Mechanicus Themed Imperial Knight Showcase [Sold]

My latest creation is complete! I’m showcasing him with some swanky photos taken in my new mini photo studio which makes a huge difference to the crispness of the images. I can finally show off the paint job to the full.

This knight was painted in a similar manner to my previous. I used Vallejo chipping fluid to achieve the majority of the damage and scratch marks. This time I really focused on the realism, considering how the damage would have occured with angles of shots and impacts and I think it worked better than my first effort.

I am also particularly pleased with how the ruined urban base turned out. I spent a great deal of care placing each item and making sure it felt ‘part of the scene’ rather than just plonked without too much thought. Paying attention to the details really makes the difference.

Fund More Projects!

As with the last chap, this guy is for sale. (Now sold)

It is getting seriously addictive painting Knights. They are just the perfect weathering canvas for practicing techniques on. Lovely large surfaces and crisp edges to attack. I think I may have to try a dark green one next.

For now, please enjoy these photos. Countless hours have gone into this creation!

20:54:00 Read More +

Completed Imperial Knight Showcase [SOLD]

Imperial Knight Gallery

He is finally done! Painting this model has been a labour of love. This is my largest air brush project yet and it was also host to a number of new techniques I wanted to try. 

I was keen to avoid it having the air brushed 'look' which I see many models turn out like when they have been 'too' air brushed with incredibly clean, stark gradients. I think they lack a bit of soul and character. I think I have been successful, using a myriad of different techniques to strike a balance between realism and the larger than life character of Warhammer 40k.

08:48:00 Read More +

Crimson Minotaur Elite - Warhammer 40k Showcase

Touching Up the Space Marine Elite

I have been going through some of the earlier models and conversion for my Crimson Minotaur custom chapter that I showcased a few months ago on my blog. Mainly I have been working on the jump pack engines and power weapons - areas I didn't have the stamina to complete at the time and was not entirely sure how I wanted to do them anyway.

18:56:00 Read More +

40k Showcase: Crimson Minotaur Tactical Squad & Rhino

2nd Company Tactical Squad

I have at last finished off my other Rhino/Razorback. It's been sitting around for a while mostly painted with base coats, a wash but without any highlights or details. My models often get stuck at that stage for a while. I still find edge highlighting takes a lot of effort (even more so when you have atrocious tennis elbow!).

10:15:00 Read More +

40k: Crimson Minotaur Space Marine Combat Squad

Space Marine Special Weapons Teams

I love the idea of small elite units of space marines armed with special weapons and appointed very specific battlefield tasks that may very well decide the outcome of a battle. The closest you can get to that in a basic troop choice is a combat squad with one special weapon and a sergeant armed with a combi weapon which I have placed in a Razorback (though probably far more effective in a drop pod). The two main flavours of these will of course be plasma and melta though you could argue for flamers if you face a lot of hordes.

13:11:00 Read More +

Power Armour in Style - Forgeworld Crimson Minotaur Squad

Fashionable Power Armour

The Forgeworld space marine armour variants still retain the icon shape and silhouette of a 40k era equivalent - in a mixed squad you would be hard pressed to pick them out from a distance. However there is something subtle about the design of the Forgeworld sculpts that puts them on a different level to the standard Games Workshop boxes. No matter which MK you look at, they have sharper lines, are better posed and possess more detailed. They are just far more stylish!

13:03:00 Read More +

Captain Estigon - Forgeworld Crimson Minotaur Conversion

"The Bastion"

Captain Estigon, Commander of the Crimson Minotaurs 2nd Company is now ready for battle. As I alluded to in my earlier post, Estigon is a level headed, reserved tactician. A calm mind to counter the oft daring and reckless actions promoted by Chapter Master Alcaeus. His quiet demeanour off the battlefield can mislead people into thinking he has nothing to contribute. However when he does speak he elocutes with precision and insight. He is rarely wrong. It is unwise to go into battle without first seeking Estigon's opinion on strategy. Where 1st Chaplain Kanaitkos endows a strike force with the reason to fight, Estigon gives them the method. He is rightly known as 'The Bastion'.

13:06:00 Read More +

40k Space Marine Stormraven Gunship - Crimson Minotaurs

Stormraven Showcase

This kit has been a pleasure to build and paint. The engines and weapons are movable parts and you have plenty of options to equip the gunship with. The weapons are easy to interchange so it becomes a very flexible heavy choice. When you compare it to it's ground equivalent, the land raider, it's weapon options are far superior.

13:18:00 Read More +

Space Marine Chaplain Conversion Finished! - Crimson Minotaur with Forgeworld & Anvil Industry parts

Master of the Recluisiam

First Chaplain Kanatikos is one of Lord Alcaeus's closest advisers. He originally served in the Raven Guard chapter along side Alcaeus and acts as his spiritual advisor as well his martial arm on the battlefield. Whilst the Crimson Minotaurs possess several highly competent captains, the Chapter Master often entrusts key missions to Kanatikos simply because his zeal and dedication makes him an utterly reliable asset for achieving the success Alcaeus is looking for. On the field of war his words convey the imperial truth of the emperor ascendant, enforcing each marines cause in battle. Every marine would follow him into the eye of terror and back if required.

18:52:00 Read More +

Crimson Minotaur Space Marine Assault Squad Complete

Jump packs: An Iconic Warhammer 40k Unit

I know Jump pack Assault Marines are not especially popular in 6th edition right now. With the difficulties in close combat and the abundance of weapons that ignore power armour they are quite a vulnerable choice to take. However they just look great. The backpack with it's bulbous shape and easily recognisable silhouette makes them an iconic unit that everyone can identify. My decision to go with Raven Guard chapter tactics will alleviate some of the pains but it will definitely be for fluffy reasons that I field this unit rather than competitive requirements.

20:25:00 Read More +

Crimson Minotaurs Tactical Squad Painting Progress

Colour Scheme Step by Step

As I mentioned in an earlier post I wanted to deviate from the standard Minotaur theme for a more traditional bright and traditional  'we don't need camouflage' style Space Marine colour scheme. I wanted I good table top quality but I don't quite have the patience, talent or time to spend doing dozens of steps of highlighting and blending.

12:48:00 Read More +

Showcase: Tau Forgeworld Broadside Conversion (Shas'vre Ob'lotai 0-9)

A Mix of Old & New

I managed to get hold of a cheap Forgeworld XV88 with railguns from ebay. However, comparing the Forgeworld railguns with the new 2013 plastic kit from Games Workshop and they are comically small. I also much prefer the side on two handed look of the new kit (it's the kit that attracted me to tau in the first place). The other factor was the head sensor unit. Although it is a gorgeous design, it's about 3 times the size of every other battlesuit equivalent. It's all or nothing for me, there needs to be some level of consistency and this breaks it. I'll hopefully find another use for it (It's big enough to be some kind of drone!)

08:38:00 Read More +

Showcase: Tau Riptide

A soldier with some stories to tell...

My Tau army has very much been a large experiment as I learnt how to paint. Many techniques have been tried from extremely clean lines all the way up to roughing up with sponge brushes and weathering powder. This Riptide very much reflects that story of experimentation and change. It's not the prettiest of paint jobs but it has had a lot of love go into it and future paint jobs will be better because of it. The Tau Riptide is certainly my favourite model in the range being everything that a center piece giant monster robot should be.

19:29:00 Read More +