Be Careful What You Ask For...

     ...for you may receive it.

     So I went to this sushi and sake party one evening. During the night's socialization one woman asked what I liked to sculpt. I told her, "Women, but there isn't a lot of call for them in military miniatures." Two days later I had an email from a potential client about sculpting some pin-up style Napoleonic pieces. We discussed several options and settled on some females dressed (and I use the term loosely) in British Horse Artillery uniforms. Dream project, right?

     Yes. But this was also the most demanding project I've ever worked on. I had to deal with some of life's delays during the period of working on these. I lost several weeks of work dealing with a family member's injury and  the resulting behavioral fallout. Then there were the general minor illnesses and emergencies that happen in every life. But the biggest time delay on this was the constant re-sculpting of parts that I just was not happy to leave alone. I reworked some parts as much as 5 times to get the look I wanted and I could probably work them again for several more weeks to tweak the curve of a thigh here or the curl of a braid there. However, Tuesday night I wrapped up and called them done.

     Ok, so they aren't really done. I took pictures and sent them off to the client for approval and any polish work. In the process, I've already seen a few places that will get a touch up before they go out the door.

     The moral: Be careful what you ask for. This was one of the toughest and most demanding jobs I've ever done. But it was a great experience and superb test of my abilities. Not too many projects can get this level of devotion from me. No, they aren't perfect, but they are pretty damned nice.

Zombie Nation

     All right. After several months of discussion and thought, Ed at Two Hour Wargames has launched his Indiegogo crowd funding campaign for All Things Zombie - Final Fade Out.

 

     I'm in the process of sculpting 15mm figures (5 survivors with their 5 zombified versions and 5 other zombies) for the basic perks of this campaign. With enough funding More people, zombies and special creatures will be added.

 

 

 

     There are also two really cool game aids that will be useful for playing ATZ in any scale; a City Deck and a Zombie Deck.

     Check out the campaign here: All Things Zombie - Final Fade Out Minis and More. You'll find many different options for combinations of miniatures, rules and game decks. Something for any All Things Zombie enthusiast.

Sons of Ares Get New Equipment

     I've been using Rebel Minis Sahadeen for my Sons of Ares separatists on Mars for several years. Most of the scenarios have involved highly out-gunned Martians defending field camps and attacking convoys to get weapons to sustain the fight. Earth Force loyalists usually have all the cool toys.

     I decided that the campaign world storyline involves the Sons of Ares gearing up for limited production of lower tech vehicles. So I started scouting around for suitable models. I've considered using WWII German or Russian vehicles with some minor conversion, but all my current models are pulling duty as actual WWII vehicles.

    On a late night trip to Wal Mart for groceries I wandered through the toy aisle. Yes, I know, groceries aren't usually to be found in the toy section, but one must check to be sure. Anyway, the Matchbox line had some interesting vehicles pushed to the front of the pegs this time.

     My first find was the Coyote 500.

     Rugged looking, boxy, low tech looking enough without being instantly recognizable as a blast from Earth's past. Add a gun turret and a few cosmetic modifications and I have a couple of good gun buggies for my martians. The vehicle is slightly over scale for 15mm, but it looks like it could carry a small squad or fire team with no problem.

     My second find was the Rock Shocker.

     Originally designed as a BMX rescue vehicle, it looks like the addition of Katyusha style rockets on the back and a few more cosmetic changes would turn this into a great all terrain rocket truck.

     Now the next piece is not specific to the separatists. I was at a comic sale on Saturday where they had a bin of toy parts. I found a... well... something.

     I don't know what toy this came from and frankly I don't care. This just screams atmosphere generator to me. Again, with a few modifications and a new paint job, this will make a great scenario objective for an attack/ defend game. Or just a nice set piece for any other sci-fi game I want to run.

     So for a total cost of $4.50 for all 5 pieces, I have some great new toys for future games. I'll post more photos as I complete their transformations.

Then There Were Four

     I wrapped up the bulk work on the fourth of the RastlWorld figures on Friday. Today was the first day with decent light for pics. That doesn't, by any stretch of the imagination, mean that I can take good pictures, but at least they aren't all blurry.

    So the first thing I noticed was a stray piece of putty right under the right breast. There's also a bit of a burr at the bottom of the jacket on that side. I'm also seeing a ridge on the left heel and problems with the ear/ neck/ jaw line. That's one of the good things about checking photos. It's frustrating to see the stupid little corrections that need to be made, but good to catch them before they go out the door.

     In this one I see that the panty line around the right buttock is rough and some trouble with the the right boot. Sometimes the camera and light make you see things that aren't there, but in this case, there is a little extra putty that needs to be scraped away.

     The left boot was already discussed here. I'm also seeing a bit of transition problem in the left leg right above the 13 in the watermark. I need a little more definition in the jacket braid above the left hand.

     Ok, so some final polish to put on this figure and she'll be ready. The last on is mostly done and I should be ready for last looks with her on Wednesday. Send the photos off to the client, make adjustments as needed, and on to focusing on a new project.

MURG: IMP and Goblin Invasion

     It's the 13th of the month and time for a re-release of a Battle Miniatures Emporium figure. This months addition is the MURG: IMP for their Tomorrow Black range.

MURG Imps Swarm

MURG Imps Swarm includes: 3 MURG Imp Bases.

MURG Imps, like their cousins MURG Flies, dwell in swarms wherever The Murghaste thrive. These tiny monstrosities eat all flesh but that of The MURG. The remains of their victims becomes infected, and the plague spreads.

For more pics and information on these products please visit The Product Gallery

     They are available at the Highlander Studios, Inc. shop under the Tomorrow Black heading.

     I have also taken over distribution for the Goblin Factory. It will take a week or two to get the items listed on my website. For now please email any orders or inquiries to me.

     The link has their old website that has not been updated since our web guy went awol about three years ago. There are also heavy armored goblins, kobolds and halflings available. Please bear with me as I get pictures and add them to the catalog.

     These items will be located on my web shop as they get listed under the Goblin Factory heading.