ChemicalFencer's Log of Many Things

[ChemicalFencer]

I have seen other put together a WIP log and I thought it might be time to do the same.

Firstly I thought I'd introduce myself to those who don't already know me - I'm Liam and I paint little things!

For my sins I'm in Bahrain where there are NO places to get any type of miniatures or the paints I want (though there is a good art shop here). But I'm not letting that stop me - I'm dedicated!!

And now I thought I'd show you my work area - 'tis a happy place of wonder and excitement (sometimes) . . . .

And here's how I'm attempting my photography

Yes that is a small compact camera as SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) isn't keen on getting anything bigger

I'm hoping to add some WIPs very soon . . .

I have a Che bust for a friend of mine and the Scooby Gang planned for the future.

In a post soon (perhaps later tonight) I'll post up some of the minis I have painted (past and present).

TTFN

CF

 

[ChemicalFencer]

Here are some minis I painted a while ago but never put them up. Not yet good enough on photo imaging software to put them together so please be patient with me . .

Tanshiro from Hasslefree

Painted 2005

Ashlee Campbell from Hasselfree

Painted last year

I tried to do some blood here but I'm not totally convinced - but the strings from the chainsaw I like. I'm not overly sure on the colour choice either.

Ray from Hasslefree

Mystic Panda from Hasslefree

Painted a few months ago

I went for the sith look. I think the base colour is too similar to the head colour. I may have to change that. Suggestions anyone?

Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks for looking.

CF

 

[freakinacage]

i see you like the hasslefree stuff! good choice. i would suggest a matt coat to finish the minis off. the gloss looks a bit naff

as for the base, maybe a dark sandy/browny ash colour

 

[ChemicalFencer]

I do like the Hasslefree stuff but its not the only thing I have.

I see what you mean about the gloss finish. I have 3 acrylic varnishes - all paint on (spray stuff doesn't work in the humidity we have here). What I have found is Pebeo acrylic matt, Pebeo acrylic gloss and Vallejo Game Matt Varnish. I do have other on the way.

Before taking the photos I went over each with the Vallejo varnish. Maybe another coat might be in order.

Thanks for the suggestion for the base - I will have to do something about it.

CF

 

[ChemicalFencer]

Demon Barber

A while back I bought Tale of War's Demon Barber and now getting around to doing something with it.

It has been a nightmare for me so far.

Firstly his razor was bent right over. On trying to straighten it - 'ping' off it came. It was a small joint and so fixing it was a bit of a problem. I had to take a staple and file it down to make a small pin on which to sculpt a new blade. A bit of brown stuff did the trick.

Secondly, when drilling into the leg I went a bit too far and went through the leg. Some green stuff sorted that.

Thirdly, priming went rather wrong. It turned out very very grainy. I don't have any paint stripper and was unsure what it would have done to the putty (though I realise now I could have tested the stripper out on some left over brown stuff), so out came the sand paper and toothpick to smooth him off.

So after all that here he is primed with Vallejo Air Grey Primer

Thanks for looking

CF

 

[ChemicalFencer]

Hi all,

I'm sorry for not posting at all for quite a while - work and family have been distractions. Fortunately the family are fine and the wee one is not as wee any more. 72 cm tall and 12 kg - not bad for an 8 month old.

Tomorrow I'm off on holiday to Hong Kong and then on to Nanjing to see the in laws so will be away for 3 weeks. I will do my best to update when I come back. I do have a few more things to post up like the WIP of Che and a Kingdom of Death I was working on for the WAMP competition - won't be finished before I leave unfortunatly!! And more of the Demon Barber.

Thanks for looking.

CF

 

[SkelettetS]

cant wait for that che bust, is it andrea miniatures?
btw, you have a very very clean paintstation. almost disturbing...

 

[ChemicalFencer]

It is the Andrea Che yes, it is a lot bigger than I was expecting, but it'll be a nice challenge.

My painting table is rarely that clean. Right now I can't see the work surface.

CF

 

[ChemicalFencer]

Riots and moving

Hi y'all,

I wanted to let everyone know that I've not forgotten my log of many things, just a hell of a lot has been going on.

Firstly the riots in Bahrain that where wonderfully exaggerated by the news. Pearl Square? I know Pearl Roundabout. It did get quite bad and I'm glad I wasn't there for the bad parts as it did come the the area I was living. In fact the 24 hr store under my apartment was smashed in.

Before the riots started I handed my notice in at my company for another job in Qatar (possible cause?). More money, better benefits and more structure. I started in March. All our stuff was packed up sent to Qatar which took 2 months (it's a 1 hour ferry ride but still took 2 months). It all finally arrived and I'm back painting again, kind of.

There is a website called Warcamel which is a middle east based wargaming forum. On there I met one other guy in Qatar who paints and games. So a quick order from GW and I've part of a Black Templar army being built - table top quality only with a few better pieces here and there. I'm afraid to say there yes there are still mould lines on some of my marines.

I'll start posting more pictures when I get my internet sorted out properly (can't upload pictures with my iPad). As I've also just moved in to a new flat I'm still sorting things out without the wife (still waiting on paper work to get her over here).

I hope everyone is well.

CF

 

[kathrynloch]

Hi CF! Sounds like you've been busy!

I hope you can get things sorted soon, I'd love to see more pics. And I hear you about the humidity. I live in the "armpit of Texas" and there's a real trick to getting spray primers and sealers to work but it can be done.

(Skelettets is right - that work area is scary clean!)

 

[ChemicalFencer]

Busy, Busy, Busy, Job Loss, Job Gain, Busy, Busy, Busy

It has been a tiring and trying year.

Very little painting happened despite the plans and purchases. I did get myself an airbrush so I could at least prime my minis and do some larger areas (tanks etc).

It took a good 3 months to get the internet connected, 6 months to get the wife and daughter over. Got everything sorted out - carrying on with the '5 year plan', working hard, getting the daughter into a play school etc etc. Then in December the company I joined had a reshuffle and I was shuffled out (a tad annoying to say the least), which kind of put a stop to the 5 year plan.

When you lose your job (or quit) in Qatar and you have a loan the bank freezes your account so you cannot get any money out. I wasn't aware of this until they called. Needless to say when you lose your job here you feel like you up a certain creek without a paddle, when the bank call they take the canoe. Fortunately we got everything cleared off.

I started looking for work straight away, had a few calls but it wasn't looking too good. We decided on a cut off date of mid Feb to get a job then we'd pack up and head back to sunny ol'England. Unfortunately we came to that date without getting anything and got everything packed up. The day before we fly out I have an interview and a verbal job offer.

We fly back, sort out a house for our arriving furniture etc etc, and 4 weeks later I'm back in sunny Qatar working as a Safety Consultant and Trainer. I work with a really good team - the boss even says thank you from time to time!!!

All my minis are back in the UK, however that may change when I'm back in July - I'll bring some back with me.

While I was back I did manage to get a picture of the Che mini I painted for a friend of mine. He was very pleased with it when he got it. Here it is:

If I was to do it again I'd probably clean it up a bit better, and more than likely increase the contrast on his flesh.

If anyone has any comments on Che please feel free to add them below.

Once I have my minis back over I'll try to start adding again.

TTFN

CF