Modular Terrain from Back 2 Base-ix

About a year ago I was working on an idea for a modular gaming table using "tiles with depth" so terrain could easily go up or down.  It was interesting to come across a new product today from Back 2 Base-ix that seems to use a similar idea.

BIG MEK w/ KFF

I built him last year, so I guess it's about time I put some paint on him.  Long way to go before I finish, but I thought I'd post current progress.  I didn't filter the light, so the pics came out kinda harsh.  Anyways:

 Eventually, I'm going to try my hand at OSL, making the KFF glow with Orkish light.

Orks & Otts: Working with OttLites

Most days, I work with a computer screen all day for my job.  If I get to do any painting, it's at the end of the day when my eyes are already tired...and my eyes aren't great to begin with.  I recently purchased some lamps made by OttLite since I'd heard good things and they were running a buy-one-get-one deal.  

DIY SPACE MARINE CHAPTER

While most of my hobby time during the past year has been devoted to Orks, I still kick around ideas for my DIY space marine chapter. After going through several ideas, I'm starting to see why there are so many people with an Ultramarines army. It's frustrating to have a great idea in mind, only to see it turn to crap once a mini is actually painted (maybe it's just my painting).

The culls include (in various states of incompletion):

The Dawn Breakers

The Granite Guard (these guys might find their way out of the cull pile...not much different from Ultras...but I like blue)

The Ursus Bellum

Other randumb schemes

So after all that, I'm thinking of making my own Ultramarines army, or maybe Imperial Fists. I'd probably get caught up in Red Scorpions if I could afford Forgeworld's resin crack.

VCT Basing Legion of the Damned

Here's an example of the VCT (vinyl composition tile) flooring in action, providing basing material for some of my Legion of the Damned.  For my Space Marines, I want to base them so they'll fit in with either an urban or barren-blasted-rocky-desert terrain.  I think the VCT does a good job of passing as either slabs of rock or concrete paving.

A lot of good things about using VCT:  

The break pattern is very similar to concrete/rock crack patterns, or you can score and snap it in a straight line.  Free samples are easy to obtain, but even if you have to buy some, it's available at any big-box home center and it's dirt cheap.  60-70 cents a square foot, and in theory on square foot will base 144 minis.

This is just a 2"x2" sample, similar to the one used to base all 6 models above:

For me, the tile is free, and it took only minutes to prepare all of these bases (of course, drilling and pinning the models to the bases took some time, but basing plastic models this way would take very little time).  

It could actually be used to produce a very similar look to Les Bursley's bases, here.  Someday, I'll get some paint on these and provide an example of a finished product.

PAINTING ORKS...

Almost finished with a test Nob.  He's kind of middle ground, more than I plan to do for the boyz mobz, but less than what I hope to achieve on some of the special characters (KFF Mek or Ghaz).

Still needs some paint on the nose ring and other little details, along with some more attention to the base...not sure where to go with that though (fortunately my projects move at a snail's pace, so I'm sure to come up with something by my next hobby opportunity)

NEW STORMBOYZ MODELS...

I'm not very interested in Boar Boyz, but the new models could make for some pretty cool Stormboyz.  Even though the actual Stormboyz models are excellent, it never hurts to add variation to the excellence.

40K Madness...

Have you completely lost it when you start playing games of 40K...against yourself?

It's not a problem, though...I can quit any time I want.

GHAZGHKULL THRAKA CONVERSION 4

Slowly...making...progress. Filled out the body and added armor. First layer of GS. A little wiring.

Still a lot of GS work to do on the legs:

Final layer of GS and detail work, maybe another wire or two, and he'll be ready for paint.

GHAZGHKULL THRAKA CONVERSION 3

Didn't like the last pose, so I took a step back and reworked things. I like this much better, seems to do a better job of fitting with Ghaz's fluff as a CC animal:

Also, Jeff shamed me into getting the model completely out of the "blu-tac" stage and onto a base. Still a lot to do, but he's solid and playable at least.

Ghaz and the Avatar, up to their old tricks:

Okay, now I'll start applying GS and bits.

GHAZGHKULL THRAKA CONVERSION 2

A little more work done on Ghaz. Reshaping and positioning the power klaw, trying to make it seem more sinister.

After cutting off the original gun barrels, I had a better understanding of why I didn't like them...they're tiny. I went back and forth about their replacement, trying to decide between one big shoota barrel or two. I then realized I was being silly, and used all three.

Playing with the pose amongst other models to get a sense of scale (or lack of... he's pretty huge). Regardless, I don't think the marines are going to make it:

Finally settled on this pose and pinned his arms in place. The more I look at this stance, the less I like it, but nothing has been done that can't be undone...we'll see.

I may change the pose, raising the PK slightly and lowering the gun arm so it's slightly cross body (pointing at the ground in front of him). Feel free to weigh in on this.

In the meantime, I'll greenstuff over the first layer of milliput on the legs and torso and start adding glyph and armor bits (can't have him looking so spindly).

If I played Space Wolves...

...I wouldn't be able to resist these:

5 different poses, found here:

http://www.mrdandy.com/wargamma-battle-wolves/

Pricey maybe, but good variety and some pretty cool looking minis.

GHAZGHKULL THRAKA CONVERSION

The more Orks fight, the bigger they get. So I figure the 3rd Edition model of Ghaz should be even bigger now. Someone out there had an idea for him being a monstrous creature when the 6th Edition comes out, that might be cool.

Anyway, I'm working on beefing Ghazzy up:

Break him down before I build him up-

Much drilling later-

I'm still thinking about the end pose, but here's one idea-

I won't use the big shoota shown, but I do like the idea of lengthening his gun barrels. I think he'd look better on a 60mm instead of the 40mm he comes with, but I don't want to deal with jibber-jabber when fielding him, as some might construe a larger base as an advantage. Maybe I'll rig the base so I can play him on either.

Now more drilling and pinning, milliput and greenstuff.

New Ork Goodies:

Nom, nom, nom...trying to stop my drool...