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Man that's a lot of exciting blank canvases.

Edit: That sounds sarcastic now I read it back. I really am excited to see what you do with these!

GiraffeX wrote:Looking forward to seeing what you do with the Walking Dead terrain set, I've been looking at that for Batman as well.

It's good, Mantic really know their scatter terrain.

Camkierhi wrote:Nice collection of things going on, looking forward to whats next.

me too

Knightley wrote:Should add a number of options for your games with that set, are you going to try and match any of it to stuff in the actual show?

Well honestly I'm not a huge fan of the show! Like the comics, or at least did for the first wee while. I'm thinking a police truck and a breakdown truck, and just good strong colours for the cars.

Casey's Law wrote:Man that's a lot of exciting blank canvases.

Edit: That sounds sarcastic now I read it back. I really am excited to see what you do with these!

no worries. I'm excited too, really love the barricades. Also, after my 10% discount and store credit it only set me back £13

Got a notion to make some Rooftop scatter also:


And the state of the shelf


For anyone who builds, i cannot recommend highly enough this article about an artist who creates 1/20th models of real world, everyday buildings:
http://www.archdaily.com/867050/micro-scale-modelling-how-to-construct-tiny-intricate-worlds-from-ordinary-materials-joshua-smith

Next round of the League is up - Tubes!
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/720769.page
Think I'm going to sit this one out despite having an idea (i even have bits...) I think it's also important just to let other folk have a go, having won it a couple of times and placed on other occasions also - not being cocky, it's just boring/threatening to see the same folk win contests.

So lots to paint anyway, and the school holidays are nearly here... Yeah, like I'll have any time!
Later,
Graven

Nice little box.
Good potential for the terrain pieces.
Look forward to what gets painted next.

I like that little scatter piece, should grunge up nicely.

That's a great wee article, I saw it posted somewhere earlier but I forgot to give it a proper read, I've bookmarked it now.

If you have an idea for the League competition and you fancy it then I say go for it. Doesn't matter what sort of competition it is, I'd rather lose to the same sharks over and over while trying to improve myself than stagnate in a shallow pool.

Love the scatter piece, nice AC unit. Great little article too, very inspiring.

I know exactly what you mean about the contest, I want to enter but don't want to win again. (that sounds so big headed and I will go shot myself now.) The last round Cleatus won not because he had the best model, but because the effort and brilliance and extra mile he had gone, and that's what I would like the contest to be about, not who is the best. I would definitely say you have to enter if you can, for the fun, for the inspiration you give others, but maybe we should have a handicap system, previous winners get -10pts per win, that way the new boys don't feel so intimidated. Sorry waffled a lot in your blog.

Dr H wrote:Nice little box.
Good potential for the terrain pieces.
Look forward to what gets painted next.

Yeah, me too My wife really despairs whenever she hears those fateful words, "Ooh, that's an interesting bit of plastic."

Casey's Law wrote:I like that little scatter piece, should grunge up nicely.

That's a great wee article, I saw it posted somewhere earlier but I forgot to give it a proper read, I've bookmarked it now.

If you have an idea for the League competition and you fancy it then I say go for it. Doesn't matter what sort of competition it is, I'd rather lose to the same sharks over and over while trying to improve myself than stagnate in a shallow pool.

You're kind The level of detailing that he achieves gives a lot to think about. I've started adding slaps (tiny stickers) to my urban terrain, for one thing.

Camkierhi wrote:Love the scatter piece, nice AC unit. Great little article too, very inspiring.

I know exactly what you mean about the contest, I want to enter but don't want to win again. (that sounds so big headed and I will go shot myself now.) The last round Cleatus won not because he had the best model, but because the effort and brilliance and extra mile he had gone, and that's what I would like the contest to be about, not who is the best. I would definitely say you have to enter if you can, for the fun, for the inspiration you give others, but maybe we should have a handicap system, previous winners get -10pts per win, that way the new boys don't feel so intimidated. Sorry waffled a lot in your blog.

De nada. Those few of us who've not only won more than once - Meade, Viktor Von Domm, and ourselves (though in fact we've both been runner up more than once too), should perhaps be barred from taking on an active role in the contests - a League Member Emeritus, as it were? Legend of the League? (that's Leg-end. Not Bell-end). I - all of us, in our way, I suspect - am a very competitive person but, beyond the fun of actually running the contest (and, you know, stuff), I don't want to stifle the competition as a whole. What do you think? Or maybe we should have this discussion over there. I don't think it's arrogance - it's just trying to keep the contests fun, fair and mutually supportive. There's nothing to stop us building sometihng in theme, sharing it in thread, letting folk dissect it, and use it to spur discussion.

Oo, I like the handicap idea.

Have put a post in the comp blog, you are probably right Graven we need to talk it out over there.

I like to compete but would rather not at all if I am going to put someone off entering seeing our work. I enter many competitions with no hope of winning, especially the painting ones, but enjoy the drive it gives.

I fully expect to see you all entering now I have said that.

 inmygravenimage wrote:

...Yeah, me too My wife really despairs whenever she hears those fateful words, "Ooh, that's an interesting bit of plastic."

Amen to that. The trick is to use those plastic storage bins for all the bits, and store everything with the lids on. Everything stacks nicely in the basement and is never seen. I've found that keeping things neat and tidy cuts down on a huge amount of erm *commentary*.

Judging is an option too, instead of entering a piece in the comp. Also, build something to the theme, but not as an entry, but as inspiration. My two pennies.




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Very cool article too. 1:20 scale is huge stuff. For us, We mostly build stuff in the ~1:48 to 1:55 scale, and is considered large scale.

inmygravenimage, thanks for sharing that article, that's cool.

Interesting discussion about the LOER comp here... I'm going to post a reply on the LOER thread.

So.
Been a while.
Work is bonkers. Just about out the other side of it, though.

But, stuff is getting done. In addition to lots of priming, I'm repainting some minis I acquired. Here's a teaser:

Had an excellent game of BMG last night with metropolis, Joker vs Two-Face. Crucially, we​ only checked the rules once! Though admittedly we did refer to my cheat sheet of traits a few times, but still.


Scenario was Plunder - all objectives in the middle, makes for a bloody and frantic game.
Tried out the Joker's titan thug with a grapple gun and clown paint - very silly, but makes what is regarded as one of the most over-costed henchmen in the game a highly mobile beast - or as I like to call him, Mr Hoppy! (If you get that reference, you win all the internets). Now, whether to make him a pogo stick or a space hopper, that's the question. Clown paint grants Distract (reduces target's defence) meaning that even against a Boss you're hitting on a 3+ and doing up to 8 stun damage on 3+ also (9 if you crit, enough to take out just about anyone in the game). Very, very scary. He got 6 of the 8 succesfully, and still surivived a full scale onslaught from all of Harvey's goons. General agreement that he rules.
I lost but Mr J still managed to take out Harvey on the last roll of the game - KO, not a kill, which would've won me it. Crucially, the vast majority of our points came from scoring objectives - I placed mine really poorly and could, with a bit more thought, have easily snatched an extra couple on the first turn of the game. All a learning process, though. Joker makes one very lazy (you don't have to pre-plan your resource management) which leads to complacency. This was also a chance to test Joker post-FAQ (points cost increased by 10%), which effectively meant one less thug to hold objectives - more of a penalty than I expected, tbh. Very interesting, will be trying other Jokers I think in future. Harley's Follow Me! continues to impress (grants extra movement), and chaining high movement off her was fairly effective, but limited by the scenario we rolled (which, in itself, was an important lesson learned).
For those of you that are interested, list below, with other comments:


It was great to break out the terrain properly also. I've got a real desire to get my cars done, having tried some toy ones out. I have some toys to recycle also - a classic 40s beauty for Penguin's Arctic Roller, an RV for Walking Dead. It's also really apparent what toys don't work - if it's not got a flat roof, not worth it!
Holidays a-coming in April, spending first week off (well, Monday-Thursday) with my boys. We have boy plans: Power Rangers, Pokemon at the board game cafe, trip to Art of Frank Quietly exhibition... Hopefully, will get some toys painted too

Cheers y'all,
Graven

Funny things, repaints. On the one level, you want to treat the original with respect (assuming it's been done fairly well), on the other, you want to make it your own.

So...

Titan Joker

Think the exposed raw muscle might need more highlights, but otherwise done.


Needs either a pogo stick or space hopper, and possibly a comically small beret to match the others. Very pleased with how the jacket and trousers turned out.


Beret, or some sort of comedy Russian hat perhaps? Again, trousers worked well, don't know whether I want to give him any more tattoos. Very pleased with his grumpy wee face.


God, so many thin highlights done on this! Still not 100% on face but this was a rescue so not too bad.


Still wet in pic (how fitting). Needs more scars, maybe fresher ones, and not happy with face repaint. Still, looks fine for tabletop.

So - busy busy


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Group shot, for scale
Cheers
Graven

Titan J is looking great! I'm still not a fan of the concept, but the paintwork is excellent!

 Paradigm wrote:
Titan J is looking great! I'm still not a fan of the concept, but the paintwork is excellent!

Honestly, if I hadn't got one on the cheap, I would never have bought him for myself (though he is bananas in the game, just charge him straight at the enemy). The original had had colours blocked in and some shading on the flesh. I just finished the job, really. Repainted the trousers, claws, nails, gore, eyes, mouth etc. What I didn't keep from the trade was the fully painted stuff - lovely but didn't see the point!

Nice line up! The stripey trousers are great!

Nice work. They're looking good.

Casey's Law wrote:Nice line up! The stripey trousers are great!

Thanks! They were surprisingly not awful to do. I may even do the Grin Twins in pinstripe suits.

Dr H wrote:Nice work. They're looking good.

Cheers matey!
Well, a productive evening was had.
Mr Hammer got a beret and tattoos.





Harley and zsasz repaints done



And started pre shading... Well, everything



Yes, that's a primed rubber duck. No, I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet.

This actually started because I decided to pre shade the osl on Diablo -



Hopefully this will work! I also made a GS space hopper for the titan clown, once done I'll get a pic up, tomorrow maybe.

Good to be doing stuff. Wrist is sore now however.
sleep, maybe?

Good job all round.

Thanks man.
Meanwhile...

He's just too damn pretty.


The crocodile skin jacket worked, but very shiny in pics.
Happy with the velour though

All of it is looking great, no idea about the titan stuff, looks amusing.

Funny really, was going to say how I really like the Killercroc from SS, he is great, but small for me, should be bigger more imposing, then you have 20ft tall joker!! LOL

Anyways, like I say great work, you managed to capture the skin effect well on the clothing.

Very cool, is that croc skin sculpted on or some painting magic?

You should paint the rubber duck, grunge it up real nasty and stick on top of a building with a sign for an old toy shop or something. I'm thinking of big American advertising statues.

Camkierhi wrote:All of it is looking great, no idea about the titan stuff, looks amusing.

Funny really, was going to say how I really like the Killercroc from SS, he is great, but small for me, should be bigger more imposing, then you have 20ft tall joker!! LOL

Anyways, like I say great work, you managed to capture the skin effect well on the clothing.

Yeah I'm a classic Killer Croc kinda guy though I did like him in the movie and it's a nice sculpt. Titan Joker is just bonkers. Because size in bmg is volumetric he's impossible to miss but he can cause untold carnage.

Casey's Law wrote:Very cool, is that croc skin sculpted on or some painting magic?

You should paint the rubber duck, grunge it up real nasty and stick on top of a building with a sign for an old toy shop or something. I'm thinking of big American advertising statues.

Sculpted. I used VJ Cayman Green​ to paint it which felt fitting, though

Work on Mr Hoppy progresses:

For those of you unfamiliar with millennial satirical British animation, he's a character from Monkey Dust - "Me name's Ivan Dobsky and am the meat safe murderer only i never done it!"
Check it out


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So... Done!

Me name's Ivan Dobsky and they said I was the meat safe murderer only it turns out I never done it! It was Mr Hoppy! I only said I done it so they wouldn't give me another jalfrezi enema!

Very pleased with how this turned out despite the original concept being a pogo stick
And if the whole thing makes no sense, here's a clip from Monkey Dust the epic satirical cartoon that spawned the idea.

So far, so shelf:

Deadshot's cloth and eyepiece next, but don't know when exactly, GB mother's day tomorrow.
So till next time,
Graven out
Elsewhere on the table of shelf (or something):

Working on Diablo's osl


Quite surprised how much I'm enjoying doing this guy. Tattoos on his face will be a nightmare, however. Needs more yellow at the edges and in the flames also.

Meanwhile, Batfleck is done! I blame the Justice League trailer.


Cone for a bit of contrast - on a cheeky 40mm scenic base.
And yeah, on the scrounge again. Are giant chaos hands a thing? Also looking for cyborg ish body parts, or infinity style. Want to make a justice League cyborg lmk if you have oddments, and I'll see what i can provide in return Giant parts for making jokermobile gas tanks? Flamer tanks? Mini guns? Any help and I'll love you, puddin'!
Cheers Graven


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Proof!

I will be going through in next couple days and getting your Prize off, but would encourage others to pitch in as I have limited supplies of Infinity style stuff..

Work is looking great, except what he heck is that at the end!

Fantastic work graven. Be sure to take extra time up-highlighting harly's butt... because... you know... it needs to be done.

Checked out the Batman gaming area at Adepticon. Their terrain can't hold a candle to yours mate. You set the standard!

Wow youre really getting this Batman minis painted quickly, they all look good really like how colourful the Joker crew is.

Diablo's tats arent going to be easy thats for sure!

Camkierhi wrote:I will be going through in next couple days and getting your Prize off, but would encourage others to pitch in as I have limited supplies of Infinity style stuff.

Work is looking great, except what he heck is that at the end!

It's a jokermobile skin - joker version of the arkham batmobile.

My take on this

Anything appreciated old chum, I'm not fussy.

Gitsplitta wrote:Fantastic work graven. Be sure to take extra time up-highlighting harly's butt... because... you know... it needs to be done.

Checked out the Batman gaming area at Adepticon. Their terrain can't hold a candle to yours mate. You set the standard!

It's a shapely one to be sure. you're most kind, the boards were pretty tasty.

GiraffeX wrote:Wow youre really getting this Batman minis painted quickly, they all look good really like how colourful the Joker crew is.

Diablo's tats arent going to be easy thats for sure!

Oh, tell me about it! I can't believe I wrote DIABLO on his jaw.

Fun with osl.



And, just because, decided to make me a Cyborg


Obvs more GS to do, around head and neck, but I feel the principle is sound. Deadshot's head, and cyborg's lower arm, and old VOID parts. I think he needs a new other hand, maybe open, maybe not.

If this works, I'm going to try to make a Raven (no rules exist for her yet though).

Tiring day, little one poorly, and then middle one nearly broke biggest one's nose "accidentally".

Life eh?

Still, Tuesday tomorrow - bit of Firefly beckons.

Stay shiny,
Graven

Great stuff! Diablo is coming up a treat and I like the concept for the vehicle.

Cheers, it's a bit bonkers, but there we are, why not eh? Needs a bow-tie I'm really just avoiding doing the hands and feet
Quick update - decided to tweak Cyborg a bit.

Just a quick phone snap. More head detailing, new neck, changed chest plate; much happier. Proportions and height feel better. Going to need, I think, to add more gs detailing to the legs also. Not going to sculpt hair, I don't think, just paint.

Gun will go on left arm now, extended out horizontally most likely, and I found some sort of biomechanical arm for the new right. Still a clenched fist, but better. Unsure about shoulders, that'll come when I've got the arms in situ.


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Just realised i forgot to ask anyone to pick me up the promo Walking Dead All Out War Lee & Clementine pack from Adept icon. Raging. If anyone picked one up on a whim, lmk - I'll give you GOLD!

You've been busy. Nice job. Spot on for killer Croc and Diablo.