Stuff on the table - August 2017 UPDATE

Here's the updated list for August:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - painted, varnished, based COMPLETED
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - painted, varnished, based COMPLETED
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016) - foliage added to bases COMPLETED
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 USMC rifle platoon (2016) - foliage added to bases COMPLETED

A clean sweep this month - I don't think that's ever happened!  All things in progress as I started August have been completed. It's very satisfying. I bought some grass tufts to do the Japanese and USMC platoons and liked the effect, which overcame my natural tightness and I bought more to really fill the bases up. I've now gone back and added some more foliage to my Burrows and Badgers bases 

Additional items I worked on:

• Artizan Designs 28mm Partisan (2013) - cleaned up, primed, painted, varnished and based COMPLETED
• Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017) - assembled
• Minicraft 1/144th Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (2017) - assembly started
  

My order for the Dracula's America Nickstarter came earlier in the month than anticipated. Beautifully produced book and some nice figures. I opted for the Dark Confederacy posse and they look suitably grim. I was a tad disappointed with the book and think there could be much more background and options for the various posses, but maybe that will be covered in a later supplement. 

Badger and Toad

I finally got round to sitting down and finishing my last two Burrows and Badgers figures that I picked up at Salute 2016. 

First up the Badger Mercenary:

 

And the Toad Animist:

 

Both fantastic figures, like all of the Oathsworn figures full of character and very enjoyable to paint. I hope that I've done them justice even though maybe the photos are a bit ropey.

I have a nice collection of 15 of these minis now. Since I picked this batch up Jo and Michael of Oathsworn have released another two Kickstarters which somehow I missed. However, after an email to the aforementioned Oathsworn supremos I've gone all in for all the minis and the mouse house. That should be with me for Christmas so a nice present to myself. It also gives time to tackle some of the other items that have been sitting about.

Stuff on the table - August 2017

Here's the starting point for August:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) 
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016) 
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 USMC rifle platoon (2016) 

The Japanese Hohei platoon and USMC rifle just need grass and foliage added to be complete. And then it really is time to tackle the last of my Oathsworn minis, the Badger and Toad. They've been looking at me for far too long on the painting table. 

I've bought in to the Nickstarter for Dracula's America with the Dark Confederates bundle. That should come in August so I have a good incentive to try and clear the decks for that. I have loads of suitable Old West figures that I can use for this so almost feel that I'm ahead of the game which is an unusual place for me to be. 

Stuff on the table - July 2017 UPDATE

Here's the update for July:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - no further progress
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - no further progress
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016) - Bases painted and highlighted.
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 USMC rifle platoon (2016) - All figures painted and  varnished. Bases textured, painted and highlighted.

I made good progress with the WW2 Pacific project this month.

 

I took the USMC rifle platoon (above right)from primed to based and virtually complete. I also painted the Japanese Hohei platoon's bases (above left ). All that's needed to complete these two platoons is to add final highlights and then foliage and grass which I need to buy. And do two Japanese sniper teams which I managed to eke out of the Japanese pack. 

As you can see in the photo above I left an empty slot on six of the USMC bases. This enables me to add either a rifle man or BAR gunner as required. The BF pack provided options to add a BAR gunner per rifle team so I have a nice lot of spares. These figures have had their cast on bases textured and painting to fit in with the team bases. They also got an additional two coats of varnish as they'll be subjected to more handling. 

Stuff on the table - July 2017

Here's the starting point for July:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) 
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016) 
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 USMC rifle platoon (2016) 

I really hope to complete the USMC rifle platoon and finish off the bases for the Hohei platoon this month. After that I'll take a break from painting little men and try and make some progress with the Toad and Badger or do something different like tackle some of the 1/144th plane stockpile. 

Stuff on the table - June 2017 UPDATE

Here's the update for June:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - no further progress
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - no further progress
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016) - based and sand added to bases
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 USMC rifle platoon (2016) - cleaned up, primed, test figure completed

There was some progress with the WW2 Pacific Project this month. I based the Japanese platoon and added a layer of sand. I thought that by using the FOW bases with holes this would be a quicker process, However, the figure bases were much smaller than all the holes and I ended up filling all the gaps with green stuff. The USMC look they fit far more snugly.

Stuff on the table - June 2017

Another nice manageable list to start June:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016)
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016)
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 USMC rifle platoon (2016)

The focus on this month is to make as much progress as possible with the USMC platoon. Their opponents, the Japanese Hohei platoon are waiting to be based. The plan is to do them and the USMC at the same time so there's a consistent look across all my WW2 Pacific troops.

Stuff on the table - May 2017 UPDATE

Here's the update for May:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - no further progress
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - no further progress
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016) - painted and varnished

I've been focused on the Japanese Hohei platoon this month. I completed a test figure, which turned out well and for once I had the forethought to write down all the colours and mixes I used. I could then crack on to complete the rest of the platoon. They are the usual Battlefront mix - some poses excellent, some woeful. However, there is a nice variety (more then Peter Pigs) and you get light mortars and lmgs, so the one pack has given me my core platoon for my Imperial Japanese Army Bolt Action force. I also like the bases with figure holes as this will speed up the basing process. I will do a write up on these at some stage.

Additional items I worked on:

• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 USMC rifle platoon (2016) - clean up started

Stuff on the table - April 2017 UPDATE

Here's the update for April:

Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - no further progress

Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - no further progress

Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - no further progress

Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016) - Cleaned, primed, started painting

Privateer Press 30mm Hordes Gatormen (2016) - COMPLETED

Most of my hobby time this month was spent on the 5 Hordes Gatormen. These were the first plastic Privateer Press figures I've done. They needed a fair bit of clean up to remove flash and although they were supposed to be assembled using superglue I found this didn't work. I ended up assembling them by packing each joint with green stuff which did the job nicely. They came up pretty well and I'll add some photos when I get a chance. 

I had a change of heart and decided not to attend Salute. Various factors went into this decision which I won't bore you with, but the key was that there was nothing I wanted to buy. Strange but true. I'm content with what I've got to work on. I spent the £12 cost of admission ordering a copy of the Osprey rule book Scrappers instead and spent the time working on my 15mm WW2 Japanese infantry platoon. 

Stuff on the table - May 2017

A very small list to start the month:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016)
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016)

My priority for the month is to complete the Japanese Hohei platoon. I'll do the Toad and Badger when I fancy a change from the production line, which in itself is a nice change from painting the beasties (Oathsworn and Privateer Press) which has been my main focus this year. Therein lies the answer for me - swap it about to keep it fresh. I don't know how people can paint hundreds of the same thing. Hats off to them but it's not for me. 

I've removed the Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites from the table and in progress list as I don't know what to do with them. The shields need completing and they need basing. However, I have another pack so may wait to do them and finish them off altogether. I have to admit I didn't enjoy painting 10mm that much which could be a problem as I bought about 300 last year!!!

Stuff on the table - April 2017

Here's the starting point for April:

Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)

Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) 

Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) 

Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016)

Privateer Press 30mm Hordes Gatormen (2016)

Of course April is a big month as it's Salute month. My wargaming year starts with Salute and I like to try and get as much cleared up so I can justify buying shiny new things! The plan for this month is to concentrate on the Gatormen and if time allows press on with the remaining two Oathsworn anthropomorphic miniatures.

Stuff on the table - March 2017 UPDATE

March was a productive and satisfying month. Here's March's updated list:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - all painted, awaiting basing
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016) - completed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - primed ready to begin painting 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016) - completed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016) - completed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016) - completed
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) - 2 of 6 completed 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - primed ready to begin painting 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Hare Warrior (2016) - completed

Once I had completed the two Artizan Partisans, I decided to focus on only one Burrows and Badgers figure at a time. This worked very well and I got into a good rhythm completing five in the month. I only have two left to do now. I don't think I'll manage to complete them by Salute which was the original plan but I'm ok with that.

Additional items I worked on:

• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon - started clean up
• Peter Pig 15mm WW2 Japanese infantry - completed
• Peter Pig 15mm WW2 14th Army infantry - completed
• Privateer Press 30mm Hordes Gatormen - Cleaned up and assembled 

I finally made a decision about collecting Far East WW2, which I've been wanting to do for many years. At Salute 2016 I bought two packs of Peter Pig figures to see how I got on with them. I then picked up a platoon each of Battlefront Japanese and USMC cheap off eBay in the summer and then was in two minds whether to go with BF or PP. Due to the fact I already have them I'm going with BF. In my opinion PP are the better figures but at 15mm it doesn't matter too much. So to cut a long story short I based up the PP figures to finish them off.

Stuff on the table - March 2017

Can't believe it's already March, here's the starting point:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)  
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016) 
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Hare Warrior (2016)

A few of the above just need basing so they'll definitely be finished this month. All of my Oathsworn figures are now on the table. I really want to get them done by Salute as that'll be the anniversary of when I bought them. Having seen that Jo and Michael are releasing a whole load of new goodies that's a great incentive. 

The six Artizan partisans were picked up for a couple of quid a few years back. They're very generic rifle wielding figures that would fit into many eras. If I can find some muskets I may even shoehorn them into my make believe 19th century Old West collection. They're nice and easy to paint with a lot of character like all Mike Owen's figures.

Stuff on the table - February 2017 UPDATE

Here's February's updated list:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - painted & varnished,  awaiting basing 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016) - painted & varnished, awaiting basing 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - no further progress 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016) - no further progress 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016) - painted & varnished,  awaiting basing 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016) - no further progress 
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) - 2 of 6 painted & varnished, awaiting basing 

Additional items I worked on:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - cleaned & primed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Hare Warrior (2016) - cleaned & primed

I didn't get round to that much hobby stuff this month. I was very tired after work and there was another distraction in the shape of a lovely new guitar to play with. However, I was pleased with what I did do. And I didn't buy anything more to the lead pile. 

Stuff on the table - February 2017

Here's February's starting off point:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016)
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013)

I'm trying to complete as much of my Salute 2016 purchases before this year's show. I'm not doing too badly at the moment and if I can crack on with the above Oathsworn miniatures I'll be well on the way. 

Stuff on the table - January 2017 UPDATE

Here's the updated list for January:

• Cromwell Models 1/76th Pz IV (2014) - COMPLETED (AT LAST)
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - main painting completed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016) - cleaned and primed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - cleaned and primed
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) - cleaned and primed

I don't need to say anymore about the Pz IV, there's five separate posts devoted to it. The Greek Hoplites were the first 10mm that I'd painted. They've been sitting on the table for months, but I finally got stuck in and have enjoyed doing them which is just as well as I have about 300 10mm Ancients to do! They just need the final details such as shield designs and basing and they'll be complete.

Additional items I worked on:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016)

These were all cleaned up and primed with the usual thinned down Humbrol Enamel Matt Black brush painted on which I keep coming back to. The first 6 Oathsworn I did were primed with Army Painter Matt White primer but I think I work better over the black undercoat.

This month I feel that I spent too much time working on the blog rather than painting. That sort of defeats the object as doing the blog was supposed to focus me. But perhaps it was just the cathartic nature of getting the Pz IV done finally. 

Stuff on the table - January 2017

Happy New Year - here we go again. After quite a productive December there's not too much stuff in progress on the table:

• Cromwell Models 1/76th Pz IV (2014)
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016)
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013)

The Pz IV is all but done just last details being added as I write this. I'm going to do a separate post on this model. It became a real problem at one stage but has turned out rather well.

 The Artizan Partisans are the last 28mm historical figures that I've got left and will be done as and when purely for the pleasure of painting. I have some Hordes and Burrow and Badgers left but nothing historical. For historical figures I think 2017 will be the year of 10mm to 20mm and nothing bigger. Well until someone releases something drool worthy in a larger scale that is....

What's on the table - December 2016 UPDATE

Not too bad a month, I completed 3 of my 5 key items and one of the additional ones:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - no further progress
• Artizan Designs 28mm LRDG (2013) - COMPLETED
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Rogue (2016) - COMPLETED
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Shrew Warrior (2016) - COMPLETED
• Cromwell Models 1/76th Pz IV (2014) - significant progress
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) - no further progress
• Battlefront 15mm British LRDG Ford V8 trucks (2016) - COMPLETED

Additional items I worked on:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016) - cleaned up
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - cleaned up

So that's it for this year. 2016 has been a strange old year in which the world has become a more uncertain place. Hobby wise it's been my most productive year since 2012. I've become more focused and I'm sure doing the blog has helped with this so it's served it's purpose and I'll be continuing it for 2017. 

I wish everyone a very happy New Year, all the best for 2017. 

Furry critters.....and a snake

When I went to Salute this year my main purchase was a batch of 15 of the fantastic Burrows and Badgers figures from Oathsworn Miniatures. Readers of this blog (there may be one or two of you out there) will have noticed that I've been completing a few of these as the year has progressed. Last week I finally managed to take some photos.

L-R top row: Fox Brigand, Ferret Rogue, Otter Rogue
bottom row: Weasel Rogue, Mouse Knight, Adder Mage 

I love these figures. They combine two of my main passions, wildlife and miniatures! Each one is oozing with character. Michael has done a superb job reproducing the nuances of each species with his sculpting. And Jo and Michael of Oathsworn are top people as well. 

Fox Brigand

  

Ferret Rogue

 

This was the first one I painted. I chose to paint her with the classic Polecat facial markings.

Mouse Knight

 

Weasel Rogue

 

If I was picky this is more Stoat sized than Weasel but what's size between Mustelids!!!

Otter Rogue

 

 Adder Mage

 

This one caused me a bit of an issue as I'm not keen on snakes. It's a lovely sculpt but it gave me the creeps doing it and looking at lots of pictures of adders. I was going to attempt to do a male Adder with it's distinctive black and white scales but felt that it was so well sculpted that I may overdo it and spoil it. So it was finished very simply with multiple grey and black washes over white primer.

Hope that you like them and that I've done them justice.

What's on the table - November 2016

Here's what's in various states of completion as we start November.

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Adder Mage (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Otter Rogue (2016) 
• Artizan Designs 28mm LRDG (2013) 

A nice manageable list.  A couple of items that aren't completed but that have dropped off the list from last month, are the Peter Pig 15mm WW2 14th Army infantry and the dear old Cromwell Panzer IVH. The PP figs are all finished bar basing. I'm not sure whether they'll get based in teams or singularly yet. The Panzer IVH has been put in a drawer as I've lost patience fiddling about with it. 

I'll probably start my packet of PP WW2 Japanese Infantry alongside trying to complete the above. I do like these little fellows and will work out an order to build platoon sized forces for Bolt Action.