Tablescapes Dungeons' Mine Themed Kickstarter

   I just wanted to let folks know about a neat Kickstarter that I just backed: Tablescapes Dungeons Mines brought to you by Secret Weapon and Reaper.  What I like about this Kickstarter is the nifty mine track and cart Add-On.  Also, it is all compatible with my Dwarven Forge stuff.
  Currently the Core Sets gets you 76 components for $75.

  They are also offering a number of sets of Bones Minis for those who missed out on any of the Reaper Bones Kickstarters, as well as a selection of sets of Reaper paint!

     You can find more info here: Tablescapes Dungeons Mines.  Please check it out, and if possible, pledge! :)

Mystic Theurge: Bones II Figure

     This week I painted up the Mystic Theurge figure from the Bones II Pathfinder Heroes Set.  My plan is to use him as a Soothsayer type wizard's apprentice for Frostgrave.
    I prepped the figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish- soap added, then giving it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying it.  I then glued the figure to a white-primed 1" fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and then glued the washer-mounted figure to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of the Elmer's glue.

     Since I joined the Reaper Forums about a year ago, I found I was reading a lot of high praise for the Reaper brand of Liners, which are a kind of mix between and ink and wash. From what I read, they are reported to be great as a kind of "primer" coat of Bones as they really show off the details as well as shade the figure.  So, I finally broke down recently and ordered a triad of the Brown, Grey, and Blue.  I thought I would take this opportunity to try out the "Grey" Liner, so I gave the entire figure a wash with it using a wet brush.  I then painted the hands and head with GW "Vermin Brown".

 Next, I painted the under robes with Apple Barrel "Apple Scotch Blue", and the outer jacket with Crafter's Acrylic "Purple Passion".

      I then painted the belts around his waist with Crafter's Acrylic "Navy Blue".  I also used the "Navy Blue" to paint the left hand side of the scarf, and blended it in with Accent "Golden Harvest on the right hand side.  My idea is to eventually make it look like it transitions from night to day.  When dry, I gave his whole body a wash with GW "Badab Black" wash using a wet brush.

     Next, I worked on the book hanging at his side.  I painted the pages with Americana "Bleached Sand" and the cover with Americana "Bittersweet Chocolate".   The two wands were painted with Crafter's Acrylic "Cinnamon Brown", the stones on their tips were painted with Crafter's Acrylic "Deep Red", and Folk Art Platinum Grey", and the sting wraps were painted with "Americana "Khaki Tan".  I then painted the shoes, belts, all the pouches, and the right end of the scarf, were painted with Black. Next, I painted the medallion around his neck, the buckle on his book strap, and some highlights on the right center of the scarf with the "Golden Harvest".

     I continued with the "Golden Harvest", painting the bracelet on his right hand, and the object he holds in his hand. I then painted his hair with Black. Next, I re-painted his under gown with Folk Art Pearl "Aqua Moire". Then I highlighted his waist wrap and did highlights on the left center part of the scarf with Americana 'True Blue".  I then highlighted his outer tunic with a mix of the "Purple Passion" and Apple Barrel "Apple Lavender". At this point I used Ceramcoat "Bronze" to paint his medallion, book buckle bracelet, and the object in his hand.  Then, after everything a while to dry, I gave the book, wands, and his face and hands, all  a wash with GW "Agrax Earthshade" wash using a wet brush.  I also gave his light blue under robes a wash with Iron Wind Metals "Dark Blue" ink using a wet brush.

   When the wash and ink were dry, I work on his face; painting his eyes, and then highlighting his skin with Americana "Terra Cotta". I highlighted his hair and his belts, shoes, and pouches with Citadel "The Fang", and then did lighter highlights on his hair with Folk Art "Cloudy Day".  I worked on highlighting the right hand side of his scarf with first Crafters Acrylic "Bright Yellow", then Crafter's Acrylic "Daffodil Yellow," and then Apple Barrel "Lemon Chiffon" at the very end. I also painted the little tab bookmarks in his book with the "Deep Red", and the "True Blue". Next, I highlighted his under-robe with a mix of the "Aqua Moire" and White. I also painted the rock slabs he is standing on with Americana "Zinc".
    Next, I highlighted the pages in the book with Crafter's Acrylic "Light Antique White".  I highlighted the wands with Americana "Sable Brown", and the cord wraps holding the stones on the ends with the "Bleached Sand".  I highlighted the red rock with Americana "Tangerine", and the white rock with White.

     I drybrushed the rocks with first Americana "Neutral Grey", then Crafter's Acrylic "Storm Cloud Grey", and lastly Folk Art "Platinum Grey".  I couldn't quite figure out what the two little rectangles on his chest were, so I painted them as scraps of paper with the "Bleached Sand", and added a little script to them with Black.  I then painted the borders of the other tunic, and his necklace, with Folk Art Metallics "Gun Metal", and then highlighted them with Folk Art "Silver Sterling".  I highlighted all the parts I had painted "Bronze, using Ceramcoat "14K Gold".   Next, I added a moon, stars, and the sun to the scarf using White. I also used the White to tough up the non-rock portions of the base.        When everything had overnight to dry, I gave the figure a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish" early the next morning.  Midday, I flocked the white areas with Woodland Scenics "Snow" flock and the next day I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote.

     I'm happy with how this figure turned out.  I think he has a good mystic look to him, and will do good as a Soothsayer.

Bird Familiar: Figure 231 of 266

   Knowing I wouldn't have a lot of time to paint this past week, I grabbed the Bird Familiar from the Familiars Set to paint.  I wanted to do it up as a crow in case some day I decided to field the Crow Master type of soldier from the Frostgrave game.  Of course I also thought it would make a good familiar if needed.
     I prepped the figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then I gave it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsed and dried it.  Next, I glued a column of scrap cork to an old 5/8" fender washer I had, that I had removed a figure from long ago, with Aleene's Tacky glue, I then cut down the base of the bird so it fit roughly on top of the cork, and used the tacky glue to glue it on.  I then coated the cork column with regular white glue to help strengthen it, so it would be less likely to break in two during game play.   I then glued the washer-mounted figure to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of the Elmer's glue.

     I painted the bird all Black, and used Americana "Zinc to paint the column and the base (which already had the remnants of painted sand glued to it from the previous figure that had been on it).  when dry, I gave the column a wash with GW "Badab Black" Wash using a wet brush.

      When the wash was dry, I drybrushed the column with Americana "Neutral Grey", Crafter's Acrylic"Storm Cloud Grey", and Folk Art "Platinum Grey".   Next, I drybrushed the bird with Citadel "The Fang", and then did lighter highlights with Folk Art "Cloudy Day".  Lastly, I added a little White highlight dot to the eyes.
     After the figure had overnight to dry, I gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".   The next morning I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote.

   For a quick paint up, I think the bird turned out really well.  I had originally planned to paint the top of the column as snow, and add some around the base, but decided at the end to leave it seasonal-neutral so I could get more use out of it.

My 36 Remaining Bones 1 Figures

  In the comments on Monday's figure post (Gruff Grimecleaver), I had a long time reader ask which figures I had left to paint in order reach my goal of painting the entire Bones 1 Kickstarter core offering, and a bunch of the add-ons: 266 figures total.  As I am getting close to the end, with only 36 left to go,  I thought it might be fun to answer this reader's question, and make a list of which figures were remaining.

Interesting to compare the Vampire Box as it is now, with the shot in the masthead as it was when I received it. :)

And here they are:

PIRATES SET
1) Finaela, Female Pirate
2) Barnabus Frost Pirate Captain

TOWNSFOLK SET
3) Undertaker
4) Oswald the Overladen

DARK HEROES
5) Darkrasp, Evil Priest
6) Ragnaros, Evil Warrior
7) Damian, Hellborn Wizard
8) Mangu Timor

ICONICS II
9) Seltyiel, Iconic Magus
10) Ezren, Iconic Wizard
11) Kyra Female Iconic Cleric
12) Lem, Iconic Bard

SWAMP THINGS
13) Lizardman Warrior
14) Lizardman Spearman
15) Snakeman Warrior
16) Marsh Troll

17 OWL BEAR

18 GRIFFON

GRAVE DANGER
19) Ghast
20) Ghost King
21) Arrius, Skeletal Warrior
22) Judas Bloodspire, Vampire

STORM GIANTS
23) Yephima, Cloud Giant
24) Male Storm Giant

HALFSIZED HEROES
25) Elliwyn Heatherlark
26) Pointing Halfling (Couldn't find a name)

FAMILIARS
27-31) Couldn't find individual names, but I have 5 left

ADD-ONS

ORCPOCALYPSE
32-350 Hunters (4)

36) Boerogg Blackrime, Frost Giant


So that's the count.  I am still hoping wishful thinking to finish before my Bones 3 box arrives, though it looks somewhat unlikely at this point. My more realistic goal, is to have them completed by the end of the year.

Gruff Grimecleaver, Dwarf Pirate: Figure 230 of 266

      Over the weekend I finished up the Gruff Grimecleaver, Dwarf Pirate, figure from the Pirates set.  After this, two more figures from this set to go, and 36 figures left altogether! :).
      I prepped the figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then I gave it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsed and dried it.  Next, I glued the figure to a black-primed 1" fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and then glued the washer-mounted figure to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of the Elmer's glue.

     I began by painting his skin with GW "Dwarf Flesh".  I then painted his shirt with Americana "Dove Grey", and his pants with Nicole's "Brown".

    Next, I painted stripes on the shirt with Americana "True Blue".  I then painted his hair with Anita's "Burnt Sienna", and then did his head covering with Ceramcoat "Opaque Red". I painted his boot, belt, and pouch with Black, then did his little apron with Folk Art "Butter Pecan".

     I then painted his pipe with Folk Art "Porcelain White", and then used white to paint little dots on his head covering.  I painted his peg leg with Americana "Bittersweet Chocolate", the stock of his gun with Crafter's Acrylic "Cinnamon Brown", and the handle of his cleaver with Crafter's Edition "Spice Brown".  Next, I painted all the parts that I planned to paint brass or gold (belt buckle, gun fittings, peg leg fittings, earring, and bracelet on left wrist) with Ceramcoat "Raw Sienna", and painted all the parts I planned to paint as iron or steel (cleaver head, gun barrel, knives in belt, and toe and heel of boot) with Americana "Zinc".   I painted the top of the boot and the band on his right wrist with Americana "Terra Cotta".

     Next, I painted some White dots on his head covering, and then used Ceramcoat "Bronze" to paint all the parts I had painted with the "Raw Sienna" earlier.  I then let everything dry for a few hours, and came back and gave the entire figure a wash with Citadel "Agrax Earthshade" wash using a wet brush.  When the wash was dry, I painted his eyes, then highlighted his skin; first with the base "Dwarf Flesh", and then with a mix of the "Dwarf Flesh" and Crafter's Acrylic "Flesh".

      I then highlighted his hair with Crafter's Acrylic "Orange Spice".  Next, I mixed a little of the "Opaque Red" with some of Crafter's Acrylic "Tutti Fruitti" and highlighted his head covering.  I then used some White to highlight the spots on the head covering, and then used the White to highlight his shirt.   I highlighted his pants with Americana "Sable Brown", then used this color to also add a touch or highlight to the gun and cleaver handle. Next, I highlighted the pipe with Americana "Bleached Sand", and then did his boots belt and pouch with Citadel "The Fang".
   I then worked on completing the metallics; painting the parts I had painted with the "Zinc", using "Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey".  I then highlighted the parts I had painted with the "Bronze", using Ceramcoat "14K Gold".  Then I went back and highlighted the parts I had just painted with the "Gunmetal Grey", using Folk Art Metallics "Sterling Silver".  Lastly, I painted the entire  base with Americana "Mississippi Mud".
      After the figure had overnight to dry, I gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".   The next morning I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote.

   I'm really happy with this little guy.  I think he turned out with a lot of character.

Figure 230 of 266: Complete

Hajad, Pirate: Figure 229 of 266

  This weekend I finished up the Hajad, Pirate, figure from the Pirates set.
  I prepped the figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then I gave it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsed and dried it.  Next, I glued the figure to a black-primed 1" fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and then glued the washer-mounted figure to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of the Elmer's glue.

I began by painting his skin with Americana "Shading Flesh".  When that was dry, I gave it a thinned coat of Americana "Bittersweet Chocolate".  Next, I painted his wrist cuffs, and his sword hilt with Accent "Golden Harvest",  and then did his vest with Apple Barrel "Apple Maple Sugar".

I then painted his pants with Americana "Dove Grey", and then did his  sash with "Wedgewood Blue".  Next, I painted the treasure chest with Folk Art "Dark Brown". I painted his belt and the grip on the dagger with Black, then painted his sword blade, dagger, belt buckle, and the fittings on the chest with Americana "Zinc".

Next, I painted thick stripes on his pants with Crafter's Acrylic "Navy Blue",  and then did thinner stripes down the middle of the "Navy Blue" ones using Apple Barrel "Yellow". I then painted his sword blade, dagger, belt  buckle and treasure chest fittings with Folk Art Metallics "Gun Metal".  After everything had a while to dry, I gave the entire figure a wash with GW "Badab BLack" wash using a wet brush.

When the wash was dry, I painted his eyes.  I then highlighted his pants with White, and his sash with Crafter's Acrylic "Tropical Blue".  I highlighted his vest with Americana "Buttermilk". I then painted his sword hilt, and writ cuffs with Ceramcoat Bronze, and then did highlights with Ceramcoat "14K Gold".  I highlighted his sword and dagger blades as well as the belt buckle and treasure chest fittings with Folk Art Metallic "Silver Sterling".   Lastly, I painted the entire  base with Americana "Mississippi Mud".
      After the figure had overnight to dry, I gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".   The next morning I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote.

    I'm happy with how he turned out.  I could have spent more time with evening up his pants stripes, but since he is just for gaming purposes, I think they will do well enough.

Oliva, Female Cleric to Siglist Wizard Conversion: Bones II Figure

   This week I did a Sigilist type wizard for a new Frostgrave warband I'm working on. A Sigilist derives their magical power from words and languages.  I wanted a figure to be very "word" oriented, so I chose the Olivia, Female Cleric Figure from the Bones II Core Set, as she had a book hung at her side.   I then by chance got an extra copy of the Leisynn, Mercenary Mage, figure; and the thought struck me that  it might be an easy conversion to remove the book arm from the Mage, and reattach it to Olivia.

    I began by prepping both the figures in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then I gave it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsed and dried it.  Then, with some careful slicing with my hobby knife, I was able to remove the book and forearm of Leisynn, and do the same with Olivia's forearm.  I then glued the book in place on the cleric, and was amazed at how perfectly it fit; right down to her tilted head now appearing to be looking directly at the new book she was holding.

     I then thought about what I wanted to do with the bottle she was holding, when it hit me that it might make a nifty inkwell.    I scrounged through my bits box, and came up with a pair of feathers from an ECW sprue (intended to be hat plumes); and after trimming off the stopper on the bottle, I drilled a small hole and affixed the feathers to represent quills.  I sprayed the quills with some flat white primer, and then glued them into place.   Next, I glued the figure to a white-primed 1" fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and then glued the washer-mounted figure to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of the Elmer's glue.

     I began by painting her face with Crafter's Acrylic "Flesh.  I then painted the robes with Apple Barrel "Apple Parchment", and the hem, the hanging at her waist, and the sleeve cuffs, with Americana "Bleached Sand".  Then I painted her hair,  inner sleeves, and scarf with Americana "Neutral Grey".

     Next, I painted the pages of the big book she is holding with Crafter's Edition "Taupe".  I painted the pages of the smaller book hanging at her side with Folk Art "Barn Wood". I then painted the cover of the big book with Ceramcoat "Black Cherry", and the cover of the little book with Americana "Terra Cotta".   Her straps and pouches were painted with Americana "Bittersweet Chocolate", and the ink bottle was painted with Crafter's Acrylic "African Violet".  I then painted on fingerless gloves using Aleene's "Deep Khaki".

     I painted the handle of her mace with Crafter's Acrylic "Cinnamon Brown", and then let everything dry for a few hours.  I then gave the entire figure a wash with GW "Agrax Earshade" wash using a wet brush.  Next, I painted the quills with Crafter's Acrylic "Deep Turquoise", let them dry for a bit, and then gave them a wash with Iron Wind Metals "Dark Green" ink using a wet brush.

   When all the washes were dry, I worked on the quills in an attempt to make them look like peacock feathers.  First, I drybrushed them with Folk Art "Metallic Emerald Green".  I then painted on the "eyes" using the "Terra Cotta" for the outer rim, Folk Art Pearl "Aqua Moire" for the inner ring, and Americana Wedgewood Blue" for the center.   Next, I painted the metal parts of her mace with Americana "Zinc".
    I decided I wanted to give the impression of ancient words of power floating around her robes, rising to the surface and then sinking back down.  So I used Black paint to paint some made-up runes all over her robes, and while I was doing that, I also added some "text" to the pages of the open book.  I then went back over some of the words on the robes with a light glaze of the "Apple Parchment" paint I had painted the robes with to "fade"them out a bit.  I also used the Black to do piping borders on her hem and cuffs.    I also used some Ceramcoat "Opaque Red" to paint large letters at the top of each page, and to paint the book mark running down the center of the book between the two open pages. When the book mark was dry, I went over it with a little of the "Agrax Earthshade".

     I then worked on her face, painting her eyes and lips.  I then did highlights on her face and hands using the base "Flesh", and then some of the "Flesh" with a little bit of White mixed in. While I had the White out, I did some quick highlights on the inkwell.  I highlighted her hair with Americana "Dove Grey".   Next, I worked on highlighting her robes, using the base "Apple Parchment", and then some of the "Bleached Sand". While I had the "Bleached Sand" out, I ran a small highlight line around the edges of the open pages.   For the hems, cuffs and the hanging at her waist, I highlighted with Crafter's Acrylic "Light Antique White".  I highlighted her scarf and inner cuffs with Crafter's Acrylic "Storm Cloud Grey", and I highlighted her straps and pouch with Americana "Sable Brown".
     I worked on her base next, painting it first with the "Zinc", and after that had dried, I gave it a wash with some "GE "Badab Black" wash using a wet brush.  When that was dry, I drybrushed the paving stones with first the "Storm Cloud Grey", and then Folk Art "Platinum Grey".
     Lastly, I painted the metal pats of her mace with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey", and then highlighted with Folk Art "Silver Sterling".
      When everything had overnight to dry, I gave the figure a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish" early the next morning.  Midday, I flocked the white areas with Woodland Scenics "Snow" flock and the next day I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote.

Mariel Twinspar, Female Pirate: Figure 228 of 266

  This past week I started the Pirates set and painted the Mariel Twinspar, Female Pirate figure.
     I prepped the figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then I gave it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsed and dried it.  Next, I glued the figure to a black-primed 1" fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and then glued the washer-mounted figure to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of the Elmer's glue.

 I began by painting the skin with a mix of Americana "Shading Flesh" and GW "Bronze Flesh".  When that was dry, I gave it a wash with GW "Agrax Earthshade" wash using a wet brush.  When the wash was dry, I then painted her top with Crafter's Acrylic "Storm Cloud Grey", and her pants with Americana "Zinc"

      Next, I painted the lining of her coat, and facings with Accent "Mustard Seed".  Then I did the outside of the coat with Crafter's Acrylic "African Violet".  I then did her gauntlets with Folk Art "Barn Wood".

     Painting the boots, belt, and pouch with Black was next.  Then I painted her hair with Ceramcoat "Maple Sugar Tan"; and when that was dry, I gave it, and her gauntlets,  a wash with the "Agrax Earthshade" wash using a wet brush.  Next, I did initial highlights on her top with Americana "Dove Grey".

      I then did final highlights on her top with White.  Then I did highlights on her coat lining and facings, first with Accent "Golden Harvest, and then with Crafter's Acrylic "Bright Yellow".  Next, I did the highlights on her pants, first with Americana "Neutral Grey", followed with the "Storm Cloud Grey".

     I then turned to highlighting her coat, using a mix of the "African Violet "and Apple Barrel "Apple Lavender".  I then painted her epaulettes and the handle of the sword with the "Mustard Seed", and the scabbard with the "Zinc". Next I painted her hat and eyepatch with Black.  I then painted the feathers in her hat with the "Golden Harvest".

     Next, I painted her eye, and I painted her pupil/iris with the "African Violet", I then mixed a little of the "African Violet" with some of the "Shading Flesh", and added a bit of eye shadow.  I painted her lips with a mix of the "Shading Flesh" and Americana "Opaque Red".  I then highlighted her skin; beginning with a mix of the "Bronze Flesh"and the "Shading Flesh", and then I added a little Crafter's Acrylic "Flesh" to the mix, and lastly I added a little White to the mix.  I then highlighted all the Black parts by mixing a little Ceramcoat "Denim Blue" with the Black.
   I turned now to highlighting the plume on her hat using first the "Bright Yellow", then some Crafter's Acrylic "Daffodil Yellow".  I felt it still needed a little definition, so I gave it a light wash with the "Agrax Earthshade" wash using a wet brush.   Next, I worked on her hair, using first the base "Maple Syrup Tan", and then using Americana "Buttermilk", and lastly some White.
    Next, I worked on the metallics, painting her sword hilt, scabbard fittings, and epaulettes with, first, Ceramcoat "Bronze", and then with Ceramcoat "14K Gold".  I then painted her scabbard, and belt buckle with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey", followed by highlights with Folk Art "Silver Sterling".
   At this point I decided I wanted to get a little fancy, and decided to do some free hand floral designs on her coat.  I first painted small stems across the coat using Americana "Olive Green"; I then went over the stems again to give them dimension, using Crafter's Acrylic "Holiday Green".  Next, I painted half a flower bud with Crafter's Acrylic "Bright Yellow", and the other half with Crafter's Acrylic "Daffodil Yellow."
     Lastly, I painted he base with Americana "Mississippi Mud".  Since my pirates usually fight on board ships, or in taverns, I usually don't flock them.    After the figure had overnight to dry, I gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".   The next morning I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote.

     I'm very pleased with how this pirate turned out.  I'm glad I made the extra effort to decorate her coat, though in retrospect I wish I had taken a little more time with it, and concentrated on spacing and uniformity of the designs more.