Armies on Parade 2017 - Rich's Imperial Fists

Armies on Parade - 2017

I had an ambition to try out at this in 2017 and so, I duly arrived a few weeks ago at my local store with my Imperial Fists and one of my terrain boards. 

I decided to take infantry and walkers only, and also to keep the miniatures on the Board well spaced so that the varied characters and squads could grab their own but of the limelight.

September Hobby Challenge - where we ended up

Hello!

I think it's fair to say that none of us Dads actually finished our hobby challenge by the end of September, but we all made good progress (ok, maybe not you Rich, but at least you opened the box...). That's just what happens when real life gets busy, and September is always a busy month when you're a parent; school starting, new routines, birthdays, etc. But that's why it's good to have a hobby in the first place, to escape all of that 'real life' stuff for 20 minutes here and there. And even if you get no modelling or painting time in, you might be able to read a Horus Heresy novel, plan an army list or talk to your mates about whether Leman Russ really would beat Horus in a fight... *cough* Russ *cough*...

So, here we are...

Dave managed to nearly finish Polux. Just the gems and blood to add. He'll write a post covering his Shattered Legions squad some time soon with lots of pics of Polux and Co.

Steve has 'finished' Angron. He says it's finished... but also says he might add something at a later date. He's now moved on to painting some World Eaters up.

Rich has got as far as giving Polux a bath... along with a whole Zone Mortalis board set!! (I think he might have got distracted somewhat by all that close quarters fighting goodness...)

James has made some big progress on his Baneblade but it still isn't finished. It's in a much better state than it started though!

Don't forget that Dads Rich and Dave also met up for a couple of epic games (making slanderous comments about the quality of each others' painting...), Dave read the HH novel Pharos, Rich read Praetorian of Dorn, James read Luna Mendax, Scorched Earth and Corax: Soulforge and Steve ran a 40k tournament for the kids at his school. All good hobby activities!

September Hobby Challenge Update

Only one week left to go and us Dads seem to be making a mixed amount of progress with the hobby challenge.

 

Dad James is making some clear headway in to the beast that is his Baneblade. It might only be half way there but it was certainly the biggest entry in to the challenge, so he's probably applied the most paint by volume!

 

 

Dad Dave has been working on Polux, trying some lighting effects and struggling to get the right shade of Crimson for the Crimson fist emblems.

 

Dad Steve has pretty much finished Angron, so we'll unveil him next week.

 

Unfortunately Dad Rich's entry has had no paint applied to it yet, but we hear he has managed to get it stuck together and cleaned up! Progress is progress after all...

 

Let us know how you are getting on with your challenge this month!

 

September Hobby Challenge - Update

This week us Dad's have been making headway in to the September hobby challenge, and thought we'd better provide you an update of our progress

 

 

Dad Dave's interpretation of Alexis Polux is coming along nicely, although he isn't sure about the crimson-painted fist on the shield. What do you think?

 

Dad Steve is putting us all to shame with the progress on his Angron. He's almost done but has promised to drag it out for a few more days... 

 

Dad James has gone LARGE and is making slow but steady progress on his Baneblade 

 

Dad Rich has... well, I think this photo speaks for itself... come on Rich, pull your finger out!

 

How are you doing with your challenge project? Let us know on Twitter

#4dhobby

Will it never end? Summer hobby challenge - James

Apparently no, it won't end!

For the 2nd hobby challenge in a row I have failed to finish - Gah!

Unfortunately for my hobby challenge because of the summer holidays (I am a teacher) we have been out and about all over the British Isles for the past 6 or so weeks. If we haven't been away then the Euro Champs, the Tour de France and the Olympics have been on 24/7 in our house as well as loads of time messing around with the kids. With all this going on I have had little hobby time to complete my challenge of 5 Death Company marines for my Flesh Tearers army.

Here is how they look so far:

Every spare moment has been spent on these guys but because of the colour scheme and the sheer amount of detail on these amazing mini's it has just taken ages!

I reckon I have about 8 more hours of painting to get these guys done. To finish I need to:

- Finish the white and details on the left hand marine and wash.

- Highlight all marines

- Finish Helmets and weapons on all marines

- Get and paint a power sword and bolt pistol for the right hand marine

- Finish the jump packs for all marines

Even though I have failed again I am pleased with the progress I have made. I have been putting this project off for ages because I knew it was difficult and the challenge has focused my attention and got me within touching distance of finishing them. Now the plan is to have them out and keep doing little bits during the next hobby challenge so I can get them finished.

All the best

James

September's Hobby Challenge

Our current hobby challenge is coming to an end and us Dad’s got thinking… maybe it would be cool to get you guys involved too!?

The themes we pick are intended to challenge, so for this we’ve picked ‘something new’. For this one it could be a miniature from a different army that you’ve always had your eye on, it could be a colour you’ve never been brave enough to attempt, it could be that sweet conversion you have been dreaming of for a while but weren’t quite sure you could pull off…

The challenge will start on the 1st September. We’ll post a weekly compilation of the submissions on Twitter and then on the 1st October we’ll post our top three favourites. 

There’s no prizes, other than the satisfaction of completing something you’ve never done before, and the ability to hobby-shame your friends that didn’t manage to complete their entry in time. 

So, pick your entry, follow us on twitter, subscribe to the blog and get posting your weekly progress pictures with the hash tag #4dhobby. In the mean time, let us know what you're planning to enter.

#4dhobby

Will It Never End?! Hobby Challenge - Rich update 4

Hi hobby fans, I've been on holiday with the family so not made huge strides in past couple of weeks but what a family break did give me (whilst I was pushing our baby around in the stroller) was lots of time to think about my challenge models, in particular the Praetor Tribune model.

Legion Praetor Tribune model
As I said in my earlier post, the model was going to be converted to be holding a banner that I was borrowing from another Forgeworld model.

It took me a while to find the right materials and approach for making the banner pole, but after some online research I stumbled across the perfect tactic.

1. Drill holes in both ends of the existing 'banner pole' i.e. the bit the Praetor is holding onto once I had cut off the blade. I then put some fine pinning rod into both ends with about 6mm protruding in each direction.
2. Drill a hole into the flag itself and fit a small pin with around 6mm protruding.
3. Purchase some copper tube 0.5mm in diameter from you local modelling store - big thanks to Chester Model Centre for this.
4. If you've got the right sized tube and pinning rod you will find they slide together perfectly, add a little glue and a skull and there you have it, the perfect banner pole!

Creating a 'Rally Point' scene...

My time away gave me a chance to dream up a bit of a scene. I was imagining this hero having fought his way to the top of a prominent battlefield feature, and finding foes surrounding his beleaguered force grabbed their banner and raised it aloft to signal a rally point and the beginnings of a fight back...told you I had a lot of thinking time!

This got me thinking about the base and I knew that a simple 40mm base wouldn't cut-it so I have borrowed a dreadnought base to help create this scene. I reckon a flight of stairs would give the impression of him heading for high ground so I have fashioned a 'turret-style' staircase for him to be climbing which is suitably ruined.

The Praetor is ascending and holding the tattered banner high for all to see, the banner is battle damaged to reflect the hell-fire they are going though, and now I have seen how much space there is on the base I am thinking of including a wounded Imperial Fist standard bearer reaching up to the banner being held by his comrade.

This is, I guess, inspired by victorian warfare paintings which were often full of the visual horror of warfare, whilst being hugely patriotic and making the greatest virtue of love for the regimental colours. I always liked the painting of the Last Stand of the 44th of Foot at Gandamack; a British Regiment completely wiped-out by Afghan warriors, the long running battle ending atop a hill where the British were overrun, starving, freezing a running out of ammo. The Regimental Colours were wrapped around a Captains' waist who hid them beneath his coat, in the end this act saved him, as the Afghans took him prisoner, thinking that his yellow waistcoat marked him out as a General!

So I need your help, what do you think of the idea of putting a mortally wounded Imperial Fist in the background reaching up for the banner with the last of his energy? Or, should I make use of the space by putting some filthy traitor with a great big wound that my Officer has just left in him?

Help please?!

Will It Never End!? Hobby Challenge - Rich Update 3

That list of items I made in my original challenge post is starting to look like a moment of madness, even with two of the items done (medics and standard bearer), the prospect of getting three quad mortar rapiers done in time is daunting.

Not only that but I have become diverted and taken on a new model too. The excitement of completing a Standard Bearer has kindled an interest in me and when I recently bought the Forgeworld Limited edition Praetor Tribune model an idea formed. Looking at a few painted versions of the model I was struck by how awesome he looked, but one thing bugged me...the weapon. It didn't quite sit right with my army and I wanted to do a conversion. What I like about this dude is the motion and energy within the pose, I think I can put that into a conversion to have the Praetor Tribune model waving a standard atop some battlefield structure. 

By cutting off the blade and adding some copper pinning rod (to make the shaft into a banner pole) and a flag I would be able to produce a characterful Praetor rallying forces to his banner. I had an old Renegade Militia Banner Bearer in my bits box, see left that would give me a largish, tattered flag for him to be brandishing, it would look suitably battle worn, as befitting his pose atop the ruins of some strategic objective. All I needed to do was clean off the filthy chaos symbols and we are good to go!

Below is a shot of all the parts (excluding the copper pinning rod as am still searching for appropriate diameter) post cleaning. I just need the pinning rod and I will be ready for base coating. 

The only thing for me to decide is whether I will give him a form of weapon, I am thinking of attaching a Thunderhammer to his belt or leaving it embedded in a dead foe at his feet so that I can still play him in game with a decent weapon - what do you think?

Cleaning up Forgeworld's Resin

I do this religiously every time I get a new model. Once I have cut the pieces off of the sprue and scraped any edges away with the back of my hobby Knife, the parts get an overnight soak in warm water and washing up liquid. In the morning I then scrub each piece with a toothbrush and leave them to dry on some paper towel. I have always found this to remove all the mould release, on the odd occasion when I have forgotten to do this I can tell you its a nightmare to paint on top of that stuff.

Next steps

I have now cleaned up two of the three quad mortars. I am hoping to get into my local hobby shop tomorrow to pick up the brass rod. Once I have this and have cleaned up the last remaining quad mortar I will move onto the glueing and priming stage. I think I will sue together most of these models as there is little benefit in keeping the parts separate given the colour schemes. 

Taking on another model in the midst of all this is clearly not a great idea, but the fun of doing this conversion is too much to put down and is helming motivate me, so screw it, the Praetor is on the workbench!

Happy hobbying...

Will It Never End - Hobby Challenge Update - Rich update 2

 This guy has been sat on my to-do list for the best part of a year. Pretty early on in the build of my legion I decided he was more of an adornment than a critical model and as such I dint have time for him.

One look at Dave's standard bearer and I was digging him out of my figure case and sizing the banner up against my Forgeworld decals. I reckon that walking around in yellow power armour isn't enough, my foe need to know exactly who's coming to put a hurt on them!

By now I can definitely see some value in adding in some 'finery' to my force and have been working on my character models with a limited edition Sgt earlier in the year and Sigismund more recently. I have another standard bearer in mind too.

I may use this guy as a 'counts as' model for the Legion Vexilla rule. Or I may just add him into squads as a model that has no effect on play and is just there for good looks. However, I gave this guy the look of a Sgt and a power fist knowing that I may very well want him leading a squad into the jaws of battle too!!

I did a bit of a conversion with this chap using a power fist from the Betrayal at Calth boxed set. He was sporting a bolt pistol which would definitely rule him out of most of my army lists so to ensure he could game a few combat hours in as well as letting the enemy know who was coming I gave him a power fist!

I pretty much butchered the existing bolt pistol with a set of cutters (GWs finest) and set about smoothing the cloak down where I had dug into it with the blunt edge of my modelling knife. This done I decided to pin the power fist into the arm 'stump' as this would hold it rock solid. Once this had been glued into place is used some of GW's liquid green stuff which I applied to the join with a sculpting tool. The gap was a little larger than i'd really recommend for this stuff but it worked ok (thanks to the pinning I think).

I bought Mephiston Red to use on the cloak as I was sick of bringing my old dried up GW paints back to life and was really glad I did so. Can put my finger on it but that is a really nice colour and consistency, top marks GW. Looks great on a cloak.

The GW decal went on a dream, as usual I used Micro Set and Micro Sol to apply it and it worked out superbly. The whole model got a spray of Vallejo satin varnish to seal and there it is!

I'd love to hear from anyone else using these decals on banners - I think they look fantastic and I hope to see some more designs in the future.

Happy hobbying!

Four Dads hobby challenge - When will it ever end - James update 1

Hi all,

Instead of blogging about my progress to this challenge I thought I'd get into the 21st century and vlog it instead!

Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think.

James

Will It Never End? Hobby Challenge Update - Rich update 1

The idea for this challenge was conceived around a month ago and it served as serious inspiration for me from the get -go. So my collection of models had a head start on the challenge itself. Both my medics have been screaming at me to paint them for so long and now was the time, so I have finished them off this week!

Why I needed these models
I needed these models in my force as I combine them in an Imperial Fist Stone Gauntlet list. The apothecary joins a squad of breachers which gives Feel No Pain to a T5, 3+5++(6++) set of models. They are hard to kill and can hold their own, or kick some ass as the need arises, and for some time now I've been fielding them unpainted which is really bugging me. In fact recently, Jame declared that he would no longer field incomplete models and now that my painted 30k force has got up to a decent size I will be adopting the same approach.  I also combine them with my ThunderHammer StormShield Terminators for a set of 2+3++ unit with FNP - they are rally hard to shift for an opponent!

Painting white
I've been a fan of painting white for many years now, ever since I bought an airbrush (or used a spray
can of Corax White which is excellent), because you can show off so much in the way of weathering, chipping and varying colours - even on a model as small as an Astartes. The better power armours for this are typically Mk IV upwards as they have some larger flatter surface areas which provide the perfect 'canvas' but the earlier Mks are great for the jointing in the armour which takes washes and chipping well too.

I sprayed them white, sealed them with gloss varnish and then used a black/burnt amber oil wash mixed with odourless spirits. I then added the decals, gel paints, details, weathering etc before sealing them with satin varnish to give them a very satisfying matt look.

For weathering I used Forgeworld weathering powders dry mud and fresh mud. I also used a little black pain on the end of a fine brush to add in the chips and scratches.

Trying out the new gel paints
I used new GW gel paints on these guys and am fairly pleased. Its hard to describe what kind of paint this is, sort of a gross between a clear paint and a coloured varnish which is extra gloopy! I used them on the cabling to try and get a sense that the cables/vials were clear glass with a coloured liquid inside. I think they did ok. I also tried mixing them and got a nice purple colour to put on a couple of vials (see photo). Dave, has also heard that people are diluting them (with Lahriman medium?) and painting them on power swords to get a cool effect, I will be looking into that.


Modelling the bases
I tried out something new here with the base. I got some plasticard and used a ruler and blade to score a tiled floor into it, then cut out the shape of the base and stuck it on. I painted it light grey and washed it with nuln oil. I then added a few dry brush highlights to draw attention to
it. Not a bad first attempt, I think I need to go back and wash in some back to make the gaps between tiles stand out more but am pretty happy with it.



Inspiration
I researched for a while and could see that there were cases of apothecary being garbed in all white, pure legion colours and a mix of the two, as i said above, Ive always loved painting white so that was
a no-brainer for me.


Anyways, let me know what you think, and let me know how love painted your apothecary... from one medic to another!

Hobby Challenge - Will it ever end? Latecomer!

I've got a confession to make, I never completed the last challenge! I got up to the oil wash stage on my Spartan which would have left some chipping and a bit of a dusting with earth weathering powders on the lower chassis. Even though I didn't quite complete, the challenge pushed me on way quicker than doing it on my own, which is the point really and I'll get onto it soon, honest! 

I have to admit to being a bit of a butterfly at times with my projects, I can't remember what derailed the Spartan, most likely is that I went away with work, took a small model and paints and then got obsessed with that. Next came Sigismund and now I am back looking at the unfinished projects I have to work on. There would have been a time that I was pretty annoyed at myself for not being a complete finisher on these but nowadays I get so little time to myself that I am just happy to be painting....anything!

Looking at the workbench I have the following models started:-
- 2 x apothecaries 
- standard bearer
- office with power sword
- 3 x rapier quad mortar
- Spartan
- Sicarian
- Contemptor Mortis w Kheres

Now some of these are near completion than others, for example the Spartan is maybe 80% and the Mortis is 95% done. But I think this challenge needs some models that are in earlier stages, they'd be too easy.

I am going to push myself here and take on 3 new projects to get the creative juices going... 

- The apothecaries because I field them in every army list and have I have committed to myself to never fielding anything that isn't at least 80% complete on the tabletop. 
- The standard bearer, because I was crazy inspired by Dave's work on his recently and last of all 
- the three quad mortars because I need them in the game! 

That's a lot to get through although at least the medics and standard bearer are already assembled and base coated so I have a head start there. The quad mortars will be starting from scratch...I will keep you posted along the way....