Trying my hand at some enhanced paint techniques.

So I made some painting and modelling progress.  
I wanted to practice some new techniques using the AK interactive items I picked up, so I built a small terrain piece using a plastic Coffee container to try on.
I also started work on one of the Ma.K Melusine models I have.  I'm using my Iwata Neos airbrush on these models to make it quicker, and get some practice in.

Here are a few in progress shots.  Again, not the best as I need a new camera and photo booth setup.
First is the primer coat and rust colors on the left.  Not pictured is the coat of AK Interactive Worn Effects fluid.
On the right is the first camo color layer on the Melusine, Vallejo Model Color Neutral Grey.

Here we have the masking work for the camo scheme on the left.  I'm trying to go with a Dark grey pattern breaker/ Night warfare scheme on this guy to see how it looks.  I may make 2 others in this scheme.

On the right we have the Vallejo Air color Dark Blue Grey  top coat.

 Next up we have a couple pictures after removing the paint masks, and doing some light chipping work on the Melusine.  It went surprisingly well.  I could have gone overboard with it, as the paint came off very easily after wetting with a brush and giving it a little time to work it's magic on the Worn Effects fluid.
 I did want to show some wear on this model, but not look like it's been on the Eastern Front for a year or so.


Another couple of shots out of direct sunlight.

After doing the chip work with a flat brush and a toothpick, I went in and added some dark spots with the AK Interactive Chipping Color Acrylic paint.  I didn't want the rust spots to be too stark, but look a bit fresh.

Last, I coated the Melusine with a VMC Satin Varnish coat.  I may pick up a gloss coating to do before the next step, as I heard it works better for the enamel washes than Satin.

Next up will be the AK Interactive Streaking Grime set to give this a nice used look, and some weathering powders I picked up a while ago.

Ada, fini! Plus new painting supplies.

I finished up my first of 5 Ada models.  This is going to be the actual Ada mini if/when the Iron Core rules come out in the future (fingers crossed!!).
I used the included base that is provided with the Dreamforge Models Ada figure.  It has a smaller lip than most of the lipped bases on the market these days, but I was able to work with it.

It's done in a dark earth/turf with a field weed to break it some.   Ada is standing in the footstep of an enemy Leviathan that she is tracking.

I could probably do a little more work on it, but I'm just happy getting something painted and based at this point.
Still need a good lighting/picture setup.  For that matter, probably a better digi-cam.  Old and busted just isn't cutting it any more :(

I also picked up some new paint supplies.  I've decided to try pushing the envelope of my paint skills, and branch out into some enamel/oil techniques used in scale model painting.
I've found some amazing videos on YouTube (look for enamel or oil washing / weathering for models).
I picked up a couple of things from AK Interactive that I hope will help me paint better looking models.

I snagged the Streaking Effects Set to work on my grimy looking effects, and I've seen it used for panel lining and pin washing. 
I also picked up the Worn Effects fluid to try my hand at paint chipping (similar to the Hairspray technique).
And last, I picked up a bottle of Chipping Effect color, which is an acrylic color used to replicate paint chips, as a base color under the final layer of paint.

I'm hoping to start working on my techniques with the new supplies soon, on the 9 Ma.K Melusine models I picked up to use as light mecha for my German forces. 

We'll see how it goes, and if I can update before another month goes by.

Progress despite my schedule!

So, I had a 3 day weekend.  Did this mean I could get half of what I wanted to do done?  Nooooo.
But I did make some progress.

I've almost finished up 3 of my Felid Berserker Suits for Gruntz 15mm.  They are Protolene Ayame suits from Critical Mass Games.  I'm using them as pseudo cyborg suits for fallen, disgraced warriors that were not allowed to die on the field due to cowardice or tactical blunders.
 Some base work and then dull-coat ad they will be done enough for me.

I've also made some progress on my "Ada, small woman with a BIG gun" from Dream Forge Games. I'm near complete on her, just a few touch ups, the basing, and she'll be good to go. 

I'm torn on the splinter camo. I liked the nice, clean look of the dark yellow base coat, but think it would be a bit too bland for an entire force of droptroops.

Kriegsmarine command squad

So I got the command squad of my new Drop Trooper substitutes out of their plastic for the most part.

 Forgive the sideways picture, I'll see if I can get it fixed.

 For now you can see what comes with the 5 man command squad:

 5 Torsos
 6 Leg sections
 7 Heads (5 helmeted, 2 not)
 accessory sprue,
 and weapons in the plastic baggie

 There aren't any extra weapon choices at this point.  What you see is what you get when ordering.

 But it seems that DreamForge Games will be opening a
bits service for their mini line soon, for extra and alternate weapon loads.

I hope to have paint on these sometime this year, we'll see though.

There's Germans falling fom the sky!!

Woo!  More reinforcements for my fledgling Secrets of the Third Reich armies.

I ordered a command squad and two 5 man squads of Kreigsmarine from Dreamforge Games to use as my FJ heavy armor drop troops.

They finally came in yesterday. 

They are just a jumble of parts in plastic envelopes right now, but soon they will be assembled and painted!

These are excellently designed and produced miniatures.

Though not as bulky as the Westwind Productions German Droptroops, these will work very well.

They are futuristic, yet retain a very WW2 Wehrmacht feel.

The armor is enough to give them a heavier than regular troop look while still being the fast moving airborne troops they are supposed to be.

I'll have some more pics out of the plastic soon.