And we’re back!

I’ve not been idle – although I’ve been keeping busy I’ve been able to get a fair amount more painted since the last update, and hopefully they’ll become more regular from now on. As ever, the ETL over at the Bolter and Chainsword has allowed me to finish a great deal more than I would otherwise, and has equally pushed myself in terms of techniques and hopefully quality!

After the last update, I entered the Daemonic Pact (3) again at the B&C and was lucky enough to win Artisan of Chaos for the Best Paintjob and ascended to Daemonhood! The following model, one of my three Great Unclean Ones, was my entry:

Thereafter, I’ve completed a few other ‘random’ things, including adding detail onto a previously painted Ahriman to bring him up to higher standard, a bit of repair work in places, that sort of thing:

Getting him to look like this:

Then, in a bizarre twist of fate, I knocked him from my windowsill – and his staff broke and backpack came off. It broke in precisely one place, allowing me to do this:

Tzeentch is truly the changer of ways!

Separate blog posts with follow with updated pieces of work – and my latest offerings!

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Mantis Creations Kickstarter Cases

I’ve been a big fan of Kickstarter over the last few years, backing probably twenty-odd projects, and have generally been delighted with the result – and I can safely add another to the list.

Mantis Creation’s Kickstarter for Model Storage funded in August 2014, and although it’s taken a little while to get the rewards after the campaign outstripped the predicted levels of interest, I can tell you that the wait has been worth it. I went in quite high, for eleven cases in total – lured by the fact I could choose all of my own foam. In hindsight, perhaps I didn’t even choose as widely as I could’ve – but I focused on the amazing 56 model infantry trays (four to a box… massive storage!), as well as the heavier infantry, a set of Bikes/larger models and some pick and pluck to fill the remainder. I know some people were very adventurous – and if there are such options for a future one, I may look into this too! Was very pleased to find it exactly as requested (minus one topper, not a huge deal!) – and superbly packaged, delivered safely by DHL – thank you!

I’ve got a case from nearly every major foam/bag/storage solution on the market over the years… Games Workshop, Battlefoam, KR, Figures in Comfort… All in varying sizes, with different trays, for the myriad things I’ve collected over my lifetime. I’d liken these boxes probably closest to KR’s – they’re made of what looks and feels like hard cardboard, but clearly built to withstand, and with a carry handle made of plastic. The foam itself is robust: it’s hard to compare to the other brands that are out there, but it’s somewhere between GW’s and Battlefoam’s products – it retains shape well, and is definitely harder than some, but with more give than others. It is kiss-cut down the middle, so I can theoretically halve it, and mix and match more depending on my needs. Each can take up to about 140mm worth of trays – which is sizeable, roughly four depending on each tray’s depth!

The boxes themselves have the great Mantis logo on, and look incredibly professional:

The 56 infantry trays are superb – perfect for a Space Marine, or 28mm equivalent model – a Plague Marine and Von Schill modelling this:

224 models in a single case?! Two companies worth?! Ideal!

The heavy infantry trays are perfect for those larger models (Terminators, etc.):

And the Bike Trays are great too – I’ll probably also utilise these for larger models (maybe even move my Deathshroud here!) – comfy:

I’ve not posted pick and pluck photos – simply because I’ve not put anything in them yet! I’ll update it when I do – probably for my Tantive, Transport and Lambda…

Rather than the sort of pallet they were delivered in, I thought it might be worth showing the stack of trays:

I don’t think my collection will ever be tidier once I’ve finished putting them in here!

To conclude, it was definitely worth the wait – Tyron’s put together a superb campaign, and his second will no doubt be just as good. The quality is worth it, and I absolutely cannot argue at the price for what I’ve got! Definitely keep an eye out for future campaigns and this company!

 

A New Year Beckons…

It’s crazy that this blog hasn’t been updated in awhile – I thought I was getting good at posting regular updates and content, and clearly failed – so at least there’ll be a veritable truckload of posts over the coming weeks. Life has inevitably been in the way of hobbying, which is good and bad in equal measure! That said, since the ETL, I’ve been doing well at ploughing through unit after unit, and creating some really good things that I’m proud of – and continuing to clear my backlog!

As ever, the Bolter and Chainsword ran the Call of Chaos in the run up to Christmas – an irresistible challenge for a batch painter like myself. I went all out:

“I, Chaeron, will answer the Call of Chaos and vow to complete twenty one units, all before January 15th 2015. If I do this successfully I will receive the Mark of Postulant Glory and continue on the path to ruin. If I fail I’ll wear the Mark of the Lost and I expect no mercy on my soul!

1. Forgeworld Great Unclean One
2. Forgeworld Great Unclean One
3. Forgeworld Great Unclean One
4. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
5. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
6. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
7. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
8. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
9. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
10. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
11. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
12. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
13. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
14. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
15. Five Plague Marines with Aspiring Champion and special weapon.
16. 1 Obliterator
17. 1 Obliterator
18. 1 Obliterator
19. 1 converted Fiend of Slaanesh
20. 1 converted Fiend of Slaanesh
21. 1 converted Fiend of Slaanesh”

It was a pretty big vow – the largest in terms of units pledged, with plenty of familiar faces also participating to suitably encourage and provide the criticism to help progress everything!

There are pre-photos of all of the pledged units:

And with that, the next Black Crusade commenced!

I began with the three Forge World Great Unclean Ones – arguably, some of the best models produced and one of my all time favourites.

I started with a Rhinox Hide base, getting in everywhere fleshy:

Proceeded to then drybrush Averland Sunset – trying get that tone and depth between the recessed areas, and make it look similar to elephant skin, wherever possible:

Then, started to pick out all the flesh ‘disturbances’ in Screaming Skull (of which there are many):

And all three had that done:

I then worked on the flesh further:

With the first one’s flesh coat done:

And then together!

So then, I started highlighting…

And adding gore:

Some assembly required:

Up close and personal:

I don’t even know the collective noun for three Great Unclean Ones – suggestions welcome:

They all have quite questionable hygiene too:

Once I got to this stage, I needed to throw in a WIP of something a bit different – those Fiends did nicely:

Before I began blocking colours on my Obliterators:

Once those steps are done, things go faster:

And naturally I had to get the ext batch ready:

And then get them painted!

And now with flesh and weapons done:

Before, finally, after a monumental effort: I completed it all! I went back and did a few extra things on all of the above, making sure everything was of a very good standard, no missed details etc. – which left me with one of everything:

A nice side view:

The ‘big guns’:

The right side:

The left side:

Phew! Quite an effort – really pleased generally as the vast majority of the Plague Marines were salvage jobs, hence why there is some discolouration in places. Overall, a new lease of life – so I’m pretty delighted I’ve rescued them for the army.

And with that, the Call was complete. Now to begin preparations for the ETL, and a review of the year in general. Best wishes to you and yours for the year ahead!

E Tenebrae Lux III – My Next Vows

As some of my previous posts on this blog have alluded to, I’ve been actively competing in the Bolter and Chainsword’s E Tenebrae Lux III, which is a great motivator to get things painted. After my two early completions of roughly a thousand points a piece, I decided to go somewhat larger, vowing to complete:

Chaos Terminator Squad Corruptus – 5 Nurgle Terminators with VoTLW, pair of Lightning Claws, Chainfist, Power Fist x2, Reaper Autocannon, Champion with Gift of Mutation and the Icon Of Despair – 280pts

Chaos Terminator Squad Rictus – 5 Nurgle Terminators with VoTLW, Heavy Flamer – 212pts

Chaos Terminator Squad Mortis – 5 Nurgle Terminators with VoTLW, Reaper Autocannon, Power Fist, Chainfist and two Combi-Weapons, Champion with Gift of Mutation. – 267pts

Chaos Terminator Squad Vitiosus – 5 Nurgle Terminators with VoTLW, Reaper Autocannon, pair of Lightning Claws – 234pts

Chaos Terminator Squad Constupro –5 Nurgle Terminators with VoTLW, Reaper Autocannon, lightning claw – 230pts

Chaos Terminator Squad Inficio –5 Nurgle Terminators with VoTLW, Reaper Autocannon, Chainfist, CombiPlasma and Power Fist – 251pts

Grave Wardens – 5 Nurgle Terminators with VoTLW, 4 Combi Weapons and a Heavy Flamer– 232pts

Deathshroud – 5 Nurgle Terminators with VoTLW, 5 Combi Weapons – 227pts

Daemon Prince Chaeron – Mark of Nurgle, Power Armour, Mastery Level 1, Black Mace, Aura of Dark Glory – 265pts

Daemon Prince – Mark of Nurgle, Power Armour, Gift of Mutation, Black Mace, Aura of Dark Glory, Ichor Blood – 255pts

Daemon Prince – Mark of Nurgle, Power Armour, Gift of Mutation, Black Mace, Aura of Dark Glory, Ichor Blood and Wings– 295pts

Two Nurgle Obliterators with VoTLW: 158pts

Typhus – 230pts

Typhus – 230pts

Ahriman – 230pts

Kharn – 160pts

Chaos Knight – 375pts

9 Khorne Terminators with Heavy Flamer and Power Fist, 5 Chainfists and a Combi Flamer – 390pts

…Of total value 4521pts on or before August 1st. Now, making this vow just over four weeks before was perhaps ambitious – but I was keen to crack on and get a huge chunk of this done. Or die trying…

As ever, I resorted to painting in large batches, and spraying too:

I ploughed through the Deathshroud and Grave Wardens first:

And then moved onto the Cataphractii:

Which became:

 
Then:
 

 
Before trims:
 

 
Bases:
 

 

Leaving me with just a Knight:

If anyone is wondering why there’s a change of colour scheme from my normal – it’s because I’ve tied it into the Legio Mortis. With my inspiration being Dread Wake:

 
Meaning I had completed all of this!

And then, crazily, added another two vows with 24 hours to go:

Which I completed that evening:

6971pts completed in total over the course of a month – not bad, eh?

I’d highly recommend entering something similar: high levels of motivation and seeing everyone else’s great work is a massive inspiration. And, you can plough through great quantities in no time!

Necrosius

Another recent pleasure to paint was Forge World’s Necrosius – and I had two of them to do! Although a rough and ready quick job, very happy with how they came out. You can see them before:

And now in my scheme, after:

Much more coherent! Now just to raise a suitably large Zombie host…

Angron

I’ve loved the Forge World character and Primarch series, and the first I was lucky enough to get my hands on was Angron. I had hoped that by painting him under ETL conditions, I could make him into my pièce de résistance…

I was able to put in a good shift early on, which really helped. Some excellent blogs out there really did help on the armour, although I did admittedly cut a few corners and adapt it (like all painters should!) to start getting the effect I really wanted.

Leading, ultimately to:

A model I can very much be proud of!

Decimator and Ectofiend

Part of my vow for the ETL included a Decimator and Ectofiend, and although they both took a bit longer than expected due to work commitments, I have now finished the vow! Huzzah!

The rough step by step is below, if interested:

My Decimator and Forge Fiend, one more completed than the other, are being blocked – and I’m about to do the last of the white cover on the Decimator before we start to wash. The Forge needs the flesh and trim doing before I get to that stage – as well as the weapons of choice. Getting there though!

With a nice close-up of the Decimator:

These have both been washed to within an inch of their lives – Decimator will need a bit more detailing, bringing out some of the more intricate details on the armour – but is on the whole progressing nicely. The Forge needs more flesh work done to both tidy and improve the shade – and some more work done to both head and weapons, which need some more colouring! They’re really shaping up nicely I feel – and am going to have to work out how best to base the Decimator…

Ectofiend:

The Decimator:

Bad boys together:

For now, I can look at another vow – but revel in my two finished Daemon Engines!