On the Painting Table

Infodump

2012-05-01T01:50:00.001-04:00

Well now, a month since my last post. Whoops. Id like to blame the little green men, but they had excellent wifi, It was just me slacking off.

Its not like I wasnt busy, I just didnt post about it...

First off, a peek at the top shelf of my desk. This is every model I need to paint for every army I currently play. As of about a week ago. The painted Red Scorpions have since moved off...

Next up, a pic of my desk, I cleaned it this weekend. I also cleaned a bit more after this was taken, mainly relocating the books that are just barely in pic on the left.

Now, a quick look at the Termagants and my Hive Tyrant. As you likely saw above, he has been primed since. I do have better pics of the Termagants, I just need to upload them.

Lastly, some friends of mine got married this weekend, and I had to play dress up. I decided to get the wife to take a pic, just to prove to my family that I do clean up nicely. ;)

Right, lets see... I decided to relocate the unfinished to the desk shelf, so I could have a visual count down of what needs work, and moving stuff off as it is finished has been a good motivator. So far, I am down to 9 Circle models, 13 Cryx models, 19 Red Scorpions, 40 Tyranids, and 23 Ogres. 104 total. 4 of those are monster sized models. Not too bad, Ive had entire armies with more models then this. At the moment, the two Butchers, BSB Bruiser, and a random bull are in the middle of getting paint slapped on them.

I also finally got sick of how the squad markings on my Red Scorpions looked, so I repainted and added decals. For the most part, it was easier then I expected. The Battle Company is almost finished. I havnt decided yet if I am going to add to this, or sell them and start something different (Im sorta in the middle about this). I do know Im not starting anything until at least one army's models have moved off the table (go motivation!). Current contenders are Empire for Fantasy, and Dark Angels or Chaos for 40k. Not really feeling the need to add to my WarmaHordes list currently.

Hive Fleet inbound...

2012-03-29T02:22:00.000-04:00

So, last week, I received a wad of cash. Part of the continuing payments from my massive model sell off. I decided it was time to put my money where my mouth was, and start that new army Id been considering. And, it arrived yesterday.

As far as swarms go, its not really all that many models. Yet. Ive decided Im not going to focus on a specific army list, or a points goal, or anything silly like that. Im going to TRY to keep a nice spread of force org chart spots, but mostly Im just going to collect and paint what I feel like.

So, as you can tell from the picture, I got a Hive Tyrant, Trygon, Tyrannofex, a brood of Gargoyles, a Zoanthrope, and the battleforce (3 Warriors, 16 Termagants, 16 Hormagaunts, and 8 Genestealers).

Something I decided last night was that I am going to learn how to magnetize models with this army, to increase my options (both for painting and for playing!), so Ill be ordering my magnets after I get home from work.

Now, the real question everyone is waiting for me to answer: How will I paint them? Which color scheme did I decide on? ...Ill get back to you on that.

Tyranid Colors

2012-03-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned before, Im trying to decide on a new 40k army. Tyranids seem to be in the lead currently, so I picked up a box of cheap termagants, so I could test color schemes.

I make no promises about the models here. I half-assed the clean up and the paint job. I just wanted to see how the colors would look around the appropriate areas.

I posted these pics on Twitter, and the consensus seems to be tied between the red and black (Behemoth splinter fleet), and the green (Naga?). I got exactly one vote for the tan (Hive Fleet Sphinx)

Of course, I like the Sphinx colors best. Im thinking if I go with this one, the green spots will be on the "skin" rather then the shell, but only near the shelled areas.

Oh, and the Wife's vote was for red and black. She makes a good argument that it is the most striking, and distinctive scheme, and it was the quickest to paint.

Current Armies

2012-03-19T00:03:00.000-04:00

A friend on Twitter asked how many current armies I have that are table legal, and it got me thinking that I should do a blog update. (Dont ask, I dont know).

So, quick answer to that is easy. Ogres, Red Scorpions, Cryx, and Circle. ALL my other armies have been sold. I still have the Imperial Fists, but thats just because I forgot to bring them with me last time.

If you want to get technical (may as well!), I also have each Warmachine and Hordes battle box set, so I could run a tiny game using any of those factions. I also got the 2-player WM kit, so I technically doubled up on Khador and Protectorate. Though, to be honest, after a single run with Khador, Im happy to stick with my shenanigan factions. Kinda. Ive been seriously considering a Cygnar force lately...

My Red Scorpions, however, are on the shelf. Ive mentioned before that I want out of the power armor power race. So... Ive got another army I am considering. More on that on Wednesday. ;)

Since I am dusting off all the bones, there is one other army languishing... Nurgle's Warriors of Chaos. Just two small units of converted Warriors and a Sorcerer. Im saving them for later. I think they will be a great project... someday.

Circle Photodump

2012-03-02T18:30:00.000-05:00

Been a while since I posted, huh? Ive been busy though!

My Wold Guardian, just finished today... In this pic, I still need to add the grass, and finish that little stone on the base. I am actually not happy with the recesses of the stone, far more green then I wanted.

Cassius and Wurmwood.

One of my units of Woldstalkers, the other unit looks the same.

My fuzzy warbeasts, from the battle box. Im waiting for the plastic set to paint Kaya.

Light wold beasts, front...

...and back.

Megalith just wants a hug. I painted some of the wood green, to show it more alive...

Sentry Stone and Mannikins. Yes, one is missing an arm.

Shifting Stones and Stone Keeper.

Pretty sure Ive shown Baldur, but here he is again.

Two of my happy little trees. The other two still need assembly.

Still on the table, a unit of Druids and Baldur2. :)

End of the road?

2012-02-08T01:50:00.004-05:00

Monday morning, I got an unpleasant surprise. I go to turn on my computer, and all it does is beep at me. Long, annoying beeps. Shutting it off and turning it back on gets the same results. I pull out my handy tablet, and do a search... and discover my problem is likely a crapped out motherboard.

Ok, I can deal with this. Its about $200 that I dont want to spend, but hey... And then I get to thinking. What if I DONT replace it? The answer there is I will probably paint more. If my computer is on, Im usually playing WoW, or Rift, or maybe even Blood Bowl. Hell, even Twitter gets more time then painting.

So, Monday and Tuesday, you know what I did? I finished off my Sticks and Stones, after they had been sitting for a month. Ok, the three druid types still need work, but that is 20-something other models finished. If I keep this up, I might finish all my models by the end of next month...

So, lets see. No computer games means I paint more. Nearly everything else can be done from my tablet, or from my work computer. Im only seeing a single downside. Are you? Im betting you are...

Seeing as you are reading this instead of the Top Ten, you have likely figured it out by now. That is right. I have a blogger app on my tablet, but it is FAR more work then its worth to put together a Top Ten on it, and the filter on my work computer means that is not a valid option either. So, until further notice, Im putting the Top Ten on the back burner. Again. Bummer.

I guess this means I need to get back in the habit of doing my weekly hobby update things, huh?

No Top Ten this week

2012-02-02T22:26:00.003-05:00

Sorry all, Wednesday was busy, so I said Id do it Thursday.

Well, Thursday was busy as well... and Im headed to the Frozen North tomorrow morning. So, I am calling this week bad.

Next week!

Ryan's Top Ten #6

2012-01-25T15:32:00.003-05:00

Welcome back for another week of exciting links!

1. Sigur has some very nice Evil Suns Nobs.
2. Some seriously awesome Land Speeders by Arsies.
3. Swelter shows off his Tantalus.
4. Aventine sure knows how to paint red...
5. As does Gimiak, this is a nice looking Dreadnought.
6. Very cool Leman Russ Battle Tank by Will.
7. Maz has a Lemartes WiP.
8. I love the tattoos on Grajo's Ogre Ironguts.
9. Some more nice looking Ultramarines, from Tyler.
10. LuckyNo.5 shows off his Dark Eldar Scourges.

That is all for this week, dont forget to tell your friends!

No Top Ten

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

No, Im not being lazy this week. Im not going to do full black out like many other sites, but Im not just going to sit around with my thumb up my ass.

http://www.sopastrike.com/strike/

Apologies to my many non-US visitors, but this needs to be addressed.

Ryan's Top Ten #5

2012-01-11T15:14:00.000-05:00

Woo! Number five!

1. Some very nice Space Wolves by CVinton.
2. Tekanan talks about common mistakes made in Warmachine games.
3. Tyler shows an Astral Claws unit, and gives a very nice amount of fluff with them.
4. How to build a cheap tabletop, by Dave.
5. Neverness has some OLD Space Marines, painted in Legion of the Damned colors.
6. Morback finished that variant Great Unclean One. Im gonna go wash my hands now...
7. Brian has a few Chaos Lord models that look pretty nice!
8. Rob's Dark Eldar Wyches are pretty spiffy!
9. Oh hey, look. Caito Galenus managed to get an interview with Dan Abnett.
10. GMM Studios shows what they worked on in 2011. Lots of pictures. Seriously, expect to spend some extra time looking at this one.

As usual, a lot of outstanding work among the blogs. I had about 50 posts tagged this week.

(Oh look, no mention of the supposedly leaked 40k 6th Edition!)

(oh, crap)

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #22

2012-01-06T08:17:00.001-05:00

First up, Baldur the Stonecleaver. I am not very happy with the shading on the sword, might have to correct that soon.

Next is the models I received yesterday afternoon, Baldur's Sticks and Stones. About half of them as assembled as I type this.

I also did some work on Ogres and Red Scorpions, but not enough to show off.

Ryan's Top Ten #4

2012-01-04T09:04:00.001-05:00

1. A first for this list: Dust Tactics models, Heavy Laser Grenadiers by Duende.
2. I am stealing the red paint Lil Will used on these Chaos Marines.
3. I currently have a fixation on "sticks and stones", so RedManPhil's WoldWyrd struck me just right.
4. Looks like Tim did pretty good on an Infinity painting contest.
5. Speaking of Infinity, Angel cracks out some amazing Posthumans.
6. Some heavy Menites by Kevin.
7. Very nice looking Blood Angels by ...wait a sec, this cant be right. Musings of a Smurf? Something not right here.....
8. So, despite Mpokorny being in my general area, I dont think Ive seen his work in person yet... Nice Bile Thralls though!
9. daKING is testing Eldar Corsair color schemes. I like this one!
10. Karitas has a few Space Wolf Rhinos up for show.

As usual, the numbering is just to keep me honest.

Two more weeks of this truncated post thing. Bear with me...

Taking the Ogres for a walk...

2012-01-02T02:37:00.000-05:00

So, I learned the other day that there will be a tournament at the Bowie Bunker on the 14th. Warhammer Fantasy, 2,000 points. How convenient that my Ogres are already sitting at 2,000 points, huh?

Seeing as I have played a grand total of two games of 8th edition, and only one with the Ogres, Im fully expecting to get steamrolled. But you know what? I dont care. Im gonna go and have fun.

Anyways, here is the list as it stands right now:

Slaughtermaster w/ lvl4, Gruts Sickle, Lore of Great Maw
335

Bruiser w/ BSB, Great Weapon, heavy armor
145

Butcher w/ lvl2, Lore of Beasts
135

7 Bulls w/ Ironfists, Full Command, Lookout Gnoblar
259

7 Bulls w/ Ironfists, Full Command, Lookout Gnoblar
259

7 Ironguts w/ Full Command, Lookout Gnoblar
336

2 Mournfang Cavalry w/ Heavy Armor, Ironfists
140

2 Mournfang Cavalry w/ Heavy Armor, Ironfists
140

Thundertusk
250

Total: 1999

I really need to get cracking on the painting though. If I start powering through it, I should be able to get them ready in time. I think.

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #21

2011-12-31T09:06:00.001-05:00

Last update of the year! Though, I bet for many people, this will be the first they read of the year. ;)

My Ogres had no improvement all week. They only got set up on the shelf overlooking my desk. (Guilting me, they are.)

On the other hand, my Red Scorpions actually got some love, for once. The combat squad of Devastators that had been sitting got mostly finished. Mostly meaning they need squad, company, and campaign badges, and basing. Not too bad, just need to break out the Skull White paint!

Lastly, I did a bit of work on Baldur. A bit meaning that I need to do his face and base, and he should be done. I also made an order, and he will have a 35 point "sticks and stones" list set up very soon...

2011 in review and looking at 2012

2011-12-29T10:06:00.000-05:00

2011 was a year of changes, wasn't it? I just went through my past year of posts.

Lets see. I was doing the Top Ten at FtW, then I quit (sorry, retired). Ron was doing it, then got burned out, and I took it back... Then I dropped the ball and went on hiatus. Now, it is back.

I started a new regular post, my weekly hobby thing, and I must admit that it has inspired me to work a bit more on my models. Just so I don't have to say I didn't do anything hobby related each week.

I've got a new camera, and I have learned a bit about posting pictures on the blog. Now if Id post a few more!

I've been slacking on the gaming side, but I have gotten a few more games in then 2010.

My number of armies was gutted. Almost literally. I have a few Space Marines that I am working on, my Ogres, and Cryx. Those are the armies. I also have a selection of models from most of the other Warmachine/Hordes factions that I am working on. Toying with starting Black Legion Chaos Marines again.

So, what is ahead for 2012?

Your guess is as good as mine. I know of one major change in the works, but I'm not at liberty to discuss that yet.

Lots of rumblings about a new Chaos Marine codex, and that will likely draw me back out into the multiple army arena, but at the same time, I am considering cutting even more of my Space Marines away (maybe all of them). Who knows?

I am trying to force myself to stay with just the Ogres for Fantasy. Don't want to get over loaded again, but I keep looking at the other armies and getting inspired.

I am planning on keeping with Cryx as my Warmachine army, and starting a new Circle Orboros force for Hordes (more on that next week, hopefully).

Lastly, I hope to branch out some. I really want to give Malifaux a try. No idea which faction, I just know the models are pretty, and the rule system intrigues me. Infinity also interests me, some. I think the Disorderlies Tyrant plays both....

Keep your eyes open, 2012 looks to be interesting.

Ryan's Top Ten #3

2011-12-28T09:02:00.000-05:00

Number three, without a break. I might just keep up with it this time!

1. Morback has a variant Great Unclean One in the works. I love the gas mask!
2. Nice unit of Ungors by RedManPhil.
3. Tom's pole house makes me want to work on a swamp table.
4. Here is an interesting Big Dred conversion by Scott.
5. Loler painted up a really nice (as in nasty) Nurgle Lord.
6. Lucky No.5 didnt care for the Grotesque model, so he converted some of his own!
7. Mordian 7th also felt the call of the Dark Eldar, this time with some Reavers.
8. Cool looking battlewagon over at Figurkowo.
9. Chris shows us a nice looking Slanneshi Beastman Standard Bearer.
10. Lastly, but by no means least, Drew has a large number of pictures of Puppet Wars models, each and every one very well done.

In other news, some of you may have noticed I swapped to the truncated rss feed (that I really do hate). I am planning on this being a temporary thing, so I can get a good guess of how many people actually read this thing. Suffer through it with me for a few weeks, maybe a month, and Ill swap it back!

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #20

2011-12-27T11:16:00.001-05:00

Im a bad blogger. I forgot to update last week. Sadly, my update is limited to four models.

I completed the shading and highlighting of the flesh on two butchers, the bruiser, and a bull belonging to the unit Id already completed.

Not much, I know, but next week (ok, this week), Ill have some Ogre stuff, and some Red Scorpions that Ive been working on!

Ryan's Top Ten #2

2011-12-21T08:07:00.001-05:00

1. Dave shows off some cool Protectorate Warcasters.
2. Here is a creepy Nurgle Daemon Prince by Morback.
3. Some nice 'Ard Boyz by Scott.
4. Paul has a bunch of Killa Kans.
5. Killshot is working on some Redbox Games models. I like!
6. Hortwerth has a bunch of Haqquislam models from Infinity up. Im starting to think I should look into this one...
7. Here is a Necrotech and a question by Ricalope.
8. Another game I am considering getting into is Malifaux, Lauby breaks it down for us 40k guys.
9. Felix has some nice looking Ogre Bulls.
10. Speaking of Ogres, the webmagazine "The Bellower" has become a blog. Go! Look!

Yeah, if you saw a mis-post from me in your RSS feed, Im blaming Blogger's new format for that. Unhappy. But, here is #2! Woo!

Now if I can find where they hid the tags and publish button...

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #19

2011-12-18T23:58:00.002-05:00

This one is a bit late, whoops.

Ogres got the bulk of the paint work this week, which wasnt too much. I slapped a second coat of Khardic Flesh on the skin areas of the entire army, then I did two coats of an olive green for all their pants. If I can get some metal on their weapons/armor, I have the three color minimum... Not that I think 3CM is a good thing, just a step along the road.

I am planning on doing the shading for the skin and pants before moving on, though, hopefully this week...

Three Years On

2011-12-15T00:50:00.002-05:00

Three years ago tonight, I got bored and said "Screw it". A few months later, I started the Top Ten, which gathered quite a bit of popularity, though Im not exactly sure how.

The ol' blog has had its high points, and its low points. Yet, its still here, with this being post #338, and having a significant number of followers. The Top Ten has wandered, and morphed a bit, and went into hibernation for a while... and still inspired a few successors. At least five that I know of. I think three of them are still kicking too.

So, Happy Birthday to me! Or something.

Yesterday saw the triumphant return of the Top Ten. A quick peek at Google Analytics has shown that several of you have kept a candle burning. Thanks for that! Aside from the numbering reboot, has anything else changed with it? Just some formatting changes. My plan from here on out is links first, then my chatter (since I know you dont care about that! ;D). Im sure some of you are wondering if we will be dealing with "Dead Ryan Days" again. Im not going to say no more, but Im not stupid. Crap happens. HOWEVER, I will be trying my hardest to avoid those. They annoy me as much as you.

So, on to the name change. It was "Day" Top Ten before, why the change to Ryan's Top Ten? I think its sorta egotistical to be honest. But, I dont feel like changing the name every time I change the day I publish on. Besides, some few may see the name and associate that with the Top Ten I did at From The Warp for all that time. Maybe.

And maybe, just maybe, I think I might have earned a small amount of egotism.

So, whats ahead? More Top Ten, more Weekly Hobby Update Things, and who knows, maybe some other changes.

Ryan's Top Ten #1

2011-12-14T12:51:00.004-05:00

What? DC Comics is not the only ones allowed to do a reboot!

1. First off, a nice commissioned Pre-Heresy World Eaters army by Sigur.

2. Figurkowo shows us a real nice looking Ghazghkull Thrakka.

3. Da Master Cheef is starting a Stirland Empire army, here is his standard bearer.

4. Ron shows a nice way to paint bronze armor.

5. Here is a Pink Horror painting tutorial by Ian.

6. Ricalope has some nice looking Biovores.

7. I love pirates, therefore Badfang's Ork Pirates were an auto-include for me.

8. Ironmonger is starting Searforge Commission off with a crunch.

9. Samson shows a very nice Raven Guard captain.

10. Very cool looking Typhus by Ana.

As you can tell, the Top Ten has returned! I decided to restart the numbering, because I could, and because Im thinking of this as a new start. So, tell everyone you can, the Top Ten by Ryan has returned!

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #18

2011-12-09T21:00:00.001-05:00

Right, no pics this week as there wasnt much significant change on models I worked on. Or at least, none I feel like showing off.

Started a bit of work on the Thundertusk's saddle, and did the first basecoat of flesh for every other Ogre model. It was fairly depressing to see all those models in just their primer.

Ive decided (roughly) on a new scheme for my Blood Angels models, going with a successor chapter, but keeping the same icons, so I can use the spiffy new models without conversion. I have a trio of Black Reach marines primed so I can test colors, but didnt start yet because I started working on my Grey Knights.

Last I worked on the Grey Knights, they were all up to the metal armor being done. On Thursday I slapped some grey basecoat down, where I am planning on eventually painting white.

Who are we to question Mark?

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Next Thursday is the 3rd birthday of On the Painting Table. So, to celebrate, I am starting a new weekly thing... on Wednesday. What? Ive occasionally got gaming on Thursday nights!

Tell your friends, and begin rampant speculation... NOW.

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #17

2011-12-03T08:53:00.003-05:00

You could call this a slow week. I, however, will call this a week that I spent quality time with a single model.

As of right now, I need to paint the teeth, and a bit more metal work on my Thundertusk, then I can move onto the saddle and riders. I am actually pretty happy with how it is turning out.

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #16

2011-11-25T07:24:00.006-05:00

Lets continue the pic updates, shall we?

My first full unit of Bulls is (mostly) done. No tattoos or design on the banner, as I have no idea which tribe I want them to be part of. Im saving that for later... though, I might have to go back and paint their eyes now.

The Champion and Bellower.

The Standard Bearer with Lookout Gnoblar. I painted the shield pure metal, as Ive not decided which Empire provence they have been pillaging of late yet.

The Bulls.

I also did a bit of work on the Chaos Lord. But only a bit.

I am not yet sold on the idea of the red axe head. If I go standard metal with it, it will likely blend in with all the other metal bits I am planning on painting on him. Hrm.