Farewell old year...

The team would like to wish you all a safe and happy way into 2015. Party hard, enjoy your loved ones and have a good time.

We'll see each other next year!

Silly Christmas everyone!

Ok, we know we know. There were a few doors missing. Klaus and I are currently dealing with health issues that keep us from the painting table and Lukas has lots and lots of work with his studies. But anyway, most doors were there and we had a great time releasing them!

Today the three of us want to wish you all happy christmas and thank you for your support during the last year! Have some nice time with the people you love and enjoy yourselfs!

And with our rather silly chritmas tree some last words: Have the kind of holidays that make you happy!

Door 17 - Exhibition Impressions

Today I'd like to show you some pictures of the exhibition I was allowed to be part of this year. I built the Redmaw Canyon Display for this and it was a dream come true, to be honest.
It was held by the Museum for saxon folk art in Dresden, which is part of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, the head organisation for all kinds of museums and exhibitions here in Dresden. As young artist it is an extreme honor to be shown there, even if it is not about you as artist, but about a subject you are allowed to build for.

The title is Wargames, Roles, Rules, Regiments.

The exhibition showed the evolution of wargaming through the last centuries, from the first beginnings as teaching royal lads for later action in life to larp, tabletop and soft air today. It was rather small, but lovely made and I think they managed to stuff in so much things there, one might not think it's possible.

Friggin tired after 24 hours of building and painting, but rather happy. 

Sadly many pictures got lost because some major trouble my PC and I had earlier this year, but here are the ones I got!

The miniatures were shown on a podest, recreating living rooms from 1800 to today. Of cause, who didn't start on the room floor when we were young.

Being there before anyone else is one of the rather cool benefits of being part of it!

Yes, cowboy and indian is wargaming. I really liked how they showed, that playing with that backgrounds was there for a long time, and sometimes isn't that obvious as tanks and plasma rifles!

People saying there wasn't such cruel play in our days should know these toy soldiers from worldwar one, showing war cripples and wounded to the children, telling them there are such things rather than painting a sweet world without violence....that breaks when they read their first newspaper.

Good old knights and castles...

Napoleonic wars tin soldiers, pirates and 200 year old painted backgrounds. 

Before their were even tin soldiers, the children made their own cavalry out of paper. These are original toys of the here famous painter Kügelgen.

Come on, who sees his own room in this?

The grand opening was guided by reanacters of the famous Völkerschlacht of Leipzig, who replay the battle every year and a large Larpguild from Dresden.

What a fancy building to hold a wargame exhibition.

Another benefit of taking part is the free whine at the opening.

I really liked what they made of their limited space and money. There were many games you could actually play all day long. They had consoles, PCs and really nice people explaining everything. One of my favorites was the tutorial to make your own paper cavalry from 1800.
I also liked that they didn't judge, there was an open guest book and the opinions went far. When I told my dad about warhammer I never thought of stating that the cowboy fort and my knights castle also were a kidn of wargaming. In the end there was one message: Give boys two sticks and they will beat each other, playing knight or start shouting pew pew and have a shoot out. Not because they understand the concept of war and death, but rather because it's our nature and the competing part is relevant. The living of tales and the winning (or learning of losses) is the thing that stirs children's fantasy. And often, it's not about hate and violence, but rather roleplaying.

Door 16 - the final of redmaw canyon

And so another series of tutorials comes to an end. Today the last part of Redmaw Canyon went live and after 8 episodes I've shown you everything you need to know to build your own gaming table. I am really happy that the second gaming table series is finished and so many of you tuned in!

Door Number 15 - The last breath

Hello monday lovers and monday haters,

nice to see that you came back for some miniature madness..... Today I want to continue showing you my finished miniatures from 2014 - and we go back to "historic". This time with a Soldier of the 57th Middlesex Regiment from JMD. A realy nice sculpt like so many of the JMD stuff, but sadly they had to close down some time ago....
With this bust I tried to stay near the box art, but not to close. A bit fluctuation in the intensity of the dye and traces of abrasion can alter the colours of the uniform quit a bit - but enough of that, I think you want so see the bust.

As always feel free to give feedback, offer criticism and - if you like - leave a vote at Putty & Paint. And if you have questions, just ask them.

Have a good start into your week,

Lukas

Door number 14 - Painting the generatorium

And we go into the 7th installment of  our redmaw series today!

Door number 13 - The work of a master

Hello again,

its time for another review. This time a beautiful sculpt from the one and only Raul Garcia Latorre. You might Know him for his many awesome and sometimes even breathtaking historical sculpts, especially but not only from Latorre models - a company which is sadly out of business, again, and which miniatures are hard to get nowadays. But Raul doesn't do exclusively historical miniatures, he also has done some beautiful fantasy sculpts, probably some of his best can be bought at MProyec, highly detailed resin models with a very limited batch. I, myself, have three of his MProyec works lying around - and luckily some more of his other stuff - but today I like to show you the Thorag bust.

Like all the MProyec stuff Thorag comes in a simple but safe and sturdy cardboard box filled with those foamy stuff to protect the miniature. And, again like all the other MProyec stuff, a signed print of the artwork is added - a really nice touch, especially when it comes to limited miniatures, and a trend that spread through the hobbys, thank god, I really like those little details....

As you can see Thorag is a very angry and characterful bust with nice details. 

Speaking of details, just look at this close-up of the breast-belly plat. It is just breathtaking how fine and precise those engravings are. And a bit intimidating, when you realise that you have to paint those... Again, Raul Garcia Latorre shows his awesome skills with this sculpt. Fine and sharp details, a clear concept, a certain mood and character and an outstanding understanding of volumes and behaviour of different materials and textures. The bust offers just the right amount of predefined details and room for some creative freedom while painting. Due to the extreme fine details I would recommend the bust, like most of the MProyec stuff, only to experienced painters. As a compensation to the level of detail and higher workload concerning the painting progress, the cast is nearly flawless. No mould lines, no flash or bubbles. You just can start painting right away after unboxing. That is, unless you want to replace the precasted base of the bust. This might result in a bit of sawing and sanding, but it might be worth it - at least it is what I will do.

Finally, let me say that you get a beautiful miniature for your money and I can recommend following MProyec on FB.

Stay tuned for more and come back for another door of the advents calendar tomorrow.

Door 12 - To'ad - keeper of a sacred place

Heyho people of the internets,

yesterday we didn't manage to open a door. Martin is sick right now and I had to much work on my hands. But today we are back, and brought some pictures along. Without further words, enjoy them.

To'ad - a warrior of ancient times
he stands loyal to his duty
guarding the long forgotten temple
deep in the jungles 

where scarcely a soul bothers to go.
But in the name of sleeping gods

he will stand watch for countless millennia more

until they rise again from the depths 

This little fellow from Aradia miniatures was a real pleasure to paint - like most of Alan Carrasco's sculpts.

If you like him, leave a comment, aske questions and got to Putty & Paint for a vote.

Door Number 10 - Senatus Populusque Romanus

Hi folks,

its me again, Lukas. Today its not review time, instead let me show you a finished work of mine. Some of you might remember the review of the Roman legionary from last years advents calendar. It took some time, but finally I managed to take some pictures (kind of good, maybe). But rest assure, it didn't take me that long to paint this little fella. Actually, I finished him right in time for the Duke of Bavaria this year and send him to the World Expo in Stresa*, too. But before I say more have a look at him for yourself.

If you like you can vote for him at Putty & Paint.


Leave some comments, stay tuned form more AND come back tomorrow for another door!







* So much can be said here, the display he was part of took Gold in Historic Master Painting - I don't know why and how, but never the less I will show you the rest of the display

Door Number 9 - An Unexpected Party

Hello everybody,

long time not seen - it's me, Lukas. Boy it feels like it has been ages since I have written something for you.... much to do besides the hobby, I didn't even make it to Monte Sansavino - which made me very sad. But enough of that, now for something completely different!

All of you probably know this: a miniature you always want, than get the chance to buy it and... forget that you done so - until a a package arrives at your door.... well at least this happens from time to time to me, again a few days ago. 

Hm, what the hell did I order? And where did it come from?

A little damage by mail, but nothing severe just the outer wrapping - and a glimpse on the order.

Oh, look at THAT, a nice box - sealed with a SEAL - thats so cool. 

Just look at that seal, That's how you pack a miniature - and we have a clue what I ordered. A little something from Lucas Piana/Spira mirabilis - to be precise the Bearded Dwarf bust. So, after that riddle is solved, lets take a look inside and check out the miniature.

Inside, one finds a print of the artwork of the bust - and yes as you can see the bust is limited to 300 50* copies. Under the print the bust is bedded on bast, safe and guarded from damage through transportation.

The bust itself is pure awesomeness and character made out of resin, Just look at this little guy braiding his beard, minding nothing but his facial hair.

The cast is superb.  No mould lines or flesh has to be taken care of, You can nearly start painting right away. Only a little bit of resin at the bottom has to be cut of - but that's a really quick chop job.
The quality of the sculpt itself is even better. The dwarf is not cluttered with details and leaves enough freedom to the painter to ad some textures or freehands. At the same time, there is so much character in it. The hands look like real dwarven paws, used to hard labour. The face shows some age and a lot of character - he seams to be at peace with him self and fully concentrated on his beard braiding. Talking about the beard the hair on the miniature is a real highlight, Just rough strands, not those over detailed hairmesses that look good until you try painting it and that are a pain in the ass. No, these are looking so promising and  have a nice flow and structure to it.Just look at the beard and the back of his head - there the hairline has no clear edge to it and transits smoothly from the scalp into the hair  - so much interesting possibilities.

If you are interested in buying one - which I highly can recommend to you - head over to Spira mirabilis and write Lucas a PM. Oh and like him on FB and check out his other sculpts, they are really awesome and sometimes gone to quickly..... - like the Baba Yaga bust! Oh and on his Page you can finde some awesome painted versions of this bust - which reminds me, I have to paint some more....

What more can I say, other than that I'm looking forward to paint this little fellow.
Stay tuned for more and come back tomorrow for another door of our advent calendar.

* I got the numbers wrong. Lucas told me, 300 was the old declaration, when the bust could be purchased through H&V. Since this company doesn't exist any longer -sadly - the bust is now limited to 50 casts.