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Hello, folks.
Haven't been here in a while.
Sever burnout has kept me away from the hobby for the past 9 months or so, and just now I've come crawling back. Picked up a brush this weekend for the first time in so long, not anything worthy of being shown, but it was progress. I'm no longer really interested in the competitive 40k scene, though I'll maintain my Imperial Guard through the coming new edition. I'm more interested in the individual models and characters, and providing inspirational content to the community that has inspired me so much. Please comment, tell me what you think. If you hate something I post, hate it, I'm cool with that. Tell me why, and you have my respect for your opinion. if you love it, tell me you love it; that stuff makes my day.
Anyway.
Today, the start of a new journey came in the form of a package.

Inquisitor!

I've been enthralled with Inquisitor for a while, and this rulebook was a smashing deal at $6. Right now, I have few to no definite plans for what I'm going to do. The rough plan is to read the book through, see if I'm inspired randomly and work from there. I'm a writer, so there will be fluff bits on these figures as they come out.
For now only one definite figure for the warband:

Whatcha think?

That's all I have for now, except a promise of great things to come.

Now to go and find me some new superglue.

~Unlucky~
www.edwargaming.blogspot.com

Looks promising! Would love to know more about the character of that model and the purpose of the suit. I'm looking forward to what else you come up with!

model collector wrote:Looks promising! Would love to know more about the character of that model and the purpose of the suit. I'm looking forward to what else you come up with!

Thanks for the comment. He's based off a concept for a "Bio-Suit" guardsman (see original thread HERE). Basically the suit resists a lot of damage and toxins from gribbly creatures (i.e. Tyranids); this was conceived during my Anphelion Project phase. Typically this would be used in a situation that involves specimens of alien races that may be violent.

Update for today: "Takin' stock of what I have and what I haven't...."
Went through my desk today, checking up on the stock.

This is my paint rack and large bits collection. Space Marines, Guard models, Eldar etc. Going through it I think I might need a new influx of parts before I begin to build the final models; it's a great start though. Anyone know where to get lots of cheap bits (job lots, etc)?

This is my guard army, the only complete force I've got. Most models here are integral to the force, so I can only glean a few bits here and there; the Lord Commissar may become my leader, though.

The Space Marine and various bits section. This should be where the fun stuff (bionics, chainswords) comes from.

But on a more directed front:
I do have two models that look promising for a retinue.

This model, from a Games Day diorama, looks like a fanatical crazed man who might be useful as a...tracker of some sort? Still thinking here, but he's got a lot of character.
Next:

The once famous Captain Imperium, wielding a powerfist and shield. I'm thinking a Rogue Trader of some sort for this guy, but that almost seems too much. I don't know, this model is so awesome. Whatcha think?

Unluckguardsman

Anyone know where to get lots of cheap bits (job lots, etc)?

Search for phrases like 'job lot' and 'bitz bag' on eBay in the wargaming section, look for auctions not BIN and take a chance on the blurry photographed huge pile of bits that sometimes crop up. This is what I did when I needed to get back into the hobby after a long break and needed just a good stock of parts to get me started, got some real bargains that would have cost 20x as much if they had been sorted and sold in smaller batches.

Your dude in the plasticard suit of armour looks great by the way, can we get a couple more photos? That sort of attention to detail is great, I like how you have disguised the component parts (like the legs with kneepads added). I think the chaos marauder especially is a bit to familiar looking to most people who put this sort of gang together, but if you can disguise his components to the same extent as your first mini that ought to work well.

Evening, chaps.
Another exam down today, only a few left. This means it's time to get completely unnecessarily distracted!

But seriously. There are good distractions too.
I decided that my picture setup needs an upgrade...scratch that, an entire new look and feel. My original light setup:
(Click for bigger)
This was a cardboard and tissue paper construction featuring between 1 and 3 OTT Lights. The setup looked nice, with a calming blue gradient background and smoothly covered lighting. However, it did not travel well when it needed to be moved and it was constructed of very rippable materials. Its location, conveniently far away from my desk, made it inconvenient and annoying to take pictures at. If I wanted to take a good shot, I'd be moving OTT lights from my desk to the box and waiting for them to warm up, then taking model pics; move models and lights back to the desk, then take camera and supplies up to the computer.
Ick.
What needs to change?
1) The picture area needs to be CLOSER and more CONVENIENT. This means moving lights a minimal distance, and not taking models off of my desk to take shots.
2) There needs to be more STABILITY. Using macro focus is useless if there is no stability on the photo. Tripod, anyone?
3) There needs to be more STABILITY. This is different, however. This stability means that the lightbox itself is not breakable and can be moved in absolutely necessary. I can't be repairing it everyday.
4) There needs to be more variance. I'd like a more artsy background for my finished shots, and a simple WIP background that maybe says "WIP" so I don't have to edit my pictures for that. Also, a few different backgrounds would be nice so I can choose a background that works for the miniature.

So, what have I done?

This.
Mind you, this is not final. But it gives an excellent idea of what I'm going for.
You'll notice that it is located right on the shelf on my desk. Right below the background is my work area with my paints and knives and such. Perfect for quick shots. I still might build something for WIPs, though, but that is a mere embellishment.
I picked up an ancient metal/copper tripod from my Aunt this week, and it hangs nicely over the edge, giving me a nice tripod mount to keep my camera in one spot.
As of this point, there is no real "lightbox". No diffusers, no structure. I'm not in desperate need of that now, I'm thinking I might build a PVC pipe frame. Suggestions?
Variance is another thing that is missing. I spoke of the need for at least two backgrounds, and only one is present. When I build a permanent setup, that will be easier to work with.
My big question here is, what is the best way for snapping good WIP pics that still look professional? Must it be in the "lightbox" or is there a quick desk setup I can build?
Thanks for any advice, and if this helps you with miniature photography, that's awesome.
And don't say, "You probably have an amazing camera that is uber-special and I can never afford one...mumble grumble". Truth is, many cellphones have better cameras than my 7 year old relic of a camera. use what you've got, and "fix it in post". If you have stability, focus and lighting there should be no barrier between you and anyone else.

So, a sample pic from my new setup, compared with my old one. I think there's a difference...


I think it's a lot less artificial.
#onelastthing: backgrounds here: http://corvusminiatures.blogspot.com/2010/04/cloud-backdrops-for-your-miniature.html

So now, you may say, "Unlucky, dagnabit, we came here for your miniature projects, not a lecture on photography!"
Well.
About that.
haven't had time to sit down and paint/model since yesterday. I haven't managed to get superglue either. Errr.
But I have done some thinking about my warband.
I'm thinking my Inquisitor is going to be a young headstrong man, with a bionic arm (powerfist) and an electrified shield (shocks). He'll have a few servo skulls as well, making sure he stays alive.
His henchmen? There's going to be the Bio-Suit guardsman, the fanatic and some sort of bionically modified soldier. All equally interesting and fun to model. What do you all think of that for composition?

That's all for now, thanks for reading!

@Bruticus Thanks, I'm currently watching a few auctions, trying to nab things under $5. More photos are certainly on the way, as well as plenty of modelling. Thanks for the encouragement.

~UnluckyGuardsman~

Good Evening folks.

I've made a bit more progress on the miniatures today, beginning with dirtying up my too clean workstation.

You can see quite a pile of bits, the contents of my once beautiful bits box. I took them out to get me inspired some more in my modelling journey.

This work here is a bit more concentrated. You can see a few older stormtroopers with some bayonets and modern sights there. Not sure where to put them right now, I think they will work well as local peacekeepers (NPCs) for Inquisitor and maybe veterans for my Imperial Guard. The characters in the background are various Imperial veterans of some sort or another who were pushed to the bottom of the pile at some point. The one with a stubber next to him was originally constructed for Inquisitor a few months, and he'll be back at some point. Muahaha.

These parts are the bits of my fanatical-something or other. The bare chest, loincloth and bare arms all work well as does the axe. But for this model I have a pressing question: What head, and what other weapon/thing for his other hand? I originally had a Chaos Marauder head on there, but I thought again and looked at this Catachan head. I was convinced, but now I'm not. With the open hand, I like the knife, but I almost think he would benefit from something else.

Finally, a beautiful model that I really love. However, I don't have a place for him outside of my Imperial Guard. I figured you all would like to see some paint on models to keep you occupied.

Big changes to this blog coming soon as well .

Until next time,

UG

I like your work UG, especially the inquisitor build. Your painting shows a lot of potential. One think to think about with OSL is that light doesn't go around corners, so having the green glow from the marine's eyes travel around the arch of the helmet isn't physically possible. OSL takes a lot of practice, but when you nail it, it's fantastic.

With the marauder, I'd go with a pistol of some sort... Bearing in mind if you want to play Inquisitor I'd try to steer clear of Bolt Pistols as they are very powerful in comparison to others. Also, I'd have to echo the call of maybe green stuffing/using parts to edit the body and legs some how. Maybe add some rough looking body Armour, this will hide the fact that it's pretty much a stock model making it far more interesting for the viewer!

Either way, the first solider with his radiation suit style thing on is absolutely fantastic. I'm glad to of caught a glimps of this product in its opening stages, excellent work! Keep it up!

Wasn't "Inquisitor" originally designed with special 40mm models in mind? Or am I thinking of a different game?

Gitsplitta wrote:I like your work UG, especially the inquisitor build. Your painting shows a lot of potential. One think to think about with OSL is that light doesn't go around corners, so having the green glow from the marine's eyes travel around the arch of the helmet isn't physically possible. OSL takes a lot of practice, but when you nail it, it's fantastic.

I see what you mean, that makes sense. Thanks, I'll put some more work into it.

abhorsen950 wrote:With the marauder, I'd go with a pistol of some sort... Bearing in mind if you want to play Inquisitor I'd try to steer clear of Bolt Pistols as they are very powerful in comparison to others. Also, I'd have to echo the call of maybe green stuffing/using parts to edit the body and legs some how. Maybe add some rough looking body Armour, this will hide the fact that it's pretty much a stock model making it far more interesting for the viewer!

Pistol, yes. I just need to find a good base arm to work it. And body armour should work well, I'll practice my plasticard skills again.

Gitsplitta wrote:Wasn't "Inquisitor" originally designed with special 40mm models in mind? Or am I thinking of a different game?

54mm, yes. INQ28 is a newer offspring.

Either way, the first solider with his radiation suit style thing on is absolutely fantastic. I'm glad to of caught a glimps of this product in its opening stages, excellent work! Keep it up!

You know UG... there's this stuff that you can get at the local hobby shot called Krystal Klear... made by the same folks who make the decal wetting and fixing solutions. It's like a thick white glue in a small bottle. Cool thing is if you put some on a brush and stretch it across a small open space, it dries clear like a window (model railroaders often use it to make glass windows in RR cars and locomotives, houses, etc.). After he's painted, I bet you could put some in-between the straps around his head and it would look like he was inside a space-helmet... which would be too cool for school. The big gap on top might be a bit tough, but if you snuck one more piece front to back or side to side across it, I think it would work.

Gitsplitta wrote:You know UG... there's this stuff that you can get at the local hobby shot called Krystal Klear... made by the same folks who make the decal wetting and fixing solutions. It's like a thick white glue in a small bottle. Cool thing is if you put some on a brush and stretch it across a small open space, it dries clear like a window (model railroaders often use it to make glass windows in RR cars and locomotives, houses, etc.). After he's painted, I bet you could put some in-between the straps around his head and it would look like he was inside a space-helmet... which would be too cool for school. The big gap on top might be a bit tough, but if you snuck one more piece front to back or side to side across it, I think it would work.

Man, that would be quite legit. I'll take a look into getting some of that. Thanks for the tip Gits!

really cool conversions UG, excited to see where you go with this thread

Rogue Wolves wrote:really cool conversions UG, excited to see where you go with this thread

Hey, thanks man. Glad you like what you see, there will be lots of progress coming.

Hello all.

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback.
I've made some nice new progress on the fanatic, in coordination with abhorsen's feedback. I've added a pistol (to be further modified) and changed the close combat weapon to a pick axe.

The picture is pretty poor, I apologize. Camera is on it's last legs. Also, upon further examination the pickaxe's bottom fell off during the picture, there is indeed a continued handle down there.
For the body, I'm thinking some improvised body armor covering the upper part of the chest and the back, similar to that of a Cadian officer.

Let me know what you think of the pistol addition and the weapon swap!

Thanks.

UG

I like it, though I don't think the pistol is posed correctly on the hand.

Looking pretty cool so far. Look forward to seeing what else you come up with.

Gitsplitta wrote:I like it, though I don't think the pistol is posed correctly on the hand.

I think that is the fault of the sticky-tac that is holding the model together, once I get some glue on this sucker then the angles will start to come together smoothly again.

Excommunicate Traitoris wrote:Looking pretty cool so far. Look forward to seeing what else you come up with.

My imagination is limitless, so the ideas will be fresh and frequent.

UG

Hello all.
This week I've had an exciting little detour. A friend of mine and I decided to sit down and make a painting video for our young business, E.D. Wargaming.


This took up many hours shooting (3 memory cards filled up!) and many more watching back footage and cutting it together. I hope you enjoy this, it's meant to be a little bit of background for you when you paint.

Thanks, and more INQ coming this weekend!

UG