Looking Thru The Other End of The Binoculars

Arrival of My Baby Girl Tyra

2007-10-29T19:09:00.000+08:00

The past few weeks I've been busy with work, getting a new ride and most importantly, the birth of my 2nd child, baby Tyra! She weights 3440 grams at birth and is now almost a week old. Here's a photo of the little princess.

Iron Painter Season 4

2007-09-25T18:31:00.000+08:00

The 4th season of the Iron Painter is here. This time round the turnout is incredibly huge. As of now, there are about 50 or so participants already. Sadly, I had to opt out this time as my baby girl is due next month.

If you would like to join in the madness, follow the link on the right side to Wyrd main page to find out more. The top prize is US$100 through Paypal and a US$50 Wyrd voucher so be sure to check it out!

Have U Ever Danced With the Devil...

2007-09-18T23:50:00.000+08:00

I had always wanted to paint a wolfen under the moonlight. Varghar, a limited edition model from Rackham seems to be the perfect model with its really cool pose. However, I put it off since wolfen wasn't the race I'm gaming with and I wanted to paint it only when I feel I'm ready.

After seeing a version of this model done by a member on the Wyrd website, I was greatly inspired and decided its time I paint mine up. I also wanted mine to look a little different from the original version by giving it a weapon swap. I've been working with white undercoat but this time I decided to use black since what I have in mind would be very dark. I primed it white as usual and painted it with 3 coats of black to get a nice smooth base to work with.
From there, I sprayed white from the top to get an idea of where the moonlight will fall on the model. Some oxford blue (VMC 807), dark sea grey (VMC991) and black was mixed to create a base colour for the skintone. I tried to keep all the colours very muted by adding grey to whatever colours I used.

To add some sense of motion to the otherwise static pose, I created a water splash with Vallejo water effects and still water. At the end, I'm very happy with the final result. Now to pick a new model and find more inspiration for it. Till then, Ciao!

A Journey Thru Time

2007-09-14T23:34:00.000+08:00

Today I sat in front of my computer and browse through the photos of my work in the past. Some of them brought back fond memories. I remember there were 3 of us in a D&D group during my secondary school days that were interested in miniature painting, Patrick, Joseph & myself.

Patrick was the most serious one and he bought the proper Citadel acrylic paints. However he had shaky hands and most of his minis end up pretty bad lol. However, he is really good at sketching and could come up with a group pic of our D&D characters in minutes. Joseph's and my skills at painting were nothing to be proud of either. Myself painted with water colours and some crappy brush. Not too long both my buddies quitted painting while I continue this rather "weird" hobby of mine.

I bought my 1st ever book on miniature painting titled Heroes for Wargames. That was the most informative book I could ever get during that time. I bought proper paints and brushes and produced a mini that I could be proud to show off when people ask me what I do as a hobby.

Unable to find anyone who share this same hobby, I painted less often, or rather took 1 whole year to finish a single model. This started to change when I went for my studies in Northampton in UK. I found a Games Workshop store and to me, it was like walking into an art gallery of miniatures in the 1st time of my entire life! The staff were friendly and I learnt alot from them. My flame for miniature painting was rekindled. That is also when I started my habit of brushlicking.

I continued to paint this way for a few years after I came back from UK. With the internet age, I came across the biggest, most informative online painting site ever "Cool Mini Or Not", commonly know as CMON. That again is like walking into another art gallery, only bigger, much much bigger. Thus began another chapter of my painting hobby.

Without much background in art, I had to start from zero, learning stuff like colour theory, shading and highlights not just by adding black & white. The rise of the French miniature company Rackham, changed the way thousands of painters like myself paint with their Non Metallic Metals (NMM). These few years, alot of talents have risen all over the world with new techniques and styles. I find myself more and more involved in this hobby. I should be painting for as long as I am able to. Till then I look forward to seeing how miniature painting will evolve in the years to come ... ...

One More for the Cabinate

2007-09-06T23:12:00.000+08:00

The basework was done with plaster and some greenstuff for the maggots on the corpse. I chopped of the arms and lower body of the corpse on floor as how Bregan would to his victims. That was a last minute addition as I felt the floor was rather plain with just the puddle of gore. I'll try to keep this painting momentum going before I hit another low period. I hope that wouldn't come too soon as I still have loads of unpainted stuff.

Almost Done

2007-09-01T23:48:00.000+08:00

Back from a business trip from Bangkok and found some time today to paint up the axe for Bregan. I'm rather happy with the way he is coming off so far. Next step would be to come up with a suitable base for him.

Bregan, Dark Apostate

2007-08-28T21:42:00.000+08:00

The apostates of darkness were some my favourite sculpts from Rackham. So much so that they became some of my most satisfied paintjobs. This time I'm painting up Bregan who is the leader of the dark apostates. I first started painting him last year in September. At that time I was very much into NNM bronze and wanted that for his armour.
Somehow I didn't like how he looks so I stripped off the paint and repainted him again in January this year. This time round, I was thinking of doing something different for his tabard/skirt. I blended reds into the blue but at the end I told myself that's not the Bregan I wanted.
Its been months since I left him with the other wips on the table. Finally I had a vision of how I wanted Bregan to look. He was originally a knight with the Lions of Alahan before he turned to the dark side. Black armour with gold trims and a red tabard would be it! So begins my third and most likely my final attempt on this model.

Harbinger & Cadwe Undertaker

2007-08-23T19:39:00.000+08:00

Completed these two models over the weekend but only got to varnish and photograph them yesterday. I'm not very pleased with the results on the Harbinger but my patience has really ran out and furthermore I learnt that the owner is going to game with it rather than use for display.

I had another go playing with black on the undertaker model. Rather pleased with the result this time. I also did a small freehand of the Cadwallon logo on his banner.

Back To Painting

2007-08-19T22:31:00.000+08:00

This weekend I finally got the mood to get back to painting. I sculpted bases for the Harbinger as well as a Cadwallon undertaker model which has been a wip on my desk for a few months now. I seriously need to push myself to finish up my commission and get on to more painting.

Final Stages of Harbinger

2007-08-01T00:21:00.000+08:00

Struggling slowly but soon to finish this rather demanding model. Hopefully by this weekend it'll be finished.

I Believe I can Fly

2007-07-23T18:48:00.000+08:00

Fixed on the wings and the massive shoulder plates. Had to cut away part of the wings so that they fit nicely. Quite pleased with how it looks. Its looking rather bright now so I'll tone it down later.

Harbinger WIP

2007-07-21T19:08:00.000+08:00

Some slow progress on my last project here. Due to the fact that the owner wanted white as the main colour is not making it any easier for me. I'm still unsure where to fix the wings onto exactly, will have to decide later on after I fix on the massive shoulder plates and making sure it doesn't get in the way.

Krielstone Bearer Completed

2007-07-15T22:19:00.000+08:00

After a long pause from painting, I squeeze out some time to finish up this last piece of a batch commission. I have previously started on a new model as well and had decided to use a pair of plastic wings for the conversion. Will be posting some more wips once I have them.

A new month, a new project.

2007-07-03T22:49:00.000+08:00

I embarked on a new commissioned model today, another one from the company Privateer Press. Its called the Harbinger from the faction Protectorate of Menoth. A very nice looking sculpt and the owner had requested to have wings added to her and have the 3 guys who had chains attached to her removed. It should look pretty impressive when its finally done but right now I am trying to figure out how the wings can be attached and what sort of bits to use for that.

Annual ICT

2007-06-15T21:02:00.000+08:00

Sorry for the long absence. Finally completed my reservist that lasted 20 days. I had a great time catching up with my army days buddies. Also, I managed to pass my fitness test, or so called IPPT after clocking almost 15mins for my last 2.4 km run attempt 2 years ago. My timing this time was 12min 30 secs, nothing to be proud of but at least I passed.

I will certainly find time soon after my business trip this Sun to get back on my painting. Been quite some time since I last picked up my brushes.

End of The Road

2007-05-28T21:30:00.000+08:00

My journey for the Iron Painter 3 has ended. I was beaten by a female painter yet again. My past 2 defeats in IP2 were to 2 lady painters as well. Is it just coincidence, or is because I have a soft spot for the fairer sex? Anyway time to put it all behind and continue on my commission work. Here's a WIP of the Krielstone Bearer.

Nurbald in the Automaton

2007-05-17T22:51:00.000+08:00

You might have noticed some changes to the basework which I mentioned before. I think it's more coherent now. Finally, the figure is pinned onto the platform. I'm rather pleased with the results even though it is a little cramped where Nurbald is standing and the chain is touching the mechanical legs. I'll find time to get better photos to submit, or I might just settle with this.

Did some final touch ups & updated multiple views in my gallery.

WIP Nurbald the Sculptor

2007-05-15T22:29:00.000+08:00

The title says it all.

Privateer Press Trollbloods

2007-05-14T23:24:00.000+08:00

Commissioned by a friend to paint these up to a above average gaming standard. I wish Rackham would make their models as rigid as these and those of Games workshop, so that at least they wouldn't break/bend all of the time. I once dropped a Rackham model onto the sink while cleaning it and ended with a really bad dent. Anyhow back to these models.

They are pretty fun to paint. Not too detailed but enough to stay interesting, and parts are well defined. It took me about 6-7 hours to paint all three of them minus the cleaning and basing time. Usually I wouldn't do NNM on gaming pieces as it could well take me an hour just to get the weapon or a part of the armor to look right. For these I simply did a base coat, wash in the shadows and then added the highlights. There is one more leader which he wanted display quality. I should find time to start on that one once I'm done with my Iron Painter entry.

All Your Base are Belong to Us

2007-05-13T00:24:00.000+08:00

Its been some time now and I'm once again into the semi final round of the Iron Painter contest. The theme this time is Basework. So the focus is on the base rather than the figure itself. I have this Cadwallon figure, Nurbald, which is a mid nor with a lower body of a mechanical spider that is really cool. I plan to use him as my figure and make a scene of him inspecting the automaton.
With this plan in mind, I started off by savaging a spoil clock, taking out the circuit board with the solenoid and gears. Then I started arranging them on the base to create the scene I wanted. I would imagine Nurbald standing on a platform inspecting the gears and stuff.
Once I'm happy with the layout, I started priming the individual parts and then gluing them all together.Here's how it looks after early stages of painting. I've added more stuff to it like wires, pipes and another gear so the whole thing looks more like they are interacting with each other rather than just simply placed there. I'll post later once its all done.

Lady Claudia Nessalith

2007-04-28T17:10:00.001+08:00

This week I have not only been working overtime, but also painting overtime and only sleeping 5-6 hours a day. Reason being I need to finish up my commissioned & my Iron Painter models as well as eager to paint up my Cadwallon army.

This model is painted from the neck downwards to look like sheer black clothing. Could have improved on a few areas here and there but there's simply too many waiting to be painted up for me to wanna spend more time on it.

Orphan of Avagddu

2007-04-27T19:55:00.000+08:00

Another of my new Cadwallon army I'm painting up at the moment. This is a rather small sculpt but full of character. I went for a red/copper hair to give her the rebellious look. Don't be fooled by her size, for she can morph into a totally crazy Fury, which I'll be painting up next. Hope you like her. Critics welcomed.

Multiple views of this and the previous weapon bearer are now up in the gallery.

Vladar's Weapon Bearer

2007-04-21T17:52:00.000+08:00

Following the completion of Vladar, I followed up with his weapon bearer. He was a joy to paint, not too many parts to take care of. I matched the colour scheme of his master on his stockings.

Vladar The Arrogant

2007-04-15T15:54:00.000+08:00

Only 2 sessions of confrontation games after a long break, I'm once again inspired to collect another new army which is the Cadwallons. I loved the models ever since they were launched, and with each additions, my desire to own the whole range got stronger.

In order to start a new army, I have to 1st pick a leader to lead them. My choice was Vladar the arrogant, a not too costly leader with pretty good stats. Together with the ogres, I'm sure they'll make a formidable force.

With this plan in mind, I'm all set to paint up my new model. The colour scheme was inspired by Rusto's puzzle knight on CMON. As the sculpt itself is 90% cover in cloak, I felt it was the perfect way to add some variety to the otherwise plain looking sculpt.

Hydra Warrior 1

2007-04-11T23:49:00.000+08:00

This week I finished painting one of the three hydra warriors for my Mid Nor army. It was a test piece to do freehand chipping and weathering on armors. It appears easy but to randomly paint in the chippings and making it look convincing wasn't as easy as I expected it to be.

I tried the sponge method, which is simply nibbing off a small piece of sponge, dipping it into black paint, removing excess by dabbing on paper before dabbing onto the model. I find it hard to control so I paint in the chippings instead.