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Thanks for running this event Para. Having a deadline means I actually have to get stuff done. Otherwise, my production would be close to zero. The strong showings by the guys atop the leader board every month keep me motivated to keep pushing the painting quality. If I keep entering... maybe I can get a top 3 finish one of these months. I've come within spitting range a few times...

 Paradigm wrote:
Glad to be of service.

3 years ago (3 years... bloody hell! I feel old now) I had the idea for these and creating that kind of motivation is exactly what the goal has always been. Getting people to keep on painting and honing their skills, even if it's just a model a month, that's what it's all about. The fact that so many of you are still here, and seeing people improve month on month, that's far more important to keeping these challenges alive than the work I do copy-pasting a big pile of pics each month! So really, thank you, those of you who have been here since month 1 and those who only joined this month!

Ok, that's getting overly dramatic now, but really, I absolutely love the community and spirit we've built up around these challenges, it's constantly inspiring and that's why I'm happy to keep putting the legwork in each month.

Well said! Thanks for all the leg work! I for one always feel inspired and motivated by the challenge. Great entry too Para, I think this one is a notch above your usual v high standard.

Brilliant entries all around, I'm very much looking forward to Feltmonkey and Modocks offerings too...


This is the first month for a while that I went out and bought a model specifically for the challenge (I took big stick a bit literally). Although I'm not a fan of the look, I decided to try out some OSL as self imposed challenge, you know the, 'don't knock it until you've tried it' philosophy.

In synopsis, I'm not happy with how it went and wish I'd taken some pics before I embarked on the saga (I think it looked better without the OSL). The problem was my patience ran out as I was getting a feel for it (i started out too subtle and spent far too long doing nothing) so further attempts may be better if I ever decide to bang my head against that particular brick wall again. I've a new found respect for those who pull OSL off well. I read a bunch of guides/tips and watch some videos but I still fell for lots of rooky mistakes... I like how I got the smoke to catch the glow and the skull is ok too but the rest is a bit poor and overly done. I'm glad I tried it but I wont give it another bash for a while I think, maybe something less ambitious next time.

Amazing work Moolet! The OSL, the blends are smooth as a baby's bottom. ! Beautiful, just beautiful.


I will write more about the Slayer tomorrow, need sleep can't ....

I've been paying a lot less attention than I should have to this thread... Very nice things around, this month!

Is there a topic already chosen for next month? Did I miss the poll?

March has traditionally been Space Marines, so no poll this month. Can't say I'm super-motivated for it, but hey, gotta spread the ideas around.

Thanks for the info. Space Marine it is... It's pretty much all I have in my painting queue for now, so I'm ok with that theme myself... Now off to paint the Space Marines I'm entering this month...

Great work, Moolet - I think the OSL is really great, especially on the shoulders. Smoke is awesome, too.

Modock...man, I knew you'd do a great job on that mini and you didn't disappoint. As always, great blends and saturation of colour. Top stuff.

Anyhow, I ended up painting all of Steelheart's Champions (though I suppose only two of them count as wielding a big stick - the shieldbearer's hammer is puny by comparison).
I used this month to experiment with nmm in different colours and tones and practice the technique. I think they look a little caricatured but I'm okay with this as it quite suits the ridonculous armour on the stormcast models...

See everyone in Space Marine month!

Holy crap, Moolet, Modock and Chris! Those are all stunning. I'll comment in more detail in the vote thread, for now I'll just reiterate... WOW!

Wow, this month is super great! Modock- that slayer looks awesome. Chris56- all your nmms look amazing as well.

I finished my entry for this month, Chinbeard the giant. He carries a pretty big stick. I'm very happy to have this one done- I've had this model assembled for 10 years, I think.


More Pictures:

Damn, I was really hoping to get into the top 3 slot this month, but then everyone started poping golden demon material... I'll be posting the final pictures of the second cinerator soon, I just have to finish up some gems and steel nuts and bolts.

I think i’m Definitely out of the running this month!

Not that I was ever there to start with

Those minis are jaw dropping! Amazing work Chris!

Well, I was going to bow out, and then I sat down yesterday to fiddle with this guy, and realized he's holding...a big stick.

Malavyn Saal, the corruptor of the Wandering Sons (read: my kitbash which will use Fabius Bile rules). Fabius Bile is armed with the "rod of torment", so what better 'stick'?

I just finished painting and dipping him, will have him up tomorrow.

This is quite an extraordinary page of entries.

Finished. Should have put a bit more work into some of the gems... Oh well.

Hoping a mortar will count as a big stick


WIP:


Completed:

Ugh, I really need lot of practise with skintones... oh weel, lets roll with it.

These last 2 days have been bombshell after bombshell of awesome

Colour of War, you've made a really silly/ugly model kit shine with that paintjob. Nice work.

Well, somebody has to end that streak of awesome...

Here are my boys, I'm not quite happy with them in terms of this contest, but they will do nicely on the tabletop where those giant hammers will likely be used to smash big ugly things...





Looking forward to having a bit more time to paint for next month...

Great effort for the last challenge of the year everyone.

 Moolet wrote:


In synopsis, I'm not happy with how it went and wish I'd taken some pics before I embarked on the saga (I think it looked better without the OSL). The problem was my patience ran out as I was getting a feel for it (i started out too subtle and spent far too long doing nothing) so further attempts may be better if I ever decide to bang my head against that particular brick wall again. I've a new found respect for those who pull OSL off well. I read a bunch of guides/tips and watch some videos but I still fell for lots of rooky mistakes... I like how I got the smoke to catch the glow and the skull is ok too but the rest is a bit poor and overly done. I'm glad I tried it but I wont give it another bash for a while I think, maybe something less ambitious next time.

The only bit I can see that doesn't sit right to my eye is the right shoulder, since its the furthest point from Skull or the plume it should have the weakest light on it, its just a bit bit strong. Its a very good model regardless. OSL is very hard to do right (some say that's not even possible)

My Final pics for the Ork Nob with Waaagh! Banner
The Freehand on the banner came out ok its not bad, but its that good either, feel it needs more depth to make it looks 3D, looks 2 1/2 D atm but at least it looks like an Ork Skull
The Orks have their Marching song written on the back on the banner in case they forget the words....



Oh and a cool thing I just noticed. I searched for ere we go (to see if there were any other lyrics....yes really) and found that the thumbnail used for the song on you tube has my Ork heavy metal guitarist as the thumbnail

I think you're wrong about the freehand on the banner, MG - it's definitely good. Fantastic, in fact.

Here are my final pics. Last minute, as usual.

Treelord Ancient. He's not just carrying a big stick, he IS a big stick.













I guess I'm adding more weight here to MG's theory that OSL is impossible to do. I'd be tempted to agree, but if you google "Lost in the Dark" by David Powell, aka Bailey03 on the cool mini or not gallery, you'll see that it is indeed possible. (Really, google that if you haven't seen it. It's absolutely amazing.) I'm pleased with how the Treelord came out overall. As is always the case, I can't look at the pictures without seeing all the mistakes, but in an unusual sensation I also feel vaguely proud of the whole model. I'm not sure why I spent so much time painting wood grain on the dark panels - surely no-one would have even noticed if I hadn't mentioned it here. Incidentally, in the end I used blue to shade it. The effect is extremely subtle to the point of being invisible. As I predicted, "wtf? It's just brown" is the only sensible reaction.

Gorgeous work Felt.

Thanks mate.

woof! well I just managed to get Morty finished and photo'd in time!...this guy has been a bit of trouble for me this month, if I'm honest ...there's been so many radical changes in direction, repaints of major parts, etc, etc...it's been interesting

finished pics:


...now that's dealt with...good lord you lot! ...the past page or so is just stuffed with gorgeous entries...real nice work all!

Here's my final pics, never got around to adding crew, but I reckon 4 artillery pieces is enough for one month



Individual Shots:

Wow, these last two pages are filled with some of the best entries this challenge has ever seen... I think this might well be the best month we've had so far in terms of sheer quality across the board. Usually I'm fairly confident I can pick a winner, this month there's so much good stuff it's anyone's guess and that podium is going to be very tightly contested!

Few more hours to get your pics in!

Finished:

Im grumpy.

Kids are the worst sort of plaguebearers that Nurgle could contrive! After letting the torn muscle in my back heal up, I was ready to paint again happily. A friend of ours came to visit, bringing thier kid around who had been suffering from a very high temperature, but was "ok, its just a virus according to the doctor". So as you can imagine, I am now suffering the full effects of this virus, and have been off work for the past week. Even blinking hurts. If only common sense wasnt such a super power, and more... common.

Anyway, when I am better, I will finish up my model and post the images in the thread regardless, but I appreciate that I am out of the running for voting. Though looking at some of the models this month... out of the running was going to be the start and finish for me anyway ha ha!

That's a shame, Garrior. :( Get well soon.

Why would anyone take their virus-ridden kid round someone's house? It's not fair on you, and it's not fair on the kid, who probably just wants to go to sleep at home. Very inconsiderate!