Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Pulp => Topic started by: mikedemana on March 30, 2021, 01:52:39 AM
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I thought I'd post a little about the modern street gangs that I've been painting for my Mean Streets: War in Gang-infested Cities rules. When I started painting them up, I was scrounging what figures I had in my unpainted bin that I thought might make an interesting gang. So, the miniatures are from quite the variety of manufacturers, collected over years at flea markets and conventions.
Later, I began to purchase miniatures specifically for the project. I'll start with my most recent gangs and work my way backwards. A note on the names of the gangs. I picked out a neighborhood of my hometown of Columbus, Ohio (USA) as their home turf. They are all fictional. My project is meant to be a somewhat romantic look at the world of street gangs in the vein of the 1979 movie, "The Warriors." So, without further ado, I present the most recently painted gang...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pju6XpnwReA/Xumb03zT7RI/AAAAAAAADNg/9aPSvIJeQjYYGOrFh2fJEwrYgaQDun1LgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Santanas_Julio.jpg)
The leader of my Hispanic street gang, Julio, proudly sporting his gang jacket emblazoned with The Santanas' logo
THE SANTANAS
Prior to this gang, I had painted up nine street gangs as part of my Mean Streets project. Something was missing, though. I'd recently done punk rockers (Indianola Mohawks). I had a martial arts gang (Linden Daos), an African-American gang (Eastmoor Kings), motorcycle gang (Sons of Thor), and a West-side working class white gang (Hilltop Highlanders). However, I had no Italian or Hispanic, leather jacket wearing, "classic" TV gang.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjw0gubam1c/XumcKk8ffrI/AAAAAAAADNo/lYYhasSvR6YjOXs-iOk7Bw38CJV_RIy3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Santanas_Cruz.jpg)
Cruz has tattooed the gang's "S" onto his ample beer belly and keeps his leather jacket unzipped to show it off
So, as I sat looking at the remaining eight figs from my purchase from Casting Room Miniatures, I noticed most had obvious leather jackets. My original plan had been for them to be a heavy metal gang and call them the Head Bangers. However, the chance to do a classic gang with their logo emblazoned on the backs of their brown leather jacket was too good to pass up. I decided to go with a Hispanic theme, and remembering my high school days that rock guitarist Carlos Santana was popular, I decided to go with the gang name, The Santanas!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3irAktkf_Yc/XumceDhpRoI/AAAAAAAADNw/7_NLoP3IMsAlepR_BN16iWMBgIWJZ1KygCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Santanas_Margarita.jpg)
Margarita looks like she's been around the block once or twice, and "packs heat" to deal with those who give her grief
Once that decision was made, I realized I had a problem. Back when I began painting the Indianola Mohawks, I decided to be efficient and do the flesh tone on both gangs. I did them in a mix of Caucasian, African-American, and Hispanic. Oops. They needed to be ALL Hispanic. So, the first project was to darken up the Caucasians and lighten up the African-Americans. There are a range of skin tones with Hispanic people in the United States, of course, just like any other ethnicity. So, I actually liked how the skin palette, so to speak, turned out.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kJRoAHDR9w/XumcyfGebYI/AAAAAAAADN4/9QgSee6QEPkp424gpyqOk74Bqeeby99vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Santanas_El%2BLobo.jpg)
Intimidating-looking El Lobo carries his bat with him everywhere, always ready for a rumble
Next up, I made the decision to go with brown leather jackets over black ones. The Warriors in the movie of that name have brown ones, as (I believe) do the The Wanderers in the more light-hearted movie of the same name. What symbol, though? I Googled Carlos+Santana+symbol and scanned through the hits. There was the musician's trademark, swirly capital "S." There was also a few Hippie-trippy wings in the drawings, too. So, I sketched out Santana's swirly S with wings on it, and liked how it looked. Even more importantly, I was really pleased with how it came out on the back of the jackets!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qFVAmBJCIsA/XumdJoo98jI/AAAAAAAADOA/V0uYoRCbwiAVfO_5hoQ7QpoU7v3yNF4UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Santanas_Ramona.jpg)
Ramona takes no crap from anybody, and needs no weapons. She'll wallop you upside your head with her meaty fists!
I had an epiphany, of sorts, while painting The Santanas. And that is I simply must use my lighted magnifier when I paint details. I'd always been irked with how the tops of my paint brushed clanked against the mirror as I was painting. In a fit of anger, I snapped off the top half of my tiny, detail brush. Seeing the stubby, half-length brush, I shrugged and kept painting. After a few minutes, I thought to myself, "Heyyyy...this works!" So, from now on, I cut my paint brushes in half! As a first proof of the effectiveness of this, I think the Santanas logo turned out as good.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6MmAm8tGUk/XumdqkTqngI/AAAAAAAADOI/1nb7O1Ax148N1PogYY3aI89-aWjSyf9_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Santanas_Manana.jpg)
Mańana's figure began life as a hippie protestor, but I turned him into something more menacing with jewelry chain
Two of the seven figures I was painting did not have leather jackets, though. One of them appeared to have a sleeveless "wife beater" -- sometimes called a muscle shirt. I used paint to turn that into a leather vest, instead. The other was too obviously a t-shirt to do anything with. So, on of the gang members isn't wearing his leather jacket. So, I painted the logo on the back of the shirt, instead. I was tempted, for a moment, to paint Santanas on the front. Then I realized that I am not that skilled to do so. Not even close! The figure has a Rastafarian style haircut, headband, and actually turned out to be one of my favorites from the gang.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hZKoyL3OOY/Xumd-CoW3VI/AAAAAAAADOQ/WOWcXHdHj9oPil8odKFczGoplkWSq_ApQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Santanas_Jeffe.jpg)
Jeffe's sleeveless t-shirt was morphed into a leather vets, and I added a knife to turn the peace sign into V for Victory!
I haven't talked about the actual REAL first step, yet -- silly me! Modifying the figures from Tedious Hippie Scum, one of the packs I bought, (https://www.castingroomminiatures.com/collections/street-fighters/products/street-fighters-tedious-hippie-scum) or Leather Gals and Boys, the other, (https://www.castingroomminiatures.com/collections/street-fighters/products/street-fighters-leather-gals-and-boys) into a mostly-armed street gang. The Leather dudes I didn't have to do anything to at all -- bare-bellied Cruz already had a chain, El Lobo carried a baseball bat, Margarita concealed her pistol, and Ramona and Julio brandished their fists. The two hippies needed modification, though. Jeffe was given a knife in his right hand (I guess the two fingers doesn't mean peace, it is "V" for Victory!). I modified Mańana by giving him a length of jewelry chain between his outstretched hands. I was very happy with how it turned out.
In fact, I was incredibly happy with how The Santanas turned out. This will be my last gang for awhile. I now have ten, which is more than enough for the games I'll be running (whenever we get to meet in person to run games again!). Hope you enjoyed The Santanas!
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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Lovely work on these - the thought that's gone into each of them really shines through!
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8DzVLUVuic/XrNkTuSBSjI/AAAAAAAAC2I/Vp5OypkE3YszzDNclBwcdymh_CWl6V4YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Mohawks_PumpsWipers.jpg)
The Indianola Mohawks take over the local gas station
Next up in my thread detailing my street gangs for Mean Streets: War in Gang-infested Cities is the Indianola Mohawks - my punk rocker gang.
While researching the names of manufacturers who make 28mm miniatures that would be good for street gangs, I came up on Casting Room Miniatures (https://www.castingroomminiatures.com/). Even though I felt that I had enough street gangs already to run my game, I couldn't resist buying three of these packs. They covered types of gangs I didn't have already, and the figures had lots of characters. So, I ordered them from England, wondering how much extra time they'd take with the Coronavirus lockdown.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2IY-eFUJBmo/XrNkTlfKH2I/AAAAAAAAC2A/D4QsVD728wE2RYWKmQxZAR51K2dWUXikgCEwYBhgL/s640/Mohawks_Iggy_Julius.jpg)
Iggy and Julius look around for some civilians to harass and intimidate - I love the hairstyles on these figures!
To my surprise, they arrived within two weeks. The three packs I bought were Street Scumbags, Leather Gals and Boys, and Tedious Hippie Scum. With only five figures to a pack, I decided to break them into two gangs -- punk rockers and heavy metal heads. I split the Hippie Scum bag up, two to each new gang, and filed away the remaining placard-carrying figure for another day.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZzaUTm1Jr0/XrNkSqkagMI/AAAAAAAAC2U/HQ3lw92Ya_k24QwBt28Ks4k7DTrh3z6cQCEwYBhgL/s640/Mohawks_Ian_Kira.jpg)
Ian toasts the gang overrunning the station, while Kira gets annoyed at some girl giving her the stink eye
The Street Scumbags would form the nucleus of the punk rocker gang, which I chose to call the Indianola Mohawks. Indianola is a street running alongside OSU campus, north of downtown, and seemed a good neighborhood to locate a gang. Mohawks, well, many of the figure had mohawks, and Indian, Indianola...get it? I did some Google searches to come up with a gang logo, and settled upon a skull with sunglasses and a red mohawk. I also did lots of searches on punk clothes, hairstyles, and t-shirts.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zALX5JQDQo/XrNkTqwoiII/AAAAAAAAC2M/1WskFXJpS5oVFT9QDSw9dhAiIsSja1qwQCEwYBhgL/s640/Mohawks_Maybel_Sid.jpg)
I love how Maybel's blue hair came out, and Sid is a classic looking punk, spoiling for a fight
I really liked the Casting Room Miniatures. I did have to give most of them weapons. I took snippings of lead spears flattened with pliers for knives, a wire spear with no spearpoint for iron rods, and jeweler's chain for, well, a chain! I really like how the weapons worked into the figures, and felt they looked natural with the poses. My favorite was how the hippie girl who was holding her hands in the air worked perfect for stretching a chain over her head. In fact, she ended up being one of my favorite figures from this gang!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeX6Y4uIPyQ/XrNkTllnrtI/AAAAAAAAC2U/sYHmQ7nuq1M-TcJn-I0fUhcwVMMLFm_HgCEwYBhgL/s640/Mohawks_Patti.jpg)
Tattoos, piercings, and bright punk rocker hair made the Casting Room minis come to life
After looking at images online, I decided all the punk rockers would wear black, with a brighter accent color. The leather jacks and vests would be black with bright silver zippers or studs. The t-shirts, vests, jackets, and Maybel's skirt would get gang logos on the back. However, the t-shirts looked too plain with nothing on the front. So, I looked up punk bands and then added those names to "punk" "tshirt" searches. I picked out the easiest to paint -- a Public Image Limited logo, Dead Kennedys symbol, and Black Flag's logo.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVWuJMEtK7I/XrNkSsmggAI/AAAAAAAAC2c/--ZpZ25Avt49gUiW25DKo8yAfrOrw_GcgCEwYBhgL/s640/Mohawks_GasStation.jpg)
The gang swarms the WizKids prepainted gas station accessories
I spent a lot of time decided on hair colors, too. Bizarre hair has always been one of punk rock's most noticeable icons, so I wanted to do it up right. My favorite turned out to be Iggy's rainbow effect mohawk. I also really like how Maybel's blue hair came out, too. Once I was finished with the t-shirt logos, I decided to go ahead and give them tattoos, as well. I'm happy with how all the extra stuff I painted on these turned out.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0X5FfML_QkU/XrNkSoRcGkI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/BdBQou1w8kEgTJbAt3aau6EC6frzEBCaQCEwYBhgL/s640/Mohawks_GasStationService.jpg)
Iggy and Sid check out the Service Entrance to my Sarissa Precision MDF gas station
When it came time to take pictures of the gang, I decided to set up a recent purchase of mine. I am trying to support the brick and mortar gaming stores in the area. One avid supporter of the wargaming scene is Fun Factory Hobbies in Mt. Gilead, north of Columbus. I messaged him on Facebook, and he patiently went through what he had that I might be interested in. I ended up buying the WizKids 4D Gas Station from him. It contains 25 pre-painted pieces, such as pumps, ice and soda machines, propane tank, trash cans, air pump, and more. I may go back and add yellow trim on the pumps so they match my MDF shell station, but these images are straight out of the box.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lHVvFBgW1k/XrNkTcLsLVI/AAAAAAAAC2c/WksdhXNTwkwgv8Ejgumb8vhn_YtM1yXnQCEwYBhgL/s640/Mohawks_IceMachine.jpg)
Helping themselves to a little ice and soda...
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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Very nice terrain too!
I've been pondering the possibilities of gas station when I get to city building — I've found some 1/64 1970s style pumps to start with.
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Thanks! I found the Sarissa Precision building very nice and easy to put together. I did NOT use the pumps that came with it, though.
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2019/07/mdf-gas-station-for-my-28mm-urban.html
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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That does look like a nice kit, but also more modern image than the "sometime in the 70s and no one around here drives new cars" period I'm aiming for.
I've collected a bunch of 1/64 cars from EBay that are mostly 67-72. And Greenlight's Ace Ventura's 72 Monte Carlo ain't exactly a newer model car. lol
In the mail now is a Johnny Lightning Texaco diorama with a 65 Chevy pickup, very nice 60s pumps, and a station front facade that looks proper for an uptown location. 60s pumps are a closer look to 70s ones than the more modern styles. I'll probably wind up scratchbuilding the rest of the station to go behind the front wall.
[edit: and I've come across photos of the 60s style still in use in the 70s]
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I saw the title of this thread and thought "Nah... can't be THAT Indianola."
But I was wrong! Very cool. I grew up in Grandview, lived on Summit for a while in college. Of course, OSU's campus looks nothing like the place I knew. I'm not sure your ruffians would be welcome there anymore, but I saw plenty like them at the old Insomnia Coffee Shop or the Newport. Good times.
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That's awesome, Andrew! Yep...check out my Lead Legionaries blog with all my different gangs and their neighborhoods. Your Grandview got an early influx of Nepalis in my world (Grandview Gurkhas). lol
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/search/label/Gang%20Warfare
Whereabouts are you located now?
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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My brother lived on Indianola, just south of N. Broadway, for years. Hmm - I don't remember seeing anybody like these types. Might have been a bit north of where they would have been... :)
Edit: The figures sure look good, though!
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrIL7iF7htI/XmW5BWE9RuI/AAAAAAAACpc/iJjRyJ3I8JQVMrzWBQaeieSH-pkR2F5PACEwYBhgL/s640/CincyMeanStreets2020_HighlandersPassBball.jpg)
The Hilltop Highlanders ready for a rumble as they pass by the local basketball court
The next gang up from my Mean Streets project is the Hilltop Highlanders. This was the second gang I painted using miniatures from The Assault Group. They have quite the range of modern ne'er do wells, and are perfect for modern street gangs for my rules.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjQnJceFo2k/XS6StlKmSXI/AAAAAAAAB5s/BKH2eRTHfkAbUY8X-UZCgczp8LkyEeuAgCLcBGAs/s640/HighlandersLeader%2BDownCoat.jpg)
These miniatures from The Assault Group are some of my favorite ones I have painted in this project
The Hilltop is a neighborhood on the West side of Columbus with a somewhat rough reputation, so it was only natural that I locate one of my gangs there. The Hilltop was mostly working class white when I was going to high school. I thought I would play off of the "Hilltop" name and call the gang the Hilltop Highlanders. For their gang apparel, I thought why not paint their pants as trews (or golf pants, if you prefer)?
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LtvhgMqe6WY/XVoa9l6eBzI/AAAAAAAACBk/-rY2y2olXt0Xy4kq1gX6Lbi9mtz1IwfOwCLcBGAs/s640/GangWarfarePlay2_HighlanderAlley.jpg)
The Hilltop Highlanders patrol an alley in the "Mean Streets" of Columbus
The Assault Group figures have a lot of character, and these probably have the most. I did not like how any of my other figures I own mixed with them, so this gang has only eight figures, fewer than the 10-12 of my earlier gangs. For the trews, I decided to go a couple steps further than I have in the past for painting tartan patterns. I began with a deep red, drybrushed a brighter red. Next, I did a "window pane" of horizontal and vertical lines in dark brown. This is where I usually stop on tartan patterns, but I decided to add more. Next, came a thin, vertical yellow line in between the two brown ones. Finally, I added a dot of Kelly green at the intersection of each vertical and horizontal brown line. I really like the effect it gave.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6LSgzgBDXg/XS6SvZJZK_I/AAAAAAAAB6A/-Ezukvvau8QijFGEukINuTrivM2hUqmMgCEwYBhgL/s640/HighlandersBench%2BAxe.jpg)
The Cincinnati Reds baseball jersey will not go down in history as the best-ever paint job, but I like it!
Since the pants were the gang identifier, it allowed me to be a bit more creative and use more variety in their shirts or tops. As you saw above, I painted one as a Cincinnati Reds Johnny Bench jersey. Another had one of those blue down jackets that were so popular back when I was growing up. Others had leather jackets, and there was even one with a tie -- he must have a job that makes him dress up! The one with the scarf wrapped around his head gave me a pause. In this working class white gang, an Arab head scarf would hardly be welcome. So, I decided to give him a flag-looking one for a suitably patriotic look!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ci_MO76wP80/XmW5A2luJHI/AAAAAAAACpQ/nUHEfZ7jNW0hNPV7XoovCQefrniz1LTeQCEwYBhgL/s640/CincyMeanStreets2020_HighlandersLine01.jpg)
Side by side, the Hilltop Highlanders advance on a rival gang in a game of Mean Streets
Oh, and thanks for all the kind comments on my gangs! I really appreciate it. :)
Columbus is a relatively diverse city, so I wanted to make sure I represented all "ethnic groups." I knew some folks who grew up on the west side of town, and it was definitely a blue collar area. So, the Hilltop Highlanders represent that part of the community in my tabletop games.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EavJVfS7gOc/XS6SxVjN0GI/AAAAAAAAB6E/tsk0Luy7gXgmG7WHUJ10GsNMhBboewuNACEwYBhgL/s640/HighlandersShades%2BTie.jpg)
Closeups of a couple more gang members
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLWX3MtZkww/XkYRH5oIMBI/AAAAAAAACiA/zS0MrPySd407xA5hr7wvUZAQH9v4rQSewCEwYBhgL/s1600/StJennys_3QtrsL_StreetLevel.jpg)
Shaking down a church? Or maybe just looking for some money to steal from the collection plate...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqjG8TM1M3E/XS6SuNr6XGI/AAAAAAAAB6E/z1GinjKzHCYre3afsq8AoL_qBeXd8ojiQCEwYBhgL/s640/HighlandersRWB%2BNumchuks.jpg)
I was pretty happy with how the red, white, and blue scarf came out on this gang member
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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Great tartans and overall gang!
Sweet chainlink fence too.
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Thank you, sir! As you can probably tell, it was a scratch-build. Here's my post on it, in case anyone is curious:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2019/04/scratch-building-chain-link-fences.html
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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Ooh, thanks for documenting the first draft mistakes, that is always helpful!
—Ms. Cat
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I am in Lancaster now. No longer in Columbus. Had to dig back a way to find the Gurkhas. My childhood recollection would have been more like the Grandview Guidos, being the home of the Columbus Italian Club (CIC) and all. lol
The Bexley Blockwatch and associated figures had me giggling. The leader in the jacket and cravat fit just about perfectly. I can also appreciate the Sons of Thor, but they need a Schmidt's Sausage Haus as their home base!
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Thanks for going that far back in my blog posts! Yeah, I did a little time warp bringing in the Nepali immigrants (aka Gurkhas) back in my more retro time period. In the beginning, I was trying to do this entire project without buying new miniatures. That's why I chose those Old Glory figs and made them the Gurkhas. One of my longtime gaming friends lives in Bexley, so I could SO see them getting together and trying to kick the young 'uns out of their neighborhood. Funny, in our games, the old timers usually get beat down fairly handily... lol
Thanks for posting. Reminds me I need to add in a new gang to this thread, soon.
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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I'm going to be up in Grandview in the next week or so. My wife wants to visit the High School for an open house prior to a renovation. I will definitely keep my eye open for any Gurkhas lurking about!
Now, post those new gangs already! lol
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Keep an eye out, indeed! Those nasty knives of theirs...!
You are correct...I have been negligent in posting more gangs. I will get on that presently!! Thanks for the reminder, and enjoy your time in town. Let me know if you want to have a beer in a local brewpub. ;D
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssKANUfpoUI/XmW4_-XqoiI/AAAAAAAACoc/sDruj0BbdmgAzNiRx6Jb0vCukPkdXANUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/CincyMeanStreets2020_FlipposShellStation03.jpg)
The Franklinton Flippos go looking for trouble at the corner shell station
My apologies for being a slacker and not posting another of my gangs for awhile! The end of the school year was "crunch time" as a teacher. Plus, I was getting ready to run the game at a local convention -- post coming on that soon, as well! To make up for the layoff, here's my creepiest gang of them all, the Franklinton Flippos!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xiTnZEsbaD4/XmW4_V9LOSI/AAAAAAAACpE/IS5VOZymDSo60c-etpn9jsdzIDbp9wevQCEwYBhgL/s640/CincyMeanStreets2020_FlipposShellStation02.jpg)
Creepy clown facesmare enough to unnevere just about anyone on the streets
The figures come from The Assault Group's two packs, Rioters in Clown Masks (https://theassaultgroup.co.uk/product/rioters-in-clown-masks/) and Rioters in Anonymous Masks (https://theassaultgroup.co.uk/product/rioters-in-anonymous-masks/). If you prefer guns, they also make a Goons in Clown Masks pack, but my gang warfare is based off of the 1979 cult movie classic, The Warriors. So, guns are frowned upon.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNo3zk6_Zgs/XmW49fB4snI/AAAAAAAACpM/K-Ak9OSaQuAbRa1cRHUj8uPTp1Gm5V9QACEwYBhgL/s640/CincyMeanStreets2020_BigRumble05.jpg)
Clown Down! The Flippos mix it up with the Linden Daos on the streets of Columbus
Anyway, the "Franklinton" comes from one of the neighborhoods in my hometown of Columbus. I am basing all my gangs in my city to give it a local feel and storyline for our games. The "Flippos" part comes from a local TV show back when I was a kid -- Flippo the Clown. He was a local celebrity of sorts, and I've painted the gang's colors to be a nod to his clown costume.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWrjbgmR_ak/XmW4-5zqyVI/AAAAAAAACpU/zSY6T84byb0Ih9zrMVWGpeitrsjzxk5nQCEwYBhgL/s640/CincyMeanStreets2020_FlipposShellStation01.jpg)
Looking to bust some heads, the Flippos prowl the streets
The most noticeable part of the gang is the masks, of course. I did the best I could to make them look like Flippo's clown paint that he wore. His wig was red, so of course the hair sticking off of the masks was painted to match that scheme, as well. Of course, clowns themselves have become part of our culture as "creepy," so all the better for a gang to choose a look that unnerves their opponents and people on the streets!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a838ogMx9Xc/XmW4-bAANkI/AAAAAAAACpc/R77nSOTrSy4LpXLXBaC5N34E_IluDXzAACEwYBhgL/s640/CincyMeanStreets2020_FlipposInStreets01.jpg)
What would you do if you saw a bunch of these guys headed your way?
The shirts are all painted as blue with white polka dots. Flippos costume was bluel and had white pom-poms on it. So, I figured this gave a good tribute to it. The gang members' pants are a mix - some jeans, shorts, or black pants. The figure with the leather jacket was painted with a clown logo on back.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ6vADW3Qe0/YKHFfxFVTrI/AAAAAAAAE0s/n74vdl2Z3C4wXdM1XE4sWJ5n87YcvUCgwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h246/Flippos%2BStealing%2BCar.jpg)
The Flippos look to steal a car from the Service Department
This gang has actually become one of the ones I field in all of my games I run at conventions. They make quite the splash on the tabletop, and are over-the-top kind of like the "Baseball Furies" in the movie. There's something about a bunch of idiotically grinning group of clowns coming at you that makes you want to either run away or go pound them just to knock that stupid smile off their face! lol
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-tElc5yr6Q/YKHGi5b1RfI/AAAAAAAAE1E/mhlRzUi_2gAmZJPW47fxBmP-dSjwVslJACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h452/Flippos%2BMotel.jpg)
Looking to create some mischief near the motel
The pics are all from various games I have run with the Flippos in action. Hope you enjoy them!
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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Yeah, Flippo the Clown works much better as a gang inspiration than the local TV show we had here in Boston — Bozo the Clown!
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I wonder if the Flippos are a branch of the Juggalos... lol lol
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I wonder if the Flippos are a branch of the Juggalos... lol lol
Depending on the game, they have fought like that a time or two...! lol
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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Great new gang. A while back we had a run of "creepy clown" sightings throughout central Ohio. Someone dressed as a creepy clown standing on a street corner at 2am holding balloons and just... standing there. People were getting pretty freaked out by it. Even worse if those clowns started to carry bats and quietly hum nursery rhymes as they swarmed down the street.
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I had completely forgotten about that...! Now I remember the news reports... :o
And yes, carrying baseball bats instead of balloons would make them more menacing. lol
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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When clown masks are outlawed, only outlaws will be clowns!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_clown_sightings#Clown_costume_bans_and_withdrawals
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Clowns are scary no matter what.
Every consider doing a “guardian angels” type gang?
And where are the cops to break this all up? (End of game event?)
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I actually have an idea for conventions when a player is knocked out early in the game (usually doesn't happen, but players do strange things sometimes at conventions). They will be given two police cars and 4 cops to show up on the table edge of their choice. They'll use their billy clubs until one of the officers is knocked out or down. Then, they are allowed to pull out their pistols. :o
One of my regular players actually suggested that as a randomized end of game -- everybody scatters when the cops arrive. I may still do that, but hate to cut a game short if everyone is having fun...
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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I've been pondering something to do with cop cars, I've got some nice NYC ones and light bars to swap in to make them perfect for The Warriors. At the very least, they could be a real clock time the game will end next turn because the session will be ending thing to bring on.
I like the billy clubs until knocked down idea too.
I've also pondered Guardian Angels — they could arrive at the nearest train station. Corvus Games Terrain has beautiful STL files for subway and elevated stations with track and cars!
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Ooh, and Crooked Dice just posted some photos on the 7TV FB group of some lovely cops. They have a pack of 4 with clubs, and then a pack of 4 with pistols to swap in when needed:
https://crooked-dice.co.uk/product/lawmen/
They have some other figures I've been looking at recently, time to go browsing through their shop... There are some entertaining gang options, and nice heads for making custom gangs, including male and female heads with berets for Guardian Angels.
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0jAOy5y0JDQ/XneArzbvRXI/AAAAAAAACxo/iFdKiocQ7iEwM77bfV2d6uZDnX_lk6-QQCEwYBhgL/s640/Police_Dumpster.jpg)
My police officers are from Ral Partha / Iron Wind Metals, I believe. They usually come to conventions in our area and bring bins of loose lead to sort through. That's where I have picked up a number of my Pulp type figures.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C8R_f-Pbviw/XneAr04vtHI/AAAAAAAACxk/W-sGLRK87sY8u7l7go8HCr7lAYNf0faCACEwYBhgL/s640/Police_Barrels.jpg)
I know some of them are a tad smaller than current 28mm figs, but not ridiculously so, I think.
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dqwpDEGGR5E/Xk4IRJSZcnI/AAAAAAAACkI/T_r8ON8kKTEFMufQ63qkMCzL9BfRm1GmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/HighlandersVsKings01.jpg)
The Eastmoor Kings, on left, rumble with one of the previous gangs I posted here, the Hilltop Highlanders
Time for another gang to be posted here -- it has been a couple weeks since I put up pictures of the Flippos. So, here is the gang I usually end up playing in our games on Sunday nights - the Eastmoor Kings!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mbK6B95OP7Q/Xk4I1wbALTI/AAAAAAAACkU/sWjFk4HE-fQv5CJj6oKyA6SRwFPpDFPWACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/SidewalkEastmoorKings01.jpg)
The gang gathers on a street corner, ready to go out and look for some action!
I purchased figures from The Assault Group from their Ultra Modern line (https://theassaultgroup.co.uk/product-category/ultra-modern/) in their "rioters" packs, and they are perfect for this period. I tossed in a couple figures I had already to supplement what I purchased, but most of these figures are straight out of the pack, unmodified.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXhPtuzpFg0/XjocCu5vVNI/AAAAAAAACeI/y0jhVnMFJFM1-wdSR06Nb9HN48Q9g9lngCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Brewpub_Entrance.jpg)
Some brews sound like the perfect thing to relax with after bashing in the heads of rival gang members
When I was going to high school in Columbus, Eastmoor was always a "scary" school. It was largely an African-American school (two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin went there!). So, it seemed a natural to name an African-American gang like the Kings after that school. Why the Kings? I did a Google search on gang logos and symbols, and The Kings kept coming up. It seemed like an appropriate gang name. Plus, I felt I could handle painting a crown with an "E" inside of it on their gang apparel.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vK51eRnLyUQ/XjocCcCaG5I/AAAAAAAACec/JkKoRutz7kc3eZ3rISAJxKK-eVIRkWwOACEwYBhgL/s640/Brewpub_BackDoor.jpg)
No need to go in through the front door, let's just slip in the back and grab a few six-packs!
I gave most of the gang members jeans or gym shorts. I really like how the leader with the pistol came out, though, with the purple sweat pants. I am basing my games on the world of the Hollywood movie, The Warriors (except set in Columbus instead of New York City). Like in the movie, the gangs will prefer melee weapons rather than firearms. However, the figures was too good to not use, so he will make it onto the tabletop.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mN1HmwSazJI/XqRfvQ8clSI/AAAAAAAAC1M/n1SDyH_5ueYX_ODUQ69m3ytm-5IH28ViwCEwYBhgL/s640/Motel_Sign.jpg)
"Somewhere out on that horizon...I know there must be something better" - kicking back and looking out over the city after a night on the streets
I also like how the gang logo came out, with a stylized light green crown with a black "E" on it. This is definitely a gang I will need to test out writing the gang members names on the edges of the bases. A couple of the figures look very similar, so the last thing I want my players at a convention to get confused about is who's who. I usually give the players cards for each gang member or a printout of their list with pictures pasted in of the figure next to it.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-_3Bn9VZUU/XqRftqwgk-I/AAAAAAAAC1Q/AaQ_kyrMdA4MNad_CoHlqgWQGk2WAcLHQCEwYBhgL/s640/Motel_AngledView.jpg)
Looking to get lucky at the motel... lol
I wasn't crazy about the molotov cocktails that some of the figures came with, but they are such cool sculpts that I painted them up for the gang. I thought about snipping off what looks like the fuse, but figured that one day I may want to include molotov cocktails in the game! So, instead I painted them up as beer bottles. I rationalize in the game that they are a beer the gang member is carrying around and drinking. When it comes time to rumble, they break the bottle and it becomes a handy knife!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWc7wNP9Ukg/XS6PLdy1_dI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/RKXhfUfscpsAtAuM8WpxZzXw0pjDyQHdACLcBGAs/s640/Kings_PistolScarf.jpg)
A close up of the two figures I use most often for the Gang Boss of the Eastmoor Kings
Hope you guys enjoy the gang! Keep the great comments coming, and stay tuned for more of my gangs!
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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Ooh, that's good to know on the RP. My collection ranges from 25–28, and some 30s which give a great natural height range. Mixing some RP and Crooked Dice will be perfect here.
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I played Mike's Eastmoor Kings at our recent Drums at the Rapids convention. Great gang - as Mike mentioned on another thread here, I won the game with them! Also, as far as Crooked Dice's police go, they have 5 sets - all with 4 figs and plenty of head/hat options (bare head, "bus driver" hats, "Smokey-the-Bear" hats, and baseball caps. The sets even have female officers! Each of the 5 sets have different weapon options - one set each of batons, pistols (semi-autos), shotguns, patrol rifles, and bolt-action rifles. Without meaning to horn in on Mike's thread, here are some pics of those police officers I recently painted up...
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Thanks, Jim! And those are some great figs. Need to find a way to work the coppers into my games, too... :D
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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These are really well done. Cat's idea about "The Warriors" has some merit. The baseball furies are really cool.
Ahh the movies of the 80s. I think I'll need to make the Duke of New York and his crazy flunky as a project sometime soon.
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUkVBQ8KR6w/W_B-lDNmmvI/AAAAAAAABjk/BhSUGxosPdw3cPwvyZ3htVwcN0cFY5ZrwCLcBGAs/s640/Daos_GangAbove.jpg)
"Can you dig it, suckas...?" - the first of my gangs I painted up for my Mean Streets rules
Time to add another of my street gangs to this thread. This time, it will be my very first gang I painted up -- the Linden Daos. They were modeled after the Riffs from the Warriors movie. Essentially, it is a black martial arts gang. I picked a color combination for their uniforms that is bright and bold, as were the styles back in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfpR-WV_m_A/W_B-l-TbMEI/AAAAAAAABkA/QYdULNeEUrkVZSElTcH1nrWY-2twlWnXQCEwYBhgL/s640/Daos_BackEntrance.jpg)
I used the Kung Fu Fighters box from the 28mm Mega Miniatures line
The rank and file gang members are from the Kung Fu Fighters box from Mega Miniatures, which appear to be out of production. I had actually already painted up 12 figures of from the box as the Order of the Fire Coral for my 28mm Pulp campaign. I had only four of the poses from the box, left over. Luckily, these were the unarmed punching and kicking poses, which is what I wanted for this gang. I gave them purple pants and yellow shirts. I liked the contrast that the yellow would make against the dark brown I used for their skin color. Their gang symbol was the Yin-Yang Daoist symbol, one in black and white, to reflect their commitment to martial arts.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WA_eBTcc0ng/XVoa4KeOnjI/AAAAAAAACBc/Lt43C81MgDUHJaV2z8hqusm1k5ftvLzlQCLcBGAs/s640/GangWarfarePlay2_DaosTurf.jpg)
Hearing another gang is entering their turf, the Daos move out onto the streets around Jack and Benny's Old-Time Diner
As I mentioned before, all of my fictional gangs are set in actual Columbus, Ohio, neighborhoods. Linden is not far from the area I grew up in, and is predominantly black neighborhood. So, it made sense to base the Daos there. For the leaders of the gang, I used repurposed miniatures from Pulp Figures. The female figure is from their Oriental Street Personalities line, and is meant to be hold a parasol. However, I felt her pose without the parasol worked well as a martial arts one.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PLMPSBBoqcw/W_B-p3kTEvI/AAAAAAAABkA/xyyoSvvh66M3xk5Ur9yA4vCDHOuiSNcVQCEwYBhgL/s640/Daos_Leaders.jpg)
The leaders of the Linden Daos, which I believe are all from Pulp Figures
The other two leaders I also believe are from Pulp Figures. The leader holding the pipe is from their Chinese civilians line, I believe. I am not sure where the guy with the turban and sword is from, unfortunately. I liked his pipe and cane -- I thought it made him look like one of those "old martial arts masters." You know, the ones that look elderly and frail, but then proceed to kick the snot out of arrogant young bullies! lol
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EH3K9J6_HK4/W_B-pmCq8rI/AAAAAAAABj8/UUhfezRSwtcfkkrmlgMtuXOJUMUakRvUACEwYBhgL/s640/Daos_FrontEntrance.jpg)
lThe Linden Daos
Their basing was an early iteration of using blended gray ballast from Woodland Scenics. I used the medium weight ballast that I already had, but later decided to go with the fine. I also did a black wash over the ballast to tone down its brightness and dirty it up a little. I've considered going back and fixing the basing, but likely won't do it. Having one gang on the tabletop whose flocking doesn't match the others is hardly a major problem.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqUqFw-cJPU/XKWFiNAyrII/AAAAAAAABwY/xpdGSc5yrzA1ZTF7EHZI5WnA2bUgbH1zwCLcBGAs/s640/ChainLinkPainted_CloseUp2.jpg)
The Linden Daos stake out their territory on the neighborhood basketball court
The Daos did most of their street fighting in my early games of Mean Streets. Lately, I've been using my newer gangs like the Santanas and the Mohawks in my convention games. They are very colorful, though, and I probably should get them back into another rumble soon!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRpRPUEapdg/XBMjBkr5f4I/AAAAAAAABnE/jqwstJ560agbVt2osQE0Df_mWX6aDSWmACEwYBhgL/s640/JackBennysDiner_FrontGround.jpg)
Everyone on the streets knows that Jack and Benny's Old Time Diner is Linden Dao turf!
Hope you enjoy the pictures! Thanks for all the comments on this thread, so far...
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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A great gang — and the old Mega Miniatures are back in production via Turnkey Miniatures:
http://www.turnkeyminiatures.com/
They also have a bunch of great civilians, and I found a few of their Fantasy figures work pretty well too. Their shopping cart has been a bit wonky, and their vendor is still working on it. Apparently, small orders go through OK, but with large orders the cart empties when you try to check out.
: P
I was finally able to get my order through by emailing them a screencap of my cart contents and then they sent a PayPal invoice.
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Thanks for the info -- I liked Mega Miniatures for their unusual miniatures. Glad to hear they're back in production.
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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Love ‘em...excellent choice of minis
:)
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The gas pumps and such are from the WizKids gas station terrain kit. A great set, I have one. Also comes with ice machine, propane tank, barrels, etc. I'll be making an "Orbit" gas station (yes, it's a real chain) some time in the future and will post the write up when it's done. More projects on the bench before that though.
Nice set and minis here. I'll have to get a copy of the Mean Street rules. Looks like fun times.
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Another cool gang, Mike. Well done!
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Very nice!
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(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gItUisrrLc0fg-sdkLOgBoKXyr0V-HMigcBOL4t8J-g2aWCD-5fauJ9pEYLEhGDTFh9I1bFWudV7diJ0DFdlnGKa57DWkuFw3K_Nv7DPRgbrgbL_7Jt2xD15R1Grc97q3E9apSp7TFIKBDw8fC16wXfQk4H2V0OKPqP-MGpD6c68qGuU9lBp9mUsSSA/w640-h376/SlumbersMotel_GangTakeover.jpg)
I normally just showcase my miniatures in this thread, but I thought I'd make an exception with this building. It is from Miniature Building Authority and is their Two Story Shantytown Hotel. I bought it at a local convention and it took a year, but finally got it all painted up.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ueNJ5U0GRl4cfL9uLybsd0ToTpUnHbxXorB8vMc4OCij-2FCWpifu5yyHyKYcYqf22ZI5VN8Hzwobum8tVwP3qxPANkXdx3st9n3NWbXF4OyhrD6G8j0gzj2Lr9KkMQV4NRpsce95yhSaBkI0wRJyDNj_X4Co8QhwFdq-uIhtq2DOMuOx-bSfqQvjQM/w640-h494/SlumbersMotel_3Pieces.jpg)
Once the two balconies are glued on, it is essentially three pieces of hefty resin: upper floor, lower floor, and roof. I did add a strip a wooden molding on the front of the lower floor to help hold the upper floor in place. The top step of the stone staircase, which is glued to the lower floor, helps hold it from shifting, too. I considered using magnets, but feel it is big enough with a wide enough footprint that the chances of it slipping significantly during play are slim.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA823h-VfhyphenhyphenLkS8ioxZgmbZkWTE0L-poIx-imnzTMEbT8Yd8c42bd5seQLfg6aW9g_4GPbWYVuBmwMVzMq6JDEJHfT-UYiPdDSuaFl9tnvHKSKpjbinuZe2Z2PndFD_b0OpYLuu5Xs6OJpGIZ4U7CPoY00PzMQenPZA0avv3ZLfJl642nUMNi9k2OVnzQ/w640-h598/SlumbersMotel_Back%203:4.jpg)
There is an impressive amount of detail molded onto this model. Each room has an air conditioning unit attached along the back side of the building. There are wires that run to each unit, and even metal brackets that would hold the cords in place affixed onto the outer walls. The craziest detail is the trash and debris in the corridors!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheICeMfQeydwE-FIQ52j6p_xavpiRUlLPS_Zxw3CHUGrsDJNPSSYNIovB8zaVSfmdFytoPP8RP6X7VkJuXUVLxAzR_VvD7ZXRupkxdvKT8fpWKNZNdMyafBnVTrE_KU7rYDKr5yqoO1ODF0Jv4MJPdR6UR2CtxHNpmHP7svN5OnjYbPmIwKBlhGwwctf0/w542-h640/SlumbersMotel_Corridor.jpg)
I followed my usual recipe for painting a resin building. I spray painted it first in Krylon Matte Black. Next, I went over it all in a 50/50 mix of acrylic black paint and water. This allows the color to seep into all the crevices. Next, I did a heavy wetbrush of Howard Hues Camo Brown paint for the exterior walls. This was followed up by a dry brush of HH Colonial Khaki paint. For the interior rooms, which I actually completed first, I used four different pastel type colors. I did the tile floor in a contrasting color.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCOoTtliC1K6oGQ9XQbMmGEvQDFDdjDTUXIYik_-Bp-ksrMKDv2HPoNp1DFEo8aGMOlX5FlEVVIm2j_oRTuKzX3-r2vwaZbCtst2jwpzadSgr2Kkx535ZTdjSAgcZqSYyU72o5khaN-M-RLsGX7IAjMP1R5mlzXHxvbc6z51QylH3BDgN69uqi_tlCXI/w640-h568/SlumbersMotel_GetAroom.jpg)
The next step was doing all of the details -- window and door frames, blinds for the windows, doors, door handles, air conditioning units, cords, metal brackets...yikes! There was a LOT to do on this model, but I am very happy with how it came out. That's part of the reasons I am resurrecting this thread because it seems the best place to show it off.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichBhJ1L477m_HhUi4UyTAYLl6WunRy5vlBhAmbd7-YSuglkTsF2ltnlAik5200CVqh-kb7OaMCVwYJF2VGwB3h3jgmPV8pDt4dcEqYP2YIAIGG9gbzA81iBcI1sqpHNbnfTosScxgxB_mstWWDL13NMr243QhugJDXTVLVVtDVJ2jnHzl4j5HwJuBjC0/w640-h620/SlumbersMotel_Stairway.jpg)
After each section was painted, I went over it with a watered down dark brown Vallejo Vehicle Wash. I really like the creamy look this gave the outer walls. I always think a light wash over a dry brushed surface does a nice job of softening the look and blending the brush strokes.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj1qp37vfI0b5ehzMGKeyrl7xarecSKfsMIfdyjOa-9iCqAz5eGOwsBm3hsWN3ak4iCSDip76kZ88y3Pf2_-z3wiMm29fKMqGGP6tFGQpk9vZLCNKE0PgZsLlUYLBF52CMrejiWjyiB_UizgzzNfOgoOQkVjNH-A2V2EgMGgQKPGHn-rNi0kFR9P1s0Y/w640-h304/SlumbersMotel_RoomInteriors.jpg)
I posed one of my 28mm street gangs for my rules, Mean Streets: War in gang-infested cities (http://www.firstcommandwargames.com/mean-streets.html) in an amongst the motel for effect. I can definitely foresee some gang rumbles taking place over this hotel in the future!
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hz3W4jXz2pUqga6JPk3J6F_u3aMA5-PedMjJCHRVx67zKMQSJln6vIjoGxnGMrmh4EsSB40wSJl7YWXPfLG5F5hgVHwnkJPRlxORw_HvxOFczqhOUMpEb1VdSCA0k9EhMbserL6xbPqO_39krFqMcto5wbC7kgRhxrQXUIp1wyfZQkv1HKIA8Xrih9E/w640-h480/SlumbersMotel_GangTakeoverClose.jpg)
Hope you enjoyed it, and I highly recommend MBA's excellent buildings and scatter terrain (https://www.miniaturebuildingauthority.com/)!
Mike Demana
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Ooh — fun model and painted up very nicely!
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Lovely painting.
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Great job on that motel! I've gotta get one of those!
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That motel looks great, Mike! I really like the shot looking down the balcony...