Flaming Tikis WIP and random ramblings spot

[Flaming Tiki]

Well, today I have learned that if using plexiglass to hold back your Envirotex Lite (2 part epoxy "water"). it's a good idea to remember to somehow lube it for release (that sounds, well you know, wrong). While taking off the front "dam" it wanted to take the water with it. It got some too, bummer. I also learned that even if the item you placed "underwater" is within the plane of your boarder, it may not be back far enough. DOH!!!
I am in the process of trying to salvage the wreckage. Using AK interactive Gauzy Agent across the front face. At the bottom is a void that will likely require something different (too deep). While sanding/buffing before adding "the agent" I hit the edge of the swords cross-guard (hilt), ohh, shiny! I dabbed a bit o color on it, we'll see.
If I have to make a new base, so be it. I just can't wait till my knowledge of the practices in play has caught up to my vision. I mean the base developed "organically", it was created on the fly without much planning. In my 2d art, that's where the best stuff comes from. If I do a practice run before a project, the practice piece often times outshines the final piece.
Coffee made, time to trudge along, I still have painting to try and focus on.

PS, any advice on the water issue? I mean, people have complained about texture left behind from "plastic card" (sheet styrene), that's what prompted me to go with the plexi. A little mold release maybe? I have some in spray form, I'd think it would need to be decanted and brushed on or else it would affect the resin sticking to the base. I've read that some use Vasoline (petroleum jelly), I'd be afraid of using it though due to "ridges" caused by the thickness. I dunno? A bit of help here?

A shot from before the carnage, just a test fit .

[Flaming Tiki]

I think I got this, gonna "cap" the wood base with sheet styrene. The water is poured so I can sand it flush with the plastic. The additional depth will keep me off the sword. Big bonus is that I wont need to remove the face. Big drawback is that I had to glue the upper "dam" to the top of the previously poured water. I tried to be frugal with the clue and still get a seal.
Fingers crossed! Nothing to do now but pray and wait...and paint the girl, or that other base, or then there's the other base.

[KruleBear]

Sorry to hear about the water issues, but you are making some neat bases.

[Flaming Tiki]

Good news on all fronts! The water base for Shaern has been salvaged. I don't think it has quite the same feel as before, that's primarily due to the grungy black vs the clean white. No worries though, images forming in my mind. As to the fig, got a little work on the nmm. Happy with the start. Had to stop due to the shakes- I need breakfast. I also got to base painting the marble steps for Anirions base. All airbrush so far, more layers and veining to do by brush. I've spent the bulk of my time filling about a million and half pinholes in the lower part of the base. Prime, fill, sand, sand, sand, prime, sand, sand, prime. Only a few hundred or so left, not to mention trying to true up the molding bit at the bottom. The work is showing improvement, it's just not as fun as painting.

[Flaming Tiki]

Been pluggin' away at the Anirion base. I don't plan on the plinth area as it sits, just don't have a plan for it yet. It's sprayed with gloss ATM to protect it while I detailed the top. Had the added benefit of softening up any imperfections I may have missed. I have some colors coming on Friday, so the fig will have to wait. I believe "she's terribly partial to the periwinkle blue" I wanna keep it desaturated, more of a muted down tone. I rally am enjoying the basing aspect of this hobby, really, really.

Full recovery on the base for Shaern. Happy with it for now, prolly gonna do a little more (?what?) once I get the mini attached. I just need to get her painted now. I have made a little progress with her paint, no pics though. Really only a little paint progress anyway, been spending my time basing. And designing an airbrushed paint scheme for a Harley. Approved by client, now that's gonna eat into my free time to paint minis.

I think tonight is all mini painting, I can hit the bike tomorrow.

[Foxtail]

Outstanding work on the bases Tiki. Both are looking superb and the recovery on the water one is great.

D'yeh like dags?

[Meph]

Oh wow, those are some amazing bases.

[Lone Lemming]

Those bases are fantastic, you have very good ideas, I plan to steal some of them

[TheLost]

Hey FT,

As a basing enthusiast, I really like your work! A tip for the envirotex that I learned from a ReaperCon convention... to block the "water" you can use clear packing tape..holds shape and minimal wicking.. I tape off the area that needs to be blocked and then put some plasticard behind it to support it. All of it is held with a couple mini trigger clamps. Take a look at my WIP if you want..lots there If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask/ PM. Will definitely be looking at your WIP

[Flaming Tiki]

@ Foxtail, thanks for the kind words, I really do appreciate the encouragement. So glad someone hit that link!
@ Meph, high praise, thank you!
@ lone, It's about getting the ideas moved to a completed project that I struggle with. Take all my ideas, they will become yours by the time you're done.
@ the lost, Thanks! I'm beginning to go through other peps wips, glad to see yours won't take me as long as Andy Gs did (that dude is awesome). Montrose??!! Really? I grew up in Glendale. Hoover class of '86. Been gone for a while now, different place now than when I was growing up.
Had to work a long day today, working all weekend as well. Between that and the new Harley paint job. I will happy if I can squeeze in a couple hours of brush time. Most of my "art time" is spent with my airbrushes, I really enjoy the artistic purity of working with "hairy sticks" and sculpting tools.

[TheLost]

@ the lost, Thanks! I'm beginning to go through other peps wips, glad to see yours won't take me as long as Andy Gs did (that dude is awesome). Montrose??!! Really? I grew up in Glendale. Hoover class of '86. Been gone for a while now, different place now than when I was growing up.
Had to work a long day today, working all weekend as well. Between that and the new Harley paint job. I will happy if I can squeeze in a couple hours of brush time. Most of my "art time" is spent with my airbrushes, I really enjoy the artistic purity of working with "hairy sticks" and sculpting tools.

HAHAH! Awesome! such a small world! My older brother was class of '86 at Clark Magnet! Glendale/Montrose is definitely a different place... not the quite suburb it used to be. That paint job on the Harley is awesome! You ride too?!?

[KruleBear]

Well I thought those bases were awesome then I looked at that Harley fairing and my jaw dropped...kudos!

[TheLost]

Well I thought those bases were awesome then I looked at that Harley fairing and my jaw dropped...kudos!

I know right!?!?

[Flaming Tiki]

Sorry for the delay in posting, busy,busy, busy. I have found a little amount of time to paint though.
- Thanks for the comments on my other project, it really means a lot to me, keeps me positive about it. @ Lost, No, I don't ride- I don't belong on a bike. At least not in the city. The time I've spent on bikes was great, but I'm not "attentive" enough honestly.

About the paint progress; I've been working on my nmm, as it's something I really want to do well. I feel like I am getting it finally, a bit. I still need to work on my large areas like axe heads, I'll get there though. I feel like I have finally made a leap forward, one that I can feel. That gives me a little wind in my sails.

That's it for now, thanks for lookin'.

[Flaming Tiki]

I've been pretty busy with other projects as of late. I have gotten in a bit 'o brush time though. This little gal is pretty close to done. Just a few bits to touch up. I think I may go back into the shield with a darker tone as well. Anyway, pressed for time, so pics...

[Zab]

nice need to bring some of the greens from the base into the metals to unify it all. like reflected color

[Flaming Tiki]

Thanks Zab! Yes, green will work nicely.
I forgot to mention that I've started in on the Mighty Thor! Another Marvel 500 blind bag offering. I'm using this one as an experiment in chrome (senmm), and an excuse for a snow base. What the heck, the blind bags were on sale- $1.19 ea, had to do it. His costume doesn't seem to match any one iteration of Marvels Thor, but a few different ones combined. I decided to go as "classic' as I could. Still a ways to go, just base colors mostly in these pics. He started out a translucent purple with some black paint, it was gross!

[Flaming Tiki]

And I'm Back! Been a while. No reason in particular. Life, work, other hobbies. As of late the Muse has brought me back to minis. She prodded me pretty hard this time too. Since my last batch of postings I've painted and based a bit, but the last couple weeks have been a flurry of activity! I've purchased some real cool figs and a ton of basing supplies. I also picked up the 63 color Scale 75 set and the first Inkensity set. Prior to this I've been using mostly Vallejo Game Air and an assortment of (non-air) others, of which the Scales were my favorite.
A quick update on old projects (previously posted ones): 1. Shaern, Female Antipaladin- no change, all done but her left hand! 2. Thor and Cap'n A- a little work, not much. Started a spidey as well. 3. Wiz Kids Griffon- no change 4. Hero Forge Stag Berzerker- no progress, just the opposite, lost his ball 'n chain.
5. Anirion, Wood Elf Wizard and large base- Getting close! I actually put in a bit of work on the figure a little while ago. I haven't worked on her since I started back in this round. Here's some pics I just took:


I have a few new projects that have been kicking my butt, as usual though I'm getting through it and enjoying myself despite the set backs, most of which have just been rookie style gafs. Okay enough talk on to the work:
First up is the (now defunct, i guess) Kabuki Studios Ky-Ra:

I'm still working on her face, that's why it looks washed out. Actually redoing her head after putting so much paint on her that at one point I thought she had a mold line across her face. I added some varnish to smooth it out and of course that made it worse. I didn't realize what I had done till I put more than a few hours into it. So I carefully stripped her head back down to the resin with IPA and Tamyia cotton swabs. Man, I messed the rest of her a bit too. Also, I can't count (4) how many times I broke off part of her toes on her "mounting" foot! Gonna be an epoxy with no pin mount, good thing I don't game with these! I 'm about all recovered from that and moving forward again. Simple base for this one:

Next up is Dark Sword's Female Magic User (7205) Just starting to lay down the base colors. Working on slightly elaborate base for her (no pics yet).

Also working up a cool "Greco-Roman" style piece for Reapers Grey Maiden (60025) and another one for Reapers Slithe Handmaiden (03628) a dynamic water base for her. There's also a base being played with for the sake of itself, at the moment. And an assortment of testing going on as well.
If you stopped by and checked this out- THANKS!

[ekipage]

welcome back and nice work on your basing. Looking forward to seeing you paint up Ky-Ra and the others

[Flaming Tiki]

thanks Eki.
Here's a barbarian sent for free with an order from Black Sun. I used him to get back into the feel of fleshtones a few weeks back. I threw on the TMM just because I had it sitting there unused. Although I have not really gotten the NMM down yet, I prefer it and I"m getting better at it. I may change his metal over to NMM, if not then maybe I'll try for something "in between", I've seen some youtube videos along that line. Overall he needs more paint work, and that's fine. a base I'm working on is calling his (no)name.
The base is one I started up a WHILE ago. I made a mold and cast one out of resin, this is the original. Saving the cast one for the future.