Greetings ladies and gentlemen...

Been a while since i updated this 'ere Journal, so its time i got to it, eh?

Firstly, the Title/Tune for this one... "Moment" by Damian Lazarus... a really cool track i got recently, floating lyrics over a tasty dubstep. I just got the album today, so im interested to here more of his works now

The painting tutorial is now all complete, and i hope you people that followed it found some of it (if not all of it!) useful... I did cover some complex techniques, but i hope its given some food for thought...

So, me... been quite busy recently, lots of commission work going on, but they've been enjoyable projects... they keep me in food, toys and music In between those, i have my personnal works in progress too, some of which you've seen in my Gallery! The Telepath is about 70% complete painting wise, and then its the Imperial Fist! Looking forward to painting him... but he needs a few more details first, and thats mostly because certain people keep putting ideas in my head... allow me to explain...

Platoon Britannica! PB is a forum for UK miniature painters, and was set up with the idea that we all bring our ideas and techniques together, for the greater good! There's some consistent tropy winners on the site, along with many others of all levels of work. Im not one for forums realy, but i was invited to give it a go by a chap i bump into at Salute and Golden Demon, and after the 'failings' of my efforts for this year, i thought "what the hell..." and i signed up...
I have to say, im not disappointed. Im really enjoying being on there, having all these like minded people throwing their ideas and critiques into the pot is really pushing me along, so its just what i needed My WIP thread over there is going great guns too.. its also the reason the Imperial Fist keeps evolving, new ideas keep getting suggested and they're normally good!
PB leads me onto my next point...

A couple of the more successful UK painters are visiting Cambridge! So, ive now organized a proper meet up for painters in the area! I had the time, and i know the right people... so now, we have a whole, well lit shop, with cabinet space, all to ourselves, for a whole day... the idea is to have painting and sculpting going on all day, sharing the knowledge and so on! We also have a local photographer coming along, so i think we've covered all angles! From the names on the list, we should have a good turn-out... im sort of excited, but mostly nervous, seeing as i've never arranged such a thing before... eep!
For anyone here on DeviantART in the area, if you fancy coming along, do feel free! The more, the merrier... details - its being held at Inner Sanctum, next saturday, which is the 5th of December. Start time is about 11, and will run most of the day, till 6ish i imagine... followed by beer...
No doubt i'll have a report on the day and its events

I think thats everything for now...

Love, Peace and Grease,

Ben x

A quick report on my day in Birmingham
Firstly, my results...VERY peculiar they are too, but, as i shall explain later, acceptable...

Fantasy Single Miniature - Empire Warrior Priest - Finalist (The quickest of all my entries this year, so a big surprise!)

40K Single Miniature - Chaos Black Legion Terminator Lord (My main entry for this year...LOTS of work in this, yet strangely ignored, or at least, didnt place. Many of the painters i showed this to were very surprised but thems the breaks...)

Large Scale Model - Femme Militant - DQ'd! (Despite this figure being designed by the head of GW's art department, and indeed, sculpted by one of the design team also, my gal got DQ'd for NOT being a GW model!! It doesn't say this anywhere in the rules, so this was a massive surprise to me, especially seeing as i've seen this type of figure entered before...)

Open Category - Imperial Missionary - No placement, but thats ok...he was a stock model, and this is always a category that i dont aim high in, so i wasn't overly disappointed by this result.

Now, it may seem like i had a bad day results wise, its certainly less than i expected to get, and bucks the trend of my usual sort of results...

I had heard that the judging this year was far more mercenary. The example i was given by someone there was that out of the Squad Category, which featured about 60 different entries, only 9 or so made Finalist, where normally there might have been 20 or so Finalists. I dont know how true this was, but thats what i was told.

It may seem like im offering excuses for my seeming failures, but im really not. Sure, i was initially disappointed by the result on my main entry, but my day and spirits were bouyed up by all the cool painters i spoke to. Ive been lucky enough to meet some of the best in the UK, and indeed, the world...i saw some familiar faces, and some new ones, and enjoyed chats with them all. I held their entries in my hand, and got their opinions on my works, and despite the lack of Finalists, i had a lot of positive feedback on what i'd done this year I had an invite to a forum that has a lot of these people on it, and i may well just sign up to that...it will help me push further im sure! I also had a nice little chat with my hero, John Blanche! He will always be a legend and an inspiration to me, and just talking to him and flicking through his sketchbook was amazing...i totally wanted to steal that book!

All the winners were just fantastic...normally, i have some reservations about some that win, but this year, no complaints at all. Whether this is down to the 'new' judging, i dont know, but regardless...every piece deserved what it got, and it was a real pleasure to see these works.

I come away from Golden Demon 2009 a little shaken, but ultimately, inspired by the failure. I already have some ideas for next year, and what i can do to improve my work, and this process will start immeadiately! Im fired up...

Congratulations to all the winners, great to see the Slayer Sword come back to the UK! You all deserved your rewards.

My turn next year...

I'll get photos of everything up during the week...then you can all judge for yourselves

Love, Peace and Grease,
Ben x

Greetings and Salutations
Just a quick update really...as usual lol.
Firstly, the UK Golden Demon is fast approaching...2 weeks to go! Near enough anyway...but what has The Ben achieved for this competition?
Well, im enjoying the cooler weather,and so is my painting! Much better temperatures mean i can get on with getting some toy soldiers done...
I have 2 entries finished up, and work on my main entry is going pretty well, after a few mistakes...im hoping he will be done at the end of this week!
Then i'll have about a week to knock out one more, i reckon...something simple no doubt but hopefully the paint job will see it through to the Finals, which is what i always aim at in terms of achievement... im well aware that, as i improve my skills, so does everyone else.
The other thing i wanted to address was whether there was still any Deviants attending the event that wanted to meet up and have a show and tell kinda thing? There'll be plenty of room in my case for a few extra figures, so i have no problem bringing a selection with me if the interest is there.
If this is something you're keen on, do say so, and we'll arrange something right here, right now!
Back to the paint brushes.
Love, Peace and Grease,
Ben x

P.S - Yea...the 20k model WILL be up soon...had camera issues! Apologies...

Just a quick one...
My little space here on DeviantART went past the 20,000 pageviews mark!
For me,its a nice achievement. When i first signed up to this website,i never thought i'd get this far,and im aware that its still fledgling compared to some mighty artists whom i admire and respect...but im still stoked to have reached this little landmark...
The model i said i would finish for the 'event' is nearly done,she's about 80% there...a few more dedicated hours work and she'll be sorted Nothing too flashy,but for a quick job,i like her...and of course,she's up for grabs,and i believe i have a name for that so...wait and see
The miniature painting and making group here on DA is small,but perfectly formed,and long may it continue! At the risk of sounding like one of them blubbing celebs at an award ceremony,i do want to thank everyone and anyone thats ever viewed or commented on my works,and offered ideas and advice along the way...i read and reply to everything (i think!) so...its all appreciated
Just a random thought whilst i sit here with a cup of tea (British style - milk and 2 sugars!)...has a miniature ever got a Daily Deviation?? Im genuinely interested...if anyone knows,do tell me
Thank you again people
Love, Peace and Grease,
Ben x

After a little while,i thought it was time for an update...

"She Will Never See The Sun" by Atrium Sun is my tune of choice for this Journal,a haunting breakbeat track that i stole off my friend...i love it! I ended Rendered Broken 3 with it,and its become part of my soundtrack for this summer...

I've had some crap going on,some of it is gonna be hard to fix too...but im sure i'll work something out. I'll say one thing,i'd be nowhere without friends,seriously...

So,onto something more interesting...im still working away at my Golden Demon entries,some of you people have been following on,and i hope you've enjoyed the sneak peeks Looks like i'll have 4 entries all told,and as ever,one main one...which im working on these days...i have high hopes for him,but as usual,im also trying to keep realistic! There's some big names going,and im aware that as i improve,so does everyone else! Not long to go now,September the 27th i think it is...

Got rolling with a different little project,im pretty excited by it,and if my imagination is working well,i think the result will be awesome! You will have to wait and see,of course...

I see that my pageviews are heading towards 20,000...which,whilst small fry compared to some pages,i feel is a pretty big achievement for myself and my toy soldiers! Im wondering whether to do something 'special' for this milestone,but what? If you have any ideas,do say so...you have about 600 odd views till the 20 grand so...thinking caps on!

And on a sad note,my subscription ends soon...booo!

I think thats about it for now...

Love,Peace and Grease,
Ben x

Thinking about it,maybe i'll paint something for the 20 grand pageviews,and if a kind person donates to the subscription,they could win it? Maybe highest bidder wins...like an auction...
Just a thought,see what you think