Airbrushing German Armour - Take Two!

Not much blogging activity recently I'm afraid. This is mainly because my lightbox and girlfriend's phone camera (which is considerably better than mine) are in London whilst I'm at home in Lincolnshire. I've gotten tons of hobby time in but not the best means of recording it.

You may have seen this post about my attempts to airbrush some 15mm German Armour in the late-war tricolour scheme a few months ago. Last time I got the basecoat done (after a steep learning curve) but then completely bombed on the camo pattern itself. This time around, after taking into account all of the wonderful and informative comments and tips I received, I've had much more success and think I can tentatively say I've gotten the basics pretty much sorted. This time around I've used pre-mixed vallejo model air paints and this has eliminated many of the problems I had with splattering as well as saved a lot of time. I've also gotten the hang of regulating the pressure on the compressor and set it (generally) lower than previously, around 10-20 psi as opposed to 20-30, with much better results. The airbrush tip was also bent and a replacement has improved paintflow no end. 

As you can see in the pictures below the vehicles were originally painted in Vallejo green ochre. However, I wasn't happy with this shade and went for middlestone in the end, its darker, which I dislike at 15mm scale, but its much sandier and greener and looks to be a much better match to old photos/reproductions. 

Progress at the end of yesterday.

The old Green Ochre shade, not as nice as the Middlestone (altho I could swear that it has paled over the past 4 months sitting on the shelf, even tho it is not in sunlight). 

The sunlight has completely washed the colour out of this photo. 

Here's an old space marine I undercoated and had a practice on for the camo pattern (the green anyway). To me it looks a little dark. However, I'm running out of time and patience so it might well just have to do. I forgot to try removing the nozzle cap (to get finer lines) when doing this so the lines are too wide. I've since found that by dropping the pressure to 5-10psi and limiting the paint flow a lot I can get much thinner and more accurate, controlled lines, with a nice feathered edge. 

Since these photos were taken yesterday I've finished giving everything two coats and will hopefully be able to get the cam patterns done tomorrow afternoon, could be a bit of a marathon slog. There's no room for cock-ups. 

I need to investigate pin washing and work out whether I need to apply some-kind of drybrush or highlight before doing the camo or whether a wash will get the effect I'm after by itself. Any thoughts or advice, please share, preferably before/during tomorrow!

Quick Update

I've got some spare time now so I hope to get a reasonably large amount of painting done over the next week by way of relaxing. I'm at home so that means I have access to the airbrush and compressor so I'm forging on with the 15m German Armour I started work on about 4 months ago. Also I brought a ton of 15mm sci-fi and the last half of a Panzergrenadier platoon I need to finish before I have a legal FOW army. 

I decided that after all the hassle I'd had last time with mixing paint and getting the consistency right I'd just go the easy root, so I ordered the three colours I thought I needed from the vallejo model air line. Unfortunately the colours weren't quite what I though they'd be. The Middlestone looks bang on and now I prefer it to the lighter green ochre I was using before but the 'Tank Brown' looks a little dark whilst the 'tank green' could do with being a shade lighter. I think I'll probably just forge on and use these colours and see what result I get. I'm nearing the stage where I just want to get something on the table with FOW. 

I need to research 'pin washing' as it seems to be all the rage and see If I can/want to use it on my vehicles, so any ideas from you guys would be great. 

Also, inevitably, once I got home I was distracted by the BSG ships I have sitting around at home unloved. The fighters aren't painted, but are assembled and primed and the temptation is too great. I've had to paint a few up, just to see what they'll look like when finished. Its a shame I can't take some of these back to London but they really are very fragile indeed. I think I need to magnetise them before they'll survive. Considering I have a sizeable collection of both Colonial and Cylon ships assembled and primed it seems like I'm wasting an opportunity. Also, the blog does say space ships in the description line and there have been precious few of those!

Pictures will follow when I actually have something finished!

Finished Command Drones (GZG) and Recon Trooper test mini (CMG)

Painting activity has been very constrained lately due to essay death, I'm writing an MA paper on 'Leaderless Resistance' and its hard going. Managed to to get 3 of the Autosentia Command Drones (from GZG) painted up and based (this time on 2012 5p pieces, see this post for details of my catastrophic magnetism miscalculation) and a test mini from my recent CMG purchases. 

Here are the Command drones. Essentially they are taking the place of platoon leaders in my Autosentia army and provide some initiative and mid-range networking power for the otherwise unimaginative battledroid teams. 

Do you feel watched yet?

A group shot for an idea of scale and how they'll fit in. 

Here's the test mini for my force made from CMG's ARC fleet Recon Troopers. I've had a think and inline with my previous post on storytelling/background I've decided to call them The Arbiters. More detailed background will follow in a later post when I have time to write it up. Essentially they are a force originally founded to maintain order amongst the multitude of human factions which emerged following the colonization of the stars and the costly conflict which ensured. However, since this point they have walked the line between oppression and protection.

However, whilst many question their legitimacy, heavy handed tactics and xenophobic outlook the Arbiters do offer humanity's main hope in resisting the Autosentia crusade and the horrific genocide which would result. 

'High five! ... erhhh, maybe not then.'

I'm interested to hear what you think of the colour-scheme. I really didn't want to paint any more yellow or brown, even thought my basing scheme is arid/desert in style, so went with two colours I like painting, red and grey. This doesn't make any sense camouflage wise but I think it looks pretty cool and offers a nice contrast to the Autosentia; stops the eye getting bored. 

Miniatures, Wargaming and 'Storytelling'

I've never really been one for paper and pencil RPG's but I've really enjoyed both computer RPG's and - back in the day - GW's Inquisitor Skirmish/RPG. I have personally always found that to me miniatures and storytelling are synonymous; without a story behind a faction, character, or ship I find that my interest wanes, very quickly. Knowing why what is occurring on the tabletop is occurring - and why it is potentially important - adds an entirely new dimension to the game and makes it significantly more compelling. I think this is probably one of the reasons why historical gaming, done right, can be very rewarding - it inherently contains a deep, rich backstory and allows players to become as involved, or not, in the 'story' of what happened as they wish. 

Science Fiction and Fantasy are more difficult. A pre-existent setting e.g. Star Wars, Star Trek, LOTR provides a rich backdrop for those who wish to access the information (much as with historical gaming). However, this material is much more limited when compared to historical settings, even when, as in the Star Wars and LOTR case, it is extensive. Ultimately, Sci-fi and fantasy gamers/storytellers need to use their imaginations and get creative. This can be a problem both for the solo player and the group player but especially the casual player. This post was greatly inspired by Spacejackers post Solo RPG?! in which he related his quest for a simple randomised idea generator to feed his imagination and get a narrative going. I think his result was excellant and encourage you to follow the link and see for yourselves, personally, I really want to know what happens next! He succeeded in generating a narrative which will fuel his enthusiasm for getting the miniatures on the tabletop - which as a solo gamer can be a struggle - and will increase his enjoyment. Often in gaming groups, especially casual ones, games are played with more of an interest in beating the opposition than in creating a narrative  There's nothing wrong with the solely competitive approach and some people thrive on the competitiveness. However, I'm just not one of those people, I'd rather have a story to invest in and build upon (although, this is not to say that these two objectives are mutually exclusive). Overall there is more of an onus on the Sci-fi or Fantasy player to tell their own 'stories', to invent their own settings and characters and to to create momentum and plot. For me miniature gaming is a means of telling or recreating 'storie's but with game mechanics to add structure, challenges and a measure of uncertainty.

What does this rant mean? Well this is my way of saying that I'm considering expanding my horizons to include RPG elements into my miniature collecting/gaming. I've already found myself inventing factions and backstories for my own 15mm sci-fi universe and think I will fully embrace this. When I have some forces finished and have a solid ruleset chosen/devised I will be looking for narrative games, perhaps adapting some of the ideas from Spacejacker's post and adapting them for use with opposing factions rather than individuals. Furthermore, inspired by blogs such as Diary of an Infrequent Wargamer and Carman's Fun Painty Time, I'm interested in expanding into a less 'army' focused genre/style. I haven't decided exactly what yet but Pulp seems like a possibility as does SAGA, although 15 or 28mm sci-fi is a strong possibility (given I already have some of the miniatures).  

I thought I'd throw this open. How do you see your gaming/collecting? Is it a mechanism/inspiration for 'storytelling'? Do you just enjoy throwing dice around with some friends? Do you love demonstrating your tactical/strategic ability? 

I suspect the answer for many will be a little bit of everything and I find this true also. However, I also feel that for me at least the 'storytelling' aspect is set to expand and grow. 

Review: Reinforcements from Critical Mass Games

My 15mm 'Op4' (the faction is still to be named) arrived this morning from Critical Mass Games; 1 platoon of recon troopers, 1 platoon of droptroopers, a pack of 'Command' recon troopers and a pack of 'Recon Infantry w/ Laser Cannons. This should give me enough Recon Troopers to build two small platoons, each with 1x2 man command team, 3x4 man teams w/ small arms, 2x2 man teams w/ grenade launcher and 4x2 man teams w/Laser Cannon, oh and a couple of sniper teams left over. I did forget to account for a CO and 2iC so thats a bit of a bummer, I'll have to pick them up at Salute. 

Here's some pictures, one of each pose, from the above sets to show what you get and a few words on quality, poses etc. A bit further down I've dones some comparison pictures with minis from CMG, GZG and Old Glory to show scale. Hope this is some use. 

Closeups

Laser Cannon troopers, for some reason the design of the LC in the middle pose is different to the other two, not sure why... Also, I think they look a little like they want to get the LC as far away from them as possible for some reason.

Some of the Droptrooper poses, not entirely sure about the Grenadiers, look a little awkward. 

The rest of the Droptrooper poses. Again, not the best imo.

Recon Troopers w/ Sniper Rifles. 

Recon Troopers w/ Grenade Launchers. Really like these sculpts.  

Recon Troopers Command pack. 

Kneeling Recon Trooper pack. Again, nice poses on these. 

The Standing pack (couldn't find the other pose...)

Conclusions:

Pros

• Sharp sculpts. 
• Good design (I think!)
• Fairly priced, for Sci-Fi  - £14.99 for recon platoon (43 figures), £9.99 for Droptroopers (27 figures), 8 man packs for £3.70. Also, if in UK, no import duties!
• Well cast - few mould lines (mainly on helmet visors and shoulders pads/legs), little/no flash, no miscasts or air bubbles. 
• Pose variety - sufficient.

Cons

• Poses  - some of them, especially the droptrooper line, look a little awkward. However, generally good. 
• 'Scale Creep'  - Recon Troopers are 16.5mm, Drop Troopers are almost 18mm (although they are wearing light power armour, so this is ok). This makes them look a little odd next to Praesentia line. 

Verdict -  Solid. 


Comparisons 


In the comparison below the RAL is exactly 15m from eye to foot. Beware integral bases when comparing!

Left to Right: CMG PhaseShifter, CMG Praesentia, OG German infantry, CMG Droptrooper, CMG Recon Trooper, GZG Spider Drone, CMG Droptrooper, OG German Infantry, CMG RAL, GZG Drone. 

All in all it looks like my new Human faction are a tad on the tall side, must have come from a low gravity world it seems!

Good News: Easter giveaway! Bad News: Magnets fail

Two things on the agenda today, Easter and Magnetism (or lack thereof).

Firstly, Chris over at Sippin' on Paint Water is running an Easter giveaway, so in a shameless surrender to my mercenary impulses I've reposted his giveaway offer here in order to get bonus points for the giveaway.

Easter Basket Giveaway

Spring has sprung in my neck of the woods, and that oh so joyous holiday of Easter is fast approaching. To celebrate I thought I would share an Easter basket with one of my lucky followers, but this is no ordinary Easter basket, this basket will be filled not only with normal items of chocolate bunnies, pastel colored eggs and jelly beans, but with all sorts of mini goodies.

Imagine less eggs, and more things you might
actually want.

RULES

You must be a follower of Sippin' On Paint Water by April 8, 2012.

You must leave a comment on this post, 'Easter Basket Giveaway'.

If you win you will have to disclose your address, The Easter Bunny may 

know where you live but I don't.

There you have it, very simple, I hope the promises of chocolate and minis is enough to lure you into following. The winner will be announced on Easter Sunday, and hopefully I'll have the basket in the mail the next day. I'll even throw out a bonus way to get your name in the drawing twice, reblog this and I'll see to it that you get a second chance at the prize, want a third chance? Then email me a pic of a mini you have painted like an Easter egg or an Easter egg that you have painted like a mini, IE a Space Marine egg. Just send the email to: cbhollowell at AIM dot COM. If I receive enough submitted  images I may make a special post to showcase them in all their pastel glory, good luck and happy Easter, thanks for reading and stay thirsty.

Secondly, I realised today that all the basing I did over the last few weeks on my 15mm stuff i.e. this lot ...

...has all been for nought. Being a complete idiot I didn't check whether the washers (which I assumed were steel) are magnetic. Guess what? They're not. My stack of ultra strong rare earth magnets just list lazily in their direction, there's no chance they'll take the weight of the based figures. Sigh. Also, most of the the 5ps the larger models are mounted on are also not magnetic, not even a smidgeon. Only good news is that the new 2012 5p pieces are very magnetic due to changes in the alloy. Bad news is I only used 2 of them, and they're not that commonly in circulation yet.

So, at the moment I'm trying to work out what to do. I'm sure as hell not rebasing them. I can mount small magnets inside the washers on the smaller figures (altho it'll get relatively expensive) and I think I'll just have to get over the fact that the larger ones aren't magnetised. Problem is this is going to sink both my transportation plans and my plans for interchangeable sabot bases. What a stinker. Also, even if I learn from my mistakes I now need to source alternative 12mm washers, finding the ones I have was nightmare enough so this is going to be no easy fix. I might end up just biting the bullet and putting magnets on them all, at 12p a pop its not so bad, altho a little galling as the figures are under 50p each anyway. So much for budget 15mm and an easy life!

15mm Sci-Fi: Autosentia on parade

Here are some pictures of my 15mm Autosentia collection so far. I'm quite happy with how the basing turned out for the most part. The larger infantry units are on 5p pieces whilst the battedroids are on 12mm washers. Eventually the infantry figures will have magnetised sabot bases (FOW dimensions) and this will let me use them in whatever squad configurations I want, as well as let me use them for skirmish games. 

Mk1 Spider Droids 'Sniperbots'

 MkII Spider Droids 'Tarantulas' (The colour set-up on these photos is all screwed up, sorry!)

 Combat Drones

Heavy Assault Droids 

Autosentia Battldroids

Elements of an Autosentia Century (family photo!)

I feel that even though these minis came from two different manufacturers, the shared colour-scheme, basing and 'white line' insignia really help tie them together into one cohesive force.

I still have another 2 of the 'Tarantulas' and around 30ish of the Battledroids to paint up, as well as some command drones to lead them. Eventually they will get some mechs and gunships but for the moment I'm a little sick of painting beige so can't wait for my Recon infantry to arrive from CMG! (check out this post for more details on the next faction I'll be working on)