Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: Damien on 02 February 2011, 04:23:55 PM
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As you all know I love anything related with D&D and so bought quite a few of these figures when they came out. Most of them are well sculpted and fun to paint, I've been painting a few lately and will post them here as I finish with them.
The first one is a 'Skeletal Dwarf Soldier', I love painting undead from other races as I think they are under represented.
Quick question about photography: Is a black background better than no background (should I have placed the black background closer?).
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/DSCN0181_800x600Crop.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/DSCN0176_800x600Crop.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/DSCN0189_800x600Crop.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/DSCN0184_800x600Crop.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/DSCN0191_800x600Crop.jpg)
Sorry if I posted too many pics.
Also pay attention to the minis helmet, it was sculpted as a face, really cool.
Thanks
Damien
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The Chainmail miniatures line has some really cool sculpts in it.
I never got the undead dwarf miniature.Got quite a few of the others though.
Do you know who sculpted this one?The others were done by Roy Eastland.
The helmet visor is nice and makes him look like a chaos warrior.Nice painting and cant wait to see more.
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Looks good, personally I'd like a less fantastic shield but thats a matter of personal choice not design quality.
How big is he?
Oh and you can never have enough photos, some people like plain backgrounds, others like me like a good bit of terrain to make the scene.
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That is a damn nice figure, and a great execution!
As for backgrounds, I'd suggest either a light gray or blue gradient, or a background image. Or, if you want to take some time to set up, throw in some terrain.
This is my set up:
(http://www.hourofwolves.org/images/desks/pictureSetUp.jpg)
Thanks
n.
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Nice figure. :)
...Is a black background better than no background (should I have placed the black background closer?).
The main thing with any background is to make it "complete." In your photo the camera is having to deal a very pale "floor" and a very dark backdrop. Makes it easier for the camera if they are both the same.
I occasionally use black for certain effects. The thing I realized was on my camera I had to adjust some settings for a decent shot when using black as opposed to white or blue/white gradient.
Example:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/orctrader/Horror/Vampire800.jpg)
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Great fig, Damien! Regarding backdrop, I use my gaming table. It's the context in which the minis will be used thus I also photograph them there. Photos would probably be better if I used a gradient or something like OT's backdrop - but as I don't paint studio level miniatures, don't have a studio level camera and don't do publicity shots I figure the faux in-game snaps work best!
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I occasionally use black for certain effects. The thing I realized was on my camera I had to adjust some settings for a decent shot when using black as opposed to white or blue/white gradient.
I found that if you can't figure out the settings on your camera, it's easy enough to apply those settings after the fact if you're using a half-decent image editor... Even the shareware editors support pretty good image adjustments I think.
n.
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I'm with Phreedh on this one - gaming table and a few bits of terrain and maybe a backdrop stuck on the wall (with blutac - but don't tell the wife! >:() for wider shots.
(http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss360/thantsants/Orcs/PB270633.jpg)
Picasa seems to be good enough to edit my photos and you can fiddle around with a few effects if the fancy so takes you...
(http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss360/thantsants/Battle%20Reports/Keeping%20the%20Wolf%20from%20the%20door/PB180603.jpg)
Like your little setup though Neldoreth.
Oh and nice job on the skeletal dwarf! :D
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Hi manic _miner, sorry but I don`t know the sculptor of this mini, thanks for the comments though.
Erny, the shield is a little over the top, all undead ranges seem to suffer from huge batwing helmets and skull shields.
The range was 28mm, here is a comparison pic:
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/DSCN0198_800x600Crop.jpg)
Mordhiem Youngblood, WOTC, Reaper Warlord mini
Neldoreth, cool setup, I downloaded the pic for future reference. I really like the idea of having a background picture (nice dialog boxes btw). Quick question but do you do a final highlight of red with pink, does it work well?
Thanks for the tips Orctrader, I went to your site and read you photog thread. I saw that you crop then resize, I do the opposite does it make a difference? Gorgeous mini btw.
phreedh, I might give the terrain idea a go, it definitely makes it more interesting than my kitchen table.
Thantsants, I never even thought doing any photoshopping on the images, I am going to Google Picasa now. Oh and don`t worry no one here is going to tell your wife anything ::)
Thanks for the comments everyone, they help a lot, I'll keep experimenting
Damien
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Stunning work, I'm another big fan of anything D&D related, a smashing figure and I noticed that helmet to, smashing sculpting there, your painting is great, keep it up.
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Neldoreth, cool setup, I downloaded the pic for future reference. I really like the idea of having a background picture (nice dialog boxes btw). Quick question but do you do a final highlight of red with pink, does it work well?
Glad you can use the picture set-up concept :)
As for using pink as the final highlight for red, I really like the effect. I find it creates really bright reds. Here are some examples:
(http://www.hourofwolves.org/images/armies/dnd/5_femaleDruid.jpg)
(http://www.hourofwolves.org/images/armies/dnd/9_ashElfFighterScales.jpg)
... or dull reds depending on the rest of your highlights...
(http://www.hourofwolves.org/images/armies/dnd/wernerKlockePaladinSquare.jpg)
hope that helps.
n.
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:'( :'(
Every single figure is this thread looks great. . .but none of them are mine! lol
I know I had some Chainmail figures once (not sure which it was so long ago) but I'll be dammed if I can find them!
Time for more :'(
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Thanks abhorsen950, I am working on a few Chainmail minis right now.
Hi Neldoreth, fantastic minis, I am constantly going to your site for inspiration. Thanks for the tips on painting red, I am going to try the pink next time I want a bright red.
Hi Colonel Tubby, go and find those mins, they are really fun to paint and thanks for the comments.
Here is the new mini, 'Battered Skeletal Troll' he is a big boy and was fun to paint. I have him on a calvary base 'cause he is going to be part of an undead army I am building and I am going to put him in a unit.
I tried a white background, (looks a little dark) let me know what you think.
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/3_800x600Crop.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/1_800x600Crop.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/2_800x600Crop.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/4_800x600Crop.jpg)
Thanks everyone
Damien
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Actually he looks like a Cleric to me but it said Paladin on the box; so here is a 'Paladin' with a really spiky shield. I screwed up on his eyes a bit so now he does double duty as a vampire as well.
C&C always welcome. Plus what do you guys think of the Skeletal Troll? ^^^ I think he is a pretty cool model.
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/1_800x600Crop1.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/2_800x600Crop2.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/3_800x600Crop3.jpg)
Thanks
Damien
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That looks FANTASTIC, Damien...VERY WELL DONE!
Ask for some more advice so we can get some more cool photos up. ;)
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Thanks DeafNala, I always enjoy reading your comments on the forum; always witty and humourous :) Sometimes I wish I had your vocabulary.
Thanks again
Damien
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Paladin looks great! Terrific job on the shield, and as usual the armour is very nice.
Missed the skeletal troll last time round. He's ace! =)
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Cool figure! you did a great job on the shield. The gold on the bird came out really great.
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I love the Skeletal troll! Great model, I never bought one when they were new, I probably should have... then again, it'd just be sitting in my unpainted lead pile...
Since everyone else is throwing their 2c in on the photography, I'll add a suggestion - "autofix". The basic autofix option on Photobucket, Nero Photosnap Viewer, and most other image viewing programs will really help to brighten your images, especially if you have a white background.
(http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b31/Alxbates/LAFundead.jpg)
Here's your initial troll image, I've done nothing to it but click 'Autofix'. Much brighter. This also works really well with a green or blue background that gradually fades to white, like many catalog images you see online.
-Alex in Alaska
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Thanks phreedh, I was reading on your blog that your joining the Painter's League this season, Can't wait to see your teams, I hope to be able to join next year,
Bloodysword, yeah I am pretty happy with the gold came out nice this time, I was never able to get it to shine before. I credit the Devlan Mud wash.
Alxbates, :o the troll looks great! I did not know that photobucket had that option, I am going to see if I can find it.
And if anyone has anymore tips, post them up, I would be glad to read them.
Thanks for the comments
Damien
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That Paladin is TITS!!! Way to go D!
As for back drop, I've tried a white sheet of paper, but that causes overexposure. I use grey felt and nothing else.
The chainmail line was actually pretty cool IMO. I used to stock it at the gamestore I managed.
I don't recall that paladin, otherwise I'd have picked it up for myself.
Great job!
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Thanks Faust, I have a lot of these guys, I find some of them are tough to glue together, they have really small contact points. I really like their take on dwarves though (actually the gnomes are pretty different/cool too).
Thanks again
Damien
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That Paladin is TITS!!!
Ok a first for me. What does it mean? :-)
Grimm
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Sorry - don't know how I missed the troll too - brilliant stuff!
Really nice work on the Paladin also. :D
On the photography front - as I keep having lamps dying on me (including a rather nice Ottlite hobby lamp which I got for my birthday and lasted 10 minutes before the bulb went! >:() I find the autocontrast button in Picasa works wonders! :D
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Hey Grimmnar, I think its a great exclamation!! Yeah TITS! We love them! :D
Thanks Thantsants, I downloaded Picasa on your request, now I think I may start playing/using it. If you know of any other useful functions let me know.
Thanks guys
Damien
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This is not a Chainmail figure but is a WOTC mini from their 1999 D&D miniature line. It is a 'Undead Minotaur'. I like him a lot and will be using him in my growing undead army.
I think I added too much static grass to his base, let me know what you think; also, I am trying some new background colours, let me know what you think about the blue.
Questions and comments always welcome
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/Mino1Crop.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/Mino6Crop-1.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/Mino5Crop-1.jpg)
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/Mino4Crop.jpg)
Thanks for looking
Damien
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Love Skeletons...they always seem so happy. Now that I've gotten that out of my system, VERY NICE old bone effect. The base looks fine & the blue background works well with the mini. The only thing I might have done differently are the horns...may be a black or a graduated brown to sand effect; of course, that's merely a matter of opinion. VERY WELL DONE!
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Hi DeafNala, I like the undead's toothy grin as well. Hmmm may be I should have painted them more like horns rather than bone; too late now, I hate re-painting when a mini is done.
Thanks for the comments
Damien
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Cracking stuff - I like my grass patchy but it looks fine to be honest.
Sorry to agree with Deafnala about the horns - still looks ace though - know what you mea about repainting! o_o
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Thanks Thantsants, I think everyone hates going back and repainting, he looks better 'live' though.
Here is a group shot with some WOTC undead, comparing size. I think they look pretty good together. As I stated before I am building an undead army using various manufacturers, I am going to try and photograph the army in a couple of weeks (wish me luck, I am still having trouble taking pics).
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k608/hotblast69/fantasy/GroupCrop.jpg)
Thanks for looking
Damien
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Cool stuff Damien, always look forward to your new old school stuff. Keep it up.
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The Living Impaired Guys are VERY COOL & WELL DONE! The bone color on the center Fellow is OUTSTANDING....& I LOVE the Vertically Challenged Chap.
On repainting: I agree...I'd rather reroute the Mississippi with a teaspoon than repaint a just-finished piece.
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Thanks guys, m4jumbo, still looking forward to a new AAR with all those cool minis.
DeafNala, I really liked painting that skeletal dwarf he was a cool mini. As to repainting life is too short and the lead mountain
just keeps getting bigger.
Thanks again for the positive comments
Damien