December Paint-Off

Erunion · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:37 pm

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Hey, everyone!

This is the thread for the first monthly Paint-Off challenge. First, the rules:

Paint-Off Guidelines

1. A miniature will be selected prior to the beginning of each Paint-Off. Although it is not required, it is strongly suggested that you paint the chosen miniature, although some accomodation is allowed.

(In order of preference)
1. Gandalf the Grey (Fellowship of the Ring)
2. Any other version of Gandalf the Grey (i.e. Breaking of the Fellowship, Gandalf on Cart, etc.)
3. Any version of Gandalf the White
4. One of the Istari (i.e. Saruman, Radagast, etc.)
5. A miniature primarily swathed in long, flowing robes (i.e. Círdan, Galadriel & Celeborn, etc.)

2. Miniatures may not be painted at the beginning of the Paint-Off (assembled and undercoated is fine), and each participant should show proof of this status.

3. You may join the Paint-Off in progress at any time, but must submit photographs of the completed miniature by midnight GMT of December 31, 2009. WIP images are welcomed and encouraged.

4. Miniatures that are completed in time will be eligible to win the Paint-Off challenge. The Paint-Off challenge will be decided by the vote of the OR community. The community will choose one winner and one runner-up from the completed miniatures. Votes should be cast not simply on painting skill, but on merit, including creativity, application of painting techniques, artist improvement, etc. The winner will receive three (3) gold coins and the runner-up will receive two (2) gold coins.

5. Winners from the previous month are able to participate in the Paint-Off, but are not eligible to win in consecutive months.

Now, let's see some painting!!!

Erunion · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:41 pm

Okay, here is my in-the-raw mini. I know it's a little blurry, but it was taken with a cameraphone. I will also be painting the mounted version from the same blister.

Longbottom Leaf · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 10:28 pm

I'm very pleased to take part in this thread, wonderful work putting it together Jonathan.

My entry for this month is Gandalf (Mines of Moria), as I don't own the Fellowship Gandalf. I had to remove him from an old base of mine and strip him, but he's primed and ready now. I've begun work on a nice Moria themed base for him and should be able to get a little painting in today.

I'm very excited to see everyone else's work on their Gandalf's!

BrentS · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 10:36 pm

Here's my Gandalf:

Anduril Blade of Kings · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 10:59 pm

I look forward to seeing all three of those with paint on them

My entry will be Gandalf the White, which I am expecting in the mail Wendesday.

KJ Necromancer · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 6:43 am

I will be painting Saruman as I do not have a Gandalf nor the funds to get one with Christmas coming up.

Good luck to everyone.

KJ

Dwarf Lord of Ered Luin · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:45 pm

How do the rules apply to already painted minis which are being repainted? I want to avoid painting too many layers of paint encase details are obscured so would prefer not to undercoat the mini again.

Erunion · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 1:13 pm

I'm assuming that you're completely re-painting the miniature, and not just touching it up a little, correct? I guess as long as you post before & after pics, and it's not just a touch-up job it would be okay.

If you are worried about losing details to multiple layers of paint, the best thing would be to strip the miniature. There are lots of products that can do that quite easily. A quick look through the forum should turn up some tips on how to do it.

Personally, I've used acetone, Simple Green, and brake fluid. Simple Green was by far the easiest and least messy.

Corsair · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 4:56 pm

Erunion wrote:

(In order of preference)
1. Gandalf the Grey (Fellowship of the Ring)
2. Any other version of Gandalf the Grey (i.e. Breaking of the Fellowship, Gandalf on Cart, etc.)
3. Any version of Gandalf the White
4. One of the Istari (i.e. Saruman, Radagast, etc.)
5. A miniature primarily swathed in long, flowing robes (i.e. Círdan, Galadriel & Celeborn, etc.)

6. Any LoTR mini made by GW.

heh.

anyhoo, I have no gandalfs around in need of painting. Although this is not a very time stealing 'competition' and gives me good motivation. Any chance i could enter on something based on the 5th option: A miniature primarily swathed in long, flowing robes i.e. rivendell elrond in my case.

thanks

James

Longbottom Leaf · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 4:59 pm

Well, I'm here today with my first update.

Last night I did quite a bit of work on Gandalf, mainly on his cloak, flesh and beard. Looking back at the flesh and beard, I'm simply not pleased with them and they will be in need of re-painting. I am, however, quite pleased with the cloak. I may give it another glaze, but other than that I'm done with the cloak. I also finished my Moria base for Gandalf, and he is attached to it.

So, here are the pics of him...

And lastly, here is a shot of the base...

Comments and critiscms welcome.

Anduril Blade of Kings · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:31 pm

Looks very good Josh. I agree, the cloak is quite good.

The skin is fine, IMO it just needs some lighter highlights.

Keep up the good work

BaruKhazad · **Joined:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:56 pm **Posts:** 249

here's my unpainted entry (also the MoM-version)

but before i paint it i need to fill-in that gapBelow), so im going to get some green stuff and fill it. Any ideas how i should fill it cause i've never done anything with green stuff?

Erunion · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 6:33 pm

Congrats, Josh, on being the first to get some paint on your mini! The cloak looks very nice, indeed. The transitions are very nice, but I would probably add one more highlight to really set it off.

The hair and face could use some more shading/highlighting to give them depth, but it's coming along great.

Also, I love the themed base. Are you going to do all of the Fellowship on Moria bases like this?

@Corsair: Rivendell Elrond sounds great. Not only is he covered in robes, but he's a powerful magic-wielder as well, so it fits with the theme.

@BaruKhazad: Search the site and I'm sure you will find some great tips on sculpting/using greenstuff. However, I think that you should probably be able to get that gap smaller, either by trimming down the peg, or by taking it off completely and then just cementing the arm to the body. Either way, it will leave a much smaller gap.

aqan · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:14 pm

This looks like an interesting challenge.
I still have an mom gandalf that needs a new paintjob so, you can count on me.
(I'll post a picture once I have had the time to strip him).

Nice base Josh.

Erunion · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:48 pm

A mom Gandalf??!! :shock:

Just kidding. Glad you can join us.

King Elessar the Uniter · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:08 pm

I'm sad I can't join you this month but I don't have Gandalf or any other magic-wielding-robed-characters needing paint just yet, except for Saruman, but he's got to wait for TO9G...

Anyway, some nice work so far and I'm looking forward to seeing how you all do. Good Luck!

The_Dragon_of_Moria · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:23 pm

I have my Gandalf undercoated. I meant to post this yesterday but I was falling asleep by that time so went to bed before I did. It is yet another MoM Gandalf and I have already made a moria base for him. It seems Josh beat me to it though having already posted pics of his one

<a href="http://s847.photobucket.com/albums/ab31/Dragon_XDS/?action=view¤t=DSC00338.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab31/Dragon_XDS/DSC00338.jpg" border="0" alt="Gandalf (Undercoated)"></a>

I also started painting him today

Sorry for the poor picture quality, it is from my mobile phone's camera.

KJ Necromancer · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:30 pm

I have started my Saruman as of last night.

I have only done the inner material and I am beginning the outer cloak/robes. I have very fancy ideas to surprise you all with the staff.

I hope it works. More to come in following pic's.

KJ

P.S, I know it is a little grainy as this is about a 4th repaint, but I have no means of stripping paint and its a bit late now. I'm just hoping that it turns out ok with some "added texture".

Longbottom Leaf · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:48 pm

Thanks for the compliment's.

@ Jonathan

Thanks for the kind words. At the moment, all of my Mines of Moria fellowships are in need of re-painting and basing, and I was considering doing Moria themed bases for all of them once I get around to it. I'll probably add another highlight to the cloak, now that you mention it, it does seem like it needs another one. I've painted over the face and beard, so I'll have to start on them soon as well. I did some work on his inner robes today, but they're not quite finished. I intend to finish off all of his robes tonight,so I'll probably have more pictures tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing everyone else's work on their Gandalf's.

KJ Necromancer · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:57 pm

@BaruKhazad:

I don't even think you need to use green stuff for that. It looks like the join is too long so the arm sticks out a bit. Just cut that arm at the gap and shorten the join, then simple re-attach and it will all be fine.

KJ

December Paint-Off

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