Real Name: Carl Lum Kye Ern
Date of birth: 13 February 1987
Location: Malaysia
Game Systems played: Warhammer 40k, Warhammer Fantasy, and Mordheim
Armies played:
40K
Space Marines, Orks, Imperial Guard,
Fantasy
Bretonnians, Ogre Kingdoms, Orcs and Goblins, Empire
Mordheim
Sisters of Sigmar Warband
Hobby Ambitions:
1: To participate in Games Day events
2: To take a stroll in Games Workshop HQ Nottingham
and meet with the staffs there.
3: To learn sculpting full models
4: And to finally acquire the skills to paint historical miniatures.
Hobby Achievements:
1: Learned the skill to paint fast without burning myself out
2: Painted one of the biggest GW kit and surviving it
3: Freehand painting without slacking
4: Participated in a local painting competition
About Komrad:
Hey everyone! Let me tell you a bit of myself. I’m a Malaysian Chinese, and for those who do not know where I come from just think of Singapore and that huge odd country on top of it. Yep that’s right, it’s Malaysia the land of food and tropical paradise. However, Games Workshop is not a popular hobby here in South East Asia. There is a small handful of independent stockist here and only one active shop, which happens to be the one I frequently go.
It was my dad who first introduces me into this miniature hobby when he bought me my first kit. It was a 72mm World War II Jagdpanther and that time; I was a 10 year old snotty kid that thought tanks are already pre-painted inside the box.
One of my friends who came back from England brought back these GW metal miniatures. It immediately sparked my interest in this strange and wonderful hobby and I began browsing the internet trying to locate the source of these figures. It was then I began to discover Games Workshop. At that time, no one was supplying GW minis and I had to make do with Tamiya Military Models. I began practicing painting on tanks and WW2 infantry using Tamiya’s Acrylic paints.
Then one day while reading the newspaper, I located an independent stockist called Games Circle. My search was over, I have stumbled upon the biggest (well quite big) and most active independent stockist of Games Workshop goods in the whole of Malaysia.
I made friends with the shop owner Richard Nga. And from time he noticed my ability (or habit) to paint miniatures at a fast pace. It was then he commissioned me to paint for the local clients and having a go at selling some of my painted models on eBay at the same time.
Now I am 20 years old, still darn young and a lot of life ahead for me too. I regularly go to Games Circle every Saturday as it is normally the happening day and will stay there from 2:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. There I will game, paint (well usually paint), help build terrain and discuss painting tips with the ever increasing tabletop members.
So if you’re planning to visit Malaysia for our beautiful beaches and tasty food, be sure to drop by at Games Circle. (the address should be in White Dwarf Store Finder) You can find me at one corner painting away.
Music: I have a strong taste for Classical, Jazz and Oldies songs. One of my favorite Jazz singers is Ella Fitzgerald.
Films: Cartoon sitcoms from Family Guy to King of the Hill. Art and independent Films, like Motorcycle Dairies to the Train Station. Your standard Hollywood Movies, and Film Documentaries, Michael Moore anyone?
SWC Members Questions
Gareth asks
Q1. Are you a fast painter, or do you spend incredible amounts of time painting?
A: I usually paint fast for rank and file troops. But for commissions and my own models, I will take a longer time as I would take care of the detail works.
Q2. How many hours a week do you spend painting on average?
A: 6 Hours with breaks in betweens. I normally rest on Sunday’s.
Rapouc asks
Q3. How long have you been painting?
A: 4 Years now.
Q4. What were your first models like?
A: Err… blotchy and shiny. I once undercoated a Rhino with Tamiya Sports Car Red.
Q5. On average how many death/hand removal threats do you get per year resulting from jealousy?
A: Lost count mate. My models were threatened to be tossed 15 yards out the window, doused in thinner, sprayed in black and scribbled moustache on faces.
Woulfgar the Vengeful asks
Q6. Which of your models was the most fun to paint? And which is your favorite out of them?
A: I would say the Orks. I was always a fan of painting gritty and weathered metal. Fantasy Black Orcs were my favorite models. They just scream out ‘ard! It was while painting the Black Orcs I learned to paint armor chippings.
Max_dammit asks
Q7. Who do you look up to?
A: Cyril. His painting skills are god-like and it would be my dream to reach his standards.
Q8. Would you call yourself a painter or do you get games in from time to time.
A: I would call myself a painter; I am bad at remembering rules, but adept at remembering painting techniques. Recently I got into Mordheim and am now hooked onto it.
Quase asks
Q9. From your Ork army, could you explain how you do your deep, warm reds on the vehicles (eg the Looted Russ), and will you be expanding that nice army anytime soon?
A: Red Gore is a very good color to slowly blend in through back as it is low pigmented. I used it as a basecoat to the Black Undercoat and with a few layers of Blood Red.
The Ork updates are coming soon and I’ll definitely expend the army. Look out for looted vehicles!
Macewind asks
Q10. What would you say was the number one rule when painting metal?
A: Neatness. When metallic color gets into painted areas it’s impossible to wash off. You’ll have to repaint that area. So if there is a model wit a lot of metallic areas, let’s say a Bretonnian Knight. I’ll start with the metallic colors first, then the rest of the cloaks.
Gareth asks
Q11. If you could have one super power what would it be?
A: Stop time. So I can paint and not feel that I took an entire evening to freehand that banner. Works when meeting client deadlines too.
Farseer Yestare asks
Q12. Do you sometimes get bored and fed up with painting? What do you do then?
A: I either run upstairs to browse the internet (yeah I paint outside, next to a fish tank), watch TV, read a book or draw comics.
Q13. Is painting relaxing or stressful to you?
A: It’s like therapy. I feel more relaxed and calm ever since I started painting.
Gamesbluetiger asks
Q14. Do you use one particular manufacturer’s paints and brushes or do you use different makes?
A: I have used Tamiya’s Acrylic paints and very cheap brushes. Will soon try out Vallejo and Oil paints.
Q15. Do you think you have to be an artistic person to learn to paint miniatures well or can anyone do it?
A: No. Anyone can paint; it’s just simply taking a paintbrush and spending a few hours on a model. It’s fun, simple and satisfying. My indie stockist is not an artistic person but he has been painting for 18 years.
Pete553 asks
Q16. When you want to create a converted model, can you envisage the model that you want to make in your mind?
A: Yes I would. Then I’ll sketch out a concept art and look through the internet for further reference.
Q17. How would you go about starting a project? (How you get the ball rolling?
A: Brainstorming with fellow friends is one of the ways. You will be amazed of the nonsense we think and actually pulling it off. Also browsing other peoples work will spark out some ideas.
Artemic asks
Q18. I love some of the names youve given to your models, what gave you the idea to name them?
A: Just sheer comedic humor. I named my entire Mordheim Sisters of Sigmar Warband from the characters of Family Guy. Also I was thinking of naming every single Ork but that would be a bit too ambitious.
Q19. How many different layers (to create highlighting and shading) do you use on a gaming standard model?
A: 3 Layers. Basecoat, Main and Highlights. It’s best to work on a minimal scale to avoid burning yourself out.
Q20. Whats the most obscure item on your painting table?
A: Snack food packets. Don’t want my mom to find out. :P
Q21. Do you prefer painting armies or display peices?
A: I prefer display pieces as the amount of character and detail on them is pure exciting.
Q22. How many bags of sweets as a bribe would it take for you to paint me an army?
A: None, I’m allergic to sugar. :P
No Remorse asks
Q23. What is your favourite painting technique and why?
A: Dry brushing. It’s easy fast and looks great when finished.
Q24. What is your favourite colour to paint and can you explain your method?
A: Red. Its low pigmented and can be painted with warm highlights or cool highlights. I normally start with Red Gore working my way up to Blood Red. From there I decided to either mix Blood Red with Blazing Orange or Skull White. In the case of Blood Angel army I’ll use Blazing Orange for the armor highlights and Blood Red + Skull White for the purity seals.
Q25. What do you think is the most versatile paint colour?
A: Well I would say Scorched Brown. I’ve mixed it with orange to paint rust, washed it on cloth and armor to create colored shadings and the common basing color.
Q26. Kind of a repeat question from another member, but what piece are you most proud of?
A: Well now that you say it I would say the Mumak of Harad. The amount of time and work spent on it paid off.
Q27. How do you think you have learned more about painting, through reading articles and applying them, or by personal experimentation?
A: Personal experimentation. By trying it out myself I find new painting techniques that I’m comfortable with. But on the other hand painting tutorials and articles are very useful too as you can find little tips which can help a lot.
28. In your opinion what is the best painted mini you have ever seen?
A: This scratch built Catachan Ogyrn by Banshee. The amount of character and paintjob on this is a masterpiece.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/index/whatc/SF/id/119566