 I've jumped in on another of the Relic painting competitions. This time I think I actually stand a chance. I am very pleased with the colour and highlighting on the red coat, the glowing effect on the green eyes, and the sallow colour of his skin - especially the shading. I used Chinese hexagramatic icons for the wards on the hem of the coat - with weathering to blend the whole thing together. Other than black and white for highlights and shading this is also the first time I've used only three colours on a model. The base leaves a bit to be desired but I haven't gotten motivated enough to do anything about it. I'll post an update when the results are in at the end of the month. Labels: Competition, GW, Imperial Guard
 I finished my first Tyranid paint test for my "Games Day '08" project - using the Leviathan colour scheme - and now I'm having second thoughts about adhering directly to the fluff. Instead of painting the Carnifex first I think I'll go back and do up a few 'Gaunts in various colour schemes. Because the scene I'm re-creating includes a lot of snow I'm hesitant to put a bunch of mostly white models on to it. I have also finished the hill but think I'm going to scrap it. A bit more planning will have to go in to the hill and trench if I'm going to try and fit everything on to a 12x16" base... and I'm not sure it's going to happen. This may become a much smaller project, representing the top of the hill and far fewer models. Labels: Competition, Games Day, GW, Tyranid
 This is the next competition piece for my local gaming store. This is also my first Warmachine model. I left off the backpack skulls as I thought that they were really, really silly. The only thing I did to set this one apart otherwise was add glue to the base to simulate water. After reading the card she comes with I really aimed for a sea witch feel. I wanted her to blend in to the ocean - with only hints of the daemonic energies that keep her afloat. Unfortunately, once again, I have seriously under powered lights. There are six layers on the blue of her coat and no actual black. Boo hoo. I fiddled with levels (you can tell looking at the blue background) in the various shots. Someone suggested that I use the grey background instead of the blue. I'll try that and post new photos if it's an improvement. If I understand the competition practice correctly I should know about this one in two weeks. UPDATE: I replaced the image with a grey background version - much improved. Labels: Competition, Warmachine. Cyrix
 I went back today for the monthly painting group at the local store and found out this fella had taken the win on the competition from last month... with all but one vote! That makes him my first win and the first piece I've had in the display cabinet. Points on which I'm told he won:
- Flesh and character of his face
- Freehand on the books
- Text "LUX OCCULTA" on the bookmark
- Source lighting on the armour
I got more feedback about how he could have used some OSL from the staff -- and, unfortunately, you can still only see the lighting effect in the first photo. Even in the light box the highlights just look like glare since that's where the light actually falls. His right knee is still blank since I'll probably send this guy to eBay eventually and add whatever chapter badge by request. Thanks to everyone that provided feedback. If anyone still wants additional close-up photos just let me know and I'll see what I can do. YAY! Labels: Competition, GW, Space Marines
 After entering in the Relic painting competition I was inspired to try another model -- this one is for a local competition. Everyone has one month to paint this bad boy; he's due the first Sunday in May. I'm probably 75-80% finished already but want some suggestions on the force staff. I've tried to do source lighting again -- not object source (OSL) -- and highlighted the armour as though the light were slightly forward and on his left side. When I get him in to the photo box this effect should show up better. It is most visible on his pointing arm where it's nearly black except for the light blue on the top. Labels: Competition, GW, Space Marines, WIP
 This is the final image I'm using for the Relic painting competition. Once voting is up I'll get a link to the page -- although I think that it's going to be a very, very tight competition. I am quite pleased with the result and am glad to be able to set this guy aside for awhile. If it weren't for the competition I'm sure I would have cut more corners and settled for less -- as it is this will be a piece I'm glad to see on my shelf for awhile. Labels: Black Templar, Competition, conversion, GW, Magnets, Space Marines
 I'm so close to finished that I can taste it. It is delicious! I'll be very glad to set this model aside for awhile and get back to Kharn and my display tank. I'm pleased with the overall result but still a bit disappointed that he's not on the same level as the Kharn model. I expect this guy and a couple sets of arms to find his way to eBay once I get a new commander put together for my 750 point list. I still need to finish highlighting the armour and detail the sword -- otherwise I think that this guy is ready to go. I've seen a couple of the other entries for the competition now -- and while I know I don't have much of a chance I'm still glad to be entering and competing. I've learned a lot between this and the Kharn model; both of which were intended for this competition and both of which got more attention that my usual efforts. One week from tomorrow.... Labels: Black Templar, Competition, GW, Magnets, Space Marines, WIP
 I finally (finally!) have an update image on my magnetic Black Templar commander. This is the model that I will be entering in to the Relic competition (with only 2 weeks to go, eep!) -- and what will become the centerpiece of my 750 point army. Yup, I'm finally (finally!) going to give playing a try again. The last time I played we were all being amused by the new 2nd edition rule set. Ah, those were the days. So now I have a couple of 750 point lists drawn up and hope to hit the tables this summer. The last shot in this image shows the commander with twin lightning claws next to two test models. The next image is just a sample from the Black Templar dreadnought I've been working on. I haven't done anything but the two weapons -- and I'm not sure I'll use them if I actually build a list. Regardless of whether or not I wind up fielding this army I think it'll be a good exercise -- and if nothing else it will be good practice.  Labels: Black Templar, Competition, conversion, GW, Magnets, Space Marines, WIP
 This is the first actual WIP image for the model. And, so far, some of my best work to date. This includes extensive layering on each colour and non-metal metallic (NMM) gold. This is my first foray in to the world of NMM and while it was a pain (and I'll do it differently next time, of course) I'm pleased with the overall result. More to come -- but I finally feel like I might actually compete with the other folks in my tier. [UPDATE: Denied! I will not be able to enter this model in to the competition - I did too much work on him for everyone to feel comfortable beliving that it's only 2.5 hours - or started *after* the competition began. So back to my original model.] Labels: Chaos, Competition, GW, WIP
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