The Nazgûl of Dol Guldur are ready

Man, it's been some time since I had the chance to write up what I painted. But real life taking over meant I also did not have to much hobby time the last few weeks. Here's hopeing it will get better the next few.
Anyways, I managed to finish painting my Nazgûl of Dol Guldur as well as the remaining five Tactical Marines to complete the first squad for my Blood Angels Legion.

Pict 1210: The Nazgûl of Dol Guldur

Pict 1211: The Nazgûl of Dol Guldur

Pict 1212: The Nazgûl of Dol Guldur

These Nazgûl were quite a nice palette cleanser in between all the Space Marines. I used an oilwash on the metals – but I think, with all the highlighting I did afterwards, I could have probably achieved the same effect with Nuln Oil. I also experimented with painting on texture on the all the black cloth to give it some more visual interest instead of my usual method of doing the Ringwraiths. And I have to say I'm pretty happy with the result! With some more experience they would look even better, but for now I'm looking forward to getting them onto a battlefield.

Pict 1213: Blood Angels Legion Tactical Marines

Pict 1214: Blood Angels Legion Tactical Marines

Pict 2115: Blood Angels Legion Tactical Marines

Looks like I'm finally getting how this whole glazing thing works. It's really not that easy to get the right cositency of paint and the right amount of paint on the brush. These five Marines painted up rather quickly and while that might also be the fact that they only carry Bolters and are not that detailed, I also think I'm getting more confident with the scheme by now. Super happy to have finished the first proper squad!

My first Blood Angels Legion Tacticals

These past two weeks, (these past two days, if I'm being honest) I managed to squeeze in a bit of hobby time and finished up the first few Blood Angels Tactical Marines as well as getting a start on a new Middle-earth project with the Nazgûl of Dol Guldur.

Pict 1205: Blood Angels Legion Tactical Marines

Pict 1206: Blood Angels Legion Tactical Marines

Pict 1207: Blood Angels Legion Tactical Marines

Here are the first five Tactical Marines for my Heresy Blood Angels finished. Of course they include all the neat little toys: a nuncio-vox, an augury scanner, a vexilla and of course the sergeant with his shiny helmet. Afte the vexilla snaped of the second time during painting, instead of simply gluing it back on, I magnetized it to remedy that problem. Seems to be the way forward, when building more of these banners in the future.

I also experimented with a new way to apply the weathering pigments onto the bases using water to dissolve them into first instead of simply brushing them on. I still need to practise this method – I always seem to apply to much at first – but I'm happy with the way the pigment is holding on.

Finishing the remaining five to complete the squad should be next. But first...

Pict 1208: The Nazgûl of Dol Guldur (WIP)

But first, I wanted to come back to Middle-earth for a moment. And the Nazgûl of Dol Guldur seemed like a quick and managable project in between all that power armour. Next up will be some shading to the armour and then onto the highlighting.

Pict 1209: The Dark Headsman and Abyssal Knights (WIP)

I always find myself really appreciating the sculpts on a different level once I get to paint them. And while some of these Nazgûl are somewhat generic, I really like the Dark Headsman with his big axe and the helmet with the menacing nose guard and chainmail hanging from it. But the real stand out are the two Abyssal Knights (Weta listed them as the Ringwraith from Khand – very cool!). I love the armour design with the circular details on the shoulder pads and the striped details on the breastplate. It looks very unique and could almost be from the mind of HR Giger; something that would not look to much out of place as part of the Alien francise.

Painting a second Contemptor

While I have not posted in a while, the Heresy bug really got to me and I have finished a second Contemptor for the Blood Angles while also making some headway on main troops to get them playable sometime in the foreseeable future.

Pict 1199: Blood Angels Contemptor Dreadnought

Pict 1200: Blood Angels Contemptor Dreadnought

Pict 1201: Blood Angels Contemptor Dreadnought

Pict 1202: Blood Angels Contemptor Dreadnought

I had originally planned to build and paint this second plastic Contemptor for my Luna Wolves. But after the great results with the first one, I had to use him for the IX Legion as well. The main part comes from the Betrayal at Calth Contemptor with the new plastic head and close combat arm to allow for a bit mor poseability. I also twisted the torso to make the forward striding pose a bit more dynamic. The kit is alright, but it really pales in comparison to the new one!

Pict 1203: Blood Angels Tactical Squad (WIP)

Pict 1204: Blood Angels Tactical Squad (WIP)

The first Tactical Squad was the next thing on the painting table to get my collection to a playable state. For now, five of them have had the base colours and transfers done and the oilwash is just drying. Highlighting should not take to much time I hope. The other five are still awaiting some glazing on the red armour before the transfers.

Starting Heresy Blood Angels

These past two weeks were spent mainly on building parts of the Age of Darkness box as well as some additional models to get a Heresy Blood Angels army of the ground. I started with a Contemptor Dreadnought and built some more Marines. I also painted a Númenor Bannerbearer as a competition piece a few weeks ago, that I can now share.

Pict 1192: Blood Angels Contemptor Dreadnought

Pict 1193: Blood Angels Contemptor Dreadnought

Pict 1194: Blood Angels Contemptor Dreadnought

The new plastic Contemptor really is beatifully posable. This flavor mine with the Blood Angels in mind, I gave him the Kheres Assault Cannon from the first plastic Contemptor as well as a Forge World one. The Havoc Launcher and the head also come from Forge World – not complicated to retrofit the new plastic body, I only had to use a little ball of Green Stuff to get the head to the correct hight.
Painting wise, the Dreadnought was the proof of concept for the army: The large surfaces let me work with the reds as well as the weathering. To give myself a speed boost while painting, I started from a black primer with zenithal red spray. The complete recipe can be found as usual as a separate page.

Pict 1195: Blood Angels (WIP)

Now this is where I stand with the rest of the army so far. I'm aiming to have about 1000 points painted before building more. So far there is a second Contemptor (a Betrayal at Calth repose), half of a Tactical Squad, a Chaplain and Domnion Zephon to lead the merry band. They are primed and ready to recieve the base colours before a oilwash. I am, however, also waiting on some fitting decals as they go on before the wash. So it seems, I might get to build the rest of Tactical Sqaud one and a second one before that step – we will see!

Pict 1196: Númenor Banner Bearer (Conversion)

Pict 1197: Númenor Banner Bearer (Conversion)

Pict 1198: Númenor Banner Bearer (Conversion)

Last, but by no means least, is this Númenor Warrior, converted to be carrying a banner. I painted him to enter him into the Middle-earth Painting Competition on Instagram run by @1stBornPainting. And while he did not go very far in the competition, he was an amazing opportunity to push my painting techniques. Especially the freehand is something I don't have that much experience with and I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Now, there are a few areas where I could have pushed the highlights even more to get better definion such as the metals – all the more to keep getting inspired and push even further!

Converting Justaerin Terminators and Drepur's Wraithcreepers

Another few weeks of slow progress. But at least I built a few more miniatures and even managed to finish some Undead for my Age of Sigmar collection.

Pict 1190: Justaerin Terminators Kitbash

I have once again delved deep into the vaults and have returned with a sprue of Cataphractii, some MK IV heads and a few other assorted bits with the intention of building a retinue for Horus. You have to remove quite a bit of material to make the power armour heads fit but my trusty Dremel did most of the hard work. Once I get my preorder of the new big box, I might go back and add chain bayonets to them since the Forge World models have those.

Pict 1191: Drepur's Wraithcreepers

I also managed to finish highlighting these Glaivewraith Stalkers, that I had started a few months back. Always good to finish something and get it from the to do pile into the glass cabinet. I only recently realised that they are a team in Warhammer Underworlds (oh, the joys of getting your models second hand), but I will probably only use them in a modded version of Cursed City.

Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it?

Once again only three completed miniatures with the Witch-king and his second in command, Khamûl the Easterling. I also built a few more Heresy-era Space Marines; I really should get to painting them, shouldn't I?

Pict 1184: This is my hour!

Pict 1185: The Witch-king of Angmar

Pict 1186: The Witch-king of Angmar

First up is this Witch-king of Angmar. I really like this model that echoes the moment in the book, I used for the title – the Witch-king rinding into Minas Tirith through the broken gates. He's going to be a great leader for my Mordor army.

Pict 1187: Khamûl the Easterling

Pict 1188: Khamûl the Easterling

The other Nagûl I painted while at it is Khamûl the Easterling. Very fitting with the Defence of the North supplement finally released, even if I don't plan on painting any other Easterlings. I'm really happy with the way the highlights on the cloak came out, I managed to put in a bit of tattered texture.
For now, Khamûl will also be part of my Mordor army. To complete my collection of the named Ringwraiths, I'm now only missing two more: the Tainted and the Undying.

Pict 1189: Reaver Attack Squad (WIP)

Lastly, here is another Horus Heresy kitbash that I made in preparation for the new edition: a Luna Wolves Reaver Attack Squad with attached Apothecary. The latter is pretty much stock but with an added jump pack while the Reavers themselves are made from several different kits. The starting point was an Sons of Horus upgrade set. With some MK IV Marines, Sanguinary Guard jump packs and a few more bits and bobs, I'm pretty happy with the way they came out!

The plan is to go for a late stage of the Luna Wolves, about the time of the Ullanor Crusade, maybe a bit earlier. Certainly the Legion at it's prime, with the Cthonian gang culture limited to only a few squads. And pretty much only the Reavers and the Justaerin will be allowed to use the Eye of Horus. We'll see how that shakes out.

Defending Dwarven Doors

These past two weeks, I only managed to paint up a few bits and bobs. But at least I managed to finish up a set of ten dwarf warriors!

Pict 1180: Thráin's Guard defending the Erebor Gates

Pict 1181: Erebor Dwarf Warriors

Here then are the next ten Erebor dwarf warriors. I decided to keep the colours consistent even if the Dwarves all wear different variations of coats and chest armour. The predominant red cloth could mark them out as part of Thráin's personal retinue.

Pict 1182: Dwarven Gates (Mines of Moria)

This set of doors comes from a Mines of Moria set, that I bought used years ago. Sadly the doors are glued shut (certainly one way to keep a Balrog from escaping...), but they painted up nice enough and make for a good prop for the scenic photo of the Dwarves.

Pict 1183: Legion Seeker Squad (Kitbash)

Lastly I once againg cought the Heresy bug with the all the hype for a new edition of the game. To start of, I raided my bitbox and assebled this Legion Seeker squad using parts of MK III, MK IV and MK V armour, special issue bolters and a scratch built nuncio vox. I imagine the Seekers ranging far afield and thus being allowed some idiosyncrasies with their armour. I plan to paint them up as Luna Wolves once again, but I want to try and incorporate some weathering techniques I used with my most recent Howling Griffons.