Shops, Painted Minis and a bad experience (Updated)

 Hi Everyone,

                      Here we are at a new season of wargames and roleplaying. I have been attending my local club again, and that has been fun. I treated myself to the last season of Star Trek Discovery and have my sights on season two of Strange New Worlds and Picard Season three.

                        Warhammer Birmingham has moved from their old site by the Gym opposite the 94 terminus, in to a slightly larger shop atthe bottom end of Corporation Street. 

There is a new shop opposite Forbidden Planet in Bull Street, just inside the Minories Arcade, on the left. Number 4. It's called Element Games.  www.elementgames.co.uk

They have shedloads of paints and supplies from the usual manufacturers. Mainly GW models but some independent people too, such as Frostgrave, Stargrave, Heil Caesar, Oathmark and Shadowdeep.

Weylands Forge is still located in "The Custard Factory", Digbeth.

                      It is the eve of the WMSS Alumwell show, so I hope the weather is fine for everybody travelling to and from it. (NOTE: Take extra grub, the canteen ran out last year, so I am informed).  There are usually burger vans on site, too.

                    I usually take the Metro opposite Forbidden Planet in Birmingham to Wolverhampton bus depot, an approximately 45 minute journey. Then the number 6 bus, stand D. Please double check when you go.

station. 

I have been retouching some models for an upcoming battle report.

I am not sure if it shows up at this angle, but I splattered Ginger's tunic in blood.

The club had our belated Christmas meal at a village curry house, not to be named. The food was nice but the waiter service was slow. We were a party of 12 who had pre-booked by over two months. The place was less than a quarter full when we arrived, but the staff took their orders at least 40 minutes before us. We were so bored, we ordered drinks and crackers while we were waiting. Adding to the cooking time of at least half an hour, to say we were not happy bunnies was an understatement. I had ordered a mushroom wrap starter and grilled Chicken Jalfresi for my main meal. Something I had not tried before, as it was a special occasion. Nothing too complex, you would think. I was expecting it to come in a bowl, but it was served on a plate, in a wrap. I was slightly surprised. As I said before, the food, when it came, was very nice.   Between us; we spent about £350. We will not be going back. We do plan to go to another one that has a better reputation and has been tried by some of the members before.

Regards, 

Ivor Cogdell

In Production updated. 27 June 2020.

It's In the works, As They Say

Hi all,

         This is just a quick news snippet to keep you in the loop, as it were, as to my war gaming progress. While I was off my feet with a strained ligament in my right big toe, and could not get to my PC, (as I had to keep it raised up), I managed to read up on the rules to Nordic Weasel's (C) "5 Leagues from the borderlands", which is their fantasy solo skirmish game, it has expansion packs too.

I rolled up some characters (4 heroes and four followers), then rolled up three villages and their problems, grabbed some suitable models and proceeded to play Turn 1 of the campaign.

You can get goods weapons and armour and do jobs in the village before you set out adventuring. Random encounters are generated along the way and at least one main encounter before you reach the next village  Terrain and movement are taken into account during the battle. According to your success or failure, you may or may not get Xp points, assorted finds, loot and suchlike.

So, turn one is now done and the photos are in the PC. I have just got to do the narrative for it. To be followed by some more of "The Battle of Durk's Compound" basheroo.

Have fun, one and all. Please leave a comment. (If it will let you) - see previous post.

17th June 2020 - Update - Sorry about the delay, just got some real life snags sticking their foot in my gaming schedule, be back in a bit.

20 June 2020 - Doing Turn 6 for Durks battle, at the moment. 

27 June 2020 - Finished the battle and dialogue, just got to stitch it together with the photos. -  Done that now. It took a while, but its up there now. Enjoy.

Ivor Cogdell

Crab Man

Painting The Crab Man

Hi all,

        As promised, here is my painting stages for the crab man.

I started off with a base coat of Citadel Colour (TM) Games Workshop (C) Terracotta, with a thin wash of purple. Followed by doing the highlights  with a thinned mix of Terracotta and Blood Angel Orange, then Blood Angel Orange alone.

Next on was a thinned mix of Blood Angel Orange and Sunburst yellow.

Then another highlight pass with thinned Sunburst Yellow.

The claws, tusks and tentacles were then done in pale green.

Finally, bilious green spots and purple markings were added to the carapace and exoskeleton.

Final adjustments, here and there.

This is the finished mini, unless I decide to tart up the base with something later. All paints used were Citadel Colour (TM) from the first edition Rogue Trader Space Marines Painting Set or the Creature Painting Set, Games Workshop (C). It may not be in the current box set. Please check at your local Warhammer shop or on the net. There are other brands available to use.

I hope it inspires you to have a go at your unpainted mini pile and get stuck in painting them. Please leave a comment below.

Regards to all,

Ivor Cogdell

Getting wet

Or Rather Getting Brushes wet

Hi all,

         Just to show that not every second of my time has been sent in the garden lately, it certainly seems like it though. Here are a few painted bits of minis. Some of them are nasty looking critters too. By the (C) Copyright date on the sprue,  I have had them for a while, so it was about time they saw some action, as it were.

Ready for snipping.

First wash.

Terracotta first coat.

First coat of thin brown wash.

Light highlights added.

A fire ready to be lit.

Close up on Alien. For the next stage of painting this mini, see "Crab Man" post 24th May 2020.

All models are in the early stages, feel free to add any comments or tips below.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

Expanding a Barricade pt3

Terrain Gardening

Hi all,
         Here is the third part of my Terrain expansion idea, what to do if you are all out of models to build. It's not exactly kit bashing, but not far off. Find an existing bit of kit and embellish it to your satisfaction. That can be things like adding debris, junk, tools, boxes etc to an area on your model. Adding more defences, barriers, tripwires, nets, pits, anything to give your models extra grief getting through them in one piece.

If you have not checked out my other instalments, please do so now, so you are all caught up on the process and where I have come from with this.

The Previous Build

Side view, showing an old pathway.

Materials you will need.

Filler or grout.
Lolly stick
Sand.
PVA Glue or Modgepodge.

Apply the filler around the base with a lolly stick or your fingers.

Smooth down around the edges.

Apply fine sand over the still wet filler, press into place and allow to dry.

Add more or less texture as you fancy. Paint if required.

I would have done more texturing, but I had run out of sand. Such is life.

Wooden baracade that can be moved when needed.

Once dry, seal with watered down PVA glue or modgepodge. Allow that to dry. Apply a second coat if needed. Then touch up any bits that need doing with paint.

Happy modelling, folks,

Ivor Cogdell