Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Adeptus Mechanicus Project

Icon Bearer:

I am long overdue for a series of posts showing the 50+ guys mostly done, heck don't get me started on the WIP prototype "Heavy Weapon" servitors I am working on..

Theme: AdMech / SpireGuard from Prospero. Red Prime color, gold and white secondary.

For now I need some feedback on this guy. Is there too much red?






































I painted the Banner and Body separate, and I know I need to do some final cleanup on the Icon (free handing words at that scale are a challenge for me). But back to the question should I repaint the cloak in a off white/cream or is the red acceptable?


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

AdMech Factory Ruins: 120mm Ovals / Risen from the dead (OMG D3 ate my soul….)


I know I know it’s been over 2 months… Between a little bit of burn out lingering from The Colonial and a massive addiction to Diablo 3 (seriously it’s like heroin for me) I have had zero “time” for the hobby.
I admit I have a problem… First step right?
In an attempt to break the habit I spent a couple days working on the long overdue 120mm Admech Ovals. Speaking of thank you all(who provided it) for the feedback, I made several solid design changes in the this release.
First I made sure to leave enough clean and clear area to easily mount the Games Workshop Flyers. The Egyptian ovals can fit flying stands, but I will admit it takes a little work.
Second I cleaned up the lines, design and flow a little bit more vs the first release. This is both to allow for quicker painting and to help make sure they cast with less effort!
Now these are WIP, and I noticed some of the details didn’t show up (white plasticard on white plasticard? Shocking) but feedback please!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Battle Report: GW Battle Bunker “Total War” 2500 point tournament

The Local Games Workshop Battle Bunker decided to fill the void left by the loss of ‘Ard Boyz with a 2500 point store event themed around the previous years events. x3 2.5 hour rounds, no painting requirements, and non standard missions.  24 attendees (down from 34, I think in part from the high point value) resulted in a $240 prize pot.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Colonial 2012 Wrapup: How to not repeat a GT win.

Hands down this was the event I was most excited to attend  this year, not just because I wonlast year, but because it was exceptionally well run event. Exceptional location, the best portable tables (Mechanicon), some of the best terrain I have seen in both quantity and quality (Brothers Grim, Mechanicon, and I think Showcase Comics), all in all it was the best event two day GT I did in 2011.
Due to a rumored falling out this year 40k was not run by Grimm group, and the previous location raised the rates resulting in us being the basement of a VFW. Expectations were high and overall Chris Nanry did not disappoint.  The location was dark; it was a basement of a VFW but…. There was a bar 10 feet from the 40k area (reasonable prices I heard), catered free lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday was included!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Micro Art Studio Status Markers #1 Review

Status Markers #1(5)

Another day, another review!
Playing competitively I am finding not having status markers in games a bit of a problem at times, more for my opponent then myself. A stunned vehicle shoots, a immobilized vehicle moves, and to be clear it’s all due to the frenetic pace of the game.
Looking for a paintable objective marker I quickly found the Micro Art Studio objective marker, unpainted resin, which allows me color match my armies. At $6.45 for 5 they were a bit pricy but looked amazing. I lucked out at my last event with a Warstore booth having stock and was able to purchase 4 sets of them avoiding international shipping delays and time.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

AdMech Factory Ruins: First batch in Part II, WIP Trooper

eBay Store found here
Overall pleased with how the second series of bases came out. I learned a lot about the mold making material we use (aka how much detail is can reproduce), most importantly every imperfection needs to be cleaned up before we cast.
Honestly I thought it would only take an hour or two to paint up all of the bases, between airbrushing the base coats on and a “simple” drybrush or two, but the more I worked with them the more fun I had! I spent 7 hours start to finish painting all of the bases yesterday while sitting at the bunker. I still need a better photo booth or post production program.
Basecoat:
Duplicolor Black auto primer
Vallejo Model Air Steel (1:1 mix with airbrush medium)
Games Workshop Badab Black wash (1:1 mix with airbrush medium)
Games Workshop Chainmail drybrush.
Details:
Greens: Games Workshop Dark Angels, Goblin, Snot
Blacks: Games Workshop Chaos Black, Codex Grey
Rust Effect: Game Workshop Scorched Brown, Vallejo Copper, water (4:1:3)
Oil Effect: Games Workshop Gryphon Sepia, Dublin Mud
Verdigris: Games Workshop Hawk Turquoise, Dark Angels Green, water (4:1:10)
Base Rim: Games Workshop Dark Flesh.


And my AdMech trooper


I would love feedback, both on this line and suggestions on what you would like to see next. Last how do you think my AdMech trooper looks on the base.



Monday, February 27, 2012

MaxMini Large Shoulder pads (10) Review



Without wasting too much time on the reasons (found here) I am looking for a good shoulder pads to save time with upcoming conversion projects.
After a disappointing first dip into the market, I looked forward to the MaxMini shoulderpads. First the 10 pack includes x5 sets, and it appears to ship with one of each of their five styles.  You can however specially request one or more styles per pack per purchase which is a nice option. 
I again went to eBay, mainly to avoid international shipping times. Also I picked up two sets, just in case, at $8.50 per. The seller repacked the bits to cut down on space, but I hear MaxMini has great packaging.
As listed there were 5 different sets. No mold release (unlike most Forge World I have purchased!) The detail work is nice, but as the photos reveal they lack crispness. Additionally unlike the Micro Art Studios I found many defects in both packages. Almost all of them could be cleaned up pretty quickly.
Of the five styles only two fit well, with a breakdown from left to right.

1) Would not fit at all, would need a decent amount of material removed.
2) Really tight fit, even heated the crown of the pad cracked when I attempted to spread it.
3) Fit perfectly, a little thin on material. (First picture)
4) Would not fit, rides a little high (Second picture), a good look however.
5) Good fit, seems a bit small.



Great second foray into market, but I think I will have to keep looking for the perfect bit.
3 out of 5 stars.