After some agonising about realism(?) and return on painting time spent I decided to give Helga a little more attention this evening. After taking on board some of the feedback that I got on the original Helga paint job, I decided to add orange trim to the four wings (fins? Aerofoils?) and to a handful of small details on the little turret and the hull roof.
I think that this improves the look of the model without making it excessively toylike, although I think that the photography might be slightly worse this time around. Many thanks to all of you who gave helpful feedback 🙂
More feedback on the finished job is definitely welcome of course, but I dont think that I will be returning to Helga with a paintbrush again one way or another.
Filed under: Miniatures, Project Brief, Terrain | Tagged: 2014, Sci-fi, Vehicle |
Great stuff! It is really coming along VERY brilliantly!
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Thanks Jonas.
Although Helga is armed I dont really see it as a military vehicle (and the weapon mounts are magnetised anyway if I want to define it further). A non-military shuttle type affair has been on my to-do list since the 80s. I imagine that Hegla will appear as a ploy hook in a number of narrative driven, scenario based games. Im satisfied to have another thing ticked off the (huuuge) project list.
Thanks for the feedback.
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I’d say that is exactly what Helga needed. It gives the model more intrest without being too flashy, nice and subtle. Excellent job.
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Thanks very much daggerandbrush, Im glad that you approve.
I considered using white/light grey trim in addition to some orange (that colour combo tends to be evocative of sci-fi, for a few reasons) but I reconsidered after base coating some of those areas. Off white areas would have made for a brighter overall effect, but it would also have moved the finish further from the well-used and functional aesthetic that I was looking for.
Im pleased with the final compromise between “realism” and “attractive gaming piece”.
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The little orange details really catch the eye. Helga looks great. Nice work.
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Thanks Danny.
I think that the finished model needed to be a little more eye-catching than it was, but getting that balance right was a balancing act. I think that it works better now.
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Tastefully done!
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As a enthusiast of taste yourself Subedai, I appreciate the feedback 🙂
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That looks like the ticket to me. I agree, no more twiddling required, onto the next project.
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Testify.
Next up is a campsite or a small alien with a gun I think.
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The small addition of the orange markings really does add a lot of visual interest to the model, and also makes it look that bit more realistic.
You mentioned wanting to use the ramp and interior in a scenario of some kind. I think the obvious “get to da choppa” scenario has to make an appearance at least once as the Tyranids/Zombies/Deathworld Fauna close in on our desperate heroes…
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Definitely.
Get to da choppa, Get from da choppa, Ezkort da wimmin to da choppa, Evakyooate da compownd via choppa befowa da monstah attack, Explode da choppa near da gazoleen etc
m itching to get ferrying the little guys all over the place.
I think that the orange markings did the trick. Thanks for the feedback 🙂
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Excellent bit of hardware and the spruced-up pj really brings it to life. I can imagined all manner of scenarios revolving around it.
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Thanks Gareth 🙂
Keeping the paint job generic opens up more avenues for gaming I think. like your cool sci-fi buildings. Plastering Aquilae and skulls all over some things is appropriate, but not here in my opinion.
As a result Helga is more of a blank slate to project whatever plans my opponents and I come up with on to. Trying to get the balance between dull/realistic/functional, striking/unrealistic/fantastical and finished-in-my-lifetime was the tricky part, but I thoink that I got away with it.
Next its time to line up some games in and around the old workhorse.
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Excellent! I’m just going to echo the people above – just what was needed and not too much. Helga is really popping now 🙂
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Thanks Mikko. The extra bit of consideration and 45 minutes or so spent was worthwhile.
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[…] “Galuntts Moon”. He will be accompanying the disgruntled Bosun in shuttlecraft Helga on this mission, but the bosun isnt quite ready for his close up just […]
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