"The Mouth Of Sauron Is One Of The Gúrzyul."

"Mortal servants of Sauron whom he made ageless through dark arts during the Second Age."

This 28mm scale metal model of an "unwholesome being [who] speaks for Sauron" is produced by "Games Workshop", and can be bought as part of a two figure set from the Nottingham-based company's "Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game" range. Somewhat embarrassingly however, I purchased my already-assembled miniature at a wargaming show's second-hand stall many years ago, and since then it's sat neglected in a drawer gathering dust.

Originally a long-abandoned entry for a past Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), the "tall, evil man who wore black robes and a black, lofty helm" was re-primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, brusquely dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and drowned in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then 'picked out' the rider's belt and sword scabbard with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before layering both the horse and man's armour, the face-grill and two-handed sword in “Vallejo” Gunmetal.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - These three MK VI Space Marines are at various stages of completion

All of these metallic areas were subsequently sploshed in “Citadel” Nuln Oil and carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. To mark out the stallion's armour though I gave the plates a lick of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash, and subsequently highlighted their edges with (another) dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal. I also attempted to pick out some stitch-work on the odd piece of cloth with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red, as seen on the "official" paint-job. However, I really didn't like the way my ham-fisted effort turned out, so soon reworked the areas using "Citadel "Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Finally, I 'picked out' the sharpened teeth of the "renegade who came of the race of those that are named the Black Númenóreans" with a few dollops of White Star by "Two Thin Coats", and his partially-visible chin with a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. To complete the somewhat gory look the Mouth of Sauron sported in the 2003 movie "The Return of the King", I later 'bloodied these up' with a dash of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - This ACW Artillery crew are slowly having their details 'picked out'

Encouraged by the release of the Daemons of the Ruinstorm rules by "Games Workshop" for "The Horus Heresy", I have also managed to make a little headway on some Sons of Horus models which have been impatiently lurking on one of the edges of my painting table. Two of the 28mm figures were assembled from the plastic sprues found inside the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Age of Darkness boxed set. Whilst the Traitor Esoterist Consul was bought from "Forge World" in March and seems to have taken an age for me to assemble once I've washed the resin pieces.

Lastly, I've purposely set aside some time this month to finish the third and final 15mm Confederate Artillery piece by “Warlord Games” I built for my initial foray into Epic Battles: American Civil War. I'm planning on making short work of this large gun and crew as I'd also like to finish a metal command stand of Union Iron Brigade before November's end, and resultantly focus upon some other infantry companies for the North before the year concludes...