NOVA Open Charity Tiger WIP 2

The second step with the Tiger was an all over grey filter followed by enamel work. The filter unifies the surface colors a bit, and the oils provide depth and streaking. Because this is meant to be more realistic than I would normally paint, I toned down my weathering quite a bit. You can also see some weathering powders applied, but those were just to block in some color. They will be darkened substantial when they are fixed in place.

The only thing I have to decide now, is whether I want to spray white wash on the tank. I am not inclined to do this at the moment, but instead to skip to the mud phase. I haven't decided how to base the model yet, but that can always happen after mudding. Hopefully whomever wins this model will be able to use it as a display piece but also as a nice gaming model.

NOVA Open Charity Tiger II WIP 1

This year for the NOVA Open Charity Foundation I am painting up a Warlord Games Tiger II for Bolt Action. This piece will be finished to a display level, though I hope the winning bidder uses it in game. Because it is no longer just a gaming piece, I decided I had to paint a more accurate camouflage pattern as part of the base coat. To get to this point, the first step was to color modulate the two color camouflage first, and then add little O shapes in an obviously hand painted way. I guess the German tanks arrived with camouflage from the factory, but enterprising tankers added to it in the field.

So with the major colors blocked in, the first step will be adding an overall filter to tie the camouflage together. Once the filter is applied and sealed I can move on to other environment effects using oils.

The part I am really looking forward to is mudding the tank up. I always enjoy that.

Remember This: Aquilla Lander

I wasn't playing 40k, when the box set this Aquila lander came in was released, but a few years ago I scrounged one up on eBay. I've always liked rare civilian stuff from GW. It rounds out the universe more than another tank with too many guns does.  After admiring early GW plastic terrain, I noticed the missing parts and put the model away in my drawer and there it sat for years. Fast forward to now, where I am painting a boneyard of ruined aircraft for Marc Raley's 30K event at the NOVA Open, and it was time to dust off the model (literally) and get some paint on it.

The weirdest thing happened while painting this thing. Now I want one. I think I'll start by trying to hunt down the missing parts. I never saw the original model, so I can't confirm, but that whole on the top is a telltale sign of a missing tail section. I would love to be able to put some cool Solar Auxilla art on what I imaging would be great open space. I think some cool 1940's styled nose art would be nice on the nose of this thing.

If anyone can point me to the missing parts on eBay, or happens to have some they don't want, please drop me a line.

Building Speed Painting

With so many buildings cast, it is important to come up with a fast way to paint them. Using a minimalist pallet, I managed to knock out these test buildings pretty quickly. The trick was using enamel washes to hide my extremely sloppy paint jobs. (the doors will get washes and highlights!) Now that I have some colors down, I can go back and add detail as needed. Interiors will probably get faux wall paper printed out and then distressed before being glued on. I think that will add a lot of flavor to each individual row house. It is especially important for the ruined buildings, since some wacky 1930s wallpaper will contrast really well with the ruined stone exteriors.



So my big question is what colors to paint the buildings. Anyone from Belgium out there have some ideas?

Thirty Houses Cast

I am finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel for this project. There is an awful lot to do on the buildings, including pouring the missing floors, finishing the the roofing, and adding all the fiddly details that make terrain look really cool. However, I think the overall feel of the board is beginning to take shape. I like where this is going. There are some centerpieces that need to be completed, but those are waiting some moulds from overseas.

On this project, I am going to be spending more time on the terrain than on the models that will fight over it. I think that is probably the right balance of time. As Wargames Soldiers and Strategy put it in one of their recent issues, 'terrain is for life'.

And Now Some Ruined Houses

After constructing buildings all day I looked around and saw a pile of offcuts and broken bits. A few minutes later I had two ruined buildings. One of them is a ruined stone duplex. The other is a brick structure similar to the brick city houses I was building. I think the mass of debris for the duplex looks ok, but the brick house debris pile is a bit small.

Ever Onward Building Houses

The newest style of house is a stone duplex with external outhouses and a walled garden. The walls are not done yet, but you can glimpse one of them in the top left of the second photo. I am beginning to feel a bit fatigued by the process, but I think the results will look really nice painted up an placed on the tabletop. I have a more intricate large building design that when places with the others will provide a more Belgian feel to the city. One thing I have to resolve is how to attach the two roof halves on the duplexes. I managed to make my original roof moulds a tad bit too short.

One thing I am really looking forward to is making the partially destroyed buildings. I think they will go together pretty quickly, and will add a lot of narrative value to the table.

I think I might do another dozen and then stop. I think I'll have fulfilled my club duty at that point.

The image above is a quick paint test on one of the damaged wall sections. I tried 4 colors, along with some selective shading on the piece. I think I like a combination of all three colors across the bottom edge. The yellow does not work but perhaps it will grow on me in time.

Construction Begins On Market Garden

Our club has decided to attempt a rather ambitious club game covering the battle of Arnhem during operation Market Garden. Normally I would cast each side wall separately, but for some reason I decided I wanted each floor to be removable. This has slowed down the process, and due to increased carelessness on my part, resulted in some pretty terrible wall joins. On the other hand, we have floors! Just the thought of trying to dig Frost's paratroopers out of all of these buildings makes me cringe. I guess that is what artillery is for. Better make some ruins!