Little Max's Awesome Blog

Ogre Flesh

2011-08-22T13:10:00.001+10:00

So I've recently decided to pick up my game and get cracking on some Ogres.

I figure that the main reason I never complete an army is because I get daunted by how much I have to do and end up getting distracted by something else before I finish anything.

Solution = An army that averages 45-50 points per model :)

If I'm lucky then my Ogres will actually be an attainable goal for me and give me something to game with while working on the fifty other army/projects I'm working on.

I was blown away by the new pics of the Ogres (a nice compilation on which is on Dave Taylor's Blog) and I decided to try out the flesh tones myself.

This is what I managed during the second hour of Underbelly last night:

I'll put up a full step by step after I finish off an entire 'mini' but here is the overview.

1:2 Warlock Purple:Calthan Brown (Flat base coat)

1:2:1 Warlock Purple:Calthan Brown:Tallarn Flesh (Feathered)

3:4:1 Chaos Black:Warlock Purple:Calthan Brown (Focussed wash in the crevasses between the muscles)

1:2:2 Warlock Purple:Calthan Brown:Tallarn Flesh (Feathered)

Fine Highlight - Tallarn Flesh (Feathered, very sparse)

Final Edge Highlight - Elf Flesh (4, maybe 5 strokes in total over the entire arm)

Let me know what you think. Any feedback would be great :)

Little Max

Back at it!

2011-04-30T14:44:00.004+10:00

After over a year I'm back and posting again! With thanks to Dj to pushing me along of course.

In short time I'm planning an overhaul of the blog, focussing on a new layout and new content. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze in the time to keep things updated with uni and all.

For now though here is a peak at some of the hobby I've done this past year and a preview of posts to come :)

Incursion Box Set

Incursion is plain and simple brilliant, it's a WWII alternate history board game similar in play style to Space Hulk. Nazi-Zombies and Allies in powered exoskeletons can only be interpreted as downright awesome!

Dj and I have been playing games on a fairly regular basis and can't get enough of it. Here is a sample of one of the allied minis beneath.

Incursion Grunt APE (WIP)

I've also started up a Skaven army. Slowly but surely as they say...

Skaven Clanrats (WIP)

And of course my Imperial Fists. Dreadnaught a few more steps along from before.

Imperial Fists Dreadnaught (WIP)

And my Ork Battlewagon, which is the most complete mini in my slowest army yet! I'll be posting a detailed breakdown of my Battlewagon conversion shortly. All you need is a Truck and a 'Wagon and you're good to go for some flat-bed, open-top, hit-and-run madness.

Converted Battlewagon (WIP)

Btw, expect some follow up posts of my Fists to come with a whole heap of updates including WIP Assault Terminators, Thunderfire Cannon, Landspeeder Storm, Tactical Squad, as well as completed Dreadnaught and Scouts.

Little Max

Test Post from iPhone

2010-04-10T18:48:00.002+10:00

Hey guys,

This has been done before though I must admit I have a bit more confidence this time around :)

I'm attempting another blog straight from my iPhone. This time however using a little app i found called BlogPress :)

I figured i'd throw in a pic of the new toys I'm getting from forge world in the next few days when I start up my tau bfg fleet!

Let's hope this post turns out a tad nicer than the last attempt haha

Little Max -- Post From My iPhone

Tau Battlesuit Conversion

2010-03-22T21:59:00.000+11:00

Look guys,

I'm actually doing hobby and posting up some picts as proof!
I started this conversion not so long ago and finally finalised it all up.

I might add a tiny bit of detail to the side of the flamer barrels where they run next to the hand though I'm yet to make a final decision.
Painting of this mini won't be for a while as I still need to get a couple of test schemes out of the way on a fire warrior or two before I commit to something for this guy.

Total converting time on this suit was probably only about 4 hours though I'm extremely good at procrastinating and stretching this sort of time frame out to two weeks if need be :p

Now that I know what I'm doing I'll be sure to take the time to post a step-by-step tutorial on how to make on of these fellers with photos available to anyone that might be interested.

The bit that takes the longest is the assembly of the arms to the body and linking it all up with some guitar string,

Anyone that has used guitar string as a material before will know just how much it wants to spring straight back out and can do so with enough force to rip a pin reinforced arm right off a Battlesuit!
I'll reiterate this in my tutorial when it comes to pinning the flamer tubing to the arm as I found out the hard way that a simple pinning job just won't cut it!

Hope you like the picts!

Little Max

Tau Suit Conversion - WIP

2010-03-19T12:27:00.000+11:00

Hey everyone!

I've been away from the blogosphere for some time now but that doesn't mean that the hobby ball has stopped rolling!

I've been working pretty hard on my Imperial fists lately and decided it was time for a bit of a break, so I decided to start working on my next major army project - Tau :)

(Prototype Battlesuit with Twin-Linked Flamer + Missile Pod)

I've always been a Tau player at heart ever since they landed in 2001 though ever since Forge World started releasing new Battlesuits I realised the inadequacies of the standard 'blockiness' of the 'off the shelf' Tau Suits.
I've seen many Suit conversions over the years and only a handful of those 'Tyranid-to-Imperial Guard' bit bashed minis took my fancy as actually looking any good.

One of the suits that stood out to me was a conversion by Tael where he quite nicely streamlined the XV8 Jet Pack.

(Converted "Stealth XV8" by Tael)

I'm attempting to replicate this style of streamlined Jet Pack into my XV8 Twin-Linked Flamer team though making my own modifications to the rest of the Suit including scratch built Flamers (I really dislike the standard flamers in the box).

(Prototype Head)

Hopefully he'll be finished some time soon with another two to follow him :)
Keep posted as I'll be putting up a conversion guide after i finish my prototype and have the willpower to slow down and take a photo for each step of Suit no. 2 :)

Little Max

Buying too many toys?

2010-02-02T10:35:00.001+11:00

Who loves new toys?

I must admit to everyone that buying new toys is possibly my biggest vice.
Whether it's the new Space Marines that have come out, going back to my all time favourite Tau or spending copious amounts of cash on the latest and shiniest Apple iPad (when it comes out... I'm giddy like a school-girl over that one :p), I always end up with piles of odds and sods that I almost never get around to using!

That being said, I'd like to believe that almost every hobbyist out there suffers from similar symptoms :p

Just the other day I decided to get myself an inordinate amount of Tau, just in preparation for when I finish my Fists (which isn't looking to be a terribly nearby date)!

Many hundreds of dollars later I think I've finally discovered the real benefits of setting myself goals before I start the spending. Painting/Hobby goals and Army Lists in particular really help to ensue I don't end up turning too much cash into bits that I wont ever use.

Really think about what you're buying and whether or not you'll actually use it for something.

To really sum it all up: thinking before you buy will reduce the expansion of your 'bitz box' and increase the space used up in all those empty cases lying around your room! :)

Dj and I are really trying to push this in our own way of thinking and so far it seems to be getting those toys out of their boxes :)

Little Max

Fisting up some Scouts

2010-01-25T22:50:00.003+11:00

And so they are progressing...

I've finally got some pics of my scouts! :)

They have come along a bit since, so I'll be taking some photos of the completed minis some time in the near future :)

A couple of people also expressed a bit of interest in my yellow recipe so methinks I'll include that here too...

Here goes:
1. Iyanden Darksun (everywhere, a nice flat coat over everything, starting from white or black will come out the same but I use black as my base)

2. Gryphonne Sepia (wash heavily over everything to produce some nice shadows and yellow coloration)

3. 50/50 Iyanden Darksun/Gryphonne Sepia (layer over the dried wash and cover over most of the existing yellow, leaving a nice trasition between the wash and the new layer)

4. Iyanden Darksun (highlight broadly with this layer, grabbing almost all edges)

5. 50/50 Iyanden Darksun/Sunburst Yellow (highlight the top-facing edges of the armour)

6. Sunburst Yellow (final highlight around sharp edges and on the topmost surfaces of the armour for a nice, crisp yellow finish)

7. Admire the end result :)

Dj and I also did a fair chunk of hobby today, pushing out a number of tactical marines and doing some more touching up of my Chaplain in Terminator Armour.

I must say I really do enjoy having some Hobby Buddies to motivate me to get some hobby done!

Can't wait to have him finished up and ready for the table :)

Little Max

Playing with my Fist's Bitz

2010-01-20T18:54:00.011+11:00

TeeHee...

First blog in a while so I'm trying something new! Testing out this blogging from my iPhone business and hopefully it'll work out ok :)

*amended* [failed horribly so I'm fixing it all up on a computer now :P]

Now, onto the bits we've all been waiting for (well I'd like to think some people out there like to wait for my blogs :P I know Dj-batman does at least)!

Despite being out of the blogging community for a couple of months I haven't stopped the hobby ball from rolling on. I managed to pump out a few minis, including having mostly finished my chaplain and polished off my dready!

Sadly I come to realise that starting a blog a week or so out of uni exams and starting a new job was probably not the best time to make promises of lots of shiny new toys for you all to enjoy :(... though now enough of my excuses and on to some classy and remorseless make-up/forgive me Sessions of Blogging ;)

I recently handled some rather interesting little bits... :) from GW that is (out of the gutter you)!

The other week i decided to buy each of the crimson fists bits packs to use on my yellow fellers to make them more like the fisty army they should be :)

The tank pack turned out surprisingly good actually. The bits weren't too oversized and had a great flat backside to them which was perfect for putting on a dreadnaught or tank :)

The end product is looking pretty promising :)

Particularly happy with the shoulder pads coming up with a bit more detail and I'm further trialing a tactical symbol mould on the right shoulder to add that tiny touch more detail to the flatness of the shoulders (Dj-batman suggested this to me so be sure to check out his Ultramarines too)!

More photos as they come :) and my scouties are nearly finished so keep an eye out for them...

Keep posted happy bloggers and more images shall follow in short order!

Little Max

New Toys!

2009-10-29T12:59:00.001+11:00

Just thought I'd share my new toys with everyone =]

Got them in today! Can't wait to get cracking on them and have a bit of fun.

Got in a new Command squad, Tactical squad, Thunderfire Cannon, Assault Squad (for legs) and of course the all important and shiney Codex: Space Marines! =]

Hopefully some assembled on Wednesday (taking a days break from study) then more coming the following friday and onwards!

Enjoy (I know I sure will),

Little Max

The Yellow Ones!

2009-10-24T17:48:00.001+11:00

They're yellow, and they're thoroughly on their way to the tabletop!

I've finally got myself some decent pictures to put up today =] thanks to DJ

So today methinks I might show off my dreadnought w/ flamer WIP.

I've got everything up a bit further that they're shown here and hopefully will have a full 3 units up and running about in no time! =]

I've got my Scouts on their way too, though I might save that post for a couple of days =]

Can't wait to get my hands on my Thunderfire cannon though! Hopefully have that and my Terminators within the next couple of weeks =]

Hope you all enjoy,

Little Max

Imperial Fists Army List

2009-10-12T19:56:00.007+11:00

I know, army list madness...

I promise some pretty pics soon though! Got my Scouts and Dreadnaught in Dj's studio for some WIP shots =]

Btw, for those that haven't heard... Imperial Fists novel! Looking forward to having one in my hands and getting all inspired for my Fists! =] Never heard of the author but the cover artwork is rad =] gotta love Scouts in yellow! =P

Here's a prelim 1000 pts army list for my Imperial Fists. Its not entirely in theme yet (really hard to manage with smaller SM lists but the 1500 and 2000 pts lists will be closer to what I want) =]

In the end I think I want to have an Ordo Xenos Librarian with a "Deathwatch" Sternguard Veterans unit.

Sorta theming it as Ordo Xenos has requisitioned a detachment from the Imperial Fists 5th Company to aid in a Xenos threat campaign (fortifying their command points etc). Figured it could be fun and lets me fiddle around with some cool conversions. Initial list doesn't reflect this theme at all but its units I want to take and gives me something playable in the meanwhile =]


HQ:
   Chaplain
       Terminator Armour
        Melta Bombs
   135 pts

Elites:
        Assault Terminator Squad
   200 pts

Troops:
       Scout Squad
       Additional Scouts (x5)
       Heavy Bolter
        Boltguns (x4)
        Shotguns (x3)
        Combat Blade (x2)
   150 pts

        Tactical Squad
        Additional Marines (x5)
     Plasma Cannon
       Melta Gun
        Power Weapon
        Teleport Homer
   210 pts

Fast Attack:
       Assault Squad
       Plasma Pistol
       Power Fist
        Storm Shield
   155 pts

       Land Speeder Storm
   50 pts

Heavy Support:
        Thunderfire Cannon
   100 pts

Assault marine squad is not quite something I'm all too happy with in the army as it's quite points heavy and mostly useless unless it's a 10-man unit. Shouldn't take too long to build up and paint considering it's only 44 models compared to the 80 odd in my guard =P

Pics of my scouts and dread, along with my painting recipes will be up shortly =]

Dj and I are working on our respective marine armies and should have the 1000 pts completed and table ready by Feb 1, 2010! Keep a look out for our game and pics of teh completed Imperial Fists and Ultramarines armies together on the table top!

As always, comments and suggestions to the list are most welcome =] especially from any experienced marine players as this is my first marine army!

Enjoy,

Little Max

Renegade Army List

2009-10-06T23:11:00.001+11:00

Thought I'd put up a sample 1500 pts army list so you can all see where I'm thinking of heading with this army =]

Only preliminary and very subject to change. I wanted to have lots of core troops and combine the infantry squads in all my platoons (giving them just the one commissar, one vox and 2 flamers per 20-man squad).

note: I plan to rename all entries to something suitably more chaos but for now the generic guard names will suffice for easier understanding.

HQ:
        Company Command Squad
        Medi-Pack
        Regimental Standard
        Vox-Caster
        Carapace Armour
        Heavy Flamer
                                                                140 pts

Elites:
        Psyker Battle Squad
        additional Psykers (x5)
        Chimera
        [model it up as a slave wagon, chains, bars etc]
                                                                165 pts

        Storm Trooper Squad
        additional Storm Troopers (x5)
        Flamer (x2)
                                                                175 pts

Troops:
        Infantry Platoon (I)
        Platoon Command Squad
        Vox-Caster
        Flamer (x2)

        Infantry Squad
        Vox-Caster
        Commissar

        Infantry Squad
        Flamer

        Heavy Weapons Squad (Mortars)
                                                                255 pts

        Infantry Platoon (II)
        Platoon Command Squad
        Vox-Caster
        Flamer (x2)

        Infantry Squad
        Vox-Caster
        Commissar

        Infantry Squad
        Flamer

        Heavy Weapons Squad (Missile Launchers)
                                                                255 pts

Fast Attack:
        Hellhound Squadron
        Hellhound (x1)
                                                                 130 pts

Heavy Support:
        Leman Russ Squadron
        Leman Russ Battle Tank (x2)
        Pair of Plasma Cannon Sponsons (x2)
        [this unit is the one thing I'm really unsure about]
                                                                380 pts

Let me know what you think =]
Open to all suggestions and ideas especially if they involve getting the army more into theme!

Enjoy,

Little Max

Renegade Guard!

2009-10-01T18:09:00.004+10:00

The Renegades are marching forth!

My current work in progress (alternating between these and my Fists) is the draft 5 models for my Renegade Guard army, inspired by the absolutely incredible sculpts of the Renegade Guard Militia from Forge World. The Ogryns really did it for me but the command squad is sensational =] (I'll have one arriving via First Class British Airmail within the next 6 weeks if everything goes to plan!)

I've only painted up a couple, though I've built 5 and have one still needing a little bit of work before I'm happy with it. Dabbling with Chaos is new to me and the mix of Flagellants and Guard bitz are not always perfectly proportionate but they will do until I get some resin bitz =]

I appologise for the amateur photography and poor quality of the pics (all horribly washed out and a yummy yellow... Sadly the actual colour scheme doesnt show at all in these =[... Nokia N-Series phones just don't cut it for close up detail images). Better ones coming soon, I promise =] Dj Batman will me helping me out with that soon with some luck!

All painting and construction work has taken place today and last thurs =]

Hope you enjoy the mini's... Definitely more of these coming in short order! Only a sampler pic this evening =] in a bit of a rush...

Little Max

Fisting Action!

2009-09-29T13:35:00.004+10:00

My Imperial Fist army is underway!

After 3 years of inaction and not managing to even complete a single squad things are looking up.

During my last block of uni holidays I finally finished off the first squad to make it into my Imperial Fist army. Proof? =] Pics of the 5-man Assault Squad:

(Sadly, GW repackaged the assault marines and showed a very pretty Thunder Hammer on the sergeant... They lied =[ so i settled for a nice shiny Power Fist instead)

Hopefully more to come during my Christmas break =] I've got a squad of Scouts with shotguns underway, though my next project seems to be impeding a little on my Imperial forces...

Enjoy,

Little Max

The Blog Begins

2009-09-28T04:21:00.000+10:00

Hello all,

I believe the inaugural blog should be one rich in meaning, deep and profound even...

That being said, let's all hope that my future blogs will be an improvement on this one =]

Enjoy,

Little Max