By Steve Daldry
Ever since our studio painter, Callum, joined team Modiphius, he’d been repeatedly suggesting that we get together to do some kind of painting stream. He’d be the expert that he clearly was and teach me, the chump learning the ropes.
Or I should say, re-learning. Because I did paint things, many years ago. Young Steve painted epic scale Eldar and a selection of misc fantasy minis with the finest Humbrol paints he could afford. The results. . . will not be shared here.
Could Callum help me to ‘git gud’ in a year? Join me on my TED Talk-esque journey of self-discovery!
1. Brotherhood of Steel: Heavy Armor (T45)
Where better to start than with an utter classic?
The idea was to try a bit of metallic weathering, but I soon realised that I was going to have to learn a bunch of other new things as well. First of which was assembling a modern plastic sprue kit.
Look, I’m old, ok? It was all lead and single-piece plastics when I last did this. In the end though putting this fella together turned out to be more intimidating than anything else.
From there Callum taught what I have since learned is his favourite thing to spend hours on - weathering!
While I didn’t end up getting a ton of detail on this model, and most of the heavy lifting was done by using the right paints and washes, I’m still pleased with him as a first effort after so many years!
Steve’s rating - 3/5 - Look, ma! I done a thing!
(Note: these ratings are just how I personally feel about them, not me saying I think they’re brilliant or perfect).
2. NIRA
After the first stream ended, Callum suggested a list of terrifying sounding things we could try (for ages I thought he was playing a prank on me with non-metallic metallics - like the painting equivalent of a left-handed hammer, or a long weight). But, when it came down to it, I bottled it, and we had another go at weathering.
NIRA is a great little model, and I was looking forward to getting a pop of colour on it, as opposed to the largely grey/silver of a T45.
In the end it took me days to get this model done and, while I’m still pleased with it, I can tell I spent a lot of time second-guessing myself. I think a little knowledge was enough to make me overdo certain things, but overall, still pleased.
Steve’s rating - 3/5 - Don’t drink the water.
3. Radstag Herd (Rudolph the Red-Nosed version)
Time to step away from weathering and take a stab at texturing a wild animal's fur. Seeing as it's Fallout, there are plenty of mutated, rotten lumps of flesh poking through, but that’s only to be expected.
The layering of the different colours of fur didn’t exactly go to plan for me - too dark overall I think personally. Plus, all Callum’s advanced tips and tricks got reduced to a bit of basic dry-brushing on my model.
Oh, and the red nose is Christmas themed. Like a reindeer. Right?
Steve’s rating - 2/5 - Blitzened
4. Nukatron
Not that stepping away from the safe and familiar world of weathering was a terrifying experience or anything, but it was time to head back to familiar territory.
There were still a few extra things to cover with this friendly chap though - including the detailing of the ‘Nuka Cola’ on the front, and a reflection in the glass at the top.
Also, and most importantly, finishing my first base! Which makes this my first fully completed mini of all of these, and the beginning of something I really love - basing!
Steve’s rating - 4/5 - Got a soft spot for this one.
5. Nukalurks
The only thing that makes me feel better about this model is the fact that Callum had a rare stinker with it too. For whatever reason, we both ended up unhappy with our work on this. Ah well, guess it happens sometimes.
We were meant to be painting a glowing effect, but everything just went rather muddy instead.
Steve’s rating - 0/5 - Sometimes bad things happen to good minis.
6. Protectron Workers
What do you do when you feel bad about messing up a glowing Nukalurk? That’s right, you head back to the safe world of robots and weathering.
Looking back it seems like I was repeating myself a bit, rather than learning something new each month. But I was enjoying painting some robotic friends - and painting is meant to be fun, so I’m doing what I want to! In fact, I liked it so much, I painted two of them.
Plus it was a good chance to make sure I’d learned from NIRA and the Nukatron. Don’t judge me.
Steve’s rating - 4/5 - All my best friends are Protectrons.
7. The Pack (Preparing and Assembling Plastic Sets)
At this time Fallout: Factions was on the horizon and, seeing as it came with a bunch of plastic sprues, it seemed like a good time to get some tips on preparing and assembling minis from a plastic sprue.
When I put together my T45 mini it often felt like a war between me, the super glue and every available surface in the room. As a result this was pretty much invaluable for me.
While not technically anything to do with painting, this was so useful we even made a blog post about it.
Steve’s rating - n/a - Very useful, but not a drop of paint was spilled.
8. Hollywood Heroes (Lucy)
Time to bite the bullet, stop relying on my robot-based safety net, and paint something with a human face.
To add to the pressure, this is a mini of a real person. The sculpt is incredible and really captures Ella Purnell’s character from the Fallout show. I did my best, and for a first effort it’s not so bad. However, I didn’t get the skin tone quite right, resulting in Lucy looking like she’s had a fake tan.
Also, I’m not the first to say this, and I won’t be the last, but I hate doing eyes so much...
Steve’s rating - 3/5 - Suitable for long shots only. No close-ups.
9. Servitor of Mormo / Heroic Roman Legionaries
To celebrate Cohors Cthulhu: Tactics heading to Kickstarter, this month was a double-feature!
The Servitor was a great chance to try painting cloth and learn a little about highlighting. Also, Callum and I had the great pleasure of sitting down with the one and only Peachy to paint a bunch of Roman Legionaries, which you can watch here:
Getting a chance to pick Peachy’s brain was fantastic - so many useful tips about painting, as well as working out what you want to get out of the hobby too.
Steve’s rating - 3/5 - Roman around.
10. Ghoulish Remnants
Seeing as I felt like most of my faces weren’t quite there yet anyway, surely a Ghoul is a nice midway point? After all, they’re not known for their flawless appearance?
This was a nice chance to experiment on skin tone, without feeling like it could go too wrong. Plus the bright yellow firefighter’s jacket was super fun - I definitely enjoy the minis with a strong splash of colour in them.
Steve’s rating - 4/5 - Now, who needs the fire service?
11. Mothman Hatchling
For a couple of months towards the end of the year I got a replacement master-painter to teach me the art - Modiphius’s other amazing studio painter, Rosie. And she promptly threw me in at the deep end with this adorable little critter.
Learning how to layer up the patterning on the Hatchling’s wing was a real challenge, and while it didn’t turn out as subtle as I’d intended it to be, I’m still really pleased with how this ended up, especially the murky green versus the purple details.
Also, I think these are the only eyes I’ve had fun painting so far.
Steve’s rating - 4/5 - I am the night.
12. Johnny Weston
Another challenge from Rosie - simple black cloth, namely a fancy tuxedo. At first I thought this was going to be pretty easy, but that’s because I had no idea what I was about to try.
Layering up the thin white glazes over the charcoal black undercoat took a long time. A few times I added too much and had to darken it down again. I’m pleased with the final result, but it was definitely hard work.
The worst part is that only a day after the stream, the mini got a bit crushed under a falling book. I’m sorry Johnny.
Steve’s rating - 3/5 - Have you suffered a workplace accident in the last six months? You could be eligible for compensation. . .
13. Wrex
For some reason, coming to do this mini felt like a final exam. Getting Wrex’s face and skin tone, plus the colouring on his armour, as well as the many little details on the mini, was a bit daunting.
So, I feel a bit surprised to say, you know what? I’m pretty darn pleased with how this came out! Everything Callum and Rosie have patiently (and repeatedly) explained to me for the last 12 months seems to have paid off! Hurrah!
Steve’s rating - 5/5 - My finest work. So far anyway.
So, what did I learn? Did I manage to ‘git gud’ in the end? Well, I don’t know if I’m ‘gud’ yet, but I think I’ve definitely got a little better. But the best thing is that it reminded me how much I liked painting minis in the first place.
It’s such a great way to focus on something and create. And even if (when) it doesn’t go quite right or as you hoped it would, you’ve still made something and can learn from it.
I realise I’m incredibly lucky to be able to pick the brains of two amazing artists - Callum and Rosie.
Also, compared to the paints I used as a kid, things are much, much better now. Thank you so much to the team at Two Thin Coats and Trans Atlantis Games for the amazing paints!
Finally, come and join us on the Modiphius Discord, and share your work in the Painting Channels. Everyone there is encouraging and full of great advice.
Right, time to attack the pile of shame and get to work!
Steve and Callum run the Modiphius Painting Stream, the first Friday of every month at twitch.tv/modiphius