Lock n' Load Grandmaster Winning Entry

[PG_Ghool]

After finishing my Farrow army, I had 2 days left to paint a single model entry for Lock n' Load. At first, I wasn't going to bother. But, after some prodding from my wife and her insisting that I paint up a female model, I managed to get the miniature almost completely finished by the time we left May 30th. We made the 14 hour drive to Seattle, and since she wasn't complete, I brought my toolkit, and supplies.

I finished this Friday afternoon in my hotel room. That she won this prestigious award for me was boggling.
In all, Lock n' Load 2012 was way more fun than 2011, and I expect for 2013 to be even better.

I will post some more angles later today, or tomorrow.

Comments and Critique is always encouraged.

[Valrus]

I really, REALLY want to know how you did the plants on that base. They look amazing.

[the_Ravenous]

Gorgeous looking model and i am quite sure the pics do not do her justice. Occasionally not being allowed to over-think painting a model goes a long way and you have been rewarded. And while i believe i can understand your quandary... obviously this had something so much more that others did not.

Your ivy and "green" work is phenomenal.

Very striking work in this lady. Congrats.

[Lucmin]

I love your stone work it looks old and rained on.

[EtherealPaints]

Gotta be honest... I'm not impressed. Don't get me wrong, it's a great paint job. But the thought that this model won best overall at lock & load is a bit disheartening.

I do agree about the base however. Phenomenal work all around on the base. Just not diggin the model itself. I think some of your Cygnar work is better than this one.

[PG_Ghool]

I really, REALLY want to know how you did the plants on that base. They look amazing.

The ferns are a plastic sprue picked up from a local hobby train shop. I'm not sure who the manufacturer is, as I snagged them from one of my friends who saw them whilst out one day.

The ivy is Army Painter Poison Ivy.

Gotta be honest... I'm not impressed. Don't get me wrong, it's a great paint job. But the thought that this model won best overall at lock & load is a bit disheartening.

I do agree about the base however. Phenomenal work all around on the base. Just not diggin the model itself. I think some of your Cygnar work is better than this one.

I will humbly disagree. I was really happy with how she turned out, and I personally think the PP pictures have way too much light, creating a lot of glare. This was one of the best paint jobs I've ever done, to be completely honest; my Cygnar doesn't even compare.

Do these ones look any better?

[Peg leg Pete]

*sigh* these sorts of threads always make me want to throw my paints and brushes away in disgust. there's no way i'll ever be able to do what you'd done. i had previously thought that my eEyriss was one of my best painted models, but this is sort of insane.

[the_Ravenous]

In the second set of pics she does seem sharper/crisper - but this is a nicely done model in any form. Also really like that third angle shot - lends a whole new character/dimension to the model for me. One thing that does stand out to me would be the cleavage shadows... seems a little stark or is that just some camera love?

thanks for the insights on the greenery - have to look more closely at the local shops as i have yet to find anything that nice.

on a side note are all the metalics done in a nmm?

[A-Mo]

Got to say that all of your entries at LnL looked great.
Having a mini in the case with yours made me happy to just walk away with a silver coin. Looking forward to seeing what's in store for the future.

[PG_Ghool]

*sigh* these sorts of threads always make me want to throw my paints and brushes away in disgust. there's no way i'll ever be able to do what you'd done. i had previously thought that my eEyriss was one of my best painted models, but this is sort of insane.

No need to be distraught. I've been painting for almost 30 years, and didn't make any real progress until a few years ago.
Just keep at it, don't strip anything, and keep painting. The more you practice, observe and experiment, the better you will become.

On a side note are all the metalics done in a nmm?

NMM is for sissies.

In all seriousness, I'm not a huge fan of NMM, even though I can paint it. It's just painted in the same manner as NMM with metallics instead.

In the photos I just took at home, the colours are closer to what they look like to the naked eye.

[volt_ron]

You suck Ghool.

[PG_Ghool]

You suck Ghool.

I think my entire sig is going to be full of these quotes.
Yoink!

[PPS_Meg]

Ghool very much deserved his honors for this mini. He did a wonderful job. As painters, sometimes our best work is that which is last minute. I know I've won awards with minis that were finished right before the deadline and been amazed with how well they've done.

The pictures don't do enough justice to this mini. He really did a lovely job on Eiryess and he should be very pleased with his results. I wasn't part of the judging, Matt and Ron did it this year, but I think the three of us agreed that this definitely should take the Grandmaster out of everything entered. There were lots of great entries, this one was the best. Good use of color, clean paint work, nicely executed base (using foliage and flowers can be a hindrance on some models, Ghool used his basing materials appropriately and thought about his composition), and his level of contrast is consistent through the mini.


@Peg Leg Pete--sure you can! Everyone has to start somewhere but with enough practice and instruction anyone can improve their painting. I wish I still had some of my first models that I painted only 7 years ago. Y'all would laugh! They were terrible!

@Ghool--NMM *is* for sissies! ) True metals, in my humble opinion, look better and are a lot less fussy to get looking good. I've always preferred them.

[Nuriochi_sol]

Great work, man! And if I'm not mistaken, you're the person to credit with the notion of not stripping old paint jobs, but pushing forward; a mantra I've applied to my work. So, thanks!

I think the really killer thing is that you finished such an amazing model in the hotel room - unless good lighting is part of your travel tool kit, I can't imagine getting that thing done with hotel room lighting! Kudos!

[PG_Ghool]

Great work, man! And if I'm not mistaken, you're the person to credit with the notion of not stripping old paint jobs, but pushing forward; a mantra I've applied to my work. So, thanks!

I think the really killer thing is that you finished such an amazing model in the hotel room - unless good lighting is part of your travel tool kit, I can't imagine getting that thing done with hotel room lighting! Kudos!

I drove, so I was able to bring my entire set-up, lamp and all.
I do painting demos at my LGS once a month, so my entire kit is very portable.

[volt_ron]

I think my entire sig is going to be full of these quotes.
Yoink!

@PPS_Meg: Is there somewhere where we can see all the entries?

[kremmet]

Lovely piece Ghool. The only thing I noticed that needed a bit more time was the blending on her chest. Even in person it looked a little flat although the rest of the model more than made up for it.

I'm hoping that next season we'll see fewer game pieces and more paint pieces meaning more dioramas and such. Congrats on the win!

[Murkhadh]

How do you make the wood look like wood?

I have 3 Eiryss models and 3 units of mhsf to paint at some point.

[PG_Ghool]

How do you make the wood look like wood?

I have 3 Eiryss models and 3 units of mhsf to paint at some point.

Just read This. I cover the entire method from start to finish.

[PG_Agamemnon]

@PPS_Meg: Is there somewhere where we can see all the entries?

...last Sunday in Seattle....

There were actually a lot of really good looking models in the competition. To give you a point of reference I put my best Spider Strider in there mostly so people could see it without hunting me down. Well it was probably the first model put back in the case during judging.

[roastduck]

Great work, Ghool! Rather than my usual "I quit," I'll just say I hope to see you at LnL in a couple of years.

[EtherealPaints]

Well it looks like I am alone in my opinion so perhaps I should just keep my mouth shut in the future .

@PPS_Meg - I have no doubt that the Privateer Press team chose the appropriate model as the winning entry out of what was submitted. I am not questioning why it was the winner over other entries (having not seen any of the other entries that would be silly of me). More just pointing out that I feel like this is not the best that Ghool is capable of and when I see a model that wins best overall at such a prestigious event I expect it to be the best that the painter is capable of.

The second set of photos do make it look better and congrats on the win Ghool, you are certainly deserving of such an award.

[hunter4925]

What did you use for the ivy vines? They look amazing and would be great for some things I am attempting with camo on my minis.

[PG_Ghool]

What did you use for the ivy vines? They look amazing and would be great for some things I am attempting with camo on my minis.

See post #10.

[PG_Tadgo]

I really, REALLY want to know how you did the plants on that base. They look amazing.

These look like the ferns used. from a European model railroad company named Busch.

http://www.eurorailhobbies.com/erh_d...&stock=BU-1203





Great work Ghool.

[PG_Ghool]

These look like the ferns used. from a European model railroad company named Busch.

http://www.eurorailhobbies.com/erh_d...&stock=BU-1203





Great work Ghool.

I think those are the ones!

[Autumn Stone]

That is a pretty freakin' amazing model - even for you, and especially for a "just quickly knock it together" job.

I agree the less flooded with light photos look better.

We need a tute on handcannon on how you did the stonework on the gargoyle please.

Cheers
A.S.

[the_Ravenous]

NMM is for sissies.

In all seriousness, I'm not a huge fan of NMM, even though I can paint it. It's just painted in the same manner as NMM with metallics instead.

lol - i never really like nmm either, and have had limited success with the process, i prefer a good metallic and i treat them like other paints - shades/highlights/etc... very impressed with the metal work on this winner. The sword particularly. Thanks for sharing your awesome.

[GreenJello]

Keep up the good work Ghool. Maybe one day I'll have the honor of seeing you at a con, looking at your models in person, and then running like hell for the exit, models in hand!

[PG_Dalthoraz]

I love the model, great work!! The basing is the best I have every seen, the rained on look of the statue is terrific. I think the only thing I don't care for is the cloak, don't get me wrong i like it, its just the cloak seems meh compared the rest of the model. I know that is something that would make sense camo look dont want to stand out it just does look as finished or something. It still looks awesome but something about the cloak seem off not exactly sure how to describe it. I love your work, you are so good you suck though

[PG_Ghool]

I love the model, great work!! The basing is the best I have every seen, the rained on look of the statue is terrific. I think the only thing I don't care for is the cloak, don't get me wrong i like it, its just the cloak seems meh compared the rest of the model. I know that is something that would make sense camo look dont want to stand out it just does look as finished or something. It still looks awesome but something about the cloak seem off not exactly sure how to describe it. I love your work, you are so good you suck though

There was supposed to be freehand vines and leaves on the lower half....see what happens when you're running against the clock?

[PG_ICleadpeople]

Gotta be honest... I'm not impressed. Don't get me wrong, it's a great paint job. But the thought that this model won best overall at lock & load is a bit disheartening.

I do agree about the base however. Phenomenal work all around on the base. Just not diggin the model itself. I think some of your Cygnar work is better than this one.

Cmon man. This is an amazing peice. looking at how close the pics are zoomed in and how clean and crisp the details are, its no surprise it won. You're making a judgement from a pic on the internet, not while the model is in your hand.

Keep up the good work Ghool.

[BakerGaspy]

I have to just jump in to agree with the basing work. So good it is silly!

[Grizwald]

You suck Ghool

I think my entire sig is going to be full of these quotes.
Yoink!

Perhaps to save room, start a track on how many time people tell you that you suck.

[merryprankster]

The second set definitely looks nicer, I think the first picks look oddly shiny. Anyway that looks pretty fantastic and is also kinda depressing since my stuff is utter crap by comparison...*sigh*

[The Antipope]

Cmon man. This is an amazing peice. looking at how close the pics are zoomed in and how clean and crisp the details are, its no surprise it won. You're making a judgement from a pic on the internet, not while the model is in your hand.

Keep up the good work Ghool.

What the Hell is wrong with constructive criticism, or indeed opinions? He doesn't slam it and goes on to point out things he does like while generally praising Ghool on his work. The only thing any of us are doing, aside from those who were there, is judging from a picture on the internet and indeed that is what the P&M section is for.

All being said I do like it. The shades and highlights/tones are consistent throughout and it's a great base. Some areas seem flat, the cloak could do with more shadow in the deeper areas for example and I think the metals look rushed, especially the gold. Ghool, your work is always beautiful to look at. In my personal opinion though, I prefer both the Nemo that won the year previously and the Ret conversion that won the year before. IMO when pictures of those entries are put side by side with yours then there is no comparison.

I echo your own surprise, and the surprise of others that this won Grandmaster. That doesn't speak badly for your entry, rather for the rival entries in the competition. Congrats on the win though, especially considering you were burning the midnight oil to do it.

[Drakeoss]

Gotta say ghool you do great work, theres nothing I can say here that hasnt already been said but still, you got skillz man looking forward to see what model you where talking about when you said you'd be stealing my boomie pose lol again great work man, I hope to see you at LnL one year

[TheButchersHound]

Very clean, very green and utterly gorgeous!

[Wishing]

I'm not so keen on eEiryss herself, neither the paintwork (at this level of zoom, I'm sure it looks great in person) or the sculpt - she's always been one of my least favoute merc solos (I love the non-epic versions though).

But the base, wow. That is probably the best looking base I have ever seen. Both the amazingly intricate foliage and the paint on the stonework look mind-blowingly good.

[Jones]

Base work is amazing, but I must admit I dont think this is your best work by far.. (hopefully the pics just suck and im wrong) the underside of the cloak looks un-shaded, the cloak itself is decent, but not popping, colours look flat, especially the skin .. Im sure the pics/lighting are to blame, but I cant understand how this can win grandmaster. Looking at the pics of your pig-army plenty of those models pop more, have more vibrant colours etc.

Im a big fan of your painting, and when the model is picked up, its probably awesome .. but at present the pics dont do it justice.