Yes Ma'am...

This week I finally finished the two minis I've been working on, took a little longer than I was planning but their both now done and ready for showing off.

First up we have the Regis Evangeline Margeritte d'Sarck, Imperial Commander and Governor of Euphoria dressed to impress.

Whatever you do don't mention the nose...

She is actually the Governor's Daughter from Black Scorpion Miniatures. I originally intended to use a Reaper mini for d'Sarck but that turn out to be too tall, whilst I don't usually worry about height that much she was literally head and shoulders above all the RT minis and would have had to be some form of mutant...
So I went with this mini instead, which is resin. Unfortunately due to the casting she basically had no nose so this shows my first ever attempt at green-stuffing. Its probably a little big and a bit squiffy, but that just allows me add a bit of background about her being touchy if anyone points out her nasal deformity...

Then we have Regis d'Sarck's personal bodyguard dressed in full ceremonial armour. He goes by the name of Tyghert Ankh...

This was a model I've been planning for a while, I just thought it was the perfect use of the Mk1 Power Armour

And a quick pic of the whole Governoral Entourage...

Do keep up...

Probably do another yearly round up next and maybe set some new resolutions as well as look over how well (or not) I've done with this years.

Till next time...


Cap'n Smyrk

More Hideous Mutants and Suicidal Agents of Chaos...

So continuing my adventures in Chainsaw Warrior...

I once again managed a pretty impressive character, 14 Endurance, 13 Wounds, 11 Close Combat, +2 Marksmanship, 8 Agility and 6 Equipment Points.
I managed to get the Chainsaw and a number of other useful bits of kit. The only down points were his average Agility and the fact that the gun I picked up was the mostly useless Blaster...

Suitably equipped I set forth into the building and happily carved my way through a multitude of Zombies, Chaos Agents, Rat swarms and doors. Until I encountered the most powerful of the Mutant Things (Combat Value 16).

Why hello there Ugly...

My Rad Suit minimised the amount of radiation he inflicted on me and it was straight into the hacking and slashing. A handy piece of equipment gave me a close combat of 15 just one less than my opponent and I was not especially worried.

What followed was one of the most frustrating displays of (computerised) dice rolling I have ever seen...

The Mutant proceeded to roll a series of 10 and 11's which I had to roll box cars to beat or even draw against, which I simply couldn't. On the few occasions that it did roll low I proceeded to manage just enough to draw...

Finally vanquishing the monster I was reduced to just 4 wounds but I plunged on until just a few cards later I met up with the bane of my computerised existence the Suicide Chaos Agent!

Oh no not you again...

Swiftly my battered Warrior drew his Blaster and snapped off a shot.

Which promptly missed and he was blown to smithereens...

On the next game I managed to get my hands on a Teleporter a nifty bit of kit that allows you to go and get a replacement Laser Lance without having go back through all the cards again. Brilliant that will make the Suicide Agent less of problem, although I was stuck with the pathetic Blaster again.

However despite having an Agility of 10 I failed to dodge an exploding trap which proceeded to destroy my (guess what...) Teleporter. Thus when just a few cards later the b*@$!&d Suicide Agent popped up again (and my Blaster once again missed) he blew up my Laser Lance. Aided by several Secret Passages I made my way back out and in again with my new Laser Lance (and finding a gear cache on the way where I replaced my useless Blaster with a Sub-Machine Gun).

At this point I met another Suicide Agent who (dodging my shot... again...) blew up my shiny new SMG. Fortunately I was a eaten by rampant Zombie just a couple of cards later saving me any further frustration...

Notably this was not the first time a seemingly ridiculous series of dice rolls have hampered me in fights against one of the tougher opponents. Whilst I'm tempted to go for one of the lower difficulty levels these only increase your chances of getting better stats and equipment, which as my first play through proved is of no help when you are let down by the vagaries of the (computer-generated) dice.

Next time Darkness... Next Time...

On the modelling front Regis d'Sarck and her bodyguard are both coming on nicely so hopefully I'll be able to show them off by the weekend.

Till Next Time...


Cap'n Smyrk

60 Minutes To Save New York...

So something a little different some actually gaming!

Well sort of... Not the tabletop sort.

As you may have guessed from the title I'm talking about Chainsaw Warrior the classic GW survival board/card game.

Now I don't own and I've never played the original game but reading various online reviews and play throughs has inspired me to get the new digital version for my tablet.

Now this has several different difficulty levels but I've felt compelled to play on the Hard difficulty as this matches the original board game.

I've managed about six plays through so far, my first time I lucked out stats wise apart from agility but eventually fell foul of a suicidal Chaos Agent who blew up my Laser Lance and I had to fight my way back out again to get another one.

On my third play through I actually managed to make it to the second deck, but never found Darkness. My recent plays have been mostly sabotaged by poor a hand-to-hand skill or endurance.

The game has proved just as difficult as suggested but I'm having a blast none the less.

On the modelling front I've just started on painting the personal bodyguard of Euphoria's governor replete in his ceremonial armour so hopefully I'll be able to show him off soon.

Till next time...


Cap'n Smyrk

A Perfect Gentleman...

So this week I've been working on several things including starting work on a model of the Spitfire I helped dig up but also I've managed to paint up this guy, one the scavengers from EM4.

Hugh Ponsonby Wilberforce at your service...

Ready for anything...

He part of a new project for me, not directly Oldhammer related but in a similar vein.

The idea is basically a sort of miniature driven narrative story set in a post-apocalyptic world. This guy is going be the sidekick for the main character who I've yet to paint up.

They will likely be some cross over between the miniatures in this story and my Euphoria gangs. This setting will probably involve a mix of old GW minis and others manufacturers, certainly I already see a sideline for Sphinx (from Cap'n Smyrk's crew) in the story.

Anyway now all I need to tie the ideas down and think of a name for it...

Till next time...

Cap'n Smyrk

Silent Death...

Finished off the Assassin today, haven't decided on a name for him yet but he's definitely going to work for Inquisitor Tycho.

Further photo experimentation this time trying out a non-white background. I'm quite pleased with how he's come out and happy I didn't go with black.
Not sure my attempt to replicate the bone effect I did on the Death Jester on the skulls worked out as quite as well but I'm think it's ok.

Return of the Shady Space Ninjas... 

Painted his sword in a scabbard since it seemed more sensible that way.

Just deciding on what to paint next although with the big IMPS Nationals show coming up in November my historical modelling projects are probably going to take over priority. On that note I have considered showing some of my historical stuff here but as its not Oldhammer or even wargaming related I haven't done so.
However I may start another blog for that stuff, dunno if they're of any interest to most Oldhammers but I'll put up a link when or if I ever got round to it.

Till next time.


Cap'n Smyrk

Testing, testing...

Just a quick post to show the progress so far on the Assassin.

He's mostly done just needs a few more highlights and some varnish (and his base painting... luckily he came pre-based so escaped the fate of most of my minis... must get around to that at some point.)

These photos are also a bit of an experiment, trying out a new photographic setup. Probably not much of an improvement but these were taken at night and quite hurriedly cobbled together so I'm hoping for better results next time.


Till next time...


Cap'n Smyrk

Still here...

Its been a bit quiet on the Oldhammer front of late due to other projects and a lack of motivation to be honest.

Which does mean I've failed at one of my new year targets already but oh well.

Anyway to show that I'm at least trying to get back into it here's some WIP shots of my latest effort.

Just basic colours at the moment but I'm attempting to get a shadowy look (as befits an assassin) without going black.

Not sure where he'll fit into my Euphoria setting exactly but he might end up as an addition to Inquisitor Tycho's retinue.


On an unrelated note but to show what else I've been up to of late a couple of weeks ago I was involved in the excavation and recovery of the remains of a Spitfire that crashed near Holme, Cambridgeshire in November 1940.

Me shamelessly posing with the propeller and remains of the engine.

Rolls Royce name on the side of the engine.

It was certainly one of the most interesting digs I've worked on in a long time despite the media circus. But also with many poignant moments as well such as the discovery of the pilot's initialled cigarette case.

H.E.P - Harold E Penketh

Until next time.

Cap'n Smyrk.

Space Eunuchs (Part Deux)....

I've finished off the Space Eunuch/Adventurer over the weekend.

So I present Vardys Jax, infamous space pirate, mutant and now leading member of the Astral Wyrm Cult. Jax and his crew (of which the Brothers Dymn are part) have come under the influence of the Emissary and now form the most effective fighting element of the cult.

Whilst I'm fairly happy with how he's come out I think I still need to work on my skin technique especially over large areas.

Anyway that's all for now, got several historical projects to get done for upcoming model shows so Oldhammer may be on the back burner for a little bit..

Till next time.


Cap'n Smyrk

Space Eunuchs...

Well long time no see, once again real life has intruded and cut down my hobby time in recent weeks but I'm getting back into it.

Now I don't usually show WIPs, as much because I never remember to stop and take any photos whilst I'm painting as anything else. Today as I don't have anything finished I thought I'd show what I'm currently painting up, which as you may have guessed from the title is the Space Eunuch from the adventurers range.

He is going to be an important member of the Astral Wyrm cult but I'll leave his background until he's finished.

Just base colours at the moment. Tying him in with the rest of the cult.

And one uncomfortable looking set of underwear...

Hope to get him finished up soon and then I'll probably move on to adding to some of the other gangs.


Till next time.


Cap'n Smyrk

Onwards minions...

Belated greetings fellow Oldhammerers

It's been a while due to a mixture of travelling for work and indecision over what to do next. But I've painted up a couple of new minis over this last weekend. Although the crummy weather of late means these aren't the best photos but I'll see if I can get some better ones in the future.

Both of these are going to be part of Inquisitor Tycho's retinue, forming the less conspicuous element who go in first.

Really stary eyes... doesn't look as bad in person.

First is Ankyra Voth, who is a Reaper Chronoscope mini and thus the first non-citadel figure to make it into the project. She is one half of the Voth twins both of whom serve Tycho in various capacities. Her brother Tamerlane will be turning up at some point.

The Voths started out as a pair of Inquisitor characters I was working on some years ago, Tycho was originally a background character in their origin story.

Joining Voth is Adar Cornwallis who I haven't fully fleshed out the background for yet. He is more recent addition mostly just because I came across the Cornelius model going pretty cheap on ebay...

I decided to go for a fairly sedate colour scheme for him, he is supposed to be a incognito, agent type after all.

And here's the two of them with their boss.

Hopefully It won't be as long a wait for the next update.

Till next time.


Cap'n Smyrk

The Brothers Dymm...

So after a some hurried painting (by my standards at least...) this week I've managed to crank out a couple of new minis.

These two are going to bulk out the Cult of the Incandescent Astral Wyrm which needs a little more manpower.

So I present William and Jakob, the Brothers Dymm.

It was part way through painting them that I realised they had started looking a little like Ghostbusters...

I wasn't originally intending for them to be quite so similar but eventually expediency won out and I painted them the same.

Stuck with the style I used on Lorrita with purple masks and red gloves (plus the use of green) to tie them together and to the Emissary with out being to uniform.

I imagine that the Dymm's provide the Emissary with some muscle, perhaps acting as his enforcers to suppress any dissent amongst the masses of the rest of the cult. The models I've done so far are the core of the cult, I'll hopefully add so less conspicuous lay followers at some future date.

Now they've expanded to four members I've put up a page for the Cult to join the Euphoria Arbites and Smyrk's crew.


Till next time.

Cap'n Smyrk

Millenium...

So somehow 1000 page views have snuck up on me whilst I've been away during the week for work.

Yay!!!

Although I'm sure a fair few of those are probably me on various different platforms I still feel like I should do something to mark this event. Unfortunately I haven't had any time to prepare anything (not really decided on what to do anyway...) so this quick post will have to do for now.

Anyway I'll try and get some more stuff painted over the next week.

Until then...



Cap'n Smyrk

He's dead Jules...

Used the Easter weekend to finish off a couple more members for Smyrk's crew.

First up I realised that I was being a little remiss in leaving Smyrk without some medical support and so have added a medic. Obviously his main purpose is to tell Smyrk that one of his redshirted minions is in fact beyond the aid of known medicine...

Doc Bones.

Quite happy with the white first aid kit, not my best face though...

Accompanying the Doc we have another redshirt to join Ensign Rizzo, Crewman Rayburn. Same colour scheme as Rizzo.

And lastly shot of the two of them along with Rizzo.

Disappearing off for a week away for work next week so won't be getting anything else done.

Till next time...


Cap'n Smyrk

Nobody Expects... Inquisitor Tycho...

So having got the obvious joke out of the way...

I present for your delectation Inquisitor Rastaban Tycho, archnemesis of Captain Smyrk.

Tried to get a sort of mitre effect with his hat...

I only noticed whilst I was painting him that he has a large T on one of shoulder pads. Strangely appropriate given his name...

Still trying to work out the crazy jagged edged sword...

Took me ages to track down some loose RT space marine backpacks for a remotely sensible price on Evilbay. At least now I have small stash for various powered armour models I have.

Tycho faces off with his nemesis Cap'n Smyrk...

That means that both of the main Protagonists from my Euphoria settings have now been painted. Admittedly Smyrk's crew is currently rather more numerous than Tycho's retinue...


Till next time


Cap'

We're gonna need a bigger gun...

Got another mini painted up this week.

The latest recruit for Euphoria's Arbites Precinct has reported for duty and he's brought along something a little more weighty than a shotgun or bolter...

Arbitrator Locke.

And here he is with his buddies.

Working on Inquisitor Tycho next but still working out exactly how I want him to look.

Till next time

Cap'n Smyrk

One Year On...

So Tuesday was the one year anniversary for the blog and I was planning to do a post to go along with it but since I didn't write one in advance and was away for work for the week I... well didn't.

Anyway to make up for that and in someway celebrate that event I'm posting now, although I don't really have anything new to show off for it so I'm just going to have to go for a retrospective...

Considering what I've achieved since starting this blog I can say I've done pretty well by my standards, having painted twenty-eight minis during the past year, compared to the none that I'd painted for many years prior to that.

Looking back at the targets I set for myself back at the start of 2015 I've managed to paint 12 minis out of my target of 17 and less than three months in, so my painting progress speed has clearly gone up! And so far I've managed more than one post a month so meeting my second target.
Still little progress on basing most of the models I've painted so far however.

I've also made a start on building my own little slice of the 40K universe to set the models I'm painting in. As part of this I have the beginnings of several warbands already.

Nearest completion is the eponymous Captain Julius T. Smyrk and his crew of reprobates.

The Euphoria Arbites Precinct is also taking shape.

As a side project I also have the beginnings of an Eldar army.

And a half finished Necromunda Escher gang.

So moving into this blog's second year I'm pretty happy with how its going so far and hope to get a lot more done as well.

Til' next time.


Cap'n Smyrk

Uncivil Servants...

This week I've managed to finish off the first two members of Regis d'Sarck's governorial entourage, Euphoria's senior Astropath, Father Toil, and the governor's lady in waiting Milady d'Wysper.

Father Toil is just the Astropath from the Adventurers range.

Milady d'Wysper (as her name suggests) is supposed to be a sort of bodyguard/assassin as much as an actually a lady in waiting. She is from the fantasy Fighters range, a weird member named as Klotilde Ironface in the Citadel Compendium. She does seem a bit odd as a fantasy fighter, I've seen her described somewhere as a pubescent girl in a hockey mask...

She really is tiny compared to most of the figures but I think that adds to her character.

And a pic of the two together to give a bit of scale.

Don't know what I'll do next, be away for work next week so won't get anything done till next weekend.

Til' next time.


Cap'n Smyrk