Andrea's additional Leader month - The Seer and the Dreddy

 So, Owacers,

this is the second leader month and I can't be more happy as 1) I turned 50 and still feeling good, 2) I painted the most spectacular Eldar Farseer ever sculpted: the finger-pointing, mosquito-helmet, dramatic-pose Farseer!

The best thing is that, being a fine sculpt, it is as funny as expected to paint: a real pleasure! The shape of the helmet (marvellous, despite - or maybe, thanks to - its mosquito appearance) was abandoned in favour of a more technological-looking and mysterious version (cool, nothing to say) and only very recently recovered in the last Farseer incarnation (that I still have to get it!). 

But, this month is not only about the Farseer but it is also about another old friend, whose aesthetic remained longer on the shop shelves: the Dreadnought. Actually, in the RT era there were three version of it, but all based on the same body which remained basically the same even throughout the 2nd and the 3rd edition. Of the RT three patterns, I got the War Demon one: a Dreadnought apparently made to slap enemies, rather than shoot them down!

And now, of course, a little comparative analysis of its changes through time:

Here are the three main incarnation, form the left: RT, 2nd/3rd edition and 4th edition (the Wraithlord, although the full plastic kit like this one is more recent). 

Ok, I would have like to paint more but time is very tight these days, but still these are 330 points (Farseer, 170 pts; Dreddy, 160 pts). I hope to get more time in the next month!

Keep painting, fellows! and see you in June!

ciao, A

James WRR’s Leader Month: Nobody expects the Ordo Malleus

+++ LOG OF INQUISITOR ALBRECHT HALFTHOR, ORDO MALLEUS +++

+++ THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A LOGICAL ARGUMENT MUST BE DISMISSED WITH ABSOLUTE CONVICTION +++

The assault on Sanctum Sapiar was a great success. The texts upon which this small, yet unbearably thorny, culture had structured itself were located, swiftly interpreted by sacrificial Servitors, then burned upon the pyre.

My conclusion? There is not much to say. It is a common story after all. These people simply imagined their way into heresy. I have no doubt that it was quite accidental, mind. But a crime cannot be forgiven simply because it was an accident. 

I was surprised that the local population, as seemingly barbaric as they were, was able to mount such a defence. One Brother Donovan of my Grey Knights was slain in the attempt, simply overwhelmed by the mass of desperate arms. But I am told his geneseed was recovered and there were no further casualties. A Space Marine is but a cheap tool to replace. 

Our duty on this world is ended.

REMINDER: Inquisitor Clavicus was seen once again departing my quarters. If I suspect his fruitless investigation into my affairs is set to continue much longer, action will be taken. My writ is just as unquestionable as his.

+++ LOG ENDS +++

+++ LOG OF INQUISITOR ERROL CLAVICUS, ORDO MALLEUS +++

+++ THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: HATRED IS OUR SUREST WEAPON +++

My Grey Knights have proven themselves once more on the field of battle. Much unholy blood was spilled and many bones collected for future study. 

Halfthor was pleased with his little bonfire, believing the work to be done. But the war rages on. Only through the bloodrite and the scrying of bones will answers reveal themselves.

Either Halfthor is too arrogant to recognise this, in which case he must stand down and let a wiser mind take the lead, or he is complicit and must be removed.

The Inquisitor’s quarters house a great many books and scrolls, not all of which I have been able to examine. It is my belief that he has sequestered texts that he was so keen to have destroyed. Iconoclast, my boot. Halfthor is a fraud and, Emperor forgive me, perhaps worse.

I will consult the viscera.

+++ LOG ENDS +++

_________________

And so, with the triumvirate of leaders complete, my Ordo Malleus force is ready for battle!

Inquisitors Clavicus and Halfthor of the Ordo Malleus

Painting these two models over the course of a month has actually been one of the most challenging parts of this project. Obviously, each Daemonhunter had to receive special care and attention — as well as a carefully considered, utterly ridiculous colour scheme — but I think there was also an added pressure: I had to finish on a high note.

I’ve painted so much silver armour over the past few months I really wanted these guys to stand out. And boy, do they! With their near-fluorescent green accents (the lovely Bright Green from Rogue Hobbies’ Pro Acryl set), they really are set apart from the rest of the army.

Hmm. My finger points!

Which I think they should, right? While an army of Space Marines will be largely uniform beyond a few flourishes, a character as individual, strong-willed and revered/feared as an Inquisitorial Daemonhunter should be able to make their heraldry truly their own.

I can’t judge Halfthor’s pink and green styling, can I? I’d probably be executed as a heretic.

Slaying in style

Each of these models are just perfect representations of their character. The masked and hooded Daemonhunter, Clavicus, bears arcane symbology and devil’s heads designed to make him look as fearsome as the monsters he hunts. Meanwhile, the fellow with the robotic leg and cool ponytail, Halfthor, commands the respect of age and wisdom. He’s stoic, technologically advanced and totally serving judge. 

While Clavicus came to me through a job lot of old minis, as most of my army has, Halfthor was a very kind birthday gift from our resident miniature bug-painter Tom. I hope I’ve done him justice! 

A truly radical outfit

In terms of painting these fellows, I’ve obviously decided to go wild with their colour schemes, embracing that 80s anarchy found in old White Dwarfs and source books of the time. Halfthor’s green and burgundy armour would be considered complimentary if it weren’t for the flaming orange gun casing in his hand and shock of blonde hair. Clavicus’s black armour and yellow pauldrons paint him as something of a toxic creature, with the addition of the vibrant green making him look positively radioactive and dangerous… and strangely, I think, Brazilian. 

These models’ poses really didn’t pose much challenge in terms of painting (another reason to love Oldhammer), though I did struggle to get at Clavicus’ face between mask and hood. I think the bit of flesh tone and dots for eyes suggest enough of a hidden visage to do the job. 

A colour scheme that screams "danger" and, maybe, "Lé lé óh"

Of course, being augmented humans with the best healthcare and biomechanical enhancements the Imperium can provide gives them much healthier looking skin tones than my sickly grey Grey Knights. That's another key element that sets them apart.

One of my favourite aspect of this pair of Daemonhunter models is that one is clearly supposed to be more radical, potentially even heretical, while the other is a more clean-cut, inspirational character. Having both at the helm of my army gives it a nice split personality — an ideal representation of a horrific space Empire at war with itself as much as it is with heretics, daemons and aliens.

And so, that’s my quota filled for this year’s challenge! And a month early, too. But I’m not going to rest on these laurels. I’ve got a bit of a wildcard addition to add still…

_________________

Army list as of May

Inquisitor Halfthor
Daemonhunter
Tactical Dreadnought Armour, Bio-Scanner, Displacer Field

Plasma Gun, Power Glove, Digital Weapons, Psyk-Out Grenade

Bionic Leg

Psychic Mastery Level 3
201 points

Inquisitor Clavicus
Daemonhunter
Tactical Dreadnought Armour, Bio-Scanner, Displacer Field

Psycannon, Force Rod, Scare Gas

Psychic Mastery Level 4
454 points

Captain Torkamadus
Grey Knight Terminator Captain | Hero
Tactical Dreadnought Armour
Nemesis Force Weapon

Psychic Mastery Level 4
450 points

Techmarine Tarantus
Techmarine
Basic equipment
Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle
97 points

Squad Deza
Grey Knight Terminator Tactical Squad
1 Sergeant and 4 Marines in Tactical Dreadnought Armour

5 Nemesis Force Weapons

Psychic Mastery Level 4
1,200 points

Brother Bethor
Deredeo Dreadnought
Missile Launcher, Heavy Plasma Gun
Standard Sensor Package, 2 Power Fields, Power Field Synchroniser
270 points

Squad Heliod
Tactical Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun, Bioscanner and Power Glove
1 Marine with Missile Launcher
1 Marine with Flamer

7 Marines with Bolt Guns
275 points

Bright Sword
Rhino APC with Techmarine Pilot, assigned to Squad Heliod
2 Bolt Guns
387 points

Riot Corps
Adeptus Arbites Squad
1 Magister with Bolt Pistol and basic equipment

5 Judges with Bolt Pistols and basic equipment
102 points

Squad Apollo
Devastator Squad
Sergeant with Bolt Gun
2 Marines with Beamers
2 Marines with Heavy Bolters

5 Marines with Bolt Guns
379 points

Grand Total: 3,815 points

Nathan’s leader month (1415 points plus a friend)

April was spent painting up my leader which is a greater daemon of Tzeentch. To that I added a disc/screamer of tzeentch. I also managed to finish off my greater daemon of slaanesh to go with the genestealer suit army I painted a number of years ago. I must admit that I found all three figures difficult to paint - not because the sculpts are a problem (they are great IMHO) but they have lots of difficult to access areas. But I got there in the end and I’m happy how these ended up. Here they are:

The Lord of change and disc add up to 1415 points. The Keeper of Secrets will be another 900 points to my slaaneshi forces. Onto May and my pink horrors.

  

Ben's Blood Drinkers Space Marines - Rank and File Month 4

This month, I painted two five-man combat squads: the 5th Company 8th squad, an Assault Squad with Jump Packs plus a Chaplain to lead them, and the 1st Company 3rd Squad, a Veteran Squad with additional Rhino.

The first squad I painted were the veterans.  They are led by Veteran Sergeant Eidolan (using the lovely Veteran Captain with Bionic Leg miniature) and have a mixture of armour marks.  The battle brother in Mk4 armour I also gave an older backpack which I thought fitted well.

Their Rhino was another rescue job with 3d-printed Ram and Hatches, bike Bolters and WWII stowage.  I wrapped a tow chain around the Ram partly in homage to a RT picture I remember and partly to cover where the printing didn't come out quite right.

The assault Marines I found oddly hard work, having to paint the models without their jump packs to start with until their transfers had been applied, then attach them and finish the highlights.  I haven't quite done them to the standard of my other models so they may get revisited later if I have chance to add further details.  I tried to make the armour look battered like they had been in a good scrap.

They include a Veteran (using the Sergeant with Power Fist miniature) and a battle brother converted from the Sergeant with Grenade for a variety of posing.  They are led by a chaplain with a later edition Jump Pack from my bits box.  He is so bloodthirsty he has some dripping from his mouth.

Both squads are pointed using the combat squad rules that came out in White Dwarf, and the total for April comes to 487 pts:

Tom's Goblins and Orcs - APRIL // Leaders

APRIL!

After this month, it feels very much like the home stretch. I'm filled with enthusiasm for the green horde!

This month sees my leaders painted, plus an extra. It leaves only the orc regiment and the promised ogre for May, and then my Wildcard (which I guess could be nothing...😬) for June.

Anyway. *Clears throat* - 🎶here come the boooyoiz. Boyois. Boyz. Boyz🎶 👇

Now, I have heard of photostacking (to get everything in focus), but right now I'm not gonna learn it. Single pics rule, starting with the Warlord: Gorfang 👇

I omitted a shield, but he looks fine without one!

I very much remember doing some stripes on the cape as a kid, and enjoyed doing it this time round too! I do regret not doing more of a tiger orange though...

Next up, the Shaman. He's a model I've had kicking around in the unpainted pile for at least a decade or so, so he's well overdue for a lick o' paint 👇

He's a model I've really put off painting as he was a bit confusing - what is that, like, some netting over his body? But as soon as I was, like, whateeeever, I enjoyed painting it (lies -  what I really enjoy is seeing him finally finished!) 

Now onto that legend of the Combat Cards! My Big Boss...👇

I figured he could have some kinda magical sword or something. Mainly to make up for me not painting a back shield for him. But that big black spike doesn't look too out of place. (Could probably do with a few dwarven beards strung up on it though) 

I was vey pleased with how the red armour turned out.

Now onto the GIANTS! One is my planned Cloud Giant (available still from Ral Partha Legacy: LINK) 

The other dude is a Mountain Giant, from Satyr Studios (LINK). No need for a timestamp on him as he was only released a few weeks ago! 👇

I painted the cloud giant with the previous OWAC's giant in mind (LINK) - it's why there's a fleur de lyss on the shield. I'm a little gutted that I didn't go a bit darker on the skin, but hey ho! 

All the shine you see in the photos is the satin varnish I use. Generally I try to take pics before varnishing, but... 

I was  a little worried about leaving his base just plain, but it fits in with the rest and for me, that's what counts right now.

And the Mountain Giant 👇

I was very please with how he came out, although I did bottle doing a great big tattoo on that tummy!

I thought this pic would highlight the size difference between the three 👇

On to the war machines!

First up, the small rock lobber 👇

And now the bolt thrower. I really struggled with this one - it's sat since Jan half painted. Many thanks to my friend Paul Rayburn - currently doing a crazy NMM dwarf army decked out in yellow and black, (on this very Challenge). He came over for a painting visit and it was really motivating. Many thanks OP! 👇

Now onto the crew for the toys...

The guy who keeps everyone working 👇

The mean one 👇

The caring one 👇 For some reason his eyes are pretty messed up.

The one who thinks he's better than everyone else 👇

The lookout. He's got a hurty foot. 'Tis but a scratch though. 👇

The guy who actually likes his job 👇

And now, a secret EXTRA. The mighty goblin Grom. Feared slayer of Dwarfs and ingester of Troll.

Here's a quick timestamp just as I was starting, and a sneaky peak at the boys for next month! 👇

I have painted the dwarf on the base to match my current dwarf hold (which was painted here on the OWAC over two years...here's a link my instagram with a pic of them: LINK)  

Anyway. I tried a little bit harder on Grom as I'd like to have something to put into the OLDENDEMON comp: LINK. It's why the base rim is green 🙂 

It's always great looking at other peoples submissions, and it's super easy to enter. Do it! If I like trawling through everyone's submissions, there'll definitely be others who'll like it too. Who knows who you will inspire!

 👇

Well, that wraps up this month!

Next month will see the Orc Boys come to the fore, along with a third ogre. Here's a quick timestamp, and I've included some snotlings just in case I can get round to them too!

And here's a group shot of all of this months painted models 👇

Aaaand the roundup of the usual links back through my challenge 👊

Intro: link

January: Rank and File #1  link

February: Rank and File #2  link

March: Rank and File #3  link

April: Leaders

110...   Orc Warlord

72...     Orc Big Boss

33...     Goblin Big Boss

57...     Orc Shaman

200...   Giant 

200...   Giant

66.5...  Small Rock Lobba (with three crew)

46.5...  Bolt Throwa (with three crew)

Total: 785!

Cheers. See you next month for the unit of boys and the ogre. Who knows, I might manage to paint something else too!

Boy's a menace...