First Unit of Ogres Completed

Here they are the first unit of my Ogre army. I actually completed them about 2 weeks ago, but I've been a little busy and haven't been able to update very much here. I am planning to expand this unit by adding to more ogres to it to make a total of eight. In 1500+ point games I will put my general (Slaughtermaster) and Battle Standard Bearer in the unit for a grand total of 10 in a 5 wide 2 deep formation.

I began working on the Ironguts next and am just finishing up the non-metal details for prior to doing a Devlan mud wash. I'm really enjoying painting these guys and I've learned quite a few new tricks for painting aged and dirty metal which will come in handy when I sit down to do the Vermintide.

On another note, I am planning on writing an editorial on the scope of an army when you start deciding what to buy at first. It seems like myself and my friends always have extra stuff lying around. I want to discuss what I have done with a couple of my projects recently, what I call "capping" an army in a post within the next few days. As a preview when I cap an army I write a fixed list or set of lists based around the models I own or want to paint. If I already own more than the list and they are in a condition to sell, they get sent to Ebay or Bartertown. On the other hand, if I like the army or mainly the models well enough it may turn into a large collection like my Dark Elves or what the Skaven will be. Like I said, that's mainly just a teaser an in-depth look into that will be coming shortly.

~Brian

A Farewell to Arms...for a while at least.

I have given this a lot of thought and I've told some of my friends this, but this is a more formal announcement.  As of today, I am no longer playing or taking part in any event for Warhammer 40,000.  As far as painting is concerned, I'm not going to say I'm done all together with 40k but finishing my Dark Eldar has been put at the bottom of my project list.  I will still take commissions for 40k of course.  Overall I'm bored with it and I have some major issues with the current rules set.  I don't want to go into to detail on my gripes with the rules set.  The other part of this decision is I don't like to bounce around with my games, I know a lot of people do but I can't keep up with that and truth be told I don't know how a lot of people do.  I'm not saying that I am permanently quitting, but for the near future I am.  I still love the universe, the electronic games, and the Tabletop RPGs, it is really just the miniature game I have an issue with. 

So what will I be doing with all this time on my hands?  I'm devoting all my attention to Warhammer Fantasy.  The irony here is that history repeats itself.  I got real into to 40k around 11 years ago and then I painted my dark elves a year later.  From that point I only played around 8 games of 40k from that point until this past summer for the campaign.  Suffice to say, I think it is pretty obvious which game my heart belongs to.

Part of the reason I came back to 40k was convenience.  There is a larger pool of 40k players in my area and you can usually get a pick up game in at my LGS.  Only problem with that for me is, I don't enjoy pick up games anymore, I would rather email one of my friends and set up a time to play something I really want to play at the LGS or one of our homes. 

So what this all means is that I'm only focusing on playing and painting Warhammer Fantasy for the foreseeable future, regardless of what everyone else is getting into.  All in all, once I have completed my current projects for Fantasy and the other ones I would like to do, I'll look into 40k again, which by that time it will probably be the 7th edition of the game.  Yes I said 7th, I don't see myself giving 6th which is due out next next summer the time of day.

Thanks for reading and I apologize if I have disappointed any of you by this decision, but this is best thing for my own piece of mind at this time.

-Dark Apostle Brian

We'll kill ya then we'll eat ya!

Here is the first unit of Ogres so far.  I am planning on getting the metal parts painted to night and possibly get Devlan Mud on the non-skin parts.

As Promised....The Manticore

Here is the Manticore.  This is probably the best model I painted to date.  Sorry for the delay I had to deliver the day after I finished it and I needed to take the pictures when I was visiting my client.

Merc Painting, Necromancer WIP, and Un-Dark Eldar (Rant)

I'm sorry for the gap in posts, I've been pretty busy at my day job recently. Not mention mercenary painting has kept me busy as well.

The Manticore was finished and I will have some photos posted shortly. He turned out amazing, as it should have for the 37 hours I put into as well as the price tag I charged for the job. A little about my "mercenary painting" before I continue, I'm not someone who has a lot of customers, I mainly paint for 2 people and they pay what I ask and don't gripe about it. One nice thing is that they also currently paint for themselves, or have done so in the past, which is nice because they have a respect for what it takes for me to deliver the finished product. I only have two major requirements for painting for someone, the first being timely payment. One thing I feel I should mention is that, I require is creative freedom. I will gladly copy something I had previously done for them or a piece from collection they bought from me. However, I will never paint for someone who gives very specific instructions or "copy their paint job, just better." For example I am painting a what will end up being a very large Wood Elf army (more than likely over 4000 points plus Storm of Magic pieces) and the only instructions I was given (and would accept) was to make them Autumn themed. Just one note to those who paint for people, don't short yourself, your time is valuable as well as your skill set.

Above is my necromancer WIP. I just got the non-flesh basecoats on applied a Devlan Mud wash on him. I am going to be layering on some lighter colors next and maybe do some edging as needed over top of the layering. I love this model as well as all the single plastic mini-kits GW is putting out for Fantasy. I really hope the plastic mini-kit makes it way to 40k some day.

Now for the rant:

Below are two images from GW's facebook page. I saw these and in an instant I was struck with a classic case of fan-boy nerd rage.

I do not deny that this is a fantastic paint job, and very impressive free-hand, but it's not in the spirit of Dark Eldar. I could see a bone based color scheme being done really well, but combined with the green, and the graffiti style free-hand, it looks far too vibrant in my eyes. When I think of Dark Eldar, what comes to my mind is cold, calculated sadism. They may be very frenzied in their murderous onslaught while feeding on the suffering of their victims, but they are not without empathy. They are not stone-cold sociopath killers, who feel no emotional connection to their victims. In fact, they are fully aware their victims suffer and they feed off it and the sensation drives them to new heights of ruthlessness. To them, you are nothing more than a commodity to be utilized as discarded, once you have full-filled your purpose. They know fully that their actions cause great pain to their victims, but they feel no guilt, no remorse, and only wish to continue the cycle over and over again. Now, when I look at that paint scheme, I don't see that. You can pull of lighter colors with them, but you need to have some dark in there otherwise it just looks odd. When I look at that color choice I just see, 80s NY subway graffiti. Like I said prior, the job is very skilled and the free-hand is very impressive, just bad color choice.

Not to took my own horn, but below is a test Dark Eldar Kabalite Warrior I painted, I think this color is appropriate for their lore.

Well that's all for now. I didn't originally mean for this post to be so long, I guess I was trying to make up for the month long gap. Anyway, I will update the page on the progress of the necromancer.

-Dark Apostle Brian

Creature of Chaos

Alright, so here is the assembled plastic Manticore that just came out last month.  This overall is an amazing kit.  Not only do you get multiple head options you also have the option to have a seat it not.  Another great feature is not only that the rider is optional, you get the parts to make both the sorcerer and chaos lord.  Finally, the sadle looks like you will be to sit the rider in there securely without glue which gives you great flexibility. 

The only negative I found was that there is a very noticeable seam on the manticore's belly where the two pieces meet.  Some people won't give a flying shit about that but I'm anal about mold lines and gaps.  So if your like me get ready for the green stuff.

Overall, this is a very nice kit.  I am looking forward to painting this for my customer.  With out a doubt I will be doing one for myself.  I am going to see if the new plastic Dark Elf riders from the new Black Dragon kit fit easily on this guy.  If they do, I'll be able to use the manticore for both of those armies.

-Dark Apostle Brian

Searching for Inspiration

I think it sometimes can be hard to find inspiration for painting and also coming up with a paint scheme and back story for your army. Personally, I have found video games to be a decent source of inspiration. In truth Everquest has always been a rock solid source for me. My Dark Elf Generals armor is painted the color to resemble an armor set called "Sentient Armor" which was a very dark, pale red. This adventure spurned on my first adventure in mixing paints. In short, scab red mixed with chainmail splashed with some old red ink made a nice tone.

As for my next army project which I am beginning, I took a little adventure in good ol' Evercrack to Castle Mistmoore (pictured above). Those of you are familiar with the game will probably have a hint at what the next army will be. I'll be giving the formal announcement once I finish building my first unit.