Decemb-uary Painting Challenge COMPLETE!

Hi all,

Did I tell you that Santa, or Mrs Santa to be precise, got me a coffee machine for Christmas? I thought I liked coffee before back in the days of instant but oh my testies… I HEART it so much more now. Ahhh I’m sipping it now at my computer as I put together this special post.

Why special I hear you ask?

A few reasons really but first let me explain what Decemb-uary is.

A Hobby Hero of mine (ours) who calls himself Azazal, he’s kind of like Elvis of the Hobby world, put a challenge out last year to paint a large “Centrepiece” model. No smaller than an Ogre. Some Ogre’s are bigger than others though ehh? The idea was to paint it through the December and January period hence the very clever “DECEMB-UARY” Which is not an easy word to say. Especially with a moutful of  my fine coffee.

Ahhh delicious…

If you want to see how others are progressing check out Az Mans post here –

Painting Decemb-uary 2017-18: Part 3

Ok on to why this post is special.

Uno:

I have never, ever taken part in a hobby challenge so this was my first time. I was a hobby challenge virgin haha. The reason why I never had is because of my own self doubt. I’m confident in so many ways. I dance like EVERYBODY is watching. I can talk to anyone and everyone. I even ran down my street naked one crazy New Years night. Haha now tht’s confidence and stupidity. However, when it comes to my creative side I get a little, I don’t know, awkward or something. It took me sooooo many years before I could sing in front of anyone even though I’d been writing songs since I was 14 I didn’t actually sing any of them, properly, until I was 29. I wrote a trillion poems but never showed anyone. I would do cartoon drawings but would be nervous when people looked at them haha. I guess, if I am to think about philosophically, it was because it’s like exposing your inner self to someone. I was your typical class clown with a huge chip on my shoulder at school but deep down I was shy and introverted and just wanted to write things and play with my toys haha. Wow this just turned into some weird therapy session. So yeah, special because I feel like I’ve reached a point, with my hobby, where I am genuinely confident and proud of what I achieve. Mostly at least haha.

Duo:

I FINISHED and I FINISHED EARLY! I never finish anything early haha. I’m punctual as far as being at places on time etc but, again, at school I never handed anything in on time but I was very “Creative” with my reasons why hahahahahaha. I’m also really good at starting hobby projects but not the best at finishing them. From reading a lot of blogs I have come to learn that I am not alone in this last point.

Tre:

This next bit is a bit soppy…

I’d like to dedicate this model, which is the larget I’ve done so far, apart from tanks and space ships, to the main man Azazel. He’s a great bloke, an amazing hobbyist/artist and a mentor. In this little blog world of ours we don’t tend to get to know each other TOO much (It’s not Tinder after all)  but, every now and then, another piece of info is discovered about the person behind the username. Another mosaic piece is revealed to slowly form the vast colourful artwork that is each of us indiviuals out there. From what I’ve guaged about Elvis… errr… Azazel, so far, is that he’s a very likable chap with a lot of skills and some mild OCD (Like most of us) – The volume always has to be on an even number for me. It can also be on a number ending in a 5 because that’s a halfway point. Also I can only eat WHOLE Egg mayonaise and I don’t eat the corner of the sandwich that I’m holding. All the other crusts are fine. 

Anyway, Az Man this one is for you man. Thanks for puttingt he challenge out there. Thanks for being cool and putting up with my NOOB-Ness.

Right that’s enough waffle to last til next Christmas. MMm waffles… They’d actually go really well with my delicious coffee. Did I mention I have a new coffee machine?

Now onto what we are all here for…

The Centrepiece

This big bastard will be joining forces with my Blood Reaper Chaos Army called “The Red Right Hand”

The Beastclaws head was, without doubt, my favourite part to paint. Those that know me know that I love me some blood but I didn’t over do it. Did I? I forgot to get a picture of his tongue but that’s blood red too ad it’s the kids favourite part. I took my time on the teeth, gums and horns. Many shades and many highlights.

I even enjoyed painting the base. Funny story – I actually glued the model to the base before any painting and then accidentally dropped the whole thing. After my small heart attack and finding the model had snapped off the base with no other damage I decided it was a good thing so I could take my time with the base and it’s details.

The fur was more fun and easier than I thought it was going to be. It’s mostly done with washes and dry brushing but then I also painted indiviual strands or clumps here and there too to give more definition.

The patches in the fur really annoyed me UNTIL Alex from Leadballoony (Another Hobby Hero) suggested dabbing the patches with Blood for the blood god. Azazel seconded this suggestion and I was sold. I did it and was really pleased with the result. Now the bald spots are some of my favourite bits about this brute. They look so Ouchy! Like the kind of graze you get on your knees and shins when you go flying down your mates street, which is almost a 90 degree angle, kneeling on a skateboard and then hit a tiny stone. Yep… It doesn’t tickle.

The big Ginger mounted on top of the beast was fun to paint. I’m getting better with skin tones me thinks. The only thing I struggle with still is hair and beards. I tried highlighting the ginger chops and beard but it just didn’t look right so it’s more of a solid colour with a wash.

Can you see the riders nail polish? Haha. My daughters wanted me to do pink and I was tempted haha.

I did the teeth which I am chuffed with but was not vrave enough to attempt the eyes. They seem tinier than a Cadians.

With the skull hanging from his ear I wnet with a slightly moulded look.

Theres the Red Right Hand again. I’m really chuffed with my freehand work haha. It’s a start at least.

Now the poor dead guy. I’d like to mention that his uniform is the same colour scheme you’ll see on a future project called “The Emperors Light.”

I know it’s macabre but I figured he’d pretty much been hanged and, I can imagine, you’d be quite pale and purply. I screwed up his bare arm though but the face is spot on to what I hoped to achieve.

I absolutely, well and truly, enjoyed this project.

Thanks again to Azazel for throwing the challenge out there. I can’t wait to see all the other finished submissions.

Bloody love the beasts face.

Cheers

IRO