April Hobby Wrap Up: Black Templars

During the recent AHPC 13 I got into some more of my slow grow Black Templars force but forgot to post them here. While I was in the zone I kept going and churned out some more additions to the force, including this Redemptor Dreadnought (with some fancy 3d printed additions)

And these outriders:

And finally, this Judiciar (with a head swap) - with this guy finished I have FINALLY completed painting ALL of the models from my 40k 9th Edition 'Indomitus' boxed set - and did before 10th edition 'Leviathan' was revealed. Ok, about 48 hrs before, but that still counts :-)

Naturally, that doesn't mean ALL my Astartes are painted, just the origional Indomitus ones...

Anyway, here are the other recently finished Templars from the Challenge:

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/03/from-paul-og-black-templar-characters.html

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/03/ready-sunday-from-paul-og-black.html

March Hobby Wrap Up

March has come and gone, but it has seen the completion of Season 13 of the Analogue Painting Hobby Challenge!

We covered an eclectic mix of Genres: War of the Roses, Necromunda, WW2 Yanks, 40k, Last War and this little game themed on turnips that you may have come across...

As ever it was a lot of fun and very focusing for us magpie gamers- thanks to Curt and the crew who made it happen, and the wonderful and supportive AHPC community

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/03/from-paulog-reillyog-ahpc-xiii-wrap-up.html

Amongst the AHPC wrapping up and work travel, I also enjoyed an intro game of Silver Bayonet with Slowpainter John and club mate Gav. I've had untouched forces in our pile of shame for some time, and this was quite a fun game. Not overly complex but with a lot of potential for campaign settlings and some fun scenario design.

AHPC XIII: Turnip Rocket Battery

Obviously I need to close out AHPC13 with some Turnip related goodness. TBH additional travel recently saw me run out of time to do these overblown root-vegetable bangers the full justice (and extra crew) they deserve BUT they do add to our Turnip side challenge.

Master Gunner Molar oversees his Battery

Anyway, presenting two Rocket batteries for my Turnip army; one printed and the other other scratch built based on a completely impractical hitching post arrangement, and both protected from enemy musketry and giant crabs by gabions.

Squelchy rings his triangle to warn everyone that the Rockets are firing

The big hand painted banner is once again of the champaign foil design, naturally!

I couldn't resist a little homage to this classic!

Thats it for me for AHPC 13 - thanks everyone, its been a (mostly turnip filled) blast!

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/03/from-paulog-final-turnips-35-points.html

AHPC XIII: Stump Gun & Friends

I've put in some extra strangeness effort this week...

First up I present some fire support in the form of a Stump Gun, mounted on a giant slug in a vein attempt to generate some battlefield mobility. It doesn't, but on the bright side it is less likely to be stolen.

Sadly, the somewhat disturbing slime trails behind him aren't very visible in these pics

"El Slugo de Booma" is crewed by two rather, um, unusual...persons. This body horror duo are more than a little cringeworthy and Reilly made a number of complaints values based observations from across the hobby table during their creation. You're welcome.

These lads are metal Eureka models, to which I've added a pile of bits including the leftovers from a Victrix artillery piece that I converted to a bronze naval gun. Because naval guns are fabulous, obviously. I had planned a large pile of turnip ammunition next to it, but the slug ate them unfortunately. He's a rather voracious gastropod you see.

Warning: Touching El Sluggo usually results in rather unsightly skin legions...

Next up: a mounted Toady, accompanied by his faithful though emaciated (and somewhat mangey) root hound, who matches his boney carcass. 

The Toady likes to dress as a jester to give the battle a more festive vibe and keep up morale (but not morals unfortunately) amongst the otherwise dreary brawl.

Mr Maggot feels very fancy in his purple boots

These are also metal models by Eureka, though I have mixed and matched between different sets to get this combination.

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/02/from-paulog-slug-gun-friends-40-points.html

AHPC XIII: Crab Bisque

Yes - more Turnip madness! Introducing Lenny Krabbitz and Miss Shelly Snippins, a pair of Scuttling crab monsters for the "Feast of Charybdis" cult in Turnip28

Scuttlers are a unique burrowers that can manoeuvre in the subterranean filth and emerge unexpectedly to grab your turnips from behind. Bit of a nasty shock that. The howdah riders assist by helpfully pushing would be victims toward the claws and mandibles to ensure their Scuttler gets a good meal. Its a win-win for (nearly) everybody.

Lenny proudly cultivates his eyebrow tufts

I 3d printed these and in my typical fashion then obsessed with intricate details for an excessively long time. More importantly though, they were FUN to make!

Poor Lenny sports metal patches on his carapace where he came off 2nd in previous battles

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/02/from-paul-og-crab-bisque-50-points.html

Crustacean conga line!

AHPC XIII: More Turnip28 madness

Today I'm contributing to the Turnip28 madness squelching about this Challenge; apologies for my tardiness but Turnips mature slower out on the sludge sea you see. Root whales nibble at them you know....

Skirmishing Chaff. Extra long rifles give extra long range - it only makes sense really

Adding to my existing (pre AHPC) force is a unit of 4 Chaff (skirmishing types), a unit of 6 Brutes (melee specialists) plus two characters. 

Brutes - melee specialists in kilts

As usual, they are heavily converted with all sorts of bits - Medieval, Napoleonic, Afghan Tribesman, 3d printed components, home made bits, the odd Warhammer and 40k parts and of course much rummaging in the bitz box.

Yes one has a snail on his helmet and the holds aloft a Turnip standard. Judge not.

Adding rooty growths to one's helmet is a mark of martial prowess you know

This is a Toady, one of the Leaders of my motley crew. Super creepy.

He likes hugs. Do so at own risk.

His collection of turnips and tubors have taken over his body, even transforming his face. Still, despite a lack of eyes he can sniff out the best root tubers in the muck, so the boys continue to follow him. Conversion based on a 3d print from Knucklebones Miniatures.

I had fun building these, with all sorts of madness that made me chuckle often. From misaligned spyglass sights to double length rifles, hand painted flags and heraldry, it was a hoot. Its also wonderfully freeing to just do whatever one wants. Does take awhile though, to be honest. Not the most economical of hobby genres but worth it in terms of mental health and getting bewildered comments on posts :-)

And now the piece de resistance - the Toff (or General) of my army; Tiffin McSnobbingburn, self proclaimed Lord of the Carrot fields. 

'Bring me news of our Victory. And turnips - bring those also'

His snooty, holier-than-thou pose makes him far too good to walk in the filth with everyone else, so I built a viewing stand to keep him and his brandy out of the muck. Well, a suitably crappy and poorly constructed one, obviously but still, it keeps his shoes shiny and remarkably free of filth crusting.  Hand painted flag obviously, once again using the champagne foil method (Mrs Man Cave insists you know...)

'Bow down before my enormous Carrots!'

And so my Turnip28 collection now looks thus:

...with something a bit different on the horizon! :-)

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/01/from-paul-og-turnip28-madness-70-points.html

AHPC XIII: War of the Roses Mercenaries

Last Challenge I started a War of the Roses project which has progressed steadily this year, and I wanted to add to it this challenge with something different - European Mercenaries.

Sell swords from the content were features on all sides of the war, and while the Burgundian support to the Yorkists pretenders is the best known, a raft of independent companies from Flanders, France and elsewhere were engaged.

I've done mine up in bright livery to reflect their more flamboyant nature, and because that how I see those 'proto-landschnekts': advertising on the battlefield for future employers, as well as warning others of their prowess as a deterrent. Plus the bright colours pop nicely on my winter bases. While my rules usually have figure removal, pike units like these look so much better packed tighter so I went with 3 group bases for each unit

This unit has a secret weapon - a crossbow bolt to the face. Surprise!

The flags are all hand painted naturally, using tin foil from the necks of champagne bottles. Yes collecting the raw materials is a drag but somebody has to do it (and who doesnt like a round of French 75s?!). The foil allows great three dimensional shaping and has some good strength to it. With the flamboyant theme in mind, I gave all their weapons pennants so no one would miss them on the field of battle!

Thats as much of a mini War of the Roses bomb that you'll see from me! 

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/01/ready-sundayfrom-paulog-war-of-roses.html