"As Heads Roll And Blood Flows..."

"...More daemons from beyond the veil are summoned forth to partake in the slaughter."

This 28mm multi-part model of a Bloodletter has been assembled from one of the sprues found inside an old "Start Collecting" Daemons Of Khorne set produced by “Games Workshop”, and was based upon a "Citadel" 32mm round base so as to fit in with the rest of my Blades of Khorne "Age Of Sigmar" warhost. Armed with a ferocious Hellblade, this "finely detailed plastic" figure was assembled using the instructions found within their box.

Like all his demonic brethren before him, this particular Slaughter-kin was given a double undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Red, washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Red. His deadly two-handed sword was then given a base layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, twice pigmented with Gold, and subsequently dulled down using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"The pact between Horus and the Chaos Gods was straightforward."

To suggest that the Hellblade's "razored edge is sharpened by pure hatred" I highlighted it by dry-brushing the weapon with (more) "Vallejo" Gold, and later frustratingly spent some time tidying up the rest of the miniature due to all the specks of metallic paint this process inevitably seems to accidentally spatter the rest of model with. However, I did use this opportunity to apply a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the Bloodletter's horns, hands, hooves, spine and sword hilt.

These blackened areas were ultimately gently blended back in with the rest of the Taker of Skulls' red coloured limbs and head. Finally, I patiently picked out its sharp teeth using a combination of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, before dabbing in its eyes and tongue with Skulker Yellow by "Two Thin Coats". To finish it off the tongue was also drenched in “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - The Golden Avenger is coming to fruition

Alongside my first 28mm Bloodletter to be painted in approximately five years, I have also completed another 28mm plastic Space Marine by "Games Workshop" from their now OOP (Out Of Production) Betrayal At Calth stand-alone boxed game. The multi-part model was assembled wearing MK IV armour, and was pigmented in the colours of the Sons of Horus Legion for "Warhammer: The Horus Heresy."

Sliding across to Marvel United by "CoolMiniOrNot", I've finally finished all the armour on my previously 'stripped' Iron Man miniature. This was largely achieved using some thinned down "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red over a fairly basic dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, as well as a coat of "Vallejo" Matt Varnish. In the past I've found the Contrast paint has pulled away from the model when varnished with a brush, and whilst I am hoping for this to occur in places - so as to suggest wear and tear on Tony Stark's armour - I didn't want the red to be transferred onto other aspects of the model...

“Bloodletters Are Horrific Lesser Daemons Of Khorne…”

“…That specialise in close combat fighting.”

These ten plastic 6mm scale Bloodletters used to be manufactured by "Games Workshop" for their tabletop wargame "Epic", and disappointingly are now long Out Of Production (OOP). However I was fortunate enough to stumble across a small tub of these diminutive Slaughter-kin from a second-hand stall whilst visiting "Colours" at Newbury a few years ago, and thought a couple of bases would make a nice subject for my penultimate, self-imposed Weekly Challenge.

The tiny figures were initially all super-glued onto two thin strips of wood, and primed using a double-helping of "Vallejo" Heavy Red. They were then shaded with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. I subsequently 'picked out' their loincloths and horns with some “Citadel” Abaddon Black, and applied a layer of Heavy Sienna to their Hellblades.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - A Space Marine Land Speeder, Robot and bike

Lastly, I pigmented their hand-weapons using a combination of "Vallejo" Brass and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, finished the blades off with a delicate dry-brush of more "Vallejo" Brass, and assembled them in groups of five figures upon two separate small "Flames Of War" rectangular stands by "Battlefront Miniatures". During this process, I spotted that the sculpts are wearing brass bracelets on their wrists, something I had never noticed before, and was momentarily tempted to pick these out.

However, as I already have twenty Bloodletters already painted, based, varnished and flocked, such a move would necessitate my returning to these other figures and ‘touching them up’ too. Considering that some of these models were now rather inaccessible due to their position on their stands, I felt that that was asking a bit much of my skill with a steady paint-brush tip, so ultimately decided to simply leave well enough alone…

"Warlord Games" WIPs - Ten Confederate Soldiers are slowly having their details 'picked out'

In addition to my ever expanding “crimson death”, I have also primed some other “Epic” miniatures in preparation for the imminent Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC). Unlike many of the 6mm scale models I aim to pigment for that event, my collection of second-hand Space Marine Land Speeders, bikes and robots were never primed by their previous owners, allowing me to consider having them represent some of the more colourful chapters of the Adeptus Astartes.

Moving away to the last of this year’s Weekly Challenges, randomly chosen by the turning of a playing card, I have been steadily progressing ten more 15mm scale plastic Confederate soldiers by “Warlord Games”. These figures actually came free on a sprue accompanying Issue 393 of "Wargames Illustrated", and once finished will actually allow me to field a complete twenty-man stand of soldiers for the Nottingham-based company’s "Epic Battles: American Civil War" tabletop game.

“Though Vaguely Canine In Form…”

“…Flesh Hounds are more a horrific cross between dog and reptile.”

These six plastic 6mm scale Flesh Hounds [twelve shown with accompanying Bloodletters] were produced by "Games Workshop" for their tabletop wargame "Epic", and regrettably are now long Out Of Production (OOP). However I was jammy enough to stumble across a tub of these daemonic canines from the second-hand stall, “Lesley’s Bitz Box”, whilst visiting "Colours" at Newbury a few years ago, and as part of one of my recent self-imposed Weekly Challenges, thought I should paint up some of them.

“Found by the hundreds and thousands on the bone-littered plains surrounding Khorne's demesne in the Realm of Chaos”, the tiny figures were super-glued onto two thin strips of wood, and primed with two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Red. They were then washed using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and very delicately dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Both this 6mm Lander Raider and Rhino were uncoated by their previous owner

Later, each “bloody-minded daemonic beast” had their back spines and head crests ‘picked out' with a little “Citadel” Abaddon Black. As a final touch I also decided to dot their super-tiny teeth/fangs with a well-placed spot of “Vallejo” White, and then dirtied these areas up, along with the insides of their open maws, with some “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

Momentarily sticking with “Epic”, I have set aside some opposition to my 6mm Forces of Chaos in the shape of some second-hand Adeptus Astartes I was gifted a good couple of decades ago. There’s no actual rhyhme or reason as to the motley collection, and many of them have already undergone a somewhat thick initial coat of black paint – probably “Citadel” Chaos Black.

"The Iron Star Alliance is able to afford the most advanced technology and weapons for its military."

However, I thought a sizeable batch of space marines, assault marines, rhinos, land raiders, speeders and robots would make an enjoyable small(ish) project for the forthcoming Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. Although, despite wanting this force to encompass as many chapters as I can cram in, I fear the black ‘prime’ is predominantly going to limit some of the units to being Black Templar, Iron Hand or perhaps Raven Guard…

Lastly, having recently finished painting three Paladin Annihilators by “Privateer Press” for “Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika”, I have revisited the rest of my Iron Star Alliance forces and re-painted all of their Arc receiver’s with a combination of “Vallejo” Brass and “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade. I had actually used this palette on most of their backpacks before anyway, but I then spotted a couple of areas I have consistently missed on the older models which I decided to ‘pick out’ so that they would match-up better with the new Annihilators.

“The Harbinger Cannons’ Hunter-Killer Rounds…”

“…Enable the squad to spike to target enemy models that are not even in their line of sight.”

This 35mm scale metal Paladin Annihilator is made by “Privateer Press” and is the last of three figures which can be found inside the SKU: 83008 Paladin Annihilators – Iron Star Alliance Squad for Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika. The multi-part figure carries a rapid-fire weapon “that can hit up to three models with every attack” and “ignore cover.”

Once the warrior’s weapon arms and Arc receiver were super-glued in place, the miniature was primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black and given two coats of "Vallejo" Gunmetal. It was then shaded using "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal using a large make-up blusher brush.

“These smart rounds will curve around walls to hit their mark.”

Sticking with the slightly 'clean' metallic look of the Paladin’s previously painted battle brothers’ mechanically enhanced compound armour, I patiently 'picked out' the Annihilator’s knee-pads, central chest plate, elbow-pads, and the majority of his Harbinger Cannon’s housing in “Citadel” Abaddon Black. In addition, I applied a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna over the soldier’s spats, shoulder-pads, face-plate, and thigh-joints.

These areas were later given a coat of "Vallejo" Brass, a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and some delicate dry-brushing with a smidge more "Vallejo" Brass so as to bring back some of their shine after being shaded. I also painted part of each Paladin's Arc receiver with "Vallejo" Brass and washed them with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - The 6mm Bloodletter is slowly having its details picked out

Finally, as I wanted this heavy support Paladin to stand out from the run-of-the-mill Enforcers, I decided to apply a combination of “Scalecolor” Cobalt Alchemy and “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade to the model’s helmet and shoulder-plates. To be honest, I would have liked to have employed this palette on some additional areas too, but chose to stick to just those pieces of armour which I could easily reach with a brush-tip on all three of the miniatures.

Having finished another of my Weekly Challenges, I am already making excellent progress on the next. Somewhat embarrassingly, I’ve actually been ‘picking away’ at a tub of “Epic” Khorne daemons by “Games Workshop” since I first bought it from the second-hand stall, “Lesley’s Bitz Box”, whilst visiting "Colours" a few years ago. Next year I may well try to dedicate an entire month to the now long out of production (OOP) “tabletop wargame set in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe” and actually paint some Adeptus Astartes or Squats. However, the plan for the next couple of days is to simply add a few more Flesh Hounds and Bloodletters to my burgeoning Chaos force, and maybe assemble some of the cardboard buildings I recently discovered inside a long-forgotten box of second edition “Space Marines”.

“The Griffin Was Originally Classified As A Heavy BattleMech.”

“Combining tremendous speed and firepower in one frame the Griffin briefly dominated in this role.”

This 1:285 scale pre-assembled plastic model of a Griffin is made by “Catalyst Game Labs” and currently can only be found together with the Wolverine, in the company’s BattleTech: Beginner Box. There are actually numerous ‘official’ Regimental Paint Schemes for the Kallon Industries manufactured mech. However, as I plan to employ this particular sculpt as a Japanese Mitsubishi class War Walker for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign using some homemade rules, I decided to go with a predominantly yellow palette.

“Combining good striking power, endurance and speed” the 40mm tall figure was initially undercoated with “Vallejo” Japanese Uniform WWII, shaded in “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade, and dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” Japanese Uniform WWII. As I wanted the machine to somewhat represent the look of the Empire’s old carrier-based fighter, the Zero, I then ‘picked out’ the machine’s knees and shoulder-pads using a combination of “Vallejo” Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green. These areas were later carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Luftwaffe Camouflage Green.

"Each Flesh Hound is larger than a fully armoured Space Marine."

The Griffin’s cockpit windows and hands were pigmented in “Citadel” Abaddon Black”, whilst it’s right-handed Fusion Particle Projector Cannon (PPC), drum-mounted Delta Dart LRM-10 launcher and elbow joints were ‘picked out’ with a little “Vallejo” Gunmetal and a splash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Finally, I took two war flags of the Imperial Japanese Army and applied the Rising Sun transfers by “Decal Details” to the top of the mech’s shoulder-pads.

With the first of three Japanese Weird War Two walkers I currently have planned finished, I’ve found enough time to also complete a second base of 6mm scale Flesh Hounds, which used to be produced by "Games Workshop" for their tabletop wargame "Epic". These tiny chaotic beasts of Khorne were primed using two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, washed using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and delicately dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. Their back spines and head crests were then ‘picked out’ using some “Citadel” Abaddon Black.

"Tangent Miniatures" WIPs - The Enemy Commander has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

In addition, I’ve started work on the second of my Weekly Challenges, randomly chosen via a deck of playing cards. This time round I’ve got to paint a single 28mm model, so thought it might be a good opportunity to ‘crack-on’ with another science fiction figure by “Tangent Miniatures”.

Due to my already completing The Enemy from their Space Warriors range, I decided to base and prime The Enemy Commander. As with the (not) Rodan I’ve previously pigmented, this sculpt is heavily-influenced by Nick Castle’s 1984 American space opera film “The Last Starfighter”, and should make an excellent stand-in for the alien leader, Lord Kril…

“Flesh Hounds Are The Powerful Daemonic Attack Dogs Of Khorne.”

“They dash into combat at high speed and tear their foes apart with razor sharp claws.”

These three plastic 6mm scale Flesh Hounds used to beproduced by "Games Workshop" for their tabletop wargame "Epic", and disappointingly are now long Out Of Production (OOP). However I was fortunate enough to stumble across a small tub of these daemonic canines from the second-hand stall, “Lesley’s Bitz Box”, whilst visiting "Colours" at Newbury three years ago, and thought I should finally paint up a single unit as a pilot piece.

Before I could even begin to apply a brush to these tiny figures though, I needed to make some repairs to a couple of their spiked tails, which had somehow been broken during their storage. In the past I’d have probably just dumped the damaged dogs in the bin. But as these models are apparently rather difficult to acquire these days, I was willing to spend the extra time fixing them up with a little drilling and an application or two of plastic glue, rather than just throw them away.

Xenomorphs - Made up of figures from "Ground Zero Games" and "Pendraken Miniatures"

Once mended the trio were all super-glued onto a thin strip of wood, and primed using two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Red. They were then washed using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and very carefully dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. I subsequently 'picked out' their back spines and head crests with some “Citadel” Abaddon Black and their teeth with a combination of “Vallejo” White and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

With my tiny test base finished, I have found the time to also complete six more 15mm scale metal miniatures by “Ground Zero Games”. These Xenomorphs are available as code SG15-X01 from the company’s Stargrunt Infantry range, and were super-glued in pairs upon three medium-sized plastic “Flames Of War” stands by “Battlefront Miniatures”.

"Tangent Miniatures" WIPs - The Recruiter has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

The vicious extra-terrestrials were undercoated with a double-helping of “Citadel” Abaddon Black. They were then somewhat softly dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey, before being given a wash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil in order to help tone down their highlights and better blend them in.

Lastly, I have based, primed, layered, shaded and dry-brushed another 28mm metal miniature by “Tangent Miniatures”. The Recruiter/Conman is from their Space Warriors range and delightfully bares more than a passing resemblance to Centauri from Nick Castle’s 1984 science fiction flick “The Last Starfighter”.

“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…

"A Supernatural Blade That Cleaves Through Enemy Units."

"Forged from pure rancour, a Wrath-axe is Khorne's hatred incarnate."

This huge four-piece hard plastic 28mm scale model of a Wrath-Axe can be bought as part of the Judgements Of Khorne boxed set by "Games Workshop", and "is a manifestation of Khorne’s otherworldly anger." Summoned by a Khornate priest, "should their fury be worthy of the Blood God’s favour",  the "supernatural blade scrapes across the ground" hitting enemy units on a 2+ and causing them to suffer either D3 and D6 mortal wounds (potentially both).

Initially undercoated with two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Orange, "Khorne’s hatred incarnate" was washed with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Orange. The skull-infested flames were then highlighted using "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and later on, some Iraqi Sand.

Sharaz Jek Android WIPs - The robots have been primed and dry-brushed

The axe itself, whose shaft proved particularly difficult to reach with a brush-tip due to my naive decision to fully assemble the model prior to painting it, was primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and subsequently treated to a combination of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. The giant supernatural weapon was finished by dry-brushing "its razor edge" using some (more) "Citadel" Ironbreaker, and having its iconography 'picked out' with "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

With the last of my Judgements of Khorne completed, I have turned my attention to the much more straightforward subject of pigmenting another batch of Sharaz Jek Androids by "Black Tree Design". Disappointingly, these'll probably be the last of the company's "Doctor Who" miniatures range that I will be purchasing, as the last few orders I have made with them have proved troublesome at best. This particular array of robots, along with some armoured Sea Devils and a pair of Myrka, were purchased at the start of March and seemingly required a few prompts before they finally arrived over two months later...

Your Hobby Place Knight Mascot, Game Kastle Knight Mascot, and Gruf The Bear WIPs

In addition I have been busy basing and priming some more "Toon Realms" miniatures by "Lucid Eye Publications". I've currently got a fair few of King Victor's armoured knights on my painting table, so thought I'd add a couple of characters to their number in the shape of the Game Kastle Knight Mascot (n.b. I have filed away the G.K. on his shield) and Your Hobby Place Knight Mascot.

As I'm basing my Men of the West army upon J.R.R. Tolkien's Gondor, I aim to have one of these two heroes 'play the role' of Faramir, with the other probably representing Captain Ingold; who guarded the northern gate of the Rammas Echor. I also couldn't resist applying some paint to Grüf The Bear, whose hulking size and marvellous pose made me immediately think of Beorn the Skin-changer in his bestial form.

"This Slaughterpriest Is So Dedicated To The Howling Devotion To The Blood God..."

"...That even his enemies begin to fall to blind, bezerker rage."

This 42mm tall multi-part plastic kit of a Slaughterpriest with Hackblade and Wrath-hammer is produced by “Games Workshop” for their “Age Of Sigmar” range, and was 'originally' available as a as a freebie figure from the September 2016 edition of "White Dwarf". Consisting of ten pieces, this miniature was 'reasonably simple to assemble', albeit I did end up removing a skull which was jutting out from one of his shoulders on account of its slim spike disconcertingly bending to even the slightest of touches.

Super-glued onto a "Citadel" 40mm round base and "swollen with the power of Chaos", the model was primed using two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. His numerous golden surfaces, comprising of boot toe-caps, shin-guards, knee-pads, thigh-plates, stomach icon, shoulder-pad and helmet, were then treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Such are the priests of the Blood God, mighty warriors whose holy powers are bound to their prowess in battle."

Having decided that the Bloodbound was going to be dark-skinned, I painted his leather boots and linen undergarment with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and the numerous straps holding his armour in place with "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. In addition I 'picked out' the horns of the "favoured champion of Khorne" using a little Iraqi Sand, then later shaded these, alongside all the leather fastenings, with a dab of Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

The demagogue of "Khorne’s wrathful will" next had his loincloth, breeches, and skirt layered in "Vallejo" Heavy Red and washed with some "Citadel" Nuln Oil. This clothing was subsequently dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. I also applied some Heavy Red to the Slaughterpriest's left hand, highlighted his fingers with Dark Vermilion, and then generously washed the grisly fist with "Citadel" Crimson Carroburg.

Reaper Of Souls WIPs - The "Horrorclix" figure has had its skeleton layered, shaded and dry-brushed

With my 'grotesque slab of muscle' almost completed, I pigmented the "hulking" priest's Hackblade and Wrath-hammer with "Citadel" Ironbreaker, along with his belt's numerous metal adornments and painful-looking shoulder-spike, before treating all of these areas with a healthy splash of Nuln Oil. Then, as a final touch I dry-brushed the maniac's weapons with more Ironbreaker and his horns with some additional "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand.

With such a highly-detailed miniature 'under my belt' I have settled down to painting something far more straightforward in the shape of a "Horroclix" Reaper Of Souls by "Wizkids". This formidably-sized monster is a much-appreciated gift from Bryan Scott of "Vampifan's World Of The Undead" fame, and has been desperately waiting in the wings of my painting queue for far too long...

"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 Space Marines Are Humanity's Finest Warriors."

"The Adeptus Astartes are genetically modified superhuman warrior-monks

This 28mm scale plastic model of an Adeptus Astartes was produced by “Games Workshop” way back in 1988, and could be created from the numerous parts found within the (original) RTB-01 Imperial Space Marines boxed set. Produced by Jes Goodwin, Aly Morrison and Bob Naismith, this particular iconic miniature has been assembled so as to carry a missile launcher, and was originally going to join my recently completed Black Templar tactical squad as an additional heavy weapons option.

However, having dusted the old sculpt down and determined just how disconcertingly thick its "Citadel" Chaos Black undercoat was, I felt it would probably better serve the Emperor as a bronze statue placed atop a square-shaped resin plinth sold by "Telfer Model Design". Resultantly, the miniature was treated to a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, before being treated to two coats of Brass.

Interceptor Justicar WIPs - The Grey Knight has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

The Mk VI Corvus suited Space Marine was then heavily washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and heavily dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Brass. Later I applied some generous dabs of the "Citadel" Technical paint Nihilakh Oxide to the vast majority of the figure's numerous nooks and crannies, such as his riveted shoulder-pad, in order to denote the statue's great age, and subsequently blended this in with a second dry-brush of "Vallejo" Brass.

The model's plinth was initially pigmented using a few applications of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, and then enthusiastically shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Finally, the detail in the stonework was 'highlighted' courtesy of a "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey dry-brush.

Wrath-axe WIPs - The Judgement of Khorne has had its flames finally finished

Sticking with the futuristic universe of "Warhammer 40K", I have made some progress on the leader of my Grey Knight Interceptor unit. The Justicar has had a couple of additional adornments glued in place, and then been primed, washed and dry-brushed in line with his silver-coloured brethren.

Lastly, I have almost completed the last of my Judgements of Khorne for "Age Of Sigmar", the formidable Wrath-axe. This multi-part plastic model was unfortunately super-glued together before I realised just how difficult it was going to be to get my paint-brush to reach into certain areas of the ensemble. However, having rethought my palette for the "supernatural blade that cleaves through enemy units" I believe it should still look rather imposing as part of my Blades of Khorne warhost...

"Many A Doer Of Great Deeds Might Say No More."

"But what is a hobbit?"

This "cartoon scale" white metal figure of one of King Victor's Men-at-Arms 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 Gondor so as to hopefully field a unit of (Heavy Foot) Minas Tirith Knights for “Dragon Rampant” by "Osprey Games".

Originally undercoated with two layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, Denethor's warrior was dry-brushed using some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and subsequently washed in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The soldier's boots were then treated to a touch of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, whilst his sword hilt was given a lick of Gold. Both of these areas were later washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Slaughterpriest WIPs - The Khorne warrior now just needs his helmet and shoulder-pad to be finished

I 'picked out' the Man-at-Arms' helmet, armour, chain-mail and shield emblem using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, before dry-brushing these parts with (more) Ironbreaker. Lastly, I spotted the model's belt-buckle with a dab of "Vallejo" Gold and a little Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

Sticking with fantasy I have continued to make some additional progress on my Slaughterpriest with Hackblade and Wrath-hammer for "Age Of Sigmar" by "Games Workshop". Somewhat frustratingly my decision to paint the "favoured champion of Khorne" as being dark-skinned has caused me a few minor issues in painting all the warrior's different-coloured leathers in sufficiently contrasting browns.

Space Marine WIPs - The Adeptus Astartes statue just needs to be dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Brass

Admittedly, most of these leg and armour straps can't actually be seen unless you pick the miniature up and look beneath his loin-cloth. But the 'Eavy Metal' fanboy in me wouldn't let me rest until I'd at least done a tabletop standard job using a mixture of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Brown, "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. Fortunately, since completing these areas I've found the Bloodbound warrior a lot more fun to paint, especially after deciding to pigment one of his hands as if it was drenched in gore.

Finally, I've almost finished an old Eighties plastic Space Marine I have 'rescued' from my 'Bitz Bin'. Now destined to forever stand upon my Forty-First Millennium battlefield as an aged Adeptus Astartes statue, I have completed the model's stone plinth and much of its brass-work, and am now working on its verdigris.

“They Call Him Baba Yaga.”

"It's personal."

This 28mm scale resin model of Baba Yaga was produced by “Spectre Miniatures” and was only available as a special limited edition figure for a short time on the company’s website following “Salute” 2019. Obviously influenced by Chad Stahelski’s 2014 American neo-noir action thriller film “John Wick”, the sculpt bares an uncannily strong resemblance to leading actor Keane Reeves.

The “retired but deadly hitman seeking vengeance” was initially cleaned of all his disconcertingly visible mould lines and ‘flash’ prior to being undercoated using two layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The paid killer was then roughly dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal before being almost drowned in "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Slaughterpriest WIPs - The Khorne warrior is slowing having all of his detail 'picked out'

Hoping to provide at least a little contrast to the all-black attired anti-hero, I subsequently ‘picked out’ Yaga’s shoes, hair, firearms and shoulder-strap with pure “Citadel” Abaddon Black, and unsurprisingly applied a coat of “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone to his face and hands. These areas of flesh were later washed using a little “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade, before being ‘lightened’ with a tad more “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone. Finally, some watered-down “Citadel” Abaddon Black was applied to Baba’s cheeks to (hopefully) provide the impression of his beard.

In addition to finishing my first ever figure from “Spectre Miniatures”, I have been slowly progressing the Slaughterpriest with Hackblade and Wrath-hammer I recently assembled in order to allow my “Age Of Sigmar” Chaos Army to utilise the Judgements of Khorne. This “Games Workshop” plastic model is absolutely packed full of detail, and resultantly has proved somewhat tough-going in comparison to my warhost’s more daemonic units.

Space Marine Statue WIPs - The Eighties plastic model has been re-based, primed and layered

In particular, the demagogue of Khorne’s wrathful will has a myriad of leg straps all hidden beneath his loincloth which have taken an age to carefully ‘pick-out’, shade and then paint around. To make matters worse though, I was rather keen on colouring the cloth protecting the dark prophet’s bare legs from their armour-plating in red rather than simple black, so have had to repeatedly return to these areas to ensure enough of the pigmentation is showing through to distinguish it from the hulking priest’s black boots and shorts.

Finally, I have ‘dug out’ one of the original plastic Adeptus Astartes I assembled from the Eighties Imperial Space Marine boxed set. Armed with a missile launcher, and unhappily thickly undercoated in black, I thought the model might enjoy a new lease of life on my tabletop as a bronze statue…

"Imperial Death Troopers Are A Terrifying Sight."

"It's the trooper you don't see that will get you."

These six 40mm tall hard plastic elite soldiers of the Tarkin Initiative are produced by “Fantasy Flight Games” and can be found inside the company's Imperial Death Troopers Unit Expansion for "Star Wars: Legion". "Hand-selected from the Stormtroopers Corps by Imperial Intelligence itself", these  jet black armoured commandos made their debut in Gareth Edwards' 2016 motion picture "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story".

The "elite variant of the Galactic Empire's stormtroopers" were all primed using two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and mercilessly dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal to really bring out all of the sculpts' meticulous details. Each figure was then treated to a more than generous splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, so as to help blend the slightly contrasting undercoat and highlight together.

"They served as protective details and bodyguards for important Imperial officers..."

With the majority of the miniatures finished, at least in my tabletop standard books, I decided to 'pick out' all their helmet lights with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green and some of their pouches' fasteners with a small dab of "Vallejo" White. I did consider painting all of their eye lenses a deep green as well, but to be honest some of these 'sunken' areas were so tiny that I felt it ultimately wouldn't be worth the effort.

However, having had a good look at DT-F16's figure, I was inclined to break away from the 'official imperial palette' and pigment her main armament's thick leather strap in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, in order to make the commander stand out that little bit more on the battlefield. In addition, I 'picked out' all of the Death Troopers' belt buckles and E-11D blaster rifle barrels with "Citadel" Ironbreaker and (more) "Nuln Oil.

Skull Altar WIP - The "dread monument" has been assembled using twenty-one plastic components

Moving across to the Mortal Realms of "Age Of Sigmar" by "Games Workshop" I have rather impulsively purchased a Skull Altar for my Blades of Khorne warhost. This "great centrepiece to your Khorne collection" is truly a gigantic piece of terrain, so I was somewhat disappointed to discover that it didn't actually come with any sort of base, and instead relied upon my skills as a modeller to ensure I positioned every since tiny part of its lower segment into the perfect position so as to ensure it stood flat on my tabletop.

As you can probably imagine, I somewhat balked at such a task and have been patiently awaiting for the Nottingham-based company to send me a "citadel" 160mm circular stand for it to sit upon. Now that has arrived, I have not only assembled the brutish building, but both primed it with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna" and gritted its base...

“The Life-size Recumbent Effigy Was First Found In The Tombs Of Royalty…”

"...And then spread to the nobility."

This 34mm long resin model of a Mouse-oleum – The Tomb Of The Mouse Lord is produced by “Oathsworn Miniatures” and can be purchased as part of their “Burrows & Badgers” range. The small(ish) scenic piece was part of a handful of miniatures I picked up from the company’s stall whilst at “Salute” 2019, and has been super-glued onto one of the 50mm circular bases I predominantly use for my objectives markers.

The effigy was initially undercoated using two coats of the old “Citadel” Layer paint Charadon Granite and subsequently heavily washed with Nuln Oil. It was then simply dry-brushed using more Charadon Granite. As a final touch I later mixed some “Vallejo” White in with the “Citadel” Charadon Granite and very lightly dry-brushed this combination over the entire model so to help highlight its excellent detail. 

My Daemonic host prepares to advance supposedly safe in the knowledge that the Nurglings will protect them

Sticking with science fiction-based wargaming, I have also managed to play my first 'proper' game of "Warhammer 40K" by "Games Workshop", fielding a 736-point strong Khorne/Nurgle Chaos force against a similarly costed unit of Ultramarines, who were additionally aided by a pair of formidably tough robotic combat walkers. The ensuing battle for an ancient relic upon a planet increasingly lost to the plague-ridden sores of the Plague God and bleeding iconography of the Blood God was understandably bloody, but despite being unable to finish the game to its conclusion due to time constraints, it reaffirmed in my mind just how very much I am currently enjoying this "newest edition of everybody's favourite wargame" as the fight is never seemingly over whilst playing it until the 'fat lady sings'.

This ability to suffer serious set-backs yet still entertain the hope of ultimate victory proved itself time and again during this game, especially in its early stages when I unwisely utilised my Nurglings' "Mischief Makers" ability to place them just 9" away from my enemy's deployment zone. Seemingly shielding a rock-solid core of twenty Bloodletters and twenty Plaguebearers behind their tiny chittering bodies, I felt confident the "Gleeful Castoffs" would keep my opponent busy up for a couple of turns at least and give my larger daemons ample time to advance within reach of their foes.

The Armiger Helverin and Knight Errant start firing upon the Bloodletters and Plaguebearers

Enter an Armiger Helverin, supposedly the "lightest class of Imperial Knight combat walker", and its raking firepower, and my 'delaying tactic' was spread like so much mulch all over the ground with the roll of a fistful of dice. Such a disheartening loss at the very start of the fight left my entire centre wide open to the guns of a towering Knight Errant and my initially terrifying Bloodletter formation began to slowly get whittled away before my very eyes.

Fortunately, despite my opening set-back I was still able to push my main units up the table towards Khorne's Bleeding Icon (which was being used merely as an immobile terrain feature), whilst a pair of Beasts of Nurgle bounded along my left flank to take control of a small stargate which had been identified as the battlefield's one and only valuable relic. However, ominously spread out in front of my warhost ready for the second turn's Shooting phase, was an incredible amount of the Emperor's firepower, including a Primaris Lieutenant who almost glued himself alongside the reassuringly solid form of his force's smaller "fast-moving weapons platform, as well as the rest of the Ultramarines, which assembled before my Beasts of Nurgle.

The Bloodletters, Beasts of Nurgle and Plaguebearers fail their charges 

I can only give thanks to the Dice Gods that my Chaos daemons weren't completely eradicated in the subsequent hail of bullets that followed, especially after both my Bloodletters and Plaguebearers failed their charges. My Plaguesword-carrying warriors at least had their "Disgustingly Resilient" ability to help them soak up all the wounds which were riddling their ranks, but my liver-coloured "Slaughter-Kin" were increasingly finding their 5+ Invulnerability Save for being "Daemonic" wasn't enough protection when caught out in the open before the tender mercies of an Imperial Knight's weaponry.

Eight of the Bloodletters fell before the combined firepower of the Intercessor's Lieutenant and the "Questor Imperialis in High Gothic", utterly breaking the backbone of my once mighty close quarter combatants, and making it clear that the Blood God had probably been less than impressed with their decision to charge the solitary Ultramarine Officer stood atop a pile of ruins, rather than the nearby 'ancient battlesuit'. Certainly I wasn't looking forward to an impossible Morale phase as it even the bravest of Khorne's foot soldiers would surely flee from such a beating..?

Bloodletters swarm the Lieutenant, whilst the Beasts of Nurgle get stomped upon by the Imperial Knight

A single roll of the dice later and 'reality had blinked'. Not only had my Bloodletter's "Daemonic Icon" ensured that "no models flee", but it had bolstered my horde with five freshly-resurrected "Slaughter-Kin". Suddenly, the Lieutenant's position looked far less survivable, whilst my Plaguebearers and Beasts of Nurgle both finally made it into contact with their respective foes. Sadly, time was against us to finish the conflict, so the game's final act was to see the hulking Imperial Knight, quite possibly incensed by suffering a wound courtesy of "Smite", squashing one of my 'enthusiastic monsters who love to play' with its feet...