"No One Knows Where He Came From..."

"Why did he take up the mantle of a Guild Ball Captain?"

This 28mm metal miniature of Blackheart is from The Union Starter Set for “Guild Ball” and is made by “Steamforged Games Limited”. It comes in several pieces so required some considerable supergluing, and later pinning, before I could finish painting him. Indeed the dynamic sculpt was truly a burden to paint and on several occasions I found my paintbrush struggling to reach some of the especially difficult areas hidden beneath the character’s sword-arm.

As the model’s main ‘kit colour’ was going to be red, I undercoated the entire piece with “Vallejo” Heavy Red before picking out his arm and leg armour with some Gunmetal Grey. This metallic acrylic produces a rather well-worn effect once washed with “Citadel” Nuln Oil, so was perfect for implying that the star player’s gear had been used for many a match. For the more ‘showy’ silver areas of Blackheart’s costume, such as the clips of his cloak, the front of his padded vest, his chain-links, and formidable sword blade, I used the “Citadel” Layer Ironbreaker instead.

Mister Freeze WIP - The "DC Comics" villain now needs part of his armour painted silver

For the player’s main leatherwear I applied a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. For the skipper’s bicep leatherwork however I went and used the darker “Vallejo” Charred Brown instead. Finally I applied a wash of Strong Tone Quickshade over all the remaining “Vallejo” Heavy Red areas, and tried to ensure the ‘ink’ pooled in the hard to reach recesses so as to cover over any mistakes.

Whilst desperately trying to resist the temptation to chuck my central midfielder miniature out the window, I have also been working away on my ever increasing collection of “Heroclix” models. Having previously washed Mister Freeze with black shade I have now not only finished dry-brushing him but have managed to undercoat the areas of his suit which will be silver in colour. I’ve also started working on the white layers for his ‘frosted’ helmet.

"Wizkids" WIPs - All three of these models are actually close to completion

In addition I have been ‘picking away’ at my miniatures of Wildcat and the Joker. The Clown Prince of Crime is especially detailed and colourful, but should soon be finished once these tiny areas, such as his shirt, tie and flower, have been washed with ink.

Lastly I have been spending a considerable portion of my time trying to finish off the plethora of “DC Comics” characters I own. But having spent a so long concentrating on the minute details upon figures, I thought this “Wizkids” sculpt of the Silver Surfer from “Marvel Worldwide” would prove an easy distraction; once I’d drilled it so as to utilise one of lovely  transparent flight stands by “Moongoose Publishing” that is.