"Often An Inexperienced Foe Will Empty Shot After Shot Into Them..."

"...Doing little more than blowing off small chunks or fingers."

This 28mm metal Zombie Gunfighter can be bought as part of Code OW010 from "Wargames Foundry", and was originally going to be one of my submissions for last month's Zomtober challenge. "Drawn by the shadows gathering across the nation" the undead cowboy will actually play a dual role on my tabletop, proving useful as one of the supernatural creatures who can make an appearance in "Dracula's America" by "Osprey Games", as well as also replacing the softly-sculpted plastic Hungry Dead models in "Shadows Of Brimstone" by "Flying Frog Productions.

Initially undercoated with "Vallejo" White and washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade in order for me to better see the figure's detail, I used "Citadel" Abaddon Black on the walking corpse's boots and belt. The grisly cadaver's trousers were then painted with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and his holster with Heavy Brown, before both areas were washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Doctor Who News"

As I wanted this particular 'killer' to appear drenched in the grime and dried blood of death, I washed his tattered shirt in a mixture of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and (even) more Strong Tone Quickshade. The pistol-carrying ghoul's decaying flesh was created by applying some "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green shade over a layer of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand.

The zombie gunfighter's pistol, belt buckle and ammunition belt were painted using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. Whilst "Vallejo" Heavy Blue was lightly dry-brushed across his "Citadel" Abaddon Black hair, and later washed with Nuln Oil, in order to give it a slightly undead bluish tinge.

Juddon 'Ghost' WIPs - The dead alien has had his axe re-attached and painted

"Warlord Games" recent announcement that more models are finally on the way for their "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" miniatures game has certainly helped reinvigorate my determination to paint some more of the models I already own from this particular range. Indeed, I've actually managed to additionally harness this enthusiasm for the "finely-sculpted scale pewter and plastic" figures by joining the editorial team of the "Doctor Who News" website, and penning for them an ongoing series of reviews based upon the rule-set and its accompanying sculpts. The first of these is already available to read here: "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" - The Miniatures Game.

Sadly, in my excitement I did inadvertently drop my Judoon Fisher King ghost test figure from a significant height, and as a result snapped his plastic "Frostgrave" axe off at the hilt. But with a little patience, filing and pinning, I have re-attached a somewhat shorter version of the hand-weapon back, and finished painting its base colours. Once shaded, I'm hoping the bright red axe-blade will really stand out in stark contrast to the deceased alien's ghostly hue.

Brightshield WIPs - The Stormcast Eternal has been primed, washed and now needs a lot of detailing

Lastly, with my model of Garrek currently submerged within my flocking tin, I have started to progress the first of my Stormcast Eternal figures for "Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire". Like the Bloodreaver chieftain, Angharad Brightshield is one of the four plastic "Games Workshop" miniatures which need to be assembled in order to play the game's introductory quick-start confrontation...

"An Unwelcome Guest."

"As animated corpses, these undead nightmares are slow and shambling, but attack in large numbers..."

This 28mm metal Zombie Gunfighter can be purchased as part of Code OW010 from "Wargames Foundry", and is my sixth and final submission for this year's Zomtober challenge. One of several "dangerous supernatural" creatures who can suddenly take "an interest" in a fight whilst playing "Dracula's America" by "Osprey Games", this brain-chomping cowboy can also make an appearance "in games where you are using the Innocent Bystander rules" and "instead decide to use Zombies".

Rather reminiscent of a rodeo rider, the miniature was primed with "Vallejo" White and actually quickly washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade purely so I could see all the sculpt's intricate detail. His boots, belt and waistcoat were given a simple coat of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, whilst his leather chaparreras were painted using some "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and Gold, and them washed with more Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Feeling no pain and without fear for their own well-being, Hungry Dead are very difficult to kill."

I then 'picked out' the colourful cadaver's trousers and hat using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and treated his neckerchief to a dab of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and some "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. The putrefying gunslinger's ammunition, pistol and belt buckle were given a layer of Ironbreaker and later shaded with an old pot of Badab Black.

I created my zombies' usual vivid green look by initially using a base-coat of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, and subsequently washing it with "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green, Carroburg Crimson and a little Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". In addition, I picked out the cowboy's bullet wounds with "Vallejo" Heavy Red, and treated these areas, alongside parts of his tattered white shirt, to a generous wash of more "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Stormcast Eternals WIPs - The bright blue plastic miniatures have been primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna

Having recently purchased "Warhammer Underworlds: Shadespire" by "Games Workshop" I have previously spent some time assembling and priming Garrek's Reavers for my Khorne Bloodbound warband. Disconcertingly however, as I am currently reading the "Black Library" novel "The Gates of Azyr", billed as "the perfect place to start exploring the Age of Sigmar", I have found myself rather drawn to the plight of the Stormcast Eternals, and resultantly, also now assembled the three Liberator figures for their "action-packed combat [board] game" as well.

Sadly, I don't think being produced in bright blue plastic does the sculpts of Angharad Brightshield, Obryn the Bold and their leader Severin Steelheart any particular favours, especially in their official publicity photographs. But now they have been primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, in preparation for a layer or two of Gold, I think these are some of the best detailed "Age Of Sigmar" miniatures I've seen; and sadly could very well tempt me to turn towards assembling a larger force for Order in the future... 

"The Dead Do Not Rest Easy In Dracula's America..."

 "Refugees from back East begin to flood the West in ever-greater numbers in a bid to escape the Terror."

These three 28mm metal Zombie Gunfighters can be purchased as Code OW010 from "Wargames Foundry", and are my latest submission for this year's Zomtober challenge. "Hard To Kill" and "Fearsome", enemy models who wish to fight these models whilst playing "Osprey Games" Weird Wild West rule-set, must first "pass a 1 Die Nerve Test or suffer a -1 Die Modifier on its Fight Tests" even when the brain-chomping cowboys are "Down!"

The first of these gun-toting zeds seems to bear a strikingly strong resemblance to the "folk hero of the American Old West" known as "Wild Bill" Hickok, and was primed with "Vallejo" White. His trousers and boots were subsequently painted using Heavy Green and Heavy Sienna respectively, and both of these areas were then treated to a coat of "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. I 'picked out' his neckerchief with "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and his battered hat with Charred Brown. Again, these areas were later shaded with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Foul and hungry creatures follow in their wake." 

For the one-eyed undead marksman, sporting a fabulously impressive moustache, I pigmented his suit using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and highlighted a couple of wriggling maggots found squirming about his head with "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and a dab of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshade. I also darkened some "Vallejo" Heavy Blue with a touch of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and carefully highlighted the ghoul's hair with the mix.

The third pistol-carrying cadaver, who disconcertingly is not actually advertised by "Wargames Foundry" as being part of their Zombie Gunfighters blister and resultantly 'bumps' the code's contents up to seven miniatures, had his vest painted using "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. In addition, this bowler hat was given a coat of "Vallejo" Charred Brown, whilst his shoes and holster were 'picked out' with Heavy Sienna; all these areas were then washed using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Conan WIP - The "Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago" Savage has been primed "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand

I created the vivid green look of all three of the zombies' flesh by initially using a layer of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, and subsequently washing it with "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green, Carroburg Crimson and a little Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". In addition, I picked out some of the bullet wounds and gashes with "Vallejo" Heavy Red, and treated these areas to a generous wash of more "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. As a final 'touch' all the living corpses' firearms and ammunition belts were given a coat of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil.

Sticking with "Osprey Games" rules, my "Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago" Nickstarter pledge by "North Star Military Figures" has arrived. Amongst the plastic crewmen, large lizard and snapping turtle I bought, I also received the tabletop game's incredible sculpt of a Savage; a barbarian clearly ready "to tread the jewelled thrones of the Earth under his sandaled feet.”

"Joining The Order Grants Your Posse Access To Various Blessed Weapons..."

"...And ammunition with which to vanquish evil."

This 28mm metal Crusader of the Order from "Dracula's America" can be purchased as part of Code DRAC101 - Twilight Order by "North Star Military Figures", and is the second of my submissions for this year's Zomtober challenge. Blessed with "Nerves of Steel" and awarded "a suit of armour (counting as Boilerplate)", the Crusader of "the New World" was "born to fight a particularly insidious evil: the Vampire."

The model was initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Charred Brown and had his shoes 'picked out' using Heavy Sienna. The cowboy was then heavily shaded using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. His 'Holy Land' armour and rifle were given a coat of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, whilst his Saint George's cross chest emblem was treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and some "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. lastly, the "Tireless" Crusader's collar was given a 'touch' of "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey.

Zombie Gunfighter WIPs - The pistol-toting cadaver now just needs some washes to be applied

Alongside my plans to use this member of "The Twilight Order" for "Dracula's America" by "Osprey Games", I also hope to employ this particular miniature as the Rancher in "Shadows Of Brimstone" by "Flying Frog Productions. The plastic 'frontierswoman' figure in "Swamps Of Death" is frankly a bitterly disappointing, softly-sculpted individual. So as the character is meant to be armed with a hunting rifle, I thought such an obvious-looking force for light as the Crusader figure would make a rather good replacement for the male version of the hero.

With both of my planned Zomtober 'survivor' models finished, I have subsequently turned my attention towards painting up the seven (not six as their website advertises) figures found within Code OW010 - Zombie Gunfighters by "Wargames Foundry". This first cowboy cadaver appears very similar to how I'd imagine "Wild Bill" Hickok would have looked after his murder "while playing poker in a saloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territory by Jack McCall", and even carries a disfiguring face wound similar to that caused during the Wild West legend's fatal shooting.

Sea Devils WIPs - The Third Doctor's famous foes still need quite a bit of work to be finished

With "Warlord Games" recently releasing a tease of one of the new Sea Devil faction Adventure Cards for their "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" tabletop skirmish game, I couldn't help but 'dig out' my final box of the Aquatic Silurians and start painting them. The card, "Sonic Summoning", reads "eerie sonic pulses summon additional Sea Devils to the scene" and when discarded allows the player to "return up to three Exterminated Sea Devil characters to the game."

This 'sneak peek' has also coincided with rules writer Roger Gerrish recently stating that he's "tried to aim for a basic faction size of around nine to ten minis", so I figure that my current six-model strong Sea Devil 'warband' simply won't be enough to tackle the Daleks or Cybermen without some additional reinforcements. Fortunately, the miniatures are proving something of a joy to paint, and I've already made some strong progress on the latest trio.

"I Suppose You're Wondering Why I Did It."

"Robots are in the Grand Hall! They're all over" They're killing every judge they find!"

This 48mm tall metal miniature of Nero Narcos is not commercially available, as its actually one of the last models to be produced by "Mongoose Publishing" as part of their laboriously long "Judge Dredd Miniatures Game: Block War" 2012 kickstarter. Indeed, it has taken the Swindon-based company so long to finally sculpt and dispatch the "2000 A.D." recurring villain, that Mongoose Matt has had to turn to "the forges of Magister Militum" to get the criminal syndicate leader cast rather than use the range's former 'owner' "Warlord Games".

Despite my difficulties in acquiring the armoured robot however, the Frendz Mob boss was rather straightforward to paint, with his "Vallejo" Heavy Violet double undercoat  and subsequent "Citadel"  Nuln Oil shade doing most of the work. The model was then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Violet, and then lightly highlighted with "Citadel" Ironbreaker in order to give Nero's body a metallic sheen. These areas were later washed with Druchii Violet to help blend them in with the rest of the figure's purple paint scheme.

Crusader Of The Order WIPs - The armoured cowboy now needs just his cloak to be shaded

The model had his piercing eyes 'picked out' with a little dab of "Vallejo" White, and his formidably-sized hand-weapon painted using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. Unfortunately the brains behind 'Operation Doomsday' was also treated to a coat of "Vallejo" Gloss Acrylic Varnish, which left a less than smooth sheen to the figure's overall appearance and soon had me ordering some more of my trusty "Coat d'arms" Gloss Varnish...

With Zomtober 2017 now in full swing, I've been persevering with a second Crusader of the Order by "North Star Military Figures" to use as a Weird Wild West 'zombie survivor'. This particular member of The Twilight Order in "Dracula's America" comes armed with a rifle, and wears some wonderfully archaic medieval body armour. The model just needs his dark brown duster to be washed and should then be ready for both posting and gaming. 

Juddon Enforcer Conversion WIPs - The model has had his right arm replaced

Turning to "Warlord Games" and their excellent "Doctor Who: Into The Time Vortex" range, I have started work on a not overly-ambitious Judoon conversion. One of the things I always like to do when fielding my forces for "this fast-paced tabletop miniatures game" is make the models generated by one type of recruitment card appear different to those produced by another of the faction's cards.

In the case of the Judoon, the Leader was always going to be the helmet-less sculpt which comes inside the extra-terrestrial mercenaries' boxed set. But what about the basic Judoon and the Judoon Enforcers (who have +1 range)..? Having 'chopped' up another helmet-less Judoon miniature to use as a Fisher King ghost (and plans to similarly create a second one), I've therefore decided to create two Enforcers by simply pinning the helmet-less sculpt's gun arm across one of the helmeted models' chests...

"Standing As A Shield Between The Darkness And The Ignorant..."

"From Ancient Greece and Imperial Rome to the present day, mankind has always been preyed upon..."

This 28mm metal Crusader of the Order can be purchased as part of Code DRAC101 - Twilight Order by "North Star Military Figures", and is the first of my submissions for this year's Zomtober challenge. Bestowed with "Nerves of Steel, a suit of armour (counting as Boilerplate)" and starting each game with all his "weapons fully loaded with Silver Bullets for free" the New World knight is one of two non-Hired Gun models which can be fielded when using The Twilight Order in the rule-set "Dracula's America" by "Osprey Games".  

The figure was initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Charred Brown and had his boots 'picked out' using Heavy Sienna. The model was then somewhat drenched in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. His medieval armour and fire-arms were given a coat of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, whilst his Saint George's cross chest emblem was put in place using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red and some "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. As a final touch, the collar of the gunfighter's shirt was 'tagged' with a dab of "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey, and his belt buckle treated to a dollop of Brass and some more "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Boromite Gang Fighter WIPs - The alien is slowly having all his reflex armour 'picked out'

In addition to being lined up for "Dracula's America", I am also planning on using this particular model to represent the Lawman in "Shadows Of Brimstone" by "Flying Frog Productions. The plastic 'policeman' figure in "Swamps Of Death" is frankly a very disappointing, softly-sculpted individual. So as he's meant to be armed with both a Peacekeeper Pistol and a Sheriff's Badge, I thought such an obvious-looking force for justice as the Crusader miniature would make a rather good replacement.

With the first of my two Twilight Order models finished, I have managed to find a little hobby-time to continue progressing the 500 points worth of Boromites I need to paint in order to deploy a Scouting Force on a "Beyond The Gates Of Antares" battlefield. In the past these extra-terrestrial miners produced by "Warlord Games" have caused me a lot of frustration, but currently I'm somehow managing to remain patient enough to slowly 'pigment' all the lumps, bumps and reflex armour of another Gang Fighter.

Mime Monsters WIPs - The "Horrorclix" clowns now just need their white-faces and berets to be painted

As a result of my "Gotham" campaign finally getting underway using "Mutant And Death Ray Guns" by "Gamesha Games", I have also started searching through my collection of "Wizkids" plastic models for any sculpts which would make welcome additions to the tabletop skirmishes. One of the crews I would dearly love to add some character to is the Gotham Heights based Joker Gang, which currently lacks any real thematic feel to its muscle-bound members.

Sadly, having scoured my rather embarrassingly extensive collection of "Heroclix" figures, I wasn't able to source any lackeys which quite captured the spirit of the Clown Prince of Crime. Fortunately however, I was able to find quite a few models from my pile of "Horrorclix" miniatures, and have immediately started finishing off a pair of partially-painted Mime Monsters to use as "Hand-To-Hand Specialists". 

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Zombie Gunfighters" Zomtober 2017

Zombie Gunfighters WIPS - The undead have been primed and washed to help see their detail

This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my overwhelming collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures has been rather waylaid by PulpCitizen's recent announcement, over on his brilliant blog "Eclectic Gentleman Tabletop Gamer", that the next few weeks will once again host the annual "Zomtober" Challenge where fellow wargamers "just paint one Zombie or Survivor (or more!) each week, in any scale you like" and post it to your blog by “that week’s Sunday.”

There's currently a whole host of bloggers already 'setting out their stall' for the annual event, and this year there seems to be more than ever taking part:

"Brummie's Wargaming Blog" - Simon Quinton

"Four Colour Super Minis" - Rob

"Mike's Random Wargaming Meanderings" - Mike C

"Saturday Mornings" - Ivor Evans

"28mm Victorian Warfare" - Michael Awdry

"Miniature Mayhem" - Terry Silverthorn

"Anything But A One!" - Clint

"Cheaphammer!!!" - Kieron

"The Wargame Addict" - Wargame Addict

"Lead Reckoning" - Fred Jackson

"Da Gobbo's Grotto - Wargaming Blog" - Da Gobbo Grotto

"Never Mind The Jankers" - Roy Williamson

"Paintbrush And Superglue" - Matt

"Dizbusters Gaming Ephemera" - Phil Curran

"EndTransmission's Gaming Stuff" - Paul Smith

As a result, I have deferred from choosing a haphazard painting subject for October and instead managed to base, flock, prime and shade a small horde of Zombie Gunfighters recently purchased from "Wargames Foundry"; a characterful collection of undead cowboys which actually numbers seven figures in total, as opposed to the six depicted on the Nottingham-based company’s Old West range website.

Zombie Gunfighters WIPS - The undead have been primed and washed to help see their detail

These 28mm metal models consist of a handful of pistol-welding gunslingers, a union soldier and a shotgun-carrying ruffian, and were originally bought in order to replace the rather disappointing soft-sculpted Hungry Dead plastic miniatures which come in the “Shadows Of Brimstone” by "Flying Frog Productions". Indeed, as the "fast-paced, fully cooperative, dungeon-crawl board game" can require a good dozen or more animated corpses on the tabletop simultaneously, I've already got plans to fork out and procure some additional painless nightmares from "Wargames Foundry". 

Crusaders Of The Order WIPs - The armoured cowboys are having their detail slowly 'picked out'

For now however, I am humbly focusing upon my initial ensemble of Old West cadavers, though I have admittedly, also added a couple of cowboys by "North Star Military Figures" to the mix in an effort to re-galvanise my desire to visit "Dracula's America" sometime soon. I have previously primed these two Crusaders of the Order so as to represent the Lawman and Rancher from the aforementioned "Shadows Of Brimstone" board game, and resultantly hope to use "Zomtober" to get the pair of Weird Wild West survivors finished alongside my horde of hungry cadavers.

"A Gorgon Can Breathe Out A Cone Of Vapour That Turns Creatures To Stone."

"The Gorgon is a magical beast that resembles a bull, covered in dusky metallic scales."

Sculpted by Bob Olley, this large 28mm scale Brass Bull is made by "Reaper Miniatures" and was originally produced in metal upon its release in June 2006. My version however, is available as model 77256 from company's "Bones" range, and measures approximately 90mm in length, 35mm in width and 36mm in height; not including the animated construct's tail.

The polymer Gorgon was initially primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and subsequently treated to a double coat of Brass. The "magical beast" was then heavily washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, before being dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Brass.

"Out Houses were, after all, very much a part of the American West."

I began 'weathering' "one of the first monsters introduced in the earliest edition of the game... Dungeons & Dragons" by applying plenty of "Citadel" Nihilakh Oxide over the model, and later gave him a second dry-brush of "Vallejo" Brass. Lastly, I undercoated the "very aggressive" creature's cobbled stone base with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

With my neutrally aligned Gorgon completed, I have additionally finished work on a piece of Wild West Terrain I recently bought from "Wargames Terrain Workshop" for the Weird West rule-set "Dracula's America". This resin Out House is "supplied in three pieces: main structure, front panel, and door", and contains plenty of "internal detail" in order for its door to "be glued in multiple positions."

Judoon Ghost WIPs - The spectral alien mercenary has been painted white and shaded with grey and brown

Having taken Dave Stone's advice to paint inside the wooden building "before attaching the front panel", I undercoated it with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and then treated it to a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. The lavatory was then washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, before being first dry-brushed with 'pure' "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and then later with a lighter combination of Heavy Sienna and White.

Finally, I have made a little more progress on the converted Judoon model I plan to use as one of the two "Incorporeal" ghosts which should accompany the Fisher King in the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" skirmish game by "Warlord Games". The Shadow Proclamation enforcer has been base-layered and shaded, so now simply requires a second dry-brush of "Vallejo" White before I start to 'pick out' his improvised hand-weapon.

"The Death Guard Are Foulness Made Manifest."

"They are a vision of unnatural corruption, of nobility, courage and strength perverted into nightmarish foulness..."

This 28mm scale plastic miniature of a Heretic Astartes is made by "Games Workshop" and can be found within the company's "ultimate Warhammer 40,000 boxed set" "Dark Imperium". One of seven actual Death Guard Plague Marine figures that can be assembled using the starter game's sprues, this Chaotic infantryman is armed with a bolt pistol and krak grenade.

Having super-glued the five-piece figure together, I primed the Nurgle space marine with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and subsequently 'dabbed' some Boltmetal Grey all over him. I then washed the tainted legionnaire with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed him with more "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey.

Out House WIPs - The wooden structure has been undercoated, shaded and dry-brushed

In order to provide the Plague God’s favoured with a decidedly rusty-look, the "eternally rotting" marine was treated to a generous coat of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade, before being 'subjected' to a layer of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash. The miniature was then once again (delicately) dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey.

With the basics finished, I then turned my attention to 'picking out' just some of the arguably insurmountable detail sculpted onto the "Disgustingly Resilient" figure. This consisted of applying a combination of "Vallejo" Brass and "Citadel" Nihilakh Oxide to one of the Plague Marine's knee-pads, scarab beetle ornaments and the head of a krak grenade. In addition, I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade to the Heretic Astarte's bolt pistol strap and ammunition belt. 

Sea Devils WIPs - The Jon Pertwee foes need just their heads and vests finishing off

With my "Warhammer 40k" 'pilot piece' finished, I have found the time to finally start working on some of the Wild West Terrain I recently purchased from "Wargames Terrain Workshop" for the Weird West rule-set "Dracula's America". This Out House has simply been washed, primed and dry-brushed, but once its had its separate door painted and attached, it should make for an interesting, if not potentially unappealing, objective marker on my 1875 battlefield.

Lastly, I am still 'diligently' progressing some more Sea Devils from my disconcertingly expanding collection of "Doctor Who" miniatures by "Warlord Games". I actually have another three of these "Aquatic Silurians" yet to even base, so felt I needed to get this trio completed as soon as possible; especially as the Nottingham-based manufacturer have just released the figures for a certain "family of criminal Raxacoricofallapatorians", as well as Victor Kennedy and his alter-ego, the Abzorbaloff.  

"Feral Spirits Of Winter And Hunger..."

"...The Wendigo are twisted souls of mortal men and women who committed cannibalism in life."

This 28mm metal Wendigo is made by "North Star Military Figures" and can be bought as code Drac111 from the company's "Dracula's America" range. Possessing "a craving for fresh meat that can never be sated" the disconcertingly bizarre-looking model is one of skirmish game's "unique Entities" which can be summoned during a battle.

Initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, the "wilful creature" was heavily washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and subsequently dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. The figure's antlers were then painted using a combination of Heavy Brown and Strong Tone Quickshade, whilst its hands and mouth were treated to some "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

"Recently, another earthquake uncovered an upper air lock..."

Alongside the first of my "Dracula's America" miniatures, I have also managed to finish painting one of the two airlocks uncovered by an earthquake in the "Dungeons & Dragons" module "Expedition To Barrier Peaks". Created by drilling away a portion of an old resin rock formation manufactured by either “Terrain Warehouse UK” or “Total System Scenic”, and super-gluing one of "Second City Games" airlocks to it, the ensemble was first primed using some "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and later washed with plenty of "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

The large rock was then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, before I 'picked out' the actual airlock itself using Gunmetal Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. As I wanted the distressed doorway to appear suitably rusty, I liberally applied some "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash over all the sculpt's detail and then dry-brushed the majority of it away with some "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey.

Sergeant Slaughter WIPs - The drill instructor just needs his hat, moustache and hair painted

I've still got quite a way to go before I manage to clear my painting table, but the completion of the 42mm tall Wendigo miniature, and a significantly sized piece of scenery, has helped me obtain enough 'elbow room' with which to get some pigment upon my penultimate "G.I. Joe" model for this month, Sergeant Slaughter. I've decided to try and duplicate the drill instructor's colour scheme from his 1985 carded action figure, and resultantly have found myself working in olive, charcoal, red and flesh...

"My People Ruled The Earth When Man Was Only An Ape."

"We shall destroy man and reclaim the planet."

These three 38mm tall metal Sea Devil miniatures are produced by “Warlord Games” and can be purchased from their "Into The Time Vortex" range. Sculpted to resemble the "amphibious relatives of the Silurians" during Malcolm Hulke's 1972 televised six-parter "The Sea Devils", these classic "Jon Pertwee" monsters were made all the taller by the costumed actors wearing the creatures' head masks like "top hats". 

All the models were initially primed with "Vallejo" Verdigris, thoroughly washed with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Verdigris. Their feet were all then painted "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and their legs Heavy Green. These areas were subsequently dry-brushed with Heavy Sienna in order to blend the two colours together, and washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"There are many thousands of our people in hibernation in this base."

The Sea Devils' weapon belts were 'picked out' using a combination of "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey, whilst the dull metallic look of their hand-weapons was created using "Citadel" Ironbreaker and a heavy shade of Nuln Oil. The Aquatic Silurians' hands and heads were originally treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and the webbing 'slimed' with some Heavy Green. Later, as with the amphibious Earth reptiles' legs, these areas were dry-brushed with Heavy Sienna and washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. 

As a final touch, each Sea Devil's string vest was darkened/dirtied with a random application of both "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. These garments were then re-highlighted in places with some more "Vallejo" Verdigris being slowly drawn across them.

Master Necromancer WIPs - The Dark Confederacy's posse boss has been primed, washed and dry-brushed 

Jonathan Haythornthwaite's alternate Old West skirmish game "Dracula's America: Shadows Of The West" is increasing proving something of a distraction to my currently plethora of ongoing mini-projects. Not least because its gothic horror setting has produced a string of fascinating gunfighters, worrisome monsters, disturbing demons and pale-skinned undead.

As a result I've added this model of a white-suited Master Necromancer to my painting table, with a view to potentially actually creating a Dark Confederacy posse for the rule-set. The thought of the well-groomed, despicably amoral Southern gentleman leading a band of single-pistol armed bloodless Revenants sounds incredibly tempting, especially if I subsequently paint-up an opposing party of Union Cavalrymen lead by George Custer himself...

"The Cyber-Megatron Bomb Will Be Delivered."

"We must destroy life on earth completely, every living being."

This 40mm tall metal Cyberman miniature is manufactured by “Warlord Games” and form's part of the Nottingham-based company's "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set 1966-2013. Sculpted to replicate the Doctor's old enemies during Derrick Sherwin's 1968 television serial "The Invasion", this 'Planet 14' version of the silver giants saw the costume department add some "ear muff type shapes to the sides of their helmets and one-piece silver wet suits to their bodies."

Initially undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the figure subsequently received two layers of Ironbreaker and a wash of Nuln Oil. It was then dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker, before having its eyes, mouth and central chest unit panels 'picked out' with Abaddon Black.

Zygon Leader & Elite WIPs - The models have all been primed and washed

Sticking with my collection of "Into The Time Vortex" miniatures, I have recently started planning out some significant reinforcements for my "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" Zygon faction. Most notably this involves somehow 'converting' three of the metal models in order to 'earmark' them as the Zygon Leader and two Zygon Elites on the battlefield.

'Catching wind' of this endeavour "Warlord Games" very generously dispatched a quartet of their Zygon models to my doorstop for free, and having spotted some of the Scatter Shrooms sold by "Wargames Terrain Workshop" I hatched a plan which would fortunately no longer require my hack-sawing up any of the figures.

Wendigo WIPs - The "Minor Entity" has been primed, washed and bloodied

Instead, having taken inspiration from the fungi-inspired Zygon technology which captures plenty of screen-time during the 1975 adventure "Doctor Who And The Terror of The Zygons", I have simply super-glued a few of Dave Stone's resin pieces onto the miniatures' bases. Indeed, the leader of the "metamorphic humanoids" is literally surrounded by all manner of mushrooms, in order to generate the impression of the 'warlord' walking through the flora of Zygor.

Finally, I have been progressing the first of my models for "Dracula's America" by "North Star Military Figures". In game-terms, the Wendigo "can be summoned by Skinwalker Tribes Arcanists only", but I actually plan on using him (and perhaps a couple more) to proxy a Night Terror encounter in "Shadows Of Brimstone" by "Flying Frog Productions".

"The Beacon Is Ours."

"Once our landing is detected, the Vogans will attack in force."

This 40mm tall metal Cyberman miniature is made by “Warlord Games” and can be found within their "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set 1966-2013. Sculpted to resemble one of the silver giants during Gerry Davis's 1975 television serial "Revenge Of The Cybermen", this was first version of the "cybernetically augmented humanoids" to appear in a Cyberman story which didn't "include an appearance by the Second Doctor."

Originally primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the model later received two layers of Ironbreaker and a wash of Nuln Oil. The Cyberman was then dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker, and had its eyes, mouth and central chest unit 'picked out' with Abaddon Black. Unfortunately, I ultimately found the facial details of this miniature a little soft, predominantly because I'd already applied three layers of paint to the area, so really struggled to make a neat job of the Cyberman's eye and mouth slits. 

"Silence. We have not failed. Our computers are assessing an alternative plan."

After several attempts, and becoming increasingly aware that my efforts were only adding more pigment to the troublesome area, I eventually decided to scrape away all the paint from the face, and simply applied a single coat of "Citadel" Ironbreaker to it. Once I had washed this part of the figure with Nuln Oil, as well as dry-brushed it yet again with Ironbreaker, I found the detail far easier to spot with the naked eye and 'pick out' with Abaddon Black.

Initially, I was going to leave the model well enough alone at this stage, and even went so far as to varnish and flock it. Delightfully however, I then received two additional copies of the sculpt from "Warlord Games", in thanks for all my coverage of their "Into the Time Vortex" range, and thus took the opportunity whilst working on them, to turn my first miniature into a Cyber-Leader by painting the "altered handlebars on the helmet" with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black.  

Dracula's America WIPs - A Wendigo, and two Crusaders of the Order

Gordon Richards, famed owner of the "I Have Wrought My Simple Plan..." blog, recently made me aware of the "North Star Military Figures" 'Nickstarter' "Dracula's America", and unable to resist the allure of the Weird Wild West game, I uncontrollably pre-ordered some of its models. To be honest, despite the attraction of a world where "Count Dracula is President of the United States of America", I actually plan on using these miniatures as replacements for the disappointingly poor multi-part plastic characters found in the "Shadows of Brimstone: Swamps of Death" boxed set.

As a result I have immediately based and primed two Crusaders of the Order so as to represent the Lawman and Rancher from "Flying Frog Productions" board game. In addition, I have started work on a disconcertingly tall Wendigo, which has proved simply too disturbing a model not to want to paint...