Miss Fantorical 2024 - An "Undercoat" Painting Pageant

Another year has come and gone, and it sure does seem to go quicker as you get older! Once again I'm sticking to the annual tradition of reviewing all the miniatures posted up on this "Fantorical" wargaming blog during 2024, and as per last year will pick a model for each month, before then selecting an overall favourite. My choices are based on the miniature, the paint job, the rule of cool and other eclectic factors - such as nostalgia etc. Some months had some straight forward choices, whereas others were very tricky due to them containing multiple miniatures that would have made a straightforward 'Top Twelve' pick. But rules are rules.

January - Resistance Fighter 1C by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" - January 31st

I have long admired the crisp looking miniatures that this company produce, and this one is a sculpt that has a great balance between pose, detail and character. The paint scheme is dark, which contrasts with the hair and face, so your eye is drawn to the latter as a superb focal point. I really like this one a lot.

February - Maus Super Tank by "Forged In Battle" - February 26th

In complete contrast to the last miniature in both scale and theme this 15mm scale World War Two leviathan looks amazing in my opinion. First of all the miniature is incredible, but I adore the tiny crew that have been added. I also really like that camouflage pattern that has been applied - despite it was described as being 'splodged on'..! It looks intricate and eye catching to me.

March - Howard Quartz by "Warlord Games" - March 31st

This miniature is from the ABC Warriors game, and forms part of the company's 2000 AD range. The model just oozes character to me, and it again demonstrates how well metallics are painted on this site. The splashes of colour break up the large metal areas brilliantly and really draws the eye in. Plus, who can possibly resist a dapper robot with and umbrella..?

April - Bisqueware Monster by "Ashbury Manor" - April 4th

Right, I know this might be controversial as April is jam packed with miniature goodness. However, this cute little blue monster is different, eclectic and just plain superb. Admittedly, figures from both the Horus Heresy and Napoleonic Period came in with all guns blazing during this time period, and nearly defeated the cute little kaiju. Yet ultimately I couldn’t resist. I fully appreciate being a "craft piece" that this 'Pokemonesque' little guy isn’t really a wargaming model. But he looks absolutely fabulous to me due to the paint-job's colours popping, it oozing charm, and looking brilliant!

May - Monica Rambeau by "Wizkids" - May 27th

Now, May didn’t have a whole lot of choice in it, but this "Heroclix" has filled in the almost obligatory superhero pick on my list. A character I don’t really know a lot about - so the potted history in the posting was a blessing - who looks funky and shows repainting pre-painted miniatures is worth the time and effort.

June - 'The Foot' by "CoolMiniOrNot" - June 11th

Okay, we are going weird again. If there is one thing this blog does exceptionally well, it is to show off unusual eclectic miniatures, and 3D prints. The stuff that is out there on the periphery of the hobby is just amazing. This model is certainly different. It is the foot from Monty Pythons Flying Circus and is used in the popular Zombicide game. It’s a foot! And, I love it. The skin is painted so well and it just looks sensational. Mad, but sensational. Anybody else wonder who keeps the toe nails so well trimmed..?

July - Ultron by "CoolMiniOrNot" - July15th

Another tough month. So why Ultron? Another superhero/villain. Another CMON figure. I know, but he just looks awesome. The miniature looks so full of character sculpted in that chibi-style which the game uses, and the paint scheme, while simple enough, just explodes off the screen. Great metallics with red details that pop like a balloon in a pin factory. I just adore this one.

August - Napoleonic French Late Infantry Commander In Greatcoat by "Wargames Foundry" - August 19th

I have always loved the Sharpe novels set in the Napoleonic Wars. But I have not really been interested in Napoleonic miniatures until recently, due to a perception that the uniforms and forces can be both complicated, as well as confusing. However, this blog has done a good job in promoting how great soldiers from this period are. This officer is colourful, full of character and looks brilliant. Indeed, as a result of being buoyed up by the enthusiasm this blog has shown over recent times, I have taken the plunge and started my own small, slightly gothic force for "The Silver Bayonet".  It was also good to see YouTuber Peachy jump on the bandwagon and show off some Napoleonics too, so surely "Peachy Tips" and "Fantorical" both can’t be wrong..?

September - Space Pet by "Black Site Studios" - September 30th

Another miniature from, I suspect, the less well known game of "Lunar" - which involves combat on the moon. In a month of umpteen great miniatures and great paint jobs, why did this space puppy get picked? Well, he is cute, quirky and different, that is why.  A great little miniature. I just think he looks amazing.

October - Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadier In Greatcoat Marching by "Wargames Foundry" - October. 21st

I am unashamedly back in Napoleonic times. This gentleman epitomises the appeal of this period to me. A time when colourful uniforms made battlefields look splendid (until the fighting started and they became an awful hellscape!). A time when uniforms were packed full of details and character. A time when moustaches were awesome (No 1970's miniatures were painted to compete unfortunately!). This miniature just looks incredible: the colours the character, the care taken to pick out the details. Chef’s kiss.

November - Soviet Cosmonaut by "Black Site Studios" - November. 21st

Well the moon has lured me in again with another great miniature and paint scheme. This space man has been painted in the unusual colour of red, rather than the usual white. But once on the tabletop you'll know for sure that this guy originates from the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. I also absolutely love the shield he has. It has been painted to look like it came from a space ship, or part of some installation, and I think that is just tremendously imaginative. The mysterious red space grass caps off a fabulous look for me.

December - Vulgorn Guards by "Lost Heresy Miniatures" - December 9th

Another very different miniature, these aliens are so strange and full of character that they practically demand your attention. The colour scheme is a fairly simple one of a dark grey and black uniform. But they are painted so neatly, and with such care, that they just look amazing. A great reason to go and explore what 3D prints exist out there!

Well that is my top 12. My overall favourite is……

The Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadier In Greatcoat Marching by "Wargames Foundry". A wonderfully characterful miniature that is painted with love and care that looks sensational!

As always feel free to disagree, and why not say what your favourite miniature of the year from this blog was. Happy hobbying and a prosperous New Year to all.

"Italian Officers Were A Mixed Bag..."

 "...With some enthusiastically serving in the Royal Italian Army..."

These two 28mm multi-part plastic miniatures were assembled using various parts taken from the Italian Army & Blackshirts sprue produced by "Warlord Games", and can be found inside a number of their boxed kits such as SKU: 402015801. However, I was lucky enough to be able to assemble them using a free sprue or two which the Nottingham-based company generously sent me as part of a much larger "Bolt Action" order, and plan for the pair to accompany my Company Commander as part of his Headquarters Unit on the battlefield.

To be totally honest I have never been a fan of kneeling down figures, and in the past have tried my best to avoid using such models whenever I can. For this project though, I didn't want to essentially waster a sixth of the options available to me, and thought I'd simply utilise the pose to represent my various squads' officers, or in this case, my Major's "immediate attendants". As a result I decided to have one chap pointing at something (in an effort to draw his superior's attention), and the other just 'hunkered down' waiting for an order.

"...And others reluctant to fight for seemingly worthless territories far from home."

The Italians were figure were undercoated using a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, and shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then 'picked out' their water bottle, saddlebag, rifle strap and the odd leather strap using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I also applied a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil" to the fascists' rifles and canteen stoppers, as well as a bit of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to their rifles.

With my Headquarters Unit now complete, and totalling 56pts for the (Inexperienced) officer and his two (Inexperienced) men - at least according to the Italian Army PDF released by "Warlord Games" in September 2024 - I am busy assembling a few five-model squads to represent the various elements of my force's Infantry, such as the Camicie Nere (Blackshirts) Militia and Bersaglieri. All of these units will be created using the manufacturer's plastic sprues; albeit I do plan to pick up some of their metal blisters so as to field a few support teams too.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Space Marine is having some of his details 'picked out' in "Vallejo" Gold

Alongside this soon-to-be blossoming "Bolt Action" project, I am patiently working my way through the last of my currently-built 28mm multi-part plastic Sons of Horus Space Marines for "The Horus Heresy" by "Games Workshop". Rather than tackle these remaining MK IV armoured Adeptus Astartes en-mass, I'm finding the detailed sculpts to be much more manageable when pigmented individually - especially my ten-man unit's incredibly 'busy' Sergeant.

I aim to make this particular range of figures one of my focal points for the forthcoming year, as I would really like to get at least one game under my belt before "the largest and the most successful hobby miniatures company in the world" bring out a new edition of the rules - as per the current circulating rumours. In addition, I own a fair few more plastic kits for it, many of which have been rather embarrassingly just sat gathering dust on a shelf since I first bought the Warhammer: Horus Heresy - Age Of Darkness box way back in June 2022...

"From The Depths Of Space..."

 "...An incredibly ancient vessel drifts slowly towards the Imperium Of Mankind."

This 30mm tall white metal casting of an undead astronaut is produced by "Diehard Miniatures" and can be bought as part of the company's five-figure SKU: UDTP069 Skeletal Spacemen Unit 1 set. "Rising from the fallen, the wastelands, the forgotten battlefields and the hulks in orbit," this particular model has been rather embarrassingly sat languishing half-painted in one of my drawers for over five years, having originally been purchased for "Zomtober" 2019.

Described as being cursed to "follow the bidding of their new master the Tech Mancer", I recall undercoating the poor fellow with plenty of "Vallejo" White and shading him with some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade - as I planned on the characterful sculpt representing a former NASA employee who had bitten the dust whilst exploring the Moon (or something). The rocketeer was then dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" White, and had the handle to his large fire-axe 'picked out' using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Resistance is useless!"

Because I really wanted the vast majority of the spacesuit to remain white, I decided to solely focus upon dabbling with a few little bits and pieces of the astronaut's equipment instead. Resultantly, I applied a "Citadel" Abaddon Black base layer to the skeleton's axe-head and coiled tubing, before giving them a lick of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I also used a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson" on the Spaceman's oxygen tank, whilst opting for "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade for a secondary flask attached to his back.

Lastly, I took my time in dirtying up the walking cadaver, with a little "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green, so as to hopefully suggest putrefaction. Furthermore, I plonked a dollop or two of Games Workshop's Contrast Paint Flesh Tearer's Red into all the visible holes and tears found on the miniature, and subsequently dropped some Carroburg Crimson into them too, so the Shade could spill out and down the wound.

"Or I will rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon, see if I don't!"

In addition to this impulse paint-job, I have completed a seventh 28mm scale Vulgorn Guard by "Lost Heresy Miniatures". The miniature was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, and due to some major issues concerning the tension of my resin tank's FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene), or rather lack of, emerged with a malformed left glove. Fortunately, despite my extremely limited ability with Green Stuff, I was able to salvage the model by successfully sculpting on the missing part.

This (not) "Hitchhiker's Of The Galaxy" model was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" German Grey and Gunmetal, with a significant splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Bronze and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on his rectangular-shaped gun. I also applied a little "Vallejo" Heavy Fleshshade to the extra-terrestrial's nose, and later sploshed it with some "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green - a union I plan to use for many a goblin/greenskin in future I can assure you...

"ls This A Civic Reception..?"

"More like a police state."

This 28mm scale white metal model of a 'gas-masked goon' is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought either separately as Alien Legionary 1A, or as part of their four-figure Alien Legionnaries set. Sculpted by Ernst Veingart, the miniature has clearly been strongly influenced by Danilo Donati's costume design for the Emperor Ming's minions seen in Mike Hodges' cult 1980 movie "Flash Gordon", and was started in earnest way back in March of this year.

Originally primed using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, the trooper was given a positive drenching in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, before being dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. The guard then had all of his leather straps and belt carefully 'traced out' with a little bit of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and his belt buckle/shoulder epaulettes were tackled using a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Vogons are slug-like but vaguely humanoid."

I also decided to slightly change the colour of the legionary's gloves - to suggest they were made of a different material - by 'picking them out' with a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Dark Vermillion. These garments were subsequently shaded with a quick dash of "Vallejo" Carroburg Crimson. I did consider applying some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to both the model's face-mask lenses and blaster rifle, but eventually settled on just dotting in the semi-circular eyes, as I thought the gun better matched the film props in plain black, so soon decided to leave it well enough alone.

Alongside the first of what I hope to be a small army of the Emperor's Ming's minions (as I certainly own enough), I have completed a sixth 28mm scale Vulgorn Guard by "Lost Heresy Miniatures". The miniature was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, and contains a fair few flaws as a result of the resin tank's FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) being a little too loose - thus causing some considerable suction which played merry havoc with the STL (Standard Triangle Language) file's pre-supports.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This Prussian officer is having all of his intricate details 'picked out'

Luckily, the 'slippage ridges' found on one of the figure's left arm isn't all that noticeable, especially with its current palette, and the shallow hole located on its back has been pigmented as if its simply a tear in the alien's rubber one-suit with the greenish flesh showing beneath. This (not) "Hitchhiker's Of The Galaxy" model was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" German Grey and Gunmetal, with a significant splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Bronze and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on his rectangular-shaped gun.

I've also started to try to play catch-up with my monthly Napoleonic painting goal using "Wargames Foundry" models. Resultantly, I've dug out a Prussian Officer from their PN031 Infantry Command I began working on many months ago, with the intention of getting the colourfully-costumed combatant completed before the year has finished...

"Oi! You With Bowler!"

"Get under cover or you'll get your flippin' 'ead blown off!"

This 28mm metal model is produced by "Athena Miniatures" as part of their Apocalypse Survivors range, and is one of eight similarly attired figures found inside the Swindon-based company's AS11 British NBC set. I actually picked it up as part of a much larger impulse buy whilst at "Warfare" 2024, as they're based on the notion of the Russians invading the United Kingdom following some great calamity - whether that be a nuclear strike, zombie incursion or some deadly extra-terrestrial attack.

This lore caused me to recall the classic "Invasion!" comic book strip created by Pat Mills for "2000 A.D." during the late Seventies, and I have subsequently painted up a squad of four Russian invaders dressed for Radiological, Chemical and Biological warfare to get me going. This time round though I thought I'd put my brush-tip to some of the country's heavily outnumbered defenders, and picked a single test piece with which to trial my chosen palette.

"Here is what to do if you want to get a lift from a Vogon: forget it." 

Resultantly, the figure was undercoated using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and drowned in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then carefully applied a base layer of "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the trooper's boots, gloves, gas mask and firearm, before giving the squaddie's hand-weapon and lenses a little "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I did consider using a spot of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey for the L98 A2 rifle, as per some photographs I had seen. But as the model was already predominantly that colour I decided to just keep it a dark silver so the "advanced rifle" would stand out a little more on the tabletop.

As a final touch, and something which I thought might help the British troopers stand out from their Soviet opponents, I decided to 'pick out' the chap's ammunition pouch with some round(ish) splodges of “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna. This basic camouflage pattern was later sploshed with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, before each area was highlighted back up with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Two Sons of Horus Space Marines having their details 'picked out'

In addition to my British NBC Squaddie, I have also completed a fifth 28mm scale Vulgorn Guard by "Lost Heresy Miniatures", which I created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer. This (not) "Hitchhiker's Of The Galaxy" model was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" German Grey and Gunmetal, with a significant splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Bronze and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on his rectangular-shaped gun.

Lastly, I've not forgotten my remaining 28mm multi-part plastic Sons of Horus Space Marines for "The Horus Heresy" by "Games Workshop", and have been patiently progressing the traitors whenever my hobby time allows. Indeed, I'm hoping to get the ten-man unit's Sergeant finished sooner rather than later, which besides a couple of Special Characters, should then just leave me with less than a handful of bog-standard MK IV Adeptus Astartes...

"Bring Me... The Bore Worms!"

"No one, but no one, dies in the palace without a command from the Emperor."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Heartless Warmonger is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought either separately under code: SKU: MINI 796, or as part of their four-figure SKU: DEAL 238 Galactic Villains set. The single-cast sculpt is clearly strongly influenced by actor Peter Wyngarde's portrayal of General Klytus in Mike Hodges' cult 1980 movie "Flash Gordon", and is a leftover from last year's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC).

"The commander of Ming the Merciless' secret police force", the miniature was undercoated with a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being dry-brushed in “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then carefully 'picked out' all his gold armour with a soldi base layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, including his entire right hand - which according to the movie was completely encased in the malleable metal.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Early days for these three Alien Legionnaries

I next gave all these areas a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Gold, and a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before applying some additional "Vallejo" Gold to the odd edge. I did start attempt to dab in some pupils too, using a spot of "Two Thin Coats" White Star. However, I found the actual eye slits to be much too small for my ability, and so ended up applying some "Citadel" Abaddon Black into them to both cover up my botched attempt, as well as darken them down even more.

Alongside "the grand vizier and right-hand man of Ming the Merciless", I have been somewhat busy priming up a few Alien Legionnaries to accompany him on the tabletop. I'm pretty sure I've previously slapped pigment on a few of these "gas-masked goons" before. But can't currently locate where they've been stored. So as I had some spare "Vallejo" Heavy Red sat drying on my palette, I thought I'd make a start on these models.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Sons Of Horus Sergeant is having all his detail 'picked out'

In addition, I have once again 'hooked out' the final handful (or two) of my remaining Sons of Horus Space Marines for "The Horus Heresy" by "Games Workshop". These 28mm multi-part plastic traitors should hopefully prove a somewhat straightforward project, despite them being covered in gold armour plating, and numerous 'difficult to reach with a brush-tip' details. Indeed, whilst in the past I have managed to 'soldier' my way through a fair few MK III and MK V armoured figures, I have found these MK IV Adeptus Astartes to be a tough nut to completely crack.

To begin with I therefore thought I'd tackle a Sergeant, which whilst absolutely covered in bits and bobs, including a plasma pistol, appears to be well on his way to being finished. I've started from the unit leader's feet and begun slowly making my way up the model, focusing on highlighting any areas of "Vallejo" Gold and tidying up the leather straps/pouches strapped around his waist...

"Wollipeds Are Large, Docile Herd Animals..."

"...Found in the snowy foothills of large mountains."

This 28mm scale plastic model of a Wolliped is produced by "Wizkids" and can be found as Product Code DDMTROW31 from their Pathfinder Miniatures Reign of Winter range. The eight legged animal was bought as part of an order from "Tritex Games" way back in February 2020, and has sat on my painting area untouched since I initially gave it a cursory lick of paint in May last year.

Known for growing "thick, warm fleece as protection against the elements", the figure was cut from its thin-lipped stand and super-glued onto a "Citadel" 50mm circular base instead. It's pre-paint job was then covered over with a few lashings of "Vallejo" White, before I shaded the entire creature using some heavily watered-down Carcharodon Grey by “Two Thin Coats”. As a final touch, the brute was heavily dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" White.

"Lost Heresy Miniatures" WIPs - These three Vulgorn Guards are almost finished

Having finished the majority of the model, I subsequently went in with a much finer brush to 'pick out' some of the Wolliped's details - such as using a combination of "Vallejo" German Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on its incredibly hard to reach hooves, and face. I also applied some additional "Vallejo" White to the miniature's tusks and later 'weathered' these formidable pieces of ivory with a little "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Lastly, the figure's multiple eyes were all dotted with "Vallejo" Heavy Red and dabbed with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I was originally going to base the gentle, docile herd animal with snow as seems entirely fitting for something which requires "sure footing even in icy terrain." Indeed, I'm pretty sure I might have purchased the figure to be used in "Frostgrave" by "Osprey Games". However, I also felt that this might make the creature become lost to the eye, so promptly surrounded it with green flock so as to help my paintjob stand out all the more.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - Four of the eight British NBC troopers planned for my unit

Alongside my arctic beast I have been working on three more slightly upscaled 28mm Vulgorn Guards by "Lost Heresy Miniatures". This trio were created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin back when I had a problem with the FEP on my Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, so there's a fair few printing flaws on them - one of which even required some sculpting with Green Stuff to fix. Happily though, I still think they're all good enough to sit on the tabletop once fully pigmented, with many of their faults obscured by their predominantly dark palette.

I've also got a little bit more work done on the British NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) models I recently acquired from "Athena Miniatures". All eight of the troopers' boots and bases are now completed, so I'll simply need to 'pick out' their L98 A2 rifles and gas masks, before tackling their camouflaged ammunition pouches.