Dropfleet Battle Report

Elliot came over last night for our first game of Dropfleet Commander from Hawk Wargames. Quick battle report here...

'Til next time.

Painting is a 4-Letter Word

Hello fellow painters and hobby-dudes/dudettes.

I'm announcing the launch of a new video channel series called "Painting is a 4-Letter Word". The videos that will appear in this channel are simply recordings of a monthly get-together of fellow hobby enthusiasts from the Edmonton area. While the participants paint and build tabletop models, conversation naturally drifts from anecdotes, to hobby projects, to thoughts around game companies and entertainment properties. Painting is a 4-Letter Word captures these conversations and opinions and delivers them straight to you.

Why would you care? Well, most of us paint or otherwise hobby in isolation. We have podcasts and music to keep us company...but what about the option of painting within the soundscape of a less-structured geeky conversation? A conversation among enthusiastic and opinionated friends. Well, if the thought of that is appealing...and who couldn't use some more white noise while slogging through long painting projects...well, then hopefully Painting is a 4-Letter Word will work for you.

And, yes...Explicit Language Warning!

In this inaugural episode, you'll hear myself, Tom and Ward from Hobby Night in Canada, Barry from Mekboy's Garage, and good friend, Elliot Christian. Enjoy.

'Til next time...

Banshee Painting Seminar, Calgary

Back on the weekend of Nov 5/6, I went down to Calgary to attend a painting workshop put on by Spain's Alfonso Giraldes, otherwise known by his internet handle, Banshee.

There were 10 of us in the class (held at Imaginary Wars), including a couple of other Edmonton guys: Tom Carter and Ward Kapach from the Hobby Night in Canada podcast.

Alfonso had plenty of examples of his unique painting style on hand for us to examine. Very inspirational work.

The two-day class covered color theory on the Saturday and practical painting exercises on the second day. One of the exercises was to produce sets of skin tones using just the three primary colours, white and black. I surprised myself and was able to quickly mix a set of caucasian, oriental and east indian skin tones from yellow, blue, red, white and black paint.

We learned a process called "sketching," where you use a few simple shades to rough out where light is going to be hitting your figure.

I thought I'd have trouble sitting through two long days of instruction. But the time went by very quickly.

Here, Alfonso when through the process of painting a bust figure in 90 minutes.

Our own painting exercise involved 75mm figures. No one was able to finish during Sunday, but I did get a fair bit of the way through my Crusader figure. Here, the main areas have been blocked out and some detail (particularly light effects) painted in. Leather belts and wood have not been approached yet at this point, but you can clearly see the figure taking shape.

Reverse angle. Here, I started into a vibrant night shade for the defuse lighting on the cloak.

By the end of the seminar, the students had made good progress into their 75mm figures.

What's the value of a miniatures painting class without being able to enjoy beer at the end of the day?

All in all, and enjoyable and informative weekend away.

'Til next time.

Scourge Ships for Dropfleet Commander

Well, with these Scourge ships completed, the Dropfleet Commander 2-player set is now painted.

These are the four Scourge frigate models...

...and these are the three cruisers.

And here are all 14 of the ships that come in the basic game. Speaking of which...I'm ready for one!

Now on to the Prospero boxed set. That's a big one.

'Til next time.