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Totally agree with Ygg. When people set off to start independant blogs it normally takes me a while to take note of it and then the link disappears into my "blog" file and I'll only drop by very infrequently. It's the same with your blog, I know it exists and I had a look at it from time to time, but I normally don't bother commenting on that platform and I've got no way of keeping up with new posts. Blogs on dakka are a different matter, if I see a new post I'm there.

I totally agree and understand you guys.

Dakka for me has become something of a "metropolis", with so much traffic and "noise" that the appeal has started to wade. To stay current with what's going on is a part time job - a luxury I simply do not have. I do understand the tradeoffs though. Leaving would mean losing an audience and interaction I really care for. But then also one that requires and deserves commitment.

Maybe when I get gaming, and showing more pics of exciting battles and bigger army shots, dakka will once again become very valid. Right now I have two big gripes:

The picture packaging algorithm is very harsh on your pics.
There is no mobile compatible dakka. No App, that would make navigating a metropolis a joy.

Migsula - you make a very good argument here.

I do think despite your protests you have made the 'best of both worlds' by linking your Dakka to your Legion of Plastic blog.

I much prefer reading your blog, but I'm often alerted to a new post by Dakka - though Dakka often leads me down a stray blog pathway, to new and fascinating conversions/painting/ideas... indeed, that was how I was introduced to your work.

Your external blog interface is cleaner and easier to read because it's not - as you say - lost in all the 'noise' - it's just your writing and/or pics - the comments are there if we want to read them, or comment, but we don't have to.

Often with Dakka posting in the 'peak traffic' periods a post can vanish off the front page within minutes... Dakka could benefit from a sub-heading system in the P+M blogs like Warseer has i.e a Chaos sub-heading, an Imperium one and so on.
And definitely an iPhone/iPad app!

Keep up the fantastic work - your essays on 'free painting' and your converting skills are an inspiration!

Thanks Lamby!


Today, I have something to share that makes me very very happy. A full set of terrain 95% ready. Ie. up to gaming quality and I can add decals, little weathering, graffiti, and other detail over time. I've been working on these on and off for a few years, but for the past year they were all packed away from the move. Well this weekend I fired up big time, and the set is ready for gaming.


Legion Venerable taking a look around


All the tiles done but still masked


The set yesterday, before washes on the table and final spray layers.


A tile fully finished, masking off.

Loving the terrain, and that dread is niice!

Wow, that RoB board looks great !

Almost conveys a Gorkamorka feel to it....

Good to see you post in here

You sound like you've been very motivated recently, the ROB looks great, nicely desaturated colours as per usual. I think the tin cans read to obviously as cans, you could try forcing the scale with decals and some painted details but it might be worth adding a few other bits, ladders, plating to disguise the tops, that sort of thing. I think Armorcast do a range of resin bits specifically designed to sit on cans to make them into silos, although that might only be drink cans.

Anyway keep up the good work, how about a few more action shots? The dread looks great on his explorations.

You have a point there, Migs. I'm constantly overwhelmed by all the activity on of all my subscribed threads, leave alone all of dakka.
Kudos for getting the board done, that's a big step!

 Baiyuan wrote:
You have a point there, Migs. I'm constantly overwhelmed by all the activity on of all my subscribed threads, leave alone all of dakka.
Kudos for getting the board done, that's a big step!

Same in here...

I tend to force myself to steer clear off new Plogs, however cool they may be...

I already spend too much time in here lol !!!

Thanks gents, I promise to do proper action shots in time. For now I just one to push as far as I can with my ridiculously limited free time. Plan is still to be tournament ready come 2013.

Very nice work Migs, the ''dreadknight'' turned out beautifully in my humble oppinion. Scenery looks grand too.

Cheers mate

I have just started a new =I=munda blog.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/488545.page

Comments most welcome. It's been a very very slow start in terms of feedback/activity.

So who's read Pariah yet??



http://legionofplastic.blogspot.com/2012/11/pariah-warning-spoilers.html

Literally just bought it Im kinda ashamed it took me this long to buy to be honest! Now to read it at the expense of all else....

 migsula wrote:
So who's read Pariah yet??

Spoiler:

Eisenhorn has a specialist working for him, XX Legion!!!

The new arc aligns perfectly with this project and what I've had in mind for the Inquisition, or rather certain Inquisitors working on the same ultimate goals.

What a treat!

http://legionofplastic.blogspot.com/2012/11/pariah-warning-spoilers.html

Here three posts on Warseer which might very much interest you, note that it's all theoretical at this time...
-Part 1
-Part 2
-Part 3

I finished it last week, it left me begging for the next one!

Same here, apparently due in 2014? Long wait.

Just bought it at GD France in the end of October... But still have a lot to read first !!

I just can't help reading spoilers

Hah

Beautiful stuff there Migsula, I really am a fan of the Robot, and your painting style. It's beautiful!

Thanks mate.

Bunch of tanks next, hopefully the first around Christmas holidays

To tell you the truth, migs, I've been reading your musings over the books and I'm beginning to feel the need to read them.

The new recruits look fantastic. I like how well the mirror's head/hair worked on that body. But where, oh where did you get that bird beak? It reminds me so much of doctors from the plague.

Beak's a Bretonnian banner head

I'm kind of feeling the struggles of two separate blogs - this update is valid for both - so is the next.... Hmmm.... is there away to merge two existing threads into one.

Made some really good progress today.

Quick picture of a bunch of stuff underway:

You see here models that will end up in the Bad retinue, (the very first concepts for) the Good Retinue and Legion project (Space Marine squad and Von Lochov's retinue)

I've since worked hard and focused on two of them, pics tomorrow, and am very excited about them. One is a Devotee Zealot and the other one a Praetorian of The Von Lochov Chamber Militant.

See also how badly scaled the DA Librarian is to the Cultist models most of whom are actually a tad taller. This plays nicely for my project though. My own marines being "correctly" scaled to GW Background, I get to make good use of a lot of Space Marine parts/models for =I= projects. The Librarian will be a fine canvas for one.

Very cool, i'll be interested to see how the grey knight legs look painted up as alphas.

Haven't commented on your blogs in a while migs, but I must say that you have gone to such a length with your models to allocate them to an art form. The sheer depth of character and precision you give to your models is awe inspiring and very impressive to behold.

Now that all the praise is out of the way for creating such magnificent work, the critical side of my brain wants to come out to play.

Your painting quality is without a doubt some of the highest quality I've seen as far as natural light, highlighting and wear and weathering are concern. I have no real critism other than I feel like the overall skin tone is too "white pale", though this may and likely is a combination of computer/ photography to where I am not viewing the models as you see them. Lastly, I think you would do well to through in more of a warm/cool balance with regards to your color choice. The models themselves as a whole are leaning so far towards the cool side that I feel some of the incredible subtleties of your painting are lost because of this. Maybe throw in some complementary colors in there to make the models seriously POP.

As far as your modeling is concerned, I almost feel that everything you have produced thus far is incredibly detailed and precise, but also feels very "safe" in its execution. I would be excited to see you go to more extreme poses and positioning with your models to give them more character, a sense of action and in general a greater sense of being "real". Remember, it is the nondescript actions that feel more real, in essence the more everyday things (walking, managing gear, talking, looking at something non-relevant) that make things more believable and real.

Basically the crap between all the action stuff that gives them that "Hey, he acts like a real thing" feel.

In any case, you certainly have the skill, talent and knowledge to accomplish this project and I hope that maybe one or two of the things I mentioned are in any way helpful.

Good luck with the project and keep it up!

-Cheers, Game.

Thanks for the feedback.

There are several decision's taken for the overall impact and feel of the force - the fact that they are fighting under the distinct light of Rhisienne's twin moons. Biggest and hardest is the pretty much complete lack of red in the paint scheme and colors, skin tones included. I think it work's remarkably well, but obviously it is big decision. (you should check out the BAD retinue I did for some skin tones with all the shades of red in the mix). It's often the decisions to exclude rather than include that make the biggest positive impact in design.

The suggestion to have some more figures posed in between the action is interesting and something I will definitely do when opportunity presents itself.

. I would be excited to see you go to more extreme poses and positioning with your models to give them more character, a sense of action and in general a greater sense of being "real". Remember, it is the nondescript actions that feel more real, in essence the more everyday things (walking, managing gear, talking, looking at something non-relevant) that make things more believable and real.

Extreme poses like walking and talking? I get the point, even if those two sentences are bit of a contradiction.

I have in the mix: Guy dropping explosives in to a sewer, water splashing; a guy smoking a cigar while strolling forward casually, with his cane in tow; a squad carefully crossing a desert railroad, weapons ready; twins hugging rubble ready to spring out from both sides of it; death cultist provocatively keeping his stave behind his back; a sniper in a Vendetta doorway....


Automatically Appended Next Post:


AND some NEW stuff:

New models primed and ready to go / a split between projects

Both the Von Lochov Praetorian and the Devotee have since gotten fitting shoulder pad detailing that completely hides the Cadian feel. The trio, together with the Chastener (the dual pistol guy) and Servo-skull, both shown earlier, received a coat of primer today.

I like how the B&Ws hide what I sculpted and what is standard parts.

Devotee is heading for the BAD retinue. The +I+ not decided yet, the Praetorian is Legion, Von Lochov's personal Praetorian.

... stories will be written ....



more pics

http://legionofplastic.blogspot.com/2012/12/wip-update-heroes-and-villains.html

Hahah, the "extreme" part should have been in caps, or italicized to imply the intended humor of that statement. In any case, I understand the lighting, and love your painting, and now knowing that it makes far more sense.

I think I may have gotten a little carried away with the "poses" comment, you have some poses that are more to what I was saying for sure and they are some of the most interesting models to me. I think just after so many marine armies I am just incredibly interested in the actions between battles that marines perform.

After going back through your entire blog in its majesty, I have revitalized my love of your muted palette. It is indeed very strong and I noticed the dark purple-esque vaning in the skin, and everything in general is quite beautiful. I think as well after seeing the army assembled in some of the previous pics, the blues and greens really begin to pop. I will say though that I think your bases could maybe use more of the rust oranges to counter-play the cool blues greens and greys on your models.

Anyways, awe inspiring as usual, keep it up dood!

The storm bolter on the middle guy seems very unwieldy, and he comes of a bit heavy on his left side.
The hook is a brilliant touch.

Compared to the other figures you have assembled, they don't strike me as quite as "John Blanche". That could change with the paint job.

Anyways, good job as always.