"The Space Marines Are Humanity's Finest Warriors."

"The Adeptus Astartes are genetically modified superhuman warrior-monks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"On A Few Occasions, Whole Formations Marched To The Rear In Search Of Food."

"The survivors would be of limited combat value."

These two 28mm plastic French Fusiliers have been built using the various parts found within the “Victrix Limited” French Napoleonic Infantry 1804 – 1807 boxed set, and will help form one of the eight musket-armed infantry units I plan to use for Bob Cordery's "The Portable Wargame". Painted to represent the Infantry of the Line as illustrated in “Austerlitz – The Empire at its Zenith” by “Histoire & Collections”, I still (somewhat sadly) need to pigment another thirteen of the miniatures before I have enough bases with which to test out Bonaparte's forces; plus twenty-four Austrians to use as opposition...

The miniatures were initially undercoated with "Citadel" Skull White and had their boots, muskets, pouches, backpacks and hats layered with Chaos Black. I then began the patient process of 'picking out' all their straps with either "Vallejo" Dead White or Heavy Sienna, and appropriately washed these areas with Pale Grey or "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Draconian Statue WIPs - The scenic piece has been weathered and now just requires some more dry-brushing

The soldiers' uniforms were painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Asurmen Blue, whilst their cuffs and collar were treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Bloodletter. Finally, having decided against 'spotting' each and every one of their buttons for the sake of my sanity, I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade to the wooden areas of their firearms, as well as some "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil to their metal parts.

With the "Doctor Who News" website recently posting my review of "Warlord Games" Nightmares In Silver: Cyberman Collectors set, I have found my enthusiasm for the Nottingham-based company’s “Doctor Who: Exterminate!” miniatures range to be at an all-time high, and have subsequently ploughed on with my Draconian nobleman scenic statue. The sedentary sculpt, one of three poses found within the Draconian expansion box, really does lend itself to being pinned upon a plinth, and should look suitably old once I’ve added some grass to both the statue’s base and the bottom of its stone pedestal.

Draconian & Twelfth Doctor WIPs - The reptilian humanoids and Timelord have been primed

Of course, having spent some considerable time permanently fixing the model to its podium, it seemed silly not to also base, grit and prime the rest of my “reptilian humanoids from Draconia”. The interstellar warriors only require six miniatures in order for their faction to ‘field’ three Recruitment cards worth of troops, so, having taken advantage of “Warlord Games” Black Friday deal whilst at “Warfare” recently, I should soon have my Noble, two bodyguards and three Draconian soldiers painted.

In addition, I’ve also decided to pay some passing attention to the rule-set’s Twelfth Doctor, as played by actor Peter Capaldi. To be honest, I’m not a fan of either the character’s sonic shades or electric guitar, but as I’m going to have to wait until Christmas before I can get my hands on the incarnation’s alternative “Gale Force Nine” resin sculpt, I’ve decided to set my reservations aside and knuckle down to the job in hand…

"In 1799, The 36,000 French Troops In Italy Were In A Desperate State..."

"Supplies of all sorts were inadequate, discipline was breaking down, desertion was increasing..."

This 28mm plastic French Fusilier can be assembled from the numerous components found within the “Victrix Limited” French Napoleonic Infantry 1804 – 1807 boxed set, and will accompany a number of additional fusiliers, grenadiers and voltigeurs which I plan to use for Bob Cordery's "The Portable Wargame". Painted to represent the Infantry of the Line as shown in “Austerlitz – The Empire at its Zenith” by “Histoire & Collections”, the model has only taken a staggering six years to finally complete and is the last of my four weekly submissions for this year’s Mo’Vember Challenge.

The miniature was originally primed with "Citadel" Skull White and had its boots, rifle, pouches, backpack and hat undercoated with Chaos Black. I then began the slow process of 'picking out' all his straps with either "Vallejo" Dead White or Heavy Sienna, and subsequently washing them with either Pale Grey or "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Victrix Limited" Napoleonic French - These two miniatures are approximately half-way finished

The soldier's uniform was painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and an old OOP pot of "Citadel" Asurmen Blue, whilst his cuffs and collar were treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Bloodletter. Finally, the wooden areas of his musket received an application of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and the metal parts some "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil.

Ordinarily, I don't like to post models on this blog which haven't been properly based, but as this figure will ultimately be one of four super-glued upon a 40mm x 40mm square base, I thought I'd make an exception. In addition, it gives me an opportunity to voice how frustrating an experience I found returning to this miniature after so long was, due to "Games Workshop" (yet again) changing their painting range in between times.

Draconian Statue WIPs - The "Frontier In Space" monument has been primed, coated, washed and dry-brushed

Indeed, the Nottingham-based company's decision to step away from their excellent "Citadel" Foundation paints and washes in 2012, was my main motivation for turning to the "Vallejo" Extra Opaque Game range in the first place. Fortunately, I think Heavy Red and Heavy Blue make a fair substitute for the OPP "Citadel" Mechrite Red and Mordian Blue, especially as I understand the colour consistency of the French uniform during the Napoleonic Wars was somewhat intermittent due to weathering and differing dye pigmentation anyway.

Momentarily stepping away from so detailed a painting subject, I was rather pleased to recently receive half a dozen small resin plinths from "Telfer Model Design". These stone bases will hopefully help me turn a few of my 'superfluous' models into scenic statues, and I've wasted no time in taking a spare Draconian from the "Warlord Games" "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" range and pinning it in place.