Who Dares Wins, Rodney!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I ordered some Tempestus Scion heads for use on the Land Speeder Storm model I am currently building. These arrived this afternoon so this post covers what they look like 'in situ'. I haven't yet completed removing all of flash and mould lines so please excuse the messy plastic work in these close up photos. I hope you agree that they look pretty awesome and really do add to the aesthetic I'm trying to achieve with unit/model.

Work In Progress: Land Speeder Storm

Todays post covers another current 'work in progress'. This Land Speeder Storm model was my purchase from GW Barcelona store (link to my original post about visiting GW Barcelona here) a couple of years ago. I always wanted to pick up one of these so when faced with choosing something buy from the Barcelona store which wasnt too expensive and could easily be transported home, this was my choice.

So far, as you can see, the model is fully built aside from heads on the Scouts. Why is this you may ask? Well, the traditional GW scout heads look rather rubbish (in my opinion) and after spotting a scout model with an Tempestus Scion 'Beret' Head used (photo below) I knew that was the way I wanted to go. I think the head with Beret gives each scout a realistic military, Second World War S.A.S. vibe, which suits the Land Speeder Storm unit brilliantly.

Trying to push this a little further, I added as many little extra bitz/details onto the hull of the Land Speeder as I could. My goal is to recreate a 40k equivalent to the famous SAS Land Rover as seen below.

Carry on, what what....

Learning 7th & Getting a Spanking!

Before venturing out to the local club, or hosting games at my flat, I need to know the rules a bit better! Thanks to a very accommodating Fiancée I have recently been able to test out my knowledge on her. For this battle I played as Chaos space Marines using the models from Dark Vengeance, whereas my other half played Space Marines; a Terminator Squad and Captain in Terminator armour from my 'Light Knights' Space Marine army.

As you can see in the pictures, we used the X-Wing star field mat as the gaming surface and enhanced the battlefield with a couple of DVDs and candle holders as scenery. 

Obviously she gave me a spanking (tabling me in 3 turns) but it was great to run a small skirmish game and embed some of the basic rules around shooting and combat. Next I will re-run a similar size game but bring in some vehicles/psykers in order to expand my familiarity with those units/phases of the game.

Her Legion Praetor (aka Terminator Captain) wiping out a brave band of Chaos Cultist.

Me, deep in concentration, checking the rules!

My final Chosen model, surrounded. He didn't last very long...

Space Marine Librarian

Today I'm happy to present a finished Space Marine Librarian.

The early promise that this model would turn out to be my best didn't quite pan out. I'm still happy with the end result; I just didn't quite nail it.

Work In Progress: Space Marine Librarian

Today it's time for a 'WIP' post covering my Librarian. This guy is shaping up to be the model I have painted to the highest standard yet. I initially base coated with Macragge Blue with my airbrush and worked on each base coat before applying careful washes of Agrax Earth Shade, Nuln Oil and Reikland Fleshshade to each element. I am most pleased with the detail on the staff. The swirly line is probably the finest detail I have attempted to paint yet and so far it looks great! 

I will continue to work on this model during the week and aim to have completed the paint job by the weekend.

Space Marine Legion Praetor

I purchased the Legion Praetor models a couple of years back with a view to painting them up and using them in my 40k Space Marine army (mainly because they are stunning models!). As I'm coming towards the end of painting up units for my Space Marine army, I can focus on more of the independent character models I haven't completed and first up has been this guy. 

I'll use him as a HQ Terminator Captain in my army and want to acknowledge that the unit is from 30k, reflect this age of this amour and in doing so test out some weathering techniques. I have been a big fan of the Advent Calendar painting tutorial videos that GW posted on YouTube in December 2015 (if you haven't seen them; check them out here!) so I decided to follow the tips from the 'Chipping and Scratches' video to add a worn/battered look to the armour. The principle is quite basic and therefore straightforward; Using Rhinox Hide one paints narrow lines randomly across the armour, these were then follow this up with a highlight of Fensirian Grey underneath the Rhinox Hide lines. I don't feel like I applied enough of these lines to 'nail' the look but I'm generally happy with how the effect looks. On future miniatures I will focus on the application of the effect rather than worrying whether the effect looks suitable or not.

Space Marine Sternguard Veteran Squad

This weeks post covers a Sternguard Veteran squad. As is the case with all the newer Space Marine kits, these models are top drawer! Just a with the Vanguard Veteran Squad, these were a pleasure to build and paint.

Before I completed painting these marines, way back in 2014 I was able to deploy them during a couple of battles at Warhammer World. Delivered in a Drop Pod they were used to harass backfield units. I remember that they performed quite well and hopefully, now painted up, they will continue that trend!

I found the robes quite difficult to paint but I think they have tuned out quite well. I'm also not quite sure whether I prefer green eye lenses or red for marines with white helmets.

Space Marine Vanguard Veteran Squad

Whilst it has been a while since my last blog post, I have continued to expand my Space Marine army and have added some new completed units to its numbers. To be honest, since Christmas I have known that I will be getting a new camera so have waiting to post any new blog articles. Now I have it, on with the show!

 One of the units which has waited patiently for its time in the spot light is this Vanguard Veteran Squad. This unit was a pleasure to paint and is, in my opinion anyway, the best standard of painting I have achieved to date. I went with 2 x Thunder hammer/Storm Shield and 2 x Lightning Claw marines to give a bit of balance to the squad. 

I'm most pleased the Storm Shields and how the Relic blade on the sergeant turned out. The white helmets also turned out very well using (base) Celestra Grey -> (shade) Nuln Oil -> (layer 1) Ulthuan Grey -> (layer 2) White Scar .

I Won A Painting Competition...

As part of the 30th Annivery Space Marine events at the local GW store here in Bath, the manager was running a 'design your own space marine chapter' painting competition. Considering how I have been painting a home brew chapter for a while I wanted to paint up a model and enter it for consideration. To my surprise, I won the Intermediate level competition!

My prize is to have a large marine painted up in the colour scheme of the chapter and this model will form the centre piece of scenery which will be used in Warhammer Bath store for years to come. I haven't been back to see the finished result but will post pictures once I have them.

Space Marine Contemptor Dreadnought

 Hot off the heels of the Land Raider comes a completed Contemptor Dreadnought.

I've had this model for 18 months and it had sat, base coated for the vast majority of that time! After completing the Land Raider I was keen to carry on learning the advanced modelling techniques which I had begun experimenting with on the Land Raider. This model seems like the perfect next step as, with it being essentially a 30k model, I could go to town on the weathering and feel comfortable that if I went OTT it would still look good. Mission accomplished I think?

Space Marine Land Raider

Well, hasn't it been a while!

I've been slowly working on this model for about 6 months but yesterday I finally managed to add the remaining few details, move it to the 'completed' column on my rather glacial Kanban board and be in a position to put up a new blog post!

So, why has it taken sooo long? 

Its fair to say that my hobby focus has changed pretty drastically over the last 12 months. It's been nearly 18 months since I last played a game and my hobby partner, who helped provide me with an awful lot of motivation is on a hobbying hiatus. I am also getting married in September next year and weddings are rather expensive! combining that with an addition to plastic crack isn't really going to work.

As I no longer need to get models 'done' asap prior to being used on the battlefields of Warhammer World, I can focus on pushing my painting skill and ability. As a result I have reduced my modelling backlog; this involved the sale of the Assassinarum board game and Death Storm boxed set, amongst other things and will focus on quality over quantity.

This Land Raider is the first example of this new focus. I have used as many of the advanced techniques detailed in the Forgeworld: Advanced Modelling Techniques Volume 1 and whilst it has obviously been a learning experience, I am happy with the result. 

Most of what the book teaches is very different to the basics of base coating, washing and layering. Using harispray, oil paints and white spirit alongside weathering with pigments and using graphite to highlight the tracks... its been a challenge but I hope the results can speak for themselves.

Next up is a Contemptor Dreadnought. It may take me a while to get it completed but I intend to use the same techniques learnt on this model, hopefully with improved results.

5 Man Terminator Squad

What with summer happening, getting engaged and have some mini breaks, its taken a while to get these guys finished... but here they are! It was quite difficult painting these chaps (after not completing a unit for over 12 months) but I feel like it slowly came together as I progressed through the various painting stages. Next up is a Land Raider!

Its Been A While!

So, after a fair few months out of the game due to moving house (twice!) and taking an examination I'm finally ready to get back to some hobbying!

Whilst away from having the time/space to hobby I have been keeping up to date with the glorious GW release schedule and now find myself with quite a backlog of models to keep me busy.

First up, to get me back in the groove, is a 5 man Terminator squad. I painted the armour prior to my break and have started off painting the silver bits this week. Hopefully I'll be able to get these finished in the next couple of weeks and discover that I haven't lost any of the (relative) ability I had developed.

More pics after the break.

Warhammer World (part 4) - Doom of Gorgon Final Battle

Some (not very good) pictures from the final battle at Warhammer World. these were taken during the final battle of the weekend, on the Doom of Gorgon table. It was a great battle & pretty close!

WIP: Legion Praetor

I'm heading over to Warhammer World this weekend and in preparation I have been varnishing and weathering my troops. Alongside that activity I have been casually working on one of the awesome Legion Praetors which I picked up a few months back.

6 Months In...

After recently completing my Imperial Knight, and after a busy June, I am taking the chance to have a break from hobbying. I will be heading to Warhammer World in a couple of weeks for a boys weekend of beer, herecy and rolling dice but until then I doubt I will do much to expand my collection of painted Space Marines. Here is a picture of my progress so far. Considering I started in December 2013, I'm really happy with the army I am now able to present. 

Heavy Support: Hunter!

Not far off 6 months after unwrapping this model on Christmas Day I am finally able to present the completed Hunter anti-air unit. I used this unit as a motivator to help push me to complete my older units (I wouldn't allow myself to build/paint this unit until the half painted troops in my collection were all finished). While I have cheated slightly- leaving a Bike squad and Stern-guard Vet squad still unpainted, the rest are now complete. 

 I really enjoyed painting this model. Again, using the airbrush I was able to paint the armour in super quick time and using a tip I heard listening to a pod-cast in regards to Drybrushing (i.e. use a very large, super soft brush) I was able to complete the vast majority of the model within a couple of hours.

Over the last few units I can really feel an improvement in the quality of my fully painted units and combined with the use of the airbrush I feel like everything is really clicking into gear. Good thing I spent lots of my bonus on new models- wouldn't want to be running out just as its all coming together! ;)

Dedicated Transport: Rhino

I managed to get this bad boy painted over a weekend. As you can see I have used the Raptor Forgeworld modification kit. I think it looks pretty awesome and was a pleasure to paint now that I've modified my technique to take further advantage of my Airbrush.

The below photo's show off the Forgeworld front panel and side door. The modification pack cost about £8 from Forgeworld and helps transform a very basic, bog standard Rhino into something a little more unique and interesting.

Next up I will be continuing with the vehicle theme as I work on my Hunter/Stalker.

Troops: 3rd Tactical Squad

My final Tactical Squad is now done! This is my 3rd squad of Marines and is my 4th troops choice along side my squad of Scout Snipers. Following on from my Command Squad on which I used the airbrush, I used the same technique for these guys... which meant I have been able to complete the whole squad in less than a week. For me that is very good!

As this is a troop choice I decided not to devote an extensive amount of time of ensuring that every tiny detail is painted flawlessly however I considering the balance of time v quality, I am happy with how they have come out.

The unit is made up of models donated by my chum Bob and so are a repaint over the top of his paint scheme. This did mean that some of the finer details were lost but again, these guys are only a troop choice and so im not going to worry about that too much.

Net up is the Rhino for these guys.

Progress Update

So after finishing my final troops choice I figured I should get all my painted models out to see what my force looks like on the table. My completed units total up to around 2400 points! Not bad progress for under 6 months of work.

I still have lots to of models to work through, however, I am not far off being able to field a fully painted army based on the real world army lists which I have been drawing up. Happy days!