"You Cannot Hide. I See You."

"There is no life in the void, only death".

This rather diminutive 28mm scale metal model of Frodo Baggins was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be found inside either the Nottingham-based company's "The Fellowship Of The Ring" boxed set [99111499002] or as part of their Frodo & Sam blister [99061461002]. Now long OOP (Out Of Production), I actually only recently discovered that I had this figure in my backlog of "The Lord Of The Rings" miniatures, and must have picked him up (probably with Sam, Merry and Pippin) second-hand at a show some years ago.

In addition, having already 'properly pigmented' an identical sculpt just last month, I was initially at a bit of a loss as to what to do with it. But then thought I could use it to simply represent the Hobbit actually putting on the One Ring - as per the "Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game" (MESBG) main rule-book. Resultantly, the entire piece was treated to a couple of coats of "Two Thin Coats" White Star, splattered with some heavily watered-down "Vallejo" Neutral Grey, and dry-brushed with (more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats".

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three of four Uruk-hai armed with crossbows currently on the painting table 

Now admittedly, this may well seem like a bit of a waste of a model to some. However, behind the scenes it provided me with a rare opportunity to experiment with a variety of "Citadel" Shades to establish whether I could suggest that 'ethereal creatures' (such as The Army of the Dead or the "Dead faces in the Dead Marshes") were actually wearing coloured clothing.

Having covered this miniature in a cunning combination of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, Nuln Oil, Carroburg Crimson and Reikland Fleshshade though, and subsequently started giving the halfling a dry-brush of (more) "Two Thin Coats" White Star, it disappointingly became clear to me that my plan using fading inks wasn't going to work. I therefore decided to sadly re-prime Frodo with (even more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats", and apply the far simpler two-tone colour scheme I mention above.

"Trench Stench" WIPs - Three of five Dirt Knights currently being worked on

In addition to providing my Fellowship with a distinctive-looking Ring-bearer, I've assembled, undercoated and progressed a handful more Uruk-hai armed with crossbows too. This all-metal orc unit by "Games Workshop" will be added to my already quite-sizeable Isengard force for MESBG, and also contribute towards the Angry Piper's "Forced March" painting event over on his "Dead Dick’s Tavern and Temporary Lodging" wargaming blog.

Likewise, I have dusted down the five 32mm Dirt Knights by "Trench Stench" I printed and began painting back in October 2025. Recently I've been producing quite a considerable number of the manufacturer's "Trench Crusade" inspired models on my "Elegoo" Mars 5 3D printer, and thought I had better start getting on top of this fast-growing pile of grey before things get too badly out of hand...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge” [IV/IV] March 2026

Last month's output was a mixed bag of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Napoleonics

Thanks to a strong showing during the past four weeks, I'm pleased to say that I'm only 46 points short of beating my tally for last year's Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge (PPPP), and resultantly only need to paint another ten 28mm scale miniatures which I started working on prior to last December. Much of this success has undoubtedly been due to my continuing love of "Wargames Foundry" and their Napoleonic range. But also to a very sudden interest in the original version of the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG) by "Games Workshop" and a group of Hobbits' deadly encounter with lots of Uruk-hai at Parth Galen.  

Indeed, spurred on by this enthusiasm for Middle Earth I have already finished work on another 28mm scale Uruk-hai armed with a crossbow. Like a number of similarly equipped miniatures I currently have sat upon my hobby table, this particular metal "Games Workshop" figure had already been primed "Citadel" Abaddon Black from an earlier attempt to make it tabletop ready, so to begin with I just gave the model's armour and weapon/bolts a lick of "Scale 75" Decayed Metal, Thrash Metal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

 "We come to kill, by sun or moon."

I then applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red with a "Citadel” Devlan Mud wash onto the orc's flesh, and carefully applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade over the creature's shoes, loincloth, hair, gloves, straps, belt, pouches and crossbow. As a final step, I treated the brute’s knife sheath to a little “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and washed it with (more) “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

Alongside my personal challenge's final month, I thought I'd also participate in Angry Piper's Forced March challenge over on his blog "Dead Dick's Tavern and Temporary Lodging". This means that I'll be predominantly focusing upon getting at least one infantry (or cavalry) unit completed during the month - providing "its more than a one-model unit".

February 2026 - The year already seems to be shaping up into a battle between "Wargames Foundry" and "Games Workshop"

Currently I have a number of such units I want to get finished, not least of which would be a sizeable gathering of Uruk-hai - possibly for the old The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring mass-battle miniature wargame by "Games Workshop", so this new goal shouldn't really prove too problematic. In fact, my painting area is currently filled full of Napoleonic infantrymen, Alien Legionnaries, Beastmen and 3D prints which would adequately fit the bill if enough are pigmented.

As to whether or not something new might sneak up upon me as "The Lord Of The Rings" has, I cannot say. I have a number of one-off miniatures I would like to finally get finished - before they're probably stored away again in a box until next year's PPPP, and such diversions can invariably cause me to start wandering down yet another rabbit hole of wargaming which I hadn't anticipated venturing down before...

“I Will Take The Ring."

"Though I do not know the way.”

This small 28mm scale metal model of Frodo Baggins was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be found inside the Nottingham-based company's "The Fellowship Of The Ring" boxed set for their "The Lord Of The Rings" range. Now OOP (Out Of Production), I actually bought mine second-hand from a stall at a wargaming show many years ago, and have been meaning to get around to (re)painting him ever since.

Having already been rather brusquely pigmented by its original owner, I did initially consider simply slapping some "Citadel" Abaddon Black over the entire sculpt to cover it up. However, as the miniature was so small, I figured that approach would probably clog up a lot of the Hobbit's detail, so instead just left the Ringbearer alone and painted straight over the top of its former brushwork.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three of five Uruk-hai armed with a crossbow currently being worked on

Resultantly, I carefully applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade to all of Frodo's flesh, and later highlighted these areas up with some (more) lines of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. I then gave his Jacket a lick of "Citadel" Doombull Brown and his trousers a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. Both of these garments were subsequently washed with plenty of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

I used a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red for the model's tiny waistcoat, before slapping some Heavy Green over the figure's cloak. As with the miniature's pants and coat, I drenched these parts in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade - albeit I did go back and dry-brush the Halfling's cape with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Green. As a final touch I gave his short-sword and cloak pin a brush-tip of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and darkened these items down with a smidgeon of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Prussian Field Marshall Blucher on horse

As I'm clearly very much in the mood for "The Lord Of The Rings", I have unearthed (and in at least one case (re)glued) a handful more of the range's Uruk-hai armed with a crossbows. These 28mm multi-piece metal miniatures have come from a number of sources and resultantly are already at various stages of completion. Due to the "Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game" (MESBG) only allowing a third of your force's models to be armed with bows, I'm not sure just how many of Saruman the White's minions I'll actually get finished. But if I can rattle them all off then I may well dig out the classic "War of The Ring" ruleset by "Games Workshop" and see whether I have enough Uruk-hai tabletop ready to play that too.

So sudden an obsession with Middle Earth though doesn't mean for a minute that I plan to take my eye off of my Napoleonic project for "Black Powder". Admittedly, all the colourful details on the French Voltigeurs I'm currently plodding through has somewhat dampened my spirits when it comes to applying my brush to musket-carrying infantrymen. However, in order to break up this monotony I've picked back up my "Wargames Foundry" mounted figure of Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher from their blister PN055A Field Marshall Blucher with Generals Gneisenau, Yorck and Kleist, with the aspiration of getting the Prussian Generalfeldmarschall finished within the next week or so...

"You're Making Me Nervous, Wastelander."

"Back off now, or I will open fire."

This 28mm scale Power Armoured Trooper is sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" and can be downloaded for free as part of a ten-figure set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from his "Patreon" subscription service. Based upon the "high-protection Power Armour" depicted in the "Fallout" post-apocalyptic role-playing video games, the miniature was produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer.

However, as I wanted to use these particular figure with "Fallout: Factions" by "Modiphius Entertainment", and therefore needed it to be 42mm in height, I significantly upscaled the sculpt using "Chitubox" Basic by 122.74%. Furthermore, I decided to 3D print him out using medium supports - simply to ensure he survived any suction issues my resin vat might cause - and whilst such thick supports did cause a few indentations once removed, I felt they could easily be 'written off' as battle damage.

"I've got full authority to gun you down if you don't comply. Back off."

To make matters even more complicated though, I also wanted this particular survivor to be the flame-thrower carrying leader/champion of my Brotherhood Of Steel faction. This meant I had to go searching through my various bitz boxes to locate some suitable plastic parts from a couple of the numerous "Games Workshop" "Warhammer 40k" sprues I own, and then spend a good hour kit-bashing the Trooper together.

Once finished, the model was super-glued onto a 40mm circular plastic base, primed in "Scale75" Thrash Metal, shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Scale75" Thrash Metal. I then carefully 'picked out' all of his visible elbow, knee and shoulder joints, as well as the chap's breathing tubes with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before applying a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red" and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to his right shoulder-pad.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Frodo just needs his hair painted before being finished

Lastly, I sporadically applied some Extreme Rust Wash by "Mig Productions" to various parts of the soldier's heavy armour and 'thrown together' weapon to represent their poor, badly weathered condition, and then gave the entire ensemble a light dry-brush of (even more) "Scale75" Thrash Metal to help blend it all the different colours together - including his "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil rear-mounted fuel tanks.

With such a time-consuming project, I haven't really had much time to progress anything else apart from the old 28mm metal miniature of Frodo Baggins I recently became reacquainted with whilst rummaging through my backlog looking for something else. I believe that this wonderful little sculpt comes from "the original metal Fellowship of the Ring boxed set that "Games Workshop" released in 2001", and has rather surprisingly reignited a desire in me to play some more "Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game" in the near future...

"The Voltigeurs Were French Military Skirmish Units..."

"...Created in 1804 by Emperor Napoleon."

This 28mm scale metal model is manufactured by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their FN103 - Grenadiers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoat Marching set. The figure is one of eight identical Napoleonic French infantrymen sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry found in the blister, and has proved surprisingly time-consuming due to its numerous colourful details.

"Skilled at sharpshooting", the soldier was first undercoated in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and had all of his leather straps, as well as trousers and shako covering, pigmented with a combination of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then carefully applied some "Vallejo" Sombre Grey to his greatcoat, shaded it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and later highlighted it back up with a little more "Vallejo" Sombre Grey.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This second-hand Frodo Baggins is finally getting some love

I next 'picked out' the skirmisher's water bottle and strap with some "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before plonking a little Ethereal Green by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green on the Frenchman's epaulettes, lower plume and sword ribbon. Lastly, I dabbed a spot or two of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow onto his topmost pom-pom, and shaded it with a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

With the first 'recruit' of my tiny, four-figure Voltigeur unit completed, I have spent some time digging through my backlog of half-finished projects looking for something contrastingly different to work on. One such model I found is an old 28mm metal miniature of Frodo Baggins by "Games Workshop" which I believe I picked up second-hand from a wargames show many, many moons ago.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - More Alien Legionnaries getting ready to be recruited

The hobbit has clearly received some sort of paint-job from his previous owner, and ordinarily I would just give such a figure a quick lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black to cover it over with. However, as this figure is so small, I thought some of its minute details were probably already in danger of being clogged up, so have decided to simply apply my own palette directly on it instead.

In addition, I have selected three more Alien Legionnaries by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" from my "7TV" collection to paint up as the Emperor Ming's minions from Mike Hodges' 1980 science fiction movie "Flash Gordon". As with the trio I've recently done, these miniatures had previously just been given a prime in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, so now need to have all their black straps, gold shoulder-pads and eye lenses properly 'picked out' before being tabletop ready...

"Sam Will Give You A Ride."

"Just tell him where to go, and he'll go.”

This decidedly diminutive 28mm scale metal model of Samwise Gamgee was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be bought as part of the two figure Frodo & Sam In Orc Armour blister from the Nottingham-based company's "The Lord Of The Rings" range. Now OOP (Out Of Production), I actually picked this miniature up from a wargaming show's second-hand stall many years ago, and have been meaning to get around to painting him ever since.

Despite the figure already having some sort of black undercoat on it, courtesy of its former owner, I decided to dust it down and give it an additional lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The "loyal companion" was then layered with Thrash Metal by "Scale 75", shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and very lightly dry-brushed with (more) "Scale 75" Thrash Metal.

"We are the Uruk-hai: we do not stop the fight for night or day, for fair weather or for storm."

I next began 'picking out' all of the sculpt's fur leggings, sword scabbard, belt and cloth under garments with either "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, Heavy Sienna, and Beasty Brown, before treating them to a splosh of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Finally, the heavily-disguised Hobbit's numerous leather straps, and thick gloves were simply layered in "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

Alongside Samwise the Brave, I have also finished work on another 28mm scale Uruk-hai armed with a crossbow. This metal "Games Workshop" miniature had already been primed "Citadel" Abaddon Black from an earlier attempt to make it tabletop ready, so I simply gave the model's armour and hand-weapon a lick of "Scale 75" Decayed Metal, Thrash Metal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This Austrian Infantryman is being painted from the boots up

I achieved the colour of the Orc's bare flesh by using "Vallejo" Heavy Red with a "Citadel” Devlan Mud wash, and carefully applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on the creature's shoes, loincloth, hair, gloves, straps, belt, pouches and crossbow. As a last step, I treated the brute’s knife sheath to a little “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and highlighted his teeth in White. Both of these areas were later washed with (more) “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

With this month's big push towards progressing my Napoleonic Black Powder forces still foremost in my mind, I have begun plugging away at the predominantly white uniforms of four Austrian infantrymen by "Wargames Foundry". I've already pigmented a quartet of these 28mm scale metal from the company's AN002 German Infantry Marching blister in the past to create a tiny unit for my Coalition army, and plan to use this miniatures to double its strength so I can field a small unit instead... 

"So Passes Denethor..."

 "...Son of Ecthelion."

This 28mm scale metal model of Denethor was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be purchased in a single figure blister from the company's "The Lord Of The Rings" range. Nowadays, the OOP (Out Of Production) sculpt has seemingly been replaced by a finely detailed resin "expert kit", so I'm grateful I actually picked my old miniature up from a wargaming show's second-hand stall many years ago.

The Steward of Gondor was undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before having his cloak roughly shadowed using plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then base-layered his chain mail in "Vallejo" Gunmetal, splashed the meshed armour with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed it with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal to help bring out all the small metal rings linked together.

"The backwardness of Prussia was revealed by the disaster of 1806."

"A man of great will, foresight, and strength, but also overconfident", the ruler's leather belt was treated to a thin line of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, whilst I 'picked out' his belt buckle and sword hilt with "Vallejo" Gold. Both of these areas were later doused in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to help darken them down. I also carefully traced my brush tip across all of Denethor's fur lining with plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, before dousing it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and finally highlighting it with a careful dry-brush of (more) Vallejo Heavy Bluegrey.

As I hoped to make the hair of "the first son and third child of Ecthelion II" stand out a little from all this grey, I covered it in "Two Thin Coats" White Star and an application of the "Citadel" Contrast paint Black Templar. I next dry-brushed it in (more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats", darkened it down with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and lastly gave a a second highlight with some (extra) patiently placed "Two Thin Coats" White Star.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - This Shoggoth has been primed, base-layered and shaded

Despite Denethor actually taking quite a bit longer to get tabletop ready than I had initially thought - as I had hoped he was just a predominantly black-palette project - I have completed a seventh Napoleonic Prussian soldier from the set PN063 Infantry in Peaked Cap Marching by "Wargames Foundry". As with all his identical comrades-in-arms, the 28mm metal figure was largely pigmented using "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, Stormy Blue, Heavy Red, Heavy Sienna, Gunmetal and a selection of "Citadel" Shades.

Furthermore, whilst digging around an especially long-forgotten box of miniatures, I stumbled across a part-resin part-metal Shoggoth by "North Star Military Figures", which I thought might be good for "The Silver Bayonet" rule-set. I actually believe I bought this little set way back in 2018, when I physically visited their premises in Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham. So it's probably high time I got some paint on the brute regardless...

"There Are So Many Of Them."

"So many. We'll never get through unseen."

This rather tiny 28mm scale metal model of Frodo Baggins was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be bought as part of the two figure Frodo & Sam In Orc Armour blister from the Nottingham-based company's "The Lord Of The Rings" range. Now OOP (Out Of Production), I actually picked this miniature up from a wargaming show's second-hand stall many years ago, and only very recently found it again in a long-forgotten plastic container.

Despite the gaming piece already having some sort of black undercoat on it, courtesy of its former owner, I decided to dust it down and give it an additional lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The 'Ring-bearer' was then layered with Thrash Metal by "Scale 75", shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Scale 75" Thrash Metal. With the basics done, I next started trying to 'pick out' all the small details visible on Frodo's bizarre-looking armour.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These two Prussians just have a few more details left to be worked on

This resulted in me using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil for the hobbit's sword scabbard and gloves. Whilst I applied some thin lines of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade along his leather belt. In addition, I gave the brave adventurer's fur leggings a little "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before going back and lightly catching the edges with a smidgeon more "Vallejo Heavy Brown.

One thing which did confuse me about this model was just what parts were actually metal and which were boiled leather, as despite repeated viewings of various movie stills, action figures, and beautifully-detailed statues, I couldn't properly decide. In the end I therefore chose to simply darken Mister Underhill's beak-like helmet with an extra dash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and 'rust-up' both his plate-mail gown, as well as some long-strips of armour/leather which covered his neck, with a splash of Agrax Earthshade.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Early days yet on this pair of French Fusiliers

Despite this brief trip to J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth, I have not been tardy in progressing a few more Napoleonic soldiers by "Wargames Foundry". Due to being rather keen on fielding at least a tiny contingent of Prussians I've been patiently pigmenting all the tiny details on a pair of identical figures from their PN063 Infantry in Peaked Cap Marching blister. These sculpts really are rather time-consuming. But once completed will give me a fine-looking quartet of Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher's fellow countrymen.

As I'm working on both sides of the battleline, I've also got going on a couple of Frenchmen from FN137 - Late Fusiliers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoats And Assorted Headgear Marching. As with the Prussians, I ultimately intend to get four of these figures tabletop ready before moving on to another element of Bonaparte's Foot, and may well use the one with a bandaged head as a Veteran Hunter for "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games".

"Four Months After Its Formation..."

"...The Rifle Corps was judged ready for its first operation."

This 28mm scale metal model is sold by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased either as part of their identical eight-figure B081 Riflemen Advancing blister, or the Nottinghamshire-based company's B080 British Riflemen set. I actually picked mine up directly from the Newark-based company when I visited their premises in Newark late last year. Indeed, as they actually had none on display for sale, the chap behind the counter went off to their on-site casting facilities to get some made for me.

'Part of the immediate forces sent in the Portuguese expedition commanded by Sir Arthur Wellesley', the miniature was primed using a mixture of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and Vallejo Surface Primer Black, before having the majority of his famous uniform pigmented in Wyvern Green by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then moved on to the Greenjacket's water bottle with a smattering of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade, whilst carefully drawing some "Two Thin Coats" White Star over the model's bread-bag.

"Our job is to keep all Sea Devils away from the Doctor and Yaz."

It was at this stage that I had to make some decisions as to just how much detail I was going to apply to Michael and Alan Perry's sculpt, and what parts I was simply going to 'brush over' with my 'four-foot rule'. In the end I decided I wouldn't carefully trace out the brown rope running around the edge of the water bottle, nor patiently start dotting any buttons. Instead, I just applied a little "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade onto the Rifleman's gunpowder horn, and shaded both the container and aforementioned linen haversack with some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

This left me with just the infantryman's backpack and Baker Rifle, so I applied a basecoat of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey to the top of his knapsack, Gunmetal to his firearm and Shako badge, and Heavy Sienna to the odd strap and firearm. All these areas were subsequently washed in "Citadel" Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade as appropriate. Finally, I picked out the soldiers' scabbard and plume pin with a dab of "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and the headdress with "Two Thin Coats" Wyvern Green and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Frodo and Sam have been primed, base-layered and shaded

With a fifth member of my British Rifle Corps 'in the bag' (including an officer), I have also completed what I hope is the last of my 28mm metal Sea Devils by "Black Tree Design". As with so many of these classic Jon Pertwee "Doctor Who" monsters, the model is from the manufacturer's DW1015 Sea Devils boxed set, and was pigmented using my usual mixture of "Vallejo" Verdigris, "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, "Two Thin Coats" White Star and a small amount of "Vallejo" Pale Grey.

Furthermore, whilst rummaging around in a plastic container I happened upon upstairs, I found two wonderfully tiny figures of Frodo and Sam In Orc Armour. These "Games Workshop" miniatures are now long Out of Production (OOP) for the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game. But I thought they still might be fun to get tabletop ready - and possibly play a role in a future game of "The Lord Of The Rings", even if as just another addition to my rabble of Mordor Orcs...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"On 24th June 1812, The First Wave Of The Grande Armée..."

"...Crossed the Niemen from the Duchy of Warsaw into Russia."

These three 28mm scale metal models are sold by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their FN101 - Fusiliers In Greatcoat Marching set. The figures are three of eight identical Napoleonic French soldiers sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry, and have been painted as some of the beleaguered line infantrymen returning to their homeland following the Emperor's embarrassing Retreat from Moscow.

The trio were initially primed with a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Citadel " Abaddon Black. before having their trousers painted using either "Two Thin Coats" White Star or "Vallejo" Heavy Blue. In addition, I tackled all of the Frenchmen's white straps with a few lines of (more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats". All of these areas were subsequently shaded using some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade or Drakenhof Nightshade as appropriate.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This British Rifleman Officer is slowly having all his details 'picked out'

With debatably the most off-putting and challenging element of the miniatures completed, I applied the odd splodge of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown to each trooper's water bottle and chest strap, before layering their firearms with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and Gunmetal. These details were also shaded using "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, apart from the metallic parts, which received a liberal drowning in Nuln Oil. The figures' greatcoats were treated to some "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and very carefully dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey. Lastly, I applied a blob of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow to each Fusilier's pom-pom, doused them with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and highlighted the ornamental balls with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow.

With the first phase of fifteen Napoleonic soldiers now completed - allowing me to field two opposing 24-point forces for "Xenos Rampant" by "Osprey Games" using single model units, I have perhaps unsurprisingly already started working in earnest on the next stage of this long-term project. In essence I intend to simply double-up the figure count for each unit, including the French Chasseur contingent - which currently sits outside the Emperor's main force and actually take's the Grande Armee up to 28-points in total.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - The Mouth of Sauron awaits a heavy wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil

However, I do plan to add a few extra embellishments where I can, and thought that 'fielding' an Officer from the blister B080 British Riflemen, would give me the opportunity for the Third Coalition to be lead by a 'proper' Commander, as opposed to just a blonde-haired sharpshooter. Furthermore, I rather fancy adding some Grenadiers and Voltigeurs to Bonaparte's infantry, so its core contains plenty more of its famous Nineteenth-Century Imperial flavour - Albeit, I have since realised that despite wearing greatcoats, some French skirmishers I bought earlier this year off of the "Wargames Foundry" website, are still sporting the time-consuming and fiddly briquet sabres I had hoped to avoid pigmenting. 

Finally, despite this year's annual Zomtober challenge now being well and truly over, I thought I would still finish off my partially-painted Mouth of Sauron (Mounted) by "Games Workshop". This seriously hefty, all-metal horse and rider is fortunately predominantly black, so I'm hoping the model won't prove too much of a distraction from this month's main focus upon Napoleonic soldiers...

"The Nazgûl Re-emerged Around 1300 Of The Third Age..."

"... As Sauron at long last began to take shape after his defeat at the hands of the Last Alliance."

These two 28mm scale metal Nazgul are produced by "Games Workshop", and currently can only be bought as part of the Nottingham-based manufacturer’s nine-piece "resin cast" Nazgûl boxed set. Happily however, I was able to buy my "utterly enslaved" models separately at a wargaming show's second-hand stall many moons ago.

"It was around this time that the Witch-king established himself in Angmar."

Both Ringwraiths were rather embarrassingly still primed from when I had intended to enter them into the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) a few years back, so I simply smoothed these undercoats out with another application of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. I then enthusiastically dry-brushed each miniature with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal before drenching them with “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

“Fighting in the Ardennes had reached a degree of savagery unprecedented on the western front."

The Nazguls' armour and sword were ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. These areas were later dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. Finally, in order to better tie-in Sauron's two dreaded ring-servants with that of the Dark Lord himself, I applied a little “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade to all of the Úlairi's armoured gloves and boots.

With the last of my Zomtober entries finished for this year, I have also found the time to add another two captured Soviet BA64 armoured cars to my 10mm German Battle of the Bulge army. These "Pendraken Miniatures" were super-glued onto a 30X40mm plastic base, and given a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Neutral Grey. Each model was then doused in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, dry-brushed in (more) "Vallejo" Neutral Grey and had their tyres pigmented with "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These four French Fusiliers are now almost finished

The reconnaissance vehicles' wheel trims were later given a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst their stowage was made all the more visible using some "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Finally, I marked the seized Russian cars out as clearly belonging to the Axis Powers via a couple of German crosses being placed on each hull from the WWII Hungary Bulgaria Romania Finland Turret Markings Crosses sheet by "Decal Details".

Incredibly, I've also managed to make a little more progress on my current Napoleonic Wars project, by getting the majority of work completed on four French Fusiliers In Greatcoat Marching by "Wargames Foundry". These 28mm scale metal soldiers will form the backbone of the Emperor's La Grande Armée, and once tabletop ready should lead to the start of some small-scale skirmishes using "Xenos Rampant" by "Osprey Games" - at least for probably the next twelve months or so as I slowly try to add to my forces a few figures at a time...

"The Wehrmacht Made Much Use Of Captured Enemy Vehicles..."

"Whenever and wherever they were suitable and available."

This 10mm metal Soviet four-wheeled armoured scout vehicle used to be sold by “Pendraken Miniatures” as SV53 - BA64 armoured car (2). But nowadays appears to be available as Code SVV34. This particular model was actually ordered as part of a large 'Battle Of Moscow" project I was working on approximately twelve years ago for "Blitzkrieg Commander", and was only recently discovered when I (once again) searched through my 1/150th scale backlog for some Early World War Two units.

Initially mistaken as a German Sd.Kfz 221, the 'jeep' was super-glued onto a 30X40mm plastic base, and given a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Neutral Grey. Its "multi-faceted hull"  was then doused in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before being dry-brushed in (more) "Vallejo" Neutral Grey. I also 'picked out' its tyres with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and the reconnaissance vehicle's wheel trims in a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. As a final step I pigmented the car's stowage using some "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"The Nazgûl or Ringwraiths first appeared in the Second Age, according to the Akallabêth in The Silmarillion."

Having had my error pointed out to me, I did originally consider simply repainting the entire model in 'Russian green' and then 'tucking it away' with the rest of the Soviet Early War forces I painted more than a decade ago. However, before I committed to this decision I thought I'd just check to see whether the Axis Powers ever captured any BA64s, and was delighted to discover that "his little Soviet-built armoured car was captured in quantity by the Germans and easily converted for their own use."

Unfortunately though, when I dug a little deeper it appeared that the Panzerspahwagen BA-64 was notably utilised by the decidedly disagreeable Das Reich 2nd SS-Panzer Grenadier Division during the Battle of Kursk in July 1943. This meant that their use was well past the time-frame I was using for my Operation Sealion Early War project, and also raised the currently contentious issue of fielding "an elite division of the Waffen-SS" on the tabletop. In the end, I decided to add the unit to my 'Battle of the Bulge' Late War campaign (hence the snow-flocked base), as Heinz Lammerding's division did fight in the Ardennes Offensive, and stick to applying just a pair of German crosses to its side from the WWII Hungary Bulgaria Romania Finland Turret Markings Crosses sheet by "Decal Details".

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These four French Fusiliers are patiently being progressed

Moving across to Zomtober, I thought I'd squeeze in a 28mm scale metal model of a Nazgul produced by "Games Workshop" before the challenge closes in a few days time. This previously-started second-hand figure had its prime smoothed out with an application of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before being dry-brushed in “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and drenched in “Citadel” Nuln Oil. The Ringwraith's armour and sword were later ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Whilst, the dead King’s armoured gloves and boots were given a little “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade to suggest rusty weathering.

Alongside these miniatures, I have additionally managed to 'eek out' a bit more time on the final four figures from my Napoleonic French blister of Fusiliers In Greatcoat Marching by "Wargames Foundry". I'm hoping to get these soldiers completed "toot sweet", so I can spend November both increasing the company's number, as well as adding some additional regiments to the Emperor's army - such as the odd Chasseur and perhaps Old Guard Grenadier...

"The Mouth Of Sauron Was A Living Man."

"His true name had been forgotten, even by himself."

This 28mm scale metal model of "the herald and messenger of Sauron" is produced by "Games Workshop", and can be bought as part of a two figure set from the Nottingham-based company's "Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game" range. Somewhat embarrassingly however, I purchased this particular sculpt separately at a wargaming show's second-hand stall many moons ago, and didn't even need to assemble it.

The fourth of my entries for this year's Zomtober challenge, the Lieutenant of the Tower of Barad-dûr was given an undercoat of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, enthusiastically dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and drenched in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then 'picked out' his belt with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before layering the miniature's armour, formidable-looking face-grill and two-handed sword in “Vallejo” Gunmetal.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - The Black Panther is slowly having his base colours applied

These metallic areas were subsequently drowned in “Citadel” Nuln Oil and carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. I next 'picked out' the devoted servant of Sauron's sharpened teeth with a few dabs of White Star by "Two Thin Coats", and his partially-visible chin with a smear of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. Finally, to slightly 'bloody up' the fangs and flesh I applied a little "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to them.

Other bloggers taking part in Zomtober 2023 are:

PMPainting

Cheaphammer

Pmackay140215

Games_with_graven & Graven's Bloggit

Rantings From Under The Wargames Table

Dead Lead Project

Wargames Terrain Workshop

Miniature Mayhem

With the potential leader of my Mordor "Lord of the Rings" army completed, at least as a foot figure, I was planning on pigmenting some Nazgul for the rest of Zomtober. However, that cunning idea has been somewhat thrown into disarray by the unexpected arrival of my Devourer Pledge for the Marvel Zombies Kickstarter by "CoolMiniOrNot". This huge addition to the "Zombicide" boardgame apparently contains no less than 87 models (or rather "game pieces) in its core box alone. So having bought the expansions too, I thought I'd best start cracking on with some of its contents.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - This Zombie Hulk has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Intriguingly, the base game actually sees the players cooperatively "control ravenous Zombie Heroes against the last remaining living Super Heroes", so I thought I'd start with something reasonably large and straightforward, such as the set's undead Incredible Hulk. I plan to follow the palette I used on my Marvel United Hulk last year, and then add plenty of flesh-rotting decay to Bruce Banner's grotesquely green alter-ego.

This clearly will be a lengthy endeavour, so I may well also use the models I paint for some simple tabletop games using some homemade rules. To that end I thought I'd grab one of the surviving heroes to paint too - in the shape of the Black Panther. The boxed set also comes with a dozen Bystanders, so to maintain something of a theme I may well try to squeeze both Betty Ross (Hulk's former wife) and Okoye (the head of Wakandan armed forces) into the mix too before the month is out...

"During The War Of The Ring..."

"...The forces of Dol Guldur led three assaults upon Lórien and Thranduil's realm in Mirkwood,"

These two 28mm metal Castellans of Dol Guldur are produced by "Games Workshop", and can be bought as part of a three-figure blister from their Dark Powers of Dol Guldur miniatures range. "A concept which has only appeared in an adaptation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien", the miniatures are destined to proxy Black Númenóreans for my Barad Dur army - at least until the Nottingham-based company once again produce the "bitter adversaries of the Men of Gondor" for "The Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game".

The second of my entries into this year's Zomtober challenge, the pair were given an undercoat of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before being heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and soaked in "Citadel" Nuln Oil.  I then 'picked out' their belts with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, as well as applied some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to the mindless spirits' ornate armour, swords and Morgul Blades.

"However, they were driven back each time by the power of Nenya, Galadriel’s Ring of Power."

These areas were subsequently drowned with “Citadel” Nuln Oil and later dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. To dirty the armour down somewhat and create a contrast between it and the warriors' hand-weapons, I gave all the Castellan's plates a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and dash of Reikland Fleshshade.

Other bloggers taking part in Zomtober 2023 are:

PMPainting

Cheaphammer

Pmackay140215

Games_with_graven & Graven's Bloggit

Rantings From Under The Wargames Table

Dead Lead Project

Wargames Terrain Workshop

Miniature Mayhem

In addition to completing my second clamshell containing a trio of Castellans of Dol Guldur this year, I have also begun working in earnest on a number of Allied armoured vehicles for my 10mm World War Two projects using "Pendraken Miniatures". I've recently managed to play a fair few more land battles using various previously-painted tanks taken from the Middlesborough-based manufacturer's extensive range, and this has definitely enthused me to put a brush-tip to even more of their models.

"Pendraken Miniatures" WIPs - This M36 Jackson has been assembled, primed, shaded and dry-brushed

However, it's also made me realise that in trying to field as many of the opposing forces' different weapons as possible, I've disconcertingly made their 'hodgepodge' armies somewhat short of their respective mainstay machines - such as the British Cruiser and German Panzer III/IV tank. As a result, I aim to 'bulk up' on these models next year so the much rarer Wunderwaffe are suitably scarce.

For now though, I really need to 'clear the decks' of all the vehicles I've recently purchased, including a number of American Shermans, M36 Jacksons and British Matilda infantry tanks. My aim is to get all these miniatures completed before the end of December, as I also have numerous armoured cars, motorcycles, infantry and commanders to pigment for the Operation Sealion/Battle of the Bulge projects as well...