CaptainBirdseye's random mini log

[CaptainBirdseye]

Something a bit different today, a Leman Russ Vanquisher, Tallarn desert raider's style:

First off, apologies for the lack of angles but for some reason i'm finding it really hard to get in-focus shots of this one.

It's pretty much done to a tabletop standard but i'd appreciate any input from anyone with a bit more experience in weathering vehicles - as it stands, this is the first tank i've ever painted that i'm happy with and i'm a bit wary of going over the top with it.

Cheers, CaptainBirdseye

 

[freakinacage]

looks pretty good to me. is that a mould line on the barrel i spy though?

 

[cheelfy]

Good work. But I also see a mould line.

 

[exilesjjb]

you guys have some form of OCD when it comes to mould lines:bulgy-eyes: think the tank looks very nice, just the colour stripes look a little rough.

 

[Prophecy07]

Yes...they do. I honestly never even noticed mold lines until I started reading these forums. Now if I see them on my models, I freak out.

Gee. Thanks CMON...

 

[CaptainBirdseye]

Thanks for the comments guys, first off, it's not a mould line (ducks for cover) i weathered the muzzle by cack-handedly overbrushing black onto it - this has just freakishly come up in the photo to look like a perfect mould line (and i've spent ages trying to perfect that technique for things like chips, scratches, etc)

@ Exiles, the stripes are deliberately rough on the left side as i'm trying to make it look as if sand blowing over the tank has taken off some of the paint - this is why it's not like it on the right side as the cowling in front of it would shade it from the wind. I'm not sure if it really works now you've pointed it out though, definitely something to ponder.

Cheers, CaptainBirdseye

 

[CaptainBirdseye]

I've got the space marine bug at the minute so i've started on a new combat squad for my Raptors army. The finished paint scheme can be seen here: http://coolminiornot.com/237523

And here are the pics:

Very early days, but the sergeant has his face pretty much done, and his armour is awaiting a wash to shade it.
Mud and stones-wise, the bases are done for now.

 

[cheelfy]

Nice colour scheme. I like the face of the sergeant.

 

[freakinacage]

Yes...they do. I honestly never even noticed mold lines until I started reading these forums. Now if I see them on my models, I freak out.

Gee. Thanks CMON...

wait till you start noticing lines on pens and other assorted plastics....

 

[CaptainBirdseye]

Thanks Cheelfy, in real life it looks so much better, just a shame my photographys not up to it.

@Freak, have you found yourself taking a modelling knife to everyday objects yet? It's mad, but i get the urge when ever i see some shoddy casting...

 

[CaptainBirdseye]

Update on the Raptors sergeant, i've shaded his armour, and brought it up to almost the finished colour (it just needs two more highlights)

The face has come out a bit better in this picture, but still not as good as irl.

And today i had a bit of an impulse buy moment - some 1/72 scale British Paratroopers:

This is my first attempt at something so small, and so far i'm finding it really difficult, particularly cleaning the model, and the camouflage on his smock.

Cheers, CaptainBirdseye

 

[freakinacage]

Thanks Cheelfy, in real life it looks so much better, just a shame my photographys not up to it.

@Freak, have you found yourself taking a modelling knife to everyday objects yet? It's mad, but i get the urge when ever i see some shoddy casting...

not yet but the temptation is always there!!

nice work on the sm's face btw. you may want to up the contrast a tad but i like him

it's fun doing some historical stuff for a change too

 

[cheelfy]

The face of your sergeant is really nice.

 

[CaptainBirdseye]

Thanks for the comments guys, @Freak, i've gotta agree with doing a historic figure every now and again to keep the variety up.

The Paratrooper is finished for now (excluding basing, etc)

And likewise the Raptors Sergeant is done (excluding arms, backpack... all the missing bits, really)

 

[CaptainBirdseye]

Been absent for a few days, but have got a decent amount of painting done, first up my Raptors Sergeant:

And on a completely different note, i've decided to revitalise some of my Vampire Counts army, with the vampire first:

My thoughts are the horns need redoing, but further than that, i'm not sure, what would you guys suggest?

In the same vein as the vampire above, i think these guys look okay (although the banner and horns were never finished) but they're a little dull, and i think they could be better so any comments and especially criticism is very welcome.

Cheers, Captain

 

[CaptainBirdseye]

Real life has gotten in the way of late, so not a huge amount done. I have however gotten around to trying out painting with enamels again, something i've not done since i was a kid and i'm really having difficulty with them, although i'm happy with some of the results.
First up, painted the chainsword on the Raptors sergeant, and went with a little bit of battle damage:

And finally, although not really a WIP (although in the sense of me trying to learn how to paint with enamels it is) a Dragon 1/35th US Marine:

The face is awful as i didn't thin the paints enough, and the boots are missing a lot of detail but i do like the uniform - and as i find camouflage really hard i'm happy with the way it came out. Any criticisms or advice is very welcome,
Cheers, CaptainBirdseye

 

[cheelfy]

I like your SM. The second guy isn't bad but I think you could work a bit more on the camo. To thin your paints you just need to add more water to it.

 

[SkelettetS]

i like your undeads the most

may i ask why enamels? cant really see any benefits of it, thats why i ask... i also used them when i was a kid, horrible memories

 

[CaptainBirdseye]

Thanks for the look in guys

@Cheelfy i definitely agree with the camo, i need a lot more practice on getting it to look good. He's painted with enamels (oils) so i can't add water to it.... but no, the reason i didn't thin it enough is i'm not familiar with the paints, and i thought it looked okay straight out of the pot - the face is usually the first thing i paint so it's the worst here.

@SkelettetS, glad you like the skellies (odd that....) and the reason i've had a bash at enamels is i've seen some great work done with them, and i'm trying to recreate it on my own guys - whenever i paint historical minis with acrylics they just don't look right. I've added to my own horrible memories now, wasn't thinking and the brush went into my mouth, thinners and all...

 

[CaptainBirdseye]

Really finding it hard to keep motivated at the minute, but i've finished my Death Guard marine that i started ages ago. I'm uploading him here to see if any of you guys have some advice for me before i post him in the gallery.

So without further ado, here he is:

So please be really blunt, cheers, CaptainBirdseye