Svalarheima Nisses and ORC Troop painting (Part 1)

This took a while and I'm still not done. Doing other stuff not related to the hobby.

I'm painting the ORC troop and the Svalarheima Nisses (Not sure if that was plural or just the name).

I  started with the usual white basecoat primer. Then added a grey wash to see the lines.
Then filled in the blue parts. And also tested the eyes with red for the ORC and green for the Nisses.

Here's the Nisses with the grey wash still visible on some parts. I've also started painting the insides of the trench coat and used blue for the armour.

 

For  the ORC troop, I used grey for the visible joints under the blue armor. Then a yellow mixed with orange for the canister looking part in the gun:

 

Then, keep adding the blues and the greys to get a solid color.
I then added a black wash over the figure to show shadows and weathering. The wash was a bit excessive on the left torso as shown on the picture. This will then be further retouched as soon as what the final color for the coat will be:



.

Same goes for the ORC Troop. Kept on adding blue and grey to make a solid color, then added a black wash for weathering. Some of the details were filled in by the base color. This will be later retouched with a white basecoat and the final color.

Paints used are as follows from Master Series Paint.

• True Blue 09017 - For most of the body armour and details.
• Cloudy Grey 09089 - Used as wash before painting and for the Nisses helmet, pants, joints of both pieces and base coat for the guns and some details on the backpacks of both.
• Blood Red 09003 - Used on the helmet "eyes" of the ORC Troop and rifle reticle.
• Pale Green 09012 - For the helmet "eyes" of the nisses.
• Blood Red and Sun Yellow 09008 - mixed to make an orange color for the ORC Troop rifle canister looking part.
• Aged Bone 09059 and Pure White 09039 - mixed the colors for the outside wash of the Nisses trench coat.
•  Sun Yellow 09008 and Muddy Brown 09028 - mixed the colors for the inside of the coat.

 

Infinity's Operation : Icestorm armies

As anyone who is into miniature wargaming and Infinity knows. Operation Ice Storm has been released months ago and a lot of people bought it. The store I frequent says that it was sold out of its in-stock inventory. And, this was just a week after delivery! I was glad that I reserved a copy before it sold out or I won't be able to build up my own armies and would watch in the sidelines.

So, what is in Infinity Operation:Icestorm (OIS)?
OIS as stated by Corvus Belli "...contains two totally new and re-sculpted Starter Packs of two different factions: PanOceania and Nomads. It also includes two exclusive miniatures, one per faction, only available in this Battle Pack, for a total amount of 14 highly detailed metal miniatures!"

The difference aside from the resculpt is that they changed the colors from a bluish-grey to blue uniforms in the artwork. This allowed them to be more visible in the grey gaming mat included. Assuming that you painted the models as shown in the box, which I did, for lack of imagination.

And if you pre-ordered or lucky that your store reserved those in advance, you'll get an additional civ miniature.

As of this writing (8-Nov-2014), the army builder still hasn't included the new troops with the kit. So, I made the list to be used as a starting block for army building. The army builder website can be found here:
http://www.infinitythegame.com/army/

The army load-out are as follows:
PanOceania
3 Fusiliers
1 Svalarheima Nisses
1 ORC Troop
1 Akalis Sikh Commande
1 Military Order Father-Knight

Nomads
3 Alguaciles
1 Grenzer, Grenz Security Team
1 Mobile Brigada
1 Spektr
1 Reverend Healer

The assignment of lieutenant is as based on what's found in the included rulebook as a suggestion.

Format of the lists are:
Code:
[export/import code]
Stats: ITS or Non-ITS | Support Weapon Cost | Points total
Regular:Irregular:Impetuous
Notes:

First is the PanOceania troops:

Code:
eNozNFRVNTQ2UTXUM1U1VAPCGmTSAkxaqhmDRAzUTNQMVctMAA0tCtw=
Stats:
ITS | 1.5 SWC | 134 Pts
6:0:0
Notes:
- ORC Lt.
- Without the Father Knight

Code:
eNozNFRVNTQ3UzXUM1U1VAPCGmTSAkxaqhmDRAzUTECUKUhMtcwEAGCvDHI=
Stats:
ITS | 1.5 SWC | 176 pts
7:0:0
Notes:
- Replaced Father Knight (43 pts) with Teutonic Knight (-1 points to Father Knight)

Then,
Nomads
Code:
eNozNVRVNTQwUzVQNVQDwhoU0gxCGaqZqBmqlpkAAMceCUY=
Stats:
ITS | 0.0 SWC | 106 Pts
5:0:0
Notes:
- Mobile Brigada Lt.
- Without Grenzer and Reverend Healer
Code:
eNozNVRVNTQ3VDVWNVQDwhoU0gxCGaqZACkjNWMgaQliq5aZAABJggwP
Stats:
ITS | 3.0 SWC | 171 Pts
7:0:0
Notes:
- Added Securitate to proxy Grenzer (+1 diff) and Sin-eater (-1 diff)

Pan Oceanic Part 1: Father Knight and Bagh Mari

Next up in my painting project was the Father Knight & Bagh Mari with an ORC Troop and Nisses coming later after that.

This time, I learned not to apply paint too quickly and to thin the paints. This is also my first attempt in using a wet palette.

First is the assembly.

I did check the spacing on the backpack of the Father Knight, but when gluing I noticed a gap in the between the back pack and the torso. I should have filed off a bit off the round sockets to make it more flush but I still haven't bought a good set of files. I'm still using that set I bought in an automotive store.

 Paints selected for the figures are as follows.

These are all the colors I currently have.

First up was applying a very diluted Pure Black mixed with Pure White to make a gray wash on most of the figure to pre-define the edges. I did notice that the mix of these paints doesn't last on the plastic palette I have (different from the wet palette I prepared). The white seemed heavier and settled at the bottom that I have to mix them again before applying another coat.

Then I added some Blood Red wash on the knight's visor.

Then some light coats of True Blue for practice on the sword. I can now notice the scales on the armor more easily.

Keep adding colors. I did have difficulties in the etching on the sword and the visor. If I applied a diluted paint, it goes into the recesses. So I have to redo all of them with white and then red for the visor and blue for the sword.

For the piece of equipment he's stepping on, I first applied a thin coat of gray wash, then added red wash. I keep adding red until I get the desired effect. I'm not sure how or why the paint from the wet palette doesn't catch on the corners. I fixed the problem with Muddy Brown, barely diluted with water scraping the edges to make a rusty look. Then added Blackened Steel on the visible internals.

I tried adding a logo on the shoulder pad. But I'm not yet up to the task so I had to  redo it with Pure White. Then Aged Bone for the cloth hanging from the belt which was painted Muddy Brown for the strap and Blackened Steel for the buckle. I initially painted the backpack with True Blue but changed it later with a few layers of Pure White. The blue base still seeps through. Blame me for not planning on that one. I also decided to stick with mostly one color on the armor. Being a small figure, I though it would be easier to see if there are fewer colors.

 For the Bagh Mari, I did the same grey mix wash for the most of the miniature and red on the reticle.

Applying more coats of True Blue.

I just keep adding colors until I get it mostly covered. True Blue is, for a lack of a better word, very blue.

I also had difficulty with the visor part which I painted Pale Green and have to dot the eye with white and blue again to make that glowing effect. Then Pale Green on parts of the shoulder and knee pads.
 The usual Blackened Steel for the joints, the gun and the back of the helmet.

I wish I had some khaki and or olive drab at this point to color the pants. But I made do with mixing Pale Green with Muddy Brown, then Aged Brone and Muddy Brown plus a bit of Pure White on the second color. I think I should have also used just one color here to make it simpler.

Then applying a black wash on the figure in the shaded parts only, and to define the lines in the armor.

Missing an arm

So my Aleph Starter Pack came with a miscast. That's why I can't paint the remaining 3 figures.

An arm is missing most of its parts so I went to the company's online store to send an email claim.

Procedures are to:
Go to InfinitytheGame website's online store.
Click on Shipping and returns. It's found on the left column as of this writing.
Follow the instructions under Missing parts on the page.

Within 2 weeks (24-Oct-2014 to be exact), I received a reply from one of the people in charge of returns and am currently waiting for the miscast piece to arrive.

The package arrived on 11-Nov-2014, within 3 weeks of the email reply. And here it is:

It's a pretty big envelope, but I'm assuming it's the smallest one they have that's lined with bubble-wrap.

Infinity: Nomads Starter V3 painting

Here's a step-by-step procedure on how I did the painting on one of the Nomad Alguaciles.
You can see where I went a little overboard on the dark shading.

After  priming, I applied the first color. Light or thin layers at a time. I used blue on the gun and boots just so I can see the outlines.

Then, added the darker colors. Dark grey on the sleeves and boots. Belts and the back of the knees also got this color. I accidentally brushed off the end of the rifle here. I also added a blue wash on some parts of the gun and wrist bands. I also tested a light wash of brown for the entire head. Backpack is washed in brown.

 Then, added more color. Red, dark grey, and brown thinned down. Painted the gun with a metallic color. And mixed a different shade for the gun grips including the pistol in the holster.

Added colors to the hair, details on the back pack. And here it is

 And from the other side.

Infinity: Nomads Starter Pack V3

Infinity: Operation Icestorm

Nomad Alguaciles

Assembly:

I decided to then paint the Alguaciles, they're the three troopers sharing the same uniform. Things went wrong went I tried attaching the backpack pieces to the bodies. They'd rather stick to my fingers. I just placed a blob at the center where both parts should mate but it doesn't stick. Then tried adding to the sides, still doesn't stick. Then, finally, I just placed superglue on the entire area and left it on the table instead of the recommended action of applying pressure.

What probably went wrong: Not properly rinsed and not dry enough. It was cold that night. So I wasn't sure if the cold metal piece I was holding was wet or dry. So I dabbed the rest with a ball of toilet paper. And tried drying another using a lighter which might not be a good idea, because of soot.

Then, the arms won't align properly for the troops holding the rifle with both hands. I managed to align it by simultaneously gluing both arms to the body and holding it there for half a minute.

Then, for the second one, I tried forcing them to align. It broke. And since it was bent when it broke. I had to file it off a bit.

Mental note: "Check the figures with two hands holding the same thing and check alignment [before gluing]."

Initial painting:
I  still have few colors available. Flesh tone, unfortunately, isn't one of them.
For the dark part of the uniform I used:
2 parts Pure Black, 1 part Pure White.
Thinned it out with a few drops of water since applying too thick makes it blacker. Ended up being too dark anyway.

For the hand grips of the rifle and pistol:
1 part Mud brown + 1 part Pure white


For the skin:
brown + aged bone for skin
and
Mud brown + Blood red + Bright Skin Highlight

For the backpack:Diluted Mud brown. 1 part paint to 3~5 parts water. I have a puddle near the paint and I just dragged on the water to the paint.

I also used this for the overall wash of the uniform.

Still not yet complete. But currently okay for tabletop quality.

Aleph Starter Pack project

I started painting the ALEPH Dacini Tacbots. Paints used were Reaper Master Series Paint. It's either this or Citadel. I chose these set because of its dropper container. I thought I will save on paint and the dropper allows me to control the amount of paint I use for blending colors.

I initially used Blackened Steel (09205) for the dark joints, Amethyst Purple (09024) for the eyes and other glowing parts and Aged Bone (09059) for the rest of the miniature. Initial painting resulted with the purple being too blue and the Aged Bone being to plain. So I added some colors to the originals to get the results I wanted:

Color 1 = Amethyst Purple + Blood Red (09003) + Pure White (09039)

Color 2 = Aged Bone + Bright Skin Highlight (09234) + Pure White (09039)

Lessons learned:

Start painting by applying the lightest colors first. Coating over the darker ones would require several coats. You won't notice them when when but the darker colors bleed through and is visible when dry.

Mind the brush at all times, I accidentally moved the brush towards areas I don't want painted. And it's harder to work on if the paint becomes too think. So when viewing your work, pull the brush back and away before rotating the miniature.

Elapsed time: 9:20~16:10 (7 hours with lunch break)

I will continue with the painting as soon as the replacement part arrives. 

Infinity tabletop war-gaming

This is a documentation of my latest hobby of tabletop or mini war-gaming that I just started this  month (10/2014).

I will post my experiences with the hobby and the models/figures I bought, assembled and painted. I know you came here for the pics. I'll have that soon.

Hopefully, I'd have some battle reports as well.


Info on the game can be found here.
http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/