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With us all starting a new orbit of the sun and seeing in my second year back in the wonderful world of wargaming I thought it about time I start my first ever project log. I'm yet to actually play Malifaux but I'm told there's a pretty healthy community around my way, regardless the miniatures a lovely and look to present a rather nice challenge. I'm hoping that this will help keep me motivated and get these guys done over the coming months. I'm not the worlds greatest painter but I aspire to create some attractive and atmospheric table-top quality miniatures. If anyone's interested in what else I've painted (and the standard to expect...) here's a link to my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_blackjack13/

With a love of militaria and mercenaries there was really only one faction for me; that of The Outcasts. Despite seemingly not being a popular Master I had to pick up Von Schill and his Freikorps, then for some variety and Taelor I ended up with Viktoria's Hired Swords. So here's what I've got to be working through:

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Humble beginnings and not very exciting, but I've decided to first start with the bases. I wanted these uniform across the force so figured it easier to get them all done at once. The idea is for them to represent the Quarantine Zone of the city. That, and base toppers make my life a lot easier! I'm aiming to have them look similar to the tiles used on the LotR Elf.

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There's not a lot to go on so far, but I'm open to comments and critique. One thing I would really appreciate some help on:

- I've got 1x spare 25mm base topper. I feel this needs to be filled with someone, but I can't decide on whom. Currently I'm considering holding out for Anna Lovelace, although Big Jake and Hans are also rather tempting. I like the idea of Sue but not being able to run him with the Freikorps is a bit of a deal breaker. What would you guys suggest?

Thanks for looking. Fingers crossed I'll be able to keep this going and keep you guys interested!

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On 1/3/2016 at 10:18 AM, lusciousmccabe said:

They're both from the last edition of the game. Now anyone can hire Sue.:)

Oh happy days. I couldn't see anything when I got round to reading 'Crossroads' but figured I'd missed something. Although that now means I'm having to decide between even more potential candidates...

Anyway, update time:

Thanks to the awful weather we've been having here there hasn't been much call to be out and about. I managed to buckle down yesterday and power through the bases around plumbing and grocery shopping. Turns out they're a right pain to photograph but I've done my best. They're a little darker in person. I really should invest in a light-box...

The whole lot:

IMG_20160104_101149_edit_zps3cjhv4aj.jpg
 

A selection of the 30mm ones. I'm not decided on who is going where yet, but am thinking that anyone kneeling/crouching (Bishop, Freikorps Tracker, Vikitoria, etc.) will likely be placed upon a curb so that they sit nearer normal standing height:

IMG_20160104_101346_edit_zps4ezj9xgc.jpg

The two 40mm ones. Near is for the Strongarm, far for Lazarus. I haven't varnished these in the photo but the puddles will get a light gloss to give them a bit of sheen. There's three spare should anything else big and Outcast-y come out.

IMG_20160104_101457_edit_zps6t4mrayp.jpg

Finally the two 50mm ones; I'm not 100% settled on who's going where but I'm thinking Hannah will be on the near and Killjoy on the rear. I messed up the tram line base by going to heavy on the initial drybrush but think I've managed to save it.

IMG_20160104_101422_edit_zpsndqxaaax.jpg

Can anyone recommend what size magnets to get that will fit on the underside?

As always open to C&C!

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1 hour ago, Blackjack13 said:

Oh happy days. I couldn't see anything when I got round to reading 'Crossroads' but figured I'd missed something. Although that now means I'm having to decide between even more potential candidates...

Anyway, update time:

Thanks to the awful weather we've been having here there hasn't been much call to be out and about. I managed to buckle down yesterday and power through the bases around plumbing and grocery shopping. Turns out they're a right pain to photograph but I've done my best. They're a little darker in person. I really should invest in a light-box...

The whole lot:

IMG_20160104_101149_edit_zps3cjhv4aj.jpg
 

A selection of the 30mm ones. I'm not decided on who is going where yet, but am thinking that anyone kneeling/crouching (Bishop, Freikorps Tracker, Vikitoria, etc.) will likely be placed upon a curb so that they sit nearer normal standing height:

IMG_20160104_101346_edit_zps4ezj9xgc.jpg

The two 40mm ones. Near is for the Strongarm, far for Lazarus. I haven't varnished these in the photo but the puddles will get a light gloss to give them a bit of sheen. There's three spare should anything else big and Outcast-y come out.

IMG_20160104_101457_edit_zps6t4mrayp.jpg

Finally the two 50mm ones; I'm not 100% settled on who's going where but I'm thinking Hannah will be on the near and Killjoy on the rear. I messed up the tram line base by going to heavy on the initial drybrush but think I've managed to save it.

IMG_20160104_101422_edit_zpsndqxaaax.jpg

Can anyone recommend what size magnets to get that will fit on the underside?

As always open to C&C!

Are you looking for nagnets to attach your models to the bases or to secure the bases to a carrying box? For the latter I use disk magnets that are slightly thinner than the height of the round slot in 30mm bases (I find that even with relatively heavy metal models the neodymium magnets are more than strong enough even when there's a little gap), and for 50mm bases I use two or three smaller cylinder shaped magnets fitting in the small "tubes" underneath. This is usually enough for all plastic models. 40mm bases are more difficult, as one single cylinder magnet might be a little on the light side, especially for ild metals. You can get bar magnets fitting the width of the rectangular slot, and that might be your best bet. I find solidly fixing the magnets to the base to be the number one concern! 

Always remember that it will annoy you if the magnets protrude from underneath the bases, so thinner is better. Also, there might be minute differences between bases, and even magnets in the same base, so always make sure you have a little bit of clearance. Measure the sizes you need with digital calipers, and eBay is your friend who can get you any size of magnets for cheap...

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I superglue my magnets, then use some cheap plaster (from a tube) to fill it completely. I then use a wide putty knife to smear off the exces plaster and let it dry. After the plaster is dry I rub them over some fine grid sandpaper untill they are flat. This completely resolves the problem of magnets coming of. Another advantage is that it gives the models some extra weight.

I use 6x1mm N50 neodymium magnets. For the 50mm bases I usualy use 3 magnets, 2 for the 40mm and 1 on the 30mm bases. 

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Thanks Ress is More, I'll pick some up once I've secured some storage. 

Apart from Johan who should be turning up tomorrow the crews are built. I just need to get round to gap filling and fine sanding them. Turns out that I'm not the most dexterous of sorts, and coupled with the fact that I haven't worked with plastic in a long time and these are hardly the most forgiving of models meant I went a little mad whilst making these. Hopefully I haven't messed them up too badly!

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Once I've tidied them up they'll get pinned to their corks ready for painting; looks like I'm going to have to use 0.5mm brass rod as my usual 0.8mm is too big for some of their feet... :huh:

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Progress! So glad I'm almost out of the assembly stage; it's easily my least favourite part of the hobby.

I picked up Johan. He's a big fella...

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I was debating between him and the Hodgepodge Effigy, but after looking at the feedback to my own thread thread in the Outcasts sub-forum, and reading Khyodee's in which Johan appears in near every list, I thought it best to pick him up. That being said, I do find it somewhat curious that Johan's almost as tall as Killjoy yet on a base half the size.

Now I've tried my best at the gap filling. It's not perfect but I'm hoping it will hide the worst of it and look passable on the table. I'm not proficient in the use of greenstuff and it turns out that GW's liquid variety is almost entirely useless. In theory it works great and generally I can get it on looking as I want before drying, however it then shrinks so much that it typically just turns the gap green rather than filling it. Even when the gap is tiny, for example the seem around Killjoy, it just wipes off when you clean it up.

Anyways, everyone is now cleaned and pinned to their corks ready for priming:

IMG_20160114_152611_edit_zps0hdgrv93.jpg

Speaking of pinning, that was a terrifying experience in unto itself. I managed to use my preferred 0.8mm bit (pictured below) for everyone except the Freikorps Librarian. Due to her pose I had to resort to the 0.5mm, which is less than ideal. Across all 25 models I managed to not break any of them though, which I'm putting down to a small miracle over skill!

IMG_20160114_114718_edit_zpsxq21ibpe.jpg

Now to risk the wrath of my girlfriend and get these primed indoors... Rule Britannia.

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Wrath averted thanks to an abundance of dust sheets! So glad I had a respirator to hand as the filters turned black due to spraying in the confines of our main bathroom (it's being used as a store room at the moment, I'm not suicidal!).

IMG_20160116_112424_edit_zpslkdybtsj.jpg

I've attempted some zenithal lighting on these guys; black from below followed by grey straight on and white from directly overhead. It's not as smooth as if I were to do it by airbrush but I think I've managed to achieve the desired result using rattlecans. I did have an issue with the grey 'spitting' a number of times whilst spraying however, which hasn't created the most ideal painting surface. I'm hoping that it hasn't compromised the details, and from blacking out the metal areas it seems to be alright. It hasn't completely written off the models. One thing I am debating doing is giving them all a very faint black wash to bring out the details as they're rather fine/flat.

I'll start with the metallics later today/tomorrow before moving onto the rest of the mini over the coming weeks. I've got an intensive driving course over the next fortnight so will likely be a bit quieter, but after which I will hopefully 1) be able to get a job and 2) be able to get down to the Southampton Sluggaz once everything's painted for a game. 

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Looking good. 

Do you think the middle step with grey made much of a difference (aside from the spitting)? I've done this kind of thing recently with just black all around and then white from an angle and it gave pretty good definition, though the tops tended to end up basically all white because of the shallow details you mentioned.

Here's a link I found pretty useful with regards to priming. It's a bit long winded (like most youtube tutorials) but you can skip through it to get  a good comparison of different methods.

https://youtu.be/RDbwrBZ61YU

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Time for a non-pictorial update:

All the silver parts have been drybrushed and highlighted. Armour was done with VMA Metallics Gunmetal followed by VMA Metallics Steel, blades were painted VMA Metallics Steel with a highlight along the blade in VMA Metallics Silver. I've begun to work through the 'mechanical' parts in brass. I was intending to get the 'technological' bits done in copper first, however my paint has separated and the solidified meaning I've got to wait on a new one turning up. 

 

On 1/16/2016 at 2:32 PM, lusciousmccabe said:

Looking good. 

Do you think the middle step with grey made much of a difference (aside from the spitting)? I've done this kind of thing recently with just black all around and then white from an angle and it gave pretty good definition, though the tops tended to end up basically all white because of the shallow details you mentioned.

Cheers!

As for priming; I've tried both and in part it depends on what I'm painting, but I beginning to favour the grey as it results in a somewhat lighter miniature. The black is used more to shade the grey, than the grey is to lighten the black. When I was younger I'd always paint from black as it was 'the way it was done' so I find it easier/more natural, but I think the effect from lighter colours is worth it.  
 

On 1/16/2016 at 6:49 PM, Mister Feral said:

Bases are looking great. :)

Sluggaz is also the gaming club I attend, fancy that! There's a good Malifaux crowd there.

That's awesome. I'd heard that Sluggaz played quite a variety of games of which Mali was one of the bigger ones. This definitely helped sell me on starting up! If I stay on schedule I should hopefully have everyone playable by March time, so I'll pop down and you lot can school me!

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So I ended up being alarmingly productive this week! I think having reduced free time as a result of this driving course really motivated me to try and keep up the amount of painting I've been doing recently.

So as of last update I've managed to do all the metallics and block in the green areas I'm using to designate my faction. The later wasn't anticipated but as my original VMA Copper decided that it was going to separate and solidify I was forced to find something else to paint! In hindsight it was for the better and I've made a lot more progress than I thought I would. I've limited myself to a set palette across the range to unite them. There will be distinguishing aspects mind; the Viktoria's will have more red for example, and some won't have all colours used; the convict gunslingers uniforms limit that. The idea behind this was from 'Gangs of New York' where the different gangs are either united in outfit or colour.

I'll try and get some better before-and-after pictures once the other colours are blocked in, pre-wash. Hopefully I should soon be moving out of the relatively boring bit and will have some more interesting updates next month!

IMG_20160124_133712_edit_edit_zpslbsxuwn

EDIT - This picture really demonstrates how futile my gap filling attempts were on Hannah's suit! Of all the models I did it on I at least thought I'd done that one alright! :(

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I unfortunately didn't pass my driving test first time, which was a bit of a kick in the teeth, however I've been busy painting in order to make myself feel better!

I've blocked in all the colour on the Freikorp contingent of my Outcasts, along with the Convict Gungslingers. A couple of other fellas got some paint but aren't done yet. There was a surprising amout of detail on these guys but they were pretty easy to paint. I'm now debating whether to work through to completion with them before moving to the Viktorias or just get the boring part done on everyone first. Either way the washes will darken them down considerably and help capture the 'horror' vibe of Mali.

IMG_20160201_125922_edit_zpsysrb6u0m.jpg

Hannah's suit's shoulder pads are a bit glossy as the MicroSol is working it's magic on the decals. They're shamelessly stolen from the generic Space Marine sheet; the yellow lightning bolt ties in perfectly with the cuff-symbols on the generic Freikorpsmen. The standing Freikorpsman is probably my favourite out of the batch, but I'm also rather the fan of the Specialist, if anything for his flamethrower.

IMG_20160201_130225_edit_edit_zpswqxndam

Also the last part of a Christmas present turned up in the form of a load of Art of War Malifaux tokens. I had some specifics that I wanted done which combined with their popularity lead to a bit of a wait. Absolutely no complaints on the service front though, and I'm very happy with the product. I have enough for pretty much all the Schemes/Strategies along with general use. They're mainly in yellow to tie in with the Outcasts, however I got some generic grey ones for non-faction objectives and to help out a friend who wants to play but can't afford/decide on whom to do.

The Ultimate Guard card case is an ace bit of kit too. Holds a full Fate Deck, a full Scheme & Strategy deck plus all the cards supplied with the models. There's still a bit of room too!

IMG_20160201_125236_edit_zpsmkwvgcac.jpg

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Another update, albeit with a terrible picture this time as my phone decided that it didn't want to play ball.

I've managed to block out the colour on another four guys around job hunting this week. As I couldn't decide on how to paint Bishop I kinda improvised and ended up with him looking like Dante from the Devil May Cry video games. He's still using the same palette so should still fit with the rest of the crews despite this. The Malifaux Child's eyes are actually a dark green. Post wash these are going to be painted up to look like emeralds. Johan/Earth Tone Jim was a lovely miniature to paint, despite not being that interesting a sculpt. Killjoy was less so, I really should have just undercoated him white. I've never used my preferred flesh-via-washes technique on anything quite so large before, so I'm a little nervous as to how well he's going to turn out. Fingers crossed. 

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If I keep this level of productivity up I might even get the Vikitoria's et al done over the weekend!

On 2/1/2016 at 8:04 PM, Im Josh AMA said:

Looking good love the theme. Hannah's suit is huge!

 

Cheers dude, I appreciate the compliment. Hannah's suit is stupidly big, but quite a fun build. I much prefer the aesthetics of the TTB version, but I gave up trying to get that after seeing one go for £60 on eBay. The model as a whole is pretty strange to be honest, her head is pretty small but her hands make Lana Kane's look small!

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My phone still doesn't like group shots but at least I've made some progress on these guys. To be honest though this bit was a proper chore. I did not enjoy the Ronin; I much prefer the original aesthetics over the samurai hookers look. I've tried to make them look a bit more practical than usual  as a result.

IMG_20160209_132344_edit_zpsunwozyiy.jpg

Over the next few days I can start with the washes and move on to the more interesting stages. Once the washes are down I'm planning on working 2-3 models at a time through to completion which should mean I'll be done by the end of the month.

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IMG_20160211_142421_edit_edit_zpsfbdtu94

After the washes this is how the Freikorp and friends are looking. To be honest they're not to the standard I was hoping, and the Viks are so far a disaster. I'm not doing anything differently versus how I've painted everything last year, but they just don't look as I expected them to. This highlights my major short coming with miniature painting; that of consistency. I can produce miniatures that I'm proud of one week and then the next completely mess up a whole load before doing something good again. Technique wise my approach to flesh tones seems to work well on smaller areas but not so well on larger surfaces.

The Freikorp look like they can be saved, and I'll do what I can with the girls. Next step is to start building the colours back. I'll probably focus my efforts on getting the boys in green done for next week. 

EDIT - Please note: Vishnu Von Schill! :P

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Pushing on with the Outcasts; I've managed to get the first four models done! Let's get all grim dark up in here...

Steam Trunk

IMG_20160212_155601_edit_zpse3zohzvi.jpg

Probably the most unexciting model in the collection; it's a box. The wood is distinctly average however I've tried to make it interesting; it's hard to tell but there's some carbon build up around the stacks but not so hard to tell that there's a lot of dirt. The sleeve on the far side is painted in the same green/black as the Freikorps uniforms.

Killjoy

IMG_20160212_211754_edit_zpsa6wknfe7.jpg

"Cry, baby, cry. Make your mother sigh..."

Definitely the worst painted model across the crews; I'm not entirely sold on the wash methodology over large surface areas but it does give a piggish/inhuman skin tone to him. There were some pooling issues but he's definitely usable; plus side is that I found the perfect lip colour (facial features are really important!). He's also got eyebrows; this was a spur of the moment decision as I still wasn't happy after the mouth had been painted. My justification is that I imagine his origins being human, so although he is now an it some of his humanity still remains and that's part of what drove him crazy...er. Lots of effects to distract from the quality and his base got swapped.

Lazarus

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Mr Uninteresting himself. I kept on adding green/brass to break up the monotony of the steel, yet didn't want to go overboard. The idea is that he was created as, and arguably still is, a prototype weapon. I can't imagine the Guild investing a huge amount of time into making him look pretty. Once he joined up with the Freikorp he received a spruce/uniform because, personally, I'd do whatever I could to keep the angry murder machine happy, so why not try and make him feel included? My favourite part is the carbon build up around the grenade launcher barrels. The lens and soulstone have received a post Dullcote gloss varnish so they're nice and shiny. I was going to try OSL but then I remembered I suck at it so didn't.

Hannah

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Easily the biggest model I've ever painted and probably my favourite out of these four. The suit was great fun and really easy; I've included another angle below because I'm proud of how the transfers look. As with Lazarus, I was originally intended to try some OSL around the coal/black rocks to make it look like a furnace but decided against it. I ended up having to mount Hannah herself to a spare base to get her washed/painted but she's come out alright. Her trousers are less shiny in person and they retain the yellow stripe down the side. I found that adding facial features; in this case red lipstick and eyebrow, really helps bring the model to life.

IMG_20160212_161406_edit_zpsuyrycwfj.jpg

Hope these make the wait worthwhile! I'm going to go and crack on with some of their friends now in the hope of having the lot done by next weekend. Now just to resist buying a Tara crew... 

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On 2/13/2016 at 4:09 PM, Im Josh AMA said:

Great job on the work rate! Also i was really unhappy with my viks aswell might be common? They seemed hard to paint especially their hair/face for me. Your painting's very clean you should be proud, the blood effect on the butchers cleaver is really good!

Cheers! If anything I have time on my side at the moment, so I might as well make the most of it! The Viks, along with Nessi, Hannah and the Student are the first female models I've ever painted. It sounds a bit strange but I think that might have something to do with it. I found adding lipstick (bright red in this case) and eyebrows definitely helped define the faces. I'm debating trying some blusher, but I'm worried that they might end up looking a bit like Penguins if I mess it up...

Speaking of work rate; I've managed to finish off some more guys:

Student of Conflict

IMG_20160214_122252_edit_zpsywdluoib.jpg

IMG_20160214_122305_edit_zps2mtmepte.jpg

This is a very 'warts and all' pic but I'm actually rather happy with how she turned out; she looks rather good from about 2' away. I really enjoyed painting her; probably the most conventional model in the range I've experienced so far and she has me confident that the Freikorp will turn out well. I think a lot has to do with a reduced amount of exposed flesh, same as with Hannah.

Malifaux Child

IMG_20160213_195513_edit_edit_zpsluywh2w

Again, another fun model to paint. I was initially concerned about the size but if anything that made him easier to work with; a lot more forgiving. I did have a slight issue with the gloss varnish pooling in his left eye but it wasn't disastrous; the eyes are meant to look like emeralds/gems hence the sheen. Completely unintended but both him and the Student of Conflict are blonde and alarmingly aryan... I'm sure there's a joke there at the Freikorp's expense...

Bishop

IMG_20160214_122642_edit_zpsnvrwi6ij.jpg 

Not a great photo and the colours are a little off, but it does give some good detail of Dante Bishop. I ended up repainting his hair black as I may or may not have messed up the grey. More blood on his hook/cleaver/axe/thing as, like Killjoy, he's angry. He was really easy to paint too; it only took an two hours to get him and the Student post-wash to finish (inc. varnish, powders, effects and mounting).

Johan

IMG_20160213_164440_edit_zpsillxh6eh.jpg

The big guy is back. The size and sculpt made him pretty straight forward to paint. The washes didn't go 100% to plan but he's turned out okay; quite rough around the edges which probably suits his character. I did forget to highlight his hammer pole mind... oops. You can't tell in the pic but he has lips/eyebrows too.

Convict Gunslingers

IMG_20160213_164744_edit_zpsyl1udenx.jpg

IMG_20160213_164715_edit_zpsejhydryq.jpg

I'll be honest; I completely messed up the highlights on their prison garb. The brown/sepia wash really darkens down any colour you use and the base colour highlights were just too bright in this instance, a fact not helped by a heavy hand yesterday morning. They subsequently rewashed and smashed with a fair few powders and now look acceptable. Overall I'm not overly happy with them but they're good enough to be used.

Along with job hunting, a few more driving lessons and the usual training I'm looking to at least get the Freikorp contingent done next week. Now I need to go be all romantic...

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