"The Ion Age" - Prydian Army Retained Knights

"What is your duty? To serve the Emperor's Will."

These three 15mm miniatures are from "The Ion Age" miniatures selection IAF008 Retained Knight Post Charlie and are all armed with Angis Rifles. I’ve based them on a medium “Battlefront Miniatures” stand in order to represent a typical Prydian Army infantry unit. The models were initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue before being washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Their hands were then picked out with "Vallejo" Heavy Red, before I treated them to a glaze of "Citadel" Bloodletter. Finally the models' weapons were painted using the "Citadel" combination of Ironbreaker with Nuln Oil.

Sanguinius WIP - The "Games Workshop" wings will be washed with grey and then dry-brushed white

Sticking with "The Ion Age" I've managed to apply some basic colours to one of the company's 28mm miniatures. I plan to use this 'converted' Retained Knight with an Octa Powered Sword to represent Sanguinius at the time of the Horus Heresy; the devastating Space Marine civil war made popular by "Games Workshop" and "Warhammer 40,000". The model is a little larger than the Primarch of the Blood Angels should be. But as a result should dominate the tabletop as befitting one of the Emperor's genetically-engineered sons.

As the majority of the figure's armour is going to be gold, I've started with a brown undercoat. However I'll need to paint his plastic wings first, as I plan for these to be dry-brushed, so am bound to 'mess up' any surrounding paintwork.

Imperial Guard WIPs - These cars need to be based and undercoated grey

In addition I have assembled and started to base four resin Adder Combat Cars. These wheeled vehicles will actually form part of my 'Rogue Trader' Imperial Army, and will be armed with a variety of weapons ranging from Railguns to Rotary Cannons.

"The Ion Age" - Yellow Adder Combat Lifter

Fire Support Adder with twin Anda Missile Pods

This 15mm resin model of a hover light vehicle is made by “The Ion Age” and is model IAF036B Yellow Adder Combat Lifter from the company’s Prydian Army Vehicles range. As I wanted it to be a fire support Adder I assembled it with (resin) twin Anda Missile Pods in a turret mount. The vehicle is an impressive 60mm in length, 30mm wide and 35mm tall. In order to give the model some additional protection I based it upon a large “Battlefront Miniatures” plastic stand.

Imperial Fist Company with fire support

Because I am ‘modelling’ my Prydian Army upon the ‘Rogue Trader’ Crimson Fist Space Marine Chapter I initially undercoated the vehicle with two coats of “Vallejo” Heavy Blue. I then washed the entire model with “Citadel” Nuln Oil. The Adder’s forward and rear hatches were then picked out with “Vallejo” Heavy Red before being glazed in “Citadel” Bloodletter. I picked out the vehicle’s sidelights and missiles with Ironbreaker and finally applied a “Warhammer 40K” Crimson Fist decal to its front.

Adder Combat Lifter WIP - Just waiting to be tidied up before being washed with black shade

Having completed the first of my Prydian Army vehicles, I have already based and undercoated a second Adder Combat Lifter. But this time armed it with a Hermit grenade Launcher in order for it to provide infantry support. 

"Stay On The Road. Keep Clear Of The Moors."

"I vote we go back to The Slaughtered Lamb"

These eight 28mm metal miniatures are made by “SLAP Miniatures” and come from Stuart Powley’s Moon Howler’s range. They can actually be bought individually but as I wanted multiples of each in order to create a reasonably sized pack, I purchased mine as part of their He-Wolf set of six figures deal. Each pewter model comprises of a separate body, and a tab containing the were-wolf’s arms, head and tail.

 "There aren't any coyotes in England"

Having assembled these models with the aid of some superglue and “Citadel” Green Stuff I undercoated each lycanthrope with a base colour. As I wanted to have a mixture of different-looking furry fiends I used several different undercoats such as “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey, Charred Brown, and Heavy Sienna, as well as “Citadel” Dark Flesh, Khemri brown and Adeptus Battlegrey. The brown-coloured miniatures were then liberally washed with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. Whilst the grey models were given a coat of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. All the models were then dry-brushed with more of their base colour. 

 "I walk the Earth in limbo until the werewolf's curse is lifted"

Interestingly this technique didn’t seem to work out all that well for the figure painted using “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey, so as a result I applied another wash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil over this particular model once its dry-brush had dried. All the models’ claws were then picked out with “Vallejo” White before being dabbed with some more of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. Their eyes were painted with dots of “Vallejo” Dark Vermillion.

I really must thank Bryan over on his blog "Vampifan’s World Of The Undead" for bringing these to my attention, and Stuart, who owns “SLAP Miniatures”, for an excellent service.

"Fun Times! Blood Times! Hee-Hee-He-Hee!"

"Your death will be the Hyena's last laugh!"

This 28mm plastic model of The Hyena is made by “Wizkids". It is model 004 from the DC Comics “Heroclix” Legacy expansion set. Bitten by a were-hyena whilst in Africa with the Peace Corps, this super-villainess was created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom in 1978 and first featured in the “Firestorm” comic book by “DC Comics”.

In order to ‘cover-up’ the miniature’s bright red pre-paint I initially undercoated the model with a couple of layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Red before washing it with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade in order to ‘muddy’ the colour somewhat. The model was then dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Red before I dabbed in some hyena-spots around the character’s shoulders and chest using some more Strong Tone Quickshade.

Having allowed these areas to dry I then delicately brushed over them with "Vallejo" Heavy Red in order to try and somewhat blend them in with the surrounding fur. Once finished I picked out her teeth and claws with White. Both of these areas were then dirtied with another quick coat of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. Summer Day’s eyes were created using a couple of dabs of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre.

General Solo WIP - Han's boots, trousers and jacket have already been painted and inked

Like so many science fiction fans recently, I was rather excited by the final few seconds of the trailer to J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens”. So much so that it actually made me want to paint up a couple of appropriate “Wizards Of The Coast” plastic figures. I already own a rather large assortment of these miniatures. But have always resisted painting any because of the huge range in size and quality of the game’s sculpts. 

On this occasion however I thought I'd make an exception but having pawed through my collection I simply couldn’t find a suitable model which really fitted the bill as a silver-haired smuggler. Thus I eventually ended up buying one which looked to be similar in size to the vast majority of my 28mm model collection on "Ebay". In addition I also bought a rather nice looking Wookie Scoundrel figure to represent the rebel's stalwart co-pilot Chewbacca. 

Chewie WIP - After several brown washes and dry-brushes, Chewbacca's belt has finally been 'picked out'

Unfortunately when the figures arrived it was very clear that the pair didn’t look quite right alongside one another, as Han Solo was almost as tall as his hairy companion. As a result I located a second Wookie Freedom Fighter miniature I already owned and which was a little taller, and super-glued that figure to a 40mm circular base instead.

Painting Challenge 2015: Fortnight Four - 6mm Edenite Zombie Horde By “Steel Crown Productions”

Here's Two I Did Earlier - A couple of previously painted Edenite Zombie Horde bases

This fortnight’s personal painting challenge is an especially simple one in that all I have to do is paint something from my 6mm collection; be it a base of miniatures or perhaps a piece of scenery.

Last year I actually spent a fair amount of my time quietly building up a collection of “Modern Micro Armour” figures by “GHQ” in order to play a few games of “Battlefield Evolution Modern Combat” by “Mongoose Publishing”. Long-time followers of this blog will know that after a few months work I managed to finish painting both a modest British Army force complete with Land Rovers and Saxon armoured personnel carriers, as well as a similarly sized Middle Eastern Alliance contingent, predominantly consisting of Fedayeen troops. I even completed several resin buildings from the North African Building range by “Baccus 6mm” and some irregularly shaped MDF tiles by “Hurlbat” to represent some Built Up Areas. However I never found myself in a position to actually play any battles.

Undead WIPs - A white undercoat and Green wash helps bring out the details of these little horrors

As a result I immediately thought for this fortnight’s challenge that I might just paint up another base of frontline assets for my Middle Eastern Alliance force, or perhaps one more “Baccus 6mm” resin dwelling and then ‘get a game in.’ But having scrambled around in my 6mm drawer I stumbled upon a load of loose zombie figures made by “Steel Crown Productions”. These wonderfully detailed little fellows are from the company’s “Exodus Wars” range and are entitled “Edenite Zombie Horde”. Searching deeper into my 6mm stash I also discovered I’d previously painted and based two stands of these models and so a thought struck me… tabletop “Zombicide” in 6mm.

British Infantry approach a Middle Eastern settlement and encounter 'the Walking Dead'

I would certainly need to paint up a fair few of my “Exodus Wars” zombies to populate a sizable smattering of undead stands for such a venture, probably enough for another eight bases or so. But apart from that I would have all I need for a trial game of sorts using the standard rules by "Guillotine Games". The “Hurlbat” tiles, which come in different shapes and sizes, will even work as haphazard movement zones, with the boardgame's one-roomed buildings being represented by BUAs. It's a plan at least, and another mini-project...

Why You Wear Such Clothes Like Me?

"Jai, you've got to understand that there are other people who love the elephants."

These two diminutive 28mm metal miniatures are from the “Pulp Figures” collection PLT09 Kojar Of The Forest Tribe. Somewhat inspired by the 1966 “Tarzan” NBC television series, I’ve imaginatively decided to name the chimpanzee Cheeta and the small boy Jai. As an aside Bob Murch has unfortunately temporarily withdrawn these models and the rest of his Lost Worlds and Lost Tribes range in order to resculpt and reorganise them. 

I painted Cheeta in exactly the same way as I did the three much larger monkey figures found in code PLT10 Killer Apes. Thus the model was first given a double undercoat of “Citadel” Abaddon Black before he was heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal. I also used this colour to pick out all the dark areas of flesh on the primate’s hands, feet, chest and face. Once dry I washed the model with “Citadel” Nuln Oil to help blend it all in together and finally highlighted the fingers, toes and brow with some more “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal.

Werewolf WIPs - These fanged fiends simply need their claws washed with a brown shade to be finished

Jai was very simple to paint, once I’d applied an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone all over the figure. I used “Heavy Sienna” with a strong wash of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade for the child’s loincloth and then gave the flesh areas a liberal ‘dousing’ of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade. Finally I picked out the boy’s lips, nose, cheeks and fingers with more “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone. Bob Murch has actually sculpted in two eyes beneath the boy’s mop of black hair. But I balked at attempting to paint these areas, figuring you’d rarely see them whilst looking down upon the figure on the tabletop, so simply left them being ‘overshadowed’ by his “Citadel” Abaddon Black locks.

I’ve actually finished painting these three 40mm metal werewolves by “SLAP Miniatures”, and they’re currently in the queue to be based. But I thought they were worthy of some work-in-progress shots, especially as I originally mistook their elongated paws as claws and initially picked them out with white. Obviously I’ve since gone back and corrected my mistake.

Army of Mankind WIPs - All the blue paint needs to be washed with black ink

Finally I have been beavering away on some of these great-looking 15mm figures by “The Ion Age” and am close to finishing a stand of three Retained Knights, a smaller base of two Muster Patrolmen, and one of the company's awesome looking Adder hovertanks.

"I Do Not Want To Hurt Anyone, But I Will."

"Let's forget about the pants."

This 28mm plastic model of Roger the Homunculus from the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense is made by “Wizkids. It is model 004 from the Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. “Heroclix” Action Pack. Discovered in a medieval alchemist’s laboratory beneath the ruins of Czege Castle in Romania, this unusually large “little man” was created by Mike Mignola in 1996 and features in the “Hellboy – Wake The Devil” comic book by “Dark Horse Comics”.

In order to ‘cover-up’ the miniature’s pre-paint the entire figure was undercoated with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey. I then painted the humanoid’s body armour with Heavy Brown and his groin strap with Heavy Sienna. Both areas were then given a coat of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. Roger’s chest socket and groin chain were painted with “Citadel” Ironbreaker before being washed, alongside his grey-coloured flesh areas, with Nuln Oil. His eyes were picked out with a couple of dabs of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre.

Cyborg WIP - After a black wash, the model has been dry-brushed with "Citadel" Ironbreaker and then Silver

I’ve managed to spend a bit of time slowly building-up the metallic layers of this rather large model of Victor Stone, also known in the DC Comics Universe as Cyborg. I wasn’t overly impressed with this sculpt to begin with, despite having to superglue it to a 40mm round base because of its size. But now a lot of the model’s detail is clearer I think it’s rather formidable-looking. I’ve yet to start picking out the man’s flesh and electronic ‘beeps and whistles’. But once I do I hope the miniature will really start to ‘pop’.

Hyena WIP - The model has been dry-brushed with red and teeth and claws undercoated black

Having been in the mood for dry-brushing, I’ve also concentrated on bringing out the detail in the Hyena’s red fur. This actually took a while as for some reason my brown Shade wasn't terribly happy in drying between the sculpt's ridges, so I kept having to go back and re-wash areas and then dry-brush them again. I have subsequently finished painting this model as its part of my personal Painting Challenge for this year. But not before I spent some additional time dappling in some skin spots and then trying to make them somewhat blend in.

As an aside if you want to see another re-painter of “Heroclix” then I’d strongly recommend paying Carrion Crow at visit over on his Carrion Crow's Buffet Wordpress site. Amongst other “Wizkids” miniatures on show is an entirely different Hyena paintjob as well as some excellent original conversions.

Painting Challenge 2015: Fortnight Three - 15mm Prydian Army By "The Ion Age"

Rogue Trader WIPs - Having applied a blue undercoat I've starting picking out the metallic areas with black

This fortnight’s personal painting challenge is to complete seven 15mm models. Something of a big ask in many respects as I currently own quite a few different ranges (and genres) in this scale. However one manufacturer I have been regularly buying from for the past couple of years but not actually painting all that much of, has been "The Ion Age". So I've selected a handful more of Gavin Syme's wonderfully sculpted Prydian Army infantry miniatures.

As long time followers of this blog will know last year I started to paint up some of this range's Retained Knights as 'Rogue Trader Era' Crimson Fist Space Marines. Having previously painted some regular 'Adeptus Astartes' for this Company of the Imperium, as well as a Sergeant and Heavy Weapon Team, I thought I'd fill it out a bit more with an additional stand or three of basic power-armoured defenders of Humanity.

Vehicular Support WIPs - These resin Heavy Lifters will have yet to even be based and undercoated 

In addition I thought I'd try and start working on some vehicles for my Crimson Fist Army, so have opened a few packets of resin combat lifters. These really are great-looking models which come with a variety of turret mounts; my favourite being the twin Anda Missile Pods. I've even found I own a vehicle conversion pack, which contains some additional white metal parts to add to my vehicles, such as stowage, driver and extra weaponry.

Primarch WIPs - I've added a pair of plastic "Games Workshop" wings to my model of Sanguinius

Finally as an enormous fan of the Horus Heresy, the devastating Space Marine civil war which almost cost the Emperor of Mankind his life, I based a couple of 28mm miniatures from "The Ion Age" to represent the traitorous Warmaster himself, Horus Lupercal and one of his opponents Sanguinius. As a result I hope at some point to paint up two more Space Marine forces to represent the Sons of Horus and the Blood Angels in order to wargame a 'fictional' Battle of Terra.

"Pendraken Miniatures" - WW2 Russian DP LMG Team

"The Degtyarev DP light machine gun has proven her worth over countless Twentieth Century conflicts..."

These four stands of 10mm models predominantly contain the figures from code SV3 DP LMG Team by “Pendraken Miniatures” and come from their World War Two range of Russian infantry. As I thought my 30 x 40mm plastic bases would look a little barren with just two of the prone soldiers lying upon them, I also added a single model from code SV20 Riflemen, winter equipment. This extra figure also provided the added bonus of allowing me to more easily pick the Degtyaryov machine gun team up off the battlefield and reposition it during a wargame.

Once superglued upon their stand (or upon a piece of wood in the case of the riflemen) all of the miniatures were undercoated with “Citadel” Calthan Brown and then washed with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. The models were then dry-brushed with more “Citadel” Calthan Brown in order to ‘pick out’ the detail of each sculpt. I then applied a layer of Abaddon Black to the heads, hands, feet, weapons and equipment before I started to ‘colour’ them in. I used Knarloc Green with a Thrakka Green wash for the soldier’s helmets, and “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna with more “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade for their rifles, bags and straps. All of the light machine guns, their circular ammo clips, water canteens and Mosin-Nagant barrels were painted with “Citadel” Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. 

DP LMG Team WIPs - Phase (1) black lining and flesh, Phase (2) brown and metal, and Phase (3) green and tan 

Finally I gave all their faces and hands a ‘touch’ of “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone and was planning on then using an old pot of “Citadel” Flesh Wash. But having applied some to one ‘unlucky’ soldier I found the ink to be far too strong despite having considerably watered it down. As a result I ordered a pot of the Reikland Fleshshade. This Shade isn’t as good as the company’s Ogryn Flesh but it will suffice for now. Finally, having based, flocked and varnished each stand I applied a double coat of “Citadel” Snow. I like to do this in two phases as I try to make it look as if some of it has turned to sludge on the outer edges, yet is still heaped in other places.

Werewolves WIPs - Undercoated with Adeptus Battlegrey, Khemri Brown and Dark Flesh

Unsurprisingly I’m still currently working on this fortnight’s personal painting challenge. I have though finished gluing together the eight 28mm metal He-Wolf figures by “SLAP Miniatures” I need to paint, and undercoated the final three lycanthropes. I’ve actually nicknamed this trio ‘The Brothers Oop’ as I’ve decided to paint them using three old out of production pots previously sold by “Citadel”; Khemri Brown, Adeptus Battlegrey and Dark Flesh.

Painting Challenge 2015: Fortnight Two - 28mm The Hyena And Her He-Wolves By "Heroclix" and "SLAP Miniatures"

Werewolves WIPs - The three main undercoat colours have been applied

This fortnight’s personal painting challenge is to complete nine 28mm models. Something of a big ask bearing in mind I usually only manage to actually finish one or two miniatures in this scale per week. However ever since December last year, thanks to an excellent review by Bryan on his “Vampifan’s World of the Undead” blog, I have owned two sets of He-Wolf figures by “SLAP Miniatures”.

'Armless Monsters WIPs - Three of the models still needs their arms and tails glued on to their main body

These rather unique-looking 40mm tall multi-part metal figures are absolutely full of character and should make a great-looking were-wolf pack for the “DC Comics” Super-villain the Hyena; a former member of the Peace Corps who was bitten by a were-hyena. As a result I have started assembling and undercoating eight of the figures as well as ‘dug out’ my “Heroclix” plastic model of the criminal lycanthrope Summer Day.

Super-Villain WIP - Due to her model's wide stance The Hyena has been glued on to a 40mm circular base

To try and mix up the colour scheme of my wolfmen I have undercoated some brown, some dark brown and a few grey. I have also undercoated my Hyena reddish brown, and washed the model with brown ink in preparation for dry-brushing her fur.

If you want to know more about these models, or indeed anything to do with werewolves, then please follow the link to Bryan’s posting here: SLAP Miniatures Werewolves 01

Painting Challenge 2015: Fortnight One - 10mm World War Two By "Pendraken Miniatures"

Soviet Light Machine Gun Team WIP - The base colours have all been blocked in

This time last year I began a three-month long personal painting challenge where every week, at the turn of a playing card, I had to paint a small number of figures which I already owned. This year I thought I’d do it again but with a couple of amendments so as not to too badly hamper my current painting projects and ensure I get a least one game in every fortnight.

More WIPs - The models are initially undercoated tan, washed and then dry-brushed with more tan  

As before the models will range in scale from 6mm – 28mm and consist of anything from one to ten figures or stands (depending upon the miniatures’ size). But this time I plan to try and accomplish my goal every two weeks, and also post up a Battle Report using the newly painted minis.

For this first fortnightly target I’ll be working on some 10mm World War Two models by “Pendraken Miniatures”. As I actually drew a picture card then I get to choose how many bases I have to complete, and thought just four Russian Degtyaryov machine gun teams would ensure a simple start to this rather long-term undertaking. In addition it will also hopefully get me reacquainted as to how I used to paint these well-detailed little guys. 

Soviet Infantry WIPS - As the LMG bases look a little bare I'll be adding at least one foot soldier to each stand

I actually own quite a considerable collection of finished Winter War German and Soviet figures, so thought my choice would also provide a good excuse to dust some of them off and get them table top ready for a ‘proper historical’ game.

“Chrtt? Chrrt!”

This tiny 28mm plastic “Wizkids” model of a couple of squirrels on a tree stump actually forms part of the pre-painted Squirrel Girl miniature from the “Heroclix” Marvel Captain America range. The mutant super-heroine is actually accompanied by a number of the small rodents, so I’ve painted and based these two to represent Monkey Joe and Mister Freckle. 

Unsurprisingly the model was very simple to paint with the tree stump given a couple of layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and the two squirrels a coat of Heavy Red. Everything was then washed with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. There’s actually a third squirrel sculpted onto the shoulders of “Heroclix” miniature number 56 but I thought that one would make an excellent looking Tippy-Toe if I left it where it was and gave it a little greenstuff ribbon. 

I’ve also finally finished painting the five 28mm Thug miniatures from the “Heroclix” Marvel Infinity Challenge set. The figures actually complete the thirteenth and last of my painting challenges for 2014. I’ve previously painted one before but swapped a couple of colours around for some of the models just to slightly break up the monotony. As a result, although all of the trousers were painted with “Citadel” Shadow Grey” and washed with Asurmen Blue, the shirts were given a coat of either “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey or “Citadel” Adeptus Battlegrey before being treated to a wash of “Nuln Oil”. I also used either Dark Flesh or “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna with a “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade wash for their skin.

This week’s Top Ten Miniatures in my painting queue has changed from last week with four new additions. The first two are a couple of the plastic models I plan to paint from my recently arrived “Myth” kickstarter boxed set, and the third is a resin figure from “Ramshackle Games” that has taken me an age to get back ‘on the table’ despite my basing and undercoating the 28mm miniature a few months back. Lastly I’ve based the “Heroclix” Squirrel Girl model which accompanies Monkey Joe.

Modern Middle Eastern Alliance Fedayeen - Part Two

These four bases of 6mm "GHQ" miniatures form part of a larger Fedayeen Squad I've been painting as a Frontline Asset for my Middle Eastern Alliance (MEA) army. Originally the force consisted of a unit leader, accompanied by five stands of soldiers armed with assault rifles. These additional stands give the squad some much needed specialist weapon support in the form of two SVU sniper rifle stands and two AT-13 Sexhorn-2 anti-tank missile system stands.

 

All four bases utilise models taken from the "Micro Armour" stock codes TW1 Mujahadin Individual Infantrymen and TW2 Mujahadin Individual Heavy Weapons. The models were initially undercoated with "Vallejo" White, washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" White in order to bring out their detail. I then 'picked out' the soldier's footwear, weapons, hands and faces with "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The areas of skin were painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Ogryn Flesh wash. Many of the models were additionally adorned with one or two ammunition belts, which I painted using a second hand pot of "Vallejo" Brass followed by a wash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

In addition I’ve finally knuckled down and started to progress painting of my 15mm “The Ion Age” miniature collection. This particular lead/resin mountain has swelled quite considerably in recent months due to the company releasing a plethora of excellent looking vehicles and terrain pieces, as well as numerous new infantry models – all of which come at a fantastic discount if pre-ordered. As a result I’ve managed to finish painting this Retained Knight Anvil 888 launcher team and should soon have them based up ready for the battlefield.

"Raccoon? What's a Raccoon?"

This 28mm “Heroclix” model of Rocket Raccoon took far longer than I anticipated to paint, predominantly because of the figure’s diminutive size and some quite thick pre-painting. In addition it took quite a bit of research on the internet in order to find a colour scheme for the Guardian’s face and whiskers which I thought would actually work on the tiny miniature.

 

Taken from the Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Movie Starter Set by “Wizkids” I painted Rocket’s spacesuit “Citadel” Calthan Brown and then treated it to a wash of Devlan Mud. The sculpting on the back of the model was sharp enough to pick out some of the leather strappings with an old pot of the Foundation colour Tausept Ochre. This too was then washed with Devlan Mud. The large laser rifle was simply undercoated Abaddon Black before it was painted with Boltgun Metal. This weapon was then treated to a Badab Black wash. Finally all the Raccoon’s fur was painted with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey before also receiving a fairly liberal dousing with “Citadel” Badab Black.

I have five of these Thug models from the Marvel Infinity Challenge set to paint as part of one of my final Painting Challenges, and I’m slowly ploughing through them so I have some unarmed ‘Eavies for the “7TV” rule set by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio”. Disturbingly I’ve actually painted this figure having followed the colour scheme from an earlier posting in February 2014; when I painted an identical model. However the grey shirt of my current miniature has come out significantly lighter than its predecessor…

Blake's Seven - "The Way Back" - WIP - Part One

Recently I’ve been watching (and just listening) to the first season of the British television science fiction series “Blake’s Seven”, and as always seems to be the case, it has got me in the mood to take on the might of the dastardly Federation and strike a blow for freedom. I’ve actually been close to doing such a project a few times in the past, looking at either converting some of splendid space ship crew by “Heresy Miniatures” or even dropping a couple of scales for some colonist conversions via “Ground Zero Games”. In the end though I’ve gone with these Freedom Fighter models by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio”, and in doing so had a slight ‘light bulb’ moment. Why not get back into their excellent “7TV” rule set at the same time; especially as a Blake’s Seven expansion is available as a free PDF from the site here: http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/the-blakes-7-miniatures-game

 

As I was thus returning to both “Crooked Dice Miniatures” and “7TV” I could think of nothing more fitting than a small venture based upon the first episode of Terry Nation’s brainchild, which was entitled “The Way Back”. I still have a few other painting projects on the go at the moment, including the completion of a couple of Painting Challenges and a rather large World War One endeavour. But hopefully this one will actually take off over the next few weeks and result in not only a dozen or so posts, but a few battle reports as well.

I’ve had some real fun with a few of “Wizkids” “Heroclix” models over the past couple of weeks. I’ve still got some work to do on the Rocket Racoon, though I’m a bit undecided as to whether to simply leave his costume plain brown. But the Catwoman model from the early DC Comics Batman Alpha set is essentially finished. I have seen some versions of this pre-painted plastic figure with the cat-suit’s zipper painted silver and many more with the goggle’s eyepieces painted yellow or gold. But the model is a little bit too fiddly for my skills to do such tiny details justice and I like it the way it is.

Pendraken Miniatures Russian World War Two T70b Light Tanks

Unfortunately these three T70b Russian Light Tanks by “Pendraken Miniatures” have taken rather a long time to finally complete, despite having been extremely simple to paint. Indeed the 10mm metal models were just undercoated with “Citadel” Knarloc Green, before being washed with Thraka Green and then dry-brushed with more Knarloc Green. Each set of tracks were initially painted Abaddon Black before being picked out with Boltgun Metal and washed with Nuln Oil. The red stars are from the 144th selection of PNDC6 Russian Stars; a decal set purchasable from “Pendraken Miniatures”.

 

I have a few more of these lovely armour miniatures painted and based, and plan to return to my old copy of “Blitzkrieg Commander” by “Specialist Military Publishing” this weekend…

In addition I’ve finished painting my Groot “Heroclix” figure, so this lovely plastic model now just needs basing before I can get it on the table. Whilst my Rocket Racoon is also progressing, having undercoated all his fur and then washed it with a “Citadel” Nuln Oil wash. I’m hoping to finish him over the weekend.

Painting Challenge: Week Thirteen - 28mm Heroclix Miniatures

The subject of my final week’s Painting Challenge are six 28mm plastic models by “Wizkids” from their pre-painted “Heroclix” range. Five of the miniatures are copies of the Thug figure from the Marvel Infinity Challenge set. I actually painted an identical figure back in February and plan to use this as the basis for these guys’ paint scheme. The sixth model is Catwoman from the DC Hypertime set.

Sticking with the “Heroclix” theme, I’ve already started applying some coats of paint to Groot and Rocket Racoon from the Guardians of the Galaxy starter set. Although the model of the Monarch of Planet X is based upon the character’s design for the film, I much prefer the darker brown colour scheme used in the comic books, so have gone with a “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna undercoat as opposed to the silver birch grey of the pre-paint. I am aware that there are two (seemingly far larger) Groot “Heroclix” figures on the market which are based upon the Flora Colossus who debuted in Issue Thirteen of “Tales To Astonish”; including one wearing his Guardians uniform. But due to their prices (on Ebay at least) I doubt I’ll be picking either up until I next make a bulk order from the United States.

"...A Darned Fine Judge"

This 28mm metal model of Judge Giant (Senior) was sculpted as part of the October 2012 "Judge Dredd Miniatures Game: Block War" kickstarter by “Mongoose Games” and can be purchased as code JD20007 from "Warlord Games".

 

Based upon the original Judge Giant who first appeared in the comic “2000 A.D.” in 1977 and then later died in the 1981 adventure “Block Mania”, this model has unfortunately spent the past couple of months languishing on one of my shelves, waiting to be properly based. As opposed to some of the other Judge miniatures I’ve painted from this range, this figure was relatively simple to finish. The only real issue being the sculpting of his helmet’s red trim, which seemed to almost disappear around the back of Giant’s head, and thus took a few attempts to ‘nail’ using “Vallejo” Heavy Red.

Recently inspired by yet another re-watching of the 1998 film “The Mask of Zorro”, I’ve picked up this masked bandit model from “Boot Hill Miniatures”, along with a Mexican Sergeant and Captain. I have some mounted versions of the same figures waiting in the wings as well, but for now I hope to just paint up a small collection of foot figures for some skirmish games.

WW1 Egyptian Expeditionary Force - WIP - Part One

I’ve been considering a foray into World War One wargaming for some time, and recently have had this particular itch further irritated by both “Battlefront Miniatures” announcement of doing “The Great War” for “Flames Of War” in 15mm, and the numerous programmes dominating the television currently in celebration(?) of the centenary of the war’s start.

A recent excursion to the Bovington Wargames Show finally settled the matter as I found myself so thoroughly inspired by the impressive “Trench Experience” and the “Warhorse To Horsepower” display that upon impulse I bought the “Osprey Publishing” Campaign book “Megiddo 1918 – The last great cavalry victory”.

Having consumed Bryan Perrett's text and Ed Dovey's illustrations I have ordered a sizable number of 10mm miniatures from “Pendraken Miniatures” Middle East Range. The first of these models are from code ME1 Imperial Infantry and will hopefully be painted up as part of my Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

Somewhat disconcertingly I have found a number of contradictory sources as to the colour of the main British uniform fighting in Gaza at this time, but having been inspired by the painting scheme used by “King And Country” on their toy soldiers, have gone for “Vallejo” Stone Grey helmets and shorts with Heavy Grey shirts and stockings. As a result I’ve simply undercoated these test models with Stone Grey, washed them with “Citadel” Devlan Mud, and then given the soldiers a drybrush with more “Vallejo” Stone grey in order to bring out the detail.

Sticking with the theme of 10mm “Pendraken Miniatures” I’ve finally started progressing these three T70b Russian Light Tanks models from the Middlesbrough based manufacturer's Code SV16. Having finished washing and drybrushing the armour, I’ve just got to pick out the metal tank tracks, apply some decals and base them.

In addition I have finally finished painting my “Mongoose Publishing” Judge Giant 28mm model from my "Judge Dredd Miniatures Game" Kickstarter pledge.