"Mu-Scan Follows By Encoded Psignal."

"Retrieval now indicates a 98% co-incidence with forty-seven previous raids in the Aphis Sector (102)."

This 28mm metal model of a Necron Raider was sold by "Games Workshop" as Necron Warrior 5 (Code 9947011000205) and mercilessly 'chopped up' by Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" fame, so as to provide some of his other figures with cybernetic limbs. Fortunately, its remains have since been very kindly gifted to me, and resultantly become the second of three Necron-themed objective markers I plan to accompany my 'Oldhammer 40K' Necron Kill Team.

Having initially been super-glued to a thin 40mm base, and dramatically posed with the aid of some "Gale Force Nine" Grey Stuff, the supposedly long-deceased robot was primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and subsequently layered with Ironbreaker. The skeletal automaton was then washed with Nuln Oil, roughly dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker, liberally treated to a coating of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash, and finally given a second dry-brush of Ironbreaker.

"Dungeons & Dragons" WIPs - A Half-Elf Sorcerer, a Gnome Infiltrator and a Lizardman Warrior

A similar technique was applied to the Necron's Gauss Flayer using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash. Although the weapon's tip was actually painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. Lastly, so as to imbue the defunct "spine-chilling" machine with an Egyptian aura, the raider's collar was 'picked out' using "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, Vallejo "Heavy Blue" and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade", as well as "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

In addition to my Necron objective/spawn marker I have also begun painting three of the five adventurers I plan to use for my "Expedition To The Barrier Peaks" campaign. These wonderfully animated, yet sadly 'Out Of Production' "Dungeons & Dragons" miniatures were made by "Wizards Of The Coast", and predominantly come from the company's discontinued "Chainmail" range.

Nemesis The Warlock WIPs - The "2000 A.D." comic book character is slowly being progressed

As I plan to actually use "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" by "Ganesha Games" to play this old "D&D" module with, rather than the fantasy tabletop role-playing game by Gary Gygax, I thought a broad range of heroes and races would really help test out many of the rule-set's numerous traits, abilities and weapons. As a result I am currently painting a Gnome Infiltrator (with repeating crossbow), a Half-Elf Sorcerer, and a Lizardman Warrior...

Finally, having recently finished both Torquemada and some Terminators, I have started work on their "fire-breathing demonic alien" opponent, "Nemesis The Warlock". This plastic "Wizkids" pre-painted miniature has been sat gathering dust in my painting queue for a couple of months now, but having spent a little time on the "2000 A.D." comic book character, I am already halfway through painting all of his battle armour.

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Forgotten Heroes" June 2017

Mister Freeze Lackey WIPs - The goons have all had their jumpers layered, ready for washing

This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my 'ever so slightly dwindling' collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures has been rather waylaid as a result of the announcement by Dick Garrison and Carrion Crow that "Forgotten Heroes" is back for its second year. Collated on the 'official' "Forgotten Heroes" website, this particular challenge specifically encourages bloggers to create/convert "an existing figure into a costumed superhero or villain" of their choice, "from any source (be that Comic’s, TV, Film, Adverts, Toy lines, Novels basically anywhere you can think of)."

Last year, I rather optimistically attempted to complete a number of well-meaning conversions, but sadly only managed to finish my Imperator Furiosa and Vampire By Night; the latter actually being a simple "Horrorclix" repaint. This time round I plan to simply finish what I started, and have thus begun working (once again) on five “Heroclix” Lackey miniatures I have previously 'converted' using a dollop of grey stuff, into some of Mister Freeze's bobble-hat wearing goons.

Necron Raider WIPs - The "merciless killers" have all been primed "Citadel" Ironbreaker

In addition to "Forgotten Heroes" I also plan on polishing off the remaining Second Edition "Warhammer 40K" Necron Raiders I began painting a little over four weeks ago. This 'Oldhammer 40K' mini-project has somewhat stalled recently as a result of the generosity of a pair of stalwart wargamers substantially increasing the number of Gauss-Flayer Gun-carrying miniatures I own, and I have therefore spent some extra time on these wonderful gifts cleaning, priming and basing them, so as to do them the justice they deserve.

Of particular note, Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" fame has kindly not only sent me a few extra "merciless killers", but also a very much appreciated Limited Edition Skulz Necron Examination Table to use as an objective marker. Whilst, amongst several other most welcome miniatures from the "dystopian science fantasy universe", Steve from "The Game Cupboard" posted me several more Necron Raiders including a complete "machine-like" Immortal armed with a Gauss Blaster...   

Xorn Ravager WIPS - The "outsiders from the Elemental Plane of Earth" have been undercoated

Finally, my recent purchase of the "Dungeon & Dragon" module "Expedition To The Barrier Peaks" by "TSR Hobbies Inc" has enthused me to start rummaging through my collection of pre-painted "Wizkids" Dungeons & Dragons miniatures. As I plan on playing the out-of-print 1980 "playing aid" using "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" by "Ganesha Games", rather than Gary Gygax's famous rule-set, I am currently developing an opening scenario which will see the Grand Duchy of Geoff's "doughiest henchmen" first encounter the strange "gated cave" which mysteriously disgorges "monsters... at random intervals."

I already have some suitably appropriate miniatures by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" to use as vegepygmies, but also thought the adventure would be a good excuse to re-base and prime some plastic Xorn Ravagers that have long languished in my painting queue unattended. As a result, all three of the "outsiders from the Elemental Plane of Earth" have been undercoated "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, and now are simply awaiting a wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil before I pick out their teeth, claws and eyes.

"Daleks Do Not Take Orders."

"But you have no weapons! No defenses! No plan!"

These three 28mm scale models of a Dalek are produced by “Warlord Games” and can be assembled from the plastic sprues found within the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game". Created by Terry Nation (and Raymond Cusick) in 1963, this particular variant of the Kaled's Mark III travel machine is based upon their Time War shell and first appeared in the April 2005 BBC Television series story "Dalek".

As I have already finished my force's Patrol Leader and three Daleks, these particular new additions will now provide me with enough Skaro mutants to field the three Dalek recruitment cards needed for the rule-set's opening scenario "A Meeting Of Metal"; an introductory six turn battle which sees the Daleks and Cybermen fighting over the scattered cargo of a crashed space freighter. 

"We would destroy the Cybermen with one Dalek!"

Having super-glued the 'Metaltrons' onto 40mm lipped circular stands, the miniatures were initially primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna before being treated to a double coat of Brass. I then generously washed all three models with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and gave them a heavy dry-brush of more "Vallejo" Brass. 

With the 'easy phase' finished, I subsequently picked out each of the Master Race's eye stalks, control arms and multi-range variable power destructors with a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. In addition, the Daleks' audio scanners were 'picked out' with "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey, whilst the pepper pots' fenders were painted with "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

Destroyed Dalek WIPs - The objective marker has been primed, washed, and dry-brushed 

Despite having yet to play "Doctor Who: Exterminate!", I am already somewhat keen to build up my Dalek faction to four Recruitment cards. This will enable me to then use Davros' pitiless creations as the attackers in the rule-book's second scenario, "Ship Of Death", where they'll be attempting to thwart the Cyber-Leader from launching a powerful starship which "will end the war."

Unfortunately however, one of my remaining "easy-fit plastic" Dalek models simply refused to go together, and resultantly has become an early casualty of their war with the Cybermen. This change of fortune for the figure in question though does not mean it won't see any tabletop action, as I have simply glued it to a 40mm thin-lipped circular stand in order to use it as an objective marker.

Necron Raider Objective WIPs - The partially destroyed robot has been thoroughly rusted

I actually seem to be on something of a 'run' of painting distressed robots and broken automatons, as I've also been progressing a second partially destroyed "Games Workshop" Necron Raider at the same time. This old Second Edition "Warhammer 40K" miniature has lost both its legs, and is seemingly defunct. But one can never tell with the "race of mechanical warriors" and it may well be, should the vignette be utilised as a 'spawn marker', that it is simply the first of the Necrontyr's creations to reach the surface...

"Explorators Report... Status Priority Red."

"Fate has delivered into our hands the remains of one of the enemy raiders."

This 28mm metal model of a Necron Raider was produced back in 1997 by "Games Workshop" and is one of five mechanical warriors which were included in the "Warhammer 40K" race's boxed set. Previously mutilated in order to provide some other figures with cybernetic limbs, this formidable sculpt was very generously gifted to me by Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" fame, and has resultantly become the first of three Necron-themed objective markers I have planned to accompany my small-sized 'Oldhammer 40K' Necron raiding party. 

Having first been super-glued to a thin 40mm base, and appropriately angled with the aid of some "Gale Force Nine" Grey Stuff, the defunct automaton was primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and subsequently layered with Ironbreaker. The skeletal robot was then washed with Nuln Oil, roughly dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker, liberally treated to a coating of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash, and finally given a second dry-brush of Ironbreaker.

Ultron-14 WIPs - The robot has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

A similar technique was applied to the Necron warrior's Gauss Flayer using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash; albeit the weapon's tip was painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. As a last touch, so as to imbue the distressed machine with an Egyptian aura, the robot's detailed collar was 'picked out' using "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, Vallejo "Heavy Blue" and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade", as well as "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Sticking with the metallic robot theme, I have started work on an Ultron-14 "Heroclix" model I found whilst scrambling through my pre-painted "Wizkids" collection for some odds and ends to send Steve from "The Game Cupboard". I've painted up a previous incarnation of the Avengers' nemesis before, but felt this upgraded variant, capable of "Thermal Targeting", would make a welcome addition to my ever-growing horde of insane comic book automatons.

Time War Daleks WIPS - The Kaleds have had their eye-stalks, sensors, weapons and plungers all 'picked out'

For now I have simply primed the model with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and started building up the artificial intelligence's adamantium outer armour with a combination of Nuln oil and patiently dry-brushed Ironbreaker. However, before Ultron-14 is finished I hope to have 'picked out' his red optical sensors and darkly foreboding skull-like maw.

Finally, I have finished all the layers needed on three more of my "Warlord Games" Daleks, and now simply need to apply a variety of washes over the Kaled Mark III travel machines to finish them. As a result I'm hoping to get these models varnished and flocked over the next few days, and finally settle down to play "A Meeting Of Metal"; the opening scenario to the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game."

"The Most Numerous British Cruiser Tank In The Desert War Was The Crusader..."

"...which entered service in 1941."

This 15mm scale plastic model of a Crusader II tank is made by “Battlefront Miniatures”, and is one of the three British armoured vehicles supplied as part of the company's "Battle of El Alamein: War in the Desert" starter set. Assembled to represent the cruiser's two-pound gun variant, this "fast mechanised cavalry" unit relies more upon its speed than its armour in "Flames Of War", and has so far proved rather ineffective against the firepower of the two German Panzer tanks which accompany it inside the game's box.

Initially primed with a double coat of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, the miniature was washed with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade and then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Dark Sand. Partially using the camouflage painting guidance given within the pages of the "Desert Rats: British Forces In The Desert 1942-43" Army book, I then used some Black Green to 'draw' some "cloud-shaped patches" on predominantly "the lower parts of the tank" and shaded these areas with "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

Necron Raiders WIPs - The skeleton robots have all been primed and washed

Having 'picked out' the vehicle's tank tracks with Abaddon Black, and 'dusted' the entire model with a very light dry-brush of "Vallejo" Dark Sand in order to suggest the miniature's "disruptive camouflage" was battered and worn in places, I applied some tactical markings to the tank using a decal sheet taken from the "Battlefront Miniatures" Monty's Desert Rats boxed set. Disappointingly, these 'transfers' don't offer much in the way of choice regarding geometric symbols, so the Crusader II had to carry the red square of B Squadron on its turret, as well as carry its "divisional symbol of the left-hand mudguards, and a regimental number of the right."

Sadly, my enthusiasm for "Flames Of War", or rather "Battlefront Miniatures", has somewhat soured after I experienced some incredibly poor customer service whilst at the company's stall during this year's "Salute". True, their customer service department have since offered me a free copy of "Battle of El Alamein: War in the Desert" as 'compensation', but that was over two weeks ago, and I've heard nothing from them since. In addition, I find it hard to support any manufacturer who attends a wargaming show and charges £15 more for their own product than a neighbouring retailer...

Boromite Gang Fighters WIP - The majority of these alien miners have had their leg armour finished

Fortunately, the excellent Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" has recently demonstrated to me (yet again) just why his company have such an excellent reputation within the hobby community, and he himself is viewed as a tip top chap. I wasn't actually planning on painting up more than five of my old Second Edition "Warhammer 40K" Necron Raiders for this month's 'Oldhammer 40K" painting project. But Dave has put paid to such thinking by very generously sending me some additional "Games Workshop" miniatures from his personal collection and resultantly added to my modest goal. Indeed, I've even managed to make use of a couple of his mutilated models, by re-basing them as rusty objective markers.

Finally, I am slowly working my way through the ten Boromite Gang Fighters I require as the 'backbone' to my 500-point Scouting Force for "Beyond The Gates Of Antares". These "Warlord Games" sculpts are incredibly detailed, with all kinds of devices and pouches attached to their armoured girdles, and are therefore proving a real challenge to progress in any great number whatsoever.

(Lead) Mountain Musings - 'Oldhammer 40K' May 2017

Necron Raiders WIP - The robots have been primed and washed, and the Scarabs based

This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my overwhelming collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures will see me painting up a handful of old Second Edition "Warhammer 40K" Necron Raiders and a couple of accompanying Scarabs. I actually recall picking these models up second-hand at a car boot sale in Aldershot quite a few years ago, and believe I also still own the figure which came attached to the front cover of Issue 217 of "White Dwarf"; albeit I don't seem to be able to currently find that particular 'freebie' within my lead pile...

With the rumoured imminent arrival by "Games Workshop" of Eighth Edition "Warhammer 40k" I have no intention of using these "merciless killers" for any gaming in the company's "dystopian science fantasy universe". But did think that the all-metal miniatures would prove to be interesting proxies for a faction of the Robot Army which continuously fights to rule Mega-City One's Undercity in "Judge Dredd".

Overseer WIPs - The Boromite Commander has had his armour, equipment and wiring finished

Indeed, these "Oldhammer 40K" sculpts contain some incredibly Egyptian-themed detail, and along with their green Gauss-Flayer Guns, should make a colourful change from the usual all-silver palette I usually apply to my automatons. In addition they should give me plenty of opportunity to use the Robot rules in "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" by "Ganesha Games".  

My preoccupation with this "Citadel" project will not, however, blind me to my need to continue working on my 500-point Boromite Scouting Force for "Beyond The Gates Of Antares". Indeed, alongside my Overseer I have started assembling, basing and priming more miniatures from a second box of Boromite Gang Fighters.

Boromite Gang Fighter WIP - The majority of these alien miners have had their armour started

Ordinarily, I don't tend to try and paint my figures in batches or an assembly line. But, as my goal is to paint up twenty of the heavily-armed panhuman miners by the end of May, I thought I would once again try my hand at the (somewhat arduous) technique and see how I got on with ten of the plasma carbine-carrying soldiers. It is the Seventh Age of humankind after-all...

With the majority of my Cybermen painted for "Doctor Who: Exterminate!", I have begun assembling the six "genocidal warriors" I need to field two Dalek Patrol recruitment cards. These plastic multi-part models have proved rather troublesome to assemble, and there's a definite knack to ensuring the front-facing panel fits in-between the two side pieces.

Dalek WIPs - The "powerful armoured fighting machine" has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

I certainly found it prudent not to completely follow the instructions found within the "Guide To The Time Vortex" by leaving the flank pieces slightly ajar from one another until after I had 'popped' in the central panel over the Time War Dalek's eye stalk. Fortunately though, what the twenty-four pamphlet does provide is a relatively straightforward painting guide to help get these "creatures of hate" onto the tabletop fast.

Admittedly I don't think drenching "the whole miniature with Strong Tone ink wash" should be the penultimate stage of the process, especially when a couple of the earlier phases include 'picking out' the "eye stalk rings and lights with White". But the "Vallejo" Brass 'dry-brush' has certainly helped bring out all the detail on what appears to be a genuinely "highly detailed" plastic miniature.

"Skinks On Foot Can Move Over Marsh, Rivers, Streams, Ponds Or Lakes..."

"Deep within the steaming jungles of Lustria, fearless Old Worlder explorers have encountered Lizardmen."

This 28mm metal “Games Workshop” model of a Skink Warrior is the first of a small regiment of figures I originally started to paint a couple of years ago. Back then I had hoped to build a small force based upon the 1996 “Warhammer” Lizardmen Army book and actually use these figures with the original ‘Mass Combat Fantasy Role-Playing Game’ rules from 1982. Disappointingly this project was soon derailed after my disappointment with the paintjob for the warband's white-skinned leader Gluckle the Greedy. Recently however I have found my interest in such 'Oldhammer' figures rekindled, and as a result I've finally finished this particular cold-blooded warrior who is armed with two hand weapons.

To begin with the Skink was undercoated with “Vallejo” Turquoise and then washed them with “Citadel” Asurmen Blue in order to bring out the tiny sculpt's detail. I then painted all of the Lizardman's weapons, shield, bracelets and clothing with "Citadel" Abaddon Black before starting to pick out all the fighter's details such as his "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna loincloth, Heavy Brown leathers and Heavy Red javelin tassels.

Daughter Of S.H.I.V.A. WIPs - These masters of unarmed combat will all be dressed in purple with grey fur

In addition I undercoated all of the creature's areas destined to be painted with Brass and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna first in order to help the metallic acrylic colour cover the model better with just a couple of (straight from the pot) layers. Lastly I picked out his eyes with a tiny dab of “Vallejo" Heavy Ochre.

With the Sixth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge now fast approaching its final week I'm still trying to paint up a few more miniatures for the Pulp Side-Challenge. Having picked out all the detail on these three Daughter of S.H.I.V.A. (classic) sculpts by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", and finished their fur-lined boots, I now just need to 'pick out' theses ladies' belts, swords and Seventies hairstyles.

"Heroclix" WIPs - The Dark Knight is destined to become an objective marker

I have also been rifling through my "Wizkids" collection in order to identify just how many minion-type models I own. Having recently been inspired by "Marvel Worldwide" publishing their nine-issue comic book mini-series "Secret Wars" and the "Games Workshop" rule-set "Age Of Sigmar", I thought I might attempt to combine the two and game some really large super-hero related battles as all the different publishers' universes crash into one another.

To begin with I thought I'd try and paint some more Lackeys from the “DC Heroclix Hypertime” range. This time however I intend to make it more readily obvious that the goons belong to the Riddler by having some of them wear purple trousers and green jumpers, and some more have green pants and purple tops.

I've also had a few additional "Heroclix" figures arrive from "Troll And Toad" including a couple of Ultron-5 models I plan to use to bolster the Adamantium automaton's robotic forces, and a rather nice Batman figure I have immediately re-based upon a 40mm circular stand to use as an objective marker.

Top Ten Miniatures Of 2014 - A "Rantings From Under The Wargames Table" Viewpoint

Now for those of you expecting a posting by Blax The Kleric I apologise for high-jacking your usual dose of “Fantorical”, but rest assured normal service will soon be restored. But for today only Simon and I have agreed to submit a post to one another's blogs, detailing each others ten favourite painted figures of 2014. So what you will find below are my personal favourites from Simon’s output for the year...

No. 10 - German Zombie Captain by "West Wind Productions" - February

Zombies have been very much in 'vogue' for the last few years, in films, television and of course in Wargames though I am reliably informed by one of my work colleagues (who know’s about this sort of thing) that Nazi zombies are the most evil as they were already evil before they were zombies! All I know is that the ones Simon has painted up are rather nice (if that’s the right word to use for zombies), and I particularly like the Captain figure in his shirt and braces still wearing his officers peaked cap.

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No. 9 - Albino Skink Champion - "Games Workshop" - December

“Oldhammer” is a thing that could only be unique to "Games Workshop". No other company has such a fast turnover of figures that models from the Eighties and Nineties could be looked upon with nostalgia (most would still have them in their current ranges!). It is however where a lot of us started in the hobby, so it’s nice to see some of these 'classic' fantasy armies getting dusted off and given a coat of paint (even if I would not dare take on a challenge like this!). Now the figure I’ve chosen is one that I know Simon wasn’t that pleased with, but it’s my choice so he’ll have to put up with it. Though it may not be as white as he’d hoped it would be, I love the fact that 'Gluckle The Greedy' looks like he’s seen many a battle and the contrast to the blue skin colour of the rest of the skinks in his unit really makes him stand out as a special character. Sorry Simon I like him!

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No. 8 - Judge Death - "Mongoose Publishing" - November

Now Simon has done quite a bit of complaining about the quality of the casting on some of these “Judge Dredd” miniatures, but I’ve not seen anything wrong with any of his finished models. Perhaps he’s just clever with how he photographs them!?!. I have liked quite a few of the ones he’s presented over the year but in the end it came down to the two versions of Judge Death. Both are smashing figures and the way the 'ectoplasmic' vapour was painted emerging from the bottom of the giant helmet only version was most impressive (and something I’ve always struggled with!). But in the end the full bodied version just edged it.

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No. 7 - Aliens - "Ground Zero Games" - April

Aliens... Now who doesn’t want an army of these little blighters? After Daleks these have got to be my evil army of choice. They are one of those figures that appear so easy to paint and yet are so difficult to get just right. But that is exactly what Simon has done here with these 15mm xenomorphs. His style of painting and use of gloss varnish finish compliments them perfectly, not to mention that his use of the 10mm “facehuggers” from “Pendraken” is also rather inspired.

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No. 6 - Iceman "Wizkids" - December

I love superheroes, I could have nearly filled this entire list with the “Heroclix” figures that Simon has repainted (The Rhino and the Thing spring immediately to mind), but I’ve decided to limit myself to just two for my top ten. So for my first superhero entry I have taken a figure that has only recently been completed and that is Bobby Drake, better known as Iceman, from the X-Men. Now this is a figure I own myself, however needless to say mine doesn’t look anything like this. Still in his original clear blue plastic I actually thought the model looked quite good, until I saw this repaint of him. I know that Simon has put a lot of work into getting a sense of coldness into the figure and it really shows. This is a figure that I know quite few people have commented approvingly about and one Simon himself is pretty pleased with and for good reason. A great example of what these figures can look like.

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No. 5 - Modern Middle Eastern Alliance Revered Leader "GHQ" - May

6mm figures can be great. They are cheap, are quick and easy to paint and you don’t need acres of space to play in. Having said all that when I first read this blog entry I thought these figures were 10 or 15mm scale that just shows the levels of detail that there is painted onto on these little lumps of lead. He has also taken the chance to build up tiny little diorama. So what could have been just another pretty boring stand of infantry has been given an injection of personality with the simple addition of the camel (is this a subliminal metaphor for the reasons behind the conflict “the straw that broke the camels back" I wonder?); plus it also makes him easier to pick out on the battlefield. All of this goes into making the stand a rather clever little figure base.

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No. 4 - Jesus Of Nazareth - "Space Vixens From Mars" - November

A good blog entry should get a reaction from the reader and this miniature certainly did that. I thought I was holding my own in our “Mo’vember” painting challenge when up popped this little fellow (is it blasphemous to call the son of god a little fellow? I don’t know). Anyway as I said at the time “How do you top Jesus!?!” Though it was never a competition, if it had been I think Simon would have won it then and there. Another excellent paintjob and a figure I would never in a million years of even thought existed. Quite brilliantly well played that man.

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No. 3 - Roj Blake - "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" - October

I am a big fan of Seventies British science-fiction, and so it would seem is our host here, as not only does he post some very entertaining cartoon strips of his take on classic “Dr who” over on his “Mooretoons” blog, but he has also brought us his continuing painting saga of the original members of the Liberator's crew from “Blake's Seven”. Now if he had finished painting 'Jenna Stannis' I would probably have picked her, but as he hasn’t… (I’m still waiting Simon!), I have picked the main man himself. It’s quite scary how much the finished figure does look like Gareth Thomas, I think he might actually have got his hands on the Master's 'Cellular Compression Device'... I mean you never see the actor and the figure together now do you?

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No. 2 - Frankenstein’s Monster - "Graven Images" - October

Simon is actually painting up a second ("Heroclix") version of this legendary concoction of body parts even as we speak and from what we’ve seen so far I am sure this will also be an excellent example of the breed. However for the moment I have chosen this lovely (is that the right word) 40mm “Universal Movies” version. I love old horror films and would much rather watch an old “Universal” or “Hammer” atmospheric classic than one of today’s 'gore fests'. Plus this fellow really captures the essence of Boris Karlov’s iconic performance.
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No.1 - Lockjaw - "Wizkids" - November

Now it maybe the fact that I am a big “Silver age” comic fan, or that "The Inhumans” doggie chum has turned up in a few of the classic comics I have been reading of late. But I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for this teleporting canine. If I’m brutally honest when Simon first put him forward as one of his entries into our “Mo’vember” painting challenge, creative as the choice was, I actually found the miniature in question somewhat uninspiring. Therefore it was all the more surprising when he presented the finished figure a couple of weeks later... What a transformation. Here was a figure that I really wish I’d painted. One thing that constantly surprises me on Simon’s blog is his ability to take these “Heroclix” miniatures and, by giving them a top notch re-paint, show what really good sculpts are lurking under the often pretty dodgy paint-jobs they come with. If there’s one thing I’ve come away from “Fantorical” with this year it is “Don’t judge a miniature by the paint-job it comes with!”.
http://fantorical.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/whos-good-bizarro-doggie.html

And that’s why he’s made it to the top of my “Fantorical Favourites” of 2014.So that’s it, my top ten of Blax the Kleric's figures for 2014. All that remains for me to do is thank Simon for coming up with the idea behind this bit of nonsense, and giving me the opportunity to share with you my favourite bits of his output for the year. If you’re interested to see what he thought of my attempts at sloshing the paint and such about please follow the link below:
http://rantingsfromunderthewargamestable.wordpress.com/2014/12/26/blax-the-klerics-top-ten-of-2014

Finally I’d just like to wish you all the very best of new years, and may your paint only flow where you wish it to.Cheers Roger.

'Oldhammer' - Lizardmen Army - WIP - Part Four

Having finally managed to finish my albino skink champion earlier this month, I’ve spent the past week or so pottering around on the base and undercoat of the skink cold one rider I intend to submit to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge as my ‘rider and mount’ themed entry.

Having previously decided to have the bipedal lizard stood upon the lifeless head of a (plastic) skink I have subsequently added half a resin flagstone by “Scibor Miniatures” to the base beneath one of its clawed feet in order to strengthen the large miniature’s stance. I’ve already managed to paint this grey with a black wash, and both layer and wash the green-skinned lizardman head which the beast is stood upon. Indeed, I have actually finished painting the base now as all it needs is a protective coat of PVA glue and some grass flock to be complete. In addition I have also superglued the skink rider to his beast and as a result have been painting around the lizardman with my cold one’s undercoat.

Rather surprisingly the 1996 “Games Workshop” edition of the “Warhammer Armies Lizardmen” supplement, which I’ve been using as both a miniature and painting guide, does not even contain a black and white photograph of a cold one rider, so I haven’t really seen any colour schemes which have particularly inspired me. As a result I have decided to go for a rather lacklustre brown mount for my skink, which should be simple to apply, wash and then drybrush. I did consider painting the beast’s scaly armour in a vivid bright colour in order to really show off the sculpt’s fine detail. But I think the blue skin of the skink will supply enough contrast to make the model 'pop' and I still plan to ‘pick out’ his mount’s spikes and horns in white.

Meanwhile I have finally started to ‘get to grips’ with the small band of skink warriors I was supposed to have finished painting last month. The detail on these tiny models is incredible and as a result I have abandoned my plan to paint them all at once and instead just concentrate on one or two and simply work my way from their tail up. As a result I have finished the first of the cold-blooded warriors armed with throwing spears and am quickly progressing a second…

'Oldhammer' - Albino Skink Champion

This 28mm “Citadel” model of a Skink Champion has taken an awful long time to complete, and despite the Challenge now being well into its second month is actually my first ‘Oldhammer’ submission for “A Tale of Several Gamers”. In addition, although I’ve put an awful lot of time and effort into painting the albino Lizardman, I am not terribly happy with the way his pallid skin colour has finally turned out. Rather than being known as ‘Gluckle The Greedy’, destined for greatness, I fear a more appropriate title would be ‘Gluckle The Grey’.

The model was first undercoated with “Vallejo” White before I started to work my way through the numerous bronze and red cloth bands which adorn his legs and arms. For the metal work I used a combination of Brass and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. Whilst for the red I went with “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson. The skink’s curved sword, snout horn and spear tips were also painted with “Vallejo” Brass. As the Champion wore a small chainmail loincloth I treated that to a coat of “Citadel” Boltgun metal and then a wash of Nuln Oil. The leather work was ‘picked out’ with either “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna or Heavy brown. Both of which were then washed with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

Lastly I picked out his eyes with a tiny dab of “Vallejo" Heavy Ochre. I did consider giving the Lizardman red eyes as per many of the painted models in the 1996 “Games Workshop” edition of the “Warhammer Armies Lizardmen” supplement. But I thought the model had too much red on it already.

The Mark of The Old Ones, otherwise known as white skin, was created by applying a watered down “Citadel” Nuln Oil wash over the “Vallejo” White undercoat and then drybrushing more White over the top. I thought this worked well for the smaller areas of bare flesh as the wash simply pooled in the recesses and left everywhere else stark white. 

However when I came to apply this technique to the largest area, the head, left shoulder, chest and head fin, it simply turned the undercoat a murky grey, and no amount of repainting or drybrushing would bring back the white as it had done on the other areas. 

Having based the model though I have managed to ‘park’ my disappointment and begin painting the rest of my Skink warband with earnest. Most of the bronze work is now done, as is the leatherwork, and I’m currently ‘picking out’ all the pouches which adorn their hips.

In addition I have managed to completely assemble the Cold One Rider and make a little progress on his base and skink rider. This particular model will definitely be finished by the end of the month as it is to be my Mount(s) & Rider(s) Theme submission for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. 

'Oldhammer' - Lizardmen Army - WIP - Part Three

Unfortunately my points tally for the first month of the ‘Oldhammer’ challenge “A Tale of Several Gamers” is going to be disappointingly low, despite trying to have something of a painting frenzy over the past few days. Sadly I’ve not managed to complete a single figure but am now hopefully well on the way to finishing not only last month’s Challenge target but also finish December’s (substantially smaller) goal as well.

For starters a couple of days spent pottering over my albino skink Champion model has meant that my warband’s leader is now close to completion. I’ve really just got a dozen teeth, his yellow eyes and forehead horn to complete before trying to apply a wash over his white flesh. With hindsight I really should have left ‘Gluckle the Greedy’ last as I’m convinced the sheer amount of time I’ve spent on this one model would have allowed me to have completely painted a fair proportion of his blue-skinned skink brethren. Certainly I don’t want to have to paint so beautifully detailed a miniature again for a while.

One thing I did forget to do whilst painting my Champion was apply a brown undercoat to all the areas I eventually wanted to paint bronze. This was something of a hasty mistake which I invariably paid for later when I tried to get the metallic paint to completely layer over black with just a single application. As a result I’ve not only painted all the spear shafts and leathers on my skink warriors with brown paint, but all the ultimately bronze areas as well. I have also started to ‘pick out’ some of the red areas such the leg feathers the Lizardmen wear.

As a break I’ve also started to prepare the Cold One rider I want to complete this month. Hardly a unit I know, and I certainly hope to add to it in the future, but for now I just want to get ‘back on track’ with some simple ‘soft’ painting targets. Interestingly I was warned by the person selling it, that the model was difficult to put together, and they weren’t joking. I am convinced I am going to have to pin the tail on as ‘green stuff’ simply is not doing the job. The model is also badly weighted to one side, as it only stands upon one leg. As a result I’ve tried to make it more stable by placing an object beneath its other claw and could think of nothing more appropriate than one of the newer "Games Workshop" plastic skink heads. This is an ‘Oldhammer’ project after all…

Space Cow Smith has created a blog called “A Tale Of Several Gamers” for us to all post our ‘Oldhammer’ themed posts on so if you’re interested or want to take part then I’d recommend you give it a visit at:
A Tale of Several Gamers is Go!

'Oldhammer' - Lizardmen Army - WIP - Part Two

With just a few days to go until the deadline for “A Tale of Several Gamers” first month, I have realized with some horror that I may well have been going about my ‘Oldhammer’ army painting in a decidedly wrong manner. Other painting distractions aside, I’ve found my choice of painting my force’s leader first and foremost an unwise move as despite the “Citadel” miniature’s excellent pose and sculpting, it is frankly so detailed that it is proving to be an absolute pain to actually paint (at least using the methods I ordinarily use for my 28mm figures).

As a result, my plan to spend just a few days concentrating on Gluckle the Greedy before painting up the rest of my skink warband has stagnated into a painfully slow month-long attempt to paint just the white-skinned champion. This means that few of my other Lizardmen miniatures have had much attention besides an undercoat of blue paint and a quick wash of ink to help me see the figures’ detail.

No more pontificating however, as I find there is nothing better than an imminent deadline to focus the mind and get the paint flowing. Clearly I’m not going to be attaining quite the number of points I initially had in mind for this month’s opening foray but as I spent only just over half my £25 budget, and should have a couple of minis painted, along with a few blog posts on the subject, I am hopeful that Space Cow Smith will be magnanimous enough to award me a handful of points in a few days’ time.

Perhaps my biggest problem has been to try and copy the superbly painted albino skink from my copy of the “Games Workshop” 1996 Lizardmen Warhammer Armies book. I quite quickly found this challenge tremendously off putting and demotivating as I’m simply not that good a painter. Having cast aside my ‘Eavy metal Painter syndrome, I’ve gone with a simple paint scheme for my Skink champion which should still make him ‘stand out from the crowd’. Instead of painting all his rope bindings a myriad of different colours, they’re just going to be red and the vast majority of his leathers, humble brown. This has allowed me to swiftly paint most of his numerous straps and bindings, with just a block colour and wash.

I’ve also started something of a ‘factory approach’ to the four basic Skink warriors I own. Presently they’re been undercoated, washed and then ‘black-lined’. I’m now starting to ‘block in’ their metal weapons, shields and arm bracelets.

Space Cow Smith has actually created a blog called “A Tale Of Several Gamers” for us to all post our ‘Oldhammer’ themed posts on so if you’re interested or want to take part then I’d recommend you give it a visit at:
A Tale of Several Gamers is Go!

'Oldhammer' - Lizardmen Army - WIP - Part One

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been part of the discussions on Space Cow Smith’s excellent “Tales From Farpoint” blog regarding collecting and painting an ‘Oldhammer’ army similar to the method made famous by the old “White Dwarf” series of articles entitled “A Tale Of Four Gamers”. The plan is to run the project for the next six months with the main goal being that every month we paint at least 5-6 miniatures; either ones from our current lead mountain or up to £25 worth of ‘new’ ones. Space Cow Smith has actually created a blog called “A Tale Of Several Gamers” for us to all post our ‘Oldhammer’ themed posts on so if you’re interested or want to take part then I’d recommend you give it a visit at:

A Tale of Several Gamers is Go!

Or simply pop across to “Tales From Fairpoint” at:
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As I really wanted to try and capture the spirit of the original “Games Workshop” editorials, I’ve decided to stick to just models made by the British games manufacturer and so have chosen to build a small force based upon the 1996 “Warhammer” Lizardmen Army book.

As a result I scoured Ebay for a reasonably priced small band of Skink Warriors with which to begin my cold-blooded army of Lustria. As one of the challenge’s other goals is to create a force capable of telling a story, I eventually decided to purchase a collection of seven ‘old school’ metal skinks for £15 including postage and packaging. I had promised myself that I wouldn’t spend more than £2 per (foot) miniature but as this auction contained a drummer, standard bearer and a champion I figured it was actually fairly priced. Certainly it was nowhere close to some of the other outrageously high bids other sellers seemed to be anticipating for their half missing partially damaged or horribly painted Lizardmen plastic miniatures.

Admittedly the champion was missing his metal base tab but I recognised him as the Skink model from my Army Book and knew he carried ‘The Favour Of The Gods’. Thus Gluckle the Greedy was born, white skinned with the mark of the Old Ones and destined for greatness. He would be my warband’s leader and take them deep into the ancient tombs and crypts of Lustria to seek his fortune, no matter how many of his followers he lost.

For now I’ve based all of my fledgling regiment and undercoated the majority of the skinks with “Vallejo” Turquoise and then washed them with “Citadel” Asurmen Blue in order to bring out the detail on them. As Gluckle is going to be an albino, I’ve simply painted him white and then, having given him a watered wash of Nuln Oil, applied a layer of Abaddon Black over all the non-flesh areas. I aim to get the majority of these foot soldiers finished by the end of the month, and then hopefully add some Saurus Warriors to my force.

As one of the challenge’s other goals is to actually play some games with the figures, I’m actually hoping to try and go right back to “Citadel Miniatures” beginning and use these figures with the original ‘Mass Combat Fantasy Role-Playing Game’ rules from 1982; albeit using their statistics from the 1996 Army book. I’ll need a second force (for my opponent) at some point in order to do this, so for one or two months during “A tale Of Several Gamers” I also plan to paint up an opposing warband of the Undead. And as Gluckle the Greedy will be pilfering the graves of the ancient dead, that undoubtedly means lots of Mummies…