“Slay Without Pity; Triumph Without Remorse.”

"You are the legions of Khorne, his favourite warriors."

This 28mm Bloodhunter is one of the plastic multi-part models which can be assembled using some of the sprue pieces found inside the “Games Workshop” Daemons Of Khorne “Start Collecting!” boxed set. Primarily assembled so as to provide my Blades of Khorne “Age Of Sigmar” warband to field two minimum-strength units of ten Bloodletters, this figure will also allow me to similarly split my chaos daemons in “Warhammer 40K”.

The miniature was initially given an undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Red before being copiously washed with "The Army painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The “Chosen of Khorne” was then dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Red and had details such as its horn, hands, hooves, back spines and sword hilt base-coated with “Citadel” Abaddon Black.

Heretic Astartes WIPs - The World Eaters are slowly having their numerous details 'picked out'

As I have previously painted a version of this model with ‘pinkish’ horns, I decided to leave this particular Bloodhunter’s formidable-looking curved outgrowths black, and subsequently used more of the “Citadel” Base colour to gently blend the daemon's dark hands and trotters in with the Slaughter-kin's red limbs. In addition the unit leader’s Hellblade was undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna before being treated to at least two coats of Gold.

The great two-handed weapon, which can "cut effortlessly though any armour crafted by mortals", was later washed with "The Army painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Gold. Lastly I picked out the Warmonger of Khorne's "sharp, needle-like teeth" with “Vallejo” White and its "serpentine tongue" with Heavy Ochre. The blood-soaked beast’s "slavering jaws" were washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and its tongue, with Reikland Fleshshade.

"Toon Realms" WIPs - The two knights had been primed, washed and dry-brushed

Staying with the “Lord Of Skulls” I have slowly made some more progress on the Aspiring Champion I recently assembled to lead my squad of World Eater space marines for “Warhammer 40K”. This Heretic Astartes is a great example of how carried away I can sometimes get when super-gluing a miniature together from a plethora of pieces, without ever considering just how I am ever going to paint all the guns, icons and elaborately-detailed shoulder-pad whilst retaining my sanity.

Far more straightforward has been my pigmentation of some recently-arrived “Toon Realms” reinforcements from "Lucid Eye Publications". Whilst it would have been very tempting to just provide the knights with black straps, belts and sheaths, I ultimately felt their sculpts’ excellent detail deserved a more colourful palette, and therefore opted to apply some gold and brown to the two warriors’ armour and leatherwork…

"A Supernatural Blade That Cleaves Through Enemy Units."

"Forged from pure rancour, a Wrath-axe is Khorne's hatred incarnate."

This huge four-piece hard plastic 28mm scale model of a Wrath-Axe can be bought as part of the Judgements Of Khorne boxed set by "Games Workshop", and "is a manifestation of Khorne’s otherworldly anger." Summoned by a Khornate priest, "should their fury be worthy of the Blood God’s favour",  the "supernatural blade scrapes across the ground" hitting enemy units on a 2+ and causing them to suffer either D3 and D6 mortal wounds (potentially both).

Initially undercoated with two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Orange, "Khorne’s hatred incarnate" was washed with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Orange. The skull-infested flames were then highlighted using "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and later on, some Iraqi Sand.

Sharaz Jek Android WIPs - The robots have been primed and dry-brushed

The axe itself, whose shaft proved particularly difficult to reach with a brush-tip due to my naive decision to fully assemble the model prior to painting it, was primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and subsequently treated to a combination of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. The giant supernatural weapon was finished by dry-brushing "its razor edge" using some (more) "Citadel" Ironbreaker, and having its iconography 'picked out' with "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

With the last of my Judgements of Khorne completed, I have turned my attention to the much more straightforward subject of pigmenting another batch of Sharaz Jek Androids by "Black Tree Design". Disappointingly, these'll probably be the last of the company's "Doctor Who" miniatures range that I will be purchasing, as the last few orders I have made with them have proved troublesome at best. This particular array of robots, along with some armoured Sea Devils and a pair of Myrka, were purchased at the start of March and seemingly required a few prompts before they finally arrived over two months later...

Your Hobby Place Knight Mascot, Game Kastle Knight Mascot, and Gruf The Bear WIPs

In addition I have been busy basing and priming some more "Toon Realms" miniatures by "Lucid Eye Publications". I've currently got a fair few of King Victor's armoured knights on my painting table, so thought I'd add a couple of characters to their number in the shape of the Game Kastle Knight Mascot (n.b. I have filed away the G.K. on his shield) and Your Hobby Place Knight Mascot.

As I'm basing my Men of the West army upon J.R.R. Tolkien's Gondor, I aim to have one of these two heroes 'play the role' of Faramir, with the other probably representing Captain Ingold; who guarded the northern gate of the Rammas Echor. I also couldn't resist applying some paint to Grüf The Bear, whose hulking size and marvellous pose made me immediately think of Beorn the Skin-changer in his bestial form.

"This Slaughterpriest Is So Dedicated To The Howling Devotion To The Blood God..."

"...That even his enemies begin to fall to blind, bezerker rage."

This 42mm tall multi-part plastic kit of a Slaughterpriest with Hackblade and Wrath-hammer is produced by “Games Workshop” for their “Age Of Sigmar” range, and was 'originally' available as a as a freebie figure from the September 2016 edition of "White Dwarf". Consisting of ten pieces, this miniature was 'reasonably simple to assemble', albeit I did end up removing a skull which was jutting out from one of his shoulders on account of its slim spike disconcertingly bending to even the slightest of touches.

Super-glued onto a "Citadel" 40mm round base and "swollen with the power of Chaos", the model was primed using two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. His numerous golden surfaces, comprising of boot toe-caps, shin-guards, knee-pads, thigh-plates, stomach icon, shoulder-pad and helmet, were then treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Such are the priests of the Blood God, mighty warriors whose holy powers are bound to their prowess in battle."

Having decided that the Bloodbound was going to be dark-skinned, I painted his leather boots and linen undergarment with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and the numerous straps holding his armour in place with "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. In addition I 'picked out' the horns of the "favoured champion of Khorne" using a little Iraqi Sand, then later shaded these, alongside all the leather fastenings, with a dab of Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

The demagogue of "Khorne’s wrathful will" next had his loincloth, breeches, and skirt layered in "Vallejo" Heavy Red and washed with some "Citadel" Nuln Oil. This clothing was subsequently dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. I also applied some Heavy Red to the Slaughterpriest's left hand, highlighted his fingers with Dark Vermilion, and then generously washed the grisly fist with "Citadel" Crimson Carroburg.

Reaper Of Souls WIPs - The "Horrorclix" figure has had its skeleton layered, shaded and dry-brushed

With my 'grotesque slab of muscle' almost completed, I pigmented the "hulking" priest's Hackblade and Wrath-hammer with "Citadel" Ironbreaker, along with his belt's numerous metal adornments and painful-looking shoulder-spike, before treating all of these areas with a healthy splash of Nuln Oil. Then, as a final touch I dry-brushed the maniac's weapons with more Ironbreaker and his horns with some additional "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand.

With such a highly-detailed miniature 'under my belt' I have settled down to painting something far more straightforward in the shape of a "Horroclix" Reaper Of Souls by "Wizkids". This formidably-sized monster is a much-appreciated gift from Bryan Scott of "Vampifan's World Of The Undead" fame, and has been desperately waiting in the wings of my painting queue for far too long...

"We Are Truth-Speakers, We Men Of Gondor."

"We boast seldom, and then perform, or die in the attempt."

This "cartoon scale" white metal figure of one of King Victor's Royal Guard is produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range as a pack of four miniatures. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, I have painted the warrior in the colours of the Guards of the Tower of Gondor so as to field a unit of (Elite Foot) Guards of the Citadel for “Dragon Rampant” by "Osprey Games".

Initially primed with two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, this personal bodyguard to the Stewards of Gondor was dry-brushed using some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and subsequently washed in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The “mainly… stationary guard” then had his boots and spear shaft layered with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and his belt buckle, spear and helmet delicately dabbed in Gold. All of these areas were later washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"On very rare occasions a mortal has bested one of these daemons..."

The Tower Guard’s helmet, armour, chain-mail, shield emblem and spear-tip were pigmented using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. These parts were later delicately dry-brushed with (more) Ironbreaker. Finally, the knight’s linen surcoat was ‘picked out’ in “Vallejo” White and ‘shaded’ with a tiny amount of Pale Grey.

Stepping across into the much more serious fantasy-based universe of the Mortal Realms and “Age Of Sigmar” by “Games Workshop”, I have completed another two Bloodletters for my Blades of Khorne war-host. This pair of daemonic warriors, armed with fearsome Hellblades, were painted in my usual “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade palette, and takes my infantry unit’s total to twenty-two “Slaughter-kin”.

Aspiring Champion WIPs - The World Eater leader is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

Sticking with the Chaos Gods of “Games Workshop”, but shifting my attention forwards into the Forty-First Millennium, I am making some steady progress on the first of five World Eaters I recently assembled from an old Chaos Space Marine boxed set. These Heretic Astartes will be predominantly black and silver in colour, but in order to show their allegiance to Khorne, I plan on painting their shoulder-pads and helmets in the Blood God’s instantly recognisable red and gold colour scheme.

In addition, as this first figure will be the squad’s plasma pistol-wielding leader I thought I’d take the extra time in applying “Vallejo” Gold to all of the Aspiring Champion’s trim and adornments, rather than use the “Citadel” Ironbreaker I plan on using for the rest of the figures. Hopefully this will allow the model to stand out that bit more on the tabletop amidst his men, and yet still prevent the veteran warrior from blending in with the all-red and gold Khorne Bezerkers I intend to build once my initial corrupted Astartes are completed.

"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...

"Many A Doer Of Great Deeds Might Say No More."

"But what is a hobbit?"

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

Originally undercoated with two layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, Denethor's warrior was dry-brushed using some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and subsequently washed in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The soldier's boots were then treated to a touch of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, whilst his sword hilt was given a lick of Gold. Both of these areas were later washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Slaughterpriest WIPs - The Khorne warrior now just needs his helmet and shoulder-pad to be finished

I 'picked out' the Man-at-Arms' helmet, armour, chain-mail and shield emblem using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, before dry-brushing these parts with (more) Ironbreaker. Lastly, I spotted the model's belt-buckle with a dab of "Vallejo" Gold and a little Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

Sticking with fantasy I have continued to make some additional progress on my Slaughterpriest with Hackblade and Wrath-hammer for "Age Of Sigmar" by "Games Workshop". Somewhat frustratingly my decision to paint the "favoured champion of Khorne" as being dark-skinned has caused me a few minor issues in painting all the warrior's different-coloured leathers in sufficiently contrasting browns.

Space Marine WIPs - The Adeptus Astartes statue just needs to be dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Brass

Admittedly, most of these leg and armour straps can't actually be seen unless you pick the miniature up and look beneath his loin-cloth. But the 'Eavy Metal' fanboy in me wouldn't let me rest until I'd at least done a tabletop standard job using a mixture of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Brown, "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. Fortunately, since completing these areas I've found the Bloodbound warrior a lot more fun to paint, especially after deciding to pigment one of his hands as if it was drenched in gore.

Finally, I've almost finished an old Eighties plastic Space Marine I have 'rescued' from my 'Bitz Bin'. Now destined to forever stand upon my Forty-First Millennium battlefield as an aged Adeptus Astartes statue, I have completed the model's stone plinth and much of its brass-work, and am now working on its verdigris.

“They Call Him Baba Yaga.”

"It's personal."

This 28mm scale resin model of Baba Yaga was produced by “Spectre Miniatures” and was only available as a special limited edition figure for a short time on the company’s website following “Salute” 2019. Obviously influenced by Chad Stahelski’s 2014 American neo-noir action thriller film “John Wick”, the sculpt bares an uncannily strong resemblance to leading actor Keane Reeves.

The “retired but deadly hitman seeking vengeance” was initially cleaned of all his disconcertingly visible mould lines and ‘flash’ prior to being undercoated using two layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The paid killer was then roughly dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal before being almost drowned in "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Slaughterpriest WIPs - The Khorne warrior is slowing having all of his detail 'picked out'

Hoping to provide at least a little contrast to the all-black attired anti-hero, I subsequently ‘picked out’ Yaga’s shoes, hair, firearms and shoulder-strap with pure “Citadel” Abaddon Black, and unsurprisingly applied a coat of “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone to his face and hands. These areas of flesh were later washed using a little “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade, before being ‘lightened’ with a tad more “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone. Finally, some watered-down “Citadel” Abaddon Black was applied to Baba’s cheeks to (hopefully) provide the impression of his beard.

In addition to finishing my first ever figure from “Spectre Miniatures”, I have been slowly progressing the Slaughterpriest with Hackblade and Wrath-hammer I recently assembled in order to allow my “Age Of Sigmar” Chaos Army to utilise the Judgements of Khorne. This “Games Workshop” plastic model is absolutely packed full of detail, and resultantly has proved somewhat tough-going in comparison to my warhost’s more daemonic units.

Space Marine Statue WIPs - The Eighties plastic model has been re-based, primed and layered

In particular, the demagogue of Khorne’s wrathful will has a myriad of leg straps all hidden beneath his loincloth which have taken an age to carefully ‘pick-out’, shade and then paint around. To make matters worse though, I was rather keen on colouring the cloth protecting the dark prophet’s bare legs from their armour-plating in red rather than simple black, so have had to repeatedly return to these areas to ensure enough of the pigmentation is showing through to distinguish it from the hulking priest’s black boots and shorts.

Finally, I have ‘dug out’ one of the original plastic Adeptus Astartes I assembled from the Eighties Imperial Space Marine boxed set. Armed with a missile launcher, and unhappily thickly undercoated in black, I thought the model might enjoy a new lease of life on my tabletop as a bronze statue…