Glory for the walking ash trays!

It is comparison and decision time for my Kaos Spesh Muhreens!

Here are the finalists.  As always, please ignore the horns.  They will have Rubicae heads in some form.

What is your personal opinion lads?  I do know they will look different all lined up next to others with that paint job.  They also will be on Egyptian bases from STP.

From left to right: Green + Incubi + Mixed Gold, Periscopes Blue + Sand, Periscopes Blue + Wash + Gold, Temple Guard Blue + Tin.

Russian stand off.

Or...does Nurgle say no!

End this foolishness mortal!

13th Company Wulfen

The latest batch of figures for Dan.  I am not a fan of painting on metal, as it almost seems porous compared to plastic.  Thankfully most are plastic now eh.

Thanks to Dan for even letting me paint these OOP models.  As usual mistakes made, but I would like to think, at least compared to my first models, that I am increasing (ever so slightly) in skill.  Hopefully they will not look out of place with the rest of his army.

13th Company Wulfen

PS.  The Citadel Technical Paint - Blood for the Blood God, is downright fantastic. 5/5

More Thousand Sons WIP

Yes, yes, I know.  Another different paint job.

Despite my original misgivings about the default Thousand Sons scheme, I find myself warming to it with each iteration of my troops.

Here is the latest WIP.  I intend on finishing this one, then getting opinions on all four variations lined up next to each other.

Regal as a ginga prince.

I do know it is rough.  It has a few layers of blue highlighting and shadows to go!  And of course the obligatory cleaning up.
----
Most recent updates of progress.  I am unsure about the red fabric at this point.  I did not want to go with the usual linen/cloth look because I thought it would take away from the bases.  I do know red is not a colour you are supposed to use with the blue, but I like to think that it is a nod to their pre-heresy scheme.

Ignore the horns!

Does this jetpack make my arse look big?

Finished Space Wolf Terminators

Here is the unit of Space Wolf Terminators on completion.

I would like to think they are some of the best models I have painted thus far.  I am aware now that the Army Painter Quick Shades are a crutch that I need to throw away.  I do like what they do in crevices and the like, but not the pool effects it can have on flat surfaces.  I am lucky Dan prefers used looking Spesh Muhreens.

Terminators "Atten-hut"

Yeah, we have got the ball carrier.  Try breaking through this block.

Captain/Champion/Hero, whatever the corpse god guys call a unit commander.  Includes the cloak he stole off Count Strahd von Zarovich.

Space Wolves Terminators WIP

Nearly finished Dan's SW Terminators.  Thought I would post up a WIP to brighten (?) up the site a bit.

RAWR

Thank you to extreme dry brushing, which has made the claws look not bad.

What have you been doing recently hmm?

The best High Elf army ever!

http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=45082

They could not be painted any less pansyish if they tried.  Top marks I say.

Dwarfs - 1000 point WIP

Heroes:

Runesmith
- General
- Gromil Armour
- Hand Weapon
- Shield
- Rune of Spellbreaking (2)
- Rune of Stone

Core:

Quarrellers (10)
Quarrellers (10)
Thunderers (10)
Thunderers (10)

Special:

Grudge Thrower
Grudge Thrower
Cannon

Rare:

Organ Gun

Gotz AoEz

So after catching up on the correct army building rules, here is my revised list.

Fluffy for me, as its pretty much all Skyre and as much techno zaps as I can get into these points.

Skaven (Standard) Selections:

Lords

• Grey Seer

Heroes

• Chieftain
  Battle Standard Bearer, Charmed Shield, Great Weapon
• Warlock Engineer
  Doomrocket

Core

• Clanrats
  Clawleader, Musician, Poisoned Wind Mortar, Standard Bearer
  • 20x Clanrats
    20x Shield
• Clanrats
  Clawleader, Musicia , Poisoned Wind Mortar, Standard Bearer
  • 20x Clanrats
    20x Shield 

Special 

• Gutter Runners
  Deathrunner, Two hand weapons
  • 5x Gutter Runners
    5x Poisoned Attacks, 5x Slings

Rare

• Warp Lightning Cannon
• Warp Lightning Cannon

High Elf 1000pt Shooty

Ok so this is the shooty list, definitely a force that needs a bunch of support. Got some ranged punch with the bolt throwers, Alith Anar (36" range S7 bolt thrower) and the mage (Reaver bow, S4, 30" multiple shots (3) )

High Elf Shooty (993pts)

1000pt High Elves 8th Ed Roster (Standard)

High Elves 8th Ed (Standard) Selections:

Lords 

• Alith Anar 
  Light Armor, The Moonbow, The Shadow Crown, The Stone of Midnight

Heroes 

• Mage 
  High Magic, Level 2 Wizard 
  • Magic Items 
    (AB) The Reaver Bow 

Core 

• Archers 
  20x Archer , Longbow, Musician 
• Lothern Sea Guard 
  Bow, Light Armor, Musician , Spear, Standard Bearer
  • 19x Sea Guard 
    19x Shield 

Rare 

• Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower 
  Light Armor
• Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower 
• Light Armor

1000pt High Elf Heavy Cavalry

OK,

So I have come up with a simple themed heavy cavalry force for the 1000pt list.
The goal was to have fewer models than Paul   :)
This army would pair up well with any normally quite static army ie dwarves.
Prince goes with Silver helms, Mage with dragon princes. Prince gives the silver helms some extra punch, Mage helps boost the dragon princes and provides the extra ward save. (They have a basic ward of 6+, and the High Magic lore ability increases ward save by +1 with every casting.)

I'm going to also throw together a shooty list.

HE Cavalry (996pts)

1000pt High Elves 8th Ed Roster (Standard)

High Elves 8th Ed (Standard) Selections:

Lords 

• Prince 
  Dragon Armor 
  • Elven Steed with Barding (Lord)
    Ithilmar Barding
  • Magic Items
    (BRB) Enchanted Shield, (BRB) Ogre Blade 

Heroes 

• Mage
  High Magic, Level 2 Wizard
  • Elven Steed with Barding (Hero) 
    Ithilmar Barding
  • Magic Items 
    (AB) Khaine's Ring of Fury 

Core

• Silver Helms 
  Elven Steed, Heavy Armor, High Helm , Ithilmar Barding, Lance, Musician , Standard Bearer 
  • 10x Silver Helm 
    10x Shield 

Special 

• Dragon Princes of Caledor
  Dragon Armor, 6x Dragon Prince , Drakemaster , Elven Steed, Ithilmar Barding, Lance, Musician , Shield, Standard Bearer 

Rare 

• Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower 
  Light Armor
• Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower 
  Light Armour

WIP - Slannesh Daemon Prince

Not much to say. Just a quick pick on my current WIP of a DP

Completed and final Thousand Sons test model

Here is the completed model.

I do like the colour scheme over the others.  I think as I get better with the NMM Gold it will sit better as well.

I realise its not the neatest job I have done, but I will be using a double 00 brush instead of a 0, when I do my real models.  Also probably need a dryer brush when doing the glow effect, but still I think I have progressed nicely and the major change, I have not used quickshade!

Thousand Son with random zombies watching on.

Thousand Son, still zombies, but like his back view.

Advanced WIP shots

More work done on the gold/yellow layers of the entire model.  Ignore any similarities on the horns, that just a base layer of XV-88 before it gets some brushing.  Remember the sons will have Rubicrae head dresses not traditional marine helms.

WIP 4 - Thousand Son

Final Thousand Sons testers

After falling more in love with this Prussian Blue (VGC) paint, I have embarked on what I hope will be my last test models before I get into my army proper.

I have been trying additional techniques with these, including highlights and shadows with the paint, and the beginnings of NMM Gold.  To you guys that know me, it is unusual for me not to be deflated at this point in painting a model.  I am actually confident about how this one will turn out.  I know I have much more to do and learn of course, but at least I think my eye is getting better and my brush control.

And of course, there is practice.

Here are three different shots of the tester with the blue base down and the starts of my gold including its shadows (yes its not just real shadow on that gold, but painted shadow!  I kid you not!).

Thousand Son test model #3 - WIP

Thousand Son test model #3 - WIP

Thousand Son test model #3 - WIP

Painting Planner

During a boring day at work yesterday I read about some people making up painting planners for their armies.

So to fill time in, I made one of my own for my Thousand Sons.  Its just to keep a track of where I am in the model acquisition and painting.  I know!  Riveting!

But anyway, this is what it looks like.  If you want the spreadsheet yourself, just let me know.

1k Son Tester Model

Here is the first tester for my Thousand Sons.  I intend to do two other schemes, one of which is really out there.  I will add those to this for comparison later.

Not a true Son, but a wannabe.

fff

My Maria complex means only shots from this side please.

Updated 1kSons Army

I have been doing some thinking and a lot of reading, considering my army.  I have come to the decision that I am going to use models regardless of how the 'meta' places them.  I like the model, so I am going to use them and just try to make the most out of them and at the very least enjoy it whilst some unpainted nubs rapetrain tables me in two turns.

So here is my newer version for comment, pulling apart etc.

No Name (1850pts)

HQ (230pts)

• Ahriman (230pts)
  Aura of dark glory, Champion of Chaos, Fearless, Independent Character, Mark of Tzeentch, Master of Sorcery, Psyker (Mastery Level 4), Veterans of the Long War, Warlord Traits: Master of Deception

Elites (375pts)

• Chaos Terminators (220pts)
  Deep Strike
  • Terminator (36pts)
    Combi-melta, -flamer, -plasma (5pts)
  • Terminator (38pts)
    Pair of Lightning Claws (7pts)
  • Terminator (43pts)
    Combi-melta, -flamer, -plasma (5pts), Powerfist (7pts)
  • Terminator (48pts)
    Chainfist (12pts), Combi-melta, -flamer, -plasma (5pts)
  • Terminator Champion (55pts)
    Chainfist (15pts), Combi-flamer, -melta, or plasma (7pts)
• Chosen (155pts)
  5x Chosen (90pts), 4x Replace boltgun w/ Flamer (20pts)
  • Chaos Rhino (35pts)
    Repair
    Combi-bolter, Searchlight, Smoke launchers
  • Chosen Champion
    Champion of Chaos
    Combi Flamer, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon

Troops (595pts)

• Chaos Cultists (50pts)
  Champion of Chaos
  Champion's upgrade (10pts), 10x Squad models (champion included) (40pts)
• Chaos Cultists (50pts)
  Champion of Chaos
  Champion's upgrade (10pts), 10x Squad models (champion included) (40pts)
• Thousand Sons (Troops) (495pts)
  Fearless, Mark of Tzeentch, Slow and Purposeful, Veterans of the Long War
  Aspiring Sorcerer (58pts), 19x Thousand Son (437pts)

Fast Attack (410pts)

• Heldrake (170pts)
  Daemon, Daemonforge, It Will Not Die, Meteroric Descent
  Baleflamer
• Raptors (120pts)
  Fear
  2x Meltagun (20pts), 4x Raptor (68pts)
  • Raptor Champion (32pts)
    Bolt Pistol, CCW, Melta Bombs (5pts)
• Raptors (120pts)
  Fear
  2x Meltagun (20pts), 4x Raptor (68pts)
  • Raptor Champion (32pts)
    Bolt Pistol, CCW, Melta Bombs (5pts)

Heavy Support (240pts)

• Havocs (118pts)
  4x Autocannon (40pts), 4x Havoc (52pts)
  • Aspiring Champion (23pts)
    CCW, Bolt Pistol, Boltgun
• Maulerfiend (125pts)
  Daemon, Daemonforge, Fleet, It Will Not Die, Move Through Cover, Siege Crawler
  Magma cutters

So I just got my Wraithknight for about $50 from a dodgy chinese location. (Aliexpress.com)
Pretty happy with the quality, fair amount of flashing to clean up, nothing unexpected though. However, I have no Instructions and well, there is a 'little' bit of assembly required.

All of the pieces

Top is the wraithguard melee weapon, for size comparison. (the sword is a bit longer than a pen.)

All of those squares are 1 cm to a side.

As I am coming up to end of semester and have a sprained back and an abominable work load, I expect my modelling time to increase as well.

Will keep you all posted with progress.

Drop the base!

This is my third or fourth attempt at getting what I would hope is a reasonable sandstone looking base and I like where this one is now heading. In the future, once I get my Thousand Sons paint scheme is that this will be the base scheme for them.  I figured Thousand Sons, Egyptian, Desert, Not sand, and this is the result.

At this point it is four different layers of paint & drybrush.  I am unsure if I should go to the last level and do a white brush on top.  They will have small amounts of weedy looking tufts added as well.

Sandstone

I did the top layer of drybrushing during my lunch break at work today.  Amazing what you can get done if you are bored at work.

Dan's Grey Hunters

I have been painting these icky Space Wolves for my mate in Whangarei.  At the least I am getting painting practice even if I am not a fan of these loyalist scum :D

Space Wolves, meow

The sun like glow from a jam jar lid threatens to outside the ruddy woolifs

My crappy failing phone appears to take better pictures than my wife's camera Oo.

Full completed pack

Tau test model complete!

Finished my Tau test model. Decided on a Mars red planet type basing scheme. I think it contrasts well with the off white and grey of the Fire Warrior.

The next ones I paint I will try a darker OSL as on the current model it may be a little too faded.

Gobbo test figure

This is the test scheme for the gobbo army.

It also highlights my need for a light box as the shading etc is completely lost in this photo and as such makes the model look rather boring.

In "person" the effect I was looking for with the brown base coat with the "ink the shit out them" method over the top has worked well.

Tau scheme

OK so I painted up a Fire Warrior to make sure the scheme I decided on is nice and easy to do as I have a lot to paint. Turns out it is! Woohoo!

The poor man's light box.

Rob wanted to know more about my light box set up.  So rather than explain it over 50 msn messages, I thought I should take a picture!

I cut the sides and top out of a box I found at work.  I initially covered the sides in white A4 paper, but this was too thick, so I spent $ 2.00 bucks on a back of white tissue paper from Whitcoulls and stuck that on.

I have a curved piece of thin black card taped inside.

When you take a shot you want light on at least one side and through the top.

And now my wife's shitty camera can take semi reasonable miniature pictures.

Time - 30 mins, cost 2 bucks.

Light box for cheap bastards

Awesome new music video from Invader Cain!

My mate Greg just released his band Invader Cain's new music video, pretty awesome, check it out!

New Gobbo List

Here is the current version of my Gobbo list based (generally) on models I have:

Broadsides, also very cool.

This new Tau range is totally awesome!

More rats

The completed standard bearer and packleader.  Blah blah something something.

Two rats, left side-ish view!

The same two rats, just from the other side.

WIP: Snotflicka's Warband

A few weeks ago I post that I was going to attempt to work with some of the models I already had in storage.

Since then I have been working on my goblin force. Although still far from any form of completion here is my work to date.

Corkboard has been used for all the bases (sand to be added) and every single model is pinned....

Riptides look awesome!

Hey guys. My latest project is a Tau Empire army. I am very keen to start playing some games and have made a start on assembly.

Figured I would show you my Riptide as it is the coolest model I have put together in a long time.

I have also been working on a paint scheme and will post photos when I have a completed model.

Chaos Space Marines of Nurgle - test paint scheme mark 3

Completed and varnished the Nurgle testers.  After examining the photos I feel I may need to touch up some of the churned mud, but not a bad effort first time using that stuff.  Note to self, halve the amount of plaster powder used.

Anyway, without further ado, here they are in all their non glory.

Nurgle three

Fraternitatem Pulveris

Further onto my most recent post about the Thousand Sons, I have been trying to get a basic skeleton of how the Brotherhood of Dust is going to be on paper.  This of course will help me decide what models to get and how to build them for WYSIWYG.

I am very aware that they are not an optimum unit, nor is their traditional leader Ahriman.  So bearing their inherent weaknesses aside, I am trying to account for that in the army list.

I want the 1ksons to be a threat that opponents will ignore at their folly.  To do this I have a very large blob that Ahriman will attach himself to and then infiltrate to cover a majority of the field.  This I hope counters their slow speed.  Now with this group right in range the opponent can worry about them and direct fire power on, leaving the other units free to pounce, or if ignored perform an implacable advance to objectives and provide Ahriman with a reasonably resilient body guard.  Another reason for one large blob is that 1ksons are expensive because of the Sorcerer tax, so this avoids inflated costs on multiple squads.

The other units in the army are designed (hopefully) to cope with issues that the 1ksons have issues with, namely MSU, Armour, Fliers, small children, dolphins & harpsichords.

Let me know what you think and give me your thoughts if you care.

HQ
Ahriman 230pts

Elites
Terminators x 2, Terminator Champion x 1.  Combi-melta on each with Champion wielding a Chainfist as well, all MoT. 142pts

Troops
Chaos Cultists x 10. 50pts

Chaos Space Marines x 4, Aspiring Champion x 1, Rhino.  Not 100% on outlay, but will have one Heavy Weapon, probably Plasma? Get to objectives and sit with a wall. 110pts

Thousand Sons x 19, Aspiring Sorcerer.  The infiltrators. 495pts

Fast Attack
Helldrake w/Baleflamer. 170pts

Helldrake w/Baleflamer. 170pts

Heavy Support
Chaos Predator w/Lascannon Sponsons. 115pts

Forgefiend w/Ectoplasma Cannons. 175pts

Havocs x 4, Aspiring Champion x 1.  No outlay yet.

Total 1732 leaving me with 118 points for additional weapon outlays.

Snotflicka's Deep Impact Warband

Here is an update of where I am at in terms of building a list / model for my Goblin Warband.

Snotflicka's finger  was fully entrenched in his nose as he clawed for that elusive snot nugget.  He surveyed (as much as a goblin can survey) his warband that was formed up in front of him (as much as goblin's can form up).

The God Mork has come to Snotflicka in a dream (inspired by a stolen keg of Dwarf beer mixed with some extra strong fungus juice) and told him to throw aside conventional wisdom, that tactics were for the unworthy. Mork told him to build a mighty warband that would crush the enemy with squigs and fanatics, that would run them down with chariot and pump wagon, and the crush them with the might and intelligence of trolls. Snotflicka had done just that and now his warband was ready for its first battle.

Everything had come into place and his troops were ready. He was however concerned that Big Boss Git Face had taken to laughing manically every time he looked at him. He has also taken to calling himself Mork. 

Just then a thought entered Snotflicka's mind. Was there some sort of treachery afoot? At that moment he unearthed the nugget he was digging for and the thought was lost.

To battle!!...

Paint identification

I have lamented to Paul and Rob that I am not 100% certain about the Nurgle marines.  It probably is the pessimist in me doubting them half way through.  That aside, I definitely will finish them before I make any rash decisions.

Anyway if it does not pan out, I still intend to play Chaos Spess Mehrens.  But I will go over to the dusty side and go with Thousand Sons.

However I am not a very excited by the traditional blue and gold paint scheme they use.  I very much like the one off picture they did in the Chaos Space Marine codex.  The trouble is (other than anything remotely resembling painting skill of course) is trying to get close matches for the paints.

If you feel so inclined, help me identify close matches for the base colours without any mixing.  I have used this chart, Dakkadakka Paint Compatibility, and Photoshop to attempt to ascertain the paints in the various areas.  If only PS kept clarity when you zoomed in, unlike all those damn TV programs and their forensic level awesome.

BTW I use Vallejo Game Colour, not Citadel.  Dropper bottles!

Alternate Thousand Sons livery

Headdress (alt lines) & gems - Heavy Violet

Headdress (other lines), left shoulder pad, gun body - Heavy Blackgreen + Black Wash

Armour & headdress edges -Glorious Gold + Black Wash

Armour main layer - Falcon Turquoise

Armour edging - Jade Green

Gun barrel and gun edging - Gunmetal/Gunmetal Metal

So, like, if you can spare the time, halp!

Chaos Space Marines of Nurgle - test paint scheme mark 2

This time I am going for a more severe corroded CSM look.  Thanks to varying guides I have tried a few things out on these guys with sand, sets, liquid green stuff, and just playing around with drills and sprues.

They have been primed black, and then given a light spray of Army Painter - Uniform Grey Colour Primer.

Here they are as they stand now, before I hit them with anything else.

The three lined up together.  I must say they do look rather menacing.

Eating Shrooms and Flicking Snotz

Thought it was time for a post.

After much army list consideration I have decided to TRY to work on some models that I already have rather than invest a pile of cash into a new army.

First stop...Night Goblins.

Here is the army in its current state of affairs....

More homework and why I loathe macro settings on cameras

Why?  Because it shows me just how rubbish my paint skills are!

This lesson was for blending.  It took one night to do.  I am not going to show the comparison by the teacher because his awesomeness makes me cry.

Anyway here it is from either side, short and long distance.  I am still tempted to dip him in quickshade, but I will stick this out!  Heck only two of us are doing the class still from the original twelve.

I must say, the long distance shot makes him look awesome!  Different close up hehe.

Army So Far

Here are some pictures of what I have painted so far. This leaves me a total of 3 Jetbikes and a Farseer to paint although I did see a nice conversion using some high elf legs and Dire avenger spare parts for warlocks that I may have a try at as well. The Wraithguard and the War Walker are on the Slave to painting Alien Temple Bases. I have 10 of the small bases to paint up and will throw those on the guardians. They're a bit pricey, but bases are always my weak points, and I think sticking to the theme will help unify the army even more.

Death Guard test models WIP

Here are the three lads at present.  A lot of this has been new for me of course.  Breaking away from my love affair with Quickshade and the magic it brings is hard.

Anyway I am trying new things and they still are not finished.  Need a thinners coat then a very low burnt umber wash.  Plus the bases of course.

I am happy with a few components.  That rust effect, omfgwow.  But also even the gun colour is more muted than the GC bolter paint I have used, so again happy there.

Not 100% happy with that white.  I think maybe a white undercoat with a bone top coat would be better.

But either way all learning and testing!

I cant do more until my cough clears though :(

PS the wife did say they look a bit rubbish compared to some of the ratmen I had done (her words).  I had to explain it was meant that way!  Its hard to paint bad looking!

Incorporating your Nerd Crush Unit into an army.

This is a well written article about things to consider when building an army around your Nerd Crush Unit (NCU) and how to incorporate them in and still be viable.

http://darkfuturegaming.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/using-your-nerd-crush-unit.html#more

Homework & painting

Another fortnight has gone by and I have finished my next master class piece of homework.
Again that grainy effect is apparent, but at least from a distance it does not look too bad.

And my latest batch of rats that I tried the zenithal undercoating with.  Not happy again, but hey its another eight to the fodder.  I am happy with how the eyes are looking on my guys now.  Painting them first and then painting the skin in to them works better than trying to put it in after for me.

That brings my Skaven army up to 55 playable models!