IC Hobby Progress Challenge '13

It's a new year and I'm up and running.  This year begins with me accepting the The Independent Characters 2013 Hobby Progress Challenge.  It's a contest held by Carl Tuttle and Geoff Hummel on their podcast website The Independent Characters.  The challenge is simple, create a 1850 competitive list, then build and paint your army to match.  You can also forgo starting an army from scratch, and instead do additions to your existing army.  Every month you have to finish a unit or character and submit before and after pictures of the miniatures you are entering.  For every entry you put in, you get a chance to win a prize.  For the full details visit the IC's on their site and read the contest rules there. 

My first entry will be my Vulcan He'stan, who has been sitting around primed and ready for months. 

 

 

 

 

My second entry is a unit of Sternguard with combi-meltas and heavy flamers.  This unit takes parts from several different sources.  The marines helmets are from Maxmini, while the sergeant's helmet is from Forgeworld.  The weapons are from Custom Minis.  I put everything together with Gorilla Super Glue and some green stuff. 

 

 





 

 



 

Here's an Sternguard update.  I finished adding Dhener Stone on the white area of five of my Sternguard.  I still have to finish the rest of them, and paint up Vulkan He'stan before the end of the month.  The pressure is on. 

 



 

 

The finished Sternguard squad.  I still need to find some cross decals so I can use them for the right shoulder pad markings. 

 

 

 

 









 





Airbrush booth

A while back I needed a airbrush booth where I could airbrush my miniatures without the concern of ending up with a multi-colored guest room.  I looked on line for a sensibly priced booth, but I couldn't find one under $100.  I decided to make my own.  I used a large plastic storage container, a bathroom fan, some nuts, washer and bolts, and power cord. The materials cost me $60 at my local Home Depot.  Here's the result. 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Airbrush

I use two types of airbrushes.  The first one I purchased is an Iwata Eclipse HP CS Japan KF.  I use it to base coat my miniatures, and to put down layers of paint on large models like my vehicles and buildings.  The .35mm and .5mm nozzles are to big for fine detail work. 

Here is a video on how to clean and care for your Eclipse airbrush, posted on YouTube by ChuckBauman.

The second airbrush I purchased is the Badger Renegade Krome.  I use it as a general purpose airbrush, and a detail airbrush.  The .21mm nozzle is great for painting highlights on armor.  What I don't like about the Krome is how tiny the nozzle actually is.  The nozzle is about 1/16", which makes it a pain to clean.  When you clean the nozzle make sure you have placed a bowl underneath it, so in case it drops you can easily find it. The nozzle is also prone to clogging with thicker paints, this is to be expected since it is so small.

 

Here is a video on how to clean and care for your Krome airbrush, posted on Youtube by Airbrushnews. 

My biggest mistake in my airbrush adventures was buying a tank less compressor.  I own an Iwata Sprint Jet compressor.  What a piece of garbage, the Spring Jet begins to over heat 20 minutes after its turn on.  The only reason I don't buy a new one is the cost.  Until my current compressor burns out, I'm compelled to use it.