Blog Wars 8 - My Dark Eldar are coming out of retirement!

I have booked my ticket to "Blog Wars 8" this November "From the Fang", but I wont be able to take my Tau, no Forge World models :(

But it does mean I'll get to dust off my Dark Eldar, once I buy the new Codex, write a new list from said codex "without the Baron :( " and have a few practice games.  Obviously I will have to complete Armies on Parade first.

“Where’s the goddamn beacon? Oh. I see it.” Tau Skyshield landing pad

I finished my Tau Skyshield this morning by adding some weathering effects and adding the blue glow effect, I have been a little sneaky I have bought a pack of very light blue paper and I have glued them behind the vents were the light will emanate, because I have placed blue fairy lights inside and the paper diffuses the overall brightness, unfortunately my flash on my camera is stronger then the LED's so you can't see them, but it looks good in the dark :)

More posts to come on how it was made and the concept behind it.

 

This is my original Imperial Skyshield landing pad painted about 5 to 6 years ago when they first came out, note :- Its still not finished Oh well my new one is :)

That's a big tick off my to do list :)

Stay on target...Armies on Parade - Tau Skyshield landing pad WIP

A sneak peak of my Armies on Parade project X (WIP) and one of my painted Riptides and yes I know it's a rubbish photo, I have to leave you wanting more :)

The New Tau XV109 Y'vahra - A "Flying Monstrous Creature" or not?

Shas'Saal Samuraties at Advanced Tau Tactica has been good enough to post loads of images of his new purchase, the new XV109 Y'vahra from the Forge World European Open day.  As I am a massive fan of the Y'vahra and on seeing this image of the rear of the new Riptide variant and the size of the thrusters I just had to share.... 

What has come to light- First, the Y'vahra will be released in the next few months, I'm hopping for Christmas :) Second, the Y'vahra is not a close combat variant (understandably) :(  Third, confirmation on an Ion weapon and a flamer weapon (as if we didn't already know).  So open for debate is, why the huge over grown thrusters?  Could this be the first flying monstrous creature variant (please please please let it be this)? Could it have an extra long movement 4d6 for its jetpack move? Or just does it have hit and run? I for one know what I want and I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new rules on Forge World's site and Christmas morning :)

  

Blue glow effect - Airbrush tutorial in 3 easy steps

I have been asked to do a tutorial on how I get my blue glow effect on my Tau figures and through the passed 8 months I have been on a journey, not just writing this blog but also learning new techniques and skills, Airbrushing being one of them.  So on that note please remember I am still learning and developing my airbrushing skills and this is my easy 3 step to airbrushing a blue glow effect:-

Step 0 - Your figure/model must be complete including weathering effect, damage and decals, because light will effect everything.

Step 1 - I used watered down Citadel Colour "Ultramarine Blue" but the new "Altdorf Guard blue" will do just the same.  I applied the colour using an airbrush, very finely building it up in layers and fading the colour to the outside edge where I wanted the light to effect to stop.

Step 2 - Once completely dry I used watered down Citadel Colour "Ice Blue" but the new "Lothern blue" will do just the same.  Application is the same as above just try and keep it smaller so the darker blue can be seen.

Step 3 - This last step doesn't involve the airbrush, I applied watered down Citadel Dry "Etherium Blue" I know it's a strange selection as Citadel Dry is for dry brushing, but once watered down to a milk consistency it worked really well, apply the mix in all the recessed areas and to get a nice vibrant colour you can apply two coats or even a splash of white into the mix, but for me recently I have been avoiding a pure white in the centre of light sources, it just seems to loose the colour and effect. 

In the end on my finished Riptide shields I decided to change the blue glow effect around the red part the the Farsight emblem because I thought it looked cleaner painted plain red, but I had already taken all the images for this tutorial, as you will see when I post all four of my Riptides in the coming weeks.  Well I hope that this has been a helpful tip for everyone new to airbrushing, good luck and happy airbrushing :)

The New Tau XV109 Y'vahra from Forgeworld

I've just found my Christmas present to my self, exactly 1 hour after writing my To do list stating "I will not give GW all my money", well that didn't last long did it!

The XV109 Y'vahra looks amazing a cross between a Riptide and a XV9 armed with a Pulse submission cannon variant and a super heavy flamer hopefully with the torrent special rule.... Available at the Forge World European Open Day this Saturday http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Events/FWeuro-openday.html bring it on.

The 2014/15 Hobby Season Alumni

I have been invited to take part in my good friend Dave's "Hobby Season To Do List" sorry it's a bit late I've been away with no free WiFi :( 

 I have had a good 12 months - finished my Nurgle Space Marine army. 

Entered it into Throne of Skulls and won an award or two.  

Painted the Forge world Avatar for my friends 40th birthday and I'm also half way through painting my Tau Farsight Enclave army for the next Throne of Skulls.

I have my work cut out for me if I am to beat that year, that said lets get started on my to do list for 2014/15:-

1.  Enter Armies on Parade in October as goaded by Dave.

2.  Finish project X for Armies on Parade, not stolen the idea from Dave.... honest.

3.  Finish project Y for Armies on Parade....

4.  Paint Commander Farsight.

5.  Paint a Tau Battlesuit Commander or two.

6.  Paint 4 Tau Riptides.

7.  Paint 2 units of Tau Fire warriors.

8.  Paint a Tau Hammerhead gunship.

9.  Enter Throne of Skulls with my Tau Farsight Enclave Army and get one player vote with my ultra competitive list and get nominated for best army. (no pressure).

10.  Complete my Dark Eldar Tantalus which has been in the loft for 2 years.

11.  Paint the last of my 10 Dark Eldar Incubi.

12.  Paint Dark Eldar Drazhar and Lelith Hersperax.

13.  Paint my last Dark Eldar Venom.

14.  Start painting my Vampire Counts Army which has also been in the loft for 2 years.

15.  Outside chance of this happening but... to have one 4000pts WFB army painted, either Bretonnia or Vampire Counts.

16.  Not to give Games Workshop all my money and also to resist buying Nagash,but he looks so good.  

17. And lastly but most important ....Not to get divorced as I have just realised how much I have to paint :)

That's my list and it seems I will have a very busy 6 weeks ahead of me including moving house, I'll just have to take it one item at a time and cherry pick what would look best for Armies on Parade, because they will not all get done in time, but they all need doing anyway.

Good luck to every one taking part, I know I'm going to need it :)