"Sauron Is A Fearsome Mutated Pterodactyl."

"Look on me, ye humans, and despair!"

This 40mm scale model of Sauron is manufactured by "CoolMiniOrNot", and was unlocked during the company's highly successful April 2021 Kickstarter for "Marvel United: X-Men" when it achieved an incredible $5,988,089 in funding. "The alter ego of physician Dr. Karl Lykos", the energy vampire was created by Roy Thomas and Neal Adams, and made his first appearance in the September 1969 issue of "The X-Men by "Marvel Comics".

Primed using plenty of Ethereal Green from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" paint range, the super-villain was shaded in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and thoroughly dry-brushed with (more) Ethereal Green. I then 'picked out' his mouth using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, before highlighting his tongue (so as to better 'mark out' it out) with some additional "Vallejo" Heavy Red.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These two Austrian infantrymen are almost finished

The notorious "enemy of the X-Men" subsequently had his mesmerising eyes dolloped with a splodge of "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" White Star, and plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Violet plastered over Lykos' trousers. This garment was later shaded using "Citadel" Druchii Violet, and given a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Violet. Lastly, I applied some "Vallejo" Neutral Grey over the figure's pre-sculpted base, sploshed it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and highlighted its rocky crags with (more) "Vallejo" Neutral Grey.

Along with my latest addition to my roster of models I plan to use with the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game, I have also been dutifully plodding away at the remaining four Austrian fusiliers I wish to add to my Coalition army for "Black Powder". These figures all come from the blister AN002 German Infantry Marching by "Wargames Foundry", and will double the strength of my current unit from tiny to small (using my home-rules for unit size).

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - A trio of Beastmen in the early stages of being painted

In addition, I've also been dabbling with a quartet of Beastmen by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" which I believe I picked up when the company first released their 7TV Dracula Feature Pack. I'm not particularly planning to use them for Karl Perrotton's skirmish rule-set, but rather "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games" - utilising them as either Cultists or perhaps even Ghouls.

I would though like to get quite a few of this manufacturer's backlog cleared from my drawers over the next couple of months - as I do seem to have collected quite a mountain of their metal models. So hopefully I can get this particular foursome tabletop ready "toot sweet", and then move on to several of their Alien Legionaries which I recently stumbled upon whilst searching through a wooden cabinet...

"Sam Will Give You A Ride."

"Just tell him where to go, and he'll go.”

This decidedly diminutive 28mm scale metal model of Samwise Gamgee was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be bought as part of the two figure Frodo & Sam In Orc Armour blister from the Nottingham-based company's "The Lord Of The Rings" range. Now OOP (Out Of Production), I actually picked this miniature up from a wargaming show's second-hand stall many years ago, and have been meaning to get around to painting him ever since.

Despite the figure already having some sort of black undercoat on it, courtesy of its former owner, I decided to dust it down and give it an additional lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The "loyal companion" was then layered with Thrash Metal by "Scale 75", shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and very lightly dry-brushed with (more) "Scale 75" Thrash Metal.

"We are the Uruk-hai: we do not stop the fight for night or day, for fair weather or for storm."

I next began 'picking out' all of the sculpt's fur leggings, sword scabbard, belt and cloth under garments with either "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, Heavy Sienna, and Beasty Brown, before treating them to a splosh of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Finally, the heavily-disguised Hobbit's numerous leather straps, and thick gloves were simply layered in "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

Alongside Samwise the Brave, I have also finished work on another 28mm scale Uruk-hai armed with a crossbow. This metal "Games Workshop" miniature had already been primed "Citadel" Abaddon Black from an earlier attempt to make it tabletop ready, so I simply gave the model's armour and hand-weapon a lick of "Scale 75" Decayed Metal, Thrash Metal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This Austrian Infantryman is being painted from the boots up

I achieved the colour of the Orc's bare flesh by using "Vallejo" Heavy Red with a "Citadel” Devlan Mud wash, and carefully applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on the creature's shoes, loincloth, hair, gloves, straps, belt, pouches and crossbow. As a last step, I treated the brute’s knife sheath to a little “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and highlighted his teeth in White. Both of these areas were later washed with (more) “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

With this month's big push towards progressing my Napoleonic Black Powder forces still foremost in my mind, I have begun plugging away at the predominantly white uniforms of four Austrian infantrymen by "Wargames Foundry". I've already pigmented a quartet of these 28mm scale metal from the company's AN002 German Infantry Marching blister in the past to create a tiny unit for my Coalition army, and plan to use this miniatures to double its strength so I can field a small unit instead... 

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge” [III/IV] February 2026

Last month's output was largely dominated by "Games Workshop" and "Wargames Foundry"

Sadly there can be little doubt then when compared to some of my past January outputs, the last four weeks have proved pretty disappointing productivity wise. Indeed, I didn't manage to pigment even half of what I achieved just a couple of years ago in 2023. Having said that though, a lot of time was lost due to a slow start, and currently my enthusiasm for the hobby is so strong - especially for "Wargames Foundry" and their Napoleonic range, that I fully expect to make up some ground throughout February.

In addition, I've temporarily postponed a couple of new projects I had begun to 'scratch away' at, in favour of firmly focusing upon my Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge (PPPP) and making far more in-roads towards my target tally for that. Last year I managed to finally finish 246 points worth of semi-completed figures, and was planning to better that this time round. However, having just past my personal challenge's half-way stage, I've only got 119 points tabletop ready - so have set aside my plans for Napoleonic cavalry and cannon units (some of which have literally just arrived through my letter box), and swapped them out for a sizeable selection of already-based Austrian Fusiliers, Moscow Militiamen and Frenchmen marching in greatcoats.

"In military operations, hours determine success and campaigns."

To get things off with something of a bang I have finally managed to get a coat of "Vallejo" Matt Varnish on an eighth skirmisher I have had loitering around my painting desk for quite some while. Found inside the “Wargames Foundry" blister FN054 - Light Infantry Chasseurs Advancing, the miniature Frenchman was undercoated using a little "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before having his uniform/cuffs layered in "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

The soldier's various leather straps were treated to some White Star by "Two Thin Coats", before being 'weathered' with some watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Furthermore, I 'picked out' all of his extra details, using colours such as as "Vallejo" Heavy Green and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green for the man's epaulettes and sabre-briquet ribbons, "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on his bedroll, and "Two Thin Coats" White, Skulker Yellow, and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade for the Frenchman's helmet plume.

January 2026 - "Blood Bowl", Napoleonic Soldiers and Super-Heroes dominate the current chart

Alongside my burgeoning Black Powder collection, I am also planning on working through a number of primed "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" models I've had lurking in a drawer beside me for many a month. Whether this encourages to return to the company's skirmish ruleset "7TV" I don't know. But there's a good chance many of the figures will make an appearance on my "Silver Bayonet" tabletop as I primarily use Karl Perrotton's miniatures for any encounters my warband might have with wandering monsters, the Undead or musket-carrying bandits.

Lastly, I'm still very much in the mood for producing various items of scenery with my "Bambu Lab" A1 Mini, and am quietly working away in the background on some of the terrific terrain I received as free STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from "Steamforged Games" as part of their Warmachine 3D: Gravediggers release in April 2025. I've also got a bit of a backlog building courtesy of "Saucermen Studios" and their "Beyond The Trenches Of Despair" Kickstarter. So expect to see a fair few Whether ruined walls, trench systems, bunkers, towers and concrete barricades appearing over the coming months.

"Fickle Madame Victory Remained Firmly Out Of Reach For Everybody."

"This battle was a draw."

"Hello Blood Bowl fans, and welcome to another mind-blowing broadcast of Friday Night Football. I'm Jim Maddenberg and along with Elf playing legend-turned-commentator Thom Grassyglade, I’ll be bringing you all the biggest rumours circulating around our favourite amateur incarnation of Fantasy Football.”

“Once again, much of this programme's focus sits with Bluebeard's Bombardiers, who have forked out an impressive 140,000 copper pieces for the dynamic duo of Beggerlug Christmas and Uthaek Mudshaper - Two Dwarf Blocker Linemen who really mean business."

"Mutual exhaustion led to a truce being called, and the leaders of both sides attempted to parley."

"You're spot on there, Jim. This pair of 28mm scale second-hand metal miniatures were undercoated in “Vallejo” Heavy Blue, and subsequently had their trousers, padded shirts and helmets washed with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. The Dwarves' boots were then 'picked out' "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before their steel toe-caps, and other bits of armour were treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Sticking with the club's colour scheme, both Christmas and Mudshaper's gloves and shoulder-pads were later pigmented with "Vallejo" Heavy Red, given a liberal splosh of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, and a carefully placed highlight or two of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. Lastly, Beggerlug's famous beard had a little "Two Thin Coats" White Star daubed all over his facial hair, as well as a dash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil."

"Games Workshop" WIPs - The beginnings of the Dumbledune Daisies; a Dwarf Blocker and Blitzer

"Marvellous stuff, Thom. But these welcome additions to Bruldrin Bluebeard the Third's impressive team roster isn't the only news of the hour, is it..? I understand that a third Dwarf team has announced its intention to compete locally, and they're the Dumbledune Daisies. Just before this transmission terminates, can you give our viewers any insights into this latest Blood Bowl Sevens squad..?"

"For now we just know that their manager is head-hunting as many Troll Slayers and Blitzers as the rules permit for an amateur side, and the players will apparently be sporting dark green uniforms with white helmets. Furthermore, there's a lot of gossip that they intend to plaster their faces with yellow paint just prior to kick-off..!!"

"You Haven't Got A House Anymore, Savage!"

 "A stray shell from a tank blew it apart."

This 28mm metal single-cast model is produced by "Athena Miniatures" as part of their Apocalypse Survivors range, and comes as part of their AS04 Survivors Set 4. Bought as part of a much larger impulse buy whilst I was wandering around the stalls at "Warfare" 2024, this assortment of four-figures are based upon the perturbing premise that Russia has suddenly invaded the United Kingdom following some great calamity - whether that be a nuclear strike, zombie incursion or some deadly extra-terrestrial attack.

The young boy was undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and had his trousers pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I then layered the child's hooded jacket with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, shaded the garment with plenty of "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and very carefully dry-brushed it with a little (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue to help pick out all its truly tiny details.

"Men are moved by two levers only: fear and self interest."

The final steps consisted of me painting the figure's rather large backpack in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade - which is almost the size of the nipper himself - as well as patiently applying a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshtone over his face and hands. To be honest I did consider giving the kid some gloves. But I thought the sculpt's pose better suggested he had slightly frost-bitten bare hands.

Alongside my diminutive Apocalypse Survivor I have (perhaps unsurprisingly) completed two more 28mm scale metal models made by “Wargames Foundry". Sold these days as FN054 - Light Infantry Chasseurs Advancing, the pair of Napoleonic Frenchman were primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and then had their uniform/cuffs covered in a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These Guard Lancers have been primed in the main colour of their horses

The soldiers' numerous (and genuinely terrifying) leather straps were treated to some White Star by "Two Thin Coats", before being 'muddied' up with a bit of watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, I worked my way through all of the skirmishers' various details, using colours such as as "Vallejo" Heavy Green and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green on their epaulettes and sabre-briquet ribbons, "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on their bedrolls, and "Two Thin Coats" White, Skulker Yellow, and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade on the miniatures' helmet plumes.

With just a final Chasseur to finish in order to create a small unit of smoothbore musket-carrying Frenchmen, I have also (finally) made a start on this year's phase of my Napoleonic "Black Powder" project by assembling (and priming) a pair of cavalrymen from the Newark-based company's old FN275 French Imperial Guard Lancers In Campaign Dress. For the next twelve months I'm aiming to get at least a handful of tiny horse (two models) units completed, alongside a handful of cannon, so plan to get the duo tabletop ready in quick order...

"I Am The Curse Of The Impure."

 "Garell had found a firing angle that allowed him to cover a large part of the zone..."

These two 28mm metal models were produced by "Rackham" in the late Nineties, and could be bought from the French company's "Confrontation" range as blister Griffin Thallions 2. Rather embarrassingly I've actually owned this pair since they were first released, and despite the odd attempt to get them tabletop ready, never actually succeeded until now.

In order to rid myself of their previous half-hearted paint-jobs, the surprisingly hefty miniatures received a solid base-coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, a generous dousing in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and an enthusiastic dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. I then carefully 'carved out' all of their armour/chains using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal" and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before applying a little "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to any visible scabbards or religious icons.

"...Thus protecting his minelayer companion while he set the explosives."

I next gave their inner clothing a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Green, and immediately darkened it down - as I liked the idea of these guys being assassins of some kind - with a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I did something similar with their pistols and holsters too, 'picking out' the two different areas with "Vallejo" Beasty Brown and Heavy Brown, and subsequently sploshing them both with (more) "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

I did however want to stick to the Griffin Thallions' 'official' colour scheme where I could, so decided to apply a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to their gloves, as well as a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green on their cravats. As a final touch I carefully dabbed "Two Thin Coats" White Star on their face masks, and later shaded them with a tiny amount of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Rackham" WIPs - These three Griffin Templars have had their missing shields replaced

With these rather old models completed, and my interest in both "Rackham" and "Confrontation" somewhat piqued, I have started work on a trio of Griffin Templars. As with my Thallions, I bought these three figures shortly after they came out. But appear to have lost their separate shields along the way.

Despite a bit of a rummage through various boxes and drawers, I simply can't find these missing pieces, so have decided to add some (slightly larger) Templar-themed shields by "Station Forge" I recently 3D printed as part of their Solaris Infantry [Legacy] set instead. Doubtless, having now super-glued them permanently in place I'll find the blessed parts in the next place I look - probably alongside the Wolfen of Yllia miniatures I know I purchased alongside them. However, with my enthusiasm for the range strong I didn't want to dilly-dally and risk losing interest in them...

"Miles Morales’ Spider Powers..."

 "...are significantly different from his counterparts in other dimensions."

This 40mm scale model of Miles Gonzalo Morales was produced by "CoolMiniOrNot", and was released during the company's highly successful February 2020 Kickstarter for "Marvel United" when it achieved a whopping $2,866,168 in funding. Based upon  Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli's "modern reimagining of the popular character" Spider-Man for "Marvel Comics", the figure can be found inside the boardgame's "Enter The Spider-Verse" expansion set.

"Hailing from an alternate world in which Peter Parker sacrificed his life to protect the city", the figure was primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black and then had all of the webbing covering his costume (very) patiently picked out with a line of "Vallejo" Heavy Red. In addition, the Afro–Puerto Rican teenager's fingers and chest emblem were also treated to a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, before the entire miniature was given a wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"During the Crusades, a heretical band of Templars dared defy the Almighty, unleashing the forces of Hell upon the Earth."

Spider-Man's eyes were carefully base-coated with "Two Thin Coats" White Star, shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and subsequently highlighted back up with (more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats". The model's rubble-strewn base was largely treated to a combination "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst the dislodged drain was pigmented with "Vallejo" Gunmetal, "Citadel" Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade.

Alongside Miles Morales, I have also finished working on a second Concrete Defence Wall which was created using some "Bambu Lab" Matt White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on an A1 Mini 3D Printer. Produced by "Saucermen Studios" as part of their "Beyond The Trenches Of Despair" Kickstarter, the scenic piece was undercoated using "Vallejo" Neutral Grey, base layered with a coat of the somewhat darker Sombre Grey and covered in of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This Frenchman is close to completion

I then dry-brushed all the concrete with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, before giving both the numerous spikes and crosses a base-coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. These areas were later 'picked out' with a little "Vallejo" Gold, and a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Finally, I am pushing on with a sixth 28mm scale metal model from the “Wargames Foundry" pack FN054 - Light Infantry Chasseurs Advancing. I've got every intention of getting eight of these Napoleonic French skirmishers tabletop ready by the end of the month - if not sooner - as I fully intend to work on some cavalry units by the Newark-based manufacturer for the majority of this year...