Painting Basics: "3 Step" Painting (Basecoat, Wash, Drybush) made easy.

     So, if you're like most hobbyists, painting your models isn't exactly your favorite part of the hobby. For most, it falls in somewhere between doing chores and getting a root canal. While it's true that it's not always the most rewarding part of the hobby, it's the part that makes the rest more rewarding. Painting your models is like going to practice, or Leg Day- it's what you need to be at your best and get the most out of what you've already paid for.

     The good news is, we live in fortunate times. Several excellent products exist to make your painting duties easier. I'm going to demonstrate the simplest way I know to get a really solid finished product, and link you to each one of those products so you can find out more about them.

Slavetopainting's speed painting experiment

LXG has been a fan of Slavetopainting's tutorials for quite awhile.  Always offering great tips to use on all kinds of products, as well as offering those products at a reasonable price.  When we asked Chief Slave graciously offered to write an article for us.  Here is his article on speed painting.

Speed Painting Infinity Nomads

As everybody knows who follows my page Slavetopainting, I am somewhat obsessed with the concept of high quality speed painting at the moment.  I suppose that this has largely come about by having two little ones appear on the scene recently and my business growing very quickly limiting the time I have for the hobby.  So in my quest to paint good quality table top armies faster and get gaming quicker I have been experimenting with speeding up my techniques with my air brush to get ‘advanced’ effects in a limited time.

A recent experiment of mine was trying to paint a Nomads Infinity faction (worth around 250 points) in under 8 hours.  So here we go…

Thinning down your paints

Something that a lot of hobbyists are taught is that you should thin down your paints.  The reasons for this practice a varied.  For some it makes the paint easier to layer.  Others use thin downed paints to glaze or wash models.  One of the most basic reasons is simply to get a smoother finish.  For each reason there is a preferred product to use, and this article will cover some of them.

The Sunday News: and we're not even home...

Look at this, LXG goes on holiday and the Sunday News still goes up.  Ok it might have something to do with having to finish it Thursday, but still you gotta admit, it's kinda impressive.  There's a bunch in this edition, even with it being done 3 days ahead of time.  And in what seems to be a trend, there is another announcement at the end.

Dying Star: Oblivion a unique universe and game

Dying Star: Oblivion is a Kickstarter that we at LXG stumbled upon last week.  2CE and I were intrigued enough to throw some money at the project, and I'm going to take a moment or two to show you why.  Welcome to our Dying Star: Oblivion overview.

Dropped Prices on Dropzone Commander!

So, you want an excuse to go and buy some Dropzone Commander?  Need a little push to get a buddy into the game?  How about discounted prices from two of the web's best retailers!

Into the Warzone!

     So, it's finally here: the last week before Warzone launches.  Up to this point, we knew where we were headed- kickstarters are one directional like that. But now... where do we go?

Back to Drawing Boards II: Another Dark Age MTI Battle Report!

     And so it was that Belgarath97 wanted to make some adjustments to his list, and so we played another hard hitting 750 point Dark Age game to prep him for the March to Immortality.

The Sunday News... It's on Sunday and everything.

See I can get this thing done on time.

Pleased to meat you: A Spinespur Slaughterhouse Agenda review

Filthy, dirty, slovenly beasts. Oh, and then there's the pigs. The Slaughterhouse Agenda represents the "rural society" of horror tropes- the areas where civilization's shining light never quite made it, and if it id, all it accomplished was casting a deeper shadow.

What is "WAAC"?

     Among wargamers, there's a "dirty word" generally reserved for the worst type of player at the table-  "WAAC."  It stands for "Win At All Costs."  It is also perhaps the stupidest thing to ever come up in gaming, and that's not an easy prize to win.  

Back to Drawing Boards: an MTI Dark Age Battle Report

     With the upcoming March to Immortality at Gencon- which Belgarath97 now knows he'll be in regardless of local competitions due to it being an Open Event this year- it was time to get in some practice.  Especially since the point totals have changed, and all his hard work list building and points maximizing just went out the window. 

Factions of Infinity: Pan-Oceana

Today on Guest Writer Wednesday, MadBobby returns with his first in a series of articles looking  t the various factions playable in Infinity.

Some time ago I wrote an article for LXG preaching the virtues of Infinity with the promise of another article sooner than later, I have to apologize that life took over as it has a way of doing and later wound up coming much faster than I had anticipated.  While I wanted to write the be all end all article to give a brief synopsis of all of Infinity’s various factions and sects, all of which play differently on the table with access to troops and toys that make each one of them unique and distinct from the rest. When I wrote this behemoth of analytical prose it dwarfed some research papers I’d written in college, so for the sake of your sanity, and the hope that you, dear reader will actually process all I’m offering, I’m dividing the meat into several more easily digestible pieces, one article to cover each major faction and each of its sectorial forces. Today you will be treated to Pan-Oceana.

Godslayer: Maybe we should be paying more attention to this?

Ok, so if you have been paying any attention you will know that we have been paying a crapload of attention to Dark Age, SpineSpur, and Warzone.  But there is another new player to the market that really needs to be given some consideration... Godslayer.  In the last week, they have won the "Most Promising Product" award, and release five new products.  Been a very busy week.

Sunday News... on Monday. (I know, I know)

Ok this is late again, but spending all of 4 hours home on Sunday made it hard to get this down.  There are some major things in this week's Sunday news though, so I couldn't forgo it.  One of the games we talk about released four new units and won an award.  Over 1.5 million dollars went to two of the games we were watching and supporting.  We've made some arrangements to add some new contributors for one of those games.  Finally, a major announcement about one of our own... and without further ado:

On Monday, I know.

Of Sandy Petersen, Fenris Games, and Great Old Ones...

     Sandy Petersen and his new Green Eye Games have, with the help of our friends at Fenris Games, are about to become the first "true" Board Game we've discussed at length here at LXG.  The reasons... well... the speak for themselves.  Through the Dark Aether of Kickstarter approaches... Cthulhu Wars.

Sneak Peak of Warzone Resurrection at Grumpy Old Wargamers Con!

     For those of us unable to attend Grumpy Old Wargamers this past weekend, Prodos had game demos of Warzone Resurrection up and running- a really good sign that release is just around the corner.  While there were only two factions present, it gives us a better look at models- and stats.

Massive Mecha Wargame Incoming!

     Paulson Games has a new wargame coming on the market that I'm very, very excited about. Mecha Front. Now, we tried to get you an exclusive interview with Jon Paulson from Adepticon, but we're run into some technical difficulties on that one. So, for now, we're going to focus on where this awesome game is, and what you can do to get in on it.

Journey Into Dark Age: March to Immortality Open 2013

Today, Mr. Black made an announcement that made be a giggle like a school girl.  (if your not sure what that sounds like, go here)  Anyway, today it was announced that this year's March to Immortality tournament will be open to all.  The entry requirements for the tournament are simple

1. 750 points 
2. fully painted (I love that stipulation)
3. attend Gen Con Indy 2013

That's it.  Show up and play.  Of course now I have to revise my list again. (Just got the 500 points down,

now it's 750, bastards!)

Mr. Black wanted to make sure that, to go along side all the new sexiness of a new edition, that we got a chance to participate.  Here is his actual statement.

But, dear players, since this year is all about new beginnings, shaking things up, making changes, I figured one more wouldn't hurt...

And it's with that sentiment that I announce the following:

GenCon Immortals Open 2013

That's right, players, I'm opening the floodgates, just this year, for free competition. What's that mean? it means you show up to Gencon with your 750 point fully painted Dark Age army and you're in- No qualifier needed. I figured let's give everyone a chance this year, as this year is about new beginnings.

So there's your news. Do you feel that spark inside you? The small flame that just kindled? That's the call of being an Immortal. This is your chance, don't waste it.

More information will come along with the release of our new rulebook regarding format and what to expect, but either way, the call has been dispatched, it's up to you to answer.

See you at Gencon...

Oh, and in case you missed it.  The winner get's to be immortalized in the game via a unit of their design.  Mr. Black showcased the last 4, and if you've been paying attention, you'll notice a sneak peak to the new John Woe card.  You can see the first two above.  Below are the last two winners.  Until next time...

Belgarath97

   

Model Martial Women- A Raging Heroes Kickstarter

     There's a generalized misconception in table top wargaming that "female models don't sell," or even worse that "female models only sell to women and guys with issues."  My opinion has always been that his is due to the way such models are marketed- which is generally poorly.  The new Kickstarter from Raging Heroes is out to drive that point home... exceedingly well.

Warzone to Begin Shipping in 19 days!

     Prodos Games is about to do something nearly unthinkable in the world of Table Top
Wargaming Kickstarters:  begin shipping 70 days after their Kickstarter ended.

Dropzone Commander News: Seems there was something to look forward to...

Today HawkWargames released their latest Newsletter, number 19 to be exact.  After the quote from Hawk Simon on the forums to look forward to it, I was intrigued to see what was in it.  Well it has arrived and I agree with Simon, it was worth waiting for, so let's break this thing down.

The Presence of Faeit is Felt Again!

For reasons still not completely clarified, Faeit212 has returned to the blogosphere!  Naftka is back, and doing what he does best.

Sunday News

Sorry this is a little late, I had some personal stuff to handle.  That being said, do I have some goodies in todays Sunday News.

PoweredPlay Gaming Kickstarter in Final Days- Let's Light a Zombie!

     For those of you not following this incredible project, PoweredPlay Gaming has a kickstarter to make lighting your models incredibly easy.  As it stands, lighting is only the beginning of the possibilities they have in store- but it might be the only one you get for a while unless you back this kickstarter.