“A Powerful Medium Scout And Recon 'Mech…”

“…The Ice Ferret was regarded as something of a foreign concept when it was first encountered.”

This 1:285 scale pre-built plastic model of an Ice Ferret is produced by “Catalyst Game Labs” and can be found together with a Gargoyle, Hellbringer, Mad Dog, and Viper in the company’s “Battletech: Clan Heavy Striker Star” boxed set. All the pre-assembled miniatures also come with an assortment of MechWarrior pilot and Alpha Strike cards depicting various colour schemes. But as I plan to use this particular sculpt as a Levasseur class French War Walker for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign using some homemade rules, I decided to go with a predominantly pale blue palette.

“Well armoured and fast” the 31mm tall figure was initially given a double undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and shaded in “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade. It was then dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey with a softly-bristled make-up blusher brush, and had its tiny cockpit windows ‘picked out’ with the odd a dab of “Citadel” Abaddon Black.

Die Unordnung accompanies the German Forces as they push towards the British line

In order to add a bit of interest to the rather lightly-coloured model I decided to add a few ‘points of interest’ on both its arms and torso by ‘picking out’ the war walker’s shoulder-pads, top hatch and a rear-placed panel using a combination of “Vallejo” German Grey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. I later gave these diminutive areas a delicate dry-brush of (more) “Vallejo” German Grey to help highlight their details.

I also applied some “Citadel” Abaddon Black to both the Ice Ferret’s Extended Range Particle Projector Cannon and Streak SRM-2 (missile) Launcher, before pigmenting them with some “Vallejo” Gunmetal and later on, a splash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Finally, I applied some French roundels by “Decal Details” to the mech’s front legs, and unsuccessfully attempted to add the Tricolore to the machine’s upper torso. Unfortunately, the French National flag simply couldn’t fit in the limited space provided and after a couple of failed efforts where the transfer eventually started to disintegrate, I gave up.

Liberty Lady defeats both some Nazi Zombies and Die Unordnung

With my latest “Battletech” model by “Catalyst Game Labs” completed, I managed to pay a visit to the LVL Up Gaming Store in Bournemouth so as to play-test some homemade 28mm Weird War Two rules called "M.I.S.S." On this occasion I brought along some figures taken from my old “Secrets Of The Third Reich” collection by "Westwind Productions", and some of the resin “Supers Unlimited” sculpts by “Kitbash Games”.

The two battles were played over a somewhat congested Middle Eastern settlement, and both the Allies and Axis forces came away with a victory apiece. There were a good many highlights to the games, such as a Zombie horde devouring an entire unit of brave British Paras in a single turn, and Liberty Lady successfully duking it out against a group of Zeds before literally pulling Die Unordnung [The Mess] down from the top of a tactically-crucial building…

“Bow Down Before My Majesty…”

“…And feel my flame!”

This 28mm scale resin model of Immolator is manufactured by "Kitbash Games", and was produced as part of the company's highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. “Banished from the Krellan Empire by order of her mother, the Grand Majestrix Immah’lashan XXII”, I actually plan on using the alien princess’ sculpt as an American super-hero known as Mistress Mississippi for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having securely attached Immah’latar onto a 28mm lipped base, I initially primed the figure with two layers of "Vallejo" White, shaded the miniature with “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green and dry-brushed her with (more) “Vallejo” White. This technique gave the model the appearance of being some sort of spectral ghost, and for quite a while I was actually contemplating leaving her at that.

"Stay where you are."

However, I eventually decided that such an effect would probably contrast better if the treacherous royal herself was properly pigmented, so applied a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Green” and “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green to her thigh-length boots, gloves and costume. In addition, I steered far away from the yellow-flesh of the Immolator’s ‘official’ palette, and instead went with “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

I did consider going with some sort of green effect for the character’s long, flowing hair. But ultimately decided upon my fairly generic recipe of “Citadel” Abaddon Black, a dry-brush of “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal, and a wash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Finally, I dotted Immah’latar’s eyes with a couple of dabs of “Vallejo” White and then treated them to some dollops of Fluorescent Green.

"Battletech" WIPs - This Shadow Cat has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

Alongside my latest Super-hero, I have also finished the last of my 28mm Federated Security Mutaints originally produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio”. This figure will form a six-woman formation which will accompany Space Commander Travis during my “Blake’s Seven” campaign, and nowadays is available from "Beast In The Broch" - along with many other 'dead-ringers' from the BBC science fiction television series.

Lastly, I’ve managed to get cracking on a Shadow Cat “Battletech” model I aim to paint up as a British Hawker-class medium War Walker. I’m really enjoying working on these pre-built 6mm scale (1:285) models by “Catalyst Games Labs”, and soon hope to have enough finished for an initial play-through of my home-brew Weird War Two rules…

“...Resembling Humanoid, Leafless Shrubs, Complete With Limbs And A Head.”

“They could root themselves in soil, becoming indistinguishable from regular, dead shrubs.”

This 32mm scale resin print of a Twig Fiend is produced by "Rocket Pig Games", but actually 3D printed by “FullyCycled” over on “Etsy”. The model is one of several test prints I recently bought in order to see just how well such figures can currently be manufactured, and as part of an ever-growing homemade project pitting the forces of a Clockwork Mage against those of the Natural World.

The figure comes on an incredibly large pre-printed stand which contains a serious smattering of smooth rocks, and is the only place where the tell-tale striation signs of a 3D print are visible. Luckily, despite its width, the stand laid reasonably flat, so I was able to ‘squeeze’ the wood-based creature on a “Citadel” 60mm circular base.

A Grave Gnasher summons a Twig Fiend to battle a rampaging Tin Construct.

Unfortunately, I did have one mishap with the miniature whilst I was cleaning off some support struts from it. The monster’s resin is surprisingly brittle, so as I was desperately trying to smooth down one of its head-tendrils with my modelling knife, the entire tentacle-like branch snapped off and flew across my hobby room.

Despite some desperate searching I was unable to locate the missing piece, so was forced to think somewhat creatively as craft a replacement part. My ability with Green-Stuff is not great, so I started searching around my bitz looking for a suitably curly tentacle or some such. Happily, what I did spy was one of the resin staff ends belonging to a Mindflayer, which whilst not quite as curly as I’d hoped, did provide me with enough bend to somewhat fit in with the rest of the Twig Fiend’s tendrils.

Once this piece had been whittled down at one end in order to fit inside a small hole I drilled into the brute’s back, it was super-glued in place. I then gave the entire figure a double coat of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, and shaded it with a mixture of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Immolator is slowly having all of her detail 'picked out'

The creature’s bark was later dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and some “Earth”. I ‘picked out’ the monster’s tendrils with “Vallejo” Heavy Green and “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green, before giving them a soft dry-brush of (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Green. I did consider dotting the Twig Fiend’s eyes with a fluorescent green. But ultimately liked the look of the dark, deeply recessed sockets.

Having completed another of my “Rocket Pig Games” 3D printed models, I have been busy pigmenting my resin figure of Immolator by “Kitbash Games”. This character is actually a yellow-coloured alien villainess in the “Supers Unlimited” pantheon. However, I wanted to use her as an American heroine for my Weird War Two games, so have greatly diverted from the model’s ‘official’ palette.

“Save The Day First."

"Autographs Later Guys!”

This 31mm tall resin model of Doc Cosmos is manufactured by "Kitbash Games", and was produced as part of the company's highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. Described “as one of his country’s most prominent heroes in the media and the public consciousness”, I actually plan to use the sculpt as a Soviet super-hero known as Captain Cosmonaut for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having super-glued David Cross onto a 28mm lipped base, I originally primed the figure with two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and set about pigmenting half his costume with Heavy Blue, and then much later, Dark Grey. However, as I wanted to give the “Blaster” something of an astronaut theme so as to better tie-in with my character’s galactic-garnered background, I eventually just painted right over all this earlier work with a couple of coats of “Vallejo” Silver.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - The original colour scheme planned for Doc Cosmos

I next applied a wash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil over the model, gave it a thorough dry-brush using (more) “Vallejo” Silver, and applied a couple of layers of “Citadel” Abaddon Black to the underside of Doc Cosmos’ uniform. I was at one point actually tempted to subsequently make this area equally as metallic-looking as the rest of the Russian’s attire with a combination of “Vallejo” Gold and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. But having seen how well the black and silver contrasted with one another, I decided to leave well enough alone.

Instead, I ‘picked out’ the ”celebrity” super-hero’s belt and goggles strap with “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, before using a little “Vallejo” Gold and Heavy Red on David’s suit regulator. These respective parts of this circular chest device were later shaded with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Three more Federated Security Mutaints

Finally, I painted Cross’ flesh with a little “Vallejo” Heavy Blue and “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade, and fiery hair using “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. The space-dweller’s “Vallejo” Silver suit was also given a glaze of watered-down “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade, to both tie-in better with the character’s skin colour, and subtly suggest his raiment was perhaps cosmically-charged.

With my latest “Supers Unlimited” model from “Kitbash Games” completed, I have been busy pinning, assembling, priming and dry-brushing three more of the OOP Federated Security Mutaints I own by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio”. These figures all use the self-same torso, so I have tried to create a little variety in their pose by cementing their separate heads in different positions.

"In Some Of The Far Eastern Kingdoms..."

"...Houses, temples, and government buildings are often guarded by large, slow constructs called shrieking wolves."

These two 28mm scale Shrieking Wolves are produced by “North Star Military Figures” and can be bought as code FGV337 from their “Frostgrave" range. "Designed as alarms to scare away intruders", the statues can be encountered by adventurers exploring the Collegium of Artistry - "a vast, labyrinthine complex of halls, classrooms, and laboratories built into the mountainside."

Initially primed in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, the pair of "tough and tenacious" creatures were subsequently treated to a layer or two of Brass and shaded using "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Ordinarily, I then usually brighten my miniatures back up with a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Brass, yet on this occasion I wanted the statues to remain somewhat darker than normal, so skipped this step in favour of applying a sporadic wash of the "Citadel" Nihilakh Oxide.

"Fleeing is generally the best course of action."

Once this "Citadel" Technical paint had been applied to all of the metal figures' nooks and crannies, I slowly started to blend it in using a dry-brush of "Vallejo" Brass. Finally, I went back to areas such as the beasts' maws and paws with some additional "Citadel" Nihilakh Oxide simply to ensure that they were suitably weathered.

Momentarily stepping across from Joseph A. McCullough's fantasy world of "Frostgrave" to that of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord Of The Rings", I have made some steady progress on an old Uruk-hai Captain figure I plan to add to my 500-point strong Isengard army for the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game. The now seemingly OOP metal command miniature by "Games Workshop" won't actually represent a leader for my force, but rather one of Saruman's shield-less brutal warriors who will only cost 9 points...

"Games Workshop" WIPs - The Uruk-hai Captain's flesh has now been completed

In addition to this, I have been assembling, priming and layering a handful more "Supers Unlimited" models by "Kitbash Games". I still have quite a backlog of these resin sculpts, including one of Doc Cosmos which quite embarrassingly dates back to before the company ran their first successful "Kickstarter" back in August 2019.

I had originally started painting the protector of Empire City in a blue and red colour scheme somewhat similar to his 'official' palette. However, I've since completely repainted the figure "Vallejo" Silver and "Citadel" Abaddon Black so as to better represent Captain Cosmonaut; a Soviet super-hero from Weird War Two. I do though own a second copy of this miniature, and have been contemplating whether to either pigment him in a less 'sparkly' costume denoting a time before he become so cosmically-powerful, or simply turn him into a statue/objective marker which was erected in honour of his noble, war-time deeds...

"Roger! Roger! Protective Protocols Engaged."

"Weapon systems online! Stand down masked citizen!"

This 57mm tall resin multi-part model of Big Bot is manufactured by "Kitbash Games", and was produced as part of the company's highly successful Supers Unlimited Teamstarter 1: Aegis "Kickstarter" campaign in October 2020. Originally built by Robokid's parents and later transformed into a "self-aware robotic protector" by the boy-genius engineer, I actually plan to use the sculpt as a British super-hero known as Tin-Man for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

The mechanical construct was first assembled using several pins and plenty of super-glue, before being undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The entire ensemble was then given a double-layer of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, thoroughly shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and heavily dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal.

Tin-Man helps the Soviets in their battle against the Axis forces on the Eastern Front

I had initially planned on making the super-strong robot extremely rusty, and a far cry from the colourful blue and red palette used in it's 'official' illustrations. However, having already applied a somewhat 'distressed' colour scheme to my Battle Engine, I thought I'd instead take the opportunity to paint the figure up as one of my self-created comic strip characters known as Tin-Man; who in the July 2014 adventure "The Guernsey Guerilla" actually travels back in time to the Second World War so as to defeat the Teutonic terror, Zitadelle.

This meant I needed to somewhat haphazardly 'pick out' various armour plates, limbs, gears and even the mechanoid's chin with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and Brass. These numerous areas were subsequently washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and 'highlighted' with a carefully-placed application of (more) "Vallejo" Brass.

"Yes, Sir. Theta Section, quickly."

As the final steps I 'tidied up' the robot's joints with pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and dotted its eyes with a mixture of "Vallejo" Turquoise and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. I had actually contemplated using a red paint for this job, but felt the light(ish) piercing blue made the super-hero appear much more friendly...

Having completed Big Bot, I also found the time to also complete a FedSec Trooper by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". I actually swapped out the goon's gas-mask wearing head for a balaclava one instead, and pigmented him to represent one of Supreme Commander Servalan's minions from the BBC television series "Blake's Seven".

“I Am A Hacker Housed In A Fully-Armed Mobile Weapon-System."

"Your move, little man!”

This 41mm tall resin model of Battle Engine is produced by "Kitbash Games", and was bought following their highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. Described as a villainous "ghost who surfed in the shadows of the dark web. with many incredible feats attributed to him by his hacker callsign". I actually plan to use the casting as a robotic Allied super-hero known as Mark One for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having super-glued Enrique Messi onto a 28mm lipped base, I first primed him with a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey before shading the "hacktivist" in "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. I then applied a dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal to parts of the figure, such as its armour plating, limbs and head, in order to suggest some significant weathering had taken place on those areas.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Two FedSec Troopers 'converted' with Balaclava heads

I continued to 'distress' the entire model by drenching it in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and sporadically dabbed its joints in "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash. Once applied, these techniques really had made quite a mess of the miniature, so I blended them all together with a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. This was somewhat delicately done as I wanted to ensure that some of the previously-used "Vallejo" Gunmetal still shone through so as to give Battle Engine a slight metallic sheen.

As a final step I 'picked out' all of the armoured suit's shoulder missiles (both front and back) with a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as dotted the sculpt's two eyes with some "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I had also wanted to apply a decal depicting either an Allied Star or American flag to the model, so as to better tie-in with my own background for the automaton. But despite owning several such transfers which were small enough, ultimately failed to locate a sizeable enough flat surface.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - This "Frostgrave" bear has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Alongside pigmenting Battle Engine, I have also found the time to assemble the last two of my FedSec Troopers by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". These jumpsuit-fitted minions actually come complete with a gas-mask wearing head. However, as I wanted them to represent the Federation Death Squad lead by Section Leader Klegg (from the late Seventies BBC television series "Blake's Seven), I have fitted them with some balaclava heads instead.

Lastly, I've managed to base a somewhat large Bear rearing to attack by "North Star Military Figures". This particular sculpt has been added to the company's Frostgrave Extras rage, and has already had its basic stages completed in preparation for next month's big painting push into Joseph A. McCullough's frozen ruins of Felsted...

"Henry Made Himself A Sleek Costume..."

"...And based on the bioluminescent ability he had acquired, called himself Lightning Bug!"

This 32mm tall resin model of Lightning Bug is manufactured by "Kitbash Games", and was produced as part of the company's highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. Described as "a maverick scientist, specializing in entomology, genetics and biochemistry", I actually plan to use the sculpt as a Soviet super-hero known as the Bolshevik Bug for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having attached Henry Harold Harlan onto a 28mm lipped base, I undercoated the figure with two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and then, in a departure from my usual painting process, set about 'picking out' his armoured boots, gloves, chest emblem and eye goggles with a combination of Heavy Sienna and Brass. These areas were subsequently shaded using "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

Kitbash Games" WIPs - Big Bot, Battle Engine and N-Rage

I made this change to my usual methodology because in the past I have disconcertingly found the "Vallejo" metallic paints tend to deposit a few noticeable flecks of colour over the rest of my models whenever they are used for dry-brushing. As a result, I have always had to go back and 'touch up' the contaminated areas, somewhat duplicating my effort to get the miniature finished.

On this occasion however, I simply needed to tidy up the "Vallejo" Heavy Red prime and apply a wash of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to the figure in order for the descendant of Insectman to be completed. Those familiar with the "Supers Unlimited" range will also have noted my divergence from the Lightning Bug's 'official' black and electric blue palette for one much more in keeping with my incarnation's Eastern Bloc background.

"Attention, please. This is base control, red alert!"

Alongside the third of my Soviet super-soldiers I have also been making some significant progress on three more "Kitbash Games" models, namely Big Bot, Battle Engine and N-Rage. All three of these excellent sculpts will be repurposed for my Weird War Two campaign, providing the British, American and German forces with the notable battlefield legends Tin-Man, Mark One and Nuklearmann. 

In addition, I've provided some tender loving care to a few of my previously pigmented "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" miniatures following their recent exploits on my tabletop. To be fair, the FedSec Troopers simply had their headgear repainted with Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and some long-lost “Citadel” Thrakka Green, after I found the new alternative shade, Biel-Tan Green, to simply be too dark. Whilst, the Spawn's numerous chips were probably caused during its transportation to different gaming venues as opposed to being damaged through mishandling during an actual scenario...

"This Horned Urz Cub..."

"...Has to be restrained with a zencollar and muzzle for safety."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Horned Urz Cub is sold by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as part of their Alien Pets 2 deal. Sculpted by Andrew May, and originally produced as a freebie to all backers of the company's Colony 87 - The Third Wave - 28mm Sci-Fi Civilians Kickstarter, the creature is designed to be used with the company's other "Colony 87" sci-fi civilian miniatures "for any RPGs and tabletop wargames."

Over twenty foot tall when fully grown, the prized extra-terrestrial bear was initially undercoated using "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, before dabbing the creature's fur in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna using a piece of torn foam. The entire animal was then washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - The two Shrieking Wolves have been primed, shaded and 'distressed' 

The ferocious predator's zencollar and muzzle were 'picked out' using a combination of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Vallejo" Gunmetal. This restraining device was later shaded in "Citadel" Abaddon Black and carefully highlighted with a touch more "Vallejo" Gunmetal. Finally, the Horned Urz's eyes were spotted with a couple of dabs of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and later washed using a little "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Stepping away from the dizzying heights of "Colony 87" and making a frosty return to the snow-laden ruins of Felsted, I have spent some considerable time recently rummaging through my collection of unpainted models looking for a number of old "Frostgrave" miniatures I own by "North Star Military Figures". It's true that I intend to allocate this fantasy skirmish rule-set's second edition a considerable consignment of my valuable hobby-time over the next few months, in the hopes of pigmenting both a sizeable bestiary and some adventurous warbands.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Big Bot and The Shark are slowly having their details 'picked out'

However, I have also been spurred on by the announcement of it's science-fiction sequel "Stargrave" and the somewhat imminent release of a whole raft of new sculpts to specifically support it. This year I am absolutely determined to see through my New Year pledge of painting at least two models for every new one bought, so with this in mind, I thought I'd best get cracking on churning my way through my "North Star Military Figures" backlog; especially as I'm aware that the Nottingham-based company has already announced they'll be producing three twenty-figure strong boxes of plastic multi-part miniatures to go alongside their official metal range.

In addition, I've been plugging away at some more of my "Supers Unlimited" resin heroes by "Kitbash Games". such as Big Bot and the long-neglected Shark. I've still got quite a few of these super-heroes and villains to finish before I dare visit the manufacturer's store again, but hope to 'break the back' of this particular pile of shame by the end of next month...

“Can You Alphamaniacs Smell What The Alpha Male Is Cooking?

"Woo! Oh yeah!"

This 36mm tall resin model of Alpha Male is produced by "Kitbash Games", and was bought as part of my pledge from their highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. Transformed overnight with a physical prowess to match his larger-than-life wrestling character, I actually plan to use the casting as a Third Reich super-villain known as Áchtung for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having super-glued Albert Mannheim onto a 28mm lipped base, I first primed him with a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone before shading "the bad-boy" in "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. I then applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the big star's boots, lengthy hair, moustache, prominent eyebrows and leather belt, as well as delicately dry-brushed his laces with some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal.

"Privateer Press" WIPs - The Paladin Enforcer is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

The wrestling heel's toe-caps, belt emblem and spikes were given a 'lick' of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst his trousers were treated to a combination of "Vallejo" German Fieldgrey WWII and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green so as to help tie-in the figure with my Weird War Two setting.

I also picked out the heavily-muscled maniac's gold bracelet using some "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. One particularly noticeable mistake I did make was to 'pick out' both of Mannheim's eyes, whereas the actual sculpt shows him winking with one eye closed. Fortunately, I didn't actually like the look of that facial expression, so having painstakingly 'dotted' both eyes I wasn't going to go back and paint over one socket with "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

"Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago" WIPs - The Shark's watery base has been sculpted and painted

With another of my "Kitbash Games" super-villains completed I've continued to make some excellent progress on my Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika. Iron Star Alliance Starter Set, to the point where I've almost finished all three of its Paladin Enforcers. Despite some 'build-issues' with the multi-part metal miniatures, I've been rather enjoying these "Privateer Press" sculpts, and resultantly even ordered a second unit to add to my force from "Firestorm Games".

Slightly left-field has been my decision to pigment a few old Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago animals and monsters I recently found. I'm not necessarily planning on playing the fantasy wargame in the lost isles, but, having never fully-painted a water-based miniature before - at least not one where I'd need to sculpt the waves on its stand - I thought I'd give the resin Shark maw by "North Star Military Figures" a go...

"It Remains Unknown If This Sentient Fungus..."

"...Is a native or mutation triggered by hazardous wasters."

This 28mm scale white metal model of an Ambulatory Fungoid is sold by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought alongside a Horned Urz cub as part of their Alien Pets 2 deal. Sculpted by Andrew May, and originally produced as a freebie to all backers of the company's Colony 87 - The Third Wave - 28mm Sci-Fi Civilians Kickstarter, the creature is designed to be used with the company's other "Colony 87" sci-fi civilian miniatures "for any RPGs and tabletop wargames."

"Growing in the vast labyrinth of tunnels, sewers, Maran-Tchi cysts and chambers below the outpost", the alien was initially undercoated using "Vallejo" Sombre Grey before being shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey. I then painted the walking mushroom's top with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and sporadically spotted its irregular lumps with some White using a piece of torn foam.

"Privateer Press" WIPs - The Paladin Enforcer is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

This entire area was subsequently shaded with plenty of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and its spots reapplied with more "Vallejo" White over the same bumps as before. This gave the impressive of some dots slowly emerging alongside others which were already fully-visible. As a final step I 'picked out' the Fungoid's numerous eyes with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

With the latest of my "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" alien pets finished I have managed to keep my momentum going with the three Paladin Enforcers I'm currently pigmenting for "Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika". These multi-part metal miniatures by "Privateer Press" were a little fiddly to assemble, but now they've been primed, shaded and dry-brushed I'm hoping to now be on the home straight to getting my Iron Star Alliance Starter Set completed before the end of the month.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Lightning Bug has had all his "Vallejo" Brass shaded and dry-brushed

In addition, I have tried to dedicate some hobby-time to getting my Lightning Bug by "Kitbash Games" ready for the tabletop. The somewhat small resin super-hero was actually released as part of the manufacturer's first "Supers Unlimited" Kickstarter. However I have waited until recently to purchase the fellow after some casting failures saw its sculpt get revised to be both "slightly bulkier and approximately 1 or 2mm taller in relative terms."

As with so many of the figures from this range I have also decided to steer well away from both the 'official' character and colour scheme, so as to use my miniature as part of a Weird War Two campaign I have planned using some homemade rules. To this end, I won't be giving the model a predominantly black costume, but rather a red and brass one in order to better represent the Soviet splendour of the Bolshevik Bug...

"Fearless And Eager To Prove Themselves In Combat."

"The young officers who command the Paladin forces in battle lead from the front."

This 35mm scale metal miniature of a Paladin Commander is produced by “Privateer Press” and can be found inside the Iron Star Alliance Command Group Starter Set for Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika. The three-piece figure comes "armed with a shoulder-mounted, self-targeting pulse cannon and wrist-mounted fusion sword", and "can attack with both its melee and ranged weapons in the same activation."

Having pinned and simultaneously super-glued the solo unit's cannon and shield in place, the entire assembly was primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black before being treated to a coat or two of "Vallejo" Gunmetal. It was then shaded using "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal using a large make-up blusher brush.

"Privateer Press" WIPs - The Paladin Enforcer is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

I had originally intended to make all my Iron Star Alliance miniatures appear somewhat rusty and battered from their "aggressive expansion throughout the galaxy". But in the end decided to predominantly keep the somewhat 'clean' look of their metallic armour, and instead simply 'pick out' some of their more apparent details. As a result I applied "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the Commander's knee-pads, central chest plate, elbow-pads, and repulsor shield. 

In addition, I layered equipment and weaponry such as the model's spats, shoulder-pads, face-plate, pulse-cannon and fusion-sword with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and later gave them a 'lick' of Brass followed by a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. These areas were later delicately dry-brushed with a touch more "Vallejo" Brass to try and bring back some of their shine after being shaded.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Doc Cosmos, Alpha Male and Lightning Bug

Lastly, in an effort to somewhat further break-up all the metallic pigments on show, I applied some "Vallejo" Turquoise to my Iron Star Alliance leader's loincloth and washed it with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. I also decided to paint the garment's elaborate rear clasp with a combination of "Vallejo" Brass and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to make it look even more ornate.

With the first of my Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika miniatures finished, and work on three Paladin Enforcers well on their way too, I've made a bit more progress on some of my "Supers Unlimited" resin figures. These costumed vigilantes by "Kitbash Games" are in various states on completion, with characters such as Doc Cosmos being 'taken back' to an early stage courtesy of a re-priming, whilst those like Alpha Male are very close to being given a protective coat of "Vallejo" Matt varnish...

'The Curious Karakulak.'

"A non-sentient species of omnivorous and gregarious canids."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Karakulak is sold by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as part of their Alien Pets deal. The animal is 26mm in length and is designed to be used with the company's other "Colony 87" sci-fi civilian miniatures "for any RPGs and tabletop wargames."

The extra-terrestrial fox was initially undercoated using "Vallejo" White, before being washed in some quite heavily watered-down "Citadel" Druchii Violet and dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" White. I then set about pigmenting the creature's toes and nose with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before finishing it off by dotting its eyes with a combination of "Vallejo" Turquoise and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

"Blue is potentially the second-most intelligent piece of life on this planet and she’s the last of her kind."

In addition to the latest of my "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" alien pets I have also finished working on the third of my 30mm tall plastic Velociraptor figures produced by “Mondo Games”. This Late Cretaceous "dromaeosaurid dinosaur" was seemingly sculpted to depict Blue from the 2015 American film "Jurassic World" and can be found inside the Jurassic Park: Ingen Vs. Raptors board game for "Unmatched".

Having initially chopped the miniature from its 25mm stand with a sharp modelling knife and subsequently glued it upon a 40mm circular base instead, the predator was primed using "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey. I then 'picked out' all the Raptor's claws and sharp tiny teeth with "Vallejo" White and later treated them to a wash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade too.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Big Bot has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

As a second to last step I 'dotted' both the Velociraptor's eyes with a spot or two of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. I then finished the predatory dinosaur off by coating its tongue with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Setting aside my finished figures I've also managed to get some basic layering, shading and dry-brushing completed on my resin model of Big Bot by "Kitbash Games". This rather formidably-sized resin sculpt was created as part of the Supers Unlimited Teamstarter 1: Aegis Kickstarter campaign, and whilst its 'official' palette is extremely colourful, I have decided to go with a somewhat rusty metallic scheme which better suits its resemblance to one of my "Mooretoons" cartoon strip characters - Tin Man.

"Department X Only Takes The Best."

"Greyhound Sixteen to Trap One. We've found something."

These three 28mm scale metal miniatures of some X-Commandos are manufactured by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be found within the company’s Heroes and Allies product line as SKU: DEAL 72. The 'blister' actually contains four figures "equipped with body armour, Department X badged berets and either Pistol, MP5 SMGs or SLR/FN Rifles."

Having assembled the soldiers by attaching a mix of male/female heads to their torsos courtesy of a little pinning and super-glue, they were each primed "Citadel" Abaddon Black and enthusiastically dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. I then 'picked out' each troopers' hand-weapon using some "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and their shoulder and beret badges with a couple of dollops of White. Both of these areas were later shaded using "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - A Federated Security Mutaint

As I wanted my figures to resemble the U.N.I.T. troopers depicted during the April 2008 Doctor Who television story "The Sontaran Stratagem", I shied away from leaving the Commando's headware all-black and instead pigmented it using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I also left their aforementioned badges predominantly white, rather than attempt to painstakingly 'sketch in' the red cross upon a blue background which the Department of Extraordinary Affairs uses as their top secret organisation's emblem.

In addition, I changed up the palette on the X-Commandos' uniforms by painting all their hip-holsters and leg straps in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, as opposed to the Heavy Charcoal I had used in the past. This arguably gave each soldier a little more contrast than the all-black 'official' colour scheme used by both "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and their modern-day U.N.I.T. counterparts, even after a "Citadel" Nuln Oil wash. It did mean though that I felt obliged to go back and re-paint the fourth squad member I'd previously pigmented.

"Supers Unlimited" WIPs - N-Rage has been primed, shaded and highlighted with "Vallejo" White

Each miniatures' flesh was treated to my usual standard combination of either a "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone layer splashed with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade and final highlight on the fingers/cheekbones with (more) "Vallejo Heavy Skintone, or a mixture of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, I applied a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to both the ladies' lips.

Following the completion of the X-Commandos, I have made some initial progress on one of the company's Federated Security Mutaints in an effort to experiment with the technologically modified minion's pale zombie-like flesh. Plus I've layered, shaded and then 'Zenithal highlighted'  my model of N-Rage by "Kitbash Games" so as to test my recently opened "Vallejo" Fluorescent Orange...

“Mankind Is An Evolutionary Dead-End."

"And my super-plants are the harbinger of the future!”

This 28mm scale resin model of Blackthorn is produced by "Kitbash Games", and was purchased from their highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. "A scientist noted for his radical ideas on human-plant hybridization as the means to cure illness", I actually plan to use the figure as an American super-hero known as Everglades for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having super-glued Walton Thorn's alter-ego onto a 28mm lipped base, I originally undercoated the sculpt with "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and 'picked out' all of the intricate vines snaking around his body with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black in preparation of pigmenting them in "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. However, I wasn't at all impressed with the result, so swiftly re-primed Blackthorn with a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

"Welcome to a world of supers gaming..."

I then applied plenty of Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter" over the model, before dry-brushing him with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. This gave me a nice dark(ish) brown basis which would let me avoid needing to painstakingly highlight every single snaking branch, and additionally help me create the murky swamp-coloured palette I was hoping to achieve.

However, I did still want to 'highlight' all the figure's details in some way, so gave the miniature both a light dry-brush of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and a sporadic wash of "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. Lastly, I treated Blackthorn's hair to a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Green, "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green and Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". This area was then delicately dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Green and I spotted the mad scientist's eyes with a couple of dabs of Heavy Ochre.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Four FedSec Troopers

In addition to completing another of my "Kitbash Games" models, I have pinned, assembled, based, primed and dry-brushed the last of my FedSec Troopers by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". Despite currently playing quite a bit of "Blake's Seven" using some homemade rules, I wasn't actually planning on painting any more of the Federation's black-clad enforcers.

But the discovery of some more separate balaclava heads (this time without bushy moustaches) and a long out-of-production pot of "Citadel" Thrakka Green has changed my mind. To be honest I wasn't at all impressed with the (new) "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green helmet bands on my most recently painted goons, so am somewhat hoping that the aging wash can replicate the (old) effect and actually motivate me to re-paint the helmets on the figures I finished at the end of last year...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Supers Unlimited" March 2021

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Magma, Lightning Bug and N-Rage

This month's effort to whittle away at my mountain of metal, plastic and resin models will primarily focus upon a selection of figures by "Kitbash Games". Apparently "bound together by their connections to mysterious Star Stones", I've bought a good half-dozen more of the resin figures from the company's recently successful Supers Unlimited Teamstarter 1: Aegis Kickstarter campaign, and whilst I don't plan on using them for either "Pulp City" or the "Super Mission Force" gaming system, I do hope to get them on my Weird War Two tabletop soon.

I have also been rather busy basing and priming all the other miniatures I own from the "Supers Unlimited" range, including the formidably-sized Magman and N-Rage, who will be 'repurposed' as the fiery Axis super-villain Vesuvio and the equally powerful atomic-charged Nuklearmann respectively. I'm particularly looking forward to applying my brush-tip upon Magman, as I have never tackled a lava-based model before, so have watched a fair few painting tutorials on "YouTube" in order to work out a reasonably straightforward technique.

"Privateer Press" WIPs - The Paladin Commander is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

In addition this month will see me settling down to finish off the six 35mm scale models which can be found inside the Iron Star Alliance Command Group Starter Set for "Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika". These multi-part metal castings by "Privateer Press" caused me quite a headache when I initially assembled them back in December 2020, especially the heavily-pinned Firebrand Warjack, and as a result I found my enthusiasm for the project was badly dented. 

Fortunately, the promise of some pre-ordered reinforcements potentially arriving in the near future has galvanised me into some semblance of action, so I have started 'blocking off' elements of the Paladin shock troopers in "Citadel" Abaddon Black to either use as a basis for some additional layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and Brass, or to simply leave as is. I'm certainly not planning on going for the bright yellow palette depicted on the box's artwork, but probably more of a blue and bronze colour scheme which is a bit Ancient Egyptian in nature...

February 2021 - Models from a variety of manufacturers have been successfully painted

Productivity wise, the past four weeks saw a noticeable improvement on my output, which whilst still disappointingly low compared to previous years, was nonetheless more than twice the progress made last month. This tally was particularly pleasing as it both ensured I finally had enough "Atomic Mass Games" models to field a full ten-figure roster for Marvel Crisis Protocol, and saw me slowly whittle away at my overly large collection of miniatures by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". 

Furthermore, I'm pretty much on an even keel when it comes to my New Year's resolution of painting two models for every new one I buy. My recent purchase from "Kitbash Games" has admittedly brought me to the very edge of that annual aspiration. But for now I'm still just ahead of the game, even though the latest successful "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" Kickstarter, Lurkers From The Deep, should see me receive an assortment of sixteen government agents and law enforcement officers in May 2021.

“I’m A Knockout!”

"Dorothea bounced them before they got themselves a death sentence."

This 28mm scale resin model of Kayo the Bouncer is produced by "Kitbash Games", and was purchased from their highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. Described as being "six-four without heels and broad shouldered", as well as "abnormally strong and resistant to harm", I actually plan to use the figure as a Soviet super-hero known as Mother Russia for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having super-glued Dorothea Locke onto a 28mm lipped base, I primed the occasional bar-tender at The Junction with a double coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Red before shading her in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I then applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to the experimental subject's leather boots and gloves, and shaded them with some Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

A lone X-Commando dares to enter the mysterious City of the Great Apes

I also spread some "Citadel" Doombull Brown over Kayo's hair, and in an effort to contrast it to the colour of her gloves and boots, washed it with a fair amount of "Citadel" Nuln Oil before delicately dry-brushing the well-defined area with (more) "Citadel" Doombull Brown. Lastly, I gave Locke a 1/285 Soviet Star (consisting of a red emblem with a white outline) transfer by "Decal Details" to tie her in with both my own backstory of her being a Russian military powerhouse, and her Socialist Republic team-mate, Stalingrad.

With the latest of my "Supers Unlimited" miniatures completed, I have 'snuck in' the time to re-paint one of the X-Commando models by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" I actually finished back in November 2019. At the time I recall rather rushing the female red beret by simply 'picking out' her hip-holster in "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, and then drowning the predominantly black uniformed soldier in "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - The Karakulak has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

This palette invariably caused the empty leather pistol pouch and its accompanying leg straps to disappear amidst the rest of the Department X agent's attire. Recently however, I have been working on the remaining three figures from this blister, and having applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to their leather-work, thought I'd take the time to do something similar to their comrade-in-arms.

Sticking with "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" I've additionally started to 'get to grips' with the last few of the company's Alien Pets. Bought from their "Colony 87" sci-fi range, I thought I'd make some inroads on my wolf-like Karakulak first, and go with a somewhat subtle purplish-white colour scheme...