One of my favorite parts of planning an issue of Undefeated is working with the team to try to figure out what would make a cool, exciting, and informative topic for ". . . Like a Pro." The one in the works now is about shooting your minis written by James Davis of Privateer Press and the photos look great.
Shooting minis is a bit of a departure from the hardcore painting and terrain articles we've featured in past issues, but with the internet becoming more a part of our everyday lives, it's every bit as important. If you read #7's ". . . Like a Pro," then you know that you can enter painting competitions online, and that your photos are all the judges will ever see.
So what's next? I've got some crazy ideas (so crazy, in fact, that I'm not sure one person can execute, report on, and photograph what I have in mind). I've seen some awesome figures dremelled and wired with LEDs and have also heard rumors of magnet mods for on-the-fly weapon swapping and articulation.
What would some of you like to see?
Well,....
I lack any sort of artistic talent. I haven't tried to paint a miniature since 1989. I still have it, and it reminds me of why I don't do that! (LoL)
I like reading "Like a Pro" because they are some great articles.
But, maybe some terrain-building articles, for people with no talent, and maybe even less time?
For example, what's out there that can be easily modified?
The Dwarven Forge stuff looks great, but a little expensive. (I'm saving up for the sci-fi stuff, myself.)
That Heroscape game looks invaluable. Play it as intended, or co-opt the terrain for my other minis games.
I'd like to see an article for guidelines on taking 2D based mini games into multi-elevation 3D. (I'm primarily a HeroClix player. 3D clix, some 3D objects, but still on a 2D, flat map...)
At any rate, the "Like a Pro" articles with tips from people who've won competitions have been stimulating. Maybe sidebars (to the body of the article focusing on the painting tips) highlighting a particular model they've done, and what competitions it's won?
Just throwing those out there....
That's not a bad idea - how about "...Not Like a Pro?" Or, "Like the Average Person Who Only has an Hour or So Each Day to Work on this Stuff and has Little to No Artistic Talent?" Some basic techniques for painting minis quickly and easily, and yet still get them looking half decent (ie, a base color, a dark wash, dry brushed highlights, and a few details, and Voila!). Quick and easy ways to make your own terrain would be good as well.
Other ideas: I would love to see how-to articles on some of the crazy customizations people have done, with the LEDs and all. What about making a gaming table? You could do different ones depending on the primary game to be played. Don't forget the cup holders and a dice-rolling compartment.
That's some pretty cool ideas.
zeppelined, I'll direct you to some back issues that cover the ground you're talking about:
Undefeated #1 gives basic painting advice (you can even preview the first two pages of the article online).
Undefeated #6 Features speed painting; all of the little things you can do to paint an army as fast as possible.
