Triumphal Return and some Modern Soldiers

 I have had a terrible time of getting models finished, and even worse at getting them photographed! Either stuff only gets half done, or it's nothing to write a blog post about.

More frustratingly; recently, I have tried three times so far to photograph the things I HAVE gotten done and am proud of. Each time they're either blurry, too badly colour-imbalanced, or some combination of problems.

At long last, I have a set I don't hate the colours of!

As a pre-amble, I am hoping to create a skirmish game that is near-apocalyptic. Too many games or universes that are post-apocalyptic describe an apocalypse decades or centuries ago, which does allow for mutations and sci-fi weaponry, sure, but also glosses over a huge and fascinating period of any apocalypse: What happens when everything first starts to break down? Debatably the Walking Dead has elements of this, but there was a show named Jericho that I think aligns better.

What happens when resources are just getting scarce enough that you start eyeing your neighbours... Are they hoarding more soup than they need as you go hungry? Perhaps you should grab a bat and go find out...

Enough intro, on to the pretty pics! I am finally happy to say I have finished some models from Hasslefree Miniatures, which is great because I love their stuff, and want to trumpet them as much as possible. My game will eventually feature 8 models, so here's the first team: A group of veteran soldiers, bereft of the military structure they've depended on all these years, using their favourite weapons and trying to cling to a sense of honour and order in an increasingly insane world.

First up, the leader:

"Deano", a model with a great Sci-Fi inspiration, wielding a P90. The colour scheme for all these is "generic 80s camo", with a more modern combat boot vibe. It was a lot of fun lightly contrasting the pouches, belts, and combat vests from the fatigues. The bases are, as is my usual, clear acrylic, 1.5mm by 20mm in this case.

Next up is "Harlequin". Equipped with a combat rifle and full tactical gear. Lots of drybrushing went into making their uniforms look dusty, well used, and in need of replacing!

Lugging the marksman rifle is "Demon". Sure he's got no scope but if he's on the table, is he really using a scope with any heavy magnification? These are all using a simplified, table-ready version of my typical skin paintscheme; Vallejo medium flesh tone, washed with light rust, highlighted back up through to "pale flesh". The light rust colour is rouge enough to give a feeling of living, pinkish skin.

Next up is the second P90 wielder (with a scope AND a suppressor! Someone's fancy...) Titled "Joker" by Hasslefree, he will fit the role of backup for either my supplies runner, or with his heavy gear, perhaps support for the squad assault weapon soldier.

Speaking of the runner, this is Pilot Vic; Geared down to just a pistol (and barely a jacket for whatever reason), she is intended to be able to get in, grab supplies, and get out before anyone can tie her into a firefight. I should have converted her with a backpack or satchel bag, but the creases on the fabric of her coat were too cool to paint to risk covering them up!

Ensuring no one gets too curious, and to make sure his team returns safe, the Squad Assault Weapon is wielded by "Badger". Geared up for a heavy firefight, it's likely he'll only be able to pack out a box of matches or a roll of toilet paper in the way of supplies, but he'll make sure Vic and the rest have time to get the quilted, not just some basic 2-ply!

Our last "main" soldier is the combat-rifle-wielding "Bergil". He's also bringing some severe heat with a backpack-slung RPG, but I haven't decided yet whether that will be in-game legal or just "he has a what?!" visually interesting item. I tried to imitate what I assume is the "arid colour" scheme for the gun, also to bring more of the weapons away from a boring, hard-to-see-detail black of most of them. You can see other examples up the line. Considering what weapon a model is wielding usually matters a bunch in game, there is some merit to the old GW-style super bright and distinctive gun colours, as impractical as they may be.

Last up, but first into any breach is "Woody", equipped with every Half Life player's favourite trusty combat shotgun. I always find painting darker skin to be a difficult balance between making it look natural, but also not 'under-highlighted'. I think I did a decent job on him, for all that everything but his arms are entirely covered!

Not that I'm brave enough to do a tutorial of it yet (there are far better people for that out there), I find imitating the above steps, but starting with light rust, and washing with Model Air Mahogany gives a lovely rich dark skin tone that doesn't feel like you've painted wood or forgotten a few steps of highlights. I intend to keep experimenting, and once I get confident enough that I can execute each time I'll put up a tutorial!

That said, here's my Veteran Squad all ready to go for the as-yet-unnamed skirmish game I totally intend on writing after I finish the rulebook, illustrations, and playtesting for Diesel and Dust...