'nids part 156 - The Spawn of Cryptus/Malanthrope

Gosh, this seems agaes ago now. Thanks to not writing the text to go with these the Spawn is now finished but here he is in all his basecoat glory.

It's amazing how quick he went together, essentially it's like painting just one Genestealer, even though he's actually twice the size of his broodkin. I was reminded how much I dislike painting them but only in a 'oh yeah I recall it being a chore' without actually feeling like it was, because there was only one. I'm sure when I get around to the 31 currently littering my workspace I'll revisit that feeling with a passion.

Which does also cover the state of my workspace, it's atrocious. i really need to tidy up but that in itself is an evenings work and then I'm not painting. However the Malanthope progressed concurrently with the Spawn, up to the point I did highlights.

As soon as the spawn started getting highlights the Malanthrope was sidelined.

It's currently in it's 'wash' state so I'll have pictures to follow and then it'll be on with the turquoise.

He's a curious beast, I still don't know how I'm going to transport him but no doubt I'll solve that problem eventually.

So that's your lot for now, hope that sate your hobby fix from the 40k addict ;)

'nids part 155 - The Spawn of Cryptus

Hurrah, I've done something! Well enough to actually post about but I won't hold out too much hope for a regular update just yet, bloggin mojo is on short supply. Hobby mojo is bubbling over, I just need to tap into it. I'm looking at a number of projects and really want to be much further on with them. Unfortunately I'm adding in elements like the Spawn, just because it's cool, when I have models much further down the line that are actually on my To Do List, c'est la vie.

Anyway, you should be able to see his base is done, excet for the Bonewhite chips. I'm still enjoying this 'backwards' order of base first and the Red Oxide is also helpful. I find most white Primers temperamental, black would be too much and grey not as useful. Red Oxide though gives me my base and will create an instant subsititue for the old 'liver' colour I used to create saving me time and effort. It also increases the contrast of the colours.

He really is quite a beast but I think he should nbe relatively easy to paint, it is just an oversized Genestealer afterall. Do you reckon they just scaled the Space Hulk Broodlord by 130% then added some extra bits? It's an amazing model but I do think it could have done with some touches to make less 'perfect'. There's nary a blemish or imperfection and it's very symmetrical which is far less organic than I'd like considering the nature of the Tyranids. When you take into account the crazy Nurgle stuff that's coming out this super sleak bioform seems quite 'manufactured'. Still, he is a beast.

I foolishly forgot about Monkeychuka's Broodlord comparison with the reposed arms and have ended up with the 'big fish, little fish, cardboard box' I'll survive though.

Whilst I was in the zone I thought I might as well do the Malanthrope base too so I should have both of these moving along at a similar pace.

I'm hoping to do the basecoats next and perhaps do some first highlights to a couple of my Dark Vengeance Deathwing Terminators whilst I have the Bonewhite out. Although I'm desparate to move forwards I'm once again stuck with a hobby attention span of around 30-45 minutes so fitting in production line painting is off the cards. I'm also enjoying other distractions on our new TV, particularly as the heir apparent is sitting watching TV with me. It may not be the greatest 'quality time' but at least it is time together.

'nids part 154 - Malanthropism!

Back in the day I think it was Ron off of From the Warp who said you should never have to apologise for not being able to blog, that life comes first and most readers should respect that. However, that doesn't take into account being brought up to be polite and well mannered. Although I agree with the sentiment in practice I can't help but apologise because some folk may well have been waiting for my regular posts and might well think I've been buried under a pile of foamboard, nibbled at by the cat and never to return...! So yeah, I'm sorry but mojo is in short supply as was hinted at in previous posts. Sadly it's the blogging that is very low on my hobby matrix but I have tinkered away with a few things and here's the evidence - the 'Filth', Damnasia's Plague

Apparently the Malanthrope is the bees knees so I had to get one. I think that Monkeychuka's kitbash may be better looking but without the tentacle maker and the spare bits I was forced to go with this fella.

He's quite deceptive, I think thanks to the tapered shape in that he doesn't look too big, then you put it next to another model and he is indeed quite impressive.

I've secured the acrylic rod in a Barbed Strangler barrel which will suffice.

I'll paint the base and Malathrope separately but this is really just to kick start the hobby again, slowly. Doing bits here and there that I'm familiar with while I finish up the things I promised to do. Blood Bowl Elves are complete I just need to varnish and photograph them

Hopefully having him in the background to add basecoats and washes too will help motivate me in the other things.

So it's not much and may be a while yet for another post but I appreciate everyone's patience while I get back on the horse instead of the wagon I've been on ;)