From PeterB: A mighty dragon - (40 points)

A quick additional post dropped in as I have just finished this beast. Not part of my original plan for the challenge, so I had to build and undercoat this too. This is a new release from a company called Dungeons and Lazers. I bought mine from Bad Squiddo Games just after Christmas and had a real blast putting the plastic kit together. The parts fit really snugly together as long as you tidy up the sprue connections properly and it was a real joy to paint. It was a real pain to photograph however, I really couldn't get a decent shot to show off all the highlighting I did.

When I am painting a large model like this I like to do a bit of preparation work first before deciding on a colour scheme. I wanted to do a real classic red dragon, but I wasn't sure on the specific colours and highlights. I always delve into my scraps box and do some tester paint ups on something similar when in doubt. In the summer I like to go to the carboot sales and I always seem to grab a box of unloved Warhammer plastics at some point, so these GW hormagaunts were perfect for my test washes.

I eventually settled on a Coat D'arms blood red, with a GW Baal Red wash, then some Coat D'arms golden yellow mixed with red for some progressive highlighting. Some of the darker parts also had some Agrax shade.

So quick points add up;

• Dragon in 28mm scale 20 points
• 4 x 28mm scale hormagaunts 20 points

Total 40 points.

From Millsy:

What a cracker of a dragon Peter! Great choice of colour IMHO, dragons will always be red in my mind before any other colour after the Basic D&D box set cover art. Great brushwork mate.

Cheers,
Millsy

From ForestP: 1 Squadron (12 6mm? vehicles) of Imperial Armada of Marduk Spaceships from Hydra Miniatures [LV426] (44 points)

So, after that absolute unit of a terrain piece, The Alamo, I needed to take a little rest from painting. Quite honestly, my painting hand hurt something fierce after that much work, and since I have to write and type as a significant portion of my career, I wanted some time to heal. I seriously feel for those individuals who have to suffer through carpel tunnel syndrome on a daily basis. Now, however, that I am suitably rested it's time to get back in the saddle... or is it cockpit?

Having taken a Warp Maelstrom to Arrakis I found myself compelled to travel the Void Sea to the Alien world of LV426 next. What better way then to be escorted by a squadron of the finest Imperial Armada of Marduk Class 1 and Class 2 spaceships from Hydra Miniatures? I've had two squadrons of miniatures for Hydra Miniatures War Rocket Retro Sci-fi Space Combat wargame a little over a decade now. I half-way painted the Zenethian squadron all the way back in May, 2010 (proof), and I decided to finish them up prior to doing the Imperial ships. I'm obviously not counting these for the Challenge, but I figure you'd enjoy seeing how they look.

In case you are wondering I used Windsor & Newton Brilliant Green ink to do that translucent green.

Now, with that out of the way, onto the matter at hand. I decided that I really wanted to use some of the Turbo Dork Color Shift and Metallic paints that I bought last summer on these miniatures, so as per instructions from Turbo Dork I primed the ships in Krylon ColorMaxx Gloss Black (5505). 

The lore of the Imperial Armada of Marduk indicated that the paint scheme of most of their ships are liveried in the standard Imperial colors of red with gold and black accents. Well, I don't want to do that, so nyah. Evidently "His Imperial Majesty Marduk permits alternate color schemes for veteran commanders as long as they still include red, black, and gold." I considered that, but no, I want more flexibility. A-ha! "More latitude in color schemes is allowed for the vassal planets of the Imperium." Yes, that'll do quite nicely. I decided to make this squadron the 1979th Nightcallers of Kavinsky (listen to the unit's march here). May you enjoy them in all their synthwave/80's pastel glory. 

Working from a lighter-to-darker framework I started by painted each ship in Pearly Gates. The ColorShift and Metallic paints by Turbo Dork all require multiple coats to get the full effect. As you can see by image below, three coats of the Pearly Gates does give an amazing metallic look to the miniatures. Dare I say it, this paint is my favorite silver-chrome paint to date.

I love how this metallic paint looks!

The bulk of the ships were painted with Turbo Dork Bubblegum Crisis. As you can see from this little video the paint goes between bubblegum pink to a gold color. It's a little hard to see in the video, but trust me, it's there!

The color shift doesn't show up well in photos or video, but it looks great in person.

Moving forward I picked out details and accents using Bubblegum Crisis, Crystal Cavern, Purl Grey,  Sakura, and Shell Shocked, as well as Vallejo Deep Sky Blue (70.844), Deco Art Americana Pistachio Mint (DA253), Deco Art Americana Electric Pink (DA231), and Deco Art Americana Royal Fuchsia (DA151). Windows were picked out with Vallejo Dark Prussian Blue (703899) and given a highlight pop of Vallejo Deep Sky Blue (70.844). Weapon ports on the Class 2 ships (the bigger ones) were picked out in Craft Smart Neon Green (23669). Finally, exhaust ports on all ships were dry-brushed with Vallejo Flat Red (70.957) followed by Vallejo Deep Yellow (70.915). I finished off the miniatures by sealing with Hobby Lobby Clear Acrylic Coating Gloss Spray (706945).

The whole squadron

Now, who wouldn't be terrified of these? :-)

Close-up of the Class 1 fighters.

The three Class 2 ships.

Close-up of the Class 2. I love the retro futuristic look of these miniatures!

Anyhow, this is my entry for the week. I wasn't super happy with the Color Shift paints from Turbo Dork, but that may be because I'm just not comfortable with putting them on. Also, from what I've seen online they are better served being airbrushed rather than with a traditional brush. I really like Turbo Dork's Metallics though! In summation, my points are calculated as follows:

12 x 6mm vehicles @ 2 = 24 points

LV426 (Middle Ring) bonus = 20 points

Total = 44 points

Not as much as last time, but a decent showing nonetheless. I'm definitely not as good painting sci-fi as I am historical figures. I think I prefer painting with a guide as my imagination just runs too wild otherwise. Until next time!!!

From Millsy:

Certainly not as big or involved as The Alamo but a great post nonetheless Forest!

These ships have a groovy Flash Gordon feel to them and your vibrant colour scheme really takes them to the next level. I particularly like the go fast style of the Class 2 ships and you've really managed to pick out the detail for such a small scale. Nice choice for LV426 too.

Top work mate and here's hoping we see more of this stuff before the Challenge finishes up.

Cheers,

Millsy

From Paul O'G: War of the Roses Lancastrian force (265 points)

The start of a new but long awaited project: War of the Roses. Stage 1 is a Lancastrian force to oppose Alan's lovely Yorkists that he painted a few years ago.  Ironic that I should be doing Lancastrians though, as I served aboard the Destroyer HMS York for more than a year... Anyway, this initial burst of 48 figures includes Foot Knights, Billmen and Retinue Archers for Lion Rampant. In the wings are lots more of the same plus Mounted Knights, Prickers and artillery, as well as European mercenary Pike, crossbows and hand gunners.

I was experimenting with the Scale 75 metallics for the armour - very nice products, and I'm really happy how they have come out and contrast with the snow. This is also my first real foray into snow basing so that they match Alan's army; going for a patchy, early winter look. They came out a bit heavier than expected but I'm happy with them overall.

Foot Knights advance under a Percy House Banner

Well armoured Retinue Billmen move into the attack

Fun fact: Snow basing really soaks up any rum and coke that you might inadvertently spill over your entire army. REALLY well like a sponge. Like, scrape it all off and start again the night before your submission is due. Still, the models now have a nice smell and a fellow Challenger (who dwells in very close proximity) observed "You're really putting something of yourself into this project". I figure the spirits will keep the lads warm in the snow...

Unarmoured Billmen, led by a Man at Arms

Alan has convinced me with his zealous promotion of the 3-2-1 basing schema for the foot troops, but I kept the archers in more refined lines on rectangle bases. I think it shows a more formed and static line up, while the foot sloggers are a bit more ragged in the advance.

Stout Englishmen and their yew bows ready to deliver an arrow storm

Quadrant wise, I am chalking these stout fellows to the Plant of Vogsphere - the egotistical twists and treacheries of the War of the Roses while the nation suffered can only be described as a Black Comedy (as can this justification effort). 

That's 48 figs and a planet bonus for 260 points - as much of a bomb as I'll ever drop! And the two banners are hand painted of course.

From Millsy:

You say "ironic" that you're doing Lancastrians, I say "right minded" or "well adjusted". Despite your latent Yorkist sympathies these are bloody awesome Paul and have put me in mind I really need to dive in here (again) at some point too.

The palette you've chosen goes really well with the winter basing (or is that just me loving the fact you're also painting red and black?). Top work on the banners too mate, kudos for turning your hand to them when it is so easy to pick up paper ones now.

260 points is a decent bomb by anyone's standards and there's an extra 5 for the banners. Cracking work all round!

PS. We won't mention you can't hold your grog despite the burning irony of a navy man who has issues with rum...

Cheers,
Millsy

From TeemuL: The Fourth Androgynstealer and others (50 points)

I explained earlier, why there were only three genestealers on Gethen, and here you can see fourth one, painted by six-year old son. I helped with priming, reaching tricky places and minor fixing. He clearly saw my genestealers and took some inspiration firstly to paint one secondly copy some of the colours. However, he had some painter's block and couldn't decide all the colours, so I gave him an old Codex Tyranids (2nd Ed) to browse and he quickly choose the purple colour. There is some white primer visible here and there, but it doesn't seem to bother, but I will gently hint about this in the future - as well as finishing the base edges. :)

There are also couple of terrain pieces made and painted by him, but these were started before the Challenge started. They are small rocks and twigs on a base and painted with different colours. He made two similar earlier, which were fireplaces, these are meant to be placed next to the fireplace, so people can comfortably sit on them. The blue is of course water, so it can used if the camp site is next to river or lake.

Next something more boring, three bases of Sludge Line Infantry. These almost made it to the last week, they were missing the black in eyes and black on base edge, but I didn't have it in me to finish them in time. It was quite a rough and busy weekend, this weekend is busy as well, so that's three in a row. After that it should be easier and I can allocate more time for painting.

Perry miniatures, mostly American Civil War Zoauves, but torso and heads from Foot Knights, flag (heraldic wheat on brown) is made of yogurt jar lid - at least in Finland it is very nice and soft aluminic foil, which has a nice texture, when used as a flag. The universe of Sludge is very muddy, so the bases are swampy with some pieces of wood here and there. These guys most likely won't hear the "CHARGE!!!" when going through this terrain. :)

I'd like to claim painting points from the Genestealer, since it is very much a joint operation with my son - I could use the time to paint just by myself, but the possibility to share the wonderful hobby to a younger generation... My dearest minion, I believe you understand?

So that would then be 10 miniatures, all in 28mm, for total of 50 points. No skulls, no squirrels, no planets.

From Millsy:

I'm pretty sure Codex Tyranids (2nd Ed) is the very definition of an Oldhammer gateway drug Teemu! Well done getting your son started on an addiction that'll bring him endless hours of pleasure and destroy his bank account but at least leave his health intact LOL. Kudos to your young fella on a great paint job and to yourself for supporting him but letting him make his own choices and do the work.

Your Sludge project gets better with every post. The kitbashes you are coming out with are spectacular and full of character. Plastic kits have been an absolute boon to the hobby in so many ways and letting people express their creativity by mashing seemingly unrelated stuff together is a highlight for me.

Love everything about this post mate. Brilliant stuff!

Cheers,
Millsy

From ScottM: LV-426 Monsters, Critters & Indians (140 pts)

My second stop in the Middle Ring is at LV-426, the Alien world. For this location I went with a medley of monsters that would easily fit in to any alien world setting. First up is a pair of 28mm plastic Gricks from Wizkids' Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures D&D range.

Next up is a pair of Flumphs from the same range as the Gricks. These two definitely have an 'alien' feel to them.

And finally is a lone Magmite. This 28mm metal fig is from Northstar Military Figures Frostgrave range.

And finally a size comparison shot with a 28mm Stargrave Medic.

Also to add to this post, I completed a box of Warlord Games Woodland Indians from their French and Indian War range.

So that should be:

• 24 - 28mm foot figs = 120 points
• 1 location (LV-426) = 20 points

Total = 140 points

From Millsy:

What a cracking collection of nasty space bugs Scott! I love all of them but the Magmite in particular is very cool indeed. I can almost feel the heat coming off him in waves. Every time I see a collection like this it makes me want to add to my own.

Nice take on the FIW figures too mate. I'm always impressed by people who can paint convincing skin tones outside the Caucasian space and tones with red in them are amongst the hardest I think. Awesome brushwork indeed.

PS. Now THAT'S how you label a post! Well done that man, carry on.

Cheers,

Millsy

From Codsticker: MOAR LOTR! (80pts)

After my deviation into the Challenge Quadrant I am back on the unpainted LoTR plastics. This time Mordor Orcs and Warriors of Minas Tirith and like the last LoTR entries, scored second hand (the Warriors of Minas Tirith needing some weapons replaced).

The Mordor Orc set may be my new favourite; great models and without the long spears of the Warriors of Minas Tirith or lances of the Rohirrim somewhat more durable.

I was able to paint these really quickly; not a lot of bells and whistles or decoration and plain shields facilitated this.

The three in the photo below are my favourite from the set; I just love the guy with the partisan-like pole arm and the crow faced helmet. Possibly my second favourite plastic LoTR mini after the Balrog.

The Warriors of Minas Tirith in all their simple, easy, uniform (kinda boring) glory...

Pretty much exactly like the last batch. I did 7 armed with hand weapons and 1 with a bow as I was filling out 8 man units like you would use for War of The Ring. Even though I may never actually use them in that rule set, it is a convenient way of organising them. I will most likely use both the Orcs and the Warriors to fight skirmish battles in Osgiliath, using my Mordheim ruins for terrain.

 

So, 16 28mm models at 5 points a piece is 80 points I believe.

From Millsy:

More very well painted Lord of the Rings goodness from you Rob! You're building up quite a quite a collection here and obviously have some great terrain to fight over too. That gatehouse is a monster and I'd like to see it in all it's glory.

This lot takes you past 300 points and very close to your initial tally. Nice one!

PS. Not a single label on your post? If Barks finds out it could get ugly! Oh. I said that out loud didn't I? My bad...

Cheers,

Millsy