Euromilitaire results.

What a lovely weekend it was!
I had really great time, seeing all my friends,  making some new ones... indulging in the hobby, seeing lots of awesome paintjobs and buying some of the amazing products avaliable during the show.
It's a real pitty that now we have to wait a whole year for next Euro... I know, I know, there are some other great shows later this year (MSS, Hussar, Bugle Call and maybe more), and early 2015, but sadly I won't be able to go there... so I'm waiting for yet another trip to Folkestone, and planing what should I paint;]
But let's talk about this year's show for a while longer.

First shopping.
I bought most of it on Saturday, so chronogically it should be first.
As you can see on the photo, I didn't buy much.

• Just few unique bases, I love buying them during shows, where you can see them from every angle and find best ones that suit my models. One of them will be used right away, for my Diablito, cute little guy sculpted by Roberto Chaudon.
• A beautiful bust of Aquila, Roman Legionary, made by Nut's Planet, scale 1/10, casted in resin. I've seen it recently around painted by many amazing painters and feel like I'd like to give it a go. Not much of a chance to do it completely different than others (you know, the uniform and all that) but I hope I can leave my mark on it anyway.
• Battle Chick, One of new releases from Nocturna Models, a beautiful girl from the line Necrospace. The mini is 75 mm tall (according to the producer's website), 1/28 scale, cast of course in resin. I think I'll be doing some small changes to her equipment, but othet than that, she's trully gorgeous.
• And a piece I had in my mind for few years alerady. A gorgeous Mermaid from Origen Art. Another resin cast in 1/28 scale. I feel the right time came to finaly buy her and paint. I can't wait to start with all the rust and weathered parts, and the mermaid itself of course.
• Two video tutorials from Painting Buddha, about freeehands and basing alchemy (first part earth). I have their first set of DVDs and can't wait to see those two. 

Entries, and badges.
This year I entered 4 pieces, all of them busts, one historical and 3 fantasy. Luckily enough all of them got a badge.

Sapo - Gold
Old Gnome and Leon - Bronze
Landsknecht - Commended
I'm more than happy about that, as it shows some consistency in my painting, at least I'd like to think it does. And I gathered some valuable feedback from judges, so there is a chance my painting will improove in the mentioned areas:D
Below you can see a solo photo of my golden boy, Sapo.

Photos from the show:
I tried to take as much photos as I could. But both, social side of the event and my unability to take decent photos during such a busy show, stood in the way;]
My photobucket gallery. and some found in internet:
FB gallery of Andrew Nai,
FB gallery of Pekka Tapani Nieminen,
Platoonbritannica thread,
Photos taken by Rob Pollock and presented at imodeler.com: Part1, 2, 3, and 4,
Photos taken by a fellow PB-er Theunrealisticartist,
Photos published on militarymodelling.com,
Some photos found on the very nice blog The curious way.


cheers
'eM

Brock the Wanderer - review

I was going to try new formula 'Inbox: more pictures - less words' here, but I'm affraid the miniature I'm going to describe this time, begs for proper review. So here it goes:

One of my newest purchases (full set here): Brock the Wanderer from Scale 75, Scale World Fantasy range.
Product code: SCF-005.
The company name is Scale 75, so I'm gonna assume for now that he's 75mm tall. I'll check it with the ruler after assembly.
The miniature is multipart and casted fully in white metal.

The box:

Miniature is secured by two boxes, one external, more delicate, with the boxart and some marketing informations, and second, hard and plain. Inside the second box we can find two layers of thick foam and lots of pieces.

What's inside the box: 

As you can see the mini is divided into quite a lot of parts. There are:
2 different heads, one with helmet the other one with a ponytail (separate)
Torso,
2 legs,
Arm with the axe,
Arm with the hammer,
Sword in a sheath to be attached on the back,
Some sort of shoulder strap (brassard maybe??),
Back side of the cloth covering his private parts,
Base (which is kinda dull and unatractive, so I rather won't be using it).

And that's how the pieces look in close up:

As you can see there is a lot of flesh(?) and few mold lines, but it should be rather easy to get rid of.
Some of the parts have less smooth surface than others (i.e. torso or legs) but the pieces are quite big so cleaning it also shouldn't be a big deal. Some time with steel wool and sanding clothes should do the trick. The only thing that worries me is the way some parts are attached to the sprues:

I don't really understand why it has to be in the middle of hair or fur.  Was there no other places for it?
It's gonna be pain for me to restore facture there. Of course for many of you it might not even be a problem, but for me it is, I hate preparing miniatures. I can see few stressful hours spent on getting this little badboy ready for primer. Mr Bombel may even learn few new swearwords in the process:)

Assembly:
Parts seem to fit together nicely, I can't find any trouble spots at the moment. But after my experiences with Pegaso's Templar I'll be able to say it for sure after gluing the whole thing together. For now it's just an assumpiton.

Overall opinion:
Hard to say, really.
I really like the concept.
I like the packaging.
I'm even happy with the overall quality of the cast...
But I'm strongly dissapointed with the way head  and few other elements are attached to the sprues. Like I said, for some of you it might not even be a problem, but for me it is, and it brings down my joy of having this miniature.
This is my first Scale 75 miniature, so I have no idea if that's common thing with them or not, but I'll probably think twice before buying next one online without checking some reviews first. Which is very unfortunate, because I like quite a few minis from their range.

cheers

'eM

Euro Militaire 2012 - Shopping

Shopping wise it was a really good weekend, trust me.
So many nice stands with lots and lots of awesome models and accessories... All Vendors so nice and friendly:) Everything shiny and tempting:D

First group photo, ofc with Inspector Bombel:

You know, this cat is a big one (almost a stone). So taking that into consideration, the loot looks even more impressive;]


And because not everything is clearly visible on the photo, and because I'm still extremely excited about my new treasures, here is the list with official photos:

1. Landsknecht Soldier (Pegaso Models, 90mm)

(c) Pegaso Models

Sculptor: Andrea Jula
Painter: Diego Ruina

2. Iroquois 1760, or as I like to call him: pi**ed off Indian (Pegaso Models, 75mm)

 

(c) Pegaso Models

Sculptor: Andrea Jula 

Painter: Franco Mocci

3. Francois L'Olonnais (Pegaso Models, 75mm)

(c) Pegaso Models

Sculptor: Maurizio Bruno 

Painter: Danilo Cartacci

4. Port Royale (Andrea Miniatures, 54mm)

 (c) Andrea Miniatures

5. Norse Lord 800 A.D. (Andrea Miniatures, 54mm)

 (c) Andrea Miniatures

6. Brock the Wanderer (Scale 75, 75mm?)

(c) Scale 75

Sculptor: Joaquin Palacios

Painter: Alex Varela

7. Apache Lipan (La Meridiana, 200mm)

(c) La Meridiana Miniatures

Sculptor: Carles Vaquero

Painter: Danilo Cartacci

8. French Courtesan (El Viejo Dragon Miniatures, 1:10)

(c) El Viejo Dragon Miniatures

Sculptor: JR Arredondo

Painter: Pepa Saavedra

9. Gem Smith (War Griffon Miniatures, 1:10)

(c) War Griffon Miniatures

Sculptor: Raul Fernandez Romo

Painter: Adrian Hopwood

10. Leo Bust (Yedharo Models, 1:10)

(c) Yedharo Models

Sculptor: Fausto Gutierrez

12. Animal set (Mantis Miniatures, 1:35)

(c) Mantis Miniatures

12. Few bits and pieces : airbrush holder, a plinth (so called einzelstucke;p), set of sanding cloths,  few pigments.

I do believe it's all...

I think I should be done with buying new minis till Xmas;] Or maybe,  if I'm really lucky, till Salute next April;p

cheers

'eM

Medusa on her way and shopping ban

Few weeks ago I decided, that I need to stop buying new miniatures for now... It was hard, very hard... but I was strong! And managed to last in this decision for a week, two weeks tops;p

And then, I bought this lovely lady - Gorgon Medusa.

Beautiful bust sculpted by Allan Carrasco and available through Lugdunum Figurines Club.
It should be with me sometime next week and I must admit I can't wait. I do love that thrill  when I take new mini from the box for the first time.

But I know that I need to stop, seriously!!
Well, at least for now;p
At least till September 22nd!!
And then I'll probably go nuts:D Buying all those beautiful miniatures I won't be able to resist.
So dear vendors during EuroMilitaire, bevare!! I'll be there!!

cheers

'eM

Bombel the Inspector and new desk setup

For ages I was complaining that my desk is not big enough for all my painting related stuff. That I have to stash it in various boxes and crates, and then nothing is at hand when needed.
But unfortunately we live in rather small flat, without too much hope for a change at the moment, so there is no space for another desk just for a painting station.
Finally I decided to buy at least a shelf to keep some stuff closer. And that's the result (of course some rearrangements on the shelfs will happen in the process):

As you can see Bombel the Inspector is rather pleased  with the new arrangements and claims the bottom shelf for himself. I must say, I was hoping that he can squeeze his furry ass in half of the shelf, maybe even 1/3... but it was vain hope as as presented above.

cheers

'eM

Salute 2012 - the loot:D

Maybe it doesn't look like it's a lot of minis, but trust me I'm really happy that the pay day is this Friday... I won't be starving too long:D

Cheers

'eM

New arrival, and Bombel the Inspector:D

My latest purchase arrived today:D

First historical piece, new company in the collection.
Awesome BadA$$ Viking Chief from Pegaso Models.  Scale 1:20, so he's quite big, impressive, and expensive:(.

Ahh look at him! So bold and beautiful;p
Staring somewhere at the horizon. His whole posture screaming: I got the power!! (and I won't hesitate to use it, but I guess just my gaze should make your knees tremble!)

(c) Pegaso Models,
sculptor: Andrea Jula,

painter: Diego Ruina

And of course my Not So Little Green Eyed Monster (not that he's jelaous or something... he just has green eyes... and is a true monster most of the time) had to check everything first.

And final conclusion??

Hmmm lemme think...

Nah! I prefer minis with boobs:P

Can you blame him??:>

cheers

'eM

Every girl loves shopping part 2

Second bunch of my last purchases (and prizes):

Smart Max, Mauser Earth: Reichdoktor Hans Schafer (1/12)
(as a result of random prize in Smart Max painting contest, Thx guys:D)

Smart Max: Cornelius Fauchelevent
(as above)

Smart Max: Jeremiah Crow
(as above)

Red Box Games: Myrianna of Aelfheim

Red Box Games: Svjanostroir the Seeker

Red Box Games: Astrid of the Stones

Roberto Chaudon: The Grinder
(I've alerady posted a review about this piece, awesome bust I must say)

I'm still waiting for this one, but hopefully I'll get it in my hands soon.

JMD miniatures: Demon
On my 'must have' list for ages! But now I should have it in a matters of days
(if not one of the online stores will have very very difficult few days;p).

And that wrapes up my minis bought in 2011.
I promissed to myself I'm not gonna buy anything more this year. Only 31 days left, so I should be able to keep that promise:)

Cheers

'eM

Oils step 1 - shopping:D

I just pulled my act together and went shopping for oils. I decided to literally go to the shop (Atlantis), not buy online, because I had no idea what to buy and I was hoping that someone will help me to choose the right stuff.
But apparently I've choose the wrong store, because no one even paid any atention to the lost girl between the shelves. Well, maybe they've just assumed I'm an artist in a different state of mind or something... it's an art store after all:)

Anyway after a short struggle I managed to buy:

• Daler - Rowney Georgian oil paints - starter pack and few additional colours
• Winsor & Newton Drying Poppy oil - bright colours doesn't yellow when using poppy oil
• White spirit
• Few cheap brushes
• and 3 not oil related dry pigments:)
  

Colours I bought should give me quite a lot options when it comes to mixing, at least at the beginning:

• Some 'primary' colours: white, black, yellow, red, blue, green
• And few fleshy, reddish, brownish.

And now I'm just staring at this stuff and have no idea what to do next....;p


Here is a handful of  links about oil painting, to make this post at least a bit useful:

Oils with apes
Painting oils (thx Rob)
Painting horses part 1 (thx Phill)
Painting horses part 2

cheers

'eM

Every girl loves shopping!! part 1

And I'm no different:P

But in my case it's not only shoe shopping, but also mini shopping that makes me extremely happy.
And during last few weeks I bought so many minis, that it should keep me happy till the end of the year.

So without further delay, that's my new Treasures (at least the first bunch):

Hell baby (Maow) - so sweet I couldn't resist

Shark boy (Maow)

 Succube (JMD)

Menhom Dark Shadow (Andrea)

Volgor the Skull Hunter (Andrea)

Hopefully, soon I should be able to post short reviews and some photos of unpacked minis.


cheers
'eM