Noobs and their paintbrush

South Cheshire Militaire

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 16:00:00 +0000

So the last show that I have been to was the south cheshire militaire.

Come and have a look at what was to offer.

Every shows needs Chewbacca!!!!!!

They had a lot of massive rc planes

The hobbit with three clenched rings.

Some massive RC lorries.

Would not be a model show without a table of plans.

Some British solder busts.

would not be a crewe Show with out stars wars models around.

The boats were back!

Looks like they tanked this one!

World war one tanks.

Sherman tank in the Snow.

Another boat.

Swamp Monster.

Collection of priates.

Small german plane diorma.

Natures crash mat.

Panzer tank.

British, Napoleon

I don't think you need to be told who these are.

Rebel base!

WW1 battle field trenches.

Train.

WW1 german tank on train.

French Napoleonic solder on a horse.

Germans on the march.

Some more boats.

This final is a huge diorama of ww2 British railway station and airfield.

And that brings us to the end of this show was another great day out.

Hope you all enjoyed it.

Huddersfield 2018 Model Show.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 16:00:00 +0000

I understand I am running behind on my show Posts but I plan to catch up with them the next two weeks.

This year there was some issue at the show with traders unable to make it because of another show becoming a two day event, meaning there were a few empty spaces at the show which was a shame but did not put a damper on a grate day!

So to kick it off we have Groot.

Heavy cannon tank (Sorry not sure on the name)

Spitfire.

Russian Battleship

Fighter Jet.

British Napoleonic.

British Napoleonic fighting the french.

The French having a rest before.......

A Work in progress.

Germans ww2 snow scene.

A tank/cannon train.

American ww2 plans from an aircraft carrier

Think it is a spitfire.

A very big very nice boat.

Love and marriage gos together like a.

WW2 battle scene.

Boat on a choppy sea.

Viking on the prowl for his next victim.

Warhammer 40k bust.

This is what happened to the last person who touched a model.

Wars in the future.

Thunder birders are go!

Love Vw camper vans always have!

Now that's what I call a rocket.

American plans and fighter jets.

More plans.

German plan getting a refit.

These tiny tools work and was great the man who made them use to be an engineer in the army and drove the truck he made talked to him for a long time about it.

The truck he drove.

Tudors!!

A car that I picture what my wife's first lesson, driving looked like.

So this brings us to the end of this show come back next week to see the Crewe Show.

EBMA hobby bottle stand. Review/unboxing.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Got this at the Bolton Show thought you all might be interested to see it.

This comes in a little Ikea flat pack, so you will need some wood glue (or any glue)

Base.

First side added.

Other Side.

One of the front plates.

Other side added.

And all together.

With the top on.

And here it is with my water bottle and brush.

The other good part is it comes with 4 top all with different size holes for larger bottles.

I got this top as an extra so I could keep paints that I am using mixed together so I don't forget.

Like so.

This is a great little holder and with more tops that can be bought there is a size to fit anything you need to keep safe. This is perfect and I am sure made for keeping bottles of liquid that could do damage to your work bench and project me I thought it was good and worth the £4.50.

If you would like one, head over to http://www.ebmahobby.co.uk

Making leaves.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Baseing can sometimes need a little something to make it look that little bit more realistic.

So lets make some leaves!

So This is what I have for making leaves. Got this a long time ago and have not had a chance to use it yet, you can get these anywhere these days but this one is from green stuff world.

Last year I got a bag full of leaves that I have still got in my office.

Then the next part is the cutting the leaves from the leaves.

Collected them all up into a small container.

Right you may think that this is the last part and we are all done, well no because what I found over the next few days after cutting them is that they started to cling together and to clump in the box. So what I needed to do was to dry it out again.

So to dry them out involves cooking them in the oven!!!!!!

It's not as hard as you might think, the only hard part is keeping an eye on it before it goes too far. What you need to do is place them all into an oven tray and put the oven to 110 BUT leave the door open so the idea is the heat moves over the leaves to not cook them but dry them. So you need to take them out and keep an eye on them and put it back until dry.

And there you have it! Hope it helped and please do try it if you have done it please comment below!!

Bolton 2018 Show!!

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 16:00:00 +0000

New year with the start of new Shows!!

Come have a look at what was on offer.

So this year the Bolton show was in a new venue at the Bolton stadium

Not actual picture of the show only the room because did not know how to get upstairs if we could at all. The day its self was very fun and enjoyable.

So here is what was on display on the day.

First, we have a ww2 german diorama.

Allied is taking prisoners of Germans.

American tracked jeep crossing a river.

Dont get to see much snow on models and here we have three tanks with show of the white stuff.

Next we have a car that has been in a proper fender bender. This is how my models look even when I am trying to make them look normal.

Arnie (darker picture then I would like.)

What an odd group of Russians.

A modern tank

Race car.

Napoleonic bust.

Allied ww1 plane

Desert diorama.

boat at docks

Droid land cruiser from ep 2.

A tired looking house.

3.......2........1.........LIFT OFF!.

Boxing during ww2.

Not sure the Story behind what is happening in this modern scene, but it looks great.

Sci-fi garage.

Iron Maiden plane with an Iron maiden beer bottle as the base.

Not sure whats happening, but it looks good.

Fire engine.

Train.

This race car had the engine on show and looked amazing, but I was unable to get a good picture of it.

All the subs 6inch and foot long painted your way.

Landing craft.

This table was a bit messy, but had a few nice things to see amongst them all

Table of Planes.

The three stooges.

German resting by his plane between raids.

Fighter jet firing torpedo.

A modern tank.

Love the minion in carbon

Hope you all enjoyed the models and it was a very nice day. Anyone else there at the show or anyone been to one lately? Comment below.

Cant find it, make it!

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Ever wanted to do something thing and to do it you may have needed to buy something that cost more than you would like for what you want to do Or you just cant find anything that would do the job well I did and thought I might as well make it!!

So what I wanted to make is something that can add random texture to something so it looks natural and to uniformed like it does if done by hand to buy this in the shop as is would cost about £10 plus that includes shipping.

So my plan was to make a Feather wire or messed up wire brush.

So took an old/cheap brush I had that I could not use for anything else. can't put a price on it but you can buy one for 50p to £1

And a beefy boy BBQ grill cleaner that cost £2.

The next thing on the shopping list was some solder this was £1 I got two for future use so I will only count the one as that's all I need or you.

Now this is the part where I turn to Items that I already have and you may or may not which is a Dremel and soldering iron I don't think you need these Items but I was going to use the solder for something else when I got it and I am two lazy for wire cutters.

So this is why I wanted the cleaner it has close to 50 of these little sets

And when a set is cut away with a dremel or cutters.

After that I removed the brush and then kept all the wire together with a little bit of tape I soldered the wire into the ferrule. You can use glue.

Then Glue the ferrule back on the handle and we are done.

Could have turned out better, but first time using a solder iron in about 20 years. All in all it cost me £2 and saved £8 and I also have what I need to make 40 or so more!!

So what you all think? I will be trying it out on something soon.

Skaven ogre rat Show case.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 16:00:00 +0000

Come and have a look and see how things turned out.

Hope you all like it there are a few things I would do different if I was to do it again, but keeping with my plan I am not able to buy another one.

Skaven Rat ogre Pt 2

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

So getting back to this fast and fun mini more work on the Skaven!!

So getting straight back into things went for purple well my little girl did as she wanted to pass me it because it's her favorite color.

Decided to so a fast leather on the head.

Thought I would go for green on the pipes.

Not sure what the crystal is called, but I know it's green and thought I would do the pipes that to try and be a crystal thing.

From there, done the skin so it looked like it had broken out recently.

Also for this project thought I would try the paint blood for the blood god from Gw. So added it to the blade of the hand and to the cracks in the skin.

So the base thought I might add a little something to the base with some addons from some other things I got a few years back.

A little rat.

Come back next week to see how it all turned out!

skaven rat ogre pt 1.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

So In keeping with my plans from last weeks New year new me, I had a look through what minis I had and what would end up as bits of bases and so on and there are a few very bad ones I must say but that's ebay job lots for you, I was however about to fish out a workable Rat ogre and that is what I will be painting first.

So here is the little guy did have a huge gap running the entire sides and top of the body.

So filled it okish and primed ready to paint.

So started out with some flash and this did take a lot longer than I was hoping as it was very thin and took more coats then I would like for a base coat. I also laid down some metallics.

Put some browns on the fur.

Got to work on the skin.

Thought I would do straps.

Came back to the blade and thought I would add some rust to keep it with in the idea of rats dirt and so on.

This is where I am going to leave it for today, come back next week to see how things progresses.

Any comments, please do so below would love to hear what you all think.

New Year, New me!

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

I know, its the biggest cliche going, but we all like to sit down and try to plan what we would like to have done by this time next year. I also have something this I would like to focus on and try to do as well as something big that will be happening soon.

So come have a look what I plan to do and have done.

So lets see what I started with in the new year!

Now I am sure that at some point most peoples hobby spaces get like this for some reason or the other and trying to work while it is in this state is hard and sometimes impossible so time to clean up!

So with my workspace sorted, now to think about what I want to do with it.

Cash!!

I don't think I need to tell anyone that Our hobby is a very, very expensive one and over time you can spend a fortune on it! (I would like to note that if you are new to the hobby and would like to start that this statement should not put you off as with most things its only as expensive as you want to make it and if you look around cheaper things can be found) But if I look over the amount I have spent over the years it will add up to a lot I wont try and put a figure to it but I am sure you all might be able to shock yourself when you add up your own.

So what am I going to do.

Now I am not going to try to make money from the blog and I am not going to start a patreon. What I plan to do is enjoy what I do and sell some things on ebay after I have painted them to try and make the hobby pay for itself.

As you can see I have more than enough models and kits to build so I should not need to buy anything and also I would never be able to store any of this. So I might as well have fun painting it and then try and find it a home.

Also, this year I plan to try to fix an issue I have been having over that last few years.

Painting self doubt.

Ie taking a month to paint a single 28mm figure because I question myself and think about this and that. Rather than doing it right the first time and being happy with what I have done. becuase I am at the point when I know that I can do it just need to do it the first time!

So along with busts this year I will be painting war gaming stuff to a level that is am not sure what I will call it but it's a level between display and tabletop. And its not pro that is for sure HATE that word.

Let me finish off by saying Happy New Year and hope you all had a good Christmas.

Scale model World 2017.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

This has been late but here is the pics from this years Ipms Scale model world.

The event, in its self was long but well worth it met a lot of new people and caught up with some people and done some work on something that I will be talking about next year.

So on with what was on the tables to see.

First, we had a german ww2 plane

And a ww2 German seaplane.

Here we have a little diorama from world war 2 and the red cross.

Go back 30 years to World war one and we have a battle scene.

Again with world war one and we have a little model showing the idea of the Christmas truce.

An idea of how big the hall was.

The moon landing.

A world war 2 diorama.

Fighter Jet (not sure what one)

Vespa always had a huge fondness of these!

Star wars star destroyer.

Hovercraft in full swing.

BB8

A table of cars.

more cars

And again cars.

A German seaplane on a what look likes catapult.

Who does not like a Pink panther.

Fighter jet.

Vietnam battle Evac.

A building battle scene.

Landing Ship.

World war one planes.

Not sure the name of the building I can remember seeing it but I do love it!!!!

A lovely wood scenic.

Plan bombing the road.

Hell boy

World War one tank

This little model is amazing and when i just looked at the pic I thought how did I take a pic of a table at that angle.

72 scale world war 2 battle.

Military Bulldozer.

This was something that was cool a club holds the world record for most people making a plan.

Not sure if this was a model did not asked, but it's a very nice bonsai

A world war one memorial.

A rocket.

And finaly three busts.

Overall this was another greate weekend and I do look forward to next year.

Official Notice!

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 14:28:00 +0000

Some people may or may not have noticed that I have not been posting like I would normally this is because of a few factors that I will not go into length about, but it has made to come to the conclusion that I will be taking a break officially from the blog until the new year with Christmas right round the corner and family visits, again I feel a break and refocus on what I plan to do might be just what is needed.

But rest assured I will be back in the new year.

Review: seam line scraper

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 16:00:00 +0000

With this being crazy right now I thought I little review might be better than nothing.

So we will be looking at the Model craft seam scraper.

If you have been into any arts and craft shop you have probably seen these tools and they are at most shows I have been to but there is one tool I came across when looking for a better way to sort out my mold lines.

I am aware my pictures could be better so at the end I will add some pictures from online to show off the scraper better.

So what do you get you get a handle and the blade.

The blade is double ended so you are able to use the other end if you manage to ruin the other.

And you can see it in its handle.

And now for my option and review about this.

I have only been able to use this on two models one was a plastic GW figure and the other was a GW finecast model.

Now a bit about the three sided blade the point is sharp BUT the sides are not too sharp. Meaning were with your scalpel, you could cut the model because of the sharpness of the blade and with the GW scrapper it was so thick it was hard to call it sharp at all.

One thing I love about the blade is you are able to get into the smaller places and it will not do as much damage as your blade would. Also, I love you are able to make the whole blade longer, meaning you are able to get into again harder places to get with other tools.

Overall, I really love this tool and I was shocked how good it is. Both on plastic and on finecast. And I could not recommend it more!!!

Right for the pictures of the blade from the net you will be able to see what I am talking about better.

I would highly recommend this to anyone and it would make a great stocking filler!!

Anyone use one of these please comment!

Scenic Base

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 16:00:00 +0000

Right first off, this is not a review I just like to add pictures and could not think of one so this other than a scenic base, the story of this was it was ment to be done for the Massive voodoo comp, but as time did not permit I was unable to get it done on time but I still wanted to do it.

Also, why buy one when you can make one!!

So I was keeping with the theme from the comp I wanted to do a canal.

Time for the good old cork bored.

Cut and glued it with zap.

Now, because I was going for a canal I went for more of a vertical side because most canals have them being man made.

Then added some texture to the sides and began adding soil for my ground.

After a chat about what I wanted to do (you will all see soon) but it was decided to turn the canal into a river. So added the lip of the bank to make it looked cut away by running water.

Some stones into the sides of the bank.

Then roots into the side of the bank and on top of bank

The Roots I got from my garden I did not pull anything up to get it, but I was able to pull only the roots not causing any issues.

Then I added some debris to the bottom of the river. Bricks and a doll.

With the doll it was an off cast from one of Johns Japanse line he makes and having a studio where you can nick what he does not see (miscasts only) has its advantages.

Then primed and ready to go for painting!

This is the point when I will leave it till next week.

Like always comments always welcome.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Show case.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 16:00:00 +0000

This has been a great way to learn something new and doing something that started as a playing with colour I feel turned out to be a good finished model.

So what do you all think? I wanted to try and use more colours in my skin tone and make something more with it then just a normal skin.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Pt 3.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

He once said "I'll be back" and now I am to finish him off!!

(I know it's a bad pun)

The first thing I worked on was the Cigar.

I know it looks like Mr Hancky and I may have to make one but its a cigar.

So the Cigar. Very hard to try and add everything but tried to make do the light cigar.

And here is what I was able to do.

And on the bust itself more glazes and definition here and there.

On the back worked on the dip in the neck and highlighting the muscles.

Not much more to do apart from adding the Cigar and a glaze here and there as well as putting it on plinth come back next week and see the finished bust.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Pt 2.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

I do understand this is not an official part two, because of the fact I did not really do a part one, but because I enjoy the work on was doing on it from the post Enough is Enough I thought I would finish it official even though it is an off cast and I did not sort out mold line and that's because I did not plan to finish I wanted to use it as a play model so to speak, but anyway here we go to finsih it.

So last time we saw it it looked like this.

You may be pleased to know I was made to fill in the hole by my wife.

So from there I got to work by doing the hair.

I was not pleased with the brown thought it was too orange so went with a more red/mahogany.

Then the eyebrows.

From there I went in All by colors glazzing here and there trying to create more volume and depth only using green, blue, purple and the base skin tone. I did use white added

Went in with some whites to lighten up the forehead.

Because I liked the White I thought I might add it elsewhere.

So this is where I will leave it this week come back next week to see how it turns out.

GhostBusters Echo 1A Showcase.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Have to apoligise for the poor picture I do not have a set up at this time to take pics of lager models.

Also would like to do a big thanks to Dave watts who done the base for the model. anyway enjoy.

GhostBusters Echo Pt 4.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

So leds and Decal Time.

So now time for decal time.

These had a fun issue they all loved to roll up and I had to sink them were as with the last one they all floated and then the paper drooped.

The first decal.

The back end of the car with the decals.

Side of the car with all the decals and the Top added with the lights fitted.

Added a little bar.

I needed to fill in some gaps I should of done it at the start, but with the led's and the chrome did not want to risk so waited.

Added more little bits like the rod you can see also I painted the bar and the back Leds on the roof rack.

Led time!! (Also they do flash but unable to show)

From the Front.

Now Only need to Finish off Sticking and paint a last item and then its final pic time.

Commission build mustang mach 1

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 22:12:00 +0000

On Wirral ipms group page it was offered for someone to build this car for a lady whose husband had passed away but had to be built within 9 days,pics show various points of build this is 4 days in.

Ghostbusters Echo 1a Pt 3.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 15:00:00 +0000

This week working on the roof rack.

So the roof rack.

A close up of it clued before painting.

Most of it is black and as I wanted to do it as fast as possible

Did not glue this part on so I was able to make sure the rest got a good coat of paint.

With the dish stand.

More parts added.

Then went in to paint the other colors

Again added more parts and pained.

close up.

Another little dish added.

And with the dish painted and more or less finished there is a few more things that did to be done but that will have to be done after its on the car and the leds are done.

Next week we have the Leds and decals.

Ghostbusters Echo 1a Pt 2.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 15:00:00 +0000

With a new Echo arrived and my mistake behind me its time to crack on and get this done so I can do what I really like figures!

With the new Echo in toe was time to prime!

And because I had practiced with the last one I knew where to mask!

They do give decals for the red, but I think it looks better if painted.

The underside of the car which is for the windows.

Painted the window edge and added the fin metal and painted the handles.

Done the front of the car and hood.

Added the back fender to the car.

Front view

And this where we leave it for this week come back next week and ill be working the top and trying to find the right place to stop because I need to do the Leds and also the decals.

Sutton Coldfield Show.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 15:00:00 +0000

This would be my second year going to this show and here are only some of the models on show again sorry that I do not know the names of plans and tanks but I'll give it ago.

First, we have a very nice plan. Allied

A German plan.

Dinosaurs

An American plan I have not seen before.

This is the French plan Sig.

Another shot of the table.

A shark eyeing up the food channel on the box.

Zombies and a rider from master box.

Another shark eating Audra.

Armored trains.

A fun diorama from Shawn the sheep.

Another two planes.

Some bi plans, really nice to see something from WW1.

They are still arguing with the insurance company.

Some airliners.

A small boat attempting a donut.

Some more small boats

Something I have not seen before a P&O crouse linner.

Chinook.

The propellers were turning on spinning on this.

Don't you hate it when you scuff your plan.

Some wargamming scenery

Three little boats and I really like the water looks like it is going through very shallow and clear water.

Another little plan

German Bi plan.

This was rather special if you press the button it started to work and had sound and the man who made it said he is working on adding smoke.

A very nice german plan.

A female solder

Very Very tiny boat.

Elf archer.

American Aircraft carrier plan.

German something on a train.

A very nice tank.

An American tank

Some small, very good Sci-fi scene

Some Cars.

More WW1 plans.

Russian armored anything.

Old racing car.

Somehow he got a gun into a school!!!

A British bomber.

Another bomber

Some more cars.

Armored bulldozer.

A British Gannet.

A very nice van exploding.

American early transport.

British hurricane

Sully is at it again.

Giant mantis.

Giant scoripon.

Better test the breaks after that.

And finally the view from the top over the main hall!

Was a great show and I really do hope I will be up for it next year!

Hope you all enjoyed next week back to painting!.

Wombourne Show

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 15:00:00 +0000

(I know the Picture is out of date, but the show is not.)

This show was a lot smaller then what I thought, but there were models to take pictures of and everyone was very nice and it was a good show!

And here they are.

First, we have a bust this one I know because a friend painted it Paul from the bulldogs.

Did not get a closer look, but this may be an elf leaning against a tree.

Another little lady this one up a tree.

From now on I am not able to tell you what these are other then the general model I.e Plan or what ever, In the ipms I am classed as weird for not knowing what things are but I don't care I am a painter so that's all I care about.

So here we have a plan/jet and it has a bee on it which I did find cool.

A very good flat painted by a very good painter.

Next we have a boat on the shore, which I really like because of the separation of wet and dry sand as well as the footprints.

Another Ship this one sailing and the water I think looks very good.

German ww2 plan not sure what but I thought it looked cool.

Not seen this type of thing before which I thought made a very nice scene.

Table of tanks.

The really nice guys from the motor museum where there with their display.

A shot of the racing sig. Also, this is a idea of the size of the show I was almost touching the other end of the hall.

The Viking ladie from nuts planet.

I know this model has popped up before other shows but I do like it and I feel I am able to take better picture as time has gone on.

This is a massive figure.

Another but I think I have shown before.

This is a Sad section the Wombourne club this year has lost three of its members (they died) and this is a memorial stand for one of them with all of his models.

Minion Tank!!!

A troop lander.

Hawker Huntsman CC1

Collection of armored tanks and cars.

What would happen if both pilots steer in the other direction.

Nice little race car.

And finally an Armored something, not sure.

That comes to the End of this show sorry I was unable to show more, but to be fair, there was not much there and I am not too sure if I will be doing it next year due to the 2 hour drive.

Ghostbusters Echo 1a.

noreply@blogger.com (Merkeysa) — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 15:00:00 +0000

With Talford round the corner, its time for building the model for the table and this year because its the 30th anniversary of the club it was decided that the theme would be the 80's so anything that's related to the 80's I went for the Echo 1a and here we go!

So the Kit was from amazon and cost about £30 or so.

The shell of the car.

So getting down to building it and getting some of the parts painted.

The underside of the car.

Because I plan to add LED to this I thought there was no point to go over the top on the inside so because it is on the table and not going to be looked at too closely then it does not need to be perfect. (also this is not my thing)

The wheels.

Now this part we get to the LED this was the after kit i got from online

A shot of how they look some flash, but it's a picture and not a vid.

With this I need to remove the battery pack from the leds and do some drilling to the model.

A close up of the lights.

The Leds through the bottom of the car.

That's the end of the lights for now, time to build and paint!

Now like with most things I messed this all up and ended up having to buy a new one

And this is why

Lets just say I now know not to do something!

Next week I hope to show you all something I have not messed up again and on the bright side my daughter has a car to play with.