Pirates, savvy?

[PG_Agamemnon]

Did you freehand that skull?

[PG_Nemlock]

What water effects are you using the for base? Or are you just putting regular white glue over the fish once you paint them?

[Khadorian83]

awesome looking nomad dude! I really enjoy the basing that you've done!

[Quase]

Thanks for the comments!

Agamemnon, yes, that's a freehand. Took me quite some time, but I'm quite pleased with the result. Worth the effort for me, though there are some points that can be better (it could do with a better contrast for one).

Nemlock, that's GWS water effects, but quite frankly, they're a pain in the soft parts.
I have to poor it in and let it dry fraction of a mm by fraction of a mm or it turns opaque on me, and I can start all over again.
I'm open for suggestions if anyone knows a better brand/material

[Darguth]

Totally unrelated: Khadorian83 I realize you seem to be from Texas and everything is bigger (than necessary) there, or so I hear tell, but that banner in your signature really is huge. Probably too big. You might want to consider toning it down for the consideration of other forum users.

On Topic: That Nomad is awesome, and the skull on the shield ties him in quite nicely to the pirate theme.

[Quase]

Thanks!

I've just finished converting my second Nomad yesterday evening.
At first I had plenty of plans, including making a small anchor on the end of the sword-handle...

But after I'd given him a more nautical face, I decided to leave it at that, less being more, as this already changed the figs' appearance a lot.
For the rest I just took care to position his legs otherwise, change the angle legs vs body and put his arms on differently.

Now, with only the one minor conversion, he looks clearly like a Nomad whilst being completely different from this one.
Piccies soon ;-)

[Washburn]

The varying heights of the jetties works wonders when you look art the group shot, thats a good move mate. I would keep this going.

Also, maybe for some of your solos, try making crows nests or sailing masts. More of a singular wooden beam sticking out of the water and enough material on the end of it for your models to stand.

The Troops look great, so do the jacks but I don't think the exhuast flames work that well. They look a bit too neat, maybe paint some black and dark browns into the end points, more like smoke and smoldering heat.

[Quase]

Thanks for that constructive feedback!

What you are suggesting for my solos, I had planned for my Mariner (when he’ll be finally restocked that is) actually, only a bit different.
The idea was to take the figurehead from the Epic Skarre fig and have him walk out of the sea on that.

A crows nest eh? A modeling challenge, that’s for sure!
I’ve got some other tricks up my sleeve for the bases. Currently hoarding interesting bits like wooden barrels, chests, blackpowder guns, cannon balls to add them here and there to the bases to make them look more interesting.

Good point on the exhausts. I started painting my second Nomad yesterday, so I’ll give that a try

[PG_hendybadger]

Nemlock, that's GWS water effects, but quite frankly, they're a pain in the soft parts.
I have to poor it in and let it dry fraction of a mm by fraction of a mm or it turns opaque on me, and I can start all over again.
I'm open for suggestions if anyone knows a better brand/material

Had the same problem here. Takes for ever to finish a base. DOnt know of anything similar though.

Thanks!

I've just finished converting my second Nomad yesterday evening.
At first I had plenty of plans, including making a small anchor on the end of the sword-handle...

But after I'd given him a more nautical face, I decided to leave it at that, less being more, as this already changed the figs' appearance a lot.
For the rest I just took care to position his legs otherwise, change the angle legs vs body and put his arms on differently.

Now, with only the one minor conversion, he looks clearly like a Nomad whilst being completely different from this one.
Piccies soon ;-)

Sounds great. Cant wait to see this one

A crows nest eh? A modeling challenge, that?s for sure!
I?ve got some other tricks up my sleeve for the bases. Currently hoarding interesting bits like wooden barrels, chests, blackpowder guns, cannon balls to add them here and there to the bases to make them look more interesting.

Good point on the exhausts. I started painting my second Nomad yesterday, so I?ll give that a try

Looking forward to see what amazing bases you come up with next

[Quase]

So, I had a bit of unexpected free time yesterday evening sooo....

I painted like hell, took a couple of shortcuts, I'll grant you that, but the second Nomad's finished already :




And both Nomads together so you can compare 'em :


On this new Nomad, I blackened the flames at the top with MIG pigments, tell me what you think about that too...

[Quase]

Avast ye scunners!

Finally I've painted up a unit of Sea Dogs!
A basic unit of six, two spare Pirates for when my Pressgangers start-a-shanghaiing, and three Riflemen.
The Pirate life (well, not irl of course) is truely mine to live now.

You'll also note that I've started to add props to the bases... knives, keys, rope, blackpowder baggies and pistols, ...
I've been painting up a whole bunch of those, and started glueing them all over the bases, also of the figs I painted earlier on.
Gives an extra touch of realism to my figs (at least, that's what I feel it does)




Up next is Hawk, Bosun and the Doc

[Copperwolf]

Your work is wonderful. to comment on the water effects. Ive used Testors Clear Glue for Aircraft cockpits before. It has a nice finish, but it took 2 days to dry clear. Ive never used the GW stuff so I'm not sure if that's normal or not.

I really love the fish under the docks, and the whole theme is amazing. Please keep them coming

PS. can we get a base with a fish head poking out of the water please?

[CheesyRobMan]

These look great! Sorry if it's been said and I missed it but what are the jetties made from? Also I second a fish poking out of the water

[Quase]

LOL
Thanks for the nice comments!

A fish poking his head out of the water? A challenge for sure... Especially since I don't usually put details on these fishes, as they are submerged. Having one taking a peep 'd mean detailing him.
I'll give it a go, but not on my next three figs, as I'm already busy pooring in water-effects for a week and a half now... almost full...

Copperwolf, I'm passing by my local train/moddelling store this weekend, and I'll be looking out for that Testors clear glue!

CheesyRobMan, I don't think I explained that already...
The poles are made from balsa-wood, as you can see in the piccie in this reply.
The planks are made from wooden coffe-stirrers, which I glue to a thin strip of balsa-wood to strengthen them (they need to support metal figs, remember? any added strength is a good idea) using PVA glue.
I'll make sure to take a piccie or two when I make my next set of planks.

As to where I got the coffee-stirrers...
Walk in to a Mc Donalds (or any fast-food-chain of your preference), order a Cheese Burger. Walk to the coffee stand and start-a-stuffing coffe stirrers in your pocket until the guys behind the counter start to look at you in a funny way.
Keep on stuffing stirrers until a security guy starts to walk your way, then walk out as if nothing happened, and eat your Cheeseburger on the way.
That should give you enough materials to base an entire Warmachine army LOL. For a 30mm base, one stirrer is usually enough. for the bigger bases you'll need two or three.

[Copperwolf]

I cant wait to see the curious lil fish

The exact name of the product I used is Testors Clear Parts Cement and Window Maker. Hope its good for ya.

Heres a pic of what it looks like after about 2 days of "drying". The time involved may be as long as the water effects, but I'm almost positive its cheaper

[Quase]

Hmmmm
Seems to be worth a try at least.

If my local train/modelling store won't provide (I know they don't carry Testors' Dullcoat, but I've never checked for other products), then tehre's always the mega-fig-fair Crisis 2011 next week. I'm sure to find it there.

Cheers for the piccie by the way!

[Quase]

Long time no update...
Haven't found any Tsetors Clear Parts either...

But I did finish painting two solos for my force :
First Mate Hawk


And da Doc

[Quase]

And since I've painted up quite some figs since the last group shot...

[Bronze]

Now we should pit them up against a Cryx Pirate force on the table and let the bootlegging begin.

[Copperwolf]

Dude your work is inspiring to say the least. Keep it up!!!

[Quase]

Thanks!

And one more to add to the fray :

Bosun




About that Cryx force, how'd you guess I've been contemplating the possibility of making a Cryx Pirate army?

[pattison]

Wow man, impressing stuff!
I love the GS fish, and the whole army is really coherent & flavourful.

[R3DM0H4WK1988]

Could i grab a Tutorial or Recipe list for the Blue on the warjacks! thats the exact blue i'd love my Wartorn Cygnar to be!

[Quase]

Thanks for the feedback!
I appreciate you like them.

R3DM0H4WK1988, the recipe goes as follows (for a tutorial you'll have to wait until I buy my next Jack ) :

Over a Chaos Black Primer
I paint a layer of Shadow Grey (which is already a wee bit blue-ish in itself) mixed with a small amount of enchanted blue (about a 5 or 6 to 1 ratio)
Then for a first highligh (almost covering the entirity of the first layer) I add some Space Wolves grey into the mix (about 1 measure added to the previous mix)
Then for my second highlight, which only covers the extremes (sides of the armour and protruding parts) I add quite a large amount of Space Wolves grey (about 50/50 ratio to the last mix)

Then a thin layer of undiluted Devlan Mud and you're ready to rrrrrrrrrruuuuumbleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[dchadpage]

The new bases look much better.

[Tuckers]

Wow great job on these, those fish are just great, and I love the head swap on nomad number 2

[Quase]

dchadpage : practice makes perfect eh?
After all those bases, I'm getting the hang of 'em and can make better decisions on what 'll look good

Tuckers : I like it too
And it is soo simple to do (it fits without needing to trim or cut off anything) I didn't even believe it when I did the head swap

[Space Donkey]

I've got a couple options for the water effects that are infinitely better than that crap GW sells: Woodland Scenics realistic water, floral water, and bar countertop laquer. I've not messed around with anything but the WS stuff but have seen amazing results from the other two. You can pick up the floral water with all of the other flowery stuff and Hobby Lobby or Michaels for around $20 and can do some really, really deep amounts in one pour but it takes a long time to dry. The bar countertop laquer is the stuff that most bars and lots of restaurants use to give their tables and bars that 1/2" or so of idiot proofing. You can get it at the big box hardware stores and it's definitely pricier than the others but the comparative amount you get per dollar.

[Quase]

Nice one Space Donkey,

I appreciate that feedback!
Will be looking out for those products next time I'm in a store...

[Space Donkey]

I just went and checked your profile and saw where you are from so the store examples I gave obviously won't work for you, and I'm actually awake now so I can explain what the floral water and bar top lacquer are to hopefully help make finding them easier on your side of the globe.

Both of those products are self-leveling 2 part clear epoxy resin. There's some slight variation in the exact chemical make-up in both types of product available here in the states but they both work basically the same way. If I'm remembering correctly there is an article somewhere on Antenociti's Workshop comparing the different types of water effects available and it was an amazing write-up. If it isn't there then it is probably on Secret Weapon Miniatures' blog. I can never keep the two blogs straight.

[Quase]

Thanks for those explanations!
Will make searching easier!

I've finished Lady Ayana & Master Holt,
And I wanted them to stand out from the rest of my force, just up to the point they seem not to belong... hence I used two main colours not present anywhere else in my army :

[scotty kahn]

They should stand out nicely, but still look nice and coherent with the awesome base work youve done. Great looking army as a whole.

[Quase]

A new year, and this time around, a variation on the base, but it's still submerged in water : a Mariner, strolling away from a ship he's just wrecked

[Oreet]

The Mariner looks great. Different base than the others, but still works together with the rest of the theme.

Definitely one of the best looking overall army I've seen.

[Quase]

In that case, mission accomplished!

And I've just finished painting up the last solo available to my Shae tier-list : Dirty Meg

[PG_DaveZee]

Great stuff, very inspiring! Can't wait to see how you build a deck to hold the Galleon!

[Quase]

Galleon?
Which Galleon?

Thanks by the way!

[Antigonus]

DaveZee is referring to the Mercenary Colossal, Quase, which appears to have a strong Pirate influence.

[Quase]

Great stuff, very inspiring! Can't wait to see how you build a deck to hold the Galleon!

DaveZee is referring to the Mercenary Colossal, Quase, which appears to have a strong Pirate influence.

Right!
Been googling a bit now... Looks like someone (me ) missed the buzz

I'll take that challenge!
And I don't want to wait 'till july to do it.

[Quase]

Hey, I've just started a new pirate army : Cryx under the command of Pirate Queen Skarre :