"Behind the Curtain..." :-)

Behind the curtain...... :-)

Pictures from my studio space.

 As you can see, nice bright corner with plenty of natural Antipodean light.

 Not enough room on the desk for all the paints with current storage solution - couple of boxes of Reaper paints on carpet next to desk.

 I use the largest Masterson's wet palette I could source locally - paint dries way too fast in summer here, plus this allows me to easily come back to project colours day by day.

 I also use an A4 sized disposable palette for inks, washes, metallics, gesso, pva etc.

I use a real assortment of brushes, from cheap & cheerful Chinese synthetics to Winsor & Newton Series 7. The blocking in is done with the round synthetics - as large a size as I can manage, which can be up to size 10. The flesh areas are done with the WN S7 size 1 & 0, I also use these for fine detailing in other parts of the figure. I always use the synthetics for metallic paints.

Sing out if you want to ask me any questions. I really like how each of us in the hobby has a different working space but share so much in common.

All the best,
John.

Early Anglo Saxons

A very picture heavy post this one, and this is only part of the project :-)

I had the fun of doing a large Early Anglo Saxon commission for an overseas customer - he sent me a lovely assortment of Footsore & Curtey's 28mm metal figures to paint & base.

I knew I already liked the Footsore ranges, but had not had much experience with the Curtey's figures before - I think they are quite cool, plenty of character on the faces. Sometimes manufacturers websites don't quite do the figures justice. The Curtey's figures tended to look overly stocky for my tastes, but in reality they are a good fit with other manufacturers - plus they are one of the more affordable Dark Age options in metal.

These figures represent mostly the lower status warriors, armed with weapons such as spear, javelin, seax, bows & slings. The higher status fellows will follow in another post :-)

All the best,
John.
P.S. A big thank you to all who take the time to comment or even look at my posts, it is much appreciated & I do try to leave at least a "thanks :-)" to your esteemed comments.

My 2nd Unit of Dwarves

Here's my 2nd unit of Middle Earth Dwarves - 12 figures with Lion or Dragon Rampant in mind. The shields are all freehand designs. The 2 command figures are metal command from NorthStar's Oathmark range, the others are from the splendid Conqueror Models range sculpted by Colin Patten. Tufts are from Leadbear's Tufts. 

I'm working on the next unit of goblins in between commissioned projects. I'm trying to be disciplined and finish all the Dwarves & Goblins before I buy any more :-) Mind you, I did buy a pack of wolves from Warbases in my recent order from them, something to accompany the goblins.

In another direction, I've purchased the Peter Dennis "Paperboys" book on AWI & plan to be snipping & gluing some troops for this period. It is one of those conflicts that interest me, but I can't bring myself to buy & paint the figures for it. I'm looking forward to his book on the Peninsular War too. Just need to find time to get to a stationers & purchase a ream of 100 gsm colour copying paper :-)