Thursday, 28 January 2010

Dead Nellie 2

This is the second dead elephant I've finished.  I'm currently also painting 2 Gripping Beast resin dead elephants with towers, in parallel, and some Celts I hope to have finished by tomorrow.

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Dead Nellie 1 Done

Here's the first dead nellie (I hope to paint 8 or so for our Zama game by April).  You may recall that I myself sculpted dead nellie, a recently deceased African Forest elephant, and Keith at Aventine very kindly cast it up for me.  The victorious Roman is also from Aventine. 


Shield design LBMS.


The arrows are plastic broom bristle, with the end crimped with pliers.  Very easy...


I'm very pleased with the way it came out.  It was a very simple paint job.  I have a second model almost completed, photo to follow tomorrow, I hope.

If you would like a dead nellie, youreself, Aventine are selling them and very kindly donating the profits to "Help for Heroes".

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Arsenal of War

Here is a shot of the BigRedBatCave's arsenal of war, through which every painted miniature passes.  The red boxes on the floor contain a mix of Vallejo and Miniature Paints; the hobby box Games Workshop paints.  The 4 containers, from right to left,  hold brushes, tools, water afor brushes and coffee respectively.  Missing tonight, is the tin tray that I usually store minis on, using their magnetic bases, whilst painting.  The lamp is absolutely brilliant (literally), I'd be lost without it.  Consul asked what I light source I use, and unfortunately I can't recall the manufacturer.  It was bl**dy expensive, though.

At the end of each evening all the figures, paints and impedimentia are stored away until the next night... this only takes a couple of minutes.  The table is opposite our TV which does, unfortunately, slow my productivity somewhat...  but prevents me from getting bored.  It is, all in all,  an odd way of painting compared to a fixed painting table, but a sociable one as I'm around most of the family.

Sunday, 24 January 2010

Bruttians Completed

'ere they are in all there Bruttish glory:



This is the first of two units.  Greg Privat (who originally painted the figures; I detailed and did the shields) is painting the extra figures I need for the second unit, which is 2/3 complete.  These are all Crusader figures, and very nice ones, too.  The decision to cast the heads separately, means the plumes are great and I've not lost a single feather during assembly!


Friday, 22 January 2010

Bruttians on bases

Here's a progress shot on the Bruttians, that Greg Privat painted and I've detailed.  The observant will notice that only half are here; the remaining 24 are awaiting the Aventine and Crusader reinforcements that will turn them into two units.


They now have shields added, but still need some matt varnishing and of course base texturing.  I've taken some images from Bruttian coinage (the lionhead and pegasi), other images are generic LBMS and VVV Greek  and Roman transfers.  After chatting with Allen I decided to give the unit  a mix of Scuta and Aspis shields, and relatively short spears.  The pic is clickable...

Thursday, 21 January 2010

BigRedBat MSc.

I received an email yesterday evening which advised me that I've been awarded my MSc. in Human Resource Development and Consultancy, from Birkbeck College, with a Merit!  Huzzah!

Wednesday, 20 January 2010

Fellow Traveller

If you have a minute or two, follow the below link to a new blog set up by a mate of mine, Geminian.  Geminian has made much of my terrain, and almost all the best bits, including all my Roman a buildings (below), Middle Easten Buildings and some hills. 



I needed some olive trees made for Zama (I mean, couldn't Scipio and Hannibal have found anywhere more scenic to fight than a totally featureless plain?), and thought of Geminian.  He is making what may well turn out to be the finest olive trees in the history of 28mm gaming...

http://myblogspot-geminianterrain.blogspot.com/