Another 2 giveaways

Again, a medieval army (don't know the side) for centuries XII - XIV...

You must be the 15th correct answer (I'm sure I was the first again! I hate this method! ;) )!

All you have to do is to register at the online store (this can be a downside for non-portuguese users) and answer the question "What is the year of the Royal Battle between Portugal and Castille?" The concept of "battle royal" may be different from the translation to Portuguese, I found it close enough but I am not sure. The original in Portuguese is "Batalha Real".

Anyway, it is a tricky question, but I will give a hint... like nowadays, early Spanish loved August in Portugal!


Second giveaway, click here:

BLMA's Millionth Pageview Givaway

1.000.000 !! WOW You can't get that many if you don't paint (and paint really good!), and I can compare: I added the counter about one year after starting the blog in the end of 2010, so I think that the real number, from the beginning would round about 12.000. Another 2 years (going back to the beginning of 2009) and would reach to 22.000. Let's make it 25.000 hits! Pretty far from a million!! Congrats, Big Lee!!

I didn't win that giveway but I have painted Helga... and Herr Flick!

That's right, somehow, I didn't win this time (was the first to answer) and the figures went to some lucky fellow!

Right, no Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies but 2 minor conversions of YKREOL figures to get Helga and Herr Flick (well, close enough).

 I wanted some an individual base for the figures but again, I forgot to cut that extra that comes with the figure. So, to hide that bit, I made a almost circular base with miliput. Terrible!

 The uniform isn't quite what Helga used to wear... 

 Painted these stockings 3 times! 

Herr Flick! I couldn't make glasses for this guy even if my life depended on that!

 Terrible painting! I got the desired effect (that's why I don't redo the figure) but it got bubbles that I saw only  after taking the pictures!

 The gabardine is not quite like the one Flick used to wear...

Medieval giveaway!

Running now!!
The creator of the rules for Tempos Medievais - for which I have painted those russians, if someone recalls (oh yeh, it's these guys on the top of the page!) - is giving away a muslim army 500 points strong, which means about 40 infantry figures, or 30 infantry and 5 cavalry... I don't know but I am running for it too! Oh, and it's 1/72 scale!

So, go there, register at the site and answer the question:

Which is the symbolic date of the muslim conquest of the Península Ibérica?

The 10th correct answer wins it!

http://temposmedievais.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/passatempo-exercito-de-sarracenos-500pts/

stone house DIY

This week's little project is a two in one: build a piece of scenary and recycle some stuff while doing it, in the way I suggested in the previous post.

 The main material - sometimes we buy meat packed it this material. It's light and easy to cut (along the longer side).

 I made a simple shapes house, one door and two small windows. It's not to be open, just to lay on the top of the table. 

I made all the stone patern. Such a small amount of surface and I still got bored.... Imagine a castle wall!

 In the junctions of the walls you can see what happens when you have to cut across. 

I painted the space between the stones black, then grey, then another black wash and some highlights on some stones.

 The roof is made of K-Line but I guess I could have done it with the same material as the walls. Again, black, then red, orange next and black wash to finish. And some brown here and there...

See the space between the two sides?!  

 The solution was miliput...

 Size? 16x10 cm - It's meant to be used with 1:72 stuff.

 The final result. Simple, light, easily breakable...

from all the modelers from all the places...

A friend involved with a community center asked me if I would help with Summer activities for teenagers, suggesting it would be nice to show these kids what I do as modeler. However, the budget is low and it was sugested that an emphasis on recycling would be appreciated.
I warned that I would be at the bottom of any list of "modeling tutors", but as I am the only one available, and I am such a nice guy, I said yes.

Also, the schedule isn't quite the best, as I'll have 4 hours with each group, but on the same day (morning or afternoon). I can't even think on something that needs a rest time before a second fase, like glueing and painting!

Anyway, I am thinking about having an introdution on modeling, wargaming and toy-building with a "do-it-yourself" aproach and using different materials.

I already have ideias - a plan, actually! - but sugestions/tips would be welcome.  

My plan:

1 - show some works / getting them interested (hopefully)

2 - show some of the tools (and advices on how to use)

3 - (finally getting the hands on the stuff) there's no money for a kit for each one, but a box of plastic figures should provide one or two figures each! And I have a few Hong Kong "versions" of WWII figs!
Anyway, that would give them an idea of what it is supposed to do before starting to paint a figure.
I guess I will leave one figure with sprue bits and have another already ready to paint.

4 - After doing whatever we can with the figures, time for scenics. Terrain, trees, constructions, ....

5 - Paper stuff! Junior Soldier site provides everything I need for this.

6 - If there is time yet, I am thinking on a naval wargame with DIY small ships. Living at the countryside helps as it will be easy to get materials for this.

More Guards for Hougoumont

Well, these are the last two companies of Guards that were at Hougoumont farm just before the inicial shots.  These aren't the usual poses of firing or marching, but I think they fit well for that close combat that the Guards had to fight when the French made through. The uniform of that officer seems to represent an ADC... Close enough to Lieutenant-Colonel James Macdonnell? Hope so! This group may be "requested" to close the gate!

FIGZ today...

...and the morning has already gone!!