Miniature of the Moment..."Rudolf Aloy"...

Another Norman Crossbowman...after a while they probably all look the same, but I can attest that each one is uniquely different in colors and basing...poses, maybe not so much so.  I had painted "Rudolf Aloy" with a "brown" theme in mind.  This was also my first "overhanging" basing of sorts.

I have also paired "Rudolf" and "Joseppi" in a photo below.

 

 

Miniature of the Moment..."Wilbur"...

Not much to this one, but it is one of my favorites.  You would think the simpler the miniature, the easier it is to paint, but for some reason it doesn't work like that.  It took me as long to paint this (if not longer), than any other miniature.

This is one from a Pilgrim set I am working on...technically it is supposed to be a feral pig, which I aptly named "Wilbur".

Of Brushes and Cleaning...

OK, now some will disagree with me on my approach to cleaning brushes - here is what I say:  "Use what works for you, not what works for me."

You can buy all the expensive brush cleaning liquids you want, and it will clean your brushes...it will also shorten the life of your brushes and slowly start deteriorating them in the process!

Just use dish soap (I've used several kinds and all work well) and warm water - both for cleaning and for rinse (no soap in the rinse of course).  As soon as you have finished with the brush, a few swishes in the dish soap and a few swishes in the rinse, and the brush is clean.  Continue by drying off the brush - do so by dragging the brush tip between a folded paper towel, while rolling the brush. Let the brush then sit for about 15 minutes and it is good to use again (the brush may look out of shape after rolling, especially a larger brush, but it will pop back into shape - you can fluff the brush to spring it back out if not used for detailing).

What ever you do, regardless of how you clean your brushes, DO NOT stand them on brush ends to soak when cleaning - this will destroy your brush after one use.

Miniature of the Moment..."Joseppi Juso"...

This is one of eight Norman Crossbowmen I am working on - Joseppi Juso.  This is of the same set from the one I posted yesterday.

Switching Gears...

So I sat and painted yesterday on the "Yeti" (which I aptly named "Gerpu Chenpo", supposedly meaning "Big Big" in Tibetan) - I've always liked painting animals about as much as painting Cowboys...can't say why, just do.  The bigger the animal the better.

This made me pull out a set of miniatures for a diorama I'd planned to do in the future, but am now starting on it as of today - "David defending his Sheep from the Bear" (because the bear is a Big animal : )

Anyway, started my initial research on this and was fascinated to find that the bear David faced (I Samuel 17:33-37) would have been a Syrian Brown Bear, a smaller cousin of sorts you could say to the Grizzly Bear.  They are unfortunately said to be extinct in Syria and Israel, although some believe a few may remain.  Today they are still found in Turkey, Iran and Iraq.  They are a beautiful bear and much larger than I had anticipated.

Miniature of the Moment..."Uros Stephan"...

Completed the "Winter Scene" last night - will probably put it to use today or later this week and get some pictures posted using it.  I have at least four miniatures that I can see right now that would be candidates to use this with.

The Miniature of the Moment is "Uros Stephan", a Norman Crossbowman.  He is one of eight of a set I am working on (still five more to go).  I may have posted photos of the other two but not sure.  I am pleased with how the scenic aspects turned out on this one.  The fence is just made of toothpicks.  I have it facing the wrong way from what I originally intended (the cross slats), but technically if he was an invading force, the fence would be a barrier, and it is actually (by accident) facing the correct direction.

Now I would like to do a more complete scene using the fence across a wider spance : )

The Photo Gallery...

For those who prefer the photos rather than reading, I've added "The Photo Gallery" page to the blog.  The link should be somewhere just above this post (as of 12-27-11)...it will of course change once I make a new post.

Anyway, it will contain only the photos, in chronological order, of what I post to this blog.

Miniature of the Moment..."Huntharr Fieldwax"...

Working on my Snow Scene diorama...should have it finished by tonight.  Was hoping to have it ready to post a snow scene for today, but still needs some work.  I'll use it to post tomorrow maybe, after the snow is all gone!

So for today I do have a new post, not much of a story behind this one, just a random pick for today, a Viking Spearman..."Huntharr Fieldwax"...(yes, still a time before I started painting eyes)...

Meadows Fortune

I found out recently over the last several weeks that a family cousin is starting to make it big in the music industry.  Now to jump on the bandwagon and suddenly become a fan would be an injustice to him, but I would like to say congratulations.  To say that I know him, we'll yes, but the last time we talked face to face was many, many years ago at a funeral.  However, my memories are of a short period in time when I used to host a website for my church, and between a few e-mails traded, he had paid me nice compliments on how he liked the website.  So in turn, I do have to say I like what they have done with his website, and again, well wishes on your ventures.  Here is the link for those who would like to check out his music, and I will also put the link on my page:

http://www.meadowsfortune.com/

Now, you might say what does this have to do with miniatures - I am getting to that point....

When I got married, Jeff gave us a nice CD rack for our wedding gift.  It stands behind me now as I type, and stood on the top of our bookcase packed full of CDs (there was no room left for one) - mostly music, but one quarter went to computer games and programs.  Up until this year that is.  As my miniature collection grew and I desired a safe place to display them, I thought of no better place than the CD rack.  As a musician, I am sure he would rather see it filled with music CDs, but I have to say, it really makes a nice display stand for the miniatures and the gift still very appreciated.  Although I may have to put just one specific CD there now....

Merry Christmas

Just wishing all the followers of my blog a "Merry Christmas" and thanks for following my miniature work this year.  Stay tuned and keep connected, as I will continue to add and advance to this blog in 2012!

I wanted to post something that was relevant to the season, but I don't really have anything that fully qualifies.  I've wanted to do a manger scene, but it does come back to finding Biblical miniatures for such a scene.  They do sell manger miniatures, but I'd prefer to have more of a selection to make a unique manager scene.  By the way, there were no "wise men" at the manger the night of Christ's birth - so yes, my manager scene would only have shepherds.

Thinking on what would make a good Holiday scene, it brought to mind I could do a scene from A Christmas Carol...I'll have to add this to my (ever growing) list : )

I've started a project to work on while I am off over the Holidays, it's a "Yeti"...yes, as in abominable snowman.  I know, I know, I don't normally do things outside of a historical range, but when I saw these I just had to get them (yes, there's two).  Now that would make for a good snow scene.  In lieu of that, the best I can do is a Viking in the Snowy Mountains...minus the snowy mountains.  After photographing this one, I realise I need a snow base.  I use Citadel snow, which is OK, but I am interested to try the Woodland Scenics snow.

So, everyone have a Merry Christmas, and here is "Vigdis Nimbletoes"...

Finished.

I just completed the Gladiator Arena I had been working on for my Manager at work.  I might have mentioned before how he had said a couple of times how he liked the Gladiator scene at the beginning of the UFC fights, which then gave me the idea to create the Gladiator scene.  It originally started out to just be two Gladiators squaring off, but by the time it was over I added the "full" arena and Summa Rudis and Secunda Rudis.  To date, this is the diorama I am most pleased with.  Not that the others weren't good, but with each one I learn something new and improve upon it.  Were I to make another Gladiator Arena, it would be better than this, improving upon mistakes I made and lessons learned.  All in all, I am still well pleased.

I like to have at least two primary dioramas going at once that I have a majority of items to complete - in between these I work on other pieces that will be used for upcoming dioramas in the future, or single piece historic miniatures.  I am not counting, but I am sure I have close to 50, if not more, "in the works" (that is figures, not dioramas).

Anyway, my next pieces for now will be Jesus and Peter Walking on the Water (for my wife's pastor), and I want to do the John Wayne scene from "True Grit"...where he is in the valley riding against Ned Pepper and his gang...you know the famous quote from the scene..."Fill your hands you..."...yep, that one.  All around the scene are white birches with yellow leaves in the fall (compared to the remake, they are still green...boo, hiss!).

I think trees will be a nice break from the sand...I am ready for some greenery, having done two back to back sand pieces (Gladiator Arena and Moses and the Burning Bush).  I will post the Moses piece at sometime in the future.

Anyway, there are the photos from "Gladiator Arena"...

Miniature of the Moment..."Outlaw Billy Bob Hillsboro"...

As I have stated before, my favorite miniatures to paint are Western, mainly cowboys (again, my favorite dioramas to make are Biblical).

This was the first cowboy I had completed...Outlaw Billy Bob Hillsboro.  I have to admit, I was very pleased how this one turned out.  It is one of my favorite finished pieces.  It is the only one I have entered into a contest, of which it was ranked "average".  Now that might seem like a discredit, but it was a very tough contest with some very good artists.  Pieces were judged by the artists themselves, so to recieve "average" in the contest was quite good. 

Cost of the Hobby...

I wanted to speak today on the cost of collecting, and painting, miniatures...

Some who may wish to venture into the hobby may think it too expensive...in reality, it is one of the least expensive hobbies around.  I will admit, there is a substantial start up cost, this is due to paints and brushes.  Even that, over time, will become a minor expense.  Overall, the hobby is moderate to low in maintenance expense.

Startup costs...paints run me around $3.70 a bottle, and I always make sure to meet the minimum order so there is no shipping cost.  I wait and build up enough of an order over time to make it worth the expenditure.  You can start with just the basics, and add more colors over time, which is what I did, spreading my cost out.  For the time I put into the hobby, a bottle of paint will easily last me 4 years or more (it doesn't take much of one color per miniature).

Your real expense will come from the brushes...expect to pay a lot to get a lot - don't skimp on cheap brushes, get the good ones.  I have two kinds that I purchase - detailing brushes and painting brushes.  Again however, once you have purchased these (if treated well), will last a long time.  When I have a "detailing" brush go bad, I just convert it to a painting brush and replace the detailing brush.

Depending on the miniatures you paint (1/72, 10mm, 25mm, etc), cost is minimal all around.  Although I typically buy miniatures as a set, the per miniature cost is small.  I will run through each here (this does include shipping costs divided per miniature) -

• 1/72 (usually 1 inch plastics) = .15 to .20 cents each
• 10mm = .30 cents each
• 15mm = .50 to .75 cents each
• 25/28mm = $2-$4 each

As with the paints, I usually build up an order to get special or free shipping and any discounts.

As for the return..well, believe it or not, it can be better than stamp or coin collecting...

As with any collection item, you do have to find the right buyer...an out of print miniature can fetch up to 4x (or more) the original price.  Prints go out of commission every year...it is not something you have to wait a long time for (meaning you can sell it in your lifetime, and not leave it as an inheritance).

However, the real money is in painting and selling.  An average painter can expect to double their return..whether selling from a website, or ebay.  It does take time to build up clientele though.  As for a master painter, expect returns from $500-$1000 (if painting 54mm and above, especially when you get into the 90mm and 200mm range). 

I like how the guys over at the Army Painter put it - "Real men play with Toy Soldiers...".  Few know, even among the miniature world, that Douglas Fairbanks (Sr) had a collection of 3,000 + miniatures...

The Rebel Jesus...

I will try to never be too "political" or too "religious" on this blog, but I will not be ashamed to profess my faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

I was driving home from hunting this morning and heard a new song...I am always fond of ballads, so I turned up the radio and enjoyed the drive.  I neither knew the song, nor the artist at the time, but it instantly became one of my four favorite Christmas songs (with I Need a Silent Night, Happy Christmas, and Little Drummer Boy).  Once I got home I checked into it, and found out it was a song originally written and performed by Jackson Browne... The Rebel Jesus...it is good, only wish Rich Mullins had done a cut of the song...I can just hear his voice in this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-lHZqNcRH0&feature=related

There were several slide shows made to the song, this was my favorite.  One day I'll learn how to embed a video into my blog.

On to miniatures...

As I mentioned before, David and Goliath has become my trademark and most requested diorama.  I've made two, have two in the works, and have requests for at least another one.

Posted below is the first one I made for my grandma, which was also my first Biblical diorama.  I have since improved on the designs, having learned from the first one.  I actually felt bad when I made the second one, because I felt it was better than the first, and hoped that she would not think I had done sub par work on hers!  Not at all, I just learned after the first one, but that first one, every ounce of making it look good went into it, just as much as the second one.

Pictures of course will not do it justice...it makes a nice opening to discuss the gospel, when people ask the story behind it.  Which is of course the purpose behind the creation of these.  I do not charge for any that contain scripture, so needless to say, I am backed up on demands for this and others.  That is okay, that is good to hear...I told my wife it took 40 years to find my talent and ministry.

Here is the original David and Goliath...

Remember...click on the photos to enlarge...may be better...

Miniature of the Moment..."Ivo Brin"...

I had been ordering a group of slingers just to get a choice of one or two that I liked to use for my David's in the David and Goliath Dioramas, but what do you do with the remaining slingers?  You create a Jewish army of slingers!  This was one of my first..."Ivo Brin"...

Miniature of the Moment..."Sheriff Brett Culver"...

This would be the second cowboy that I did, and completely finished (I always have a number "in the works") - "Sheriff Brett Culver".  It may look like he has two black eyes, but it is actually just shadow.  Would like to do a full western "shootout" diorama one day.  I've always said if I ever got into model railroading, it would all be western themed.

Miniature of the Moment...22nd Tennessee...

Yeah, I know...I'd said I was going to use "Miniature of the Hour", but now like "Miniature of the Moment"...

Anyhow, was visiting the Springmill Christmas Village yesterday and the Rebs were munstering there for Christmas.  The soldier standing guard outside the door looked exactly like the second miniature (brown hat) in this set, so thought I would post it.  Whilst talking to the soldier I discovered his unit was the 22nd Tennessee, also known as the Tennessee Volunteers (Davy Crockett's unit).  When asked to present arms, he was carrying a percussion Enfield (seemed a step up for the Rebs at the time, but I could be wrong...)...

I don't do much with 10mm anymore (too straining on the eyes), but do have another set of North and South I am slowly working on...

Christmas Cards...

Just finished ordering the Christmas cards for this year.  You can't go wrong with Leanin' Tree cards (aka Trumble Greetings).  Have been ordering from them for about 10 years.  They have a few new items each year, but would really like to see them have a lot of new ones each year.  I usually order a good lot, and then use till I get down to the last few, then re-order a lot again.  I can get 2-3 years or more from just one order.

http://www.leanintree.com/

Gloss vs Dull finish...

Whether to use a Glossy Finish or a Dull Coat Finish is truly a matter of personal preference.  Tecnically one is supposed to use Dull Coat on most metal, and Gloss on most plastics - this is the standard, but you will see them mixed.  I suppose if one is using them for wargames or presentation, this code of style might be more the norm and expected, but beyond that, for personal use, I say do which pleases you.

For myself, having experimented in both, I prefer the Dull Coat to a Glossy Finish.  I think the Glossy gives a collectable look, but in a "toy like" fashion.  On the other hand, I think the Dull Coat gives a more realistic look, and in some cases, more life-like detail.

Here are a couple of 1812 period pieces I have done, Isaac Pearson and Nathaniel LePratte, both in a Dull Coat finish.  Compare this to my last post, Percival Craddock, which was done in a Gloss Finish, and you will see why my preference is a Dull Coat in everything.

Miniature of the Hour..."Percival Craddock"

This is one of my first 1/72 Scale Revolutionary war pieces I have done.  It actually looks "OK" in real life, but I must admit the photo doesn't present it well.  However, I have much improved on painting this scale since this one.

This is one of the few I have finished with a glossy coat, which actually made it look "worse".  I know that most plastics in the 1/72 scale should be finished with a glossy coat, but I think it makes them look too "toy like".

Miniature of the Hour...

I wanted to come up with a title when I want to post just a miniature, so I will call it the "Miniature of the Hour"...meaning it was the one I decided to post for that point in time.

I thought about calling it "Miniature of the Day", or "Miniature of the Week", but I don't think I'll be posting one a day, nor will I post just one a week (sometimes).  So I stuck with Miniature of the Hour.  I've sort of borrowed that from Total War on their "Man of the Hour" at the end of a battle - I felt the name kind of fit for how it will be use.

So here is the first "Miniature of the Hour"..."Rathgarr Sodgrass".  This was one of the first miniatures I painted when I started selling them again.  It's also the first that I "dipped", and also one of my first to truly put eyes on them.  As you will note, some of my miniatures (the early ones) are "eyeless".  This is because I thought it too difficult to paint eyes.  I found a technique that works, and although never going to be a Rembradt, it is good enough to satisfy me, and I am sure I will continue to improve the eyes over time.

Thanksgiving...

I have to say I miss the Thanksgivings of old - and I'm not talking about the food.  I remember Thanksgiving day had some of the best cartoons telling the Thanksgiving story.  I remember one, I think it was called "The First Thanksgiving" by Hanna Barbara, about 60 minutes long, well done, of the first Pilgrims and Indians Thanksgiving; or how about the squirrel that taught his children to be thankful.  They just don't show them anymore.

I remember Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, and they usually showed this with "The White Seal".  A weasel killing a cobra...too violent?  For shame.  Rikki-Tikki-Tavi...you rock!  And they no longer show "After the Promise" - the absolutely best Thanksgiving movie that will ever be. 

I miss drawing the "hand-turkeys" and I miss drawing Pilgrims. 

I have never understood the big Thanksgiving dinners...at least not the one's where it seems, or at least for some, to be such a burden.  At the first Thanksgiving the Pilgrims and the Indians gave of their bounty...they were grateful...for all they went through, I don't thank anyone complained they had to get up too early to cook the turkey...

I've not understood why churche's do a Thanksgiving dinner either?  For those I have known, it has been a burden on them, both financially and with time, to have TWO Thanksgivings in the same month.

I heard it said best on the radio this morning..."Let's Give Thanks today...and get through one Holiday before we look to the next...."

I don't have any Pilgrim's to post yet...technically speaking...I have at least five in the works though.  In commemoration of one of my favorite cartoon movies (always shown on Thanksgiving day), "The Last of the Mohicans", here is a scene of Magua (left) and Chingachgook (right).

By the way..for THE BEST Last of the Mohican minatures, as well as Indians and colonial period, check out Eric Roof and Conquest Miniatures...

(link added to my links list)

Wednesday Musings...

I am not a blogger by heart, but I do enjoy writing.  My wife does the Facebook thing...not for me.  Just looking for something to showcase minatures, not me.  With that said, I wanted to at least try to post once a week with the blog, time permitting and Lord willing.  As it has been a while since my last post...OK..really only four days I guess, I wanted to throw out a miniature to post and comment on -

This is actually a 15mm, "Richard Lowen"..with "lowen" meaning "one with lion-like characteristics".  I was thinking of Richard the Lion-Hearted and the Black Knight while creating this one.

David and Goliath...

I am working on my fourth David and Goliath diorama....it seems to be my trademark scene.  Maybe it is the appeal, as it does make a good action scene.

I had always thought of Goliath as havng a big, thick black or dark brown beard - all my dioramas to date dipicted this.  Although I do my research (both Biblically and historically, I've never had a differing opinion).  I recently wanted to start work for a David and Goliath diorama for my desk at work, and decided to order some new "Goliaths" and try something different.  Not noticing, I ordered a Goliath without a beard.

As this Goliath had a Roman style helmet with plummage (feathers) out the top, I did research on whether to paint this black or red.  As it turned out, I stumbled upon a page describing the Philistines as beeing clean shaven and wearing thus such a helmet.  Without willing knowing so, I had actually ordered a more closely resembling Goliath than I had been using in the past!  (I have to think God's direction was in this... : )

Anyway, here was the first "Goliath" I painted...it was my test of texture and colors before I did the real thing, because he is holding the shield, which according to scripture, was actually carried by another man.  Tecnically speaking, David faced two men that day on the battlefield, Goliath and his shield-bearer (although I think the shield-bearer dropped the shield and booked his way back to Mediterrean Sea when Goliath fell - my opinion, not Biblically stated!).  Also to note, the whole Philistine army was not far behind.

I aptly named this one "Ishbibenob ", which happened to be one of Goliath's sons.  Some associate Ishbibenob as a brother to Goliath, but this is inaccurately stated.  Ishbibenob was thought to have killed David on the batlle field, but David was rescued by Abishai.  Maybe a diorama for another day....

I Samuel 17: 1 - 58; II Samuel 21:15-17

Artificial Scenics...

I was out the other day to get a dome for a new David and Goliath diorama I am working on, when I came across a new product, and for me a new vendor, JTT Scenery Products.  I am not sure yet how they will match up to Woodland Scenics (they seem hard to beat), but will give them a try.  The website was a little confusing, as it seemed like an alias - had I not bought the product in the store, I would have thought it a phising scheme.  Anyway, here seems to be what they go by, take your pick...

http://www.sceneryproducts.com/
http://www.jttmicroscale.com/
http://www.miniaturetree.com/

Yeah, I've not figured out why three either...

All in the Name...

Some may question why I actually name each individual miniature...and no, I am not into the role playing aspect of miniatures.  A name gives "character", and will possibly dictate a paint scheme.  You have to admit that there is a difference between just "Bob Smith" and "Pierce Rothchild" (no offense to the Bob's or the Smith's intended).  But when you hear each name, you do conjure up an idea of what one may look or act like.  For example, "Jebediah" may get "grays and browns" where "Alexander" may get "reds and purples".

Anyway, some names I create, but most come from several random name generators that I have found on the internet.  Once I've identified a miniature that I wish to paint, they are assigned a name before I start.

Cowboys and Indians...

Of all the different historical ranges available to paint, I have to say I enjoy painting the cowboys the best.  I used to say Vikings, because that is all I painted...I mean, how wrong can you go on a color combination on a Viking; however, after I started painting my first cowboy I was hooked - it also opened up other period ranges that I would not have ventured out to try.  Don't get me wrong, Biblical dioramas are still my favorite to create, but for painting individual pieces, Cowboys take the lead.

This is actually the first Cowboy I painted, "Billy Bob Hillsboro"...

And you thought that was a bad call...

The next time you are watching a football game and think the referee makes a bad call, think again -

I am doing research for a Gladiator Diorama (the real thing, not the movie), and discoverd the infamous story of a Summa Rudis by the name of Hebnerus (the Summa Rudis was what we would call a Referee in today's terms).

On the tomb of Gladiator Diodorus, is an epitaph that states he had beaten his opponent (Demetrius) to the ground and disarmed him (holding both his and his opponent's weapon) - Diodorus stood in vicotry waiting for Hebnerus (the "Referee") to end the match, however, Hebnerus made the call that Demetrius had only tripped (not been submitted), which meant Diodorus had to give him his sword back, and the fight continued.  Demetrius went on to kill Diodorus.  It is to be noted that when Demetrius fell, Diodorus could have justly killed him, but instead chose to leave his opponents fate in the hand of the "judges"...and if you have ever watched a UFC fight..never leave your fate in the hands of the judges...however, that saying came about 2000 years too late to help Diodorus.

Too bad they didn't have instand replay??

I'll post a pic of the Gladiator Diorama when finished, it will probably be a while though.

Musings...

I will be turning 43 tomorrow, and I feel it.  My head hurts, my shoulder is sore, my neck is stiff, and my right heel aches.  I'd like to say this is from some streneous 10 mile hike that I took yesterday, but in fact it is from -  headache (stayed up till almost midnight last night finishing Uncharted 3), stiff neck (just slept wrong), shoulder (raking leaves...three days ago), and my right heel...haven't figured that one out yet.

Anyway, adding one of the first miniatures I painted when I started up again about a year ago:  "Gunthar Abelstone" (Viking - 25-28 mm)

Welcome to the Crossfoxx Blog...

OK...this is my first official blog post!  My hopes for this blog is to be used to showcase miniatures that I am working on, as well as provide links and useful information related to miniatures.  More to come on both topics.  Now, if I can only figure out how to resize the gadget boxes...cf