Black or White?

Some years ago I wrote an article for the German White Dwarf about the importance of the correct primer. I have always used the GW primer, mainly because all other products I tested were a major disappointment. The article was not ment to discuss the advantages of different manufacturers, but the more important question of the right color.

Today I would like to summarize what I wrote at that time, without trying to convince anybody of anything. Let's start with a picture....

Both Marine shoulder pads were painted with two or three thin layers of Regal Blue. Far more imporant than the obvious difference is the further advance of painting. My technique of using very thin layers of paint to create soft blendings works very quickly when I want to create shadows, but takes "years" to lighten up certain areas on a miniature. It is quite obvious that the left shoulder pad would drive me mad and take hours, concerning this fact. The right shoulder pad, in contrast, is already painted in the lightest tone and mainly needs shading and a bit of softing out the blendings in the light area. This way, I can save a lot of time only by taking a white primer.

Chris

Space Marine update # 6

I painted about 3 hours today and finally attached the left arm to the marine. I couldn't wait to see if the miniature gets more balanced with both arms visible. The fingers still need a bit more weathering, maybe I can finish this miniature this evening.

I am still not sure about some sort of pattern for the loincloth, mostly because I am afraid to ruin it. By the way, thanks a lot to the monkey brothers for their boost of motivation. ;)

Chris

Painting again

As I came through some hard weeks at work, I could neither care for miniatures, nore for this blog. The amount of visitors here went down really badly, nevertheless I couldn't do anything against it. I have one week of holidays at the moment, this means  a lot of relaxing time for myself. After two hard days of Anno 1404 (with the result of a vibrant metropole :) ), I found a bit of motivation for my beloved hobby of miniature painting. The Marine is starting to get a pain in the ass, mainly because of the repeating colours. My goal is to finish the left arm this week, that would leave only the backpack for the next weeks.

Furthermore I am seriously thinking about buying an airbrush station to do all the basecoating and zenital lights for me. That would leave more time for the really enjoyable things such as setting certain nuances into the right places etc. We will see......

Chris

Painting evening

The last couple of days were really stressfull. Next week I have to show a demonstration lesson, I am close to finally become a teacher. As I made most of the preparations for that lessen, today is a painting evening. I opened my wip-box and came upon a miniature I prepared for painting about a year ago. I just basecoated it in white and am about to start. This is my victim for today, Latorres pirate. The sculpt is so full of character. I think I will go for a warm colour scheme and do a contrasting base. He will stand in the water up to his knees. Hope I don't ruin the water effect once again.



This is Latorres version of this awesome sculpt.



I will try to finish the face this evening, I hope I can succeed.

By the way, I did not forget my plans for the German Games Day, I just need a break from the marine at the moment.

Chris

Succeeding inspiration

This can't have happened by coincidence. I showed you some fine art by Robert Griffing yesterday and some hours later a member of a german painting forum offered two awesome miniatures. I didn't hesitate and bought them instantly, can't wait to hold them in my hands.

This is the original artwork, that inspired the sculptor Michael Roberts:



"Only a matter of time."





And this are the miniatures I got for a really fair price:

As soon as the minis arrive, I will do a review.

Chris

 

The art of Robert Griffing

I had a near-Chuck Norris experience, when I stumbled across some great paintings by a man called Robert Griffing. Seeing these pictures makes me speechless and filles my head with dozens of ideas. I wan't to share his art with you.





Chris

"Quote" of the day...

"Chuck Norris talks about himself in the fourth person."

"Death once had a near-Chuck Norris experience."

"Chuck Norris doesn't pay attention - attention pays him."

Chris

My showcase

Although my level of motivation is extremely high, I have to focus on more important things at the moment. Quite some things have to bee done at work, there is only little time to relax. Instead of complaining about this fact, I show you some pics of my showcase. I like to stand in front of it, pick out a miniature and think about the times when I painted it. As I don't do that many comissions, most of my stuff stays with me. I removed all trophys because the showcase is quite small, they have to stay in the basement for some time....

Here we go.

Chris

Always drink upstream from the herd.

For some reason, I never posted pictures of this project on the internet. I painted this scene about 3 years ago, it was a quick paintjob without the intension to enter it in a contest. The face of the barkeeper is one of the best sculpts I have ever seen, so full of character. Hope you like it.....

Chris

Le roi est mort...

I started a new project a couple of days ago, as I needed a little break from my Space Marine. This will most likely be my Fantasy Single entry for this years German Games Day. It is a very simple conversion from the old GW damsel. As soon as sanding and basecoating are finished, I will write a few words about the idea that came to my mind.

Chris