Lion'el Jonson WIP - The beginning

 

Greetings!

Not a lot to share today, other than evidence that I have embarked on a project to paint up the Primarch of the Dark Angels this month. So far, I have just started by layering on a few base coats to get started and block out the overall look.  I'm referring to the box art here, but painting with Pro Acryl paints from Monument Hobbies.

I started things off with a base coat of flat black from a rattle can.  I'm having issues using the air brush with any decent primer.  Just continues to clog and be generally fussy.  I should probably accept that I can prime with other paints and not get hung up on using a primer.  but OK, I'm hung up on that. 😁 And I recognize that while there can be issues, this is largely user error and something I can continue to work on.

I fear it's going to be slow going, but we'll see. I've been trying to correct and heal up a pinched/impacted ulnar nerve in my right shoulder/arm. It's been a minor annoyance for six months or so while I've sought physical therapy and chiropractic help. But last week I moved into a phase where I have reduced strength in my hand - which happens to be my dominant and most painty hand.  So that's put a damper on things in the short term.

So more appts for me this week and we'll see where I get. Blocking in the big colors here has not been too hard. But I'm not sure I'll have the dexterity for fine work. If it becomes an issue, I'll put this aside and build more tiny Mechanicum - assuming I can still manage the clippers.😂 It is what it is and I've plenty of projects here to work on!

Stay safe, stay healthy.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

On the Workbench [December] - The Lion and the Mechanicum

 

Well, setting up for December, I put together The Lion. Lots of sub assemblies so I can get at everything. I feel like I've done enough on the dark Angels for 40K that they need their Primarch now that he is back among the living.

In addition, I have built a small Machanicum force from eBay while I waited for my pre-order from a local game store to arrive. I would have waited for the pre-order, but experience with the rules says I need a few bits more than the basic box to make a viable force...for all the games I likely won't play since I have not opponents currently...no worries though.  Have models will find gamers!

At the time of publishing this article, I have the pre-order.  So there will be plenty more Mechanicum forces to come. It will take some time to assemble them though.  Wow, are some of the models fiddly!! I mean at this point, I've been assembling various scale GW models since the 90's..and yes, they are fiddly. :)

Stay tuned for some Primarch goodness... I need to get paint on The Lion before the new year! Merry Xmas!!

Cheers and happy Gaming!

Deathwing Terminator Squad 2 - TO DONE

 

Deathwing in the House!

 

Greetings and welcome back! At long last, I am posting the final pics of my second Deathwing squad project (begun in September for those keeping track...). The first squad was a five member trial. Then I was on to this full ten marine squad. I love how they came out!  Sure, the perfectionist in me is yelling about all the lost opportunity here. Honestly I spend FAR to much time browsing the projects of others on Instagram, not to mention all of your fabulous blogs. But I'm honestly happy to call this squad done so I can move on to other projects.

So that's TO DONE.  Here's the happy Deathwing family in the display case with some HQ at the rear...

At some point I need to get things out of the case for a better photo shoot...but no time now, must build and paint MOAR!! 😂 Scroll down after the break if you want to see all the gory details on these terminators.  I have to hand it to GW.  These updated sculpts are great and were a joy to paint. Somewhere down in the basement, tucked away in their foamy beds, decades of first borne terminators weep and cry themselves to sleep...  

Cheers and Happy Gaming!!

Deathwing Terminator Squad 2 WIP - Part 2

 

Greetings and welcome back.  As the title pic reveals, I resolved to complete the second Deathwing terminator squad which I had begun prior to DreadTober. These warriors got close to completion, but not close enough. So I put them back on the painting table and got stuck in.

The bases are now complete to match my Dark Angels force. This is a simple basing scheme which I have used on my Dark Angels over the decades.  It's not snazzy, nor flashy, nor even imaginative. But it provides a good neutral backdrop for my force. The idea was born from the notion that battle fields in the 41st millennium are blasted wastelands and many the victim of countless conflicts dating back to the Dark Age of Heresy.

These first two examples are the Sergeant and squad second respectively. If I broke the squad of ten into two five marine squads for a game, the second would lead the second squad of five. I figured at that point I would declare his chainfist a "power weapon" with power sword stats since sergeants can't take chain fists.

 I ended up really liking the cyclone missile launcher, so iconic for the Deathwing of old. Might have to source another one or two of those...moving on though, details are mostly done at this point but I keep findings things that got missed or need tidying up, etc.

They just aren't Dark Angels without a plasma boi, so that's why I don't have two cyclones. 💥

And we'll stop the show and tell here.  Just a sample of the interesting models from the squad to show the progress. I'll probably call them done and post final pics late next week. Maybe. For me who have collected Dark Angels for over 20 years, Deathwing terminators hold a special place and I can't call them done until they match that special vision in my minds eye.  If you've collected a faction this long, then I'm confident you understand and have your own model or unit that just stands out from the rest.

So stay tuned for the final squad reveal coming soon! I'm excited to have (nearly) fifteen terminators done. In all these years, I haven't previously completed a squad; even when they were only in five marine units and that is now over eight editions form 3rd to 10th!

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

On the Workbench [November] - Dark Angels Primaris Impulsor!

 

Greetings and welcome back.  Coming off of DreadTober 2024, I needed a painting palate cleanser...a new build was just the thing!  I've been sitting on this Impulsor for quite awhile, including the 3rd party resin upgrades. I have always had a hard time accepting the open back of the Impulsor...so this was a must have upgrade for me.

The details are great, though perhaps tough to see in the translucent resin currently. The back hatch even opens...

The front armor is glued down, but the back has been magnetized so I can still paint and run the transport in it's original form.

Having things this open will make painting the interior a breeze too! You should be able to make out two magnets at the back and two at the top where the roof meets the copula deck. This was a simple modification that helps maintain the original look while catering to my personal taste too. Win!

The top hatch can take all of the Impulsor options.

And then the full roof can be replaced with the original bits...

Pretty cool!  The only sign of the mod is the two magnets at the back, but those won't show much after painting, I shouldn't think. I could go after them with putty and sanding until they were invisible under paint, I suppose...not sure it's going to be worth the effort since I want the roof on most of the time anyway.

So that's what I've been up too. Next I will put this tank aside and finish the squad of terminators I was working on in September prior to DreadTober. They already look great so it shouldn't take too long I hope. Then I'm not sure where I'll go...this tank?  Tiny Horus Heresy models?  I really can't say. Something fun for sure though.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

DreadTober - To Done!

 

Greets and welcome back!  I'm pleased to share my completed DreadTober project today.  The Invictor Tactical Warsuit assigned to the 4th Company Blades of Vengeance is DONE.  Please allow me to celebrate with a big seal o' DONE before I continue...

OK, now on to how the final week went.  With the base built last week, I set to work painting it.

After a black primer coat, I decided to try out GW Agrellan Earth technical paint instead of my typical Vallejo Black Lava to cover the cork texture on the flat areas. As seen here, it gave a nice parched, cracked earth look.

I used an airbrush to then add a brown base coat. Then after some shading and dry brushing the bases ended up like this.

I have a method, but typically go freehand here with "a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.".  Here I have chosen some GW Athonian Camoshade on the gravelly bits to hint at a bit of moss or other greenery trying to make a come back amidst the arid devastation. 

Then it was a simple matter of drilling a couple holes in the feet for brass wire pins, then drilling complimentary holes in the base to glue the Warsuit down permanently.  As I've mentioned in other articles, I have forgone superglue for a 2-Part 5-Minute Epoxy. Sure, it takes more time to set, and can be a bit more fussy to work with.  But it's flexible and provides a very strong bond.  This beats the brittleness of superglue.  When I inevitably drop this model, the base won't simply pop off.  Even with pins, I have seen superglue bonds easily separate under minor force.  Also, superglue doesn't store well...I can use the same tubes of 2-part epoxy for years (I buy big tubes 😁).

Anyway, enough of that. Once the model was permanently attached to the base, I painted the two daemon skulls on the base and went back to the Warsuit to complete a few details. That involved finishing the purity seals and oaths of moment; painting the Opus Machina on the power plant, detailing a few hoses and painting in the lenses and such on either side of the cockpit. Probably some clean up and a few other minor details were completed in the bargain.

I'll leave off with family photo of the three Primaris Dreadnought/Warsuit chassis I have painted up so far.  Perhaps next year I'll add the Brutalis Dreadnought and complete the set. That Dread would look very good in Deathwing heraldry, no?

I have very much enjoyed participating in DreadTober this year.  We have so many great projects every year.  Follow the link to see more! If you are interested, scroll down after the break so see the final pics of my project this year.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

DreadTober - week 4 progress!

 

Greetings and welcome back for week four of DreadTober.  I added a few more details, like purity seals, to the dread this week.  But the main task was building the base.  Nothing too fancy, mind, but something with more lift and interest than a simple plastic circle with some gravel on it...

Here, I have used my typical approach of gluing down cork pieces in (hopefully) interesting patterns. Then I used wood glue with my model railroad ballast mix to add some bits of rock here and there. In this picture, the glue is still drying. Later I go back and add Vallejo Black Lava to the rest of the exposed cork surface to hide the remaining 'corkiness'. A couple GW deamon skulls were added for good measure. I may use that as a theme for my larger Blades of Vengeance chapter models to distinguish them a bit form the Dark Angels chapter. Probably for some of the characters too?

Here's a close up of the driver in his seat.  I owe him some armor highlights and other fiddly bits to add interest. I'm happy the moving bits still move after painting, though, and the magnets are working great for attaching the driver.

Here he is all locked in for a fight.  Progress could have moved a long a bit more this week. However I'm still in great shape for finishing by the end of the month. Everything that is going to be glued has been, with the exception of the base.  I'm going to paint that prior to fixing the model to it permanently.

So that's me so far. A couple three day weekends away and a minor cold this week have slowed the pace, but not wrecked the goal.  I'll be there at the finish with y'all!

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

DreadTober - week 3 progress!

 

Greetings and welcome back.  It was a short week for hobby this week, with only three short painting sessions. But as you can see, things are coming along well.  This week I focused on highlights and the space marine operator as well as base coating a few more details.

The green armor has been highlighted all around, along with the red weapon casings and the white shoulders.

 

Some of that shows up in the pics and some does not. I took these pretty quick and they are a bit washed out.

Oh, I busted the original purity seal, and lost the broken off paper part.  So above, you can see the new grey plastic purity seal. I popped off the old bit and glued on this new one. Annoying, but at least I hadn't painted it yet?

Here's the pilot tucked away in the cockpit. I put a little time in on the head details.  However I haven't added any highlights to the operator yet. I'm away from the painting desk for a few days, so next week will be a bit of a rush to get things finished up...then in week five I'll complete the base.
The finish line is definitely in reach, but I have some work to do to get there!

That's it for this week.  Check back next week when things should be much further along.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

On the Workbench [October] - First Legion Terminators!

 

Greetings and welcome back.  Today I'm sharing some recent work from the workbench.  Regular readers will know that I take great pleasure from building models. So it is, that even during DreadTober, I cannot resist building something!

I have been sitting on these Cataphractii from the Age of Darkness boxed set because I already had 15 built and frankly didn't have room for more in the case where I keep my HH Dark Angels. However, I recently ran across my extra plexiglass shelves and brackets.  Looking at the collection, I had room in the cabinet for another shelf and so it was added.  Having more room meant it had to be filled of course!

I built these termies pretty stock, with a few exceptions.  I added two combi-meltaguns and a plasma blaster from the Forge World resin upgrades.  And then I decided to do something kinda silly.  I like the reaper autocannon even with its ridiculous proportions.  However, the arms are always built in and the resin Cataphractii arms just don't sit well with the plastic armor, at least in my eyes.  Where is the plastic Cataphractii reaper autocannon?!

Well.  There IS a plastic reaper autocannon, but it's only in the Tartaros pattern terminator kit. And THAT arm, just won't do at all...so what does a hobby maniac do you ask?  He cuts the flamer off a Cataphractii arm and the autocannon off a Tartaros arm, mumbles a few choice words about the whole mess, then sets to with some green stuff and a hobby knife until things sorta look like they belong together...

 Not that terrible! And after some trimming and shaping of the cured green stuff...

Honestly, I'm not sure I could recommend this approach to anyone.  And the reaper autocannon is probably a poor choice in a game of Horus Heresy.  but I roll with the rule of cool...and in the Warhammer universe what is more iconic than a terminator with an oversized cannon?! Seriously...

With some paint, I'm guessing I will forget I ever created this plastic abomination.  At least Cataphractii are slow, so maybe standing back blazing away with an autocannon is good stuff?? I dunno... but it does look cool. 😂

Anyway, I record the conversion here for the record, because I'm seriously going to forget this ever happened. Perhaps at some point I'll share a pic of the Detolf cabinet overflowing with First Legion warriors and war machines.

I hope I haven't inspired you to chop up your heavy weapons on a whim...but it did sorta, kinda work, right? Anyway check back by end of week when we return with week three of DreadTober!!

Until then...

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

DreadTober - week 2 progress!

 

Week two is in the books (at least as far as I can make time to paint)!  Additional details have been painted and an early coat of shade laid down over all. In addition, I've applied transfers so they can get weathered  along with the rest of the model.

I used a custom transfers I had printed back a couple years when I started my Blades of Vengeance project. I think this model will end up being the first that I complete for that chapter. Kinda random, but whatever.

Still lots of details to go, but it's coming along.  I have a couple long weekends in a row with trips so next week will be light on progress, probably. But there's still ample time to complete this walker.

I decided this fine armored walker should bear an elite rank, although his pilot is drawn form the tactical squad ranks. Speaking of which...

Here he is!  He hails from the 4th company, Blades of Vengeance chapter.

Still lots to do here, but I figured I'd at least set the transfers all at the same time while I had them out on the desk. I randomly chose to pull him from the 2nd Tactical Squad (see below).

And that's where the project stands at the end of week two. It's good progress, and I think I jumped out in front enough that a few days away with the family isn't going to cause me to slip the date here. It's fall here, so time to get in some hiking in the mountains. Best wishes for my fellow DreadTober-teers.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!