Self-imposed art, model and crafting challenge wrap-up.

I've been quiet with the blog the past couple days, but stayed busy at the workbench. Priming miniatures, more game terrain and managed to have an actual game (I might do a battle report later). There were a few more projects I didn't post, but will add to the challenge record later on.

Day 12 of the self-imposed art, model and crafting challenge.

All kinds of work going on. Besides basecoating a ton of 1/72 ACW's, I've been plugging away at more wargame scatter terrain. Some river/stream and road sections. Those are made of plastic "FOR SALE" signs with acrylic caulking for the banks. The stream is painted a dark brown color with Liquitex gloss medium for the water. A modular section for  Islandlwana  mountain. Even on top of an existing hill, its way out of scale. Experimented with Fall type trees. Still not sure about those, maybe mixed with bare trees it will work or have several in a group?

Breaking out books for reference and inspiration for various subjects. Lots of time on my hands makes a mess of the "library". Having blast doing it all.

Day 10 of the self-imposed art, model and crafting challenge.

A little bit of everything of everything today. Making some river sections for the game table. More work on the Bunker Hill vignette and starting to paint Captain " Slim".

Day 8 of the self-imposed art, model , craft challenge.

Not a lot of progress today. Mostly cleaning and organizing my workspace, taking it easy. I dont want to burn out, I'm only half way through! The "plowed field" scatter terrain piece looks pretty good for the game table. The rocks I made some time ago. They're made of aluminum foil, crumpled up and lightly hammered into shape. Painted with grey mixed with Mod Podge. Hopefully, a little more active tomorrow.

Day 7 of my self-imposed modeling challenge afternoon update.

This morning's and afternoon's work. Mostly priming. Dullcoted some Zulus. Primed some Nap 28's and a couple cannon. Gave a couple coats of black primer to Captain "Slim". I noticed some bare spots that need another coat. Making a plowed field for the gaming table. I'm using a cheap vinyl floor tile for the base. A hand made comb is used to make the furrows. So far, a fulfilling hobby day.

Day 7 of self-imposed art, model and crafting challenge.

Up late again last night. Made some cardboard bases for painting minis. Cut in lengths of 5" by 3/4" wide. Hot glued five layers and wrapped with electrical tape. The tape gives a good surface for the mounting putty or fun tac. Also put together a couple movement trays for my Zulus. More posts later today. I have a feeling it will be quite productive.

Day 6 of self-imposed art, model and crafting challenge.

Working on a little bit of everything today. This morning was the "Bunker Hill" vignette, then onto finishing up my impi of "Unmarried" Zulus for, hopefully, a game with my son this weekend. Gave Captain "Slim" a liberal coat of Mod Podge to give some protection and sealing of the surface. I took Cap out to the pole barn office and sat him in front of a fan and an ancient space heater to thoroughly dry. May get a chance to prime him tomorrow.

Day 5 of a self-imposed art, model and craft challenge.

Productive day. Finished some trees for the gaming table. The figures are from Perry, these particular minis make a perfect vignette stand. Thank you to my pard Gary Dombrowski for giving them to me. Check out Gary's blog where he plans on updating his current projects. I also sculpted the boots on Captain "slim". Yeah, that figure didn't bulk up like I thought he would by adding boots. Anyway, it is a character piece and still looking forward to giving it that faux bronze paint job.

More wargame command stands. Anglo-Zulu War Colonel's Durnford and Pulleine.

War of Spanish Succession French Army Command Stand. 28mm Front Rank Miniatures.

Front Rank Miniatures 28mm army command stand. The Duke of Marlborough. Beautiful miniatures and a pleasure to paint.

Two for the road.

I love leaving for a show and having the workbenches CLEAN of projects. Here are two that I managed to finish over the past few weeks. The Swedish kettle-drummer is a Historex conversion and the small vignette are 28mm AWI British soldiers from Perry Miniatures. The Perry figures are very nice with lots of detail, however they would look much better in a larger vignette or diorama. Rumor has it, that their Continentals have just been released. I better get more practice with this scale.