From SylvainR: Balrog and Lava Demonettes for D&D (45 points)

 

This week, the cleric encounters a Balrog and his posse of lava demonettes. All the above are vinyl models from Reaper.

I had this idea to create a group of "lava demonettes", so I gathered some figurines that could be "adapted" for that purpose. Except I had no idea how to paint "lava". I started with the model on the left, below. The grey rocks did not look right and I used the sponge effect too much. The next two figurines are naiad, I think, and their floating hair evoke flames. They look like they are spewed out from the magma. 

 

After a few trials, I developed a technique I felt comfortable with to create the lava effect, especially on the base. I am providing a short tutorial, so I can refer to it later, if I decide to do this kind of base again.
First, the model must be primed white and then completely painted yellow using ink, which makes it "glow". Rocks and other elements like the scorched tree are painted hull red instead of black or grey, as it gives the effect of some internal residual heat. Then the rocks are outlined with red ink (not paint), as you will want to be able to dilute and mix later.

Using diluted red ink in layers, I created variations in "temperature". In this case, the zones of the body closer to the source of the heat (the ground) are left yellow while the upper parts are more red.

 

Finally, using a sponge, I added speckles of black paint all over the model, but more generously on the tree. It makes the tree look "carbonized" instead of just "black".

Below, you can see the final result for the demonette used in the tutorial. I painted her hair black and her weapon copper. She was a dryad, but I think her new life as a "magmaiad" suits her well. For the demonette in the center, I was wondering what color I should paint her clothes, since she is made of lava. I opted to use metallic color, especially gold, since, at around 1000oC, metal becomes malleable like fabric. For the base of the "snake(d) lady", I aligned the stones in a circular pattern in an attempt to suggest some sort of magic power flowing from her.

After gaining confidence with smaller models, I was ready to tackle the boss. I wanted to avoid cloning the style of the Peter Jackson Balrog and instead tried to make the skin look like hot lava. I also wanted a base oozing earth's magma, pushing from beneath. The loin clothe is painted with metallic colors.

One wing is glowing, the other not. Must be the lighting...

 

Points claimed:

6 x 28mm foot figurines at 5 points each = 30 points

1 x 54mm foot figurines at 10 points each = 10 points

Total = 40 points

Thanks for reading!

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Great work here Sylvain - well done once again on tackling new and different approaches to painting challenging subject. As Curt has often remarked to me, this is a Painting CHALLENGE after all, and good on you for exploring new techniques - and also sharing process as well as the results, so we can benefit from your work. This sort of reverse-lighting-glow called for by subjects which are meant to made from literal fire is really, really tricky to paint, and you should be pleased with your results!

And what D&D exploring party won't be...uh...thrilled to see a Balrog, right? I mean, I doubt any prior encounters with Lava Demonettes will have burns that were TOO awful, so no doubt the cleric and any friends will have plenty of strength and many options to..."cope with"...yes, let's say "cope with" a Balrog!

I am awarding five extra points for the hard work you have shown on these new and different painting approaches. 

GregB

From BruceR - BEF moving forward (165 points)

For this week I finished the BEF troopers I had worked on last week, but could not finish without basing material.  

These include an AT gun and crew, a squad of infantry, another light mortar, a medium machine gun with crew, an Lt. and an NCO.  Again, these are Crusader miniatures and chunky means easier to paint.  

I'm not done (is any project ever just done) as I have two squads done with LMG's prior to the challenge that need highlighting and basing yet.  Once done I will have a force to play Chain of Command with these boys.  

AT gun support

MMG support.  I will have to steal from the AT gun
 or paint more crew to keep the gun firing for Chain  of Command

a Second light mortar

Squad of Tommie's

This weeks crew

I remembered I also had some trucks and armor support (if you can call it that) these are 3d prints I picked up at Adepticon last year so another milestone as getting them done prior to this year's ACon.  They are from Sherwood Games and called Tina's Tiny Tanks.  

I find trucks add to the scene even if not used and here one can use them to haul troops or the AT gun.  The trucks are Austin Tilly Light Utility Vehicles and the tank is a Vickers Mk VIb.  

The price beat the heck out of Warlord Games and I didn't have to build them.

I had not done any vehicles for a long time and enjoyed the break.  

I based coated these with my airbrush, a dark forest green.  I picked up a system from a blog years ago of using Burnt Umber oil paint, cut with white spirits, and then wiped away with Q-tips.  This leaves a really gritty looking field vehicle, which I like, as no vehicle is clean unless sitting in a museum or the motor pool waiting for inspection.  I than used a makeup brush to add a lighter green in open areas of the vehicles.  Added some decals I had in a bin and did a very light dry brush along the edges.  

I did try a new version of a windscreen I came across for the Tilly's.  This uses speed paints and starts with a black base and subsequent lighter greys added leaving a bit of the previous color showing.  Then wash with blue speed paint.  Add a white dot to corners of the window for glare.  I had left the backs and rolled up canvas black and then decided to depict light shining through, so I used the same procedure without the white dot.  

The markings research was a little sparse.  I did find they simply 
had white squares as force designators. 

I also discovered a force list indicating the use of the Vickers
Mk VIb as a reconnaissance vehicle for the 7 RTR.  I also read 
they would name their tanks in the same troop with the same first
 letter.  Something to learn every day.  

Tillys

Troopers for size comparison.

Points:  Not sure if the MMG counts as a crew served weapon for points and the trucks are somewhat small (Tina's Tiny Tanks/Trucks) so I'll leave that up to Greg.  

17 troopers 28mm @ 5                         =  85 pts

AT gun and MMG @10                        =  20 pts

3 28mm vehicles @20                           =  60 pts

Total                                                       = 165 pts

Weather update for the North.  We have moved into the 40 degree Fahrenheit range, meaning we had a 90 degree swing from last week to this.  I'm off to warmer climates this week so will not submit anything next week.   

Stay safe and keep a stiff upper lip.  Bruce

***

Great work Bruce. Excellent to see further progress on this project, but you are quite correct - no collection is ever truly "done", and it is heretical to suggest otherwise!

I am not much of an early-war WW2 gamer myself - I do tend to prefer the "real" tanks of the mid and later period. And besides, I was spoiled, as Dallas has an amazing early WW2 collection and so I have been able to enjoy some tremendous games in that setting. But I still enjoy the efforts of others, always causing me to reconsider this preference...

Your troops and crew look excellent, both for the door-knocker AT gun and MMG. The vehicles are very fine as well, and another great example of what can be achieved by the 3D printing folks out there (thank goodness for them!). Those vehicles may be "small" by the standards of what we know to be coming later, but I'm still counting them as 28mm vehicles. 165 points it shall be!

Enjoy your time off, and may your travels be safe!

GregB