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This month is Wrecking Ball -- Sometimes what you need is not subtle. Your entry should be an unstoppable instrument of blunt trauma. Or at least most of those things. A barbarian with a great axe is not blunt, but still a force unstoppable destruction. It doesn’t need to be a melee force of destruction. Demolisher cannons, siege engines, anything that reduces a person/place/thing to its component parts in a very unsubtle way is good to go.

As always, you're free to hand out as many votes as you like, and for any entry you feel deserves recognition, based on anything from technical proficiency or model choice, a neat conversion or a cool take on the theme, or anything else! You're also very welcome to leave some feedback here for the entrants, and many of the images click through to the Dakka gallery if you'd like to give out a vote or two there as well.

theCrowe - The Rancor


ms07b3 – World Eaters


Mr Nobody – Gnome Knight


JoshInJapan - Minotaur Lords


Geifer - Thor


Graphite - Captain Cyrus and Ancient Milo


XvArcanevX - Robert Paulson


halfling84 - Apocalypse tank


Daia T'Nara - Terminator Lord Obsidia


Captain Brown - Harlequins


KidCthulhu – Knight vs. Minotaur


Vejut - Sir Guy the Red


painting_jon - Typhon Heavy Siege Tank


Nevelon – Screamer-Killer


Pariah Press - Da Red Gobbo and Bounca


Leopold Helveine - Bill bombclaw, Angry savage & Nootded Jet.


inmygravenimage - Miley Siren's Wrecking Crew


Mothsniper - Ungrim


Ezki - Karlach


youwashock - Razorfang



Pursuit Of Happiness - Death Korps Basilisk w/ Commissar


Rybrook - Phantom titan


Midget Gems - Ork Wrecking Ball w/ Morky Cyrus


Maharg - Fanatics


Snail22 - Kurnoth Hunter


DJJazzyJeff - Riptide Battlesuit


Poll will run for 5 days. If I missed anyone or something needs to be fixed, let me know.

Really high standard this month guys. I handed out a few votes, but Ezki takes the prize for me, absolutely gorgeous work.

I put in a few votes. Gutted that I couldn't finish in time, but that's the way my life's going right now. And since I work retail, it's only gonna get harder from here until after New Year's probably.

My 5 votes go to:

- Ezki: Karlach
The eyes are so perfect, the way they are done really change a face from looking angry, happy, crazy or like a failed experiment, but these make her look super at ease'.
The stonework is also very realistic. Another one of those paints you can mistake for a toystore production. Pure quality.

- Maharg: Fanatics.
These look super clean and that Squigball looks so radical that if I don't give this a vote he will haunt me in my sleep ;( (You read that right, the squigball took this vote) The bases are pretty cute with the tiny flowers too.

- Nevelon: Screamer Killer.
The bone looks practically real, the posing and kitbash in its own is also ace, oh and SNOW.. I like Snow bases!, he will make footprints though.. probably won't live long until some Empire's finest track him down.

- XvArcanevX: Robert Paulson.
As promised a vote for you too, I like the weathering but especially the super bright and saturated vizor, its like a lava bulb. Also like the base.

- Mr. Nobody: Gnome knight.
Coicedentially you used the same colorscheme as I happen to use for my Disposessed, but that aside, I really like the entry as a whole, its refreshing and a capybara as a mount is lolz too. The paint looks super clean like a toy from a toystore.

 Leopold Helveine wrote:


- XvArcanevX: Robert Paulson.
As promised a vote for you too, I like the weathering but especially the super bright and saturated vizor, its like a lava bulb. Also like the base.
.

Awesome… thanks for the vote! Glad you liked the weathered look, took me a while to highlight all the scratches and chips but I really enjoyed the process. The visor was just glaze after glaze and then a high gloss finish but I was pleased with the overall result too. I really want to find some other mechs to build now, great fun!

There are genuinely a ton of brilliant paint jobs and builds this month. I will give praise and feedback to one and all later in the week. Truly awesome turnout!

 Leopold Helveine wrote:

- Nevelon: Screamer Killer.
The bone looks practically real, the posing and kitbash in its own is also ace, oh and SNOW.. I like Snow bases!, he will make footprints though.. probably won't live long until some Empire's finest track him down.

Can’t claim credit for kitbashing. He’s straight out of the Leviathan box.

I should do footprints, as I do deep snow baseing and it would make sense. But also a lot more work and effort in detail for somethings that would be hard to notice unless I totally re-do how I do bases.

As for who’s hunting who, the ‘Nids have the bulk of my YTD shelf locked down. If anything it’s my Ultras who should be worried...

 Nevelon wrote:

 Leopold Helveine wrote:

- Nevelon: Screamer Killer.
The bone looks practically real, the posing and kitbash in its own is also ace, oh and SNOW.. I like Snow bases!, he will make footprints though.. probably won't live long until some Empire's finest track him down.

Can’t claim credit for kitbashing. He’s straight out of the Leviathan box.

I should do footprints, as I do deep snow baseing and it would make sense. But also a lot more work and effort in detail for somethings that would be hard to notice unless I totally re-do how I do bases.

As for who’s hunting who, the ‘Nids have the bulk of my YTD shelf locked down. If anything it’s my Ultras who should be worried...

Huh, didn't know they sold screamer killers, well regardless, its a great paint.
On my own entry, I think my pictures are too big, next time I'm sizing to 500 because the bigger the pic the worse it looks.
When you look in my personal thread and watch the rotational vid for instance, you'll see how good my orkies look ;( which is diametrically opposed to how they look in my pics heh.

Photos can be tricky. A lot of miniature paintjobs are designed with the arm’s length rule. The correct view distance is from the tabletop. Even when working for closeup results, everything is just so tiny. You want to show all the details, but not the flaws. Ultra zoom camera work is nobodies friend. Plus there is the whole focus/cropping/white balance stuff to worry about.

Another thing to keep in mind is that we are our own worse critics. There might be a part of the model you struggled with and didn’t come out the way you like, and you will always see and focus on that. Most people will never even flag it as an issue. Try to cut yourself the same amount of slack you’d give to others.

Absolutely delighted to see these two!



I handed out a ton of votes but maharg’s fanatics are my absolute favourites. Such a treat to see two classics done so beautifully.

Another month of stellar work, everyone!

theCrowe: At first glance, the skin tones on your Rancor reminded me of an action figure. Then, the immaculate fade between the browns and greys caught my eye. Very, very nice.

ms07b3: Classic red and brass is always a win for Khornate models. I like the bloody wounds around the spiky bones.

Mr Nobody: I really like your use of purples against the brown capybara fur.

me: I should have re-taken these photos. The lighting is too harsh and washes out the colors. These models were fun to paint, and lent themselves to my trademarked Paint Everything Brown technique.

Geifer: It was a little weird seeing you paint a model that you didn't sculpt. I like your work on the cape.

Graphite: Your vibrant reds and yellows take me back to the earliest days of 40K, when every model was eye-poppingly bright. Lovely work.

XvArcanevX: Is this really your first mech model? He turned out great. I especially like the weathering on the legs and the white reflection on the canopy.

halfling84: No camo for this vehicle-- it wants to be seen! I feel like it would benefit from some spot colors here and there to break up the red.

Daia T'Nara: Another spectacular kitbash, including a questionable protrusion. The Botticelli Venus on the shoulderpad is superlative-- instantly identifiable, even on this teeny-tiny canvas.

Captain Brown: I do love me some Harlequins. It's a little jarring to see them so uniform, but repeating the same pattern really speeds up painting. They'll contrast nicely with your Craftworld Eldar, as well.

KidCthulhu: I like the tri-colored tabard (is that what it's called?)-- I probably would have just done two colors, but the white stripe in the middle really draws the eye.

Vejut: Your shading on the cape is fantastic. The NMM on the axe is simple yet quite effective as well.

painting_jon: A very businesslike paintjob, as appropriate for Iron Warriors. I especially like how patchy the metallics are-- it looks like the tank has seen some action.

Nevelon: Another masterful Tyranid model. I really like your color scheme for this army.

Pariah Press: 'tis the Season! I love all the little Christmas balls, and the smoke on the candy cane/dynamite is great, as well.

Leopold Helveine: I love all your wild kitbashes/conversions-- you really capture the essence of Orkiness. Your grey-green skin tone is wonderful, as well.

inmygravenimage: As I commented on your P&M blog, the sickly, pinkish skin is really great-- they look like something from the deep,deep ocean.

Mothsniper: I love your bright, vibrant red/orange. I particularly admire how far you take the highlights-- I can never seem to summon the bravery to go that far.

Ezki: Truly outstanding work. You mentioned in your P&M blog that you don't like NMM, but you really pulled it off with this model.

youwashock: Your anti-blended highlights work really well at what I take to be life sized. I may give that a try myself sometime soon.

Pursuit Of Happiness: The grime and corrosion on the tank contrasts spectacularly with the spit-and-polish of the commissar.

Rybrook: Classic black and bone works great on this model. I like the addition of the infantryman-- he gives a sense of scale to the model.

Midget Gems: Easily the most literal interpretation of the theme. Will this model appear on the tabletop?

Maharg: The second most literal interpretation of this month's theme (after Midget Gems). I like the red face-- it hearkens back to the earliest John Blanche-inspired Orc Evil Sunz shield designs.

Snail22: You have really upped your game with this model. The blending of the browns and greys in the the yellow is very smooth.

DJJazzyJeff: I like your green-on-green "camo." I don't think this model minds being seen on the battlefield!

Good work, everyone! I expect the podium to be quite crowded this month!

Leopold Helveine wrote:
- Ezki: Karlach
The eyes are so perfect, the way they are done really change a face from looking angry, happy, crazy or like a failed experiment, but these make her look super at ease'.
The stonework is also very realistic. Another one of those paints you can mistake for a toystore production. Pure quality.

Thank you so much! My girlfriend was a tough critic with the eyes. She's a huge fan of the character, so she did not let me off the hook easy. Had to redo them half a dozen of times haha.

JoshInJapan wrote:
Ezki: Truly outstanding work. You mentioned in your P&M blog that you don't like NMM, but you really pulled it off with this model.

Thank you JoshInJapan! You are correct, but maybe I said that too hastily. Not liking NMM related to the frustration of multiple failed attempts and not being patient enough with it. Step by step, I'm slowly warming up to the technique. I'm glad this one turned out alright!


Great work everyone!
My favorites this month were:

Mr Nobody: I really loved the color choices on this one! Lot's of details too!

JoshInJapan: These are badass! Great work on the metallics and the overall menacing vibe.

XvArcaneXv: Well done with the weathering! The red details and the orange canopy stand out nicely against the light colored body.

Midget Gems: Your orky conversions always make me smile! This one was no exception. Well executed!

Maharg: I always love seeing fanatics. The bright tones really stand out and contrast well with the dark clothes.

Halfling84 - I’d love to see some unpainted photos, this looks like quite the impressive kitbash. And, although the colours are a little monotonous, I do like the red. The shading and highlighting is nicely done and gives a very deep and interesting red to look at.

Painting_jon - Another behemoth that really fits the theme for this month. I like the levels of dirt and grim added to this model. A great fit for the Iron Warriors.

Mothsniper - Beautiful colours on display here. The blues and oranges really pop against each other. Super saturated with nice, bright highlights. The whole thing has a glow to it.

Ezki - Easily the most detailed and intricate model this month. And the NMM on the axe is incredibly well done.

Maharg - A great choice for this month and just too silly not to give a vote. The choice of bright red for the ball is what really sold it for me, especially with the little Ork icon on it. It reminds me of older editions of warhammer with the brighter, more cartoonish, colours..

That should wrap up the 5 days for votes, onto the results!

In 3rd, with a 22 votes and a pair of fungus-fueled engines of destruction is Maharg’s Night Goblin Fanatics:





Swinging in with just one more vote is Midget Gems' Ork Wrecking Ball w/ Morky Cyrus:


Bonus Pic



But the gold this month goes to Ezki's Karlach with 30 votes. Wielding a battleaxe instead of a more literal wrecking ball, she is still an exquisite engine of destruction!



--

Congrats to the winners and everyone who entered. As always, amazing work from everyone this month. Lots of fun variations on the theme, painted well. Personal thanks for those who voted for me; my entry got up to tied for 4th, closest to the podium I’ve been in a while.

December is ticking away, and has a habit of ending well before we think it should. Get to work on your Open Round projects!

Excellent job, everyone!

Ezki coming in like a wrecking ball, alright! A resounding victory!

Thanks for the comments!

Great job everyone and congrats to our winners!

Congratulations to Maharg, Midget Gems, and Ezki on well-deserved wins, and a hearty "Good Job!" to everyone who entered this month!

Ima jump in for a minute.
Great job all! Honestly good damn set this round!
Thank you guys for kind comments, really encouraging

Leopold Helveine! I am very impressed with the way the Orcs turned out! Big improvments man!
The Orks do look brutal! The camo work on the pants looks good and good job on that detail!
I see the good work with the highlights and the washes, and I see effort and the huge difference in picture taking, it all adds up.
And the bases look good and natural, I am a huge fan of basing, it is often the most fun part of the model for me.

DJJazzyJeff
I am digging the color scheme and the pattern design!
If I am not mistaken that base is built from scratch yes? Very tastefully done!

Snail22
I love the multiple color blends that are happening all over, that must of been fun to paint!
The base just ties it all together nicely, what material did you use for that gray gravel?

Maharg
Win for the theme,
win for the base,
win for the spin,
win for the face!
sry been listening to Harry Mack past week. In all seriousness, they are so crispy and read so well, and the base is absolutely beezknees, I got same tufts lolz, I got mine from greenstuff-World, looks like you made yours?

Midget Gems
Highlights are spot on, and the base is just divine! Win for the theme!


Rybrook
Stylish and reads well! Base got some love too.

Pursuit Of Happiness
Very nice weathering on the Basilisk and crispy job on the commisar!

youwashock
This must of been fun to work on! The eye with the highlight is very nice, and the maw looks wet, foul, and dangreious.
What did you use for the snow? That base is fire! Honestly, the cogs add so much narative to the piece. Its not just the model on a base but a story in a world, for me anyways.

Ezki
Very well done NMM on the axe, and the detail in the eyes!
Do you happen to know the rough scale of that model?

inmygravenimage
Good call on the color picks of browns and purples overall.
Have to highlight the Agalope conversion. That one stood out for me, such a nice piece with well done washes, wouldn't want to run into it in a dark alley.

Pariah Press
Double theme points!
Good job on the light painting, and ether intended or not the slightly glossy finish just works here really well!

Nevelon
Good stuff as usual. Those washes are doing the work!
And the Base is perfect, again as usual

painting_jon
Crispy work man!
Did you freehand the stripes?

Vejut
Yes! At some point I shall get me hands on those reaper knights.
I'm liking that color scheme of dark reds and ultramarine blues, quite inspirational man. Thank you

KidCthulhu
I like the color details and the contrast, also Knight's facial expression, ether intended or not, is making this model quite narrative by it self.
Are those bases sculpted?

Captain Brown
These lads and lasses read super good. I like the way you are achieving contrast by building up the colors.
And the bases are well done!

Daia T'Nara
Good job on the contrast and the base, the model reads very good!
I am always a fan of some freehand! I see the shoulder got some love

halfling84
YES! I was not expecting a red tank but now I love it!
Did you sponge on the dark textures or hair/spray chipped the red? Ether way it looks good. Also, Good call on the fade for the blades into gray! Can't wait to work on mine now.

XvArcanevX
Good job all around.
I think this guy is my favorite:
Perhaps what attracts me the most is the appearance of the simplicity, and the way glossy windshield and the base are done! .
Or perhaps I have been playing too much of Planetfall and are physiologically exploited into liking mechs with orange windshields.

Graphite
Damn solid crispy paint job!
Readability is king, and you got all of the readability here!
Also, let me highlight the base, simple but effective! What did you use for that metal grate, if not a secrete?

Geifer
I like the way you paint.
Id imagine it is possibly you got a good eye and/or formal art training. I think I can see that in the darkened hammer, and the chest highlights, as well as the arms, or perhaps I am overthinking.
Solid work man!

JoshInJapan
Masterfully achieved contrast with nmm! Seriously! I am looking at these minotaurs and wonder, what would you be able to do with a well sculpted, molded, modern model... I bet alot
So much love went into these models, and those bases! How did you make, or where got from, the green vine plant?

Mr Nobody
Just like from inmygravenimage, Good call on the color scheme of brown and purples! It not only creates good contrast but also identifies the character as a royal, for the narrative aspect.
Good combination of the washes and the color-highlighting!

ms07b3
Damn those guys look brutal, absolutely brutal!
Well done man!

theCrowe
Wrekingball on legs indeed! Awesome job on the skin tones, It looks like there where many layers and painting coats. Honestly, if to replace the background with a Tatooine still, the Rancor would fit right in.
Also, what did you use to make that base out of? I like it, but can't figure it out.

Thanks, Mothsniper!

The snow is a mix of baking soda, white paint and PVA glue. Roughly 1:1:1.

Whoa! Mothsniper goes all in on the comments! Thanks for the feedback!

 Mothsniper wrote:

JoshInJapan
Masterfully achieved contrast with nmm! Seriously! I am looking at these minotaurs and wonder, what would you be able to do with a well sculpted, molded, modern model... I bet alot
So much love went into these models, and those bases! How did you make, or where got from, the green vine plant?

You can see my work in my P&M blog (linked in my signature), but my modern stuff looks a lot like my Oldhammer stuff. The vine was sculpted from Tamiya putty (essentially green stuff) with some leaves I got from a model rail supplier glued on.

 Mothsniper wrote:

Graphite
Damn solid crispy paint job!
Readability is king, and you got all of the readability here!
Also, let me highlight the base, simple but effective! What did you use for that metal grate, if not a secret

Thank you! The bases use IKEA anti slip rug underlay, which is cheap for an enormous roll and easily cut with scissors

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/stopp-anti-slip-underlay-90549052/

 Mothsniper wrote:


Leopold Helveine! I am very impressed with the way the Orcs turned out! Big improvments man!
The Orks do look brutal! The camo work on the pants looks good and good job on that detail!
I see the good work with the highlights and the washes, and I see effort and the huge difference in picture taking, it all adds up.
And the bases look good and natural, I am a huge fan of basing, it is often the most fun part of the model for me.

Woah, big comment. Thank you so much! I am a bit disappointed in my photos myself, but will take the advice given in this thread to make a tabletop-distance photo next time rather than trying the macrophoto which imho really hurt the presentation. (A bit like the really nice entry you made, just looking unsmooth from so close up seeing every single brushstroke but I bet will look absolutely stunning otherwise as you've put in so much work to the detail, I have to admit it being such a closeup also costed my vote for you, with which I mean absolutely no insult.. felt a bit bad even about it.)

I have upgraded my photobooth with a ringlight and two rectangular lights (costed me about 200 euros but ok) so I do have the tech, just not always the intelligence to take the pic from a distance -_- its the tradeof between "do I want people to see that I actually did the eyes? Or do I want them to see the mini the way I want to look at it from the table.. sigh"

Ok enough about that.
If you like bases, I guarantee you will love my upcoming Gyrobomber base which will be in the same style of the Steamcopter I did some years ago, which I have posted as reference in the new challenge thread.
-----------

The win was deserved btw to the winners of the chal.
also @youwashock I also always use bakingsoda to make snow lol, thought that was a secret recipe.

-Leopold Helveine.

Congratulations to the winners. And winner or not, good stuff all around.

 JoshInJapan wrote:
Geifer: It was a little weird seeing you paint a model that you didn't sculpt. I like your work on the cape.

Thanks. It's actually nice to do something about the pile of endless possibilities instead of working around it, once in a while. Curiously October and November were kind of busy for me, too (or I got sidetracked... that happened as well). It's a good thing I went with something simple or else I wouldn't have had my December entry ready for painting on the first of the month.

 Mothsniper wrote:
Geifer
I like the way you paint.
Id imagine it is possibly you got a good eye and/or formal art training. I think I can see that in the darkened hammer, and the chest highlights, as well as the arms, or perhaps I am overthinking.
Solid work man!

Thank you. No formal training whatsoever. Just a lifetime of exposure to art and media. I haven't started improving all that long ago. These days I can be bothered a little more to try for quality. I was happy with very low standards for the first twenty five years of painting models, but that just didn't cut it anymore when those paintjobs let down my own sculpts.

 Mothsniper wrote:
KidCthulhu
I like the color details and the contrast, also Knight's facial expression, ether intended or not, is making this model quite narrative by it self.
Are those bases sculpted?

Thank you! These guys are for my miniature-based comic, Big Fantasy Epic. I do indeed sculpt all the bases:

 KidCthulhu wrote:

 Mothsniper wrote:
KidCthulhu
I like the color details and the contrast, also Knight's facial expression, ether intended or not, is making this model quite narrative by it self.
Are those bases sculpted?

Thank you! These guys are for my miniature-based comic, Big Fantasy Epic. I do indeed sculpt all the bases:

Spoiler:

You got the base tutorial! Thank you!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Leopold Helveine wrote:

 Mothsniper wrote:


Leopold Helveine! I am very impressed with the way the Orcs turned out! Big improvments man!
The Orks do look brutal! The camo work on the pants looks good and good job on that detail!
I see the good work with the highlights and the washes, and I see effort and the huge difference in picture taking, it all adds up.
And the bases look good and natural, I am a huge fan of basing, it is often the most fun part of the model for me.

Woah, big comment. Thank you so much! I am a bit disappointed in my photos myself, but will take the advice given in this thread to make a tabletop-distance photo next time rather than trying the macrophoto which imho really hurt the presentation. (A bit like the really nice entry you made, just looking unsmooth from so close up seeing every single brushstroke but I bet will look absolutely stunning otherwise as you've put in so much work to the detail, I have to admit it being such a closeup also costed my vote for you, with which I mean absolutely no insult.. felt a bit bad even about it.)

I have upgraded my photobooth with a ringlight and two rectangular lights (costed me about 200 euros but ok) so I do have the tech, just not always the intelligence to take the pic from a distance -_- its the tradeof between "do I want people to see that I actually did the eyes? Or do I want them to see the mini the way I want to look at it from the table.. sigh"

Ok enough about that.
If you like bases, I guarantee you will love my upcoming Gyrobomber base which will be in the same style of the Steamcopter I did some years ago, which I have posted as reference in the new challenge thread.
-----------

The win was deserved btw to the winners of the chal.
also @youwashock I also always use bakingsoda to make snow lol, thought that was a secret recipe.

-Leopold Helveine.

All good! don't overthink it lolz. I think it is more important to show the brushstrokes of what you did than to present a pretty picture.
I am always a fan of bases! Can't wait.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Graphite wrote:

 Mothsniper wrote:

Graphite
Damn solid crispy paint job!
Readability is king, and you got all of the readability here!
Also, let me highlight the base, simple but effective! What did you use for that metal grate, if not a secret

Thank you! The bases use IKEA anti slip rug underlay, which is cheap for an enormous roll and easily cut with scissors

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/stopp-anti-slip-underlay-90549052/

Whaaaaa! I knew it has to be some sort of a genius thing, and it is. That is brilliant! Thank you for sharing.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 JoshInJapan wrote:
Whoa! Mothsniper goes all in on the comments! Thanks for the feedback!

 Mothsniper wrote:

JoshInJapan
Masterfully achieved contrast with nmm! Seriously! I am looking at these minotaurs and wonder, what would you be able to do with a well sculpted, molded, modern model... I bet alot
So much love went into these models, and those bases! How did you make, or where got from, the green vine plant?

You can see my work in my P&M blog (linked in my signature), but my modern stuff looks a lot like my Oldhammer stuff. The vine was sculpted from Tamiya putty (essentially green stuff) with some leaves I got from a model rail supplier glued on.

I am always interested in how people make elements in their bases. Thank you.
87pages! I will need a cup of tea for this.



Automatically Appended Next Post:

 youwashock wrote:
Thanks, Mothsniper!

The snow is a mix of baking soda, white paint and PVA glue. Roughly 1:1:1.

I must give that a go. I like the "frosting" look it got, like snow patches in the spring. thank you!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Geifer wrote:
Congratulations to the winners. And winner or not, good stuff all around.

 JoshInJapan wrote:
Geifer: It was a little weird seeing you paint a model that you didn't sculpt. I like your work on the cape.

Thanks. It's actually nice to do something about the pile of endless possibilities instead of working around it, once in a while. Curiously October and November were kind of busy for me, too (or I got sidetracked... that happened as well). It's a good thing I went with something simple or else I wouldn't have had my December entry ready for painting on the first of the month.

 Mothsniper wrote:
Geifer
I like the way you paint.
Id imagine it is possibly you got a good eye and/or formal art training. I think I can see that in the darkened hammer, and the chest highlights, as well as the arms, or perhaps I am overthinking.
Solid work man!

Thank you. No formal training whatsoever. Just a lifetime of exposure to art and media. I haven't started improving all that long ago. These days I can be bothered a little more to try for quality. I was happy with very low standards for the first twenty five years of painting models, but that just didn't cut it anymore when those paintjobs let down my own sculpts.

No you are absolutely right, It is akin to artist spending months on a painting and putting it in cheap frame. Honoring your sculpts with extra time is definitely worth it!

What a fantastic month! Everybody did such great work and a very, very well deserved win to all those who got a spot in the top three!

JoshinJapan, Ezki, Mothsniper thank you for the kind comments… it’s edifying to receive such encouragement and praise for my efforts and especially from talented folks!

I really do want to spend an hour tomorrow to write down my comments on each entry but, as of now, I am still covered in black dust and every muscle is aching. I need a hot shower and my bed…

Until tomorrow then…

 Mothsniper wrote:
You got the base tutorial! Thank you!

Actually, I do have a legit full tutorial on the 28mm comic blog section

mr Nobody - thanks, but it is not a kitbash, I bought it like this. Here is the WIP picture:



Mothsniper - it is made using sponge. I tried the chipping fluid once, but I wasn't happy with the result.

 Mothsniper wrote:
Ima jump in for a minute.

theCrowe
Wrekingball on legs indeed! Awesome job on the skin tones, It looks like there where many layers and painting coats. Honestly, if to replace the background with a Tatooine still, the Rancor would fit right in.
Also, what did you use to make that base out of? I like it, but can't figure it out.

Thanks Mothsniper. I threw the base together from some thick plastic HIPS sheet offcut. I chunked up some rough bits for a layer on top of the flat base to make some deep cracks. Then I covered the lot in PVA and flocked it with crunched up seashells. They give a great natural slate/shale kind of rock effect. Then it all got pasted in grey paint and green slime.

Thanks for taking the time to comment on everybody’s work. I really should do the same more often. Your Dragon Slayer in wild. The extreme contrast and highlighting really makes it jump out at you. Presumably that’s how he got the jump on the dragon he just slew!

Comments for this month:

TheCrowe: Really love the skintones on this classic beast; in particular the mottling effects. Also the details in the mouth area are really well done. The lighting in the photograph seems a little overexposed for some reason, maybe something to check for in future submissions. Overall it’s a very sweet job!

Ms07b3: The overall work on these fellas is very crisp and the eye for detail impressive. I do like the work on the faces too. One thing I do think the models lack is a deeper tone for shadows; in particular around the upper leg and backpack areas. Still, I like them and admire the crisp paintjob.

Mr.Nobody: This is excellent all round and got a vote from me. The use of color is superb and the whole model is really just pleasing to the eye. Love it.

JoshinJapan: These guys are brilliant. Excellent skintones and the fur is beautifully realized. I didn’t cast a vote for you this month (sacrilege!) as I felt something wasn’t quite there for me this time but, as I review them in this moment, I realize they are awesome and the ‘something’ that was missing was my good sense. Ah well, love the work.

Geifer: I honestly think this is probably one of the best paint jobs I have seen you submit so far and it got my vote. Really beautiful work on colors and I like how soft everything looks…from dark to light. Excellent stuff.

Graphite: This is such a CLEAN paintjob. Everything as crisp as can be and a very pleasing use of color. The only thing I think they might use are deeper shadows and highlights to make them pop…so to speak! Still, very nice and effective work.

Halfling84: When I look at this machine all I can hear is George Thorogood’s ‘Bad to the Bone’ playing in my head. What an intimidating beast! Love the color. Love the model. Awesome.

Daia T’Nara: Who says war can’t have disco? This tank proves them all wrong, dead wrong, squished under tread to the sound of the the BeeJees. Let it be cemented as a self evident truism that Daia T’Nara has a definite style and man does this rock that style. Love it.

Captain Brown: Great Color on these little fellas. How many of these do you have now? I bet a few…

KidCthulu: I love the regal tone this knight has but I don’t fancy his chances against that axe wielding beast! Very fun diorama piece for sure… and the fur on the Minotaur is nicely done.

Vejut: This is a cool little model and I’m liking the shading on the cape and the fur trim. Striking colors for sure, I do think that maybe the red could have done with some lighter tones as highlights. Still, nice work!

Painting_Jon: This is one mean looking machine. The work on the barrel is excellent and the used and aged look is great too! Nice hazard stipes… just cool.

Nevelon: You know I have one of these dudes to paint up too! I thought this was a really effective paintjob; very readable and the colors are highlighted nicely in contrast to the deeper recess washes. It stuck out to me I had to give it a vote. Badass.

Pariah Press: Jingle Bells! That nose! Haha. This guy is so much fun to look at. Lovely colors and some nice highlights on the reds. Very festive and I like it a lot.

Leopold Helveine: I was so close to voting for these guys… and I think I should have done. Alas, it was not to be. Still, I really like them. You have done some interesting things here with the metallics and some lovely weathering. Very striking models and a ton of character in the paintjob.

Inmygravenimage: Very nice work here on the tones used for the undead and I love the hues you used for the werewolf. In fact, I like all the colors you used for all the skin and I also think some of the highlight work on the fabrics is nicely done. One small gripe I have is that the werewolf looks… well…glossy. Was that intentional? Maybe a less glossy finish would have worked a little better for me. Still, love them!

Mothsniper: This is beautifully painted and the use of color, as always, is just superb. Also, I like the attention to detail highlighting the jeweled areas, they are very striking. It’s just a great paintjob. Awesome.

Ezki: I’m sorry, this just didn’t do it for me. I feel as though there could be more… Ok, enough of that, this is basically gobsmacking. What an accomplished and beautiful piece. The texture, the color, the careful attention to light and shadow, the soft transitions…it is this months standout by a country mile. Of course you got a vote, and you won, as you should have… because this is exceptional work. Awesome. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

YouWasShock: Where did you get this mould of me waking up on a Monday morning? Anyway, brilliant work as always. Love the approach you have taken to the skin here with bold tones adding the sense of dense muscle fibers. Also, the base is really nice. I like snowy bases… it also makes this a Christmas monster, and who doesn’t love Christmas monsters. Coolness meter score 10/10

Pursuit of Happiness: Some lovely use of color on the figure here and some very nice highlights on the fabric. Nice job!

Rybrook: This is a weird looking little dude. Reminds me somehow of Giger’s Alien with those tubes or whatever they are. Anyhoo, simple but effective. Nice bit of weathering on the shoulders.

Midget Gems: This ork is having the time of his life and so was I when I saw this for the first time. Man this is full of character and this whole diorama just seems alive and kicking. The work on the wrecking ball is excellent but, for me, it is the vibrant sense of action and energy this work translates to somebody viewing it that had me casting my vote. It’s just downright fun and I love it.

Maharg: These are beautifully painted and the way you have tied the models to the theme is inspired. Again, these fellas love alive and kicking. You deserved a vote but, for reasons even I don’t understand, I didn’t give you one. That is my mistake. What was I thinking!

Snail22: This is a lovely crisp paintjob and some of transitions on display here are wonderfully subtle and soft; in particular on the blade. Lovely use of color too. I like it alot.

DJJazzyJeff: This is really striking. Simple but effective use of colors. Really like it.

Well, I think that is everyone. What a great month! Now, hopefully I get some time soon to work on Decembers submission. In the meantime, I need to stop my pet werewolf raiding the girlfriends knitting drawer… he doesn’t seem to understand it isn’t his to maul…

Apologies I wasn't able to get up comments, its been a busy month so far.

Congrats Maharg & Ezki, wonderful to share the podium with you, I thought we would have shared it with quite a few others this month, voting between several entries was very close. It was a fun month well done everyone

Thanks for the comments JoshinJapan, Ezki, Mothsniper, XvArcanevX.

 JoshInJapan wrote:

Midget Gems: Easily the most literal interpretation of the theme. Will this model appear on the tabletop?

One of the reasons I didn't do a more zoomed out view of the entry was it was it was stuck to a Pringles can with blue tac to make the chain tight. Its not attached to the base that was just because it seemed a bit lost without it so I sat it on top of it. I had hoped to to use it as a wrecking ball on a truck (admittingly quite a large one, I can change the chain length) or if I do another big conversion I can add it in to a Stompa or equiv.

 Mothsniper wrote:

Midget Gems
Highlights are spot on, and the base is just divine! Win for the theme!

Spoiler:

sry, not a fan of the reference lolz, the reference character is too much of a Fufa from Southpark for me.

Thank you. I can't say I'm a fan but that image is pretty well known and having a Savage Orc imitate you must be some sort of flattery (right......?)

Will get the league table updated this weekend.