Starting the new year with a look back at 2017 (... and a sneak peek at my new hobby tool)

At the start of every year, it has become the norm for me to take a step back and look at what I had done hobby-wise over the past year. And to be honest, it was a bit underwhelming to see that I had only managed to complete ten figurines/scale model kits. As such my resolution for the new year (other than to write 2018 instead of 2017) is to increase the quantity as well as quality of my work. I've a feeling the latter will be easier to do than the former but I'll be aiming for both. As for my favourite piece of last year ... it's Princess Leia, followed closely by C-3PO and R2-D2.   

A look back at the miniature/scale model projects I managed to complete back in 2017

Last year's hobby pieces were dominated by Star Wars figurines and scale model kits, which formed 60% of all completed projects. 2017 kicked off with a TIE Fighter based on the version seen in A New Hope. This was followed by the adorable BB-8 and a repaint of a Hasbro Princess Leia Organa action figure. And Leia would turn out to be the 2017 project that I was most proud of result-wise. 

Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope: Imperial TIE Figther

Star Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens: Astromech droid BB-8

Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope: Princess Leia Organa (Repaint of a Hasbro action figure)

Then the lovable Star Wars duo of R2-D2 and C-3PO were book-ended by two Warhammer 40K projects namely Slaanesh Chaos Chosen and a Nurgle Chaos Rhino. Apart from Leia, I was also really pleased with how Artoo and Threepio turned out. So in a nutshell my best work for the year 2017 all were based on characters from the same movie i.e. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

Warhammer 40K: Slaanesh Chaos Chosen

Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope: Astromech droid R2-D2 

Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope: Protocol droid C-3PO

Artoo-Detoo (left) and See-Threepio (right)

Warhammer 40K: Nurgle Chaos Rhino Transport

And as the year 2017 reached its last legs, I managed to somehow complete miniatures and scale model kits from three different genres namely sci-fi (Star Wars, Snowspeeder), fantasy (Game of Thrones, Bronn the Sellsword) and military (T-55A medium tank). But even as I look back with some manner of pride at what I had accomplished last year, I still couldn't shake off the feeling of lost opportunities amidst an unproductive gloom. Completing only ten miniature and scale models is a measly return of hobby effort in any given year. So I have to try and do better this year.  

Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back: Snowspeeder (Wedge Antilles/Wes Janson version)

Game of Thrones: Bronn the Sellsword

T-55A Medium Tank

Meanwhile, I'm excited about what the hobby has in store for me this year. Having eyed an airbrush tank compressor for the longest time, I still can't believe that I now own one. A whole range of new techniques is suddenly within my reach and the possibilities seem endless, more so when combined with results achievable only through painting by hand with a regular brush. So truth be told it has been a blessing of sorts that I didn't start out in the hobby by using an airbrush. I most likely would've gotten too lazy to learn how to paint by hand. It is an essential skill set especially in figure painting.   

AF186 Mini Air Compressor with tank, pressure regulator and water trap

With the majority of my hobby budget spent on the mini air compressor as well as airbrush paints, solvents and cleaners, I wasn't left with much to get a decent airbrush (duh, I know right). So I went ahead and bought a fairly cheap yet decent Made-in-China airbrush for under USD20. It's for the best too as I would be experimenting a lot with the airbrush; something I'm much more comfortable doing with a cheap airbrush than a USD150 high quality one. Getting to grips with the airbrush will take up lots of hobby-time but hopefully not so much as to put a dent on my new year's resolution. Hope you had a great transition into 2018 ... I have my airbrush system so I'm good!