Barnabus Frost, Pirate Captain: Figure 233 of 266

   This week I finished up the Pirates set by painting the Barnabus Frost, Pirate Captain, figure.  This set now joins the list of completed sets over on the right.
      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 started off by giving the entire figure a wash with thinned Reaper "Brown Liner".  When that was dry, I painted his face and hands with Americana "Shading Flesh".  I then painted his coat with Ceramcoat "Black Cherry", and his pants with Crafter's Acrylic "Bright Blue".

Next I painted the facings on his coat and his vest with Crafters Acrylic "Bright Yellow".  I then painted his boot tops with Americana "Terra Cotta",  and then his beard with Folk Art "Platinum Grey".  I used Crafter's Acrylic "Deep Red" to paint his sash, and then used Accent "Golden Harvest" to paint his compass case, key ring, and buckles.  Then I painted his pistol with Crafter's Acrylic "Cinnamon Brown".

I painted his compass case, key ring, and buckles with "Bronze".  Then, when everything had a while to dry, I gave the entire figure a wash with Citadel "Agrax Earthshade", using a wet brush.  When the wash was dry, I painted his boots, pouch, and belts with Black

     Next, I painted his eyes, and then highlighted his skin; first with the "Shading Flesh", and then with some of the "Shading Flesh" mixed with a little Crafter's Acrylic "Flesh". I then highlighted his hair and beard with the "Platinum Grey", and then with Crafter's Acrylic "Light Antique White".   I used Crafter's Acrylic "Daffodil Yellow" to highlight his facings and vest, and painted his sword blade with Americana "Neutral Grey".

     I then highlighted his coat with Americana "Burgundy Wine", and his pants with a mix of the "Bright Blue" and Crafter's Acrylic "Cool Blue".  Next, I highlighted his sash with Ceramcoat "Bright Red", and his boots, pouch and belts with Citadel "The Fang".   I then painted his sword with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey".  While that was drying, I painted all his buttons with the "Bronze", then highlighted all the parts I had painted "Bronze" with Ceramcoat "14K Gold", and then did further highlights with Ceramcoat "Wedding Gold".  I then went back snd highlighted his sword with Folk Art 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 this old salty dog turned out.  And, happy to get another completed set under my belt.  Next up, I will be finishing the last four Orcpoclaypse figures, and then the remaining two Townsfolk figures.

Derro Mage as Frostgrave Soothsayer Wizard: Bones 2 Figure

This week I finished up the Derro Mage from the Bones 2, Expansion 1,  Derro Set.  I plan to use him as a Soothsayer type wizard 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.
     I then gave him a wash with Reaper "Grey Liner" using a wet brush.

      When the Liner was dry, I painted his hands, feet, and face with Americana "Shading Flesh".  I then painted his shirt with Crafter's Acrylic "Bright Blue".  Next, I painted the insides of the slots in his pants with Crafter's Acrylic "Bright Yellow", and then painted the outside parts of his pants with Ceramcoat "Black Cherry".

     I used the "Bright Yellow" again to paint his waist hanging, and then used Citadel "Snakebite Leather" to paint his breastplate.  After that, I painted the sleeve on his right arm with Folk Art "Poppy Seed", and then painted all the fur trim with Ceramcoat "Territorial Beige".  I then painted his belt and pouches with Americana "Bittersweet Chocolate", and then painted the frame holding the large "eye" on his chest, as well as his belt buckle and bracelet, with Accent "Mustard Seed".

     Next, I painted his hair with Folk Art "Platinum Grey", and then painted the "eye' on his chest with Crafter's Acrylic "Light Antique White".   After everything had a while to dry, I gave the entire figure a wash with Citadel "Agrax Earthshade" wash using a wet brush".   When the wash was dry, I painted his cape with Black.

     At this point I did the highlights on the hair using the base "Platinum Grey", and the "Light Antique White".  I then painted his eyes, and then highlighted his skin with the base "Shading Flesh", and the then the "Shading Flesh" with a little Crafter's Acrylic "Flesh" added to it to lighten it. Next, I highlighted the fur trim with Crafter's Edition "Taupe", and then highlighted his top with the "Bright Blue" with a little Crafter's Acrylic "Cool Blue" mixed in to lighten it.  I also highlighted his waist hanging using Crafter's Edition "Daffodil Yellow".

     Next, I highlighted his pants with Americana "Burgundy Wine", and then highlighted his cape with Citadel "The Fang".  I highlighted his belt and pouches with Crafter's Edition "Spice Brown".  I then worked on the eye, painting the iris first with Americana "Leaf Green", and then did a splotchy pattern on it with Folk Art "Metallic Emerald Green".  Next, I painted the pupil black, and then cleaned up the edges of the white of the eye with "Light Antique White".   I added a highlight with White.   I then repainted all the parts I had painted earlier with Mustard Seed", using Ceramcoat "Bronze", and then added highlights with Ceramcoat "14K Gold".  Lastly, I painted the figure's integral base White, and used the White to clean up any spattered paint on the washer 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 really pleased with how this fellow turned out.  I'm particularly proud of the big eye on his chest.   I think he and the Apprentice I finished earlier make a pretty good "odd couple" Soothsayer pair.

You've Come a Long Way, Baby: My First Painting Efforts to Now

  Over on the Reaper Forums, a member started a thread asking folks to post photos of their first figure they ever painted, and their most recent that they're proud of.  I thought that might be a good incentive for me to look back on how far I've come over the years.
    I began painting in the late 70's with 15mm Heritage ACW figures.  Sadly, I sold off that collection in the mid 80's, so I have no examples of my first figures.  However, shortly after starting with the Heritage 15mm figures, I started purchasing some of their 25mm Fantasy stuff, which corresponded with me getting into a D&D group in High School.   I do have a few of these still in my collections.  While the thief is a pretty straight forward  paint job, the knight must have been one of my first uses of a black wash.

Heritage Thief

Heritage Thief

     While, my painting had greatly improved over the intervening decades, I also thought it would be fun to look how far I've come in the three years since I started this blog.  Here are two from the first full month of painting the Bones 1 Kickstarter.

And here we are today.  There's not a lot of noticeable difference over the past three years.  A bit more attention to highlighting I think. And for humans, I think my faces have improved.

   I've been painting now for over 40 years, and still find there's room to grow and improve.  But that's part of the fun!

Finaela, Female Pirate: Figure 232 of 266

     This past week I got back to the Pirate set, and painted up the Finaela, Female Pirate, figure. That leaves just one more figure to go in this 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.

     As I mentioned in last week's, Mystic Theurge post, I recently purchased a Reaper "Liner Triad". 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 an ink and a wash. From what I read, they are reported to be great as a kind of "primer" coat of Bones as they really show off a figure's 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 "Brown" Liner, so I gave the entire figure a wash with it using a wet brush.

     When the liner was dry, I painted the skin with GW "Elf Flesh".  I then painted the jacket with Americana "Leaf Green",  the pants with Nicole's "Brown", and the gauntlets with Americana "Bleached Sand".

     Next, I painted her hair with Americana 'Terra Cotta". Then I  painted the jacket facings and the bracelets on her left wrist with Accent "Golden Harvest".  After that I did her top with Folk Art "Platinum Grey", and the shield-like piece tucked in her front belt with Aleene's "Deep Khaki".  I then painted her boots and the sword grips with Americana "Raw Umber".

I painted the belts and pouches all with Americana "Bittersweet Chocolate", and then painted all the sword hilts, buckles, and the bracelets with Accent "Mustard Seed".  Next, I let everything dry for a while and then gave the entire figure a wash with GW Agrax Earthshade" using a wet brush.  When the wash was dry, I painted the sword blades and beer steins with Americana "Zinc", and the head scarf with Folk Art "Hunter Green".

I began the highlighting now, drybrushing her hair with Ceramcoat "Maple Sugar Tan", and then doing further highlights on the hair with Americana "Buttermilk".  Next, I painted her eyes and lips, then highlighted all her skin with the base "Elf Flesh", then added a little White to it to do further skin highlights.  I highlighted her top with the White. After that, I highlighted the jacket with Crafter's Acrylic "Holiday Green", then mixed a little Crafter's Acrylic "Wild Green" into the "Holiday Green" to do further jacket highlights.  Next up, I highlighted the jacker's facings and cuffs using Crater's Acrylic "Bright Yellow", and then Crafter's Acrylic "Daffodil Yellow" for further highlights.  I also highlighted the shield-like peice tucked in her belt with Aleene's "Dusty Khaki"

    Next, I highlighted the gauntlets with the base "Bleached Sand", and then highlighted her pants with Crater's Edition "Spice Brown".  I also highlighted the boots, belts, and pouches with Americana "Mississippi Mud".  I then repainted the head scarf with Folk Art "Metallic Emerald Green". I then mixed a little White into the "Metallic Emerald Green" to do highlights on the head scarf.   I then painted the sword blades, and beer steins with Folk Art Metallics "Gunmetal Grey", and the bracelets, buckles, and sword hilts all with Ceramcoat "Bronze".  Next, I went back and did highlights on the blades and steins with Folk Art "Silver Sterling" and on the bracelets, buckles, and sword hilts with Ceramcoat "Wedding Gold".   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 very pleased with how the figure turned out.   She'll make a good addition to the crew! 

Figure 232 of 266: Complete

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.