Tuesday 7 April 2015

Painting Challenge 2015: Fortnight One - 10mm World War Two By "Pendraken Miniatures"

Soviet Light Machine Gun Team WIP - The base colours have all been blocked in
This time last year I began a three-month long personal painting challenge where every week, at the turn of a playing card, I had to paint a small number of figures which I already owned. This year I thought I’d do it again but with a couple of amendments so as not to too badly hamper my current painting projects and ensure I get a least one game in every fortnight.
More WIPs - The models are initially undercoated tan, washed and then dry-brushed with more tan  
As before the models will range in scale from 6mm – 28mm and consist of anything from one to ten figures or stands (depending upon the miniatures’ size). But this time I plan to try and accomplish my goal every two weeks, and also post up a Battle Report using the newly painted minis.

For this first fortnightly target I’ll be working on some 10mm World War Two models by “Pendraken Miniatures”. As I actually drew a picture card then I get to choose how many bases I have to complete, and thought just four Russian Degtyaryov machine gun teams would ensure a simple start to this rather long-term undertaking. In addition it will also hopefully get me reacquainted as to how I used to paint these well-detailed little guys. 
Soviet Infantry WIPS - As the LMG bases look a little bare I'll be adding at least one foot soldier to each stand
I actually own quite a considerable collection of finished Winter War German and Soviet figures, so thought my choice would also provide a good excuse to dust some of them off and get them table top ready for a ‘proper historical’ game.

18 comments:

  1. Jumping into another painting challenge? ... already, so soon after the last one!
    Good luck :)

    I only ever painted the one 10mm WW2 figure, managed to paint a load of vehicles, but I mainly cheated and used army painter stain varnish. I'll keep reading to see how you tackle this range, as I tend to think depending on the figure range I paint 10mm differently each time.

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    1. Thanks Roy. Just something I did last year which helped me clear up a load of minor painting projects. Hopefully it'll do so again. Hopefully these little additions will help me get going a few more WW2 units and let me finally bring out a load of painted minis I've not gamed with for a few years. Any tips Ref "Pendraken Miniatures" I know you've painted will be well received :-)

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    2. The way I tackled the zombies was just painting the first colours, blocked in, then gave a really good coat of GW Agrax Earthshade on top. Then I used the same colours again as a the first highlight and then where needed used a really brighter colour as the second highlight - picking any detail out with a contrasting, though equally as bright, colour. I didn't drybrush at anytime, just normal brush painted. I didn't win in the comp, however, so my style may not be to all tastes.

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    3. Cheers Roy. That's much appreciated and I assure you I like your style very much.

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  2. Way too small for me even to consider. You must be mad. Good luck with your challenge. Stop swearing at me, "proper historical" indeed.

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    1. Did I mention the 6mm zombie horde I started a couple of years ago Bob? My Modern Day British are already finished... just need to get some horde stands painted and away we go... that'll be sort of like proper historical won't it ;-)

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  3. I'm with Bob on this one, Simon. I'm not sure if you're brave or mad for taking on this challenge. I just know I wouldn't want to take part in it. I don't mind painting 28mm sized figures or taller but nothing smaller... unless it's a zombie crawler!

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    1. Cheers Bryan... Last year it proved a rather fun way of getting me to finish off a load of minis I'd had lying around for years. My fingers are crossed it'll work again this time round. Certainly I've been wanting to get some "Pendraken Miniatures" done for a while and get some WW2 gaming in. Did I mention I also own their zombies ;-)

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  4. 10mm isn't that far off the 15mm Flames of War stuff I've been painting. Infact, I imagine it to be even easier as there'd be less detail to worry about?

    Good stuff though. Winter East Front stuff is very characterful and this will be fun to follow.

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    1. Thanks Dai. I did end up doing some "Flames Of War" SAS last year during my Challenge, so no reason why I shouldn't get some more painted this year... though I've no opposition for them yet. The "Pendraken Miniatures" have a good amount of detail but a lot of it I simply leave alone once dry-brushed as they're so small. Helmets, faces, hands and weapons give enough colour so you can identify which models are which :-)

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  5. what a great idea! anything that gets stalled projects completed and usable is to be applauded. I look forward to seeing all the varied figures you complete and the battle reports they generate!!!

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    1. Cheers CW. If you like variation then there's plenty coming I assure you, both in minis and BatReps :-)

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  6. That's an interesting challenge :-) . I've done similar things myself over the years; it works fine as long as it doesn't become a chore, right?

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    1. Thanks C6. You're spot on, which is why I've gone for every two weeks and a game at the end too to keep me motivated.

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  7. Good to see you back on the treadmill Simon. The random painting generator thing works for me (can't think where I go the idea from though!).

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. Has it been a year already!?! To be fair though I think you've taken it to a whole new level my friend :-)

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  8. Ah yes there's nothing like that random generated monkey on you back, these days I can't see a D30 without a nervous twitch!

    Seriously though, best of luck with this, and remember the world is watching.....

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    1. Thanks Roger. Managed to get a bit more done on them today, and should be good for another finished "Heroclix" to be posted on Friday. Like to keep them that are watching entertained ;-)

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