Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: grubman on February 12, 2020, 11:49:49 AM
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I made a, sort of, New Years resolution to try and paint every miniature I own...which is harder when I keep getting more! lol
But still, I’ve been painting a LOT these past couple months. I’m not an expert “evy metal” painter, but I like my style of painting and the style of miniatures I’ve collected.
Unfortunately, when not out for a game session, miniatures stay in hibernation in plastic boxes, unseen and unloved...so I decided to start an egocentric thread where I try to post an old school fantasy scene a day. We shall see how long I last, or how long until people get sick of my stuff.
So without Further ado...Bug Squishing Time!
(https://i.imgur.com/ucvqv7W.jpg)
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one for one so far! Nice!
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Paint every miniature I own...shakes head...classic lol
Nice job though
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Great start! :o
I like your painting style too! Finding a style is hard ... I'm still looking! I find that some miniatures inspire me more than others and the style changes a lot ...
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Great idea. Any chance that you could identify the figures used in your diorama-a-day scenes, where possible? Just manufacturer and range would do.
I like the look of those Elf? swordsmen from ? and those Citadel? archers aren’t bad either ;)
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Thanks guys :)
Great idea. Any chance that you could identify the figures used in your diorama-a-day scenes, where possible? Just manufacturer and range would do.
I like the look of those Elf? swordsmen from ? and those Citadel? archers aren’t bad either ;)
Sure can...I was actually planning to, but forgot.
The Giant is a Ral Partha “frost giant”, the 2 fighters and MU are C series Hobby Products, and the Archers are old Citadel historical medieval minis...most likely used for Bretonians before there were any Bretonians.
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Cracking!
I’ve got that Frost Giant,still my favourite giant,ever :)
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Cracking!
I’ve got that Frost Giant,still my favourite giant,ever :)
I have MANY classic giants :)...plan on seeing more in this thread.
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That'a a great idea. I did something similar but just a once-off. Set a scene, took a pic and set it as my wallpaper.
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I'm in awe of that giant's strut!
(But seriously though, great work!)
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Should mention, I’m building all the terrain as well, and unless obvious (like the trees for example) it’s all carved from styrofoam.
This diorama has an adventuring party (Hobby Products) discovering their companion was murdered and replaced by a doppelgänger (grenadier).
(https://i.imgur.com/gfMjb3c.jpg)
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Lovely old school vibe. Hobby Products were never really on my radar growing up. I put this down to being spoiled by the volume and widespread availability of Citadel releases in Britain back in the day.
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Lovely old school vibe. Hobby Products were never really on my radar growing up. I put this down to being spoiled by the volume and widespread availability of Citadel releases in Britain back in the day.
Josef Ochmann Is my favorite sculptor, so plan on seeing a lot of his work on this thread :)
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Really cool stuff, grubman! Did you make the shelves, as well?
I missed out on Hobby Products initially, having gotten out of miniatures in the 90's. When I got back in, I was able to buy a bunch of sets from MegaMinis, which owned the molds then. They are a little larger than my "true" 25's, but most blend in well.
Looking forward to your next diorama!
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Love the painting style, the old GW washes.
M.
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Really cool stuff, grubman! Did you make the shelves, as well?
I missed out on Hobby Products initially, having gotten out of miniatures in the 90's. When I got back in, I was able to buy a bunch of sets from MegaMinis, which owned the molds then. They are a little larger than my "true" 25's, but most blend in well.
Looking forward to your next diorama!
Thank you. Yes, all the terrain is entirely carved out of styrofoam. :)
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“You shall not pass!...unless you really really want to?”
This is an older Hobby Products M series wizard (Not specifically “Gandalf”, but the resemblance is uncanny ;) ), and a Grenadier “Demon” (I didn’t like the whip he held, and removed it before painting).
(https://i.imgur.com/OilZYWB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uai1yDS.jpg)
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Unlike the movie, I reckon "Not specifically Gandalf" can take him.
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Come on boys and girls. If you clap your hands you will help "Not specifically Gandalf."
You can do it!
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“Maw...we’ve got company for dinner...”
Citadel/Ral Partha hill/forest giant. Farmer and Pigs from Megaminiatures (Bob Olley), and the wife from Metal Magic (Innkeepers Wife from “Villagers”).
(https://i.imgur.com/5KrUJAn.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vockCKc.jpg)
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I hope Maw made plenty, because the visitor looks like he might have a big appetite!
I love your scrawny giants!
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I hope Maw made plenty, because the visitor looks like he might have a big appetite!
I love your scrawny giants!
Thanks...I love them too :). I really like the older giants that weren’t too...er...giant. In a wargame, there is something to be said for a giant towering above the battlefield, but for role playing, I like the more “practical” looking giants.
I think the look on the wife’s face is priceless :)
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What a cool idea.
Liking the dioramas that you have made, and looking forward to seeing more.
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What a collection! :o
Keep it going !!! Don't stop !!!
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Love the old school minis and dioramas to show them.
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Thanks guys, sharing with an appreciative audience will help keep the motivation up. I have hundreds painted...and hundreds to go. I keep thinking of fun scenes that require terrain...so I better get my but in gear. Thankfully I’m fast :).
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Wonderful collection of images you are putting together.
I love seeing the old "pre-GW" rpg figures. Almost regardless of the manufacturer or sculptor they invariably all work together and just look "right".
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The long and winding road...
Needing to paint this group of adventurers for a game is what got me back into miniature painting.
These are all old Metal Magic miniatures. Many of these sculpts (“C” series) are still available through Turnkey miniatures and Midlam miniatures. Many of the other molds were sold to various companies, and you’ll find one or two of them from various other manufacturers.
Metal Magic had a variety of sculptors, including Bob Olly, but Josef Ochmann was my favorite. He did all of these, and I’ve “collected” hundreds of his sculpts from various companies and lines he worked on.
(https://i.imgur.com/2VyJJJX.jpg)
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Back around 1990, my FLGS decided to stock Metal Magic figures so that they would have something different than the usual run of things. I ended up with a bunch of Ochmann sculpts, and intend to get back around to running a game featuring them some year soon...:P
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“OK...you can have the sheep, or the princess...you can’t have both!”
This classic cyclops is from Ral Partha, the princess and the sheep are from Megaminiatures.
(https://i.imgur.com/YRqwMJE.jpg)
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Old school meets new school as this Newish CP Models Wizard (painted as a Necromancer) hires this ancient Grenadier Minotaur to be his bodyguard.
(https://i.imgur.com/OGY9O8h.jpg)
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Cool, nicely done.
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I’ve got a lantern...what could go wrong?
An interesting comparison of 3 generations of spirits. Grenadier, Hobby Products, and Games Workshop.
(https://i.imgur.com/IZstc0u.jpg)
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Great stuff! The long and winding road looks like a party of rangers going down to the shadow deep! Can tell you enjoyed painting them up :-*
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I like this one a lot. Reminders of the weeping angels from Dr Who.
The grey tones on the spirits work really well against the dungeon, I normally go with a green wash for ghosts, but might try the simple grey approach next time.
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Great stuff! The long and winding road looks like a party of rangers going down to the shadow deep! Can tell you enjoyed painting them up :-*
Ha ha, that’s EXACTLY what it was...the best picture I took from an actual play.
The grey tones on the spirits work really well against the dungeon, I normally go with a green wash for ghosts, but might try the simple grey approach next time.
Thanks. Took me a couple tries on several “sample” models before I got it the way I liked it.
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“But why’s it sooooo coooold!?!”
A Ral Partha hill giant that I thought looked better as a Frost Giant facing off against a Metal Magic Elf Warrior.
(https://i.imgur.com/C6NHEMe.jpg)
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I'm loving this. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
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I'm loving this. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Thank YOU, for thanking me :)
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What happens when a Metal Magic Medusa runs into a Grenadier Cockatrice.....
(https://i.imgur.com/lm9XgyG.jpg)
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I’ve got a lantern...what could go wrong?
An interesting comparison of 3 generations of spirits. Grenadier, Hobby Products, and Games Workshop.
(https://i.imgur.com/IZstc0u.jpg)
I also love the contrast of this image. The ghosts being the same color as the dungeon lends a bleakness to our hero’s prospects.
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Just a snapshot of a fresh new group of (Metal Magic) adventurers hitting the road after meeting in a tavern...
(https://i.imgur.com/Gz7K0Ne.jpg)
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Great brushwork and great photography! Respect.
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Great brushwork and great photography! Respect.
Thanks :)., I’m having fun!
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Another giant...this time a Citadel / Ral Partha joint release...Stone Giant, facing off against more Metal Magic characters.
(https://i.imgur.com/h8hBkuT.jpg)
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I also love the contrast of this image. The ghosts being the same color as the dungeon lends a bleakness to our hero’s prospects.
Yes, it's very nicely done and very effective.
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Treasure!?! These Irregular Miniatures zombie pirates were hoping fore CAKE by the ocean!
(https://i.imgur.com/fUUVpjy.jpg)
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Another giant...this time a Citadel / Ral Partha joint release...Stone Giant, facing off against more Metal Magic characters.
(https://i.imgur.com/h8hBkuT.jpg)
I’m digging this giant a lot. Also, what are you using for the sky background in this one?
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Treasure!?! These Irregular Miniatures zombie pirates were hoping fore CAKE by the ocean!
Well some of them do look like they could so with feeding up! Their eyes are piercing. I see that they have coordinated their coloured contact lenses with their outfits, reminds me of one of my wife's friends...
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I’m digging this giant a lot. Also, what are you using for the sky background in this one?
Yeah, he’s pretty cool...and not very common.
Maybe 20 years ago i saw tagboard in a store (Walmart?) with patterns on them. One was a sky pattern..I don’t even remember why I picked it up, but I’ve been using a scrap of it for miniature backgrounds for years.
(https://i.imgur.com/UbsxTVq.jpg)
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Well some of them do look like they could so with feeding up! Their eyes are piercing. I see that they have coordinated their coloured contact lenses with their outfits, reminds me of one of my wife's friends...
Ha ha, I was sort of experimenting with “glowing” eye colors.
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Worst roll on the wandering monster table!!
Probably should have made this a nighttime picture :), oh well. This campsite scene has a real mix. The Gnome is from Midlam Miniatures Kickstarter, the Knight is from Reaper, the two headed troll is from Knightmare Miniatures, and finally, two old Marauder trolls.
(https://i.imgur.com/t5JEUwD.jpg)
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Well, at least the Trolls turned up before the two heroes had got tucked up together in their little tent!
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It was a dark and stormy night...what could possibly go wrong? All Metal Magic.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZlXnMi0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ucO68CQ.jpg)
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Argh “behind you!”
Maybe he's wearing airpods ...
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Argh “behind you!”
Maybe he's wearing airpods ...
Perhaps he knows there’s a hobbit with a crossbow hiding in the wardrobe?
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Perhaps he knows there’s a hobbit with a crossbow hiding in the wardrobe?
Knowledge is power!
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Megaminiatures old men facing off against a couple of Reapers “Adventurer Kids”
(https://i.imgur.com/Qo42G9m.jpg)
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Taking a break from the dioramas to post a picture from my backyard trailcam! Winters in Wisconsin are always interesting...
Yeti from FanPro Dark Eye
(https://i.imgur.com/ATPAEY3.jpg)
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Awesome! A new way to kick kids out of class! Get out of here you zero level brats!
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:o great stuff!!!
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Some like it HOT! From a cold scene to a hot one...another old Meier giant, this time a Ral Partha Fire giant fighting off an old Citadel historical.
(https://i.imgur.com/X3uXRn4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/W7jFxYz.jpg)
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What happens when a group of Citadel warriors runs into a grubby horde of Metal Magic Goblins....
(https://i.imgur.com/ETdEC0v.jpg)
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It's all great stuff but I think your giants steal the show!
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It's all great stuff but I think your giants steal the show!
Well, ha ha, I don’t have any delusions that I’m a great painter. I’m a fast, table ready painter that owns a bunch of cool models that have been unpainted far too long.
I agree, the giants came out pretty good...mostly because the sculpts are so awesome, but to be honest, I’m not a fan of painting the big models.
(https://i.imgur.com/uOa8G0M.jpg)
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What re you using as bases for these minis? It the texture or color of them, but the actual base?
Also, I’d love to read a tutorial on how you quickly knock out these buildings and such with...styrofoam... I think I read you mention?
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Well, ha ha, I don’t have any delusions that I’m a great painter. I’m a fast, table ready painter that owns a bunch of cool models that have been unpainted far too long.
I agree, the giants came out pretty good...mostly because the sculpts are so awesome, but to be honest, I’m not a fan of painting the big models.
(https://i.imgur.com/uOa8G0M.jpg)
Awesome group pic! Your table ready paint jobs are excellent quality, good colors and enough contrast to show off the nice miniatures. Also consistency is very important, something I really struggle with...
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What re you using as bases for these minis? It the texture or color of them, but the actual base?
Also, I’d love to read a tutorial on how you quickly knock out these buildings and such with...styrofoam... I think I read you mention?
Just sand. My old minis (most of which I’ve sold...but I still do have hundreds) were all based differently. Some had dungeon floors, some had grasslands, some snow, some had desert. When I started painting again in October, I decided I was going to base everything in one neutral style that, while it’s not stunning, looks acceptable on all types of terrain...this is the result.
If you go on the Rangers of Shadow Deep Facebook page, and search “adventures in styrofoam” you will see what I did. They aren’t really “tutorials” as much as before/after pictures...but you get the idea. I’ve actually deleted most of the pics after I posted.
Stuff like this...
(https://i.imgur.com/HPfBjzY.jpg)
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I’m not on fb now, but why’d you delete your photos?
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Great stuff! The giants are superb, but so are those Metal Magic goblins! That old Citadel two-headed troll is the pick of the bunch for me, but they're all great.
Good thinking on the neutral basing too!
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Good thinking on the neutral basing too!
Agreed. Maybe worth considering a bit of spot washing here and there though to quickly and easily add a bit of visual variety? Army Painter strong and dark tones plus a green one, for instance.
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I’m not on fb now, but why’d you delete your photos?
Ha ha, I can’t keep every insignificant picture I take...good lord, I’d need more memory :)
I just figured some people might enjoy seeing the “before” pics. I also wanted to show all the whippersnappers that you don’t have to 3D print everything or spend a ton of money to have a respectable terrain collection.
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That old Citadel two-headed troll is the pick of the bunch for me
Yeah, that’s a GREAT model...but so are most Citadel figures. I don’t have near enough in my collection, since nobody carried them when I was young, and they cost an arm and a leg these days.
I painted it as an Ettin, because I already had the two headed troll pictures a little while back. I won this one in auction for $12 (USD). I made the bid not expecting to actually win, but it was a pleasant surprise, and fun (and easy) to paint. Sometimes I forget how much easier Citadel models are to paint than everything else.
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Running with the wolves...
This pack of Ral Partha wolves is about to bring terror to some poor gothic village. Traveling with them are two D&D plastic “collectible” miniature game re-paints. Most my miniatures are old and metal, but these are my favorite werewolves.
(https://i.imgur.com/C0KZbKS.jpg)
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A very old Grenadier “Klynops” from the days when this was actually a pretty big miniature...
(https://i.imgur.com/B3pmkjs.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bqzUA4j.jpg)
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This is such a great thread Grubman! Love it all!! 8)
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Is that a yo mama joke? ;D
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This is such a great thread Grubman! Love it all!! 8)
Thank you :). I’m having fun. Can’t last forever though, ha ha...it’s going to have to turn into a diorama a week after a while.
Is that a yo mama joke? ;D
I’ve found that joking with a cyclops NEVER ends well. ;)
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Really enjoy your work. Its good to see so many of the old sculps again. Keep up the great work
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Still great stuff! I really like your painting. The old Grenadier minotaur from a few pages back might be my favorite!
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Really enjoy your work. Its good to see so many of the old sculps again. Keep up the great work
Thanks :) some of these cool old models really deserve a better painter than me...but sometimes it’s fun to see what they look like when a “normal” person paints them up for gaming instead of a studio artist. Glad your enjoying the scenes so far.
Still great stuff! I really like your painting. The old Grenadier minotaur from a few pages back might be my favorite!
Thanks :). I have some more options lead, but I THINK that one may be the oldest in my collection.
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Only 3 ogres? This guy looks like he likes those odds!
All Metal Magic C series. If anyone cares, the weapons on the styrofoam weapons rack were carefully carved from Heroscape figures. :)
(https://i.imgur.com/t9AGjRU.jpg)
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I'd like those odds too in a flashy red Cape!
Is it red ink over black and white undercoat?
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I'd like those odds too in a flashy red Cape!
Is it red ink over black and white undercoat?
It’s black undercoat, with red paint and red ink wash...now that I told you, I have to kill you!
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McEwan Miniatures griffin contemplating poetry with a Metal Magic cleric.
John McEwan (the sculptor) if famous for writing Starguard and sculpting/selling the miniatures for that game. This was the first Science Fiction miniature game ever.
(https://i.imgur.com/UntnTxB.jpg)
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Great vibes in this one, cool but of history too!
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Great paintjobs - and what a great griffin that is! I was amazed to find that the bulk of the McEwan Miniatures range still seems to be 'in print' at tin-soldier.com (http://tin-soldier.com). Some of them are obviously crude, but others, like the griffin, look perfectly serviceable in 1/72.
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Great paintjobs - and what a great griffin that is! I was amazed to find that the bulk of the McEwan Miniatures range still seems to be 'in print' at tin-soldier.com (http://tin-soldier.com). Some of them are obviously crude, but others, like the griffin, look perfectly serviceable in 1/72.
I actually prefer my monsters on the smaller scale of ye old days compared to the scale creep of today. More practical for use and storage, and more “charming” IMHO. But everyone has their personal preferences.
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“This ones all yours Carl!”
Metal Magic facing off against a Black Tree Designs Rust Monster.
(https://i.imgur.com/fsaI40G.jpg)
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I think that is the best one yet. Great Rust Monster model.
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I think that is the best one yet. Great Rust Monster model.
Thanks:)
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OK...closest I could get :)
Halfling from Metal Magic ‘My, the elf and Barbarian from Childhood, the Owlbear from Harlequin.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ejjt0vP.jpg)
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...although I’m s bit surprised nobody had anything to say about the Keep on the Borderlands homage...
“Ok, ok, my turn...truth or dare?”
Metal Magic mage and Ral Partha (Bob Olley) demon.
(https://i.imgur.com/8QR9Rol.jpg)
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I like that one a lot.
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I don't know The Keep on the Borderlands ...
Did not know daemons played truth or dare! Were they out of riddles?
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I like that one a lot.
Thanks :)
I don't know The Keep on the Borderlands ...
Did not know daemons played truth or dare! Were they out of riddles?
:o The Keep on the borderlands was the adventure usually included in basic D&D and a lot of people’s first adventure (title page picture below).
I dunno...the caption just seemed appropriate :)
(https://i.imgur.com/Vs73Q5o.jpg)
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There’s something in the sewers!
Wererat from Grenadier, giant rats from Dark Eye, gigantic rat from Megaminiatures.
(https://i.imgur.com/zop7yH5.jpg)
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Re: Keep on the Borderlands, I missed it until you mentioned it then knew right away what image it was. I actually chuckled. Well done!
I think to decision to base every mini exactly the same was an inspired choice. It really ties everything together as if its all from the same little fantasy universe. It gives the series a sense of continuation. Awesome.
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I’m really liking these last 3. Nice mixing up of the scenes as well as the figures.
The rats have great perspective.
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A plague of purple!
This Irregular Miniatures Dark Elf surveys his destruction with his Wyvern pet from Ral Partha.
(https://i.imgur.com/o0HKumi.jpg)
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Keep on the Borderlands... a classic! My very first D&D adventure almost 40 years ago.
I quite like the photo composition of the Dark Elf and Wyvern.
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Is the picture of the rats also an homage to something? Elder Scrolls maybe? Now that I've missed one I'm trying to see something in every pic!
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I like the wyvern picture - but wonder if photographically it would work better as a vertical shot, to give more space below the figures, i.e. showing more of the arches?
The lighting from below works well.
This is a cool series.
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I like the wyvern picture - but wonder if photographically it would work better as a vertical shot, to give more space below the figures, i.e. showing more of the arches?
The lighting from below works well.
This is a cool series.
Thanks.
Well, ha ha, not a great photographer, but I’m trying :). Everything is set up on either my painting table or the chair I sit on to paint. I move my painting light, take a few shots (with my IPhone 6), then pick the one I like best...then put everything away and get ready for work.
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Love the rats and wyvern!
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Is the picture of the rats also an homage to something? Elder Scrolls maybe? Now that I've missed one I'm trying to see something in every pic!
Ha ha, no...the KotB was the only one...
...or is it? :o
Love the rats and wyvern!
Thank you, rats and Wyvern need all the lovin they can get :)
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It’s alive...ALIVE! Murahahahaha!
Metal Magic eft sorcerer and flesh golem
I seal with a semi gloss. It provides a more durable protective coat, and gives the models an old school look...unfortunately, it messes with the light in photographs. I’ve been trying to take a photo before I seal...but sometimes I look back and don’t like the pic...so here we go with a little glare. Second pic is before sealer.
(https://i.imgur.com/9WjvVAZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/55adEEL.jpg)
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Cleric training ground...
(https://i.imgur.com/6lKM3Ee.jpg)
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“Here’s the keg of beer, now let me pass per our agreement”
“Sure, ME let you pass...but HE gonna kill you, HO Ho!”
Citadel 2 headed troll painted as an Ettin and Megaminiatures villager now owned by Turnkey Miniatures.
With that, it’s been 1 month and 1 day of dedicated daily posting. I’m going to “relax” and spend a bit more time developing the campaign I’m going to be using all these miniatures for. I’ll still be painting, and may post more pics of minis I think are particularly cool (I still have hundreds to finish)...but not daily.
Thanks for the people who posted compliments and comments. Hope more people enjoyed the thread than were annoyed by me cluttering up the front page every day.
(https://i.imgur.com/z3sDpwP.jpg)
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:)
Well done on finishing your self appointed task, some great pictures and a lot of lovely old miniatures. It has been fun following your posts.
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That was great! Enjoy the cool down!
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Haven’t felt much like painting miniatures these days. I should be grateful I’m still getting a paycheck...but potentially being exposed to something every day that everyone else is hiding from (And I rather be hiding from) causes just a bit of anxiety.
But some mornings I’ve been picking away at another adventuring party. These are (surprise) Metal Magic C series, being attacked by an Antediluvian Miniatures Cadaverpillar.
(https://i.imgur.com/hB80TtC.jpg)
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Wonderful stuff. Love the flesh golem!
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Wonderful stuff. Love the flesh golem!
Thank you :)...I like that model as well. Ironically I avoided painting it for years because I didn’t think it was a good model...but once I painted it and noticed all the stitching, I think it came out pretty cool.
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And that was the LAST time anyone saw Bobbin Frapples, halfling hero...
(Grenadier Bugbears)
(https://i.imgur.com/C7tBZzR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Sl3F8IQ.jpg)
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Wonderful thread with imagination and excellent figures. Well done and keep them coming!
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Agreed. And bonus points for calling your Halfling hero Bobbin Frapples :D
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Agreed. And bonus points for calling your Halfling hero Bobbin Frapples :D
75% of the characters I play are halfling thieves, and all have stupid names that either make GMs chuckle...or cringe. :)
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wonderful stuff in this thread, which I've somehow managed to miss completely before now ...
love the captions / dialogue too