....And the Kitchen Sink. An O'leary WIP

[AnneO'Leary]

I'm maintaining two personal WIP's on purpose. I want to keep my Reaper Projects together in one place. Mainly because this is a Reaper Forum and I want to be certain that the balance of my work favours Reaper. This is the quickest way for me and for them to know that. Secondly, I hate clutter. A single catch all WIP will drive me bonkers because it will become crowded up with too many projects.

 

PROJECT #1

Stonehaven Gnomes

Priestess

Page 1

I'm finally getting round to painting up my Heroe's of Sprocketshire Gnomes from Stonehaven. These are so terribly cute, I just love them and now wish I had gotten the entire collection. I have Sprocketshire and McKrakken's Glory Squad.

 

First up is the Priestess from Heroes of Sprocketshire. I can't find her name in the Character Bio sheet, so I'll name her when she's done.

 

The basing and my whole approach to these figures is based on the work I've seen done by fellow forum member Catdancer. I've been inspired by his work since I came here and I hope to achieve something approaching his work. At the very least, I would hope they "sing" in a voice he would recognize.

 

She is almost there, but she needs a bit more work. More highlighting is needed on her boots, the gem needs more work and there needs to be more contrast on the stone she is standing on (which is made from a piece of garden mulch).

 

Also I think I need to add a very, very tiny bit of flower to cover the stems of the mushrooms. This will be difficult as I make them from the heads of a pin and they are quite tiny.

 

Further, I feel the base is still lacking some indefinable something. It's just "off" and I know it's not "there" yet. I will have to let it percolate a bit and see what I can come up with.

 

I like these so well, I could paint an army of them and just might do so when they become available in the online store.

[Baugi]

She's adorable. I love the way you use colour, Anne. The base is stellar also. One thing puzzles - you're " finally" getting around to your Stonehavens? I haven't even got mine yet!

[Ellyria]

She's adorable! I like this a lot, and I really like that they allow non Reaper minis for us newbies to discover more things to fall in love with.

[Talae]

She's adorable. I love the way you use colour, Anne. The base is stellar also. One thing puzzles - you're " finally" getting around to your Stonehavens? I haven't even got mine yet!

Same here (although they should be shipping out soon). Posts like this make it so I can hardly wait to get my stuff.

[Darsc Zacal]

As soon as this page opened up and I saw that base, first thought was Catdancer. Very nice and well done!

 

And good work on the Gnome. I'm a big fan of Stonehavens. Its great to see one painted. Still waitining for my gnomes to arrive.

 

Regarding what's missing. A large flower on the back of the base, or a "tree" based behind the fallen stump, would both give some added height to the diorama and would be typical of catdancer's work.

[catdancer]

Anne...the figure is completely adorable and charming...your paint job is exquisite as usual...I see nothing wrong with your base at all; it is also quite

excellent in the construction, execution and detail...and it does " sing " to me in a loud clear and enchanting tone...I completely appreciate your comments in regard to my being an inspiration for the base work...but I want to say (in all sincerity) there is nothing that I can teach you in regard to the making

of scenic fantasy bases.

 

Darsc suggested a large flower and/or tree...in my opinion...a large flower would detract the eye from the tiny figure and a tree would also be too large for

this figure...if I had to make any suggestions...some moss on the rock/tree that she is standing on...possible ivy growth on the rock/tree...and if you want

to add a very thin tree as a backdrop...growing at the base around your yellow flowers in the back...any of these would add to your scene without any visual

distraction from your main/central figure.

 

Mind you...I am not saying that these are missing and are needed...these are just my possible suggestions...I can only view an item with my artistic eyes;

I can not view it through the eyes of the artist who created and envisioned the art.

[Maglok]

I want my gnomes as well! *paces*

 

Yours is looking really... cute. That is a good thing for that priestess. :)

[Sanael]

The priestess was the gnome that made me back that ks...and then I went completionist and don't have mine yet! But it's good to see her painted up so prettily.

 

I really love the colors in this mini, they give a very fairytale feel to the scene. I do think another round of highlights will help with that even more, especially some pinpoints on her hair.

 

I don't know that the base is missing anything, but I do like the idea of a lush blanket of moss over the back of the base.

[fanguad]

The priestess was one of the "top" gnomes for me, and your version looks really cute. I just got my gnomes in the mail last night (yay!).

[AnneO'Leary]

She's adorable. I love the way you use colour, Anne. The base is stellar also. One thing puzzles - you're " finally" getting around to your Stonehavens? I haven't even got mine yet!

You're going to love them when they arrive. I only ordered Sprocketshire and McKrakken so I've had mine for months. I still haven't done my Dwarves and shame on me for that.

 

 

She's adorable! I like this a lot, and I really like that they allow non Reaper minis for us newbies to discover more things to fall in love with.

 

I was surprised when I came here that they'd let us do this and it's generous of them to allow it.

 

 

 

She's adorable. I love the way you use colour, Anne. The base is stellar also. One thing puzzles - you're " finally" getting around to your Stonehavens? I haven't even got mine yet!

Same here (although they should be shipping out soon). Posts like this make it so I can hardly wait to get my stuff.

 

I think everything will be shipped by weeks end. Now I'm waiting to see what they do next. I'm hoping for Orcs or Goblins. Either way, I'm in.

 

 

As soon as this page opened up and I saw that base, first thought was Catdancer. Very nice and well done!

 

And good work on the Gnome. I'm a big fan of Stonehavens. Its great to see one painted. Still waitining for my gnomes to arrive.

 

Regarding what's missing. A large flower on the back of the base, or a "tree" based behind the fallen stump, would both give some added height to the diorama and would be typical of catdancer's work.

 

I'm so glad that came across. I've only come across one other painter that has a vision that is similar to his. And the work effects me in the same way. When I was a little girl, I saw a ceramic butterfly that I wanted very badly, but we couldn't afford it. I used to lie in bed and night and play make believe about that butterfly, seeing it fly through magical moonlight places, amongst the Fey and the standing stones. When I see his work, it's like I'm that little girl and someone is recreating those dreams in miniature.

 

 

Anne...the figure is completely adorable and charming...your paint job is exquisite as usual...I see nothing wrong with your base at all; it is also quite

excellent in the construction, execution and detail...and it does " sing " to me in a loud clear and enchanting tone...I completely appreciate your comments in regard to my being an inspiration for the base work...but I want to say (in all sincerity) there is nothing that I can teach you in regard to the making

of scenic fantasy bases.

 

Darsc suggested a large flower and/or tree...in my opinion...a large flower would detract the eye from the tiny figure and a tree would also be too large for

this figure...if I had to make any suggestions...some moss on the rock/tree that she is standing on...possible ivy growth on the rock/tree...and if you want

to add a very thin tree as a backdrop...growing at the base around your yellow flowers in the back...any of these would add to your scene without any visual

distraction from your main/central figure.

 

Mind you...I am not saying that these are missing and are needed...these are just my possible suggestions...I can only view an item with my artistic eyes;

I can not view it through the eyes of the artist who created and envisioned the art.

 

I feel that something essential is missing. She's so tiny that I have to be careful not to maintain a "balance" to the scene. It's also hard to find things that won't overpower her as she's so tiny. It's like I can almost, but not quite, see the finished piece. I did consider a tiny delicate tree in the back as you suggest.

 

And oh yes, there are things you can teach me. I pick up something new on each piece you complete. One day I will put some little snakes in a scene like the ones you did in your jungle scene and the flowers on the back of that fence is another idea I shall "borrow" from you. I also now want to learn how to cast plaster to make a patch of cobble stones.

 

 

I want my gnomes as well! *paces*

 

Yours is looking really... cute. That is a good thing for that priestess. :)

I'm kicking myself for not getting more, but truly that was all I could afford at the time. I'm going to hit their online store as soon as they release them there.

 

 

The priestess was the gnome that made me back that ks...and then I went completionist and don't have mine yet! But it's good to see her painted up so prettily.

 

I really love the colors in this mini, they give a very fairytale feel to the scene. I do think another round of highlights will help with that even more, especially some pinpoints on her hair.

 

I don't know that the base is missing anything, but I do like the idea of a lush blanket of moss over the back of the base.

 

You're right about the highlights. I thought I had them right until I took the photo and I can see all kinds of places that need tinkering to make her really "pop" These guys are so tiny, you have to crank those highlights way up and that's a bit new to me. You'll have yours soon and I'm looking forward to seeing what people do with them.

 

 

The priestess was one of the "top" gnomes for me, and your version looks really cute. I just got my gnomes in the mail last night (yay!).

 

Their nice aren't they? Wish I had bought all of them, but one day I will have all of them. These have captured my fancy in a way nothing else has so far.

[Baugi]

I do believe that SH has already announced elves as the next KS, which I'm a little ambivalent about, but we'll see

[Corporea]

She's beautiful! I can't wait to get mine... I love the mushrooms! Moss would look nice underneath them to soften the transition. Beautiful colors- so bright and vibrant!

[AnneO'Leary]

I do believe that SH has already announced elves as the next KS, which I'm a little ambivalent about, but we'll see

I missed that one. Shoot, I've got loads of elves. I need Orcs and Goblins really bad. That said, they've got my loyalty so I'll back whatever they do. I do think they will one day be a force to contend with so it's good getting in on the ground floor with them.

 

 

She's beautiful! I can't wait to get mine... I love the mushrooms! Moss would look nice underneath them to soften the transition. Beautiful colors- so bright and vibrant!

You'll love them. I want to see someone paint up the female Aristocrat, I like her dress, she's just so pretty.

 

I've got the Paladin done (I think) and the Druid is almost done. I don't really know what to do with the Demolition Expert. He doesn't look like he belongs in a woodland setting, but I think all the bases should be the same theme.

[OneBoot]

She's gorgeous and adorable all at the same time! Your beautiful, vibrant paint job totally brings her to life! The mushrooms are so cute, and so tiny! I can tell just by looking at the size of the base how small she is, excellent work on such a little mini!

 

Huzzah!

--OneBoot :D

[Sanael]

 

I do believe that SH has already announced elves as the next KS, which I'm a little ambivalent about, but we'll see

I missed that one. Shoot, I've got loads of elves. I need Orcs and Goblins really bad. That said, they've got my loyalty so I'll back whatever they do. I do think they will one day be a force to contend with so it's good getting in on the ground floor with them.

 

 

She's beautiful! I can't wait to get mine... I love the mushrooms! Moss would look nice underneath them to soften the transition. Beautiful colors- so bright and vibrant!

You'll love them. I want to see someone paint up the female Aristocrat, I like her dress, she's just so pretty.

 

I've got the Paladin done (I think) and the Druid is almost done. I don't really know what to do with the Demolition Expert. He doesn't look like he belongs in a woodland setting, but I think all the bases should be the same theme.

 

Just got mine! Very excited; the trolls are even better than I thought and the whole group is just perfect.

 

Funny you mention the demo expert...she, along with the two long gunners, will be the first group of gnomes I paint, and they will be in a woodland setting; I plan on using them as NPCs in my Eberron campaign, to be met in a heavily forested area. Should be a good time.

 

Of course, I won't be going for such a bright and cheery palette with my demo team, so it might not be so much help in placing the demo gal in your fairy-forest world...there's a part of me that wants to see you put her on a large base with some enormous orange and red flowers at the end of a cable...create the idea that she just made the blooms explode into existence.