As the Emperor Wills

For the last couple of weeks, I've been working, almost exclusively (save for a bit of highlighting of my Assault Intercessors) on my Ultramarines Librarian. This had not been my initial plan for I had intended to work on my suppressors (or even my Eliminators). However, I also wanted to work on my painting technique and, in the aftermath of most first born models no longer being worthy (apparently), I decided instead to paint this outstanding Librarian and try a new technique (as if I screwed it up then the model isn't important anymore). So, I got to work, starting with a couple of coats of Macragge Blue on everything but the miniatures staff and cherub (who was left unattached and painted separately). This was followed by and all over wash (of the blue sections) with Drakenhof Nightshade. Now, this is where I differed from my previous painting works, as I applied a dry brush coat (or two) of Macragge Blue, in order to return the initial colour to Giles' (his name, becaus...

So, this weekend gone, I bought an Adepta Sororitas Rhino. This wasn't in my plan because, with enough of a pile of shame/opportunity to be getting on with, I'd vowed to myself that I wouldn't get any more until I was reaching the end of that pile. However, like all good addicts to the hobby (I assume), I needed it. This is because it is the final part of the Sister of Battle combat Patrol that I was missing and, with it, I can now attempt to participate in the wargaming. When I first picked up some models and paints, the gaming aspect had not been in my plan. However, the longer its been and the more miniatures I've painted, I've found myself drawn to the idea. Unfortunately, with the Space Marine combat patrol having been changed, making what I what for my Ultramarines moot, this Rhino became the only option. So, this weekend saw my build the entire model to the best I could do. I have some plans to install magnets in order to allow for some ease of storage (and p...

My Primaris (formerly veteran. Thanks, 10th edition) Intercessors have been painted in a very piecemeal fashion. Originally bought online as sprues only, these five models are almost identical, save for the placement of their heads (I've tried to angle them all a bit differently) and the painting of a Sergeant's helm. However, their painting, shading, highlighting and even transfers were all done between other models. The same can be said for my Primaris Lieutenant, although my Phobos Lieutenant was done all in one. However, all seven models suffer from the same problem; their armour is too dark. I think this has come down to the shade. I used Drakenhof Nightshade as a wash on all of them and despite the knowledge that washing the models would darken their colour, I didn't realise how dark they would go. I maybe could have fixed them there and then but moved on instead. Sadly, I've now realised I don't like this colour blue. And so, over the last couple of...

Ever since I took up painting again, a lot of my original models were painted very basically. While I have applied base colours in their entirety, I avoided applying either the shades or the highlights, something I have since started to go back and do by completely washing my miniatures (with mixed results) However, during the last couple of weeks, I decided to get out my Assault Intercessors (a squad of models I had painted early on) and apply their shades and highlights. However, instead of washing them, I decided to apply to the shade in the form of Recess Shading. The difference between washing and recess shading, as I understand it, is that washing means applying the shade paint all over the miniature, while recess shading means apply the shade into the nooks, crevices and recesses of the miniature (hence the name). So, taking my Drakenhof Nightshade, that's exactly what I've done. For the first seven, which have been fully based painted, I simply applied t...

So, I've decided to start writing about my journey collecting and painting my Warhammer 40k miniatures. Why? Well, I'm not entirely sure. I guess the primary reason is that with few friends who are interested in the hobby (which sounds sad but it isn't, simply bad luck), I have no one to share the ideas in my head. Also, I thought it might be nice to have a record of some of my ideas that I can look back should I forget them (such as paint combinations, etc). However, before I started doing that, I figured I would explain how I got to where I am (given that I actually started my journey some time ago). So, here goes ... Over twenty years ago, back at a time when Mordheim and Inquisitor were released, my friend convinced me to give Warhammer Fantasy a try. I started a Wood Elves army and accumulated about 2000 points worth of models. However, I was young and impatient and after a couple of years my interest waned. Fast forward to 16 months ago and, as I approach ...