Hey everyone, another year has come and gone in the world of 2Ton Studios and as we welcome in 2015 things are still looking bright. Lots of things to assemble and paint. Tons of people buying models and wanting them painted. Granted I might not get a bunch of work and it could turn out to be a slow year, people are still getting their models painted by someone. So maybe someday I might get to enjoy my dream of being able to play games and not have to set up across from unpainted models.

Right now I am working on a Skorne army for a local customer, I am getting back into Malifaux since I had a chance to play a demo for Malifaux 2nd ed. this past weekend and really enjoyed it. Also there is still some more Relic Knights stuff sitting out on the shelf that needs to get addressed soon. Plus there is talks of some more Troll stuff that is not mine mind you and maybe even some more 40k stuff.

So like I said this new year is looking kinda bright for the studio and we will just have to roll with the punches to see what all fun painting projects will be getting to come our way.

Hey gang its that time of the month again where I tell you what all has been going on. And this time I can tell you that I have actually been up to a bunch of different things here in the studio from testing out paint schemes on my Black Dragons on my Khador to finally getting my Starter set and rulebook for Relic Knights. I have also been talking to a couple past customers of mine that are thinking about getting some work done on models.

Well as I sit here I have half painted models everywhere... I have been working on a few different test schemes for my Black Dragon Iron Fang Pikemen and I think I have come across the one I like the most and it is a small variation on the one that I posted up on here in October. I love the black with the red trim. I think gives them kind of an ominous feel. So as soon as I get done working on what I am working on now I am going to shift over to them and knock them out in a hurry.

Now for the big project of the moment... I am painting up my Black Diamond faction starter set for Relic Knights and I should have them all done shortly. I don't have much left to do really other than paint the minion squad that came in the box. And don't you fret there will be plenty of pictures as I am going to be doing a multi-part review on the game, models, rules... the whole thing. So honestly be expecting that from me in the next few days or so because I have a lot to say about this system and the models. For now though I am keeping my opinions all to myself because I want this to be a surprise and a good read for everyone. So no spoilers yet.

Also coming up on Monday I have a huge announcement that I am going to be making for a new product line from my friends over at Powered Play gaming. So the start of November is loaded with goodies. Perfect timing too with the holiday season upon us.

Now I am taking commission work at this time and I have some openings in the schedule so as always if you need something painted up just drop me a line at chris@2tonpainting.com and I will gladly get you a quote and an idea of a timeline as to how long things will take. But don't wait until the last minute to get those commission requests in to me because we are coming up on my busy season.

Thats all for now and stay tuned for some awesome announcements and reviews.

Thats right paint fans, another month is completely gone. September was for the most part a slow month. There were a couple commissions finished up in there but not much else because I spent the better part of 2 weeks drilling and pinning and rebuilding arms and blasting pikes for my Khador Black Dragons.

At first I was considering just leaving them be until I tried to straightened a few of them out and they just broke off. So that kinda sealed my fate to have to replace all the pike shafts. So several days and some very very sore fingers later I replaced the pike shafts with new shafts cut from 1.6mm aluminum rod (couldn't find brass in that size locally) on the full unit plus the unit attachment. The unit is fully assembled and ready to be primed and painted, so I think that will be the next project. This will be a big painting task cause there are several models so it should keep me occupied for the next several days.

Also in the future for the studio there should be some Relic Knights and some Infinity models (if they ever arrive).

I know I don't normally do mid month updates all that often but I figured with everything that has gone on recently that I should give you guys a small update as to how things are going. That and I wanted to tell everyone how the photo shoot went on Sunday. So I think that is where I will start.

The photo shoot really didn't happen the way I had hoped but that came down to a timing issue and small camera snafu. But my buddy that was helping me out with the photo shoot sent me home with a photo box to help take better pictures in so once I get the lamps set up I am going to make a real attempt at taking real pictures... let hope it works. On the flip side of things on Sunday I had a great time hanging out with friends and painting on some models. So yeah I painted on stuff on my much needed day off... but I did it sitting around a table with friends chatting with friends teaching some of my wisdom and just having a great time.

Now for the great news that has happened for the studio... The studio has a mystery benefactor (well mystery to you cause I am not naming names) that was kind enough to help the studio out in its time of need and gift the studio with a much needed new airbrush and a full set of Minitaire airbrush paints from Badger. Now I have had a few rather lengthy conversations with this person asking how I can ever repay him for this and he has told me not to worry about it because he just wanted to help out a friend. So for this I say thank you sir for like the millionth time and I don't think I will ever be able to say thank you enough. This really means the world to me and I am thankful that God has put you in my life. Even if we play different games.

So the projects at the moment. I am working on a group of Gobber Drudges for my buddy's Cephalyx army that he is starting. and I also have a Harkevich and a Black Ivan to paint for another friend. Then I get to play with the new airbrushes and paints cause I am thinking of painting my Greylord Outriders next because I want to paint the horses... I think will be a good way to show off what I can do with a proper airbrush. So the portfolio list of models has changed just a little bit... but its for the better I think.

So stay tuned cause I think things are really close to getting interesting around here.

One of the questions I get asked all the time as a commission painter (other than "what's it cost?") is "how long will it take?". Well most projects range from a few days to a few weeks depending on the size and complexity of the project. For example that Dark Angels Ravenwing project actually only took about 5 to 6 weeks of paint time. Or I have done single model jobs for local customers that only take a couple of days.

2 units of Kayazy Eliminators
Unit of Widowmakers
Widowmaker Marksman

All together 19 models to paint and just 7 days to do it in. Not too tall of a challenge because I know I can do it. Its just how much sleep am I going to miss out on trying to get it all done.

Hey gang, sorry about the delay in getting the monthly news written up and posted. I was busy finishing off a commission of 3 units of Man O War for one of the local Khador players. I am helping him get his models painted up before he goes to Gencon here in a couple weeks. So this month has started off with a bit of a bang as far as commissions are concerned. If all goes well I will be picking up another commission this coming Tuesday from the same client.

Also on the painting schedule for this month is some of my Khador models because I have a large stock pile of unpainted Khador models and I want to get them painted so I can start playing some of these lists that I have all planned out, such as my Khador Cav list. First up from the stock pile is my Behemoth model. I have had Big B for over a year now and he has been sitting here half primed waiting for me to find time for him. Unfortunately I had not found a list that I liked him in so I never got around to painting him. BUT I have discovered a list that I like that big monster in and he works really well so I have decided to get him painted. But this is a project that might take a couple weeks to get done because I might be having a commission arrive right in the middle of trying to get him painted... but you know what... it is still worth it cause Big B needs to get painted. After that I am thinking I will get the rest of the models for my Old Witch list painted...

Beyond that here in the studio I am having a hard time trying to decide if I want to base my Strakov list on trench works bases from Secret Weapon Miniatures or if I want to just make my own trench works style bases. I mean I have almost all of the materials here except a couple things so I can easily do it, but do I want to go through the hassle of doing it?

Hello and thank you to everyone that has been following my painting exploits and adventures. I would like to say damn I can't believe its July already. 2014 has been flying by and we are over halfway through the year so far.

First a short look back at June... June was a busy month for the studio in a way. I have been up to my elbows in Ravenwing and have finally put a huge dent in that commission. I am looking to be done with them in roughly a week. I should have some pictures to show off the whole force very soon.

Once this one is done there are rumors of maybe some X-Wing ships making a pit stop in the studio and getting some custom paint jobs. Other than that it is looking like I will be getting to work on some of my own Khador models and maybe even working a few simple conversions. Just have to wait and see what I feel like working on next.

Hey gang, things have been busy as usual through the month of May and things are moving forward again on some commissions.

I am really going to keep the news kinda short this month cause I am super busy working on some space marine bikes and I want to get them done so I can get them back to their owner. So that is the big project for the moment. Beyond that I will just have to wait and see what all the customers bring me.

On the personal project side of the coin I have been buying up the items that I need to rebuild my Khador and make them a little more competitive in the local meta. Also I am scouting out some projects that will be worthy of a portfolio that I can scout around to different companies, cause you never know what the future may hold for me. So in all honesty you guys have not seen my best work yet.

Okay so I am not going to do some big elaborate April Fools prank like everyone else this year. I think this April I am just going to be more serious and fill all of you in on what all I have been up to... cause damn the studio has been rocking the last month or so.

In March there was a couple Circle Orboros commissions for one of the local gaming crew. Also for the local crew there was that 2 player Warmachine starter set and then there was a Retribution commission too. So March was busier than I expected it to be... not that I am complaining as it was nice to be busy, but personal projects have started to collect a fine layer of dust on them.

On a non-painting side note I took the Convergence up to the shop and play a couple games with them even though they are not painted, and let me tell you... it was the most fun I have had playing Warmachine in a long time. It is nice to play a different army every now and then. Don't get me wrong I still love my Khador and I have grand plans for the next expansion of the army, but every now and then you just have to change things up so you don't get burned out.

For April its looking like one more Circle commission for the moment and and more Dark Angels. Beyond that I don't know what all else the future might hold for me. Kinda hope I can work on some personal projects.

Thats right... pure MADNESS in the studio. Well actually not madness but busy busy busy. I am working on a Dark Angels/Ravenwing commission as well as an ongoing series of commissions for my Circle Orboros client.

On the bubble this month is also a possible Trollblood and Retribution commissions just have to wait and see what the community brings my way.

As for personal projects for the studio... well that is going to be taking a slight shift in what I am working on at the moment. I know I have been talking about the Trolls and the Convergence for the last few months. Well I have made some changes to the Khador that I have been playing and that means new units to get painted and added to the army. One of which will be a unit of Black Dragon Pikemen.

They studio is hopping at the moment... but its going to fun and interesting.

Hey gang, to start off this news post I just want to say how great it is to have all of you as my followers and even some of you as customers. It really means a lot to me to get up each day and see how many page views I get on here and to know that there are a bunch of people all over the world get to see my work.

Now on to business... January ended with me finishing off a commission for one of my non-gaming clients, and I picked up a new client at the very last minute in January but the piece will be one of the February projects. More on that in a moment.

January also ended with me selling off that Circle Orboros army that I painted up last summer for the journeyman league that the FLGS did. One of the newer local players hit me up and made me an offer I couldn't refuse so they finally got sold. Now part of that deal requires that I paint up eMorvahna to add to the army... like I am going to turn down painting Lady Goat for someone. So anyway now I can start working on my Trolls once I get some free space on the calender.

So now you know what all I have ahead of me for the month of February at the moment... Lady Goat and some trolls... I do also have plans of writing an article on something seriously irks me. More on that later if something develops out of it.

Now that we are past the holidays I am starting to get a clearer picture of what to expect over the next few "frozen" weeks of January.

There is a Ravenwing commission that is supposed to be arriving sometime in the next week or so, and it is one that should keep me busy for a couple weeks as it is like 40 bikes. Not to bad but something that should be fun and will break up the routine a little. BUT until that arrives I am going to be working on a piece that is going to serve as a show piece I think. I can't say what the piece is yet but I can hint at the fact that it is Pirate themed.

On the personal project front I still have the Convergence to work on and I also have some Trollblood stuff that I might have to sneak into the queue even though I haven't sold the Circle Orboros army yet. And speaking of which I really do need to get that army sold so I can openly work on the trolls and also free up some storage real estate. So if you are interested in beautifully painted Circle army that as it sits is a 65 points and has 2 sets of tokens please drop me a line. I really do need to sell it.

Well folks, October is over with which means we are officially into the holiday season. Which means that it is the time of giving... and I ask you all to think about this... IF you are not a painter or modeler how would you feel if someone gave you grey plastic for Christmas? Wouldn't it be cooler to get models that were already painted? I know IF I was that person I would love to get models that were already painted and ready to start playing with that day. So why not get the models ahead of time and send them in to us here at 2Ton Studios and get them painted so you can give you gaming friends painted models instead?

So with that being said this month I am going to continue the work I have been doing on the Convergence Of Cyriss models that I got, as well as maybe a local commission or two. But don't you fret, if you were thinking about sending models in to get them painted there are still plenty of spots left on the commission calender.

BUT don't wait until the last minute in case things get busy... you don't want to miss a good slot on the calender nor do you want to have to wait until after Christmas to get your models painted. So to get your place on the calender just shoot me an email at chris@2tonpainting.com and I will get you on the calender.

So its a few hours early to be calling it October already but I figured what the heck... September was such a great month in the studio and it set a few personal records here. But that is besides the point as it is now behind us and time to move into a new month.

I cant really say what all is going to be coming over the next month for paint jobs because it comes down to you... my followers. Well those of you that want to get stuff painted and don't have the time or the skills to get your models painted. The studio is still taking commissions at this time so IF you are looking to get some models painted at a reasonable rate just shoot me an email at chris@2tonpainting.com and I will get you a quote and get you on the schedule.

However the Fall clean out continues and that means there are still some killer deals on some models that need to go...

This is the updated list of after what all was sold over the weekend. If this stuff does not start getting sold soon it is going to be meeting a very nasty friend of mine that just happens to be a 10lbs sledgehammer. 

40k
Chaos Space Marine Defiler $25

 
WHFB
Dwarf Army (Full army, mostly painted... see below for a list of what all is in the army) $350
Ogres Kingdoms (Full army, mostly painted. Email me and I will get you a list and pictures) $400
Orcs and Goblins (Full army all NEW IN BOX. Email me and I will get you a list) $350

Forge World
Blood Thirster (competition painted) $250

Nurgle Blight Drone (painted) $50
Badab War Books parts 1&2 $50

If you re interested in any thing listed above just shoot me an email at chris@2tonpainting.com

Hey gang,

Just wanted to give all of you an update and make a small apology for not getting the tutorials/reviews done that I wanted to. Between Mother Nature, Medical Issues, and a Journeyman League July was a rough month... and looking back I am so glad it is over.

Now to August.

The Journeyman League continues and there are still a bunch of models to paint for it, but I am almost done and so is the league as it is about to enter week 4 this Saturday. I have lots of models to take pictures of and get posted up on here over the next couple of weeks. Also for August I am going to put in a much higher effort to get those Reviews written and posted.

One last thing for August this moment... The studio is going to be undergoing a GW Cleansing... What is that and what does that mean for you? Well my loyal followers... that means that most everything that is GW related in the studio is going to be going away, and you might be able to pick up some models for cheap... like 50% off retail cheap. Some are painted, some are just primed, and then some are still in box. Once I get done with an inventory for everything I will get them posted up here. They are going to be all or nothing deals so no parting out... at least for now. On the chopping block...

40k
Orks (some assembled, some still in box)
Space Wolves (painted)
Chaos Marines (almost all bits but enough to make several squads) $50 shipped

Fantasy
Orcs & Goblins (ALL still in boxes)
Vampire Counts (ALL still in boxes)
Dwarves (some painted some primed)

Forge World
Bloodthirster (painted, mounted on custom resin base) $350
Nurgle Greater Daemon and Daemon Prince (GD primed, DP Painted) $150
Nurgle Blight Drone (Painted, mounted on custom Resin base and comes with Resin display plinth) $100

I might have more to list once I get through everything.

Hey Gang, just your favorite painter here checking in with you to let everyone know that June ended as yet another top month for page views and for that I just want to thank you all again because I can't get the view count without you checking in to see what I am up to. July is going to be a major shifting of gears for me from the GW stuff that I have been painting (unless I get commission for it) I am going to be painting a bunch of Hordes models from Privateer Press. My FLGS The Hero Complex is hosting a Journeyman League event over the next several weeks. It is supposed to start this up coming Saturday and then I can start painting for it. I was going to be doing a Gatorman army but I changed my mind and I am going to be doing a Circle of Orboros army for it instead cause there was less stuff that I had to buy to get ready for it. I am still going to be doing the Gatorman army I am just going to have to hold off on them for the moment cause I need to finish gathering up supplies and then order the hollow resin bases from Secret Weapon cause I am going to model them coming up out of the swamp. So I need a couple more packs of tree stumps from Mr. Justin and few other odds and ends first, then I will be all ready to go.

Also for July there are going to be a couple more Product Reviews as I have finally got my grubby little hands on a trio of Minitaire paints from Badger as well as the Sack o' Corpses (or the "Body Bag" as I call it) from Secret Weapon Miniatures that I ordered arrived. Might have to model these onto the bases at least for the Blackhide Wrastler so that he takes his snack with him.

Hey gang, June update is finally here. Just a day late, so thats not too bad.

Things are going smooth here in the studio, two complete Dreadbowl teams painted and its looking like there are a bunch more on the horizon along with all of the MVPs. One of these days I might actually be able to start on the Blood Angels stuff that I got back in March.

On the schedule for this month is looking like more Dreadbowl stuff, and if I can sneak any of it in there maybe some Blood Angels... just have to wait and see. The Commission schedule is WIDE open so if you have anything that you picked up at a con and don't have the time or the ability to get it painted just drop me an email (chris@2tonpainting.com) and we can discuss things and I can get you on the schedule.

Also up on the schedule for this month... be on the lookout for a product review in the next couple of weeks on something really cool that I am glad that I am getting to review.

Man April was a rough month... kinda glad its all over. Anyway... not much happened here in the studio last month except I did paint some non-gaming models for one client and I painted up a few Firestorm ships for Phil over at Firebase Delta.

I helped assemble a bunch of models for my gaming buddy's Dark Angels... had a little fun doing some kitbashing and converting. I have one more model that I have to get assembled for him then he is going to work on getting them painted. I will get a picture of this last model that I have to assemble as soon as I get it done. Also in my last post you might remember the Pathfinder that I painted up as part of the Farsight Enclave... well that squad is almost done, I am down to the last three models in the unit and they should be done shortly.

As for what all I am going to be working on in the wonderful month of May, well I am a little unsure. I am thinking of FINALLY getting to work on the Dreadball set that is sitting here as well as working on some of my Blood Angels... well maybe if I can ever get my FW Rhino doors to arrive.

One last thing... and personally I think I saved the best for last. A few weeks ago I posted about the Secret Weapon Miniature Kickstarter for the Tablescapes. Well I can happily report at the typing of this post it has over 900 backers and over $175k in support. It only has like 10 days left so PLEASE don't miss out on your chance to get in on this one and show your support. That and I really want to get the Ruined Temple set unlocked... and we are almost there. So head on OVER and show your support.

As you all know I am a huge fan and supporter of our friends over at Secret Weapon Miniatures. Mr Justin is an awesome person to deal with and not only do they have great products they have great customer service.

Well some of you may know that I am not the greatest fan of Kickstarter... well honestly I think I might just have to eat my words on this one. Cause Mr Justin just today has launched a Kickstarter that I would love to support and I recommend that all of you at least take a look at it and consider getting in on it as well. Secret Weapon is proud to present their Tablescapes line. It looks like they are going to come in sets of 16 12"x12" tiles that will make a 4'x4' board on the Kickstarter he also has a set that contains 32 tiles so you can make a 4'x8' board. As I understand it from watching the video on the Kickstarter page the 16 tiles are all different so you will have hundreds of different combinations to put them together so every battle will be different. The Tablescapes are made from an injection molded plastic and not some soft poured plastic or resin. So they will be sturdy. Also they are held together with little clips that go in the corners so you wont have to worry about the tiles shifting and your models getting knocked about.

So what about the price you ask... well for a set of 16 tiles on the Kickstarter it is $150 and for the 32 tiles it will run you $250, and those prices include shipping. Mr. Justin is hoping to have them ready to be shipped out by October according to the info on the Kickstarter. Now lets compare this for a second to the Realms of Battle Board and tile expansion set from GW. The Realms of Battle board comes as a set of 6 2'x2' tiles so you can make a 4'x6' table for $290 and for another $99 you can get 2 more tiles giving you a 4'x'8' board, bringing that total to $389. So for a much higher quality 4'x'8'  board that you have almost unlimited options for a layout you can spend $250 for a set from Secret Weapon Miniatures... or if you are a GW fanboy you can shell out almost $400. Personally I would rather spend the $250 for the board from SWM and then take the money that I saved to buy some matching terrain or resin bases.

Thats right people... the Tablescapes don't end with just the 16 tile sets... which according to the video that Mr. Justin made there are going to be several different sets designed to match some of the different base sets that they produce. Let me say that again... they are making the boards to match their resin bases. How awesome would that be to have your awesomely painted miniatures mounted on some of SWM bases and be playing on a board that actually matches the bases. Now let me take this one step further... IF I understood everything correctly in the video and from what I read on the Kickstarter page there is also going to be a modular wall set to match the boards as well. Talk about having a themed army and table... honestly how cool would this be. Personally I can't wait for the Ruined Temple set to come out so that I can have a matched board for my Blood Angels to play on.

So go to KICKSTARTER and please, please, please show your support for Secret Weapon Miniatures Tablescapes Kickstarter so that we have better and way more affordable options than what is already out there for modular gaming boards. I know I have plans on supporting this one myself.

So unless you live under a rock or you just don't care about Games Workshop games anymore, this past weekend marked the relaunch of the Tau Empire. Or at least it was supposed to be the relaunch of the Tau. And I say that because GW dropped the ball yet again... no real big surprise there cause they have been doing that bunch as of late.

"How did they drop the ball?" you ask.

Well thats simple... again unless you have been living under a rock you may already know that the Tau were completely sold out before the release date. Now logic would tell them that MAYBE since they produce their own miniatures in house that they should up production levels. But no... they decide to move ahead with their already way over crowded release schedule. Now I have been to every store in my town that still stocks the new GW stuff when it comes out and the supplies are very limited. In fact we picked up the only box of the new plastic Pathfinders in this city. At the last stop I asked my FLGS owner what was up with the lack of Tau and the story I got was that they dropped the ball on production. That they didn't think that the demand would be that high for what has been one of the best selling (non-space marine) army for 40k, and that they knew that the stuff was going to sell out and didn't think "Hey this is going to be huge... maybe we should bump the rest of the production schedule and think about getting more of the Tau stuff made so that we can cover our butts." But no... they just pushed Tau back to their earliest open spot on the schedule.

Now when GW asked about this their response was to have the stores tell people that they were having "production problems" and when they were pressed harder about when the items would be back in stock because the store had taken pre orders and didn't get the items to even take care of the pre orders GW came back with "it will be about 90 days until they can get the Tau back into production because they have other stuff coming out that they have to get produced." Now here is where I say that is BULLSHIT... and GW screwed up and that they should own up to their mistake and take care of the back orders and get ahead on that product line before you introduce another one. Don't punish the fans of the army because YOU screwed up on not producing not enough stuff for one of the best selling armies.

And the biggest thing that pisses me off about all of this... Remember the camo Tau I painted a couple of years back... I was going to buy Commander Farsight and repaint the camo Tau using the Farsight Enclave colors... BUT... unless you preordered the sculpt of Farsight from GW when the Preorder went up on their website you are not going to get one for a long while.

Now this is the info I was given when I pressed for more word on what the big deal was from several FLGS owners. According to the GW site things should not be back ordered for that long... but we will just have to wait and see...