Blog Of The Five Armies

Spartan slingers

2009-09-27T09:58:00.002-05:00

After slow progess I finally completed the first pack of Spartans from Gorgon Studios. I'm starting with the skirmisher models and will work my way up to the Hoplites as the final units. Stay tuned for more.

Sparta!

2009-08-18T20:18:00.007-05:00

After much anticipation I received the first batch of Spartans that will soon become the Gorgon Studios Spartan Army. I decided to start with some skirmishers as there have been no painted versions of these models up on the Gorgon site yet. I'm hoping to finish the first pack of these slingers by next week sometime. These models are fantastic sculpts (and I'm not just saying that as a member of Gorgon Studios!) and much kudos to Steve Saleh for his excellent work on this range.

I also found time to finish the final model from the Ancient World range, Sycorax the Witch. I may have to use her in my Pict army if I ever find time to get working on that army again. See www.gorgon-studios.com for more information on these miniature lines.

2009-08-09T19:15:00.006-05:00

One of the projects I was working on back in May/June was a painting article for Wargames Illustrated. The focus was on painting Gauls and featured the great plastic models made by Wargames Factory (http://www.wargamesfactory.com/). Well, the issue containing that article is now on sale so I thought I would share a couple of pics that I couldn't before. I also should note that my good pal Dave Pauwels has a fantastic Seige of Alesia Scenario in this issue as well. The information on the issue is below (in case you were interested).

From Wargames Illustrated site (www.wargamesillustrated.net):

WI262 is here! The latest issue of Wargames Illustrated - WI262 is now available online . It's another 116 pages packed full of the best wargaming action and all for the ludicrously cheap price of £4 UK - $6 US - €6 EURO - $12 AUS/NZ.This month we take on the theme of 'Caesar in Gaul' with several of our articles dedicated to ancient Roman action, but with plenty more besides.WI262 is published in the UK on 24th July (check out our changes to publication dates news story for full details on when you can get your hands on a copy) or you can order it from our website shop today.Subscriptions are now being taken on our sister 'Flames of War' website - hit the link below to subscribe, and don't forget all subscribers receive a free box set of figures.If you are renewing your sub we will pick this information up from your name and address details.You will need to register on the Flames of War website to take out a sub/purchase from the FoW online store.

Gorgon Studios is keeping me busy.

2009-07-21T18:18:00.007-05:00

I've been working recently on some models from Gorgon Studios, a company started by some good friends of mine. I worked on a few models for the company website (http://www.gorgon-studios.com/). Soon I'll be getting a box full of Spartans on my doorstep that will hopefully become the Gorgon Studios Spartan army. Stay tuned for updates over the next couple of months.

Blast from the past

2009-07-01T07:25:00.003-05:00

Below is a slideshow with pictures of my 1000 point Daemonhunter/Space Marine force. This was 1/3 of the Team Army that me and my friends (The Untouchables) brought to the 40k Team Tournament at Adepticon 2006. Our armies were featured in an article in White Dwarf 323 later that year.

I'm contemplating selling these models so I recently took new photos which is what you see here.

2009-07-01T07:13:00.001-05:00

Some exciting news.

2009-05-18T20:40:00.009-05:00

I'm very excited about the launch of this new miniature company from a very personal angle. The founders are some good friends and I can't wait to see all the exciting stuff they have lined up for the future. I already have a Temperance model on the way and I'll definitely have pics up as soon as I get started on her.
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Gorgon Studios Launches

Gorgon Studios, a cabal of veteran hobbyist, game designers/writers and miniatures painter, is proud to officially launch its website (http://www.gorgon-studios.com) and announce its partnership with world-renown miniatures sculptor, Steve Saleh.

‘Temperance’

Gorgon is happy to make its first Collector’s range model available. We are proud to introduce “Temperance”, a 40mm post-Apocalyptic she-devil. Sculpted by Steve Saleh, this multi-part figure heralds Gorgon’s eclectic Collector’s range. Walking directly from the blighted and nightmarish wastelands of the dark future, Temperance makes a formidable addition for the collector, painter or wargamer.

‘At the Hot Gates’

Over the next few months, Gorgon Miniatures plans to release its first two ranges of 28mm historical miniatures. First off, will be the re-release of Steve Saleh's excellent range of early Spartans, as a forerunner to a comprehensive treatment of the Classical era. Keep checking the website for availability, updates and previews of forthcoming figures.

Concurrently, Gorgon Publishing is working on both miniatures rules and some exciting RPG material. Stay tuned! The next few months will see lots of surprises. Again, all details of our products will be announced first on our website. Keep checking for updates.

Gorgon Studios http://www.gorgon-studios.com/

Caesar in Gaul

2009-05-11T15:48:00.003-05:00

I've been detoxing from the crazy fun of Adepticon 2009 but I have managed to do some of my commission work in the meantime. Although, dumb me forgot to take pictures! Now it's on to a project for a historical gaming magazine involving some Celts and Roman siege craft. I'll try and show some pics when and if I can.

In the works for this summer are more Republican Romans, finishing my Minas Tirith force for War of the Ring and maybe a GamesDay entry if I have the time and energy left. I'm going to dedicate myself to updating my blog pics at least once a week. Yeah, who am I kidding! Let's shoot for once a month first!!

Stay tuned.

We came, we saw, we........

2009-04-11T22:43:00.008-05:00

....managed to at least survive a couple of games. Dave Pauwels and myself played in the WAB Team Tournament at Adepticon 2009 and had a fantastic time. All the guys we played were great and I couldn't recommend this event more highly. Check out www.adeptuswindycity.com/forums for information on Adepticon and the Warhammer Ancients events being planned for next year.

Dave and I played an unholy alliance of Carthage and Republican Rome and we were thrilled to win the Best Appearance award. Below are a couple of pics of our stuff (The really nicely painted Carthaginian stuff is Dave's!).

Next up, I plan to touch up my Romans and finish the rest of the models I currently have to get to about 1300 points. My hope is to complete a solid 2000 points by next year's Adepticon.

t-minus 20 days.......

2009-03-14T19:01:00.010-05:00

It's been way too long since I updated my blog but I have been hard at work. I now have the 5 maniples of my Legion (2 Hastati, 2 Principies and 1 Triarii (not pictured)). I still need to finish up a few command models for these and do the bases but the bulk of the force is ready to roll.

Next up, I need to finish 7 Velites, 5 Roman Cavalry and my General and Army Standard. With just under three weeks left before Adepticon I have my work cut out for me (don't even ask about the other Adepticon tasks I still need to complete!).

The Fall of the Witch King

2009-01-30T08:23:00.005-06:00

I finally completed the Witch King diorama for the Gathering in the Desert LotR Indy GT auction and here are some pics of the final product.

A Gathering in the Desert Looms

2009-01-19T11:41:00.006-06:00

With the holidays behind me I finally had some time to get cracking on my model for the GitD LotR Indy GT auction. All I have left to finish are the bases of the models, the wood display base and some coats of varnish.

For more info on the Gathering in the Desert LotR Indy GT, check out their site at http://www.adeptusarizona.com/blog/?page_id=51

Deadlines approaching

2008-12-18T23:45:00.007-06:00

I'm painting some Lord of the Rings figures for a charity auction at The Gathering in the Desert, an Indy GT for LotR held in Phoenix. You can find out more at http://www.adeptusarizona.com/blog/?page_id=51.

I decided to do the diorama "No man can kill me". I wanted to make the figures usable both in the diorama and for regular game play so I decided to try using magnets as show here. The round silver magnets come from "Amazing Magnets" (http://www.amazingmagnets.com/) and the black metal strips I purchased at Michael's Craft Store. The nice thing about the strip magnets is they can easily be cut to any size and shape you need. The idea is that the strip magnet will allow the model to attach to either a standard round gaming base OR the diorama base without being permanently fixed to these.

Now I need to get cutting on painting these three to meet my February deadline!

Better late then never.

2008-12-05T15:33:00.003-06:00

It took me a but longer to finish my first unit let alone get some good pics of it. But, after much delay here it is.

I have to take a short break to do some commission work but I hope to have another 12 Hastati done before Christmas. I like to think of it as an early Christmas present for Hank. :)

Yes we can!

2008-11-14T14:23:00.002-06:00

I am thrilled with the speed at which this first unit is coming along. I have finished 5 models in about a week which is lightening speed for me. I have gone with a very basic painting scheme. Basecoat colors (off white, red, flesh and bronze) followed by a wash of GW Badab Black on the metal and Devlun Mud on everything else. Then, I reapply the basecoat color, add a highlight and that is it. Simple but I think it still looks pretty good.

At this rate, I should have my first unit of 12 done in another week!

The Rise of the Republic

2008-11-09T12:02:00.004-06:00

Adepticon 2009 is just 5 months away so it was high time I started my 1000 points of Republican Romans for the WAB Team Tournament. Here is the first of many Hastati models I will be completing in the coming months. These proud citizens of Rome will take the field alongside the mercenary menace of Dave Pauwels' Carthaginians. You can follow the progress of his army on his blog at http://www.rabidbatstudio.blogspot.com/.

One down, four to go!

2008-10-12T19:13:00.006-05:00

It's been a while but the time off has been put to good use. I've completed my Uruk-hai army for the Chicago GT. I took my existing force of about 300 points and added an additional 300 points in the form of 17 figures. These included some Uruk-hai crossbows, Dunlending warriors and an Uruk-hai Shaman.

So, army number one is done. Next, I'll be moving on to army number two: My Republican Romans. Check back soon for my first pics of this new army.

Mercenary work

2008-08-13T09:35:00.005-05:00

I've finished my last commission project so I can finally get started on my own army painting! Here are some pics of the three recent commission models I finished. Now it's time to get cracking on my Chicago GT army.

Greek week

2008-07-28T09:07:00.004-05:00

It's been awhile since I updated my blog but I have been a busy man. During the past two weeks I completed a second unit for my friend's historical army. I really like the way these guys came out and the color scheme was really easy to paint. I've been using the GW washes on both of the units I've done recently and I've been very happy with the effect. I now have a better idea of how I might use them on the LotR stuff I need to do next.

Macedonians on the March

2008-06-29T10:14:00.003-05:00

I finally completed the first of two units for Hank's Macedonian army. This unit painted up incredibly quick and I got to test out some of the new GW washes in the process. In particular, I used the Badab Black as an armour wash on the bronze by applying it over a bronze basecoat and then re-highlighting with the bronze afterwards. The other wash I used was the Gryphon Sepia as a flesh wash. I basecoated with Tallaran Flesh and then did one highlight of Elf flesh before applying the wash as my final step. I also used the Devlin Mud wash over the red on the musicians tunic. Again, two base colors (basecoat and highlight) followed by the wash as the final step. Now on to unit number two!

Hail to the Eye!

2008-06-20T22:47:00.006-05:00

I painted this new plastic Mordor Troll a few weeks back for the Orland Park GW store. The model is really nice and I was happy with the final look of the model even though I was under a time crunch to get it completed. I've never had much interest in painting a Mordor force but after painting this model and looking at the new army book I think I may have to reconsider that.

Macedonian Madness

2008-06-18T07:44:00.005-05:00

Another side project I need to complete before embarking on my own armies are some Macedonians. These are for a friend who is feverishly trying to get 4000 points ready for a trip to Historicon in July.

So, 6 down, 22 more to go!

Distractions

2008-06-12T11:21:00.005-05:00

Painting 5 armies in 2 years may seem like nothing to some people but one of my problems are the little distractions that come up. Here are some pics of one of those distractions. I've been painting Imperial Guard and Inquisitor figures on commission for a friend off and on for several years. This is the most recent batch of figures I just finished.

The Five Army Project

2008-06-11T21:47:00.006-05:00

So, here's the crazy plan. I'm ready to finally get some complete armies painted. With that in mind, I've set myself the goal of completing 5 armies by July 4th of 2010. First on the list will by my Uruk-hai army for the 2008 Chicago GT. This one is kind of cheating as I already have more than half the models done. Second on the list will be 1000 points of Republican Romans for Warhammer Ancient Battles (WAB) After this, I plan to complete 1000 points of Ancient Picts for WAB. Then, by next Fall I need to complete another Lord of the Rings (LotR) army which I plan to be my Hobbits of the Battle of Bywater force. Then, it will be time to finish 1000 points of each of the WAB armies (Romans and Picts) and then do one more LotR force by 2010.

But before I can do all that I have some loose ends to tie up. First is a batch of Warhammer 40k Catachans and Inquisitor models I'm working on for a friend. Second will be a unit of 28 Macedonian Pike which I'm doing to help my buddies Dave and Hank complete a team army for Historicon. Since I can't be there in person I can be there in spirit.