32mm Gladiator

Big gladiator from Arena Rex.  This poor guy was a disaster from start to finish.  The sculpt was disappointing with a realistic, but 'boring' pose.  However, the actual sculpting was great.  My paint job is terrible - one of the worst I have pulled off in a while.  Bad color choice, poor attempt at metals, skin blah.  Need to rebound.

However, used a new backdrop for the first time that Im really excited about.  Oh yeah - the leather bits turned out GREAT too - they really look like leather straps.

Gladiators! I salute you!

These have been sitting in my 'to do' box for a long time now.  It was time for some more gladiator action!

For your entertainment, I present The African and The Etruscan!

 

 

A little off the beaten path

One bound for the sands of the arena.  The other two bound for the quiet wilderness.  I bought these bears back in my 'gladiator' phase, and just got around to them - from Foundry Miniatures.

Also, Ive completed a small unit of Confederate soldiers from Peter Pig.  However, I ran out of bases, and Im awaiting a shipment from Litko.  Until then, a small preview

My first building and Apache WIP

Blogspot is acting funny today. Trying to use my mega haxx0r html skilz, so apologies if this post doesnt look right!

Ever since I A) watched Spartacus and B) finished my set of gladiators earlier in the year, ive had it in my head to build a small arena. I finished it last night.

I think overall, it turned out pretty well. I wanted it to represent a small, provincial arena, and I think I have managed that. However, I did have some serious issues that I will document below

Blood from a dead gladiator, also a blood stain on the right on the stake

WE, WHO ARE ABOUT TO DIE, SALUTE YOU!
The picture of this arena looks a helluva lot better than it does in person. What should have taken about 20 minutes took me most of the night....

• I forgot to prime the balsa wood that I used around the edges, so the paint looks like shit.
• My airbrush wasnt working AT ALL. I had to dump the paint and attempt to clean it out THREE TIMES. I really hate using an airbrush! I finally gave up and painted the balsa by hand - USING A #2 BRUSH!!!! It took FOREVER, and I needed multiple coats.
  
• I tried to use a cheap paint from the local craft store - it was really thick, and the only way I could get it to spray was to REALLY thin it down. Id read on The Miniatures Page that people use Apple Barrel paints instead of high end stuff like Vallejo, GW, and Foundry - uh - fuck that.
  

Oh well - I think Im going to build some "Afghanistan houses" etc, so this was a good learning experience. I just hope my airbrush isnt toast.

Next up, Im nearly finished with a 1/72 Apache. I was going to finish last night, but obviously, I didnt get to it. I need to add the pylons, some decals, and a tiny bit of weathering (I dont want to go crazy) and Ill be done. Maybe tonight?




  
Just after taking these pictures, I bumped the rotor, and the chopper went over on to the hardwood floors. The rotors all snapped off, the front camera piece came out, and one of the wheels broke off and went about 15 feet down the hall. Lovely. I think I managed to get it all back together though....

The sands of the arena

Ok, so I originally posted these guys up a couple days ago.  I pointed people to the site from a couple different forums I visit.  Overall, I got some good comments about my painting...but I also got some 'wow, great painting, but the bases look like steaming turds' or something like that :) 

Anyway, before I posted them, I didnt think I really liked the bases either, but I figured I was just being hard of myself.  Last night, I rebased them all, and I am much more happy with the result:

My very own ludus

28mm Gladiators from Crusader.  The first of my purchases complete from Cold Wars.  The shields are hand painted, and I thought they turned out pretty well.