Thrall Harvest - Warmachine/Hordes Charity Tournament

When : From November 17, 2007 to January 6, 2008

Where: Find a listed site or become a location at the Warmachine.org Site link below

Why: Charity , good times, and every Thrall Harvest is eligible for the traveling trophy that goes to the city that raised the most canned goods per person (on average). Example: If you raise 500 cans, and have 20 people playing, that’s 500/20 = 25 cans/person. This trophy, which is a la the Stanley Cup, will have the winning city engraved into it every year.

For all Information head to the
Harvest Thralls.org

Random Winners of the Episode 5 “Help us with Input” Drawing

haloMike-Kagesh-Coneman-Thunderhawker-Miniken-TK

Thank you all for your creative input and advice you are all winners!

Please email me with your address to send you prize to, I will get it out right away.
I can not thank you enough for your time and effort but do hope this will be a cheap thrill !

New video soon, “Cloaking” and, we figured out how to get better  picture quality ….
Weeeeeeeeeeeee! 

Episode 5 - Painting Face

Here is Episode Five of the instructional videos by TAB Studio - Tracy Brady
This video is about painting a miniatures face. Information on flesh tones and how to follow up with ink washes, hints on painting lips and teeth.A continuing video saga of painting the 35mm pewter gaming miniature from Anima Tactics named Faust Orbatos, techniques and handy information, for the miniature painter.
Thank you for being so understanding on the delay of these bi-weekly offerings and I hope to remain on schedule in the future. They turned me in to a Newt, but I got better….
A special thanks to Liz for letting people know and all the email well wishers that helped by keeping me motivated.
Link for AOL users Here you go , if you want this will lead you to a momentarly blank page then will come up and play, be patient OK?
iTunes link for you pod loving people

We are holding random drawings on our forum for those interested to repay your patience and get some feedback or answer questions on the videos, Info is in the video
Cheers
Tracy

Sunday the Eleventh: Makeup A Models Best Friend!

Well a new show will be out on and I can not thank you all enough for waiting.
I have the face (so a bit of flesh work ) and the hair done and am editing and yes then narrating the video 
Looks good for a fresh start on Sunday the Eleventh.
Again thank you for your patience, please, give your self a hug from me.
Cheers
Tracy

I’m Backkkk … and in one piece more or less

I have been catching up on my homework then so I can get going again.

I have survived the crucible…. I must begin the video again but, until I do here is a Hallows Eve picture I am working on as a texture assignment for my Design class. I need to polish up on the teeth but I like the cloth an the pear.

It is a Vanitas  in the October spirit, just for your patience.

Thanks for your patience and thank you Liz for all your help,

Tracy

Episode 5 - Video Delayed

Family emergency has caused delays in schedule, I will post as soon as this Episode is complete.

My release schedule may be effected for short time now and be a bit erratic. Please ….  if you sign up for a RSS feed, you will automatically be informed as soon as any updates are made to the site.

I am so sorry for your inconvenience I could not avoid it,

Cheers
Tracy

Emergency Possible Delay in Episode 5 Video

I have a family emergency (my mom) and I will possibly need to delay the video release a few bits. 
Just thought I would warn you, 

Thank you Tracy

Took a break from the Faust and relaxed with my Avatar Of Menoth

I like painting warjacks just for my play time… it is very relaxing and I need that this week, my health is annoying me so I took a break to paint for just me last night. I feel kinda guilty but here he is… 
The Avatar is the big bad a@@ of my army. I balance him with the all too pretty Harbinger of Menoth painting her will be my reward or bribe shall we say I have had the model since she first came out She is really why I choose Menoth , well and Stefen My son had already dibbed the Cryx fraction, my first love.
I will paint the Harbinger soon I hope… but only after I finish the 800 or so point of minis I have to complete. I am also looking forward to the Daughters of the Flame as far as painting goes they are little hots that remind me of the minis from GW … Sevina and Soria Inquisitor models, my daughter took a fancy to those models and pointed them out. I like a lot of the inquisitor models also. 
My husband Todd was my hero as he pinned and glued the daughters together last night while I painted… I love that time we share together, it is one of my favorite past times we do besides beating each other down playing Magic the Gathering ( a trading Card game ) it is really fun when the whole family is able but with all of us in school that is rare right now.

My art class homework is a bit overwhelming and consuming a lot of time I have been able to do something …away. I have three paintings due by next Tuesday, 8 X 10 acrylic and all the same picture painted with different color values ( warm Cold and my choice) if I were not so anal it would not be too bad but I bite off too big of projects and need to keep it simple this time . I have the next video due out this Sunday, need to be efficient…
Well I better get something done while I can.

A big Thank you Craig and Liz for adopting my Warmachine Renegade, It is fun knowing he will go to a good home, I got the mini I needed from privateer press with the money it helped very much!
Cheers,
Tracy  

Episode 4- Base Coating Metallics

Here is episode four of our instructional videos by TAB Studio,Tracy from BrushOrDie.com. This video is about base painting Metallics then following up with a ink wash. A continuing saga painting the 35mm pewter gaming miniature from Anima Tactics named Faust Orbatos, techniques and handy information, for the miniature painter.

For you AOL users here is your special link

Well I’ve Done It Now - Selling the Privateer Press Brass Balls Competition Miniature

I put the Renegade up for sale here on eBay

Bid Wildly please so you can fund the next adventure …No Quarters Very,Very Scary Miniature Competition.
This auction is going to help purchase the next competitions supplies, muhahahaha … help?

Episode 3 - Pinning

 AOL VIEWERS See Here !

Welcome !

Here is the third episode of our instructional videos. This one is narrated by Todd from BrushOrDie.com. The video is about pinning two parts of a pewter miniature together as both Todd and Tracy will show you. We are still working on the 35mm pewter gaming miniature from Anima Tactics named Faust Orbatos and will be until he is entirely painted.

I am not able to present the Metallics video today because of a medical condition that leaves me randomly unable to function. This last week was one of those random times. 
Thank you to Todd  for the assistance with your sultry voice. Poor guy spent hours narrating this clip.  It helped keep the show on time, not let viewers down, eased my stress and gives you all a break from my voice to boot. I love you Todd!

Thank you my dear Becca for the cutest announcement ever of the winner for the Biggest Mistake Contest.
Yes, winning info is at the very end of the video again the suspense is killing us, go see!

Until the next Episode on  September 23 rd… happy painting and a big thanks to you all for your time, comments and support!

Cheers,

Tracy

A Good Friend and, Privateer Press - No Quarter Magazine Picture.

First the good friend is Liz that I meant from the forums of CoolMiniOrNot. We chatted and schemed in or spare time and I am so thankful for her approaching me that I could not detail here. She is a jewel in crown of kindness. It is for her that my family was able to enjoy Sea World in style and I can not thank her enough.

I also received a package from Liz and was very thrilled.  When I opened it I find that she has given me her miniature from the contest she did so very well in I think it is even her first contest she has entered in as well.
I could not believe my eyes. I will soon will photo and show you her incredible work.
She needs work with the photo end more than any assistance in the painting, that is for sure. Yet I always enjoy hearing her schemes and plans, she is the best fun outside my family for me right now.

Liz, I want you to know how very much I cherish this diorama and always will.

The other cheery news this week is that Privateer Press - No Quarter Magazine Picture is out and the family hit the local game store to buy a copy. Weeeee laaa !

Marijn Congratulations on the win well deserved! Watch you back though I am getting ready for the next one already!
I am going to auction this Renegade on eBay so I can afford the next miniature I have plans for, let you know when it goes up for sale case you are interested. I need to get at least $50.00 for it, so here is to hoping I do.

Episode 2 - Attack Of The Colors

Here is the second episoide of our free instructional videos by TAB Studio,Tracy from BrushOrDie.com. This video is about paint washes used to reveal details or flaws on a 35mm pewter gaming miniature from Anima Tactics named Faust Orbatos, paint to liquid ratios and other handy information about washes, for the miniature painter.

For those of you with AOL please retrieve your video with this handy link BrushOrDie for AOL Browsers ,it will start to play as soon as it downloads.

Hosted from  Blip TV or you can go to the Internet Archive you can visit the source, download a copy for future use or share on your own site, just let them know where you found it please. 

Cheers,

Tracy

Episode 1 - Priming A Miniature

Here is the first episoide of our free instructional videos by TAB Studio,Tracy from BrushOrDie.com.
This video is about brush priming a 35 mm pewter gaming miniature from Anima Tactics named Faust Orbatos, cleaning sable brushes, filing mold lines and other handy hints for the miniature painter.

I am going to take this miniature and in each step upload a video of the methods I am able to show you with my skill level at present. I will make every effort to upload Sunday-bi weekly to this site a new progress video. It takes me wuite a bit to get the editing and narrating right now I am new to this.  

 Hosted from  http://brushordie.blip.tv/ or you can go to the Internet Archive Source you can visit the source to download a copy for future use or share on your own site, just let them know where you found it please. 
Cheers
Tracy 

More info… a link to Swannys Models about Future Floor Wax and its qualities he has a load of good info…. I use one part Future to 3 parts filtered water and store it in a drink container pre-mixed for all my water needs.

Review my videoblog at Mefeedia

Taking Miniature Photos on a Black Background

Well, after being asked a few times how I get the black background on my miniature pictures and how to photo black itself.  I give you what I can to help you, do what I do and, if you need any other information feel free to comment here and ask

 The photo below shows the set up I use , I came across this odd process during the charity project. I took some 5000 photos of other peoples miniatures for the eBay auctions these were donations of some of the finest painters in the world, and I wanted to do my best for them yet often… I had an overwhelming amount of work, here is what I came up with.

 The magnifying light I use to paint with is the fundamental to the whole process…it is my light source for the photo though I leave the overhead lights on.
The bulb in the light  is a daylight fluorescent bulb and the overhead light that I leave on while taking pictures in my dining room is converted to Revel Daylight bulbs there are three in the ceiling light fixture I have above the table. hot situation but great for painting.

I use the interior of a Wood Elf Army box as my background, I have spray primed the inside of the box black with GW spray primer. This is the only thing I personally think the stuff is good for. I respray the inside when the surface gets scuffed etc. The paint leaves a sand like residue if I handle it too much but it is a great flat surface to photo against and worth the careful handling.

I found a 1″ glass cube in my foraging at Michaels and I have spray primed that as well this the GW primer. This allows me to raise the model up and not have the seam of the box show in the picture behind the mini. It would if I just set the mini on the inside with out being raised up in the air a bit.
 
I am clumsy and do not have the patience to use a tripod…thus the metal card box you see there, I used this box tonight to set the camera on. Tonight it is a MTG box I had handy but, what I choose to set the camera on changes according to the mini I am taking pictures of. Some minis I like looking up at, some I look down upon just matters what it is and how it will display well. I tend to grab things around at the time

Here is the picture untouched generate by the above set up. My Avatar of Menoth work I have in progress…cute yes?

I will also share a screen shot of my camera settings. I found in the photoshop program file settings areas. They are odd settings but they work for me in this situation.

Here is a list of my setting as far as the camera options go,
Metering : Matrix
Shutter: Single
Best shot selector: On
Image adjustment : less contrast
Saturation: Maximum
Exposure Lock : Off
Focus Options : Area Mode
Image Sharpening : Normal
Auto Bracketing: Off
Noise Reduction:Off

The common error I see when looking at mini pictures is the lack of measuring the White balance or using the white balance setting.
I have a meter in the camera information settings area and each time I photo a mini or change the lighting, I remeasure the balance. I would highly suggest you look at your camera instructions and find where and how ‘your’ cameras white balance metering works and how to use it.
I am able to simply place a sheet of white printer paper in front of the mini, then do the measurement function. I remove the paper and take the picture. I use the timer feature when taking pictures then I can back off and not shake the table as the shutter does it’s thing of beauty.

One trick I learned in all the photo work …. to get focus on a mini that has a sword or other feature jutting directly toward the camera lens. Place your finger at a mid range or rear area of the miniature as you are taking the picture. You can withdraw it right when the shutter goes of or you can leave it in an area that is easily cropped. This fools the camera in to focusing on the ‘whole’ miniature not just the thing closest to the lens.  Can you see the finger of doom?

So biggest concerns to take the photo like this are…. White balance measurement,  slow shutter speed, no flash, primed box and primed block to place the mini on top of, direct focused light source, (you could use a shop light with a revel bulb as an alliterative to what I use I have and it works), timer setting or delay setting so you are not holding the camera or pressing a button when the shutter goes off and patience. I hope this helps and again ask away about anything that may be unclear or need further explanations.

Cheers
Tracy