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Made in gb
Gargantuan Great Squiggoth





Not where I should be

 Meer_Cat wrote:
Hi Klaus, Oldravenman,

Thank you both for looking in. I take it as high praise indeed when fellow modelers- whose work I use to inform my own- speak well of a project I've really put some effort into.

I'm at another crossroads in my development as a modeler: up 'til now I've considered that everything I do must be 'game-able', a counts-as, or at least loosely within a rules set. There are certain limitations inherent in that, though, because there is a certain element of 'toy' or 'game piece' within the constraints of usability.

So, now I need to figure out if I want to really just do a diorama or vignette, and try for a higher level of realism?

Don't get me wrong, I very much like how the SPAAG, Athena, Midge and even the Hellhound counts-as came out (gotta do something with that wad of hairnet posing as camo netting on the back of the 'Hound), and that may be the upper limit of my painting talents. Which is okay, because there is so much more to try, like OSL, NMM and other techniques. Not to mention micro-lighting a scene or vehicle (or vehicle in a scene)!

I think the motto "You're only as good as your next project" is very appropriate at this juncture. I'm happy with what I've done, am working on a small, easy terrain piece and need to really think about what I'm going to do next.

More follows soonest!


Really hope I am not speaking out of turn here.

A simple question for you....Do you game?

If you are genuinely hoping to be able to play a game one day with your models then you need to carry on as you are.
If you are planning to sell any of the pieces, I would say continue as you are.

However if you really enjoy the modelling and don't realistically ever see these making it to the table top, then welcome to a whole new world.

I hope Klaus will not mind me saying this, for me Klaus and a few others, are the peak of this art. There are many fantastic painters, and here on Dakka we are privilege to see a great deal of their art. But taking it to the next level and modelling a piece, such as Klaus's Athena, is leaving the rulebook on the shelf and stepping into pure creativity. True Art.

An awful lot of my modelling is made with playable in mind, and is always restrained. What I truly love is making a dio or piece simply for the joy of it, no rules. It may end up being a playable piece, but when I am making it that is not a factor.

Personally I would love to see you unrestrained. Make it because you want to, and without restraint.

Lastly I would say one of the biggest lessons I have learnt over the last while is, do it for you, not for anyone else, not to anyone but your standards, aim for where you want to be, but do it for you.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/02/28 20:57:40





 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

Thank you for your thoughts, Cam- definitely not out of turn.

I think you've hit on something that is basic to the projects I'm doing at the moment, which is: they are what I want to do. I think I'm kidding myself (for some 'must show practicality' reason) that the pieces are for gaming "down the road". I haven't actually been able to game myself since the late 90's, and haven't been able to drop in and observe a game for months now, just lately.

The problem is, I'd love to be able to game regularly! I loved those heady days In the late 80's when everything was new, we all had a the same (lack of) full understanding of the rules and grown men in the Army would actually get together in the evenings in the Day Room and paint toy soldiers (and Harlequins, and Eldar, and Orks, and Squats, and...).

I'm not trying to revive my youth through painting, but DakkaDakka sure fills in a need for recognition of effort expended, and the occasional good and creative idea. It just isn't in the cards to be able to game for awhile longer yet, as I work in Northern Virginia during the week, and then drive up to Southern Pennsylvania (about two hours) to spend the weekend at home with my wife and rescue Shetland ponies. There's still so much work to be done there, that there is no time to game, or paint over the weekends.

One day, in the not so distant future, I'll probably start selling off what I've got finished. But something that I've learned here, and that you, chief among others, have taught me, is that I can keep a hand in painting and building and sell or give away the products. The pictorial record of the builds here on DakkaDakka is most satisfactory for remembering the fun, the high points and the occasional disasters.

For the next big project up, well- I need a display board so I can take better photos. That might be next.

Of course, I still really want to light up a model, cast my own parts, try OSL, and I really need to finish the gun that goes with the Phaethon and, and, and....!

Thanks for the honest conversation and the chance to 'think things out' here on the blog.

Audace, l'audce, toujours l'audace!

More follows soonest!


"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
Made in de
Dakka Veteran







Hi Meer_Cat,
a
throwing off the shakles of "game ready" can be quite motivation - thoug a bit of a downer too, as you will uncounciously admit that there is no "playing with these babies".
It is really nice working without the restraints, but even while working on the ZEUS or the ATHENA I still thought about gaming with them - though the ATHENA more of a terrain piece for a low-figure-count skirmish game.

The possibilities of building, painting and story telling are just so vast without the gaming restricions. And story-telling that is what is currently the most important aspect of my building and painting. And this also urges me to try new things with each project. Kind of pushing the envelope.
If you do have some time to spare (a lot of time actually) I can recommend this video from Donato Giancola - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9fIQKk_2oQ - I love what he's doing. His Joan of Arc is simply stunning. But in this artist talk he talks a lot about motivation, skills and all of this. And actually I did take some notes (!) while watching it.
To me they are motivators, and I'd like to share them with you if you don't mind
- It's all in the story telling
- the story preceeds the craft
- Don't let the technique get in the way of your ideas
- If you don't take chances, you'll never have the epiphany of success

And this is what's driving me these days. The idea, the story. Then how to tell it. And once I start to tell the story I look at the techniques and how to realize the project.
I learn something new every time and my technique is constantly changing.
Sometimes the story is getting boring in the process, or no longer convincing... well, there is shelf space

I look forward to the journey you'll embark on.
I look forward to the postcards you'll share with us
HAVE FUN!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/03/01 09:58:32


-

my Blog: DEI GRECI  
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

My thanks to both of you- Klaus and Camkierhi- for taking the time to provide such thoughtful and extensive encouragement. I think between what the two of you have offered is the total answer to the (perceived) dilemma/indecision on my part. It's important for me not to lose perspective and paint/build because I feel I need to get something done, or do what someone else is doing, or even meet a deadline; if you're not having fun at your 'hobby'- you're not doing it right.

Further, I think for me the key is realizing that the desire/hope to game 'one day' is the story- I've been using the hypothetical game of one day in the future as the thread that links the projects, and really- I need to craft the story. (I will watch the video you recommend at the soonest opportunity, Klaus- quite likely tomorrow evening.)

Having the story first, I can see where that is critical. It's like trying to build a vehicle without considering that everything inside has to fit logically into the outside (the shell or hull). I'm going to have to think about the next piece.

I have to admit, I had a lot of fun with the scout car- everything I've done prior has been very static. I'm thinking I really do need a display board, and there is always the howitzer to go with the Phaethon (I did get some feedback to my query that the scene should be in the process of loading).

It's all good- the day to worry about is the one in which I can't think of _anything_ to work on; and that day ain't yet!

More follows soonest

"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
Made in gb
Mastering Non-Metallic Metal







Great job on the dio'. Great feeling of movement to it.
Nice paint job too.

As to the modelling for display Vs. gaming.
I too am in the mindset that "one day" I'll play the game. One day I'll have the space to build my own gaming table and have it modular and all will be right with the world... Some of those things may come to be.

However, I am more of a modeller than a gamer (otherwise I may have put in more effort to get a game in) and my models are built with details in mind.

But when I think of what details to add to a model, I think of the purpose of those details, and as you have been discussing here it's to do with telling a story.

I don't just stick things on for the sake of making the model look more interesting and busy (something that bugs me about many GW models; bling for the sake of it). Each little thing I add has a reason to be there; I have a story in my mind that tells of why that item is there.

Cables will run from a power source to something that requires power, a table in the corner will have a coffee mug on it (I'll even point the handle in such a way as I see where the owner was stood/seated when they last touched it).

While a piece destined for gaming needs to be sturdy (to stand up to constant handling), open (in the case of terrain, to allow mini's to be placed within), etc. there is still scope to add these story elements and clever placement of small details can avoid them being knocked off during gaming.

And don't feel like you need to telegraph the story either, so long as the placement of items are "logical" to how you see the story, other's will pick up on it and create their own story to fit.

Don't just think of the moment that the model is representing, think about the past year of it's life; what has been happening to bring it to now.

Mastodon: @DrH@warhammer.social
The army- ~2295 points (built).

* -=]_,=-eague Spruemeister General. * A (sprue) Hut tutorial *
Dsteingass - Dr. H..You are a role model for Internet Morality! // inmygravenimage - Dr H is a model to us all
Theophony - Sprue for the spruemeister, plastic for his plastic throne! // Shasolenzabi - Toilets, more complex than folks take time to think about!  
   
Made in be
Liberated Grot Land Raida






Belgium

Wow Meer-Cat, you really pushed sopme bondarie son this one, nice job!

When it comes to modelling vs gaming: I mmake most of my models for gaming, because we have an active gaming club. once in a while though, i'll just make a model because I can, and want to, gaming purpose be damned.

A Squeaky Waaagh!!

Camkhieri: "And another very cool thing, my phones predictive text actually gave me chicken as an option after typing robot, how cool is that."'

Meercat: "All eyes turned to the horizon and beheld, in lonely and menacing grandeur, the silhouette of a single Grot robot chicken; a portent of evil days to come."
From 'The Plucking of Gindoo Phlem' 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

Dr. H: Thank you for your thoughts on this subject. I've also always enjoyed the modeling aspect more than the actual gaming- it was a source of great frustration to the others in our circle who quickly (and serviceably, they didn't take a spray can and knock out thirty figures at a crack) painted up the basics of an army and were ready to play, and I was still basing my first squad. We literally drew lots to see who got what once we had discovered our first Games Workshop in Laurel, Maryland, outside of Fort Meade. I got Imperial Guard and have never regretted it. I am expanding into Eldar though, I've always had a sneaking liking for them, and Commissar Khaine has me set on a Grot project now, which will be fun. I do like what I'm doing lately, but I expect that a lot more 'mini-dioramas' or vignettes are in the offing, thanks to the thinking I've been able to do with all the input from you, CK, Klaus and Cam.

CK: Thank you for the kind words, and- stringing along with the thought started with Dr. H- yup, if it's a chore to work on the projects I pick, then I'm not doing the right projects. One of the biggest changes I expect I'll start really looking to make is to add basing always to the vehicles I do (whether that basing supports 'gaming' later or not) so as to tell that story that Klaus mentioned and that Dr. H amplified on.

Questions should be posed and answered (and you guys have given me the lexicon to do so now) as to why is something placed like it is, how did something get like it is, who is performing the action and in response to what?

I reckon it's going to be fun. Maybe an Imperial Guard Valkyrie, with Grot gunners and an Eldar Harlequin pilot, eh?

More follows soonest, and thank you all!

"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
Made in au
[MOD]
Making Stuff






Under the couch

That scout car is great!

 
   
Made in gb
Mastering Non-Metallic Metal







 Meer_Cat wrote:
...I reckon it's going to be fun. Maybe an Imperial Guard Valkyrie, with Grot gunners and an Eldar Harlequin pilot, eh?...
If you ever need an excuse to do this have a look over my "army" blog https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/471119.page#4673874
Specifically, the Predator tank that has an Ork driving and a Tyranid gunner.
True, I've come up with a whole load of fluff around a concept to give an in-universe meaning to the mixture of species in the army, but it's just an excuse to build what I want.
I even create rules for the crazy mixtures I build so that I "can" play with them should I ever get around to it.

Mastodon: @DrH@warhammer.social
The army- ~2295 points (built).

* -=]_,=-eague Spruemeister General. * A (sprue) Hut tutorial *
Dsteingass - Dr. H..You are a role model for Internet Morality! // inmygravenimage - Dr H is a model to us all
Theophony - Sprue for the spruemeister, plastic for his plastic throne! // Shasolenzabi - Toilets, more complex than folks take time to think about!  
   
Made in gb
Gargantuan Great Squiggoth





Not where I should be

And why would a bunch of mercenary space pirates need any excuse, sounds bloody good to me.

Who knows what goes on at the fringe of space, beyond Imperial control and species based warfare, maybe the Harlequins an outcast and grots aren't known for being fussy about who they hangout with.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/03/03 23:03:06





 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

I know that Pred! I didn't make the connection at the time that it was your build- been awhile since I looked at it. I'm going to have to go through your blog again and read the reasoning behind that scene- excellent project!


"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
Made in gb
Mastering Non-Metallic Metal







Yes, I think I remember you commenting on one or two photos in the gallery.

You can now see where I'm coming from with the building / gaming and story elements.
It's a playable model, with (slightly modified) rules, and quite a bit of fluff just for itself. But it has a lived-in look and a story to tell.

There's links to the build in the OP of the thread.

Mastodon: @DrH@warhammer.social
The army- ~2295 points (built).

* -=]_,=-eague Spruemeister General. * A (sprue) Hut tutorial *
Dsteingass - Dr. H..You are a role model for Internet Morality! // inmygravenimage - Dr H is a model to us all
Theophony - Sprue for the spruemeister, plastic for his plastic throne! // Shasolenzabi - Toilets, more complex than folks take time to think about!  
   
Made in us
Rogue Inquisitor with Xenos Bodyguards





Eastern edge

i like that scout car

"Your mumblings are awakening the sleeping Dragon, be wary when meddling the affairs of Dragons, for thou art tasty and go good with either ketchup or chocolate. "
Dragons fear nothing, if it acts up, we breath magic fire that turns them into marshmallow peeps. We leaguers only cry rivets!



 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





North Carolina

 Meer_Cat wrote:
Hi Klaus, Oldravenman,

Thank you both for looking in. I take it as high praise indeed when fellow modelers- whose work I use to inform my own- speak well of a project I've really put some effort into.

I'm at another crossroads in my development as a modeler: up 'til now I've considered that everything I do must be 'game-able', a counts-as, or at least loosely within a rules set. There are certain limitations inherent in that, though, because there is a certain element of 'toy' or 'game piece' within the constraints of usability.

So, now I need to figure out if I want to really just do a diorama or vignette, and try for a higher level of realism?

Don't get me wrong, I very much like how the SPAAG, Athena, Midge and even the Hellhound counts-as came out (gotta do something with that wad of hairnet posing as camo netting on the back of the 'Hound), and that may be the upper limit of my painting talents. Which is okay, because there is so much more to try, like OSL, NMM and other techniques. Not to mention micro-lighting a scene or vehicle (or vehicle in a scene)!

I think the motto "You're only as good as your next project" is very appropriate at this juncture. I'm happy with what I've done, am working on a small, easy terrain piece and need to really think about what I'm going to do next.

More follows soonest!





Don't limit yourself to just the tabletop. You have skill and imagination. Just go hog wild and have a rip-roarin' good time with your projects. Hell, most of the stuff I do isn't playable, and won't ever be unless GW gives us some actual updated vehicle design rules (not just this half-assed deal with custom loadouts on canon units). But I have fun doing it. And I get a kick out of your (and everybody else here's) work. I look forward to more.

Proud Purveyor Of The Unconventional In 40k 
   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut




Rugby

To echo what others have already said, I’m no gamer and mostly build concept stuff or just something quirky ( like the 40k forklift) I try and push my skills and learn something new with each project, be it building, casting or painting techniques. Your ideas are great and I’m looking forward to what you come out with next.
   
Made in gb
Storm Trooper with Maglight





Bath uk

Looks great mate, finished product came out awesome. really characterful piece!

RIP Colour Sgt Kell. Forever in our hearts.
Click below for plenty guardsmen

Cadian 404th "The Lost Boys" P&M blog

Tutorial:How to make IG packs
 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

 Dr H wrote:
Yes, I think I remember you commenting on one or two photos in the gallery.

You can now see where I'm coming from with the building / gaming and story elements.
It's a playable model, with (slightly modified) rules, and quite a bit of fluff just for itself. But it has a lived-in look and a story to tell.

There's links to the build in the OP of the thread.


Thanks for the great example and encouragement Doc- I'll be studying the build at the link!

 shasolenzabi wrote:
i like that scout car


Thanks shas! About 200 more vehicles, and I can challenge you to an Armegeddon match!

 oldravenman3025 wrote:
 Meer_Cat wrote:
Hi Klaus, Oldravenman,

Thank you both for looking in. I take it as high praise indeed when fellow modelers- whose work I use to inform my own- speak well of a project I've really put some effort into.

I'm at another crossroads in my development as a modeler: up 'til now I've considered that everything I do must be 'game-able', a counts-as, or at least loosely within a rules set. There are certain limitations inherent in that, though, because there is a certain element of 'toy' or 'game piece' within the constraints of usability.

So, now I need to figure out if I want to really just do a diorama or vignette, and try for a higher level of realism?

Don't get me wrong, I very much like how the SPAAG, Athena, Midge and even the Hellhound counts-as came out (gotta do something with that wad of hairnet posing as camo netting on the back of the 'Hound), and that may be the upper limit of my painting talents. Which is okay, because there is so much more to try, like OSL, NMM and other techniques. Not to mention micro-lighting a scene or vehicle (or vehicle in a scene)!

I think the motto "You're only as good as your next project" is very appropriate at this juncture. I'm happy with what I've done, am working on a small, easy terrain piece and need to really think about what I'm going to do next.

More follows soonest!



Don't limit yourself to just the tabletop. You have skill and imagination. Just go hog wild and have a rip-roarin' good time with your projects. Hell, most of the stuff I do isn't playable, and won't ever be unless GW gives us some actual updated vehicle design rules (not just this half-assed deal with custom loadouts on canon units). But I have fun doing it. And I get a kick out of your (and everybody else here's) work. I look forward to more.


Thanks ORM- more follows soonest!

Alaricuk wrote:
To echo what others have already said, I’m no gamer and mostly build concept stuff or just something quirky ( like the 40k forklift) I try and push my skills and learn something new with each project, be it building, casting or painting techniques. Your ideas are great and I’m looking forward to what you come out with next.


Thanks Alaricuk- I think it's the 'pushing the skills' part that makes it a conscious choice- keep going with what I'm doing (which is fun and fairly decent) or push on and try to get better. I think expansion is in my future!

 STG wrote:
Looks great mate, finished product came out awesome. really characterful piece!


Thanks STG- now if I could just get my rate of production up to yours!

Thank you all! I hope to have something new to show you (at least a start) very soon!


"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

So, for the last week, ten days, I've taken some advice that many of you gave and just fooled around with a little project just to have some fun and also to learn a little bit at the same time.

It all started with my Yankee penuriousness regarding all the little bits of this and that, and tiny scraps of plastic and bits and bobs all over my work desk. On the one hand, I didn't want to throw all that potentially good junk away, but on the other I didn't want to stick it in a box or jar where it would never see the light of day again or- the horror- just throw it out. So I decided to do a small piece of Necromunda-type terrain, also usable for WH40K, to make a basic pile of junk. At the same time, this gave me the opportunity to practice some rust/weathering techniques and try a few things I'd never had the chance to before. I also compared different products that I've had bouncing around forever to see if there was any difference.

I mocked up a quick base platform out of an old mini-CD, some blue masking tape and a couple of bits of foam core board:



I hit that with some of my favorite modeling compound- Dex Flexible Spackle (never leave home without it):



Then started gluing things down- bigger things first, then small bits. This included everything from leftover small gubbins from other model kits, broken pieces of sprue, a button snap I found in the laundry room, glue nozzles, even the scrunge paint crud that froms around the lip of your favorite dollar store acryllic paint. I did this in layers so I could see where needed building up and where was good:



Then a basecoat of a brown shade of Rust-o-leum spray paint I had on hand:



I picked out some pieces in a good, dark grey that either I wanted to hit with a metallic or use as a palette for rust:



Then some in a 'vehicle scrap' color:



I also tried both of the 'ready made' rust products I have on hand. I used these:





Of them, both yielded a fairly similar result. I'd have to say that the Vallejo Rust Wash as heavier, easier to put down where I wanted coverage (ie: the whole surface was rusty). The Micro Mark 2 part product was thinner, and dried lighter. The nice thing about it is you can go back and 'layer up' areas in either the red rust solution or the black oxidizing solution, depending on what you want. The black oxidizing solution also work in simllar fashion on the Vallejo wash, so go figure. One's as good as another for my money.

I also used two shades of Model Color WWII German camo paints: Camo Black Brown and Camo Medium Brown. With highlighting and washing it gave a simlar coloration for rust, but was a lot more work to achieve:



As you can see in the earlier photo I also used the old reliable Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade washes from GW. I found some good videos on YouTube on how to make my own of both, and will be trying that when these run out (cheaper). I also wanted some areas of very, _very_ advanced rust, so found a cheap box of 'soft pastel chalks' at my local hobby/art store for US$5 and tried scraping some flakes off with my utility knife:



That didn't actually work too well- the 'soft pastel' wasn't and the flakes came off pretty big. Next go-round I'm going to try grinding them into powder in a mortar and pestle I have handy. For this buld though, I doused them in decal setting solution (I used the Walthers, but also have some Decal-fix hanging about somewhere). This dissolved some fot he flake, caused it to run into the cracks, which is what I wanted, and generally toned the color down a bit:



I really wanted to try the 'sponge application' method of doing some scrapes and rust, which is why that chunk of track cover is stuck on the top. The guys at work had one of those foam lined transport cases that you can pick and pluck the foam bits out to the exact shape you want, and they were just going to throw out the bits they had pulled out, so they gave them to me:



I figure this amount will last me approximately 53 years, so I'm good. I cut the small pieces andstippled on some darker grey, followed by silver, followed by a light touch of thin Micro Mark rust solution:



I hit the dirt part with Agrx, the whole rusty pile with Nuln, highlighted with a cheap acrylic that bills itself as 'Warm Buff', hit the whole thing with matte varnish and called it done:



Here's a couple of shots with some Jaegers (the squad leader from 1st Squad and a missileer from 2nd) for scale:







So, mission accomplished:
* I used up almost all the little scrap junky pieces getting in the way on my desk
* I made a bit of fun terrain 'just to do'
* I learned a little about how my rust products stack up to each other
* I had a go at sponge application for weathering, rust, scrape damage

All in all, a neat little project and I can definitely apply what I've learned to the next project coming.

Thank you for the opportunity to learn from you, and to try it out here. Your comments, suggestions and constructive criticisms are most welcome.

More follows soonest!

"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
Made in be
Liberated Grot Land Raida






Belgium

Excellent work, and a lovely piece of terrain to boot. For scraping of pastels, try a file or sanding paper.

I figure this amount will last me approximately 53 years, so I'm good.


Trust me, once you start using it, it'll ge tused up real fast .

A Squeaky Waaagh!!

Camkhieri: "And another very cool thing, my phones predictive text actually gave me chicken as an option after typing robot, how cool is that."'

Meercat: "All eyes turned to the horizon and beheld, in lonely and menacing grandeur, the silhouette of a single Grot robot chicken; a portent of evil days to come."
From 'The Plucking of Gindoo Phlem' 
   
Made in us
Posts with Authority





Boston-area [Watertown] Massachusetts

Excellent work! Looks great, and was a great self-taught lesson! Bravo!

As for pastels, I have a coffee grinder I bought for $3 at a thrift store.

--B.


Falling down is the same as being hit by a planet — "I paint to the 20 foot rule, it saves a lot of time." -- Me
ddogwood wrote:People who feel the need to cheat at Warhammer deserve pity, not anger. I mean, how pathetic does your life have to be to make you feel like you need to cheat at your toy army soldiers game?
 
   
Made in us
Combat Jumping Rasyat





Palitine Il

Looks like a fun learning experience!

That mortar and pestle are going to be removed from food service, right?
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




Wisconsin

A very nice piece of terrain Meer, I do think your painting skills are getting better. Really like how you walked us through each stage of the project some day I might try my hand at bit of kitbashing too.
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

Hello CK- and thank you for the kind words- I've been meaning to play around with rust for awhile, and finally just said 'now's as good as any time' and did it. I still want to try the 'salt' method of weathering, and there is a method I saw when doing model railroading where you dab some rubber cement on the basecoated piece, paint over it and when dry- pull the rubber cement off. It leaves tears and strips of paint hanging, like you see sometimes. I will try using a file or sandpaper on the pastels next time, rather than a hobby knife.

Hi Briancj- thank you for looking in! I like the idea of the cheap coffee grinder, but how do you clean it up between colors? The pastels I got are what you'd expect for US$5- not exactly crayons- not waxy, but almost 'plastic' feeling- hard to describe. But the method is worth a try- anything worth doing is worth doing to excess, amirite?

Great to see you active, CM! I'm puzzled, because you make it sound like grinding pastels and food preparation are separate endeavors. Next you're going to be telling me not to do the dishes in the wash machine with my work clothes....

Hi Yorkright! This project was fun, and I'm glad that putting up the blow-by-blow wasn't too boring. I really appreciate better now what it felt like for you to add weathering/rust to your armored vehicle recently. We work hard to paint everything up just so, and then deliberately go out and ruin it. The little piece of track cover was coming along just nicely using my traditional techniques- and then I was going to potentially ruin it by trying something new. But trying, learning something new was what this was all about, so silly not to go forward. I really need to try these techniques on a proper vehicle though- something with more flat surfaces to 'distress'. And do try a kitbash or customization sometime- I find it very liberating!

Thanks again all y'all for your suggestions and encouragement- more follows soonest!

"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
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Posts with Authority





Boston-area [Watertown] Massachusetts

The grinders are designed to be washed, so they come apart for cleaning, or are easy to clean. Mine can be cleaned with a wet paper towel.

Falling down is the same as being hit by a planet — "I paint to the 20 foot rule, it saves a lot of time." -- Me
ddogwood wrote:People who feel the need to cheat at Warhammer deserve pity, not anger. I mean, how pathetic does your life have to be to make you feel like you need to cheat at your toy army soldiers game?
 
   
Made in gb
Gargantuan Great Squiggoth





Not where I should be

Excellent piece of work. Great to see you going for it.

With the pastels, when you scrapped, did you have the blade perpendicular to the pastel. It does not have to be a sharp blade, the side of a metal ruler would do.
I have fancied a grinder for ages, but struggling to find one here.
Also scrape the pastel into a cup and mix with a little water. Brush it on, once it dries, it leaves a nice chalky type wash effect.
And on the next piece, scatter a few other metals through the pile, a bit of verdigris on some copper or brass, a nice bit of white powdery aluminium. Breaks it up, but falls well into the piece.

Excellent all round bud, now on to the next.




 
   
Made in us
Posts with Authority





Boston-area [Watertown] Massachusetts

Cam: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Coffee-Grinder-Mixer-Crusher/dp/B01MRP8ZKJ/ref=sr_1_4?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1521165599&sr=1-4&keywords=coffee+grinder

Falling down is the same as being hit by a planet — "I paint to the 20 foot rule, it saves a lot of time." -- Me
ddogwood wrote:People who feel the need to cheat at Warhammer deserve pity, not anger. I mean, how pathetic does your life have to be to make you feel like you need to cheat at your toy army soldiers game?
 
   
Made in us
Combat Jumping Rasyat





Palitine Il

Edit, sleepy brain mis understanding your response, you did understand my first comment.

Original post explaining why I can’t use my family’s for hobby grinding.
Spoiler:
I guess I’m used to earthen/stoneware mortar and pestles that are just a tiny bit porous and can never be fully “cleaned”. Either they’re for spices or other stuff, not both.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/03/16 04:46:48


 
   
Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

I did understand, Chaotic Mind- was pulling your leg a bit. Per other comments here, I'll try altering the angle of the scrape or sandpaper before using the mortar- for all that it is porcelain, why grub it up if there is an easier (and cheaper) way?

Might still give an eyeball to see what's at my local Goodwill/thrift store in the way of grinders though....

I think I'm going to have a go at some Raging Heroes figures next- try getting some more practice in with skin tones and eyes, or perhaps the grot armored car that CommissarKhaine has gotten me interested in trying. I picked up some extra greens just to have on hand.

More follows soonest!

"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
Made in gb
Mastering Non-Metallic Metal







Nice pile o' junk.

Good rust tones.
As Cam' mentioned, a few touches of contrasting colours/materials can help. You do have some things there, but they are not heavily contrasting. Consider adding "painted" items or less rusty pieces; in a range of stages from chipped paint through to rusted. The cleaner pieces make the rusty things look more rusty.

True, in reality I'd be the first to sort out all the different materials and ranges of corrosion, but on a model a mixture can look better.

Also, consider different tones of rust: Newer orange rust to older brown/red rust. And then throw in some purple-y rust etc. That also helps to break up the piece and highlight certain items.

You can tell I've put a lot of thought into rust piles... I've built one in the past.

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Made in us
[DCM]
Boom! Leman Russ Commander





United States

Thank you for the advice Doc- you described in detail how to get the effect I wanted- the contrasting colors- but didn't get. I'm almost tempted to go through my bits and do another bit of scatter terrain, and try some of these things now, while the mood and the time are upon me and the 'knowin' ' is in my mind!

Contrasting colors, new ways to prepare pastels for use as washes, plus applying what I've learned through experimentation on the first pile o' junk.

Although I'm really groovin' on prepping the Raging Heroes figures- I've never worked with any before (nor resin castings, for that matter) and the level of detail is excellent and everything is new to learn here, also.

I might have to get to coin flipping to figure out which way to go- everyone should have my problems: too many projects, 'way too little time!

"He fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to a single touch; to win- or lose- it all."

Montrose Toast


 
   
 
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