Spring Cleaning Military Orders

I was at the point I wanted this project to end about 3 weeks ago. I pushed on. I am not really the kind of person to leave a project unfinished. I think I need a break from painting infinity as I advised before and my respite enabled me to finish and not turn to computer games for entertainment.

This is where a saying comes from, finished not perfect. I still want to keep a look and quality level to what I am doing but I feel I have painted well bellow my best and even below my average.

In sating that I am still pleased with what I had accomplished. If I had an analogy of what this was like to beat the final boss. It was a 6 hour fight ending with the most basic of attacks with no flourish. Still accomplished a feat but left me feeling odd about it.

The good news is that I get to play with these next. May be a little while until “the event” allows safely.

In defeating the final boss I done 2 things. I compromised on some of the freehand. Just one on this model. Also the freehand I done was textured because I didn’t thin my paint enough and even when I did it more the paint was trying on the model as I was painting. I am not used to painting in any kind of heat. I cant really notice after it was done but it did feel a little like ash in my mouth.

The rest of this model as with all the others followed the same steps as the Joan tutorial. The only think I think I done differently was doing some greenish shadows on the white armour. It looked very stark without it and was done with dark sea blue glazes only about 3 – 4 reducing in sizes towards the shadow. I wanted to keep the cloth look different so missed this off here. I do like the look and think I can refine this so will do again in the future.

I did have plans for battle damage and more of a celebration of the ending of the project but I just needed it to be done. I am overjoyed that it is.

On reflection finishing everything is good. I have my backdrop which I will keep for a while. I am very pleased with this and will use it for the other 8 – 10 models I want for the force if I enjoy playing them. If not at least I have a usable force if someone else wants to borrow them.

I like the effect with the base being the contestant and the characters being present at different times of the life of the monastery. With ruined bases and each looking heroic in their own.

I think they have a strong look and all together are better than the sum of their parts.

I have learned a lot, Freehand is growing on me. I did surprise myself on painting the tiny logo’s. Will I do this more in the future? Possibly not, I can make transfers. Though I do want to do more freehand, during this project I have lost my fear of destroying my models. I do have a long way to go though and I am looking forward to the journey.

I also learned by doing the Joan tutorial and really thought about what I was doing. I didn’t do this to the same extent of any of the other models. I want this to become second nature so will do this more often, but it’s tiring thinking about everything so actively.

So this started out as 1 model to strip then paint and 2 models to tart up. I expanded to a backdrop. Then expanded to a full infinity force of 400 – 500 points (300 being the normal game). So lots of points and things to swap out. My older models will get much more use now though and I am pleased I have the force as I am sure they will enjoy fighting other religious zealots. Looking at Haqqislam mostly, for a good crusade feel.

This did however remind me how easy it is to get into infinity. The low model count lets you get done fast or push the boat out with your painting. It’s a relatively low buy in for a game in comparison to others with free rules and app available online. Along with loads of lore and community support.

Talking of community even though we are small on number here on the project systems, it’s great to see all the infinity lovers here supporting each other and I hope that continues. It does help, not only for support, feedback and competition, but also the inspiration to keep going even when projects get tough. So thanks and I hope others post their infinity journeys as I want to read more.

My first spring clean challenge done. I am off to paint something other than infinity for a short while (as I now have a pile of shame for the first time in years). And vote up other community projects!

No more to come, for a long while at least for this one.

So if there were 3 things that have kept me from just finishing these it’s been these two. They have multiple freehand sections all over them.  logos, lines and white.

But I was on a high, so decided to roll with the punches.

The unmounted Knight of Montesa was first. it has 5 freehand sections on it. I got this done but need to do so much more. The logo’s were difficult but at this scale they look good until you are within 12″ I was not up for bringing in any magnification and I used a size 3 brush for them as this felt most comfortable.

I think I got better at painting a circle down. added in the design elements and painted a better Pano logo than before. I realise now I mixed up the shoulder pads and put the logo on the wrong side. I am not re-doing this but may think about it later. I copied this mistake onto the second logo.

The mounted Knight of Montesa gave me the fear. I like painting bikes but I do find them tiresome this was like painting 3 models. Not only that but the bike had about 14 pieces of freehand on it. I cut this down as I honestly didn’t think it added much to the model.  Sergio was either bored, practicing, overpaid or showing off when he painted the studio models.

I settled with 9 freehand for this  one barley counted as it was a line to hint to a freehand.

I like the end result though, so this is an oddity. This is painted with the rule of cool firmly in mind and the MNN on the bike is completely made up and not based on reality.

This project has been an experience much more than I had imagined. It started with terrain I was comfortable with. Painting that pushed me and then things that scare me. I cant wait to get back into a comfort zone but as I put everything painted so far away today I felt good about it as a whole.

Freehand is becoming normal, I am accepting “not painting at my best” for comfort and making constructive choices better here, less effort there and learning to be happy with what I have done.

This is still a process but at least I am getting a great looking force out of it. Though I see another 8 models have planned releases and one other that I want. But I will need to play these before committing further.

Now I have the rest of this week to defeat the last Foe. I call him FINAL BOSS.

One past post to come. For now.

My faith restored you would think it was easy to continue… not really but I did however want to push forward.  I normally paint in “boxes” so I finish one box before moving onto another or blister.

Instead here I have at least had a little passion for Padre Inquisitor Mendoza. So I picked up this model and started to paint. I have this model for Aristeia! to do but the casting is very poor. I however love this version. I wanted a hint to his fiery alter ego on the Aristeia! arena. I painted this up with a molten sword. I think he is the only model I have seen for Militry orders with “outy” text on his sword. This made things easier. I liked the effect through could have taken a little more time on it. Started with white and painted out in darker colours from there using stippling and scratches with the brush.

I also went ahead and done the Knight of Santiago. this ended up being a quick model to paint. This was my first time painting a Pano logo on a shoulder pad. I think I could have done this better but was pleased for a first attempt.

This did get me back in the swing of things. I can smell the finish line. what could stop me now!

More to come.

Got over the funk of the project.  I still don’t really know what was causing it. Probably my new rule of not avoiding freehand and painting white again. On a good note, I did buy some new paints and the white that came is so much better than my trusty Vallejo 951.

I this section I painted Infirmarers of Saint Lazarus this model, this was an ok model but I hate the pose. The sculpt doesn’t understand how wind works.  The cape and the flag are pointing in two different directions. I changed this a little. Also I didn’t like the face on this I painted it three times. making it lighter each time. Always ends up looking butch and now it think it’s got little shape.

I also painted the Black Friers with Heavy rocket launcher. This was a lot better though I did end up with gaps that needed to be filled.

Again going good but trying to get to the finish line. I was pleased with being able to walk away from these two but they seemed more like a rebound relationship than one I put my hear into.

Free handing shoulder pad logo’s will not be happening again and only done on this project.

It doesn’t take a lot of time it’s more enjoyable and easier then painting straight lines but still seems to put a barrier up for me.

More to come very shortly.

So I started to get a little burn out for this project. the models were coming along nicely, however I longed to paint something other than blue. If this was not under time constraints I would have picked up another project for a bit. However the next project is more daunting than this one, leaving me in the position of hobby paralysis. I didn’t paint for a few days which is not normal. I started my reward project for finishing this one which I will talk a little about in the end here. It got to the point where I was going to eat my desert before my greens. I needed a fourth project but it couldn’t be big.

I do think it’s important if you are not enjoying something in the hobby do not force yourself to do it, wait until your muse finds you in a book or TV show and pick it back up again. This is not a business, it’s for fun.

I have never played any role playing game with miniatures. However I did have a half Orc Barbarian that I was attached to. It lasted 3 or 4 sessions. I wanted a model to remember this by, but not use for it. I found a great model on my mini factory, pre supported and printed it out.

I based it using the base of the supports it was on and broke this up like slate.

If I remember right it was Bob the barbarian half orc of the highlands. Born of a human noble family 9 months after an orc raise on their keep. Loved by my mother and hated by my father I was ousted through a plot in my early adolescence. I was kept imprisoned until freed by party looking for loot in this deep dungeon far away from my ancestral home. By the point I was freed I was very warped with certain urges I made my way in the world in the shadows and the tattered upmarket cloth of my noble clothes.

This is where the point I signed up to the DnD 3e game. It discussed with the DM about my urges, They were very dark (though light hearted)and the party agreed but the DM tried to put me off and instead of being a side note that came up once per game after the conversation it ended up that I was rolling at the sight of every corpse to control my urges. This was done on a constitution save or be immediately overcome and if this was in public they also had to make saves around me or be violently sick. I was forced to have high constitution in the hope this wouldn’t happen often.

The rest of the party was chosen and we found out what the setting was going to be. The DM appeared to have a 50 level dungeon delve planned. My hopes of roleplay were shot and this was a hack and slash and my luck would be pushed to the limits.

I failed at every opportunity we started at level one with small easy to kill creatures before long we ere coming into hordes of smaller creatures within 3 sessions we were level 4. This dungeon became a perverse romp with every encounter, in each room with my failing my role and people becoming sick around me.

It was on the last session where this occurred at the start. My party had all chose supporting characters I was the only tank and damage dealer. I attacked a group of three orcs and 2 owlbears. killed one then rolled a natural one for my save. I was overcome I ignored the rest and got to another kind of work. The rest of the party rolled abysmally and became overwhelmed at the sight and were quickly overcome. They were slaughtered while my attention was elsewhere. Funnily enough I was the last man standing. As I looked at the carnage I had the only proper opportunity to roleplay in the whole game. I pulled up my loincloth and viewed the party strewn around the cavern dead and dying around me. I fell to my knees, the Orcs and Owlbears turning to face me now. As they approached I muttered “What have I become? I do not deserve life, only death can cure my urges” as the pack of creatures pulled me apart unopposed.

This was a fun side project. I built a backdrop as before in this project however used foam and a wire brush for the rocks. the full thing, model and backdrop took a day and was a great distraction. The model was painted with a green based skin tone but ended up being a dark skin tone and not as green as I wanted. I think I will use this in the future though.

It will stand as a lesson not only to me but other DM’s. I have only played DnD another two times since then. Not my favourite game, but everyone knows the basics.

If a player wants a character plot point, I would advise to label it as such, the DM could play the darker side of your conscience and advise they will put it into the story for you to roleplay at a certain point. It may never come up or it could have been skipped to a redemption arc and keep the misery and urges in your past.

I would never advise playing a hack and slash game of DND 3e. I have played loads of wargames all which are better suited to be converted to this.

I was naïve and the DM was naïve to think I wouldn’t get a natural one, getting about 2 – 10 chances per room we entered. This all sounds dark and serious but it was a load of fun and we were all laughing all the way to our deaths. I am however, glad this was short.

This was not only a great distraction but a great memory I should have made a model for long ago. Again nothing to do with Infinity or Military orders, but that’s the point.

As I have done a bit since then, more to come (more on topic) very shortly.

Quick update here. Sadly nothing new in terms of techniques to update on. I did however do more freehand. I need to do much more preferably not on gradients or folds. I have grown to hate space marines and what they stand for but I would kill for a shoulder pad even if it had to to have a copy of the Mona Lisa. Anything flat would be great.

Those of you who are great at freehand may see this and think “that’s barely counts as freehand” but I went the great lengths to avoid this in the past including sculpting shoulder pads, buying components, brass etching. The only way I know to honestly get better is to force yourself to do it.

I don’t hate the process, just find it frustrating. However I am refusing to find it disappointing.  Just got to keep working on it until it’s passible.

Well Now that I am posting it you can be the judge.

So this week has been a bit tough in terms of being pleased what what has been done . I think I can do better and there are points on each model I am happy with. I have also learned a little when doing things.

One of the best tips I have for painting white (with acrylics) is use fresh paint and mix it well. Use what you have on your pallet for that session. Soak it up then replace on the next session.  You move things out of your paint without knowing it or break then down by mixing with a brush.  In white paint at least me, I cant see it and then it ends up on the model and I can only see it when dry. Mixing and new paint prevents any dried up paint being transferred to the model.

Thing I need to develop more is having the confidence to use darker greys when painting white. I am so focused on the small scale and not looking at the big picture.  What I have done doesn’t look incorrect but it could use more contrast.

Have not decided what’s next but there are 7 models left.

So definitely more to come.

So it’s been a few days. My Action pack arrives on Thursday I was busy Friday but actually started this proper on Saturday.

These models are mostly beautiful with one exception that I will come to at a later point. There is a lot to look forward to.

So if this was a normal project the past models would have been test pieces (pigs not included) now it’s time to get stuff done!

Odd thing is I did have a mind blank and ended up using my own step by step at points. So these are painted in the exact the same way. The only difference is that these include some dark sea green areas.

I also disliked some elements of the studio scheme (still amazingly painted) I didn’t like the additional striped on the tabard or the way the swords were painted. This was personal preference.

In my mind this set had lots of heads and I was going to try and focus on painting faces. Oddly I have two left. Also I think I done a better job in painting the female faces than the male which is a shock but you can make your own judgement.

The thing I love about infinity is you don’t have 9 guys that are pretty much the same in different poses. They each feel like a unique character. Coadjutor Crosiers are effectively the line infantry of military orders. This translates to assistant staff (staff being like a fancy gold quarter staff)

I did find a detail I found hard on the lady’s. That was tiny sunken lights on their calves. I still have problems with sunken lights in general but being so small this didn’t help.

Anyway enough of me typing lets look at some pictures.

So this took some time.

I did batch paint some sections usually up to the armour section then treated them as individuals and changes points of light and altered some highlights.

This was less conscious painting than Joan so I was less focused and critical overall,  but still using some of the same thoughts when painting.

Each of the female faces took about an hour each, this is mental as it’s such a small section but I am so bad it it (compared to where I want to be) I needed to take my time and the colour changes need to be so soft so they don’t look masculine.

Talking of time I would say each model is about 6 – 8 hours painting which is about 4 – 5 hours less than it was when I painted Joan. this is probably the same amount of painting time but I lost the thinking time which no one factors in.

Again it was great having a set right away to take pictures. takes the thought out of it. Still think it’s doing it’s job.

I have 9 more models to paint for this project with unique difficulties. I actually cant wait, I just wish there was more hours in the day.

At least that’s the equivalent of the tactical marine done.

Without a doubt more to come.

Took Monday Tuesday off. I am waiting for the rest of my military orders being delivered to flesh this force out.

I was watching the UHH last night and thinking about my own project. originally this was going to be what you had seen thus far I then expanded this before I even put up my first post. Originally I was going to clear my wish list and what I had on my table. which only consisted of three pigs.

I will want to play the fat Yuan Yuan scenarios on the Corvus Belli site. I needed to print off pig markers. This wasn’t good enough so about a year ago I asked Gerry about a set of three pigs I seen on the XLBS and he advised that they were Wyrd. So I got some. I got new dry brushes and they ended up as a failed project as they were not magic brushes and you shouldn’t try to paint an entire model with dry brushing (in my opinion).

Joan didn’t get the Dettol but these did. And since they were originally supposed to be part of the project it only feels right I include them here.

I find Dettol stinks much worse than any other chemical known to man. Nitromors is more palatable to me. Due to this I get a small food bag, stick the models in and then stick that bag in my ultrasonic cleaner which has only water in it as I cant wait to put everything away. 2 – 3 cycles at 4 minutes and they were clean.

After this I done lots of research on pigs. Don’t try and paint pigs if you are vegan. You will be shocked at what comes up when you google “pigs head”, “pigs trotter” and even “pigs tongue”… Me, I just ordered some Bacon in my next shop. Was like at the end of Supersize me, I went out and got a McDonalds. Not proud but It did happen.

Anyway I am getting side tracked. I will save you the above work. The classic pig breed to my mind is the wee pink ones. If you are painting those they are Scottish human white skin coloured when the sun has been out for no longer than 2 days, the trotters are like your nails. Their eyes are like yours but smaller and pig like. Their noses and tongues are like the colour of your tongue.

So I got out the flesh tones and just painted this like this. Pigs also have small white hair but in piglets this is less apparent. They also have skin freckles. Really every day is a green day not just Tuesday’s anymore.

Anyway enough of what I learned about pigs

So now spending today updating this project rather than painting. My models were dispatched today so hope they will be here in the next couple of days.

I am going to be picking up more Wyrd models. Not to play I don’t think,  just to paint. I painted the puppet wars set but only played the game twice. I love the themes of the models and need a release away from Infinity. Though that’s mostly what I share, I do paint other random models from time to time even when I am not fitting them into infinity.

Anyway more to come.  When they arrive.  Off to watch time team.