Changing Times, (and time for change?)

No, that title isn't my declaration of unswerving loyalty to "Tzeentch the Lord of Change", but is quite literally true. I'll explain.

So it's been about a month since i started this blog with my introductory ramble, and a lot has transpired. Most of which is, unfortunately, unrelated to this painting blog, though some of it very much is.
Enough mystery? Fine, I shall get on with it.

I alluded to my 'other' hobby of studying a degree in music in my first blog post. While I won't digress on the gory details of that here, it's at least worth mentioning that this current semester has me trying to juggle a series of co-writing projects with the need to fully produce five songs by the end of April. Suffice to say, this blog has been rudely shoved aside by a hurried workload without an apology. Still, with my recent escape/giving up/purge of Facebook from my daily routine (more on that later), I find myself almost immediately in possession of free time. Sweet, productive, free time!

And so, to the painting blog. My home studio of a room has undergone some 'upgrades' as of late that have allowed me to rescue my workspace from the horrors of clutter and negligence.
Behold! Shelves for the Shelving God!

Those shelves are already filled to the brim, where do I get all this stuff?

The reconquering of my workspace has allowed me to get some actual hobbying done, and so I present to you the image barrage: part two. (As before, WHFB = elves, WH40k = laserbeams)

This big fellow is a Daemon Prince from both the WHFB and 40K lines.

The red goopy stuff is a new technique I'm experimenting with by dying translucent gel with various acrylic colors to achieve cool effects. The paint used here was a turn-signal orange from Vallejo, used to represent lava. I then had to hand-paint in the dynamics and glow, but I'm overall happy with how it's turned out. The black rock is also a type of textured material that sets as a hard porous rock when dry. (Obligatory mangled Ultramarine helmets are of course included.)

Alternatives I have in mind include dying the gel with greens to make a sort of toxic waste effect, as well as metallics and browns for rusts and oil. I'll be showing off my results in later blogs.

Remember this fella'? Mr Maulerfiend is getting his stripes.

I am working from an image found online for the exact nature of the lightning bolt pattern on the armour plates. Here, let me show you.

Working from a reference point like this is a great way to add a sense of reality to something that might otherwise just end up a mess of white scraggily lines. Note the subtle blends of white to dark blue in the image. I'm three layers into the finished effect so far, likely many many more to go!




Spare any Change?
And with the beastie showcase over, allow me to ellaborate on another change I mentioned earlier.

I've come to realise that my use of social media, particularly facebook, has evolved (gestated?) into a routinely bad habit. No longer a place where I can contact friends when needed, yes 'Needed', and have fun sharing something I believe might brighten someone elses day, it's become more of a place that must be monitored, patrolled. I've felt like I've had to maintain a vigilant watch over it incase the threat of a notification or small tit-for-tat of information is aimed my way. Suffice to say, it has inevitably become a thorn in my side for maintaining focus, keeping my spirits up, and learning to cherish the real interactions I have with those closest to me even more.

Many other people have written VERY informative and rather entertaining blogs about their adventures in giving up social media for a week, a month, or whatever, so i won't use this one for the same purpose, look them up on google if you're interested in trying this self-improvement attempt yourselves. For now though, I will simply say that as times are a-changin', so too shall I try to change myself for the better.

Until next time.

Mark Ulrick


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Feel free to contact me regarding this blog, commission requests, or simply to say "hi" and shoot the breeze, at: markulrickjcp@gmail.com

Important legal blurb:
All images used here are the property of their respective owners. Images of my own work are strictly my own property, are dated, and protected under Copyright Law and cannot be reproduced in any way shape or form without my express permission. IP's such as the "Warhammer" license regarding the models featured here, are property of Games Workshop in all respects. 19/02/2014