Dark Angels Command Squad Veteran WIP

So I have been working away on bits and pieces over the last weekend. Here are some shots of a Command Squad Veteran which I have almost finished. I hoping to blaze my way through the squad in short order.

I went for a close combat load out for the Command Squad, and I just love the idea of this Veteran with his Thunderhammer and Storm Shield inexorably crushing the Emperor's enemies. 

HPC 2014: July Challenge Finally Complete

As August draws to a close, I stumble across the finish line and declare my commitment for July complete. Rather than consider it an abject failure, I am going to focus on the positives. I finished another squad, and this means I can keep the project moving forward. My painting mojo has been a little lacklustre of late, and the weekend of gaming in Cardiff has rekindled it somewhat.

One of the reasons is that, having used the miniatures in an actual game, I have a better sense of what I want to do next, and what those elements I have can achieve in game. As such I feel a lot more positive going forward as I got some great feedback from the guys on the weekend as we figured what works and what doesn't.

 

One of the most apparent shortcoming of my army was the lack of a close combat unit to embed my Interrogator-Chaplain in. He is a decent close combat machine, but sadly I only had Tactical Squads to field him in, which meant his talents were being underused. My commitment for August is therefore going to be a Command squad, which I had planned to do anyway as a centrepiece for the Army. The commitment photo is below. 

+ LOYALTY & HONOUR +

Dark Angels and a July Commitment

I thought I'd take some group shots of my first thousand points of Dark Angels today, and so I did. I used my iPhone, so the pictures aren't great, but I was more interested in showing the progress than showcasing the miniatures.

The first thousand points.

I think the force looks coherent with a decent quality across the board. The Deathwing also seem quite at home. And so, for my next trick...

A squadron of Ravenwing bikers, again from the Dark Vengeance boxed set, and what lovely figures they are! I do have some older ones from a few editions ago, but these are just so nice. I might paint up the others too. But this is my HPC commitment for July. With the figures being black, I am going to use my airbrush to basecoat them, and then try to do the highlights with the airbrush too and see how it goes. 

Looking beyond this month, I have a Dreadnought I could paint up, as well as a Command Squad and Company Master Balthasar. So there is plenty to keep me busy. 

2014 HPC: Deathwing Squad Barachiel

So I finished my June commitment for the Hobby Progress Challenge 2014 last night, less than an hour from the deadline. In all fairness, it wasn't a mad rush at the end and more of a controlled landing.

Squad Barachiel deployed amidst some ruins.

I opted for a lighter green to complement the overall lightness of the bone coloured armour. I also wanted to shift the pallet to a lighter register in comparison to the "Green Wing" elements of the army. I also found that the darker green leads to a sort of Christmas theme when combined with the red and bone, which I was eager to avoid. 

The core of the squad of seven are the Terminators from the Dark Vengeance boxed set, minus one which I painted before the HPC started. These miniatures were an absolute please to paint as they are dynamic and full of details that firmly make them Deathwing.

To make up the numbers I also added three terminators from the old Assault on Black Reach boxed set. These figures are incredibly generic and very static. Admittedly I didn't like them much, but I did try and tart them up by hacking off their right pauldrons and replacing them with parts from the Dark Angel Accessory sprue. It came out pretty well in the end, and the picture above shows how I was able to bring a bit of variety to these otherwise uninspiring miniatures. I was particularly chuffed with the second and third company insignia on the shoulders of two of the terminators. 

All in all I am happy with the outcome and am now trying to think what to paint for my July commitment. I have a box of Dark Angel things I need to dig out, and then I shall decide. With the completion of my June commitment, the first half of my HPC is now complete, and I have a 1000 point Zone Mortalis force to show for it, which I am very pleased about. 

June HPC Complete: Deathwing Squad Barachiel

A Photo finish...

Tomorrow, when the sun is up and I am not tired, I will take some better pictures and do a run through of the squad.

Slow progress is still progress

"The Victory of the Five Year Plan is a Strike Against Capitalism"

As I write this post I am mindful of the fact that I haven't really achieved all that much in terms of painting in the last few weeks. Normally this would dishearten me immensely, but given that it is summer time and the weather is fine, I find that most evenings after work I seek out the company of friends rather than little toy troops. 

This week has involved only one evening at the painting desk, the rest of the time I have been out and about, and then straight to bed. As I think on this I am of course a little disappointed, perhaps with Stalinist zeal I should simply raise the targets on the Five Year Plan! Or do I simply let go, and accept that the winter is the campaigning season? 

Ultimately we all have lives, and finding time for those miniatures we so love to paint can often be a challenge. I am perhaps a little wary that I have an HPC target for June, but I remain confident that it will all come together. As for the rest of it, well, I'll paint it when I paint it. How very laissez-faire Graf Brits! Surely this is the road to ruin. Hardly. This is after all a hobby and as such should be an enjoyment and not a chore. Not that it feels that way, mind. 

With all that said, here is a picture of some progress, two completed Deathwing Terminators, part of my June HPC commitment. These figures are a pleasure to paint and the bone white makes a nice change from Dark Green. At the moment I am finishing the Sergeant, then I only have four more to do. I can knock these out at around one a day with minimal effort, so I should get it done on time. 

Hobby Progress Challenge 2014: May Complete

So I have dashed across the finish line at the very last moment. Well, not the very last moment, as in reality I have another two days, but the fact is that from 0800 today, I will be on the move and I won't be home until Sunday night, late. I'll be working all day tomorrow and then I'll be in the field playing soldiers for the weekend, and I don't think I can take my models with me.

Behold! The second of my May commitments complete, Interrogator-Chaplain Seraphicus of the Dark Angels. As with most independent characters, I am not satisfied with the job I have done. However, the purpose of the HPC is to get models painted and on the table. There are still some highlights to do and the golds and smoke will need more attention, but I can always swing around later and do some more touch ups and a little static grass. That said, I would be happy to put this figure on the table and call it painted.

My commitment for June will be a Squad Barachiel, Deathwing terminators, to take my Zone Mortalis force up to 1015 points and complete the first half of the HPC. Depending on when I can wangle some time away from H, I will be looking to head across the Severn to Cardiff to take the field with my newly painted Dark Angels against the Dark Pact boys. Hopefully I will be able to crush the xenos forces of Eldar, Orks and Tyranids that are likely to be arrayed against me. It all becomes rather exciting when you might actually get a game in.

I realise that I have been a little quiet on the blogging front of late, this has largely been due to being horrendously busy trying to find work. I have managed to land an interesting opportunity with a small startup company, which begins Monday. Hopefully a solid income and the regularity of a working day will give me the time and structure I need to start blogging again. At the moment my every hobby minute has been spent painting miniatures. The upside is that I should have more to share in the coming weeks.

Update: Back in Britain & YouTube upload: Perry French Infantry

So, I have now been back in the United Kingdom for almost two weeks, and what a couple of weeks it has been. Order number one has been finding work, which I have set about with gusto. A few interviews have already been had, and more are scheduled for the next week. The hope is to find a job with long term prospects that I am likely to enjoy, so not too much to ask for. In the meantime, I have been doing some temporary work in retail logistics, my old haunt. However, besides the impediment of money and obviously the uncertainty of my future I have set up the old wargaming space again, ready to pick up where I left off.

A lot has happened since January when I made the move to Australia, and now that I am back and reunited with my legions of little toy soldiers I can actually act upon some of those changes. Foremost is the release of the new Dwarf army book for Warhammer Fantasy Battles. Those dwarfs that have been featured on the blog will now finally have the ability to take the field once I get my paws on the new book, and with a new book comes a reason to actually try and get more dwarfs done.

Since I got back I also dug out a box of Perry French Line Infantry and have made a YouTube video running through the box contents and sharing my thoughts on the quality and uses of the box. You can watch the video below.

Finally, my HPC 2014 has not been forgotten, I am almost done with my Chaplain Seraphicus figure. My hope is to get him done by the end of the bank holiday weekend, and started on my Deathwing Terminators, which will be my June commitment and round out my 1000 point Zone Mortalis force. The little patter of rain drops on my window reminds me that there is nought else to do today but paint, O miseri me!

HPC 2014: Dark Angel Librarian Turmiel

I've been working away at this figure for a few hours over the last few weeks. The arrival of H's sister F and more recently her cousin J has meant that I have spent more time entertaining than painting. Still, we do what we can. I have now finished the first half of my May commitment for the Hobby Progress Challenge, next up will be Interrogator-Chaplain Seraphicus. 

Here are some shots of Turmiel, all done.

I am happy with the paint job. The robes posed a particular problem because of the heat and humidity here in Brisbane. Normally I can blend to my hearts content without an acrylic retardant, but my pain was drying super quickly. I don't have any retardant, so it was a little bit of a mission. Still, job done, and one step closer to a fully painted army, which is what the HPC is all about.

This Week in the Hobby 06/04/2014 - The Great Retreat

"If you have worked well - you will have good rest.

Well gentle reader, another week is past, and I have actually taken a little break from painting. One of my major fears, being that I am quite far ahead on my Hobby Progress Challenge, was that I would suffer from "burn out" and simply lose impetus. To combat this I decided to take a week off painting, and focus on reading instead. Mainly about the Seven Years War in North America, which of course leads me to desperately want to paint Canadiens and Provincials.

I also took the opportunity to take the dog for extended walks and go to the gym for longer, trying to make the most of the cooling weather here in Queensland. Which reminds me that I must announce that I am due to return to the UK in the next month or so, after a hunting trip to New South Wales. Basically, when I came to Australia I had a job lined up, that job has subsequently ratcheted down very casual hours, and then to almost nothing. I have tried to save the situation by applying for other work, but sadly that Australian market doesn't seem interested in someone with my qualifications and experience. Furthermore, my visa makes it more difficult to employ me. So, the result is that H and I will be moving back to the little island soon. Of course we are very disappointed that things in Australia didn't work out, but the experience has been second to none.

I feel like Crawford during the retreat from Corunna. Just imagine Queensland in the background.

Anyway, on the upside I will be reunited with my brothers in the Dark Pact, and might be able to get in some game time with those esteemed gentlemen. In the meantime though, I propose to make my May HPC commitment, and carry on painting.

I chose to do two independent characters now as I feel that I have been somewhat lacking on that front, what with three troops choices complete. With any luck I'll smash out a squad of Deathwing Terminators for June to bring the Zone Mortalis force up to 1000 points. Until next week...

Tactical Squad Gabriel

My second Tactical Squad for my Dark Angels army as my April commitment for the 2014 Hobby Progress Challenge is now complete, and it has been a little bit emotional. Firstly, I hate model kits where I have to assemble every part of the figure. I am sure some people enjoy being able to customise the tilt of the the torso on the legs, or festoon their figures with tiny little purity seals, but I, gentle reader, prefer the simplicity of line troops being quick to assemble and paint.

It feels like I spent forever assembling these troops. So much so that I feel like I spent more time assembling them than actually painting them. Of course this is ludicrous, and entirely untrue, but this is certainly a case of experience trumping reality. Assembly issues aside, I thoroughly enjoyed painting the squad. I opted to use the metal cast Dark Angel shoulder pads, and freehand the squad markings on the right hand shoulder pads. My experience with transfers recently has only served to drive me further from wanting to use them. Since the symbol is simple, and involves two triangles joined by a square it didn't prove too taxing. The one thing that isn't 100% complete yet is the assault gunner. I plan to magnetise the weapons I painted and his hand so that I can swap out the assault weapon if I so choose. I will probably be fielding him with a plasma gun most of the time, but I'll have option of the flamer and melta just in case.

My next commitment is going to have to be a character, I feel. My merry little band needs a leader and it feels like the right time to commit to painting one. The major issue I have is that I feel that this will swiftly devolve into a quagmire as I desperately try and do the lovely Dark Vengeance character models justice.

Here are some more pictures of the figures individually. I have to say a massive thank you to Craig (Bowlzee) from the IC Forums for kindly donating the heavy bolter for this squad, along with some combi weapons that will be used on my veterans or command squad.

The bolter armed brothers.

Heavy gunner, Sergeant Gabriel, grenadier and assault gunner.

Until next time.

+ The Emperor Protects + 

This Week in the Hobby 14/03/2014

It has been a pretty busy week for me hobby wise as work has been nonexistant. Obviously this means no money, but I thought I'd use the opportunity to get my March HPC commitment done. The feedback and encouragement from the Independent Characters Forum has been integral in keeping me focused, and moving forward.

So without further ado, here is the completed Scout Squad Nehemiel, attached to the 5th Company. I decided I wanted a close combat orientated scout squad for my Zone Mortalis portion, as it seemed coll and fitting. Infiltrate and Move Through Cover should be useful from a gaming perspective, and the more interesting armour with its webbing and such makes a pleasant break from painting power armour.

My advice to anyone painting Space Marine armies is to always vary what you paint. Tactical Squads might be the core of your force, but there are ways of making the process of building and painting an army more interesting for yourself. So for now my force consists of the following:

Tactical Squad Raphael: 10 Marines, led by Veteran Sergeant Raphael who wields a plasma pistol and chainsword, the squad also features a Plasma Cannon and Plasma Gun.

Scout Squad Nehemiel: 6 Scouts, led by Veteran Sergeant Nehemiel. Everyone wields close combat weapons and bolt pistols, except for one brother who carries a combat shotgun.

Things are starting to take shape. One point to note is that I don't necessarily care much for points or for building optimal lists, I prefer the look of the units. I always think that Dark Angels should feature many plasma weapons, so I tend to include them, even if they are often expensive. This puts me in an interesting position as regards my Command Squad and any Veterans I might build, as my instinct is to tool them up because it looks good, but with the strictures of the HPC I should keep points costs in mind, decisions decisions. However, those decisions can wait a little longer as I am focussed more on my April commitment. My choices are:

(i) Another 10 man Tactical Squad

(ii) Deathwing Terminators

(iii) An independent Character

(iv) Ravenwing Bikers

I'll take a few days to consider my options I think, but with two troops choices locked in, I have the freedom to choose whatever I fancy. In other hobby news, I bought my first Malifaux models the other day, three Ronin. I think two of these figures are amazing, one is okay. I'll be posting a Youtube video of my thoughts soon, and then get down to painting them.

Furthermore, I also picked up the bronzes I wanted to use on my Protectorate of Menoth 'Jacks, so I can also begin working on those in earnest. Lots to look forward to over the weekend, here's to hoping we all meet our hobby goals.

Some HPC Updates

The sun came out after a spell of rain this morning so I decided to take some pictures, and add a Veteran Sergeant to my March commitment for the 2014 Hobby Progress Challenge. Here he is:

Sergeant Nehemiel will lead his scouts into combat.

I also thought it would be a good opportunity to take a group shot of Squad Raphael all completed, basing and transfers done. 

Hopefully I will have a more productive week this week than the last.

This Week in the Hobby 28/02/2014

Sometimes, I fee like this guy.

This has been a particularly busy week. Again I was down on the Gold Coast and away from my little toy soldiers, doing some contract work. The good news is I've earned some money, got a tan, and earned some extra dollars by selling off a load of Aluminium from the tear down we've been doing. However, as you can imagine, I didn't get much painting done, being separated from your miniatures for four days straight will do that. I did get to finish these chaps today for the HPC 2014. They are an addendum for my February commitment. The squad of seven wouldn't have been legal, so I needed to bump it up to ten. I am happy with the job on these, the figures are okay, nothing fancy, but they did the trick. All they need now is some transfers, which I will do when I am at home, and the middle fellow needs his base finishing, i.e. grass and edging.

With these, Squad Raphael is now complete.

Despite not getting much painting done, I did manage to arrange a mobile storage solution for my things. Thursday afternoon I headed back North to pick up some more clothes etc, and I while I was in Springwood I popped into Officeworks and picked up a $15 organiser box which I filled with all my hobby things so that I could paint on the road.

Everything in its place.

While I was at home I also popped up the road to Games Workshop Mt. Gravatt to collect my order that I had placed ages ago. It was also an opportunity to see what was going on there. My miniatures curious cousin Anri also tagged along to see what was happening. The place is massive, I might have mentioned that before, but they have a huge retail space, and then an annex with ten or more table in it. Additionally, everyone there seems really friendly. Unlike those one man stores where it is all about the sale. I have had the staff members in the UK chat affably before disappearing the minute someone walks through the door to do the whole sales pitch. Fair enough, one gots to get paid, but then don't try and be the hobby guy who chats only to bugger off mid-sentence. GW Mt. Gravatt, is nothing like that. I hope to visit it more frequently as my movements allow.

So, I picked up my Dark Angel accessory sprues, shoulder pads and some bases and added it to the pile of stuff I have waiting for me at home which I had bought off Wargamerau. So, at present I have a Tactical Squad, a Command Squad and enough bits for about ten more marines. This will allow my force to grow nice and organically over the course of the HPC. The only thing I still really want is a Dreadnought, but I suspect that can wait a little longer. I am going to try and get another scout for my March commitment done this weekend, but it is so hot and humid here on the Gold Coast I suspect I might fail. Also, I have to work Saturday which of course cuts down on my hobby time.

Finally, I have almost finished Mechanicum, which coincides nicely with the release of the Imperial Knights from Games Workshop. I must admit that I am a little bit tempted. I am sure I could squeeze one into my Dark Angels army...

Hobby Progress Challenge 2014: March Commitment

So we had a nice downpour here in Brisbane last night, never thought I'd be happy about rain, which meant that the humidity finally broke. So I ran into the shed and sprayed everything I could get my hands on, including these fellows who will be my March commitment for the Independent Characters Hobby Progress Challenge.

Five Space Marine Scouts equipped for getting up close and personal. I won these on eBay, along with another which I want to paint up in Ultramarine colours. I prefer them to the plastic kit which suffers from incredibly ridiculous faces. Following the advice of Atomic42 on the forums I've added these to my Zone Mortalis commitment as they should do well in rubble and broken buildings. 

This Week in the Hobby 15/02/2014

Another week has rolled by and I haven't got as much done as I'd have liked. I've spent the week working down on the Gold Coast and staying there, so my models were far from me. In any event, I got back Thursday night and finished my Veteran Sergeant. All he needed doing was his Plasma Coil painting, as did all my Plasma weapons. So Friday morning, which also happened to be Valentine's day, I headed up to Mt Gravatt, to check out the Games Workshop store there, pick up some flowers for H, and then stopped in at Irresistible Force to pick up the paints I needed and some static grass. 

Games Workshop Mt. Gravatt is massive. The floorspace is huge and spacious and they have a whole room dedicated to tables, which is totally unlike all the Games Workshop stores I have visited in the UK, excepting Warhammer World of course. The chap at the till, Alastair is a friendly fellow and I had a nice chat with him about an order I had asked to be delivered to the store. I have ordered some Dark Angels shoulder pads and a Dark Angel upgrade sprue for the Hobby Progress Challenge. I spent a while there before heading back down to Tana Merah and getting the paints I needed with the nifty discount Gavin offers at his store, sorry GW, not this time!

The good news is that with the colours I needed and some static grass in hand I was able to finish my HPC commitment for February, Squad Raphael. Here are the pictures...

Not happy with the pictures I took today, I had to make do with taking them outside in the glorious Queensland sunshine. Focus isn't right, and I didn't have a good surface to take them on. Oh well. 

I've been keeping the HPC thread bouncing on the IC forums, and getting some really useful help from the guys there. Especially as regards how to buy things on the cheap here in Australia. eBay has been a lucky hit as I managed to pick up six metal scouts for $14 which I was chuffed with, they should arrive today or Monday. I must admit, gaming on a budget is something I haven't done in a long while. 

My goals for the week ahead are to get three more tactical marines painted to make my February commitment "street legal", and the bring the squad up to ten. I've ordered the three marine box from Gavin at Irresistible Force, and he'll drop me a text message when they arrive. Now that is customer service! Additionally, I am going to try and get some more of my Warmachine stuff done, I am going to finish my Menoth Caster and my 'Jacks so that I can play small games and start learning. However, with this lovely sunshine, it will be a challenge staying indoor. Well, that is all gentle readers, until next week.

Remember,

+ The Emperor Protects +