"Shipwreck Grew Up In The Shadow Of The Navy..."

"See the target, shoot the target is his philosophy."

This 28mm metal miniature of Shipwreck is from a private collection and thus not commercially available. Fortunately however, I was lucky enough to be able to acquire a spare casting of the "Chief Petty Officer" and subsequently chose to paint him in a palette similar to how the Machinist's carded action figure appeared in 1985.

Originally primed with a double helping of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the Gunners Mate later had his trousers painted with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and his shirt Heavy Bluegrey. Both of these areas were then washed with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. In addition, I picked out the M-16 qualified expert's belt buckles with a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Slitheen WIPs - The aliens have had their claws, toes and teeth 'picked out'

Shipwreck's s firearm was 'picked out' using "Vallejo" Boltmetal Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst his sailor's hat was initially layered with some "Vallejo" White and once dry, shaded with Pale Grey. Finally, the character's pet parrot named Polly, was predominantly painted using "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. Unlike the action figure's feathered companion I did add a little "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre to the bird's feet and beak to help break up its mono-tone palette.

Sticking with the colour green, I have managed to make some excellent progress on my three formidably-clawed extra-terrestrial criminals from the planet Raxacoricofallapatorian. Produced by "Warlord Games" for their "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" tabletop miniature game, these Slitheen have proved a real joy to paint, and now only need the application of some brown washes, a spot of dry-brushing and a little tidying up to be finished.

Beast Of Nurgle WIPs - The creature has been dry-brushed, and had several washed applied to it

Having recently completed my Host of Nurgle's second Herald of Nurgle, I have also found time aplenty to start building up the 'bruised banana' look of my force's third Beast Of Nurgle. These horrendous aberrations still only cost 60 points in "The General's Handbook 2017" and resultantly continue to be one of my favourite "Games Workshop" units for "Age Of Sigmar".

Indeed, I'm sorely tempted to purchase another three of the "Finecast" sculpts in order to bring my 'Warhammer Fantasy' herd up to full-strength. For now though, I have been haphazardly applying plenty of purple and blue inks across the slimy monster's hide, and bestowed upon it a horribly poisonous "Citadel" Abaddon Black "stomach-churning" tongue, with which to playfully lick its ill-fated prey... 

"And Then Came The Sickness."

"Forests rotted from the inside, and the filth of Chaos streamed forth in noxious waves."

These two 28mm Plaguebearers can be assembled from the sprues found inside the "Games Workshop" Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set, and are the final pair of miniatures needed so I can finally field a twenty-strong unit of the Plague God's loathsome Lesser Daemons for "Age Of Sigmar". Destined to form the centre of my Befouling Host of Nurgle's 'battleline', and flanked by at least one Herald of Nurgle, I'm hoping these boil-covered Tallymen will prove well worth the 200 points the rule-set's "General's Handbook" currently states they cost. 

Both figures, as well as the Nurgling, were initially given an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and washed with “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green. The bloated warriors were then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki before having their horns, open sores and teeth ‘picked out" with “Citadel” Abaddon Black.

The Ghost WIPs - The industrial saboteur has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

In order to represent the diseased Plaguebearers' long suffering with Nurgle’s Rot, I coated various parts of their stomach-churning anatomy with either “Vallejo” Heavy Red or Heavy Warmgrey, and subsequently washed these areas with “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson. Finally the pair's boils and pimples were dabbed with a spot of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and then treated to some “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

This year's visit to the "MCM London Comic Con" has also helped refuel my interest in "Age Of Sigmar" as I was able to purchase a copy of the "Games Workshop" Skirmish rules whilst there. This latest publication from the Nottingham-based company promises the opportunity to "take command of a small but elite group of warriors in fast-paced, objective-focused battles", and has already seen me assemble a 50-renown warband of Nurgle.  

"Expedition To The Barrier Peaks"

In addition, the country's leading event for all "sci-fi fans, gamers, comic collectors, movie buffs and anime enthusiasts" also featured both a display of the leading actors costumes worn during "DC Films" 2017 motion picture "Wonder Woman", and the formidable presence of "The Incredible Hulk" television actor Lou Ferrigno. This has undoubtedly given me something of a 'superhero' bug currently, and as a result I have found myself re-basing and priming a number of straightforward "Wizkids" figures.

My "Heroclix" figure of the Ghost is a case in point, who, despite being sculpted to represent the industrial saboteur as he looked when he was originally Iron Man's arch-nemesis, as opposed to the version who later repeatedly battled Spider-Man, has leapt up my painting queue and been quickly undercoated "Vallejo" White, washed with Pale Grey and dry-brushed.

Daleks battle Cybermen and Cybermats in order to locate the cargo of a crashed space freighter

However, perhaps my biggest 'motivator' at "MCM London Comic Con" was my chance find of the "Dungeon & Dragon" module "Expedition To The Barrier Peaks". This out-of-print 1980 "playing aid" by "TSR Hobbies Inc", which includes a "deluxe set" of over sixty illustrations, was "the official Dungeons & Dragons Tournament scenario at Origins II", and was written by Gary Gygax as an introductory adventure into the world of "Metamorphosis Alpha". As you can probably imagine it'll now form the basis of a sci-fi/fantasy campaign using the "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" rule-set by "Ganesha Games"... 

"This Is Not War. This Is Pest Control."

"I am Dalek Sec, leader of the Cult of Skaro."

This 28mm scale plastic model of Dalek Sec is produced by “Warlord Games” and is one of the twelve Kaled Mark III travel machines found within the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game". Conceived by Terry Nation and designed by Raymond Cusick in 1963, this particular sculpt is based upon the warrior race's Time War shell, which first appeared in the April 2005 BBC Television series story "Dalek".

As I plan to use the genetically engineered mutant in order to play the game's introductory scenario "A Meeting Of Metal", and resultantly required an individual-looking figure to represent my force's Dalek Leader, I decided to paint him using the palette of Dalek Sec. "Known for being given the capability to think beyond the normal scope of a conventional Dalek", this particular pitiless alien commanded the Cult of Skaro, and initially featured in the July 2006 episode "Army Of Ghosts".

Clockwork Androids WIPs - The repair robots have all been based and undercoated

Originally primed with two layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, this survivor of the Last Great Time War was subsequently dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, and washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then picked out his eye stalk, control arm and multi-range variable power destructor with a combination of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, and his audio scanners with "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey quick drying transparent acrylic. As a final touch, I then used some more "Citadel" Abaddon Black to make the former commander of the Seventh Incursion Squad's fender stand out from the rest of the predominantly black model.

Sticking with "Salute" purchases, I have managed to find the time to base and prime six "Doctor Who" Clockwork Androids. These repair robots are sold by "Warlord Games" in boxes of three single-cast metal miniatures, and are all "dressed as [18th Century] French courtiers and wearing ball masks". The detail on these figures is frightening in places, with lots of buttons and retractable repair tools on show. However, even simply just super-gluing the 'male' models onto their bases made me blanch on occasion due to the sculpts' fragile ankles; which worryingly appear inclined to bend whenever the automatons need to be handled for painting...  

Herald Of Khorne WIP - The Chaos Hero has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

Lastly, I have also found the time to finally assemble this month's addition to my "Age Of Sigmar" Nurgle Host, a Herald of Khorne. This seven-part "finely detailed resin kit" by "Games Workshop" should hopefully help give my force's 'allied' Khorne contingent a bit more 'bite' as the Chaos Hero will actually allow my unit of Bloodletters to immediately pile in and attack after him.

This "Citadel Finecast" miniature has taken a little while to get on my painting table as it came without instructions, and whilst the limbs were simple to super-glue in place, it was a lot more difficult identifying how to attach all the skulls trailing from his hip to the ground, without doing some research on the internet; something which I find a little annoying considering the model costs £15 and comes with a large 'bendy' Blade of Blood...

"Thus The Age Of Chaos Came To The Verdant Kingdoms..."

"...And so began the war to control the fairest and most fertile of realms."

These two 28mm Plaguebearers come from the “Age Of Sigmar” Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set, and have been painted similarly to the many other lesser daemons of the Plague Lord that I have recently added to my Befouling Host of Nurgle. Unfortunately the only difference is that, having been annoyingly forced to replace my usual wash of choice, "Citadel" Thrakka Green, with the "Games Workshop" Shade, Biel-Tan Green, this duo have 'turned out' a little greener in colour than their brethren; something which will hopefully become less obvious once I have added several more models to my Plaguebearer Unit...

With just two more "footsoldiers of Nurgle" left to complete before my current unit stands at an impressive, though far from finished, twenty miniatures, I have momentarily taken some respite by applying my brush to the "Warlord Games" figure of Dr Sim. The sculpt to this villainous extra-terrestrial is arguably as underwhelming as the plot to the 2016 Christmas television special, "The Return Of Doctor Mysterio", from whence he originated, but it has resultantly meant I have made some 'quick-time' progress on the model's painting.

Doctor Sim WIPs - The extra-terrestrial has had his trousers and shirt painted in different tones of grey

Indeed, I'm now hoping to use the brain-swapping member of The Shoal of the Winter Harmony as the lead antagonist for the first in a series of "Doctor Who" related scenarios using the "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" rule-set by "Ganesha Games". Admittedly, on paper the 'New York businessman' himself isn't going to prove all that formidable a foe, being simply armed with a pistol (and perhaps the mutation Terror. Yet as the leader of a Zygon invasion Dr Sim will potential be able to "activate a group of two to five models with a single die roll. A special ability which could cause even the Tenth Doctor, Martha Jones and their Judoon allies a few headaches...

Moving on to my current "Beyond The Gates Of Antares" project, I have finished assembling and undercoating the remaining metal miniatures from the Mhagris Feral Squad boxed set. Two of these Freeborn soldiers carry the unit's obligatory mag weapons. But in addition, one of them is armed with a magnetic X-launcher; a firearm "which can hurl shot over the heads of enemies and drive targets from cover."

Freeborn WIPs - The Feral Fighters have been based and undercoated

All of these models have initially been primed using "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, and will subsequently have their clothing, pouches and undersuits 'picked out' with Heavy Brown and Steel Grey. I'm hoping this colour scheme will provide a stark contrast to the orange and grey palette of my Boromites, and with the "war-like savages" white hair and their tribal markings, genuinely make them stand out on the tabletop.

"The Hale And Hearty Wilted Before The Pestilent Storm..."

"...And the very lands heaved with vile corruptions, the ground churning with unnatural growths."

These two 28mm Plaguebearers come from the “Games Workshop” Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set, and have been painted identically to the other plaguesword-wielding servants of the Great Unclean One I have recently added to my ever-expanding Befouling Host of Nurgle. Indeed, with these grotesque multi-part plastic miniatures finished, my unit of pimple-covered lesser daemons will soon be able to attract so many buzzing flies that in "Age Of Sigmar" they'll force any opponent to "subtract two from" their Hit Rolls made during the Shooting Phase, "as well as subtracting one from any Hit Rolls that targets" them in the Combat Phase.

Despite so much "rancid flesh" still currently awaiting some pigmentation, I have spent a little of my hobby-time over the past few days working on "Wizkids" "Indyclix" model of Torquemada. This formerly pre-painted figure of Termight's one-time Chief of the Tube Police still has some way to go before being finished, but I'm confident once I've completed inking his purple cape that Terra's tyrant will soon be leading a small force of Terminators in some games of "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" by "Ganesha Games".

Torquemada WIP - The Grand Master of Termight has had his flesh and cloak painted

In addition to finishing off some of the miniatures from last month's project, I have also been focusing on a few Boromites from "Beyond The Gates Of Antares". These "roving people with their own distinctive ways" are already proving something of a challenge on account of the sheer detail found upon their sculpts.

Initially I had hoped to simply shade their bumpy grey hide with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before 'picking out' their plasma carbines and attire in a suitably 'easy to paint' colour. But having started work on a test figure from the "Warlord Games" Overseer Squad blister, and been rather taken by the mining race's 'official' yellow colour scheme, I have somewhat changed both tack and palette, and now plan to slowly work my way up each figure, carefully layering their reflex armour, numerous pouches and extra weaponry, before applying the appropriate washes over each area.

Boromite Ganger WIPs - The plasma carbine-carrying soldier has had his reflex armour painted

This extra attention is already adding to the time it is taking me to progress my first Boromite Ganger. However, I'm still reasonably confident that I have days enough left during the coming weeks to finish my three-man Overseer Squad, five-man Gang Fighters and five-man Work Gang (with Mass Compactors). I also think the 'flint-hearted rock-dogs' will look much better for it as well.

As the ultimate goal for this painting push' is my ability to field a 500 point Scouting Force, I have subsequently opened, and started basing/priming an extra box of Gang Fighters and Work Gangers. These 'reinforcements' will take my total model count to twenty-three figures, and once I have upgraded my Overseer to being armed with a Tractor Maul (as per the leader's sculpt) then my Boromite army will fit this selection tally perfectly.

"An Updated Version Of The Classic, Iconic Chaos Warrior..."

"He can also hurl them [Chaos Axes] at cowardly foes who refuse to come close."

This 28mm scale "multi-part resin kit" of Slambo is made by “Games Workshop”, and comes supplied with a "Citadel" 40mm Round base. Originally a Warrior of Chaos Mortal miniature, dating back to "Warhammer Fantasy" Fourth Edition, this updated version of the "Exalted Hero of Chaos" comes armed "with a pair of Chaos Axes which he uses to carve apart enemies at close quarters."

I have previously seen this model painted in both red armour and more recently, green armour. But as I didn't want my 'Slave to Darkness' too closely associated with either Khorne or Nurgle, I ultimately decided to go with Slambo wearing basic plate armour, which I would subsequently 'grunge up' using "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, Agrax Earthshade and Biel-Tan Green. As a result I undercoated the "Age Of Sigmar" figure with "Citadel" Chaos Black and then applied a coat of Ironbreaker over him. Once this had dried, I washed the mortal with Nuln Oil and applied a heavy dry-brush of more Ironbreaker over the entire figure.

With the basic layering completed, I picked out the Legendary Killer's boots and axe staves with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, his knee-guards and roundels with "Vallejo" Brass and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and finally his axe-handles and horns with "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. The Glory-seeking Axeman's chainmail was treated to a wash from an old pot of Badab Black.

The Nurglings and Lord of Plagues are swamped by Dryads and Spite Revenants

I have immediately taken advantage of finishing Slambo by fielding him in a couple of 'friendly' battles against a Sylvaneth Force, which additionally uses Stormcast Eternals and Fyreslayers as allies. These games were played using the "Hold Or Die" Battleplan as originally found inside the "Warhammer: Age Of Sigmar" hardback rule-book; a potentially one-sided scenario which reflects "the courageous stand of Jactos Goldenmane's Stormcast Eternals against Khul's Goretide."

For our first game however, we re-imagined my Host's Lord of Plagues leading a ten-strong unit of Plaguebearers, a Rotbringers Sorcerer and some Nurglings into a Sylvaneth Branchwraith's Golden Glade, and disconcertingly finding themselves surrounded by a far superior force whilst "deep in enemy territory". Fortunately, help is supposedly near at hand in the shape of some additional Nurgle units, but my invading party must first "hold out long enough for it to arrive."

Disappointingly, despite the reinforcements supposedly arriving in the Movement Phase of Nurgle's Second Turn, my starting line-up didn't actually survive the initial onslaught long enough to see them, and therefore lost the fight before Slambo, Karanak and a plethora of additional Plaguebearers, Beasts of Nurgle and Bloodletters could even be brought onto the battlefield. Such a dismal performance seemed something of a certainty straight from the scenario's start though, as my usually reliable Chaos Sorcerer, failed to cast a Balewind Vortex with the opening dice roll of the game.

A Treelord dominates the centre of the battlefield, whilst the Lord of Plagues is surrounded and killed

Eager to meet the Forest's Custodians head-on, I also found my slow-moving units getting badly peppered by arrows during the Shooting Phase and even the Cloud of Flies which made hitting my lesser daemons that extra bit harder, failed to save them when so very many missiles were turning the sky black. Admittedly my General impressively slew a handful of Spite Revenants before being brought to his knees, but my Nurglings failed to land a single blow upon a tide of Dryads despite rolling in excess of twenty Attack Dice during the conflict; their +5 to Hit and then +5 to Wound proving especially difficult to achieve.

Sadly the Chaos Gods didn't smile much upon me when we reversed roles and played "Hold Or Die" again either. Though this might have had something to do with the fact that instead of my opponent's meagre invasion force being comprised of a leader and some Battleline fodder as mine had comprised of, the Sylvaneth intruded upon one of Nurgle's swamplands with a Treelord at their helm, along with Kurnoth Hunters, ten Stormcast Eternals and even a Knight Venator, complete with celestial talon-firing star eagle!?!

Despite their great number the Plaguebearers are torn apart by the Stormcast Eternals

Needless to say, much of my entire Host's might was ineffectively dashed against the bark-covered behemoth stood in the centre of the battlefield, and if it hadn't been for a dose of Nurgle's Rot, I doubt the Treelord would've been wounded at all. It was certainly hard for my Nurglings' tiny teeth, no matter how razor sharp, to penetrate any of the wooden sinews of these Guardians of the Deepwood, even when supported by a twenty-model strong unit of Plaguebearers, and two lolloping Beasts Of Nurgle. And that of course, was before any of the Sylvaneth rescuers arrived...

Most demoralising however, was the utter impotence of my Khorne allied contingent, who were literally shot to pieces by some (massively overpowered) Kurnoth Hunters before they even reached their foe. These 'Envoys of the Evergreen' had the ability to fire their deadly greatbows even whilst their tiny Quiverlings incredibly kept Karanak and Slambo at bay with just their vicious claws, and resultantly caused my entire left flank to collapse.

Ultimately this scenario did provide me with a few enjoyable moments as my Rotbringer's Sorcerer almost single-handedly destroyed a unit of Fyreslayers by covering the orange-haired dwarves with a stream of corrupted vomit, and my Herald of Nurgle won his lengthy duel with a Branchwych. True, such victories are minor compared to the battering my Host of Nurgle took, but I'm already looking forward to my next game of "Age Of Sigmar", and the "War Of The Storm".  

"Enormous, Bloated Warriors, Festering With Pustules And Plague..."

"Each of their number has been touched by Nurgle..."

This 28mm scale Blightlord is one of the multi-part models which can be assembled from the sprues found within the “Games Workshop” Putrid Blightkings boxed set. Built and painted to represent the leader of "Nurgle's favoured mortal servants" and "blessed with the bite of the daemonfly", this champion is bestowed with four wounds instead of the five-model unit's usual three.

Having super-glued the figure together using the 105-piece plastic kit's instruction booklet, it was initially given an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki before being washed with “Citadel” Thrakka Green. The "rotting murderer" was then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and had details such as his horn, open sores and armour ‘picked out’ with “Citadel” Abaddon Black. These areas were subsequently painted using either "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, Heavy Red or Gunmetal Grey, and washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and Nuln Oil as appropriate.

 Plaguebearer WIPs - These lesser daemons require a few more washes and their pimples 'picked out'

In addition, in order to try and encapsulate the warrior's Virulent Discharge ability, which can cause any non-Nurgle units within 3 inches to suffer D3 mortal wounds on the roll of a 6, I dabbed a combination of “Citadel” Thrakka Green, Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson over the Blighted Weapon-carrying mortal's flesh. As a last touch all of the Blightlord’s zits were ‘pimped out’ with “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and treated to a coat of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

As I want all my Putrid Blightkings to really stand out on the battlefield, I used both "Vallejo" Brass and the "Citadel" Technical paint Nihilakh Oxide on this figure's hand-weapons. These areas were then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Brass to help blend in the blades' patina.

Tetrap WIPs - These Seventh Doctor monsters have been primed, washed and dry-brushed

With the beginnings of another unit for my Host of Nurgle in the making, I have also been beavering away on the final four miniatures needed to bring my "Age Of Sigmar" Tallyband's Plaguebearer unit up to twenty models strong. I still have some way to go on these remaining lesser daemons, but hope to have their red gore and pimples finished over the next few days.

In order to help break up the potential monotony of so much gore, grunge and acne, I have simultaneously been basing and priming the first three of six Tetraps from "Warlord Games". These impressively large metal "minions of the renegade Time Lady, The Rani" are from the company's "Into The Time Vortex" miniatures range, and first appeared in the 1987 "Doctor Who" BBC Television story "Time and the Rani".

"It Has The Soft, Sticky And Mottled Body Of A Pallid Slug..."

"Beasts of Nurgle are always looking for new friends to play with."

This 28mm scale "finely detailed resin cast kit" of a Beast of Nurgle is made by “Games Workshop”, comes as seven separate "Finecast" components and contains no instructions for assembly whatsoever. Fortunately however, I have already previously built such "a horror on the battlefield" for my Nurgle Host, so was able to use my earlier model as a guide for the super-glue...

Having put my "curious and inquisitive pet" together, and attached it to a 60mm plastic base, I undercoated it with plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown before dousing it in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The Beast of Nurgle was then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and had both it's claws and tusks painted in Iraqi Sand. These areas were subsequently also washed with Strong Tone Quickshade.

British Tanks WIPs - A Grant, Crusader III and Crusader II

In order to make the "immense slug-like" monstrosity appear somewhat similar in colour to its predecessor, I added some "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and Biel-Tan Green to different areas of the creature's rubbery flesh. Indeed, in order to ensure the nightmarish conglomeration's colour palette tied into that of the rest of my "Age Of Sigmar" Rotbringers, I even 'picked out' some of its pimples with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

With this latest addition to my ever-increasing Tallyband of Nurgle finished, I have momentarily allowed myself to be distracted by the "Battle Of El Alamein - War In The Desert" Battle Box. Produced by "Battlefront Miniatures", this introduction to "Flames Of War" comes with five tanks, and I have already assembled those belonging to the British.

The 2T(fru)T virus returns to seek revenge upon Mega-City One's finest lawman

To be honest I'm a little worried as to just how much of a diversion this 15mm World War Two rule-set is going to be, as I had tremendous fun simply gluing together a couple of Crusader tanks, and ensuring that one was a Mark II with a 2 pounder gun, and the other a Mark III with a far more formidable 6 pounder. The kits even come with some wonderfully detailed, albeit tiny, commanders, so I have added one to my Crusader III to make it stand out even more on the battlefield.

The British forces also come with a Grant tank, and whilst this model's guide doesn't allow for any 'options' as the Crusaders did, it was an absolute pleasure to put together. In fact, I've been so taken with these armoured vehicles, that I've already managed to prime them all, wash them, and almost finish their dry-brushing, as well as ordered a 3 x 3 wargames terrain Desert cloth mat from "Deep-Cut Studios"...

"Like The Blood God's Vengeance, Karanak Is Ever Watchful."

"He never sleeps..."

This 28mm scale "finely detailed resin cast kit" of Karanak "contains eight components" and will eventually lead a contingent of allied Flesh Hounds for my "Age Of Sigmar" Host of Nurgle. For now however, he will prowl one of my army's flanks ripping "his prey to shreds with Gore-slick Claws" and consuming "the remnants with his three Savage Maws." 

Once assembled and super-glued upon a "Game Worskhop" 75mm x 42mm oval bike base, the Khorne Chaos Daemon was undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Red and liberally washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. It was then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Heavy Red before having a number of its facial scales 'picked out' with a combination of "Heavy Purple", "Citadel" Druchii Violet and lastly some Carroburg Crimson.

"Karanak possesses a scaly skin, huge teeth, claws, and spines...

With the basic layering of the Blood God's chosen hunter finished, I began working on all the three-headed Flesh Hound's horns and spikes with "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand. These areas were subsequently shaded with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and treated to a dry-brush of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand to try and bring out some of the resin's detail. In addition the fearsome creature's teeth and claws were painted using White, before similarly washed with Strong Tone Quickshade.

In order to make Karanak's "Brass Collar of Bloody Vengeance" stand out a little more, something I was especially keen on as the item allows him to "unbind one spell in each Enemy Phase as if he were a wizard", I painted it, along with the animal's metal-tipped tail and symbols of Khorne, using "Vallejo" Gold and Strong Tone Quickshade; having first primed all the areas with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.  

Beast Of Nurgle WIP - This Chaos Daemon just needs several different applications of ink

At £15, half the cost of an entire pack of five resin Flesh Hounds, this miniature initially seemed a little underwhelming. However, on the "Age Of Sigmar" tabletop, the creature appears especially useful when confronting whichever enemy Hero has been selected as his quarry "after Set-Up is complete". For up against this particular foe, Karanak can not only "re-roll failed hit and wound rolls", but "once per game", if within eight inches "of his quarry during your Hero Phase", he can 'summon' an additional "unit of Flesh Hounds..."

With my latest Nurgle allied unit complete, I have turned my attention to bolstering my Rotbringers and started progressing a second Beast of Nurgle in earnest. These wonderful monstrosities can actually kill their opponents by 'showering them with affectionate kisses with "their Slobbering Tongues", and should create a rather deadly duo for my force's other flank.

"Allons-y!"

"Think you've seen it all? Think again."

This 28mm scale "pewter" model of the Tenth Doctor as played by David Tennant, is produced by “Warlord Games” and forms part of the five-miniature strong "Tenth Doctor And Companions" boxed set. Voted "The UK's favourite Doctor" in November 2013, this incarnation of the Timelord was first seen in the June 2005 BBC television story ""The Parting of the Ways".

Originally primed with two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, the Gallifreyan's trainers, shirt and tie were painted using either Heavy Red or White, and appropriately washed with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson or "Vallejo" Pale Grey. I then treated the time traveller's suit to a combination of Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, before picking out his hair with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. This area, along with his overcoat, were subsequently shaded with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Karanak WIPs - The Khorne Flesh Hound is slowly having all of its gold icons and collars 'picked out'

In addition to my latest "Into The Time Vortex" miniature, I have been making some steady progress on my three-headed Karanak for "Age Of Sigmar". This 'never sleeping' resin model of the Flesh Hound who "prowls Khorne's grand throne room" is proving incredibly time-consuming on account of the sculpt's terrific attention to detail, and the fact that I fully assembled the rather cumbersome figure before I started painting him.

With hindsight I really should have left the three heads separate from the body, as each has subsequently caused me a few challenges in trying to reach the beast's collars with my paintbrush. Fortunately however, with a far amount of patience, and plenty of "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade I believe I have finally turned the corner, and am currently in the process of simply tidying up the "Vallejo" Gold areas before moving to the monster's back-spines and double-tail...

Slambo WIPs - The Chaos Warrior has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

As something of an indulgence I pre-ordered the "updated version of the classic, iconic Chaos warrior, Slambo" just as soon as "Games Workshop" announced it, and upon his arrival I simply couldn't resist setting aside a little of my hobby-time in order to both assemble the "multi-part resin kit" and apply 'a lick of paint' to it. Initially I did consider painting the "Age Of Sigmar" Exalted Hero of Chaos in the seemingly popular green armour depicted on the model's box. But decided that such a palette would undoubtedly seemingly tie the figure to Nurgle. I have therefore instead chosen a far simpler silver and gold scheme, which should subsequently allow me to field the 'legend' in any Chaos force I decide to field.

"I'm Doctor Martha Jones. Who The Hell Are You?"

"But I can't. I've got exams. I've got things to do."

This 28mm scale "pewter" model of the medical student, Martha Jones, is produced by “Warlord Games” and forms part of the five-miniature strong "Tenth Doctor And Companions" boxed set. "Recognised for her skills both in the field and in medicine" by the paranormal military organisation U.N.I.T. and Torchwood, the "bona fide expert on alien life" was first seen in the March 2007 BBC television story "Smith And Jones".

Initially undercoated with a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, the time traveller's shoes were picked out with a combination of Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, whilst her 'faded' jeans were painted with Heavy Warmgrey and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. I then applied a thick wash of Agrax Earthshade to Martha's leather jacket and used Doombull Brown for her flesh. Finally, her earrings, necklace and bracelet were delicately 'picked out' using some Ironbreaker and a touch of Nuln Oil.

"The Return Of Doctor Mysterio" WIPs - Both models have been undercoated black and dry-brushed charcoal

With the very last of my Seventh Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge submissions finished, and sticking with the Nottingham-based company's "Into The Time Vortex" miniatures game, I have started work on one of their more recent releases "The Return Of Doctor Mysterio". This two-figure set came as something of a surprise to me when it was first announced by "Warlord Games", as the small box's contents are based upon the 2016 Christmas Special and features arguably two of the strangest antagonists the Timelord has encountered since the programme's revival in 2005.

Indeed, I'm really not sure how an all-powerful superhero, blatantly based upon "DC Comics" Superman, or a single "brain-swapping" alien, will fit into the forthcoming "battle" game. Certainly, neither the sculpt of The Ghost nor Dr Sim sadly appear particularly dynamic or inspiring to paint, and should prove reasonably straightforward to complete once I fully turn my attention towards them.

Karanak WIPs - The Khorne Flesh Hound is slowly having all of its facial details 'picked out'

Top of my current painting queue however, is this incredibly detailed resin figure of the three-headed Karanak for "Age Of Sigmar". I had originally intended to keep the "Games Workshop" Flesh Hound's palette fairly simple, using a base layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade", but have subsequently added some purple face-markings to the Khorne beast in order to help mark it out from the rest of its brethren. This decision has undoubtedly resulted in the 'chosen hunter of the Blood God' taking far longer to progress than I had anticipated.

"After Long Years Of Peace, Something Slithered Into the Jade Paradise Of Ghyran..."

"Disease blossomed everywhere."

This 28mm "loathsome Lesser Daemon" is just one of the plastic multi-part models which can be created using the sprues found within the “Games Workshop” Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set. Painted as an additional daemonic minion for my fledgling Befouling Host of Nurgle, this plaguesword-wielding invader of the Jade Kingdoms will not only help swell the size of my Plaguebearer unit for “Age Of Sigmar”, but also provide me with another specialist for my "Warhammer 40K" Nurgle "Kill Team" as well.

In fact, the stomach-churning warrior's accompanying Nurgling was specifically positioned onto his base in order to suggest the model is being haplessly pulled forward by his exposed intestines, and therefore is in no position to "be cowed by anyone or anything." Such an "Indomitable" specialist can choose from a variety of rules in the 41st Millennium, like Fearless, Feel No Pain, Relentless or Stubborn, and should make for quite a pitiable sight on the battlefield as he is persistently lead towards his next opponent...

Blightlord WIP - This large Blightking is slowly being painted from the boots up

In order to ensure the Tallyman of Nurgle matched the rest of my Plaguebearers I initially gave the miniature an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and washed him with “Citadel” Thrakka Green. The figure was then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki before I ‘picked out’ details such as his horns, open sores and teeth with “Citadel” Abaddon Black. In order to 'highlight' the sore-infested soldier's Nurgle’s Rot I coated various parts of his grotesque anatomy with either “Vallejo” Heavy Red or Heavy Warmgrey, and subsequently washed these areas with a combination of “Citadel” Thrakka Green, Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson. Finally, all of the creature’s numerous boils and zits were 'picked out' with a dollop of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and treated to a coat of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

With an eye on re-fighting the Shimmerfall Campaign, "a single example of the attacks unleashed by the minions of Nurgle upon the countless Jade Kingdoms that make up the Realm of Ghyran", I have simultaneously starting painting a unit of five Putrid Blightkings. Foremost of these "huge, plague-bloated warriors" is their Blightlord, a mortal servant who has truly been blessed with all manner of boils, stomach-teeth and tentacles.

"Doctor Who" WIPs - The Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones

Lastly, I have managed to find some time to progress a couple more miniatures from the Tenth Doctor and Companions (boxed) Set by "Warlord Games". Having previously painted three Judoon, I thought it would be fun to finish both David Tennant's incarnation of the time traveller, as well as Martha Jones, and then 'field' them in a game of "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" in order to re-imagine the March 2007 BBC "Doctor Who" television story "Smith And Jones".

Despite her petite size, and subsequent diminutive detail, I've managed to find the patience to almost finish the Doctor's travelling companion, so may well be able to submit her as my final "Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge" entry of the year. But if I can, I may well try and get the medical student's extra-terrestrial mentor completed in time to submit the unlikely pair together.

"Doctor, Listen. I Saw A Mummy. A Walking Mummy!"

"They're not mummies, they're service robots."

These ten 28mm metal models of Robot Mummies are manufactured by “Black Tree Design” and can be bought as code DW410 and DW474 from their "Doctor Who" range. In actuality Osiran service robots which were "disguised as mummies", these servitors were used as "workers and guards" by Sutekh's puppet, the animated corpse of Marcus Scarman, in the October 1975 BBC Television science fiction serial "The Pyramids Of Mars".

Initially undercoated with two coats of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, all of these Egyptian-looking automatons were washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand. I did then consider giving the Robot Mummies a light highlight of White, but having checked the colour scheme of their 'small screen' counterparts, I actually realised that the actors' costumes were probably far more greyish than my chosen palette had produced, so I decided to leave well enough alone. In the end however, I did finally try to simply deepen the shadowing around their 'eye' sockets by applying some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and then treated all of the models to a layer of "Coat d'arms" gloss; something I steadfastly apply to all my miniatures.

Boromite Work Gang WIPs - These models now need to have some detailing done

Disconcertingly though, on this occasion, the varnish seemed 'hellbent' on eradicating a fair portion of "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, which had up until this point been providing each sculpts' bandages with plenty of shading and definition. As a result I was left with several figures which looked as if they hadn't been washed at all...

This incredibly frustrating state-of-affairs gave me few options, as much of the raised detail of the models was now covered in paint, so there was scant chance I could simply wash and then dry-brush the miniatures again without them losing some considerable detail. The thought of stripping all the models and starting again equally filled me with dread, so in the end I decided to simply dab on a watered-down wash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade over each figure and hope that wasn't subsequently 'eaten away' by the varnish either.

Putrid Blightkings WIPs - These mortal servants of Nurgle have been washed and dry-brushed

With probably my final submission to the Seventh Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge concluded,  I have spent a little time both priming and washing three of the miniatures from "Warlord Games" Bormoite Work Gang for "Beyond The Gates Of Antares". I have seven more of these "genetically engineered" miners to get prepped and they all carry formidable-looking mass compactors; "a kind of compression device" which can crunch through "solid materials".

In addition to these multi-part metal models, I have finally starting painting some plastic Putrid Blightkings by "Games Workshop". These "enormous, bloated warriors" of Nurgle are impressively large figures, and should prove a worrisome foe for my opponent to fear once they're finished and on the "Age Of Sigmar" battlefield.

"The Lord Of Disease Delights In Decay And Physical Corruption."

"The cycle of putrefaction, rebirth and morbidity draws Nurgle the way a corpse draws flies."

These two 28mm Plaguebearers have been assembled from the plastic multi-part sprues which can be found within the “Games Workshop” Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set. Painted as daemonic minions for my slowly increasing Befouling Host of Nurgle, these plaguesword-wielding servants of the Great Unclean One will help increase their unit to thirteen suitably grotesque miniatures.

I initially gave the putrid creatures an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and washed them both with “Citadel” Thrakka Green. The fly-infested bloaters were then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki before I ‘picked out’ details such as their horns, open sores and troubled teeth with “Citadel” Abaddon Black.

"During times of pestilence and rampant contagion, Nurgle waxes strongest, to the dismay of all."

As each vile fiend suffers with Nurgle’s Rot various parts of their stomach-churning anatomy were coated with either “Vallejo” Heavy Red or Heavy Warmgrey, and subsequently washed with a combination of “Citadel” Thrakka Green, Agrax Earthshade and Carroburg Crimson. Lastly all the creatures' boils and pimples were dabbed with a spot of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and treated to a coat of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

With these latest “Age Of Sigmar” additions completed, and with an eye on my current "Nemesis The Warlock" project, I have finally glued together some fearsome Terminators using some plastic "Frostgrave" Cultist torsos and some resin pieces from "North Star Military Figures" Cultist Sci-Fi Accessory Pack. Somewhat disappointingly however, I have found that the 'new parts' are slightly bigger in size than those found upon the "Frostgrave" sprues; most notably their heads, which are actually quite significantly larger. As a result I've had to arm all three of the figures using resin pieces, as they'd otherwise look rather disproportionate.

Terminator WIPs - These Sci-Fi conversions have been dry-brushed to bring out the models' details

I plan to paint these fanatical soldiers, who loyally follow their Grand Master in his endless "war with all alien races in the galaxy", predominantly in the black and red colour scheme used on the cover illustration of Prog 230 of the British Sci-Fi comic book "2000 A.D." Along with some browns, this should then help provide the miniatures with the "high-concept science fiction with [Medieval] fantasy" look of Kevin O'Neill's Eighties artwork.

Rules-wise, I'll be fielding these gun-toting villains, along with Tomás de Torquemada, as a Purity Squad for "Mutants And Death Ray Guns". Written by Andrea Sfiligoi and published by "Ganesha Games", this rule-set, along with its supplement "Project Simian Ultra X", was recommended to me by Gordon over on his excellent blog "I Have Wrought My Simple Plan...", and seems particularly suitable for fielding "an organisation of humans dedicated to the affirmation of human supremacy."