A few of my miniatures. (New pics)

[Tolen Mar]

Usually I assume it is a give and get thing with mini threads, You give posts to one, get posts in your own sort of thing. [see my sig ]

Well, I wasn't aware of that. And of course I have looked at the other threads and it never occured to me to say anything. Especially since I never had anything truly constructive to add (mostly 'ooh that one's nice!' kinda things). I guess I shouldn't have been too upset that this time around no one wanted to say anything.

1. the dragon statue is nice[the wings are great] but it does feel too much like a gift statue. The work is pretty good, but gift resin is not a medium I am big on. If you are in love with those kind of extra things on the base don't read this...

Spoiler

I actully would advise bashing off any off scale bits on the next one you paint & white glueing rocks and sand as filler over those spots.

Im not sure I understand what you mean by bashing off scale bits?

2. The flame robes are great, the chipping paint on the rest of the figs, though....

Actually, most of those chips are flaws in the paint job that arent as visible except in close up as the camera gives us. (and several have been fixed since.)

3. A light brown wash on the faces of those figs would really would help.

Ill have to try that, faces are the part I dislike the most cause its so hard for me to get the tones right.

4. The Stone armor on the Knight and his mount rock! The See through blue and yellow paint coats on his sheild detract more than the paper clip does Let one coat dry, then try another thin coat over it.

Thanx again. As far as yellow goes, I hate yellow. It never coats well, no matter what brand I use, and I simply got fed up with it on that mini. I really should go back and touch it up.

5. The real cloth banner is fabulous!

Awesom, I was worried about the stray threads. I was patient with the entire paint job, but got in a hurry with the banner.

 

[Tolen Mar]

Here's a quick question for you kit bashers out there:

Is there a good glue/epoxy for fixing plastic and metal pieces together? I have several plastic bits and several metals which I think would look good together, but getting them to hold on is rediculously hard.

The standard bearer is all metal, but part is pewter and part steel. I had to drill down 1/4" into his hand to get the top half of the banner to stay put once glued. Any advice on pinning?

 

[frankthedm]

Usually I assume it is a give and get thing with mini threads, You give posts to one, get posts in your own sort of thing. [see my sig ]

Well, I wasn't aware of that. And of course I have looked at the other threads and it never occured to me to say anything. Especially since I never had anything truly constructive to add (mostly 'ooh that one's nice!' kinda things).

I just assumed thats how things work, got no idea for certain. I know I love getting ooohs and ahhhs personally.

bash off the off scales bits=File / break off the snakes and skulls and bones that are larger than 25 to 35mm scale. The just say to me, “this is a gift resin statue” rather than a mini to pop onto a table for a monster the PCs are fighting. But that might just be me.

Yellow. Try a layer of white beneath the to-be-yellow areas.

A 2 part semi flexible epoxy would be best. Find a way to hold the fig together for a few hours before you use the epoxy, I found rubber bands can work if you don’t have a little helping hands stand.

Always wash figs with a degreasing soap [not handsoap] before gluing or priming.

1/32th drill bit and a hand held pin vice.

Keep drill bits oiled. doing that should increase bit life 60% to 90%


Pop around Herr doktor’s place. It has some nice tips.

http://www.paintingclinic.com/

Magic Wash
By Doc Chick Lewis

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Hello, fellow figure painters. I believe I have finally found the perfect "wash" for miniature figures. A few weeks ago I admired some Boxer war figures of local painter here in Southern California. "Dow the Programmer" told me how to make his "Magic Wash", and I have been trying it out recently. I am stoked by it. Magic Wash blows the doors off of every other wash technique I have ever used! And it is so inexpensive as to be negligible! And it is easier than most other wash techniques!

Here is the recipe:

Buy a bottle of "FUTURE acrylic floor finish for non-wax and regular floors" by Johnson & Son. In the U.S. it comes in big 800 ml (72 ounce) clear plastic squeeze bottles for about $7, and was available in both supermarkets I checked. This is more than I can probably use in a lifetime. The clear liquid inside is slightly more viscous than water. I imagine there are similar products in other countries, and I recommend that we identify them.

Pre-mix some of the FUTURE, one part of acrylic finish to four parts of water. This is the Magic Wash stock. I made mine up in a liter sealable milk bottle. Making a clear stock up ahead of time allows the small bubbles which can result when mixed with water to subside over time.

Devote one brush to be the Magic Wash brush. I don't know if this is really necessary, but it seems safer to me, since the formula of the FUTURE finish is different from those of our acrylic paints.

When you are ready to use it, mix a little of the Magic Wash stock with a small amount of your chosen pigment. Stir it with your brush, don't shake it. I have successfully used inks and acrylic paints as pigments.

Brush over your figures and allow to dry. It dries just about as quickly as acrylic paints.

It sucks the pigment right down into the crevasses and keeps it there. Doesn't let it "osmosis" back up. And the high areas remain remarkably clear ! I have used black, dark brown, and light tan (for white marble).

And Magic Wash even gives a hard protective coating !! It's not too shiny, but a final coat of dullcote often makes the figures look better to my eye.

What DON'T I like about it? Well, I've mentioned the little bubbles, with a method for avoiding them. The only other "problem" is that, if you tend to lick your brush while painting, the stuff tastes TERRIBLE !! So I have given up that habit when using Magic Wash.


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Future is available only in the United States. However it is sold under other names, or there are similar products, available in other countries.

Mexico: Glo-mosa or Clo-coat

United Kingdom: Klear or Krystal Klear

Netherlands: Pronto Wax for Wood Floors or Parket Plus

France: Klir

Germany: Erdal Glanzer

Australia: Pledge One Go

Xtracolour, which makes military hobby paints, make "Acrylic Gloss Clear" which seams to be repackaged Future.



If your country is not listed, check your local supermarket for a clear, acrylic-based floor polish.

 

[frankthedm]

http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm?subsection=12&category=129

Might i suggest this store if you have not been there before?

 

[Tolen Mar]

Darnit all Frank!

I dont have the money for another cool site to order from!

*sureptitiously bookmaks it anyway*

I usually look at micromark and harbor freight for my small scale tools, its always nice to have an extra choice.


In regards to the dragon...it is a resin cast statue. I just didnt like the plainness of it out of the box, and added color. I just went out today and traded for a dragon miniature of more appropriate size for gaming.

I also picked up a mini from the 100 kingdoms line, Im looking forward to doing. Of course, I have no real need for a giant praying mantis, but it was too cool to leave on the shelf.

 

[frankthedm]

Am-sci is an overstock style store [big lots, etc] as opposed to a specialty store aiming for your wallet. i think the prices are usually decent. Unfortunatly they are based in IL so sales tax will whack you.

Oh,the dragon's size was just right for gaming....says the Cold Blooded Playa' Killa' DM

Giant preying mantis sounds cool.