“You Bred Raptors?”

"The point is, you are alive when they start to eat you."

These two 28mm scale white metal dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous Period used to be produced by "Copplestone Castings" under Code K12 , but currently only seem to be available via the "Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company" as Code DI54 - Deinonychus x2. Coming in two different poses the Terrible Claws "measure approximately 63mm long" and form part of the Birmingham-based manufacturer's rather extensive range of dinosaurs, prehistoric animals and monsters.

Rather shockingly, I've actually owned this pair of models for a significant number of years, and initially super-glued each of them upon a couple of adjoining two pence pieces. Fortunately, my somewhat ad hoc basing methodology of yesteryear is well behind me, and as a result they were more recently re-based upon a couple of "Games Workshop" plastic 40mm circular bases.

"Clever girl..."

The two Deinonychuses were also re-undercoated using a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, which quickly masked the original (and horribly translucent) "Citadel" Dark Angels Green paint I had applied so many moons ago. The sharp-toothed meat-eaters were then drenched in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed using some (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey.

It was at this point, approximately eighteen months ago, that a desperate attempt to finish these carnivores first failed, as I unsuccessfully attempted to paint some lines down one of the dinosaur's backs. This time round though, I simply decided to leave them well enough alone, and instead focused on 'picking out' the crest using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. These colours were also used on the monster's tongue.

"Warcry" WIPs - The Drillmaster now just needs to have his red armour pigmented

I pigmented both prehistoric animals' "unusually large, sickle-shaped" talons with "Vallejo" White, as well as all their tiny teeth and formidable-looking claws, and subsequently washed them with some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, I spotted the duo's eyes with a dab of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre, and shaded them with a little "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

With two reasonably straightforward painting subjects completed, I have managed to subsequently make some very visible progress on my Drillmaster for "Warcry". This Iron Golem by "Games Workshop" has caused me some significant frustration on account of all his brass-coloured chain-mail and uber-dynamic fighting pose. However, I have finally reached the stage where I am ready to apply some "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red Contrast paint to the figure's armour...

"Dark Indeed Is The Hour."

"And at such times you are wont to come, Mithrandir."

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

Initially undercoated with two layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, Denethor's warriors were dry-brushed using some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal in order to bring out some of their large cloaks' detail, and subsequently washed in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The soldiers' boots were then treated to a touch of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, whilst their sword hilts and belt buckles were given a lick of Gold.

"Copplestone Castings" WIPs - These two Deinonychus just need some washes and a tidy up

Both of these areas were later washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. Finally I 'picked out' the Men-at-Arms' helmets, neck armour, chain-mail and shield emblems using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, and eventually dry-brushed these parts with (more) Ironbreaker.

What with the vast majority of my partially-painted "Toon Realms" figures now being finished, I have been rummaging around for some thematically different miniatures, and subsequently stumbled upon a pair of Deinonychuses by "Copplestone Castings" which have sat upon my 'To Do' pile arguably for as long as I can remember. I actually tried to finish the duo of dinosaurs about eighteen months ago, but was something put off by some failed attempts to provide them with some stripes...

"Heroclix" WIPs - Titanium Man, Namor the Sub-Mariner, the Abomination and a Doombot

Stepping over towards the imminent Tenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, I have also been busily re-basing a veritable host of "Heroclix" models for the competition, and giving them a bit of a prime. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I've been selecting some of the "Wizkids" range's more straightforward sculpts to re-paint, yet am equally as keen as to ensure that they'll get a place on my tabletop once they've been varnished and had their base's flocked.

Having recently perused my gaming collection, I'm definitely in need of a few more "Marvel Comics" foes, so have selected some of the more memorable super-villains of my childhood with which to challenge the Avengers, the Hulk and the Fantastic Four. As a result, I'm hoping to add to my stash of Russian armoured patriots with Titanium Man, pigment an army of Doombots for the monarch of Latveria, menace Susan Storm with the unsolicited advances of Prince Namor, and finally batter Bruce Banner's alter-ego with the (original) Abomination...

"But Even The Wild Wargs..."

"...(for so the evil wolves of the Edge of the Wild were named) cannot climb trees."

This 28mm scale white metal figure of Grimm The Wolf is produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range as part of the company’s “Where’s Runcorn?” Adventure Module 2 series. Sculpted by Trish Carden, I intend to use half a dozen of the furry miniatures to represent a pack of the "giant, intelligent, and malevolent wolves" depicted in J.R.R. Tolkien’s "The Hobbit" as a unit of Lesser Warbeasts for “Dragon Rampant” by "Osprey Games".

Originally primed using two coats of "Vallejo" Dark Grey, the goblin steed was drenched in "Citadel" Nuln Oil before being heavily dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal. As I felt this still made the 'warg of Gundabad' somewhat too dark in colour for my liking, I decided to give the animal a lighter dry-brush of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey.

"Toon Realms" WIPs - These King Victor Men-At-Arms just need some shading and dry-brushing

However, before applying the paint, I waited until it was almost completely dry on my palette in order for it to actually cover the model in a fine dust of pigment, rather than a straightforward 'highlight'. I then dotted the beast's angry eyes with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. Finally, I 'picked out' all of the wolf's sharp teeth with "Vallejo" White and shaded them using a little "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Whilst working on Grimm, I have also dug out three partially-painted figures taken from King Victor's Men-at-Arms pack. I actually completed a test piece from this blister back in the early summer, but then seemingly lost the “Lucid Eye Publications” bug shortly afterwards. I hope to use these Steve Saleh sculpts to represent a unit of (Heavy Foot) Minas Tirith Knights for “Dragon Rampant”, so was rather pleased to discover that alongside this trio I also own another two unopened plastic bags containing even more of the armoured soldiers.

"Lucid Eye Publications" WIPs - These primed figures (and more like them) will be finished during the AHPC

Indeed, having cleaned, based and primed these welcome reinforcements, I will now have enough Men-at-Arms to field a full-strength, twelve-model warriors of Gondor warband for my reinvigorated "Lord Of The Toons" project. Happily, I have additionally also uncovered a handful of members taken from King Victor's Royal Guard; one of which I have previously pigmented in the colours of the Guards of the Tower of Gondor...

Lastly, I have decided to make use of a free miniature “Lucid Eye Publications” kindly sent me in my most recent order, by turning it into a bronze statue of a fabled "Toon Realms" wizard. For now, I've simply super-glued the metal figure onto a plastic 25mm base (to represent a stone plinth) and then subsequently stuck it to one of the 40mm thin-lipped circular bases I use for objective markers. But once the Tenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) has started I intend to submit it as a reasonably straightforward example of a verdigris-crusted casting.

"Oathbreakers, Why Have You Come?"

"To fulfil our Oath and have peace."

This quartet of "cartoon scale white metal" Skeleton Swordsmen are produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and are available from the company's "Toon Realms" range. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, these Undead warriors are a potential threat to any adventurers foolish enough to enter the Bone Hall whilst exploring the manufacturer's first "A.Y.E." module, "Caverns Of The Frog King".

Originally primed with two coats of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, the four miniatures were somewhat soaked in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and subsequently dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Dark Sand. I then dry-brushed them rather more lightly with White, before 'picking out' their swords and shield emblems using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil.

"Toon Realms"WIPs - Grimm the Lone Wolf has been repeatedly dry-brushed and had his details 'picked out' 

In order to give the hand-weapons something of an edge, and to 'highlight' the details on the skeletons' ornamental armoured bosses, both of these areas were delicately dry-brushed with a smidgen of "Citadel" Ironbreaker. Lastly, I applied a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Blue, Heavy Violet or "Citadel" Abaddon Black to their shields, and later dirtied them all up with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Due to the Tenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge now being less than a fortnight away, most of my spare hobby time has been spent basing and priming a plethora of the pieces I plan to enter into the event during its opening month. Curt Campbell has proved as generous an Administrator as always this year, by squeezing in a few more participants than he originally announced.

"Heroclix" WIPs - The huge Nul, one of the U-Men, and Nul's hammer

As a result though, all contestants "must have an entry submitted within the first month" or be dropped from the Challenge roster. Fortunately, I quite recently received the rather formidably-sized "Wizkids" miniature of Nul from their Marvel "Heroclix" Fear Itself expansion. Based upon "one of Cul Borson's eight children that he transformed into magical hammers", the monster is pure black apart from a pair of piercing white eyes and a demonic-looking set of razor-sharp fangs.

In addition, I was lucky enough to pick up Nul's hammer too, and intend turning the ultra-powerful hand-weapon into an objective marker. Finally, I have discovered and subsequently re-based some more U-Men as well. Antagonists of the X-Men I've previously submitted ten members of this human supremacist group in the AHPC before, but this time round may well look to convert some of their weapons using spare parts from my bitz-box...

“The Dead Are Following, Said Legolas."

"Yes, the Dead ride behind. They have been summoned, said Elladan."

These four "cartoon scale white metal" figures of Lord Rascal's Skeleton Warriors are produced by “Lucid Eye Publications” and can be bought from the company's "Toon Realms" range. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, these Undead spearmen will form part of a much larger (second) Light Foot unit I have planned for my Necromancer's ever-expanding “Dragon Rampant” army.

Originally primed with two coats of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, the quartet were heavily washed in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and enthusiastically dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Dark Sand. I then dry-brushed them somewhat more lightly with Dead White in order to try and replicate the colour scheme I’d established for the figures’ bleached bones some ten months ago.

"Lucid Eye Publications" WIPs - These four Skeleton Swordsmen need their metallic areas shaded

This step actually took a couple of attempts to get reasonably right, as I soon found my sole pot of “Vallejo” Dead White to have completely run dry and my imaginatively named alternative, “Vallejo” White, to be a significantly brighter tone. In addition, due to my heavy-handiness whilst dry-brushing the models, I had to provide a couple of figures with a second shading of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade so as to correct their overly-light appearance.

With the bulk of work completed on my Skeletons, I 'picked out' their spear-tips and shield emblems using a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, and subsequently 'highlighted' their details with a delicate dry-brush of "Citadel" Ironbreaker. I also painted each of their shields in either "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Blue, Heavy Violet or Black, and later dirtied these all up with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Warcry" WIPs - These two Iron Golem warriors are gradually having all their chainmail 'picked out'

Finally I used "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to pigment both the Undead warriors’ leather boots and their spear-shafts, and applied a little Heavy Brown to their spear-straps. All of these areas were then shaded in "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and left to dry whilst I began work on four of the "Toon Realms" ranges Skeleton Swordsmen.

Moving across to the much more detailed models of "Games Workshop", I have slowly made some more progress on my Iron Golem warband for "Warcry". These extraordinarily dynamic figures have proved disconcertingly time-consuming as painting subjects, but I hope to have the warriors' Drillmaster completed soon, and then it'll be on to the group's Dominar...

"Trapped. Help Me. Trapped."

"Increase power. Emergency. Increase power."

This 28mm scale model of a Dalek is produced by “Warlord Games”, and can be assembled from one of the plastic sprues found within the Davros & The New Dalek Empire boxed set for their "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" tabletop miniatures game. Conceived by Terry Nation and designed by Raymond Cusick in 1963, these particular sculpts are based upon Henry van Statten's so-called "Metaltron" shell, which first appeared in the April 2005 BBC Television series story "Dalek".

Unfortunately for this particular figure however, I wanted to use the "easy-fit plastic" piece to represent a Kaled mutant which had died desperately trying to escape its Mark III travel machine following the casing's partial destruction. As a result, I cut off the Dalek's dome so as to re-position it and snipped away the deadly extra-terrestrial's sucker cup, before super-gluing it to one of the 40mm thin-lipped circular bases I use for objective markers.

"Doctor Who: Exterminate!" WIPs - These three Ogrons have had their trousers layered and shaded.

I also took the opportunity to model parts of the decimated Kaled itself, leaking out of some of the holes in its outer shell. These gory entrails were made of grey-stuff and simply rolled into sausages. I then stuck them into position and added some lumpy bumps courtesy of a modelling knife. Once I was reasonably happy with the entire ensemble, it was primed in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

As the destroyed Dalek needed to tie-in with my other Time War mechanical casings, I next gave the model a double coat of Brass, washed it with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and applied a rough dry-brush of more "Vallejo" Brass all over it. Later I 'picked out' the extra-terrestrial's eye stalk and blast gun with some "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, and painted the alien's one remaining light bulb safety valve with a combination of "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey.

Dalek WIPs - An Interrogator Prime, a Scientist and a 'converted' Time War drone

Finally, I used some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to coat the pepper pot's fender and laid down a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey over the gooey corpse of its occupant. This bubbly mess was subsequently washed with "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green...

Enthused with finishing this long-forgotten mini-project, I have now started work pigmenting three Ogrons I discovered gathering dust alongside my decimated Dalek, and have already completed their trousers. In addition, I have based up six more of the Mark III travel machines to add even more support to my Skaro-based forces for "Doctor Who: Exterminate!"; albeit their colour schemes will follow those of an Interrogator Prime, Scientist and Axis Strike Squad, as depicted in the audio shows by "Big Finish".

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Toon Realms" December 2019

"Lucid Eye Publications" WIPs - Twelve of their skeletons are currently being dry-brushed and pigmented

Along with sixty-seven other participants I currently plan to use the first three weeks of this month prepping and priming all manner of miniatures so as to have them 'match ready' for the Tenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC). However, as per last year I am also determined to vastly reduce my mountain of models over the next four months by specifically targeting all the figures I currently own which have previously received the odd lick of paint or two in an entirely separate personal challenge too.

As a result, I have plucked my incomplete horde of Skeleton Swordsmen and Lord Rascal's Skeleton Warriors by "Lucid Eye Publications" from their somewhat cobwebbed hobby drawer, with the intention of completing the half-finished Undead army for my Partially-Painted Pledge. In addition, these bony fighters will also make a nice entry as part of Phil Curran's "Deadcember" over on his excellent "Dizbusters Gaming Ephemera" blog.

"Modiphius Entertainment" WIPs - These Romulan Centurions are now ready for their details to be 'picked out'

I've actually found returning to these dozen "cartoon scale white metal" figures a little daunting at first, as, after several months of inactivity, it took me a couple of attempts to properly replicate their 'bleached bone' palette of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and "Vallejo" White. Fortunately, I think I have it down to 'a fine art' once again, and am now quickly progressing through their ranks with a twenty-four strong table-top ready army of Lord Rascal's Undead finest in my sights... 

Also earmarked for completion before the AHPC begins on the 21st December 2019, are the four remaining Romulan Centurions by "Modiphius Entertainment" I have left over from the company's "Star Trek Adventures" Strike Team boxed set. I'm hoping my (secondary and perhaps overly optimistic) plan to not actually purchase any more miniatures until "Salute" 2020, should mean I can crack on through my significant collection of these 32mm scale resin models, and actually enter those currently still 'sat in their box' untouched for the AHPC itself.

November 2019 - "Black Tree Design" continues to prove very popular despite its significant postal delays

Productivity wise, the past four weeks have proved to be my busiest November by far, and resultantly I have my sights firmly locked on beating my best annual painting tally ever of 1,136 points (approximately 227 x 28mm figures). Much of the month's success was down to an overwhelming compulsion to pigment many more superhero related models, whether they simply be "Wizkids" re-paints taken from their "Heroclix" range, or the larger scale resin figures produced by "Knight Models" for their Teen Titans Bat-box.

Indeed, this comic book bug will at least carry on until the end of the year, courtesy of both the AHPC and my Partially-Painted Pledge, as I have so many "Marvel Worldwide" and "DC Comics" characters already lined up as potential entries for both events. However, looking back at November's achievement, I must also give a nod to “Modiphius Entertainment” and their Borg Collective boxed set, whose excellent sculpts inspired me to finally finish the last five drones I had originally planned to submit for “Zomtober” 2019.