Very glad you're recovered enough to be enjoying your hobbies again my friend. I like the techno-crypt! Give it some tentacles and it'll be just perfect for whatever uses you want to put it to.
Littletower wrote:Great to see you back at it! Looking you, and tentacles is always something to look forward to.
Just take it easy and don't force yourself too hard at first!
Wise words to live by I'm just doing a very little bit here and there. Don't want frozen claw hand again...
Camkierhi wrote:Wonerful to see you back, at least playing, and a little modelling is great.
Looking forward to tenticle goodness.
Yeah, getting some playtime is good for sanity. Mrs is being very supportive and making sure I get some toy time without which I'd probably go nuts.
Gitsplitta wrote:Very glad you're recovered enough to be enjoying your hobbies again my friend. I like the techno-crypt! Give it some tentacles and it'll be just perfect for whatever uses you want to put it to.
Well, a little better, anyway. Yeah, altar or barricade is what the Dr ordered
monkeytroll wrote:You can never go wrong with a few extra tentacles
Good to see you getting some action amigo (fnar fnar).
Take it easy and have a good christmas with the family.
Cheers mate. I'm actually feeling pretty positive, looking forward to Hobbit tomorrow with #1, lots of cooking and plenty of eating
Red Harvest wrote:You guys get the Jury Duty too?
Pace yourself. Recovery from these things is very much a marathon, not a sprint.
Devil's Claw... Hmmm, intriguing stuff. I like the Rooibos tea from that part of the world.
Yeah, and in Scotland it's a jury of 15 (Pesky roman law!)
Still, some more Progress: nightshade, highlights, and also repositioned one slightly to create a sense of Breaking Formation :
Thanks again for all the support, really appreciate it,
Cheers, Graveney
Stormwall wrote:Glad to see you are doing better, best take it slow though, don't want to aggrivate anything.
Cheers dude. It's the little things that I seem to find hard to remember, like not texting etc with my right hand
Briancj wrote:There are now too many cool tabletop miniature systems out on the market. This really is the Golden Age. Until the next one.
Glad to see you're recovering, take it easy.
Staw suffers from being very cool but plagued with WizKids release/power creep. Also scale is wacky sometimes. To their credit, they are trying to address such issues.
Take it easy? Me?! Well, official start of holidays meant Hobbit with eldest - loved it, despite various silly things, especially the orc "tanks" and as much cooking as I can manage - spreading Xmas prep over the next 2 days. Might try to make some tentacles if I can
One tentacle has found the door, another the hatch, and the other the big (red) button! also, some leaky protoplasm. Not my best gs work, but done wearing splint and cramped up at the end so I think not too shabby.
Anyway, merry festivity, of what ever flavour you prefer troops!
Graven.
Are you in some trial locked away and unavailable to communicate..cause I'm looking to see a nice battle report of your new star ships. Yesterday I was in the FLGS and saw a 'Borg' cube for purchase. I'm guessing you would only need one of these.
Just busy with work - had an interview for a new job today which I actually got, to my delight. It's only temporary, but it's essentially more money in my current school for mostly stuff I do already. Good for 6 months
Must get a big Dominion war game with pics indeed. Have been catching up on rpging which has been good. Mini gaming next week, though
Hey gang,
Thanks for lovely words all! I haven't had a chance, alas, to play much still.
It's been difficult, to be honest, being on dakka - it's frankly depressing to see the awesome progress doesn't even come close.
But still, enough feeling sorry for myself. Pre surgery appointment on 23rd Feb, so let's focus on that!
And, a tiny update. I'd tried making some gs barrels (also depressing) because I want some Hidey holes for mansions.
However, I had an idea, having had a bit if rummage:
Hiding behind big, ornate objets d'art seems entirely fitting! And, they'll fit on an investigator's base, so easy to remember Balancing them, and making kick-stands, was irritatingly tricky but there's that certain satisfaction of a job done right When I'm fully functional, I'll get them painted, the one Egyptian / nyarlathotep and the other meso-American / quetzalcoatl. Sound suitable? Thanks gang!
Egyptian themed works with Cthulu. I vaguely recall something about curse of the pharoah and all-- it was an expansion to Arkham Horror -- the co-op game.
You can paint it Aztec style only if you can pronounce Queztalcoatl properly. Then Huitzilopochtli, and just to make it easy, Tlaloc. Just don't say any of the names 3 times while looking into a mirror.
Good to see you back doing what you can. Hopefully your treatment will get you going again full steam. In the meantime be creative as you can! Play some games. crush your... see them driven .. and hear.... you know the lines!
In no particular order - beginnings of earrings for Mrs G as Black Widow, fixing a key chain, priming mansions stuff and Tholian web parts, a completed repositioned and repainted set of Hideki fighters - in other words, stuff.
Mrs G and I had a chat. She's noticed that not hobbying isn't doing me any favours mentally, so I'm just sucking it up and being careful. So maybe, just maybe, expect an update or two
monkeytroll wrote:Good to see you working on something Be sure to take it easy.
Is that cross-sectioned piping what you are using for the Tholian web?
It is indeed! Sticks from kids' balloons that I have been steadily hoarding.
GiraffeX wrote:Welcome back Graven, looking forward to the weird and wonderful
Well, weird, anyway...
Dr H wrote:Good to see you back around here. Take it easy. Look forward to whatever progress you manage.
Ta. It's very bitty, to be honest, but nice to be trying.
Solar_lion wrote:Whoo hooo.
Easy tiger.
Llamahead wrote:Glad to here that
Thanks matey!
Gitsplitta wrote:Nice to see some action on your part graven. Just take care not to do more damage to those hands.
Well yes, I am aware of ending up with a frozen claw after not very long working, but it's a trade-off for a bit of sanity.
I am acutely aware that my painting has deteriorated, because I simply don't have the grip/steadiness just now. Still, a continuing (and oddly shiny) wip of the Web:
8 of these is enough for most games, and all lined up on their flight stands should look fab. Planning on doing playing the scenario towards the end of next month, by which time I should be done. Bit of a shame that the Tholian ships themselves are rubbish or I would play them (should've been like tie fighters... anyway...)
And the earrings for the Mrs:
WIP, finished versions were a bit tidier. She's been wearing them non-stop for the last 4 days though, so I can't really complain
Continuing my general theme of exploring ways of hobbying with minimal hand-impact, finally caved and played X-Wing last night.
Oh, it's very good, dangerously so. Now whilst I love Trek, I can see that it's a very flawed game ( ). X-wing is the same engine but my goodness, it's tight. Feels immediately more balanced, although it's combo city - crazy synergies that remind me, oddly, of warmachine. Not that Trek isn't susceptible to that also. Had fun playing both Rebels and Imperials, found the X-wings marginally easier to play but like the insane maneuverability of TIEs. Might go down the route of A-wings as compromise between the two.
Anyway, trotting along. Might try to do some more Mansions scenics next, just for a bit of painting and to make sure I don't go completely rusty
Good to see you're back in the saddle. Just remember, clamps are your very best friend. Maybe get a couple of the quick release ones. I have 4 of these
in the smallest size, and I use them quite a bit. You'd be surprised at how useful they are.
Mansions scenics would be cool. But everything in moderation.
I'll put the clamps on you Thanks all for your continued support and patience team!
So let's get the cruddy stuff out the way...
Check up was a total bust, got totally palmed off by a physio rather than the surgeon as planned.
Long and short of it, another meeting in Wednesday. Sigh. Very fed up, sore, and deep frustration.
BUT still.
I am determined to do some stuff. I think I'll be venturing into Xwing. More on that to follow.
Meanwhile, kid wants to be Bilbo. So this happened
Hair to come
Scale shot:
Battlecruiser seems to have strayed into Tholian space!
As for foot, going to us synthetic hair. Although maybe a career change...
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also, I've decided to offload my remaining marines. I'm still keeping my Sob, as I want to keep at least one 40k force, so I may as well keep my favourite Meantime, I offer these up here to y'all, my loyal and true henchmen, before braving the swap shop.
First up, space puppies
Spoiler:
Wysiwyg. But, take the lot, and I'll throw in a pile of bits, plenty for repairs. SM scouts and metals to follow.
monkeytroll wrote:I don't suppose you added a bit of luminescent paint to the blue for Sting?
And them's some hairy feet you have there!
Web struts look emminently suitable in place wih a ship
Nae chance pal! Just nice to be getting back to doing some drybush effects. Thanks, my toes are uncommonly hirsute. The web was a lot of fun, I need to make a guide piece next for marking it out on the play surface.
Dr H wrote:Good job on the web. Should do the job.
Nice improvement on Sting.
Was it you that had to sit for (what probably felt like) ages to make the moulds for those feet? Nice job. The hair looks (suspiciously) realistic.
Yeah, I hope so. I'm really looking forward to getting a shot of it versus them pesky Tholians. Although I am fairly sure this weekend will see an invasion of 1977's finest.
I wonder whether to the pommel and hilt also? Just for completeness?
The feet are made from foot tights, sewn into toes at the end (and then sharpie+Vallejo'd) over kids gym shoes. The hair was culled from a joke shop and superglued in clumps.
Got a Dr's appointment tonight. Hopefully we'll get an answer...
Viktor von Domm wrote:Lol... these hobbit feet are hilarious, and a bit gross...what´s the hair coming from then?
sting looks very good, love the glowy effect you made, seems your boy will face nonstop orcs all around then...
and how is your hand these days? i hope better...
sorry for being absent for so long...school...family...and smartphones what make me lurk...and lurk...and lurk...
cheers, vik
Don't sweat it mate. BORN TO LURK should be our motto and thanks
Knightley wrote:Looks like you're getting ready for a trip to NZ
Would love to mate, so many folk to try to see!
So...
Been an interesting week.
Had a fresh Dr's appointment, long story short he stabbed me in the wrist with steroids - diagnostically, working or not working both give answers.
After a couple of days of numbness, ache etc, I have to say I'm probably more pain free than I have been in about 2 years. Might not last, but still.
I have a month to see how things go. Apparently it's important to do my normal stuff - cooking, writing and HOBBYING.
So expect stuff.
In the interest of medicine, naturally.
Also, mistakes were made. I now have a small rebel fleet (2X and a Y) and imperial fleet (2 Ties and vader's tie advanced). I'm tempted to pick up hordes of Z95 headhunters but one thing at a time.
So hopefully mes amis expect a more regular set of updates, with luck. And thanks for all your patience Graven
Great to hear the steroid injection helped, and that the doc has given you medical advice to keep hobbying But like Knightley says, probably a good idea not to try and jump in full steam ahead.
I did indeed know the pic . I did not know the thread though, good call
Red Harvest wrote:Cortisone? The steroids you got?
Have you seen the fluorescent paints that are available? That might work on Sting too. All looks good.
Cortisone indeed. Fluorescent paints woulda been cool but was on a tight schedule!
And here is the boy, in all his glory:
Knightley wrote:Great news on the steroids mate, I would caution restraint before jumping on the modelling train again (only because you always go at it full steam!)
Well this is true I shall try to restrain myself.
monkeytroll wrote:Great to hear the steroid injection helped, and that the doc has given you medical advice to keep hobbying But like Knightley says, probably a good idea not to try and jump in full steam ahead.
fine.
But then again...
The techno-altar and the hidey-holes got some love
Very happy to hear that you seem to have found something that alleviates the pain. So glad to see you working on projects again and your son is the spitting image of a hobbit!!
inmygravenimage wrote: The feet are made from foot tights, sewn into toes at the end (and then sharpie+Vallejo'd) over kids gym shoes. The hair was culled from a joke shop and superglued in clumps.
Even better job then.
Full costume is looking good too. If he's wearing the ring, shouldn't he be invisible though...
Good to hear that someone sticking needles into you has resulted in less pain.
Gitsplitta wrote:Very happy to hear that you seem to have found something that alleviates the pain. So glad to see you working on projects again and your son is the spitting image of a hobbit!!
It's uncanny, isn't it?
Dr H wrote:
inmygravenimage wrote: The feet are made from foot tights, sewn into toes at the end (and then sharpie+Vallejo'd) over kids gym shoes. The hair was culled from a joke shop and superglued in clumps.
Even better job then.
Full costume is looking good too. If he's wearing the ring, shouldn't he be invisible though...
Good to hear that someone sticking needles into you has resulted in less pain.
Good work on the alter and thingies too.
Thanks mate. If only he would disappear
monkeytroll wrote:Proper little hobbit you have there
Nothing wrong with giving out a bit of love for your toys - we just don't wan't you over-doing it and dropping out of sight
Well, true enough I suppose. Still, being able to paint, and feeling halfway satisfied with my output means I am in idiotically good mood right now. Vid, Mansions stuff. Techno-altar:
Lockbox
(you might even just make out the elder sign on top, no no more)
And 2 hiding places for investigators, ancient artefacts to cower behind:
Particularly happy with the meso-american shield. So great to be feeling like I can actually do stuff! Still a long way from the top of my game, but progress nonetheless.
Cheers for kind words y'all,
graven
Gitsplitta wrote:Those shields did turn out beautifully. Nicely done.
Thanks man. Steps in the right direction.
shasolenzabi wrote:And that is one very pleased looking little hobbit in your house!
Yes indeed. Although the feet didn't really last a day of school.
Solar_lion wrote:Good stuff there. Glad to see your moving forward.
Looks like the boy is pleased with the result. ( appropriate hobbit size as well)
He is particularly pleased that he is the same size as a Hobbit
Sneshy wrote:Amazing stuff! SUBBED
Why thank you! Always delighted to have suckered someone new in.
Red Harvest wrote:A Bilbo cosplay. Lovin' it. Bilbo was all right. Never thought much of Frodo though.
Great to be at the hobby again, eh? Take it slowly, frequent breaks, pace yourself... yadda yadda yadda. But most importantly, enjoy it.
+1 for writing Elder sign or rather, for spelling it correctly.
The Meso American shields turned out very well. It looks like you did a bit of research into the appropriate color palette. Impressive.
Thanks very much mate, I did indeed study up so glad that came through. The only thing is my usual main Mansions buddy (friend of 18 years, was his best man) is moving to England. Foolish boy.
Anyway, such is life.
The sad news of the passing of the mighty pratchett is also grim. I met him about 20 years ago and he was lovely, and admired my hat.
Still, in other news, a bit achey, which is frustrating but unsurprising. Work is worky. We've been inspected this week which has been intense. Tomorrow, there will be beer and carnage. (drunk teachers - terrifying)
As for geeking, something Trekkie, an.assimilated Galor for a bit of variety:
Might darken.some of the aztecing, and add more white to the glow - thoughts, c&c?
So having taken a deliberately extended... pause, let's return to work.
The question, actually, is whether or not to repaint, because the X-Wing prepaints are of a far higher standard than I was expecting:
With the exception of the astromechs, especially the Y wing's one, which is just a blob.
I'm happy with my starting fleets, too, just needs me a TIE Defender to take my Imperials up to 100. It's certainly a lovely product, albeit with dangerous potential for crack-like levels of addiction...
@ Alf: I'm particularly impressed that a basic TIE fighter swarm from the start is still highly, highly competitive, but those big ships do come with nonsense upgrades for the little 'uns. I suppose it's a way of balancing things (eg fix for TIE advanced is in the next one), but it's a bit cynical. I do need to pick up something else for the imperials though, it's just one of those things. *sigh* -edit - also, hardly recognised you with that avatar!
Little guy goes into hospital for wee op today. Nothing terribly major, hernia on one of his chest drain sites. Just got me thinking though that I started this blog as therapy when he was in hospital at 5 weeks, nearly 5 years ago. Also makes me eternally grateful for living in land of free healthcare, and next to a top kids' hospital.
All things being equal, I think I'll try to do a little recap (approaching 200 pages too and all that).
It's been a long time since i've posted on dakka with any frequency, and I changed my avatar right after I posted here.
As for the bigger ships, they used to be nothing more than just a larger footprint on table (i.e the YT-1300, Firespray, Lambda) with some neat upgrades/features. The Rebel Transport and the Tantive IV changed things a bit (like your smaller ships would blow up if they ran into them, and then the Decimator which was released a few months ago essentially encourages players to run them into things (they can deal damage to ships they hit while taking none in return, and they ignore the rules for flying on to a terrain feature).
I haven't played in a while, but I still enjoy the game.
So, the repaint begins. Fiddly details, much fun. Wanted to make the stock y-wing into gold leader, for starters, painting in pipework etc and getting it generally grubby. I refer you to the before shot above (when I do the x-wings I'll side-by-side them). Anyway, Gold Leader:
and the underside:
And a wee comparison with an un-repainted X-wing:
I imagine I'll do the Xs as Luke's and Biggs's for starters. There's also the HWK to do. Funnily enough, I'm less fussed about the TIEs as their paint jobs are, generally, rather better. But you lot can choose - what next?
Also, not to sore from detail work which is good (though I know when to take a break!)
monkeytroll wrote:Nice job on the Y....looks down and dirty as any good rebel ship should
Good to hear you're managing detail work without pain - and that you know when to rest
Rebel ships should be properly war-weary! Thanks man.
Dr H wrote:Nice job, Graven. Good improvement over the stock.
Cheers mate. The stock minis are pretty decent, in fairness, painted up as generics of their squadron. Fortunately the internet is a magical place wherein one can find plenty of pics of original models, at a staggering level of detail.
Llamahead wrote:Nice and grubby. Definitely preferred the used look from the originals to the glam of the prequels, ignoring there other problems.
And my, there were plenty of other problems! thanks mate
Miss Dee wrote:Wow good job Graven.
Most kind m'lady!
Solar_lion wrote:Why? Why? Why?
Nice to see you moving forward.
funny guy
Thanks for all the support gang. So have now started the rest of my rebs to match. First, filth :
I was surprised at how nice the pre-painting was on those things. But you've definitely improved on them.
You need some sort of tea timer for telling you when to take breaks. I mean that literally: have a 'cuppa' and when you've finished it-- or it has gone cold, time to take a break, and go make another. I do this with coffee or rooibos tea. It works pretty well.
Red Harvest wrote:I was surprised at how nice the pre-painting was on those things. But you've definitely improved on them.
You need some sort of tea timer for telling you when to take breaks. I mean that literally: have a 'cuppa' and when you've finished it-- or it has gone cold, time to take a break, and go make another. I do this with coffee or rooibos tea. It works pretty well.
Very wise advice, Tea cures all.
Gitsplitta wrote:Clearly someone drove those through the swamps of Nabu (or whereever... sorry, not much of a Star Wars geek).
Naboo. But it's new trilogy, so you are forgiven
And now...
The HWK-290!
Needs a bit more window flash and engine glow, but nearly there.
And here it is side-by-side with the Y and the WIP Xs
Oh no, that way madness lies. I really want a set of Scum & Villany (extra Y-wing, 2 Z-95s, awesome cards), but one thing at a time!
Meanwhile, more glow:
And some hot shot kid from a backwater planet you've probably never even heard of:
Had to pull off and reattach one of the engines, but an easy fix. Very happy with final colour - post smoke, it's krieg khaki, flayed one flesh, 50:50 flayed: VJ ivory, Ivory, 50:50 ivory: VJ dead white.
Gitsplitta wrote: Those turned out beautifully graven. Give yourself a pat on the back!
Why thanks kindly mate! I am quite pleased
next... BIGGS!
and with Luke:
and the rest:
Next up I'll take some proper photos, hopefully on a nice black background
Wife working on her masters, and #1 got bug, so a pretty chilled out day otherwise: baking wifey's birthday cake #1 (dark chocolate/fruits of the forest gateaux) for next Sunday (it's an American sour cream chocolate cake, freezes well, will then defrost and decorate next Saturday), and kids painting eggs (captain america vs batman, who will roll furthest?)
Hand is... achey. Inevitable, I suppose, but could be a lot worse. In other news, my review of the most recent edition of 2000AD over at Big Comic Page got picked up by the comic to promote it and a massive surge in site traffic, so very chuffed there.
At llamahead's suggestion, I order some 6mm from Dark Realm's Pax Acardia miniatures for metropolis's birthday to use as DUNE skirmish models (Fremen, Sardukaar, and Atreides and Harkonnen house troops). Any suggestions on a good ruleset for 6mm scifi, folks?
Been a while since I visited, and I am very happy to see you at it again.
Tea is one of mans greatest finds.
Models are looking brilliant, love the dirty look, funny how space is often depicted as clean! Sure with all the smegg that must be out there from the exhausts, and bodily fluids from the millions of people that seem to be floating around, there must be dirty spots somewhere.
Ships look great. I echo the love of grimy vessels.
Llamahead wrote: ...I've always wondered how do Ork ships rust in space?
I always thought that they were rusty to begin with. Like they were slapped together on a planet using the rough sheet steel and ruined enemy army laying around. Once in space the exterior doesn't get any cleaner and the interior corrodes into one solid goop.
Thanks mate, just trying to get my groove back gradually.
Solar_lion wrote:I thought they looked good before but you made them pop. nicely done!
As a pickup and play, prepainted, beer and pretzels game, it's great. However it's dangerously addictive. Thanks buddy.
Camkierhi wrote:Been a while since I visited, and I am very happy to see you at it again.
Tea is one of mans greatest finds.
Models are looking brilliant, love the dirty look, funny how space is often depicted as clean! Sure with all the smegg that must be out there from the exhausts, and bodily fluids from the millions of people that seem to be floating around, there must be dirty spots somewhere.
Anyways, brilliant, love it, drink more tea.
Cheers bud. Am supping on Earl Grey right now I much prefer a grubby grimdark, hate factory fresh tanks. I wonder if a few more scorch marks are required, actually?
Gitsplitta wrote:Amazing job on those fighters there graven. A little TLC really makes a difference in their appearance.
Many thanks amigo. I realise that I'd missed the thrusters on the back of the HWK's tailfins so that has now been addressed also.
Llamahead wrote:Good job Graven.
Camkierhi I've always wondered how do Ork ships rust in space?
Cheers mate. Rule of (orky) cool still applies in a vacuum.
Warboss_Waaazag wrote:Ships look great. I echo the love of grimy vessels.
Thanks mate. Might try to make some debris also.
ckig wrote:Repaint looks so much better! Nice work!
Thanks, and always a pleasure to have some new along!
insaniak wrote:Yup, some really nice work in here. The detail on your repainted tie is much better.
Hey, thanks chief, great to have a nod from the mods
Weather's great just now, so as well as a trip to the spongebob movie (mental, although rather wonderful), park, burgers and beer made for a heck of a day - not much painting though.
Still, I feel I should give you all something - not there yet, but further along than anything else:
Don't know why they decided to give the defender a blue tinge, but not complaining - it's a nice variation.
Also, picked up the Reklar, the most recent cardassian ship for trek wing. Whilst it's a gorgeous little beast and adds lots of fluffy mechanics, the model itself is unremarkable, just a repack of models they can't sell any more. Shoddy, WizKids. I told the Mrs I was off to buy myself a tiny space ship that goes pew pew pew, to which she replied by sing pew pew pew to the tune of jingle bells. Ah, the foundations of a marriage Later dudes and dudettes, more tomorrow,
Graven
Earl Grey? Oh dear, you may need to drink something Decaf when painting. Unless you've just taken aspirin or ibuprofen, then a little caffeine helps to speed it through your system. Me, my nerves are shot already so the caffeine really doesn't matter.
Sadly, the stores around here stopped carrying my favorite tea ( a Rooibos tea called Safari Spice.) Ah, but summer is coming so iced tea time. Orange Pekoe FTW.
The exhaust glow is very cool. I'll need to borrow that idea if I ever get around to making a ship, or dropship. The blue tinge? Maybe because it has better shields? Or just to show up better on the table. Either way, look good.
Red Harvest wrote: Earl Grey? Oh dear, you may need to drink something Decaf when painting. Unless you've just taken aspirin or ibuprofen, then a little caffeine helps to speed it through your system. Me, my nerves are shot already so the caffeine really doesn't matter.
Sadly, the stores around here stopped carrying my favorite tea ( a Rooibos tea called Safari Spice.) Ah, but summer is coming so iced tea time. Orange Pekoe FTW.
The exhaust glow is very cool. I'll need to borrow that idea if I ever get around to making a ship, or dropship. The blue tinge? Maybe because it has better shields? Or just to show up better on the table. Either way, look good.
I had too much Rooibos when the mrs was pregnant, although I'm not averse to it from time to time. Good as a marinade also for beef (very afrikaans!)
Glad you like the glow - Vader and the Defender get it too, because they have hyperdrives. Don't actually know where Vader's tail lights are, though... Like your logic about why the blue tinge - shielding makes sense, it's one of the only ones that has them.
So here we are:
Rubbish light, sorry. I will attempt to take proper pics in the light box with a black cloth anon. Cheers muckers!
graven
gosh... looking at all these repainted beauties... must...resist...argh...no...
apropos of nothing...finally watched by the way into darkness...cool...^^
also... how do you collect and play as one person star wars fleets and trekkie fleets???...there is some heresy looming
also i hope your lil one took the OP in a good way?...and i wish you some more strength for your hand... seeing your work...the world wants to see more cool repaints^^
GiraffeX wrote:That's a nice couple of fleets you have there Graven.
Thank you kindly sir! If only I got more time to play them...
monkeytroll wrote:Fleets are looking very cool
The pre-paints are fairly good, but after your re-paints they're fab, really shows a diiference.
Good job
Hope Mrs Graven's birthday was a success, and much merriment was had by all.
Now we want to see them after being GIMPed or Shopped with stars and pew-pew
I don't do GIMP although you remind me of an excellent line from the Spongebob movie: "Welcome to the post-apocalypse, lad. I hope ye like leather." Birthday was a tremendous success, and glad you like my daubings
Viktor von Domm wrote:gosh... looking at all these repainted beauties... must...resist...argh...no...
apropos of nothing...finally watched by the way into darkness...cool...^^
also... how do you collect and play as one person star wars fleets and trekkie fleets???...there is some heresy looming
also i hope your lil one took the OP in a good way?...and i wish you some more strength for your hand... seeing your work...the world wants to see more cool repaints^^
cheers, vik
That's the sound of the Vik opening his wallet... I have a good group at my local club, I just don't get there as much as I would like - but hey, that's what kids are for hand is on-and-off (see below), and Joe did mighty fine with op, ta. Glad you liked STID, I am of the heretical non-JJ hating trekkers, shockingly...
Briancj wrote:Well, you magnificent basterd, now I have "Laser Bells" stuck in my head.
Cheers, and thanks for your handy comments on League comp:
That's League Comp 14 folks, click that for details - I may be entering, thinking about making a base holed up in an asteroid or 2...
MagosBiff90 wrote:Delightful little models.... pretty outstanding to get that amount of detail on such a small model!
Lines could be neater, but thanks mate
Solar_lion wrote:Nice stuff.. ( cheering for the Empire thou)
You forgot the best part.. eating.. all sounds yummy.
Yeah, #1 son is thinking the same way. He loves the TIEs, and I can understand the appeal.
Birthday was awesome, cakes were fab - gingerbread/salt caramel cupcakes a bloody triumph, actually - and the beef wellington was rare & tasty. Generally a great time has been had. If you're ever up this a way, I heartily recommend a visit to the Kelpies, 30m high steel horse-head statues. Mental.
Hand has been ok-ish. Managed to jerk as I was pulling my phone out of pocket today and dropped it 3 flights straight down.
But only 2 months left on contract, a £20 buy-out, cheaper than insurance excess or replacement screen, so new phone - same as old but waterproof and with 20 Megapixel camera (we are seriously living in the magic space future here folks), and slightly less per month. Only really downside is my Carcassone seems to have disappeared, along with my runestones from Talisman.
And to cheer myself up:
I swear I am the only person on the internet who doesn't think this thing looks dorky. Love me an E-Wing! (A-wing/X-wing hybrid).
Hey, I resisted the YT-2400, the Slave 1, the Rebel Aces... for now
Later peeps, gonna go watch the force awakens trailer again (soontir fel?!)
I don't do GIMP although you remind me of an excellent line from the Spongebob movie: "Welcome to the post-apocalypse, lad. I hope ye like leather."
Sometimes, I forget gimp means something quite different on your side of the pond. But then , if it is SSC, who am I to judge?
Good to hear about the Birthday, and that you have the addiction under control.
That Disney is making this new SW movie... I shudder. But then I recall what Lucas did.... I shudder again. I wonder if there will be a Frozen cross-over with the SW movie, something on Hoth maybe?
Progress is good on those ships. I have a friend who plays the STAW and re-painted everything of his. Then he started eyeballing his wife's STAW ships. It never ends...
^ Smart cookie yup, these are the range rulers for the tholian web, I plan on doing them as tholian Web spinners. Next project, has to be done for start of may for birthdays presents. Then on to the next league contest
Viktor von Domm wrote:they remind me strongly of the battleship gallactica fighters...the vipers
Totally hadn't seen that!
Gitsplitta wrote:I like it. Though they all look far better once they've had the "graven treatment ".
Thanks mate, although I don't want this to be quite as grubby, the e wing is supposed to be new and shiny.
Red Harvest wrote:It does look a bit like the viper. Just needs the tail fin. And a pilot card for Starbuck
Ooft! That would be neat. Classic or new galatica?
shasolenzabi wrote:New colors of things seen n the new Star Wars trailer, new T.I.E. fighter paint jobs, etc.
Yeah I'm tempted by the white tie I like the blue squad xs too. I'm actually tempted by the Clone war prototype E scheme, which is black with red stripes.
But meantime, I'm redoing the scheme slightly, keeping the leader tags but I think more orange and grey (rogue squadron) than red and white:
.
by the way... as i never had the opportunity to hold any kind of ship that scale in my hand yet... what are the star trek and star wars ships sizes?... would you mind giving us a scale shot of some pieces next to something we can relate to?
Gitsplitta wrote:I know... I'll call it "gravenizing" or "gravenization". Has a nice ring to it.
I like it
Dr H wrote:Looking nice, Graven. Great job on a tiny ship.
Thanks mate, next will be more orange.
Viktor von Domm wrote:by the way... as i never had the opportunity to hold any kind of ship that scale in my hand yet... what are the star trek and star wars ships sizes?... would you mind giving us a scale shot of some pieces next to something we can relate to?
thx^^
Of course :
Trek scale is screwy
Sw scale is 1/270, a wings are a little big though.
Now, next, LOER plans...
. One of these will be a rebel base...
thanks graven for the scale shots...now your repaints shine for me in a totally new light...man that is awesome...what scale is epic?...looks like the SW and ST ships alre even smaller?...how are you still able to see what you are doing?...eagle eye...
and... do you have a reference pic what you are aiming for with these cartridges?
Cool project... Glad you found a outlet for all that pent up Gavenism.. Like where you are going with the base. It looks a bit small but I have faith...
@Vik - it's used by florists, it's like a dense green foam that retains water. It might be a bit crumbly though. I walked past a skip by my house on the way to work this morning and it had some heavy duty foam in so if it's still there at the end of the day I'll dig some out.
@S_L - scale is a concern for me too. However, the planet token is only saucer sized, while ds9 is a dinner plate. Death star on the playmat is similar (far, far away...). Ultimately it has to be playable and practical; while I'd love to have something with proper hanger bays etc, full-size turbo laser turrets etc, I'm going smaller - after all the largest asteroid token in game is only the size of a regular base. If it helps we can think of it as an unmanned listening post or similar
Have you considered using the old AMT-Ertl Hoth Rebel Base as the basis of your own rebel base? I picked up 2 of the kits complete a few years ago specifically to try something like this myself. The nice thing about the AMT models is that the Millenium Falcon and the other included ships are an almost exact match in size and detail with the Fantasy Flight models. It might be worth your time to check one out if you get the chance.
Very cool indeed but a £50 a time on eBay, too rich for my blood.
On the subject of scale, I want this to feel reasonable for any space battle scale, be it armada (1/1000), bfg, whatever.
Also, dumpster diving for foam was a bust, alas...
I've used it before, yeah, to make smoke. I had considered it, it's hard to control in small quantities. Also, I have none in the house :/ absolutely everything has to be stuff I already have or is other folks' junk. Self imposed restriction in true league spirit
well... then i would go with paper mache... far better to be controlled ...and you can use small quantities...also...i would use toilet paper for that... just start by making balls of the stuff...and coat the cartridge first with a circumference of paper... after that everything will stick to the build easier...
Yeah, I suspect that'd work best. I shall do some experiments with toilet paper and the seeming infinity of political pamphlets were getting at the moment...
inmygravenimage wrote: Yeah, I suspect that'd work best. I shall do some experiments with toilet paper and the seeming infinity of political pamphlets were getting at the moment...
one COULD argue...same content is used for both papery products....
inmygravenimage wrote: Yeah, I suspect that'd work best. I shall do some experiments with toilet paper and the seeming infinity of political pamphlets were getting at the moment...
one COULD argue...same content is used for both papery products....
and thanks shaso^^
No problem Vik. You ought to go look at the latest I have done and let me know what you think Meine Freunde.
Thanks Mr monkey. Am going to investigate alternate papier-mache possibly eggbox based.
Now.
A mistake may be about to be made. Found this when clearing out broken toys :
Note scale - it's perfect if I were to, say, build this thing at 1/270.
Oh dear...
So I'll be using the cartridges as parts of the superstructure. Thinking tupperware as the body. It'll be roughly to scale with Ds9, so will be fully playable.
What am doing?!
Oh. The madness. A night of hunting through the Internet for asteroid bases leaves me with a couple more questions:
Do I embed the whole thing in the asteroid, with only a couple of bits showing (turrets, a command tower) and a hanger bay in one side of the asteroid? Or do I go with the "landing strip" style above?
And, do I do it flush to table rather than elevated? Whilst I got some fantastic clear rods from Viktor, at that scale it might intrude too much on a game board. Thoughts?
hmmm.... well... i think since it is an interstellar base....it should have a landing strip/ hangar bay... on that scale it would e about 4- 6 cm wide? it would be just a hole in the asteroid, right?... tough job for painting...maybe build the bay first with an open top and then insert it into the base... and i would go full steam here... add turrets and radar dishs and antennas and so on... maby eeven a small tower? radar and shiled generator too?...
as for the question of elevation... if it will end up rather big...which i would do (but i would let me get too deep into your brain here^^) then the elevation would not be advisable...thus flush on the table would be probably the best choice here...hmmm?
Automatically Appended Next Post: found a cool one...bet you found it too...:
Secret asteroid bases might be more practical, with just a few concealed ports for the ships to land, but aren’t very cinematic. That said, landing strips make zero sense for space craft. Wide open stretches of tarmac on the other hand work well.
You could do a base in the process of being dug. A bunch of pre-fab structures set up to service the ships, and a bunch of mining gear in the process of digging in.
Thanks for the awesome ideas and input chaps!Right. So, a test:
Ice cream tub for structure. Sprue will be mouth of hangar. Papier-mache to follow! Thoughts?
I found a deadzone sprue that would add some great architecture ; however, despite being used at a radically different scale I'm not sure how that squares with league rules.
Thanks mate, your pic was very helpful BTW, gave me the idea for a wee dome (hence bottle cap).
I'm thinking of layering more of those sprues to create a landing portal, also as in that picture. The strange strip of cylinders may also prove useful. I need to raise the dome up a bit, or mount it on the 3rd cartride., although I like the logic of it nesting in a more protected spot too.
Had lengthy discussion with art teachers at work about merits of different papier mache types. They advised against the egg box method and suggested using a layer of kitchen towel over the top layer. Also they now want me to show them green stuff and its joys
No-one says the asteroid has to be level at the top. The dome could be in a large dip in that corner of the rock. It might offer a more believable shape to it.
IIRC the league rules say you can use bits from other kits, so you should be fine with Deadzone components. At least, I hope so as I'm using a couple of bits too
endtransmission wrote:No-one says the asteroid has to be level at the top. The dome could be in a large dip in that corner of the rock. It might offer a more believable shape to it.
IIRC the league rules say you can use bits from other kits, so you should be fine with Deadzone components. At least, I hope so as I'm using a couple of bits too
Very true. And good advice
Solar_lion wrote:Just Gravenize it and all will be well.
Ah, you have such faith in me, blue lantern
So, with deadzone bits and additiona oddments
l
The crates and barrels at this scale feel like believable storage units of some kind (which you'd want surface access for) and the unbuilt box crate makes a pretty good torpedo (or possibly escape pod) launcher. Some panneling needs added to the cartridge towers and I think I might try cable ties for connecting strips (access tunnels etc) but nearly ready for papier-mache!
i´d try to add some kind of window model to the cartridges... like the big panorama view windows you have in the end sequence of emprire strikes back on the nebulon- b frigate...
you could use maybe, depending on scale use the snipped off cable ties the knobbly bit for that purpose...?...
GiraffeX wrote:Looking good so far Graven, really looking forward to watching you make the rock surface.
Me too thanks man.
Viktor von Domm wrote:i´d try to add some kind of window model to the cartridges... like the big panorama view windows you have in the end sequence of emprire strikes back on the nebulon- b frigate...
you could use maybe, depending on scale use the snipped off cable ties the knobbly bit for that purpose...?...
I know what you mean. I've tried the sim-card holder, on the green-topped cartridge, thoughts?
endtransmission wrote:Yeah, the large windows would add a nice touch
okayokayokayokayokay
Red Harvest wrote:Port-hole windows, or even cooler, hexagonal windows that openb and close like the aperature on an old SLR camera.
troublemaker
Viktor von Domm wrote:this will be a hell of a fiddly job... but red has a very cool idea there!!!!
A bit too steam punk (or possibly stargate!) though, I think.
So what I do have to show you is the hangar bay doors, mostly, with the HWK-290 for scale:
They are handrails, and they will be getting rivets cos this is the =L_= dagnabit! Also feels like a logical place for such things. They vaguely echo the imperial logo but not too much, which I like, and scale well with the mini (for reference, the falcon/slave 1 could just fit. The sprue gives me a nice "frame" for the whole thing, too. Aside from some paneling, possibly, on the towers, it's nearly papier-mache time!
while i am all for rivets in general... in this particular instance i would not do it...as...any rivet you would use...it would be this universes biggest rivet of all time... meaning the scale actually makes it near impossible to even view one rivet...one 1mm rivet i use would be an equivalent of a big searchlight...or something similar...
but... the handrails were a perfect match for the hangar bay doors!!!!! and i haven´t found the SD card holder anywhere???
also... all this talk on this tiny scale...you made me actually consider trying my hand in scratch building star wars birdies on my own... if follow this road...madness lies there...
Hmm... I shall have to consult the gods of rivets... Glad you like the handrails, I was so stoked when I thought of that! The sim card holder is on the front facing surface of the small green-topped printer cartridge (it's bluish-white).
And as for scratch building SW ships... DO IT! DO IT NOW!
Viktor von Domm wrote: hmmm.... well... measurements would be helpful for any scratch building endeavours...
found the sim card thingy now...and i think a flanked landing strip would look nice with rivets as lights...
Will sort you out with some measurements then
Found the other sim card holder, so that will also get used for a window, probably on the bottom half.
Speaking of which, I've been getting the hanger framed:
I dislike milliput, but for this, it's well-suited.
Also, Vik, you and Red Harvest have a lot to answer for:
Kinder egg... things that I was going to use for orky propellors at some point. About 40mm. However, if I cut all the blades off one and overlapped them, I would have, in effect, a large iris shutter I reckon this would then go on the "roof" (i.e. roughly the middle) as some kind of reinforced silo or access? Or possibly the side? Also: it has rivets
You know graven... I've been watching this project carefully but not commenting. I just can't un-see the Tupperware bowls and the printer cartridges. I'm sure it'll look awesome when painted & nothing like it's materials. I guess that's the difference between a League member and a pleeb like me. You guys have that "vision" to see beyond the mundane.
Keep it up mate, I have every confidence it'll be fantastic when complete!
Gitsplitta wrote: You know graven... I've been watching this project carefully but not commenting. I just can't un-see the Tupperware bowls and the printer cartridges. I'm sure it'll look awesome when painted & nothing like it's materials. I guess that's the difference between a League member and a pleeb like me. You guys have that "vision" to see beyond the mundane.
Keep it up mate, I have every confidence it'll be fantastic when complete!
I feel the same way about it sometimes! Remember that 2 of the 3 carts will be almost entirely embedded in "rock". And you're certainly no pleb
Automatically Appended Next Post: Oh!
Forgot - Tholian Web Spinners rulers for attack wing
It seems like you could just layer some plastcard and it would work OK. If you don’t want to go full iris, doing a multi-layer blast door, with different doors coming in from different sides, might be easier to pull off.
we met some storm troopers a coupla years ago at lego land... boy... that was a jaw dropping moment for everybody^^
also... may i be of assistance in terms of paperpache? tear the bitz of paper rather than cut it with scissors ... you don´t want any recognizable hard and straight edges...
Automatically Appended Next Post: oh and one other thing... let it dry outside...hopefully you have enough wind and sun the next days... that will take a while to dry...
Gitsplitta wrote: You know graven... I've been watching this project carefully but not commenting. I just can't un-see the Tupperware bowls and the printer cartridges. I'm sure it'll look awesome when painted & nothing like it's materials. I guess that's the difference between a League member and a pleeb like me. You guys have that "vision" to see beyond the mundane....
The trick is to turn the object upside down. then look at it. Seriously.
Project is humming nicely.
Ah, the kids posing with the true heroes of the Galaxy instead of that Rebel filth. Good call.
we met some storm troopers a coupla years ago at lego land... boy... that was a jaw dropping moment for everybody^^
also... may i be of assistance in terms of paperpache? tear the bitz of paper rather than cut it with scissors ... you don´t want any recognizable hard and straight edges...
Automatically Appended Next Post: oh and one other thing... let it dry outside...hopefully you have enough wind and sun the next days... that will take a while to dry...
Thanks for input matey. I'm going to stick stuff in the shredder and go from there. Sunshine? In Scotland?
endtransmission wrote:We met a bunch of Stormtroopers and Darth Vader in Whitby abbey of all places. I still have no idea why they were there
Darth Vader is pretty goth. It would make sense
Gitsplitta wrote:As one would expect... the evil kid looks a lot happier than the goody-goody does.
Oh absolutely. Joe is totally about being the baddie. He's always Vader, or Joker, or Red Skull
Ruglud wrote:Damn cool Can't beat meeting those two
I was amazed at Salute to see Vader and a Death Star office playing X-Wing (with troopers in the background...)
Spoiler:
That is awesome. Mind you, I once taught Dwight Schultz and Warwick Davis to play Trek CCG. Great guys, both of them, and proper dyed-in-the-wool geeks. I also taught Chase Masterton, who is just as impressive in the flesh as you would hope
Red Harvest wrote:
The trick is to turn the object upside down. then look at it. Seriously.
Project is humming nicely.
Ah, the kids posing with the true heroes of the Galaxy instead of that Rebel filth. Good call.
Very wise, and many thanks for kind words. Dan (older one) insisted in looking cross all day as he was a serious Jedi-type. Funnily enough, it's Imperials he wants to learn to play with (boy wants a TIE swarm...)
Started work on the latest acquisition, an A-Wing:
Looks a little on the pink side just now but I'll get it nice and rich rebel red / crusty white yet.
I'm considered painting my bases either black or with a speckled, starfield effect. Thoughts?
More on the base at the weekend. Need glue also, neurologist appointment, so that will hopefully prove interesting.
Later,
graven
ah... so that a wing is sporting a classic before and now look... what better way than to show us your prowess^^
and i see no trouble coming our way as i see how far you even got with making a star field pattern on your desk...... just change the palette an the background colour and repeat the process you used to get the desk in such a state...
Viktor von Domm wrote:ah... so that a wing is sporting a classic before and now look... what better way than to show us your prowess^^
and i see no trouble coming our way as i see how far you even got with making a star field pattern on your desk...... just change the palette an the background colour and repeat the process you used to get the desk in such a state...
Oh, I know, my desk is a right old state.
Gitsplitta wrote:Wow, those extra layers of white really make a difference in the way the model looks. Way to go graven!
Thanks mate, I found it useful to see the transition. Speaking of which, it's done, and I'm rather chuffed with the result. It's on a black base (thank you Trek Wing) - what do we think?
Belly shot:
Very glowy, very yellow engines A-Wings so had to try to convey that also.
Next? back to the papier mache, methinks!
Adios,
graven
So had an appointment with a neurophysiologist, as one of 2 specialists thinks it's a nerve problem (the other one doesn't...)
Had a long chat, good bloke, very dry, and was amused by my story of waking up the other night thinking I was being attacked by a large goose with teeth (his question was, "Do you wake up at night from pain, possibly in a dream?"). Having been poked, prodded, stabbed with needles and zapped ("I'm going to electrocute you now, just so you know"), the end result is...
Don't know.
Well sort of.
It's not nerve damage, it's not carpal tunnel, it's not dystonia, it's not writer's/artist's/modeller's cramp.
Which means not surgery (phew) and not botox.
So what is it? Some sort of musclar-skeletal problem, probably long-term muscle damage.
Next stop, MRI...
TBH, I'm relieved it's not worse, or something sinister, or requiring surgery. So, actually feeling pretty chipper, all in all. Next update on that will be about 10 days or so. Bit of a saga, but by no means the end of the world.
graven, have you heard of Fibromyalgia?...my mother in law has it... for over 15 years a mystery illness.... now revealed to her... a tad too late...maybe that would be a good point to check against? it is often confused with other maladies...
and the fact that it is not needed to be treated with OP...well...just to be sure...
and currently it looks all stew to me... maybe a lil priming in between t show up the current structure ... to be later on covered with more paper mache ?...
Hey mate... sorry to hear about all the medicalmess going on! But glad that it appears you wont need an op! hopefully you and the docs will work through it thoughouhly and get you back to 100%
The asteroid base is looking good! I agree just now from the pics it looks a bit "bity" but once that basecoat goes on then it will all tie together! Looks good!
Knightley wrote:Well that sounds like some good news and some not so good news.
I'm assuming they have tried steroid injections?
Yeah, and they helped, which would suggest carpal, but neuro came up blank.
Gitsplitta wrote:Must have used that hand too much for other things when you were younger... you wore it out.
Viktor von Domm wrote:^that was so naughty!!!
graven, have you heard of Fibromyalgia?...my mother in law has it... for over 15 years a mystery illness.... now revealed to her... a tad too late...maybe that would be a good point to check against? it is often confused with other maladies...
and the fact that it is not needed to be treated with OP...well...just to be sure...
and currently it looks all stew to me... maybe a lil priming in between t show up the current structure ... to be later on covered with more paper mache ?...
all stew! Total German idiom! Only person I know who uses that is my cousin who lives in Weimar. Yeah, it's still a mess...
shasolenzabi wrote:I have neuropathy in my feet and legs,,,,if I don't take my pills, it feels like electric-fire ants are all over them.
Hell's teeth that's a bugger. Though I get very frustrated I count myself lucky it's not far worse.
MagosBiff90 wrote:Hey mate... sorry to hear about all the medicalmess going on! But glad that it appears you wont need an op! hopefully you and the docs will work through it thoughouhly and get you back to 100%
The asteroid base is looking good! I agree just now from the pics it looks a bit "bity" but once that basecoat goes on then it will all tie together! Looks good!
Thanks pal. I have a thought on the asteroid though...
Solar_lion wrote:Better to find out whats goint on than not. You can't treat what you don't know.
Ships look good. I really need to get into the SW game sometime.
it's plastic crack mate, ffg makes gw look like the bloody tooth fairy.
endtransmission wrote:Glad to hear it isn't an operation. Hopefully the other tests will turn up something easy to manage
Ha! Me too! At least we still have the NHS (for now...)
SJM wrote:They would ruin my eyes, they look tiny! Really good paint job you have there!
Thanks! I really want to do a green squadron one next. I am hoping that filling my Amazon wishlist with x wing is enough of a hint for my wife's family come my birthday
Right so, my kettle blew up. And naturally, I thought, What can I salvage?
I quite like the idea of a base, I could mark a fire arc on etc.
Hmm.
Of course, if I were to elevate it then the bottom needn't be flat either. Certainly a possibility, although making more work for myself...
Right!
So as you may have gathered I've really struggled to find the right fit for the flight stand for the asteroid; until I find the right one, can't progress... There have been some further attempts that I won't bore you with pics of (cocktail stick holder, ice cream sprinkle tub, etc etc). However... Success!
It's too high at present, but plastic wine glass is perfect. Distribution of weight is perfect, but even better...
So it's modular! Well ish. You can take it off, add a fire arc token - just like a real mini.
Oh I know, all the pretties! Speaking of which, have you watched Rebels yet? Is totally star wars serenity
even if not directed at me... yes... we watched today the first two episodes... i like the show very much, it has all the major ingredients of a classic star wars bunch of characters... i wonder what will happen there...
and whenever a force moment happens and that special tune comes...i get shivers down my spine...
and...
Thanks mate I'm very pleased indeed - let's drink to vic---tory!
i see what you did there...
so.... i read some weeks ago (yes around two weeks i think...) you would provide me with measurements?...
Camkierhi wrote:Can't say too much, but looking brilliant.
Thanks mate this is turning out to be a crazy obsession project!
Viktor von Domm wrote:
Oh I know, all the pretties! Speaking of which, have you watched Rebels yet? Is totally star wars serenity
even if not directed at me... yes... we watched today the first two episodes... i like the show very much, it has all the major ingredients of a classic star wars bunch of characters... i wonder what will happen there...
and whenever a force moment happens and that special tune comes...i get shivers down my spine...
and...
Thanks mate I'm very pleased indeed - let's drink to vic---tory!
i see what you did there...
so.... i read some weeks ago (yes around two weeks i think...) you would provide me with measurements?...
cheers, vik
Rebels is excellent. All on YouTube if you hunt for it link pm'd.
Miss Dee wrote:No I have not. But I have watched daredevil on netflex
Ohsogood!
shasolenzabi wrote:Heckuva a decent base for a small unit f fighters!
Thanks man!
So I can't stop it seems
Escape pods! They are on flexy rubber so I can wrap to the surface more easily.
I was reading this excellent article of close ups of the original models
http://slightlywarped.com/?p=52 And I realised what was wrong: there's not enough detail on the towers. Squares, patterns, etc. And to amuse myself, and in homage to the original models, I'm going to use parts from models kits - though in our case, gw
So cyclone front, backwards and some fw brass sprue. I need to do not too much, obviously, to preserve the inherent cartridge shape. However, much happier
ach... bleeding good looking details... we need more rck paper mache...so that we´re able to see it all coming together after the priming!!!!! *biting nails*
Viktor von Domm wrote:ach... bleeding good looking details... we need more rck paper mache...so that we´re able to see it all coming together after the priming!!!!! *biting nails*
Thanks mate! I know I need to get a wiggle on! The detailing is really helping me get my head around this.
shasolenzabi wrote:Excellent! That base is looking near ready for the paint work to start!
oh, the pressure...
GiraffeX wrote:I agree with Vic we need to see some more rock like substance applied.
I did consider using sponges alternatively. But I think Monday will see rocky work!
TP^DC Deputy Manager wrote:Engrossing blog. Interesting to read the more detailed entries here on the blog.
Really looking forward to seeing this asteroid beasty finished!
spidey vs supes?...now where have i seen that already... well only once... cookie for those who read that book...^^
and M&M is epic... because! how did you get the pouring effect to convincing?... i need to show this to my missus... i bet my kids would love to have such a cake...usually nowadays we have epic fighting scenes of some candy against another sort...
and i think the minion cake is my favourite, because the perspective works very good so that even tho it is "just" a round cake, it still looks like a minionshaped ...cake..^^
She's very grateful to you all! The M&M is done with a plastic dowel and melted chocolate as glue. It is also darn tasty (our family chocolate cake recipe is [a] incredibly easy [b] freezable, so can be made in advance [c] insanely scrumptious)!
There's a batman on that cake too, I'll try to put up another pic but don't want to rile up the Gallery mods
Yeah, the minion's really clever, isn't it? She's smart girl Built her a new collapsable spray booth for airbrushing this lot, so she's pleased too.
And from the birthday toys, I scored 2x interesting bit of plastic:
They scream spess-sheep to me! Which way up looks better? Nice to have as generic shuttles etc for the asteroid base Cos I need a distraction, clearly
pink decoys?... lol...both sides have their merits.... but if i was forced i´d say right one... it looks a bit leaned back... and you could always argue that the little dice like structure could be the cockpit...
i would like to see that collapsable booth... as i would like to make someday one for my own needs too...
and sharing recipes is half of the fun... our family is not even by half avert towards chocolate cake^^ ...so...^^
and i figured as much it would need a guide inside the pour...
@ Vik: I had the same thought about the ships although I wonder if that's not too cuboid; I like back shape generally but the other one's sloped front is neat (possibly to skinny though).
Booth was made simply from a very large foldable parcel box. Pm me about recipe.
@ Dee:? Link to what?
Anyway. Actual progress!
This is just the beginning Astonishing how much mache you get through for a small area! All about the learning curve also making a wee sarcophagus with the boy, fun times
Mmmmm, M&M cakes That is fondant the Mrs uses in lieu of icing, no?
Paper towel for the paper in the papier mache? Does that work better than other paper?
Looks excellent. Can't wait to see it primed (well, finished of course, but you know how it is once the primer is on; the ugly duckling becomes the beautiful swan at that point )
The M&M cake was seriously delicious, it has to be said all gone now Sugarpaste is the order of the day, mostly.
Paper towel experiment: this was advice from our school art teachers. It's shredded paper underneath:
Spoiler:
Trying to fund a compromise between too rough (shred) and too regular (the paper towel). The paper towel does definitely help it keep its overall shape better, though. However, it has uniform patterning (answer - use different kitchen paper) and the lines in pieces are too distinct (answer - apply it better)
MagosBiff90 wrote:Really starting to come together mate! Looking awesome! Cant wait to see a full coat of paint on this!
Thanks mate just wish I could cobble together the time to finish!
shasolenzabi wrote:Rocky and craggy, that will make a paint challenge! Oh yeah, the pressure sometimes helps make us!
I'm actively waiting for the 1 week deadline
Had a great night night playing with tiny spess-sheeps, interesting to see how the big IG -2000 ships work. One of the guys, while talking about this project, observed, "Where is the airlock? "
Right. So :
Also, some progress on its custom shuttle (counts as y wing)
Viktor von Domm wrote:good additions to the pinky especially the what feels like the now cockpit?...and i see why you want it as a count as y-wing... torpedolaunchers?
and... is that airlock the inside out view of a terminator missile pod?...cool!
That is the cockpit, and the turret so it matches a y-wing loadout (also good as that can be both a Rebel or Scum faction ship). And yeah, it is indeed!
shasolenzabi wrote:Those new transport shuttles are looking very slick!
Thanks kindly! It's just one, actually, that's the belly. I'm undecided as to how to do the second (possibly as the non-turret loadout Y-wing)
TP^DC Deputy Manager wrote:Again, looking good. The one week deadline is looming and I've done nothing for days
Argh! Too soon!
Little aside - my Shrine of Khorne that I did this time last year (and earned my League membership with) is on the front page just now, so am very chuffed indeed
Oh thank the gods. Sacrifices were not made in vain!
I actually am making proper progress, but it's not pic worthy: I'm bulking out the interior of the tub with cardboard. Once that's done, I'll be able to mache the underside too.
That's part of the dilemma I *love* them as Missile pods, but wonder if it doesn't need more engine parts. It's great that you instantly got what I wanted them to look like. A Y-wing load out is main guns, Turret slot, 2x torpedo slots. So it would certainly fit. However, I wonder if it doesn't need a bit more bulk to its engine there (btw, it is the same part, a halved chaos launcher thing).
So had a great night last, hanging out with the wife's brothers, the texan bro-in-law, and the kids. Chilli, nachos, beer, pizza, Turtles movie and XBox (Forza Fast and Furious) while the girls went to a roller disco. Really good down time, having no sibs of my own nice to just hang out with my brothers-from-another-mother.
In the course of the evening, made some TMNT with the kids from plasticine...
We have bucket loads of playdoh in the house, much of it unrecognisably bilious, like some awful nurgle/slaanesh mash-up (Fabulous Bile, anyone?). And of course, when it dries hard, and cracks...
Lol shas. I saw your post and thought you were referring to their image below
it - an *advert* :eye-roll: which will now be below this post
Vik, it gets hard and IIRC crumbly.
Graven, you need to get some of those fluorescent paints. And if you ever need to wind up the bro-in-law, tell him Oklahoma produces better football players, and better everything else
Project looks very asteroidy. Nicely done. Those little ships are perfect too. Impressed
Primer's only that shiny cos in the pic it was wet! Literally just on Burnt sienna you say? Interesting. I was toying with a blackened browny-red anyway, but hadn't mooted it yet. Your suggestion of it preempts me asking, which suggests it's a good plan!
Solar_lion wrote: Looks good.. It's always cool to see a piece once it's primed to pull all the elements together.
Thanks mate - check out the pics below!
Played some X-Wing tonight. It was awesome.
Spoiler:
Game 1 v Imperial
He took... Kath and Decimator with captain collision.
So yeah, that was terrifying. Flechette clearly a waste there! However, circling him meant that Tycho was able to repeatedly put the hurt on the Decimator - proton rockets well worth it. Stressing with R3/y nuisances just about anything and Wedge is incredibly durable. Eventually the Decimator took out tycho but not before it was down to 2 hull, wedge nailed it and then they set on Kath. A crew Vader in the would've hurt but to only lose the a wing was very satisfying. Also, my flying was pretty tight, and managed to use a deliberate bump with my Y to my advantage.
Game 2 v Imperial
This was really tough, against the local TOerithromycin who is also one of my oldest friends and incredibly competitive - he absolutely pulled no punches running 6 TIE swarm with 4 ptl and 2 wingmen. Very nasty. He did 2 packs on each flank ; I sat them all on one side, shot up the table and split into A+Y and X. This worked really well, Flechettes more useful this time but still not great, tycho boosting to counter rolling ties worked a treat and the y, again, was a nuisance. Took out the wingmen as priority to limit action economy, the y took the damage but the others 2 hung on for the win.
Things I learned about the list:
First and foremost, it's fun and I felt comfortable with all 3 ships.
The A wing is just lovely, and I want more!
The y wing is tough but Horton's ability is of questionable use. I'm thinking going Grey and using the points on beefing up Wedge because...
Wedge was great, but the Flechette was pretty pointless and between switching out the y and losing them I think I can give him greater utility, possibly as a torpedo boat for range 3 shenanigans.
So all in all, delighted!
Some action pics :
And on with the base.
Just a couple so you can see how I'm getting on. It will need another coat if only to deal with the cracking; however, it's stable, solid and not flaking off, all of which are good. The next step will be gs/Milliput to add some definition to the smooth bits, hide corners of newspaper, and remodel the surface of the kitchen roll. But, generally, I think this has been largely a success!
So, here we go, first paint - there will be red in the mix for the asteroid too, but this is just for starters:
The astute amongst you may notice that it's had even more lumps of stuff added. Some bits needed evening out, some needed to be craggier. I do feel like it's starting to really come together now - phew!
C&C me, as always,
graven
I'm just doing a very little bit here and there. Don't want frozen claw hand again...
This really is the Golden Age. Until the next one. 
). X-wing is the same engine but my goodness, it's tight. Feels immediately more balanced, although it's combo city - crazy synergies that remind me, oddly, of warmachine. Not that Trek isn't susceptible to that also. Had fun playing both Rebels and Imperials, found the X-wings marginally easier to play but like the insane maneuverability of TIEs. Might go down the route of A-wings as compromise between the two.
I shall try to restrain myself.
fine.
no more)
bug, so a pretty chilled out day otherwise: baking wifey's birthday cake #1 (dark chocolate/fruits of the forest gateaux) for next Sunday (it's an American sour cream chocolate cake, freezes well, will then defrost and decorate next Saturday), and kids painting eggs (captain america vs batman, who will roll furthest?)
rare & tasty. Generally a great time has been had. If you're ever up this a way, I heartily recommend a visit to the Kelpies, 30m high steel horse-head statues. Mental.
troublemaker
I feel the same way about it sometimes! Remember that 2 of the 3 carts will be almost entirely embedded in "rock". And you're certainly no pleb 
