Some more work done on the Potter display base...

Hey all!

Well, I started working again on the Harry Potter display base... now that the figures are on their way (got the tracking number and everything!) I figure I should get the base done!

So, I had a little crap work to do with this stuff... I had to paint the edges of the foamcore so I can paint them and so that I can spray them with a shot of matte varnish to dull the floor door... I also went ahead and filed down the LEDs for the fire, and then drilled out the base of the fireplace and strung them through and glued them down.  I also built a small base of firewood to help cover the LEDs in the fireplace... gonna give them a nice shot of black, and then a little white and grey, and they should be ready to go!

I also went ahead and varnished and glued on the stone wall fronts... I think that they look MUCH better now, with the heavy wash of dip... nice and dark!

Harry and Co. are finished... and painting black

Huzzah!

The Christmas present is done!:)

Soaps sent over this shot (along with a dozen others... there is something SO satisfying about working with someone who is thorough and complete when they email... every question answered, ideas proposed, and fresh questions asked... yes please!) this morning after an evening (or early early morning) of work!  I think they look fantastic... now I just have to do them justice with a paint job!

I am a touch nervous about two bits of the painting process with these guys.

First, Harry's glasses.  I am a big believer that, when it comes to heroes, you need to be able to look them in the eyes.  I am nervous about painting Harry's glasses and eyes well!

More importantly, I am nervous about all that black!  I've found that I tend to struggle with large areas of black... it always ends up looking too gray.  What do folks think of lightening black with a touch of dark BLUE, rather than a white?  Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Anyway... they are done and will be posted over soon.  As someone mentioned they weren't cheap, but it is totally worth it... plus, the wife and I agreed (she without knowing what the gift even is) that it would be the ONLY gift either of us give to each other, with the exception of some socks and underwear that I need... as I said to her, I sort of have everything I need in life, so I'd rather get her something special:)

So, come on back soon to see the progress on the base for the figures, and of course to see them once they get here and I start to paint them up!

The wizards are coming along...

Hey all!

Well, got the most recent email, and the work on the wife's Christmas gift has really come along!  Some hair for one, a bit of touch up on the others, and voila!  I LOVE the scar on Harry's head, and the sweater on Ron (to be painted Gryffindor colors)... the broom, and Herm's pouch of scrolls... overall, I am SO happy with how they look!

Now I have to finish up the base for them... rig up the fireplace, do the logs for the fireplace, edging the foamcore, finishing up their bases, and of course painting them when they arrive!

Brush on varnish?

Hey all!

So, just wanted to get some advice...

I am thinking about painting the Potter minis, and I have to admit I am having a recurrent nightmare about the frosting up when I varnish them.

So I figured maybe I should buy some brush-on matte varnish for them and brush it on... would that avoid frosting?

Also, does anyone know of any brush-on matte varnishes that they could recommend?

Thanks!

First photos of Harry and Co...

Hey all!

Well, Soapy sent along these first few shots of the work on the boy wizard and his pals... and holy moly.  I am so impressed.  It is really amazing to see what skilled hands can do with an idea... and I am so jealous!:)  If I could do that, I'd have an entire Usagi Yojimbo set done, and then a set based on my buddy's comic book Wok-Man... oh man, the possibilities would be endless:D

But for now, here are some shots for folks to check out!  At the top is Harry, obviously reacting to a baddy and whipping out his wand to fire.  Hermione is to the left... she will be reading a book, and have over her shoulder her little pack of books, scrolls, and the like.  Ron is to the right; he is currently missing his back arm, in which he'll be holding a broom.

Overall I think they look AMAZING so far, and I know my wife will really love them.  I feel like I should be including my first-born in the payment, but I am not so sure Soapy would want him... whenever he comes around, that is:)

As for other parts of the project... a SUPER kind gent from Finland actually offered to mail over to me an owl that he has left over from a Warhammer kit... SUCH a kind offer!  That guy will get a coat of white paint and be made into Hedwig the owl.  I am currently thinking of a way to "pay it forward," and keep coming back to three or four Perry French Napoleonic Sappeurs I have lying around that I'll never use... maybe someone out there can us them?  Also, after getting a recommendation from Steve The Wargamer I found a FANTASTIC LED set that makes a "flickering fire" effect, so the fireplace will have an actual fire in it!  Exciting stuff:)  Oh, and I gave the walls and fireplace a nice wash of Dip, and HOLY cow they look FANTASTIC... AMAZING what a difference it made... they just look so dark and realistic now.  I am very pleased with it.

Anyway, more info as stuff gets done... thanks for coming by!

Some help from Finland!

Hey all!

Well, I was looking for an owl to use in the Harry Potter display base that I am working on for the wife... it is a surprisingly hard thing to find!  There were a few pointed out to me over on TMP, but I wasn't THRILLED with them... they are all a bit small and "wimpy" looking.

However, then someone pointed out the owl in the center of this shot, from the Warhammer Dryads boxed set... and THEN said they had an extra and would mail it to me!

And where is this person mailing it from?

Finland!

And yes, free of charge:)

Anyway... it is really awesome that someone would do such a thing for a fellow gamer... so thank you so very much!  I'll have to pay this forward somehow... is there anyone out there who needs some Perry Napoleonic French Sappeurs or something?:)

10mm Napoleonic Spanish farmstead nearly done...

Thought I would post a photo or two.  It isn't QUITE done (needs the matte varnish to take the shine off, and one or two touches, like some cypress trees) but it looks pretty close!

Thoughts, as always, welcome!

The portraits for the Harry Potter display case

Hey all!

Well, got five paintings done.  I think I'll do one more, although I have to figure out what the topic should be.   Clockwise, starting with the right... the big one is Dumbledore asleep... the portrait came from after he died.  Then there is a copy of an actual painting we have on our wall.  Next is a shot of Harry's parents, taken from one of the movies.  The oval frame is The Fat Lady, who guards the entrance into the Gryffindor Tower.  The last one is a portrait from the Uffizi that I thought simply looked right.

I have one more of the smaller rectangle frames that I'll probably do a picture for... I feel like seeing all of these paintings together looks great; very Harry Potter, so I want as many as I can get:)  I am not sure if I'll pick a Harry Potter themed one (which can be tricky) or if, instead, I will just find a decent painting from history.

Food

Yep, a ridiculous dinner.  Bacon-wrapped, balsamic vinegar and rosemary marinated filet mignon, claws and tails from 2lb lobsters with a stick and a half of butter each, salted baked potatoes with shredded cheese, sour cream, and a minced piece of bacon on each one, and steamed sweet baby peas.  It... was... RIDICULOUS.  Oh, and EVERYTHING got dipped in butter.

Some 15mm Cowboy buildings

Hey all!

Well, hot on the heels of some REAL Western firearms, here come the first few shots of my buddy's 15mm Western setup!

Now, if you have ever seen any of his stuff, you will know... he does it up BIG.  He never just casually gets into a collection; instead, he just goes out and buys a LOT.  And it is always good.

So, the latest thing he wanted to do was a 15mm Wild West table.  He promptly went out and got cowboys, civilians, indians, buildings, a fort, several hundred trees, mountains, a train, animals, and about a thousand other little things.

He started work on it all (which his 25mm ACW stuff is still on the table) and I thought I'd show a few pictures of his first two or three weeks of work!

The first two shots are about half of his buildings... he got all of the Blue Moon sets, and a few others.  The interiors so far are basic; he did cardboard versions of the inside windows and doors.  He DOES have furniture for everything, but that will likely wait.  They aren't COMPLETELY done yet, as the windows haven't been done (they will likely have writing and stuff on them) but this is basically how they will look!

The last shot is actually some of the mountains he made.  The idea is the table will go from mountains/forest to forest to plains.  The mountains are a mix of prebought foam mountains that he then attached to Christmas Tree store "stone" display stands.  You can see the last remaining unfinished mountain in the corner.  A LOT of foam work, and they basically melded together!  The ones with the flat areas will be perform for mining areas and gang hideouts.

Anyway... he rarely takes photos (he doesn't have a really good camera) and he rarely updates the blog, so at least here is a peak until he does!