Painted Pirates, Ghosts, and Navy Officers

Re-painting Cutlass Miniatures as well at the moment (crappy figure cases wouldn't protect a fracking Diamond if you ask me) - I present Lieutenant Wilkinson . . . . .

Next another Black Scorpion Miniature, an Undead Pirate I call "Ghoulish Graeme" - a forlorn Scotsman who misses getting drunk . . .

Lastly, Mary Gold for Ron & Bones - not named for her Golden flowing Hair, but for the many Money-Pouches she carries about her Person.

More as I do them!

BLACK SCORPION NEWS!

Before reading on there is one Important thing to note - ORDERS WON'T SHIP UNTIL THE END OF JUNE.

However BS are rewarding its loyal customers!

Their online store is back along with some new releases!  They've been setting up their new casting facility and (as expected) it has taken some time.

Though they are nearly done a planned trip overseas is going to delay things a little longer (I just hope they have a good time).

However in the mean-time people can order as normal - BUT orders won't be shipped until towards the end of June, and they will be shipped first come first served basis.

As a reward for your patience anyone ordering before the end of May will receive a metal Diamond Joe and Cop girl free!

Anyone ordering before June 15th will receive a metal cop girl free!

All this is (of course) while stocks last, but if they do run out they will try and find something else cool to send you as a Freebie!

Upon their return they will be working hard on the remaining codes that are still missing (e.g moderns, orc team etc).

The new releases that are now available can be found in their appropriate sections - fantasy pirates/pirates and fantasy football.

The New Releases are as Follows - Dwarf team, dwarf linemen, Pirate girls 3, Nuria Del Fuego, Admiral Dylan lloyd, Elros Yavatil, Captain Ogring, dwarf pirates 2 and Jack a Roe Jones. 

Pictures of painted versions will up in the near future.

They guys at Black Scorpion also send out a huge thanks for everyones patience whilst the store was offline during this period.

TORTUGA - Safe Haven for Pirate Gamers

I've now started a Facebook Group for ALL Pirate Gaming (Including RPG's) for those Interested called-

TORTUGA - Safe Haven for Pirate Gamers

Obviously there will be some crossover with the Longfall Freebooters Fate Group - but I see that as a strength personally!

All Ye Swabs Are Welcome - Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrr!

What do he know about Seafaring men?

Recently I got a copy of the new (ish) Treasure Island (2012) Starring Eddie Izzard - after watching it a couple of times (OK - Four Times if you must know) here are some thoughts on it.

Without spoiling things for those who have yet to see it, the Story deviates a little in places (a commonality in all adaptations of Treasure Island) - I'm not going to go into detail about these "deviations" for obvious reasons. But I do have to say in this case these deviations from the original Tale aren't really major for the most part, and even then they add to the story and give a nice air of freshness to the whole things - something that's been missing from a couple of Treasure Island adaptations in the past (notably the 1972 version Starring Orson Welles which just comes over as sad and stale).

The screenplay was capably written by Stewart Harcourt, and it was produced by Laurie Borg. Steve Barron (who keeps it pacey without sacrificing character) was Director - the mix of the talents of these three obviously built a strong foundation upon the Actors stood, as the entire cast came over as comfortable and confident throughout.

Eddie Izzard as Long John Silver - stands out head and shoulders above the rest of the cast. He has become a strong and very talented actor over the years, and is perfectly cast as the likeable scoundrel Silver.

The only real hiccup in the casting is Philip Glenister as Captain Smollett. I loved him in Life on Mars, but he never really "settles" in as the character. It could be for many reasons, it might even be thats what he's trying to convey in his portrayal - as Smollett is not the sort to bond and mix easily with people. However much I enjoyed his performance as Gene Hunt - in Treasure Island he comes over as distanced and uncomfortable - he's "tolerable" in the part as fortunately Smollet is not the most important of characters to the story.

Rupert Penry-Jones is totally different to any other Squire Trelawney we've seen in other versions. To all outward appearances he is the same sort of character as portrayed before, a little less jolly perhaps - but there's enough twists and turns in his character alone (let alone in the rest of the script) to keep you interested and entertained - in fact he has the most dramatic "end" I've seen in any Movies/TV Series of this type. It was a shock to be frank.

Overall I will have to give this production 4/5!

I won't give it 5/5 for two reasons. One is Philip Glenister as Captain Smollett - every time he speaks its like hearing a scratch on a record - really REALLY off-putting. The other reason is the Theme Music - its not period, its some electronic pap - I'm sorry that just doesn't fit - OK hiring "One Man and His Organ" might have been for budgetary reasons. But a sweeping and dynamic story such as this should have a sweeping and dynamic theme music.

I heartily recommend it to anyone, Pirate Fan or Not!

And then there were three . . . . .

Another one finished - my first Cuchillo!

I made him taller, and changed the pose as well (I’m not a fan of duplicate models) – the second one isn’t going to be touched and will be painted “as is”.

I have to admit I am quite happy with this one, it’s nice to see my first Pirate Crew coming together after playing with them just undercoated for so long!

And then there were three . . . .

A Quick update on the Mono -

And Leathery Joe (with a "rear-view" this time) -

Buscar is around 60% done, so not long for him now. Feeling a bit timid over the Pirate Queen as I don't want to ruin her!

Pirate Music of the Week

I haven't done a "Pirate Music of the Week" update recently, real life and illness being such a pain - so I present to you -

Alestorm - You Are a Pirate! 

 

I once sailed with a geezer lost both his arms and part of his eye . . . .

Well, Mono is done - sorry about the quality of the Pictures, I had to take them with my Fone as Linda has lost the Camera LoL!

Then you wouldn't be here, would you? So you can't be here! Q.E.D. - you're not really here!

My Mrs was using the Camera the other day, and now we can't find it!

Pictures of Mono as soon as we do!

Welcome to Port Royal Mister Smith . . . . .

My hands were pretty achy and stiff last night, so I thought I would tackle some terrain rather than attempting to paint as if I am wearing boxing gloves.

This is my first Freebooters Fate building (it's not the first terrain I've even built, just the first in a LOOOOONG time).

The first building I've started is a central tall (ish) building - ut will have interiors (though the ground floor is just "plaster" atm), and an upstairs for storage (various crates, boxes etc) and a balcony for the Harbour Master (or one of his minions) to survey whats going on in the area.

The roof won't have a Chimney (its an Office in warmer climes, so no real need for heating) - I'm thinking a Telescope on the Balcony might be cool idea.

It's looking "okay" so far, still loads to do though.

Ken Bonnie

Mono is finished! Pictures later after varnishing, I managed to get a good start on Buscar too!

Huzzah!

Meantime, here’s another Pirate from my collection –

Though not a Freebooters Fate Miniature, but still on “theme” LoL – he’s a Black Scorpion Body with a Cutlass weapons swap., Crooked Dice Miniatures Head (with custom sculpted beard). One of the projects I’ve been working on (bit by bit, and slowly) is a retelling of Star Wars as a Pirate Movie.

In “The Return of the Scarlet Buccaneer” Ken Bonnie is an old salty sea-dog – we first see him when he rescues Lucas Seahawk from a group of Cutthroats who are press-ganging around Plymouth. Lucas is immediately impressed by the old mans wit, charm and prowess with a blade. Even though Bonnie’s time has passed, and he knows he will never have the adventure’s he had with Lucas’ father. His last wish is that Lucas follows in his fathers footsteps, and become a Privateer in the service of the King.

Anyway – here’s “Ken Bonnie”

The Black Spot!

Could not sleep last night at all with the pain due my ear infection (which has now spread to the drum itself), but I managed to slap some more colours on my Mono and base-coat two Deckhands.

I feel Sullied and Unusual . . . .

NOT in the best of health at the moment, I have a rather serious ear infection - I can't paint (can't concentrate because of the pain) or read really.

So I guess I will have to watch something Piratey instead, and hope it lulls me to sleep in spite of the bloody agony I am in!

More as soon as I am able!

You are guilty of being innocent of being Jack Sparrow . . . . . . .

DID YOU KNOW that its a possibility the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies might have been inadvertently inspired by the 1952 Classic "The Crimson Pirate"?!

At one time it was rumoured that Walt Disney took inspiration for the original Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World from the Crimson Pirate.

If Walt hadn't liked the Movie, there would have been no ride, and in turn no Pirates of the Caribbean Movie!

Which would mean there would be no Captain Jack Sparrow - UNTHINKABLE!

Pirate Music of the Week

This weeks Pirate Music of the Week is Lonely Island featuring Michael Bolton - performing the brilliant and funny "Jack Sparrow"!

Enjoy!

Me holds are burstin' with swag. That bit of shine matters to us? Why?

I've been thinking about what to build for my "mini-table" again, I want it to be around 60cm x 60cm.

I've had loads of ideas, the Desert Island "Spit of Land" being the most appealing to me personally so far (as discussed in this previous post).

Another thought that appeals is the idea of a Treasure Cavern like seen at the end of Pirates of the Caribbean "Curse of the Black Pearl" - complete with Treasure Piles, Rock Pools, and a surrounding backdrop for the cavern walls!

Of course, if space was no object - I would simply HAVE to have a shipwreck in there too!