The end of the year blog post!

Warning, this post will not contain much in the way of hobby content. It's a reflection of what has been.

First I want to thank you for continuing to read my blog. I get a thrill out of logging onto my computer in the morning and seeing the number jump up on how many views I've had the day before. The blog has had an incredible year, I hit 10,800 views over the last 12 months. That is an amazing number in my book! So thank you from the bottom of my heart. It encouraging to see that people actually read what I type and look at my models. It drives me to do and be better each time.

Looking back over the models I've completed this year it's funny to think that I started in January working on my 9 year old son's Protectorate of Menoth models and finished with a display piece from Khador. It was a long and strange year but fulfilling.

What's next?

In the next year I plan to expand on the blog. I am going to reach out and work on different types of miniatures from different game companies. You will see more GW stuff, Some Infinity models. I am really itching to get a hold of a few Knight Models (the batman stuff) and hopefully some Super Dungeon Explorer.

I will also start doing more product reviews as things come in (but that's a surprise for later).

I am also spinning up an honest to goodness YouTube channel. I am going to focus on beginners. There are so many painters on YouTube and they are fantastic but so few of them actually teach the basics. I expect that to start around February, as it takes time to create, edit and upload.

And finally I ask for your feedback. Please leave comments, let me know what you like and what you don't. Tell me what you want to see in the future. This blog belongs to you, so please let me know how you want me to make it better.

I'd like to give a few shout outs as well.

To Secret Weapons Miniatures, Thank you for the fantastic products you produce. Your weathering powders and Crushed Glass really make the miniature stand out!

To Badger Airbrush Company - I use your Patriot 105 and Renegade Khrome religiously. They are both excellent and continue to impress.

To Vallejo - Your paints rock, and your airbrush thinner is top notch!

To Privateer Press - I love your models they are inspiring to paint (even when I curse the crazy details sometimes). Also the more I use the P3 paint line the more I love it.

To Hanger 18 Miniatures - Thank you again for providing backgrounds for photography. The quality and look are just fantastic.

To Painting with Menoth John - Keep putting out your show. There are many a night (or day) that I have you on in the background while painting. Ya'll are inspiring, in your own sick and twisted (in a good) way.

And last but not least to my Wife and Kids, who put up with the long hours of painting,

So here is to what was an amazing 2015, and to an even better 2016!

And again I thank you, I couldn't do it without you!

See ya next year folks.

At long last the Bombardier Bombshell is finished!

After the oil washes were I applied I went back over the model and highlighted the gold and silvers. Then it was onto finishing the base. I used Army Painter bushes things for the fauna to break up the space, and I used Secret Weapons Miniatures - Crushed Glass for the snow. It's pretty easy to do, just use some clear resin as glue (aka Realistic Water) then sprinkle the glass over it, drop a bit more resin on top... and you have snow. Now a much needed word of caution with this stuff. It's crushed glass, you do not want to breath this into your lungs, like not even a little bit. Use a mask, at least an N-95 if not a respirator, and gloves. Pour over a box or something that can catch it all. Seriously it's dangerous stuff if you don't take precautions.

Then it was time to assemble the model and get her on the base.

So here she is. I purposefully shot these photo's with no extra lighting on the light box to show the painted highlights without having the light wash them out.

Once the resin drys fully on the glass, I'll do pro pictures with her on a real background with real lighting.

Bombardier Bombshell 4.0

Well work continues on this intriguing model. I was able to get all the base coats on. The metallics are set and the oil washes have been applied.

The model is really coming together. I have maybe about 4 or 5 more hours to go and she will be finished and in the books.

I used a black oil wash on the suit and a burnt umber on the the girl.

Now to let it all dry and start on the rest of the highlights.

Bombardier Bombshell 3.0

And the work continues on this model. I know it's not as fast as others I have worked on. I am taking my time and doing this one the best I can, as it's going to be my entry into the next painting competition I can get to.

I have been working on the girl's torso over the last week. I started the skin by using a base coat of VMC - Russian Green, then did a light wash in Old GW - Witch Purple. I basically made a glaze out of the paint by going with about a 15:1 ratio of water to paint. Once the wash dried, I did the same with VMC - Base Flesh at 10:1 and slowly built up the color. I really like the green, purple under the base flesh as it gives it some much needed depth.

One the base flesh tone was were I wanted it. I started to blend it with a highlight of VMC - Bright flesh. I think it looks pretty good so far.

Then I worked on the tank top, I used the P3 - Gnarls Green, then created the highlight color by adding Old GW - Bleached Bone.

After that It was time to work on the hair a bit. I started with P3 - Blood Tracker Brown and used a highlight of VGC - Beasty Brown.

Here is the results so far. Next up is to finish the torso then start finishing up the MOW suite and work on the base.

Bombardier Bombshell 2.0

I let the primer cure overnight and it was time to get some paint on the model.

I started with VMC - Black/Grey to set the base color as dark as I am comfortable (see previous rants about using strait black).  Then moved on to the under highlights with VGC - Stone Grey.

As you can see I went really heavy on the highlights. I want the red to really pop on this one so the brighter I go now, the more Cherry Red it will be when complete. 

I did a quick rinse of the airbrush while the paint dried and then it was time for the first red ink to go on. 

Once that was in place, The second highlight of VMC - Flat Flesh Tone was applied to give the highlights a warmer feeling. 

And onto to the second coat of red ink. 

After the ink dried (and that's critical) I gave the whole thing a heafty dose of Testor's Gloss Varnish.

And now we wait for the gloss to dry and cure. Next up will be the browns and base colors for all the fiddly bits and details.

A new competition project. 1.0

At Warmachine Weekend I was given quite a bit of great feedback and some great advice on my painting. With all of that fresh on my mind it's time to start on a new project.

I wanted to find a model that was both fun and challenging. I spent a about a week looking around the web trying to find something that would inspire me and challenge me, and then I remembered I had a Privateer Press Bombardier Bombshell still sitting in the blister.

For those who don't know what I am talking about, the Bombshell is a convention special model, It's big, fun and has a beer in her hand! Well here look.

Now I knew what to do, it was time to build. I started by spending about 2 hours removing mold lines and filing the pieces down to fit. 

I wanted to do a display base for her as there is so much to this model I don't feel like a 40mm round base can do it justice. 

As to the painting part it's a bit bigger and more fiddly than normal so I had to figure out a way to hold it while painting. I took 4 corks and taped the snot out of them for a good hold and the right size. 

Everything that could be painted together was pinned and assembled and then it was time to prime. 

So here we are, me waiting for the primer to cure and dreaming about getting some nice cherry red and chrome onto her. I'm thinking the model is going to be an homage to the 50s. 

Stay tuned, this one might turn out epic. (or go down in flames, either way it should be interesting). 

A Plea for Help.

Some of you may know Ashton Holbrook. He is the man behind Red Model Painting. His Twitch Stream is all about teaching, as is his YouTube page.

Ashton is an amazing man, he has been an inspiration to me, a sometimes mentor and an all around great guy. Ashton is always quick to answer a tough painting question and offer words of encouragement to any who ask.

Ashton is going through the most horrible experience of his life. His wife and children were in a car accident and today he had to say a final good by to his daughter. As a father myself I can't even imagine the hell he is going through.

So please if you can, if it's at all possible. I beg you to donate to his family. We as painters and miniature game lovers are a caring community and I believe we take care of our own. So please go to the donation page and help Ashton and his family if you can.

https://www.gofundme.com/HolbrookFamilyFund?rcid=dea3c067c3dd4d058a3f992c74c60151

Thank you from my heart,

Robert