Halloween Knight: Bones 5 Figure, Part 1

     This past week I started work on the "Halloween Knight" from the Bones 5 Core Set.  Given the time of year, I thought I'd take a break from working on the Dwarf King's Crypt, and do one of the Halloween figures that came in Bones 5.  Unfortunately, I didn't get it done on time, so will post the rest of the painting information next Monday.

     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 trimmed the figure's integral base a little, and glued the figure to a 1" primed metal washer with some Aleene's Tacky glue.  I then put the figure into my painting grip.       

     To start, I painted all the armor and the sword with Ceramcoat "Black".  When the "Black" was dry, I drybrushed the armor with Reaper MSP "Scorched Metal".  I then drybrushed the shoulder pieces with Folk Art Brushed Metal "Brushed Bronze".  After that, I drybrushed the scale armor skirt with Folk Art Color shift "Black Flash". 

     Next, I painted the lining of the cape with Pathfinder MSP "Urgathea Red", and then the did the hands with Reaper MSP "Alien Flesh".  After that, I painted the back of the shield with Reaper MSP "Nightmare  Black", and used the "Brushed Bronze" to paint the skull on the left of the chest armor and the little coffin on the right, as well as defining the base of the shoulder pieces.  I let everything dry for a while, and then gave the armor and the hands a coat of Citadel "Nuln Oil" wash.

     When the "Nuln Oil" was dry, I drybrushed the plate armor with a mix of the base "Scorched Metal, and some Ceramcoat "Metallic Silver".  Next, drybrushed the scale armor with the base "Black Flash" with a little of the "Metallic Silver mixed in as well, and the shoulder pieces with Folk Art Metallics "Pure Gold".  I then used the "Pure Gold to touch up the armor skull and coffin with a regular brush. After that, I painted the outer layer of the cape with Reaper MSP "Coal Black", and then painted the dagger sheath and coffin-lid shield face with Crafter's Acrylic "African Violet". I also painted the pumpkin head with Crafter's Acrylic "Orange Spice". 

     Next, I painted the shield face with Folk Art Color Shift "Purple Flash", and then painted the sword with Folk Art Metallic "Gunmetal Gray".  After that, I painted the design on the shield and parts of the sword hilt with Americana "Antique Gold". 

   And that's where I am now.   I hope to finish it up this week, and have it ready to post on Monday. See you all then.

    Part 2, the completion on the figure, can be found here: Part 2

Oman Ruul, Wizard: Bones 4 Figure

      This past week I painted "Oman Ruul, Wizard" from the Bones 4 Greybeards 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 giving it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying it.  I then trimmed the figure's integral base a little, and glued the figure to a 1" plastic base with some superglue.  I then placed the figure in my painting grip.   

     I began by painting his face and hands with Reaper MSP "Rosy Skin".  I then painted his robes with Pathfinder MSP "Urgathea Red", and his cape with Reaper MSP HD "Indigo Blue". 

     Next, I painted his collar, hat, and sash with Anita's "Violet", and his shoes with Americana "Cranberry Wine".  After that, I painted his beard and hair with Americana "Zinc", and his bracelet and the skull emblem on the back of his collar with Americana "Antique Gold".

         I let everything dry for a while, and then I gave his face and arms a coat of Citadel "Reikland Fleshshade" wash.  When this was dry, I gave his entire outfit and beard a coat of Citadel "Nuln Oil" wash.  When these washes were dry, I panted his eyes, and then did his teeth with Americana "Bleached Sand"  After that, I highlighted his skin with the base "Rosy skin", and some Reaper MSP "Rosy Highlight".

        I then highlighted his robes with the base "Urgathea Red", and then mixed in a little Reaper MSP 'Breast Cancer Awareness Pink" for further highlighting.  After that, I highlighted his cape with the base "Rich Indigo", and then mixed in a little Reaper MSP "Frosty Blue" for further highlighting.  I followed that by highlighting his collar, hat, and sash with the base "Violet", and then mixed in a little Apple Barrel "Apple Lavender" for further highlights.

     Next, I highlighted his shoes with the base "Cranberry Wine" with a little of the "Breast Cancer Awareness Pink" mixed in.  I then highlighted his beard and hair with the base Z'inc", and then mixed in a little Crafters Acrylic "Storm Cloud Grey".  After that I painted his bracelet and the skull on his collar with Folk Art Metallics "Pure Gold", and highlighted it with some Ceramcoat "Wedding Gold".  

     I then worked on the orb, painting it with Citadel Contrast "Templar Black".  When that was dry, I repainted it with Folk Art "Color Shift" "Black Flash".  While it was still wt, I added in thin swirls of Deco Art Metallic "Festive Red".  Lastly, I painted the figure's base with the "Mississippi Mud".

      I let the figure dry overnight and the next day I gave it a coat of Americana "DuraClear Matte" varnish. I then used some white glue to glue some fine sand to the base.  When the sand was dry, I painted it with a coat of Americana "Charcoal Grey". When this was dry, I drybrushed the sand with the "Mississippi Mud", and then with some Apple Barrel "Rock Grey"; lastly I drybrushed it with a little Americana "Dove Grey".  Another overnight dry, and I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote".   When the "Dullcote" was dry, I went back and repainted the orb with a little Americana "DuraClear Gloss" varnish.   

     I'm really happy with how this guy turned out.  I had originally planned to do the orb as a glowing light blue color, but I chickened out in the end not wanting to risk the paint job I had done.  So, I went with more of a loose LOTR Palantir look. 
      

Maggotcrown Axeman: Bones 4 Dreadmere Figure

   This past week I painted a set of 4 of the "Maggotcrown Axemen" figures as my final step in building a 12 man unit of the Maggotcrown soldiers from the Dreadmere Expansion.   This completes the unit, and I have included a photo of the whole group together at the end of this post. 

    Here is the painting article for the Swordsmen, and here is the one for the Spearmen.
     I prepped the figures in the usual way, soaking them in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then giving them a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying them.  I then glued all 4 figures to 1" brown-primed fender washers with Aleene's Tacky glue.  I then glued the washers onto a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's white glue.

     I was very pleased with the results of using Citadel Contrast "Black Templar" paint on the previous 8 Maggotcrown soldiers as the base for drybrushing their armor, instead of my usual solid black basecoat, so I began by giving the Axemen all complete coats of Ceramcoat "White" to act as a base primer coat for the Contrast paint, like I did on the Swordsmen.   I then painted the armor, axe heads, and shield backs and skulls with Citadel Contrast "Black Templar".

  When the "Black Templar was dry, I drybrushed the armor and swords with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey", followed with a drybrushing of Ceramcoat "Metallic Silver", and lastly a light drybrush with some Citadel "Mithril Silver".   After that, I painted the tunics with Reaper MSP Pathfinder "Urgathoa Red", and I repainted their chins with the "White".

Next, I painted the tabards, and the eyes on the shield skulls with Ceramcoat "Black"; and then painted the belts, gloves, and shield straps with Reaper MSP "Coal Black".  After that, I painted the exposed parts of their faces with Citadel Contrast "Gulliman Flesh", and then did the faces of their shields with Reaper MSP "Fresh Blood".  At this point  I went back over the chainmail with some Citadel "Nuln Oil" wash  to help it pop.    And, while I had the "Nuln Oil" out, I decided I also wanted to define the edges of the tabard, belts, and tunic, a little better, so I traced along the edges where the tabard and belts met the tunic using the wash.

     After that, I painted the inside of the shields with some Ceramcoat "Metallic Pewter".  I then painted the skulls on the shields with Americana "Snow White", and then the axe handles with Americana "Charcoal Grey".

     Next, I highlighted the tunics with a mix of the base "Urgathoa Red" mixed with Reaper MSP Bones "Cinnamon Red". I then highlighted the tabards with Ceramcoat "Charcoal" followed with Americana "Zinc"; and followed that with highlighting the belts and gloves with Citadel "The Fang".  After highlighting those parts, I highlighted the shields using Reaper MSP Holly Berry" and some Reaper MSP "Hearth Fire".  Lastly,  I did some highlights on the axe handles with Americana "Mississippi Mud", and the shoulder skulls and helmets with Reaper MSP "Sparkling Snow".  I then painted the bases with the "Mississippi Mud".

     I let the Axemen dry overnight and the next day I gave them a coat of Americana "DuraClear Matte" varnish.    Then, when  the varnish was dry, I used some white glue to flock the bases.  Another overnight dry, and I sprayed them with Testor's "Dullcote". 

    And here's a look at the whole unit.  I'm really happy with how these guys turned out.  They have a nice sinister menace about them; perfect for keeping the peace in some backwater village on orders from the .corrupt ruler. 

Maggotcrown Spearman: Bones 4 Dreadmere Figure

     This past week I painted a set of 4 of the "Maggotcrown Spearman" figures as my next step in building a 12 man unit of the Maggotcrown soldiers from the Dreadmere Expansion.   I had my original Maggotcrown soldier figures from the Kickstarter, and expanded my unit through trades and direct purchases from Reaper. Last week I painted the four Swordsman figures.
       I prepped the figures in the usual way, soaking them in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then giving them a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying them.   I wanted one of the Spearmen to be the Sergeant of the unit;  so I cut the top half of his spear off, drilled out his hand, and then cut down a halberd from one of the Bones 3 weapon sprues and glued it in place into the hole in his hand.  I then glued all 4 figures to 1" brown-primed fender washers with Aleene's Tacky glue.  I then glued the washers onto a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's white glue.

    I was very pleased with the results of using Citadel Contrast "Black Templar" paint on the previous four Maggotcrown soldiers as the base for drybrushing their armor, instead of my usual solid black basecoat, so I began by giving the Spearmen all complete coats of Ceramcoat "White" to act as a base primer coat for the Contrast paint, like I did on the Swordsmen.   I then painted the armor and shields with Citadel Contrast "Black Templar".

      When the "Black Templar was dry, I drybrushed the armor and swords with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey", followed with a drybrushing of Ceramcoat "Metallic Silver", and lastly a light drybrush with some Citadel "Mithril Silver".   After that, I painted the tunics with Reaper MSP Pathfinder "Urgathoa Red", and I repainted their chins with the "White".

 Next, I painted the tabards, and the eyes on the shield skulls with Ceramcoat "Black"; and then painted the belts, gloves, and shield straps with Reaper MSP "Coal Black".  After that, I painted the exposed parts of their faces with Citadel Contrast "Gulliman Flesh", and then did the faces of their shields with Reaper MSP "Fresh Blood".  I decided at that point that the chainmail was drybrushed too heavily and had lost its detail, so I went back over it with some Citadel "Nuln Oil" wash.  

     While I had the "Nuln Oil" out, I decided I also wanted to define the edges of the tabard, belts, and tunic, a little better, so I traced along the edges where the tabard and belts met the tunic using the wash.  After that, I painted the inside of the shields with some Ceramcoat "Metallic Pewter".  I then painted the skulls on the shields with Americana "Snow White", and the spear shafts with Americana "Charcoal Grey".

      Next, I highlighted the tunics with a mix of the base "Urgathoa Red" mixed with Reaper MSP Bones "Cinnamon Red". I then highlighted the tabards with Ceramcoat "Charcoal" followed with Americana "Zinc"; and followed that with highlighting the belts and gloves with Citadel "The Fang".  After highlighting those parts, I highlighted the shields using Reaper MSP Holly Berry" and some Reaper MSP "Hearth Fire".  Lastly,  I did some highlights on the spear shafts with Americana "Mississippi Mud", and the shoulder skulls and helmets with Reaper MSP "Sparkling Snow".  I then painted the bases with the "Mississippi Mud".

     I let the Spearmen dry overnight and the next day I gave them a coat of Americana "DuraClear Matte" varnish.    Then, when  the varnish was dry, I used some white glue to flock the bases.  Another overnight dry, and I sprayed them with Testor's "Dullcote". 

     Like the Swordsmen, I'm happy with these guys; and now am really looking forward to seeing the completed unit.  Hopefully I will be able to wrap these guys up in the next week or two now that the Holidays are almost upon us, and free painting time will become scarcer. 

Maggotcrown Swordsman: Bones 4 Dreadmere Figure

      This past week I painted a set of 4 of the "Maggotcrown Swordsman" figures as a first step in building a 12 man unit of the Maggotcrown soldiers from the Dreadmere Expansion.   I had my original Maggotcrown soldier figures from the Kickstarter, and expanded my unit through trades and direct purchases from Reaper.

       I prepped the figures in the usual way, soaking them in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then giving them a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying them.   I wanted one of the Swordsmen to be the leader of the unit,  so I cut his sword arm at the elbow and repositioned it, and then sculpted him a helmet crest using some greenstuff.  I then glued them all to 1" brown-primed fender washers with Aleene's Tacky glue.  I then glued the washers onto a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's white glue.

     I wanted to try some Citadel Contrast "Black Templar" paint on these as the base for drybrushing their armor, instead of my usual solid black basecoat, so I began by giving them all complete coats of Ceramcoat "White" to act as a base primer coat for the Contrast paint.   I then painted the armor and shields with Citadel Contrast "Black Templar".

     When the "Black Templar was dry, I drybrushed the armor and swords with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey", followed with a drybrushing of Ceramcoat "Metallic Silver", and lastly a light drybrush with some Citadel "Mithril Silver".   After that, I painted the tunics with Reaper MSP Pathfinder "Urgathoa Red".

     Next, I painted the tabards, and the eyes on the shield skulls with Ceramcoat "Black"; and then painted the belts, gloves, and shield straps with Reaper MSP "Coal Black".  After that, I painted the exposed parts of their faces with Citadel Contrast "Gulliman Flesh", and then did the faces of their shields, and the leader's crest with Reaper MSP "Fresh Blood".  I decided at that point that the chainmail was drybrushed too heavily and had lost its detail, so I went back over it with some Citadel "Nuln Oil" wash.  

    While I had the "Nuln Oil" out, I decided I also wanted to define the edges of the tabard, belts, and tunic, a little better, so I traced along the edges where the tabard and belts met the tunic using the wash.  After that, I painted the inside of the shields with some Ceramcoat "Metallic Pewter".  I then painted the skulls on the shields with Americana "Snow White".

     Next, I highlighted the tunics with a mix of the base "Urgathoa Red" mixed with Reaper MSP Bones "Cinnamon Red". I then highlighted the tabards with Ceramcoat "Charcoal" followed with Americana "Zinc"; and followed that with highlighting the belts, gloves and shield straps with Citadel "The Fang".  After highlighting those parts, I highlighted the shields and the officer's crest using Reaper MSP Holly Berry", and some Reaper MSP "Hearth Fire".  Lastly,  I did some highlights on the shoulder skulls and helmets with Reaper MSP "Sparkling Snow", and then painted the bases with Americana "Mississippi Mud".

     I let the Swordsmen dry overnight and the next day I gave them a coat of Americana "DuraClear Matte" varnish.    Then, when  the varnish was dry, I used some white glue to flock the bases.  Another overnight dry, and I sprayed them with Testor's "Dullcote". 

    I'm really pleased with ow these guys turned out.   Sometimes I really appreciate these nice simple, clean and plain, sculpts and what an ease they are to paint. 

Bones 4: Bloodstone Gnome Scragger and Bodyguard

      This past week I painted the "Bloodstone Gnome Scragger" and "Bloodstone Gnome Bodyguard" from the Bones 4 Darkreach Expansion.   I have to say, I  wasn't excited about doing these minis, as I really didn't like the Aztec ascetic for Dark Gnomes.  I also found the sclupts to be particularly fussy for such little figures, with all kinds of details and bits and bobs on them. 

      I prepped the figures in the usual way, soaking the parts in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then giving them a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying them. I then glued them to 7/8" brown-primed fender washers with Aleene's Tacky glue.  I then glued the washers onto a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's white glue.

     I began by panting their skin with Americana "Charcoal Grey".  I then painted the loin cloth on the lefthand one , and the shirt on the righthand one, with Ceramcoat "Charcoal". After that, I painted the scarf on the lefthand one, and the loincloth on the righthand one with Crafter's Acrylic "Navy Blue". 

    Next, I painted their armor with Americana "Terra Cotta", and then painted their feet/leg wraps with Folk Art "Cloudy Day".  After that, I painted the wrist wraps on the lefthand one, and the neck collar and belt pouches on the righthand one, with Ceramcoat "Territorial Beige". 

     I then painted both sword grips, and sword blade on the righthand one, with with Accent "Real Umber", and the sword blade on the lefthand one and spear shaft on the righthand one with Reaper MSP HD "Rusty Red". After that, I painted the parts I was going to paint gold with Americana "Antique Gold", and the parts I was going to paint as metal with Americana "Zinc". 

     Next, I painted the obsidian "blades" on all the weapons with Ceramcoat "Black".  After that, I repainted the metal parts I had previously paint with the Zinc, using Folk Art  Metallics "Gunmetal Grey"; and repainted the parts I had previously painted with the "Antique Gold", using Folk Art Brushed Metal "Brushed Bronze".   I let the figures dry for a while, and then gave them both a coat of Citadel "Agrax Earthshade" wash.

    When the wash was dry, I painted the eyes, and then highlighted the skin with a mix of the base "CharcoalGrey", and some Americana "Mississippi Mud".  At that point, I realized they had exposed teeth, so I took a moment to paint those with Americana "Bleached Sand", and then gave them a quick wash with the "Agrax Earthshade".  After that, I highlighted the leather armor with Reaper MSP "Bronzed Skin".

          Next, I highlighted their leggings with Folk Art "Cloudy Day", and then highlighted the left one's loin cloth, and the right one's shirt with Americana "Zinc".  I then highlighted the left one's  scarf, and the right one's loin cloth, with Citadel "The Fang" mixed with a little Folk Art "Settler's Blue".  After that, I highlighted the wrist wraps on the lefthand one, and the neck collar and belt pouches on the righthand one, with Americana "Fawn".

        I then highlighted the body of the lefthand one's sword and the righthand one's spear shaft with some Reaper MSP "Holly Berry" mixed with a little Crafter's Acrylic "Pure Pumpkin".  After that, I highlighted the righthand one's sword blade body with Americana "Light Cinnamon", and then highlighted all the obsidian parts with Crafter's Acrylic "Cool Blue".  Wrapping thing up, I highlighted the parts I painted with the "Gunmetal Grey" using Ceramcoat "Silver", and highlighted the  parts I had painted with the "Brushed Bronze", using Folk Art "Pure Gold".   I finished by painting both their  bases with Americana "Mississippi Mud".

      I let the figures dry overnight and the next day I gave them a coat of Americana "DuraClear Matte" varnish. I then used some white glue to glue some fine sand to their bases.  When the sand was dry, I painted it with a coat of Americana "Charcoal Grey". When this was dry, I drybrushed the sand with the "Mississippi Mud", and then with some Apple Barrel "Rock Grey"; lastly I drybrushed it with a little Americana "Dove Grey".

      Another overnight dry, and I sprayed the figures with Testor's Dullcote".  When the "Dullcote" was dry, I went back and repainted the obsidian with a some Americana "DuraClear Gloss" varnish.

     Well, there they are.  They turned out okay, but my heart wasn't in them.  I have decided life's too short for me to paint stuff I really don't like, so the remainder of the set, is going in my sale/trade box. 

Goblin Shaman: Bones 4 Figure

  This  past week I took a break from working on Darkreach and painted the "Goblin Champion" from the Bones 4 Goblin Heroes set.  I had plans of painting all three of the Goblins for the Goblins Heroes set at the same time, so I had prepped  the figures in the usual way, soaking them in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish-soap added, then giving them a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying them. I then had glued them to 1" brown-primed fender washers with Aleene's Tacky glue.  I then had glued the washers onto a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's white glue.

      I already recently painted both the Goblin Bodyguard and Goblin Champion from this trio, and as I mentioned in those articles, I had began by painting all their exposed skin areas with Citadel Contrast "Snakebite Leather".  Then, as I was studying them, I had realized  they really weren't similar enough to paint as a group, and so I popped them off the tongue depressor.   I now had reattached the Shaman to a pill bottle with some blue tac.  After that, I started by painting his cape and hood with Ceramcoat "Black".  I then painted his boots with Americana "Aspahltum" and his loincloth with Pathfinder MSP "Urgathoa Red"

     Next, I painted the spider on the back of the cape with Pathfinder MSP  "Medusa Green". and then painted his staff with Reaper MSP HD "Rusty Red", and the skull and cross bone on the staff, as well as the bone necklace, with with Americana "Bleached Sand".   After that, I painted  the cord of his loin cloth, the cord of his necklace, and the binding on the staff, with Americana "Light Cinnamon".  I followed with painting the bag tucked into his belt with Crafter's Acrylic "Navy Blue". 

     I painted the gem fittings on his hood and the skull with Folk Art Brushed Metal "Brushed Bronze"  Then I let the figure dry for a while, and then gave everything but the Goblin's skin a coat of Citadel "Agrax Earthshade" wash.  When the wash was dry, I filled in the skull's eye sockets and nose hole with some Citadel "Nuln Oil" wash.   I then painted his eyes, and then painted his teeth with Crafter's Acrylic "Light Antique White".  While I had this color out, I also used it to highlight the skull and cross bone.   After that, since I felt his skin had come out rather splotchy from using the Contrast Paint on it, I tried blending it a bit with some Accent Golden Oxide.  I then used some Apple Barrel "Maple Sugar Tan" mixed with the "Golden Oxide" to highlight his skin.   

          Realizing I had forgotten the bracelet on his left wrist, I painted that with Americana "Forest Green".  I then highlighted his loin cloth with Reaper MSP Bones "Cinnamon Red", and the staff with Crafter's Acrylic "Pure Pumpkin".   After that, I highlighted the bad tucked in his loin cloth with Ceramcoat "Denim Blue", and his cape with Ceramcoat "Charcoal".   I then added further highlights to the cape with a mix of the "Charcoal" and some Apple Barrel "Rock Grey".   The bracelet had dried by then, so I gave it a coat of the "Agrax Earthshade" wash.

     Next, I highlighted the sider on the back of the cape using Americana "Reindeer Moss Green", and then added some eye dots.  I moved then to the bracelet and highlighted that with some Folk Art Color Shift "Emerald Flash", and then some Folk Art Color Shift "Green Flash".   After that, I painted the gems in the hood and skull with Reaper MSP Blood Red, the"Urgathoa Red", and some Americana Snow White".   I finished by highlighting the gem fittings with some Folk Art "Pure Gold".   Lastly, I painted his base with Americana "Mississippi Mud".

         I let the figure dry overnight and the next day I gave it a coat of Americana "DuraClear Matte" varnish.    Then, when  the varnish was dry, I used some white glue to flock the base.  Another overnight dry, and I sprayed it with Testor's "Dullcote". When the "Dullcote" was dry, I went back and repainted the gems with a little Americana "DuraClear Gloss" varnish.

   I'm generally happy with how this figure turned out.  That whole side on the left is kind of smooshed up, with the staff, hand, bone necklace, blue pouch, cape, and hood all pressed in next to each other, which made painting all that an extra challenge,  but for a tabletop figure I think it all looks okay.