Baeliog Tractor using Sketchup

I have wanted to use Google's Sketchup (free 3D modelling program) to assist me in planning out models and terrain pieces. About 4 days ago I finally started using it. Does anyone here use it to plan out their custom models or terrain? If so, can you please share your experience. I am after tips and hints. AND I would like to know if you actually build things in your scale of choice (ie 15mm, 28mm, 1/56 etc) or whether you model them at a larger size (maybe 1:1) and then scale things down later.

Anyway here is what I managed to build. I did it more as a learning project. I am still working on it.

Zombiesmith's - Baeliog Tractor for the Quar

Note: The Baeliog was modelled on photos taken from the internet, and it is done to 28mm.

Inspiration - New & Old - 2

Here is another illustration from the 80s which was very inspirational to me and my hobby. It is a great piece of artwork by the great John Blanche. The more I look at this piece of artwork the more I like it.

Werid WW1 - German Pedal Power

I have finally decided to follow my desire to join the world of "Alternate History Wargaming", and after much deliberating I choose the Weird World War One (WWW1) theme/genre concentrating towards the later part of the war and beyond (a little bit into the area of pulp gaming).

Pedal Power with a Big Punch

Pedal Power with a Big Punch

Empire Ogre - Pirate - Finished

Here is my Empire Ogre. I painted him for the September Painting Challenge over at 'Chaos Dwarfs Online'. The theme was "A face only a mother could love".

Challenge:
Find the ugliest model you have, whether it is actually an unly beast/creature, or whether it simply badly sculpt, cast, broken, or simply just unloved. Paint it up and make it "feel loved" again.

Here is my ugly face. Don't be fooled by his outfit, he truely is ugly - honest.

Empire Ogre - Pirate - Nearly Finished

Here is the latest from my painting table. Actually it is still sitting on my painting table, ready to be based. For a long time, I wanted to paint something pink. Something that shouldn't be pink, anc I considered doing a pink Space Marine or an Ork wearing pink, but I finally decided on this mini. I am not sure if this says something about me, or not, but I like him.

Inspiration - New & Old - 1

About a week ago, I came across some images from the 80s, which brought back some very fond memories. They reminded me, why I first got into this hobby (the hobby of collecting and painting "toy soldiers") so many years ago. I remember being fascinated by images of fantasy based creatures, whimsical creations and architecture as well as the mighty knights and warriors, all that really good stuff that makes up a wonderful and imaginative world, where almost anything can happen.

I was so inspired by these images (back in the 80s) that I wanted to re-create this rich and wonderful world with little lead men, pieces of cardboard, piant, glue, rocks, sand and sawdust. So my journey into collecting wargaming miniatures began.

So I am going to start a series of posts within my blog of various images, photos, articles, advertisements and magazine articles of things that inspired me, in my early years and things that still inspire me now.

I am going to start by showing this image. It is the box art to the firt version of the Talisman board game. I never owned this game, but the box art was certainly very inspirational. I would love to get a large poster of this image.

Khador Warjack

This is my first ever Warmachine mini, and am very proud of it. I purchased this from a local gamer, and even though it was painted. I repainted it, using my style. this mini, had the right "shape" and "angles" to allow me to try out a weathering/worn technique, which I have not used until now. I don't mind the final outcome, but I know it can be improved a LOT.