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