Wednesday 10 December 2014

Sketch - The Wizards Last Rhymes




Quick late night sketch to flex the auld digital muscles and maybe grow a few! Let me know what you think. Also, Rhapsody, your music is quite possibly my new favourite drawing music. Seriously. Epic. choons.

Listened to this whilst drawing this: 






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Saturday 29 November 2014

Sketch - The Bogwhistler


The Bogwhistler

"Although believed by many to be another being entirely, this creature is in fact a Bogleaper. Here it is pictured playing upon a macabre flute, whittled from the femur of some large animal. Travellers have spoken of a strange music heard across the bogs during misty mornings, though if they play for pleasure or for a more sinister purpose none can say."

DeviantArt: jlmaze.deviantart.com

Tumblr: jordandrazlee.tumblr.com

Facebook: facebook.com/paintspencilsandplastics


Saturday 22 November 2014

Sketch - The Bogleaper

No model to show this time but here's a new drawing I just finished. Happy with him, but oh my GOD HANDS!

"The Bogleaper, 


This macabre looking fellow and his ilk haunt the boglands and swamps that dot the countryside. Ever watchful they have been known to shadow the unwary travellers that oft find themselves wandering through their foetid kingdom. They wait for unfortunates to fall prey to the dangers of the bogs so they may dine on their choicest parts. The bog preserving their meal for decades to come."




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Sunday 26 October 2014

INQ28: Deblighting a Blightking Part 1

Hello again, gentle-folk. Let me introduce you to WIP of a not-so-gentle-folk. I guess at this point a lot of you who follow miniature bloggers, particularly those bloggers with a penchant for conversion have had it up to your pestilential gills with the new Blightking models. Well tough because I haven't! Here's the start however of a conversion that upon completion will NOT represent a Blightking, but hopefully something altogether more gross...I know. It's a bold statement. But there you have it!



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Saturday 18 October 2014

The Death Bird calls...




Just a quick sketch I put together whilst watching the classic Nosferatu with my Lady. Enjoy!

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Thursday 9 October 2014

The Hive Ship cometh....




"We live on a placid island of ignorance 
in the midst of black seas of the infinity,
 and it was not meant that we should voyage far."

Paint! Oh my, sweet glorious paint it has been so long! This is a solo shot of one of my Tyranids. I used a limited palette for these guys and tried a few new techniques to really get that bio-terror-y feel across. I think I might come back and darken the recesses later but for now I'll run you through the process.



The Medium

The Entire model was sprayed Skull White. The Fleshy areas were covered with a good healthy dose of Blood for the Blood God (BftBG) (I love this stuff). After the initial coat a second was applied. While this was drying I painted the carapace with two layers of watered down Rakarth Flesh (RF), Once dry I gave the whole model a wash of Reikland Fleshshade, followed by a wash of Agrax Earthshade in the fleshy recesses and carapace cracks. After leaving to dry I then applied a slightly watered wash of Leviathan Purple over all the fleshy areas. Once dry I applied a layer of RF lightly over the raised areas of the carapace, carefully trying to leave the deepest areas, untouched. After this was dry I highlighted the carapace with a layer of Pallid Wych Flesh. I kept these highlights as uneven as possible. Once dry I cleaned up any overspill onto the skin with BftBG. I'll be coming back to touch up the rest of my guys later on with some more washes where needed, to paint in their eyes and to finish basing them.

Let me know what you think!

Until next time, Stay safe and beware of Old Night!

-JL


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Friday 3 October 2014

Of Madmen and Monsters...

Good evening folks,

I've realised there hasn't been much paint up here in...well....ever, but I just can't seem to bring myself to get it done. In an aim to generate enthusiasm myself and a group of like minded individuals have come together and formed a gaming group with the intention of completing various projects that we have set ourselves. The first of which takes the form of an entire army. This army will be completed over the course of an entire year, the building of which supported by our involvement in an escalation campaign! WHOOP! So painting AND gaming! An added bonus.
 The campaign year will be broken down into 6 phases with each phase lasting 2 months. In each phase there will be an increase of 250 points starting in phase one with 500 points of models per side. In this way those using this campaign as an opportunity to collect a new army or learn the new rules can become accustomed to how their force performs over a long period of time and through different point brackets as well as grasping the rules in nice little bite-size chunks. It is at this point that I should explain that during each phase the generals are not allowed to change their army list and that it is reserved for the time between the phases where total manipulation of the lists can be made. In this way we hope to restrict what I have come to know as "beardy" lists. I wouldn't be surprised if we still have them somehow though. /sigh

For this campaign I shall be collecting Tyranids. A project I started well over 3 years ago but was pushed back into the depths of my wardrobe. You shall see their progression as time goes on but for now, here's a pict image that was recovered from an data file floating through the void.



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Another project on the cards is the revival of our long slumbering Necromunda Campaign. I'll be pulling the Ordo Sanguine Salus from retirement and giving them a nice paint job for this little event. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad excited about this one. Genestealer Cultists are great fun to convert, play with and hopefully paint....even if your Magus gets knocked the f&%k out in the second turn of the game.....stupid smelly scavvies....















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My third project is a splinter project of the escalation campaign spoken of previously and involves my first steps into the amazingly diverse world of INQ28. I have been interested in this for a very log time and it actually sparked the idea for my Advanced Mordheim project, Project Morrslieb (more of that later). Below are just a couple of the WIPs of the various characters you will see as this story progresses.




After that surprisingly huge update I shall bid thee goodnight, I'm looking forward to hearing what you make of my work so far and as I progress down these various hobby roads. You never know, there may even be some paint on the horizon.

As always, safe travels and beware of Old Night

-JL


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Tuesday 16 September 2014

Project Morrslieb: Elfs abroad...

Good evening folks!

It's been a while, but I've some content finally! We've just moved house and it's been proving difficult to get the rooms into a state where myself and my girlfriend feel comfortable enough to continue hobbying. You just can't have enough storage! ANYWHO! Here are some raw, white metal models that I plan on converting for Project Morrslieb.



Aenur, The Sword of Twilight. I plan on subtley converting this fellow to represent one of Project Morrslieb's Dramatis Personae. A young, vain and stubborn noble, he hides his fine armour beneath his long flowing cloak. For such vestments are uncommon in the forgotten corners of the Imperial lands. Elfs are things of mystery and myth to many and he would keep it that way.
His people ruled the world long before the barbarian humans
and will rule again when they're kingdoms fall to dust.




Elf Mage. The brother of our previous noble. Raised to harness the powers of High magic and unlike his brother, broader of mind and a seeker of knowledge and mysteries unsolved. The diplomat in this duo, he strives to keep his brother from harms way, be it delivered by sword or tongue.


For those of you worried about my witches, fear not! For they are not forgotten, mearly set aside until all of my sculpting tools and equipment are together and in order. I have been scouring the interweb for the appropriate models to represent Project Morrsliebs respective cast and have been having a jolly good time of it too.

I look forward to hearing what you think of it as it unfolds.

As always, beware Old Night and travel safe!

-JL


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Saturday 26 July 2014

I'm still here!...

Howdy folks,

I know it's been a long while since I've uploaded anything significant and I apologise for that. I've found myself to be fairly stretched lately with what I'm doing, be it work, relaxing with my lady, organising moving house, organising spending time with friends, trying to work on my art, trying to find time for miniature making and on top of that trying to find time to just vent my brain and sit. I've decided to work on a schedule so that I find time for the things I enjoy as well as those that are necessary and I hope you all support me in this. I've read more than enough of all fellow bloggers blogs to see that you have all come across the same challenge at one point or another so I'm sure that you understand.


LAAAAANDIN!!!...U WOT M8?!

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 I enjoy blogging. I enjoy getting my mind down on paper/word/blogger. It really helps keep me focused by offloading my ideas, worries, thoughts, plans and mind in general. I find the idea that others can get enjoyment out of my work appealing and it definitely helps keep me motivated. It's part of the same reason that I have always loved Art. I enjoy the enjoyment people get out of looking at my work. I've always loved drawing and painting in general and this is what has lead to my current work. I've been painting murals on and off for a long time in between working at my shop. It's a tough gig to get into. It's even tougher to sustain. Mural painters aren't exactly sought after and it's no help that when you do get a job, it's normally through someone you know and then either takes forever to get paid, gets half paid or the job falls through entirely. I've done three murals in the last 3 years. I've been paid, but not nearly the amount I'd charge if the work was done on the back of my own mural painting business and not as a "Jordan job". Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every moment of it. I enjoy creating and the look on peoples faces as they watch the process. It's great to see people taking pictures of my work as it evolves and comes together. What I do not enjoy is my work being taken advantage of. Being shown around without credit or prior knowledge. This has been the case on occasion. I've had three mural jobs come up this year that have all fallen through, this mainly being a case of the "How much for a mural?" or "I hear you do murals" unwritten contract. It's funny how the moment I mention a cost price people seem to run away. People don't seem to want to pay for quality these days and it's a shame, but I'll continue to promote my Mural painting in the hope that serious clients emerge out of the woodwork.On a relative note, it's partly the reason why I think Games Workshop is getting so much heat as well actually when it comes to their models (another interest of mine as you're well aware). They've increased the quality of their sculpts and subsequently increased the cost and yet people crib and moan and bitch about it 24/7. It's a tiring thing. ANYWAY! I've just started work on planning my next Mural. It's a game mural based on the game Destiny by Bungie and will be displayed on the front window of Gamestop Patrick Street, Cork. If any of you readers frequent the city or are visiting this summer then please give a wave when you pass!



Sketching!


Diablo 3 Window Mural


Last of Us Window Mural

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We're in the process of moving house right now. So model making will continue once we touch base and set ourselves up. I've also been asked to illustrate a book cover so that's something new and exciting! It brings challenges all of its own and is definitely a big step for me. Bring it on!

I hope you've stayed with my little brain splurge thus far and if so WELL DONE! 

Until next time, folks.

-JL


Wednesday 4 June 2014

Distractions, Sketches and other such things....

Hello and apologies to you all! I have been away for some time and busy working on some little things I'll share with you today. There will be little writing as I'm not really in the mood for it, so I hope you enjoy the images! More from me to come soon. ;)


Major Brassgut of the town of Rustbottom (WIP)


Titansouls: You are being Invaded (WIP)



5 Min Practice Sketch


The Mountain (WIP)

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As you can well see I have been drawing quite a bit since last I updated. My enthusiasm having been rekindled since I met one of my artistic heroes at MCM Comic Con in Dublin, Mr. Simon Bisley. I have however also been busy on a project with my girlfriend. Having a few years ago acquired "The Island of Blood" Starter box for the latest edition of Warhammer from a friend. My lady and I have decided to put the contents together and paint EVERYTHING therein in preparation for a game that we will then play once completed. I'm incredibly excited about this.





I have also been working on a piece of fiction regarding the three witches, which should hopefully be finished soon. As you can see, I think my absence is well justified as I have been VERY busy, but I do hope you enjoy what update I can make and I look forward to our next meeting.

Beware Old Night and safe travels.

-JL

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Monday 21 April 2014

The Liebster Award + Bonus sketch!





So I've been nominated by Ana over at the wonderful Gardens of Hecate Blog to take part in the Liebster Award. This is designed so that those bloggers with 200 or less followers can find an easy means to view one another and keep in contact. I've discovered it to be a great way of helping to get our work around as well as answer a few questions about one another. I've already had a gander and followed those bloggers that Ana has nominated alongside myself! Wonderful and inspiring stuff all!


Now to get down to it, the nominee's task is to give 11 truths about themselves, answer the 11 questions given by the person who nominated them, make 11 questions of their own whilst nominating another 11 blogs to spread the love (eeeewwwww!). Thereby discovering new interesting blogs and having a bit of a larf. You might just discover some things about yourself along the way!


The Eleven Truths!

1. I love the colour green (Who'd of thunk it! *Points at Blog*)
2. I have more gentleman-crushes than lady-crushes. (I think my girlfriend finds this equally worrying and interesting!)
3. I love to read, but do not read as much as I'd love to.
4. I procrastinate far too much.
5. I can't stand the thought of a world without trees.
6. I worry far too much about everything.
7. I am terrible at speaking my mind (Althought I think I am getting better at this. Might have something to do with my girlfriend).
8. I love coming up with new worlds and characters to inhabit them!
9. I love having....THINGS!
10. The first album I bought was Nickelback's Silver side Up *Hides face in shame*
11. I would love to make my living painting Wall and Window Murals. I have never been happier than when doing this.


The Eleven Answers!

Q1: What was the last book you've read?
A1: Gotrek and Felix: Road of Skulls by Josh Reynolds. I just can't read enough stories involving these two. William King is missed however.
Q2: If you could spend a day with any person out of all of human history, who would it be and why?
A2: Quite oddly, this question brings to mind the TV show "Quantum Leap". I'd pick Director Ed Wood. I mean, at least you'd never be bored!
Q3: Would you rather burn everything you own, or keep everything you own but never gain anything for the rest of your life?
A3: Wow Ana! You're a heavy hitter! I think I'd rather burn everything I own. I don't actually own that much and anything I do can be easily replaced. I wouldn't like to remain itemless for the rest of my life. Having things is important to me. I'm a self confessed materialist.
Q4: Does the idea of humans technologically augmenting themselves worry you?
A4: Not at all! I can't wait until some eejit hipster grafts a toaster to his head!
Q5: Would you rather be able to read minds, or be able to become invisible at will?
A5: Who says I can't already do both! Mwahahahaha! *cough*...read minds.
Q6: Would you rather be able to turn into an insect at will, or into a vicious beast uncontrollably?
A6: Definitely Insect. There isn't a person alive that hasn't wanted to be that fly on the wall!...okay, maybe if that spider on the wall isn't present also.
Q7: Would you rather have a flesh-eating virus, or have no skin?
A7: I've had one and seen more than enough of the other to compare. I'll take the virus, please! o/
Q8: What would you do if you came home one day to find everything and everyone in your house/flat was replaced by an exact copy?
A8: Start reading R.L. Stine and P.K. Dick books simultaneously to figure out what the fuck was going on!
Q9: Would you rather be roasted alive, or live forever inside a coffer?
A9: Hmm, decisions decisions! I think I'd rather be roasted alive. Living inside a coffer isn't living. Unless of course you're this guy and you ARE the coffer!:

Q10: Would you rather eat fifty pounds of pig fat, or jump into a pool of acid?
A10: I'm starting to think that Ana may not be a fan of hugs. Anyway, I recogn I'd go with the pig fat, I'm rather attached to my body parts and I'd like to keep them thank you very much!
Q11: What's in the box?!
A11: What ISN'T in the box!? Definitely not your wifes head...Nope!



The Eleven Blogs!



The Eleven Questions!

Q1: What is your favourite food?
Q2: What was the first model you painted?
Q3: How did you get into your miniatures hobby?
Q4: What is your favourite book?
Q5: If you could choose any fantasy/sci-fi race to be, what would it be?
Q6: Do you have any other interesting hobbies besides collecting miniatures?
Q7: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Q8: If you could pick ONE model to paint/convert/have, what would it be?
Q9: What's your most prized possession?
Q10: If you were to travel to the Chaos Wastes/The Warp, what one item would you bring with you?
Q11: Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?

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I hope you enjoyed this little *cough* detour and if you've stuck with me this far then congratulations! You are the lucky winner of this weeks prize! My gratitude and a picture of my most recent sketch, this ones been sitting in the back of my head for some time. Enjoy!



P.S. Apologies for the shitty pic, my tablet won't let me crop how I want to crop!



-JL



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Saturday 19 April 2014

Happy Fun Times! - Cork Drink & Draw

Good afternoon folks!

I've been pretty busy these past few weeks outside of the miniature painting and converting department. Work still progresses on my Witch as well as gathering the necessary items for another of our protaganists, Witch Hunter Klaus Richter. But it's slow going due to funds and such things. I've been planning some fun happy times with my lady and they've been going well! Let me recount.

Cork Drink & Draw

 Drink & Draw Cork Facebook Group



"Come in, grab a drink and start doodling!
Drink & Draw Cork every two weeks at the Franciscan Well Alternating between Tues & Thurs 8.00 pm until midnight 
Be part of an enthusiastic crowd of illustrators, designers, fine artists, cartoonists, crafters, scribblers and sketchers and enjoy an evening
of unbridled creativity!  
The Cork Drink & Draw is a bi-weekly gathering of local artists to socialise and share ideas, skills and inspiration. And we draw. A lot!
Everybody is welcome, no matter if you’re a hobbyist or a professional or even if you just like to doodle around on beer mats. All skill levels and all ages (18+). It’s all about the fun. And it’s free!"


The other night we went to Drink & Draw Cork to take part in a portrait/life drawing workshop that was run in association with the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival. It was amazing and absolutely free! The tutors involved were Eva Widermann and Anna Giersz and the model was SuAna.




Eva is the founding member of Drink & Draw Cork as well as a very well known illustrator. An incredibly driven lady and friendly to boot! Her work can be viewed here:



Anna is the founder of the Cork Life Drawing Group as well as an illustrator. I haven't spoken to her personally but as a tutor and from what I have been told she is very talented and a lovely person! You can see some more info for the Life Drawing group by clicking the banner below! I'll definitely be attending soon.




SuAna, as well as being a fantastic model, talented seamstress, body painter and loving Mom; is also a good friend of mine! If you are looking for someone to design and fashion an item of clothing that best represents you, then look no further. You can check out her work by clicking the picture below!



The D&D (Drink & Draw) Cork Group are a fantastic bunch of people and it is definitely an experience that I recommend for anyone that is interested in a bit of banter, some creativity and sketching both silly and otherwise! Situated in The Franciscan Well, an amazingly warm and cosy pub with an equally warm and cosy beer garden, you have not only great company but great drinks. A vast majority of the brews are made in house and are also shipped around the country. I had a fantastic time and will definitely be going in the future! I even won a pint in a drawing competition that they host regularly! Huzzah! o/                               





That is all for me this evening folks! I hope you enjoy this little read and have a gander at the links I have provided. You won't regret it.

-JL


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Monday 7 April 2014

Project Morrslieb - New Moon - A Bit MORE Skirt!

Good evenink, folks!

It's been a little while I'm afraid and I don't have much to show for it. I've been very busy with work and have managed to have little time where I have felt like sculpting. HOWEVER! Here is what I've managed thus far!

I'm pretty happy with my sculpting. Having never done anything remotely close to this scale before ( a few filled in necks and some arm joins here and there being as far as my greenstuffing indevours had gone in the past) there are of course a lot of things I need improving on. There are a lot of folds, some might say too many but I'm going for a very rotten and matted look with the material. Here's what it looks like so far.


An apronesque attachment will be sculpted on the front, just below the belly. I had thought the unrolled scroll from the Empire Flagellants box would make a nice addition to the front, but after trial running, it looked out of place. The tail of the skirt will trail along the ground behind her, one side further back than the other to help with the suggestion of movement. I also plan on chopping off that bit of right foot you see to sculpt some squiggy toes. YUM!

I'm truely looking forward to hearing what you think and I greatly appreciate the time you have taken to view my work!

Sleep well and beware Old Night! ;)

-JL

Tuesday 25 March 2014

The Witch of York by George Houghton (1850 - 1891)

Up o'er the hill and broken wall
There stole a weird form, bent but tall;
And softly through our unlatched door
She crept unbidden, and before
The hearth-fire crouching, gazed upon us all.

All looked, none spake; the chimney sighed;
The cat mewed drearily and tried
To go but could not; close and dim
The room became, and ghastly grim
The ghosts that fell on us and multiplied.

We heard the gusts ride through the pines,
We heard them twist from the trellised vines
The bean-blows; and the scowling west
Sent up a growl of hoarse unrest,
As of some hungry beast that frets and whines.

Lean spectres seemed to spur the wind,
Weird doubts and fancies stormed the mind,
And doubt is fear, and what is fear
But anguish!--"Say! what lurketh near?
Shall our tomorrow cruel prove, or kind?"

Then from her breast the creature drew
Her fate-pack; moodily she blew
And deftly shuffled black with red;
Till Esther gaped and whispering said
To Robert, "One would think she thought she knew."

Whereat, the eyes of the woman-witch
First sparkled, then grew black as pitch;
We shivered at her evil look,
Her ear-rings in the glamour shook,
And we could see her neck-cords writhe and twitch.

The low clouds huddled overhead
In black disorder; on the shed
We watched the sunshine, charging, beat
Them back, then struggle and retreat:
"Come, woman, come! 't will soon be time for bed!"

She passed the pack; the maiden broke
It into three; then Robert spoke:
"Tell, mother, this my sister's fate."
The woman only muttered, "Wait!"
And silent, fanned the embers into smoke.

The dim light lit the topmost card,
She looked upon it long and hard,
Then peering through her grisly brow
Glared upward at the girl--"Now, now,
Will I unlock my lips; mind you each card!

"Ace hearts: sole child, and of love's bed;
A spade twice next: both parents dead;
Black tenners twice in turn--beware!
Though comely shaped, thy features fair,
Thy feet in snares I see, webs round thy head.

"No sister thou!--black seven: no kin;
Aha! queen clover, treacherous then!
Well may thy pouting mouth turn pale,
Within a deuce, beneath swollen sail
Thou fliest from some sorrow or some sin.

"The second deal holds more. Still pain!
Within a trés behold thy stain
A smoke to blur and blind the skies,
A fire kindled, that thine eyes
May quench not though they should dissolve as rain.

"Black still and clover: in a one
A coffin; now third deal, and done.
Hearts six, and dabbled o'er with red:
Within that space thy wooer dead;
Spades seven: to thee are left seven years to run."

Aghast we stood; she spake no more,
But flung the cards across the floor,
And up the yawning chimney's throat,
With wind-rush and one thunder note,
She swept.--We looked, and saw the buttoned door.

We heard the swallows cry and call,
Then late, the storm's long looked-for brawl;
And louder, shriller than the last,
Up through the cavernous flue one blast
Sucked flame and fuel, cat and cards,--and all!

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Sunday 23 March 2014

Project Morrslieb - New Moon - A Bit of Skirt!

I've started the sculpting of the skirt, at first I wasn't sure how to begin but after some procrastination I dived into some greenstuff and got stitching together my witches filthy kilt! I'm going for a decayed bunched texture with the material as you can hopefully see in these slightly blurry pictures (My tablet has had an episode it would seem). I've got a little more done since taking these pictures and more will be up soon. But for now I hope you enjoy these and the progress I've made.



I've also started putting together the second character in our story, for now I'll show you the pieces I've acquired. More to come soon, but I think I'll keep this one a secret. ;)


As per usual, all critique is welcome and encouraged! I always like to hear what people think and suggest. :)

Bye for now and beware of Old Night!
-JL

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Thursday 20 March 2014

Project Morrslieb - New Moon - Witch build continues

So I had a day off today, that...wait for it!...actually FEELS like day off! Huzzah! \o/ Having been looking around  DakkaDakka and various blogs I was inspired to continue with some hobbying. Work progresses on the Witch and I have managed to do sculpting on her arm and some repair work on the join at her right elbow as well as back flab (shivers). Progress is slow and steady but all in all I'm happy with it so far I must say and am very greatful for those that have kept with me so far! It's not bad for someone with no sculpting training or any REAL previous experience? Right??



I've also picked up some neat little pieces for future dramatis personae in this little grim fandango of ours! This includes:

  • 1x Warhammer Plastic Necromancer
  • 1x Warhammer Plastic Wraith
  • 1x Warhammer Plastic Forest

They're some great kits and I have some interesting things in store for them! (Maniacal laugh) 
Until next time folks, take care from Old Night and safe travels.

-JL

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