Updating & Future Plans ?

Well, at some point, awhile back, I did say that I wasn’t sure how much painting I was going to be able to get done in the next couple of weeks . . .

Man, was I right!

I haven’t painted or posted in about a week. I started a long rambling update yesterday. Instead I’ll just hit the highlights and get back into the groove of writing and painting!

Last week was a long one for both of us. We were both still sick and everything seemed to take a lot longer than usual. We were due at Arrowcraft, in Gatlinburg, to be the visiting artists at their Jewelry Focus’ Open House Saturday and Sunday.

Jeannie was back in her shop so Pat went in Friday. Around noon Laurel called from Arrowcraft, to make sure that we were okay. I was in the middle of finishing up the pieces that we were taking. It took me a couple of minutes to understand that she was calling because they expected us there Friday and Saturday!

Talk about embarrassing. Fortunately she was laughing and understanding. (I still can’t believe that I wrote down the wrong dates!)

I stayed up late finishing the assembling and pricing. Made it to bed by 3 AM. The alarm went off at 7. Yeah, another long night followed by a long day. I was barely able to speak while we were there. That made demonstrating and interacting with the public kind of difficult!

I wasn’t able to prepare any food. I wish I had. Their spread was spectacular and a lot of fun! Great folks practicing great hospitality. It was really good to get to spend some time with Ken again. Craig and Laurel and I had some good talks too.

Most of the demonstrating fell to Pat. She did a great job. Fortunately some of the customers that expected us Friday came back on Saturday to meet us. And our favorite collector came to pick out her Christmas presents! Pat made her a pair of oxidized shield earrings with a nice 5 millimeter citrine to go with her new amber pendant. (She doesn’t suspect a thing about the special rhyolite pendant that her husband choose to surprise her with!)

Since I could barely speak we stayed home Sunday. Pat mainly spent it writing and reading. After I ran errands and did the shopping I was done. Totally. No energy for painting. I cooked a small standing rib roast, roasted a squash and diced beets. (It was good too!) Then I took to the couch and watched movies.

Pat went to Jeanie’s this Monday and left me with orders to take it easy. I did. Same thing today. Lots of napping and coughing and hacking.

So that pretty much brings us somewhat up to date. Except that as part of my resting regime I’ve been spending a lot of time online mainly browsing some great SYW Imagi-Nations sites and TMP. Pretty cool and exciting stuff.

I really am excited to be working on my Ral Partha AElves. I am determined to finish them in time for our Game Day in June too! I had been thinking that after them I might begin work on my own 17th or 18th century Imagi-Nations. I may have changed my mind . . .

I read a couple of after action reports about games using the Colonial Adventures rules. Which lead me to http://www.askari-minis.com/ beautiful 28 mm figures.

I’ve played, and enjoyed, plenty of TSATF games. But I have to admit that these rules have some really interesting ideas in them. (And I’m beginning to wonder about trying them for future games using my Ral Partha Aelves against the barbaric orcs!) I’ve always wanted to do the French Foreign Legion, in their classic blue uniforms. (Maybe because my Uncle Ely served in the Legion?) These figures are beautiful! The ranges seem to be complete and through.

Legionairres and Saphis and Tirailleurs, and Zouaves??? Oh my!!!

I wonder if I can limit myself to buying a unit or two at a time and painting them before I buy the next . . .

Yeah, I have to admit I really am thinking about it!

Isn't that part of the Fun ???

Sick Songs

We're both still sick . . . and it sucks! I thought I had passed the worst of it Tuesday night. Turns out I was a little optimistic. I think Pat is a little better, but she still isn't over it yet.

I did get a little painting done Tuesday night. I was all ready to work on the chestnut Centaur when I realized the mail needed highlighting on both figures.

I had a major, fatigue-induced, slip on the grey. Yeah, a whole swipe of wet brushing that I'm going to have to go back and re-do. I finished up both of them; highlighting with Shiny Silver.

Then I gave up in disgust.

I haven't had the energy or concentration to paint since then. It's pretty much been a case of eat, maybe doze off, cough and blow my nose. Go to bed. That's been it for both of us.

Since I don't have a stylin' progress photo, it's time for another Game Day Song by Tim the Elder. (I have no idea when this one dates from, but I will never forget him singin it, on his knees, hand in shirt, newspaper bicorne on his head . . .)


The Ballad of Napoleon the Frog

Come and listen to my story bout Napoleon the Frog
Who tried to gobble Europe like an insane bloated hog
But then one day he was shootin at some Krauts
And as his men came running by
He heard their screaming shouts

Prussians, Sir!
And big, nasty, sharp-pointed-teethy Limeys

Well the next thing you know, ole Nappy starts to pee
Bayonets and round-shot where his hemorroids used to be
They kicked his ass so high he now sneezes when he farts
And he keeps a weiner in his pants
'Cause they blew his bone-a-part


I told you it's a sick song. And we laughed our butts off.

I'm glad I posted it ~ I needed a smile this morning.

We did get the Jewelry Focus pieces shipped in time. Now we're trying to get everything else done, and the repairs, and we're both hoping we get our voices back before Saturday!

The next song I post will have to be Tim's classic "Why, Why Can't Johnnie Come By?" Which dates back to when he became Poppa John . . .

Sick and Sicker

It's been a few days since I last posted. We've gotten lots of work done, despite being sick. Except for Friday and Saturday I have been working on the next two Centaurs, even though I don't have photographic proof of my progress!

We were pretty slow last week, since neither of us were feeling great. By Friday I had a pile of work to finish before Saturday's Sale at the Folk Art Center. I was able to get Pat to bed at a decent time. I only got a couple of hours of sleep ~ but I did get everything done.

We had pretty good sales, and a lot of Fun! Our friends David and Melanie Grant were demonstrating in the lobby. Which was a wonderful surprise, because they had been planninng to do the Mississippi Guild show. It was great to have a chance to catch up with them, and to see some of our other friends in the Guild. All in all it was a lot of Fun and we did get some Christmas shopping done for ourselves too!

Sunday was a bust. We were both beat. Finally got Pat to go to the doctor. Being Sunday the only option was the Urgent Care Center. Fortunately she doesn't have strep, but she does have infected sinuses and an ear infection. So she's taking antibiotics and an over the counter expectorent. Unfortunately, now I'm sicker.

When I was in the waiting room reading the Sunday Asheville Citizen-Times, I saw the Guild'c color ad for Allanstand and Guild Crafts . . . Yep! One of our pieces! That's just a thrill. Another one of our pieces is in the December issue of The Laurels of Asheville magazine too! It's way cool!

Sunday I got an email asking if I would consider standing as one of six candidates for one of the three Board of Trustees positions that are coming open in the Spring . . . I'm honoured and flattered. I have no idea if I have any chance of serving on the Board. As it is I'm having a great time on the Fair Committee! We'll see what happens. In the meantime I'll keep doing whatever I can to help out.

Between the Urgent Care visit, the prescription filling and the grocery store, we got home late Sunday afternoon. Then it was time to cook dinner. By the time I was finished I was done. I did get a little painting time in on the grey Centaur.

Monday Jeannie was sick with a stomach bug, so Pat didn't go to Waynesville. Despite everything that needs to be done this week, we both decided that we needed a day off! So I checked out gamers' blogs and loafed. Pat wrote some and loafed. I started dinner a little earlier and got some more painting done.

The Centaurs are coming along nicely. I'm happy with how the bay is looking, even before his shading. The grey? I'm not sure yet. He was going to be a dapple, and I think I know how to get the effect I'm after. But for now he's more or less a solid grey. I have to think about him a bit more.

We woke each other up coughing off and on all night last night and this morning. I finally gave up and got up early. Now I've had my coffee time, so it's back to work!

Where was I? What do we have to do??? Oh yeah! Today's is wax and investing day. Shipping the Jewelry Focus pieces to Arrowcraft. Sizing the opal ring for Allanstand. Working on pieces to take to Arrowcraft this weekend.

Maybe I'll have some energy for painting again tonight! For now, here is a memory . . .

My first view of Castle Devin (at that time Chateau d'Vin).

If this loaded correctly you should be able to zoom in on the battlements. Can you see those little heads and bows over the crenalations? Those are 25 mm Ral Partha figures . . .

Yeah, Tim's beautiful Castle is big!

I took this photo on August 5th of 2006. I photoshopped the distracting background out. In the foreground is the Brothers Tower.

Paints

It occured to me last night that, for the Secret Project, it really would be a good idea for me to have a record of the paints and colours I'm using for future reference.

I use Americana brand acrylics available at any generic "craft" store. There are a multitude of colours and shades available and they are cheap! (A 2 ounce bottle sells for less than $2.00 ~ sometimes on sale for .79.)

(Always check the bottles. I’ll squeeze and shake a bottle before opening it and looking at the paint. Sure, they’re inexpensive, but why buy a "stale" glopped up bottle that won’t spread well when you get it home and begin painting???)

Primers: Titanium (Snow) White DA1, or Lamp (Ebony) Black DA67, thinned with water as needed or warranted.

Blue for the AElves of the Citadel of the Evening Star: The base colour is True Blue DA36 and watered-down Citadel Colour 5 Blue (Ink). Highlighted with True Blue DA36; shaded with True Blue DA36 and Citadel Colour 5 Blue, or just Citadel Colour 5 Blue thinned with water. Further highlights are True Blue DA36 and Sapphire DA99 ~ lightening up to Sapphire, when needed. The result is much more luminous than I have been able to photograph yet!

Strapping and leather: Terra Cotta DA62. Shaded with Terra Cotta mixed with thinned-down Citadel Colour 8 Chestnut (ink). When needed, highlight with Terra Cotta and Antique White DA58.

Mail/Maille: FolkArt 667 Metallic Gunmetal Grey. For now over black which gives a good contrast ~ but in my experience some shade of grey would make a more realistic undercoat to dry-brush the Metallic Gunmetal Grey over for mail. If needed, mix with Apple Barrel 20762 Pure Silver for highlights. Shaded, or edged, with thinned Citadel Colour 9 Black (ink).

Plate: Apple Barrel 20762 Pure Silver over a black primer. Edged and/or shaded with water-thinned Citadel Colour 9 Black (ink).

Weapons: Generally a grey base coat, with FolkArt 667 Metallic Gunmetal Grey. Edges and highlights with Apple Barrel 20762 Pure Silver.

(The Metallic Gunmetal Grey and the Pure Silver are a couple of my new favorites! I bought them on Pat’s Birthday and they really do the jobs well.)
Bases: Avocado DA 052. Finally, the right colour for bases! For years I used Grumbacher’s Hooker Green. (Knowing it wasn’t "right" and never being totally happy with it.) This one is new to me and looks perfect.



It's kind of hard to paint with a cat on your lap. So our poor abused boys have to take turns cuddling their Mom in the evenings.

Once I'm done Okay, our sweet King Tiger, says, "Ahem, Dad . . . ?"

Cleaning Up.

Here's a shot of what I got done last night ~ just cleaning up the areas that I slopped armour paint on. Still, it was realxing and enjoyable.

I got another late start after another long day. The Guild's Special Christmas Sale is Saturday, tomorrow, at the Folk Art Center. Pat's still sick and I'm hanging on, not really getting worse not really getting much better.

I'm hoping that we can both spend Sunday flopping and recovering. Next weekend we're the visiting artists at Arrowcraft, the Guild shop in Gatlinburg, for their Jewelry Focus Open House!

Here's a photo I took before I started painting last night to show Wednesday's progress painting the armour.

The Secret Plan !

To answer some of Tim the Elder's recent questions . . .

At this point The Secret Plan is to host a 25 mm DBS game sometime this coming June to celebrate my 50th Birthday, which is in July. We'll set it up so that Tim the Younger and Poppa John will expect a regular Castle Devin game. That's the bait part. The switch is that their opponents will be my (finally) painted Ral Partha AElves!

Yes, I am definitely into playing more Castle Devin games before then! But without AElves. The AElves don't fight until June. (Unless I get enough painted early enough to test play a couple of private games with Tim.)

Once they cross into Wales and run into AElves we'll have plenty of opportunities later to either play some fantasy games (in Wales or elsewhere) or not. I don't want to mess up all of the hard work that went into the Castle Devin project by injecting fantasy ~ unless Tim is really into the idea.

We could play with the AElves, in the Castle Devin mileau, as a one off or they could be an auxillary venue or theme. That's Tim's decision!

The next addition I have, and it's a variation of an idea that I've had for decades, will I hope help to explain "AElves in Wales" (as opposed to "AElves in Space!).

Somewhere in Wales is the Citadel of the Evening Star. (The Citadel of the Evening Star dates back to my high school days. It was probably inspired by that great estiole on the Ral Partha AElves' shields.) As far as we know the Citadel is the last bastion of the AElves in that area. Yeah, guarding the passage West to the hidden lands ~ on in this case the main land far to the west . . .

I know it's not terribly original, but it gives us a tie-in to both Castle Devin and another whole area where we could play just "straight" fantasy when we want.

Somewhere I still have a continental map that I created for Ted and myself. His Empire of Hunche was to the North, my AElvish Kingdom of Snaggle was to the South, with the Great Northern Waastleand between us.

Hey, come on, we were in high school!!! Those names will need to change ~ though I'm sure we can find some use for them somewhere. (The Citadel of the Evening Star was originally the capital of Snaggle . . .)

Anyway, for now, there's a quick overview of some of what's in my head. All subject to change as better ideas come along!

Centaurs & Silver

Since I didn't take photographs of my progress on the next two Centaurs, today's eye candy is from our last Castle Devin "Road Rash" game. Terrain and figures from the collection of Tim the Elder. I took this photograph on August 2nd, 2008.

Sir George Devin (aka TtE) and his men have just entered through the main gate. They are bringing a wagon load of taxes they collected from the oppressed locals to his nasty liege lord and older half-brother Sir John Devin (aka Poppa John).

While Tim was prepared with baubles to fill the wagon, I had to replace them with sterling silver casting grain. After all, we needed loot worth fighting over!

Back to the Centaurs. Tuesday night I re-primed. The original white priming was an air-brush experiment. While it works great on the Epic scale Space Marines, I wasn't too happy with it as I painted the first Centaur. It seemed too thin and prone to scratch throughs. This time I used a watered down craft store white acrylic.

The original black was an experiment using Grumbacher tube artist's paint. It gives a good deep black, but didn't cover as well as I had hoped. So it was back to thinned el cheapo craft store acrylics. There were some areas in the mail where I had trouble getting into the crevices.

I didn't get started last night until after nine. I did manage to get all of the mail dry-brushed with gunmetal. Then I painted the armour with shiny silver. I thinned GW's black ink to shade all of the armour edges and the edges of the trim around the mail. Then a final highlighting of the plates. That was it for last night. I wasn't able to get to re-painting the areas that got slopped over.

You can say, "I'll get that later." (I can't remember how our gaming group got started saying that, but there are times when it's appropriate!)

Family and Friends.

"Horns of a Dilemma. Er, Horns of the Buffalo!"

Photo by Tim the Younger, taken at the Battle of Cowpens Convention back when it was still in Greenville, SC. Left to right: John, myself, Tim the Elder, and an unknown gamer that was on our side. This was a very fun 15 mm Colonial Zulu game.

You've gotta love our expressions! I think this perfectly sums up some of the wonderful fun and dilemmas that a good game can have.

Recently I've been thinking a lot about Family and Friends. I'm sure some of it was triggered by Ezekiel's birth. I'm sure some of it is because of this blog ~ it helps me to think about stuff. Some of it is because of the very nature of sitting quietly and painting figures. You have time to think, to reflect. (If you are like I suspect most gamers are you are superstitious to some degree. Why think about negative crap when you're working on figures that you want to imbue with power and positive energy???)

I really am fortunate and blessed to have an amazing Family. And I really am fortunate and blessed in having some amazing Friends. Sure we all have friends and acquintances. True Friends are something else entirely! True Friends are your Family without the blood ties.

I got a great email from Ted Sunday. He's one of my oldest and best Friends. He's bigger and taller than I am, but he's still my "little" Brother. We met in an art class back in High School. He was a year younger than me and I can't remember if I was a Junior or a Senior. But I will never forget walking past his desk, looking down and saying, "Nice painting of Napoleonic Prussian Artillery!" We were kindred spirits. We still are.

That was the beginning of a life time's Friendship. It doesn't matter what happens in our lives, or how much time time goes by before we're in touch again. We're Friends. We're Brothers in our hearts.

Like each of my Friends, Ted is amazing in his own ways. He made my reproduction of the Churburg armour. He teaches professional Hockey goal tending. He's been called up to play professionally. He's a metals conservator. He and Carlaa have a band with a number of CDs out. They travel the world and Live their Bliss.

Like I said, all of my Friends really are neat people!

You can tell that I've been thinking about Ted lately. Years ago he took us with him when he made made a conservator's trip to the Higgins Museum. He gave me a Scottish Claymore letter opener, because "Every Laird needs his sword." It's in my office, on my desk in the mug that holds my pens. I think about Ted every time I use it.

Until I cleaned and re-arranged the lving room I used it when I was packing rubber molds. But when I was cleaning the desk again I found a burnishing tool that had been my Fathers. Sunday was the first time that I used the burnisher for mold packing. Sorry Ted, that's what I'm using from now ~ no quillons to push against, but the handle fits my hand better when I'm working on molds.

Speaking of Friends and memories . . .

See the little kid? He rolled more sixes than any of us had ever seen! (Their whole side wanted him to roll for them.)

See Tim rolling?

See Tim the Elder rolling another one?

I really think that game was the beginning of his streak of rolling ones. It's been going on for years. It's statistically impossible. (He's kept track, and it is depressing.) We've been teasing him about rolling ones for years. I've always wondered how he offended the dice.

Seeing this photo by Tim the Younger again makes me wonder . . . should we be asking how he offended that kid?!?

Tonight I'm working on the Centaurs!

Fear & Danger, Danger !

Nope, I didn't get any painting done Sunday. Same for last night. Though I did get the flash taken care of on the next two Centaurs.

Which is what the fear and danger, danger is about . . .

I've been a heavy cigarette smoker for years. Ironically I'm almost-paranoid about some things. We're jewelers. We very consciously do everything to limit the chemicals we use. Yet some times you don't have much choice and just have to know what you're doing and be careful.

We grind and buff with active venting and while wearing the appropriate masks. You should see me when I'm investing a mold! Full respirator, active exhaust . . . Who wants to breath cristobalite???

Last night I realized that I want to really concentrate on actually finishing each unit, or base, as I go. So why was I dragging my feet on the other two Centaurs??? Once I asked myself that I knew the answer.

I'm pretty sure these particular figures are lead, or a lead alloy. I'm paranoid about lead. It might have been great for figures and toy soldiers back then, but it's really nasty insidious stuff.

There's no way that I'm going to use one of the flex-shafts and rubber wheels to grind flash off of a lead figure! I have some old micro-files, carefully segregated in their own storage box, that I had used for cleaning up lead figures. But, frankly, the small filings have always kind of bothered me . . .

I ended up spreading a couple of layers of newspaper out on the floor. I scrapped the parting lines' flashing off with a used #11 scalpel blade, and then burnished them with the back of the blade. I bundled up the sheets of newspaper and the scalpel blade and bagged 'em. I washed my hands. I washed the scalpel handle, my glasses and the figures. I dried the figures with a paper towel and left them out overnight to throughly dry. Then I washed my hands again.

When I re-prime these figures I'll end up putting that brush aside and will only use it for priming my older lead figures. Actually, I've also been trying really hard to remember not to "point" my paint brushes with my lips anymore too.

Sound paranoid?

I don't think so. Why take a chance?

The key is to realize what is inhibiting you, acknowledge it and understand it. Then you can take whatever steps you think are appropriate and get on with it!

And please don't say you weren't reminded of the possible dangers of playing with old lead toy soldiers!