Back on the Wagon - Dysartes' Painting Blog - Updated Sept 9 - Targ, 10 Brigands, WIPs

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**Dysartes**

So, there has been further progress - and, presuming I'm not talking to myself here, I could use a bit of feedback.

Project 2 - Imperial Guard

I've been workingon the Valhallans from the previous post. I'm pretty much down to doing the gun casings and boots in P3 Coal Black, followed by a black-blue wash on the boots, but I'm looking for some feetback on the officer's braid first.

I did a couple of thin coats of P3 Ember Orange, with P3 Cygnus Yellow over the top. I can't decide whether to give it another layer of yellow, followed by a wash of Gryphonne Sepia; wash it with the Sepia now; or leave it as is.

What do you guys think?

**Dysartes**

Hmm - 1687 views, but only 10 out of 30 posts by someone other than me?

Anyway - [ FAST SHOW VOICE ]This week, I 'ave mostly been painting Valhallans.....[ /FAST SHOW VOICE]

Project 2 - Imperial Guard

Anyway, I've gotten the batch of 6 Ice Warriors to the point where I'm happy to declare them finished - though if I ever decide to paint eyes, I may come back to do that.

Completed models: 12

I'm not 100% satisfied with the braid on the Officer, but he's OK. I still really like the guy running forwards - as I removed the tab to pin him to the base, I was able to get rid of that bit of metal attached to his upraised foot, and lean him forwards a bit - though on the next one of that sculpt, I might position him a little further back on the base.

Next group of Guardsmen is the metal Steel Legion Commissar, Mordian Officer, 2 Mordian Iron Guard with lasguns, 1 Tallarn Sergeant, 1 Tallarn dude with Grenade Launcher and 3 Tallarn mooks with lasguns - that should give me the majority of a Tallarn infantry squad, missing only the heavy weapon.

Project 1 - Space Wolves

No pictures for this part of the update, but I've done a little more work on the Puppies - areas intended to be gold on the Priest & Scouts have been hit with VMC Flat Brown, then Chainmail. I'm hoping to get the first layer or two of Sepia onto the areas concerned tonight. I've also re-attached the Rune Priest's axe arm, which had come off at some point

Shall get a progress pic when I'm happy with the gold.

Out of interest, does anyone actually want me to continue with this? I can't help but feel like I'm talking to myself over here - more so than usual, I mean.

**Metsuri**

The guardsmen look nice, if a bit flat. I like the colors except on the officer, the red and yellow don't fit the other color in my opinion. Golden brown would've worked better instead of yellow.

Do continue on blogging, I've followed this blog, but as I've also noticed it is nowadays hard to get comments here. It seems that most blogs are monologues these days.

**Dysartes**

Hmm - I've let this slip a bit, haven't I? To anyone who was following this, my apologies.

Anyway, during February I was trying to complete two dioramas for the Sheffield Irregulars Duel challenge - unfortunately, I got neither one finished - or, beyond their Guardsmen components, really started, if I'm honest. On the other hand, I've got a part-completed Commissar, Mordian and Valhallan out of it, and I was working on some more Tallarn & Mordians, along with another Commissar and the Space Wolf Rune Priest during the rest of the period between updates. I've not finished any of them, but I'll get some WIP pics of where the guys are up to tomorrow.

However, all current projects are now temporarily on hold - again, in the case of the Space Puppies. Earlier this week I was invited to join a team for the Warmachine/Hordes Team Championships at Maelstrom in July, and I'd kinda like to field a fully painted force. Unfortunately, I've not played Mk2 at all yet, so picking and learning a list may take me a little while. In the meantime, I've started working on any random Merc 'Jacks & casters I had lying around, along with an Ogrun Bokur - again, pics to follow tomorrow.

Hopefully I can get some sort of schedule to updating this thing, but we'll see.

**Metsuri**

Are you gonna bring Mercs to the Team championships?

I've enjoyed Mk2 as it seems to bring so much variety to the tables. I went to a 12 man tournament week ago and Siege was the only caster who was seen in multiples (two players had him).

**Dysartes**

I intend to, Metsuri - and I had a look through your Cygnar stuff the other day, and was really impressed. Are you likely to be attending the Maelstrom event?

So, yeah, getting pics of current WIP stuff hasn't really happened (yet), so I thought I'd best update with some pics of stuff I've completed previously - specifically, the three painted Merc Warcasters I've got.

In no particular order:
Magnus the Warlord

I tried following the face painting guide from No Quarter #23, which didn't come out as smoothly as I'd've liked - I think I prefer the effect I've been getting with Midlund Flesh + Ogryn Flesh wash, to be honest with you. Having said that, Magnus did take joint 4th place in the "Hero" painting challenge last year, which I was quite impressed by - and I suspect the photo helped as much as the paintjob, to be honest

Durgen Madhammer

First of all, my apologies for the quality of the picture - I thought I had a better shot somewhere on my hard drive, but I can't seem to find one. I suspect this means I may need to organise my photos. Durgan has also suffered through the NQ#23 face tutorial. I haven't yet had chance to field him or eMagnus on the battlefield, but I do like both figures. I'll try and get better pics of this guy (and the next guy) when I get the rest of my pictures - hopefully later today.

Gorten Grundback

Gorten was the original Rhulic warcaster, and was half of the team that helped me win the last Steamroller tournament I entered (the other 'caster being Magnus the Traitor). Never did get the gold cards from it, though.....

I'm currently at early WIP stages with Captain Phinnaeus Shae & Magnus the Traitor, along with an Ogrun Bokur, a Wroughthammer Rockram and a Mariner. Elsewhere in the painting queue we've got Alexia, 2 Thall Warriors and a full 20 Risen, Saxon Orrik, Professor Victor Pendrake and Brun & Lug. I also undercoated 2 Grundback Blasters, 1 Grundback Gunner, a Mangler and 2 Renegades yesterday - which should all keep me busy for a while

**Metsuri**

Dysartes wrote:I intend to, Metsuri - and I had a look through your Cygnar stuff the other day, and was really impressed. Are you likely to be attending the Maelstrom event?

Thanks, and sadly no I'm not likely to attend. As a father I get a little time for my hobby and the spring allocation was used couple weeks ago in local tournament. Currently I'm spending more of my time painting and try to attend couple local tournaments a year. The Maelstrom event seems to shape up to be really great and I would love to be able to participate.

Magnus looks good, and I like the green armor of your rhulic casters. Waiting to see more of your searforge.

**Dysartes**

The green armour was an accident originally. I'd been reading the Brushthralls article on how they'd painted the Gorten battlebox, as I liked the scheme and intended to copy it. The main paint they'd been using was a Vallejo Grey-Green.

The one I picked up from my FLGS and started using was Vallejo Green-Grey.....

It is now the unifying colour for my Mercs

**CommissarKhaine**

I like the green, actually; I feel it'll give them more tabletop presence then grey would. The Rockram comes to mind especially - I think the green'll make him look a tad more menacing.

**Dysartes**

Well, I forced myself to sit down and take pictures of all my WIP stuff, and my Mercs for WM - I haven't taken pictures of the six solos that a friend of mine painted for me, though I can do.

Anyway, this first post will cover the WIP Imperial Guard as I've left them for now.

This aiming Mordian Guardsman was originally destined for a Duel type diorama, facing off with an on-coming Hormagaunt. Unfortunately, I bit off more than I could chew, and didn't get either diorama completed. Once he's painted up, though, I'll be sticking him on another uran base for the IG army, instead.

This pair were going to feature in a second Duel diorama, with the Valhallan running away while the Commissar prepares to execute him. I really do love the sculpt on the Commissar, ad hope to get him finished at some point. Both figures, when completed, will add to the urban IG army.

These three groups were some random IG figures I felt like working on. The Tallarn four will add to the ones I've already painted and, with the addition of a HW team, give me a fully painted squad.

I'll post the WM stuff later, as I need to sort out the images.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Time for update #2 for today - the current WIP list for my Warmachine Mercs.

My Ogrun Bokur. He's currently had both arms removed, though the weapon arm co-operated enough for me to wedge it into place for these pictures. While the chainmail has had its wash of Badab Black, most of the model is just flat colours at the moment, as I figure out what colours I want where.

The two warcasters I'm working on at the moment - Magnus the Traitor and Captain Phinneus Shae. Magnus should hopefully end up looking similar to his epic version, but with less blue on the armour.

Six of the 8 Gun Corps currently in this unit. I've now got the troops to expand it to a full ten, so I'm considering stripping them and restarting - the skin currently looks too jaundiced for my liking.

Little warjacks! In this instance, two Grundback Blasters. The poses are a little unusual, but fall into the pose school I like to call "What happens when you only think the Araldite has set properly".....

Keeping with the Rhulic theme, but stepping it up to a heavy, here's a Wroughthammer Rockram. A lot of the discussion I'm seeing about this 'Jack makes me wonder how good it is, but that's what testing is for.

Finally, the WIP Mariner - this will have more in the way of Greatcoat Grey used on it, so as to tie it to Shae a bit more.

I'll post a third update later this afternoon with some pictures of the finished Merc stuff I've got.

**Metsuri**

Nice foundation on the Bokur, it's one of my favorite mercs and it's nice to see you painting him.

The green looks still good on the mercs, can't wait for them to be finished.

**Dysartes**

Thanks metsuri - unfortunately, the only work I was able to get done on him this weekend was an additional basecoat on the skin, which I think has evened it out a bit. I'll have to see if I can get some of the shading done tonight, and mebbe even out the green on the two Blasters.

I've finally sorted the pictures of my painted Merc stuff, though, so you can see the finished green.

Warcasters

Durgen Madhammer

Apologies for the bottom right shot being a little fuzzy. Hmm - looking at the pictures, I should probably give the grip of his hammer a Devlan Mud wash.

Gorten Grundback

Units
Hammerfall High Shield Gun Corps

These guys were painted by a friend of mine in return for some photography I did for him - unfortunately, I need to paint 4 more for a full unit, and the guy has vanished off the face of the earth.

Warjacks
Grundback Gunners

Because everyone needs a Gunbunny horde.....

Ghordson Driller

Apparently these guys are really good in Mk2, so I may have to acquire a second one.

Buccaneer

The only painted Privateer 'jack I've got, this guy got me a "Highly Commended" award at the IMP event I helped run - but not judge - last year.

Talon

I was a fan of the Talon in Mk1, but haven't tested it yet in Mk2 - the single shot is to show off the work I did on the firebox.

Nomads

Nomads - for when you just want a cheap heavy 'jack to smash someone's face in.....

**Metsuri**

Nice and coherent force, the green looks good on the armor. I like the dynamic poses you've given to the jacks and nice work on the firebox.

**CadianXV**

Nice work so far- like your Valhallans (always loved those models).

**Dysartes**

Metsuri> I suspect I was really bored the afternoon I decided to try doing that

CadianXV> Thanks, chief - I'm a big fan of the old metal Guard, over and above the current plastics. Having said that, the FW resin Death Korps are awesome - I picked up the command HQ, Commissar drawing his sword and Commissar on horseback at the FW Open Day on Sunday, and I should have a Tauros Assault winging it's way to me, too

**Dysartes**

Evening all - I guess this blog just won't stay dead.....

I've finally managed to finish off some more figures, in this case some Rhulic Warjacks for my Mercenary Warmachine army.

Grundback Blasters - Ack-Ack and Mole

Wroughthammer Rockram - Bellringer

**Metsuri**

Nice gun bunnies! The free hand is a good touch to make them more individual.

The rivet heads on the painted areas could use one more layer of highlight or additional wash in around the base to bring them more visible.

Otherwise solid painting and nice glow again in the furnace.

**comisarmilo**

Love everything on the pages but the peguins.... THEY OWN dude they are the vest thing scince sliced bread amazing.

**Dysartes**

The shotgun-bunnies and Rockram might get some more attention before the tournament, but they're good enough for now.

Next on the agenda is a Basher, finishing the unit of 10 Gun Corps and a unit of ten Forgeguard.

**-=Scar=-**

Wow long posts But very worth reading

**CommissarKhaine**

Love the Rockram!

**Finch Claw**

I like your stuff,

but i do think you need to do some washes and your models are lacking high lights?

Is this because there not finished?

**Dysartes**

Finch Claw wrote:I like your stuff, but i do think you need to do some washes and your models are lacking high lights? Is this because there not finished?

Pretty much everything I do has involved the Citadel Washes somewhere, Finch, with the exception of the green on the WM Mercs, where I tend to mix up a wash of some form of brown or green.

I will hold my hand up to not being a fan of highlighting, however.

At the minute, my main concern is getting a chunk of WM stuff up to a table-top standard for an upcoming tournament. I know I'm not a competition winner, and I'm happy with the standard I'm currently working to.

**Finch Claw**

Ok.

**Dysartes**

So, I've gotten some painting done this weekend. I finished a model from the Brutal range that I've got for review purposes, which is always nice, and I've blitzed my Basher (which sounds vaguely dirty).

Current WIP shots:

Apologies for the second shot being slightly soft-focus.

The green has only had one coat so far, and the gold needs more work, but considering I only undercoated him on Sunday (and was out last night), I'm fairly happy.

Just need to resist the temptation to freehand "Ramming Speed, Durgen!" on the carapace.....

**Metsuri**

The basher looks like a fine addition to your Rhulic force.

**Dysartes**

I've used it in a couple of games so far, and it makes a surprisingly effective 'caster assassin - slam a shielding warjack back over the caster, follow-up into base contact with the now prone general, use the Flak Field ability, then headbutt until the cows come home.....

**Metsuri**

That's nasty. I've played once against Rhulic force including this and driller, but managed to eliminate both before they could do anything thanks to Siege's feat and some heavy shooting.

**Dysartes**

Nope, you can't kill this thread after all.

I've finished two more figures since my last post - one for the Mercs, and one for the Sheffield Irregulars Grey Day challenge.

Ghordson Basher - Crater

OK, the base still needs a little work, but he's close enough to finished for now. The freehand on the ram reads "Speed Kills", while the one on his thigh says "Crater".

Sheffield Irregulars Grey Day Challenge - Conforntation Cadwe Undertaker

The Grey Day Challenge came about after we looked at the paints I'd been taking down on a Sunday, and found that over half of them were greys of some form.....

The challenge was simple - you were allowed to fetch one white, one black, and as many different greys and mediums as you have available. In my case, I fetched the following - P3 Menoth White Base, Coal Black, Greatcoat Grey, Ironhull Grey & bastion Grey, VGC Sombre Grey, VMC Green Grey, Basalt Grey, Medium Sea Grey & Pale Greyblue.

The one problem I'd say with this challenge is that we only have one brown between us (VMC Khaki Grey), and there were no reds or skin tones available. I'm reasonable with what I've managed with the Undertaker, given I only worked on him for less that four hours.

**Stretch**

Valhallans look nice, the war machine looks nice too. I like the paint jobs, simple but it looks really well done. Have you used any washes? Might bring out more detail with the shading they would provide. Keep up the good work.