It's Tough Saying Goodbye...

After longer than I can remember, I am parting with my Warzone figures. I have had some of these figures for decades and they have literally gone halfway around the world with me. The problem is no one around here plays Warzone, and for good reason, it's pretty dead. I hate to say this, I've been trying to carry the torch but my heart is no longer in it. The other problem is that I'm moving soon and have a weight limit and these boys and girls seriously tip the scale in the wrong direction. I loved first edition, hated second editon, and was moderately okay with third. I also loved the RPG but I never play it, can't find anyone who wants to, and even when I do finally settle back where I came from in three years the other players have probably moved on to newer (and supported-rot in hell Target Games) stuff. I will be giving my figures to some players in the semi-local area who will still use them. I know that trying to sell them on Ebay would be more hassle than they are worth so at least I know they are going to good homes.

More Threats and Your 2011 Deathwatch TEEEEEAAAAM!

First, two new threats to the imperium sited:


First is another venomthrope. More importantly, the second threat has been identified by the magos biologis as a Tyranid Prime. This figure represents the ultimate in Tyranid warrior evolution and its very presence can bolster the skills of regular tyranid warriors. I scratch built it using levover Ravenor parts, a Warrior head and deathspitter, two of the Chapterhouse studios arms and the legs and tail of the first generation Hive Tyrant that a friend was generous enough to give me (thanks Wayne).





Secondly, here is my Deathwatch group's figures. I finally (!) got around to painting them:









More about their names and personalities later.

Wake Up in the Morning With the Show That Starts the Day the Chaotic Way!

Abbadon and Friends!


I essence it has been a crappy month to get anything done because work has been so hectic. Times like this remind me of why I paint. It's not so much about the collecting (although that is some of it) or the self-expression through violent toy solider figures (that does play a part as well) but about relief. During the second (and most stressful) week I got home early (8 p.m.!) enough to get some painting done. During the hour I pained I forgot all about the crap at work and was calm for the first time in days. I am now at Thursday of week three so the frustration should be coming to an end for now. Note that I said "should".

Potential Threats Sighted

The first pict shows what may be a new spawn of Hive Fleet Kronos as well as a small group of rippers. Our magos biologicos was suprised to see new life forms from this hive fleet. It is unknown if more are on the way or if this is a random event.


The second image is from [REDACTED] on [REDACTED]. It is unsure at this time if the individual captured is a Throne Agent, or heretic or both.



Finally, more lost souls join the ranks of the Black Legion. We have little doubt that loyals sons and daughters of the Imperium will cross blades with these foul heretics.

Ladies and Gentlemen...Your 2011 Deathwatch Team!

I'm starting a Deathwatch game up on Saturday and here are the models I'm working on for the new game:

More Chaos and How I As Much As I Do Painted

First, chipping away at my hoarde of unpainted chaos to include some aspiring champions to lead the men to (their-I have horrible victory record) slaughter:


Second. I am an average painter; I put out a good looking table-top quality figure. I would never deign to compare myself to the many talented painters out there. In my unworthy opinion, you can be good by being skilled, which I am, you can be good by being talented, which I am not, but you get to be great by being both skilled and talented. I have been painting for 20+ years and although I am always inproving I'll never be a master. I am fine with this.

What I do have going for me is speed; in the 2-3 hours every couple of nights I can get a lot done. Case in point, even though I posted them a few days apart, the Ymgarls and these boys were done in the same batch. When you consider that I am not sitting in a well arranged painting studio with several hours dedicated to putting out my models that is a pretty decent pace.

The secret is two-fold. First, do them assembly line style meaning do one thing at a time starting inside out, light to dark. There are plenty of better posts by better painters on how to do this. My contribution is this, if you do too many of the same kind-and that depends on your personal limits, it quickly becomes a painful slog. I like to break it into differing groups with different paint schemes. First, this gives you some variety so you are not inwardly wincing at the fifteen bolt guns you have to drybrush the metallics on. Second, because you are varying your palette, you are not waiting for all of the chaos black base coats to dry on the entire group before you can continue.

Anyway, find what works for you and best of luck.

Purple People...Infecters

Here are my Ymgarl Genestealers. I went with the classic paint scheme to honor their heritage and to separate them visually from the rest of my "hive" Tyranid army; it rejects them for doing their own thing. Bummer. Soon a Rogue Trader will arrive and attempt to scour the world the 'Nids have sucked clean for lost treasures. He will be brining extra cargo on board...