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2017/03/28 21:20:51
Subject: The Bloggit: 27th March - Diablo, now with osl, and random bat-projects
Ask, and ye shall receive: Had to resculpt the right hand because it was just... wrong. Out of scale, looked weird and Trump-y. Need to add a few skinny pipes on the inside of both elbows,
Better view.
So, questions: 1) Back rivets - lose them (as they don't fit the aesthetic) or treat them as tiny red lights? (that's where I'm leaning) 2) Waistband - Cyborg has a red light at his waist also. Should I add it over the current --x-- shaped buckle, carve out the --x-- buckle and then add to get the --o-- shape, or (sigh) carve out it and lower the currently horizontal waist shape --x-- to a dipped \o/ (shallower v than that but, hey, limits of ascii)? 3) Do the legs need any further details (eg circles/lights)?
Great game of Firefly last night - came in 2nd, but flying the slowest ship in the game and playing a totally different set of tactics to usual, so very pleased. (To be fair, I tend to get on pretty well at Firefly, precisely because I never stick to the same tactic!)
Later mes amis, graven
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/03/29 08:32:04
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
2017/03/29 12:48:33
Subject: The Bloggit: 29th March - Kitbash Cyborg, stage 3, and questions.
All the while at Adepticon, every time we Played X-Wing: I kept thinking ,, How would Graven re-paint these?
Fun Game, especially for all of us whom never played it.
ps.. I play Imperials!.... Rebel scum!
Yeah, repainting X-Wing is surprisingly therapeutic. I have an idea for a list based of a Decimator and 2 TIE Strikers (none of which I own) which will have to get a thematic paint job when I eventually get round to it. I don't typically play imperials but, as I've probably mentioned, it's a great beer and pretzels game that has equally deep strategy. They're not afraid of errata'ing stuff if it dominates the meta or combos out, but equally, basic original TIE swarm is still a shark in the meta (as, to be fair, is a squadron of nothing but Y-Wings, though you need multiple copies of some upgrades). You can genuinely play imperials of nothing but TIE fighters - with nothing but what they come with out of the box - and win at the highest levels of competition. Quite remarkable, and surprisingly simple to fly. (Just be sure to fly casual).
Automatically Appended Next Post: Well a productive evening was had in the end, starting with Cyborg:
So as you can see I decided to resculpt the waist area. Another cheeky scenic base, to tie him in him Batfleck
And as i was building, i decided to tackle the Arkham Knight.
Reposed slightly to give him a bit more dynamism. Ears lopped off and a vent added to side of mask as he's getting a Deathstroke paintjob to match the rest of my Mirakuru crew.
Speaking of which...
Like father like daughter - although I'm going with a CW inspired look for Ravager, who's not Rose Wilson. They have the same base topper Dark blue next.
And while i had the orange out...
Doesn't fit the mime aesthetic, but I'm going to run him with Ledger and/or Blackgate prisoners anyway. Oh, Mr Grin got an orange tie, too.
And, finally, Deadshot.
Despite sticking closely to the movie look, and looking ok in RL, the pics suggest to me that the cloth and the straps need to be more distinct. Thoughts?
Cheers gang,
Graven
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/03/29 21:50:23
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
2017/03/30 22:14:35
Subject: The Bloggit: 30th March - Kitbash Cyborg complete, Willshot, Deathstroke, Ravager and more!
Well I'm really pleased with how cyborg looks now, with the primer tying it all together.
I did end up adding hair. I'm so glad i did the pecs! And then, red lights blocked and blue wash:
I redid the cloth for deadshot.
So much better. And, in addition, this helped me finally figure out how to tackle Slipknot. Pic to follow when he's further along.
Huzzah, etc. Obvs more needs done but still.
Watched the IT trailer. Now debating adding red facial lines and balloon to Titan Joker... In the meantime, laid down primer and basic highlights on the Jokermobile:
This is despite the fact that the build is most likely unfinished. I just needed to see it as a single "thing" to visualise where to go next.
Nearly, oh so very nearly, the holidays...
Graven
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
2017/03/31 13:21:59
Subject: The Bloggit: 31st March - Kitbash Cyborg pip, Willshot, revisited, and jokermobile too!
Our esater holidays fun for the first two weeks of April Green and purple will be order of the day. BTW WIll-shot is not finished, just happier with where he's now going.
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
2017/04/01 22:02:30
Subject: The Bloggit: 31st March - Kitbash Cyborg pip, Willshot, revisited, and jokermobile too!
Well now.
Cyborg done.
Need a better pic. But for a kitbash of random parts, I'm pleased.
Tbh the back view shows the colours better Ah well.
Working on jokermobile colours.
Wondering about the giant eyes (bottom centre of pic) for either over the gun barrels or as headlights?
Started on the grin twins
Going to go for the pin stripe here I think.
Aaaaand the big reveal. Re-repaint of Titan Joker. You can call him Pennyworth, I mean, Pennywise.
It's fair to say I'm quite happy with him. Slightly different view.
Wife is not entirely sure about the painted light spots on the Balloon, she says though she likes them they mess with her head.
And obligatory butt shot.
Just to prove I wrote on both sides of the boat, mostly.
The official Facebook group is running a painting contest. This will likely be one of my entries, along with Grundy and classic Killer Croc - they've definitely been my best, i seem to do better with big figs - for individual Miniature entries, and my mime themed Joker crew as my Crew entry. If you can think of anything else I've done which is with trying, lmk
Got the Secret Apartment from Red Beam Designs at last.
Here it is in separate floors (there is one more still!). I am debating how to do it (derelict, intact or a mixture). So that'll be fun Two weeks off now - bliss! So maybe more updates Later
Graven
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
Lovely work on the minis mate... though I'd paint the gold bricks in nearly pure metallic gold with only a light sepia wash. It is gold after all. No tarnishing involved.
Anvildude: "Honestly, it's kinda refreshing to see an Ork vehicle that doesn't look like a rainbow threw up on it."
Thanks kindly. And you know a thing or two about gold
Working on Jokermobile, and wondering what's next after SS box. Need to do the building, and wondering how best to exploit its stackability.
Might pick up some more twd, or maybe Captain Cold and Heatwave, just cos. Ah, the holidays! Power rangers tomorrow with the boys (ack), but art of Frank Quietly to look forward to Tuesday.
Fun times ahead eh?
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
Heretic Tom wrote:"Pennywise" looks rad. Awesome work.
Thanks, and welcome! We all float here...
evildrcheese wrote:Soon many updates! Loving the Pennywise take on Titan Joker. Joker mobile and Cyborg are looking cool too.
EDC
Cheers mucker. Speaking of stuff:
Grin twins!
Smile, and the world smiles with you, eh?
And, time to take the Buttmobile out!
Lot of fun to do. Very silly. Why not eh?
Took the boys to see Power Rangers today. They enjoyed it.
TL;Dr - it's surprisingly OK.
Spoiler:
It's not bad, really, although it can't decide who it's audience is. I'm slightly too old to have ever been a fan as a kid, so I'm not invested in it. As the parent audience member, I smiled the Breakfast club references (although, odd), felt the Stranger Things references were unnecessary (just felt like trying to hard), and though i didn't mind Elizabeth Banks's relative 2-dimensional character would actually have liked the hinted at reason for her turning evil to have been properly discussed. And Brian Cranston would've felt a lot less wasted that way.
There's some good jokes, and the Krispy Kreme related nonsense is genuinely well done. Bill Hader's Alpha was actually not annoying. I also liked the shot of Rita tumbling towards the moon at the end.
I thought that, though the whole sexy selfie plot was done ok (and lost on boys), I was more impressed that it acknowledged that chequered part of power rangers/pink ranger history.
More generally, the teens were pretty good, and performances not bad all round.
Wierdly, the one thing it did not feel like was a toy commercial. It is maaaaaaaaybe trying to hard to be a "proper" film.
Finally - as a media teacher - really interesting text to teach
Off to see art of Frank Quietly exhibition tomorrow. Exciting stuff - comics ahoy!
Later
Graven
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
For some reason when I first saw the Grin twins there, I thought "Why has he got Daft Punk?"
Get it now though, car looks brilliantly silly.
And I had hoped against hope that the Power Rangers were bin and done a long time ago. Why doesn't anyone try something original instead of dragging up this naff stuff.
Camkierhi wrote: And I had hoped against hope that the Power Rangers were bin and done a long time ago. Why doesn't anyone try something original instead of dragging up this naff stuff.
Tens of millions of dollars go into the production. The studio is terrified of losing that money. So they put it into a safe, established property and use safe, established cliches to fill out the run time. Nostalgia is a reliable way to get people to spend their money, which is why major studio films in the last decade have been properties from the 80's; the kids who grew up watching Transformers, GI Joe, and Power Rangers are now in the movie business and want to make it their way; they usually overlook what made the stories so well-received in favour of surface grittiness.
2017/04/04 17:01:10
Subject: The Bloggit: 3rd Apr - jokermobile and grin Twins complete, ramblings on power rangers
Lots to catch up on. Good work all round, Graven'.
The middle of the joker-mobile still looks a bit too bat-y. Maybe all it needs is ledger-like eye makeup about the cockpit windows... or something to change that area. Or not, if you're happy.
Mastodon: @DrH@dice.camp
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!
2017/04/04 17:22:20
Subject: The Bloggit: 4th Apr - Arkham inmates wip, Deathstroke/Ravager/Arkham Knight wip, and Walking Dead
Camkierhi wrote:For some reason when I first saw the Grin twins there, I thought "Why has he got Daft Punk?"
Get it now though, car looks brilliantly silly.
And I had hoped against hope that the Power Rangers were bin and done a long time ago. Why doesn't anyone try something original instead of dragging up this naff stuff.
Glad you like em. Yes, the car is daft. Why not eh?
GiraffeX wrote:The twins and batmobile are looking good Graven, your making me want to paint more Batman minis but I have to resist!
Nooooooooooooo. Resistance is useless (not futile - we're Hitchhiker's here).
DarkSoldier wrote:
Camkierhi wrote: And I had hoped against hope that the Power Rangers were bin and done a long time ago. Why doesn't anyone try something original instead of dragging up this naff stuff.
Tens of millions of dollars go into the production. The studio is terrified of losing that money. So they put it into a safe, established property and use safe, established cliches to fill out the run time. Nostalgia is a reliable way to get people to spend their money, which is why major studio films in the last decade have been properties from the 80's; the kids who grew up watching Transformers, GI Joe, and Power Rangers are now in the movie business and want to make it their way; they usually overlook what made the stories so well-received in favour of surface grittiness.
Yup. "Get nostalgic for the last ten years before the last ten years has past." as Ben Folds wisely sang Even the Minion Movie was nostalgia for 5-yr olds
Dr H wrote: Lots to catch up on. Good work all round, Graven'.
The middle of the joker-mobile still looks a bit too bat-y. Maybe all it needs is ledger-like eye makeup about the cockpit windows... or something to change that area. Or not, if you're happy.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I'll think about it, sure. I certainly see your point.
Got a bit of work done on some Arkham inmates today:
They are both about 2/3 of the way there, and another one is not even started. But still.
More work on Deathstroke, Ravager and Arkham Knight. All done as part of the Mirakuru scheme, and only with inks for the blues.
Had a great game of Walking Dead with the kids this afternoon. We played Rick, Carl and Sharon versus a horde on a supply run:
Obvs have only just started on the figs etc, but having the 3D scenery makes a massive difference, especially for the kids to visualise.
We just about survived the scenario, but not before Carl got bitten. Close thing, great fun, and the boys played very tactically.
Also went to see the Art of Frank Quietly exhibition at the Kelvingrove today, fascinating stuff and the boys loved it too. Later, a review of it, possibly.
Day well and truly seized!
Hey ho
graven
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
2017/04/04 18:44:10
Subject: The Bloggit: 4th Apr - Arkham inmates wip, Deathstroke/Ravager/Arkham Knight wip, and Walking Dead
Solar_lion wrote:Carlllllllllllll! Spears Damnit. Why doesn't anyone have spears.. Not Brittney either!
quite. I really want to pick up some extras for this, much to Mrs Graven's despair tempted by the solo expansion as that would give us more to do as a family (we tend to play a solo game using characters separately) plus narrative campaign (albeit for one survivor, The Governor), some new equipment and stuff to balance out the event deck. But, £25 with lots of bits we don't need (the basic game components etc) it's a tough call. Only the price of 2 boosters I guess. Days Gone Bye might be a better buy - same price, 5 more survivors, whole new Campaign. Regardless, I did find an old game bag which is perfect for storage, with loads of room to spare
Today, the boys had a friend over, so while they played everything from charades to King of Tokyo, Lego to Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus, i painted (well i made lasagne too, but still).
Also, Red Beam have asked me to consider designing a token set for the game. Huzzah, etc.
Progress on the Secret Apartment:
Colours laid down. Next, sponges!
And further test on rooftop AC unit:
Chipping back paint to create layered damage.
Also continued to plough through SS box:
Slipknot
Panda Guy
Eyeball Guy
Also, as i had time, those Inmates
And the man himself, Slade Wilson
Darling daughter - or rather, not
And the Arkham Knight, restyled
Plus a Team Mirakuru photo!
I've entered Solomon Grundy, Killer Croc and Cyrus Gold into the painting contest, along with Pennywise. I think I'll enter my Joker mime crew also as a team entry. Not sure if anything else cuts it.
Tomorrow, for the last day of the holiday paintathon, i face the two remaining, and most awkward/terrifying bits of the box: Joker and Harley plus, for fun, a riddle... Later
Graven
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
2017/04/05 23:58:28
Subject: The Bloggit: 5th Apr - Arkham inmates, Deathstroke/Ravager/Arkham Knight, Slipknot and more!
Solar_lion wrote: Awesome stuff. Slipknot and the thugs are spot on!.
Harley is always tough as the joker is. Expectations being high for the fan favs.
Thanks man.
Wips ahoy!
Decided to do the goat priest as a test for wet blending Joker's purple jacket
Speaking of which...
Very happy with jacket, calling it done, first couple of skin layers down.
Rear view
Wait - who's rear is that? Early days, but still, it's a start!
Didn't do a huge amount today (the above were later last night). All 3 kids, birthday shopping for wife, and some Pokémon with the boys.
But did get going on this - and just kept going.
Also tested a new light setup. Fast, phone friendly, very accurate to actual model colour and no shine on the minis.
Win!
Slightly cranked up the contrast on that one to prove the boots have highlights, though makes the suit look a bit extreme (should look same as front, naturally).
I'll do some group shots once I'm at the end of the current paintathon with new rig. Hope it comes together
Speaking of which, wife is now off work for ten days (ie rest of my holiday!) So doubt much more will get done except in stolen moments. I have the pressure of making her birthday cake, too :(
Adiós
Graven
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
2017/04/06 20:39:10
Subject: The Bloggit: 6th Apr - Goat priest, Joker and Harley wips, and solving a riddle (or two)
Nice work, Graven'. Nice purple, nice riddle. Lighting works well. nice and even.
Mastodon: @DrH@dice.camp
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!
2017/04/06 22:06:07
Subject: The Bloggit: 6th Apr - Goat priest, Joker and Harley wips, and solving a riddle (or two)
Very pleased with her and all her tiny ink.
Cannot get a clear shot of his face.
His tiny ink was horrendous to do! But very pleased nonetheless. Just got the one Inmate left, and then BMG fully painted!!
So, y'know, need more I'll try to do pics of the lot over the weekend, Sunday probably.
Actually, scenery and Walking Dead next Thanks for all the support gang,
Graven
This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2017/04/07 10:07:32
Theophony"... and there's strippers in terminator armor and lovecraftian shenanigans afoot."
Solar_Lion: "Man this sums up your blog nicely."
Anpu-adom: "being Geek is about Love. Some love broadly. Some love deeply. And then there are people like Graven.
2017/04/07 08:13:37
Subject: The Bloggit: 7th Apr - Goat priest, Joker and Harley done!
Need to add a few skinny pipes on the inside of both elbows,
Yeah, repainting X-Wing is surprisingly therapeutic. I have an idea for a list based of a Decimator and 2 TIE Strikers (none of which I own) which will have to get a thematic paint job when I eventually get round to it. I don't typically play imperials but, as I've probably mentioned, it's a great beer and pretzels game that has equally deep strategy. They're not afraid of errata'ing stuff if it dominates the meta or combos out, but equally, basic original TIE swarm is still a shark in the meta (as, to be fair, is a squadron of nothing but Y-Wings, though you need multiple copies of some upgrades). You can genuinely play imperials of nothing but TIE fighters - with nothing but what they come with out of the box - and win at the highest levels of competition. Quite remarkable, and surprisingly simple to fly. (Just be sure to fly casual).
Chaos Warband & Inquisition 
plus, for fun, a riddle... 
