RFCM

If there are to be very hot days soon.
How does that affect your wargaming plans?


martin :)

I think it will be too hot do any work around the house or garden, so I will have to sit down and rest. While I'm there, I may as well paint :)

Simon

I might get out the old table tennis table on the patio and set up a game in the fresh air. Sun screen, hat, shorts and flip flops obligatory.
John

This weather is great for making scenery. Spray paint cans seem to like the heat and glue sets quickly. I managed to remodel a whole table of Belgium winter templates etc into Normandy summer ones in 48 hours.
Mike

Quote from: Big Mike on June 09, 2023, 06:17:17 AM
This weather is great for making scenery. Spray paint cans seem to like the heat and glue sets quickly. I managed to remodel a whole table of Belgium winter templates etc into Normandy summer ones in 48 hours.
Mike

Well, the snow melts in this hot weather - that must help?

Simon

When I'm not out and about I will be continuing to paint the TYW stuff. Latest plan is to turn my PP ECW pike and musket into a Bavarian tercio. Too hot in the room where I usually play a game - big Dutch windows coupled with west facing. Not ideal for playing a game, so more likely to be out on the balcony with a Hertog Jan  ;) (it's a Dutch beer).

Good weather's best for painting and suchlike except if it's *very* hot; paints will dry on the figures in good time BUT they seem to dry out much more quickly on the palette too and that's a bit frustrating. Also I find that spray paint can be a bit iffy when the weather is really hot as well.

But that apart - brilliant! Keep cool & hydrated lads  :D
Jimmy

You need to keep your palette on ice, Jimmy :)

Simon

It'll be hot here tomorrow. But I'm home alone from 3pm onwards.

Now there is a football match tomorrow night that I'll be watching. But I'm thinking of getting out my ACW toys and having a little solo game seeing as I cant be at Entoyment.

Or, maybe I should look at reorganising my PBI Americans and Germans for a big push with the rules?

Or finish painting my Romans? Or rebase my Successors and Ancient British/Gauls?

Or do a bit of painting on my pirates?

So much to do!

It's been a bit chilly here on the east coast, so some outdoor jobs need doing when the weather is warmer. This last week I've been assembling 1/72 scale BT7 tanks (6 of) and BA6 (2 of) armoured cars ready to play test some Barbarossa  scenarios for Rapid Fire!

My wargames group are currently playing the new "What a Cowboy" western gunfight rules, we'll be playing them for the next few weeks.

Best wishes Martin Buck

Sean
You can be a ZOOM player in the CWB day.


martin :)

Less gaming, more gardening.

Last week I switched my waking hours into a more "Spanish" style.
Morning, afternoon nap, working late afternoon, evening and occasionally into the following morning.

I've started a nightly painting session, and am making pleasing progress on an army of PP Ashigaru / Samurai.

I like your style, Steve!

Simon

In this hot weather I have also been taking siestas. It will be 29 here for most of the afternoon.

Had t stop painting this morning as even Contrast paint was drying on my brush. Thank goodness for Artists' cleaner and restorer.

Have you tried adding a "slow dry" drying retarder to your paint mix, Andy?

Simon

Thanks for the tip. Didn't know such a thing existed.

Vallejo do one, that I've used in the past when I've held paint over between sessions:

(https://acrylicosvallejo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/retarder-medium-vallejo-70597-17ml.jpg)

I've typically covered my palette and then added thinner / flow enhancer when I come back to it the next time. Paint can remain viable over a number of days, with care.

Simon

OK guys... enough is enough. You have our Southern Ontario weather and we have your crappy summer. So we need to trade these back and soon... I have had enough of these miserable low 20's days. :)

Seriously though, the weather here is messed up - they got 20 cm of snow inn Jasper yesterday and the 'rain season' has been too dry in Northern Canada with minimal rain - so loads of wild fires up there. Then we get this late spring weather in summer. <sigh>

Painting is becoming much better supplied.
I bought some Rosemary and Co brushes (UK company- sable). Anyone else tried those?


martin :)

I've heard good things about Rosemary and co, and had looked at them having been getting increasingly frustrated with my (pretty expensive) Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes. Recently, even new No. 7 brushes split on their first use, or have worn out very quickly.

I actually splashed out earlier this week in a set of Artis Opus brushes, which have had rave reviews. They're "in the post", so I hope I can report on them soon.

Simon

Incidentally, I (very belatedly) read during my brush research that when Series 7 (or other such) brushes are referred to as "for Miniatures", they are referring to watercolour "miniatures", not the little lead ones that we play with.

Hence the unhelpfully short bristles...  :(

Artis Opus are apparently designed and made in the UK specifically for "our kind of miniatures"!

Simon

I tried Rosemary and Co brushes in the past but they were very expensive and no better than the A S Handover brushes that I have been using for years and which seem to last forever. Very good points and spring.
John

What type of Handover brushes do you use, John - Series 99?

Simon

Simon, mainly 66's, but I have a couple of 33's and 99's for variety.
John

I tried a coupe of artis opus brushes and found the un exceptional. Fine but not better. Personal opinion only.


martin :)

I ve got the Green stuff brushes from Entoyment. They come as Gold and Silver and Bronze variables. I bought some of each to try out.
But I am busy doing scenery for now so using good old cheap brushes for doing that.
Miles

I am actually using the Baccus brushes, which appear to be very good quality sable; long hairs and a fine point. I have used these to very good effect with both normal acrylics and Contrast style paints. The No.1 is particularly good with 15mm figures. Mind you I thoroughly clean each time with The Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver. I also use a different brush for metallic paint and a really cheap No.2 for priming and applying acrylic varnishes. Still use the brush cleaner on those as well.

Quote from: John Watson on June 21, 2023, 01:04:44 PM
Simon, mainly 66's, but I have a couple of 33's and 99's for variety.
John

Do you get a chocolate flake with the 99s?

Simon

Quote from: Leman (Andy) on June 21, 2023, 02:30:26 PM
I am actually using the Baccus brushes, which appear to be very good quality sable; long hairs and a fine point. I have used these to very good effect with both normal acrylics and Contrast style paints. The No.1 is particularly good with 15mm figures. Mind you I thoroughly clean each time with The Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver. I also use a different brush for metallic paint and a really cheap No.2 for priming and applying acrylic varnishes. Still use the brush cleaner on those as well.

I too use different brushes for priming and varnishing, and am assiduous with my use of The Master's Brush Cleaner - both after and (particularly in this hot weather) during painting. Hence my disappointment with my last few W&N brushes (while also noting that said brushes used to last more than a year in the first place, but no longer seem to).

Simon

I wash my brushes in good old water with a small drop of detergent or soap added. I store them bristles upwards. After a while the ferule gets clogged with dried paint at which point (pun) I put them in brush restorer until the bristles are free of the clog, then rinse them in water. For priming and varnishing I try to use cheap or old brushes. I also have about 10-15 brushes on the go so they do get rotated a lot.
John