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In November, I joined a Warmachines "Tale of Many Gamers" Paint & Play Tournament at my local hobby store. I figured I'd start up a log to show my progress, and how things are coming along each month. I'm relatively new to actually playing the Warmachines game, but painting has been a hobby of mine, off and on, for about ten years. Here goes nothin'...

Step 1: What to play?

Since I'm pretty new to the Warmachines game, I was a little lost in the faction-selection and warcaster-selection process. So I did what any respectable painting-centric hobbyist would do....chose based upon appearance of the models. What army, and what color scheme, would I most have fun with? I chose Menoth.

After reading through the rules and the Menoth book a bit, I settled on using the Epic Feora Warcaster. Not only does her model look pretty sweet, but I like the idea of having a fire-focused army. I look forward to trying to set as many of my opponent's models on fire as I can over the course of a game...

Step 2. Light Warjacks

I decided to fill my initial ranks with a Redeemer and 2 Repenters. They look really cool in the Menoth book, but the only problem is...I found out that Privateer Press has not yet released the plastic versions of these models :(

Don't get me wrong, the old metal models are cool, but I really wanted to assemble and paint the new Mk II body style. So I got some plastic Vigilants, and used just the body, setting the shields aside. Then I ordered a few sets of just the arms and weapons from the original Redeemer and Repenter models, posed them appropriately, and glued it all together.

Here they are assembled and primed...

Here are the painted Warjacks. I decided to go with a traditional paint job on the Repenters. The Redeemer has white shoulders, which sets it apart a bit from the others. Also, as you can see...I incorporated an "Autumn" theme with my groundcover. (More about that later)

Step 3: Epic Feora

I was a little hesitant to start on Feora. The Warcaster is the model that holds most of the attention during a game. Subsequently, I feel as though this should be the piece that you spend the most time on to look really great.

Again, I went with a traditional Menoth color scheme. I incorporated a lot of white, washed heavily, and then went back in with various shades of bone, eggshell, ecru, beige, etc., etc., to make sure I got a well-blended and well-highlighted result.

For her base...she comes with this obnoxious metal flame disc that you are supposed to have her ride into battle. I wasn't feeling it. So I just had her stepping up on a rock, and surrounded it with a fair amount of dead grass and leaves (to continue my Autumn theme).

Step 4: Choir

The last part of my round-one army is a Choir Unit. I really like how the Choir models look. The only part I am not crazy about is the canisters strapped to the back of the models (I think they are supposed to be for carrying their scrolls). I assembled the models without these canisters, which only took a little cutting, shaving, and filling.

For the paint scheme...you guessed it: traditional Menoth. The hardest part was the writing on the parchment scrolls. Writing, in effectively a 6 pt font, using a paint brush, is indeed as hard as it sounds.

Nice start to collection, I especially like your attention to bases.

Loving the autumnal bases. What are you using for the leaves?

Thanks Metsuri and elaverick!

I chose to go with an Autumn theme for my bases, largely because I felt that the Autumn browns/oranges/yellows would go well with the flame-oriented and scorched/burnt motif in the Menoth Army color scheme.

I came across the "Skullcrafts" website online, which specializes in high-quality basing materials. I got the "Autumn Basing Kit," which pretty had everything I needed and more. It comes with a variety of scatter, grass, leaves, rocks, and sand. It took a little time to get all the elements just right on the models...but I'm pretty satisfied with the result.

Great thanks, I've put in a order for them, I'll have to see what I can do with it.
Really liking the look of the Warmachine figs, I might try and get some just to have a play paint with.

Step 5: Vanquisher

For round two, I replaced one of my Repenters with a larger, more powerful, Vanquisher. The Vanquisher was actually really fun to paint. I changed the "Blazing Star's" chain to a real chain that swings around when I move the model. I thought it would be fun to add this element to the model.

Step 6: Vassal Mechanik

For round two, I also added a Vassal Mechanik. This little guy follows around my Vanquisher to repair him, as needed. This is a fun little model, I especially like the details, such as all the tools on his belt and in his backpack.

Both of them look good and consistent with the previous batch.

Step 7: Temple Flameguard

For round three, I added two units of Temple Flameguard. This was a lot of painting to do in just one month...but I think their uniformity really adds to the look of my overall army. I especially liked painting the standard bearers and unit officers, with their extra details.

Love the Vanquisher. The colors on all of your work is great though. Nice job!

i absolutely love the bases. they are awesome.

Thanks, bunnygurl and rryann! I appreciate all of the positive feedback

Good looking unit, it fits well in your army.

Step 8: Devout Warjack

For my final round, I painted another Meckanik, and a Devout light warjack. I think I might have too many Warjacks for a balanced army...but they are so fun to paint!! To personalize the Devout a bit, I changed the shield to a bigger, cooler looking shield (from the Vigilant model). I think this gave it a more dramatic presence.

Final Army

After 4 months of work, here is my final Menoth force. Overall, I am pretty happy with how it all came together. I've tried a couple new techniques, done a few unique conversions, and really tried to have fun with this project. Thanks everyone for your interest and encouragement!