I started buying 15mm scifi minis back in May, with my first purchases coming from Micropanzer. It had been nearly ten years since I had done anything hobby related with miniatures and initially looked to return to 40k since I already had a reasonably large collection of Games-Workshop minis, but found I couldn’t generate any enthusiasm for the setting and was disgruntled by a price hike right when I was looking to begin purchasing again. I’ve since been slowly parting with my 40k collection and building up new armies in hard scifi 15mm. It turned out to be just what I needed to rekindle my interest in this hobby.
As of the end of 2011, I’ve painted in excess of 300 infantry models and perhaps 12 vehicles from manufacturers including Micropanzer, Rebel, Khurasan, GZG, Combat Wombat, CMG and some others I may have forgotten. Service from all was exceptional, with good communication and speedy delivery. I’ve painted a fair chunk of what I’ve received, but not all. I am going to try and whittle the lead pile down for a couple months before I purchase anymore.
I feel like a productive painter, but I find I do most of my work one or two days a week and crank out twenty models at a time. I don’t think I will stop doing my little marathon paint sessions, but part of my goal for 2012 is to paint at least one model a night, not too big of an investment given how quickly 15mms paint up. I also want to make better progress painting vehicles, I always seem to waffle around as to how to paint them and I loathe doing camouflage by hand. I’m hoping a borrowed airbrush will, if not ease the process, then at least engage me through learning a new skill.
There are other skills I want to continue to develop as well: I’d like to polish my sculpting chops a bit and see if I can’t have one of my own minis in metal by year’s end. I’ll continue to play around with various CAD packages and continue to develop my own vehicles and armor as I did with my hover drone last year; I’m still making tweaks to a multi-part grav tank I would like to get printed. I also have some ideas for scratch-build projects I would like to start (or finish).
As far as new projects, I’m going to branch out a little from scifi. My last post had my first fantasy project and I’d like to do at least one additional Song of Blades and Heroes warband by the end of the year. I also have an old west skirmish project I’m starting that I’ll detail in the next few weeks.
As of the end of 2011, I’ve painted in excess of 300 infantry models and perhaps 12 vehicles from manufacturers including Micropanzer, Rebel, Khurasan, GZG, Combat Wombat, CMG and some others I may have forgotten. Service from all was exceptional, with good communication and speedy delivery. I’ve painted a fair chunk of what I’ve received, but not all. I am going to try and whittle the lead pile down for a couple months before I purchase anymore.
I feel like a productive painter, but I find I do most of my work one or two days a week and crank out twenty models at a time. I don’t think I will stop doing my little marathon paint sessions, but part of my goal for 2012 is to paint at least one model a night, not too big of an investment given how quickly 15mms paint up. I also want to make better progress painting vehicles, I always seem to waffle around as to how to paint them and I loathe doing camouflage by hand. I’m hoping a borrowed airbrush will, if not ease the process, then at least engage me through learning a new skill.
There are other skills I want to continue to develop as well: I’d like to polish my sculpting chops a bit and see if I can’t have one of my own minis in metal by year’s end. I’ll continue to play around with various CAD packages and continue to develop my own vehicles and armor as I did with my hover drone last year; I’m still making tweaks to a multi-part grav tank I would like to get printed. I also have some ideas for scratch-build projects I would like to start (or finish).
As far as new projects, I’m going to branch out a little from scifi. My last post had my first fantasy project and I’d like to do at least one additional Song of Blades and Heroes warband by the end of the year. I also have an old west skirmish project I’m starting that I’ll detail in the next few weeks.
I’ve gotten in quite a few games with my son and another local player using a variety of different rule sets, with Gruntz having received the most play. I’m hoping to get games in more frequently as well as test the waters with some other rule sets as well, like Blasters and Bulkheads. I have a lot to look forward to in 2012.
Jeff
I feel much the way you do about painting vehicles -and about abandoning 28mm scale for the most part.
ReplyDeleteI'm awaiting delivery of my first airbrush myself. Everythingairbrush.co.uk offers a starter set to gamers (I bought the package deal and a little bit more). I'll let you know how it turns out.
Heres' that package deal if you're interested:
http://everythingairbrush.co.uk/acatalog/Finespray.html
Last one on the page.
Sounds like some good stuff planned. I'm especially interested in seeing your sculpting. That's something I want to try someday.
ReplyDelete