Wednesday.

Hello again! I'd like to welcome the latest follower of Inso's World; Arcturus. Welcome aboard and I hope you enjoy your stay. Judging by your profile, you like a bit of 15mm and I hope that you won't be disappointed...but also that you have a look around and take away a few ideas.

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I've just noticed a second new follower; Kobold. Welcome to you as well and I hope that you enjoy having a look around Inso's World too!
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What has been happening this week so far? Nothing. Zilch. Nada.

Why? I haven't slept so I am a liability around sculpting tools. In fact, I am such a liability that I mounted the curb in the car when going to work...

...Insomnia can be good for ideas but eventually it gets you down. That said, I am still quite cheerful and sentient so it doesn't stop me thinking about what to sculpt next. As I have mentioned already, the next big thing will be my 15mm Space Dwarf landmate. It has progressed a tiny bit and is now a slightly bigger blob-on-a-stick! I'd love to be able to say that it looks great...but it is just a frame to build up the layers on. so there is nothing to show...sorry.

Never fear...I'll get to a point where I'll sort things out and I'll be back to business as usual.

So...on to more serious stuff...GUNS. I was thinking that the 15mm Space Dwarfs would be carrying plasma weapons. I don't mean plasma guns (like GW have) but weapons that generate a plasma burst internally and spit it out of the front. I was thinking a top barrel with an underslung chamber. Something that will look a bit like a pump-action shotgun but with a larger stock and a square barrel. I was also thinking that a boxy scope would fit nicely with the visored helmets...you could say that the visor has a head-up-display that is linked to the camera in the scope.

Just a thought or two.

See you through the gloom!

Sunday and a goal reached!

I've managed to actually achieve something I set out to do, today. I managed to get all of the 15mm Space Dwarfs to the same stage:

Click the Pic!

I have just put my sculpting tools down and am pleased that after a day of little bit of sculpting, let it dry, little bit more sculpting, let it dry etc...I have finally got them all to a stage where I have to bite the bullet and start sculpting something new...ARMS!

BLIMEY!

It isn't very often I have 8 sculpts on the go and I'm glad that I have a bit of a distraction to take my mind off it...the super hero sculpt; BOB:

Click the Pic!

As you can see, BOB is getting beefier and beefier but that was the plan. He will be a Hulk style figure and as a result, needs to be suitably beefy! I'm quite happy with the way he is going because I want him to look a bit like a comic book character instead of a super realistic portrait.

I still have a way to go yet...so remember it is still a WIP!

On to other things...I have a blob on a stick! What do I mean? Well the blob on a stick is a skeleton for the 15mm scale Dwarf Land-mate. I would show you a picture...but it's just a BLOB ON A STICK!!!

I've started painting the Grymn pilot as well...but it isn't worth showing at the moment...so I won't.

Well...that's about it for now.

See you on the green!

Saturday pottering...

I managed to get a little bit of sculpting done today so I thought I'd show you what I've done so far. First up, the 28mm Super Hero project is ticking along with a bit more progress on BOB:

Click the Pic!

As you can see, the sculpt is still very WIP but it is slowly getting there. Take absolutely no notice of the head as it was just put there to get an idea of the size...it will be replaced as soon as I get around to it. BOB is going to be a booted and suited version of a character like the Hulk. He will have boots, gloves, a mask and costume. At the moment I am thinking of a Captain America style hood/mask...but I may go for a Hawkeye version with hair...decisions, decisions.

Okay, I've kept you waiting long enough. I have managed to get a little more work done on the 15mm Dwarfs. There are a few more armoured up and I hope that by the end of tomorrow, they will all be at the same level of progress. Here they are:

Click the Pic!

On to other news; the Dwarf deep-sea diver has gone to a new home and there is talk of it getting cast up. If it comes to fruition, there will be miniatures sold for charity...but at the moment there is no further information. Be sure that if I find any more out, then you will find out on here.

So...I've been thinking. 15mm Space Dwarfs are going to need a bit of support. I was thinking about Dwarf Land-Mates. Smaller than dreadnoughts but bigger than terminators.

I won't be making bikes/trikes. I will politely chastise any one who suggests that I follow the flawed concepts of Games Workshops Squat ideas.

So...Space Dwarf land-mates...chunky, lots of armour and plenty of guns...sound good?

See you tomorrow...if you dare ;) !

Wednezzzzzzzzzzz....

It isn't fair when you have so many ideas coursing through your mind...but are too bleeping tired to put them to practical use.

The 15mm stuff is waiting to be worked on but I daren't touch them at the moment for fear of ruining them.

The same thing goes for the Orgarix and Grymn in powered armour...I have put so much effort into them already, I don't want to spoil them.

So what do you do in that situation? Start something new that you aren't too worried about finishing:

Click the Pic!

It is big, it is bulky and if I do it right, it should look quite entertaining. I think that green is a pretty appropriate colour as well!

I think the ankles need to be a bit longer...so the feet are likely to be removed...but it is ticking along.

Don't worry though...as soon as I start getting a bit of sleep, I'll be jumping on the 15mm band-wagon again!

See you through the fog!

Another Sunday; another Update.

Yes it is Sunday again and I'd like to welcome two new followers to my blog. Welcome FRIEND AND FIEND and VesaM! I hope you enjoy your stay!

So, what have I been upto today (apart from going food shopping)? I'm glad you asked! To start with, I finished my little distraction, the Dwarf deep-sea diver:

Click the Pic!

Not bad considering I got the suggestion on Friday! Okay, it isn't perfect but I'd challenge anyone to say that it doesn't look like a deep-sea diver...only shorter!

I have also been fairly busy with the 15mm project:

Click the Pic!

I have added the rear plates to all of the Dwarfs and have progressed a little more with the leader. Obviously there is a long way to go but I'm a great believer in 'little and often'.

Away from actual sculpting, I have cleaned and based my Grymn pilot and his canine friend:

Click the Pic!

These are great little miniatures available from Hasslefree Miniatures (these were master castings that were available early, the normal casts will be available in a few weeks). I am quite looking forward to painting these...if I can get my painting MOJO back at some point!

For those of you who are interested in the Ogarix, he got some attention this weekend as well. He has had some work done on his arm and now has a finished arm with a much improved hand (the one holding the weapon)...so I haven't forgotten him!

On to other news, my son has to make a WWI trench for a school project. I have ordered a few troops from Renegade miniatures and some plasticard from Evil Mushroom. We have been doing a bit of research on-line and we are getting ready to start as soon as the bits and pieces arrive. It will be a bit of father/son bonding...as long as I can keep my patience!

I have also ordered a bunch of sci-fi miniatures from Heresy Miniatures. I strongly suggest that people visit his shop and order some miniatures because he has a sale on at the moment with savings up to 35%. I also recommend that you read the news item on the Heresy site...it mentions a few important things about the sale and why it is necessary...go over there and support Andy Foster...go on...now!

You can tell people until you are blue in the face...but yopu can't make them listen! What am I talking about? Well, my wife has now been attacked by the same stray cat that had a go at me the other day. She now has a lovely scratch across her lip. I haven't been taking the mickey out of her ever since...honest!

Well, that is todays meandering finished with. Please visit Heresy Miniatures and support the cause.

I look forward to seeing you all agin soon!

See you on the opaque side!

A nice, quiet Saturday.

A short trip and a diverted road led to a long trip to Reading today. A nice lunch in a Spud-U-Like (not a usual occurrence...but a change, nonetheless) and a stroll around Toys R Us with the children led to a few hours just plodding around, taking in the town. I diligently strolled past the Games Workshop (I have far too many distractions at the moment, without buying more stuff) and avoided the more model shoppy places and managed to eventually find my way home.

So...what have I done today? Only a small amount because I needed a bit of a rest so I did a small amount of sculpting on the diver:

Click the Pic!

He still has a need for hands, a hammer and a few other details but he is ticking along nicely.

I have also bulked up all of the 15mm Dwarfs and decided on which one was going to be the leader...can you guess which one?:

Click the Pic!

Apart from that, I have cleaned up a Grymn pilot with his pet dog and have glued them to a base ready for painting...if I get the urge.

So last night, I'm lying in my bed asleep when I awake suddenly. Down stairs there is the noise of my phone going off. Now you could say that it would be a fairly normal event to wake up when the phone rings...but when it is on silent/vibrate...not so usual; sometimes I rue my excellent hearing. It was 01.15am and I had to go and see who had phoned (due to my 24hr a day, 366 days a year job) but the caller left no number. That was the end of my sleep for the night.

Hence; not a lot of progress today.

I hope that tomorrow brings a bit more energy with it.

See you on the other side!

Friday...and I'm dozing now...zzzzZZZZZZZZZZ

Just a small update this evening. The diver is getting there:

Click the Pic!

I still have side windows, boots, hands, weights, a knife and various details to add but at least it is starting to look like a diver now!

I have been bulking out a few of the 15mm dollies as well but they aren't worth a photo just yet.

So...what's on my mind?

I have been an amateur sculptor now for about 25 years.

I have spent all of that time working on 28mm scale miniatures; whether converting them or sculpting them from scratch.

I have entered a few competitions and never won anything.

I have done a few commissions and have only asked for costs and a few pounds, rather than what the commission was really worth because I am an amateur.

I have been lucky and have a miniature for sale in the Hasslefree Miniatures shop...but generally speaking, I have been pottering along in my chosen scale, enjoying my work and being happy as an amateur sculptor.

THEN, I put up a few pix of some barely started 15mm sculpts and I am being asked for commissions and to sell them on to miniatures companies...and they aren't even finished!

Don't get me wrong, I think it is great to have people think highly of my work but it just seems a bit strange/ironic that after all these years, the first time I sculpt 15mm miniatures, I get so much interest from people...when all along, the stuff I like doing is 28mm.

I'm not disappointed or upset or anything...I just think it is a little bit strange.

Is the 15mm bubble so huge at the moment that the enthusiasm is drawing everybody to new stuff? Is it the subject matter? With what I have shown so far, it can't be the sculpts (due to the WIP nature of them) so is it the promise of what they MAY become?

Curiouser and curiouser...said Alice...

See you on the flip side!

There is no stopping me at the moment!

Before I star with the main post, I'd like to welcome Mark to the blog...Welcome Mark. Judging by your picture, it seems you may be here for the 15mm stuff!

Well, if that's what you're here for, then the fact that I now have 8 of the 15mm Dwarfs on the corks may be of interest:

Click the Pic!

I'm sorry about the slow progress but I have been having issues with sleep lately (insomnia is a bitch) and I just don't have my normal level of motor-skills at the moment so I am only doing the easy bits. That said, I am happy with the way things are going so far.

On to completely different news...the start of a Dwarf, deep-sea diver:

Click the Pic!

Gi6ers on the Forum of Doom said he'd like to see one and as soon as I heard the idea....I couldn't help myself!

I just hope I don't burn myself out too soon!

See you through the groovy, psychedelic, haze...man!

Shhh...

A small amount of progress...being very small and everything!:

Click the Pic!

Tomlinz the Grymn is just for scale. The three little guys are in different stages so don't be too confused by the different looks!

See you through the void!

Tuesday Pix!

First up, I have got a small amount of progress on the Ogarix. He is now actually holding a very WIP weapon:

Click the Pic!

Don't take too much notice of the shape of the weapon just yet, as it is still only a frame. I plan to make the front end like a mace, with the square bit a power generator and the rest of the handle...a handle! It will be a dual purpose weapon that can be used as a club or a gun. As you can see, I still have lots of work to do.

...And now for something completely different...

Click the Pic!

Can you guess what is going on here?

Catch you later!

A day late.

Sorry I didn't post an update yesterday, I have been working all weekend and didn't have any time for hobby stuff.

What can I tell you? Well, I got to actually work on one of our helicopters for a change (rather than sitting behind a desk) and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I changed an awkward access, hydraulic pipe and sorted out all of the functional tests and leak checks that went with it...it's been a while...but was great fun.

I was attacked by a stray cat and now have some lovely puncture marks on my forehead and neck. The cat in question is generally friendly and likes being made a fuss of but I think it caught a reflection in my spectacles and lashed out. Needless to say, I treat the little wotsit with a bit more respect now.

I have done a very small amount of sculpting. The Ogarix is now holding a weapon and I have started to sculpt three 15mm Space Dwarfs. I haven't done much because I am so tired I would mess up any intricate work so I am just doing the easy bits.

I have placed another order with Hasslefree Miniatures...a Grymn pilot with his dog, a Grymn pulling the pin from a grenade and a leader Grymn. Because they are master casts, they are a bit more expensive than they would normally be...but they are worth every penny.

I have seen a few trailers for an upcoming movie called AVATAR. It is a 3D film about humans going to a world full of big, blue aliens. To be honest, I think it will turn into a big 'Eco' film and the story will be rubbish...but I don't care. I have seen the awesome dropships, assault craft, robot walkers and some spectacular battle sequences...the story can go to hell for all I care! What I'd really love to see would be all of the cool kit released as toys in 28mm scale...but that is a vain hope.

I think that is about it for now. I'm sorry there aren't any new pix to show off but hopefully I'll get a bit of time over this week to get something to a point worth taking pix of for Sunday's update.

See you through the murky depths!

Oh dear, oh dear...

I've had a bit of a busy week this week. I have been doing lots at work and not having time to do stuff at home...

...I even have to work the weekend.

I don't mind too much because I get to play with helicopters for a change (instead of just being a glorified desk jockey).

Unfortunately, I can't promise any progress on my current projects due to life...so don't expect too much in the way of pics.

I have been thinking a lot about 'stuff' lately and one thing that has crossed my mind is the lack of 15mm sci-fi Dwarfs. In fact, apart from Hasslefree Grymn, there aren't that many 28mm scale sci-fi Dwarfs either. There is also a lack of mushroom men ;) !

Where are there decent sci-fi Lizardmen?

I really think that it is time for a few new ranges.

In fact, I am so convinced, I may even sculpt a range myself. I wonder who would buy a range of 15mm Dwarfs off me? Fat little sci-fi Dwarfs with big guns and beards. Maybe some 30mm tall Space Lizards. Hey, if I actually managed to do 15mm scale space Dwarfs, maybe I could do 28mm scale ones as well?

So, what makes a range then?

What do you really need in a sci-fi range?

A MEGA leader.
His/Her support staff - comms, flag waver (?), bat-man, drill sergeant.
A few officers.
A few Sergeants.
A few Corporals.
A few big-gunners.
A lot of basic troops.
Powered suits of armour?
Robot drones?

What about space pirates?
A MEGA leader.
A bunch of 'characters'
A bunch of big-gunners.
A bunch of mis-matched regulars.

Lizardmen?
Small groups or large forces?
What about a small squad of super armoured Lizardmen with enough firepower to take down an army!

What would people really want to see?

Questions, questions...

See you on the bright side!

Wednesday wanderings.

Is it Wednesday already? I wouldn't have known if I hadn't checked the calendar. This week has been a week of management exercises so far...fortunately it's over with for now but it won't go away...

There is always something homely about certain things.

Steak and ale pie.

Coffee made with half milk and half water.

Home made cakes.

Port.

The thing with port is that it can be seen as a strong wine...but it isn't. No wine could contain the deep smoky taste that Port has. No wine can fill your mouth with flavour like Port does. No wine could fill your spirit with heat like Port does.

You could put lemonade in it...but that just takes away the soul of it. It is a drink that needs to be savoured neat...you can't taint it because if you try, it changes completely.

BUT...there is a price. One or two relax you...a few more enrage you...a few more after that and all hell breaks loose as the stuff tries to escape you!

There are things in life that mean so much more than just 'things'.

Tinned pears and condensed milk.

Bread and dripping...the taste of the jelly under the layer of beef fat; awesome.

Coffee with chicory...I hope I never taste it again and don't mention Camp coffee!

Space dust!

So many things that come and go. We appreciate them differently as we get older and they attain a special place in the soul. How can a tin of pears be so special? It is the memory of those days where everything was so free of responsibility, where the worst you could expect was a clip around the ear or a good telling off. Where you could go and climb a tree without being called a hooligan and play kiss chase with your friends without disapproving people warning you of the dangers of promiscuity. Life was great then...

...and then there was the Sunday dinner. A glorious roast with all the trimmings followed by a bowl of tinned pears with condensed milk.

It's the stuff of legends.

Why?

Because as long as you live, you'll remember those special things as clearly as you'll remember stories of mystical dragons, beautiful princesses and daring knights...

...and they become legendary!

Tinned pears?

Food of the gods!

Take care.

Another Sunday Update.

Hello again! I've just got back from a nice stroll along the side of the River Thames and thought I'd post a bit early today.

Fist up, I have a bit more progress on the Ogarix. His left arm is nearly finished and I've started to detail his right one. Not shown in the pic is the start of his weapon, which is currently a twisted piece of wire coated in a finger-print covered layer of putty! Anyway, here's the pic:

Click the Pic!

Next up is a pic of the Grymn powered armour. As you will see, I have reworked the legs and completely bulked up the suit below the waist. I still have a little bit to do on the legs but I am fairly happy with the look so far:

Click the Pic!

As you can see, I have started to think about the arms. Please note that the gun arm in the picture has only been slid on the wire to show you the part that I was sent...it may not end up on this suit and if it does, I doubt very much if the forearm will look the way it does in the picture. The position of the arms will change and the length will be corrected to the right length.

I need to tidy up the legs a bit and I also need to add a few little details to the inside of the ankles.

Well, there you have it.

Catch you on the dark side.

New snake pic!

I finally worked out how to get pix off my phone so here is a pic of the actual snake I caught yesterday:

Click the Pic!

...Ain't it loverly :)?

Holy Moly...SNAKE!

When I got home from work tonight, my daughter pointed out a snake on the path. That may be a usual occurrence in many parts of the world but in England, it isn't.

What could I do? There were children about and there was the threat of cats getting at it so I thought I'd pick it up and put it somewhere safe. So I dispatched my good wife to get a secure box for it while I picked the snake up.

It was obviously an escaped pet because it was very docile and was quite happy being handled...it seemed to be sun bathing quite happily prior to being picked up. To cut a long story short, after knocking on a lot of doors and not finding the owner, the snake is now with the RSPCA.

Below is a picture of the same type of snake. It is a Corn Snake and the one I picked up was the same colour and a good 2.5 feet long:


Before I get worried comments, I knew that the snake was either a common smooth snake or a corn snake (both of which are non venomous) so I was confident I could pick it up. If I had any doubts I wouldn't have touched it. Never touch a snake unless you are sure it is safe to do so. If you are not sure, wait for an expert to do it.

I think it was a pretty cool event and the snake was really cool too!

On to other things, the Powered armour now has sculpted legs and the Ogarix is still ticking along nicely; the arms are beginning to look much more defined and smooth.

Apart from that...not a lot that could possibly compare to catching a snake!

SERENDIPITY!

I haven't seen someone for ten years and I bump into them at work! They aren't in the forces any more but happened to be doing contract work at the base where I am stationed. How is that for a coincidence!? It was great to see them!

See you on the flip side.

Tuesday.

Wow...more people have joined the blog! I'd like to welcome Darknight, David Jaske and Eric Lakin to Inso's world. I hope that you get what you are looking for here and also that you find something that gives you ideas for projects of your own.

...WELCOME!

It seems that something has stirred in the ether that has sort of caught the hobby world by storm...

Spacehulk.

What do I think? Well, it looks pretty good but I think that £60-00 is a bit too expensive for a boardgame (especially since Lego has recently brought out a series of customisable board games for a fraction of the price...and they will have MUCH more play value).

What has really captured my attention is the fact that Spacehulk is 'limited edition'. I hate it when companies release things on limited edition for two reasons.

1. You may not get hold of the stuff you want because you have to attened a certain event OR jump through various hoops to qualify OR you have to be the first in a queue.

2. You know very well that it will only be limited edition UNTIL they realise that it has sold like hot-cakes at which point it will suddenly not become so limited as the 'new' item is released in a different box (but with the exact same product inside).

Now I realise that 'Limited Edition' items can be essential to small companies trying to raise funds for the more general stuff that they release but I do find it frustrating sometimes when I see something that I MUST have only to discover it is only available when you attend the 'game-place event in Illonois' (made up name but you get the idea).

GRRR.

On to other things.

Does Iron Man look like a GW Space Marine? What about Master Chief? Stormtroopers from Starwars? Do any of these look like Space Marines? Starship Troopers...

I ask this because it seems that everytime anyone releases pix of their new 'powered armour' there is always a chorus of 'that looks like a Space Marine'. There have been occasions where people have deliberately jumped on the style of a SpaceMarine in a deliberate attempt to copy IP BUT generally speaking, if there is so much as a knee pad or elbow joint that resembles anything from a Space Marine, the GW shouts start.

I am saying this because the Grymn powered armour WIP that I have shown, looks like a Space Marine...aparently. Now, bear in mind that the legs are just frames for putty (as I have already mentioned the legs will be changed), does the body look like a Space Marine? Does it? Hmmm?

I love the way 'Work In Progress' means 'Finished Article' to so many people. It sometimes makes me cringe when someone puts up an obviously unfinished miniature, calls it a WIP and some one tells them that the head needs detail...even though the head hasn't been started! Or when there is an almost complete miniature,sculpted in fantastic detail, with an obviously unfinished part (due to it lacking the same level of detail) and someone points out the fact that it needs more work.

WIP means Work In Progress.

Oh...by the way, the legs on the Grymn Powered Armour have been changed. When they are a little more complete, I'll post pix...

...but it will probably just look like a Space Marine though...