This Week in the Hobby 30/03/2014

Les dernières cartouches , 1873

This is a painting by Alphonse-Marie-Adolphe de Neuville which I stumbled upon the other day, I can't really remember how. I love this painting, which depicts a scene from the Franco-Prussian War. de Neuville did loads of war paintings, this is the famous Rorke's Drift painting.

The Defence of Rorke's Drift , 1880

Of course this got me rabbit holing into the history of the Franco-Prussian War and all the surrounding wars, such as the earlier Austro-Prussian War. I naturally started searching through the ranges on offer, what can I say, standard operating procedure for a wargamer. By the way, Pendraken do some great figures in 10mm. 

Inspiration is a dangerous thing, it can strike from the strangest places. Paintings like those above, novels (Flashman is particularly good), and of course films. Part of the problem though is parsing this inspiration into reality. How feasible is the Franco-Prussian War as a project for me really? I don't know anyone who plays it or intends to. That means I will have to paint up both sides, find someone who wants to play and then make that happen. So, the Franco-Prussian War inspired by a painting comes crashing down, consumed by the flames of reality. 

My update is a little late this week, but I have been working away, but not at the rate I would have liked. Good weather means I like to go outside and enjoy myself. So therefore, little hobby gets done. I am almost done with April's commitment for the HPC, as of twenty minutes ago this is the state of Squad Gabriel:

As you can see, only three marines to go. I also managed to finish a 30k Ultramarine amongst all the green. I will be doing a little Dark Pact update about him soon. Time to finish off Squad Gabriel and pray that this rain stops so that I can take some nice pictures in natural light.

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.

Hobby Progress Challenge 2014

The intrepid writer assembles "quality" Swedish furniture.

Today H and I braved driving tropical rains to go to IKEA. It was my first time, and I hope the last time. We returned with some house things, which I duly set about assembling for Lady Tottington whilst she commented upon my labours. How very manly of me.

In between being put to work as an indentured servant, swabbing floors, assembling furniture and generally grafting, I managed to make it to Irresistible Force in Tana Merah today and pick up some paints and brushes. What an experience. The store is small, but oh so lovely. The owner is a nice chap who I didn't have a chance to introduce myself to properly as I was in a rush. He likes cricket and wargames, so there isn't much to dislike. This will be my first local gaming store and I am chuffed. Once I am a little more settled I'll set about trying to sound out the local gaming scene.

10 paints and three brushes, $80AUD, ouch!

I decided also, to join the Independent Characters "Hobby Progress Challenge 2014". As a long time fan and seeing the virtue of the HPC I think it will be good for me. So I duly threw my hat into the ring on the IC Podcast forums, you can see my thread here. The immediate upshot has been that I have made contact with a local, Bowlzee. Perhaps one day our completed forces can do battle in Sunny Queensland.



I think I will be running the HPC blogposts in parallel to the forum thread so as to document it here, perhaps in more detail. We shall see. Below is my initial list for the 1000 point Zone Mortalis list, for which I have chosen the Attacker Force Organisation chart.


Company Master Balthasar - Power Weapon. - 105


Librarian Turmiel - Lvl 2 Upgrade. - 100


Tactical Squad (10) including a Vet. Sergeant (plasma pistol, melta bombs), Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon. - 200


Deathwing Terminators (8) including a Sergeant, Assault Cannon, 1 Chain Fist. - 377


Ravenwing Attack Squadron (3) including a Vet Sergeant (melta bombs), Plasma Gun. - 110


The total at the moment is 892 points, which I will jockey up once I have a better handle on where the project will go. Until then citizens...

+ The Emperor Protects +