"You Cannot Hide. I See You."

"There is no life in the void, only death".

This rather diminutive 28mm scale metal model of Frodo Baggins was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be found inside either the Nottingham-based company's "The Fellowship Of The Ring" boxed set [99111499002] or as part of their Frodo & Sam blister [99061461002]. Now long OOP (Out Of Production), I actually only recently discovered that I had this figure in my backlog of "The Lord Of The Rings" miniatures, and must have picked him up (probably with Sam, Merry and Pippin) second-hand at a show some years ago.

In addition, having already 'properly pigmented' an identical sculpt just last month, I was initially at a bit of a loss as to what to do with it. But then thought I could use it to simply represent the Hobbit actually putting on the One Ring - as per the "Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game" (MESBG) main rule-book. Resultantly, the entire piece was treated to a couple of coats of "Two Thin Coats" White Star, splattered with some heavily watered-down "Vallejo" Neutral Grey, and dry-brushed with (more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats".

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three of four Uruk-hai armed with crossbows currently on the painting table 

Now admittedly, this may well seem like a bit of a waste of a model to some. However, behind the scenes it provided me with a rare opportunity to experiment with a variety of "Citadel" Shades to establish whether I could suggest that 'ethereal creatures' (such as The Army of the Dead or the "Dead faces in the Dead Marshes") were actually wearing coloured clothing.

Having covered this miniature in a cunning combination of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, Nuln Oil, Carroburg Crimson and Reikland Fleshshade though, and subsequently started giving the halfling a dry-brush of (more) "Two Thin Coats" White Star, it disappointingly became clear to me that my plan using fading inks wasn't going to work. I therefore decided to sadly re-prime Frodo with (even more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats", and apply the far simpler two-tone colour scheme I mention above.

"Trench Stench" WIPs - Three of five Dirt Knights currently being worked on

In addition to providing my Fellowship with a distinctive-looking Ring-bearer, I've assembled, undercoated and progressed a handful more Uruk-hai armed with crossbows too. This all-metal orc unit by "Games Workshop" will be added to my already quite-sizeable Isengard force for MESBG, and also contribute towards the Angry Piper's "Forced March" painting event over on his "Dead Dick’s Tavern and Temporary Lodging" wargaming blog.

Likewise, I have dusted down the five 32mm Dirt Knights by "Trench Stench" I printed and began painting back in October 2025. Recently I've been producing quite a considerable number of the manufacturer's "Trench Crusade" inspired models on my "Elegoo" Mars 5 3D printer, and thought I had better start getting on top of this fast-growing pile of grey before things get too badly out of hand...

"If I Die, I'm Going To Die Historic On The Fury Road!"

 "Do not, my friends, become addicted to water. It will take hold of you, and you will resent its absence."

"Hello Speed Freaks, and welcome to our latest broadcast of Cars, Crashes and Carnage, where we reveal all the latest news concerning the vehicles racing across our barren, post-nuclear landscape. I'm your host with the most Rex Wonkers, and alongside veteran roustabout-turned-roughneck Lance Sourdough, I'll be taking a closer look at the four latest competitors to be announced for the Juice Cup."

"To open with we have the super-sleek Solar Eagle III, which largely consists of the identically-named die-cast vehicle produced by "Mattel" between 1998 to 2001. It's believed that the 20mm scale metal "Hot Wheels" model was purchased loose at a second-hand stall a couple of years ago, and having been kitted out with a couple of forward-facing machine-guns taken from the plastic Implements of Carnage One sprue by "North Star Military Figures", was subsequently super-glued on to a "Citadel" plastic 90 x 52mm oval base."

"Mattel WIPs" - This Duck N' Roll car has been converted using "North Star Military Figures" bitz 

"It was then that the lightweight, teardrop-shaped car was primed in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, shaded using some (disconcertingly gloopy) "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red, Rex. The driver's viewport was subsequently layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, whilst the 762 terrestrial-grade silicon solar cells and weapons were treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil."

"In addition, you can't forget the rear-mounted mercenary riding 'shotgun'. The 20mm metal figure was selected from the NSPIoC13 - Corporate Team (Drivers & Passengers) set by "North Star Military Figures" and predominantly pigmented using "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. However, the machinegun-toting lookout also had his helmet picked out with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson."

"That chap's going to have hold on very tight should the Solar Eagle III start accelerating up to its top speed of forty-three miles per hour, Lance. Of course, this solar car isn't the only headline grabber for this show, with the local Police Department's announcement of their 'Duck of Death' vehicle. Based upon the chassis of a "Hot Wheels" Duck N' Roll, this monstrosity will come armed with a formidable tesla cannon."

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - Two more 20mm plastic motorcycles are on the painting table

"And let's not forget we also have another pair of 20mm plastic motorcycles found on the Implements of Carnage One sprue by "North Star Military Figures" dropping their dog-tags into the hat too, Rex. These boys are far more reliant upon their bikes' great speed to help them survive the tournament. Though I did spot one of them sporting a gatling gun at the front of their machine."

"Well that about brings our latest transmission to an end, Lancey Boy. So it's goodbye from the pair of us, and we look forward to speaking to all you wasteland survivors again in the next edition of Cars, Crashes and Carnage..."

"Sweet Christmas!"

 "All right... Now it's time to get ugly!"

This 40mm scale model of Luke Cage is manufactured by "CoolMiniOrNot", and was unlocked as a stretch goal during the company's highly successful February 2020 Kickstarter for "Marvel United" when it achieved a whopping $2,866,168 in funding. Created by Archie Goodwin, George Tuska, Roy Thomas and John Romita Sr., the comic book character made his first appearance in the June 1972 first issue of "Luke Cage, Hero for Hire".

Undercoated using a ton of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow, Power Man's boots and belt were 'picked out' using "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The Hero For Hire's trousers were then given a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, shaded in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and later dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue. At this point I also decided to apply a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to the miniature's belt buckle and wrist-bands.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Two Voltigeurs at various stages of completion

Inadvertently given "superhuman strength and nearly impenetrable skin," the hero's bare forearms and head were pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before Cage's fingers and facial features were highlighted with a little (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. I next applied a wash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade all over Luke's shirt and subsequently dry-brushed it with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow.

Unfortunately this process didn't turn out as well as I had hoped - probably due to the "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade being a bit goopy - so I soon re-painted the top in Skulker Yellow by "Two Thin Coats" and this time tried some "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade as a shade. Disappointingly, this didn't work out all that well either, so eventually I decided to give the New Avenger a single coat of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow - which allowed a lot of the darker colouring to still show through - and a heavily watered-down wash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. This seemed to produce the shadow effect I was after, and may well now become my 'go to' way to paint yellow in the future.

"CobraMode" WIPs - This Desert Shrine has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

In addition to Power Man, I have also managed to make some more progress on the two remaining Napoleonic Frenchmen I need to finish in order to field a tiny (four-figure) unit of skirmishers for "Black Powder". Taken from the "Wargames Foundry" blister FN103 - Grenadiers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoat Marching, these two 28mm miniatures don't actually need all that much work, so should be tabletop ready in the next week or so.

As a bit of a change I've also started working on some terrain I recently made using some "Bambu Lab" Jade White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on my A1 Mini 3D Printer. This Desert Shrine Scatter Terrain is by "CobraMode" and was acquired as part of my subscription when I used to support them on "My Mini Factory". I don't actually plan to use it with any of the other STL (Standard Triangle Language) files of theirs which I own. But instead intend to plonk a sizeable statue onto its daïs...

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

Last month's output was a mixed bag of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Napoleonics

Thanks to a strong showing during the past four weeks, I'm pleased to say that I'm only 46 points short of beating my tally for last year's Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge (PPPP), and resultantly only need to paint another ten 28mm scale miniatures which I started working on prior to last December. Much of this success has undoubtedly been due to my continuing love of "Wargames Foundry" and their Napoleonic range. But also to a very sudden interest in the original version of the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG) by "Games Workshop" and a group of Hobbits' deadly encounter with lots of Uruk-hai at Parth Galen.  

Indeed, spurred on by this enthusiasm for Middle Earth I have already finished work on another 28mm scale Uruk-hai armed with a crossbow. Like a number of similarly equipped miniatures I currently have sat upon my hobby table, this particular metal "Games Workshop" figure had already been primed "Citadel" Abaddon Black from an earlier attempt to make it tabletop ready, so to begin with I just gave the model's armour and weapon/bolts a lick of "Scale 75" Decayed Metal, Thrash Metal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

 "We come to kill, by sun or moon."

I then applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red with a "Citadel” Devlan Mud wash onto the orc's flesh, and carefully applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade over the creature's shoes, loincloth, hair, gloves, straps, belt, pouches and crossbow. As a final step, I treated the brute’s knife sheath to a little “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and washed it with (more) “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

Alongside my personal challenge's final month, I thought I'd also participate in Angry Piper's Forced March challenge over on his blog "Dead Dick's Tavern and Temporary Lodging". This means that I'll be predominantly focusing upon getting at least one infantry (or cavalry) unit completed during the month - providing "its more than a one-model unit".

February 2026 - The year already seems to be shaping up into a battle between "Wargames Foundry" and "Games Workshop"

Currently I have a number of such units I want to get finished, not least of which would be a sizeable gathering of Uruk-hai - possibly for the old The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring mass-battle miniature wargame by "Games Workshop", so this new goal shouldn't really prove too problematic. In fact, my painting area is currently filled full of Napoleonic infantrymen, Alien Legionnaries, Beastmen and 3D prints which would adequately fit the bill if enough are pigmented.

As to whether or not something new might sneak up upon me as "The Lord Of The Rings" has, I cannot say. I have a number of one-off miniatures I would like to finally get finished - before they're probably stored away again in a box until next year's PPPP, and such diversions can invariably cause me to start wandering down yet another rabbit hole of wargaming which I hadn't anticipated venturing down before...

"The Forbidden Zone Was Once A Paradise."

"Your breed made a desert of it, ages ago."

This 28mm scale white metal model is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought either separately as Simian Minion 2B, or as part of their four-figure Simian Minions 2 set. Sculpted by Andrew May, the miniature is clearly strongly influenced by actor Maurice Evans' portrayal of Doctor Zaius in the 1968 film "Planet of the Apes", and rather frustratingly required a partial re-paint at one stage when things went a little sour whilst working on the orangutan politician's coat and trousers.

Originally primed with a lick or two of "Vallejo" Heavy Orange, the Minister of Science's boots and leather shoulder covering were treated to a layer of Heavy Sienna. I then washed the entire model with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and started to dry-brush the authority on simian science's jacket with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Orange. However, despite the "Games Workshop" shade having worked just fine on the aforementioned brown areas, it had somehow turned into a disconcertingly dark, gloopy mess everywhere else.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Sam, Pippin and Merry have all been undercoated

This strange reaction seems to have been caused by the "Vallejo" Heavy Orange transforming into an almost plastic-like skin once dry, and resulted in me having to reapply the paint all over the Chief Defender of the Faith's sleeves, pants and tunic a second time to cover all the ruddy mess. Disappointingly, I was never able to completely mask this mistake as the Game Color paint is quite transparent. But eventually I got to the stage where I was able to give Doctor Zaius a heavily-watered down wash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and semi-successfully highlight the garment back up with a dry-brush of (even more) "Vallejo" Heavy Orange. 

With the bulk of the model now done, I turned my attention to picking out some of the details, such as simply applying some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the orangutan's undershirt. I also used a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on the figure's flesh, and later lined his fingers, cheeks and lips with a smidgeon more "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. Lastly, I gave the miniature's hair a brush-tip full of Skulker Yellow by "Two Thin Coats", darkened it down with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and brightened it back up with a dry-brush of (more) "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow and a delicate touch of White Star.

"Big Head Chibis" WIPs - Stan, Amand, and "WT"

Alongside Doctor Zaius I have also found the time to undercoat three more hobbits by "Games Workshop" from the Nottingham-based manufacturer's old "The Lord Of The Rings" range. As with the Frodo Baggins I recently painted, I believe Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took are all from the now long out of production (OOP) "The Fellowship Of The Ring" boxed set - albeit I believe I bought them second-hand at a wargaming show.

Somewhat strangely (and suddenly) I've also found myself in the mood for some more games of the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game, and resultantly recently picked up a copy of its Spider-Verse and Avengers expansion books. This has perhaps inevitably lead to me dusting down some of the 3D prints I produced last year by "Big Head Chibis" - as I have a distinct lack of civilians to use as objectives (e.g. kidnap victims) in my scenarios... 

“I Will Take The Ring."

"Though I do not know the way.”

This small 28mm scale metal model of Frodo Baggins was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be found inside the Nottingham-based company's "The Fellowship Of The Ring" boxed set for their "The Lord Of The Rings" range. Now OOP (Out Of Production), I actually bought mine second-hand from a stall at a wargaming show many years ago, and have been meaning to get around to (re)painting him ever since.

Having already been rather brusquely pigmented by its original owner, I did initially consider simply slapping some "Citadel" Abaddon Black over the entire sculpt to cover it up. However, as the miniature was so small, I figured that approach would probably clog up a lot of the Hobbit's detail, so instead just left the Ringbearer alone and painted straight over the top of its former brushwork.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three of five Uruk-hai armed with a crossbow currently being worked on

Resultantly, I carefully applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade to all of Frodo's flesh, and later highlighted these areas up with some (more) lines of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. I then gave his Jacket a lick of "Citadel" Doombull Brown and his trousers a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. Both of these garments were subsequently washed with plenty of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

I used a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red for the model's tiny waistcoat, before slapping some Heavy Green over the figure's cloak. As with the miniature's pants and coat, I drenched these parts in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade - albeit I did go back and dry-brush the Halfling's cape with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Green. As a final touch I gave his short-sword and cloak pin a brush-tip of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and darkened these items down with a smidgeon of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Prussian Field Marshall Blucher on horse

As I'm clearly very much in the mood for "The Lord Of The Rings", I have unearthed (and in at least one case (re)glued) a handful more of the range's Uruk-hai armed with a crossbows. These 28mm multi-piece metal miniatures have come from a number of sources and resultantly are already at various stages of completion. Due to the "Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game" (MESBG) only allowing a third of your force's models to be armed with bows, I'm not sure just how many of Saruman the White's minions I'll actually get finished. But if I can rattle them all off then I may well dig out the classic "War of The Ring" ruleset by "Games Workshop" and see whether I have enough Uruk-hai tabletop ready to play that too.

So sudden an obsession with Middle Earth though doesn't mean for a minute that I plan to take my eye off of my Napoleonic project for "Black Powder". Admittedly, all the colourful details on the French Voltigeurs I'm currently plodding through has somewhat dampened my spirits when it comes to applying my brush to musket-carrying infantrymen. However, in order to break up this monotony I've picked back up my "Wargames Foundry" mounted figure of Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher from their blister PN055A Field Marshall Blucher with Generals Gneisenau, Yorck and Kleist, with the aspiration of getting the Prussian Generalfeldmarschall finished within the next week or so...

"Cybertronic Machinators..."

"...Are heavily armoured, bipedal combat robots."

This 28mm scale metal model used to be produced by “Target Games". But these days can be purchased from "Prince August" as part of their TG9524PB: Warzone Cybertronic Machinators four-figure set. Acting as a shock trooper for the Cybertronic corporation, I believe I picked this particular miniature up from a now long-closed second-hand wargaming store in Portsmouth way back at the start of the Millennium, and despite a couple of attempts in the past have only now finally got it tabletop ready.

Originally primed using "Citadel" Chaos Black, the automaton was base coated using "Vallejo" Gunmetal, shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal. I next carefully picked out the android's emblems using a combination of Ethereal Green by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. To be honest, I was rather tempted to leave the Machinator like this. However, I thought it looked a bit bland, so decided to 'pick out' some of the rather clunky-looking sculpt's other details.

"You have to have seen the steadfastness of one of the forces trained and led by Bonaparte."

First up I applied a layer of "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the robot's shoulder-pads, knee-pads, and a few areas of internal workings so as to break up its predominantly 'silver' palette. I then gave its hydraulic tubing and sword handle a lick of "Vallejo" Bronze and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade in order to give the miniature a little bit more colour, before spotting its death mask eyes using a couple of dots of "Vallejo" Heavy Red.

In addition to this serious 'blast from the past' I have also completed another Napoleonic Frenchman by "Wargames Foundry". This 28mm scale metal model is part of their FN103 - Grenadiers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoat Marching set, and having been undercoated "Citadel" Abaddon Black, was largely pigmented using "Two Thin Coats" White Star, some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, plenty of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and a load of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Two more Voltigeurs at various stages of completion

I also 'picked out' the skirmisher's water bottle and strap in "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and subsequently dabbed a little Ethereal Green by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green on the Frenchman's epaulettes, lower plume and sword ribbon. Lastly, I gave the soldier's topmost pom-pom some "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow and shaded it with a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, I have also made some progress on the tiny, four-figure unit's remaining two members. These Voltigeurs take me a lot of time to work on, so I thought I'd take a leaf out of the advice I was given by "Warlord Games" painting team when I last visited them, and get the pair's faces done early on - apparently this should then motivate me to finish the rest of the models...