideas if I bought all official minis. I'm sorry to hear that you're in a similar situation with a lack of hobby time.

I set up a glue gun in the corner of the kitchen yesterday and cast 20 Tyranid spore mines while I was cooking and watching my son. I have also been painting my riper swarms.

They look better than the old Space Crusade marines, my ones had atrocious slipping

Thankss Cap'n Facebeard

Slow progress on the ripper swarms.I'm experimenting with how to make the color scheme that I want in as simple of an manner as possible.
Sorry that the pic isn't too clear.

Nice work. I need to look into hot glue casting for some of my basing bits.

Thanks, Tommygun The key to hot glue casting is silicone molds and a flat silicone surface.

It takes too long to accomplish things, these days. But I have finally finished painting my Tyranid ripper swarms and spore mines. I hope to sculpt myself a Biovore when I have time.

It feels good to finally be finishing these minis. I have been slowly working on them in spare moments for two months. parts of the painting may look a little different because my students helped me base coat come of them. For the first time in the more than 10 years since I started in the hobby, I am more in the mood to paint minis than to build or sculpt. I figure I should ride this while it lasts

Looking great! It feels good to clear the backlog. The older the better.

Excellent quality stuff happening here! I see your painting game improving as well!

@blockade23: Thanks It definitely does feel good to clear the backlog. And the older, the better indeed. I realize you are talking about how long the mini has been in your backlog though, I find it funny that my two newest minis are physically the oldest. I just got two old metal 40k minis.

@Camkierhi: Thanks so much Cam I hope my painting is improving. I don't focus on any particularly fancy skills, more how quickly I can get stuff tabletop ready. but I would still like to improve.

I've also hit a little patch of indecision, having finished three groups of minis that I had been working on. It's hard to decide what to work on next.

It's hard to decide what to work on next.

would love to see some kind of terrain from you again... to motivate me

Thanks Vik, that's a good idea. And one of the options I was trying to decide between. IRL is was too busy this week with parent-teacher confereces, but hopefully I can work on some terrain along with my minis for the monthly challenge.

Unfortunately real life is still leaving me close to zero energy and hobby time. I did quickly wip up a pigeon for one of my D&D players who tamed a pigeon to use in his circus act and seems to have gotten quite attached.


I was planning to paint my last four Dark Angels from Dark Vengeance along with Azerael for this month's painting competition. I have found that I don't have all the pieces, but I have nearly finished building them, and making replacement parts.


I have also been re-priming three pieces of ork terrain (Thanks Vik ) and gotten one layer of paint on them, but having taken photos yet.

It looks like I forgot to post about it? But a little over a month ago, I bought the old metal Dark Angels Grand Master (Chapter Master) Azrael model. I painted him over the past three days. He's done

Nice classic space marine. Plastic minis are much easier to work with, but they lose the character of the unique individual metal sculpts.

Thanks Tommygun I agree about the metal minis.

She still needs a little more paint, but some exciting news that the giant Tiamat "miniature" that three of my students and I started sculpting and converting from a large dragon toy is nearly done. We started last school year. For scale references, the bottle of blue paint is a 2 liter bottle, and in some of the pictures there are human size D&D minis sitting on her head.

I keep losing my will-o-wisp minis, so I slapped this together in a few minutes, along with 2 magmin made from strange failures from a broken gnome mold, and a flying sword. I need these for an upcoming D&D game.

Fantastic stuff. Love the floating sword!

Thanks so much, Cam It's funny how sometimes the simplest stuff turns out the best.

My friend had another casualty in her Nativity Scenes, which was nice for me at least since I was trying to think of a good Christmas present for her.

The heads of the shepherd boy and one of his sheep were both broken off and missing (I should have taken a "before" shot). So, I added new heads sculpted on details and painted him up. I think you can barely tell there are new heads.


Also, my friend loved that I sculpted her a new Joseph last year, but I didn't have time to paint it in time for Christmas last year, so I painted him and returned him, this year.

I have finished sculpting the robed body for the extra mind flayer head and forearms that I had left over from the D&D frameworks kit.


Also it's not much of a mini for the milestone, but this animated door is the 231st mini that I painted this year,meaning that I am one mini ahead of last year's total and have therefore painted more minis this year than any other year since I started in the hobby. (I also finally needed an animated door in game).


Even with finishing 3 mini sculpts today, I am still 8 sculpts behind last years record, and have basically no chance of beating my all time record for minis sculpted in one year. The armature for this tyranid that I am starting to sculpt may be one of the weirdest looking armatures I have made.

Progress on the two tyranids that I am sculpting.

The Tyranid Zoanthrope that I have been sculpting is done. I am incredibly happy and proud with how it came out





Two WIP that I didn't post yet:



I also recently finished a squirrel folk adventurer for D&D that I will be making a mold of

I am such a huge fan of using hotglue sticks as sculpting material. That zoanthrope looks great and I think it's super cool that you used your hobby talents to repair your friend's nativity figures. What a lovely and personalized holiday gift.

Superb sculpt mate !

Thanks so much Warboss_Waaazag and KernelTerror

I got the unexpected opportunity to play some D&D on Saturday. With only a few hours warning I banged out the miniatures I would need for a new one-shot adventure. I had already taken my end of the years retrospective pictures too
The little blue guy is called a Mamura, from Kobold Press'Tomb of Beasts.

The Zoanthrope is seriously amazing! So many lovely details.

With only few hours remaining I would be able to: procrastinate, take out my paints, procrastinate some more, apply a single color to a miniature and then notice that the hours have gone by.
You managed to bang together a few miniatures. Not possible. Do you have access to time travel?

Thank you, Ezki. You're too kind. I'm surprised how nicely the Zoanthrope came out. As for banging those D&D minis, they're nothing special, but they get the job done. I think the difference is when I'm painting minis, I'm making game pieces, when you're painting, you're making art. What you produce is jaw dropping amazing. It doesn't look real, it's so good. So, I think stick with your method, that procrastination is probably planning out amazing paint schemes in the back of your mind.

Even though I have less and less time to myself, I am making hobby time more of a priority. I realize how much I need it. Plus I am a little more lenient with myself about what to count as sculpting a miniature. This was a good hobby year for me. I accomplished 9/10 of the hobby goals that I set for myself. I sculpted 58 miniatures, and painted 241 miniatures this year. I got a variety of Tabletop games in (D&D, Wrath of Kings, Live Free or Die, and 40k), I started a new 40k amry and got it up to 500+ points, I participated in more than double the amount of the monthly Dakka painting challenges, and I got hobby bingo, filling up more than 10 boxes.

My sculptures this year (some are representations for groups that I felt only counted as one sculpture/conversion)


D&D minis that I painted this year:



Wrath of Kings minis that I painted this year:


40k minis that I painted this year (minus the four Tyranids that I finished tonight):


Trees from a scenery kit:


My new 500+ point Tyranid army, last year it was a hand full of ripper swarms that I was testing out paint schemes on.


My hobby bingo card:


It's been quite a year. I wouldn't even remember that the early stuff is from this year if I didn't keep records. Next year will be even tougher to find hobby time, but hopefully I will be able to. Thanks for stopping by.

Going back to what Vik suggested, I have been working on some terrain. I finished painting 3 Ork buildings tonight.

Hi Everyone. The biggest news that I have to share is that I have taken the plunge. This is my new 3D printer. I combined all the gift cards that I got for Christmas from the generous families that I teach for and bought the printer.


The first think I printed after the benchy was a alternate model for Tyranid Hive Tyrant. I like how it looks even though there are obvious layer lines. I having bought the smaller nozzle for miniatures yet, or changed any settings. But I am certainly having fun.


I've also started on my 59 termagants. It took me about an hour to scrub all of them. I jury-rigged a contraption for them to dry on.


And have begun painting them.

Very productive Syro. Have fun with that 3D printer, but don't give up on scratch building, we are a dying breed.

Thanks, Tommygun And don't worry, I have no plans to give up scratch building, sculpting, molding, and casting.

I had a fun, productive weekend. I cast enough hot glue marines on Thursday for a tactical squad, since I am lending those molds to a friend. This weekend, I cast up the five terminators, cleaned all the flash and built the tactical squad and terminator squad. Captain and dreadnought in the works. So far,I have been getting this group done fast than the White Scars group. I've built 18 termagants so far, as well.

I still can't get over the fact that you're making space marines out of hotglue. Absolutely brilliant.

Thank you,Warboss_Waaazag It's certainly a fun fast way to pump out troops.

Not too much energy lately, but here is my hobby area and the progress of the Warhammer minis I'm working on. (D&D stuff is drying out of frame)

It's funny how a deadline can change so much, even a self imposed one. I've been plugging away at some 40k miniatures all month, but haven't quite finished any of them yet. But in one weekend I created this silly monster for one of my students who is a big D&D fan and a DM. He was writing a D&D based story where one of the characters dreamed that he was attacked by a rabid tiger with pink socks and tentacles.



In half an hour I made and painted these 3 Black pudding monsters for an unexpected D&D game.


And during an art lesson to show how easy it can be to craft robots from junk, I made an R2D2 looking little guy out of two yogurt pouch caps, a craft stick, a little foam core and scrap plastic and hot glue. (I gave it to one of my students, so you won't be seeing it painted)

What's that emerging from the darkness?


The 9 hot glue Raven Guard tactical marines are done


I have also finished 5 termagants for the Dakka monthly painting competition. Only 54 more to go

Not much time, but lots of ideas
I'm still slowly building all the termagants.

I decided to try out a free stl file of a hormagauntlast month, but the print failed, and I noticed the figure is huge compared to the actual size of a hormagaunt. I've only had my 3D printer for about month, and I don't know how to do most things yet, like resizing. But I came up with the idea to use the hormagaunt pieces as a base to sculpt on top of to make two old style Tyranid broodlords.



I'm planning to keep working on my Raven Guard force. I will be making a captain, and painting up my 5 hot glue terminators.



Thanks for stopping by.

Keep up the good work on the Tyranids. All the little guys can definitely feel like a slog.

All good all around, Syron, well done!

Depending on your printer, you may not have to make resizing adjustments there (or be able to) but whatever program you're using to put the .stl files onto the printer should let you manipulate the % size you want in some way- the same place you go to set the layer height.

Unless you have a resin printer? In which case I don't know nuthin' 'bout no resin printers.

Rock on!

@blockage23: Thanks! And yeah, batch painting a huge group like his is definitely a slog. When I finally get through it, it is a great feeling though

@Meer_Cat: Thanks, Meer. That's good to hear that I should be able to resize. It is an FDM printer. A Bambu labs A1 mini. I don't want to take any chances with the possible health risks of a resin printer. I don't have room for a wash stations, curing area, etc anyway
I just use the Bambu labs app, they make it hard to use other programs with their products.

Interesting- but I guess to be expected: that printer manufacturers would start creating proprietary software that is only compatible with their printers, and no one else's will work. I use Cura on everything from the Ender 3 I had to the Creality 10 to my current Mingda Magician.

I haven't gone really hardcore yet and learned how to use meshmixer, or similar programs that allow you to create your own stereo-lithographic files.

Good luck with your set up: there must be something in the settings that will let you change the % scale. I'll do some looking around too.

Rock on!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Hey Syro- just took a quick look on Bing and saw an unboxing video for your model- at the 5:45 mark the screen he's looking at in setting up for a print seems to indicate bed temperature, hot end temp and % size- I bet you can reduce or increase (possibly not beyond 100% though) to get the size you want.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=bambu+labs+a1+mini+setup&mid=A35FE9BDF4308B034765A35FE9BDF4308B034765&mcid=C141C09E065240A1B3B407A48716F1BE&FORM=VIRE

Good luck!

Thanks, Meer! Though I have sorry that you used some of your very limited time researching something for me. I feel a little silly, after printing benchy, I have't looked at the littel screen on the actual printer much, and have focused on the program on my computer. I will try that percent size out.

On the hobby front, I haven't worked on the Termagants or Raven guard as I should be, but instead sculpted a giant frog for D&D and printed most of a big Tyranid model (print failure before getting to the head).

This frog sculpture isn't amazing by any means, but I am quite fond of it for two reasons. First, is that I sculpted the entire thing from scratch in a single short session. Second, I designed it to be used to create a single part "push mold", which is working nicely (three new frogs).



There doesn't see to be any recent publications or rules for it, but I remember an older Tyranid model, a scythed hierodule. I wanted one in case I ever get to play the "Imperial Armour: Anphelion Project" scenarios. I decided to print a second barbed hierodule, but print double the scythes and skip the guns. Then I would just do some converting and sculpting. I have more converting and sculpting to do that anticipated with the head failing to print, but it will be a fun challenge.

No worries Syro- research is something I like to do and I'm a filament printer guy myself, so I learn things that may help me in future. And I think it took me less than 5 minutes to find that clip and skim through to look at the settings: when you mentioned that your machine used a proprietary .stl software, I guessed there might be a setting on the printer itself to adjust for scale or size.

Good move on making up the monster you want using the printer to make multiple sets of the parts you'll need. Some printer guys forget that just because they've printed something, doesn't mean you can't still go old school and customize it- rock on!

Thanks, Meer. I'm glad to hear that it didn't take you long. And thank you,I definitely don't want to give up old school converting, customizing, and sculpting.

I have been pushing to get my termagants built. Any free time today was spent clipping,shaving off styrene nubs, and building. I'm down to only 11 gaunts left on the sprue.

I really like the frog. I can see them in exotic rain forest colors.

Thanks Tommygun, they're supposed to be generic greens and browns, but I like your idea. I think I'll cast at least one more to paint it like a poison dart frog.

Not worth a picture, since it doesn't look that different, but I built the last of my termagants. It feels good to be done with the building phase at least.

Not finished yet, but I put the first coat of paint on the frogs. I've been busy writing a D&D adventure, so I haven't had time for painting and sculpting.

Looking good!

I seem to remember a monster movie back in the late 70's/early 80's about giant frogs emerging from a swamp someplace (that had been contaminated, naturally, with radioactive waste) and eating people. Rock on!

Thanks, Meer I'm not familiar with that movie, but it makes more sense than the giant ants ones.

I've finished up the five giant frogs. I think they look nice, and were so much easier to paint than wargame miniatures

Those came out great, I really like the blue and yellow ones.
Just don't try and lick them!

Awesome work. Quite brilliant. Love those frogs.

Aw- I love the movie Them!, but then, radioactive giant bug movies from the 50's is one of my favorite genres. The frog one was pretty good, although being from the mid-70's everybody was dressed to rad to run properly, and more or less 'fell' into the giant killer frog's mouth when their grisly end came. I'm pretty good at suspending disbelief when I watch these things.

@Tommygun1918: Thanks Tommygun, I'm glad you like how they came out. I'm glad you suggested the rain forest colors, I particularly like the patterns on the two poison dart frogs.
@Camkierhi: Thanks Cam! It felt good getting those done. I'm finding it harder to find hobby time lately, so it felt extra good to finish something.
@Meer_Cat: Nothing wrong with you liking the movie, I just have too much trouble suspending the disbelief when watching giant bug movies. I just can't stop thinking about how
... So, ruins the enjoyment for me, personally.

It probably will seem like extreme baby steps to anyone who has a 3D printer, but I was quite proud when I researched and found that I could cut the part in an STL file into multiple parts, when it was too large to fit on the build plate. I then also cut a spare head to print for the failed print from a few weeks ago.

It's been so hard to find the time and energy for hobby time, but with the deadline looming for the monthly painting challenge challenge, I banged these guys out today:
Hot glue Raven Guard terminators:


My camera is really struggling with the white helmet, it looks better in real life.

Fun frogs Syro_

CB

Thanks CB Sorry for the slow response, I haven't been on lately.
I've been so busy and tired lately, not much hobby getting done. The only thing I have gotten done recently, had the excuse of being for my job
I researched and wrote up my own scenario for the wargame "Live Free or Die", the Battle of Cowpens in the American War for Independence. Here is the battle set up at school, I think this was the first or second turn.


I needed two extra Cavalry bases for the British and one more leader for the Americans. I haven't taken a short of them once they were painted, but they are on the battle field painted up (Cavalry are at the front of the cavalry charge going up the left side of the board in the first picture, American leader is with the line of American infantry in the very top left of the picture).

Syro_ wrote:Thank you, Ezki. You're too kind. I'm surprised how nicely the Zoanthrope came out. As for banging those D&D minis, they're nothing special, but they get the job done. I think the difference is when I'm painting minis, I'm making game pieces, when you're painting, you're making art. What you produce is jaw dropping amazing. It doesn't look real, it's so good. So, I think stick with your method, that procrastination is probably planning out amazing paint schemes in the back of your mind.

Sorry for the very slow response!
Likewise, you are too kind and I'm truly flattered
But I disagree with you on one thing: even though you think they are only gaming pieces, there is true art in sculpting and painting the awesome and fun things that you do. There are so many ways (and methods) to do the hobby and I think that's the beauty of it!

Your haul from last year is very impressive!

And man do I just love those cute frogs! Great colors.

Thanks so much Ezki and no need to apologize we're all busy.

In class, a student of mine asked if I would be able to sculpt a size tiny frog for D&D using only hot glue. I figured it would be a fun challenge.


Here it is painted by my student, next to a copy of the frogs that I have been showing on here (both painted by my student).


For a game of D&D I have been running in school, I need a barghest in goblin form. The armature, hot glue, and putty are all a single sculpting session. I like how it is turning out, especially since it's a rush job.



I have also been building the actual Colosseum that this game is taking place in. After wild magic caused a small whale to be launched against the wall of the arena, the players are considering using it as a ramp to run up into the stands and fight their way to freedom. (The whale is also one of my highest detail miniatures )

I will be continuing with the very seldom updates for a while (probably even less than before), for the best of reasons. My second child was born two days ago. I'm going to be too busy for a while for hobby time, and no real space to do it. I have been working on some things slowly that I haven't had time to post yet, and I expect that I will need the stress relief of this hobby,so I will certainly be back and still posting occasionally.

All the best,
Syro

Exalted!

Congratulations!

Congratulations Syro- and all the best to the missus!

Congrats dude!

Thank you, theCrowe, Meer, and Graven Here's hoping when my twoboys are old enough I can get them into table top gaming, the way I have with so many of my students. And thanks Meer, I'll pass on your message to my wife.

Congrats!

Mr Syro. Congratulations on your newborn and hope you and your partner are happy and well!

I don't comment often, sorry for that. Your productivity and creativity is awesome- I love the sculpted frogs and that colosseum looks so bloomin good and fun! Did they make their break out attempt??

When you said Hot Glue Terminators- are you telling me those Termies were made from hot glue?

I hear you on hobby time- I've been steadily building stuff since the start of the year but I've painted very little. My evenings I'm too tired! Er that will probably make you laugh now you have a bouncing baby

@aku-chan: Thanks!
@Ragsta: Thanks, Ragsta. It's always nice to see you. My wife and I are exhausted, but happy.
The colosseum has been a lot of fun, it's a shame that it is on hiatus until school starts back up again. The players did indeed make an escape attempt, when wild magic both launched a whale into the wall of the colosseum that they realized could be used as ramp, and everyone's (non-magical) weapons were turned into bread. The Ranger was taken down to 1 hp by a black dragon's breath weapon before successfully hiding and escaping through the swamp. He is the only one who has finished successfully escaping. The Tabaxi fighter/bard succeeded in convincing all the goblins to join them, and they fled the colosseum in a different direction while carrying his unconscious barbarian teammate. The ended up wandering to the ocean where the sea hag riding a flying zombie whale cornered them. The final member the barbarian/warlock decided to challange the goblin king to single combat during the escape. We haven't gotten to play that part out, yet.

I finished the dungeon for Madness of the Rat King about 2 months ago and just never had time to post a picture.