Election 2012: Games Workshop Edition

I've been sucked into the Privateer Press world lately, but I also have many, many Games Workshop models awaiting my attention.  In light of this revelation, I wanted to get a feel for what people thought was worth spending some time on.  I'm inclined toward Fantasy, but 40k could possibly grab my attention.

I would like not to play a flavor-of-the-month army, and I won't play Space Marines, simply because the effort of forcing myself to play mirror matches whenever I DID get out to play would quickly sap the fun from the hobby.

I've attached some past painting efforts for your perusal and ask that you weigh in, down in the comments section with what might look nice as a painted army.  One army that isn't displayed, since my test model is currently residing with my brother-in-law is Lizardmen.  Ultimately I'm gonna do whatever captures my imagination, but maybe you could push me in the right direction.  Anyway...

EDIT: The Rat Ogre is not finished (not even close).

Old-School

Older-School

Death!

REALLY Old-School

Fatty

Bruiser

Space Pirate!

Warmachine Expansion

I've just about finished my original 15 points of Cryx and am pretty happy with what I've got thus far; I've just got to finish the last little bit of painting on the Skarlock.

In light of that, and after playing a few games, I purchased the next logical expansion: Bane Thralls and Bane Lord Tartarus.  I've built Tartarus and the first two Thralls, and I'm really looking forward to moving ahead toward the 25 point mark.  I'll be posting a whole army photo as soon as I'm done the skarlock, but you may get a better look, sooner, over at Plastic Crack when the scheduled battle reports are posted.  Anyway, a teaser of the Bane Thralls to come...

Metal, But Nice...

Asphyxious Done

I recently hurried myself along and finished my Epic Asphyxious efforts.  The result:

Snazzy!

I'm pretty pleased with the result and he has played in his first game now (a loss to Khador!).  I am extremely pleased with the way that the Warmachine rule set plays on the tabletop and am anticipating quite a few games within the next couple of weeks.  I also picked up the Hordes rulebook to peruse in an effort to make up my mind on a faction within that framework.

At any rate, I've got to spend some time figuring out whether I want to go with Bane Thralls or Bane Knights.  They've both got their advantages, but the Thralls seem a bit stronger overall. Weigh in within the comment section if you've got an opinion.

Cryx Slayer, Pre-Base

I went ahead and tried an experiment using some home-made pigments to create rust on my Slayer last night and was so pleased, I decided to finish the whole darn thing.  This broke from the plan, which was to finish Asphyxious and then start really going at the Skarlock, but I had momentum and rode it. 

As with the bonejacks, the Slayer still needs a base, but I also spent some time getting the GS down on the bases so I can do a swampy looking thing, similar to the first bonejack I showed on here some time ago.  At any rate, here's a look at the Slayer:

Front View, Looking Mean

Rear View, Looking...Away

Necrotite Furnace

Perspective View

One thing you'll notice in comparing to my previous Deathripper is that the furnace glow is more "contained".  I thought about the geometry of the model, and it just didn't make sense for the glow to be that pronounced.  I didn't highlight the "gold" this time either; I thought it looked more weathered, but still metallic, in its current state.

Hopefully the rust effects are noticeable, since that's what really got me so excited about that effort.  I can detail how I "created" the pigment at some point, but I may have a better way soon; I need to experiment.

Warmachine Progress

I spent some more time last night with my airbrush and Cryx models.  I am really starting to learn to love the airbrush for all sorts of painting.  There are obvious benefits, but there's also a huge downside, which is time spent on maintenance.  I think the time gained back by the ease with which you can create those smooth gradients makes up for it, but the maintenance phase seems worse than it really is, likely because it's not time spent painting.

At any rate, I snapped a quick pic after a little work re-shading some of the helljack, as well as working on (and ultimately finishing) Asphyxious' base.  The picture is a bit de-saturated, but I'll soon be taking a "mission accomplished" picture.  Closing in on game time!

This is crying out for some saturation!

Adjusted to be more "true to form"

Warmachine Progress

So I whipped out the airbrush last night and got to work on the slayer and Asphyxious models.  I am always reluctant to try to highlight black, but I figured I'd give the flowing robes a shot. I also wanted to get the slayer up to speed since the bonejacks are still sitting waiting for a big brother.  I put paint to model and got the following result:

Meh...

I might have overdone the green on the robes, but I am generally happy with Asphyxious.  The slayer shoulders left me extremely unimpressed and were re-based shortly after I took this picture.  I'll be doing a more distinct job on those tonight after I get some decent frisket or masking tape.  I'll be playable so soon...

Primed for Battle

I've spent some time getting all of the metal stuff pinned together properly, and primed.  I highly recommend a little trick suggested to me by my father (a chemist):  "Weld" the metal parts together with super glue.  The process is as follows:

1)  Put a drop of super glue in place.
2)  Hold the stupidly heavy, ill-fitting metal part in place
3)  Use an old paint brush (or stick, or finger, or...) to place a drop of water onto the junction of the parts.

This catalyzes the "drying" reaction of the superglue and helps create a super strong, weld-like join.  As an added benefit, it also helps to fill in ugly gaps in the metal.


Anyway, tonight will see the first real painting progress on the awesome Lich Lord Asphyxious model, and possibly some airbrushing love for the Slayer.  This is what my painting tray looks like:

I wish Asphyxious were bigger...