Join Me!

Come on, what’s the worst that could happen?

Regular readers (hi, you two!) will know that I beg for encourage contributions to this pokey little blog under the Trenchmates banner.  I’ve been running this scheme for almost three years and I’ve had some pretty great people provide fantastic articles, you can read them all here. But like Hive Fleet Clarkson, I’m never satisfied without some fresh meat.

Therefore I’d like to once again appeal to you, dear readers, to consider writing an article or two for this lovely corner of the internet.  It can be about anything games-related, so far I’ve had reviews, editorial pieces, a Games Day report and people (well, Tim) showing off finished models and I WANT MORE.  Nor do I limit myself to table top wargaming, I’d really to feature some RPG (maybe even LARP) articles but I don’t think I’d do them much justice.

If you’re interested, and why wouldn’t you be, please feel free to contact me either via the blog, my Facebook Page, my Twitter Account or by emailing ramblingsfromthetrenches@virginmedia.com.

I hope to hear from some of you soon 🙂

In Memoriam: Chaos Black

Chaos Black c1979 – 2015

It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the passing of my last pot of Chaos Black.

Chaos Black, or CB to his friends, was a stalwart of almost every paint collection.  Over the years he helped guide many into the Hobby with his wisdom, understanding, and ability to completely cover over any mistake an overenthusiastic twelve year old would make.

CB was honoured by his employers, Games Workshop PLC, in 1995 when they released a range of miniatures in his honour.  These ‘Death Company’ models were usually only ever painted in Chaos Black with some minor contributions from CB’s long time associates, Blood Red and Bolt Gun Metal.

I tracked down Brother Seraphus of the Death Comany, one of the first of these models to be painted by CB, here’s what he said:

“I first met CB on this kid’s bedroom table.  There was me, all bare and metallic but he didn’t care.  As you can see, the work he did on me nearly completely obscures that strange laurel wreath Jess Goodwin put on my left calf.  In many ways he was more friend than paint, I’ll never forget… forget… for… fo… HORUS, TODAY YOUR REBELLION ENDS!”

Over the years CB, like so many, others reinvented himself many times.  No one can forget his Hexagonal Phase or the time he insisted he was shaped as a bolt shell.  But progress can be unkind and in 2012 the decision was made to formally retire CB and replace him with his oft wayward son, Abaddon Black.

I caught up with Abaddon Black a few months ago and we discussed how he feels about taking over from such a legend.

“You see, to me he was always Dad first and this painting legend second. When I told him I was dropping out of Uni to be a miniature paint like him he could have been, like, ‘No way! You’re going to complete your studies and maybe you can be a Dulux Paint one day’, he was so supporting of my decision, he even introduced me to some of the guys he’d worked with over the years.  They were so god damned cool, I knew I’d made the right choice.

“Some painters still have issues with me, they say I’m too thin or I finish too early.  Some even say that it can take, like, twelve or thirteen coats to get a decent result and even then it’s ambiguous.  I just want to say that I’m doing my best and I promise that one day I’ll make you all proud.”

Finally, I caught up with two of his oldest friends, Terracotta and Bad Moon Yellow.

These two gentlemen retired many years ago, I met them at their retirement villa to discuss their time working with CB.  Time has not been kind to these two venerable hobby supplies, but after a while they were able to recollect their time working with their departed friend.   Of the two, Bad Moon Yellow was the most lucid, here’s what he had to say.

“It’s such a shame CB wasn’t allowed to come here but they [Games Workshop] kept on working and working him so I’m not surprised that he eventually gave out.  He and I had a rocky relationship, I always worked better with Skull White, rest his soul, but given time CB and I could really make a miniature work.  He will be missed.”

Terracotta on the the other hand made no sense at all.

“I can be used to paint Blood Angels!”

Sheer madness.

Chaos Black will forever be remembered by hobbyists and dry-cleaners alike.  He was a paint for the ages and it is likely that none will come close to emulating his success.

Rest in peace, old friend.

 

Dark Angels Dreadnought WIP – 2

Spent  a bit more time on this today.  Think I’ll be able to have the body and at least one set of weapons done by the end of the weekend.

Wild West Exodus : Unfinished Business – Final Three Days

Outlaw Studios are currently running a Kickstarter to produce the final four WWX factions, The Confederate Rebellion, Dark Nation, Golden Army and Watchers.  You can view more details and pledge by visiting their Kickstarter page here.

L-R: Confederate Rebellion, Dark Nation, Golden Army & Watchers Factions

Why should you pledge?

At time of writing, $138,289 has been pledged, more that matching their $65,000 target so everything should be fine, right?  Well it turns out that crowdfunding trolling is a thing.  Some people seem to get their jollies pledging then withdrawing their support the next day and there is evidence that this is happening with this project.  There has been talk on some forums that the owner of Outlaw Miniatures can be somewhat unpleasant, not having seen evidence for or against this it’s not my place to comment on these, but even if it’s true then just don’t buy from them, don’t deliberately jeopardise a project that a lot of people really want to make happen.

As such, even though I don’t have the time or resources to commit to another game, I am going to pledge $1 in support because these trolls can’t be allowed to speak for the whole community.  I strongly urge others to do the same.

Dark Angels Dreadnought – WIP 1

I’m finally making a bit of progress with my first loyalist Dreadnought in over twenty years.

Still deciding on this chap’s name.

Still a lot of work to do, and I’ve not even started on the weapons!

Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii – First Pictures

They’re here, and oh my they’re beautiful.

Seriously GW, just take my money now!

 

Daemonic Reinforcements Part Two: Pink Horrors of Tzeentch

My acquisition of daemonic allies continues.  I loved painting these guys!

I’m currently working on the Dark Angel Dreadnought but, provided I’m not sick of painting greens, I’ll get something Nurgly done thereafter.

Resumption of Normal Service

Bloody hell but it’s been a while!

I’ve been crazy busy at work (and for some strange reason, loving every minute) then at home my wife and I have been finishing off some projects that have been hanging over our heads for far too long.  However, finally, I’m able to get back to my painting station.

While I’ve not been able to finish anything substantial yet, I’m close to completing a squad of Pink Horrors for my Chaos Marines to summon.  Right now I’ve fully completed the Iridescent Horror.

This is Bertrand. Say hello, Bertrand.

The rest of the squad is coming along nicely, they should be done this week.

I’ve also started on a dreadnought for my Dark Angels.

Don’t worry, he’s ‘armless…

As you can see, I’ve used the Dark Angels vehicle accessories kit to pimp this fallen (but not Fallen) hero of the Imperium.  The plan is to concentrate on this chap once my Horrors are done.