Burrows and Badgers Draws In 144Artist

Many years ago a friend had said he always tried to have at least two complete forces/teams/gangs for games he played so he would always be able to teach a newbie.  A good philosophy I have long integrated into my own collecting goals.  Having said that, now that I have one musket in the collection I should really have a second to face it and offer balance.  Okay, I just wanted to paint a weasel.

As an aside, my order from Oathsworn arrived so there should be enough rabbits to face my dogs in future.

One of the things I enjoy about painting these Oathsworn minis is that the sculptor has an amazing eye for what makes each animal unique so the Magpie Entrepreneur is clearly a Magpie and not just a bird in a top hat.  I get to do some photo research on each animal which often influences my other color choices.  Here, for instance, I chose to paint his jacket bright blue as some species of Magpie have blue stripes or backs.  I will admit to finding a couple of the birds’ plumage a little intimidating but I will figure it out.  The owl I just ordered looks to be a simple enough color scheme so I am sure it will hit the table soon.

I’ve finished the Ferret Mercenary and she increases the firepower of my collection considerably. She looks like a right dead eye and capable of inflicting some serious damage.   With her fashion sense and lovely plume I thought her the perfect companion for the Bulldog and Shrew so painted her to match.  Since I haven’t actually played the game yet I can’t say I’m basing these decisions on anything but aesthetics as characters seem to be able to team up in any combination that works at the moment.

I’m grateful, humbled, and inspired by the Golden Button recognition my minis painting in this blog earned.  I am regularly impressed with the projects highlighted as such so am delighted to find my own work among them.   Like everyone in the entire world right now, I struggle with the new reality we find ourselves in and despite lots of time to work on hobby, my creative spirit has been sorely tested and my artistic energy seems to evaporate.  This community has offered not just an escape into game news and tutorials but a huge variety of genres, skills, interests, plus an amazing amount of support and positive energy that recharges my batteries.  Not only do I feel safe posting my work here but energized to get more done because I want to share what this community inspires in me.  It was the amazing work in numerous project blogs, in the first place, that made me want to paint these as well as @brennon’s enthusiasm on Weekenders.

So, in brief, thank you for the energy, inspiration, and compliments in how I used both.

From the beginning, this has been one of the sculpts that caught my eye and made me want to paint it.  Classic archer’s pose with a face Beatrix Potter could have painted when she was pissed off.  He has that,”I maybe small but I’m fast and fearless!” look that the real world rodents have.  Ask my dogs about that one some time. Wonder how the species get along in B&B?

The Rabbit Tavern Keeper is especially characterful.  Besides just looking as tough as a rabbit can the details of his nicked ear and missing left foot really take him over the top. I added a little staining on his apron but he looks like the veteran that keeps everything in his life clean and buttoned down, in true military fashion. He is proudly wearing the medals he earned durning his time in service after all.  Even retired and having only one foot (“I kept the lucky one”, he says) he looks like he would be formidable in a fight and don’t even think about starting something in his tavern.

The Spaniel Witch Hunter has joined my collection.  I’m not sure of the general size of warbands in the game so I’m sticking with “collection”.  I’ve considered creating an all Hound squad as the visuals appeal to me but the tactical benefits of a diverse team still outweigh the narrative in my mind. Since I’ve no idea if I will ever play the game, safe to say I will be coming around to that way of thinking sooner rather than later. So it is probably better to think of it as a “stable” of minis to choose from.  Bonus that I can make a farm pun in an angry animal game.

A year ago, and a very different world, I was attending a local game convention joining in on a Paint-and-Take, where one picks out a figure then paints it hanging out in the middle of the convention with your friends. No matter what happens with the paint job, you get a free figure and time with friends.  It is a great way to get new folks into the hobby as well as entertain us grognards. I will often show newbies some basics and this little guy was one such example piece.  I was really only going over base coats and other simple stuff with the kids of a friend but once they got going on their own I had to finish him up.  I think he is from Mouseguard but can’t confirm that.  He fits in with this crowd so I based him to match and am adding him to the collection.  Besides, he looked so lonely sitting on my shelf.