The most recent project - Raging Heroes

This is another side project that's been bubbling under and I decided to try get beyond the bare metal / resin stage. I don't think these will make it to a game and are more just for the painting challenge.   

First, the metal figures. These figures are 32mm and intended as substitute figures for the warhamsters or other skirmish games. They are lovely figures and go under the name of sci-fi blood vestals! Whatever! Here they are, undercoated white. I did this batch of undercoating with the airbrush.  

Next, the first resin figures. These are the fantasy version, and are called Daughters of the Orphanage.

Now, these were my first resin figures are there was a little bit of swearing going on as I assembled them. The resin is quite brittle and care has to be taken cutting them from sprues. The detail is very good but the components like swords or ornaments are fragile and can break. Thankfully, superglue easily bonds the resin to repair breaks. I gave them a wash in warm soapy water and then sprayed the undercoat.   

Lastly, three more resin figures. These were as delicate and fragile as the previous batch, and more swearing ensued during assembly. But this was minor compared to language when washing the figures to remove the resin mould release agent. It took several washings, including one after my first spraying attempt when I had to remove the undercoat and wash them again. Finally I brushed on Fairy liquid from the bottle and let them soak before brushing and washing the figures again, and at last I got to a stage where they could be undercoated.  

And here's what they are now starting to look like. I airbrushed the skin with Vallejo Game Air elf flesh, then gave the figures a sort of wash lining of shadows and folds with a mixture of sepia and fleshtone washes. The result is OK so far. 

Now, in the past couple of years, I've become a convert to plastic figures, but my experience here with resin makes me doubt if I'll buy any more resin. Of course, I might be going about assembling resin figures all wrong. Maybe if I'd washed the resin figures thoroughly while still on the sprues it might have been easier.

More later.       

The Bolt Action British are done

The Bolt Action British are done. As much of January was spent assembling plastic Saxons, Vikings and Napoleonic figures, in February I decided to try and get something finished. The British for Bolt Action were nearly finished so I focussed on them. Here's the end result.

Some closer pictures. 

A final shot of the senior officer and nco with the red hackle, and the junior officer with the brolly. The red hackle had to be done; it's our local regiment. There's still a sense of respect, admiration and pride when I see the red hackle (though I suppose all regions of most countries  will have a pride in their own local regiments.)   

This force for Bolt Action has 3 sections of 10 infantry, a medium machine gun, artillery spotter, light mortar and PIAT. There's also a bren carrier and a Sherman and enough extra infantry to swop brens for rifles or add extra brens to sections. Rounding the force off and the officers and an RAF spotter.  

I also have to admit that the RAF spotter chap is not actually finished. But as he's unlikely to be used in a game, I'll leave him for now. I bought it because it's a nice figure. 

the mighty spraying

Here's some progress on Saxons, Vikings and Napoleonic plastics. 

The Saxons and Vikings are mounted on 25mm round plastic bases. They were given a bit of filler to disguise the cast-on base.  

Then the sand covering.  The Napoleonic figures were based on 20mm round bases for the line and 25mm round bases for the voltigeur skirmishers. 
  

Then I was waiting for a reasonably dry and warm day to get the spraying done. Not often we get those days in Scotland, but there was one, though it was more chilly than warm. Still, it was close enough and I got them undercoated. Maybe not much to look at, but it's an achievement. 

 

The Napoleonics will be painted as Italians, or some German states; chaps with white uniforms, so with a basic undercoat they are nearly done.   

 

And the great laugh is - all these figures now go back in boxes till I can get around to painting them. The Napoleonic figures might get done soon, but it may be a while before I can get round to doing the others.