Recent replacements for my Late War German Panzers.
Left, PzIV-J, right PzIV-F for HQ.
Vallejo Model Colors and Daler-Rowney FW Acrylic Inks.
I favor the PzIV variants and the PzIII’s. I do not need Tigers or Panthers. I will however take a few Luchs (Lynx) if anyone is passing out “cats”.
I paint exclusively with acrylic, or water-based paints and products. I do not like to waste my effort nor my time, but other benefits await the earnest designer, uhh, Grasshopper.
Problem
I needed a better pallet design because I’ve ramped up my painting schedule. More painting equals more waste and mess, but it need not. Sort of hard to avoid a mess when I am being creative, yet a creative person can eliminate a lot of bothers. I do not mind doing a bit of work in the present tense in order to reduce wasted effort later. I see that concept as a benefit to me.
Countermeasures
I had four goals that must fit this painting pallet design. First, the painting pallet had to be small and mobile. Next, it needed to be simple. Third, the process of using the painting pallet must reduce or eliminate paint going down the drain and collateral waste. Last, the design must make the painting process easier for me and the pallet must reduce the time I spent cleaning up or preparing to paint.
Process and Method
I have a piece of rectangular fiber board that has been painted white on one side and left dark on the other side. You can use anything sturdy enough for your needs that will fit inside a plastic bag as the foundation of your pallet ‘board’. I painted mine white to give a stronger contrast to my colors. The dark side is great for lighter shades, apologies to Darth Vader.
Second, place the fiber board goes inside a sandwich sized plastic zip bag, white side up, securely sealed. I use an economy type zip bags but any sort of recyclable clear plastic works. The zip feature helps keep the pallet board orderly and secure.
Last, add a folded paper towel as a clean pad for daubing wet brushes and clip it to the bagged fiber board pallet.
Benefits and Expected Results
1 All the pallet parts are made from ordinary materials and everything recycles or is reused.
2 Set up and Clean up are quick actions so I can better concentrate on finishing my painting schedule.
3 No dread to do a lot of work before I begin to paint.
4 The pallet is small and is easy to pack.
5 I use both sides of the plastic bag, pallet liner waste has gone to zero.
6 No paint goes down the drain. When the plastic is discarded I turn it inside out and recycle the bag.
Perhaps you can make your own. If you would like to share your creation please comment below.
Taking fire in the morning
A Squad In Process.
I am in the process of painting a squad of British infantry on the Northwest Frontier circa 1897. As I slapped paint I placed the minis to one side. It made an arrangement on my painting bench, quite unconsciously. So I took what I saw and wrote my impression below. It is miserably lacking in detail and truth and perhaps unjustified, mere fancy but there it was nonetheless, words of bitterness and irony and very little glory.
Night Picket
Neither elegies nor apologies
Old Sweats know the score.
It’s us or them, Sergeant growls,
Be them then, the soldiers swear.
Nightly silent scorpion stings
Dagger men come a-calling;
Lean blades mock life deliver
Everlasting farewell kiss.
Wherever the Union Jack still
Flies ’tis due to men like these,
But more to bairns and mams
Asleep in Blighty’s arms.
(all rights reserved,2015)
The remains of the day
A Second Challenger Has Spoken
The menacingly lovely Lady Torch Belvedere with Mopar™ attitude courtesy of Torque Girls representing 3rd Degree Burn Bar & Grill©. This racer features a ‘hot poker’ flame-thrower and a 7.62mm x 63mm door mounted personal protection device, sometimes known as a squad automatic weapon (SAW).
Lady Torch Belvedere and other racers will play the Two Hour Wargames Machinas ™ to lay claim to living another day to race in the Wasteland.
Be advised: the ‘hot poker’ works fore and aft; to all quarters! Need a light?
Devereux's Volunteer Company of Misfits & Ridiculous Diversions 