Merry Christmas PLUS a teaser AND a podcast interview : )

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and thank you all for checking out the many meandering posts for 2015. I hope to see you all back again during 2016 (although I think I still have a couple of posts left in me for this year).

I've been slaving away on a few more tables for a client, tables that will end up gracing the pages of an updated rulebook. Pretty cool, eh?

I've been able to use excellent pieces of terrain from a variety of companies (along with scratch-built and hand-sculpted pieces) that include: Ironheart Artisans, Burn In Designs, Impudent Mortal, Secret Weapon Miniatures, and Mantic. On these containers (Ironheart above and Burn In below) I've used Sci-Fi Lettering decals from Fallout Hobbies. The decals themselves are nice and sturdy without being too thick, and the white printing is great, perfectly opaque. They worked out wonderfully for this project.

Speaking of Fallout Hobbies, Ron has just started up a hobby-focused podcast in which he'll be interviewing prolific hobbyists and geeking out about cool techniques and so on. I was fortunate enough to be on his first episode, which is now up on Soundcloud. I'm looking forward to listening to the upcoming guests (apparently Ron already has a wishlist of 20 guests he is keen on talking to).

You can, if you are interested, check it out HERE : )

Cheers
Dave

Mechanicum - The Knights of House Taranis

Continuing my "clearing the decks" approach to my hobby recently, I have finished off another three Imperial Knights to now take my 30K House Taranis Knights up to five (also known as a "Half-Rudge" of Knights*). Just a quick post today, as I have to run soon, but please post any questions you might have in the comments below : )

Above is my Baron Prime - Forge Master Tacitus Agrippa, riding his Knight Gallant, Olympicus Rex. 

Baron Agrippa's bodyguard is Ser Baledin Lange, riding his Cerastus-Knight Lancer, Shield of the Omnissiah.

This is Ser Maarku Radcliff, riding his Knight Crusader, Torrent of Fire.

I have also made the battle cannon of Torrent swappable for a thermal cannon, incase I feel the need for additional close range devastation ; )

In this shot you can see my 30K-era House Taranis crest. I've described the retro-creation of the crest in an earlier post, but can't seem to find it at the moment. I'll link to it when I can find it.

And here's the Torrent's right shoulder markings. Again, the Taranis icon has been retro-fitted for 30K use. These two 30K decals are both custom jobs from Fallout Hobbies. They arrived on Thursday, and I'm very pleased with them indeed (although Ron is probably cursing me a little). Anyway, head on over to the Fallout Hobbies site and check out everything they have to offer!

Here is Ser Vadik Faustino, riding his Knight Paladin Deus Malleus. This was actually the very first Knight I painted for myself : )

And finally, you can see Ser Tanner Malcom, riding his Knight Errant Ignis Mechanica.

I hope you like them : )

Cheers

Dave 

* Paul Rudge was the first person to put together a collection of one of each of the Knight patterns available, caused the Internet to dub such a collection or gathering a "Full Rudge" of Knights. 

Mechanicum – Three more Knights are close to walking

I’ve decided to take a little break from my Mad Max cars for the moment, and try to clear a few other projects from my plate. The Vorax were the last project I cleared, and now it’s on to the next three Imperial Knights.

I assembled them all at the same time, or at least put them into their various sub assemblies, so that I could go for a little batch painting on their various sections. First were the legs, with my standard drybrushing: Tinny Tin, Gun Metal, and a light drybrush of Vallejo Model Air’s Aluminium, my new go-to bright silver. This was followed by strategic shading with my super secret wash. Certain parts (typically on the pistons) were hit with some Brassy Brass for a bit of pop. The cables were then painted black and given a light drybrush of grey.

The second step was to complete the metallics on the torsos, heads, and weapons. I followed the same process as for the legs, finishing up with the various cables etc.

After the torsos I busted out my airbrush - a tool I still don’t have a lot of experience or confidence with - and started working on the armor plates. Rather than present identical panels on each Knight, I decided to mix it up a little bit. I think they will still have a nice unified look while each has their own “personality”.

Since that stage I’ve been focusing on the individual Knights, and the first two are almost complete. After I wrap up the painting on the last Knight  I’ll be able to apply the final decals.

I’m expecting a nice little envelope from Fallout Hobbies to arrive this week with my updated (and white-underprinted) House Taranis crests and emblems to arrive. I’m very excited to see how Ron’s decals compare. After seeing the detail he can get last week at the NOVA Open, I think I’ll be in great shape!

More soon…

Cheers

Dave