Project Cave Kraken

Cave Kraken, Watcher in the Water, Cthulhu, or whatever you call it, every one needs a tentacled beasty to lie in wait for unsuspecting adventurers.  I'll start by showing a picture of the completed project.  As usual, Friar Tuck (an Airfix Robin Hood set figure) and Conan (a Caesar Miniatures Adventures set figure) make their appearance for scale, as well as the Scale Picture (the scale picture).

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This project was a lot of fun.  It began when I saw a tube of plastic kids toys at Hobby Lobby.  I found a cute pink octopus inside the tube, at least it was cute on the outside, I could sense the evil inside just waiting to be released.  The picture below shows the contents of the tube and the red circle give you a glimpse of how the octopus looked before being converted to the Kraken.

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I took an Exacto knife to the octopus and chopped off all of the tentacles.  I then glued the body to the base.  I took a small bit of tentacle and glued the small loop of tentacle in front of the main body.  Next I  added an armored plate from a GW Tyranid sprue and sculpted the beak.  The beak worked out perfectly, it looked exactly as I pictured it in my head.  I then glued some of the left over tentacles to separate bases and it was ready for the basing.  I sculpted the waves on the bases out of paint-able latex caulk.  I attempted to sculpt some white capping waves as the kraken and his tentacles rose from the depths, and again, I lucked out because the looked exactly as I had hoped.

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I then painted the little beasty various shades of purple and blue for the body, yellows and tans for the beak, light blues for the suckers, and green for the eyes (he just seemed to be the jealous type).  The water was primed black, dry brushed white, and then painted with several different colors of diluted ink to achieve a water effect.  I then touched up the white caps with some white paint.  The last step was to give him a gloss coat of sealant, so he would appear to be wet

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Here is what the cave Kraken looks like on the game board when he rises from the depths of the "Well of Doom".  You know the dwarfs are wondering who ordered calamari  and are hoping they are not on the menu.

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It is amazing what a little time and effort can do with a humble toy.  From cute to killer in nothing flat.

Questions and comments are always welcome.  Thanks for reading...

Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2011, All Right Reserved.

Minatures Scale Picture by Christopher B of the blog "A Rust Monster Ate My Sword"

I use a miniature scale picture in lots of my blog entries.  I think it is very handy to see how different figures match up against it.  As usual, Friar Tuck (an Airfix Robin Hood set figure) and Conan (a Caesar Miniatures Adventures set figure) make their appearance for scale, as well as the Scale Picture (a scale picture).

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You may one one of your own, if so, do not despair.  All you need to do is to click on the Miniature Scale Picture link and you can have one of you own.

          Miniature Scale Picture

The picture looks way to big when viewed in your browser window, but due to the magic of a 300 dots per inch setting hidden deep in its JPG soul, it prints out perfectly.  I printed mine using Windows Paint.  If you would like to visit the blog of the fellow who created this neat little gadget, click the link below. 

          A Rust Monster Ate My Sword

Thanks Christopher B. for creating such a useful little picture.  I have a laminated copy I keep in my wallet for those time when I wonder, "Will this work with scale X figures."


Thanks for reading...





Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2011, All Right Reserved.

Project Legolas

I created my 1/72 version of Legolas in January of 2007.  I was looking at the up coming Caesar Fantasy lines, that didn't come out until the end of 2007, and I just got impatient.  The front and back of the completed figure can be seen below with Friar Tuck (an Airfix Robin Hood set figure) and Conan (a Caesar Miniatures Adventures set figure) making their appearance for scale. 

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I chose the Hat/Airfix Merry Man's body on the right because it has the best gear and a nice dynamic arrow shooting pose, but his bearded face would never do for an elf.  So I used a bald head from another Merry Man like the one on the left and did a head swap.  At this point you may be asking yourself , a bald elf will not work any better than a beardy one.  I have to admit the logic is sound, but since I planned to sculpt on pointy ears and longish hair adding hair plugs for the bald head didn't seem to be a problem.  As you can see I also added a quiver of arrows, an arm guard, and high boots, when I sculpted on his ears and hair.  The end result was an acceptable elf figure.

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I decided to post this after reading Paul's Bods Blog about Airfix Robin Hood figure head swaps.  Thanks to Paul for the motivating me to showing off my first plastic 1/72 fantasy figure. 

Thanks for reading...






Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2011, All Right Reserved.

Project Hobbit - Phase 3

I have completed priming and putting the base coat on my hobbit.  So far I am happy with how he is turning out.

I started the priming with a light coat, almost just a misting, of Krylon Plastic Primer.  I include this shot just to show how much spray primer I apply.  I like to use light coats of paint when painting plastic figures.  I find if you get the coats of paint too thick it tends to flake too easily.  As  usual, Friar Tuck (an Airfix Robin Hood set figure) and Conan (a Caesar Miniatures Adventures set figure) make their appearance for scale.  Also making an appearance in the blog is a Caesar Miniatures Adventurers set female fighter figure.  I have replaced her sword with a war hammer and primed her with Krylon spray primer.

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In the next picture, I have applied two coats of black latex house paint.  I find it adheres well to the Krylon spray primer and the latex paint has some flex and give if the plastic figures are bent.  I also take a soft bristled tooth brush and buff the figure between coats of paint.  The buffing smooths the primer between coats, sort of the way you can sand primer between coats when painting a car.  It also tests the bond between the primer and figure early in the painting process.  I hate to finish painting a figure only to find out the primer failed to bond.   

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I then applied a base coat.  The picture below speaks for itself.  I did try to paint some yellow trim on the green vest.  It seemed like a good idea, but I do not really like the effect.  I think I may change it when I start painting highlights and details.  Even if I just leave the vest plain with no trim it should look good on the table top.

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I have included a shot of the back of the figure, to give a complete view of the base coating process.

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I am looking forward to doing the detail painting and putting a protective finish on this little guy so he is ready for the table top.  So it is time to quit writing and go back to painting. 

Thanks for reading...



Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2011, All Right Reserved.

Project Hobbit, Phase 2

I broke out the green stuff and started sculpting.  I started with the nickers and worked my way up.  The shirt  was easy, but he looked sort of plain so I added a vest.  At first it looked like he was wearing a life vest, but since hobbits don't swim, I removed a bit of green stuff and reworked it. 

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With the mistake on adding extra green stuff on the front, I did not add any so it moved along much quicker.

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Next I took a straight pin and forged my little new little adventurer a 1/72 version of "Sting".  If anyone would like to have me explain the "forging" process, it is easy to do and gives consistent results.

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Just to be complete I included a shot from behind with the added sword.  It may be overkill, but once the camera is set up snapping extra shots is pretty easy.

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Next to prime and paint the little guy but that will be another blog entry.  Thanks for reading...







Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2010, All Right Reserved.

Project Hobbit, Phase 1

I have recently been running the guys from our local game group in a dungeon.  The old school AD&D sort just so they will know how us old grognards did it in the day.  :-)  I rolled up some characters and I thought I needed a halfling (hobbit) thief to get the right flavor for the party.  Only one major hitch, no 1/72 hobbit are to be found.  Being an inventive sort, I realized "Caesar Goblins" should be hobbit size.  I came up with a plan.  I head swap the goblin head for a smallish human one, sculpt on some clothing and gear, and add a short sword and Project Hobbit was born!

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One more quick size comparison with a Caesar Dwarf so that you can see if he will look Hobbitish enough when hanging out in the local dungeon with all the other cool adventurers smoking pipes.  :-)

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As usual, Friar Tuck (an Airfix Robin Hood set figure) and Conan (a Caesar Miniatures Adventures set figure) make their appearance for scale.  I have included a "Caesar Goblin" with no modifications and a the converted one.  The head was taken from a Victorian era British soldier who was more then happy donate it to such a good cause.   Below is the lucky trooper twin broth celebrating his brother new body.

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I have coated the body in supper glue where the clothing and gear will be covering the noble Hobbit.  I am hoping the super glue will give some purchase for the green stuff.  My previous experiments with green stuff directly to vinyl have been slowed when the green stuff would not properly grip the slippery vinyl.  

Next time, I hope to have the conversion finished and ready for the paint table.  Wish me luck, and thanks for reading...

Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2011, All Right Reserved.

Filling the Gaps in 1/72d Fantasy Figures

Since lots of races are not manufactured as 1/72d figures, it is sometimes necessary to use figures from larger of smaller scales to have models to put on the table top. Since the figures in question are "fantastical creatures" or imaginary heights of said figures are purely a matter of taste. You simple need to look at any available figures and determine if a suitable proxy exist in another scale.

The first race I used from another scale with my 1/72 figures was Skinks manufactured by Games Workshop. These figures are intended to be used as small heroic 28mm Lizardmen. They measure 14mm from the sole of the foot to eye level. I thought they looked perfect when placed next to my other 1/72d figures.

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This figure was easy to get on the table top quickly and cheaply, I bought him pre-painted from the local hobby shop for a quarter. I rebased him on a quarter inch washer and he was ready to go. I later modified this figure by adding a spear made from tee push pin and a shield made from a texture upholstery tack.

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As usual, Friar Tuck (an Airfix Robin Hood set figure) and Conan (a Caesar Miniatures Adventures set figure) make their appearance for scale.


Thanks for reading...

Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2010

1/72 Ratmen (Skaven) Warband Completed

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Name:       Ratmen, Druids Children Rebels

Manufacturer:       Splinter Light Miniatures

Poses:       11 poses (more are available now, but at the time procured this was the entire line)

Figure material:       metal

Ability to Take Paint:





      excellent

Pose Quality:       lots of different armor and weapons reflect equipment Ratmen might carry as well as different roles from leader to conscript

Sculpting:       excellent, lots of sharp detal

Mould Lines:       little to none

Figures Released:       2008

I purchased these figures from Splintered Light Miniatures when I attended Historicon. These figures are well made, had almost no flash, lots of detail for a 15mm/18mm miniatures, and the service from David at Splintered Light is excellent. These figures were not manufactured as 1/72 but as 15mm/18mm figures. It would have been awesome if they were one or two millimeters taller, but they look good on the table top. Overall I am very happy with them.

TheRat Ogre shown will get his own article, but he is a 28mm Ratman figure from Rodrick Campbell. I knew he would make the perfect Rat Ogre for my 1/72d Ratmen and he did not disappoint.


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As usual, Friar Tuck (an Airfix Robin Hood set figure) and Conan (a Caesar Miniatures Adventures set figure) make their appearance for scale.

Thanks for reading...



Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2010, All Right Reserved.

Why One72nd Fantasy?

I enjoy gaming with 1/72d scale figures. 1/72d figures cover most historic eras and periods. They work well in skirmish or massed battles. The figures are cheap, durable, and readily available. If all of your gaming happens in a shared scale then all of your terrain is interchangeable, in so much as possible, between periods. The only problem was they had very few fantasy figures until recently.

Dark Hold Miniatures started a new trend coming out with a small 1/72d fantasy figure line. Their orcs looked great and got me excited about 1/72d fantasy. Then the unexpected happened and the owner of Dark Hold passed away, and I thought 1/72d fantasy would go with him. It turns out that Dark Hold was the spark that ignited a blaze of new fantasy figures in this scale. Caesar, Dark Alliance (aka Red Box), and Minikinght released twelve sets between them. Dark Hold was purchased by Rebel Minis and that line is still available ass well.

If you add in all of the 1/72d game pieces and stuff from other scales that can be repurposed, you wind up with enough figures to have a pretty rich fantasy setting.  In this blog I will attempt document my growing collection and hopefully spark some interest in other so that the lines will keep growing,

Thanks for reading...

 Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2010, All Right Reserved.

Close Up Photography with my Cell Phone

I shot this photo using my cell phone. It is far from perfect, but I carry the phone all the time so it might come in handy knowing how to get a decent miniature photos on the fly with it. The phone is an LG ENV2. The ENV1 had a macro mode, why can't every cell phone come with one of those and make my life easier?

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Just a quick shot of a paper viking style boat model and a couple of 1/72d figures thrown in for scale.

Thanks for reading...