(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge" [I/IV] December 2024

Last month's output was a bizarre mixture of figures - and many more are now likely to come

Traditionally around this time of the year I am building, basing and undercoating all manner of miniatures in preparation for the annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC). Indeed, both my hobby desk and surrounding drawers would ordinarily already be swimming in various resurrected models awaiting a second push to the finish line, or some brand news ones which I had somewhat disconcertingly purchased in order to enter the competition's bonus stages - so as to 'pick up' many of the much-needed extra points I would invariably require to achieve my target tally.

However, having decided not to participate in that particular event again I thought I'd instead reinvent an old personal goal I have repeatedly failed to achieve in the past - namely to spend four months plodding through my unfinished backlog. As a result I thought I'd give my previously named Partially-Painted Pledge (PPP) an extra 'P' so as to include anything I've 3D printed over the past twenty-four plus months, and genuinely focus on chipping away at the giant 'Inventory of Inspiration' I have accumulated.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - The first of my NASA Astronauts is almost finished

The self-imposed rules are pretty straightforward, as the models simply need to have been started in some way to be eligible - so even a bare metal model super-glued to a base or a multi-piece plastic miniature having been assembled, will suffice. This should cause me to stumble through all manner of genres, scales and rule systems until the end of March 2025, and simultaneously help stimulate/maintain my enthusiasm as I declutter my collection of long-forgotten figures.

Furthermore I aim to actually (finally) finish approximately a hundred 28mm models or rather attain 500 points - using my monthly scoring mechanism - and in doing so hopefully bolster my increasingly flagging productivity. This may well prove a tall order, despite some of the models being considerably close to completion. But it at least gives me something aspirational to aim for rather than just meandering from one old half-hearted paint-job to another.

November 2024 - "Crooked Dice" make a big leap towards challenging for second place

To begin with I aim to knuckle down and complete the five-man NASA Astronaut set by "Black Site Miniatures" I had expected to complete during November. I've actually picked up a few of the company's "Lunar" Faction Expansions from UK-based "Spectre Miniatures", as well as taken advantage of the American manufacturer's Black Friday Sale to pick up a few of the range's 'harder to get' kits from their side of the Pond. So I really want to get all these goodies painted before I splurge out on any more.

I'd also imagine that the likes of "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", "Pendraken Miniatures" "Ground Zero Games", and "Battlefront Miniatures" will greatly benefit from this challenge, as I've already discovered many a drawer and container quite literally 'packed to the gunnels' with their sculpts - all of which have only been partially worked on before being discarded in favour of something else...

"Get Out Of My Way. Now"

"All of this hardware is nice... But covering each other is the greatest weapon we have."

This 39mm tall pre-painted "Wizkids” and is miniature number 032a from their Marvel "HeroClix" Secret Invasion range. "Known for his marksmanship with rifles and impressive physique", as well as his "trademark bowler hat", Dugan was working as a circus strongman during the Second World War when he helped Nick Fury escape the Nazis during a mission, and was created by Stan Lee and Jack "King" Kirby for the May 1963 first issue of "Sgt. Fury And His Howling Commandos".

Sliced from his 'clicky' stand with a sharp hobby knife and super-glued to a 40mm circular base, the officer of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage and Law-Enforcement Division) was primed using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and shaded in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. I then picked out all his straps, holster, quick release buckles, belt pouches, gloves and shoulder insignia with some "Vallejo" White and washed these with Pale Grey.

"Dum Dum" Dugan leads the Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Having looked through the various comic books I own depicting "Dum Dum" I decided to ignore the 'official' "Wizkids" pre-paint colour scheme and also pigment his boots with "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey too. In addition, I applied some "Vallejo" Gold to the model's left shoulder badge, and some "Vallejo" Heavy Red to the war veteran's moustache and hair. Both of these areas were later shaded using a little Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

Lastly, I layered the face of "Fury's permanent second-in-command" with "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, washed it with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and then 'highlighted' it using a dab or two more of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. As a final touch I painted the Deputy Director's bowler hat with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"I should be getting combat pay on this beat!"

There can be no doubt that scale-wise this particular "Heroclix" sculpt is significantly too large for the comic book character. However, considering that Dugan was apparently killed in 1966 whilst on a Black Ops mission, at least according to the "Original Sin" story-line, and subsequently brought back to life as a robot (or rather Life Model Decoy), I don't mind the size discrepancy too much.

Alongside the leader of the Howling Commandos, I have also finished re-painting two more Gotham Policeman figures by "Wizkids". Available as miniature number 001 from their DC  “Heroclix” Hypertime range, the cops were painted in precisely the same method as the first figure I finished last week, with the exception of one having his skin treated to a concoction of "Citadel" Doombull Brown" and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Officer! What The Hell --?!"

"I was just wondering why you didn't leave these late calls to your men!"

This 28mm scale pre-painted plastic model of a Gotham Policeman was produced by “Wizkids” and is miniature number 001 from their DC  “Heroclix” Hypertime range. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger for "DC Comics", the G.C.P.D is led by Commissioner Gordon, and services Gotham City. "Typically depicted in stories featuring the superhero Batman" as both an ally and opponent of the caped crusader, the department has "long been steeped in corruption, with numerous officers both high-and-low ranking, involved in bribery and even more serious offences such as drug-smuggling and murder."

Chopped from it's 'clicky' stand and permanently attached to a 25mm circular base, I carefully removed the sculpt's sergeant stripes from its left sleeve with a sharp modelling knife as I wanted the figure to simply be a generic law officer. The cop was then primed using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and shaded in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

"Wizkids" WIPs - Another four "Heroclix" Gotham Policeman models are in the painting pipeline

The policeman's boots, holster, baton and pistol were 'picked out' with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, whilst his firearm was later treated to a combination of Ironbreaker and (an old OOP pot of) Badab Black. I used some "Vallejo" Gold for the flatfoot's belt buckle, shoulder badge and cap badge, and subsequently washed these areas with a little Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

Having previously painted a few of this particular model seven years ago, and having five on the painting table currently, I thought I'd try to mix up the cops' ethnicities a little bit more than before. So decided that the skin colour of this latest recruit to my burgeoning Police Department would comprise of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. As a final touch the lawman's facial features and fingers were 'highlighted' with a little (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

"Heroclix" WIP - Dum Dum Dugan is slowly having all his white straps and pouches 'picked out'.

Not only am I planning on getting these Gotham Policemen ready to help tackle a Dire Wraith invasion of Earth campaign I have planned (using my homemade rule-set "M.I.S.S."), but they'll also hopefully prove useful as I reacquaint myself with my first true full-on wargaming love, Marvel Super Heroes: The Heroic Role-Playing Game by "TSR". This role playing game absolutely floored me when it was first released in 1984, and I still remember my excitement when I discovered the American gaming company had released an expanded edition, entitled the Marvel Superheroes Advanced Game, just a couple of years later.

The initial module "Day Of The Octopus" features Spider-Man, The Thing, Captain America and Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), so my plan is to try and own painted miniatures of all the characters involved in this game adventure. However, where I can't or haven't the time, I'll instead be using the system's card-board stand-up figures, in an effort to try and create that Eighties feel to some of our games.

"Theoretically, The Corpse Of Any Living Creature Can Be Turned Into A Zombie."

"But, for whatever reason, most necromancers find humanoid subjects to be far easier to reanimate."

This 63mm tall metal model of a Zombie Snow Troll is manufactured by “North Star Military Figures” and can be bought as code FGV316 from their “Frostgrave" Range. According to Joseph A. McCullough's lore for the Frozen City these undead monsters are “a popular choice for a death mage looking to add a little strength to his forces”, and whilst zombie trolls are “not quite as tough as their living counterparts”, they “are still creatures to be feared.”

Although I’m a big fan of Mark Copplestone’s official paint scheme for the miniature, I actually thought the palette chosen was a little too dark-skinned for my taste, so I primed my model “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey in the hope of becoming reacquainted with my preferred zombie colour scheme from six years ago.  The living corpse was then drenched in “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green and dry-brushed using some (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey.

"Nolzur's Marvellous Miniatures" WIPs - The Earth Elemental has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

I also decided that I wanted the troll's shaggy fur to be brown, so applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade to the large clump of hair partially covering its back. For the rotting behemoth's visible intestines, I first applied a layer of "Vallejo" Squid Pink and then washed its guts with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. Some of this Shade spilt onto the monster's rancid flesh, so I used a piece of sponge to dapple the area around the gash in the creature's side with even more Carroburg Crimson.

This technique seemed to work well to suggest the skin was mottled and bruised, so I extended my sponge-work across the figure where appropriate. I then tackled the beast's huge partially-exposed skull by layering it with "Vallejo" White, shading it using some Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter", and finally dry-brushing it with (more) "Vallejo" White. Once dry, I similarly treated parts of the bone to some "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

"Toon Realms" WIPs - Lord Rascal's Ghostly Wraiths are ready for a series of lighter dry-brushes

Finally, I 'picked out' the troll's eye socket with a dollop of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, and then sponged on plenty of "Citadel" Bloodletter across areas of its decomposing body, head and matted fur. With the gore finished, I glued a double helping of "Citadel" Snow around the plastic 40mm circular base in order for the hulking zombie to fit in alongside the rest of my "Frostgrave" collection.

Working on such a considerably-sized figure has momentarily given me a real taste for pigmenting large models, so with some gusto I have also been working on a plastic Earth Elemental from “Wizkids” increasingly impressive Nolzur’s Marvellous Miniatures range. In addition, I have taken receipt of eight Lord Rascal's Ghostly Wraiths by "Lucid Eye Publications", and immediately primed, washed and dry-brushed the "Toon Realms" ghosts...

"The Guards Of The Gate Were Robed In Black..."

"...And their helms were of strange shape, high-crowned, with long cheek-guards close-fitting to the face..."

These five "cartoon scale" white metal figures of King Victor's Royal Guard are 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 warriors in the colours of the Guards of the Tower of Gondor so as to field a six-figure strong unit of (Elite Foot) Guards of the Citadel for “Dragon Rampant” by "Osprey Games".

"...And above the cheek-guards were set the white wings of sea-birds."

Initially primed with two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, these personal bodyguards to the twenty-sixth ruling Steward of Gondor were dry-brushed using some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and subsequently washed in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. They then had their boots and spear shafts layered with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and their belt buckles, spears and helmets delicately dabbed in Gold. All of these areas were later washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade to dampen down their pigment's vigour.

The Tower Guards' helmets, armours, chain-mail, shield emblems and spear-tips were treated to a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. These parts were later delicately dry-brushed with (more) Ironbreaker. Finally, each knight’s linen surcoat and feathers were ‘picked out’ in “Vallejo” White and ‘shaded’ with a tiny amount of Pale Grey.

"Toon Realms" WIPs - Sterling has been washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and then dry-brushed with Ironbreaker

Despite having now finished enough "Toon Realms" figures with which to field both a 26 point Undead and opposing Gondor/Fangorn army for "Dragon Rampant", I still have a couple more models manufactured by "Lucid Eye Publications" which I am working on, most notably a characterful sculpt of Sterling the Wandering Knight. This marvellous looking miniature will make a good proxy for the eldest son of Denethor II, Boromir, for my 'Lord of the Toons' project, and having already been primed, shaded and dry-brushed, just needs some of his details to be 'picked out'...

"Kings Of War" WIPs - The Ahmunite Pharaoh is slowly having all his armour coated with "Vallejo" Gold

Significantly far less agreeable to pigment has been the leader of my Empire of Dust "Kings Of War" force, an Ahmunite Pharaoh. This metal 'Lord of the Two Lands' by "Mantic Games" is proving particularly difficult to progress on account of the flimsy nature of its two hand-weapons, which persistently seem to want to bend in half with just the slightest contact from my paint brush.

Indeed, I've already lost count how many times the figure's Egyptian khopesh and 'axe' have almost snapped off whilst I've been applying the tiniest amount of verdigris to the undead corpse's bronze hand-weapons. In addition, despite heavily watering-down my "Vallejo" Gold and applying it as multiple thin coats, the sculpt's soft detail is still being lost, and as a result I have already abandoned my plan to 'highlight' some of the ancient warrior's armour with a smidgen of Turquoise...

“I Dunno What The Hell’s In There, But It’s Weird…”

"You see, what we're talking about here is an organism that imitates other life forms..."

These three 28mm scale resin miniatures of Protoplasmic Terrors are manufactured by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and are part of the company’s Villains and Monsters product line. "Bubbling, amorphous masses of viscous matter, these surging, formless horrors are the product of vile experiments or the consequence of terrible, unholy rites” and rather reminded me of the lethal Black Pudding from “Dungeons & Dragons”.

As the trio of huge oozes come as multi-piece kits, they were initially assembled by having their separate tentacles super-glued in place on to their writhing bodies, and subsequently primed using a couple of coats of “Citadel” Abaddon Black. I was actually in two minds at this point as to what colour to predominantly pigment my mutable creatures, as I didn’t think painting them pure black (or even “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal) did the detailed sculpts much justice.

"One other thing, I think it rips through your clothes when it takes you over."

However, I did rather like the idea of a hapless adventurer seeing little else but some teeth and an occasional eye suddenly peering out at them before being horribly consumed, so ultimately decided to heavily dry-brush each “bubbling, heaping pile of thick black goo” with “Vallejo” Charred Brown, and then washed the monstrosities using plenty of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Each Protoplasmic Terror’s maw was ‘picked out’ using “Vallejo” White and later stained with some splashes of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

In the past I’ve usually simply ‘spotted’ such dungeon dwellers’ eyes using a dollop of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and a dash of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade. But on this occasion, I wanted the majority of the voraciously hungry monsters’ eyes to have some intelligence behind them, so resultantly turned to my new Psycho Wargamer Brush by “The Army Painter” to dot a few pupils with a little “Citadel” Abaddon Black instead.

"Toon Realms" WIPs - One of King Victor's Men-at-Arms, Sterling and King Victor's Royal Guard

With the month soon coming to a close, I’m still hoping to get the vast majority of my Gondor/Fangorn Forest army finished for “Dragon Rampant” using the “Toon Realms” range of figures by “Lucid Eye Publications”. The main bulk of this force will predominantly consist of some Heavy Foot, and despite having already painted a blister of King Victor's Men-at-Arms, I still have need of another eight miniatures to bulk out the unit to its maximum strength.

In addition, I also need to pigment a further five models from King Victor’s Royal Guard to act as the Guards of the Tower of Gondor. I finished a test piece based upon the Minis Tirith warriors’ palette earlier in the year, and am keen to get the rest of the force finished as I now have my eye on painting a second unit of Elite Foot utilising the bright blue and white colour scheme of the Knights of Dol Amroth…

“The Dead? Summoned? I Knew That.”

"Fight, and I will release you from this living death!"

These four "cartoon scale white metal" figures of Lord Rascal's Skeleton Warriors (many more shown) are produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, the quartet are the final models needed for a full-strength Undead Spearman (Heavy Foot) unit I plan to field as part of my Necromancer's ever-expanding “Dragon Rampant” army.

Initially primed with two coats of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, the miniatures were thoroughly washed in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and heavily dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Dark Sand. I then applied a much lighter dry-brush of “Vallejo” White over each decaying soldier so as to suggest how the passage of time had bleached their fleshless bones.

"We fight!"

I pigmented the skeletons’ boots and spear-shafts using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade, before ‘picking out’ their spear-tips and shield emblems using a little "Citadel" Ironbreaker and splash of Nuln Oil. These metallic areas were later given an additional ‘lick’ of Ironbreaker simply to provide the weapons with a noticeably sharp edge and ‘highlight’ a little of the bosses’ raised detail.

I also painted each of the warriors’ shields in either "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Blue, Heavy Violet or Black, and later tried to dirty these all up with a few drops of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Finally I used a small amount of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown to differentiate their spear-straps from the rest of the hand-weapon, and shaded them with a layer of Strong Tone Quickshade by “The Army Painter”.

"Warcry" WIPs - The Dominar is slowly getting all his chainmail and armour 'picked out' with metallics

With my twenty six point evil “Dragon Rampant” army completed, I am now spending an increasing amount of hobby-time focusing upon the final few figures required to ‘fill out’ my Iron Golem warband for “Warcry”. In particular I have been working on my group’s Dominar, whose progress has significantly benefited from my somewhat recent decision to paint the Chaos warrior’s brass armour first, rather than leave the numerous metallic areas until much later on.

As a result, I have been able to quite rapidly work my way up the formidably-detailed model, starting with his heavily armoured legs, groin and gut. Of course, much of this ornately-detailed plating and chain-mail still needs to be tidied up prior to the “well-rounded fighter” receiving a wash of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade (and perhaps a lick of Flesh Tearers Red Contrast paint). But this process, in my mind at least, appears a far faster way of getting the figure finished than having my brush carefully navigating its tip around his previously-painted areas of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and “Citadel” Ironbreaker…

“You Bred Raptors?”

"The point is, you are alive when they start to eat you."

These two 28mm scale white metal dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous Period used to be produced by "Copplestone Castings" under Code K12 , but currently only seem to be available via the "Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company" as Code DI54 - Deinonychus x2. Coming in two different poses the Terrible Claws "measure approximately 63mm long" and form part of the Birmingham-based manufacturer's rather extensive range of dinosaurs, prehistoric animals and monsters.

Rather shockingly, I've actually owned this pair of models for a significant number of years, and initially super-glued each of them upon a couple of adjoining two pence pieces. Fortunately, my somewhat ad hoc basing methodology of yesteryear is well behind me, and as a result they were more recently re-based upon a couple of "Games Workshop" plastic 40mm circular bases.

"Clever girl..."

The two Deinonychuses were also re-undercoated using a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, which quickly masked the original (and horribly translucent) "Citadel" Dark Angels Green paint I had applied so many moons ago. The sharp-toothed meat-eaters were then drenched in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed using some (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey.

It was at this point, approximately eighteen months ago, that a desperate attempt to finish these carnivores first failed, as I unsuccessfully attempted to paint some lines down one of the dinosaur's backs. This time round though, I simply decided to leave them well enough alone, and instead focused on 'picking out' the crest using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. These colours were also used on the monster's tongue.

"Warcry" WIPs - The Drillmaster now just needs to have his red armour pigmented

I pigmented both prehistoric animals' "unusually large, sickle-shaped" talons with "Vallejo" White, as well as all their tiny teeth and formidable-looking claws, and subsequently washed them with some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, I spotted the duo's eyes with a dab of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre, and shaded them with a little "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

With two reasonably straightforward painting subjects completed, I have managed to subsequently make some very visible progress on my Drillmaster for "Warcry". This Iron Golem by "Games Workshop" has caused me some significant frustration on account of all his brass-coloured chain-mail and uber-dynamic fighting pose. However, I have finally reached the stage where I am ready to apply some "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red Contrast paint to the figure's armour...

"Dark Indeed Is The Hour."

"And at such times you are wont to come, Mithrandir."

These three "cartoon scale" white metal figures of King Victor's Men-at-Arms are produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range as a pack of four identical miniatures. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, I have painted them all in the colours of Gondor so as to hopefully field a twelve-model strong unit of (Heavy Foot) Minas Tirith Knights for “Dragon Rampant” by "Osprey Games".

Initially undercoated with two layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, Denethor's warriors were dry-brushed using some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal in order to bring out some of their large cloaks' detail, and subsequently washed in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The soldiers' boots were then treated to a touch of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, whilst their sword hilts and belt buckles were given a lick of Gold.

"Copplestone Castings" WIPs - These two Deinonychus just need some washes and a tidy up

Both of these areas were later washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. Finally I 'picked out' the Men-at-Arms' helmets, neck armour, chain-mail and shield emblems using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, and eventually dry-brushed these parts with (more) Ironbreaker.

What with the vast majority of my partially-painted "Toon Realms" figures now being finished, I have been rummaging around for some thematically different miniatures, and subsequently stumbled upon a pair of Deinonychuses by "Copplestone Castings" which have sat upon my 'To Do' pile arguably for as long as I can remember. I actually tried to finish the duo of dinosaurs about eighteen months ago, but was something put off by some failed attempts to provide them with some stripes...

"Heroclix" WIPs - Titanium Man, Namor the Sub-Mariner, the Abomination and a Doombot

Stepping over towards the imminent Tenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, I have also been busily re-basing a veritable host of "Heroclix" models for the competition, and giving them a bit of a prime. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I've been selecting some of the "Wizkids" range's more straightforward sculpts to re-paint, yet am equally as keen as to ensure that they'll get a place on my tabletop once they've been varnished and had their base's flocked.

Having recently perused my gaming collection, I'm definitely in need of a few more "Marvel Comics" foes, so have selected some of the more memorable super-villains of my childhood with which to challenge the Avengers, the Hulk and the Fantastic Four. As a result, I'm hoping to add to my stash of Russian armoured patriots with Titanium Man, pigment an army of Doombots for the monarch of Latveria, menace Susan Storm with the unsolicited advances of Prince Namor, and finally batter Bruce Banner's alter-ego with the (original) Abomination...

"But Even The Wild Wargs..."

"...(for so the evil wolves of the Edge of the Wild were named) cannot climb trees."

This 28mm scale white metal figure of Grimm The Wolf is produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range as part of the company’s “Where’s Runcorn?” Adventure Module 2 series. Sculpted by Trish Carden, I intend to use half a dozen of the furry miniatures to represent a pack of the "giant, intelligent, and malevolent wolves" depicted in J.R.R. Tolkien’s "The Hobbit" as a unit of Lesser Warbeasts for “Dragon Rampant” by "Osprey Games".

Originally primed using two coats of "Vallejo" Dark Grey, the goblin steed was drenched in "Citadel" Nuln Oil before being heavily dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal. As I felt this still made the 'warg of Gundabad' somewhat too dark in colour for my liking, I decided to give the animal a lighter dry-brush of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey.

"Toon Realms" WIPs - These King Victor Men-At-Arms just need some shading and dry-brushing

However, before applying the paint, I waited until it was almost completely dry on my palette in order for it to actually cover the model in a fine dust of pigment, rather than a straightforward 'highlight'. I then dotted the beast's angry eyes with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. Finally, I 'picked out' all of the wolf's sharp teeth with "Vallejo" White and shaded them using a little "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Whilst working on Grimm, I have also dug out three partially-painted figures taken from King Victor's Men-at-Arms pack. I actually completed a test piece from this blister back in the early summer, but then seemingly lost the “Lucid Eye Publications” bug shortly afterwards. I hope to use these Steve Saleh sculpts to represent a unit of (Heavy Foot) Minas Tirith Knights for “Dragon Rampant”, so was rather pleased to discover that alongside this trio I also own another two unopened plastic bags containing even more of the armoured soldiers.

"Lucid Eye Publications" WIPs - These primed figures (and more like them) will be finished during the AHPC

Indeed, having cleaned, based and primed these welcome reinforcements, I will now have enough Men-at-Arms to field a full-strength, twelve-model warriors of Gondor warband for my reinvigorated "Lord Of The Toons" project. Happily, I have additionally also uncovered a handful of members taken from King Victor's Royal Guard; one of which I have previously pigmented in the colours of the Guards of the Tower of Gondor...

Lastly, I have decided to make use of a free miniature “Lucid Eye Publications” kindly sent me in my most recent order, by turning it into a bronze statue of a fabled "Toon Realms" wizard. For now, I've simply super-glued the metal figure onto a plastic 25mm base (to represent a stone plinth) and then subsequently stuck it to one of the 40mm thin-lipped circular bases I use for objective markers. But once the Tenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) has started I intend to submit it as a reasonably straightforward example of a verdigris-crusted casting.

"Oathbreakers, Why Have You Come?"

"To fulfil our Oath and have peace."

This quartet of "cartoon scale white metal" Skeleton Swordsmen are produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and are available from the company's "Toon Realms" range. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, these Undead warriors are a potential threat to any adventurers foolish enough to enter the Bone Hall whilst exploring the manufacturer's first "A.Y.E." module, "Caverns Of The Frog King".

Originally primed with two coats of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, the four miniatures were somewhat soaked in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and subsequently dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Dark Sand. I then dry-brushed them rather more lightly with White, before 'picking out' their swords and shield emblems using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil.

"Toon Realms"WIPs - Grimm the Lone Wolf has been repeatedly dry-brushed and had his details 'picked out' 

In order to give the hand-weapons something of an edge, and to 'highlight' the details on the skeletons' ornamental armoured bosses, both of these areas were delicately dry-brushed with a smidgen of "Citadel" Ironbreaker. Lastly, I applied a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Blue, Heavy Violet or "Citadel" Abaddon Black to their shields, and later dirtied them all up with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Due to the Tenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge now being less than a fortnight away, most of my spare hobby time has been spent basing and priming a plethora of the pieces I plan to enter into the event during its opening month. Curt Campbell has proved as generous an Administrator as always this year, by squeezing in a few more participants than he originally announced.

"Heroclix" WIPs - The huge Nul, one of the U-Men, and Nul's hammer

As a result though, all contestants "must have an entry submitted within the first month" or be dropped from the Challenge roster. Fortunately, I quite recently received the rather formidably-sized "Wizkids" miniature of Nul from their Marvel "Heroclix" Fear Itself expansion. Based upon "one of Cul Borson's eight children that he transformed into magical hammers", the monster is pure black apart from a pair of piercing white eyes and a demonic-looking set of razor-sharp fangs.

In addition, I was lucky enough to pick up Nul's hammer too, and intend turning the ultra-powerful hand-weapon into an objective marker. Finally, I have discovered and subsequently re-based some more U-Men as well. Antagonists of the X-Men I've previously submitted ten members of this human supremacist group in the AHPC before, but this time round may well look to convert some of their weapons using spare parts from my bitz-box...

“The Dead Are Following, Said Legolas."

"Yes, the Dead ride behind. They have been summoned, said Elladan."

These four "cartoon scale white metal" figures of Lord Rascal's Skeleton Warriors are produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, these Undead spearmen will form part of a much larger (second) Light Foot unit I have planned for my Necromancer's ever-expanding “Dragon Rampant” army.

Originally primed with two coats of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, the quartet were heavily washed in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and enthusiastically dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Dark Sand. I then dry-brushed them somewhat more lightly with Dead White in order to try and replicate the colour scheme I’d established for the figures’ bleached bones some ten months ago.

"Lucid Eye Publications" WIPs - These four Skeleton Swordsmen need their metallic areas shaded

This step actually took a couple of attempts to get reasonably right, as I soon found my sole pot of “Vallejo” Dead White to have completely run dry and my imaginatively named alternative, “Vallejo” White, to be a significantly brighter tone. In addition, due to my heavy-handiness whilst dry-brushing the models, I had to provide a couple of figures with a second shading of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade so as to correct their overly-light appearance.

With the bulk of work completed on my Skeletons, I 'picked out' their spear-tips and shield emblems using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, and subsequently 'highlighted' their details with a delicate dry-brush of "Citadel" Ironbreaker. I also painted each of their shields in either "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Blue, Heavy Violet or Black, and later dirtied these all up with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Warcry" WIPs - These two Iron Golem warriors are gradually having all their chainmail 'picked out'

Finally I used "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to pigment both the Undead warriors’ leather boots and their spear-shafts, and applied a little Heavy Brown to their spear-straps. All of these areas were then shaded in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and left to dry whilst I began work on four of the "Toon Realms" ranges Skeleton Swordsmen.

Moving across to the much more detailed models of "Games Workshop", I have slowly made some more progress on my Iron Golem warband for "Warcry". These extraordinarily dynamic figures have proved disconcertingly time-consuming as painting subjects, but I hope to have the warriors' Drillmaster completed soon, and then it'll be on to the group's Dominar...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Toon Realms" December 2019

"Lucid Eye Publications" WIPs - Twelve of their skeletons are currently being dry-brushed and pigmented

Along with sixty-seven other participants I currently plan to use the first three weeks of this month prepping and priming all manner of miniatures so as to have them 'match ready' for the Tenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC). However, as per last year I am also determined to vastly reduce my mountain of models over the next four months by specifically targeting all the figures I currently own which have previously received the odd lick of paint or two in an entirely separate personal challenge too.

As a result, I have plucked my incomplete horde of Skeleton Swordsmen and Lord Rascal's Skeleton Warriors by "Lucid Eye Publications" from their somewhat cobwebbed hobby drawer, with the intention of completing the half-finished Undead army for my Partially-Painted Pledge. In addition, these bony fighters will also make a nice entry as part of Phil Curran's "Deadcember" over on his excellent "Dizbusters Gaming Ephemera" blog.

"Modiphius Entertainment" WIPs - These Romulan Centurions are now ready for their details to be 'picked out'

I've actually found returning to these dozen "cartoon scale white metal" figures a little daunting at first, as, after several months of inactivity, it took me a couple of attempts to properly replicate their 'bleached bone' palette of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and "Vallejo" White. Fortunately, I think I have it down to 'a fine art' once again, and am now quickly progressing through their ranks with a twenty-four strong table-top ready army of Lord Rascal's Undead finest in my sights... 

Also earmarked for completion before the AHPC begins on the 21st December 2019, are the four remaining Romulan Centurions by "Modiphius Entertainment" I have left over from the company's "Star Trek Adventures" Strike Team boxed set. I'm hoping my (secondary and perhaps overly optimistic) plan to not actually purchase any more miniatures until "Salute" 2020, should mean I can crack on through my significant collection of these 32mm scale resin models, and actually enter those currently still 'sat in their box' untouched for the AHPC itself.

November 2019 - "Black Tree Design" continues to prove very popular despite its significant postal delays

Productivity wise, the past four weeks have proved to be my busiest November by far, and resultantly I have my sights firmly locked on beating my best annual painting tally ever of 1,136 points (approximately 227 x 28mm figures). Much of the month's success was down to an overwhelming compulsion to pigment many more superhero related models, whether they simply be "Wizkids" re-paints taken from their "Heroclix" range, or the larger scale resin figures produced by "Knight Models" for their Teen Titans Bat-box.

Indeed, this comic book bug will at least carry on until the end of the year, courtesy of both the AHPC and my Partially-Painted Pledge, as I have so many "Marvel Worldwide" and "DC Comics" characters already lined up as potential entries for both events. However, looking back at November's achievement, I must also give a nod to “Modiphius Entertainment” and their Borg Collective boxed set, whose excellent sculpts inspired me to finally finish the last five drones I had originally planned to submit for “Zomtober” 2019.

“The Daleks Are Always Armed.”

"Then I shall follow the Primary Order, the Dalek instinct to destroy, to conquer."

These three "easy-build plastic" Dalek models are produced by “Warlord Games” and can be assembled from the plastic sprues found within either the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game" or the “Davros And The New Dalek Empire” Expansion Set. Created by Terry Nation (and Raymond Cusick) in 1963, this particular variant of the Kaled's Mark III travel machine is based upon their Time War shell and first appeared in the April 2005 BBC Television series story "Dalek".

Due to the Kaled mutants not coming with any bases, the trio were first super-glued onto 40mm lipped circular stands, and only then primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna before being treated to a double coat of Brass. Each human-sized pepper pot was subsequently washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and given a hearty dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Brass.

Ogrons WIPs - The "ape-like hominids" have been based and primed

With the 'basic phase' completed, I ‘picked out’ the Daleks' eye stalks, control arms and multi-range variable power destructors using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. Whilst, pigmenting their audio scanners with "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey. All of the Metaltrons' fenders were painted with "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

However, as I wanted two of the drones to actually represent members of the "secret order" of Daleks known as The Cult of Skaro, I also applied a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil to two of the models' fenders. Admittedly, this isn't the most canon-conscious or obvious of colour contrasts with which to mark the unorthodox pair stand out on the tabletop, but it was rather simple.

Cybermen WIPs - These Classic Patrick Troughton foes have been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

In addition to bolstering my now quite-considerably sized "Doctor Who: Into The Time Vortex" Dalek faction, I have started work expanding their Empire's allies in the form of some more Ogrons. Employed by the Daleks, these "ape-like hominids" have been based and primed, so should soon be ready to act as a Police Force for my current Dalek Invasion Of Earth 2164 A.D. campaign. 

Lastly, I am making further 'inroads' into the six metal Cybermen models which can be found inside the Nottingham-based manufacturer's "The Tomb Of The Cybermen" Expansion Set; albeit the box itself only contains five models. These silver giants have all now been dry-brushed with "Citadel" Ironbreaker, and simply need their piping to be 'picked out'...

"Loping Into Battle, The Bloodmaster Carves Through The Enemy Ranks."

"Each whistling swing of its blade of blood opens throats and splits torsos..."

This 52mm tall "Finecast" Herald of Khorne is produced by “Games Workshop” for their “Age Of Sigmar” range and comes in seven "finely detailed resin" components, which are the devil's own work to assemble as the model doesn't come with any instructions whatsoever. This lack of guidance was admittedly eventually resolved, but not before I had spent some considerable time pouring over the Nottingham-based company's website so as to ascertain how all the Bloodmaster's numerous and somewhat fragile skulls came together.

“The strongest of the Bloodletters”, the figure was treated to two layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Red before being generously washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The "rampaging combat master" was then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Red and, as I wanted the Chaos daemon to tie-in with the palette of his previously-painted brethren, had his horns, hands, hooves, spines and sword hilt undercoated with “Citadel” Abaddon Black. Afterwards, most of these ‘blackened’ areas were blended into the surrounding spotted skin courtesy of some careful dry-brushing.

Skulltaker WIPs - U'zhul has been assembled, primed and had all his gold areas washed

With the majority of the Khorne Hero's flesh completed, I subsequently turned my attention to his truly formidable Blade Of Blood, as well as the great warrior's thigh armour, horn ring and wrist-guards, by priming them all with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. These parts were later treated to a double layer of "Vallejo" Gold, a hearty wash of "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and a robust yet somewhat careful dry-brush using more “Vallejo” Gold.

Finally, I painted all of the Bloodmaster’s teeth with "Vallejo" Dead White and his forked tongue with Heavy Ochre, before washing them both with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. In addition, I 'picked out' all of the Bloodletter's numerous skulls using a combination of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, "Vallejo" Dead White" and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

"Toon Realms" WIPs - One of King Victor's Men-At-Arms, Pootle The Wizard and a Royal Guard

Having completed the Blood God's Herald, I am already making some considerable progress on my "Finecast" model of U'zhul the Skulltaker. However, unlike before where I've always primed my Bloodletter's using "Vallejo" Heavy Red, I felt the heavily robed immortal champion would probably be far easier to paint if I finished all his gold adornments first, so have gone with a "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna undercoat instead. This is predominantly due to "Vallejo" Gold having a nasty habit of sending tiny flecks of paint flying onto the rest of the model even when the brush-tip itself is kept well under control.

Sticking with Fantasy wargaming, I have finally turned my attention towards some 'Forces of Light' miniatures for my "Dragon Rampant" project using the "Toon Realms" range by "Lucid Eye Publications". Joining my wizard, Pootle, will be a couple of units of good King's Victor's Men-At-Arms and his Royal Guard; both of whose colour schemes will be inspired by those of Gondor as seen in Peter Jackson's 2003 motion picture "The Return of The King".