This week we have a 28mm NorthStar plastic mini for Stargrave.
Yea, the weapon he’s carrying isn’t technically a “bazooka”. Maybe it’s a light anti-tank weapon? I’m sure someone can tell me what the more modern equivalent is! Anyways, here we go…
It’s been a good long time (Oct 2023) since I’ve posted any SciFi/Modern stuff. Mainly because I still have a lot of D&D minis to paint for our game. The next batch I work on probably won’t have many of these either, but hopefully I’ll someday do a larger batch of Stargrave. They can be pretty fun.
I went for a sort of modern soldier look for him, so he could be used in games other than Stargrave. This is also the first time I’ve painted camo patterns on a mini. My apologies, as I’m sure it probably looks pretty bad to those more familiar with military uniforms.
He’s also one that had sat around partially painted for whatever reason. Hesitation on painting camo maybe? The project trays have really helped me get some of those unfinished minis done though. Mainly because I tend to toss a few partially painted minis in as ‘easy wins’. But also because once they are in the tray, they have to get done! ;P
This is one of my first minis where I really worked on dark lining. Something I was reminded of from Geoff’s Painting classes. Speaking of which…
Next Time: Painting Class pt. 2
Double Down Dice 
Great job Brian, the camo works, as it’s a random pattern to break up shapes which is what camo is supposed to be. As for the weapon it reminds me of a stinger, as the projectile sits out of the launching tube on that one as well.
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Thanks Dave! I really had no idea on how to paint up the “stinger” either. Rockets seem to be military green mostly. I opted for something a little more sci-fi/GI Joe.
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Very nice! :-) The weapon reminded me more of an RPG-7 with the style of the projectile. Nice work on the camouflage!
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Cheers John! I hate to say it, but I think Dave’s suggestion of the “Stinger” might fit better.
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Yeah, that’s fair enough! :-) We all tend to see things differently I think!
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It’s probably a hodgepodge of both weapons. So you both win!
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As an army man I would have to come in on team RPG on this one. Since it’s future tech though I would borrow from Rogue Trooper and go with Lazooka
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Thanks James! You know, I think you (and JNV) are probably right. There are no ‘aerial targets’ in the game, so I guess an RPG makes more sense.
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He’s great mate. I think the camo looks great, reminds me of the Tiger series of GI Joe figures (if you’re familiar with them). Also, his weapon is technically called a Bomb throwing thingy. Haha
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Lol, I knew someone would finally come along with the right name for the weapon! Definitely an AH-5H1T Bomb Thrower Thingie!! 😂 I don’t know the Tiger Series of the GI Joe figures, but I definitely had the 80s action figures in mind when I painted him.
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I was going to say that he looks like a GI Joe and as someone who plays way too many video games, I’d call it a rocket launcher but what do I know!? 🙂
I’ve got a couple of suggestions for this mini. I would suggest edge highlighting the armor with a light green color to show a little bit of wear and to show where the light is hitting it.
Personally, I would avoid using washes (or is that contrast type of paint?) and just layer in the shadows and highlights on the green parts. Washes don’t do well on these kinds of surfaces and if you layer, you can get a more realistic look. I admit though that this is a personal preference of mine mostly too.
Finally, I’d suggest adding a third color to your camo pattern. I think that will make it look even more realistic. If you don’t mind a 30 minute video on the subject, I’d recommend the following for some more camo techniques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4vJQlrGv_Y&t=3s. I’ve only painted camo once or twice but it can look really cool when done well.
I hope that wasn’t too much feedback for you and I really like this mini. I hope you’ll paint some more in the future as they’re fun little army men! 🙂
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Cheers Jeff and thanks for the feedback. The dark green was done quite some time ago and yea, I’d likely do it differently today. The wash gave it a weird almost camo look, so I left it. There is some edge highlighting on it, but it’s probably back when my highlights were more faint. There’s also a bit of wear on parts, but I think it could’ve used a little more, especially on the helm. The camo has the base, tan color, then two different colors for the spots. But the colors were so close, that I don’t think you can tell except in person. Another better color or even a third color might have been better. I’ve seen that effect on the old GI Joe action figures and it looked pretty good.
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That all makes sense to me and I think it will be interesting to see you take on the next miniature and see how it turns out. I think the camo effect really makes this mini look toyetic (can you believe that’s a word?!) and if that is what you prefer than I wouldn’t worry about changing the patterning much. Maybe just a third color that’s more distinct to see if you like it more. Either way, I look forward to more of these, assuming you aren’t back to painting Freedom Force characters 🙂
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Well, I just learned a new word “toyetic”! More Champions Characters to come!
Each Stargrave mini I paint, turns out quite different. So I’m not sure if there will be more camo coming or no. I bought some (Wargames Atlantic?) boxes awhile back to make some grunts for Stargrave though. I think one is basically a police or military kit. The other is convicts. I really hope to get those in the queue at some point, though at the rate things are going it might not be till next year. Plus we still have a house move looming, which is sure to derail everything.
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Hmm, maybe I should do a group pic of the Stargrave minis to date? If there is any interest, I’m sure I could work that into the next Stargrave post.
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It is definitely a fancy word that can make someone look smart 🙂 More Champions characters sounds great to me.
I will look forward to seeing more Stargrave minis when you get around to them then. I hope the move allows for more painting time than you expect though I think you have the right attitude towards it. It is always worse than you think it will be is my experience.
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I’m trying not to think about the move too much. Except what I might be able to do with my painting area. I’m not looking forward to the possibility of losing weeks of painting time. Especially having to unpack everything and reorganize. But hey, change is constant and sometimes you just gotta roll with it!
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Nice work. Some of the Stargrave figures are great.
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Thanks GP! Yea, I love that you can mix and match stuff.
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Nice, I like this chap a lot. The colours you’ve chosen and the sculpt combine for a glorious old-school look.
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Cheers AB! He does make a pretty good little army man toy. 🙂
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