Heresy-Era Salamanders Work in Progress: Recon and MkIII Marines

This year, my team for Adepticon has decided to go with the tried and true power armor for our theme. The bonus, you would think, is that many of us already own Marines as armies.

Huzzah! No Work!

…yeah, you know me better than that, right? I'm actually using this as an opportunity to use some of the Forge World resin-crack I've had for a while now, and move forward with a Pre-Heresy Era Salamanders Force! I've loved the story behind the XVIII Legion ever since I got back into 40K during 3rd Edition, and am looking forward to collecting them as both a playable force, and a labor of love.

I'm starting off with a squad of 5 Recon Marines, and a full 10-man unit of MkII Tactical Marines.

Airbrushing and the Hobby - First Steps

Well, my first steps at least. I know plenty of folks out there are already using the airbrush as a much-valued tool in their hobby arsenal. But how is a beginner supposed to…well, begin?

I've dug around the interwebz, and come up with an amazing amount of information on not only airbrushing within the miniature war-gaming hobby, but in the scale modeling hobby, and just airbrushing in general. Everything from forums, to blogs (surprising, I know) and YouTube are amazing sources of information, inspiration and material that are invaluable to the beginner.

So rather than make everyone else dig like I did, I've pilled it all together here!

The Road to Adepticon Begins!

Well, technically it began about 3 months ago when I started soaking all my Forge World Resin, but that's besides the point.

Adepticon is held annually in Lombard, IL, just shy of Chicago, and is one of the most anticipated events in the tabletop hobby industry. The first to pioneer and make popular the famed 40K Team Tournament, Adepticon has expanded since it's beginnings to include virtually every genre and style of tabletop gaming, and is host to CMON's Crystal Brush competition.

I've been attending Adepticon starting in 2006, and haven't missed one since. So what's in store for this year?

Tired of Hobby Resolutions?

I know I am.

Looking back to this time last year, and what I had wanted to accomplish…I never did finish those Necrons I started. I also didn't enter more competitions, or competition pieces, as even though I painted more figures, it was for a single category. With the release of the Tau, and more Heresy goodness, I know I didn't avoid the "Ooooh, Shiny!" Syndrome.

I never seem to put up a winning average when it comes to New Year Hobby Resolutions, so I've decided to forego any this year in lieu of something a little different.

So what do I have planned?

Merry Christmas from Miniature Tim!

The wife was good to me this year...

A bevy of Secret Weapon Washes and Pigment Fixer, along with Green Stuff Industries' Tentacle makers!!

Here's wishing you and yours an amazing Christmas!!

- Tim

 

A Matter of Opinion: To Thin, or Not to Thin Your Paints

After some emails I've received, it appears that the following statement from my last article wasn't exactly agreed on...even if all the comments say otherwise.

"What I won't be debating is whether or not we should be thinning our paints. This is already widely accepted as a need."

Seems some folks really did want me to debate the virtues of thinning your paints, versus painting straight from the pot. Oookay, let's debate it!

A Matter of Opinion: How To Thin Paints

Considering my most recent experiments with painting the Tohaa figure from the Infinity range, I thought it appropriate to bring up a topic that has been debated in the past. Specifically, what to use when thinning out your paints.

I've heard many different options, from Flow Aid to dish soap, acrylic thinner to the official Lahmian Medium now put out by GW. I also don't want to forget the tried and true water option as well, though people differ on whether or not tap water is good enough, or is distilled water the way to go.

But what should we use? Does it even matter?