CROM

So I suppose thes guys have now set the bar for the rest of the collection. With so many minis to paint I guess I’ll stray a little but if I think of these guys when I’m painting ‘hero’ characters and just think of ‘table top ready’ for the minions I should be happy.

Question to myself is where do I draw the line on table top ready.  I already feel these are little loser than some of my previous work, and I’ve let that slide because the original artwork by Adrian Smith feels kind of  loose and as table top minis my real aim is make them feel fun to play with.

This marks the point where they have all been blocked in with shading almost complete and most details addressed. My penultimate stage if you will.

Though I figure most would call basing thier final stage I will still be allowing myself to pick out details and refine elements that catch my eye untill they get a final matte coat with maybe a lttle gloss on bling to seal. Gloss isnt something I use typicaly, but can be a good tool when a matt finish detracts from the character of the mini.

I also realise looking back through the thread, there may appear a disconect with the very idea of stages. But much off the way I work is driven by my pallet. A wet pallet is great tool but still has its limits so in brief

• I prefer to catch as many oportunities to use a colour on a set of minis as I can. This helps with speed of completion and keeps appearances similar.
• Keeping the pallet moist (dmineralised water) and cool (ie fridge) is imporatant if you want to keep it fresh for any length of time.
•  Though the consistancy of the paints will change over time much of it can be reactivated with a litte water or speed paint medium and if its stiff enough can be used for an instant bit of dry brush.

With above considered the following minis have been progressing unevenly along side the others untill all the obvious steps have come to gether. Eventualy I get to the point where I feel the need to focus on one for a bit and get a few details right. At this point my process feels less scattered, but if say my focus is fur on one mini, then I try and focus next on another mini with fur. Even if its a different kind of fur I like to play with the techniques and take note of the differences.

Expecting a ferocious heat wave for the next week so no painting updates for a bit

As I progress through the other Conans he may get a lttle more detail before I base the lot as one for consistancy.