Sunday 4 January 2015

Ev's Bijou Yearette In Review (Condensed)

Having reviewed Mr Mills' spectacular output for 2014, I decided to take stock of my own body of painting and modelling work for 2014.

It's slightly more modest; a mere 25 completed figs and one piece of terrain, but the upside is that it won't take you too long to read, and in the hurly-burly of modern life, that can only be a good thing.

The first figs for 2014 were completed from undercoat stage on New Year's Day, preparatory to a game of SAGA at Chez Millsy scheduled for 2 January 2014.



12 Scots Levy with bows; they acquitted themselves more than favourably on the field of battle, thanks to some extremely lucky dice rolls. Time was of the essence, and I wanted them to look a little more proletarian than the Warriors or Thanes, so no tartan for these fellas.

And just think, that's almost 50% of the year's output on the first day of the year! Needless to say, this blistering pace was not to be maintained.

March rolled around, and I decided to create a bit of terrain for SAGA, something to give the Scots a wee bit of authentic atmosphere. I went a little crazy, I think, having gotten all carried away with images of Orkney and its lichen-encrusted ruins;

"Put the brush down, step away from the model, keep your hands in plain view..."
The model, from Ainsty Castings, is one of my faves and definitely repaid the extra effort taken.

Took a bit of a detour around April, when I completed my humble contribution to Russ' 40th birthday present, eight Ork Burna Boyz for 40K. Lots of fun to paint, and I think I learned a fair bit along the way.



By the end of June, I finally got around to completing the SAGA Scots. It'd only taken me 13-and-a-half months! The last point of Hearthguard finally made their appearance, and I was well pleased.



So pleased, in fact, that I had to get them all together for a group pic...

At last! No more tartan to paint!
Something of a hiatus followed (thanks to some family health issues, speedily and effectively dealt with), and by late November I was able to make a start on some special guest stars for SAGA, the Sons of Death; I thought these aggressive Norse Gael raiders would provide a bit of additional colour for our games. I completed one of them, testing out a 'seashore' basing scheme with sand, rocks and strands of kelp. I'm quite pleased with the result and will carry it across to the rest of the unit...


...whenever I get around to completing them!

This may take a little while, as I'm spending quite a bit of time enthusing over the latest event in my life;


my granddaughter Caroline Rose Hughes, born on 23/12 at 12:23pm. Perfect in every way!

Obviously, becoming a granddad is a major distraction from the paint table, but to tell the truth, I don't mind a bit (and yes, I'm showing off her pictures at every opportunity!).

I began this post feeling a little downcast at my lack of productivity for 2014, but I thought about all the other bloggers out there whose work has provided me with inspiration and entertainment while I was largely inactive, and I don't feel so bad after all.

I've realised that while we all have ups and downs, health issues, periods of furious activity punctuated by quiet times, and intrusions from the real world (some of which are exceedingly welcome, see above!), we remain a community where there is always something going on; your work has kept me in touch with the hobby during my less-productive periods, and for that I thank you all.

All the best for 2015 and beyond!

Ev

(And to think that this was to have been a brief post..!)

20 comments :

  1. Quality over quantity (and that's not a shabby number either), Evan. Your work for 2014 was superbly done; I particularly like that cross terrain piece. Oh, and to cap it all off your granddaughter is not only timely, but a lovely addition to your body of work! Happy 2015!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Dean, and you've not had too shabby a year yourself! I'm gobsmacked by your latest medieval stuff; please, keep it coming!

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  2. Any number of painted figures are a good result, I'm about the same number for 2014.
    They look excellent and congrats with your new granddaughter!
    Awe ra best
    Paul

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Paul, hope you had a Happy Hogmanay! Here's to another year's toiling away at the lead mountain!
      ; )

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  3. I think you had a cracking year Ev, regardless of numbers. Each of us has their own thing and for you it is quality, especially things like your wonderful tartan and basing. Really looking forward to our game tomorrow. First one of the new year!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks mate, it's been a real roller-coaster of a year, let's kick off the new one with a good game (or two!).

      May the dice gods be with us!

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  4. Replies
    1. She is a cutie, isn't she? Must take after her Mum's side of the family rather than mine!
      : )

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  5. Love those Scots!

    Your granddaughter is beautiful and the most important picture on this page. Congratulations on becoming a grandfather. It must be so nice to see it all go forward, to have a little one to hold in your arms again, to cherish and to watch grow.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Anne, the Scots took a while, but I was finally able to draw a line underneath that project (thanks in no small part to your 'encouragement'...).
      ; )
      And yes, Carrie is an absolute joy. It's been a long time since I looked after a baby, but it's amazing how quickly it all comes flooding back. Especially the need to have a towel at the ready around feeding time!

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  6. I'm so sorry, but I must say the best achievement is Caroline on my mind! But as you know, I appreciate other pictures as well, especially the atmospheric Scot picture!

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    Replies
    1. I entirely agree, Phil - its's been a year of ups and downs, but a wonderful ending to 2014!

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  7. A small but perfectly formed output of lovely miniatures and let's be honest no one fares well when matched against Michael, the painting machine, Mills! ;)

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    Replies
    1. I gave up trying to catch up with Millsy long ago!
      ; )

      Thanks for the kind words, Michael, much appreciated!

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  8. Excellent hobby output and congrats on the arrival of your grand daughter who now presents you with a solem obligation to spoil her every chance you get!

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  9. Congratulation Gramps... A little gem alright. Well your figures are finished compared to that there Millsy!!!

    A fine collection Sir!

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  10. A remarkable year Evan. The SAGA stuff is definitely my favourite of the lot, though it's a hard choice.
    A long, healthy and happy life to your granddaughter.
    MP

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  11. Congratulations, Evan! I like the Scots, but the baby is perfect. :-)

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  12. Guys, thanks so much for all your kind words, both on my humble body of work and on my extravagantly good fortune in becoming a grandfather.

    This year's resolutions include increasing my painting output and being a suitably doting granddad!

    Stay tuned!

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  13. Some models painted, some games played and a hobby enjoyed. What could be better. Congrats on the grandchild, and here's to a great 2015!

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