Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Painting & Modelling => Painting Diaries => Topic started by: TinyTerrain on 17 June 2012, 05:36:34 PM

Title: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 17 June 2012, 05:36:34 PM
Hi,

Being a slow painter (not much time and too fussy for my own good) Ive set myself the grand goal on 1 unit for Maurice (typically 16 minis) per week  ;D

Ive been going 3 weeks and so far so good.

Heres week 3's unit, a rag tag bunch of non-uniformed American militia


(http://data7.blog.de/media/419/6434419_8cf280a1fd_l.jpeg)


and here's week's 1, 2 and 3 to bring everything up to date


(http://data7.blog.de/media/420/6434420_f55929b64c_l.jpeg)

This week (4) sees me finish another unit of rag tags before I embark on some uniformed continentals (fingers crossed that Leon shipd within the week  ;)

Cheers, Craig

Tiny Terrain Models
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Steve J on 17 June 2012, 07:13:18 PM
You are a faster painter than I Craig :(. These are looking very, very nice BTW 8).
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Serotonin on 17 June 2012, 07:33:08 PM
Looking great- cant wait for my army pack to arrive.
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: wargamesbob on 17 June 2012, 08:21:30 PM
There's no problem being slow if you're producing results of that quality. Great looking units.

Bob
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 17 June 2012, 09:25:17 PM
Superb!
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Leon on 17 June 2012, 11:07:20 PM
Very nice indeed!   8)

Quote from: TinyTerrain on 17 June 2012, 05:36:34 PM
This week (4) sees me finish another unit of rag tags before I embark on some uniformed continentals (fingers crossed that Leon shipd within the week  ;)

Received that one on Wednesday, so it'd be the end of this coming week at the earliest I'd think for despatch.  I'll try and get it done quicker for you though.
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 17 June 2012, 11:21:22 PM
Dont worry Leon I was only pulling your leg
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Leon on 17 June 2012, 11:25:33 PM
Quote from: TinyTerrain on 17 June 2012, 11:21:22 PM
Dont worry Leon I was only pulling your leg

;)

We've got a big pile to get through tomorrow and Tuesday, and then we should be back to around a 10-day despatch hopefully.  Then if we can maintain that while replacing show stock, we'll be looking pretty good by the time we hit the autumn show season!
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Nav on 18 June 2012, 04:09:58 AM
exelent figures  :D
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: GavinP on 19 June 2012, 07:34:18 PM
Very nice, I love the brown tones. What colours are you using, technique etc?
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 19 June 2012, 09:25:22 PM
Hi,

Thanks for all the kind comments. I can give you a pretty detailed account of what paints and techniques I ve used as I record the detail of everything I paint so I can replicate it later on if I want to add units that are identical, so for example the uniformed "Brown" militia:

1) White undercoat everything

2) Base colours as follows:

Flesh - Vallejo Basic Skin Tone
Straps - Vallejo Red Leather or White
Jacket Vallejo US Field Drab
Trousers - Vallejo Buff
Putties - White
Wood - Vallejo US Tan Eath
Hat - Black
Boots - Black
Powder pouch - Vallejo London Grey

3) GW Devlan Mud wash on all

4) Highlights all as stage 2, except:

Jacket - Vallejo US Tan Earth
Hat - Vallejo London Grey
Boots - Vallejo London Grey

No highlights on flesh, and wooden parts.

Bases are simply a sprinkle of grit & sand glued in 2 or 3 places, then painted Vallejo Buff. Then GW Scorched Grass around the rest of the base so the grit shows up as light coloured little stony patches. Add a bush or 3 and your done.

(http://data7.blog.de/media/406/6439406_196bf52cce_l.jpeg)

Cheers,

Craig
Tiny Terrain Models





Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: nikharwood on 20 June 2012, 12:07:06 AM
Nicely done Craig  8)
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Hertsblue on 20 June 2012, 07:44:14 AM
Good job, Craig.  :-bd
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 23 June 2012, 10:31:07 PM
Week 4 Update

The 2nd and final "Rag Tag" Militia unit completed this week....v happy with the drummer on this one  :D :

(http://data7.blog.de/media/389/6447389_833bd54d38_l.jpeg)

and here's a pic of all 4 units from my American AWI Mauruice Army completed so far:

(http://data7.blog.de/media/390/6447390_2c6c053b74_l.jpeg)

Next week a change of focus.....3 x 6lbs and crew in Continental uniforms.

Cheers, Craig
Tiny Terrain Models


Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Leon on 23 June 2012, 10:39:42 PM
Very very nice!   8)

Incidentally, what kind of photo setup are you using?
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 23 June 2012, 11:46:14 PM
I am lucky, one of my other hobbies is photography and I ve theerore had a chance to play around a bit with kit and set ups.

This is simply the models stood on on a  piece of curved white paper, shot from about 40cm's.  The Camera is a Canon 550D, with a 18-55mm Canon Image stabilised lens. I used the cameras pop up flash (becuase I couldnt be arsed to get my flashguns out).  It's shot at ISO800, F29, 1/200 sec.

Post shot, I resized the pic, tweaked the saturation, brightness and contrast in photoshop (to accurately reflect the colours I ve painted) then sharpened it a little, and thats about it.

Cheers, Craig
Tiny Terrain Models


Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Aart Brouwer on 24 June 2012, 08:02:49 AM
Chr*st, those look lovely! Both the minis and the pics by the way.

I suppose that while you concentrated on painting them your cat died, the wife ran away with that nice man from Barclays and several small countries got new governments, but hey - you've got a beautiful militia.

Cheers,
Aart, a very jealous Dutchman
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: robert on 24 June 2012, 08:55:30 AM
Superb Craig - both the figures and the photography are top of the league.

They make a brilliant showcase for Pendraken figures and are a real delight to look at - thank you
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Techno on 24 June 2012, 09:30:41 AM
Wonderful Craig !! =D> =D>
Is that the Canon EOS550D....?
I'll be coming to you for some tips !!....I STILL can't get on with the 'bogger.'

Cheers - Phil.
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 24 June 2012, 12:44:45 PM
Thanks everyone, yes it's the EOS 550d. If I can be of Amy help on the photo front please feel free to PM me.

Cheers

Craig
Tiny Terrain Models
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 29 June 2012, 06:29:03 PM
Hi,

A little slower this week as work's been manic. So far finished the first Continetal 6lb'er


(http://data7.blog.de/media/777/6458777_f1e668a13b_o.jpeg)

(http://data7.blog.de/media/776/6458776_ef3c63d8d5_l.jpeg)

2 more guns to come, hopefully before the end of the week; a Militia manned stolen British gun and a French crewed 6lb'er.

Cheers, Craig
Tiny Terrain Models
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 29 June 2012, 07:36:48 PM
That is lovely!
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Steve J on 29 June 2012, 08:17:32 PM
Beautifully done Craig 8). I'm afraid my forces are unlikely to look as nice as yours on the table :(.
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: nikharwood on 29 June 2012, 09:08:05 PM
Superb Craig  8)
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Hertsblue on 30 June 2012, 10:24:44 AM
Super, Craig. But tell the guy with the raised hand he's about to get his toes crushed when the gun recoils.  :'(
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 30 June 2012, 10:35:41 AM
Artistic licence. Thats why he's got his hand raised, he is actually shouting "DONT DO IT"

Cheers, Craig
Tiny Terrain Models
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Steve J on 30 June 2012, 03:17:54 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: mollinary on 30 June 2012, 05:15:11 PM
Qu'est que c'est?  Ce n'est pas un Canon 550D, je crois, mai un canon de 6 livres!  Or words to that effect.  Fabulous work =D> =D> =D> =D>

Mollinary (French set 6Z)
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Techno on 30 June 2012, 05:30:25 PM
Quote from: TinyTerrain on 24 June 2012, 12:44:45 PM
Thanks everyone, yes it's the EOS 550d. If I can be of Amy help on the photo front please feel free to PM me.

Cheers

Craig
Tiny Terrain Models

Aha...I may well be taking you up on that Craig ! ;)

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Rubicon on 30 June 2012, 07:29:02 PM
Craig, lovely work on these and your terrain...
What thickness of MDF do you use for your terrain bases?

cheers
Bob Mcleish


Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 02 July 2012, 02:18:18 PM
Week 5 - American Artillery finished, 3 guns (1 Continental Army, 1 French and 1 stolen piece manned by Militia). All yet to be varnished, but not in this weather!

(http://data7.blog.de/media/887/6463887_9b34b958a6_l.jpeg)

(http://data7.blog.de/media/888/6463888_7de33c8579_l.jpeg)

(http://data7.blog.de/media/889/6463889_744018c21b_l.jpeg)

(http://data7.blog.de/media/890/6463890_ccfed03d4e_l.jpeg)

This weeks unit will a contingent from Kirkwood's Delaware Battalion (light infantry skirmishing), complete with blue striped trousers if I feel cocky  :-\

Cheers, Craig
Tiny Terrain Models


Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Techno on 02 July 2012, 05:03:58 PM
Lovely stuff again Craig !
Cheers - Phil.
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Aart Brouwer on 02 July 2012, 07:16:22 PM
I am now officially jealous. These little fellows are gonna look *so* good on your table..  8)

Cheers,
Aart
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: realthing on 02 July 2012, 07:48:52 PM
Excellent painting and bases
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: nikharwood on 02 July 2012, 10:50:39 PM
Quote from: Aart Brouwer on 02 July 2012, 07:16:22 PM
I am now officially jealous. These little fellows are gonna look *so* good on your table..  8)

Cheers,
Aart

Wot Aart sed  ;) :)

Note-to-self: pull finger out, get on with some painting...
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Hertsblue on 03 July 2012, 08:15:40 AM
Terrific, Craig.  8)

Militia crew, eh? One to stand well back from methinks!  :D
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 06 July 2012, 11:01:18 PM
Week 6 - The Delaware BlueJays Completed

(http://data7.blog.de/media/427/6472427_35761724ad_l.jpeg)

(http://data7.blog.de/media/428/6472428_5d472e4521_l.jpeg)

(http://data7.blog.de/media/430/6472430_d9ecf1787e_l.jpeg)

(http://data7.blog.de/media/432/6472432_b4a08bc684_l.jpeg)

So the first of the American's irregular troops are finished. A slight change of plan in terms of how they were going to be painted because when I looked at the miniatures they had very cool tassled jackets which I just had to have a proper crack at.  For those of you who are interested in how I painted these I did a step by step painting guide on my new 10mm AWI Blog, which can be read here:

http://13colonies.blog.co.uk/ (http://13colonies.blog.co.uk/)

All comments and crits very welcome as usual,

Cheers, Craig

Tiny Terrain Models


Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 06 July 2012, 11:03:25 PM
Really nice stuff!
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Leon on 07 July 2012, 01:30:47 AM
Awesome, and nice trees as well!

8)
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Steve J on 07 July 2012, 06:32:06 AM
These just keep getting better with each new posting!
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Serotonin on 07 July 2012, 07:26:14 AM
These are looking tops and making it both easier and harder to bust out my bag of AWI troops!
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: GavinP on 08 July 2012, 06:39:44 PM
Looking good.  ;)

As ever I'm going to offer something other than just a "wow/great/AN Other superlative" type post and give some criticism.  :o

In your 4A picture, the wash has highlighted the fringing beautifully and you can see it's extremely fine. I kind of feel you've killed that detail with your buff strokes which are too heavy and wide. I think on the next batch you should try and line them a bit finer. Hope you don't take offence. ???
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 08 July 2012, 07:39:43 PM
Thanks Gavin, always useful to get a reasonable crit. You're right, they could do with being finer, lets hope my hands a little steadier next time. :-[

No offence taken at all.

Cheers, Craig
Tiny terrain Models
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: wargamesbob on 08 July 2012, 09:36:08 PM
Innovative basing, don't you just love it
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: GavinP on 09 July 2012, 09:08:19 AM
Craig,

Glad you're ok with criticism, some aren't! I suffer from shakey hands, so I've developed a method where both hands are braced on each other. That way when they move, they move together, so figure and brush have the same relative movement. I also built my painting desk with a high shelf which I use to brace my wrists on eliminating the shake.

Oh and I forgot to say the trees are extremely good. Bit worried how they'll bear up with wargamers pawing at them during games though. Are they sturdy enough?
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Matt J on 09 July 2012, 10:13:03 AM
These are coming along nicely.

I'll echo Gavin's remarks about the fine detail however the images being so close (and crisp) don't help, you forget how small the little beggars are  :)

Also musket barrels and mechanism would look better picked out in metal
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Syr Hobbs on 09 July 2012, 06:51:21 PM
QuoteI've developed a method where both hands are braced on each other. That way when they move, they move together, so figure and brush have the same relative movement. I also built my painting desk with a high shelf which I use to brace my wrists on eliminating the shake.

I do the same thing, if I didn't I couldn't paint.

I like the trees and they have encouraged me to do something a little different on my bases.

duane
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Rubicon on 09 July 2012, 07:02:22 PM
I really like these.
They're temptation and deterrent all in one - I love the period and the figures, but mine wouldn't look anywhere near as good...!!

Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Rothgar68 on 29 August 2012, 02:10:49 PM
Excellent work! Truly inspiring!
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: Techno on 29 August 2012, 06:45:28 PM
I'm glad Rothgar's spotting these...Something else I've missed !
Wonderful !
Cheers - Phil.
Title: Re: AWI Painting Diary
Post by: TinyTerrain on 29 August 2012, 09:16:05 PM
Thanks for all the comments, will be more AWI to follow soon, I ve just got myself side tracked in a ww2 phase at the mo, but as soon as my NWE Brits are done I'll be back to AWI  :D

Cheers, craig
Tiny Terrain Models