Pen sketch using Painter IX.5. 1 pixel pen. Swift sketch.
Digital oil and ballpoint on Painter IX.5.
30 November 2006
Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf H or J (Sd Kfz 161)
The Pzkpfw IV was the workhorse of the German army, serving from the beginning of the war till the bitter end. The Pzkpfw IV saw production from October 1937 to 1945. The Pzkpfw IV was continuously up armoured and gun-armed during that period.
This example at the Bovington Tank Museum appeared to be missing the lower side-skirts (schurzen). Contrary to popular belief, the schurzen were not mounted to deflect shaped charge (HEAT) rounds but were rather to protect against Soviet anti-tank rifles which were capable of inflicting damage on the thiner flank and rear armour. This example appeared to be missing quite a few items.
The Pzkpfw IV was initially armed with a short 75mm L24 in the campaigns of 1939 and 1940. Subsequently, a L43 gun was mounted in the Ausf F2, followed by an even longer L48 in all subsequent versions.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
The Pzkpfw IV was the workhorse of the German army, serving from the beginning of the war till the bitter end. The Pzkpfw IV saw production from October 1937 to 1945. The Pzkpfw IV was continuously up armoured and gun-armed during that period.
This example at the Bovington Tank Museum appeared to be missing the lower side-skirts (schurzen). Contrary to popular belief, the schurzen were not mounted to deflect shaped charge (HEAT) rounds but were rather to protect against Soviet anti-tank rifles which were capable of inflicting damage on the thiner flank and rear armour. This example appeared to be missing quite a few items.
The Pzkpfw IV was initially armed with a short 75mm L24 in the campaigns of 1939 and 1940. Subsequently, a L43 gun was mounted in the Ausf F2, followed by an even longer L48 in all subsequent versions.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
29 November 2006
M4A1 Sherman
The M4A1 Sherman was had a cast hull and turret, differing from the other variants with a welded hull. Armed with a 75 or 76mm gun, large numbers of these tanks were instrumental in the destruction of the German armies in the Desert War and Western Europe. A number was also supplied via Lend Lease to the Soviet Union, the UK, Canada and more.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
The M4A1 Sherman was had a cast hull and turret, differing from the other variants with a welded hull. Armed with a 75 or 76mm gun, large numbers of these tanks were instrumental in the destruction of the German armies in the Desert War and Western Europe. A number was also supplied via Lend Lease to the Soviet Union, the UK, Canada and more.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
Condominiums
"In the Swiss-born architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, known more widely as Le Corbusier, this viewpoint found its most articulate advocate. Le Corbusier looked with disdain on the contemporary city's hodge-podge of cottage, small apartments, and tenements. In its stead, he envisioned vistas of sixteen-story apartment blocks, amid massive towers set aside for commerce. His ideal - published in his La Ville radisuse - separated the functions of housing, commerce, recreation, and transport and provided ample green space for the enjoyment of city residents."
Exerpt from 'The City: A Global History' by Joel Kotkin
28 November 2006
Morris Light Reconnaissance Car Mark I
The Morris Light Reconnaissance Car Mark I was first produced in 1940 with one thousand built. The weapons mount was a machine gun and a second machine gun or a Boys .55 anti-tank rifle. Subsequently, another one thousand and fifty of the Mark II were built in 1942.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
The Morris Light Reconnaissance Car Mark I was first produced in 1940 with one thousand built. The weapons mount was a machine gun and a second machine gun or a Boys .55 anti-tank rifle. Subsequently, another one thousand and fifty of the Mark II were built in 1942.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
27 November 2006
Light Tank Mark VII, Terarch
The Light Tank Mark VII, Tetarch, was one of the line of Vickers light tanks. One hundred and seventy-seven of these were built and deployed to armoured divisions in Britain in 1940. Some of the Light Tank Mark VII then saw action in the invasion of Madagascar in May 1942. A later development saw the type being adopted for the glider-borne role. A squadron of these were used by the British airborne forces on the first day of the Normandy landings in 1944.
Armed with a 2-pounder gun and a 7.92 Besa MG, the type was barely adequate except for reconaissance.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
The Light Tank Mark VII, Tetarch, was one of the line of Vickers light tanks. One hundred and seventy-seven of these were built and deployed to armoured divisions in Britain in 1940. Some of the Light Tank Mark VII then saw action in the invasion of Madagascar in May 1942. A later development saw the type being adopted for the glider-borne role. A squadron of these were used by the British airborne forces on the first day of the Normandy landings in 1944.
Armed with a 2-pounder gun and a 7.92 Besa MG, the type was barely adequate except for reconaissance.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
AK (Silver) is back again!
AK says:
hi there
AK says:
shit for brains!
AK says:
dim wit arsehole!
AK says:
mischan
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Wow!
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You're a polite one.
Yes, he's back and up to his old tricks.
Addendum
He's got more to say:
AK says:
mischan man
AK says:
can't you read?
AK says:
are you blinded by your stench?
AK says:
HAH? HAH?
AK says:
mischan
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Wow! What a classic moment!
Addendum
AK sent 11/27/2006 5:30 PM:
how's the GST hike
AK sent 11/27/2006 5:30 PM:
and the ministers' pay raises?
AK sent 11/27/2006 5:30 PM:
HOW?
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Why? You're leading a rebellion from Australia like Chee Soon Juan?
AK says:
chee?
AK says:
chee your head
AK says:
chee your bye!
Addendum
AK says:
chow chee bye*
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
My my, vulgar, aren't you?
*Hokkien vulgarity meaning 'stinking vagina'. Commonly used in Malaysia and Singapore. (and now Australia).
AK says:
hi there
AK says:
shit for brains!
AK says:
dim wit arsehole!
AK says:
mischan
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Wow!
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You're a polite one.
Yes, he's back and up to his old tricks.
Addendum
He's got more to say:
AK says:
mischan man
AK says:
can't you read?
AK says:
are you blinded by your stench?
AK says:
HAH? HAH?
AK says:
mischan
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Wow! What a classic moment!
Addendum
AK sent 11/27/2006 5:30 PM:
how's the GST hike
AK sent 11/27/2006 5:30 PM:
and the ministers' pay raises?
AK sent 11/27/2006 5:30 PM:
HOW?
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Why? You're leading a rebellion from Australia like Chee Soon Juan?
AK says:
chee?
AK says:
chee your head
AK says:
chee your bye!
Addendum
AK says:
chow chee bye*
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
My my, vulgar, aren't you?
*Hokkien vulgarity meaning 'stinking vagina'. Commonly used in Malaysia and Singapore. (and now Australia).
Panzer AG 'Your World is Burning', Diary of Dreams 'Freak Perfume'Panzer AG's 'Your World is Burning' takes on a direct and more pop-oriented position as opposed to the first album. Gone are the ominous growls, replaced by clear vocals and samples. Gone is the darkness and anger that pervaded 'This is my Battlefield'. Instead, there is 'Machinegun gogo'... Weird direction to take. Reviews have compared this with the industrial music of the late 80s like Nine Inch Nails' 'Pretty Hate Machine'.
Despite the imagery of German Second World War troops and more, the music did not convey anything in that direction which was disappointing to say the least. Why adopt this imagery when the music is just conveying not even the usual industrial themes? What about a thematic album about Stalingrad and other great struggles in the East?
'Your World is Burning' is different but that distinction is just not noteworthy. Pity.
There are Goth bands and there are real Goth bands. Diary of Dreams offers the same dark, sparse electronics in 2002's 'Freak Perfume'. Eerie, intense and disturbing. Recommended.
26 November 2006
Shaaitan
A Croatian friend, Shaaitan, on DuneMUD wanted me to draw his character in Dune. The original sketch measures 7cm x 11cm and was done using pigment ink. Technical pens used were Faber-Castell ones. This sketch utilises a somewhat different approach from the one I usually use but have still got a similar feel up to an extent. The Fremen could have put in a more dramatic pose. However... In time to come.
I'm not into heroic poses seen in comic book art. So, I hope it meets Shaaitan's expectations.
A Croatian friend, Shaaitan, on DuneMUD wanted me to draw his character in Dune. The original sketch measures 7cm x 11cm and was done using pigment ink. Technical pens used were Faber-Castell ones. This sketch utilises a somewhat different approach from the one I usually use but have still got a similar feel up to an extent. The Fremen could have put in a more dramatic pose. However... In time to come.
I'm not into heroic poses seen in comic book art. So, I hope it meets Shaaitan's expectations.
Postcard and Bookmark
I was at Plaza Singapura today. The Great AG is known to have a stand there selling postcards. I saw a bunch of kids and some counters. There were lots of kids milling about. The Great AG wasn't manning the counter, so, I bought these instead. They appear to be from http://pencilsandneedles.blogspot.com
The toaster has a quality not unlike Moebius' work. (Jean Giruad). Airy and surreal. The book art has a slight Art Nouveau feel.
I was at Plaza Singapura today. The Great AG is known to have a stand there selling postcards. I saw a bunch of kids and some counters. There were lots of kids milling about. The Great AG wasn't manning the counter, so, I bought these instead. They appear to be from http://pencilsandneedles.blogspot.com
The toaster has a quality not unlike Moebius' work. (Jean Giruad). Airy and surreal. The book art has a slight Art Nouveau feel.
25 November 2006
Quote from Richard Dawkins
"Yet if you look at the language we employ, it is no more strong or intemperate than anybody would use if criticizing a political or economic point of view: no stronger or more intemperate than any theatre critic, art critic or book critic when writing a negative review. Our language sounds strong and intemperate only because of the same weird convention I have already mentioned, that religious faith is uniquely privileged: above and beyond criticism."
Quote from Douglas Adams
"Book critics or theatre critics can be derisively negative and earn delighted praise for the trenchant wit of their review. A politician may attack an opponent scathingly across the floor of the House and earn plaudits for his robust pugnacity. But let a critic of religion employ a fraction of the same direct forthrightness, and polite society will purse its lips and shake its head: even secular polite society, and especially that part of secular society that loves to announce, "I'm an atheist, BUT . . .""
"Yet if you look at the language we employ, it is no more strong or intemperate than anybody would use if criticizing a political or economic point of view: no stronger or more intemperate than any theatre critic, art critic or book critic when writing a negative review. Our language sounds strong and intemperate only because of the same weird convention I have already mentioned, that religious faith is uniquely privileged: above and beyond criticism."
Quote from Douglas Adams
"Book critics or theatre critics can be derisively negative and earn delighted praise for the trenchant wit of their review. A politician may attack an opponent scathingly across the floor of the House and earn plaudits for his robust pugnacity. But let a critic of religion employ a fraction of the same direct forthrightness, and polite society will purse its lips and shake its head: even secular polite society, and especially that part of secular society that loves to announce, "I'm an atheist, BUT . . .""
Drawings for D&D
I will be putting up a set of drawings. These will be more dramatic figure sketches utilising methods that are somewhat more reminiscent to that of comics. Standard proportions will be somewhat thrown out for heroic ones. These figures are for a friend's D&D v3.5 rules supplement.
They will be work in progress. Images for side panels. Images for sidebars, etc.
I will be putting up a set of drawings. These will be more dramatic figure sketches utilising methods that are somewhat more reminiscent to that of comics. Standard proportions will be somewhat thrown out for heroic ones. These figures are for a friend's D&D v3.5 rules supplement.
They will be work in progress. Images for side panels. Images for sidebars, etc.
From an article titled 'The New Face of King Coal'
"The environmental consequences of China and India’s coal-fired growth are potentially disastrous. Coal burning in China and India is generally inefficient and polluting – emissions control is often lacking (or not enforced) and the quality of domestic coal is often poor. This means that larger quantities of coal must be burnt, meaning greater emissions of CO2 per unit of power output. International Energy Agency forecasts suggest that, by 2030, coal-fired power in these two countries will add some 3,000 million extra tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere every year – equivalent to around 20 times the UK’s current total CO2 emissions from power generation. Over this same period, emissions from China alone are forecast to grow by as much as those of the entire industrialised world, by which time China will have long passed the US as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
However, while coal is one of the most carbon-intensive fuels for power generation, it remains a plentiful and cheap resource for emerging economies. China and India have relatively modest natural gas reserves, and these are mostly located far from where power is needed. Developing gas infrastructure is costly and involves long lead times. In China and India, where brown- and blackouts are common, the priority is to build new capacity using proven technology as quickly as possible. "
"The environmental consequences of China and India’s coal-fired growth are potentially disastrous. Coal burning in China and India is generally inefficient and polluting – emissions control is often lacking (or not enforced) and the quality of domestic coal is often poor. This means that larger quantities of coal must be burnt, meaning greater emissions of CO2 per unit of power output. International Energy Agency forecasts suggest that, by 2030, coal-fired power in these two countries will add some 3,000 million extra tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere every year – equivalent to around 20 times the UK’s current total CO2 emissions from power generation. Over this same period, emissions from China alone are forecast to grow by as much as those of the entire industrialised world, by which time China will have long passed the US as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
However, while coal is one of the most carbon-intensive fuels for power generation, it remains a plentiful and cheap resource for emerging economies. China and India have relatively modest natural gas reserves, and these are mostly located far from where power is needed. Developing gas infrastructure is costly and involves long lead times. In China and India, where brown- and blackouts are common, the priority is to build new capacity using proven technology as quickly as possible. "
Quote from an article by Stuart A. Kauffman
"In the West, those who hold to a view of a theistic God, including the Christian fundamentalists of such power in the United States, find themselves in a cultural war with those who do not believe in a transcendent God, whether agnostic or atheistic. This war is evidenced by the fierce battle over Intelligent Design being waged politically and in the court systems of the United States. While the battleground is Darwinism, the deeply emotional issues are more fundamental. These include the belief of many religious people that without God's authority, morality has no basis. Literally, for those in the West who hold to these views, part of the passion underlying religious conviction is the fear that the very foundations of Western society will tumble if faith in a transcendent God is not upheld.
The majority of the Abrahamic peoples are Muslims. I know the Islamic world poorly, but believe that their fundamentalism again in part lies in these moral issues."
"In the West, those who hold to a view of a theistic God, including the Christian fundamentalists of such power in the United States, find themselves in a cultural war with those who do not believe in a transcendent God, whether agnostic or atheistic. This war is evidenced by the fierce battle over Intelligent Design being waged politically and in the court systems of the United States. While the battleground is Darwinism, the deeply emotional issues are more fundamental. These include the belief of many religious people that without God's authority, morality has no basis. Literally, for those in the West who hold to these views, part of the passion underlying religious conviction is the fear that the very foundations of Western society will tumble if faith in a transcendent God is not upheld.
The majority of the Abrahamic peoples are Muslims. I know the Islamic world poorly, but believe that their fundamentalism again in part lies in these moral issues."
24 November 2006
Tannenberg: Monk versus KingThe 1410 battle at Tannenberg was a battle of significance and had been cast as a decisive battle, a nationalistic battle, a racial war and more by politicians, historians, nationalists, extremists and more.
The reality, as related in William Urban's 'The Teutonic Knights: A Military History', showed otherwise, it was a battle between competing powers and was rooted in the circumstances of that period. In less than a year after the battle, the new Hochmeister Heinrich von Plauen had taken command and held the Poles and Luthanuians at the siege at Marienburg, withstood the onslaught of Polish and Luthanuian forces in Prussia and retook most of what had been lost. The Teutonic Order was decapitated in terms of leadership and the treasury was soon to be depleted.
However, it was undoubtedly the beginning of the end for the Teutonic Order after 1410 due to a variety of socio-political factors. Europe had changed greatly and the military and economic balance were no longer in the favour of the Teutonic Order.
The Teutonic Order swiftly lost everything in the Thirteen Years War in Prussia just some decades later. Livonia was lost some decades after Prussia when the Order became an anachronism.
AK (Silver) has a potty-mouth
I asked Silver(AK) to finger Hatash and Crom who were a lot higher in levels in Dune MUD. For many years Silver is the second ranking player on Dune MUD. Now, he is ranked measly 20 or 30.
AK says:
why
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You're behind.
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Go level up!
AK says:
i can't!
AK says:
i still have 125 more stats to level
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Is that a glitch?
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
That much?
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I have 1 more stat.
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
2 more monsters and I get that stat.
AK says:
you're weak
AK says:
you're an asshole
AK says:
you're a weak asshole!
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Whoa!
AK says:
mischan
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
This must be blogged.
AK says:
thank goodness mine has no comments
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
The truth comes out! You're afraid of your mischief appearing in the comments section of your blog.
AK says:
such delusions you have
AK says:
do your parents proud! jump off melbourne central!
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
For a guy speaking from hell, you sure have a lot to say.
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Lucifer is allowing you the use of that HOTline from hell?
I asked Silver(AK) to finger Hatash and Crom who were a lot higher in levels in Dune MUD. For many years Silver is the second ranking player on Dune MUD. Now, he is ranked measly 20 or 30.
AK says:
why
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You're behind.
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Go level up!
AK says:
i can't!
AK says:
i still have 125 more stats to level
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Is that a glitch?
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
That much?
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I have 1 more stat.
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
2 more monsters and I get that stat.
AK says:
you're weak
AK says:
you're an asshole
AK says:
you're a weak asshole!
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Whoa!
AK says:
mischan
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
This must be blogged.
AK says:
thank goodness mine has no comments
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
The truth comes out! You're afraid of your mischief appearing in the comments section of your blog.
AK says:
such delusions you have
AK says:
do your parents proud! jump off melbourne central!
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
For a guy speaking from hell, you sure have a lot to say.
Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Lucifer is allowing you the use of that HOTline from hell?
23 November 2006
DUKW
The DUKW (Duplex Universal Karrier, Wheeled) was an amphibious six-wheeled 2.5 ton vehicle used for the delivery of personnel and equipment from ships to shore over short distances.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
The DUKW (Duplex Universal Karrier, Wheeled) was an amphibious six-wheeled 2.5 ton vehicle used for the delivery of personnel and equipment from ships to shore over short distances.
Tank Museum, Bovington: July 2006
IJN Yamato Pictorial
This is a great collection of images of the Yamoto class battleships from Classic Warships. Recommended.
This is a great collection of images of the Yamoto class battleships from Classic Warships. Recommended.
Gustav Adolf the GreatThe latest set from the Musket & Pike series, this standalone wargame featured the battles from Gustavus Adolphus, the King of Sweden.
I received this one in early August. I should really get down to playing something from the Musket and Pike series.
So many things. So little time. So little energy.
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