"We Will Drain The Oceans And Put The Humans In Chains."

"You are curious. You have seen the words, too. I can hear them tick inside you."

This 52mm tall metal Fisher King miniature is a promotional model produced by “Warlord Games” and is actually available free-of-charge if you purchase £75 worth of figures from the company's "Into The Time Vortex" range. Fortunately, I didn't even need to do that in order to acquire him, as instead I was very generously sent one of the first castings as a 'big thanks' for all my support of the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" game on this blog.

The towering "finely-sculpted scale pewter" piece, "officially approved by the BBC", is sculpted to resemble the "alien warlord who, in the 20th century, conquered Tivoli" and appeared in Toby Whithouse's 2015 television story "Before The Flood". In addition, the Fisher King is the first of the Nottingham-based manufacturer's collector models which has subsequently had some rules written for it, so it can be used as part of their "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game." These PDF cards can be found at the bottom of the figure's product page here.

The Fisher King WIPS - The model was primed, washed, and treated to a double dry-brush

The Fisher King was originally primed with "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, heavily washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and later dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, as well as a little White on his more prominently bony areas. I then began working my way up Albar Prentis' supposedly deceased cargo, by picking out his feet with Heavy Sienna and White. Both of these areas were then subsequently shaded using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"By far the most popular Quickshade on the market", at least according to "The Army Painter" website, I then continued to use the Strong Tone "pigmented varnish" to 'stain' the vast majority of the tyrant's garments, occasionally using some "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade as a base layer whenever I wanted to slightly change its hue. This smooth-flowing solution allowed me to easily 'shadow' many of the sculpt's more 'hard to reach' areas, such as behind the complex prosthetic suit's protruding horns and animatronic facial elements.

The Fisher King WIPS - The model was repeatedly washed with a variety of brown shades

With the basics finished, I turned my attention to the alien warlord's bleached bone armour and seriously detailed head. All these areas were 'tidied' up using some "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, before being washed with even more Strong Tone Quickshade, and then delicately dry-brushed with both "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand and White. In addition, I picked out the Fisher King's throat area using Heavy Sienna and maw with Heavy Red, and then dabbed some "ground-breaking Quickshade" over these parts too. The towering extra-terrestrial's hand-blaster was painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and a spot of "Vallejo" German Grey.

In the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" game, the Fisher King is a literal "One Man Army" whose sole objective is to "Exterminate all enemy characters and turn them into Ghost Servants." As a result he is "the only Recruitment card you take", and actually adds to his faction's size by "capturing the life energy of enemies" he kills "and turning them into incorporeal ghost-like minions". These "ghostly revenants" can then attack other characters themselves, "murder them and convert them into yet more ghosts."

"They Killed Him! Came From The Sea. The Sea. A Sea Devil!"

"We want revenge on the human species!"

These three 38mm tall metal Sea Devil miniatures are manufactured by “Warlord Games” and can be bought from their "Into The Time Vortex" range. Sculpted to replicate the "Sea Silurians" during Malcolm Hulke's 1972 televised six-parter "The Sea Devils", these classic Third Doctor-era creatures were clothed in blue netting by Maggie Fletcher after director Michael Briant felt their original costume design made them look as if they were naked.

All the figures were originally undercoated with "Vallejo" Verdigris, heavily washed with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and dry-brushed with some additional "Vallejo" Verdigris. Their feet were subsequently painted "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and their legs Heavy Green, before both these areas were dry-brushed with Heavy Sienna and washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"We could still destroy their ships before they are out of range."

The Sea Devils' weapon belts were 'picked out' using a combination of "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey, and their metallic hand-weapons were pigmented using "Citadel" Ironbreaker and a shade of Nuln Oil. The man-in-a-suit monsters' hands and heads were initially treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and their webbing 'slimed' with Heavy Green. Later, as with the reptilian lifeforms' legs, these areas were dry-brushed with Heavy Sienna and washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

As a last touch, each homo reptilia's string vest was darkened/dirtied with a random application of both "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. These garments were then re-highlighted in places by slowly drawing some "Vallejo" Verdigris across them.

Nero Narcos WIPs - The robotic crime boss has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

In 2012, alongside 648 other backers, I supported the "Judge Dredd Miniatures Game: Block War" Kickstarter by "Mongoose Publishing". Five years on and I have still yet to receive the entirety of my Sector Chief pledge, nor sadly, do I believe I ever will. However, what I have now been sent "fresh from the forges of Magister Militum" is "one of the last models to be done" for Mongoose Matt's long-winded Kickstarter, Nero Narcos.

To be honest, I stopped reading the comic "2000 A.D." well before this criminal's brain was ever transplanted into the body of "an armoured robotic body", and therefore missed his psychopathic reign over Mega-City One. But having placed the crisply cast "leader of the criminal syndicate the Frendz" onto a 40mm base, as opposed to the woefully undersized 25mm which accompanied him, I must confess to be very impressed with the sculpt's detail...

"And That's An Order!"

"You Puke! You Maggot!"

This 28mm metal miniature of Sergeant Slaughter is from a private collection and thus not commercially available. Luckily however, I was fortunate enough to be able to acquire a spare casting of the "Drill Instructor" and subsequently chose to paint him in a palette similar to how the Survival Trainer's carded action figure appeared in 1985.

Originally primed with two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the "immortalised" Professional Wrestler was dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and later heavily washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. His boots and shirt were then treated to a combination of "Vallejo" USA Olive Drab and "Citadel" Biel Tan Green, whilst his hat and moustache were 'picked out' with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Pack of two garbage disposal units, one short, one tall."

Sergeant Slaughter's belt was painted "Vallejo" White and subsequently shaded with Pale Grey. His belt buckle pigmented with "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade", and his wristband treated to a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, before being washed with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. Finally, a coat of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil were applied to the "celebrity" figure's shades.

In addition to finishing "the first G.I. Joe figure accurately based on a real person" and supposedly, "the most successful toy character" of the franchise, I have also completed two Garbage Disposal Units from "Wargames Terrain Workshop" Future City Scenics range. These two 'rubbish eaters' can be bought already painted, but as I wanted the pair of resin pieces to fit in with my 'rusty bare metal' post-apocalypse world, I decided to paint them myself.

Slitheen WIPs - The extra-terrestrial criminals have been undercoated using "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki

As a result both of the garbage units were undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and subsequently treated to a double layer of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey. They were then washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey, and washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, both pieces received a somewhat generous application of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash, and were dry-brushed for a third time with "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey.

Sadly, what space on my painting table these recent successes have created has not lasted long, on account of "Warlord Games" almost relentless release schedule for their "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" tabletop miniature range. Delightfully however, I don't mind at all, as these latest additions, the criminal Slitheen Family from Raxacoricofallapatorian, were sent to me by the Nottingham-based company free-of-charge, in thanks for all the articles I've recently posted about their "Into The Time Vortex" models...

"The Death Guard Are Foulness Made Manifest."

"They are a vision of unnatural corruption, of nobility, courage and strength perverted into nightmarish foulness..."

This 28mm scale plastic miniature of a Heretic Astartes is made by "Games Workshop" and can be found within the company's "ultimate Warhammer 40,000 boxed set" "Dark Imperium". One of seven actual Death Guard Plague Marine figures that can be assembled using the starter game's sprues, this Chaotic infantryman is armed with a bolt pistol and krak grenade.

Having super-glued the five-piece figure together, I primed the Nurgle space marine with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and subsequently 'dabbed' some Boltmetal Grey all over him. I then washed the tainted legionnaire with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed him with more "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey.

Out House WIPs - The wooden structure has been undercoated, shaded and dry-brushed

In order to provide the Plague God’s favoured with a decidedly rusty-look, the "eternally rotting" marine was treated to a generous coat of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade, before being 'subjected' to a layer of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash. The miniature was then once again (delicately) dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey.

With the basics finished, I then turned my attention to 'picking out' just some of the arguably insurmountable detail sculpted onto the "Disgustingly Resilient" figure. This consisted of applying a combination of "Vallejo" Brass and "Citadel" Nihilakh Oxide to one of the Plague Marine's knee-pads, scarab beetle ornaments and the head of a krak grenade. In addition, I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade to the Heretic Astarte's bolt pistol strap and ammunition belt. 

Sea Devils WIPs - The Jon Pertwee foes need just their heads and vests finishing off

With my "Warhammer 40k" 'pilot piece' finished, I have found the time to finally start working on some of the Wild West Terrain I recently purchased from "Wargames Terrain Workshop" for the Weird West rule-set "Dracula's America". This Out House has simply been washed, primed and dry-brushed, but once its had its separate door painted and attached, it should make for an interesting, if not potentially unappealing, objective marker on my 1875 battlefield.

Lastly, I am still 'diligently' progressing some more Sea Devils from my disconcertingly expanding collection of "Doctor Who" miniatures by "Warlord Games". I actually have another three of these "Aquatic Silurians" yet to even base, so felt I needed to get this trio completed as soon as possible; especially as the Nottingham-based manufacturer have just released the figures for a certain "family of criminal Raxacoricofallapatorians", as well as Victor Kennedy and his alter-ego, the Abzorbaloff.  

"These Spirits Of The Air Are Winsome And Wild..."

"Only marginally intelligent, they often substitute whimsy for strategy..."

This 48mm tall plastic miniature of an air elemental is "made in China" by "Wizards Of The Coast" and can be bought as model number 29 from the company's randomly sorted "Dungeons & Dragons Icons of the Realms: Elemental Evil" set. In addition, the villainous pre-painted piece can also be acquired as part of the board game "Temple of Elemental Evil", and is a much-appreciated gift from Steve and Hils of "The Game Cupboard" fame.

The "fast, flying creature made of living air" was initially undercoated with "Vallejo" White and washed with Pale Grey. It was then dry-brushed with some more White before being appropriately 'streaked' using some Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". Lastly, and in order to simply blend all of the figure's swirling vortexes together, it was given a third and final dry-brush of White.

Herald Of Nurgle WIPs - The model is slowly having all his intestines 'picked out' and washed

With the latest adversary for my planned "Expedition To Barrier Peaks" campaign completed, I have managed to make some additional progress on my (second) Herald of Nurgle for "Age Of Sigmar". This particular model of a "mortal who resists the ravages of Nurgle's Rot" is proving particularly fun to paint, despite all its detailed dripping innards, festering sores and tanglesome antlers, because it can also be fielded as a daemonic psyker for the eighth edition of "Warhammer 40K".

Indeed, as with so many of my Plague Lord followers, this "wiry and muscular" chaotic addition will actually help me towards my goal of fielding 1000 points worth of Nurgle forces for both Warhammer Fantasy Battle's replacement system, and Game Workshop's futuristic 41st millennium tabletop rule set. A dual role which is genuinely helping me overcome some of the time-consuming tedium of the quite heavily-converted plastic sculpt...

Plague Guard WIPs - The Heretic Astartes has been primed and then layered

Disconcertingly however, the promise of a much-more fast-paced science fiction shoot-fest by the Chaos God of Disease, Decay, and Destruction, has led me to build yet another Heretic Astartes from the game's "Dark Imperium" starter set. These traitors from one of the tainted legions are absolutely covered in intricate detail, much of which looks wonderfully ripe for an application or two of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash.  

"Trained With Australian S.A.S. And French Foreign Legion."

"Wanted for crimes in Zimbabwe and Libya."

This 28mm metal miniature of Major Sebastian Bludd is from a private collection and thus not commercially available. Fortunately though, I was lucky enough to be able to acquire a spare casting of the "mercenary working for the Cobra Organization" and have painted him in a palette similar to how the military advisor's carded action figure appeared in 1983.

Initially undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the tactical-minded terrorist's uniform was painted using some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna" and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. The bad poet's knee-pads, torso armour, and helmet were then dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, whilst his pistol was treated to a layer of Gunmetal Grey. Both of these areas were then washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and Bludd's "Snidely Whiplash-style moustache" was 'picked out' with more Abaddon Black.

"Lord Oren has retrieved treasures from ancient ruins before..."

Alongside the fourth of my "G.I. Joe" figures, I have also managed to finish work on an old "Wizkids" plastic "Mage Knight" piece which I have turned into an objective marker. The doorway itself comes from the long out of production Dungeons Builders Kit, and was simply super-glued to one of the thin-lipped 40mm circular bases I often use as a stand for my scenery.

The model was originally primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and then had its wooden door layered with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. All of the metal bolts, padlock and hinges, as well as its skull decorations were subsequently 'picked out' with "Citadel" Ironbreaker and shaded with Nuln Oil. Finally, the entrance's archway was painted with "Vallejo" Dark Grey, washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Dark Grey.

Plague Guard WIPs - The Chaos Space Marine has been primed, layered and washed

Sadly, despite making a little inroad into the horde of miniatures currently littering my painting table, I have yet to be able to resist the call of Nurgle when the Plague God's gaze falls upon me, and resultantly, I have added to my already overcrowded queue another Heretic Astartes from the "Dark Imperium" boxed set by "Games Workshop". This particular plastic Plague Guard proved particularly 'attractive' to me because he is carrying arguably my favourite "Warhammer 40k" hand-weapon of all-time, the plasma gun...

"Cyber Leader Moves Pawn To Discover Check."

"We shall simply take it and kill you both."

These two 40mm tall metal Cybermen miniatures are manufactured by “Warlord Games”, and a single casting of their "excellent" pose can be found within the company's splendid "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set 1966-2013. Fortunately however, having already previously painted my version from the boxed set, I was extremely fortunate enough to be sent a couple more of the "cybernetically augmented humanoids" by the Nottingham-based company, and have therefore taken the opportunity to turn one of the figures into the Cyber Leader; as played by David Banks in the 1988 television story "Silver Nemesis".

The silver giants were originally primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before being given a double coat of Ironbreaker and a wash of Nuln Oil. The pairs' eyes were then darkened with a tiny dab of Abaddon Black and both miniatures dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker. In order to try and replicate the Cybermen's chrome like finish, I attempted to make it's head and chest unit standout by dulling down everything else with a second application of Nuln Oil.

"The Cyberfleet are still not receiving our transmission, Leader."

"Warlord Games" are arguably paying the Cybermen an increasing amount of attention currently, and have just announced that the "Tomb of the Cybermen" scale diorama produced by "Nik N-fx Hull" and his team has finally been fully approved for manufacture. In addition, there seem to be a number of imminent classic "Doctor Who" sets coming up for their "Into The Time Vortex" range, such as the Movellans, the Vervoids, Commander Linx and Irongron, as well as Rago, Toba and three Quarks from the 1968 serial "The Dominators".

Indeed, the manufacturers of these "finely-sculpted scale pewter" miniatures are also looking to produce a "I Am The Master!" set of Master figures, featuring versions of Roger Delgado, Peter Pratt, Anthony Ainley, John Simm ("in hoody") and Michelle Gomez. Plus plastic Sontarans and the Ice Warriors as seen in the 2017 televised episode "Empress of Mars"...

Death Guard WIPs - The Heretic Astartes has been washed, dry-brushed and twice re-washed

Despite so much imminent "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" goodness 'clouding' my vision, I have still found some hobby-time to start painting the first Heretic Astartes for my Eighth Edition "Warhammer 40K" Chaos army. This particular plastic sculpt can be found within the "Dark Imperium" Starter Box by "Games Workshop" and is absolutely packed full of complicated details ranging from tentacles squirming their way out of battered armour plating to tiny, delicate-looking scarab beetles dangling off of breathing tubes.

Ideally I want to be able to create a squad of ten Plague Marines for my predominantly daemonic force, and thus provide it with some much-needed firepower. But as I currently only plan to use an almost 'skirmish-type' 500-point force for my initial battles, I simply need to pigment the unit's minimum strength of a Champion and four marines...