Caedrus

Hi All, I just noticed that Angel Giraldez has a new painting video. One click later, and I find: What's this? A new Dreamer sculpt? Is the the first anyone has seen of this, or am I out of the loop? Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in! For the month of July, it'll be more delightful Alt-Plagues. Time to paint some cats! Pictures to come tomorrow! Have a wonderful July, my friends! Caedrus.

Caedrus, Reporting in! Folks, this is going to be a crazily brief update. I made it, with three hours to go! I got my Plague group complete, and some Bandits as well! This is my very swiftly taken shot, with more, and better, photos to come tomorrow! Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in with a (late in the month) WIP! I've finally, finally found a gap in my workload. Time to pick up the paintbrush! These are my alt-Plague efforts. It's kind of hard to choose a colour scheme for an incorporeal, semi-skeletal Cheshire cat! I have a question for you, my fellow painters: If I were to put a fluorescent glow on these (for the plague effect), what colour? Yellow? Green? Light blue? Darker blue? Magenta? Purple? Let me know what you think! Stay well, keep painting! Caedrus.

Caedrus, pledging in! This month, I will be finishing off my Bandit keyword, which I was so achingly close to completing in May, and then making a start on a whole new keyword: Plague! These guys will make for a good, solid start into the Alt-Hamelin world of cats! Have an absolutely fantastic June, my fellow painters and friends! Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in! My fellow painters, May has not treated me as kindly as I might have hoped. It's been a month of 'what might have been'. I had it in my mind to complete the rest of the Bandit keyword. But, I said to myself, "Caedrus, you callipygian icon, you should at least make sure you meet the monthly challenge before launching into such grand plans." So I did that. I painted three Wokou Raiders. 24SS. And then, the end of the month loomed, and then life got in the way, most annoyingly, and I had to adult all the time, and I got so close to finishing off the keyword, and then I just lightly touched one of the wokou and his freakin' arm sailed off and cartwheeled into the lost corners of my home, never to be seen again, and I had one day to now fix the models that made up my safety pledge and... well, it's about 90 minutes to midnight here. Time to admit that I didn't get the Bandits done, but I got really close. Oh well, that's a job for June. So, here are my Wokou, and my what-could-have-beens... (This dude is the one who ultimately had a head swap, and a last-minute arm replacement) I'm pleased with the models, but in using my thematic browns to tie them into the Bandit keyword, I kinda diluted their colourful nature for the Last Blossom keyword, which they share. Still, the blues are nice and strong. Just as a side note, I finally am starting to come to grips with ScaleColor paints. They do have a learning curve, but they're lovely when you start to get a handle on how they work. So very close, you three. Mad Dog, you're also close. I like your NMM, but I'm not sure if you should be wearing jeans. Convicts. I ummed-and-aahed about whether to paint stripes on you. I lament my decision. So, I managed 24SS, and I definitely have some stuff to finish in June. Have a great one, everyone! Caedrus.

Caedrus, pledging in! For the month of May, I will be hoping to finish off 65 SS of Bandits! So. Much. Brown. That means: 3 Bandidos (15SS), 2 Convict Gunslingers (16SS), Mad Dog (10) and 3 Wokou (24). That's only nine minis. Maybe I'll get ambitious! Have an awesome and wonderful May, my friends!

Caedrus, reporting in with *checks watch* over 100 minutes to go! I won't be able to get any nice pictures done tonight, but here they are, in preview form, the first of my Bandit crew! A more detailed report will be done tomorrow, but for the moment, my best for those last-minute jobs! Stay well, everyone! Caedrus.

Caedrus, chiming in! March's Challenge was a discussion about basing, so I thought I'd add in this little piece if anyone is interested. Magnetising your Malifaux Bases I am in the process of constructing a Malifaux-dedicated board with a steel base, so I thought that it was time to start magnetising my Malifaux bases. I normally use pre-cast bases, as I like to have everything in a keyword being thematically linked, and I user bases and colour schemes to achieve this. So, here's my magnetising method: Obviously, you need to get larger washers for larger bases, but this washer-and-magnet means I have a regulation base size, and miscasts can be filled in, and I use the washer rim to delineate the faction. Oh, and buying in bulk made this quite affordable. I hope this is of interest or use to someone! Have a good one, friends! Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in! I was on a bender of building, so I decided to build the entire Bandit keyword. Then, I had a little bit of time with the airbrush, so everything has been undercoated. The minis are in Scalecolor Red Leather, washed with Vallejo Smoke, which I always recommend for work leather. The bases have received a Beasty Brown basecoat. So, in short, everything is brown. I'll be focusing on Parker and Miss Demeanour, but who knows what I can achieve when I am procrastinating from actual, real, paying work? Wish me luck, and have a great day! Caedrus.

Caedrus, pledging in! With my Wildfires complete, it's time for some Bandits! I'll be pledging Parker and Miss Demeanour, and I hope to get far more done than that! Caedrus.

Caedrus, checking in! So, March has been crazily busy (in fact, 2022 has been), but I managed to get a little bit done. To complement February's to Wildfire ladies: I bring you 39SS of the rest of the Wildfire team! For my Eternal Flame proxy, I painted up a Brass arachnid (2SS): and this guy is supported by Elijah Borgmann (9SS): and three Firebranded (18SS): ...and the final member of this happy crew (until I get an old, metal Brass Arachnid, and Deacon Hillcrest), is (8SS) the dramatic Carlos Vasquez! These guys were fairly airbrush heavy, then transitioned glazed out with brush. I was fairly pleased with the coppery NMM on the spider and Elijah's sword. I think the red tones were overdone on Carlos, so I might go back and glaze some cooler colours into those funky trousers of his. I'm going to set aside some time now to have a good look at everyone's amazing work, as I get ready for April! Keep putting pigment to plastic, my friends! Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in! This month, I will definitely be finishing off my Wildfires. Here's a WIP - they're very close to done already! After that, Carlos, and then ... maybe time for some Bandits! Have a fantastic March, everyone! Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in! Whew! I made it! I finished my February pledge, meeting the pledge with 23SS, and I even uploaded it with *checks watch* almost an hour to spare! So, this month, I made a start on my Wildfires. My idea here was underpainting with contrast paints, then basic highlights, then airbrush, then final highlights. Did it work? Not perfectly, but I learned a lot. Here's 8SS of Alt Firestarter! Obviously, this lady has had a head swap with a Miss Anne Thrope. I was pleased with the OSL, and I am OK with the NMM copper on her back. The skin tones could do with a bit of smoothing out. Overall, happy. Next up, 15SS of Kaeris! I put a little fluorescent orange glazing into this one. I think it worked well. The copper wings were ... pretty good. The contrast should have been increased a little, bit it's hard to put in contrast when it's a clearly flat surface. I was please with the OSL on the NMM on her right wing, though. The OSL on the face and torso is strong, but I wanted it like that, to express some really intense flames. So, what else did I get up to? Honestly, I ran out of time, and so I didn't get to finish these folks. They are tantalisingly close, though, so these will obviously be part of my March pledge. So, two simple miniatures, five more to go next month. Any thoughts, critiques or feedback? It's very welcome! I'll be putting my thoughts in about paint, as well, shortly. Stay well, everyone! Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in! OK, fellow painters, an apology is owed. I completely zoned out and forgot to upload my photos! I even had them finished, with about three hours to spare before Feb hit us! Here they are (reporting 21SS and meeting my January pledge), and apologies for the lateness! Some modified Necropunks to start off with, for 10SS. I had all sorts of bits missing for these guys, which I found in the bottom of a long-forgotten eBay box, and promised myself I'd paint them to finish out my Amalgams. Earl Burns was next, at 3SS. This guy was my pilot-piece for my Infamous keyword. It's not my favourite sculpt, but I wanted to see how well steel-blue /and navy blue would work together. I added a sculpted tricorne, because the Infamous theme I'm working on is a bit nautically-inspired! Finally, for January, is the Alt sculpt, Johana Creedy, at 7SS. The Infamous keyword will feature these copper-and-steel bases as a unifying theme, along with the steel-and-navy blues. I messed around a little here with some OSL, just for fun and practice! So, that's my January efforts, I'll try to get my photos up in a more timely fashion for February! I look forward to seeing everyone's Bloody Valentine efforts, and I'll post some feedback for January, soon! Stay well, my friends. Caedrus. P.S.: Wow, my photography is dreadful.

Caedrus, pledging in! For the shortest month, I shall be making a pretty basic pledge, albeit with some stretch goals. It's time for some Wildfire! This month I'll be painting Alt Kaeris and Alt Firestarter. That should reach my 21+ SS pledge. After that, it'll be the Eternal Flame (which I can't type without singing the song), and the guys pictured here! Have a fantastic February, and stay safe, friends! Caedrus.

Let’s talk about paintbrushes. Paintbrushes are like underpants: · The expensive ones tend to have more wear in them; · What style you like may not be right for everyone; · Natural materials are just better; · You don’t want them to be too small; · Loose threads are super annoying; AND · You really should wash them after each use. I started painting with synthetic (taklon) brushes. They are cheaper, fairly predictable, and are a good learner’s brush. They do have a tendency to ‘hook’, and create a bend at the tip. This can be useful for some work, but wrecks your ability to do smooth coats. However, when I was looking to improve my painting, I went for sable brushes. I have tried all of the usual high-end candidates: Windsor and Newton, Raphael, and Rosemary and Co. All of them are excellent brushes, and they are all a pleasure to use. However, everyone is different, and after sampling each, I ended up using Rosemary and Co. My go-to brush is a Rosemary and Co. Kolinsky Sable, Series 8, short handle. I normally start with a size 2, but vary between size 0 and 3. I normally suggest that miniature painters use a larger brush, as the belly of the brush holds more paint, and this allows for smoother coats, as you aren’t dipping into paint as frequently. For those painters who use a smaller brush (I would use a 3/0 Taklon in the old days), I really suggest using a bigger brush. So long as the tip is kept sharp, and the brush is washed frequently, a bigger brush just makes painting easier. If I had to suggest a set for someone looking to make the plunge into sable brushes, the Rosemary and Co. ‘Workbench Warrior’ set is a very fine place to start, so that you can work out what works for you. The price ($48AUD) gets you ten excellent brushes, and you can work out what works best for you, and the others are still fine, fine brushes. I would also like to be Captain Predictable here and say that ‘The Masters’ brush cleaner and preserver is my absolute suggestion for paintbrush cleaning, and I sometimes forget to use it, and then wish I had remembered. I do remember to wash my underpants, though. I tend to be a bit hard on brushes, and I get around two years of decent performance out of a workhorse-favourite. As my brushes split / age / wear, I use them for less fine tasks, until they get demoted to drybrush. After that, it's demotion to dolloping-out-of-the-paintpot, and after that, paint stirrer / backscratcher. I am happy to provide more information if anyone is interested (in the paintbrushes, not the underpants), and also to chat about airbrushes, paint consistency, paint brands… the list goes on! Stay well, everyone. Caedrus.

Dear Everyone, Thanks so much for your kind words. It's been an absolute pleasure looking after the Painting Challenge for the last few years, and I hope that you have enjoyed it (and learned as much) as I have! I hope to see everyone's amazing work in 2022 and onwards, and I will be right there painting alongside you all! Happy New Year! Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in! This is just a quick recent shot of my near-complete pledge for December, just in case I don't get time to take pretty shots and upload them! Three Scavengers (18SS) and Marlena Webster (8SS), meeting my pledge for December, and every month of 2021! Whew! I'll be back with more photos of the models soon (they are completed!), but in the meantime, have a great New Year's Eve! Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in! For my January pledge, I will be undertaking something from the following: Wind Gamin (4ss), an Eternal Flame proxy (2SS), 2x Necropunks (10SS), Earl Burns (3SS), Carlos Vasquez (8SS), and a lady with a cool robot (10SS). You will be pleased to know that one Necropunk is missing a face, the Eternal Flame needs some sculpting, and the robot lady is gonna need some extensive NMM. So, that's good news. Wish me luck! Caedrus. P.S.: My thoughts on brushes will be coming very soon. Stay tuned!

@Cats Laughing: I had a mini that pooled like that, and it was due to greasy hands. The paint tends to wick away from grease, so it might be that. Interestingly, COVID didn't really change my handwashing - my mini painting made me a very frequent handwasher! Maybe a drybrush of a base tone might reduce the splotchiness? Having said that, it's Alphonse, and a somewhat piebald appearance might be exactly right!

Caedrus, reporting in! I'm a painter and gamer from Newcastle, Australia. I've been playing games for a very long time, and painting, on-and-off, for about twenty years. It's my pleasure to be part of this Challenge, and I want everyone to know that I'm 100% happy to receive critiques, answer questions, and give advice (for what modest skills I have)! I'll be painting at a Tyrant level, with 21+ Soulstones per month. In 2022, I'll be finishing off my Outcasts, and then making a start on the green guys! Wish me luck! See you in 22! Caedrus.

You better believe I'm taking part! Thanks for taking up the Challenge @Shock & Awe and @Gheist!

Hi Everyone! @Shock & Awe: I think an online spreadsheet is a tremendous idea, and kudos for the idea and suggestion. As a person who completed their PhD (yeah, that's right, I'm Dr. Caedrus! 🤓) while hosting the Challenge, I won't lie, it can be challenging. Having said that, it's a tremendously worthwhile thing. This community is just great - but you already knew that. @Gheist: If you were inclined to host, in my opinion, I would welcome it just as I would for @Shock & Awe. It's not about being the best painter; I very much doubt I'd be in the top ten on this forum. It's about (if you will forgive me waxing lyrical) inspiring and being inspired. I'm not the arbiter or controller of this Challenge, and my opinion counts for no more than any other, but I think the online spreadsheet is a great idea, and so long as the Challenge continues to be a happy, supportive and fun place, I'll be proud to be a part of it, and I don't mind who runs it! With appreciation and respect, Caedrus.

Caedrus, reporting in! I haven't yet taken the nice photos of my completed pledge for the month, so here is my day-before-final-panic-painting-session efforts. The old-school metal abomination was my Speed-Painting Challenge efforts. It's ... ok. @Viruk: The cloak on your spelleaters is my favourite aspect of your painting this month, I reckon. The texture is delightful (stippled?), and the temperature change is very nice as well. Mind you, I also think the lamplighter / moorwraith greens are a delight as well. On the topic of greens... @Stranglelove: I really like this set. The Alt-Pandora is a great paint on a lovely sculpt. What I really love is how you have contrasted the really desaturated tones with the ultra-bright, ultra-saturated tones on the greens. Gorgeous. I'm very envious of the job you did on the waldgeist. @Ja9nge: I painted my golem very similarly - yours looks super-imposing. I love the brass faceplate. @Cats Laughing: I absolutely dreaded painting the Wanyudo. It's a very odd figure. I like yours. If you felt super-brave, you could paint the fie-tips in a scarlet-to-black, to really emphasise the heat. @Diddick: I always admire a painter that can do desaturated painting, yet still retain interest in the figure. That's exactly what you have with the drowned. They look like they are in the depths, where little light reaches. Kudos! @Gheist: I love that whole crew, but my favourite has to be the Botanist with the Audrey II vibe. Love it. @Magnus: Those guys look super-washed-out and pale. If the effect you were going for was 'bleak and cold', you nailed it. @Boomstick: Who doesn't love Ghost Rider reference? I adore the theming on the (cracked lava) bases, and the use of the steel-grey / yellow combination. Striking and memorable. @Shock & Awe: Great to see you again! I love the Shockwave-Purple, but me favourite bit of your painting is the wave-highlighting on the middle gator. Very nice! Finally, I thought I would show you the two efforts I submitted in the 2021 Rotten Harvest Painting Competition, which I will add to the October total: My Grootslang, and a properly hideous Yin (the base of which was intended to have a pair of buttocks sculpted on, but due to a gross misjudgement of base area availability, ended up looking like a second sculpted torso): They didn't win anything, but I hope you like them! Whoo! Better quality pictures to come of my November Amalgam minis, but in the meantime, keep putting pigment to plastic! Caedrus.