Saturday, April 16, 2016
Shaking off the rust
For someone who owns so many miniatures, I haven't painted anything in some time. As it was a nice lazy Saturday I decided to crack out the paints, throw away the dried up ones, and get some paint on models.
I had my sample Pendraken French Hussars primed, so they had the golden ticket, and went straight to the paint desk.
Few things about getting back into painting:
1) probably don't start with tiny-ass models, it is slow going, and I have no idea how detailed I should go.
2) you don't have the muscle memory yet, controlling where the paint flows is going to be harder at first....see point 1
3) start on something you are excited to paint, but be realistic, you don't need to win a golden demon on your first try, just enjoy the process.
So, not done, but a few hours in I have some good progress on the first 2 bases worth of cav. I am pleased with how it is going, but I need to maybe not have new movies on while I do it as I get distracted easily, so it is taking quite awhile.
Terrible phone picture, but it gives you the gist of it. That is a US nickel underneath one of the little guys. They are fantastic models, I fear I won't do them justice, but they are coming along.
I had my sample Pendraken French Hussars primed, so they had the golden ticket, and went straight to the paint desk.
Few things about getting back into painting:
1) probably don't start with tiny-ass models, it is slow going, and I have no idea how detailed I should go.
2) you don't have the muscle memory yet, controlling where the paint flows is going to be harder at first....see point 1
3) start on something you are excited to paint, but be realistic, you don't need to win a golden demon on your first try, just enjoy the process.
So, not done, but a few hours in I have some good progress on the first 2 bases worth of cav. I am pleased with how it is going, but I need to maybe not have new movies on while I do it as I get distracted easily, so it is taking quite awhile.
Terrible phone picture, but it gives you the gist of it. That is a US nickel underneath one of the little guys. They are fantastic models, I fear I won't do them justice, but they are coming along.
Monday, April 4, 2016
I 100% have made up my mind...possibly (What's old is new again)
After some soul searching (and rummaging through the old model closets) I think I have picked out a couple of projects to concentrate on.
Re-reading some rule books, and getting in some sample minis from Pendraken, I want to revisit Maurice. I had originally started working on building my first army for Maurice a few years back, even got some painted, but then a post-office hiccup ended up losing the majority of the models I had purchased and it kinda killed my enthusiasm for the whole project. Looking back at the rules, and reading through some lovely campaign blogs, got the juices flowing again, and I think this is a game my group can get into, and it has so much room for creativity in building imaginations.
Now I have about a half army (about a unit plus a few characters for nobles painted even) in 15mm, Old Glory figs from long ago with alot of character. But the variety is not huge, and I wanted to try out something new, maybe faster to paint up, and honestly, I just love sampling from different ranges. So I made a small order from Pendraken to check out what 10mm would like like on my planned basing ( I still had all the basing for the 15mm models, save a few bucks on something a little less exciting than new miniatures).
The models are quite nice, with much the same flavor and look of the Old Glory, just smaller. The ranges they have are abundant, and I can use some AWI jagers, with SYW musketeers and Napoleonic hussars to build my imagination army out of the uniforms I like the look of and not feel guilty.
I have started painting up some hussars, not only to see how quick I can go and get a result I like, but also to loosen up the old painting muscles, as it has been awhile. Another order has been placed to bulk out some infantry, and get a few guns and some nobles (hopefully pics soon).
That takes care of the the something old, now for something new, sort of. I have to admit, I bypassed this rule-set when it first came out, as it did not sound like what I wanted out of a Napoleonic game, but TooFatLaries grabbed my attention with the soon to be released second edition of Sharp Practice. The less fiddly use of cards (or tokens this time as well) and the fact that an actual deck is being produced definitely has me looking at this.
- As an aside, on the use of cards/decks in your rules. If cards are going to be a huge component of how your game plays, as activation, or abilities, or command and control, please make them available for purchase. I know many will not care they have to print out a pdf and cut out some cards, and the effort isn't the problem. But some of us are trying to introduce new products and games to a game-store environment, we want to show off a professionally made product, that the regulars are used to. Pdf only rules, or black and white only rules are fine for use, but some color and a little pizzazz goes along way into grabbing the more "big-name" manufactures players. Having a nice official looking set of cards goes along way in demoing a game, for better or worse, it just does.
But I digress, back to the game! The upside of journeying to the land of Lard, is that I already have all the models I need, a few boxes of Perry or Victrix, make up a full standard force so entry for others that want to go beyond a participation game is easily affordable. I have enough boxes of Perry french that I could hand them out and everyone at the shop could have a french army if they wanted just from the stock of stuff I bought originally for larger Napoleonic games like Black Powder. The leader/character-centric rules play into getting people invested in their armies, and open up a wide space for backstory and I really like the aspect of the pseudo-historcal/Imagination gaming.
The new rules are set to come out this April (23rd I believe) and I will be snagging myself a copy and some cards the day they become available.
So a new rule-set with old models, and an old rule-set with new models, and both my "play a Lardies game" and "play a Mustafa game" all rolled up into one. It feels good to have a plan, and one that has realistic goals. I am eager to get them to the table.
Re-reading some rule books, and getting in some sample minis from Pendraken, I want to revisit Maurice. I had originally started working on building my first army for Maurice a few years back, even got some painted, but then a post-office hiccup ended up losing the majority of the models I had purchased and it kinda killed my enthusiasm for the whole project. Looking back at the rules, and reading through some lovely campaign blogs, got the juices flowing again, and I think this is a game my group can get into, and it has so much room for creativity in building imaginations.
Now I have about a half army (about a unit plus a few characters for nobles painted even) in 15mm, Old Glory figs from long ago with alot of character. But the variety is not huge, and I wanted to try out something new, maybe faster to paint up, and honestly, I just love sampling from different ranges. So I made a small order from Pendraken to check out what 10mm would like like on my planned basing ( I still had all the basing for the 15mm models, save a few bucks on something a little less exciting than new miniatures).
The models are quite nice, with much the same flavor and look of the Old Glory, just smaller. The ranges they have are abundant, and I can use some AWI jagers, with SYW musketeers and Napoleonic hussars to build my imagination army out of the uniforms I like the look of and not feel guilty.
I have started painting up some hussars, not only to see how quick I can go and get a result I like, but also to loosen up the old painting muscles, as it has been awhile. Another order has been placed to bulk out some infantry, and get a few guns and some nobles (hopefully pics soon).
That takes care of the the something old, now for something new, sort of. I have to admit, I bypassed this rule-set when it first came out, as it did not sound like what I wanted out of a Napoleonic game, but TooFatLaries grabbed my attention with the soon to be released second edition of Sharp Practice. The less fiddly use of cards (or tokens this time as well) and the fact that an actual deck is being produced definitely has me looking at this.
- As an aside, on the use of cards/decks in your rules. If cards are going to be a huge component of how your game plays, as activation, or abilities, or command and control, please make them available for purchase. I know many will not care they have to print out a pdf and cut out some cards, and the effort isn't the problem. But some of us are trying to introduce new products and games to a game-store environment, we want to show off a professionally made product, that the regulars are used to. Pdf only rules, or black and white only rules are fine for use, but some color and a little pizzazz goes along way into grabbing the more "big-name" manufactures players. Having a nice official looking set of cards goes along way in demoing a game, for better or worse, it just does.
But I digress, back to the game! The upside of journeying to the land of Lard, is that I already have all the models I need, a few boxes of Perry or Victrix, make up a full standard force so entry for others that want to go beyond a participation game is easily affordable. I have enough boxes of Perry french that I could hand them out and everyone at the shop could have a french army if they wanted just from the stock of stuff I bought originally for larger Napoleonic games like Black Powder. The leader/character-centric rules play into getting people invested in their armies, and open up a wide space for backstory and I really like the aspect of the pseudo-historcal/Imagination gaming.
The new rules are set to come out this April (23rd I believe) and I will be snagging myself a copy and some cards the day they become available.
So a new rule-set with old models, and an old rule-set with new models, and both my "play a Lardies game" and "play a Mustafa game" all rolled up into one. It feels good to have a plan, and one that has realistic goals. I am eager to get them to the table.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Scheming and Plotting...and not much else.
So I have ordered some 10mm Napoleonics from Pendraken miniatures to get some samples. Also eyeballing my copy of Maurice, as the rules and built in campaign system really appeal to me.
Now to try and make it all come together. I have heard of some modified Maurice for Napoleonics, but I started thinking, maybe that is too much of a leap for the people I will try to play with. They do not really do historicals, and if my Maurice army wears shakos, it isn't going to bug them...me on the other hand...
Honestly, I can cope. I just need to get armies on tables at this point, worry about the particulars in the future.
Now to try and make it all come together. I have heard of some modified Maurice for Napoleonics, but I started thinking, maybe that is too much of a leap for the people I will try to play with. They do not really do historicals, and if my Maurice army wears shakos, it isn't going to bug them...me on the other hand...
Honestly, I can cope. I just need to get armies on tables at this point, worry about the particulars in the future.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Never seem to quite reach that itch...
Got a game of Malifaux in on sunday, really am enjoying that game. However as I sit down to paint something, I get that itch, the BIG-GAME itch. I still want to push hundreds of tiny men to their doom with inaccurate firearms. I still want to give an army in fine uniforms the steel.
So, back to a big project. I need to keep up with the local Malifaux league, and Guild Ball is just getting stronger and stronger locally it seems. But I want to do something historical, or imaginationy at least.
28mm is pretty much out, I have a ton already and there is no way I could paint them with my schedule, so let's look smaller.
I have some wonderful 6mm Baccus ACW, though I am not yet adept at painting that scale.
I have some great Old Glory 18mm SYW, and I can paint them to a satisfying level, though I only have one army, and seem to have misplaced some of it.
Well, how about a happy medium, Pendraken look to have nice 10mm models.
So, back to a big project. I need to keep up with the local Malifaux league, and Guild Ball is just getting stronger and stronger locally it seems. But I want to do something historical, or imaginationy at least.
28mm is pretty much out, I have a ton already and there is no way I could paint them with my schedule, so let's look smaller.
I have some wonderful 6mm Baccus ACW, though I am not yet adept at painting that scale.
I have some great Old Glory 18mm SYW, and I can paint them to a satisfying level, though I only have one army, and seem to have misplaced some of it.
Well, how about a happy medium, Pendraken look to have nice 10mm models.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Lazy Saturday Afternoon
Just some assembly today. Though I did encounter one of my pet peeves. When a models is designed without tabs, why do they insist on packaging it with a slotted base...sigh.
Oh well, just using one of the robo-dogs anyway, so will just it's base for now.
Oh well, just using one of the robo-dogs anyway, so will just it's base for now.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Base Camp at Everest...
As I gaze at the mounting pile of unassembled miniatures, I can only wonder at the elation of finishing it all. But as a realist I know there is more there than one could do in a human lifespan. So what to work on, and what to cut ties with and move on.
In the US, we don't really have gaming clubs per se, but we do have a local gaming location. In my case this is my FLGS Mayhem Comics and Collectibles. I also have some groups of friends that get together every now and again to drink, talk, and maybe a game will get played. To narrow down the insurmountable task of picking which systems and models to actually concentrate on, I looked here first.
1) What is the local Meta playing currently?
- Warmahordes
- Guild Ball
- Malifaux
- 40K
- Infinity
Now all these games are fine, I quite enjoy them, each for its own reasons. They fit into a night of gaming rather well, and can be played "pick-up" style with whoever is at the shop that night. Mostly skirmish and low model count games with a few larger projects. These are the living projects, actively played, constant new models and changes.
2) What are my friends playing that is not in the previous list?
- Dead Man's Hand
- Ronin
- Of Gods and Mortals
- Netherworld's Edge
- Saga
- Bolt Action
These games come out less often, usually pre-organized, either at the shop, or a friends house. Many are games I very much enjoy, and would love to get out more often. These are the smaller projects, either because they are low model count, or I only need to work on one army.
3) What games do I own (enough for 2 people to play) that I would like to get on the table?
- Muskets and Tomahawks
- Hail Ceasar
- Jugula
- Black Powder
- Shieldwall
- Pulp Alley
- undetermined 15mm sci-fi
- A Too Fat Lardies game (Chain of Command/Charlie Don't Surf)
- Gates of Antares
- A Sam Mustafa game (Maurice/Longstreet)
Some of these I have played a few times, usually with unpainted models or proxies. Or played at a con or show and would like to introduce them locally. These are the long-term projects, where I will be supplying the models, and teaching the rules.
So that looks like a mighty large list. However, it is but a small portion of games I have stuff for, and even have started to some degree, be it a few painted models or some terrain built. I am sure more will crop up during the year as well, or that I may find digging through my minis closet. With the resurgence of 6mm mass sci-fi recently, I am sure to pick up one of those systems, or at least miniatures for it. I need to get the list down to the things I wish to work on this year. Re-assess some of my projects to see if they are still something I want to do, or move on.
Let the culling begin.
In the US, we don't really have gaming clubs per se, but we do have a local gaming location. In my case this is my FLGS Mayhem Comics and Collectibles. I also have some groups of friends that get together every now and again to drink, talk, and maybe a game will get played. To narrow down the insurmountable task of picking which systems and models to actually concentrate on, I looked here first.
1) What is the local Meta playing currently?
- Warmahordes
- Guild Ball
- Malifaux
- 40K
- Infinity
Now all these games are fine, I quite enjoy them, each for its own reasons. They fit into a night of gaming rather well, and can be played "pick-up" style with whoever is at the shop that night. Mostly skirmish and low model count games with a few larger projects. These are the living projects, actively played, constant new models and changes.
2) What are my friends playing that is not in the previous list?
- Dead Man's Hand
- Ronin
- Of Gods and Mortals
- Netherworld's Edge
- Saga
- Bolt Action
These games come out less often, usually pre-organized, either at the shop, or a friends house. Many are games I very much enjoy, and would love to get out more often. These are the smaller projects, either because they are low model count, or I only need to work on one army.
3) What games do I own (enough for 2 people to play) that I would like to get on the table?
- Muskets and Tomahawks
- Hail Ceasar
- Jugula
- Black Powder
- Shieldwall
- Pulp Alley
- undetermined 15mm sci-fi
- A Too Fat Lardies game (Chain of Command/Charlie Don't Surf)
- Gates of Antares
- A Sam Mustafa game (Maurice/Longstreet)
Some of these I have played a few times, usually with unpainted models or proxies. Or played at a con or show and would like to introduce them locally. These are the long-term projects, where I will be supplying the models, and teaching the rules.
So that looks like a mighty large list. However, it is but a small portion of games I have stuff for, and even have started to some degree, be it a few painted models or some terrain built. I am sure more will crop up during the year as well, or that I may find digging through my minis closet. With the resurgence of 6mm mass sci-fi recently, I am sure to pick up one of those systems, or at least miniatures for it. I need to get the list down to the things I wish to work on this year. Re-assess some of my projects to see if they are still something I want to do, or move on.
Let the culling begin.
What the Hell Happened?
Let's get right to the elephant in the room, the Dresden project did not happen. As I get older I seem to have less time, which seems counter intuitive, and I still do not understand how that happens. I am going to leave the old posts here, as a record. Maybe as a warning, that great plans mean nothing without some follow-through. Thousands of miniatures still in boxes can attest to that.
I do however want to try and start this blog back up as a way to chronicle my projects, failed or successful. And if nothing else, have a place to look at the impossible amount of minis starring at me from my hobby room, begging to be used.
So I am moving this blog from project specific, to a general blog of all that is on my plate (and hoo-boy is that alot it seems). The new name seemed appropriate, as I butterfly from genre to genre, and am hard to get moving.
I do however want to try and start this blog back up as a way to chronicle my projects, failed or successful. And if nothing else, have a place to look at the impossible amount of minis starring at me from my hobby room, begging to be used.
So I am moving this blog from project specific, to a general blog of all that is on my plate (and hoo-boy is that alot it seems). The new name seemed appropriate, as I butterfly from genre to genre, and am hard to get moving.
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