Good News, Everyone!

The day has arrived!  I finally received the parts necessary for about 50 Tentacle Maker Tool Boxes.  But, I still have to clean them, assemble them, and sticker them.  This lot should allow me to fill all of the back orders within the next week or so.  Remember, I'll be filling the back orders from oldest to newest.  So, if you've ordered recently, you likely have a little less than a week or so before your order ships.  Oldest orders should begin shipping on or about January 1... give or take.

Sculpting Bas-Relief Flames

by Michiel (aka b'Raass)

Waaaaaaaaay back in July of 2012 I ordered some Tentacle Makers from Rich, and when they arrived I emailed him to confirm reception. We started some back and forth emailing and eventually this led me to send some pics of my WIP projects – which triggered my first guest post on Bucephalus, my true scale Khorne champion. I also sent Rich some pics of my first Green Stuffed Chaos Dreadnought, shown below. Rich liked the flames on the dread so much he asked me for a guest post on them – which I promised and then never got around to…

Yet More Delays...

So.  My machine shop (which gives me great prices that cannot be matched anywhere else, otherwise Tentacle Makers would cost 50% more, at least) has once again caused me to fall on my sword with you guys.  I'm at the mercy of this shop, unfortunately.  I am looking into alternate manufacturing avenues but that will take at least another month or two and a good chunck of credit.

I won't be getting the current shipment until about the end of this week.

F*********dge!

Once again, I'm horribly-terribly-stupendously sorry for these delays.

I don't like hanging on to peoples money indefinately so if you want a refund, just email your Paypal receipt to me with a polite request for a refund.

For all you guys who are being super patient, I very much appreciate it.  The BoLS review killed my ability to keep up with the order stream.  I'm trying to fix it, but it will take time.

Nurgle Lord Painted!

by Rich K

The Nurgle Lord has been painted!  Not much for me to say on it right now... I just wanted to post the photos.  I tried to get a foggy-eyed dead look on the vulture head of the scythe.  I don't think it worked out so I'll probably turn the eyes into power crystals or something.  The palanquin is next.  Enjoy!

WIP: Nurgle Lord on a Palanquin

by Rich K

My last few games I've used a Nurgle Lord on a Palanquin with good effect so I've spent the last couple of weeks slapping one together... and they've been a busy few weeks!

Bay Area Open 2013!

Bay Area Open tickets are now on sale!  This event was a bunch of fun on a bun last time.  These are my BAO related posts from last year.

I will be entering a table in the Table Building Contest and maybe playing in the team event.  Also, GSI will likely be selling Tentacle Makers and Omni-Templates and hopefully other new products...

I'll see you there!

Tutorial: Fixing My Broken Coolpix L22

Yep, that's broken.

by Rich K.

Well, two weekends ago I trucked over to Frontline Gaming to catch a 1750 point game with my buddy, Tim.  I brought my camera along with every intention of recording the event.  While setting up the table and deploying I put my camera in my back pocket and probably leaned against something sharp which cracked the hell out of my screen, as you can see.

Armies As Art

Van Gogh is always only half listening.

by Rich K.

The Web pounds us over the head with the “fluff” and “competitive” labels but should there be a third type of table top gamer: the artist gamer?

Minature Photography, Part 3: Tarting Up Your Photos

By Jordan of There Is Only War

Greetings, all. Jordan here from There is Only War. Last time we took a look at how to take great photos using Point-n-Shoot and DSLR cameras. This time we'll be learning how to put the finishing touches on your miniature photographs.

Zombies! (sort of)... Chaos Spawn Counts As!

by Rich K.

I wanted to try out some Chaos Spawn but I didn't want to get stuck paying for them if I don't like the way they play.  I started out thinking I'll just proxy in some termies for a game or two... but then I had a brain wave!  I have an entire squad of WFB Zombies that I'll likely never use (Typhus is just too expensive, I think) so why not put 3 Zombies on a single 40mm base to represent the 3 wounds of a Chaos Spawn?

Bringing Balance to the Models - Or Shifting Away From It

Marlon of AssaultTuesdays.com

Ok, this idea is not originally mine. I stumbled upon it when I was looking for good tutorials about how to make Greenstuff flames (you can find a great one here). The airborne dragon in the site's example pictures got me thinking about how could I build and paint the 40k version of such an amazing composition...so...

100,000 Eyeballs! Time To Toot Our Own Horn!

About 48 hours ago Green Stuff Industries surpassed 100,000 eyeballs!  That's 50,000 page views!


It's been a little less than a year and GSI has...

• Gained 99 followers (but can't seem to break into triple-digits for some reason).
• Uploaded 85 posts, including this one.
• Had 17 guest posts by some great authors!  Guest posters are still welcome, just shoot me an email with your idea at tentaclemaker(at)gmail(dot)com.
• Had the The Mauler/Forgefiend Kit: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly... and Easy Magnetizing! post help generate 1010 views of this humble blog in a single day!  That's significantly more than the previous GSI record of 789 for the Sculpting Tools and Tips post from back in January!
• Created a Facebook page and Gallery (some recent gallery photos below).
• And made a bunch of friends all over the world!

These are some of the folks that have supported GSI from the beginning:

      Dark Future Games
      From the Warp 
      There Is Only War
      Black Matt's Black Legion Blog
      Frontline Gaming
      Fritz 40k

Thanks, guys!

GSI has been the best, most fun, second job I've ever had.  Thanks for all your support!

I'm still working on more products but it's slow going.  New stuff soon!

The Mauler/Forgefiend Kit: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly... and Easy Magnetizing!

By Rich K.

I recently completed the Mauler/Forgefiend kit I purchased at the CSM codex launch and I have some observations to share...

Reduce Your Green Stuff Waste!

by Rich K

These are a few tricks I use to keep my Green Stuff (GS) waste to a minimum.

New Art in the GSI Gallery!

There's been quite a few excellent new models submitted to the GSI gallery.  You should go give them a look!  Just click the green button... you know you want to.

Miniature Photography, Part 2: Point and Shoot!

By Jordan of There Is Only War

"Cellphone photos are fine, but I'm looking for something a little better, something I can use to really show off the time and detail I put into my models."

Hello once again, GSI readers. This is part 2 of the series on miniature photography tips and tricks. While cellphones make for a great stop-gap measure and often even a pretty good solution to your miniature photography needs, even the semi-serious blogger is going to want something better at some point.

Great DKOK Conversion at FTW

Ron over at From The Warp just posted a great Death Korps of Krieg Grenadier conversion that uses a Tentacle Maker SAW-020 in the build.  I don't usually do a lot of self-promotion but this tutorial is really well put together and for us conversion n00bs (i.e., those of us who are not Ron) , it gives a great framework to work from.  Give it a look!

Magnetizing A Heldrake

by Rich K.

The Heldrake is by far the most fiddly GW model I’ve encountered. The wings are probably a dozen pieces each and all of that weight connects at the shoulder! It’s a great looking model, but… man it’s a PITA to build.  So is the Warpsmith, by the way.

Table Top Generals 15: Terrain

Made with my Terrain Slurry!

Once again I have been invited to sit in with Jordan over on the Table Top Generals podcast.  The topic this time: Terrain!  Well, mostly.  We meander a bit.

Table Top Generals Episode 15: Terrain

Link to the GSI post referenced in the 'cast: Why Terrain is Stupid

More Slurry!

Ooooops!

So I was supposed to get the latest shipment of Tentacle Makers hand-delivered from Carson City, Nevada last night.  My machinist was delivering a machine to another customer in my area and was going to travel 3 hours out of his way to deliver them.  Well....

There is Such a Thing as a “Bad Win”

Example of a Bad Win.

by Rich K.

OK, I had a super crappy set of games on Saturday.  Two loses and one win.  The win is where I have the problem.

Blended Tiger Stripes Made Easy

By Rich K.

I’ve done my Screamers in a “non-traditional” color scheme: green with dark tiger stripes.  Seeing as this Chariot of Tzeentch (my Allied HQ for my CSM army) is basically a Tomb Kings chariot atop a giant Cyborg Screamer, I felt all my Screamers, large and small, should have a unified look.

Paint by Numbers: Differing Mediums

by Gabriel Diaz

One of the things that many players and hobbyists don’t think about when they start a project is that not all miniatures are created equal. Well at least not at first. After one cracks their teeth on a particularly tough figure a couple of times we begin to realize that while our mind’s eye has one idea, our abilities can only give that image so much life. This hobby entrenches you in how detailed you can get with a figure. You can go the three color route, you can decide to give more depth, you can decide to give more realism or you can even decide to create a diorama where you’re basically telling a story in a three dimensional painting. The possibilities are currently endless because as the hobby grows we have begun to realize that there is so much more that we can accomplish, we’ve barely begun to scratch the surface of the hobby that we’re all invested in.

Defiler Kit Bash

by Marlon

This Chaos Defiler came out of a discussion with a friend of mine, where I said I don't like the original, boxy look of the top hull. Since I am in the process of re-creating my entire Chaos Space Marine force to prepare for the new codex and I am using an Iron Warrior-esque scheme, he suggested I go with some organic parts along with some Fantasy bits. I felt Tomb Kings would be the best fit for a Tzeentch-y/Old Beast look. That aesthetic would fit nicely alongside my other Daemon Prince I did.

“Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated.” – Army Builder

by Rich K.

I know many of you out there saw rumors floating around that Lone Wolf, the folks who make Army Builder, are currently being legally B-slapped by GW.  That said, Loan Wolf has posted at least two 6th edition updates since its release!  The updates include the 6th ed MRB adjustments (USRs, fortifications, Warlord Traits, etc.), the WD Daemon and Storm Talon updates (among others), and the ability to generate multiple armies on a single sheet (aka Allies).

Paint by Numbers 5 – Base Coating/Preparing Your Miniature

 

by Gabriel Diaz

Remember that REALLY crappy Dwarf I first painted in like nothing flat and ended up looking like nothing? Yea, well this is one of the things that I didn’t understand at the time. There are several schools of thought as to HOW to base coat and what color to use when base coating.

Table Top Generals Podcast!

Rich, here.  Last night I sat in on There Is Only War's great podcast, Table Top Generals.  Being my first podcast, I hopefully didn't demonstrate my noobishness too much.  Enjoy the podcast (and don't forget to subscribe)!

We primarily discussed the upcoming Chaos Space Marine Codex, some painting tips and tricks, and our surprisingly disparate views on 6th edition.

Table Top Generals can also be found on iTunes.  This latest episode will be available today.

Chaos Space Marine Allies – Cheap Fast Attack Option!

by Rich K

As many out there know, I’m a CSM player who has been increasingly seeing the chinks in the CSM codex since I started playing 2 years ago.  But with the addition of allies, I think CSM has become much easier to play even without the upcoming codex improvements(?).

Miniature Photography, Part 1: Cell Phone Photography

Guest post by Jordan

"Wow! That's a great looking photo, but the only thing I've got with a camera is my cell phone." Not to worry. Cell phones now-a-days have integrated cameras with resolutions in excess of 3 megapixels. As a matter of fact, my iPhone 4 has a 5 megapixel camera, more than six times the resolution of my DSLR camera. This is a guide to get hobbyists not familiar with photography comfortable with taking great looking photos of their miniatures without the upfront cost or effort of creating a miniature photography studio and without having to adjust anything other than the size of your image in an image editing program like Photoshop.

The Dizmo Video Review

Big Mike (aka Dizmo) did a pretty darn favorable video review of the Tentacle Maker Tool Box over on You Tube last week and I thought I should link to it.  It looks like a fairly young channel but there are already some pretty interesting sculpting tips and projects on there.  Give it a look!

Check out his channel at...

The Dizmo on You Tube

.

Apoc Game at Frontline – Bat Rep

by Rich K

Last Saturday there was an all-comers Apocalypse game, run by the famed Reece, over at Frontline Gaming.  I saw their bat rep on the last one they held and decided to give Apoc a chance.

True Scale Khorne Champion

Guest Post by Michiel (aka b'Raass)

My Skull Champion is part of a Khorne oriented detachment in my Word Bearers army. The Word Bearers are actually aligned to Chaos Undivided, but there are a couple of reasons I use some Khorne elements beside the obvious game play advantages of having those awesome Berzerkers. First, I believe that actually "sinning" against the edicts of the creed is inherent in all (Chaos) Space Marines, so why wouldn't the Word Bearers have their "heretics" who slowly turn to a particular God? One of them was described in the Word Bearers omnibus, but I forget his name. Second, the Khorne theme of red gore fits nicely into the dark red of the Word Bearers. Third, it gives you some nice modeling advantages. That's how I started my Word Bearer Skull Champion, named Bucephalus, after Alexander the Great's warhorse.

Paint By Numbers Series - Paints And The Companies That Make Them

by Gabriel Diaz


Well, here we are. This is the area that most people would like to know about in detail, paint or more importantly the good and bad of different paints. Just like everything else that I’ve covered in this column I can show you the tools but ultimately you are the one that has to be in control of what you use. Again, this is not a copout but an understanding that everyone is different, from your needs to your likes and every manufacturer puts out paint but each one is different.

Khornate Chaos Lord Kit Bash Finished!

by Rich K.

I posted the WIP of this guy about a week ago and for some reason just hammered out the painting over the last few days.  I think he came out really well and is probably one of the top 3 models I think I’ve ever painted.

Back Orders and Chain Maker Tool

Back Orders

Good news, everyone!  I should have all of the back orders shipped this week!  That will, unfortunately, leave me with very little on the shelves again… but hey, at least the back orders will be filled.  Again, I’d like to thank all of you folks who have been sooooo patient with GSI this past month or so.

This Week’s WIPs

 

by Rich K.

I’ve suspended my 40k purchasing in anticipation of the starter box.  I almost dropped a lot of dough a few times on a small IG army… I’d really like to add some traitors to my CSM but if the upcoming starter box comes with cultists, what’s the point?  So, I’m currently squeezing all I can out of the bits I have.  I wanted a big impressive Khorne Lord to lead my Berzerkers.  Hence, this guy…

How To - Super Bright Mag-Visor for the Eldar-ly!

by Rich K

Sad but true fact: I’m getting old.  My eyesight has been less than optimal since I entered this world, it’s not getting any better, and lately painting the details has become a headache-inducing-eye-straining-torture.  My wife bought me one of these…

Counts-As Aegis Sandbag Bunker Scratchbuild, Part 2

 

by Rich K

Sandbags are easy but tedious.  As of post time, I’ve made about 120 for this counts-as model.  I’m guessing that will top 300 by the time I’m done.

Paint By Numbers Series - Additives

by Gabriel Diaz

You’ve figured out what you want to paint. You’ve figured out what brush to use. Now I’m going to share with you some things that will make your life easier. Please understand that these are things that I’ve gleaned from professional artists, painters and casual painters as well. I’m basically giving you three years worth of cliff notes with these little columns in the hopes that your desire to paint will be fanned and the flame of artistic fun will grow ever brighter. I will not say “You MUST go get this!” Because in that sense we are all kids, we don’t want to be told what to do. I’m going to point things out and you can determine if it’s something that you feel will help you along the way or not.

Quick and Dirty Water Stain Weathering

I’ve been working on my Dreadclaw pretty steadily for the last week.  It’s looking pretty good but I thought it still was a bit plain.  It needed some weathering… not your standard weathering, either.  This Dreadclaw needed to look like it’s been sitting on a wet jungle planet in a forgotten military base for 1000 years.

Demand Is High – Tentacle Makers Sold Out!

Well, since the great review by Ron at From The Warp things have sort of taken off for GSI.  I have a large-ish back order list and should begin seeing my latest batch of Tentacle Makers coming in from the machinist this week (he will hand deliver some tomorrow is what he promised).  I think the backorders should all be filled early August with the oldest orders being filled first.

Active WIPs

I’ve been working on a couple of things this week.  The first is: I finally just decided to paint my Dreadclaw.  I’ve been staring at it for a month to try and figure out what else I could add to it.  Well, I decided that paint would be a great thing to add.  I suppose I was victim to “analysis paralysis” because I just couldn’t bring myself to move forward.

Paint By Numbers Series: Brushes

Face it, we all miss Bob Ross.

Guest post by Gabriel Diaz

There is no piece of equipment more important in painting miniatures than your brush. This is your constant companion in all of your endeavors because no matter how cool a customization, base or background, unless you have a good brush to guide that paint onto the miniature, well it’s just subpar. This is something that most people learn over time because much like a wand in the world of Harry Potter, a brush is a lifelong companion to a painter.

Flight Stand Socket – Scratchbuild

You're grounded!

Last week I was using my Dreadclaw in a game over at Frontline Gaming when Keno and I had a bit of an odd situation: a Dreadclaw model doesn’t typically have a flight stand and seeing as 40k is True Line Of Sight, does it grant cover saves to units behind it even though it’s “Zooming” (Boy, I HATE the name of that rule) through the air?

Counts-As Aegis Sandbag Bunker Scratchbuild, Part 1

Gaming on-the-cheap is a must for me.  I wanted an Aegis Defense Line type of emplacement for my army but I can’t really justify spending the money on one right now.  I already had an Aegis Lascannon handy due to some frivolous (but ultimately fortunate) bits trading earlier in the year and I have a lot of Styrofoam, textured patch paint, and putty-like material (green stuff, clay, milliput, etc.) on hand in the man cave.  Everything I need to scratchbuild a piece of terrain that can double as a “counts as” Aegis line.

Marker Madness!

Wreck Marker

These are a couple of my latest finished products.  This first one is a wreck marker I made using a Revell snap kit I had laying around for bits use.  It’s the track portion tarted up with some plasticard and tubes made with various Tentacle Makers.  Most of the engine parts are random leftover Robogear bits.  It will fit eight 28mm bases with ease.

Paint By Numbers Series – by Gabriel Diaz

The Miniature hobby is an extensive and living thing. No really, if you think about it, you (as a player) are not only coming up with what army you want to use but also, troop choices, background for your army, names, in some cases, for your captains and of course, color schemes. Now if you are a webrat , like I am, you are constantly checking out your favorite blogs and boards checking out the work of others to see what they’re doing, how it looks and usually, how they got to where they are. Most players or hobbyists are willing to share information with you, sometimes they even put together tutorials with how to this, that or the other. The one thing that I noticed gets omitted is how to start. I think part of it is the fact that the general opinion is trial and error. You have to figure out what works for you because simply taking someone’s word for it just doesn’t seem like enough. That doesn’t mean you can’t have some guideposts along the way.