Quick Pic - Screamers of Tzeentch

So here's the pic I sent to my supports to show my progress a while back, but could never get around to doing a proper shot, so have just decided to upload it here just to show that some work has been done over the past few months.

Project Focus: Videos and Puppets - 2020

So I do want to complete a puppet or two this year. I really want to get the puppets for my main series to get done, but I'm so paranoid about perfection that I may have to consider getting those main characters done professionally (which would also be very expensive). These characters are the ones I really have the most affection for in this project and I want them to be just right for when I start working with them.

As for those that I'll be working on myself, I have a few ideas as to what to do with them, though it will all depend on how they turn out. Even the failed ones will still have a use and purpose, so I'll talk more about that once I have a few test ones finished. Now I just need to think outside the box when it comes to their designs. I'll also be looking at trying out materials like latex and stuff for making more rubbery and fleshy designs for certain characters and creatures (there are elements of sci-fi and fantasy in this after all).

Face and body make-up, along with creating body props (like an alien arm for example) will also be something to look at, depending on which part of the project (and story line) is the focus of that time.

Props and scenery are an important piece for the various videos I want to do, but due to my housing situation, I just don't have the space and storage to work on such things, though that wont stop me from collecting more junk to add to the collection.

VFX and 3D designs are still a bit off. I'm just not sure what to do in this area until I have things like puppets and props to work with. Still collecting tutorials so that I will have some knowledge on what to do, so hopefully my skills in this area haven't gotten too rusty over time.

Yeah, this one was way short compared to the previous one, but that's because this one has a lot more problems and uncertainties to deal with before I can truly get anything concrete out there. Still dreaming and hoping on this one, so I pray for more luck with this in the future.

Project Focus: Miniatures - 2020

So I've decided to sort of sum up what miniatures I'll be working on in 2020 (not including new stuff that may take my fancy). I'll give a brief run down on each group to help better categorize them.

Warcry:

So my current focus is mixed between three warbands: Skaven, Untamed Beasts and Disciples of Tzeentch (Daemons). I do plan on going back and looking at adding the Gloomspite Gitz and Nighthaunt updated warbands (with expanding options for Nighthaunt), plus looking into Ogors with a Chaos theme, Daughters of Khaine and Khorne Daemons. Not sure about other options, but we'll see what other warbands appeal to me before adding. Am looking at more scenery though, perhaps those starter set packs as I only have the Graveyard board and scenery and would like a few things with height.

For Skaven I have to re-base a few more Clanrats and Stormvermin to have the more hoard-like option, while working on three Stormfiends to have as alternative heavy hitters (plus I can then add them to my Skaven force.

Untamed Beasts just need painting and am already working on a Chaos Sorcerer and have a finished Spawn to use. I'll probably add more beast thralls and maybe a Mindstealer Sphiranx as the groups monster option.

Finally, I'll dust off and paint up those Daemons of Tzeentch and give them a proper go. They all need to be painted, so this one will probably take longer to paint, but will be filled before the Untamed Beasts get their full options.

Age of Sigmar:

Well apart from a few re-basings and the painting of the Stormfiends, the Skaven of the Claw of Skith are ready to go, though perhaps I should look at Endless Spells and those Gnawholes to really complete them.

Gloomspite Gitz still need some work, partly on the Endless Spell conversion and the other being on what option to field them as. A mixture of Gitz and Squigs is fine if Glibbins is involved, though a part of me really wants to run a Squigalanche type group. Would need a Mangler Squig of course, but more Squigs was never a bad thing.

Death is more of a mixed beast at the moment and has sort of frozen still. I do have models to work on like Fell Bats and Black Knights, but apart from a few Skellies and a Terrorgheist, not sure what I could add to feel it could work.

Cities of Sigmar has the 1,000pts needed to play, but needs to be painted up. Still looking as to what I could add to get it to 2,000pts without spending too much more money on this one.

This brings me to a venture that has been long in the making, but slow to start. My Tzeentch faction. Wanting it to be a mixture of Tzeentch units from both Disciples of Tzeentch and  Slaves to Darkness, this one will be focused on magic and mutation. I have various Chaos Heroes like Heralds, Chaos Sorcerers, Chaos Lords etc, while unit wise I have a basic unit of 10 Chaos Warriors, 10 Pink Horrors (with the split option of up to 10 Blue Horrors and 10 Brimstone Horrors), 3 Screamers, 3 Flamers, 3 Tzaangor Enlightened on Discs and 1 Chaos Spawn (and oh boy, do I want more Chaos Spawns). Obviously I want to add more to this army and certainly I may look to this year as the one to do so. We'll see how well painting goes before I make that decision.

Necromunda:

Still converting the last of my Escher crew. Once their finished and painted, will probably add some characters like Belladonna to the group. Not a very big option, but I haven't played it so I don't know how far I want to go with projects for this game.

Blood Bowl:

So they no longer sell the 4 pack of Gobbos, so in order to finish my Underworld Denizins team I'm going to have to get the Goblin Team in order to complete it. Still unsure if I'd ever play the game, but still want a my themed team none the less.

Malifaux:

Obviously, Gremlins is still the main, but apart from working on my Nightmare Ulix box set and add-ons for the crew, I'm just waiting to see what else I can add to the Gremlins later in the year.

I will try to finish up my Jakob Lynch crew at some point as they are my next fav group, but as for the rest? Well it all depends on how I feel. For instance, is it worth working on the Colette crew when there is a new set with new models in it? Do I go new models over the old ones? These questions are something I have to really think about.

Moonstone:

While I wait for more Faun stuff, I want to at least finish enough models for both Humans and Faeries, which will also include the option of a Giant for each. This stuff I've let go for far too long and I really need to get cracking on painting them soon.

Burrows and Badgers:

I still want to add more to my Riverbank crew, but I also want to start getting enough of a collection for a second opposing crew. The Kickstarter gave me both a Border Collie and a Mole to add to the mouse thief I have, so I'll start ordering models in groups of two, one for the Riverbank crew and one for the opposition. Once Riverbank crew options run out, then I can just keep adding to the opposition. The main goal is to have enough options to have a variety of crew customization's.

Other Miniatures:

Still up in the air on these ones. I have all sorts just sitting in containers that I want to do, but given this list, it might be some time before I give them another look over (this could change depending on the situation).


With this as my year goal, hopefully I wont stray too far off the path and at least get half of what I planned done. This list is more of a reminder to me that these things need to get done and what I should be focusing on and not getting too far over my head (too late!).

The Curse of this Virus

So yeah, even in Australia we still have problems with this Coronavirus and even being in Queensland hasn't helped (our state is third on the highest numbers in the country). As such, people like myself with physical conditions (I have conditions Asthma, a current sinus problem that I'm still on the waiting list to have looked at, plus a few others) and my own family members has vulnerabilities, have been 'advised' into self-isolation (so we can no longer visit each other). And while I understand the necessity for it in order to better control this outbreak and protect our physical health, it has put a serious strain on our mental health as a result.

This has been more complicated for me, as I am a lodger (meaning I pay to rent a single room and to use the facilities) in a small two bedroom unit. I live with the owner, who is a friend I knew at high school and who constantly drives me up the wall. My room is half the size of his and it contains not only my bed, but my draws, T.V, computer and computer table, etc. So it is a small, tight space that limits what I can do (and if your wondering why I haven't left, it's down to the fact that it's cheap and trying to get a place in the private rental market is just about impossible these days, though I do have some assistance that is trying to help me in this regards).

As such, I already felt like I was living in a prison, now it really is kind of a prison. However, I feel like there are so many more people that are now in a worse situation then myself. With the lack of physical social interaction from support services, I fear we will see a rise in suicide rates, on top of those in domestic violence situations feeling more like there is no way to escape. Sadly, our Government has been slow to react on this and I can only hope people will see this as an opportunity to reach out and seek support.

I do hope people out there stay safe during these times and we use this opportunity to bring out to start bringing out the best in us and to move forward in a more positive and productive light. It will take a lot to recover from this, so remember to look out for one another and to show support for those who need it.

Lets try not to go too insane while we're all stuck inside. Stay safe.

Warcry: Skaven - First Battle

So recently I got to have my first Warcry battle with my Skaven crew. I fought against the Daughters of Khaine and the results were....less then stellar. It was a secure objective mission and I lost 1-0, with only two Clanrats and a Packmaster surviving the battle. My crew consisted of:

- Fangleader (Leader)
- 2x Stormvermin with Shields
- 4x Clanrats with Rusty Blades
- Packmaster
- Rat Ogor (2 Claw Arms)

Numbers wise, I was 9 models to his 10 models, but it was clear how green I have become with the game. For starters, I placed me models into equal number groups (Shield, Dagger & Hammer) which was a big mistake as my hard hitting team of Rat Ogor and Packmaster were in Hammer and showed up last, while my Leader and his Stormvermin bodyguard (and a single Clanrat) where my Shield and where on the board first turn. My opponent had both of his melee serpent ladies (one of which was his leader) along with two basic Daughters meant he had a good weak force to secure one objective while his heavy hitters went straight for my Leader and his buddy. This meant I would spend the whole game trying to contest as opposed to securing objectives. From what was explained to me after the match, the Shield group has about a 75% to start first while I believe the Hammer has the weakest chance of showing up first. Clearly I need to think harder about strategic grouping instead of clean numbers.

The second was the Skaven crew abilities and their effectiveness in a game. As such, the Rat Ogor got his charge ability off along with the Packmaster giving him a bonus attack action ability. There was no point of the Clan Pestilens one as I will not add one into my crew (perhaps down the road I'll do a pure Clan Pestilens crew), while there was no point running my Clanrats away from combat as they were trying to contest and combat was the closest I could get to the objective. The Leaders bonus attacks to friendlies couldn't be used as they killed his Stormvermin buddy first, which also brings in the problem of not being able to use the bodyguard ability when they ignore the only nearby model to attack them first. It's clear grouping my numbers may improve this problem.

Finally, perhaps I should have skipped the Rag Ogor & Packmaster for more Stormvermin/Clanrats for more numbers, or maybe the ranged Rat Ogor to shoot at the tougher ladies. Either way, I'll need to do up a few lists to try out and learn to better design around the factions I face. Was still a fun match and have learned new things as a result of this game.

Am also working to get a second Warband going, with the Disciples of Tzeentch Daemon crew in the works to test out at a later date.

Stephen Colbert Villain Facial Hair Mask Sketch

Finally, the true face's of villainy can finally be protected, the world can now rest easy.....I think?

Miniatures Update February

Bit late on this one, wanted to get the recent Burrows & Badgers models that I just got in with this as well. Also, sorry for the poor quality of the photographs, will make sure that the painted versions are done better. This was sort of a late minute rush job just so I could get something up to show progress. Also, due to the basing paint, it seems the bases have blended in on the blue cloth I had them on for some reason (may have been the light I used). So let's start with Moonstone:

The First Set is Boris the Bunny Summoner and his Murder Bunnies, The Jackalope, Gloom and Chubs. After I undercoated them I noticed the gaps more clearly and have begun fixing them with green stuff.

The Second consists of Drunk Fritz, Anotnia, Danica, Zorya, KS exclusive Zorya, KS exclusive Gwendoline and KS exclusive Loubard. Fritz was probably the hardest to put together, but a few of these minis were also difficult to clean up.

Finally there is the Burrows & Badgers stuff that arrived. We have a Magpie, a female Hedgehog archer, a male Squirrel warrior, the KS Mole and a large female Border Collie warrior. The first three will be added to my own crew collection, while the last two will be the start of my second crew collection, which I'll start adding to later this year.

With any luck, I'll start feeling well enough to begin actual painting of these miniatures. I know that with the cooler weather coming over the next few months, that it should make it easier for me to get back into painting again. Let's hope so.