Here it is, proof that there is still painting after
fatherhood! I took four or five weeks, but I have painted my first miniature since
the birth of my daughter! Actually, I’ve also painted an orc and finished up
one other figure that was half-painted, so really, I’m not doing too bad. The key is thinking ahead. Whereas before, I
could pretty much paint whenever the whim struck, now I’ve got to think – next time
she’s asleep, I’m busting out the paints. It does mean that painting is now, even more, in competition with all of
my other hobbies, but that is just life as a parent.
So, here is Strider. This figure comes from Games Workshop's plastic
Fellowship, originally released as part of their Mines of
Moria box set. This is the only version of they made of the Fellowship that they claim is
not based on the actors in the movies. That statement is more accurate for some
of the characters than other, but regardless, I think this is a terrific version
of The Dúnadan, especially considering that it is plastic. The only real flaw is the unfortunate connection where the hair merges into his bow. This is minor,
though, and somewhat offset by the wonderful sense of movement conveyed.
The pose is very unusual; he appears to be
just finishing a baseball swing, and I love the way his coat is swishing around
behind him.
I gave him a very drab and dirty paint job as I think befits
a ranger, using greens and browns nearly exclusively. I did also mix just a bit
of grey into his hair, as he isn’t a young man anymore.
A really fun figure to paint, and I’m looking forward to
working on the rest of the Fellowship...when I get the chance.
Just came across your blog, and wanted to say a few words of encouragement. We had a daughter in January of 2013, and at first it seems like you are never going to be able to anything for yourself ever again, and that your hobby is dead. You may even want to get rid of everything seeing a big pile of stuff that is just collecting dust. But it will continue to get better over time, and of course, the joy of spending time with your new baby makes up for so much of it. There will be further frustrations, but you can still paint and game as a dedicated parent: you just have to alter your expectations a little and gleefully delight in every finished figure!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Felix, It's reassuring to hear it from a gamer who has gone through it before.
ReplyDelete