Reaper Artist Conference

Last-minute change of plans! I'm currently on the road and on my way to Denton, Texas to spend some time at the Reaper Artist Conference this weekend. More to come...

[updated] After 9 total hours on the road in the last 32, I'm here in DFW. Working remotely tomorrow thanks to my generous boss :) I'm happy to report that I'll be at RAC this weekend and enjoying a few classes & the company of fellow painting enthusiasts! I hope to see some friendly faces from last April's ReaperCon. Funny story-- since I was on the road when I heard about the painting contest, I'm having my brushes & Alucard mini shipped overnight to me. Miracle of miracles!

 Now if I had my choice (and could bend time or be in two places in once), I'd take each of these classes:

  • Julie Guthrie: Craft Your Own Creepy Halloween Tree - In this class, Julie Guthrie will teach you how to create moody and creepy trees perfect for Halloween dioramas for tabletop gaming applications. 
  • Bob Ridolfi: Craft Your Own Scenic Bases - In this class, Bob Ridolfi will teach you how to build scenic graveyard bases. 
  • Gene Van Horne: Basic Tool Making - In this class, Gene Van Horne will show students how to create just the right kind of tools useful for sculpting and converting miniatures. 
  • Michael Proctor: Shaded Metallics - Covers high-level shaded metallics techniques. If you want to excel at getting the most out of your metallic paints, this is the class for you! 
  • Jennifer Greenwald: Painting Modern Figures - Modern, as in, not fantasy guys, and not space marines. There are a few things to consider with modern figures - how to do denim. How to do guns. Since they tend to be simpler sculpts, what can you do to add interest? What kind of base do you put them on? 
  • Derek Schubert: Painting Monochrome - Much of painting monochrome is learning how to depict different materials and textures with a limited range of colors. This course covers that and the more general choices and techniques related to executing a convincing model in sepia, noir, or other monochrome schemes. 
  • Derek Schubert: Freehand Techniques - A class covering the painting of freehand designs onto surfaces such as cloaks and shields. Covers how to choose, simplify, and execute freehand designs and patterns. 

Of course, there are so many more great free classes being offered by many different knowledgeable & creative artists-- these are only a selection of what Reaper's making available. Can't wait! 

Miniature Monday · October 19

Happy Miniature Monday! I did some work on Lord Ironraven this weekend & updated his WIP page. I never thought he'd turn out well enough for me to want to finish painting him. Honestly, he was just supposed to be a practice in silky fabric texture but has turned out to be much more!

Not only have I practiced silky fabric & TMM (True Metallic Metal), I'm trying blue/black hair and painting jewels on this mini. Below are the steps I took to paint the jewel on his shoulder armor section. [Click on the image for a larger view]

I'll need to get creative in how to make a respectable base post-paint job (shame!), but otherwise, I'm really happy with how he's turned out so far. I usually only try one or two new techniques per mini, but Lord Ironraven has been a study in silky fabric textures, TMM (True Metallic Metal), blue/black hair, and painting jewels on flat surfaces.

Today also launches the next Speed Paint Challenge! This time, the miniature suggested & chosen is a Hasslefree miniature: 

This time, the Speed Paint Challenge timeline is a bit different: we'll have one month to order, ship & paint this miniature for anyone who wants to participate. Everyone is welcome! On Monday, November 16th, we'll share our results through social media (using the #speedpaintchallenge via Twitter) and I'll be posting my own process here on my blog. The rules are still the same and we'll have four-hours-or-less to paint. I'll be ordering my Hasslefree miniature on Monday-- more information to come!

In other news, I'm relieved to report that the saga of the stray dogs has continued on to its next adventure. Over the last week I helped shelter two young strays from two powerful storms that blew in, and drove them across town to a vet who would examine and hold them for three days while I tried everything I could to find their owners. Sadly, it became apparent that they were abandoned, so I dipped into my miniature savings and paid for basic vet exams, flea medications, and admittance into a local, reputable shelter. I admit, I wish I could have taken them in and/or adopted them myself and it was so hard to say goodbye. One day, I'll have the means to foster & help more, but in the meantime, I know I did everything I could to help them. With a little more luck (which they've had plenty), they'll soon find their new & loving forever homes! 

Dracula · Work In Progress

I was able to paint a bit last night after a whirlwind of dog rescue madness. Long story short, these pups still don't have a home and we need to find out what to do with them fast. Trying to get in touch with rescues that may be able to foster them. In the meantime, we've taken them to the vet to get scanned for microchips (no luck) and get basic exams. Fingers crossed that if they are indeed abandoned (which is becoming increasingly likely), we'll be able to find a new loving home for them as soon as possible. That way, I can revert what little free time & energy I have back to painting :)

This Castlevania-inspired Dracula is a work-in-progress. I've been setting aside at least one hour every Wednesday so he'll be complete before Halloween! Here's what we've got so far: