“Slay Without Pity; Triumph Without Remorse.”

"You are the legions of Khorne, his favourite warriors."

This 28mm Bloodhunter is one of the plastic multi-part models which can be assembled using some of the sprue pieces found inside the “Games Workshop” Daemons Of Khorne “Start Collecting!” boxed set. Primarily assembled so as to provide my Blades of Khorne “Age Of Sigmar” warband to field two minimum-strength units of ten Bloodletters, this figure will also allow me to similarly split my chaos daemons in “Warhammer 40K”.

The miniature was initially given an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Red before being copiously washed with "The Army painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The “Chosen of Khorne” was then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Red and had details such as its horn, hands, hooves, back spines and sword hilt base-coated with “Citadel” Abaddon Black.

Heretic Astartes WIPs - The World Eaters are slowly having their numerous details 'picked out'

As I have previously painted a version of this model with ‘pinkish’ horns, I decided to leave this particular Bloodhunter’s formidable-looking curved outgrowths black, and subsequently used more of the “Citadel” Base colour to gently blend the daemon's dark hands and trotters in with the Slaughter-kin's red limbs. In addition the unit leader’s Hellblade was undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna before being treated to at least two coats of Gold.

The great two-handed weapon, which can "cut effortlessly though any armour crafted by mortals", was later washed with "The Army painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Gold. Lastly I picked out the Warmonger of Khorne's "sharp, needle-like teeth" with “Vallejo” White and its "serpentine tongue" with Heavy Ochre. The blood-soaked beast’s "slavering jaws" were washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and its tongue, with Reikland Fleshshade.

"Toon Realms" WIPs - The two knights had been primed, washed and dry-brushed

Staying with the “Lord Of Skulls” I have slowly made some more progress on the Aspiring Champion I recently assembled to lead my squad of World Eater space marines for “Warhammer 40K”. This Heretic Astartes is a great example of how carried away I can sometimes get when super-gluing a miniature together from a plethora of pieces, without ever considering just how I am ever going to paint all the guns, icons and elaborately-detailed shoulder-pad whilst retaining my sanity.

Far more straightforward has been my pigmentation of some recently-arrived “Toon Realms” reinforcements from "Lucid Eye Publications". Whilst it would have been very tempting to just provide the knights with black straps, belts and sheaths, I ultimately felt their sculpts’ excellent detail deserved a more colourful palette, and therefore opted to apply some gold and brown to the two warriors’ armour and leatherwork…

"We Are Truth-Speakers, We Men Of Gondor."

"We boast seldom, and then perform, or die in the attempt."

This "cartoon scale" white metal figure of one of King Victor's Royal Guard is produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range as a pack of four miniatures. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, I have painted the warrior in the colours of the Guards of the Tower of Gondor so as to field a unit of (Elite Foot) Guards of the Citadel for “Dragon Rampant” by "Osprey Games".

Initially primed with two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, this personal bodyguard to the Stewards of Gondor was dry-brushed using some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and subsequently washed in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The “mainly… stationary guard” then had his boots and spear shaft layered with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and his belt buckle, spear and helmet delicately dabbed in Gold. All of these areas were later washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"On very rare occasions a mortal has bested one of these daemons..."

The Tower Guard’s helmet, armour, chain-mail, shield emblem and spear-tip were pigmented using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. These parts were later delicately dry-brushed with (more) Ironbreaker. Finally, the knight’s linen surcoat was ‘picked out’ in “Vallejo” White and ‘shaded’ with a tiny amount of Pale Grey.

Stepping across into the much more serious fantasy-based universe of the Mortal Realms and “Age Of Sigmar” by “Games Workshop”, I have completed another two Bloodletters for my Blades of Khorne war-host. This pair of daemonic warriors, armed with fearsome Hellblades, were painted in my usual “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade palette, and takes my infantry unit’s total to twenty-two “Slaughter-kin”.

Aspiring Champion WIPs - The World Eater leader is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

Sticking with the Chaos Gods of “Games Workshop”, but shifting my attention forwards into the Forty-First Millennium, I am making some steady progress on the first of five World Eaters I recently assembled from an old Chaos Space Marine boxed set. These Heretic Astartes will be predominantly black and silver in colour, but in order to show their allegiance to Khorne, I plan on painting their shoulder-pads and helmets in the Blood God’s instantly recognisable red and gold colour scheme.

In addition, as this first figure will be the squad’s plasma pistol-wielding leader I thought I’d take the extra time in applying “Vallejo” Gold to all of the Aspiring Champion’s trim and adornments, rather than use the “Citadel” Ironbreaker I plan on using for the rest of the figures. Hopefully this will allow the model to stand out that bit more on the tabletop amidst his men, and yet still prevent the veteran warrior from blending in with the all-red and gold Khorne Bezerkers I intend to build once my initial corrupted Astartes are completed.

"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.  

"These Spirits Of The Air Are Winsome And Wild..."

"Only marginally intelligent, they often substitute whimsy for strategy..."

This 48mm tall plastic miniature of an air elemental is "made in China" by "Wizards Of The Coast" and can be bought as model number 29 from the company's randomly sorted "Dungeons & Dragons Icons of the Realms: Elemental Evil" set. In addition, the villainous pre-painted piece can also be acquired as part of the board game "Temple of Elemental Evil", and is a much-appreciated gift from Steve and Hils of "The Game Cupboard" fame.

The "fast, flying creature made of living air" was initially undercoated with "Vallejo" White and washed with Pale Grey. It was then dry-brushed with some more White before being appropriately 'streaked' using some Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". Lastly, and in order to simply blend all of the figure's swirling vortexes together, it was given a third and final dry-brush of White.

Herald Of Nurgle WIPs - The model is slowly having all his intestines 'picked out' and washed

With the latest adversary for my planned "Expedition To Barrier Peaks" campaign completed, I have managed to make some additional progress on my (second) Herald of Nurgle for "Age Of Sigmar". This particular model of a "mortal who resists the ravages of Nurgle's Rot" is proving particularly fun to paint, despite all its detailed dripping innards, festering sores and tanglesome antlers, because it can also be fielded as a daemonic psyker for the eighth edition of "Warhammer 40K".

Indeed, as with so many of my Plague Lord followers, this "wiry and muscular" chaotic addition will actually help me towards my goal of fielding 1000 points worth of Nurgle forces for both Warhammer Fantasy Battle's replacement system, and Game Workshop's futuristic 41st millennium tabletop rule set. A dual role which is genuinely helping me overcome some of the time-consuming tedium of the quite heavily-converted plastic sculpt...

Plague Guard WIPs - The Heretic Astartes has been primed and then layered

Disconcertingly however, the promise of a much-more fast-paced science fiction shoot-fest by the Chaos God of Disease, Decay, and Destruction, has led me to build yet another Heretic Astartes from the game's "Dark Imperium" starter set. These traitors from one of the tainted legions are absolutely covered in intricate detail, much of which looks wonderfully ripe for an application or two of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash.  

"Trained With Australian S.A.S. And French Foreign Legion."

"Wanted for crimes in Zimbabwe and Libya."

This 28mm metal miniature of Major Sebastian Bludd is from a private collection and thus not commercially available. Fortunately though, I was lucky enough to be able to acquire a spare casting of the "mercenary working for the Cobra Organization" and have painted him in a palette similar to how the military advisor's carded action figure appeared in 1983.

Initially undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the tactical-minded terrorist's uniform was painted using some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna" and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The bad poet's knee-pads, torso armour, and helmet were then dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, whilst his pistol was treated to a layer of Gunmetal Grey. Both of these areas were then washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and Bludd's "Snidely Whiplash-style moustache" was 'picked out' with more Abaddon Black.

"Lord Oren has retrieved treasures from ancient ruins before..."

Alongside the fourth of my "G.I. Joe" figures, I have also managed to finish work on an old "Wizkids" plastic "Mage Knight" piece which I have turned into an objective marker. The doorway itself comes from the long out of production Dungeons Builders Kit, and was simply super-glued to one of the thin-lipped 40mm circular bases I often use as a stand for my scenery.

The model was originally primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and then had its wooden door layered with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. All of the metal bolts, padlock and hinges, as well as its skull decorations were subsequently 'picked out' with "Citadel" Ironbreaker and shaded with Nuln Oil. Finally, the entrance's archway was painted with "Vallejo" Dark Grey, washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Dark Grey.

Plague Guard WIPs - The Chaos Space Marine has been primed, layered and washed

Sadly, despite making a little inroad into the horde of miniatures currently littering my painting table, I have yet to be able to resist the call of Nurgle when the Plague God's gaze falls upon me, and resultantly, I have added to my already overcrowded queue another Heretic Astartes from the "Dark Imperium" boxed set by "Games Workshop". This particular plastic Plague Guard proved particularly 'attractive' to me because he is carrying arguably my favourite "Warhammer 40k" hand-weapon of all-time, the plasma gun...

"Cyber Leader Moves Pawn To Discover Check."

"We shall simply take it and kill you both."

These two 40mm tall metal Cybermen miniatures are manufactured by “Warlord Games”, and a single casting of their "excellent" pose can be found within the company's splendid "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set 1966-2013. Fortunately however, having already previously painted my version from the boxed set, I was extremely fortunate enough to be sent a couple more of the "cybernetically augmented humanoids" by the Nottingham-based company, and have therefore taken the opportunity to turn one of the figures into the Cyber Leader; as played by David Banks in the 1988 television story "Silver Nemesis".

The silver giants were originally primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before being given a double coat of Ironbreaker and a wash of Nuln Oil. The pairs' eyes were then darkened with a tiny dab of Abaddon Black and both miniatures dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker. In order to try and replicate the Cybermen's chrome like finish, I attempted to make it's head and chest unit standout by dulling down everything else with a second application of Nuln Oil.

"The Cyberfleet are still not receiving our transmission, Leader."

"Warlord Games" are arguably paying the Cybermen an increasing amount of attention currently, and have just announced that the "Tomb of the Cybermen" scale diorama produced by "Nik N-fx Hull" and his team has finally been fully approved for manufacture. In addition, there seem to be a number of imminent classic "Doctor Who" sets coming up for their "Into The Time Vortex" range, such as the Movellans, the Vervoids, Commander Linx and Irongron, as well as Rago, Toba and three Quarks from the 1968 serial "The Dominators".

Indeed, the manufacturers of these "finely-sculpted scale pewter" miniatures are also looking to produce a "I Am The Master!" set of Master figures, featuring versions of Roger Delgado, Peter Pratt, Anthony Ainley, John Simm ("in hoody") and Michelle Gomez. Plus plastic Sontarans and the Ice Warriors as seen in the 2017 televised episode "Empress of Mars"...

Death Guard WIPs - The Heretic Astartes has been washed, dry-brushed and twice re-washed

Despite so much imminent "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" goodness 'clouding' my vision, I have still found some hobby-time to start painting the first Heretic Astartes for my Eighth Edition "Warhammer 40K" Chaos army. This particular plastic sculpt can be found within the "Dark Imperium" Starter Box by "Games Workshop" and is absolutely packed full of complicated details ranging from tentacles squirming their way out of battered armour plating to tiny, delicate-looking scarab beetles dangling off of breathing tubes.

Ideally I want to be able to create a squad of ten Plague Marines for my predominantly daemonic force, and thus provide it with some much-needed firepower. But as I currently only plan to use an almost 'skirmish-type' 500-point force for my initial battles, I simply need to pigment the unit's minimum strength of a Champion and four marines...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "General's Handbook" September 2017

Nurgle WIPs - The Great Unclean One and Herald of Nurgle have been primed, washed and dry-brushed

This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my overwhelming collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures has been superseded by the release of the "General's Handbook 2017" by "Games Workshop", and my subsequent desire to field 1,000 points of (pure) Nurgle for "Age Of Sigmar". Fortunately, the latest version of the "essential resource for all warlords of the Mortal Realms" doesn't appear to have greatly affected the previous Matched Play cost of my Host, and as a result my horde of twenty Plague Bearers of Nurgle (200 points), Herald of Nurgle (100 points), two Beasts of Nurgle (120 points), three stands of Nurglings (80 points), Rotbringers Sorcerer (100 points) and Lord of Plagues (100 points) still totals 700 points.

This means I only need to paint a humble 300 points of miniatures over the next few weeks, and when one of them, a large "Finecast" Great Unclean One, tallies a whopping 240 points on his own, it should be an easily achievable goal. Perhaps unsurprisingly therefore, I have somewhat raised the difficulty of this particular mini-project by adding a partially-pigmented Herald of Nurgle (100 points) to my painting queue, alongside an almost obligatory (third) Beast of Nurgle (60 points).

Beast Of Nurgle WIPs - The Chaos Daemon has been undercoated and heavily shaded

I have 'dusted off' my towering Greater Daemon of Nurgle before, but am so determined to finish the "Behemoth" this time round that I have already started work layering, washing and dry-brushing his large Plague Flail with "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The sculpt's "Corpulent Mass" is simply packed full of open sores, wriggling worms, and cherub-faced Nurglings, so I have no doubt I'll be spending a fair few hours elbow deep painting pustules, pimples and festering boils...

My (second) Herald of Nurgle is equally as distressed physically, and has actually been converted using a large scythe from the Blight Kings "Age Of Sigmar" plastic boxed set. Having previously painted one of these 'mortals who somehow resists the ravages of Nurgle’s Rot', I'm hoping to get this miniature finished in short order, and thus be able to buttress my unruly formation of Plaguebearers with a herald at either end.

Plague Guard WIPs - The Heretic Astartes has been primed and then layered

Finally, I have assembled a third "truly horrendous aberration". These "Finecast" pallid slugs are one of my all-time favourite "Games Workshop" sculpts, and I have had to wait quite a while to secure another model after the company's webstore 'ran out of stock' earlier in the year. In the past I have painted these 'writhing tentacled' horrors with a predominantly green and tan palette. This time round I thought I'd try a more poisonously pus-like colour scheme.

In addition to increasing my Host of Nurgle's size, I have been unable to resist 'dipping my toe' into the Eighth Edition of "Warhammer 40k" as well. This is largely due to the fact that my "Age Of Sigmar" warband is perfectly capable of being fielded on the "41st millennium" battlefield without any problems whatsoever. Indeed, simply using the eligible models I already own I can readily put 572 points of Chaos Daemons onto the tabletop.

Faramir battles Lurtz and a band of Uruk-Hai for the glory of Gondor

Sadly however, so 'unshooty' a force is not going to survive long up against any opposition armed with even the simplest of ranged weapons, so at some point I am going to need to add some much needed firepower to my army. A contingent of Heretic Astartes would fit that bill rather nicely, especially Plague Guard, so I have assembled a single plastic miniature from the "Dark Imperium" boxed set to use as a 'test piece'.