home

Author Topic: The Renaissance Empire [Page 12: Four month quarantine progress]  (Read 65763 times)

Offline Konrad von Richtmark

  • Members
  • Posts: 3132
  • Marius Leitdorf Lives!
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 9: Peasants & Grunts]
« Reply #225 on: October 26, 2018, 06:56:25 PM »
Zygmund, another thing, on the topic of hobby preferences. Have you ever found that when your painting has improved, you have started to resent how badly painted your older miniatures are? Because it has happened to me, to the point where I felt that I had to rehabilitate my oldest miniatures to be able to stand them.

Peculiarly enough, it happened to me with GW bases too. I never thought before there's anything wrong with them. Then I started using Shogun Miniatures magnetic bases, which are thinner and don't have sloping edges, and consequently, leave way smaller and less pronounced gaps between the bases when ranked up. Now, I find GW bases and their humongous gaps an utter eyesore, even if what's on the base is way better than anything I could make.

That's also why I was wondering about whether it's worth learning to improve my painting skills. Might be I'd just sow the seeds of my own discontent.
The only good thing about 7th ed heads is that they look particularly inbred and superstitious which is perfect for Stirlanders

Offline Von Kurst

  • Members
  • Posts: 1417
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 9: Peasants & Grunts]
« Reply #226 on: October 27, 2018, 05:20:17 PM »
Wonderful brush work!  :::cheers:::

A joy to see those old grendel sets, too.
“Why is the rum always gone?” -Captain Jack Sparrow
"It is, it is a glorious thing To be a Pirate King."
 -Gilbert, Sir W(illiam) S(chwenck)

Offline Zygmund

  • Pure of Heart
  • Members
  • Posts: 2676
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/288460758594334
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 9: Peasants & Grunts]
« Reply #227 on: October 29, 2018, 02:21:40 PM »
Always loved the old Grendel sets. I've since acquired quite a hoard of them, and am now in the slow process of painting and re-painting some.

Zygmund, another thing, on the topic of hobby preferences. Have you ever found that when your painting has improved, you have started to resent how badly painted your older miniatures are?

Not really. The models I paint tend to be very meaningful for me, and tie to the game and ideas I have in mind while painting. Of course some of the older models are less clear than the newer ones, but I seldom look them with that eye. Usually, when I pick up an older model, I'm flooded with pleasant memories. Also, when I started painting again ten years ago, I almost solely painted rank-and-file for a couple of years. They're OK in big units. I've thought about touching them up at some point, but until now haven't.

Also, I'm a little bit at loss at what you think my older painting looks like. I started this thread almost 2.5 years ago. Most of the first photos are quite bad, and the figures actually look better in real life. Then there are some other threads I started maybe in 2009, but those photos are even worse. I do like the figures I painted almost ten years ago.

I painted very little when I was younger, just some individual metal models for RPGs. As far as I still have those models, they're about OK, just the colours are flat, as I didn't layer back then. But they would be easy to 'uplift'. I did paint the details quite diligently back then.

Most of my plastic 80's panzers are ugly has hell, of course, but they don't count. I love every one of them precisely as they are.  :laugh:

That's also why I was wondering about whether it's worth learning to improve my painting skills. Might be I'd just sow the seeds of my own discontent.

It's always worth it to try out things you find interesting. If learning new techniques or just spending more time with a single miniature (= more layers, more details) interests you, you should of course do it!  :-)

-Z
« Last Edit: October 29, 2018, 02:26:55 PM by Zygmund »
Live in peace and prosper.

Offline Konrad von Richtmark

  • Members
  • Posts: 3132
  • Marius Leitdorf Lives!
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 9: Peasants & Grunts]
« Reply #228 on: October 29, 2018, 08:59:44 PM »
Sorry Zygmund, I did not mean that your older miniatures are badly painted. Everything I've seen you paint has ranged from decent to superb. I just wondered if your own opinion of your earlier paintjobs has decreased over time, as happened to me.

Maybe I'm a grognard by nature, or have become so by age. Life was better as an easily impressed wee lad  :smile2:
The only good thing about 7th ed heads is that they look particularly inbred and superstitious which is perfect for Stirlanders

Offline Zygmund

  • Pure of Heart
  • Members
  • Posts: 2676
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/288460758594334
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 9: Scenery/House Group]
« Reply #229 on: March 24, 2019, 09:02:02 AM »
Here's to celebrate my ten years on this forum: a group of houses I finally finished over this winter.







I originally bought the houses built & painted seven years ago, in 2012. Then I added details, like chimneys, mostly from the GW plastic buildings and greenstuff. Somewhere earlier on this thread you will see some progress with the details already years ago.

The real push towards finishing the eternity project came with the decision to put everything on a base and to build a proper courtyard with walls (using the GW plastic walls). I also added a wooden shed and some detail on otherwise bland house walls. This happened over the past winter.

Here's the beginning of the shed:


Shed finished, walling planned. Also almost made an outhouse, but that part of the project still waits to be finished.


Textured the base, pre-glued grass to make out which parts needed sand:


Prepared the stoning & sand with layers of red, grey and yellow sprays. I didn't have brown at hand, and figured a nice mixture of paint would bring some hues on the finished scenery. It might have done so, but I've since gone and bought that brown spray.  :icon_lol:


Glued the grass.


After this, I added static grass to cover the seams and add texture. And painted. And used a lot of pigments to weather & age the stone surfaces.


So fond of houses now that I bought & started to build this Tudor tavern:



My painting table still has some Empire or Empiresque minis on square bases. Half-painted, so should be easy to finish some time soon.



A choice of minis by my daughter:

You can see the finished calf and bunnies in the courtyard of the finished houses, above.

-Z
« Last Edit: March 24, 2019, 09:28:42 AM by Zygmund »
Live in peace and prosper.

Offline GamesPoet

  • Administrator
  • Members
  • Posts: 23713
  • Happy Spring! : )
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 9: Scenery/House Group]
« Reply #230 on: March 24, 2019, 11:07:07 AM »
Looks grand! :icon_biggrin: :icon_cool: :eusa_clap: :::cheers:::
"Not all who wander are lost ... " Tolkien

"... my old suggestion is forget it, take two aspirins and go paint" steveb

"The beauty of curiosity and creativity is so much more useful than the passion of fear." me

"Until death it is all life." Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Offline Naitsabes

  • Members
  • Posts: 779
  • Never slid
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Scenery/House Group]
« Reply #231 on: March 26, 2019, 04:51:08 PM »
That is an awesome little farmstead. You went all out on building up from the original houses. Lovely.

And, doesn't it feel good to get something done after years of only intermittent progress? Of course, then you turned around and immediately bought the next house. but, no doubt, you have told yourself it won't linger that long? At least that is my approach to this hobby.
The Empire Road to Volganof Last update 18Mar2023 - Pistoliers & Baggage train)

Offline Doc J

  • Members
  • Posts: 633
  • The Prince of Brooklyn Park
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Scenery/House Group]
« Reply #232 on: March 26, 2019, 07:02:42 PM »
That house is so chingon, I'm really impressed.
In the words of the late great Nicki Minaj - Ya done son

Offline Zygmund

  • Pure of Heart
  • Members
  • Posts: 2676
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/288460758594334
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Scenery/House Group]
« Reply #233 on: March 27, 2019, 11:16:32 AM »
Thanks GP & Doc.  :-)

That is an awesome little farmstead. You went all out on building up from the original houses. Lovely.

And, doesn't it feel good to get something done after years of only intermittent progress? Of course, then you turned around and immediately bought the next house. but, no doubt, you have told yourself it won't linger that long? At least that is my approach to this hobby.

Exactly my feelings, and exactly my approach too.  :::cheers:::

-Z
« Last Edit: April 02, 2019, 05:35:26 AM by Zygmund »
Live in peace and prosper.

Offline Zak

  • Members
  • Posts: 7450
  • Mad Viking
    • Mad Viking
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Scenery/House Group]
« Reply #234 on: March 27, 2019, 02:56:30 PM »
nice work  :eusa_clap: :eusa_clap: :eusa_clap:
Yes I'm dyslexic so what

Offline Zygmund

  • Pure of Heart
  • Members
  • Posts: 2676
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/288460758594334
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Mordheim etc.]
« Reply #235 on: March 31, 2019, 12:50:44 PM »
Didn't finish painting a single miniature for five months. Now I'm back with a revenge!

Mordheim guys, plus the oriental DoW guy - what was his name again?




Casualty.



Reaper maid & familiar.



Flagellants/knigths/undead. I continue my hobby of making living out of the undead. But this duo will still work fine as revenants.



Spooky!



Wealth!



I realise I've forgotten how to take better photos with my equipment. These are a little bit too bright and a little bit unsharp. Or maybe my handy camera is getting old?

-Z
Live in peace and prosper.

Offline GamesPoet

  • Administrator
  • Members
  • Posts: 23713
  • Happy Spring! : )
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Mordheim etc.]
« Reply #236 on: March 31, 2019, 01:15:55 PM »
Photos are fine, and the figures look great! :icon_cool: :eusa_clap: :::cheers:::
"Not all who wander are lost ... " Tolkien

"... my old suggestion is forget it, take two aspirins and go paint" steveb

"The beauty of curiosity and creativity is so much more useful than the passion of fear." me

"Until death it is all life." Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Offline Midaski

  • Sunny Sussex, England
  • Administrator
  • Members
  • Posts: 11893
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Mordheim etc.]
« Reply #237 on: March 31, 2019, 02:24:20 PM »
Mordheim guys, plus the oriental DoW guy - what was his name again?


"Midas the Mean"

My nic inspiration  :engel:

Quote from: Gneisenau
Quote
Metal to Finecast - It is mostly a swap of medium. 

You mean they will be using Ouija boards instead of Tarot cards for their business plans from now on?

Offline Zygmund

  • Pure of Heart
  • Members
  • Posts: 2676
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/288460758594334
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #238 on: April 24, 2019, 01:27:22 PM »
These little nasties will wreak havoc in the battlefield as well as in the camp!




Halflings absolutely require a well-equipped kitchen.


One Halfling more (need to repaint the shield as the emblem cannot be seen), plus some men.


-Z
Live in peace and prosper.

Offline Doc J

  • Members
  • Posts: 633
  • The Prince of Brooklyn Park
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #239 on: April 24, 2019, 04:01:29 PM »
Where did you get the kitchen? Its chingon.
In the words of the late great Nicki Minaj - Ya done son

Offline Zygmund

  • Pure of Heart
  • Members
  • Posts: 2676
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/288460758594334
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #240 on: April 24, 2019, 04:12:05 PM »
Where did you get the kitchen? Its chingon.

Scotia-Grendel, which is old Grendel. At least the sci-fi terrain pieces go back to old Armorcast. Maybe still another owner/brand in between.

I bought this one second hand, so don't know how old it actually is. You can check in Scotia-Grendel's webshop if they still make it. They had plenty of other similar interior stuff, and still make some. I have a whole tavern interior from them, and beds, and whatnot. Mostly my daughters play with them.  :icon_lol:

-Z
Live in peace and prosper.

Offline GamesPoet

  • Administrator
  • Members
  • Posts: 23713
  • Happy Spring! : )
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #241 on: April 24, 2019, 11:12:45 PM »
I like 'em! :eusa_clap: :::cheers:::
"Not all who wander are lost ... " Tolkien

"... my old suggestion is forget it, take two aspirins and go paint" steveb

"The beauty of curiosity and creativity is so much more useful than the passion of fear." me

"Until death it is all life." Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Offline Zak

  • Members
  • Posts: 7450
  • Mad Viking
    • Mad Viking
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #242 on: April 26, 2019, 01:40:20 PM »
 :eusa_clap: :eusa_clap: :eusa_clap:
Yes I'm dyslexic so what

Offline Zygmund

  • Pure of Heart
  • Members
  • Posts: 2676
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/288460758594334
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #243 on: May 12, 2019, 08:59:31 AM »
Now Halfling cavalry:


The vey special thing in this unit is the painting time. I was in a rush, and timed my painting. 180 minutes exactly, from a brown primer to this level. They would still need highlights, and ofcourse a banner. But they already frustrated a giant (who was slain by a charge in the back), and poked an ogre lord!  :happy:

-Z
« Last Edit: May 12, 2019, 09:13:42 AM by Zygmund »
Live in peace and prosper.

Offline Novogord

  • Mr Goblin
  • Members
  • Posts: 1644
  • Wie wind zaait, zal storm oogsten
    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001398349166
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #244 on: May 16, 2019, 12:32:47 PM »
Lovely work!
Are those old citadel miniatures?
Quote
Only the dead have seen the end of the war

Quote
Being an intellectual creates a lot of questions and no answers.

Offline GamesPoet

  • Administrator
  • Members
  • Posts: 23713
  • Happy Spring! : )
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #245 on: May 16, 2019, 04:21:41 PM »
Excellent! :eusa_clap: :::cheers:::

What company makes those figures :icon_question:
"Not all who wander are lost ... " Tolkien

"... my old suggestion is forget it, take two aspirins and go paint" steveb

"The beauty of curiosity and creativity is so much more useful than the passion of fear." me

"Until death it is all life." Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Offline Zygmund

  • Pure of Heart
  • Members
  • Posts: 2676
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/288460758594334
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #246 on: May 17, 2019, 06:00:45 AM »
Thanks!

The mounted Halflings are from Essex, with a couple of head swaps.

They're rather small models with big heads. The ponies especially are diminutive. My hypothesis is that the Essex sculptor used 15mm horses as the base, as Essex manufactures a lot of 15mm models.

-Z
Live in peace and prosper.

Offline Von Zorn

  • Members
  • Posts: 73
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings]
« Reply #247 on: May 17, 2019, 09:35:40 PM »
Very nice work. Especially impressive given how quickly you did them!

Offline Zygmund

  • Pure of Heart
  • Members
  • Posts: 2676
    • https://www.facebook.com/groups/288460758594334
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings, Baggage train, House]
« Reply #248 on: September 19, 2019, 10:33:41 AM »
Sloooow progress with anything Empire related. But here are some I finished recently.

Some more Hobbits, with dogs.



Baggage train

Added Perry horses & an ancient driver to a modified Sarissa peasant wagon.


A really oldschool pair. Citadel C-something from the eighties.
Still need to tinker with how the cart is actually pulled by the horse (pony).


A medium cart by Grendel. Now searching for oxen to pull it.


Reaper Bones pumpkin cart.
It's supposed to be pulled by a swine, but I'm nor sure even Hobbits have that big swine.



Some houses

Bought this ruin semi-finished (Javis? Ziterdes?), and had some fun painting & weathering it.


The next unending project: totally scratchbuilt house.


Made the stone & tilework from individual pieces.
Not sure this is the best way to go, gonna look for different approaches & mediums with the next one...


-Z
« Last Edit: September 19, 2019, 10:36:13 AM by Zygmund »
Live in peace and prosper.

Offline GamesPoet

  • Administrator
  • Members
  • Posts: 23713
  • Happy Spring! : )
Re: The Renaissance Empire [Page 10: Halflings, Baggage train, House]
« Reply #249 on: September 19, 2019, 10:49:31 AM »
1.  Believe I have that same halfling, the one raising his sword with bow in other hand.  Always liked him.  Where'd the one drinking from his mug come from?  And the dogs too!

2.  Carts are lovely! :icon_cool: :eusa_clap:

3.  That ruined building is well done! :icon_biggrin: :::cheers:::

4.  Did you really sculpt the stones on the building individually? :icon_eek:  The building looks like it is coming along nicely!
"Not all who wander are lost ... " Tolkien

"... my old suggestion is forget it, take two aspirins and go paint" steveb

"The beauty of curiosity and creativity is so much more useful than the passion of fear." me

"Until death it is all life." Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra