Marienburg So Far

Still unpacking & such at home. Took a photo of the painted portion of my Marienburg army -- not all of which is really Empire-by-the-book. (I think I could field about 6000 points in the current rules.)

It got me thinking about the WFB of my youth. My friends and I used to get together over Christmas/winter break and play a giant multi-day game of WFB, trying to put as much of our armies on the table at once. We still used a pre-determined points limit. We also had some really basic scenario rules (usually just an objective, centered around capturing Santa Claus and his sleigh of goodies.) This was way back in the days of 3rd edition.

At any rate... thinking about a big game now. Bigger than what's pictured in the above image. Need to get back to painting!

More Planes, Empire 8th, and the Paint Comes Out

Time is still a scarce commodity in the Twentythree household, but I've squeaked in a little hobby time.


WFB Empire - 8th Edition

I finally broke down and picked up the new(ish) army book. Haven't done more than flip through it, though I've read quite a bit on the internets since its publication. I don't expect too many surprises. But I'm planning on playing my first WFB games in at least a year in August (maybe before?) So I figured I'd better get in on the new Empire action.

While I was at The Local Game Store, I thought I'd take a look around. They had the Warlord Games Macedonians (and Greeks), about which I'm very curious. However since they were priced at $8 more than regular retail, I passed. I'd prefer to support local stores, but not at inflated prices, especially when mail order or convention show discounted prices would be a good $14 less.


WWI Planes

I unpacked my work space and modeling supplies, but still had many of the paints packed away in boxes somewhere. After spending weeks doing nothing but unpacking, cleaning, etc. I wanted to kick back and relax a bit. So I built a couple more WWI planes.

First is a Roden Pfalz D.III. The Pfalz is a beautiful plane -- sexy like an Albatross. Unfortunately this kit was difficult to work with, had a lot of flash, and my patience just wasn't up to dealing with it very well. So this ended up being one of the uglier assembly jobs I've done. I do place a lot of that blame on the kit, though. Also annoyed that there was no pilot included. I've looked around and think I found a box of pilots that I will order in the near(ish) future.

Next was a Revell SPAD XIII. A very nice plane, but in a different (less sexy) way than the German planes. Much easier kit to put together, and the end result is much better. I also appreciate the inclusion of a pilot.

I still have to do the rigging for both of these, plus three of the previously assembled planes. I should get back to painting them as well! Plus the planes that have already been painted still need decals as well.


Paint on the Horizon

I finally unpacked the paint. What got me to do it was the upcoming figure exchanges. There are two in my future.

One is the "admission price" for Grover's Grillin' Cheesefest, which is the local/BREWS summer cookout and outdoor gaming extravaganza hosted by Grover/Mike. I'm still trying to make up my mind what to paint for this. The first year I did a "blind box" -- well, actually two. The guy who drew my name had to pick Box A or Box B, without knowing what he got. As it turned out, he got Repanse turned into a standard bearer. The next year I brought the other box, which contained the old, long OOP Night Goblin "giving the bird," which is honstly one of my favorite classic figures. I may do another blind choice this year, but label to two boxes "Good" and "Evil."

The other exchange is the annual Warhammer-Empire.com "Pleasant Surprises" figure exchange. I did a bit of converting/modeling for this a couple days ago, and just started painting tonight.  I didn't get very far yet, and need to step away from the computer and get back to work! I am very excited about this, because I had a couple of ho-hum ideas before coming up with one I really liked and jumped right into!

Other projects on the desk are to (finally) clear out some of the figures that I should have painted for other people long ago. This would include some High Elf spearmen to augment those I previously painted on commission, Lothar von Richthofen's DR.1, which I built quite a while ago but still need to paint, and my own unit of alternative demigryph models... Chevaliers l'Eléphant. I'm still working on the modeling & sculpting -- they should look much more fearsome when I'm done!

Setting Up Shop

Attic

At the beginning of the week, this is what my new attic looked like:

After several late nights of sweaty work, I've managed it down to this:

In the far corners are my old wooden K&E drafting table (left) and my steel work table (right.) In the foreground along the right are most of my bins of painted figures, as well as all of my painting and art supplies.

Tonight I had some work work (job stuff) to do, so no time for the attic. However, I did measure it up and I should be able to fit a 4x8 table comfortably in the middle of the room. It will have to be stored away when not in use, but that shouldn't be a problem.

Progress!

Blog Reading

Also, I haven't had much time to read other people's blogs in quite a while. Work, moving, the baby, etc. are all keeping me busy, and most of my time in front of a computer is spent doing things I'm being paid for. Most of my personal "casual" internetification now happens on my phone when I get a few minutes here and there (waiting in line at the grocery store, etc.) I have previously looked in to the Blogger app, but it's only geared towards posting entries. BUT, I have just discovered the Google Reader app for the Android and I'm now equipped for reading all the blogs to which  I subscribe.

Moving and Painting

My family and I have moved into our new place. It's been a hectic two weeks.

We've got an extra room at the new place, in the finished attic. We will be using this fairly large room for all of our music and art -- and hopefully a gaming table. But at the very least, I will have a nice space for painting (figures or otherwise.)

In the last few weeks leading up to The Big Pack preceding The Big Move, I managed to sneak away to the basement late at night and paint a few figures. Below are an assortment of photos from that period:

FYI, it took 7 tries of "Add Selected (images)" in the new and "improved" Blogger editor to get most of these images to actually appear. The last one took two additional tries, as it wasn't added with the rest. My frustration with Blogger continues...

Hobbitses

I'm managing to squeek in a little more painting. A few Empire/landsknecht figures, but still working on them.

I did finished 6 halflings from Goblin Factory.

I like them. Not quite up to GW standards, but they have their charm. Especially at $8.50 for 6 figures (and no overseas postage.) That compares to $15 for 3 or $55 for 12 GW halflings.

I like the size & proportions, and appreciate that they still look like simple rustic militia without being turned into a mockery or caricature. They fit well with many of the RPG oriented halflings, and will be good for bulking out (haha...) the rank & file troops.




Also.... it seems that Blogger has a "New Look." Sadly, the functionality still seems to suck, which is really annoying. I'd rather have them fix the way things work before spending yet more time switching the way it looks and screwing with the interface. Still having issues with formatting, especially inserting & positioning images.

Paint!

The long break from painting & gaming continues. But I actually did something! TWO somethings!

First up, Teclis. This is for the same client/friend I've painted for before. The base isn't finished in the photo (its downstairs drying right now.)

While I was waiting for washes, glue, etc. to dry, I also finished up the last figure from the second Townsfolk pack from Reaper. Not my best work, as it was a bit rushed.

Otherwise, things continuing as before. Life is dominated by baby and work, both of which are growing quite well.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we've got to move. the good news is that we found a new place. It's nicer than where we're at now, and has more room, all for about the same price. I will also be much closer to the Cleveland game stores (which are all on the west side of town) as well as most of our friends, including the other Cleveland gamers I know. The down side is that both of our jobs, and the babysitter are all now 30 minutes away. My job is actually flexible, and I can work near home on days where I don't need to take Abby to the babysitter. The other gaming related down side is that I am now even further away from my old gaming group (the guys from the Twinsburg Wargame Association.)

Painter Dave - Warpaint Studio

I have just learned that Dave Gulczynski, the man behind Warpaint Studio (link to his page in  the "Wargame Links" section, to the right) and occasional part of our local WFB group, has passed away.

He had a wonderfully clean and colorful painting style that made my figures look like dull little pebbles. His commissioned figures brightened up the local gaming tables, and the tables and collections of his clients around the world. I'm sad I never had him paint anything for me. Locally, everyone simply called him "Painter Dave."

Very sad and unexpected news.

Packin' Up

Not much going on in terms of painting or games since Cold Wars. The entire household (even the dog) has been dealing with various medical issues, and I've been sick for a week and a half.

As I previously mentioned, I did set up a work table, but it appears that I will not get a chance to use it. This weekend we learned that the house we rent has been sold. We've now got just over a month to try to find a new place to live, pack up and move. No money nor time to pack, but we've got little choice.

It's been about two years of feeling like I'm living on a rollercoaster, I'd really just like to exit the ride ASAP.

On a more positive note, my wife took one of my favorite family photos (so far) with her phone recently...

Cold Wars 2012

Back from Cold Wars. Had a good time. Spent time with old friends that I don't get to see nearly as much as I'd like. Although my events had to be scaled down, I think they still worked out well. Only 6 players (I allowed a max of 8) per event showed up. I played in a couple Day of Battle games. Got to see a lot of great games.

In fact, how about some photos? (More wordy bits at the end.)


My two WAB events. I revisited my previous Cimbric War demo game, with a few adjustments. Romans on the left in the first photo/game, Romans on the right in the second one. Romans won both games, though the Cimbri snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the second game. They had managed to take both flanks, but instead of timing their frontal & flank assault on the Roman line, they hit it piecemeal, in one-on-one frontal combats.

At one point a couple of guys walked by to look at the game, and one turned to the other and knowingly explained, "Lord of the Rings." I got an internal laugh out of it, but was too busy helping my players resolve a combat to explain otherwise.



These next two photos are of a table used for two games, if I understand correctly. First was a "Red Dawn" scenario, second was a zombie game. It was just inside the Distlefink Hall (my game was in the lobby on the other side of the doors) and at one point during my first game, we heard the cry go up, "Wolverines!" Great looking table.

I assume this is some sort of Mars/VSF game.

A double blind WWII game. 

Great use of the "teddy bear fur" terrain. There were a couple of table using that material.

A couple shots of a beautiful looking game. Don't know what it was -- Napoleonics or 1812? Some more great looking games/tables follow.

 Three shots of what appeared to be a 54mm War of 1812 game.

 Another zombie game. 15mm this time. Hordes upon hordes of zombies flooding the streets. Some nice LED effects on some of the terrain, too.

So, as usual, lots of great games, terrain and figures. A lot of zombie games. Probably one of the most popular genres.

I sold off some of my stuff in the flea market. Not as much as I would have liked, but I have no room to complain. Got rid of a few last bits of painted fantasy figures, as well as both painted and unpainted historicals. The most popular painted stuff -- by a long shot -- were the ancient Spanish. I would have never thought that, but I suppose there are always Romans, Celts, and similarly popular figures for sale.

I spent a record low this time. I only bought a couple items. The only flea market purchase was a single action airbrush that was labeled "never used," though when I got home & unboxed it there was obviously paint on it. I only paid $15, so we'll see how it goes. In terms of figures I bought a set of Eureka 18th century civilians that includes their string quartet set, C. E. Bach & his clavichord, Fredrick playing the flute, and Fredrick & Voltaire out for a walk. I also grabbed two packs of hobbits from Goblin Factory, and some pirate women from Bronze Age. That's it.

Architects of War Also had a great booth in the dealers hall. In fact, I *love* they way they display all the plastic kits, with a painted example of the contents on a pedestal behind each stack of boxes. I really wanted to take home the Otherworld giant, but it was way more than I could justify spending.

The only dark spot was having to deal with a seriously rude woman in the flea market. As I was still unpacking and putting prices on some things, she started rummaging through my stuff (she had a table too -- well, three of them, apparently) and disappeared with some of it, explaining "my table's right over there." Later on, after the market had started she returned some of it, but kept at least one item. Later still, I had to go looking for her to either get my item(s) back or collect my money. Rather than pay what I was asking, or even try to haggle, she more or less insisted that I should take what she was offering. After a second trip closer to the end, I finally collected the rest of it. It wasn't even the money itself that annoyed me -- rudeness really irritates me and will only make me unwilling to give ground against that sort of person/behavior.

So this was probably my last show for a while. I'm not sure when I will be able to get to another one. Historicon is definitely out. A little bittersweet, as I had previously resolved that I needed to put painting and gaming aside, but this weekend really reminded me of how much I enjoy the hobby. So I'll see what I can try to work on in the little spare time I've got.

Skirmish

I'm heading to Cold Wars on Thursday, and will be (hopefully) selling a lot of my collection at the flea market.

I am still considering a skirmish project. So I'm considering what I may buy while I am there, using some of the flea market proceeds. I think I'm on to something:

Cowboys.

vs. Pirate women.

vs. Robots.

vs. ....

...well, you see the pattern. I'll just paint up no more than a dozen of whatever figures I feel like at any given time, and work a game around that. This gives me an excuse to pick of a second pack of Black Scorpion pirates, a few more cowboys, and a reason to get some of the Hydra Miniatures retro robots. I'm now regretting I got rid of my single squad of early war WWI French a while ago, that might have been a good addition.

I'm considering adapting some mechanics from a couple of older games, Killzone and Bladestorm. We'll see how it goes.

I spent a little time this evening unpacking & setting up a little work space in the dungeonous basement, under the clothes lines. Far from ideal for quite a few reasons, but hopefully I can work something else out in the not too distant future (provided I even have time to use it.)