Smaug assembly video

Here's a video showing some of the steps and tips for assembling the Smaug model.  Its basically a large forgeworld dragon with all the problems associated with that.  The fit is generally good, but because I need to leave the wings off for painting I needed to spend some extra time on him.

This guy is huge... he doesn't fit on any of my shelves properly, so either the base is going to stick out, or I'm going to have to find somewhere else for him.  Looking forward to painting him, but am not sure how much time I'll have over the holidays (I'm also working on finishing my basement).

Let me know if you have any questions...

Smaug assembly WIP

Here's some pictures of Smaug as I assemble him.  Overall its a fairly straightforward assembly... probably a standard forgeworld type model with some fitting and trimming necessary.  The mold lines are mostly good, with just a few areas that need touching up.  The scale is starting to get impressive... as I get closer to finishing it's going to get huge.

I'm also pretty sure that I'll need to magnetize the wings... I don't think I'd be able to paint the model with them attached, so that'll take a bit of extra work.

I've also noticed some evidence of 3d printing.  There are some areas (where the wings attach) that you can see some small ridges that are left over from printing.  You can see them in the third last pic below.

Smaug Unboxing (pics and video)

I picked up my Smaug at the local GW today (along with the new White Dwarf) and here's the unboxing. I'm going to continue with an assembly walk through and painting video as well... hopefully I'll have enough time over the Christmas holidays.

Anyway, first impressions are good for this model.  There are no visible mold lines, and the casting is pretty much flawless.  We'll see how well the different parts fit, but so far the warnings about expert modeling skills seem over blown... those are needed to fill in bubbles on finecast.

Some size comparison Pics and unboxing video below... 

Forecast calls for Smaug

So, I took a gample and put in an order for Smaug.  Its crazy expensive, but hopefully I can recoup some of that through the blog and my youtube channel.  When I saw that it was limited to 200 (for now) I decided to go ahead... unfortunately that was at full Canadian retail... ouch.

Expect me to milk this one... unboxing, assembly, and step by step painting... even though you wont be able to buy one for yourself (unless you got one of the other 199 of them).  I'm thinking that magnetizing the wings will make sense to help avoid it breaking.

Warhammer Forge Goblin Shaman (video plus painting guide)

This one was a quick project inbetween some of the longer ones to give me a break.  Fantasy models tend to paint up quicker, so can be a bit more rewarding because they are done faster.  This guy is from the night goblin command squad, and has some really cool effects with the smoke.  I'm not sure I did it justice, but it painted up quick, so I'm happy to move on.

Check out the video and painting guide below.

Rogue Idol Finished (plus tutorial video)

Here's that Rogue Idol that's been showing up the in the background of some of my pictures.  This guy was a fun distraction from some of the other projects, mostly because its basically dry brushing stone and adding some extra depth.  I'm glad to add this to my Orc and Goblin collection... now I just need to paint up some more Orcs (and goblins).

Orc Rogue Idol WIP

I've had a lot of comments on my youtube videos lately noticing this guy in the background.... so here are some more pictures.  I've been doing some painting on this guy in between projects, and he's pretty simple overall.  Basically doing a rock drybrushing on most of the stuff then some moss and weathering...

Forgeworld Mega Dread Finished

Here's that Ork Mega Dread that I've been working on.  I wasn't sure how the weathering would go, but in the end it was pretty simple, and I think it turned out quite well.  I basically painted him up quickly and jabbed 4 different weathering powders onto different areas.  With all the different panels and bits the weathering powders really do all the work.  They to forgeworld scale models what devlin mud is to figures (liquid talent).

Forgeworld Mega dread WIP 2

Here's some more pictures of that Forgeworld Mega Dread I've been working on.  I'm trying to get a good technique for doing the large areas fast, but also to look good.  I've got some weathering powders, so they should help once all the painting is done.  I'm looking forward to having this guy on the table... a really fun looking model, that's for sure.

Ork Forgeworld Mega dread WIP

Another project that's on the go. I've got a tutorial coming for the Space Marine commander from Assault on Black Reach, but while I'm waiting for it to render I've worked on this guy a bit.  I have magnetized the arms, but the magnets were a bit small, so I've upped those to ensure it works.  Also working on getting the silver just right... which is hard considering how much surface area there is on this guy.  Anyway, combining some dry brushing with washes and I'll use some weathering powders once I add some extra colours to finish him off.  I'd like to get him a big oval base so he looks in place with the rest of my army.

Buzzgob Finished and Tutorial

Here's that forgeworld mek boss that I have been working on.  I've posted the tutorial video and still images below.  Its been a while since I've done any 40k orks, so this was a nice change from all the space marines and other stuff I've been working on.  I'll have to do some more ork stuff soon... I really enjoy painting them.

Buzzgob Work in Progress

I've had this guy on my bench for a while, and finally have the urge to finish him.  I'm doing his two grots as well and figure I'll use them as objective markers.  Great model, but I'm not sure I really like the style of his axe... there are too many bits on the end and I can't decide how to paint them.  In the end its going to be a weathered metal look, but I wish it was something better.  Anyway, love the Mek army list and will be doing a mega dread at some point soonish (after another Ultramarines unit).

Forgeworld Orks WIP

Here's what's on my paint desk right now... some forgeworld Orks.  I've got the mega dread and big mek buzzgob on the go right now.  These are really fun and interesting models with lots of great details.  I think I'm not sure if I'll stick with my red and black colours or a more deathskulls blue look.  I think the deathskulls clan would be much more fitting for these looting types.

Ork Forgeworld Biker Boss

Here's a painting tutorial and some pics of the Forgeworld Biker Boss that I painted a while back.  Below you'll find a list of the equivalent paints in the new GW range.

Biker Boss Complete

Ok, so he's not totally, completely, never to be touched again finished, but I had a deadline and this is how finished he was for that.

Biker boss progress

I've finally gotten around to working on this guy. I've been distracted by a number of projects, but I've got to get him done by the end of January, so I need to get going. I've started on the green skin... ork hide shade, dark angels green, snot green, scorpion green so far. I'll probably do a thraka wash and some more highlights when I finish the scorpion green.

Biker boss primed

Here's a couple pics of the Ork biker boss in his current state... black primed. As you can see, he's huge. This is going to make an awesome centre piece for my army. And, yes, that is Canis Wolfborn next to him (also assembled and primed).

Mega Death Match Painting Challenge

Over at the forums on miniwargaming.com they do monthly Death Match painting challenges. Two (or more) people will thrown down the gauntlet and paint up the same mini over the course of a month. At the end each posts pictures and they are voted on by the other forum members. I've entered a couple of these (and won), but this month is different. First off, since we're entering the Christmas season, its going to be two months, so I have until the end of January to finish this model. Secondly, I'm facing off against Mike, MWG's resident commission painter, and Falknerbitz, a forum regular. The best part is that we're all doing the forge world Ork biker boss. I picked this guy up at Gamesday, and I think this will finally serve as motivation to paint him up. Its an impressive model, and I can't wait to try him out on the table once he painted up.

New Forgeworld weathering pigments

Wow, these look great. I wonder how they stack up against MIG pigments out there. From the mini how-to on the forge world site these look pretty sweet. A little expensive, but neat. Also cool to see that they are using the old school citadel paint pots... I still have a couple of those around from 1st edition 40k days. They have actually kept the paint from drying for almost 20 years. Not like the screw top paints that GW used to make.