"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.