Tale of Painters Entry 8

Only time for a quick post today as I update what I have completed for ToP this month.

Epic IG

Superheavy Tank Platoon - 200pts

So not much of an entry, and I'm still miles behind with the army, but next month shall be epic month! I have no 40k to do so next up is titans, valks and tanks tank tanks!

Army to date:

2050pts

40 IG

Busy month with the IG, I tried to get them done for a tournament. I just fell short and had to use an old Chimera, but it did mean that I got these two bad boys done:

Leman Russ & Medusa - 300pts

Army to date:

1434pts

So thats another month, another entry. I do love ToP, its such a good motivator, if a bit stressful at times. Look forward to all the epic stuff coming your way!

Tale of Painters Entry 7

Well, once again I have let the blog fall silent for far too long. Never fear however, in this last month I have not been idle, in fact I think I may have bitten off rather more than I can chew in hobby terms, but more on that in future posts!

For today, regular as clockwork, is my monthly tale of painters entry.

Epic IG

Well, I went back on my promise to get the warhounds done. I tired to get the epic done but once again they fell by the way-side. Failure to produce any models next month will see them out of the competition, so I'm determined to get at least something produced for April.

40k IG

The Praetorians however are a different story. I am attending a tournament at the end of this month with the Bristol Vanguard, and I am hoping to bring the little Pith-helmeted fellows along. I've realised they wont be quite finished, I'm going to settle for having an old stand-in Chimera, but I want everything else completed. This means getting a Russ, a Medusa, the Command Squad and Sly Marbo finished before April.

Well, I can proudly report that the Russ is 75% done and the Command Squad is finished. Indeed, there were my March entry to ToP:

Similarly to my Veterans I'm using Vostroyan models to represent 'Spireborn' Praetorians. I do love these models, they are really in-line with the Praetorians, and they provide a nice change of pace and upping of detail. First off, here is the captain (with a chip on his nose I have just noticed...)

Next, the most striking model in the squad (and already the most chipped...)

I'm pleased with how the banner came out, its not fantastic, but I think above normal table-top quality.

Finally, one of my favourite models, the medic with the huge syringe.

And finally, an army shot, showing where the Praetorian 5th are to date.

Sorry for the rushed post, I'm already going to be for work! Still, this is more interesting...

Any comments greatly appreciated!

Tale of Painters Entry 6

Its that time of the month again...

I'm now at the half way point of the LO Tale of Painters challenge, and I'd sad to report that I'm behind schedule with both my 40k and Epic entries. However, that was the case last time, so I'm confident I'll get everything done in the end!

This month I failed to get any work done on the Epic models, which is annoying. I'm going to get my two Warhounds done for next month though, promise!

As for 40k, I managed to pull through and achieve my target, which was:

1 Leman Russ and 1 Infantry Squad w/ Missile Launcher: 215pts

That leaves my Praetorian army currently at 792pts. I'm half way to 1500pts, woohoo!

I've got to say I'm rather proud of this army now. All the Praetorian models are done, a full platoon's worth, and I think I've finally done the figures justice (especially compared to the last paint job I gave them).

Moving on to the armour, I'm still trying to crack this realistic weathering, and I know I'm still a long way off from getting it. That said, I think I'm still moving in the right direction. For this months Russ, I think I may have gone over the top in a few places, but there are a lot of elements that I think really worked - for example I'm starting to get better use out of those pesky weathering powders. Thats what its all about in the end, gradual improvement. Hopefully I can have a few more tricks mastered before I attempt the Marauder...

Anyway, here are some pics, I would really be interested in any comments or criticisms people have. You should be able to click on the photos to get larger versions.

I really must learn to post less photos..!

Tale of Painters Entry 5

Here we are again guys!

This month I epically failed to get enough 40K IG painted, so I've had to play my first joker for the Praetorians, which is not good as I'm already behind with them. I'm hoping to get two tanks and a squad done next month to compensate for this. What I can share with you though is my latest addition to the epic force, a Superheavy Tank Company:

This 600pt addition brings the whole army up to 1850pts, leaving them still 150pts behind target. Jeez, its hard work this painting schedule stuff!

For next months epic entry I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of some Epic Valkyries, so I can start creating my rapid response Stormtrooper platoon. Now I've just got to think up a suitable colour scheme to paint them...

40k Tale of Painters Entry 4

Hello all. After showing off my Epic ToP entry, its time to bring out the 40K. The Praetorians have come on in leaps and bounds since you last saw them, with addition of 5 news squads and the first of the armour pieces. I'll start by showing you what I produced this month, which thankfully is most of the interesting stuff!

This months entry:

7 Veterans, 1 Commissar & 1 Medusa @ 354pts

Army to date:

7 units @ 747pts

First off here are some pictures of the Veterans. I couldn't seem to get good shots of these guys, but they will do now.

Though I'm using the Vostroyan models (which are awesome), these are not Vostroyans on an exchange trip, but rather Praetorian 'Spire Born'. In my fluff, every Praetorian Infantry Company contains a few squads of Spire Born, normally in the 3rd (support) Platoon. They are the sons of Nobles and merchants, from the highest levels of the Hives of mother-Praetoria, and are equipped with the best weapons and armour the Regiment can offer. They are expected to prove themselves by dealing any threat that the poor grunts are overwhelmed by.

The bespoke equipment of the Vostroyan models fitted this idea brilliantly, and the Bearskin hats helps the army keep its British military heritage intact. With this in mind I used lots of gold and bright colours in order to make the Spire Born stand out, as they would expect!

Next up with have the mighty Medusa, the first of two.

(Go here for some large versions of the pictures, as Blogger seems to hate my photos)

I've tried to add a lot more realism to my Guard armies, as opposed to my heroic Dark Angels, and so I want the tanks to look like they have been through several months of hard campaigning. To this end I experimented with some of the tips in the Forgeworld Master Class book (which I would highly recommend!). I find one of the hardest things with weathering is knowing when you've gone over the top, and I'm not sure if I have on this Medusa, so I'd love to know what you all think.

I also used the new forgeworld weathering powders, especially the soot and dirt ones. I'm not entirely sure how best to use these yet, so I didn't go overboard, but I think they added to the model nicely.

I regret not adding any stowed kit, something I'm going to rectify with the rest of the tanks. I think it finishes the 'used' look.

Also in a departure from form, I painted the wonderful interior on the model. Its so nice, it would be rude not to!

I really think the interior adds to the overall tank, and even though it will rarely be seen, I'm happier knowing its there!

Right, finally, my favourite model I produced this month, Commissar Thorn:

(Again, please go here for some larger shots)

Its hard not to love this model. Like the Interrogator Chaplain, I think he is one of the best sculpts GW has produced. It just exudes character, and you can almost hear the orders bellowing from his mouth.

So, with all that in mind I was keen to get a good paint job done for him. I will admit one of the great frustrations with using the army painter method to get my Praetorians done is that it really does nothing to black. Where as I'm used to seeing black highlighted (as on my Ravenwing), I decided not to add too much to what the AP does, in order to keep painting quick. Plus I'm pretty sure that to highlight the black would make the model looks less gritty and push it into that 'heroic' paint style I mentioned earlier. What do you guys think?

Anyway, regardless of how the black worked out, I'm still in love with the model and pleased with the paint job. So much so the Commissar Thorn has taken up residence on the right side-bar of my blog. He said he'd have me shot if I didn't let him...

So that's it for now. When I get a chance I'm going to take some shots of the Platoon Command Squad, as I realise these Praetorian command models have not have their 5 minutes of fame on the blog, which is simply not on. I've also finally got a big FW toy constructed and ready to paint, pictures coming in the new year!

Thanks for reading!

The Return! Plus Epic Tale of Painters Entry (Month 4)

Well, its been a while hasn't it! No, I'm not dead, but I have had an enforced break from blogging over the last few months. Real life has been somewhat chaotic and rubbish of late, which has drained time and energy I would normally put into these here posts. Its also meant I've not been reading and commenting on all the other fine blogs out there, and for that I apologise. Let the great game of catch-up begin!

Anyway, on the meat of today's post. In spite of all that's happening in real life, I have been able to keep my painting schedule mostly up to date. We are on month 4 of the Librarium Online Tale of Painters, so both my Epic and 40k Guard are starting to look like armies in their own right. Today I'll post up my Epic work to date, and then I'll get up some photos of the Praetorians in the next few days!

Epic IG

This Months Entry

4 Leman Russ (including Vanquisher) & 1 Superheavy Tank Platoon @ 400pts

Army To Date

3 Formations @ 1350pts

So, given that I'm aiming for 400pts of epic in a month, I'm a little bit behind on where I should be overall. This was due to a joker that I had to play last month. This said, the epic stuff is so quick and fun to paint, I'm sure I can pull those points back later!

I've got to say, I absolutely loved painting the Baneblade. Its not very often you can claim to painting a baneblade in a single day, and the forgeworld model is really well detailed considering the scale. I was also glad that I took the decision to break up the grey space with the company marking (the red stripe on bone). I think it makes the model stand out much more, and appeals to the organiser in me.

Is it sad that all my guard models are correctly organised in companies and platoons, with the markings to boot? Probably, but I don't care!

Well, thats all your getting for today's post, I'd love to hear what you think. I'll leave you with a picture of where my Praetorians are to date, hopefully to wet you appetite for more photos to come!

Tale of Painters 2 Deadline 1: Met (Sort of...)

This post my first begin with an apology. I have well and truly failed to keep apace with 73rd's excellent A Tale of Even More Painters. I am sad that I didn't have the time to sort out my entries to the last few deadlines, but it has been great to see how the group has melded together, and how like minded hobbyists can offer each other a great amount of support and advice. 73rd, if you read this then please consider me off the challenge, but I wish you and the rest of the entrants the very best of luck!

A second apology also goes to the rest of the blogesphere. I've been remiss in barely commenting on so much of the great work that goes on out there. I'm going to try and follow the lead set by Gamer's World in suggesting the Common Posters Group, as it is unfair that I take so much enjoyment from what I read but do not give anything back. Damn my short attention span!

Anyway, despite failing A Tale of Even More Painters I have been able to keep up the longer term goals set by the Librarium Online challenge. Below are some shots of my entry for the first month:

1. Epic IG

Mechanised Infantry Company - 400pts

At 400pts completed I have managed to stay on target with my Epic force, and I am really enjoying painting at the smaller scale. In particular it was great fun painting the Chimeras, and I do love seeing them arrayed out in a mechanised column.

The scheme itself is rather simple, a military looking grey with highlights, and then simple highlighted browns and greens for all the stowed kit. I want to convey and real utilitarian and military feel with my IG armies. These are not the glory boy marines, all polished and shiny, these are the grunts that bear the brunt of the galaxies fighting and suffer for it...

2. Praetorian Guard

Infantry Squad w/ Grenade Launcher - 55pts

After only managing to complete one squad I am already 145pts behind where I should be with my 40k Guard, leaving me a lot of work to do next month! However, I am pleased that they are at least off the ground and that I am starting to get to grips with using the Army Painter.

Although I do consider it cheating slightly I cant deny that the Army Painter dip is the only way I could conceive of getting an IG army done in a reasonable time, and I pleased with the inital results. The type of shading style you get with the Army Painter also reflects the more realistic and darker tone that I wanted for my IG - getting away from the heroic style of my Dark Angels. I have also added in some details, making sure that all the lasgun targeting lenses are painted properly, as well as detailing the eyes and adding a few subtle highlights here and there (the sergeants sword for example).

I am sorry for the quality of the pictures, it is becoming clear that my camera phone is not up to the job! This said, I would love to hear any comments or criticism that people have.

For next month expect to see an Epic Armoured Company, as well as 3 more Praetorian Squads. This, at least, is the plan...

Thanks for reading!