Aeris, Female Elf Ranger (Painted as Dark Elf): Bones 3 Figure

This week I painted Aeris, Female Elf Ranger, from the Bones 3 Core Set.  Like last week's Halfling Cleric, I selected this figure to fill a gap in the figures I need for a game I'm going to be running at the upcoming Fall-In gaming convention.  What I was missing was a Drow/Dark Elf Ranger, and this figure was the only Elf archer I still had in my horde of unpainted Bones, so it got nominated to fill the role.
   

      While a beautiful figure, I was a bit disappointed in it as an Archer or a Ranger because it seemed to be missing any obvious quiver or hand to hand weapon (not even a dagger). I was able to solve these problems with some extra bits from set of hard plastic plastic War of the Roses troops I had recently been working on.
    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 transplanted her right arm with one carrying a set of arrows, and added a sword at her hip on the left side.   With the new additions in place, I glued the figure to a black-primed 1" fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and then placed the figure in my painting grip.

     I began by giving the figure a wash with Reaper MSP "Grey Liner"; and when that was dry, I painted her entire body with Ceramcoat "Black".    I then drybrushed her bodice armor and boots with Citadel "The Fang", followed by a lighter drybrush of Folk Art "Cloudy Day".  I then highlighted her pants and over-shirt with Apple Barrel "Apple Blue Spruce", followed with lighter highlights using Folk Art "Hunter Green".

     Next, I painted her under-sleeves with Crafter's Acrylic "Purple Passion", and the lining of her cape with Crafter's Acrylic "African Violet".  I then painted the outer layer of her cape with Americana "Zinc".

     I then painted her bow with Crafter's Acrylic "Navy Blue", and the sword scabbard with the "African Violet".  Next, I painted her hair with Crafter's Acrylic "Storm Cloud Grey" and the arrow shafts with Ceramcoat "Black Cherry".   After that, I painted the lining of the cape with Folk Art Color Shift "Purple Flash", and then the trim of the cape with the "Black".

     Next, I painted the scabbard again with Folk Art "Metallic Amethyst", and the bindings on the bow with Folk Art "Dapple Grey".  I then let everything dry for a while, and afterwards gave the entire figure a wash with Citadel "Nuln Oil" wash.  When the wash was dry, I painted her eyes, and then highlighted her face and hands with with a mix of Apple Barrel "Apple Black Green", and Americana "Avocado".

     I then highlighted her hair with Americana "Dove Grey", followed by some Americana "Snow White". I added some eyebrows too.  I decided that the highlights on the green weren't bright enough, so I added additional highlights to her pants and over-shirt with some Folk Art Artists Pigment "Hauser Green Medium".   After that I highlighted the under-sleeves with some Apple Barrel "Apple Lavender" mixed with a little of the base "Purple Passion".

     Next, I highlighted the outer cape with Americana "Grey Sky mixed with a little of the base "Zinc", and then highlighted the cape's fur trim with Americana "Neutral Grey".   I then highlighted the cape's lining using the base "Purple Flash" mixed with a little Ceramcoat "Metallic Silver", and the scabbard using the base "metallic Amethyst" mixed with a little of the "Metallic Silver".  After that, I highlighted the bow with some of the base "Navy Blue" mixed with a little Ceramcoat "Denim Blue", and I highlighted the bindings on the bow with Folk Art "Grey Green".   I wrapped up the painting on the figure by highlighting the arrow shafts with Ceramcoat "Opaque Red", and  highlighting the fletchings with  Folk Art "Medium Grey". I painted the points of the arrows, the metal parts of the sword grip, and the cape's clasp, all with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey", and then highlighted them with a little of"Metallic Silver".

     Lastly, I painted the figure's integral base with the "Bittersweet Chocolate".

     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".

    I'm really happy with how she came out, and I think the conversion to a Dark Elf works just fine.  I also think the added arrows and sword  help the figure a bit too.  

Woody Stumpwimple, Halfling Ranger: Bones 2 Figure

     This past week I painted the Woody Stumpwimple, Halfling Ranger, figure from the Bones 2 Core Set.   I plan to use this figure as a Scout in a Ghost Archipelago Crew I am building made up of Halflings and Gnomes.
      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 black-primed 7/8" fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue.   And, when the glue was dry,  I put it in my Citadel painting grip.

     I began by giving the figure with a thinned wash of Reaper MSP "Brown Liner".  When the wash was dry, I painted the lower armor with Black, and when the Black was dry, I drybrushed it with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey".  I then painted his face, feet, and hands with Reaper MSP "Tanned Shadow" and his torso armor with Citadel "Snakebite Leather".

     Next, I painted his coat with Reaper MSP "Christmas Wreath", and his gloves with Ceramcoat "Territorial Beige".  I then painted his belts and quiver with Americana "Sable Brown", and his pouch with Americana "Khaki Tan".  After that, I painted his bow with Crafters Edition "Spice Brown", and the fletchings on his arrows with Americana "Dove Grey".

    I painted his hair (both head and feet) with Crafter's Acrylic "Cinnamon Brown",  and the fasteners on his coat with Folk Art "Barn Wood".  Then, after the figure had a while to dry, I came back and I gave the body a wash with Citadel "Agrax Earthshade" wash, and the face a wash with Citadel "Reikland Fleshshade" wash.   When the washes were dry, I painted his eyes, and then highlighted the face with Reaper MSP "Tanned Skin" and some Reaper MSP "Tanned Highlight".  After that, I painted his sword, first with Americana Zinc", and then with the "Gunmetal Grey".

     I then worked on the highlighting his coat using Americana "Leaf Green", and his leather armor with Ceramcoat "Maple Sugar Tan".  I highlighted the gloves with the "Khaki Tan", and the belts and quiver with Americana "Mississippi Mud".  I highlighted the bow with Folk Art "Teddy Bear Fur", and the Fletchings with White. The pouch I highlighted with Crafter's Edition "Taupe", and the coat's fasteners I highlighted with the base "Barn Wood".   I finished up by highlighting the metal with Ceramcoat "Metallic Silver".
     Lastly, I painted the figure's base with Ceramcoat "Walnut".
     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".

     I'm really happy with how this little guy turned out, though I don't think his Dullcote dried dull enough.  I may have to respray him.

Imrijka, Iconic Inquisitor : Bones II Figure

     This past week I painted up the Imrijka, Iconic Inquisitor, figure from the Bones II Pathfinder Heroes set.   I believe this figure is supposed to represent a half-orc character, but I chose to paint it up as a half-elf female instead.  So, the first thing I did was very carefully try to slice off the fangs. What I couldn't get off with a hobby knife due to the cramped area under her hat, I hoped to disguise with paint.
     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.  

       There was something about her outfit that read Old West Cowboy to me; so I decided I would go with that kind of earth-tone palette for this figure.
       I began painting by doing all the figure's armor with Black; then when the Black was dry, I drybrushed the armor with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey".  I then passed over the armor with a lighter drybrush of Folk Art "Silver Sterling".

      Next, I painted her skin with Americana "Shading Flesh", and then painted her pants with Reaper MSP "Turkey Brown".  I then painted her bodice top with Americana "Bleached Sand", and then painted her loin cloth with Folk Art "Poppy Seed".  My next step was to paint her coat with Folk Art "Teddy Bear Brown".

     I then painted her boot, pouch, and some of her belts with Americana "Asphaltum", and then I painted the tassel hanging along her left leg with Crafter's Acrylic "Navy Blue".   Next, I painted her hair with Accent "Mustard Seed", and then did her hat with Americana "Mississippi Mud". After that I worked on her weaponry: painting her bow with Crafter's Acrylic "Cinnamon Brown", her sword's sheath with Accent "Real Umber",  her quiver with  "Sable Brown", and lastly, the top and bottom trim on her quiver and the the grip on her sword with Americana "Bittersweet Chocolate".  I then painted all reamining belts, straps, and cords with Americana "Terra Cotta". 

   Next, I painted the metal parts of the weapons with Americana "Zinc".  I also used this color to paint the arrow fletchings. The round clasp on her should, which I planned to make gold metal, I painted with the "Mustard Seed".  I then went back and repainted all the weapon parts I had painted with the "Zinc", (except the fletchings) this time using Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey".  I also used this color to paint any buckles I could see.  I then I repainted the shoulder clasp, this time using Ceramcoat "Bronze".    Then, after everything had a while to dry, I gave the entire figure a wash using Citadel "Agrax Earthshade" wash using a wet brush.

      I then painted her eyes and lips; and then highlighted all her skin with a mix of the "Shading Flesh" and some Crafter's Acrylic "Flesh".  After that, I highlighted her hair (and added eyebrows) with, first, Ceramcoat Maple Sugar Tan", and then, Apple Barrel "Lemon Chiffon".   I then highlighted her top with Crafter's Acrylic "Light Antique White".

     Next, I drybrushed her hat with Americana "Khaki Tan", and then did highlghts on her jacket with Americana "Sable Brown".  After that, I highlighted her loin cloth with a mix of the base "poppy Seed" and Folk Art "Gray Green", and then I highlighted her pants with a mix of the original "Turkey Brown" and some of the "Khaki Tan".  I then did her boot highlights with Americana "Mississippi Mud", and highlighted the tassleon her left leg with Ceramcoat "Denim Blue.  I then added yellow stripes to it with Reaper MSP "Golden Glow". 

     I now worked on her belts and pouch, as well as her bow, highlighting them with Nicole's "Brown". After that, I highlighted all the leather straps and the wrist guards with Reaper MSP Pumpkin Orange". Next, I worked on the metallics. I first worked on the parts I had painted with the "Gunmetal Grey", highlighting them with Folk Art "Silver Sterling".  I then did the clasp I had painted "Bronze", highlighting it with Ceramcoat 14K Gold.

     Lastly, I painted the base with White, and then glued some dried clear crackle paint "ice" to it. 

     When everything had overnight to dry, I gave the figure a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish" early the next morning.  That afternoon I "snowed" the base with a mix of Citadel "Vahallan Blizzard" textured paint, and regular White paint.   The next day I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote. After the Dullcote was dry, I hit the ice with a little Americana "DuraClear Gloss" varnish.

     I'm really happy with this figure.  I think the "Western" look came across well; and I'm particularly pleased with how her face turned out.  I have to say with me faces are a good deal of luck rather than skill.  I'm not good at painting those tiny details, but sometimes, like with this figure, my squinting stabs with paint turn out to be in just the right places. :)

Michelle, Female Human Ranger

   I ordered this figure a while back to round out an order from Reaper to qualify for the free shipping.  With the death of my Treasure Hunter Jack2 in last months Frostgrave game, it was time to paint up a new one; so I grabbed this one to use.
  The first thing I did was trim down the sword in her left hand, so it resembled a dagger a little bit more; thus better fitting the official Treasure Hunter description.  I then 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.
     I then gave her a wash with Reaper "Grey Liner" using a wet brush to help me see all the pieces of her outfit better.

   I began painting by doing her face with GW "Bronze Flesh".  I then painted her tunic with Ceramcoat "Black Cherry", and her under-shirt with Crafter's Acrylic "Bright Blue".

     Next, I painted her leather armor with Citadel "Snakebite Leather", and painted on gloves using Folk Art "Dapple Gray".

   At this point I started to feel that she might need a little something extra to sell the idea of being a treasure hunter, so I took one of the rope coils from the Frostgrave Soldiers boxed set from North Star, and sprayed it with flat white spray paint.   I then filed away an area of paint on her left hip, and used super glue to glue the rope coil in place.

    I painted the rope coil with Folk Art "Butter Pecan", and after it had a while to dry, I gave the whole figure a wash with Citadel "Agrax Earthshade" wash using a wet brush.  When the wash was dry, I painted her cape with Crafter's Acrylic "Navy Blue" and her hair with Black.  I let the cape dry a bit, and then I gave it a wash with Citadel "Nuln Oil" wash using a wet brush.  I then painted her eyes.

After her eyes, I painted her lips with a mix of GW Vermin Brown, Americana "Shading Flesh", the "Bronze Flesh", and Crafter's Acrylic "Flesh".  I  then highlighted her skin with a mix of the "Bronze Flesh" and "Flesh".  Next, I highlighted her hair with Citadel "The Fang", and then did lighter highlights with FolkArt "Cloudy Day".   I highlighted her cape with Americana "True Blue", and then highlighted her under-shirt with a mix of the "Bright Blue" and "White".  After that I highlighted her tunic with Americana Cranberry Wine", and then added a little Crafter's Acrylic "Tutti Frutti" to the "Cranberry Wine" to do lighter highlights.  Next, I highlighted the rope coil using a mix of Americana "Khaki Tan", and Americana "Bleached Sand".  Then I highlighted her leather armor using a mix of the base "Snakebite Leather", and Ceramcoat "Maple Sugar Tan", and did her gloves using a mix of the "Dapple Gray" and Folk Art "Gray Green".  Then I painted both her sword and dagger with Americana "Zinc".  When dry, I painted them again with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey", and also used this color to paint all the buttons on her cape.  I then highlighted the sword, dagger, and buttons with Folk Art "Silver Sterling".
     Lastly, I painted the figures base with White.  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 my new warband member came out, but a bit surprised at how similar her skin tone ended up looking to her leather armor.  Considering I used totally different paints, both base coat and highlights, it is an unexpected, and unfortunate, close match.

Valeros, Iconic Fighter: Figure 223 of 266

   Over the weekend I finished up Valeros, Iconic Fighter; the last of the Iconics and Officially Licensed Pathfinder Miniatures set I had left to complete.  This set now joins the list of completed sets over on the right.
     This was another figure from this set that I wasn't particularly fond of. Yes, it has a great dynamic sculpt, but I just found it to be overly busy feeling; with stuff pointing in several different directions, and no real "front"to the figure.  So, I thought I would use this figure to do an experiment. I had been thinking a while about trying: painting a figure with mainly inks and washes, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to try it.
     So, 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 figure with Ceramcoat "Territorial Beige".  I then gave it a complete wash with GW Agrax Earthshade" wash.  When that was dry, I drybrushed it with Americana "Khaki Tan".

  I then gave his pants a coat of Iron Wind Metals "Dark Blue" ink.  When that was dry, I did his tunic with Iron Wind Metals "Dark Green" ink; and when that was dry, I did his leather armor with Iron Wind Metals "Orange" ink.

     Next, I did his shoes, and assorted pouches with Winsor Newton "Peat Brown" ink.  I then did his quiver and scabbard with  Iron Wind Metals "Red" ink", and when dry, I did his bow with Iron Wind Metals "Chestnut Brown" ink.  I realized there was still some cloth hanging down which I hadn't done, and I wasn't sure if it was part of the tunis or what, so I gave that a coat of Iron Wind Metals "Mid Green" ink.  I then did his hair, mouth and eye sockets, as well as the arrow fletchings,  with Vallejo "Black" ink.

     I then painted his eyes teeth, and tongue, then did highlights on his skin with a mix of the "Territorial Beige" ,and some Crafter's Acrylic "Flesh". I the painted his swords with Americana Zinc. Next, I painted the arrow fletchings with Crafters Acrylic "Storm Cloud Grey".  i then went back and painted his swords with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey", and followed up with Folk Art Metallics "Silver Sterling" highlights.   Lastly, I painted the figure's integral base with Ceramcoat "Walnut".
   After the figure had overnight to dry, I gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".   When the varnish was dry, I flocked the base, and that evening I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote.

     Well, it certainly is an interesting effect.  And I can see it useful if you wanted to get a lot of stuff done quick.  I don't, however, thinkI will be adopting a new panting style. :)

So, that wraps up the Iconics and Officially Licensed Pathfinder Miniatures set.  My plan is to do another four Orcpocalypse figures for next week, and then start in on the Pirates set.

Figure 223 of 266: Complete

Nienna, Female Elf Ranger; Figure 164 of 265

   This week I painted Nienna, Female Elf Ranger, from the Heroes Set.  The next "Bones I" figure I do (Figure 165 of 265) will put me at the 100-remaining-figures mark, which is a great milestone to reach.  I really would like to get Bones I completed before Bones III ships, which will give me just over a year to do those last 100 figures.
        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.   I then glued the figure to a 1" black-primed fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and glued the washer to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's White Glue.
         Though this is a great dynamic sculpt, it has a lot of hard to see detail, and a bit of loss of detail on the sides of the bent leg.

    I began painting by giving her a wash with thinned black ink with a tiny pin-point drop of dishsoap added to help it flow into the crevices and help show the sculpting outlines. I think I used too much ink, or not enough dishsoap, as I got a bit of a mottled mess, that didn't help with the details.

  I then drybrushed the figure a bit with White to help maybe clarify the details in the muddy ink wash.  Finally I just needed to grit my teeth and jump in to painting the figure.  I began by painting her pants with DecoArt "Light Antique White".  Next, I painted her boots with Americana "Mississippi Mud".  I then did her tunic and the dead tree trunk with Americana "Charcoal Grey".

   I then painted her cloak with Folk Art "Grey Green", and the loin hanging with Folk Art Porcelain White".  The leaf-looking hanging I painted Apple Barrel "Burnt Sienna", and the mossy growth on the side of the tree trunk I painted Accent "Golden Oxide".

     Next, I painted her face and hands with DecoArt "Flesh". I then painted her dagger sheath and quiver with Folk Art "Dapple Grey".  The bow I painted Folk Art "Butter Pecan", and the arrow shafts I did with Americana "Khaki Tan".  The fletchings I painted White, and the sword grip I painted Americana "Asphaltum." Her knee guards, shoulder guard, and belt I painted Americana "Sable Brown". The tie around her quiver I painted Aleene's "Deep Khaki"

    When the paint had had a chance to thoroughly dry, I gave the entire figure a wash with GW "Agrax Earthshade" using a wet brush.

   After the wash was dry, I painted her hair Black, and then added some Folk Art "Settlers Blue" highlights.   I then painted her lips with Americana "Shading Flesh", and then highlighted her face and hands with the base "Flesh".   Next,  I worked on highlighting the rest of the figure.  I used the base "Grey Green" to highlight the cloak, then added finer highlights to the cloak with the "Porcelain White".  While I had the "Porcelain White" out, I did the highlights on her loin hanging.  I highlighted her boots with the base "Mississippi Mud", and then mixed some of the "Mississippi Mud" with the "Charcoal Grey" to highlight her tunic and the tree trunk.  The rest of he smaller parts of her outfit and accouterments I highlighted with the base colors I had used.

      I then worked on the metal parts; painting the sword, buckles and pin, bow fittings and dagger parts, all with Ceramcoat "Metallic Pewter".  I then did highlights with Folk Art "Silver Sterling".
       Lastly, I painted her base White, and added some white spots to the tree trunk.  When everything had overnight to dry, I gave the figure a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".  The next morning I flocked the base with Woodland Scenics "Snow" flock.  Late that afternoon I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote.

     I'm generally pleased with the results with this figure.  I wanted to do  a winter figure without using blue (which seems to be my default), and I think the colors I chose works well on this.

Figure 164 of 165: Complete

Elladan, Elf Ranger: Figure 136 of 265

This week I painted Elladan, Elf Ranger, from the Elves set.  This wraps up this set, and so it joins the list of completed sets over on the right.  Next up are the Dwarves.
       I prepped this 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.  I then glued the figure to a 1" black-primed fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and glued the washer to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's White Glue.

     I began by painting his under-tunic with Amerciana "Asphaltum". I then painted the outer tunic with Americana "Avocado".   Next, I painted the cape's lining with Accent "Deep Forest Green", and then his leggings with Americana "Butter Pecan".

  I now proceeded to paint the outer cape with Americana "Forest Green". Then I painted the leather armor hangings (?)(Not sure what they are.) at his waist and shoulders with Apple Barrel "Yellow".  His shoes, belts, scabbard and pouch I painted with  Accent "Mustard Seed".

 I then painted the leaf decorations on his leather armor with Apple Barrel "Burnt Sienna". I also painted his face and hands with GW "Elf Flesh".  After everything had had time to dry, I gave his skin, belts, leggings and shoes and sleeves a wash with Winsor Newton "Peat Brown" ink.  I then gave his leather armor hangings a wash with Iron Wind Metals "Chestnut" ink.

   When the ink was dry, I painted his hair; first mixing some Americana "Sable Brown with some Ceramcoat "Walnut" together to do a dark first coat.  I then drybrushed this with the base "Sable Brown" and then gave it some lighter highlights with the "Butter Pecan"  I then worked on doing highlights on his outfit.  First I added highlights to his outer cape with.   Americana "Leaf Green". I then mixed some of the "Forest Green" with the "Deep Forest Green" to do some highlights on the cape's lining. Next I mixed a little Americana "Olive Green" with the "Avocado" to do highlights on his outer tunic.  I added highlights to the leaf decorations on his leather armor hangings with some Americana "Burnt Orange".  Next, I did highlights on his belts, shoes, scabbard, and pouch with the base "Mustard Seed", and his leggings with the base "Butter Pecan".  Now I finished up the face and hands, painting the eyes white with black pupils, and then adding highlights with the base "Elf Flesh".  I ended this step with painting the grips on his weapons with the "Walnut".
     I then worked on the metals, first painting the hilts, his buckles, and the scabbard tip with Ceramcoat "Bronze".  I then went back and added highlights with Ceramcoat "14K Gold".  Next, I painted the blades with Cermacoat "Metallic Pewter", and then added highlights with Folk Art "Silver Sterling".   Lastly, I painted the little ball on the end of the sword hilt with Folk Art "Metallic Emerald Green".   I painted the figure's white integral base with Americana "Mississippi Mud".
      I let the figure sit overnight, and the next morning I gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".  Later that afternoon I flocked the base.   The next day I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote.

   I'm generally pleased with how this figure turned out.  It was a nice simple figure to work on.

Figure 136 of 265: Complete