From MattT - Space Wolves Berserkers - 50 points

For this post I have returned to my fledgling Space Wolves army and painted up 10 Berserker's, sorry Blood Claws for Kharn to lead. Ive gone for rule of cool over WYSIWYG and thrown the kitchen sink at these, including kit bashed bits from other sets to make them look more chaos. Painting wise I have used some new techniques including sponge chipping on the armour, enamel washes and blood effects etc.

I'm not 100% happy with the snow bases, think I over did it a bit. I may revisit them at some point, but for now they are done.

10 x 28mm mini = 50 points

From DaveD . Space Wolves the only ones I ever had for GW stuff. Nice to see your creation, Also an interesting blend of techniques - I am a fan of enamel washed etc .   I like the snow . 50 it is 

From MattT - Serbian Nobles ( 55 points )

Another small addition to my slowly growing Ottoman army. This time its some Serbian Nobles. Figures are from Claymore Castings with a couple of head swaps to make the unit look a little more eastern. 

I am in awe of people who manage to paint freehand heraldry. While I'm very happy with my standard of painted miniatures I know my freehand could improve. Surprisingly I am happy with the two headed eagle but I struggled to get the shapes of the helmet correct, and I gave up on a bow and arrow design. I just couldn't get the lines fine enough. More practice required before a tackle the 100YW.

5 x 28mm cavalry = 50pts

From DaveD . Lovely clean work there Matt. Freehand work on heraldry is not to be undertaken taken lightly . I think you have done a fine job here . 55 for you .

From MattT, Wallachian Voynuks (35 points)

This week sees me pressing on with my Ottoman project that should keep my brother happy. I have completed a base of Voynuk infantry. Figures are a bit of a mixed bag with a couple of head swaps thrown in. I have painted them blue for no other reason than that's what Angus McBride painted them in. I think most of us will have made painting choices based of his illustrations. Those early Osprey books have been essential reading over the years.

The unit is being led by Vlad himself. Shamelessly stole the idea from the Camisado Blog. Thanks for the inspiration. Mini is from the Assault Group hidden in their fantasy section

I have also been trying to improve my photography and have bought some new gradiated paper as a backdrop that hopefully helps improve the images.

7 x 32 minis = 35 points

From DaveD . They are looking good Matt . I think the photo set ups are improved with the new set up . It helps to show off your skillz alright . That Vlad figure is great . There are various interesting things on the TAG site if you can find them . The blues are great shade on the infantry . 35 it is .

From MattT : Ottoman Janissaries, ( 35 points )

 For this years Impetus Army project I am painting up some 14th / 15th century Ottomans. Its been an army I have wanted to paint for some time due to their colour and unusual units. My brother has already posted up the first of his Hungarians on the blog that will be their main opponent on the tabletop.

Been a change in pace to paint some cleaner colours after my last few grimdark posts. I'm quite taken with using static grass flowers on my impetus army bases as a unifying feature to tie them together and for this army I have gone for some white daisies to pick up the white in the minis. The minis themselves are lovely sculpts from The Assault Group.

7 x 28mm minis = 35 points

From DaveD . A colourful little collection of Jannisaries indeed . The flowers on the base have worked well here I think . I do like TAG figures , always nice to paint , and you have done a fine job . 35 it is .

From MattT : Kharn the Barbarian. ( Minis 1, Skulls 127 ) 10 pts

At the end of last year like a lot of people I was admiring the new Space Wolves sculpts from GW. I was firm in my resolve not to buy any as I didn't want to start a new space marine army. That was till I came across the across the lads on The Kieran Show. Their awesome Chaos Wolves army was a lightbulb moment and I succumbed to the lure of Chaos.

In another moment of madness I thought it would be a good idea to mash together Kharn the Betrayer and Ragnar Blackmane. Most of the bottom half and weapons come from Kharn and the top half from Ragnar. I swopped the weapons round as it suited the pose better and had to do some filling round the waist join. The last piece of the puzzle was the head as the Khorne helmet and top knot were both a bit obvious. The mini was finished when I found the He-man/Conan head and Kharn the Barbarian was born. He disappeared into the warp sometime ago where he met a Mr K, Horne. Lovely fellow, very chatty. Now he's back and eager to share the news with all his friends.

Kharn was suffering from some base envy looking at all the other heroes and there heroic bases, so I made a plinth for him. A plinth of Skulls.

Now counting the skulls is a bit like counting the individual stones at the Rollright Stones near where  I live. Nobody ever gets the same number three times in a row. Your welcome to try, just be careful you don't leave the door open to possession.

32mm mini x 1  

Skulls x 127

From DaveD . A mound of Skullz on a mound of skullz .. what’s not to like ! I will take your  skull count … it’s not my duels wallah bailiwick thank gawd . However I feel there does need to be recognition of the effort and  creativity  so 10 pts it is .

From MattT: Trench Pilgrims, 55 points

For my first post of the challenge I have completed some Trench Pilgrims for Trench Crusade. I had a lot of fun kit bashing these in the summer. So much so that I have made way more than I will ever need for the game. The silly helmets and some other bits are 3D printed, the majority of the body's are from Wargames Atlantic WW1 French Infantry sprue and some odd bits and bobs from other sprues. 

They have been sat on my painting desk for several months now and the challenge has given me the impetus to get them painted. I bought a horizon blue paint especially for them, but I've given them several washes to give them that grimy look and based them on a reddish brown base to represent the hellscape they are fighting on.

Couple of sergeant's and bell ringer.

 

Rank and file troops.

Specialist's, machine gunner, sniper and flamethrower.

I still have some more troops as well as characters and a couple of the big boys yet to paint for future posts.

10 x 28mm figures = 50 points

From DaveD . Welcome along Matt . One of the benefits of doing this is getting those paint table lurkers out of way . I love the French Horizon blue connection with the figure build . The basing certainly does look like that horrible mud we associate with the trenches . Great start and 5 extra minions award points for the whole look . 55 pts it is 

From MattT: Sisters of the Burning Heart ( 75 points )

I have not ventured through the mean streets of Mordheim for quite some time.  The next time that I do I shall be accompanied by these Sisters of Battle.

I have gone for a very limited autumn palette. I took inspiration from other paint schemes on the internet and one of these colour cards you can also find on the internet to help me keep a restricted colour scheme. I have seen lots of U tube painters recommending them and I can definitely see their value.

Really happy how the robes came out, less so about the blackened armour but edge highlighting is a pain and I don't enjoy the process. I rush it and I think that shows.

15 x 28mm = 75 points

I still think your black turned out okay, and the colour scheme is great, Matt! A very fine paintjob, and your Sisters of the Burning Heart look very good. The highlighted robes are an absolute  succes. The good citizens (or should that be denizens?) of Mordheim should better watch out! 75 points it is.

Martijn

From Matt T: Some more Blood Angels (45 points)

For lots of little reasons I have fallen behind the arms race with my brother so it feels good to finish some minis and submit a post.

First up is some more lost boys in space. More GW Blood Angels with some Grey Tide Studio bits. Really like how the Lieutenant and Sanguinary Priest turned out. The 3 d printed parts make them much more individualistic.  

Next up is a mini that's been in the lead pile for so long I have forgotten the initial reason I bought her. Anyway she's an oldie and a baddie, she's the fantastic Gripping Beast Witch with cat and cauldron. She will get used in our Silver Bayonet games but I have based her on a forest floor rather than the snow. I wasn't sure how to get a realistic snow effect around the base of the fire. I might go back to her and put some odd small patches of snow round the edges.

8 x 28mm minis = 40 points

Good to see some old sibling rivalry spurring you on, Matt. The Blood Angels are fabulous, as you say they gain quite a bit of character with the conversion work. The witch is a fantastic figure, with some shades of Granny Weatherwax, and I actually quite like the forest base. I will throw in some bonus points for the kitbashing of the Blood Angels, so we'll settle for  45 points.

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 MattT: Protect the Eagle (35 points)

With this post I am adding a few more bits to The Silver Bayonet Project.

First up is a trio of wolves that I painted in the same palette as the wolf pelts on my vampire. I'm not sure how they feel about him wearing their siblings but it ties the models together nicely.

Next are some additions to my zombie horde. After the first post I felt they needed an eagle, so i bashed on together with plastic Napoleonic and zombie parts. Also created a little guard to keep it safe.

Lastly a group shot.

7 x 28mm = 35 pts

Your Silver Bayonet project is really moving forward with these figures, Matt! The wolves look great, and suitably hungry. I find your Napoleonic zombies rather... disturbing, as a French Napoleonic aficianado, but also very creative and well done! The eagle and its guard will surely lead your hordes on to glory, if not honour. 35 points it is.

Martijn

From Matt T: Who's afraid of the big bad wolf man. (35 points)

I have been slowly making some more progress on my Silver Bayonet project with the addition of a couple of big bad bosses and some henchmen.

First up are a pair of vampires from Games Workshop. I thought they looked the part in all their furs. They are amazing sculpts but they are pretty big compared to my rank and file troopers. I think I can live with the scale difference for the bosses as it gives them that heroic status.

The main man is wearing not one but two wolf pelts. That' a lot of grey on the mini that I tried to give life to by using a couple of different shades of streaking grime.

Of course every evil mastermind needs some minions to do the work for them so I painted up some 3d printed Cossacks in the same livery.

7 x 28mm models = 35 points total

I like these! The bosses are rather scary (although I would have loved to see more photos!). The cossacks look good too in their red and green. Do you remember who makes them?

Anyway, your math is flawless, so 35 points to you!

From MattT - A horde of zombies, that's just my style Sir. ( 50 points)

One of the gaming plans I have with my brother for next year is to start playing The Silver Bayonet. I know we are a bit behind the curve but it does look fun. We have decided to set it in Russia as we already had a few minis and my brother liked the Perry's, Retreat from Moscow minis. I think he will be posting some of them this challenge. I had painted up my Russian warband before the challenge so have decided to focus on a few baddies.

I think I have managed to create some pretty good-looking Napoleonic zombies by bashing together some plastic Napoleonic's with some zombie bits and filling in the gaps with green stuff. The good news about converting zombies is the worse your sculpting is the better they look. I had created 6 before the challenge started, which is probably all I will ever need.  However looking at them 6 zombies didn't feel like much of a horde so I created 10 more.

Group shot of them all together

As I sit here looking at them I think I need an eagle. Might have to see what I can come up with.

10 x 25mm Zombies = 50 points

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I love these! They are so creative and unique. Really wonderful stuff Matt. I also like the idea of an eagle bearer who still has some vestigial sense that he should be carrying it long after death. Creepy AF. Love the snow too. Brilliant work.

- Curt

From Matt T - Seven Dwarves [ 35 points ]

 Seven Evil Dwarves , Muahahaha.

Now that I have finished my main project for this years painting challenge I am using the remaining time to finish some minis stuck languishing in the Lead Pile. These Dwarves have been there so long I have forgotten where I got them from.  

I gave them a quick paint job of dark armour and dark grass on the base to give them a moody look.

7 x 28mm mini @ 5 points each = 35 points total.

Nice (sic) dwarves Matt.  They do look a moody and grumpy lot.  I'd be tempted to assign Challengers names to some of them, but I'll leave that to you....

You've been rather single focused this Challenge (not there's anything wrong with that) and this marks the first post of yours that hasn't made e check the spell of Kwaza-whatchamacallits!  It was great to watch your army develop over the Challenge.  I’d like to see an AAR or two once you’ve got them in action.

From MattT Finished Khwarazmian Army [ 90 points ]

Finishing these last two units of medium cavalry means that I have completed my Khwarazmian Army for Basic Impetus. Of course I am already thinking about other units I could add to enable me to make and play other Army Lists. 

The medium Cav are from the Gripping Beast Armies of Islam range, Flag from LBMS

Here's a couple of photos of the completed army. Medium Cav and Elephant at the rear. Light Cav screen to the front.

Always a great feeling finishing a project and I'm really happy how they came out. Bright and colourful with a strong coherent basing scheme to tie them together. Lets hope they perform on the table top.

8 x 28mm cav @ 10 points each = 80 points

Congrats on finishing this project Matt (finished project, now there's an oxymoron), the end army look just wonderful.  It's been great following your work on these Khwarazmians over the challenge.  While your new medium Cavalry are lovely, it's the finished army that really catches the eye.  Kudos on the consistently fine base work across all elements, it really ties the unit together.  I've thrown in a few points for the casework and meeting the elusive goal of a finished project.

From Matt T - Elephant Sized Hole - [ 40 points ]

One of the attractions of the Khwarazmian Army is the option to take an elephant instead of a unit of medium cavalry. When i bought the majority of the lead from Gripping Beast I also picked up one of their Timurid Elephants.

When they arrived the Elephant crew were on the chunkier side compared to the rest of the army. I think if I had painting them they would have looked fine on the table, but while they were on the painting desk and my focus was 100% on them the difference was niggling away at me, so I decided to convert mine.

It turned out to be a bit more work than initially planned but when you have fallen down a rabbit hole I figure you may as well keep going and see where it ends.

I kept the initial elephant but sourced a howdah from Aventine Miniatures. It initially looked like it was floating in space so I used some wire to create some ropes attaching the howdah to the elephant. The mahout had a head swap so he echoed the light cavalry, as well as some milliput on the feet to create boots. The crew in the howdah are from the same range as the earlier medium cavalry I posted from Aventine Miniatures. Fortunately the body's come separately from the legs, so I attached them to some plastic legs I had and used some milliput to make a simple tunic around the join.

Anyway, this is my elephant. There are many others like it, but this one is mine.

1 x 28mm Elephant and 3 crew = 40 35 points

Gotta have a Heffalump if the list allows and yours is truly lovely.  I do like the armour on the beast and the howdah conversion looks really good.  Plus you got to fall down a research rabbit hole, one of my main reasons for keeping my armies historical.

Consultation with fellow minions indicates that the elephant counts as a vehicle for 20 plus 5 each for the crew make a total of 35.  However, I'll add a few for the conversion, armour and casework.