From LeeH: Don Cossacks and Officer (90 Points)

This week I have a unit of Don Cossacks charging across my desk. It is said that just hearing their cry of “Hurrah” could send entire battalions into retreat. Even Napoleon seemed impressed by these wild undisciplined horsemen, stating “Cossacks are the finest light troops among all that exist. If I had them in my army, I would go through all the world with them."

The Cossacks had a fearsome reputation and formed fast units that could exploit open flanks and harry retreating troops. They were excellent for reconnaissance when they could be bothered to report back on the position of enemy troops rather than chase after them. It was said (mainly by the French) that the easiest way to distract Cossckas was to present them with an unguarded baggage train. This unit is painted as Don Cossacks with a dark blue uniform, red trim, and a broad red stripe down the leg of loose-fitting trousers. They wear various cloaks and many have ill-matching headgear, from tall fur busbies to soft forage-style caps. All bar the officer carries a lance and I can testify to the sharpness of these…they drew blood on several occasions when I let my attention wander while handling them! 

Unlike the regular troops, the officer was cast as a single figure. That said, I decided to assemble all the figures before painting…a practice that doesn’t have universal approval, judging from a very quick search online. I think I prefer this method, and while it makes painting some parts of the model a little more tricky, overall, I found it easier than trying to combine painted figures without destroying the paintwork. 

I’m happy with how these turned out although I think I’ll take a rest before painting more cavalry! 

(Scoring: 9x28mm Mounted =90 Points)

What a fine troop of Cossacks, Lee! As a unit, the effect of all the browns and the blue uniforms is very pleasing to the eye. Beautiful painting. And as always, your basing is very effective, giving these troops a good wintery feel. Well done indeed!

Martijn

From PeterB - A drag race through the Abyss (125 points)

I have been busy this week checking off some of the challenge locations. One post per location is probably a bit much, so here is a quick run through.  Last week I was at Gluttony, so in my own personal need to try and visit each location without skipping, next stop Greed.

Greed is reserved for those that put money over anything else, willing to be a cold hearted killer just for a few credits for example.

Cad Bane the bounty hunter was an associate of the bounty hunter Jango Fett. When Jango was killed by Mace Windu in the battle for Geonosis, Jango's son Boba Fett swore revenge and asked Jango to train him as Bounty Hunter. Taking Boba under his wing and raising him, Bane eventually turned on Boba Fett when employed by the Pyke syndicate to "deal" with Fett.  

After a dramatic showdown, Fett killed Bane in the dusty streets of Mos Espa. Showing all that greed is definitely a path to the dark side.

Dramatic shot from below.

The model is from the Star Wars Legion range. These models can be a bit pricey as they come with a bunch of cards and tokens as well. I'm probably not going to collect too many, but as a family we love the Mandalorian series, so a Mando showdown may be in the future.

Next stop Wrath. How does that phrase go? Hell hath no fury... Well, this barbarian from Bad Squiddo miniatures certainly seems wrathful. 

In full berserk rage, forgoing any kind of shield, this warrior is up for maximum carnage by wielding two axes at once.

Next stop, Heresy. Well, when it comes to toy soldiers, there is one Heresy you cannot fail to consider, the Horus Heresy from the 40K universe when Horus turned against the God Emperor. This cultist is clearly a follower of one of the Heretical Gods of this universe, possibly a member of the Blood Pact with his red robes.

Next stop Violence. This poor cowboy has suffered double. Not only did he suffer a violent death at the hangman's noose for crimes we can only imagine, he has been brought back to an undead existence and is being violently attacked by a crow!

If he could just work out how to fire that six shooter, maybe he could scare the crow off and keep some of his brains.

The model is from Black Scorpion miniatures. They do a great range of dead and live Wild West characters.

Our last stop this week is Fraud. The bane of dungeon explorers everywhere. This could have been a candidate for greed, but this chest doesn't contain any treasure. Any unsuspecting adventurer that isn't careful will lose a limb to this mimic. It's fraudulent disguise tempts in unsuspecting explorers keen to find that plus one sword of smiting or magic spell scroll.

And that is it for now. 5 locations and 5 28mm scale models.

So points, 5 locations 5 x 20 = 100

5 models, 5 x 5 = 25

Total 125 points.

Now, that is what I call an effective bonus bounty hunt, Peter! Five miniatures for five locations, clever. You have chosen them well, I must say. There's another zombie to give me the creeps, and I like your Cad Bane, but the axe-wielding barbarian is my favourite. Good job!

125 very efficient points it is.

Martijn

From Matt T: Blood Angel Death Company (35 points)

Thought I would try my hand at painting some 40K figures in a Grimdark style. Not sure I nailed the brief as I think I may have gone a bit mad with the streaking grime and they just look muddy to me. I probably spend too much hobby time looking at other people's work and daydreaming, but it's an important part of my hobby and one where a lot of inspiration comes from. Some of the Grimdark minis out there are absolutely amazing, and I'm happy to try copying other people's styles and techniques and not quite hit the mark as that's where a lot of improvement and development come from. It's one of the reasons I enjoy taking part in the challenge as participation encourages you to try a few new things

The minis are GW mixed with some of the 3d printed parts from the recent Grey Tide Studios crimson lords release.

Next are a couple of characters. A Chaplain and Tycho succumbed to the black rage. Not sure I will actually use Tycho in a game, but it was fun to kit bash.

7 x 28mm minis = 35 points

It's always good to try new things, and practice makes perfect. That the ideal may seem unreachable should not prevent us from still striving towards it! Looking at other people's work also always inspires me, even though I am a rather mediocre painter myself. You have produced some fine miniatures here, Matt. I like the grimdark look of them. The photos may be a bit dark in and of themselves, but the figures still look suitably gloomy. The red  really complements the dark look. Also, I think you have done a nice conversion job! 35 well-earned points.

Martijn

From John B: 28mm Space Marines of the Puls - Granea Pulticula Chapter (Gluttony) (45 points)

Slow progress compared to last year for all sorts of reasons. One thing has not changed - the theme has again distracted me from my regular projects although I did manage two cavalry units to start with. Next up though is a LIMBO from AHPC14 - some Space Marines. Now I don't do Space Marines - I even failed to paint my young son's space marines back in the day - my beautiful wife (resident space marine expert (RSME)) came to the rescue and did an excellent job. So it is fitting that she rescued me from the gluttony step - I am stuck on linear because I am stuck on female subjects because I have chosen to use only whats in the current pile and yep - no female figures I can find so far. Now last year I primed these space marines - ok so technically they are space warriors. Then ran out of time to include them. They made this year's shortlist and wow - they got done. Now the issue was I decided they were fat, so nicely met the gluttony section - oh no says Resident Space Marine Expert - RSME. We need a proper food aspect. So I did a bit of a search and discovered that Space Marines have two stomachs - and so do these Space Warriors. Yep they have a Preomner and like some of their Space Marine cousins eat things like triglyceride gels and of course amino porridge. Here was something to work on. It got better because they eat porridge and guess what was in our breakfast cupboard? Yep a packet of oats - just right for some porridge.

Now all we had to do was make up a bowl and get them to eat it. At this point I should add that RSME had also turned Artistic Director having suggested the porridge eating requirement that we feed the Space Marines, or in fact that one should be persuaded to dive into said porridge in a film spectacular. So here is the premiere of "The Double Gut Filled Space Marine" a major movie that just missed the Oscars. Producer - Norber Lorenzo Artistic Director - RSME.

   

Then of course the denouement

And our mad marine makes his escape

No harm was done to any space marine in the making of this movie....

That's it - short and sweet....... Of course it's the outtakes that make this movie......

 

 

 And the credits.......... We will skip the massive list of shot on location teams, musicians, gophers, grips, catering, wardrobe, camera teams, SFX, RSME's specialist team etc. Instead the paint job on the Space Marines or rather Space Warriors was based on Vallejo "Painting Metal" pack which I found in a cupboard and so decided to use. It meant some layering, shading and mixing. But I am happy with the rugged result - a million miles away from the airbrush quality blended paint jobs in the VJ guide.  The pallette was essentially VJ. All were Game Colours 72.051 Black - undercoat 72.050 Cold Grey - main base coat 72.019 Night Blue - shading 72.024 Turquoise highlight/shading especially leaders sword 72.151 Heavy Gold Brown - opaque range - shoulder armour and other gun highlights 72.091 Sepia - a wash - sword and hair over an old citadel calgarth brown 72.153 Heavy Brown - opaque range - shoulder armour 72.001 White - mix for various shading/dry brush highlights. However, I needed yet more paints for my Space Marines/Warriors. GC 72.006 sun yellow - lights GC 72.010 bloody red - lights GC 72.034 bone white - shade/dry brush notably sword and gun of leader GC 72.008 orange fire - shading on gun VJ Model Colours MC177 - oily steel - cables to sword and gun MC075 - light green - lights and head base colour Citadel Colour Contrast ironjawz yellow - leaders gun and other gun shading warp lightning - leaders skintone shading talassar blue - leaders sword thats a wopping 17 paints. Usually I try to stay around 10. The more paints the more to the process, although of course if you start mixing colours that might not be true. Either way these Space Marines received a lot of attention. And I am happy with the result. Meanwhile the 28mm figures as you have guessed are not Warhammer but Atlantic by Nexus. £5 for 5 figures bought at the Partizan Show from Parabellum of Birmingham.

 

Front back and sides as they say!

The Survivor - showing his illuminations only to be seen if closely examined - seriously!

As regards points I think it's 5 x 5pts plus 20 points for Gluttony, giving a grand total of 45 points. Total = 45pts

Well, that's top marks for effort, John! You have gone to such great lenghts with this that I can hardly begrudge you your Gluttony bonus. Well done! As to the Space Warriors/ Marines, they really shine. 17 paints, that's quite a lot, but the result is excellent! A great colour scheme, and I like the flaming space gun thingy. I must also compliment you with your RSME, that truly is a great boon to have! 45 points it is.

Martijn

From JP: Border Reivers Continued and a touch of Heresy (80 points)

Happy Friday folks,

Pushing on with my Border Reivers, I present a dozen figures which includes a Sarah to get me to Heresy. My Heresy figure is a dour Preacher who believes in forceful conversion by the sword.

As ever, the figures are the lovely castings from Battle Flags and the angry mule (I am very partial to painting mules for some reason) is an Otherworld Miniatures.

I am therefore requesting:

12 x 28mm  figs   = 60

1 x Heresy            = 20

Total                     = 80

As ever - thanks for having a squiz and any comments/advice are welcome!!

Your border reivers look great, JP! I also like the angry priest, a great figure carrying a compelling argument for his beliefs. The children on their stick horses are quite delightful, as is the peddler with his backpack showing his wares. Another 80 points for you!

Martijn

From Mike W: 28mm Arthurian Cavalry, 15mm Romans and some others! (Wrath) (172 points)

Imagine my surprise as I opened up my long awaited order of 3D printed Elves to fulfil my stated aim to work on a unit of Elven Archers this week only to find that the batch did not contain any bases! 😢

 What it does underline is the importance of reading what the eBay lot you are buying actually contains - my bad - so I am delaying that work for a week until I get some bases delivered.

Three stands of '30' 15mm Roman Soldiers, as supplied by Warlord Games

Instead it gives me an excuse to start work on a batch of the Warlord Games Epic Hail Ceasar miniatures that I have collected off the front of various Wargames Magazines. I have a frame of Romans and a frame each of Cartaginians and their allies.

Close-up of Roman Troop Type #1, armoured with plumes

What is clear to me now is that I have to source a couple more Roman frames to enable me to field 3 units each of three bases, each frame contains one base of three different troop types / styles.

Close-up of Roman Troop Type #2, armoured with crests

The types / styles are bases (unscientifically or for that matter historically) based upon armour worn and crests on their helmets.

Close-up of Roman Troop Type #3, largely unarmoured with plumes

As many of you will know the Roman figures come in a special format such that you can represent a block of 30 figures on one stand, without having to paint all 30 figures! For more info see <here>.

Rear view of the completed stands.

Close-up of Roman Troop Type #3, from the rear showing that they are mosty unarmoured except for a small chest and back plate.

Close-up of Roman Troop Type #2, from the rear showing that they are armoured

Finally a close-up of Roman Troop Type #1, from the rear showing that they are also armoured

Being an honest chap, I have consulted with my desigated minon and confirmed with Martijn that these are the first such figures to be painted in these challenges and we have agreed a scoring regime for such stands. 

It respects the long running 1/2 points rule for prone figures but extends it to cover the front and back ranks of the triple Roman stands - so these each only score half points as the front rank only contains the front of the figures and the rear rank only contains the rear of the figures. One point is awared for each of the head and shoulders of the middle rank giving a base score of  10 + (20 x 3 x 1/2) = 40. 

Side view of the completed stands, showing that each has three ranks represented.

This we agree is a fairer score than the potential 90 points for 30 x 15mm figures when over half are not really painted! Hope everyone is happy with this.

Anyway on to how these were painted. The figures were left on their frames and undercoated in white. The base of relatively unarmoured figures were then given a coat of GS Skeleton Horde to give the appearance of a light brown tunic. Other Armoured figures were given a coat of GW Leadbelcher. Heads, arms and legs where painted with GW Darkoath Flesh. Once dry spear shafts were done in light yellow and shields in GW Mephiston Red.

Army Painter Hopilite Gold was used on helmets and the small square armour plates on the otherwise unarmoured figures. Plumes were painted with GW Black Templar, before all pieces were being removed from frames, touched up and then glued together, before a final wash of Army Painter Strong & Dark wash mixed 50/50 and then watered down.

After a matt varnish, the bases were painted with a cream hobby paints mixed with PVA glue and fine sand added.

Five Arthurian Heavy Horse, all Gripping Beast figures out of the box.

The mounted Arthurians are again from the Gripping Beast Heavy Cavalry set and painted in much the same way as those posted earlier in the challenge.

Unit leader, standard bearer and warrior

Two more Arthurian mounted warriors

With the figures completed earlier in the challenge this makes six such figures, I'm in two minds if the mounted units should be 6 or 12 strong. Likely I'll initially settle for 6, but part of me wants to have equal numbers in the mounted and dismounted versions of a unit, in which case I can add more in the future.

Another view of the five completed figures

This ECW Halberdier is a one off, Lowland Scot, with a very simple paint job but nonetheless effective in my opinion.

Covenanter Marker, with simple Hodden Grey uniform

And another view

This guy had been lying around my worktop for ages, having been missed at the time I was building my Covenanter Army. I'm pleased to finally get him done, now he'll be used as a marker of some description.

Now for something completely different....

A very spikey and angry looking mutant to my eye!

This Zombicide Mutant  is a big old monster for a 28mm figure, standing nearly 5cm tall, I am taking the liberty of claiming Dante's Wrath Bonus for this guy. He looks pretty bad tempered and angry to me. He will join my other Zombicide figures and I'll have to work out a scenario to get them all on the table.

Rear view of the Zombie Mutant, showing his puss filled boils ncely!

He came undercoated in white and I mostly used Speed Paints and Washes on him to get him done. The skin was basically GW Death Guard Green with sections done in Army Painter Algae / Gillie Green and then washed with AP Military Green. Pants are AP Rune Grey and the ripped shirt is white, washed in light grey an then highlighted again. 

Another view

A fun miniature to paint even though the subject is quite grim! Spikes are white, washed with GW Skeleton Horde and then dry prushed with Ivory. Boils are white, then highlighted yellow and then a red in wash is used to circle each to give a livid sore look. Blood is Red ink and GW Vampire Red.

Stop Press, my bases arrived yesterday so hopefully I'll get back to the Elves this week, but I also feel the urge to do more 15mm Carthaginians...

SQUIRELL     15mm Romans                                +1 Point

POINTS

3 x 15mm Triple Bases     @ 40  30 Pts ea                120  90 Points

5 x 28mm Arthurian Cavalry @ 10 Pts ea           100  50 Points

1 x 28mm ECW Foot                                               5 Points

1 x 28mm Zombieside Mutant                                 5 7 Points

Dante's Wrath Bonus                                              20 Points

TOTAL                                                                  250  172 Points

A nice ecletic mix today, Mike! I particularly like the "epic" 15mm bases. You have done a good job on them, and they look fairly impressive! The zombie mutant is also a great piece of work. Zombies always give me the creeps, but this one is particularly scary. The boils and sores came out very well I think. Now, your calculations are a bit off. As you say the zombie is almost 50mm tall, I will score it as a 40mm figure. On the other hand, 5 Arthurian cavalrymen, glorious as they are, will not get you 100 points... I think we must settle for the customary 50. Also, a 15mm figure is 2 points, not 3, so your epic bases will gain you 10 + (20x2x0.5) = 30 points each (let's just them call 30 half figures; I might have thought of this sooner perhaps ;-)). This still gains you a healthy 172 points, though. Well done!

Martijn