Painting Step-By-Step: Sin Assyris part 1

This is Sin Assyris, a special character for the Alchemists of Dirz faction in Rackham's ill-fated flagship wargame, Confrontation. Luckily, this model is also usable in the Hybrid board game (hence I bought it) and it has sat in a figure case, in a constructed state, for nearly 10 years. I thought it was time to do another painting guide/demo/docu and wanted to look at another forgotten model.

As you can see, the Rackham models had an immense amount of detail for 28mm. They can be so delicate that pinning joints becomes a work of art that only keyhole surgeons should attempt. It has to be said that Sin Assyris is not so bad in the build – a head and two arms went on relatively easily (from what I recall).

So, I dusted off the model and gave the base some treatment. I went to file off the mould lines but the majority of these figures had mould lines so insignificant you really do struggle to see them. This was one such model. I did find a few and they were promptly dispatched and the model undercoated.

I gave the miniatures a quick, delicate blast with spray undercoat, then followed this up with a brush. I used very watered down black paint and gave the model a couple of coats to give it a solid black finish that didn't obscure any of the lovely details.

I airbrushed colour onto the 'skirt' of the model. I used my Cryx colour palette as it seemed appropriate for the Alchemists of Dirz (with its greenish hue) and will fit in with my other Hybrid models already painted. I started with a Black/Cryx Bane Base mix moving on to a pure Cryx Bane Base pass.

Once this was looking solid I started to add Cryx Bane Highlight to the mix until the colour was pure. At this point I switched spray angle to be more from above the model and had a final Cryx Bane Highlight/White pass with the airbrush.

As with my other airbrushed models, it's looking a touch highlight heavy but I'm looking forward to developing the tones with a brush. I did a trial using only a brush on a Cryx Warwitch model with great results so this should develop nicely.

The rest of the model caught a lot of overspray, which I'm regretting a little – my enthusiasm meant I jumped in and got spraying without thinking, doh! However, It's only the last highlight where the paint was a little thicker that may have left a slight texture (see his sword to the left), but not so much that it can't be pulled around. It's all a learning experience I guess (more water in my paint!).

Now things start to get interesting!

You will notice I've got several painting projects on the go, lots of irons in fires. I only get small pockets of time so my posts will switch between all these projects and ensure that I don't get bored painting the same thing and there's always something new to look at on the blog.

To be continued…

More Vikings!!

You may recall my enthusiasm for the last lot of plastic vikings I bought has waned somewhat. The issue with the hands not holding the weapons properly did little to inspire confidence, never mind fear in the enemy. I had heard good things about the Gripping Beast Vikings and was compelled to take a closer look.

This box set is a little more expensive than the last lot but has 44 models in it! That works out at roughly 40p a model which is quite unbelievable value (remember I've lived a sheltered, expensive gaming life thus far). There are tons of options on the sprues and hands that actually hold the weapons!

I have counted five different body poses and ten different heads. However, even better than all that is the command sprue that is included – actually the box has two in it which is even better. I can now make a leader (or two) without the need to spare bits or greenstuff.

The details seem sharper and the kit just seems to be better all round than the previous vikings I bought. In addition the proportions, next to my Romans, seems better though admittedly not much.

I have already built my initial four models (as I have with all the kits) and I may even splash some paint on them at if I get the urge… but let's not be hasty.

The (not) Salute Spoils…

You may remember that I came away from last weekend's Salute 2013 show with no purchases at all. This was mostly due to the fact that when I went to pick up the stuff I wanted, I noticed I could get it cheaper elsewhere (I thought Salute was all about deals?!).

Anyway, my non-Salute purchases arrived this week and here they are…

First of all we have the Conquest of Gaul box set from Warlord Games: this includes the Hail Caesar rulebook and almost 100 plastic minis!

There is a second Cryx Helljack for my fledgling Warmachine army. I already have a Slayer from the starter set but this kit will build one of three types.

Then I have the gorgeous Slave I expansion for X-Wing. I've held off buying this for a while, after picking up the Millennium Falcon, but couldn't resist any longer.

To round things off I've got some Orange and Purple gem D10 dice for my secret project. Progress is being made and there may be an announcement on the blog soon.