Hello Gentle Readers,
Today I'm feeling pretty darn good. Over the weekend I pretty much finished my Bolt Action Italians. The basing was done over a week ago, but I still needed to finish up on my M14/41 and the Autoblindo armored car. I brushed the medium army painter dip on them, gave them time to dry, and then finished up the painting detail. Added some slight rust color to a few pieces based on historical photos and amazing models I saw, plus I hand painted the licence plates on them (Warlord didn't provide those decals) and then did apply the few decals that I had. Then I finished up with the flat coat to take off the shine and protect my little beauties. Now, I'm no great painter. I am purely a table top painter. But damn, these guys are sexy.
Now sure, I can already feel the skepticism seeping through the screen. "Pics or it didn't happen!" I get it. Well I was so proud of these guys that I went online and ordered a photo box. It isn't fancy or anything, was under $15 actually...but it should work great for my models. Thought if I was going to share, then I better make sure I share them in the best way possible.
I know I'm all excited about them...but you have to realize this is the first army I have finished painting in years....years....like "holy shit....it was a really long time ago" years. And again..its a table top ready army....not GT best painted or slayer sword level kind of stuff. This is "hey, he's got a fully painted and based army that will suffice for any event level painting requirements."
But I still feel like a proud papa. Just finishing something like this is awesome. Bolt Action rules. I mean honestly, I have a real finished army that I can use and I didn't have to paint up 100+ minis. I can count the number of painted armies I have on one...okay, two hands.
First there was the Wood Elves...and I did that to enter a Seattle GT way back in 2000 maybe? The next army was Vampire Counts for the local Rogue Trader scene...which I finally did win one. That was pretty awesome. Probably Flames of War Italians came next...and then DAK....then I went back and did a warhammer Dwarf army for the last GT I ever played in. And then came a Necron army I did so I could be part of the OFCC in 40K. Despite being the first GW wargame I ever owned, it never got a painted army until a good 20 years later. Oh, and then I added more Wood Elves to my army so that it was current. And now I have a Bolt Action Italian army to add to that list. Oh whoops...I did forget, I also have a painted Warmaster Undead army...that gets tucked in there when Warmaster was popular. So eight armies...thirty years of being in this hobby....and I've only painted 8 armies. But you know what? I think I finally turned the corner on this hobby. It always used to be about playing...and winning. And that is horrible...the winning part. That should never be the goal. The goal should be to have fun, regardless of the outcome. Well, now I've just had a great time painting an army that has only even been played once. I have no clue how it will do on the actual battlefield...it wasn't built for any sort of meta. It was just built because I love my North Africa Italians and wanted to see them in painted glory.
So...photobox should get here in a week...and then its new pics! And now I gotta pick my next project.. More Bolt Action? Perhaps a new DAK army I got? or should I paint up some US paras? Or...do I go back to my Warmaster and get another one done there? I'm betting on paratroopers. :) Until next time!
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Modeling Retreat
So this past weekend I hosted my first Model and Painting retreat at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center. <insert loud bwa bwa bwa sounds here>
Got to spend all day working on my models once again, and this time, surrounded by other modelers. This was a fairly small gathering, despite my advertising across various NW facebook groups. You can lead a horse to water and all that.
All in all though, it was a great day. It was beautiful weather in Corbett, Oregon. I love Menucha, and it was a perfect day to be there. We were in the building lovingly referred to as "The Barn". It had a large open area with a full kitchen (the only building at Menucha with its own kitchen), and can sleep 30 in various bunk rooms. It met our needs perfectly.
I worked on my Italian army again. I had some detail paint to put on the infantry before dipping them. I was able to complete the whole army by the end of the day. I even had dipped a few ahead of time and did the final anti-shine mat spray on them there. I unfortunately haven't taken any pics of the final army just yet. Those will be coming soon as soon as a spray the rest of them.
We started at 9am, took a break for a delicious lunch in Wright Hall (pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and salad) and then continued on until 5pm. It was nice to be able to work on my models and converse with fellow hobbyists all day long. We also all got to see what we were working on and just talk shop. It was very enjoyable.
We are hoping to have another possibly in November, and perhaps even extend the time for a Friday evening through Saturday evening time frame. Due to the fact that the Barn has its own kitchen, we might have the option to opt out of the meals, which would reduce the cost for attending. Although honestly, the meals at Menucha are top notch and well worth the cost. However, having the option may entice more people to come. Even with the Scrap and Sew retreat which is over an entire weekend, some people will just come for a single day. So it is very nice to have the different levels of participation open for attendees.
I had a great time and got one step closer to finishing my Italians. It also just got me excited about my models again and working on them. There is a reason I own so freaking many...it is because I do have fun painting them. I am really happy with how this army is turning out and trying to decide on what to work on next. Bolt Action really has its hook in me now. I think I will most likely start on my American Paratroopers. I got some in the BA starter, and then picked up some metals as well. Either that or go back to my Brits so that I have a mid/late war army to use.
Robert (seen above) was working on his Vanguard models from Mantic and is trying to lure us that way. Tim (also above) was working on his Finns for BA, but expressed an interest in trying out SAGA. Freaking gamer ADD...its everywhere. Can't blame them really. Aaron (also above) was showing off his 3D printed models and doing a bit of priming with his airbrush. Our last attendee was Shaun (not seen above) and he was the only non-gamer there. He brought a Humvee model to work on. We'll see if we can pull him into trying out bolt action. :)
Well, that's it for this update. I'll post pics of the finished Italians soon. They just need to be based and sealed, and then I need to put markings on the vehicles. A good day and that could all be done. Till next time.
Got to spend all day working on my models once again, and this time, surrounded by other modelers. This was a fairly small gathering, despite my advertising across various NW facebook groups. You can lead a horse to water and all that.
All in all though, it was a great day. It was beautiful weather in Corbett, Oregon. I love Menucha, and it was a perfect day to be there. We were in the building lovingly referred to as "The Barn". It had a large open area with a full kitchen (the only building at Menucha with its own kitchen), and can sleep 30 in various bunk rooms. It met our needs perfectly.
I worked on my Italian army again. I had some detail paint to put on the infantry before dipping them. I was able to complete the whole army by the end of the day. I even had dipped a few ahead of time and did the final anti-shine mat spray on them there. I unfortunately haven't taken any pics of the final army just yet. Those will be coming soon as soon as a spray the rest of them.
We started at 9am, took a break for a delicious lunch in Wright Hall (pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and salad) and then continued on until 5pm. It was nice to be able to work on my models and converse with fellow hobbyists all day long. We also all got to see what we were working on and just talk shop. It was very enjoyable.
We are hoping to have another possibly in November, and perhaps even extend the time for a Friday evening through Saturday evening time frame. Due to the fact that the Barn has its own kitchen, we might have the option to opt out of the meals, which would reduce the cost for attending. Although honestly, the meals at Menucha are top notch and well worth the cost. However, having the option may entice more people to come. Even with the Scrap and Sew retreat which is over an entire weekend, some people will just come for a single day. So it is very nice to have the different levels of participation open for attendees.
I had a great time and got one step closer to finishing my Italians. It also just got me excited about my models again and working on them. There is a reason I own so freaking many...it is because I do have fun painting them. I am really happy with how this army is turning out and trying to decide on what to work on next. Bolt Action really has its hook in me now. I think I will most likely start on my American Paratroopers. I got some in the BA starter, and then picked up some metals as well. Either that or go back to my Brits so that I have a mid/late war army to use.
Robert (seen above) was working on his Vanguard models from Mantic and is trying to lure us that way. Tim (also above) was working on his Finns for BA, but expressed an interest in trying out SAGA. Freaking gamer ADD...its everywhere. Can't blame them really. Aaron (also above) was showing off his 3D printed models and doing a bit of priming with his airbrush. Our last attendee was Shaun (not seen above) and he was the only non-gamer there. He brought a Humvee model to work on. We'll see if we can pull him into trying out bolt action. :)
Well, that's it for this update. I'll post pics of the finished Italians soon. They just need to be based and sealed, and then I need to put markings on the vehicles. A good day and that could all be done. Till next time.
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