One of the biggest things that I have been doing over the last several months has been painting. Painting a lot actually. And anyone who has followed my blog for a while knows that figure painting is by far my least favorite part of the hobby. But que a new set of contacts and a pair of reading glasses recommended by the eye doctor and it's like a whole new world for me, and I'm actually enjoying painting now. The reading glasses have been an absolute game changer for me in regards to painting, basically serving as a magnifying glass. So let's jump into some of the stuff I've been working on.
I grew up with Star Wars and I can still remember seeing it for the first time in 1977. And even though I was only five years old, it left an incredible impression on me, and it continues to be a huge part of me today. To say that George Lucas and Industrial Light and Magic have influenced me creatively would be an understatement - and as a small "thank you" to George and everything he has given me and allowed me to share in his worlds, my son's middle name is 'Lucas' after George (who is affectionately known as "Uncle George" in our home 😀).
When Star Wars Legion was announced I knew I was all in regardless of what the rules were - I was ready to change other rules sets (which, if you haven't seen Jay White's excellent Bolt Action mod for Star Wars I highly recommend it!) or even make up my own to suit what I wanted to do. This game was going to give me lots of SW models and unit figures in different poses, which is always a great bonus and something Imperial Assault is missing unfortunately.
The Empire Strikes Back' had always been my favorite film until an incredible little adventure called "Rogue One" came out. I absolutely love a team mission type of story, mostly because I can always envision it on the tabletop in someway, and that movie knocked it out of the park in that regards. So it was an easy decision that the first models I decided I would have a go at were Captain Cassian Andor and K-2SO.
Both models were painted with Citadels new Contrast paints and I couldn't be happier with the results. The more I work with the Contrast paints the more I get used to how to best utilize them and I continue to be impressed with them. Of course not for everyone, but for me the final results I'm getting have really helped keep me at the painting desk. You can't see it on the above photo, but in the first photo you can see an Imperial insignia on K-2's left shoulder. I picked that up from Little Metal Ships. These are fantastic little decals and there are a lot of great options available (which I picked up several other sheets for future use) for Star Wars. Highly recommended to give your figures a little 😀 extra detail.
Until next time, thanks for looking!
Ivor
So fantastic work from my favorite "new" SW movies :)
ReplyDeleteCheers Michal!
DeleteGreat job on these Star Wars figures. They look really good! I’m more of a casual fan of SW; I like it but I don’t live and breathe it. Currently I am enjoying the Mandolorian. 😀
ReplyDeleteI also don’t love painting miniatures. I like playing with painted figures so it’s more of a means to an end for me. But if I could afford it it I would out source all my painting. But I am glad that you have found a new way to enjoy it. 😀
Much appreciated Stew! The Mandalorian is absolutely knocking it out of the park right now, great stuff 😀
DeleteI too would commission out all my figures to be painted if I could, though a bit more hesitant nowadays - had a huge box of 100 painted figures get lost in the post on their way back to me from England last November and it's been a debacle ever since trying to get it sorted 🤬 But that story is for another time (and actually the post that has been in draft mode since January)
I agree with almost everything Stew said so save me some typing ;)
ReplyDeleteThe glasses sound a good idea, I use the cheap 2x and 3x ones but find them quite difficult to get on with. Nice job on these, espcially like the robot fellow.
Cheers John! It was amazing the difference the glasses made, literally night and day. Wish I'd known to give them a go much sooner 🤷♂️
DeleteOddly enough I've not been able to get into Starwars games despite been a big fan & the owner of Imperial Assault Ivor, but that said I still enjoy seen the wonderfully painted models like yours from the range.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing how many people in this hobby don't really enjoy painting, & when it first started to dawn on me that I was one I though at first their must be something wrong with me, that's not to say there isn't but I'm sure you get my point mate :)
I'm right there with you Frank, I actually know quite a lot of people who don't enjoy the painting part of the hobby. But are great at other things - I think that's what I love about this hobby the most, there absolutely is something for everyone 😀
DeleteExcellent work Ivor, you've captured the essence of these two character's perfectly
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Dave! And thanks for hitting the follow button on the blog, much appreciated!
DeleteExcellent minis Ivor! My two fav characters from the film by far.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why I haven't jumped on board the Legion bug? I had picked up a large amount of the Armada ships (The megalomaniac in me liked the massive control aspect of a fleet level game), but the rules were poor imo. Yet, the minis in Legion are fantastic from what I've seen. Perhaps it's the buy-in? I mean, they tend to run on the pricier side I feel.
I do have some old West End Games SW metal figs sat in a bits drawer somewhere.... hrm...
Thanks Dai! No mate, I'm right there with you on the buy-in, while not quite GW madness in regards to cost they definitely are pricey. And now that I've got access to a resin printer through our club I'm not sure if I'll be buying as much as I was initially, especially considering I don't even play Legion lol! We use the figures for a Rangers of Shadow Deep Star Wars mod so I have no need to have "official" figures with cards, and the 3D figures Skullforge are making are filling all kinds of wants and are absolutely amazing 😀
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