From StuartL - On the wings of Ravens.

Hello all.
Two posts in the same week, this is a better result for me than I've managed so far in this challenge. Today I have another 3D printed mini to show off. A friend of mine printed this up for me after I found the file online. It's a Dark Angels, Ravenwing attack bike for the Horus Heresy/Warhammer 30,000.

Currently neither Games Workshop, nor Forge World offer a suitable 30K miniature of their own, but the rules for it have been around for years. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the hobby community took it upon themselves to design their own model and release the designs for free. As far as kits go, it looks great, but there are some parts that don't fit together perfectly (the gunner and the handles of the weapon for example). Still, it does the job very nicely

I've been playing about recently with adding extra weathering to my minis, paint chips along with dust and grime. In my imagination, battlefields of the grim dark future are probably pretty dirty places. I'm still getting the hang of the weathering powders, so I may have gone a  bit overboard with them. A lot of it will probably rub off over time though, so I am not too worried.

This marks the first mini for a Dark Angels Legion army (my 5th Heresy era force, though I haven't really finished any of them yet). I have a squad of infantry on the way, which I hope to get finished off over the weekend.

From StuartL - Unleashing the 3D Printed Demons

Hello again.

I'm steadily (and very slowly) pushing on with my to do pile. There is still no chance of me getting the vaccine anytime soon as the roll-out here in Japan is incredibly slow.

In the meantime I have painted up my first 3D printed minis. A friend of mine recently bought one of these modern marvels and printed up some figures for me. I have to say that I am impressed by the quality of the minis.

I'm trying to put together a collection of Samurai-era Fantasy models to use for Saga: Age of Magic and saw these Oni figures online. My friend was kind enough to print them out for me. They are from a designer called Artisan Guild and they are very nice indeed. The two headed chap above is on a 50mm base, as is the black fellow below. The red boys and girls are all on 40mm bases, so you can get an idea of scale.

These figures have all been printed on a resin printer, so I was dubious at first as I really, really don't like working with resin. Thankfully my friend had done most of the clean-up work after the printing and I just had a few odd supports to trim off. The detail is really good and the figures went together perfectly on the first try. Unlike traditional resin casting, there were no bubbles and no warping to be seen. A couple of the models have very faint lines where the printer didn't quite line things up perfectly, but they are barely noticeable once painted.

The figures are all very characterful and are great for skirmish type games. I would still prefer plastic for more rank and file, mass-battle games, but I'm sold on the benefits of 3D printing. Sadly due to the number of chemicals and the smell they produce I don't think my wife will ever let me get a 3D printer myself, which is probably for the best. Having the ability to produce armies of minis from home will eventually lead to me having to buy an extension (or two) for my house.

I'll keep plugging away at the lead mountain. Finger crossed there will be more to come from my painting table soon. 

From MartijnN: Germanic bowmen and sundry

Yes! Invitation received. However, it will be two more weeks before I actually get my jab, so I thought I'd better get on with it. Strangely enough, I seem to be more consistent and faster now the "real" Challenge is over (although I remember struggling a bit too in the Quarantine Challenge a year ago).

Anyway, in keeping with the theme my painting seems to be taking on a bit here are six Germanic bowmen. These too are MTH figures which I printed myself.

To accompany these, and the Celtic bowmen I painted last week, is a unit of ten Celtic warriors, also from the MTH Rome series. I had a lot of fun painting these and I am quite happy with them.

Finally, a Celtic dog handler with two Irish Wolfhound-like characters. I would not much care to come across these chaps, neither on or off the battlefield! I promise to make a bit more of an effort with the next dogs.

Next up are two 32mm thieves from the Arbiter Miniatures range. These are great figures, and supportless too which is quite a boon in my book. They printed without any problems and I like how they turned out. They can be used in a variety of ways, the painting scheme is a bit ranger-like I guess.

Then, there is an armoured polar bear from Wilds of Winterland by Evan Carothers. This is a wonderful 3d print file range with ice giants, snowfolk, arctic animals, yetis, you name it. Shades of Westeros, obviously. I think the bear is a great model.

Next, the only part of this week's output that was not 3d printed: a brigade of Confederate troops for my ongoing Champion Hill project using Altar of Freedom. These are once again 10mm Perrin figures. I try to give my Union troops a more formal character, but I like my rebels to be a somewhat more motley bunch.

Finally, two pieces of terrain. A bridge and a viking burial mound. The last obviously was to have been my offering for the Tomb in the Chambers of Challenge, but I never got there. Both are 28mm figure scale miniatures, but scaled down to somewhere between 6mm-10mm.

So there you have it. For me this is a record production, pointswise:

22 28mm figures @ 5 points is 110 points;

20 10mm figures @ 1 point is 20 points;

and as I don't feel like doing the complex calculations for the terrain pieces I am awarding myself 1 point for each for a total of 2 points;

Which yields a grand total of 132 points; a veritable points bomb for me!

From MartijnN: Celtic Bowmen

Well, no sign of an invitation for vaccination yet, so here we are again. Last week I painted some medieval bowmen, so this week I thought I'd do some Celtic ones. These are 3d printed 28mm figures from the March to Hell Rome series; you guessed it, another Kickstarter. They are simple figures, with a somewhat cartoonesk flavour, but I like them a lot and they paint up fairly well. For some reason I printed only four of them, so a few others will follow to make up  something representing a unit. Mind you, I do not really have a purpose for them as yet; I plan to do something of a skirmishing type of game, perhaps Infamy, Infamy or SPQR. The MTHR range is fairly extensive, the Kickstarter had Imperial Romans, Republican Romans, Celts, Germans, Carthaginians and sundry fun items such as gladiators, so all options are open really. 

Next up some figures I painted up just for fun. From the Scourge of  Valtan Forest comes this leprechaun. The concept completely eludes me, but it is a fun figure and painted up easily.

Finally, two figures from Ian Lovecraft's Viking Legends Kickstarter. Lovecraft projects are always fun and of very good quality, and this was no exception. These were among the very first figures I printed, and thus details are not always crisp and clear and I really didn't know how to  remove the supports easily; but the figures were still too good to chuck them into the bin. The final result is not too bad, I would say. These are Brynhildr (after the snake lady in Challenge XI the second female figure I ever painted), who surely looks suitably ladylike but definitely seems to know her business, and Eric Bloodaxe carrying some very compelling arguments.

Seven 28mm figures make 35 points. At least one more post to go, but I'm not holding my breath.

From SanderS: Corona Survivors (20 points)

 Hoi,

 

WhenCovid had just started rearing it's ugly head a 3D printer designer made a STL for a group of Survivors gathering that most precious of commodities: toilet-paper.

 

 I had a set printed by the ever obliging Perikles.be people and finally have found some time to paint them up. 

The figures are really nicely detailed and paint up a treat. The bases are all resin scenic ones from an unknown brand and the building in the background is my TT Combat comic store with Greenstuffworld posters on the walls.

Cheers Sander

From MartijnN: Another mixed bag

The fact that I am happily printing away means that the stack of "things to be painted sometime" has been growing rather than diminishing lately. Still, I have managed to get some things done. It is not really much, but I do expect to receive an invitation for a jab soon, so best to get a post in while I can!

First, here are three 15mm Essex Companions for my DBA Bactrian Greeks. I had originally intended these for the Knight's Solar but I have never even been in the vicinity! I know that a DBA  army is hardly a challenge in figure count, but since this one has been in the works for the best of three decades there's no need to start hurrying now. One more element of Companions with general and four elements of pikemen to go. I may get there yet!

Next up is a brigade of 10mm Perrin Miniature ACW Zouaves for my Altar of Freedom project. I'm not even sure if there were Zouaves at Champion Hill but they made a nice change from the standard Union infantry.

Then here are two wood golems from the Scourge of Valtan Forest Kickstarter. I intend to use these as Ents for Warmaster or something similar. They are nice figures and the prints came out fine. 

Finally,  a potions shop printed in more or less 10mm scale from another Kickstarter, the Architecture Medieval Set (yeah, I know, I tend to go overboard a little when embarking on something new, like 3d printing) . In spite of its rather unimaginative name this set actually contains some very nice and creative fantasy mediaeval buildings, and this quirky potions shop is a fine example. I rather enjoyed painting it up and look forward to doing more of the buildings.

So, there we are, 3 15mm cavalry for 12 points, 20 10mm infantry for 20 points, 2 28mm figure for 10 points and a 10mm building for 1 point (80/3375 cm3 of a standard cube or 0,023 point, generously rounded up). 43 points!

From MartijnN: Miscellaneous Models

Well, we did not have much of a winter over here, but now that Spring has arrived Winter is coming. At least this is what I saw looking out into the garden this morning:

Thinking back to the Challenge and my grandiose scheme and what came of it I realized that I am more of the squirrel type. So, as it is about time to get a first post in here are some models I mostly intended more for the Chambers of Challenge than for anything else. As  a matter of fact I rarely play anything other than the smaller scales, so these larger models  are not that likely to see a tabletop anytime soon. However, I liked painting them much more than I had expected, and that's a real bonus for me from taking part in the Challenge. Often, I consider painting more of a necessity than a fun activity in and of itself, and to my surprise this is starting to change somewhat!

First is a Stone Golem from the Scourge of Valtan Forest Kickstarter. I had originally planned to do him for the Golem's Haunt, but I could not get a decent print at first and then I came across the fake elephants and did those. However, thanks to a new printer I did get a good print so I painted him up. I am sure he will find use as a giant in Warmaster or Hordes of the Things. Nominally part of  a 28mm range he stands about 50mm tall so I will count him as a 28mm cavalry figure for 10 points.

Next up is a wolf from the same range. Painted in various shades of grey I am happy how he turned out. Not really fitting any of the chambers, but surely there must be a use for a wolf somewhere? If only for crying too often? One 28mm figure for 5 points.

For the Larder I entered a sitting Arabian merchant. The figure had a companion, a sitting beggar. Perhaps a good entry for the Hall of Ancestors? Didn't get there in the end. Just a very simple but fun figure, if only for its unusual subject. Like the merchant, from the Lovecraft Desert Adventures Kickstarter. 5 points.

Finally, a piece likely to see some tabletop use. It might have been entered for The Shrine, for it is a vicarage or rectory from Leven Miniatures, who come heartily recommended for quality of products and service. I really think that smaller scale terrain is a bit undervalued in the cube system used and that 6mm buildings might be better scored as vehicles or as a (somewhat) larger scale miniature. However, as this little house measures 4cm x 3cm x 3cm or 36 cm3 it is 36/3375 of a 20 points cube or 0,21 points. Let's be generous and count a full point.

So there you have it, 21 points. And away we are!

From Kyle C - Giant of Festerthorne

Hey, so first post up after the other challenge, and I suspect based on where I sit in the vaccine list, I might be able to get in a fair amount of posts here depending on how much I paint! 

So just at the tail end of the last comp, I had begun this happy chappy for my Undead forces. Again another 3d Printed piece, this time coming from a small Brazilian company called Loot Studios which produce great files for use in DnD campaigns. 

However I highjacked their '75mm' figure version of the Ogre and turned him into an impressive Giant instead! I say 75mm in quotes as he is more closer to 120mm tall.. really towering over his undead cohorts as they march into war! A proper giant size for a game in 28mm models... 

He was a lot of fun to paint up, and I really tried to take on board some of my old teachings from classes past taken to make him stand out a bit more. 

His bright skin for instance being a direct contrast to the blue/white glow that the skeletons all have. 

The other aspect I went with is also to provide him with some tattoo work.. though being a giant, I was not sure on how or what those might look like. I mean.. he has enough real estate for some pretty epic tattoos.. But I am not really that great at freehand still, so I went with more faded black out tattoos instead. 

I have received some comments that, barring details, they do have The Rock kinda feel to them considering his muscles and the placement of them all. 

But I really just wanted something to help break up all the large sections of skin and this worked well in my opinion here. 

What some might not see, but I know sadly, is that this was actually a misprinted giant! His back tabard/skirt thing was supposed to be much lower, but for some reason stopped printing right there. Not a bad stop though so easy to work with instead of reprinting the legs, again... 

I still need to paint up some more units, and have been bouncing between projects still ( look.. squirrel! ) so I don't know how much of it will get done before the first game. But for now I have a large core, some decent heroes, and now a giant! I should be able to hold my own somewhat if a game were to break out with UK's lockdown coming to an reduced level next week. 

Currently I am now painting up some Corpse Grinders for the Nova Charity army that will represent Khorne Cultists. So a bit of conversions before they got some paint. So will post those up when they all get finished. 

Onwards to less Quarantines and more Vaccines! 

From Curt: The Close of the Quarantine Challenge - 2mm Terrain and Units for Waterloo

Hi All!

Well, here we are at the end the Quarantine Challenge and I must say, 'How did it go by so quickly?!' Geez, it just seemed like yesterday that we had started off in the first few days of spring - wow, the time just zipped by. 

First, I have to apologise for my somewhat on-again-off-again participation during the QC. The warmer weather has made its typical gravitational pull on my hobby time, but that being said, I did manage to get a few things done during this past few weeks to present to you as my last hurrah.

Last summer I began a 2mm Napoleonic project using 3D designs sourced from Forward March Studios. During that initial burst of productivity I managed to create two decent sized forces, one for the French and another depicting the Anglo/Portuguese of the Peninsula.

As June 18th marked the anniversary of Waterloo I thought it would be fun to revisit this project and add a few more units and terrain specific to that campaign.

After snooping around, I picked up a batch of building sets from Brigade Models which depict several locations that are iconic to that battlefield. So what we have here is the chateau of Hougoumont, the walled farm of La Haie Sainte, the church at Plancenoit and the inn of La Belle Alliance. Everything except La Belle Alliance has been based on 4" MDF squares as I wanted each base to act as a 'sector' for gaming purposes.

For Hougoumont and La Haie Sainte I wanted to include their formal gardens and orchards as they played an important role in the battle. For the garden walls I used thin plastic sheeting and for the hedges I glued down trimmed figure packing foam (the stuff you find in blister packaging) which I thinly coated with Liquitex before painting.

La Haie Sainte with its attached Orchard

La Haie Sainte with French columns and a square nearby.

Hougoumont being attacked by a French battalion in line.

The village of Plancenoit became a critical battle within a battle. I have the first base done depicting the village churchyard. Historically the possession of the churchyard seesawed between the Prussians and French throughout the late afternoon - a real charnel house. I plan to add another two bases to better reflect the entire footprint of the village.

Plancenoit's churchyard mocked up with some extra buildings and plasticard bits.

Plancenoit's churchyard with two French columns approaching.

Finally, the inn La Belle Alliance. Napoleon used the inn as his headquarters the morning before the battle and it was nearby to this location that Blucher, the commander of the Prussian forces, met up with Wellington in the evening of the 18th upon their victory over the French.

La Belle Alliance with a penny to give a sense of scale.

And, dug up from the photo archives, here I am at  La Belle Alliance er, Le Caillou when we visited the battlefield in 2008.

For La Haie Sainte's formal orchard, and for the odd individual tree here and there, I decided to create my own from bits found around the hobby desk. After a bit of experimenting, I used the same packing foam I used for the hedges and trimmed them into roundish shapes using small topiary scissors. 

I then pierced the foam with 1/2" brad nails dipped in hot glue to serve as the tree trunks. Once they were set up I coated the foam in Liquitex and then painted them up using craft paints. 

There you go, fast and easy microscale trees.

I also added a few more units to my British force, battalions in line, column and square.

Here's a unit of British infantry in column. It's interesting that the Brits had their colour party positioned in the center of their formation as opposed to the French, who had their's leading from the front.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of two differing column formations. See how the French formation is more compact due to the three-rank doctrine? Neat. To me this is one of the highlights of doing this in 2mm as one can convey, basically in 1:1 scale, the wide variety of formations that were used by the various powers. Pretty cool, eh!?

The same goes for the line formations. In this scale we can see the British two-rank doctrine creates a formation that is substantially longer than an equivalent sized French unit. You can see that unit discipline and firepower is the focus here.

Here is a British battalion drawn up in square formation.

And finally, you may have noticed the smoke markers that I've used in some of the previous photos. I've discovered that in large games we often need a visual reminder of what units have fired from those who've not, so I had these MDF markers made up by Byron over at Northern Lights Terrain based on some sketches I bodged together. 

The markers are simply three irregular shaped layers of MDF glued together to give the impression of gun smoke. I find that they're easier (and less messy) to use than pillow ticking. 

_____________________________________________

There you have it! Thanks for sticking it out to the end. These were a lot of fun to work on and I'm looking forward to using these when we can all get back together to game in-person. 

To close, I want to thank all our participants for treating us with lots of wonderful models to keep us enthused while we were being isolated and keeping safe. I hope I see you all in a few months when we get ready for Challenge XI.

Remember, be excellent to each other.

Curt