Infinite Diversity, Finite Combinations 1.1.22

Took me over a month to write (hence why I've been so quiet lately), but my 6000 word piece on "Space Seed" is now finally up.

Friday 40K: Bruise And Bone

Time for the Grand Unveiling. I've been toying for the last six months or so with putting together a new Astartes Chapter, with the idea being to use the results to paint up my Conquest Primaris Marines. It's quite a complicated colour scheme - or at least it is for me, with my glacial painting speed - so it's taken me quite a while to get anywhere with it. Een just the test model took months. I'm still only halfway through the first three Intercessors from Conquest Issue 1 (with characteristic anal retentiveness, I'm determined to paint through in issue order - the Issue 2 Death Guard are in the early stages of completion too, but that's a story for another time).

But then, not long before Christmas, I ran out of some paint or other, which brought my painting of a different project (the Black Reach Orks, probably, which also aren't yet finished) to a halt. I then fell into the classic trap - at least, classic for me - of not wanting to only order one paint online, because it would cost money to ship it, so instead adding something much more expensive to the order to get free shipping, despite the actual cost being much more that way.

Still, at least I made good use of what I tacked on. I ordered a Hammerfall Bunker, and loved the model so much it soon became a top priority at the painting station. Thus it was that, despite no actual Astartes being finished for my new Astartes Chapter, they do at least have somewhere to hang out once they're finally ready. Even if said hangout is somewhere which doesn't appear to have, you know, doors.

Presenting: the Emperor's Spectres.

The colour scheme is basd on the Mortis Praetorians from White Dwarf 453, with the only difference being the bone colour being a little darker - it looked too pale and chalky on the test model (see bottom picture). The chapter badge (worked into the winged skulls on top of the launcher) is a stylised rendition of the Emperor's face from the classic John Blance illustration. There's very little in the way of background for the Chapter so far, but the idea is they know full well whar the Emperor's current status is, and they're mad as hell about it. They view themselves as manifestations of his vengeful spirit (heh), hence the name, and the colour scheme being so, well, Shyish-ish.

Here's the test model I did. You can see how his bone armour is paler - it actually looks rather better in this photo than it does in real life.

Infinite Diversity, Finite Combinations: 6.1.21

We're back on the NX-01 today, dealing with some alien goop. 

Friday 40K: Peace At Last

Here they are - the final remaining miniatures from "Battle For Macragge". At last, I've painted the entire set. (Though I've managed to lose two pieces of scenery bectween painting station and varnish point. Ah well.)

The genestealers are in my patented "cheap and cheerful" style that I've been using unashamedly since my first forays into xenox painting back in the mid 90s. The - communication atennae? Power pylons? Sinister coat stands? - are a little more involved, being drybrushed as oppose to simply daubed.

 It's the Imperial Fleet officer that I'm most happy with, though. I based his colour scheme on the Colonial uniforms from the 00s BSG. Not sure why he looks like he's overdone the eye-liner in that photo, but hey. So long as it's not contravening regulations, it's none of my business.

IDFC 3.1.21

 Trek goes Marxist. A bit. They don't stick the landing.

IDFC 1.1.21

This time round,  "Return Of The Archons" gets the IDFC treatment. Short version, it's shoddy and problematic, but one of the highest quality examples of problematic shoddiness TOS's first year managed to produce.

IDFC 6.1.20 (And Happy 2021!)

 Somehow forgot to end 2020 with a post about New Years. Um. Happy New Year?

I also managed to forget to mention that my latest IDFC is up, looking at the Enterprise episode "Detained". Even by my standards, this is clearly just using Trek as an excuse for a political essay.