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Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Mice and Mystics: Creepy crawlies


Yep, I've been distracted by these wonderful Mice and Mystics figures. But I will get back to Dreadball; all I have left for DB for the time being is an orx team, the ref and a couple MVPs.

But I love these figures Plaid Hat Games has put into its Mice and Mystics board game. The plastic is a good blend of hard (to accept the primer easier) and soft (offering a bit of "give" for durability.) The sculpts also have well-defined and confident lines; these are pleasing to paint.

There are only 22 minis in the box (including the 8 roaches), and many people aren't pleased by the price tag ($75 retail), but it doesn't bother me too much. Honestly, if I had the choice between spending $75 on Mice and Mystics or $65 on any of the D&D Ravenloft, Ashardalon dungeon crawl games, which have twice as many figures, I'd choose Mice and Mystics. M&M is something I think I'll be purchasing all the expansions for. And, at least for me, getting a game that only has 22 figures makes it more likely that I'll get around to painting them (which I have, as you can see.)


It's not a game for everyone; it's an intro game for kids, but it's a nice relaxing diversion from the more in-depth games my friends like to play (and I can play it solo, moving cute little mice about, rolling some dice and watching some television.

Oh, I guess I should say something about painting these particular figures: The roaches were a simple drybrushing of a few browns, from tannish to reddish, then brown-inked. The centipede was a lot more detailed. Instead of drybrushing the segments, I went in and roughly painted each of the lines along the grain of the segments. I copied this scheme from someone else, though I went a bit more orangish with the legs.

I still have the rats to finish, a nice spider mini, and, of course, our heroes.

19 comments:

  1. Very effective looking beasties. Nice work.

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  2. Nice figures, wow the $75 is a bit intimidating.

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    1. For personal tastes, I'd spend the 75- but yes, it's still a bit high for what you get. But a lot of places are selling it at a discount (at least when it gets back into stock.) CFRP Games and Coolstuff Inc sell the game for around $50.

      I got mine at 20% off (our FLGS is celebrating its 20th anniversary.)

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  3. The centipedes are spectaculer, really like them

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  4. Lovely brushwork on those figures. Te centipede is especially terrifying. You have totally sold me on this game, thanks for posting on it.
    Cheers,
    Mike

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  5. I really like the colors on those bugs. Fantastic work.

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  6. Hi!

    Found this blog post because I was looking around for some inspirations for painting my own M&M minis and your Centipede is amazing!

    I'm a complete beginner with painting minis and still learning the ropes, so I was wondering if you could post a little detailed kind of tutorial on how you painted the centipede? I'd really appreciate it.

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    Replies
    1. You know what- why not. I'll put up a new post here soon, showing some basic steps to paint the centipede :)

      (It's easier to paint than you think.)

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  7. Cool thanks! That's great!

    I actually already painted 3 of my rats, end yeah, it is easier than I thought. I had a lengthy day long session with a friend of mine who taught me the ropes.

    I was actually just wondering what were the steps you took to get this result. I was thinking brown base, black ink, then black and yellow layers on each side of every segment. My friend says that you should never use dark paint on lighter shades, so he makes it sound much more complicated: black base, multiple shades of brown to get a good gradient, then a few shades of yello for th edges. Which one is more close to home?

    On the other hand, if you're willing to post a complete tutorial, I'd really be thrilled!

    Can't wait for your reply :)

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    1. Hi Carmen. Not to sound too whiny but, could you just give me a quick answer please? I'm almost through my other minis and will son be starting on the roaches and centipede. Your insect shell effects are way cool and I'd really love to know how you did them.

      Thanks in advance.

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    2. Marwan- I posted a tutorial on my blog a few weeks ago. You can find it here:
      http://carmensminiaturepainting.blogspot.com/2014/01/mice-and-mystics-painting-centipede.html

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  8. you know it's forbidden to be so awesome with paintng?

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    1. That's why I only do it in the privacy of my own home.

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  9. Hello!
    I'm starting to paiting and my first minitures will be the miniatures from Mice and mystics. I love your job, is very inspirational for me. Could you tell which pintures did you use? Vallejo model color? Citadel?
    Thanks a lot.

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    1. Hi, Berta!
      I use Vallejo paint. But most acrylic paint will work well -- P3, Reaper or Vallejo. Citadel works and has good colors, but it usually quickly inside the pot -- Citadel would be my last choice.
      Some notes on preparing your figures since you are new to painting:
      -- For soft plastic like such as the Mice and Mystics miniatures, I recommend Army Painter primer. It's a little more expensive, but it works perfect on soft plastic.
      -- After the primer has dried, add a thin layer of paint over the whole figure. This second layer should be of a matte color.
      -- The second layer helps you to see details better on the figure and adds another layer of durability. I usually use craft paint (not too thick!) Craft paint usually dries with a little bit of flexibility, which helps it stay on the flexible soft plastic figures.
      -- Then paint as normal.
      -- Good luck! I hope painting is rewarding for you as it is for the rest of us :)

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    2. Correction above: Citadel usually "DRIES" quickly inside the pot.

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  10. I suck at painting and want my mice and mystics figures painted. Is there a guide you recommend to help someone get started? Also are there any good cheap miniaturesv you'd recommend practicing on?

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    1. For cheap minis to practice on, perhaps a "Bag of Zombies." No where near being the greatest sculpts, you still get 100 zombies for under $15: http://www.miniaturemarket.com/tlc2023.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjw57W9BRDM9_a-2vWJ68EBEiQAwPNFK9e4aezuuINcocGdEPaMmfIzqqeP-iIzIxpn4f-6VQUaAkvO8P8HAQ

      For plastic figures (especially if they're soft plastic such as Mice and Mystics,) pick up a can of Army Painter primer. Most other primers will leave your plastic figures tacky/sticky. Other people swear that the cheap Walmart stuff works (Army Painter IS a little more expensive), but I've had bad luck with the cheap primers, and those people who like the Walmart brands never say what specific brand/can they buy that works so well.

      Anyway, Spray on a light layer, making sure to hit all the angles.
      After the primer dries (easily within 1/2 hour for Army Painter,) brush on a light coat of black craft paint -- I specifically use and get great results from Delta Ceramcoat Black (or grey if you prefer a lighter base coat). This layer will provide a matte surface as well as add a little bite to the layer that will grab on to your first colors. Then paint as usual! That is how I prepare my Mice and Mystics figures.

      For painting guides, my favorites are the Foundry Painting Guides, but they are out of print. Lucky for you, there are plenty of online how-to guides for free. Try this one: http://www.how-to-paint-miniatures.com/
      There is also a free Mice and Mystics painting guide at Plaid Hat Games. It's real basic, but it might give you some ideas.

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