We've had blood and now CHROME! The 2025/26 Hobby Season starts soon, join me!

Afternoon #WarHamFam and #warhammercommunity the 2025/26 hobby season will be starting soon so for those alumni who joined in last season it's time to start looking back at your TO DO lists - at what you've TO DONE!, what might have slipped and those lovely unexpected successes that happened despite life getting in the way and loss of mojo - I speak from experience [yet again].

The original plan when I started with 'great big stamps of approval' was that I wouldn't do multi-coloured stamps, just alternate between red and green, but who was I kidding? Once again I have tried to come up with something cool but my attempts were not what I'd hoped for. I'd been trying to play around with AI. Morally and environmentally concerning, but I have to be aware of its capabilities. Working in the creative field I would be foolish not to. But, although i got some interesting things from it, I couldn't get it to do exactly what I wanted - my 'prompt-fu' is weak as a novice. Maybe next season. In the mean time I just followed a tutorial, which is still helpful in adding new Photoshop skills. So I give you the Season of Chrome and the Great Big Chrome Stamps of Approval. Feel free to download and use them on your blog as and when you get stuff  'TO DONE!'

Or you can record your achievements with an 'unbranded' version.

And should you feel inclined to differentiate your efforts yet further here's the major goal stamps

And minor goals [which I occasionally find a use for].

And I've also got the Big Build...

 and Base [and obviously prime] Stamps done too. I heartily recommend this video from Tabletop Minions to understand where I was going with the 'Big Build' concept, he's touched on and expanded exactly why I created this a few years back.

Just a reminder of what it's about, in 2011 I made my first To Do List, amusingly it now/still looks like this:

• AoBR Tactical Squad
• AoBR Dreadnought
• AoBR Terminators
• Scout Squad
• Ravenwing bike squad
• Dark Angel Drop Pod
• Purity Seal all of my son's Tyranids
• Gloss Varnish all of my son's Tyranids
• Tyranid Prime
• Mycetic Spore
• Paint Vent Tower
• Paint defence platforms x4
• Complete pot pourri vegetation
• Complete future containers
• Complete 40k Cathedral tower
• STC Single story ruin
• STC Hex Defence platforms
• STC Targus Assault Blockade
• STC Vent tower
• STC Athena plateau
• STC Mercury plateau
• STC 40k Cathedral tower
• 60mm Dreadnought crater

So 4 things still haven't been done and quite frankly never will 😉. The purpose was to try to focus my efforts to outline a list of things I'd love to do over a twelve month period and if I achieved any of them - great, all of them, so much better. But more importantly I needed a structure to cling to when my efforts became aimless. That's not to say deviations from the list were forbidden it was more for when I went 'well what's next?'

It became an annual blog post to review what I'd done and set new tasks. Throughout the season I would reveal my 'To Dones!' as completed items both on and off the list. Showcase posts are nothing new to hobby blogs, everyone else does it at the end of the year/beginning of the new year. But for me it was a structure to help build the identity of this blog. Then, in 2014 I invited readers and passers-by of the blog to join in. Well, when you have a good idea why not share it around? I got about 10 people joining in and it looked like we were quite a supportive little bunch. I think over time steam ran out a little bit, but folk continue to join in each season and hopefully the same will ring true for 2025/26.

To help things out a bit I eve created a Hobby Season Facebook group, it's here [but not very popular[:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/278747245819138/

So, if you're joining in just ask and I'll add you into the group, that way you can share your blog posts or any efforts to those also joining in. I hoped this platform will allow more interaction for those taking part and keep us all motivated.

I guess the last question is why 28th August as the start/end date, why not January 1st?

I think back in 2011 it was at that time I thought a structure needed to be in place and it was as good a time as any to post a To Do List, afterall the footy season starts around this time too, no one complains about that, do they?

Anyway, 28th August join me for the new Hobby Season :)

Battle Record - #MESBG 14/08/25

Afternoon #Warhammer Community in this hobby season's TO DO List I had a new task:

• Find a way to be happy about not always doing battle reports

I've thought about it quite a few times but never got round to doing anything about it. Then I suddenly had an epiphany. A solution so simple I'm not sure why it eluded me for so long. In the first instance, stop thinking about them as 'battle reports' and as 'battle records'.  If that is just a selection of images from my night of gaming then that should be enough. It records for posterity that we played a game and had fun. If I am inclined to add a bit of detail I will and if I have the wherewithal to make it a full blown report I'll do that and title it so. This way I can got back at some point and add in the numerous 'battle records', that haven't even made it as 'not a battle report' let alone the detailed reports I would love to do, but sadly don't have the time.

So, this was Otty, Liam, Ben and myself finishing off a doubles MESBG game from the week before. Yes, we have our own Hobby/Otty Shed t-shirts and hoodies now! 

The previous week my dice had been on fire 🎲🔥. I'd rolled three 6's, shortly followed by four 6's. I'd even killed a Wild Warg Captain in the first round of shooting! 

So, Otty's Hunter Orcs had been doing well and we were in a good position as Liam and Ben's Wargs and werewolves met our lines. 

But this week the dice were not with us and there was far too much 'bite' in these dooggos. 

With points for HQ's killing models we were outgunned as the remaining Wild Warg Captains just racked up points. 

However, it would transpire that there are two different rulesets for this doubles mission. 

And, although we lost on points in the mission we were playing, the other ruleset would have seen us the victor. 

Regardless it was another great evening of hobby goodness!

Now I may have written too much here, and it's almost what I would describe as 'not a battle report'. But there may be less text in future, or the past as I look to share previous battle records, on the blog on the dates they took place. That means they will not appear as 'new' posts on the front page. But when I posted a few I will do a new catch-up post for folk to go back and check them out if you're interested. The battle reports were never particularly popular, which is why a personal record should be good enough for me I hope.

What's on my palette?

Bless me #Warhammer Community for I have sinned, it's been over 2 months since my last confession! Lots of progress both on my previous priorities and numerous other projects but I have been focused on my remaining Leviathan Tyranids, trying to get them done before the end of the hobby season.

My current priorities are:

1. Leviathan Termagants x20 [actually 21]
2. Leviathan Barbgaunts x5
3. Leviathan Von Ryan's Leapers x3
4. Leviathan Neurogaunts x11

I've also got 3 Genestealers progressing alongside that will go on the base of one of my Cerastus Knights. Recent posts about progress and concerns about completing them in time  have been alleviated but still a challenge. After the second set of chitin highlights progress has been swift. So much so that the next update will probably be their TO DONE! showcase. However, those second highlights felt like the exact opposite than the previous slog of turquoise and bone. Truly I felt at one with the process. Not only productive but permanently satisfied with what I was doing and willing to extend my efforts to get stuff done. Usually I'd take a break as soon as it got hard but I was willing to persevere and it never felt like a slog. That zen feeling was wonderful.

All that is left now are 

• the final set of black highlights
• base detailing - bone chips and odd bits of modelled debris and alien growths
• base rims
• varnish - matt
• flocking, if any
• varnish - gloss and Tamiya Clear Red X-27

Eminently doable. However, my son will be moving away in a week or so, which means we have limited time left to watch TV shows together. Many shows will not get the shared viewing I'd hoped for. We missed out on Shogun, although we did regrettably catch up with Rings of Power. I mean we enjoyed complaining about it and keeping track of how many times they said the name Celebrimbor in any given episode. But otherwise it was a huge disappointment. Anyway, I will drop any paint task in front of me if it means spending time with him while we still can.

Further tasks identified are now clearly for next season

• Adeptus Titanicus Warlord Titan 1
• Adeptus Titanicus Warlord Titan 2
• Adeptus Titanicus Questoris Knights x3
• Adeptus Titanicus terrain - this is a second lot of AT terrain 
• Cerastus Knight Acheron
• Cerastus Knight Castigator

The Cerastus Knights will be after the Warlords, I suspect that'll be November December. But I have done some minor bits and bobs on them inbetween painting. In particular the Adeptus Titanicus terrain is being built and I'm slowly 'pimping' them with cardboard and coffee stirrer detailing. They'll be cool when ready to prime so I can show what I've done. I've also got some Crisis Protocol terrain that I was volunteered to paint by the guys. It's Guardians of the Galaxy, but I'm going to paint it in my rebel barricade style for Star Wars Legion. The guys have a New York set up for their battles so it's somewhat redundant otherwise

Lots to do, but some [welcome] distractions. I'm feeling productive but looking to have a bit of a break after the end of this season. Just a little disappointed the blog has been sacrificed a bit to allow me to get the hobby done. Fingers crossed I find some time to share some of our many games we've played recently, my dice have been on fire! 🎲🔥

'nids part 380 - Leviathan Tyranids - Chitin highlights 1

Afternoon #Warhammer Community I've been #PaintingWarhammer on the remains of my Leviathan box set Tyranids. Chitin highlights and I am starting to doubt this is doable by the end of the hobby season. With these done there are 61 steps left to do, 4 of which are the second set of highlights and as part 1 took me 6 days to do I suspect a similar timeframe for part 1. 

That leave me with about 20-23 days to do the remaining 57 steps. 

That's more than 2 things being ticked off a night, with no nights off and that just doesn't seem achievable.

I could be wrong. There's 4 steps to the red [on the 4 different units] and they could be done in one or two sessions.  

16 things to do in such a short time would change the dynamic significantly.

However, I've listed the black highlights as three step and I know it's actually 4 so there are still obstacles to overcome.

I really need to get the next turquoise highlights out of the way and then I'll have a better idea.

It's still doable, and I don't think I'm going to give in just yet, but we'll have to see.

I do have some holiday time at the moment, so who knows I may get some morning sessions in.

So, a quick push to get the next lot of highlights.

But these are definitely starting to look a bit cooler, now they have more detail on.

I just want to be done with 'nids for a while so I can get my Cerastus back on track and my Warlord Titans ready for #DreadTober

Belated 10th Anniversary of the birth of the Man Cave

Afternoon #WarHamFam and #WarhammerCommunity I've had my man cave for 10 years now, it was originally installed on 27th July 2015. I just missed the anniversary even though I knew I had to finish this post.

Although I 'promised' a new coat of paint this year that's going to be put on hold until 2026 I think. Instead I do plan to paint the roof. I found a leak I in the ceiling earlier this year. Although it has not leaked again since I'm worried what is happening. Now, a rubber roof might be the sensible choice, but it was over £100 and I was going to have to fit it myself. The adverts say it's easy and can be done in an hour. But for the same effort and £30 I can 'paint' it with Cromapol. It's an acrylic resin with fibreglass fibres in it. It's really thick, you have to use a trowel to apply it, but I have to do my outbuilding roof as well so having two tins means I will have plenty spare. I'm thinking it will definitely make it waterproof. My only concern is how it'll handle heat expansion. But, if it doesn't work I can do the rubber roof next year.

I've had a blog post in draft for years that I finally felt I could repurpose to cover this anniversary, so forgive me if it seems rambling [but when isn't my blog?]:

I think it's well documented that the 'hobby' can be an amazing source of good for the mental health of many people. Overall the calm reflective time we each spend painting toy soldiers or the social aspect of gaming with friends both old and newly discovered can really help people. It's a vehicle for interaction that some might otherwise struggle with, a shared experience and background that is a perfect conversation starter. Painting can help soothe a troubled mind and the joy of completing a model or even just getting an eye right for once, creates a wonderful sense of satisfaction. To be part of such a community, and on the whole it is supportive [although it has toxic elements like any group], is a blessing; and Games Workshop being the largest company deserves a lot of credit for helping to spread that well-being.

However, I have an obsessive personality, bordering on addiction. Thankfully it doesn't stretch to the substances that cause genuine damage to your life but when I become interested in something I'm all in. I've had a number of extreme passions in my life, Citadel miniatures possibly being my first, my favourite band - Pitchshifter second, and thirdly when I was practicing kendo. Thankfully there wasn't much of an overlap in these obsessions - I went to uni, so I couldn't game but discovered kendo. I came home and stopped kendo but had more freedom to see Pitchshifter in their prime. I started kendo again and then had to stop, rediscovering the hobby to fill the void and then Pitchshifter went on hiatus.

Now I am all in on the hobby. For a decade and a half I've been building, painting, gaming, blogging and thinking about the hobby almost constantly. It is all-consuming. As my passion grew it took over our back-room until I had to move out into the man-cave. But it had caused significant friction leading up to that point and spending around £1200+ on a hobby shed seemed an extreme length to go to, to further my toy soldier obsession. Of course I rationalised the cost with the fact we would end up with a proper dining room, but that took another 2 years to get done! I also figured a Warlord Titan cost about the same and this was definitely a better investment.

So, with a dedicated home to paint in and slightly more organised approach the man cave was a fine purchase. Add in lockdown and home working and it would become absolutely invaluable. According to Solid Sheds, they have a lifespan of 15 years, so I have something of a 'ticking clock' going to try to stave off the inevitable. It definitely deserves a tidy up, if not a repaint. Here's to keeping it going!

'nids part 379 - Leviathan Tyranids - Washes and bone 1

Afternoon #Warhammer Community I've been #PaintingWarhammer on the remains of my Leviathan box set Tyranids. Here are the shade washes. You could probably achieve this with a Contrast nowadays, without the previous base colour. That would have saved me 16 minutes per Termagant (5 hours and 20 minutes). But I am compelled by the process.

The Vallejo dipping washes I use occasionally leave a similar dusty residue that Seraphim Sepia does. So I mixed in some water and Army Painter Quickshade Wash Medium.

I think this solved the issue and actually created a nice finish, particularly on the blue areas.

It's less of an issue at this stage as a lot of these areas are painted over anyway.

But it's good to have solved an issue that can occur when I'd prefer it not to.

Now the hard yards. It was around 9 minutes each to do the bone highlights on the Termagants.

3 hours to get these done and once again my skill with the brush is being called into question. I do wish I had better control, or showed any signs of improvement.

But I think subconsciously I've just become more comfortable with 'good enough'.

That said the Neurogaunts only take about 5 minutes each (55 mins for the 11 figures)

Back to the Barbgaunts and we already know this is a 15 minute job. 

In fact according to my records I know that it'll take me 6 hours and 20 minutes to get the bone and turquoise highlights done.

 I still have the reds, black, any details like teeth, eyes, glow FX, bases and then varnishes on top

It's helpful, but also daunting. Despite the time estimate, which is clearly doable before the end of the hobby season, I have 68 elements to do to get all of the Tyranids done.

But I only have 36 days to do it [not including nights when I can't paint] and I can't imagine ticking off nearly 2 elements a session.

So what seemed like a shoe-in - remember when I thought I'd be able to paint the Kill Team Typhon box as well?

I'm now beginning to doubt I'll get them done in time. Particularly as I have some other non-hobby projects to do before the end of the month.

Well, we'll just have to have our fingers crossed 🤞, hope for the best 🙏 and crack on where we can 🖌

Von Ryan's Leapers have got 4 hours 12 on the clock to go too! 😫

#MESBG Middle Earth Goblin Town Terrain - TO DONE! 🟤

Afternoon #Warhammer Community I've been #PaintingWarhammer on my Middle Earth Goblin Town goblins and terrain they're all TO DONE! More specifically the display board, made from a cheap cork pin-board.

But I thought I'd put them all together to showcase what I achieved.

I may not have initially got quite the euphoria from finishing these like I did their inspiration - the poxwalkers.

But seeing them like this I was really satisfied with the result - 'finished not perfect'.

I'm not quite sure how I appear to expect so much more from myself while also reaching a level of acceptance that this is as good as I get.

It's like zen self-awareness coupled with self-flagellation. 

I may yet add some tufts to these at some point, just for a bit of extra details. 

But everything that worried me when observing them close-up in isolation seems to have been resolved now I see them in context with each other. 

The green bits on the Goblin Town platforms are less noticeable with all the Goblins on top of it.

And seeing all the Goblins together it feels like such a significant undertaking any individual reservations don't seem so important any more.

Now, with all the MESBG minis out of the way it's time to get back to my Leviathan Tyranids. 40 more models to batch paint in one final push for the end of the season.

Another Great Big Wooden Stamp of Approval.