Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: Modhail on July 07, 2016, 08:25:14 AM
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I'm not exactly sure how/why it happened, but I suddenly found myself frenziedly assembling my little stash of Man O'War Dwarf figures...
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160705_001.jpg)
Here's the fleet, still minus the last two Ironclads, the second squadron of Monitors and my final three Nautilii. I'm holding back a bit on those final three, as I feel 6 Nautilii may be a bit overkill. The Dreadfleet Dwarf ship snuck in there as well. Might as well paint all the stunties at once.
For the Nautilii, as they can submerge, I've been thinking about making proper submerged models, instead of just plonking down a cardboard chit next to them. I'm considering two options at the moment: Either make just the outline of the ship, with the smokestack and banner sticking out of the water. Or use a counter with the same size as my bases for the Nautilii, also with smokestack and banner, and try to paint in the outline of the submerged vessel:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160705_004_1.jpg)
I'll be building and painting both to see what I like best. This will also give me the chance to try out two different methods of making water for the bases: sculpted greenstuff and acrylic gel.
As I already have the greenstuff, I gave that a try:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160706_002.jpg)
In the meantime, I've also assembled and primered the Dreadfleet terrain pieces. (Dreadfleet, as a game, doesn't seem to be that spectacular, it's too closed and small a system and seems to have been made mainly to leech off Man O'War nostalgia. I fell for it... But the terrain is useful as a jumping-off point for Man O'War.) No pics, as black terrain on a black background doesn't look interesting at all!
If I get these done quickly enough, it will be on to the Empire fleet, but for that one I still need to acquire/convert/build a few squadrons of ships to make a "legal" fleet out of them.
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I really like the Submerged Nautilus you've greenstuffed up. I might
steal borrow that idea
In the meantime, I've also assembled and primered the Dreadfleet terrain pieces. (Dreadfleet, as a game, doesn't seem to be that spectacular, it's too closed and small a system and seems to have been made mainly to leech off Man O'War nostalgia. I fell for it... But the terrain is useful as a jumping-off point for Man O'War.) No pics, as black terrain on a black background doesn't look interesting at all!
Dreadfleet as a game is very, very random but - oh boy does it look great when it's all painted up.
Some pictures of my version in action
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3720/8993478913_3bd83ba88a.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/eGHVXg)
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5340/8993570023_eea0dcba0e.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/eGJp38)
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7419/8994778310_d63d7ec947.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/eGQAdE)
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Man 'O' War!!
Old school cool :D
cheers
James
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Cool stuff. Especially the submerged vessel rocks!
I've never gotten into Manowar, as that was basically over before I had any access to proper game stores. But I've always liked the idea.
And with a topic title like that, surely you'll be needing a Lonely Island? :D
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Brilliant stuff, I love Man O War. Great idea for the submerged tokens, I'd steal the idea if I thought I could do as good a job as you!
I bought a mat from Deep Cut amd some resin islands from Combat zone to resurrect Mow myself, but I haven't got around to it yet!
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I love the submerged Nautilus, looking forward to seeing them all painted.
I had a decent sized Orc fleet for Man O'War, but, sadly, never collected a second fleet and it isn't exactly easy to find opponents these days.
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Excellent work.
I must dig out all my old Man o War stuff and try and get people playing it again.
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:-*
Interested in some seadrakes for a high elf fleet?
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Everybody look at me I'm on a... eh hem. I'll have that stupid song lyric stuck in my head for the rest of the day now! >:D
Nice idea with the submerged marker. Look forward to seeing how this progresses.
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Thanks guys! I'm glad you like these humble beginnings.
And yes, the fleet(s) will be exploring plenty of Lonely Islands. ;)
Gnomehome, your ships do look great! Steal...Borrow away for the markers!
Jimbibbly, yeah, it's a lovely old game, isn't it? I do believe your Japanese cliffs are partly to blame for this project... I've had an unfulfilled urge to build islands for the last few days now. Though I'd never dream of approaching your terrain prowess.
Sir_Theo, go for it! :D
Humorous_Conclusion, yeah it's a shame, those that still love and own Man O'War are scattered thin these days. And with the Old World dead, the chances of it's return are absolutely zero. (And I dread to imagine what an Age Of Sigmar "re-imaging" of the game and ships might look like!)
Noigrim, sorry, but I have zero High Elf fleet, so I wouldn't have anything to add them to... I only have this Dwarf fleet, an Empire fleet missing its Wolfships and giant-cannon-boats (Hellhammers, I believe?) and a tiny fledgeling Dark Elf fleet.
Stone-cold-lead, sadly the effect works both ways, guess what I've found myself humming ever since I posted this topic? ;D
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For cheap alternative ships he ones sold by Ral Partha Europe aren't too bad. They are a little smaller than the GW ones but not bad alternatives. They sell buildings as well, good for islands.
http://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk/shop/empiresthe-miniatures-boardgame-c-135/
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Thank you for that link, I never realised Ral Partha made ships as well. Their "Empire" range would make nice Bretonnian stand-ins.
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Love this so much, Man O War was one of my favourite GW games...
I really like the submerged sub!
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Apart from the well chosen title (I'm on a boat, *********, don't you ever forget!), a really great thread. Need to look into boat wars aswell!
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Sorry beforehand, but you know this had to be done (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avaSdC0QOUM)... :D
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I never knew about those Ral Partha models before. The Dwarf and Empire ships look like a perfect fit, aesthetically and, given the price, I think I might have to grab a few.
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Jimbibbly, yeah, it's a lovely old game, isn't it? I do believe your Japanese cliffs are partly to blame for this project... I've had an unfulfilled urge to build islands for the last few days now. Though I'd never dream of approaching your terrain prowess.
Yup, one of GW's better offerings and so simple :)
I'm sure whatever terrain you decide to do it'll be great 8)
cheers
James
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LordOdo, boat wars, if you find the right ruleset, are quite fun. If you have the chance, try it!
Yup, one of GW's better offerings and so simple :)
Absolutely, this game was a quiet little gem, discontinued before it's time...
I'm sure whatever terrain you decide to do it'll be great 8)
Thanks for the confidence!
Well, initially I'm going to be lazy and just paint up the Dreadfleet terrain. After that, especially once I get a second fleet underway, I guess I will need to build some proper islands. Until that time I'll be following your cliff thread for inspiration. :D
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Sooo, sunny sunday painting happened... :D
The rock colour on the Dreadfleet islands is done:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160710_010.jpg)
And I've painted the water on the Nautilus Submerged marker experiments, it just needs gloss varnish:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160710_013.jpg)
I attempted to paint in the silhouette of the submerged Nautilus on the rectangular marker, but I think I was too careful/subtle with it, as it is barely visible.
I'm not deciding with which basing method or which style of marker to go with just yet, I'd like to hear what you all think first. So, what do think?
I am liking the recipe for water I tried though, I'm sticking with that one.
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I'd go for the rectangular one.
I too bought Dreadfleet for MoW 'support', so looking forward to more :D 8)
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And here is the Lonely Island... lol
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160712_003.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160712_004.jpg)
I decided not to go with the Dreadfleet doomy and gloomy dark colours for the castle, but to paint more as if it were an Imperial or Brettonian castle. Should I ever get a second one I would like to make it even more of a liveable castle, by adding foliage to the rocks (after carving out those humongous Skullz!), putting some small fields and buildings inside the curtain walls and maybe extending the sea-level part into a proper pier or mooring dock.
Once all the islands are done, I'll paint some gloss varnish along the rim, near the sea level, to give the effect of wet sea-splashed rock.
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Looks great 8) 8)
Might I suggest some windows on the towers?
cheers
James
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Thanks!
And good point, that might be why the castle still looks incomplete to me. I'll be adding windows on the next painting session. :)
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Inspiring work. I love the castle.
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That Nautilus template idea is getting burgled. Great stuff.
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Thanks, both of you!
For the dive template, while the rectangle makes sense from a movement and uniformity standpoint, the "fishy" template looks more fun. Plus it could serve as a reminder that (outside of torpedoes), other ships can't interact with the Nautilii. Internal discussions on which to choose are still ongoing... ;D
Painting is progressing, where current weather (either heat or pouring deluge) allows, but nothing exciting enough to take pictures of.
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Great work. I prefer the fish shape template and I also prefer the greenstuff waves to the other. Cheers!
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Modhail,
Regarding the submerged nautilus. Perhaps a rectangular base with wake cresting in the shape of the nautilus itself, so it retains its shape but is a rectangular base?
(http://www.ju.edu/nrotc/PublishingImages/subturn.jpg)
Only actually submerged?
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Elbows, thanks for the inspiration, I'm currently GS-casting the superstructure of a Nautilus to try something similar to that picture. But deeper in the water, with (hopefully) more bow-wave and wake suggesting the shape of the vessel itself.
And I painted all the Islands and reefs from Dreadfleet:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160727_001.jpg)
Some highlights (more on my blog (http://modhails-meanderings.blogspot.nl/2016/07/archipelago-of-dread.html#more))
The Castle on the Rocks (now with windows):
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160727_020.jpg)
Caldera Temple Isle:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160727_019.jpg)
The Weird Skull Reef (Though in modern GW naming conventions this would most like be the "Skulled Headlands of SkullCrania"?)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160727_028.jpg)
As you can see, I didn't follow the "official" Dreadfleet colour schemes. Mainly because I expect to be using these for Man O'War as least as much as for Dreadfleet and so they need to fit in with the Old World a bit better. Besides, I found it quite boring to make all the human-built structures from the same dark green glossy rock.
Now, time to start getting the Dwarf fleet ready for primer. (Flags and waves still to do on most of them.) After that I will hopefully turn my attention to the Empire Fleet. They will need completing (I'm lacking a number of critical ship types, mainly Wolfships and Hellhammers or Ironfists, that I will need to either convert from Wargalleys or scratchbuild.) and I will have to settle on how to do the sails.
I'd like to do something more pretty and durable than paper sails, currently considering either making the sails from thick metal foil, or going all in and making formers/Oyumaru moulds for 3D sails.
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Castle works now 8)
I think making a former for each sail might be more work than it's worth :?
I drew papers sails in cad for my Empire and Bretonian fleets and (with a bit of curling) they work fine :)
cheers
James
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Thanks! The windows/arrow slits really do add a lot.
Yeah, it's a lot of work, but I've been enviously eyeing historical ship models with their pretty cast sails... ;D
I've been making the flags on the Dwarf ships from (mayo/tomato puree tube) metal foil, I could just use that for sails, just that bit sturdier than paper. I'd need to paint it though. (I kind of dislike how paper sails wear and discolour over time, as I plan to use/display these models for quite some years yet.)
The Empire fleet is still a ways off anyway, so I'll have plenty of time to make a final decision on sails.
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Might be expensive but could you print them on photo quality paper? Don't know if that would fade over time.
cheers
James
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Thanks! The windows/arrow slits really do add a lot.
Yeah, it's a lot of work, but I've been enviously eyeing historical ship models with their pretty cast sails... ;D
I've been making the flags on the Dwarf ships from (mayo/tomato puree tube) metal foil, I could just use that for sails, just that bit sturdier than paper. I'd need to paint it though. (I kind of dislike how paper sails wear and discolour over time, as I plan to use/display these models for quite some years yet.)
The Empire fleet is still a ways off anyway, so I'll have plenty of time to make a final decision on sails.
How does that sort of foil take paint? I know it was a material people used to use back in the day. I agree with you about paper sails.
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Excellent thread, terrific paintjobs. Almost feel sorry I sold Dreadfleet again...
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How does that sort of foil take paint? I know it was a material people used to use back in the day. I agree with you about paper sails.
So far, I've used it for flags only, so relatively small surfaces, and it takes paint just fine, especially if you rough it up ever so slightly. The main problem is paint coming off when it gets bent, but as I'm using double layers anyway, the lamination stiffens the material sufficiently. Again this goes for flag-sized areas. I've yet to find out how it behaves on sail-sized items.
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Progress! I'm sculpting the waves onto the bases with acrylic paste:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160805_002.jpg)
The bases on the six Monitors are done. (You'll have to take my word for it, white paste on white plasticard doesn't really show up in photos... :?)
You can also see the final form of the Nautilus "submerged" markers: I've gone for the rectangular ones, but with a bit more of the superstructure of the subs poking above the waves. The plan is to sculpt the wake around that to suggest the shape of the sub just beneath the waves.
This is the totality of my Dwarf fleet, the only thing missing are four "debris" markers, but I'm currently still making those.
I've also started looking at my Empire fleet, but I'm still short the mandatory squadron of three Wolfships on those. As money is tight at the moment and I'm no hurry, I'm taking my time to look for a deal/non-Ebay-silly-pricing on those. Looking at Man O'War prices on Ebay just depresses me... A similar situation with the Dark Elf fleet and it's six "missing" Doom Reavers.
Scenery will have to follow at some point, but I'm not too worried about that, I've already got plenty of raw materials for that. :)
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Looking forward to seeing these with paint on 8)
cheers
James
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As am I, James... :D
I got a little step closer to that today, with another few bases getting waves on them:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160807_001.jpg)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160807_003.jpg)
Just one Ironclad and the Dreadnought to texture and I'll have a game-legal 750pt fleet ready for primer. Another Ironclad and the last three Nautilii will take that up to the suggested standard size of 1000 points. Oh, and build the planned 4 Debris markers, but those are just chunks of ship on a textured base, I don't expect any problems with them.
Then it's on to building either the Empire or Dark Elf fleet, depending on which I can find the missing ships for the first.
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I see my Oyumaru is serving you well :D
Love the Dwarven SinkEx :)
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I'm really enjoying this project, lovely painting and the sinking ship with lifeboat is great!
I've always had a soft spot for MoW (continuing to regret selling my boxed game off :-[) and still um and ah about dreadfleet when the price is occasionally reasonable.
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Gunbird, I'm already started using the pack you gave me for my birthday... I've remolded the original stick several times already and it's slowly yellowing...
Heh, all ships become submarines in Man O'War eventually. :D
Thank you, Grumbledook!
Awww, sorry to hear you and Man O'War have parted ways. About Dreadfleet, to be honest, it's a nice boat game, but it's not a fleet game like Man O'War was. Plus the game is very boxed in, you essentially only get to replay the revenge story from the fluff. I'm not saying it's horrible, the ships are nice and it's a decent off-night game (as in: You're not feeling like a campaign game/one of the crucial regular gamers can't come/you need something to fill the gap), if a bit too complex to actually fall in the Beer&Pretzels category.
In my opinion, if you loved Man O'War you'd be better served not spending your money on Dreadfleet and saving instead for either 2nd hand Man O'War (preferally on a swap meet or bring&buy somewhere as Ebay is insane) or looking for suitable alternate models to play Man O'War. Then again, to show how much my advice is worth: I do own both Dreadfleet and Man O'War.
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Looking good mate :)
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Thanks, Warburton!
More basing pics, am I boring you yet?
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160808_001.jpg)
Getting closer, what I've based is already a legal 750 points army, only 2 more Nautilii and 2 Ironclad to go! Oh, and 4 Debris markers.
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More basing pics, am I boring you yet?
No :D
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Good, here's more... :D
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160809_001.jpg)
The four Debris markers, again white on white, but there are some plasticard offcuts in there, as well as some lengths of plastic rod, which I intend to paint as ale barrels. All that Bugman's Premium, lost to the waves forever! >:D
Only 4 ships and two markers to go before they all sail into the Black Mist of Primarr. ;)
Not sure when actual painting will occur as the next couple of weeks are promising to be busy ones. Hopefully I can sneak away for an hour or two somewhere.
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I love the Dwarf debris markers. Absolutely wonderful.
@Grumbledook- I've been thinking of selling my copy of Dreadfleet if you are interested? Would be open to offers
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Thanks, Sir_Theo!
And the basing is all done:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160810_002.jpg)
Primer and paint to follow whenever I find the time. Feeling impatient though, the look of the whole fleet, fully assembled is somewhat inspiring...
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It has begun...
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/Man%20O%20War/WP_20160818_001.jpg)
Did all the bases in one go today, I just need to wait for the wash to dry before I can do the final two drybrushed highlights.
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:D
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When on holiday, most people I know chill and relax. But most of my gamer friends take a box of paints with them and just paint away. If I'd try that, I'd be an organ donor in a few minutes.... :(
Great work Erik, nice to see you do it all at once so it stays coherent :)
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When on holiday, most people I know chill and relax. But most of my gamer friends take a box of paints with them and just paint away.
What's the difference? ;)
Thanks! As I had the entire fleet ready to go, it seemed the most sensible way to go about it.
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Hey,
those boats look great and the bases are amazing.
i have a couple of fleets (empire and brettonian) i want to base, and i love how you did the waves.
are you able to do a small tutorial on this? and what the white 'paste' is?
Much appreciated.
Alan
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If it helps get more Man O'War fleets in action, I'll gladly make a step by step!
I won't have anything to base for a while, though, not until I'm done painting the Dwarf fleet. (I've got an Empire and Dark Elf fleet as well, but both are still missing several critical models.) I'll see if I can find something else to base and document the process. But as I'm currently separated from my modeling supplies that will be at least a week from now at the soonest.
The white paste is artists acrylic paste, I'd have to check the exact brand when I get back.
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Thats awesome, whenever you can would be great.
i will keep an eye out for the acrylic paste, wonder whats its called here in NZ.
Alan
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Will do! :)
I believe the pot I have is this one:
(http://cdn.dick-blick.com/items/020/22/02022-2002-3ww-l.jpg)
I'll verify when I get back to it.
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And the first batch is done:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/WP_20160823_002.jpg)
With cute little banners: (that were an absolute bear to paint... The banners are roughly 6-7 mm tall!)
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h213/Modhail/WP_20160823_006.jpg)
Pictures aren't optimal, as I was painting outside and when time came to take pictures I had to choose from deep shadows or glaring bright sun...
Once more of the fleet is complete I'll try to take shots in more controlled/moderate light.
One batch down, on to the next ones. :D
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Say what? No comments on these painted pics yet? They are awesome!! I liked Man o War a lot but couldn't find players apart from my loyal all conquering sister back then. Nice personalisation, please do keep us posted!
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Thank you Ragsta!
With some luck, there will be more painting later this week... (Though a large half-distraction arrived today, courtesy of Westfalia Miniatures.)
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Missed it o_o
The look great, I like the subdued colour scheme. It works really well 8) 8)
Looking forward to seeing some more :D
cheers
James
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Thank you James! Yeah, going 90's technicolor on them didn't really suit me... I'm quite happy with the way they look now.