GenCon seminar intell

[macfergusson]

Do you think the book will end up being useful to an absolute novice painter?

The most useful thing to an absolute novice painter is simply to put paint on surfaces as much as you possibly can. Practice really does make perfect.

But the book will help too, I'm sure, especially once you start getting some experience.

[Posthumous]

It sure as he'll won't make you worse.

[Gwydion]

Fair enough. Probably worth grabbing even for down the road, then.

[Claudius Sol]

Do you think the book will end up being useful to an absolute novice painter?

It's a very detailed book with step by steps and pictures for each step. Even for a brand new painter, the book should provide plenty of insight and might be an even better value since you'll be able to refer to the book throughout your entire learning phase.

I think there's some terminology you'd need to learn, but he goes pretty in depth about what you do where.

Side note: he uses a fair amount of airbrushing in his step-by-steps as well as brush techniques. Though, it's not expensive or difficult to get an acceptable airbrush/compressor in today's market. There are plenty of cheap airbrush/compressor combos on Amazon. And you can always upgrade to a Badger (my preferred brand) or Iwata later for decently cheap.

[Arachas]

Actually, from what I gather (at least here in the Netherlands)... airbrushes ARE rather expensive. You need a compressor and a very, very tiny needle, both of which do not come cheap.

[Claudius Sol]

Perhaps we're just privileged in North America?

I have access to this Airbrush + Compressor combo for <$80 on Amazon.

[macfergusson]

Nice. That kit looks like a great way to get started if someone was interested.

[Claudius Sol]

I have since upgraded my airbrush to a Sotar 20/20, but still use the compressor that came in that bundle. All it took was a new hose and a $2 adapter I bought at Home Depot (hardware store) to get the compressor to work with the Sotar.

It's a very nice start for what you pay, certainly.

[Mob of Blondes]

So far he seems to use airbrush for big miniatures and less or no at all for small ones. In some cases, you can get the "help" it provides by using 2-3 sprays as primer, first all surfaces in darkest shade, then spray from above in lightest shade(s or just 2, and do a dark wash for crevices, bang, lining already done and any fixes are easy as it's the beginning). And then use thin base coats so the primer effect still shows thru.

One thing novices should get is to avoid bad habbits. I knew I had some, and they're one of those "I will never get this too look half good" things... of course, because everything is wrong, you are trying to fix crap and getting nowhere. Do the right thing, and then it's just a matter of practice to do it better.

Thin your paints so they dry fast and smooth, just apply multiple coats even with good coverage paints, use a big brush with great tip so it doesn't dry but can do fine details, use primer tricks, paint in the order that makes everything simpler... if it sounds silly or like a cheat, but it works, do it anyway. Don't wait for a pro to say he does it.

Watch videos (great to see speed of strokes or consistency of paint) and read the explanations people write (faster than videos for other things), for example in the Miniatures section.

[chromedog]

Perhaps we're just privileged in North America?

I have access to this Airbrush + Compressor combo for <$80 on Amazon.

Well, you do have two of the larger names with very good availability in the US, so I'd say so.
Also, air freight to O/S destinations tend to kill interest in buying and customs duties kill the rest.

[wackenandy]

Hmm...

with the whole lot of the new CA Starter and the new Sectorials, were there anywhere rumors about a resculpt of the Yaogats?
I don't know how old they are, but with the many new sculpts they look kinda out of shape?

As i want to start with CA and just ordered the new Morats, should i wait with the Yaogats or is it unlikely that they get new sculpts over the next months?

Kinda like the Stats, well i could proxy them with the Vanguards.

[McNamara]

Hmm...

with the whole lot of the new CA Starter and the new Sectorials, were there anywhere rumors about a resculpt of the Yaogats?
I don't know how old they are, but with the many new sculpts they look kinda out of shape?

As i want to start with CA and just ordered the new Morats, should i wait with the Yaogats or is it unlikely that they get new sculpts over the next months?

Kinda like the Stats, well i could proxy them with the Vanguards.

My guess would be that Suryat come first, and than it might be EI or Sygmaa time for a while, also Shas need Caliban and the Aswunag Combi Lt. plus they have some really old minis, that might see a upgrade. So I wouldn't expect new Yaogots soon. To my knowledge they didn't redo Boxes yet anyways. So I either live with the difference in style, like other armies have to too, or use those Vanguard.

[wackenandy]

My guess would be that Suryat come first, and than it might be EI or Sygmaa time for a while, also Shas need Caliban and the Aswunag Combi Lt. plus they have some really old minis, that might see a upgrade. So I wouldn't expect new Yaogots soon. To my knowledge they didn't redo Boxes yet anyways. So I either live with the difference in style, like other armies have to too, or use those Vanguard.

Well this is very much stuff they have to do for CA, therefore i don't expect them this year..., then i go for the proxy solution...

[Section9]

To my knowledge they didn't redo Boxes yet anyways.

The only non-starter box I know is getting redone is the Antipodes, which was a very old box indeed.

[Posthumous]

With as good as all the digital sculpts look I would hardly object to half of all the new releases being resculpts until everything is up to the new higher standard.

[csjarrat]

there are still quite a few profiles without scultps ( i think pan-o are missing a few tags judging by the whining/moaning about the new one) so it'd be nice to get those out of the way first tbh.
Saying that, there are plenty of re-sculpts that are on my "want" list. Securitate/alguacile heavy weaps/szalamandra being at the top of that pile

[Scorch]

With as good as all the digital sculpts look I would hardly object to half of all the new releases being resculpts until everything is up to the new higher standard.

I agree, although I would like to know in advance what will and what won't get a resculpt. I'm keeping away from Acontecimento for now, as I see the new designs of MI, and their Bagh Mari and Akalis just don't cut it anymore. I can buy them, but if they get a resculpt in a few months I will feel cheated on my money, not that CB is doing it on purpose, or force me to buy the new sculpts, but that is what I'd feel like. That's my take on it. If there comes a big 'resculpt wave' I want to know in advance what is going to happen, so I can invest in a army that I like the look of, instead of getting different ranges of models and a lot of them that won't see the table after I get the resculpt.

[Posthumous]

That won't ever happen unless the model to be replaced is a real stinker in the sales column. Why would they give you the heads up and miss out on the sale of something they already put the effort into producing?

[Section9]

That won't ever happen unless the model to be replaced is a real stinker in the sales column. Why would they give you the heads up and miss out on the sale of something they already put the effort into producing?

Not entirely true. For example, look at all the resculpted basic troops, and then remember that Carlos is on record that he doesn't want to re-concept/re-image/re-sculpt the Exrah (which are collectively the worst-selling models from CB).

I agree, although I would like to know in advance what will and what won't get a resculpt. I'm keeping away from Acontecimento for now, as I see the new designs of MI, and their Bagh Mari and Akalis just don't cut it anymore.

Akalis are getting resculpted, to be wearing the same backpack as Singh and the Crusader Brethren.

[Scorch]

Yes, I know. I'll be buying them:p haha! And CB themselves don't know which model they'll be making in a couple of months. But a list of things that are getting a resculpt would be nice. Bagh Mari look weird next to Rao. I would love to have a box with them, making them become a unit to fit in with Rao.

[Posthumous]

As awesome as all the new sculpts look I actually wish they had waited to do the Steel Phalanx models. Now those things will be the last in line to go digital. Ajax is the exception though. That model is amazing.

[Claudius Sol]

You know the Tohaa weren't made digitally, right? I'm pretty sure those were done by Fausto with traditional methods (not the chaksa).

[Posthumous]

Oops, you may be right. The sapper is digital so I guess I assumed they were all the same.

[M2Cat]

To my knowledge they didn't redo Boxes yet anyways.

The only non-starter box I know is getting redone is the Antipodes, which was a very old box indeed.

And (in)famous Kum Bikers.

[Section9]

To my knowledge they didn't redo Boxes yet anyways.

The only non-starter box I know is getting redone is the Antipodes, which was a very old box indeed.

And (in)famous Kum Bikers.

Jeez, how'd I forget that much badassery?!? Oh, wait, it was already redone when I commented. I still want to get all the old Kum (including Izzat Beg's blister), and however many of the new guys they make, maybe even steal Penny's bike and a couple Aragotos, build a biker gang of doom(tm).

We've also added the Ghazi Mutts to the "redone" list, but they were a blister first.

[Lampyridae]

Oops, you may be right. The sapper is digital so I guess I assumed they were all the same.

Some of them were digital, others not. Not sure which!