Monday, March 31, 2014

Miniature Mondays 01: Cobblestone Basing.

So you've spent a great deal of time applying dabs of paint to the lead figure on your painting table, only to spend half a minute to cover what the figure is standing on. Dousing the base in white glue, then dunking it into some array of green flocking and kitty litter. It makes for good grass and rocks. If you've spent alot of time on the figure, shouldn't you at least invest similar time into the base? Basing is a way of giving the miniature a surface to stand on. Some people opt for the simple green flock, making the miniature look as though it is on AstroTurf, or on a golf course. I am guilty of the AstroTurf effect as well, because it's simple and less time consuming. But for this steampulp miniature I decided to try and create a base resembling the cobblestone or brick-like surface of the streets of 1880ish. Grabbing my trusty tube of Tamiya Modeling Putty, and a miniature to put on a street, I set about my task.

Smoothing the putty out was harder than I realized, but giving it an uneaven look might add more realism. Once the putty was on the base, I took a toothpick and smoothed it around, being careful not to get any on her feet.
I then scored the surface in a brick-like pattern with a hobby knife. The next step was to let it dry and then paint it with a series of light grays and dark grays. Here is the finished product, a pulp era femme fatale. The model is from ReaperMiniatures
Here are two other miniatures that would benefit from a similar treatment. The great detective and his trusty sidekick to roam around the streets of London in pursuit of Professor Moriarty.
With some putty and a knife a great base is born. With enough time and inspiration there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

I'll try to make "Miniature Mondays" a regular part of the blog. It will have something to do with the hobby of miniatures, whether it be an after action report, great finds for the gaming table, or something of another nature.

Have a great game!
Kevin

Saturday, March 29, 2014

IHMN Hartinger's Expedition

Hartinger's Expedition is formed by the wealthy Lady Hartinger who likes to remain in the forefront of the scientific community as she did with the clockwork knitter. Upon hearing that Britain was mounting an expedition into the heart of Africa, she felt as though the name of Hartinger should not be left out of this expedition. With her close scientific friend Maxwell Zwigler, a scientist which expanded the work of Nikolai Tesla and the Egyptian military to protect the expedition. Lady Hartinger and her scientific endeavors seek out the heart of Africa.
The crew of Hartinger's Expedition

Lady Victoria Hartinger
          Pluck 3+
          FV +2
          SV +3
          Speed +1
          Archeology +3
          Talents: leadership +2
          Equipment: arc pistol, Faraday Corset
Scientist Maxwell Zwigler
          Pluck 3+
          FV +1
          SV +2
          Speed +1
          Archeology +2
          Equipment: Electrostatic burst generator, short shotgun
Riflemen (6x)
          Pluck 5+
          FV +3
          SV +2
          Speed +0
          Archeology +1
          Talents: Bayonet Drill
          Equipment: military rifle & bayonet
Riflemen (4x)
          Pluck 5+
          FV +2
          SV +3
          Speed +0
          Archeology +1
          Equipment: carbine
Bearer
          Pluck 6+
          Archeology +3
          Talents: Medic

IHMN Queen's Rifles

The Queen's Rifles are a privately funded company which reports only to her majesty. When the Queen wants reliable, first hand information, the Queen's Rifles are her first choice.

British adventurers from the Queen's Rifles in Miniature

Clay Arkwright
        Pluck 2+
        FV +3
        SV +4
        Speed +1
        Archeology +3
        Talents: leadership +2, lightning draw (fighting)
        Equipment: machete (count as fighting knife), pistol, brigandine.
Sir Rolland Masterson
        Pluck 3+
        FV +1
        SV +3
        Speed +0
        Archeology +1
        Talents: berserker
        Equipment: Steam rifle (treat as arc), chain shirt.
Riflemen (x6)
         Pluck 5+
         FV +2
         SV +3
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: tough
         Equipment: carbine, brigandine
Thomas Upton
         Pluck 4+
         FV +3
         SV +3
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: Marksman (pistol), Leadership +1
         Equipment: pistol, brigandine.
Bearer
         Pluck 6+
         Speed 0+
         Archeology +3
         Talents: Medic

IHMN British Expeditionary Force

British Expeditionary Force picture

The British Expeditionary Force are the first boots on the ground in the time of an emergency. Although in the current case, they are recently engaging in the exploration of darkest Africa to bring to the British empire, fame and riches.

Dexter Small
        Pluck 2+
        FV +4
        SV +3
        Speed +1
        Archeology +3
        Talents: leadership +2, duelist pistol
        Equipment: pistol, brigandine, knife.
Captain Robert
        Pluck 3+
        FV +4
        SV +4
        Speed +1
        Archeology +1
        Talents: inspirational, leadership +1
        Equipment: Steam pistol (treat as arc), brigandine.
Riflemen (x5)
         Pluck 5+
         FV +2
         SV +2
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: marksman
         Equipment: Military rifle, brigandine
Randy Dawes
         Pluck 4+
         FV +4
         SV +3
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: Stealthy, tough
         Equipment: brigandine, steam rifle (treat as arc)
Bearer
         Pluck 6+
         Speed 0+
         Archeology +3
         Talents: Medic