Final Blood Angels Test Model

Todays post centres on my final Blood Angels test mode which I've been working on this week. My goal was to reach a point where I had tested and documented the main steps in the process I will follow to paint my Blood Angels.

The process steps are detailed below:

Undercoat

• Airbrush Vallejo black. 
• Airbrush Vallejo grey (zenithal highlight) 

Basecoat

• Airbrush GW Air Mephiston Red 
• Airbrush GW Air Evil Sunz Scarlet (zenithal highlight) 
• Paint details with GW/Vallejo base paints 
• Paint base with GW Steel Legion Drab. 
• Paint lighter areas of base with mix of GW Steel Legion Drab + GW Skull White 
• Pick out individual details on base with base colours 
• Apply gloss varnish 
• Apply decals 
• Seal decals 

Shade

• Apply brown/black oil wash to model and base 
• Tidy up shade with white spirit 
• Apply washes of thinned GW Steel Legion Drab mixed with earth coloured weathering powders to recesses on the base and lower areas of the model 

Highlights

• Highlight details on the model 
• Dry brush base with various earth coloured paints e.g. GW Tallarn Sand 
• Tidy up base 

Seal

• Vallejo Satin varnish

This process has been formulated from techniques observed on Youtube and from within the ForgeWorld Modelling Masterclass Volume 1 book. The scheme has been designed to combine elements of the Blood Angels livery from both 30K and 40K- hence the gold hand and other areas. Whilst the quality of the model isn't the highest (which wasn't part of my objectives), I feel as though I have sufficiently tested and learned enough about the scheme to move forward with starting on my army. The only tweak I will make is around the base. I didn't water down the GW Steel Legion Drab enough and so the base isn't to the quality I am trying to achieve (I want to get as close to the base on my Contemptor Dreadnought as possible- as it looks awesome!).

Next up I will be starting to work on my Blood Angels units... at last!

Black Crusade: Angel's Blade Limited Edition

After returning from my honeymoon, todays post covers the Black Crusade: Angel's Blade Limited Edition which I was lucky enough to pick up last month.

I've never been one for limited editions, preferring frugality over indulgence. However, this one peeked my interest and I'm very happy with it. The quality of the artwork, the extra objective markers, psychic cards and tactical objective cards is top notch... as you can see in the pictures below.

I'm currently 1/3 of my way reading through the narrative detailed in the book. Once completed I will focus on the formations and use them to help focus my efforts in building a suitable list. 

Contemptor Dreadnought Rebased

Todays post covers a rebasing of my Contemptor Dreadnought. I haven't been happy with the original base for a while now, and this week I wanted a quick and easy hobby project so thought I'd spend some time giving this model a more detailed base. I've included a comparison image of the old base... I hope you agree that the new one looks much better!

New Project?

If you cast an eye (or two?) over my recent blog posts it's no secret that my hobbying hasn't had much focus! I've chopped and changed between Blood Bowl, Blood Angels, a Land Speeder Storm and a box full of scenery. To add to this, over the past few weeks I have also found myself being tempted by Age of Sigmar.

I think its fair to state that AoS had a slow start but has nicely found its feet recently. Whilst on a day out to watch some cricket recently I visited Excelsior Comics and picked up a couple of classic White Dwarfs and the Generals Handbook. I'll post about the White Dwarfs at some point in the future.

Anyway, back to my point: So alongside AoS finding its feet and the purchase of the Generals handbook, I absolutely adore the recently released Sylvaneth! They are about as far removed from Power Armoured dudes as you could want... and I find that VERY appealing. Check 'em out:

Of course, this temptation brings with it a bucket load of hobbying guilt. I have a couple of Blood Bowl teams to paint (and some star players), a small Blood Angels force and enough scenery to keep me occupied until England next win the World Cup. I dont 'need' a new army... but why do I want it so badly? I'm not really one for giving in to the impulse buy for the new shiny so there must be more to it?!?

Well, I think the root of the matter is that AoS is a more accessible game... and I'm missing the fun of getting my models onto a board and rolling some dice. Whilst I love 40k, considering where I am in my life at the moment, AoS could be the a very sensible avenue for me to explore and allow more gaming opportunities (and when I say 'more', I mean 'any!').

I am currently working on a Human Blood Bowl team so, at the very least, I want to use this interest in the Sylvanth to help push me to complete this team and then maybe some further outstanding units. If this all pans out, my next post will cover a completed Blood Bowl team!

Damn You GW!

1 week from today I will be getting married... and as a result, finances have been rather tight. Which is fine; weddings and honeymoons cost money but are once in a lifetime events so should do!

But then GW go and put the Angels Blade up for pre-order today. Thanks GW*sigh*

Now, I'm not usually one for 'collectors editions' but if there was ever going to be one that I would buy, its this one. So... yeah, this morning I jumped on the GW webstore and placed an order. Oops!

Luckily my soon to be wife is very understanding and supportive of my hobbying so didn't get upset at this rather costly purchase just before our nuptials.

Result :)

I'll maybe do a post covering the contents once I'm back from Honeymoon.