So, messing around the past coupla days, I realized several things. First, my eyesight ain't what it used to be, and I'll need to look a lot closer when cleaning flash and such. Second, after nine years and a coupla mini-strokes, my hand ain't as steady as it used to be. Last, I need a better camera.

Still, thought I'd go ahead with some WIP pics:

First, an old Ral Partha dragon/worm from the early 1980s. Just starting past the base coat on this bad boy.

This fig reminds me of the fyrsnaca, a worm/dragon critter that first appeared in the TSR Expert D&D module XS2 Thunderdelve Mountain, a solo adventure. I've always liked the fyrsnaca as an underground antagonist, and when I saw this figure on eBay a few years back, I jumped all over it.

Next a coupla RAFM worms.

When looking at these guys after painting is when I realized bifocals ain't the best for close work and cleaning minis. Not gonna strip and repaint them any time soon, though. Just gonna finish the bases and call it good for now. These figures came in the RAF02955 Crypt Ghoul blister with a ghoul exiting a crypt. Looking on their site, it appears RAFM only offers the front worm in the set today.

Next, a Games Workshop wizard.

This gentleman is Ian Crookstaff, archmage and ranking wizard in the Fraternity of the Pointy Hats. The Fraternity of the Pointy Hats is a mage guild in my campaign who distinguish themselves by, you guessed it, wearing the traditional iconic wizardly, wide-brimmed, pointed hats. :)

I've picked up a few Bones the past coupla months. I much prefer metal figs, and will mostly limit my use of Bones to simple figures such as spiders, vermin and such. But couldn't resist this storm giant. Since I can't find him in metal on the Reaper site, I assume he's a Bones only release, so picked him up.

 
The sword has been a pain in my behind to straighten. But he is massive, and the detail isn't bad. Won't start painting him too soon, but thought I'd add him for some flavor.

And a preview of things to come. I've had this box set for quite a while, and it's on the top of my list of things to paint when I get a bit more back into practice.

Anybody who gamed in the 1980s should get a little nostalgic about this one. I can't say how many times I picked up the latest issue of Dragon and flipped straight to the cartoon section to read SnarfQuest. I'm not quite ready to start on these yet, though I'll post them when I do.

I probly won't have a new camera yet, but the iphone didn't do too bad for WIPs and I need to come up with a background. Comments and constructive criticism are welcome, as well as plain old BSing.

'Til next time.

Howdy, from Wonderful Windy Wyoming!

This first post is more of a test, as I haven't the foggiest idea what I'm doing. As a primer, I plan on exhibiting miniatures, some new, some old. I just restarted painting again after nine years away, and I'm quickly getting back into the swing of things. As long as the result isn't too embarrassing, many (most) of the figs will be painted. Some simple conversions. I may throw in a "battle report" from the latest D&D session I've ran here and there, and occasionally I suspect I'll find myself posting some unrelated tidbit that has caught my fancy.

But mainly, it'll be about the miniatures. I guess I'd be considered "old school". I have a fair amount of unpainted Grenadier and Ral Partha lead, quite a bit of it actually lead. A lot of Reaper, as well. Of the "newer" companies, Center Stage and Otherworld have both caught my fancy and I'll be supplementing my collection with figures from both of these. Fantasy and ancient historical figures make up the basis of most of my collection, but, well, there is the occasional pulp, sci-fi or other miniature in the mix. As a painter, my skill level is generally table top quality. But occasionally I finish and say, "Wow, did I really paint THAT?" as I reach for the Pine Sol to start stripping the durn thing, and other times I finish and say, "WOW, did I REALLY paint that?" as I make room at the front of the shelf to display it. 

'Til next time.