#Terrain Tuesday - Bus Stop Paint Shop

What do you get when you cross a low hobby drive and no internet?  Nothing! And that's exactly what's been happening with this blog the last couple of weeks.  Thankfully though, I'm a stubborn bastard and I'm not about to let this blog die just yet.  Yeah I know, you thought you were free of me, but guess again! You're stuck with me for at least another week or so.  The thing is, with little hobby drive to build terrain, I'm a little limited on the progress I can share.  Limited, but not incapable...

Salamander Update - Flame on!

This week has been a bit of a kerfuffle with life demanding much of my attention once again.  Added to this, a freak heat wave of sorts has meant that getting anything painted has been a bit of struggle.

#TerrainTuesday - Bridge over Foamcore Waters

Continuing my series of partially completed terrain projects, I recently started working on my first water feature.  Designed to be modular in nature, I've built the river in sections using sheets of foamcore as the base.

#TerrainTuesday - So much Terrain!!

So it turns out that its going to be a pretty big article this week, for two reasons -

1. Thanks to my various iDevices, my internet has been capped 3 days into the new cycle.
2. I've been hard at work building random pieces of terrain for my city-fight table.

Well, with all the excuses out of the way, let's start the show!!

Salamander Update - Tempered by the Anvil

Yay!! My Space Marines have a new codex!! By now I'm sure the majority of you have listened to various podcasts and read numerous blogs reviewing the new Space Marine 'dex.  I know I have, which is why I avoid doing them like the plague.  Why read my ramblings when there are countless others who do it far better than I ever could.  Rather, i wanted to update you in my latest batch of models and the progress I've made thereof.  

#TerrainTuesday - Snowhere near the End

Finally my quest for hedges have come to an end.  After months of gruelling (sometimes even torturous) progress, the end is in sight.  After this article, no longer will you, dear reader, be bombarded with Bush related puns, memes and other quasi-humorous word-games that usually comes with the territory.  Those interested in a recap of the whole saga should follow the 'Bush' tag and it should give you all you need.

WoC Update: Painting the Everchosen

As part of the frenzied hobby activity that was my tournament prep fortnight, I decided I was going to at least get my general painted and ready to go.  Considering my General was going to be Mr Badass himself, the Everchosen of Chaos, I was going to have my work cut out for me from the get-go.

WoC Update - Panic Level Over 9000!!!!!

When you're just over a week from a Tournament and you still haven't finished painting... hell, when you haven't even finished ASSEMBLING your army, you know things aren't going to plan.  To be fair, I've been operating in a heightened state of hobby awareness for about a fortnight now, ever since a mate so kindly reminded me that Trickster's Blade was going to kick off in three weeks (players pack can be downloaded here).  Ever the hobby optimist, my reaction I feel was pretty fitting for the time:

#TerrainTuesday - Post Apocalyptic Shelves

You know, there's nothing like an impending deadline to remind you of all the other projects that demand your attention.  Inspired by Neon Pink Apokalypse's DIY Paint Station / Hobby Board, I have embraced my inner handy-man and have tried my hand at a set of shelves for my newly-recovered terrain cupboard.

#TerrainTuesday - Fence Posts and Bases

Despite my self-destructive tendencies towards my wargaming hobbies, I've managed to make some progress on my hedges this week.  With the clump foliage in place, I was finally able to get started on yhr rest of the project - namely getting the fence posts and the bases painted and ready for flocking.  At least that was the plan... until I was exposed to one of the greatest time sinks of all time....

#TerrainTuesday - All outta Bush and Snowhere to go!

Hark! O Mortal Creatures!  Gather close as I regale you all with tales and prophecy gifted to me by the benevolent Father Nurgle!!  He has once again looked upon this land and seen fit to bless me with his touch, blanketing my flesh with disease and whose foul emanations are pleasing to him! While preaching the blessed word of Nurgle, my desire to work on my myriad of active Wargaming Projects has been understandably diverted towards other ventures (such as overcoming such 'blessings' so as to earn my release from quarantine).  However, prior to becoming enslaved to Nurgle's Purpose, I was able to make some progress on my hedge project....  

#TerrainTuesday: Beating around the Bush

Over the past couple of weeks, I feel as though I've learned a thing or two - The first of which that will no doubt be many lessons is that a project of this scope takes a considerable amount of time.  Not really a shocking revelation I suppose, at least if you think about it.  60-odd inches of scouring pad, all needing to be covered with clump foliage on both sides.  It's gonna take a while.  Second thing I've learned - cheap superglue is your friend.  At this point I've gone through no less than 9 packets of glue, all containing 6 tubes of glue.  54 tubes!?!?!?  and the scary thing is that I'm only about two-thirds there!!  This does not bode well for my future forestry project...

#TerrainTuesday - Bushtastic!!

Yup, another TerrainTuesday article working on my bush.  It seems I'm just not content unless I'm making things stupidly hard for myself and I've got to admit, I think I've outdone myself this time.  My flocking process continues apace, with great swathes of scouring pad being consumed by carefully attached greenery.  While the threat of chemical fume inhalation and the potential to stick myself to myself remains considerable, the outcome is just too damn awesome to be denied.

Salamander Update - Another Deathwatch Vet

A small article for a small update.  Some of you may remember the Sternguard Veteran I began work on earlier this year.  Work unfortunately was halted however mere inches from the finish line after I discovered I was woefully short a Deathwatch Shoulder pad.  Ever the optimist, I decided to wait until I'd purchased another set before getting the miniature finished.  Fast forward a month or two and he'd still not been completed, nor had the conversion pack been purchased.  So I did what anyone else would have done in my position....

#TerrainTuesday - So much Bush, so little time....

So it turned out that inspiration took a little longer to find me than I had originally expected.  Must have taken a wrong turn somewhere and gotten lost..... It's probably for the best though, because real life came in and imposed it's uncompromising will upon my hobby time, leaving me with precious little time for anything hobby-related.  Undaunted, I've done my best to capitalize on the little time I managed to squirrel away, making some progress on the hedges....

#TerrainTuesday - Rocky Roads and Terrain Deliciousness

Holy Crap on a cracker!!  Two consecutive weeks of terrain progress!?!?!?!?  I fear I may be turning into some sort of organised gamer / hobbyist, a thought which fills me with apprehension.  What if it's not content to remain safely constrained within the bounds of my terrain endeavours?  What's next?  Constant progress on army projects?  Fully painted armies?? Pray it is not so!  Thankfully these are early days yet, plenty of time to return to my procrastinating ways.  For right now though, I've got progress to report and I'm not afraid who knows it!!!  Truth be told, I'd like even more people to know I've got progress to report so please feel free to mention my blog to everyone you come across....

Painting Update - Getting High

.... On Elves!! Earlier this year I decided to paint up a couple of random High Elf Archers for a bit of a laugh. Truth be told, I have a decent chunk of elves sitting in (various) cupboards but I've never gotten around to painting them... until now.

#TerrainTuesday - Green to the power of Blarg!

Yay! Finally another blog article has emerged from the near-infinite singularity that is my brain.  I'm sure you'll be as glad as I am to know that this article comes complete  with a wholesome, condensed, multi-layered serving of crazy..... assuming your psychological viewpoint would classify the following as crazy.... but that ism totally dependent on your viewpoint on what is consider normal, and we all know there's no such thing as normal.....

WoC Update - Khorney One-Liners

So it turns out that I absolutely cannot walk away from a bargain. especially when that bargain is Warhammer related.  I found a pair of old Chaos Chariots going for cheap and I decided that I just HAD to have them.  Chariots in the new book are quite amazing as a core choice, so I've decided that I should try and include at least 3 in my list.

#TerrainTuesday - You got bush?

For all those wonderfully perverted hopefuls out there, the picture shown above has no relation at all to what I'm writing about.  Got you to click on the link though didn't it?  No, the retro bush I'm referring to is an old modelling technique used by good ol' Gee Dubs back in the 90's before the became less 'here's-how-you-do-it-at-home' and more 'buy-our-product-or-else!'

#TerrainTuesday - Rocky Outcropping Completed

This last fortnight has been a mixed bag for me, with much of my time being spent being distracted by the zombie-smashing horror sand-box that is Island of the Dead: Riptide.  Despite it's incessant siren-song, I've actually managed to make great progress on my latest terrain project.  So much progress in fact, that I've actually managed to get it finished.

Warning: Will seriously inhibit your hobby...

Legion Update - Re-awakening the Dragon

For those who remember my blog back when it first began, I started a fairly short-lived army project associated with the Privateer Press game Warmachine / Hordes.  After a brief 6 months or so, I grew tired of the game and shelved it, convinced I would never again return to the Iron Kingdoms.  Life is funny though and two years down the line I find myself painting one of my shelved Legion of Everblight models and something unforeseen happened...

#TerrainTuesday - Why I love painting rock

The past...

As I mentioned last week, I'm taking the opportunity to return to one of my older projects and make some more progress on my snow table.  The three pieces I've currently finished have come out better than I'd hoped and it's time to add another fairly generic piece to the mix, one that's readily associated with the northern wastes - the good-old rocky outcropping.

WoC Update - Waiting on Command

Remember these guys??

These past few weeks have been a little slow on the painting front - my drive to paint has sadly diminished after the light-speed pace I set earlier in the year, returning to a more familiar setting.  While I'm disappointed my output has dropped, I'm glad the desire to paint didn't abandon me entirely.

#TerrainTuesday: Climbing to the top of the Hill

This hill was provided by the fine people at Scenic Miniatures
used without permission

After getting the houses finished, I decided to pend some time getting one of my easier terrain projects for my snow table finished.  Originally I sourced the hill from Scenic Miniatures about 2 years ago for use in my games of Warhammer Fantasy and Warmahordes.  At the time however, the hill was coloured with green flock, making it unsuitable for the snow theme my bases were designed around.  This meant that a couple of changes were necessary....

TerrainThursday - Housing Project Complete!

I have to admit, there were times when I wasn't sure if we'd make it to this point and I've never been happier knowing I'm wrong!  After last week's progress I began working on another project I started on some time ago, leaving the final layer of snow unfinished... until now.

Terrain....Thursday??? - It's Snow-Time!!

Last week I received my order of fine snow flock from the fine people over at Woodland Scenics and I couldn't resist trying it out immediately.  Unfortunately this has meant that my current rubble project has been sidelined for the moment, but it's only a small delay.  On the upside however, I'm another step closer to having a completed terrain-piece to grace my (as yet unpainted) snow table.

Hobby Update - New models for my army

While there's no doubt I've been making great progress on a number of projects, I thought I'd take the time to task about some of my recent hobby purchases.  These are important to track, especially if I want to paint more than I buy this year.

TerrainTuesday - Rocky Outcrop

Borrowed from melbourneinphotos.com

Continuing my work on terrain for my gaming tables, I've started a small side project - a rocky outcropping. Made from random off-cuts of foam, I'm not sure yet if it will be for my 40K table or my Fantasy one.  Truth be told, it doesn't really matter which, as I've got more than  enough foam yet for a second one.

TerrainTuesday - Basing and Details

After a small delay, the housing project is once again back on track.  While I'm still waiting on the snow flock to arrive, there is no shortage of other details that demand my attention as of yet.  The most pressing that I've been working on thus far is the base of the small house and the extra details present on the larger house.  

WoC Update - The Restless Dead don't rest easy

What I was aiming to paint...

Well golly, it's been another fortnight between painting posts and I've got to admit, I'm making some pretty darn good progress here!  As my regular readers will know (any irregular readers can find out more here, here and here), I've been making the mot of my new-found drive to paint .  I'm very happy to say, this hasn't changed at all this week.... despite some interesting detours....

TerrainTuesday - Final Details Finished

This week's progress is not as recognisable as last week's titanic efforts, but it is still important progress nonetheless.  With the main colours done, it was time to add detail colours to the hinges, shields etc before dry-brushing in the 'snow'.  Despite my misgivings, I embraced the encouragement given by Mark CMG and I think you will agree, it's come out looking pretty good...

TerrainTuesday - Paint that Wagon!

Ok, so not really a wagon, but you get the idea right?  Since last week I've managed to find time to add several layers of colour to the house, building up the wood texture before giving the roof a splash of colour.

WoC Update - Warriors, Slaves and Marauders

Last week as I posted my last painting update I thought I'd be happy to get even one guy finished and a second one well on the way to being done.  This was not to be however, due to the unforeseeable and shocking event that I shall now relate...

TerrainTuesday - It's the little details that count...

This week has seen the house gain the last couple of details needed before the painting process begins in earnest.  The base has already gotten a head-start during the texturing process as you can see below -

WoC Update - Tandem Painting = Not so Tandem

As some of you will know, I set out the other week hoping to paint these two as a pair in an effort to speed up my painting.  Well it worked... kinda... in a fairly abstract sorta way....

TerrainTuesday - Rage-quitting the House project

This week was challenging to say the least, at least from a hobby point of view.  Constant rain meant that the modelling paste didn't dry properly which led to all sorts of issues when I tried to add some additional texture.  Eventually I had a small melt-down which resulted in unpleasant consequences for my project.  I think the pictures below sum up the event nicely.

TerrainTuesday - Laying a solid foundation

Progress on the house has been good over the past week, with the roof being competed and door installed.  For the most part, the door isn't much more than balsa wood and cardboard strips, though I think it's come out looking really effective.

Warriors of Chaos Update - Captivating!!

Wow, it's been a while since we've had one of these on my blog hasn't it?  With the release of the new Warriors of Chaos book, my square-basing desires have returned to me with a vengeance.  This week has seen me spend some time going back and adding more paint to my unit of Nurgle Warriors armed with 'Halberds'.  I have to say that the time has been well spent thus far, finishing not only another warrior, but also getting one of my 'mini-fillers' painted in the process.  These mini-fillers work really well as a small reward for finishing a handful of rank and file models, giving me a new pallet of colours to play while avoiding potential burnout. With these two done, I've started on another two warriors with the hope that working on them in tandem will hopefully increase my painting speed, getting them done in less time than if I was to paint them both separately

Terrain Tuesday - Raise the Roof!

This week's terrain project has been orientated around adding details to the little house to make it more... house-like for lack of a better term.  Windowsills have been added to each of the windows and the shutters have also been installed. Some minor patching was required to shore up gaps created by exposed foamcore, but the desired affect was readily achieved using some ready-made filler and a ice-cream stick.

Salamander Update - Sternguard WIP

Since I last wrote about my painting progress, my latest addition to my Sternguard was as you see above.  Since then, he's progressed in leaps and bounds to the point where I can do no more for him until I can secure more Deathwatch shoulderpads.  While this is unfortunate, the remaining element will take little effort to paint once I have made the purchase and received the conversion pack.

Terrain Update - The house that Trev built pt. 1

With the conclusion of the Vogen campaign that I was running, the hobbyist in me has been gravitating towards Warhammer Fantasy projects as a change of pace.  With the release of the new Warriors of Chaos book, this urge has only grown stronger.  As an additional bonus, this new-found enthusiasm for Fantasy means that I'll finally be starting work on terrain that will decorate my own table as opposed to the many tables of my local club.

The house I've included above is a terrain project that I've been working on in fits and spurts for the better part of a year now.  Towards the end of last year, I was inspired to finish the building process and begin painting.  For the most part the painting process is completed with the exception of a couple of detail pieces and the liberal application of snow. Suitably inspired by my efforts, I decided to build a second, albeit much smaller house to act as a companion to this one.  Below are series of WIP shots of not only the smaller house as it comes together, but as a bonus, I've also included WIP pics of the big house as well.  Hopefully, this will provide you guys with some idea how both projects have come together.

Big House Framework:

Little House Framework:

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks of this project.  I'd also like your thoughts on possible details I could add to the little house in a similar vein to the ones decorating the larger house.  Should I go with more horned skulls or should I do something different?

Catch you all later,

Trev