So I finally tried my hand at basing. The model, though, still needs a final highlight layer. Instead of the textured paint and, then, steps of dry brushing I opted for, well, real sand and real rocks.

The pet store has about every color of sand you could want in LARGE bags for $10-$15. Austin, Texas has similar colored rocks in just about every direction.

The basing is by far the funniest part of the modeling so far.

New Guy in a tourney ...

First, we have a really awesome local group playing. Super nice. Super patient, as I think I am the first time gamer of the group. Great store supporting the activity (Dragon's Lair)

What I Learned .... side bar ... I don't or have not gotten into theory crafting or the math of this ... work is complex enough and this is 100% about entertainment ...

• Yeah ... I have more models that I have to buy and, then, paint. Used Table Top Admiral and did not have enough models for the list I wanted. Whereas I thought I was nearly done painting, I am half way done and have to buy another set of troopers. Which forced me to ...
• Use Scopes on my Rebels and instead of having option for 1-2 squads I ended up with 4. Just not a high ROI with scopes. Yeah, I just said I wasn't into the math but it was bad enough I ran the tab.
• I ran 3 AT-RT ... 2 Laser Canons & 1 F Thrower
• F Thrower was totally due to a potential cool factor. Wiped out before it could do much
• Laser Canons at range .... covering firing lanes ... high ROI. Someone is either starting in range or walking right into range Round 1
• Playing with patient/other new folks and or patient/experienced gamers is 90% of the enjoyment. I doubt I would like literal translation of millimeter type play yet appreciate folks that into that level of gaming
• This Veers/2 AT-ST business ... yeah ... just yeah ... another less expensive Rebel commander cannot arrive too soon
• I opted not to take the Ion Trooper. Ironically, I ended up in a 400 pt Rebel v Rebel match. Sure enough I faced an Ion Trooper and got to learn what those hits were all about.
• Today were only my 3rd and 4th games. Had to leave tourney early before game 5. Rebel defense dice are not awesome. Conversely, they can lay down some damage on offense. Like, Stormies drop quickly
• It's about the objectives not mass destruction. I need to write this 1000x
• It's about suppressing fire
• It's about move/dodge ... move/dodge
• I am WAY aggressive in play style and had built a force like that ... Battle Med & Long Range Comm Links ... and got either drug into fire fights and suppressed or quickly pinned down by an AT-ST. Our set-up had very few terrain pieces that walker could not see over
• Forcing the opponent to act or make a decision can work in favor and can end really, really, really badly
• Sometimes, Luke goes 0-6 in melee on back to back ... you read that right ... rolls/turns
• I need to go back and digest the rules a few times
• Terrain makes the game. Given I am in ATX, very, very, very lucky to be around/playing with Dave from Imperial Terrain. Our tables are SLICK. Like, as a new gamer the immersion bar is set HIGH.
• You know ... I have worked at being a decent painter and still knock myself from time to time. Folks were complimentary today and my confidence to pick up a brush super high.
• The set-up/placement of troops something else I have to put my effort into especially the direction an AT-RT is faced/rotated
• An average to bad ... if a bad day of gaming is possible ... is better than work
• Seeing the Scout Troopers and Fett posted stings. Like, that is a deal breaker and probably buying all the Imperial stuff ASAP

And I forgot ...

• You get cool gear showing up. I think I got what is called alternative art cards (2) and a pair of commander coins.

Moving an army from work space/garage to tourney never really dawned on me until last Friday night. Tourney was Saturday and I had zero clue what I was going to do.

Prior to buying something like Battle Foam I need to see it. Hands on ... eyes on ... get an idea of how good/bad the product is. Goes with everything I do. Just thorough. I took an inventory of what I had in my growing hobby work shop ...

• Left over dark brown, tan and textured brown/tan spray paint from Rustoleum that have been used for a number of things hobby/non hobby
• A bunch of magnets I ordered for magnetizing my AT-RT

And I got this ...

It has varying, random shades of browns. Little texture. I sealed it. My dudes stick to it. It was a cooking sheet destined for a recycling bin. Also, it is good enough. Not perfect and my OCD let this one go. It's just good enough to do a job until I can sort out a proper storage/moving solution.

Now ... this I had worked on in my spare time over a few weekends. It had a previous use and I decided it was time it was repurposed. I had some extra foam paper ... not foam board ... and I applied it to the inside of each individual container to keep down any noise in transit or giving me an option to move minis in a pinch, while mitigating damage the mini could suffer with plastic on plastic crime. I covered the inside of each box in said foam paper.

That is 2 core sets; 1 expansion set and 2 AT-RT sets of gear. Drop it on the floor under the table. Take out the smaller containers you need. GO! There is enough clearance to carry the quick reference guide and rule book(s) when closed. My first game ... just took the dice tray out; middle of table; opponent and I shared it and saved time/space.

The cards are in plastic sleeves and protected. If you look REALLY close ... you can spot my tokens and alt art cards in the bottom tray. Still pumped about those.

Home Depot ... Amazon ... these are all over. Stanley is the brand on this one.

Some general army shots ... still in need of final highlights and basing ... did not feel like dragging out another light and paper to help with the photos today ... fully aware these photos are not Nat Geo'esque today

Yeah ... gotta adhere and address the arms. FFG ... I need more alien troops ASAP.

Such a cool model yet may not always see the table/game

Hard to pick up but the dark, dark hues are olive drab and grey green (Luftwaffe hue). A random spectator told me they liked the effect on I got on their coats (look like old leather) and that made me feel like the hours of youtube video watching is paying dividends

Hope everyone that reads this and follows along realizes a lot ... most of what I say ... very tongue in cheek.

Reminds me of G.I. Joe.

I cannot stand this model. In my games Saturday this was the red shirted Ensign from Stark Trek ... or the first person to venture off in the opening scenes of a horror movie ... just not a fan and tired of painting this fella.

Yet to have a chance to attempt the hot barrel effects on first on left. On my mini list of projects

I read in another person's painting thread ... @BigBadAndy ... about painting fatigue. Yeah ... when I realized I have to paint 14 more of these ... oh man ... just not feeling it right now

My goal is to get highlight layers done on the 3 squads and AT-RT. Then, sort out my other 2 AT-RT. I learned A LOT with the hair spray technique on the first AT-RT. I want my other 2 to have little more color ... match my other squads ... and looked weather but not forgotten in desert weathered, which is how I wanted AT-RT 1 to look.

There is a color scheme

Squad One ... accented with grey

Squad Two ... accented with green grey

Squad Three ... accented with yellow and light blue

Primary colors ...

olive drab (all gaiters, some pants)

Zandri dust (some pants, shirts, brim of hat, some backs, some web gear)

grey green (helmet band, some paints, some shirts)

Averland sunset (yellow on helmet)

flat tan (some gloves, webbing, pack backs, all boots)

Ogryn camo (some gloves, webbing)

Mahagony brown (some gloves, webbing)

Visually, it looks like a lot of color, which was my goal. You add in the gunmetal grey and silver I used for all metallics and that is it. 10 total colors with 3 accents colors of grey, light blue and desert yellow. I got a random yet cohesive looking group.

The brightest highlight will end up being the Ushati Bone needed over the Zandri Dust. My thoughts are using that to mix ALL my highlight layers in a 50/50 mix and, then, 100% U Bone. In theory I think that should pull the high light colors together. No art training. Just seems logical.

As usual, thanks for following along. Any help ... observations ... always appreciated.

4 hours ago, Dash Two said:

This looks fantastic!!!

@ABXY ... thank you very much. I learned more doing that model than any of my other plastic adventures so far. Hairspray technique was super simple. Once I was a step or two into it I realized you could prepare under layers in a manner to leverage what the hairspray/water does when it is reactivated.

On my next 2 AT-RT plan on some advanced planning with lighter under darker to create some effects and I need more color. Some regret on this one in that I only painted a few small areas with grey green. Could have put more of that on the front face of the vehicle and just did a tiny little bit.

At some point I need to get some better photos.

Airbrushes ... tanks ... tubes ... gravity feed ... compressors ...

Iwata ... Badger ... others ...

I have started doing some research on products. I think my painting has reached that point. Rattle can cost adds up and they do not offer the control I want/need for some of my ideas. I'd also like more control in priming and, potential base coating. Once I move onto all my Stormtroopers it jut feels like an airbrush makes things cooler; faster with less work.

• Anyone have a product they would recommend?
• As it relates to compressors, you want one with a tank, yes? What is a good tank compressor that comes with ALL needed hoses and parts?
• in the U.S Hobby Lobby has Iwata products. You can leverage the 40% coupon over several purchases to get pretty good price on a set-up. They have the Eclipse CS and BCS, which can be bought significantly cheaper. Are these decent?
• In general yes, buy one; no regrets or nah, just keep using cans/brushes. Any advice welcomed

I have a mountain of gift cards from several years I can dedicated to this.

Lots of good advice on airbrushes here:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=101013.0

@Mr Tough Guy ... thank you

I have read several product reviews, which have a slight tendency to direct you towards specific products by design. This looks like it is coming from painters minus an agenda. Much appreciated.