Salute 51 recovery phase

 As I write this it is the day after Salute 51. What a day. It was definitely a successful day, traders are reporting they have had successful takings, the Warlords ran out of freebie miniatures for their goodie bags, demonstration gamers report having spent the entire day talking themselves hoarse chatting to visitors. The Distinguished Opponent and I spent most of the day there, I think we didn't leave until gone 4pm and I know there are things I didn't get to see. (We were both flagging however at this point and needed to head home to soak our poor feet.) I am sure the show is certainly wildly different from previous years back in the heady days of pipe smoking, suit wearing wargamers but it certainly is not diminishing. I give credit to South London Warlords for allowing these changes to occur, the show is more family friendly with certainly a more diverse crowd of people in attendance. If anything I think the show would be failing if it didn't change with the times. The inclusion of things like panel talks and the showing of the film "Art in Miniature" are a welcome change to the format. On the subject of the film, Distinguished Opponent and I did buy tickets to watch said film. (Only a pound so hardly breaking the bank.) The film did ask some interesting questions and there were some excellent personalities involved, I did find it a bit vexing that towards the end though as the focus seemed to mostly be on the theory that 3D printing is the future of the hobby and Heroforge are the best way to do this. A conjecture I do not agree with when there are still plenty of thriving companies dealing in casting metal, resin and plastic. Apart from that though it was enjoyable.

Look, my goblin in a cabinet! (One of five people to paint the same model!)

Once again we had fun at the ten minute painting challenge. A great ten minutes well spent, trying desperately to put some kind of shade and highlight on a tiny little halfling. It didn't help that I also seemed to have the shakes in my hands from carrying my shopping loot around for the day. I did try something that resembled tartan on the model, but I'm not sure it comes across as such.

My other entry safe at home on display in the printer tray, next to my ten minute halfling.

I entered two models in the main painting competition this year. A competition that I am sure had twice as many entries as last year. I didn't have any success, not even a compensatory "you've made the cut" card, but that was hardly surprising considering the extremely high standard of entrants this year. I blame GW for not hosting their Golden Demon competition in the UK this year, all the good painters needed somewhere to flex their skills.(Certainly not the fact that I probably just don't paint as well.) Well, if it exposes more people to the hobby outside of the monopoly GW have, it can only be a good thing. 

There were a ridiculous number of entries in the "paint last years free model" category.

I, unfortunately missed meeting up with fellow bloggers at lunchtime, due to my ticket for the film clashing with the time, but I did manage to catch up and chat with a few people at the show that I normally only chat with online. I did see a couple of Youtubers out and about too (once again only a good thing to give the show exposure) but decided they didn't need me interrupting their day. (Especially the one that I spotted in the queue at the beginning that I suspect wasn't properly awake yet.) I will mention one Youtuber though, if you want to see photos of all the gaming tables at the show (I genuinely just ran out of time to get around them all) I can recommend once again a visit to Big Lee's Youtube channel here.

My own version of Rogue Hobby's Fishing Goblin, back home.

Overall for myself, a successful day out, for the Warlords I suspect, a successful show that has moved with the times to continue to thrive. It can only be a good thing to boost this hobby and ensure we continue to be able to enjoy this excellent pastime.

To paint or not to paint, that is the question

 This is technically March's post although I am publishing in April. March has been super busy. Well, hobby busy. I have been finishing up on the Analogue hobbies challenge, painting some more Australians for the Illustrious Opponents WW2 challenge and also finishing a couple of entries for the painting competition at Salute. I even have had to interrupt precious painting time by going out and socialising twice this week, yep twice! Yesterday I was lunching with the Distinguished Opponent (Brother in Law) and a couple of other friends and the topic of how much painting we had done recently came up. I of course then had to show them the full result of my efforts for this years Analogue challenge, one friend commented that I had painted more than he had in the last decade! 

This reminded me that not everyone in the hobby is a dedicated painter. I was recently browsing YouTube and ended up watching a video from Siege Studios. As a business they will paint your models for you at various levels of quality depending on how much you pay. I have always completely ignored their stand at shows declaring there is nothing they could do for me, why pay someone else to paint my models? But after chatting to my friend I thought again, maybe some people don't actually find the same enjoyment I do in painting. My friend commented he loves restoring and converting models and really enjoys gaming, but finds painting a chore. I personally went through a period where I really didn't actually enjoy the gaming side of things. (That's another story involving too much meta-gaming.) So I guess everyone's hobby experience is different and if someone wants someone else to paint their models, so be it. 

In my extensive research (watching lots of different chat show style wargaming channels on YouTube) it has also become apparent that some players don't even paint their models before a game. Grey plastic models on the table, how very dare they? I have also learnt to accept that too. I can understand if they don't want to paint them, in the past I have put together a great looking kit then not wanted to paint it in case my paintwork somehow ruins the model. A feeling I have less these days, but there is still the odd occasion. My copies of Space Crusade and Space Hulk don't have a lick of paint on them. I could use the excuse that they are board games and don't warrant it, but really I just don't want to ruin the models. Although my recent foray into painting second edition style 40K has given me some confidence that I probably could do it.

Yep during the Analogue challenge I had great fun painting Orks and Space Marines, I think I may have removed my fingerprints with all the Biostrip I have been using to clean up old models, but I am proud of the results.

It's a bit of a photo dump, so I might save the Orks for another post. I embraced the use of another hobby product for these, Micro-Set and Micro-Sol. They really do help with adding transfers (and keeping them on the model) and a layer of clear acrylic paint on top helps too. 

April I will be attending Salute again this year. I have been trying to persuade Illustrious Opponent he wants to come but we will see, I will however be attending with Distinguished Opponent and possibly a couple of chaps from the club.  The necessities will be of course, speed painting and seeing if any of the other bloggers are getting together for a chinwag. I am once again braving the painting competition, not expecting to win any awards, but its fun putting stuff in the glass cabinets.

Me, last year at Salute, my entry circled. (I swear I do own other hoodies!)

One of my entries this year is a bit delicate, a 3D print that already I have had to sculpt a part of myself to replace some damage. I shall have to pack it delicately and hope nothing happens in transit. 

Shopping wise, there are already a couple of items various companies are teasing on the internet that may be limited in number too that I think my first half hour of the show will be running around grabbing those items. I'm not planning any new projects though, so any other purchases will just be whims I'm sure.  I have a copy of the show guide already, so I might do a little research beforehand to see anything worth investigating. Watch this space...

Double hobby challenge update

 I know, I know I missed January. I was busy though, busy posting on the Analogue Hobbies Challenge over here. (I go by the label PeterB, the link should take you to a list of my posts). I have just about managed to keep up with the self inflicted target of posting at least once a week. I have managed to kill at least three brushes and had to buy extra paint on numerous occasions. Yes, February is almost over too, but thanks to it being a leap year, I have an extra day to get this blog posted! 

I have been using the Analogue Challenge to encourage myself to continue with the plan of recreating a second edition style 40K tabletop game. Only in models though probably, more than likely I will use Xenos Rampant rules. I have not been able yet to find a reasonably priced period Ork Dreadnought though, so in true cheapskate style I recreated a copy of the cardboard standee Dread that came with the 2nd edition starter set. I made a base for it out of an old slotta base and added some bits of sprue offcut to make a raised slot for the card to slip in.

The project is not yet done though, I have a period Ork Warlord model to paint and I am looking for some kind of battlewagon proxy. I will probably also paint up a Rhino and some Devastator Space Marines, both of which I already have. They just need a strip and repaint.

The Illustrious Opponent has also announced a Hobby Challenge for the beginning of the year that I couldn't say no to. A version of a Tale of Four Gamers, each of us has an equivalent of £30 each month starting January to buy models for a 20mm WW2 force. Once we have enough, the Illustrious Opponent intends to host a gaming day with scenarios designed to test them. In honour of one of our number having emigrated to Australia, I declared I would try an Australian force. 

They have been fun to paint, mainly because most of the work is done by the Sepia wash they all get. I paint them a base white, the webbing tan and the socks brown and tan. Then the model gets a wash and then extra details are added. 20mm is a new scale to me, large enough that I can manage to paint them without squinting, small enough that I don't get lost in painting loads of detail. (In fact I basically paint them with the level of detail I used to paint 28mm!) 

In other news the local club has been dipping a toe into the new Warhammer the Old World rules. Obviously getting hold of any models for said rules is like finding hens teeth. Luckily regular readers with good memory will recall the Night Goblin army I painted up back in July 22. It's almost like I predicted the rules would come back! I decided to paint up one more unit for them to add that extra character and will be giving the army it's first outing next week. I expect to get a proper drumming of course, newly painted model syndrome will most likely be in effect. (Plus I am a terrible Warhammer commander)

I have also been playing a fair bit of Masters of the Universe at the club. Its nice to actually get the models on the table after all that painting, especially with all that terrain I had to paint. I'm looking forward to Salute in April when I can hopefully get my hands on the Princess of Power herself, She-Ra. With Swift Wind obviously.  Finally, in a similar style I have been painting some models from Crooked Dice. People of my vintage may recognise them...

These were super fun to paint. The sculpts from Crooked Dice are really high quality. It's nice that you can still get good quality metal models.  It isn't all plastic or 3D printed yet.

Happy Christmas from the Leadpile

Well, where has this year gone? It seems like five minutes ago I was last wishing you all a Merry Christmas. This will be my thirteenth post this year, so once again I just about keep up the average of at least one post a month. I do always endeavour to post more, but I am too busy painting! This month I have been spending all my time building and priming ready for the Analogue Hobby Challenge, which as you read this has now already started. So, nothing new to show here, but things are afoot. 

I think in the new year I am going to have to do a hobby audit. It's always good to periodically have a check and see what you actually have, sometimes I get inspired to do a project with something I had forgotten I owned, like my Epic Chaos army or my Warhammer Goblins (although, yes I did buy extra bits for both of those projects too.) Sometimes old miniatures can be given a new lease of life and be used in a new project. My old Gorkamorka Digganobs got a repaint this year to be added to an Ork and Grot army I am planning on using in Xenos Rampant. (teenage me originally did a terrible rush paint job on them just to get them on the table.) I'm also considering stripping some of my old Space Marines and giving them a repaint, other wise they will just sit in the box for another year.

We have been quite organised here at Chez Lead, so all presents are wrapped, just a few food prep things to do today and then Christmas pjs and hot chocolates are in order later. This morning I joined the live stream from Bad Squiddo as per a normal Sunday. All the painting gubbins are packed away for a few days, (yes, dining tables do get used for something other than painting/playing wargames, apparently people sit round them and eat dinner.) so a little light Osprey reading might be in order later too. The Illustrious Opponent is organising a "Tale of Four Gamers" type WW2 campaign and I have elected to paint up Australians. I am very thinly read on what I need to start painting, so some research is required. I am a little concerned by the lack of tanks available, but I am sure it will be fine. (In true historical style I can just steal everyone else's.)

All it remains for me to say is may you and yours have a lovely festival period. Whether you spend it with family, found family, friends or happily by yourself, I hope you get to spend it well. 

Happy Hogswatch, Yulemas, Christmas, whichever you choose (maybe one of these?)

Stay safe, 

Peter

The heating is definitely on

Yep, its getting colder and colder. Everyone is having to admit that Christmas is looming. That can only mean one thing, The Analogue Hobby Challenge is here again. I feel privileged to be signed up for this again, numbers are limited and I managed to get my request in again this year. This of course means I am hoping for some dry days where I can get undercoating and hope it hasn't got too cold and wet for it to affect the results. 

I have been achieving some hobby since my last post although good couple of weeks were completely wiped out due to contracting whatever this horrendous winter bug is that has been doing the rounds. (Despite making sure I have been diligently vaccinated.) I have been going through my camera roll trying to work out what I haven't shared and there is quite a bit, but forgive me if I share something I already have. (I have a system to file photos away when used, but it isn't perfect.) So, my first dump is some more Masters of the Universe characters, as I've said before these are just fun to paint, I've yet to actually play the game still!

Buzz Off

Man-E-Faces

Whiplash

Stinkor

Fisto

Webstor

Hover Robots

Palace Guards

That is not all though. Another project I have been working on is some nostalgic 2nd Edition 40k models. My very kind friend Dave donated me some gross to start me off so once I had a method down I quickly painted these up.

I also found some old Gorkamorka Digganob models that I had painted very badly back in the day. (Literally a black undercoat and some minimal dry-brushing just to get them on  the table.) So I felt they deserved an update to my current style.

I have also finished painting the small collection of Sisters of Battle that I picked up on a whim from one of those bit part magazines that I spotted in Smiths. ( I think they are getting smart to those of us that just buy random issues for cheap models, these days sometimes one model is split over two issues.)

I really enjoyed painting these, using a classic brass with brown ink style that I have used a lot over the years (I'm not exaggerating, I use it all the time!) If I had a gun to my head to rejoin the 40K community properly, I would probably choose this army. In reality I have just been using them for playing The Doomed, a game that is lot more fun.

So, that's it for painting for now, For the rest of the hobby I recently attended an all day event with the club where we playing a generic Zulu war scenario involving a couple of hundred native warriors, a great fun day. I have been wrestling with technology trying to find the most efficient way of editing this blog. Due to my phone being the camera I am using a combination of the Blogger app and Firefox browser on the phone and then text editing on a PC browser. It might just be my impatience, but I wish it was a lot easier to just publish my random waffling thoughts with accompanying photos perfectly lit and in focus. Maybe the fact that I can't is a good thing, who knows what may occur. If you do want to continue reading the waffles though, keep an eye on the Analogue Hobby Challenge. (I will post links on my Facebook each week too.)

Painting toy soldiers is a young man's game

Whenever a friend or relative that has no prior knowledge of my hobby sees my efforts for the first time, the most common thing they say is "How do you paint so small?" I of course then explain that there are techniques like drybrushing, washes and contrast paints that do a lot of the work for you. I explain that there are definitely better painters out there than me, some that even paint eyes. 

I have been painting Roboute Guilliman for my son as he decided the model is too special and detailed to have a go himself. He always wants his models to look like the box art, I don't tend to stray too far from the GW paint scheme but within the limitations of my skill. So, I've been having a go. I am perplexed though, by the level of detail required. I will admit to having aging eyes and so glasses and another pair of glasses on top have had to be deployed for certain parts. What has stumped me though is the scrolling on his left leg. 

Photo from GW website (definitely not my painting)

He has a scroll on his left shoulder that has been etched with his surname, so some inking sorted that out, it's now readable. However on his leg the scroll is blank. That's fine I have a steady hand, I can do a bit of text. The text however is a bit more complicated.

Now old Roboute is a big chunky model, from head to toe he is approximately 55mm tall and doing a lunge on his tactical rock, so probably more like 60mm. This scroll however is 7mm wide and 3mm tall, plus those Eagle feet take a chunk of space up. There is no way I am fitting that text on that scroll, never mind having a steady enough hand and enough magnification to actually do it. I get it, people can paint small, hell,  people paint on grains of rice. You know what they use to do that? A microscope and a single human hair for a brush!  This lettering has detail within the letters. I am sure that it actually was painted by a human at Warhammer World and not some sophisticated AI painting bot, but I would love to see footage of it actually happening on a model that is actually that scale, just to see how they did it. What brush did they use and can I buy that brush in my local GW?

 

There was also the matter of two flaming braziers poking up from the base. These while lovely for some extra detail on the base are tiny and the poles are the thinnest plastic parts I have ever seen on a GW model. I knew they would snap off the second anyone breaths on them, so they are staying off.

In all seriousness though my eyesight isn't actually too bad, a very minor prescription.  I think in reality trying to paint a model that looks that good in close up photographs isn't necessary for me. I have full respect for those that do, however they do it. I just can't achieve that myself. So I finished my attempt and took a photo.

I can see issues with it now that I could go back and fix, but those flaws are really only visible in the photo. On the table,  I'm pretty happy with it. So what am I saying? Well, if you can paint to competition standard, crack on ( I don't have the time to spend a week on each model, my leadpile is big enough as it is!), if not don't worry too much. Just have fun. It's a hobby after all.

Well, that happened.

When I started this blog back in 2018 it was intended as a fun reflection of my personal part of the hobby, mainly an exercise for myself. Previous attempts at blogging had taught me about typing into the vast void of the ever expanding Internet where everyone has an opinion and nobody is interested in anyone else's, especially mine.

Interestingly though, with a little bit of effort I managed to get a few people to read this blog (not just friends and family) and I like to think that some people do enjoy it. I've always been positive, I don't do this for money or exposure, I don't try to massively increase exposure by click baiting, GW bashing or following trends. I just talk about what I love and if anyone else is interested, well that is nice.

So, when my last post about my day at Colours 2023 as a new member of the club attracted some less than positive comments I was a little surprised. I'm all for constructive criticism but without any negativity from myself it suddenly got a little mean.

Mean comments about individuals in the club were made and then I was attacked for removing comments. Now I'm not an idiot, I've always known there are those kind of people on the Internet (others can be a lot nastier too) but in my tiny little corner of the Internet I didn't think enough people were listening to me to attract that kind of attention. I don't know what weird,  grumpy arguments had gone on in the past with these people, I'm not interested. I just like painting toy soldiers and rolling dice, that is what my blog is about, it's kind of obvious.

So in a weird twisted kind of way I'm taking it as a complement I guess?! My blog finally attracted the weirdos? The fact that they think they have a right to comment whatever they want on my blog and I let it happen is just bizarre. This isn't a public forum, this isn't Facebook or Twitter (Oh that cesspool is another conversation, I left that the minute there was even the possibility that the moron might buy it.) This is my little soapbox and if you want to make those comments go write your own blog and talk to the void. I'm not interested.

Anyway, normal service will resume shortly I am sure.