Weekly Finds

How to Paint Dark Angels' Robes by DarkJesterLord from Tale of Painters - I'm a fan of the dark, dritty look achieved with this approach. It looks a little undone. But it's something different to the bleached look that is often seen on 'Eavy Metal Dark Angels.

Shadows in the Storm by Flint from the Bolter & Chainsword - Some of the stories coming out of the Horus Heresy crowd are truly exceptional. There have been a couple of times I've gone through my eBook collection to find a story, only to remember I read it on the Bolter and Chainsword. However, it is the addition of the transparent plastic to the shield that really caught my attention. 

Index Astartes by Totem Pole from the Bolter & Chainsword - Despite this being an example of his quick paint jobs the quality is still envy inducing. I wish I could paint yellow and black that good. Can see more of his black here and I've shown his Imperial Fists before. 

Leaked Dark Angels

Dark Angels have hit the interwebz... and the new miniatures have managed to create a clear divide in the online community. But to appreciate why let's take a look at these new miniatures...

It appears that Games Workshop is taking a new approach with their Codex artwork. Gone are the last stands or the charges into battle that previous editions have offered. Now we have a single individual produced using computer graphics. I don't dislike this new approach, just more a fan of the older styles. The shrine on the backpack is cool mind you.

Rumoured Warhammer 40K Release Schedule

The interwebz are always buzzing with rumours of what to expect next. Normally I ignore these unless there is some serious weight behind them. However, with the end of the year fast approach it wouldn't hurt to take a look at what we can expect for 2013...

JAN: Dark Angels
FEB: Daemons
MAR: Wave month (hobbit, warriors of chaos, 40k)
APR: High Elves
MAY: Tau
JUN: Summer wave (40k, supplement book for 40k)
JUL: Lizardmen
AUG: Mystery Box
SEP: Wave month
OCT: ???
NOV: Eldar
DEC: ???

Now, as usual, these things tend to get more speculative as you go outwards in time, but overall these line up with what we've been hearing from a variety of chatter.  We've been hearing for a while that the "Mystery Box" is a fully revamped Blood Bowl.

- By Larry Vella from Bell of Lost Souls (Originally seen in Apocalypse 40K)

The Dark Angels isn't that big of a surprise to anybody. There have been rumours popping up for them since before 6th Edition was dropped. First with the image on the White Dwarf Spine. And then we had the contents of the Sixth Edition Starter Set. I do find it disappointing that there is nothing in there for Sisters of Battle or Black Templars. It is an un-expectant surprise that we haven't heard any rumours for a new Space Marine codex. The last we heard was what I got from Jeremy Vetock at this years Oz Games Day.

It's early, but apparently has escaped Jes Godwin sketch the new imperial guard.

- By Terradas from Adeptus Forum (Originally seen in Apocalypse 40K)

If these pan out then we can expect a highly detailed plastic kit for Imperial Guard players. Something different to the hordes of Cadian Shock Troops... or the resin or metal regiments that Forge World and Games Workshop cater to. Without a date attached to the image hard to tell what sort of time frame we can expect... took the Hellbrute and Chaos Cultists about 12 months from sketch to release. And from what Mark Bedford said at the Forge World Seminar at this years Oz Games Day that is the normal time frame.

Weekly Finds #109

Wow! The blog has been dead for far too long. Not hard to imagine with work and the build up towards Christmas. My gaming has been as dead as Imaginary Life. Fortunately, my hobby time hasn't suffered. I've pulled out the airbrush and slowly gotten to work putting down layers of black and then grey even some red. As for paint brushes... hopefully next year will see some big changes.

Dark Vengeance Chaplain Painted by Ron from FTW - I'm a fan of how Ron paints his blacks... it has been interesting to watch him approach it. Also like how he has approached the smoke coming from the censors on the backpack. An approach I may copy.

Dark Eldar Coven Raider Conversion by Lucky No.5 from Eye of Error - This is a beautiful conversion... yes you read correctly. Beautiful. Actually, all of the new Dark Eldar sculpts are beautiful in their own ways. Lucky No.5 just has a way with enhancing that beauty.

Dark Eldar Harlequins by Lucky No.5 from Eye of Error - A unique approach to the Harlequin Troupe. I prefer the image that Games Workshop has with their resin set. However, the minor conversions to the Death Jester and Shadow Seer are nice and will help them fit into a Dark Eldar force.

Lamenters Death Company by Dave Taylor from Dave Taylor Miniatures - I love the miniature pictured below. It is an amazing yellow which has been highlighted very nicely with the chipping and blood splatter. This is what Space Marines should look like... fighting in the thickest battles. Taking heavy hits that would drop a mere mortal. Remember, they get hit just as easily as a Guardsmen by enemy shooting. The difference is their armour can handle it.

Weekly Finds #98

I've had the past week off work. Would think there would be a pile of built and possibly painted miniatures to show for it. Unsurprisingly that isn't the case...

Games Day Australia 2012 by Gotthammer from Collegia Titanica - This years was my first time attending Games Day. It didn't meet the expectations I've developed over the years from reading White Dwarf and then the interwebz. Mainly as there wasn't any sneak peeks or previews. Would have been very easy for Games Workshop to have done the pre-announcements for Forge World's Horus Heresy book and the reborn White Dwarf on the day. I also missed out on getting tickets to the seminars. They may be hiring a bigger room for next year. Fortunately, Gotthammer managed to attended all of the seminars and wrote up a summary. I've added some of my own points in the comments section... including things that Gotthammer didn't mention regarding the Forge World seminar. They had some standing room in the back. Bell of Lost Souls has used some of my comments and credited them with Gotthammer... once again they demonstrate the finer points of yellow journalism.

LXII Legion Auxilia by 1000heathens from The Bolter & Chainsword - These guys may not match Tyler Mengel's Astral Claws in paint job quality. However, 1000heathens has an amazing skill at converting miniatures. His Marines Malevolent are a great example of this skill. I particularly like the miniature pictured below. Curious what 1000heathens used for the rivets...

How to Paint Dark Vengeance Deathwing Armour by LilLoser from LilLegend Studio - This is part one of what looks to be a promising series. The guys over at Massive Voodoo achieved a similiar result using hair spray and salt. They posted a video tutorial on YouTube. This style of weathering is not limited to those with an airbrush. There is an abundance of coloured spray cans, such as Army Painter, that offer a simplified approach.

How to Paint Dark Angels Hard and Fast by Ron from FTW - This is far from 'Eavy Metal standards. However, it fits into something that Mark Bedford talked about at Games Day last weekend... develop a paint style that produces miniatures in a short period of time. The 'Eavy Metal team spend 7 hours a day painting Studio miniatures. They have the luxury to paint a single squad or regiment in two weeks. For the rest of us that would be soul destroying as Mark Bedford put it.

Weekly Finds #97

WIP: High Elf Dragon Lord by Volomir from Volormir's Blog - This is part 5 of another highly detailed series by Volomir following on from his Sword Masters and Sea Guards. It is interesting to see how light the green stuff actually is... as well as seeing the process of slowly building up the detail.

Building Deimos Pattern Predator Turret by Ron from FTW - A very cheap scratch built turret with some clever use of a ping pong ball. With some smoother seams this would look even more realistic.

Tutorial: How to Pain Dark Angels by Stahly from Tale of Painters - With the release of Dark Vengeance we are going to see a lot of green marines on table tops. So this tutorial seems highly appropriate for this Weekly Finds.

Review: Complete Guide to Photographing Miniatures by Raffa from Massive Voodoo - I'm far from needing a DVD Guide like this... I wouldn't even call myself an amateur photographer. Just one of those guys who uses iPhone to take pictures. However, I can see others such as my future self finding this extremely helpful.

High Contrast Effect for Metal Power Weapons by Ron from FTW - There are probably dozens of ways to creating the illusion of power weapons. Some involve the use of air brushes while others aim to create lighting to varying degrees. But this is probably one of the most simple, yet effective method I've seen. Something for table top standard miniatures.

Tutorial: How to Paint the Chaos Hellbrute by Garfy from Tale of Painters - It is looking more pink compared to the 'Eavy Metal version. However, I still like what Garfy has produced. Be great for all those pleasure cults.

Warhammer 40K Frequently Asked Questions from Games Workshop - An extensive update including a much needed Frequently Asked Questions for the rule book itself. Two of the rulings would have directly impacted the game I played last night. With one of them having a huge difference in regards to a C'Tan charging through terrain into some Terminators... the other resulting in much cries of angst towards Games Workshop by some Black Templar players.

White Dwarf 393 September 2012 - Dark Vengeance

Inside this month's issue:

Dark Vengeance: We delve into the new Warhammer 40,000 boxed game, taking a look at the awesome miniatures and talking to the designers.

The Hellfire Stone: We present the background for the conflict played out in Dark Vengeance - the Battle for Bane's Landing.

‘Eavy Metal Showcase: The 'Eavy Metal team showcase some of the fantastic paint jobs on the Dark Vengeance miniatures and offer insights. Unfortunately there isn't anything in terms of tutorials or even simple guides on how they went about painting these miniatures.

The Battle for Bane's Landing: Matt and Andrew fight through the six scenarios from the Dark Vengeance starter booklet.

Warhammer: Ancient Rivals: Chris Peach and Duncan Rhodes have both started new armies for their campaign - we take a look at them in more detail.

You'll also find full details of all the latest releases and news, plus a directory featuring all of the hobby activities in your local area.

Weekly Finds #95

This last week I've been thinking of ways to add individuality to each of my Black Templars... there are only so many ways you can mix together the Space Marine kits. This is especially true for the now outdated Black Templars Upgrade Kit which offers static poses when compared to the newer Chapter Specific kits. My usual place for inspiration is Mad Matt's collection of Black Templars. However, I wanted to find something different. So I set out into the vast interwebz...

Black Templars High Marshal by Bohun from Cool Mini Or Not - A simple kit bash using Commander Cullen. However, it is the freehand details that draw me in. The entire miniature is covered in it... yet it doesn't look too busy or overcrowded. Something to consider when it comes to painting Independent Characters.

Black Templars Marshal Redeux by Cypher Codicer from Deviant Art - This is a bloody awesome kit bash. The old metal Grey Knight torso works great with the addition of the high collar and the centre piece shield. The collar sort of reminds me of something that Freak Forge did... although this conversion is neater. An earlier Work in Progress of this conversion can be seen here.

Space Marine Chaplain by Ron from FTW - I've featured this conversion in Weekly Finds before. However, it came up in my search and seeing the knee pads got me thinking of the armour on the Ultramarines in the game Space Marines.

Fortress of Anguish by Pizzasemmel from Warseer - The detail work on this Land Raider Crusader is both over the top awesome AND weird. Some elements work great such as the huge banner and the hull mounted flamestorm cannon. While the hurricane bolters look weird with their own little banners. It looks more like a cathedral than a fortress. Pizzasemmel is also responsible for this life size chainsword.

Angels of Vengeance by Brother Chaplain Kage from The Bolter & Chainsword - The torso in this conversion is far too big for my own tastes. However, the style is very knightly and would fit in well with Black Templars. Even better, it offers a way out of having to sculpt tabards. Something I know I'd fail horribly at. Also take a look at this amazing conversion by Chris Borer of his take on the Angels of Vengeance Chapter Master.

Fratricide by Chris Borer from Full Borer Miniatures - This is the sort of inspiration I was looking for. it takes pieces from the standard tactical box set and offers ways to give them individual looks. The chest piece bellow is my favourite element. It uses everything I have in my collection and with some practice is something achievable. Chris Borer is also responsible for this amazing sculpt which was included in the Heroes of Armageddon Project. A must have for any Imperial Guard player.

Black Templar Terminator Squad by Dante77 from Cool Mini Or Not - If I understand the interwebz correctly this is the guy who taught Mad Matt how to paint his Black Templars. The resemblance between the two armies is obvious. However, these Terminator conversions fall flat on their face in comparison to the work of Rune Cast who has been creating Mad Matt's Terminators.

Forge World Large Scale Space Marine by k.ronte from Flagelante Feliz Club - This is an amazing conversion... and it reinforces some observations I've made. Such as sculptors add in more yellow than blue epoxy to their green stuff mix.

Dark Vengeance

The rumours are true with the new Warhammer 40K box set eclipsing all others with these amazingly detailed Dark Angels and Chaos Space Marines...

If the Games Workshop teaser is anything to go by the official announcement will be dropped in the September White Dwarf on the 25th of August.

Dark Vengeance Leaked

Reality has exploded this past week with so much Warhammer 40, 000 rumours and leaked pictures. First we get the mother of all lists that makes even die hard GW haters fall in love. Then we get the tiny pictures of possible Dark Vengeance content. And now we have these pictures taken from Galaxy in Flames...

WOW! Look at the detail and dynamic poses. I am in love with the Hellbrute. It looks like the perfect cross between an Obliterator and Dreadnought.

Not sure what to say about these... they look great. They are generic enough that they could be used in a Necromunda Gang. It's just a shame there isn't one or two miniatures in there that hark back to the old skool Chaos Cultists.

The Independent Characters look fantastic. I especially like the back pack on the Interrogator Chaplain. They match the Chaos miniatures in detail. However, it is the standard bolter marines that I really like. They will offer players something different to the squatting legs that come in the out dated Tactical Box.

It is Space Hulk all over again... just look at those dynamically posed Terminators. Got some great ideas for how to convert my box full of plastic Terminators.

Weekly Finds #94

Lost to the Warp... due to extreme overload from rumoured leaked Dark Vengeance pictures and the Dream Forge Kickstarter for plastic leviathans.

Weekly Finds #79

Highlighting Black by McVey from Studio McVey - A different look at painting black by the extremely talented McVey. This technique is something between wet blending and extreme highlights...

Gothic Sentry Tower by 2500kgm3 from Bolter & Chainsword - These are a bit rough when compared to the kits coming out from Games Workshop et al. But then again these are hand crafted. Overall  fan-fraggin-tastic and would look great in a war torn themed table.

True Scale Dark Angel 5th Company by Angels Blade from Bolter & Chainsword - These are more in-line with Lamenter's Artscale Space Marines than Doghouse's Truescale Space Marines. Regardless they look great. I particularly like the mix from different kits and marks of armour.

Sci-Fi Machinery by Morback and Urlok from Le Blog e Kouzes - The Walker Pilgrimage and the Bismork are my two favourites out of these. Both fit in great with the background. Especially the Bismork, pictured below, which looks like it is held together by sheer will power of the gretchin crew.

Colour Theory for Miniature Painters by Pirate Viking from Pirate Viking Painting - A look into colour theory from a miniature painter. Sandwyrm has done an extensive and highly detailed series on the same topic. If you want a quick read then give Pirate Viking's article a go. If your after something more head over to The Back 40K.

The Bastion by Stelek from Yes The Truth Hurts - This is a tactic I'll have to try with my Terminators... having two squads of them offers in theory two bastions. This method of deployment works particularly well for me as placing my Terminators centrally ensures that their Storm Bolters have greater reach of the board.

New Poster Army... Green Marines

This picture appeared on my FLGS' Facebook page and the first thing I noticed aside from the practical design of the How to Paint Citadel Miniatures book is that the Space Marines are green... is this the end of the Smurfs being the poster boys of Games Workshop? And does this add weight to the rumors that Dark Angels will be updated soon as well as included in the 6th Edition Box Set?

Weekly Finds #66

Going Made On Icicles by Roman from Massive Voodoo - A chance to see Roman using his tutorial on making icicles. The below picture as well as the WiP pictures in the link give an idea on how using this tedious technique can produce some great results. Especially if you used some of Secret Weapon Miniatures' Crushed Glass on the base to enhance the winter feel.

Weekly Finds #55

Knight Baron by Adeptus Custodus from The Bolter & Chainsword - While looking for details in Knight Titans came across this post on the B&C. Was a very nice surprise. This is possibly the best quality Knight Titan I've come across to date. It looks like the right height, as it dwarfs a Dreadnought. The limbs are bulked out. My only issue is the feet. However, using Dreadknight feet would solve that problem as seen here.

Weekly Finds #53

Today was my last day of clinical placement. Started off slow and picked up within a few hours. Too tired to head out to Tin Soldier for some games. Instead relaxing at home and trying to ignore the nagging at the back of my mind to finish/start my assignments. Despite being too tired to game still managed to amass a collection of articles...

Blanchitsu Pays A Visit In The Rat Hatch by izeColt from Spiky Rat Pack - I'm a huge fan of Blanche's work. I doubt there are many GW hobbyists who aren't. This Inquisitor Warband has his magic touch... and best of all he has given me ideas on how to take the Cairn Wraith and give it a 40K feel.

Weekly Finds #47

Industrial Terrain Complete by Cameron from Rust and the city - This is a great idea for adding some terrain to the table top. None of the bits used are expensive or hard to come by. And building and painting a few of these would be a breeze. Tournament Organisers should consider using this idea... especially since it offers some terrain that blocks TLoS.

Weekly Finds #7

Another quiet week on the blog. Although, once again I have managed to collect some articles for today. Not as many as there usually is, but I've saved the best for last...

Belial Redux - Deathwing Project Update by John from Santa Cruz Warhammer - The final product looks awesome, and was featured over on From The Warp. However, I particularly like the WiP pictures and how John went about adding the detail on the shins.

Recipe: Black by b.smoove from A Gentleman's One - The tutorial shows a different way of painting black... more of a blue actually. But with some washes it could be turned into a true black...

Painting Question: Line Highlighting by Sandwyrm from the back 40k - I like Sandwyrm's painting style. Especially the way he uses contrast. It makes his models pop, even in photos from a few feet away. This is just one of many painting articles by him that I have enjoyed reading... I'm stealing the way he painted his Sanguinary Guard wings, although I will make the blood more prominent.

Applying Waterslide Decals Step-by-Step by Winterdyne from Winterdyne Commission Modelling - Been some time since Winterdyne's work has appeared on the blog. But he has returned with another tutorial, this time on applying waterslide decals.

Improving my basing by Ron from FTW - The best has been saved for last this week. A tutorial by Ron on making those crucial next steps in basing. I will have some pictures after Christmas showing what sort of difference those extra steps can make. Yes you read that correctly, there will be pictures.