Better Late Than Never - Nameless Guard

The Nameless Guard project had been progressing so smoothly and efficiently. I really thought I could finish that army in 5 months. Miniature after miniature, unit after unit, war machine after war machine.

That was a good plan. To paint a full army in 5 months. To make an old dream of having my own painted army come true. Oh well, I failed. When I had just last 8 models remaining, real life kicked in and kicked my ass off the painting table.

"Failure is like a wind. It makes you stronger, but only if you oppose it"

No, it's not a quote from Sun Tzu's  Art of War. It's not another Paulo Coelho's brilliant thought. It's mine. I just came up with it.

Sorry for the poetic intermission. Back on topic.

I didn't fail completely. A full army in 8 months is quite a feat in itself for me. The last unit, Plague Havocs was made of old plastic plague marines and metal slaaneshi heavy weapons. Two of these look like missile launchers and two like... I don't know... lascannons or plasma cannons?

Yes, you may have noticed a standard space marine on the pic. Well, I ran out of plague marines, ok? Anyway, the unit got most appropriate name of Squad End and I was free to move to the last model for my army....

Nameless...

I'd added Reaper Sophie wings (54mm model) to the Scibor's chaos lord to make a leader for Nameless Guard and painted it in the very same way as all the other models. And when I finished it, I sat down and felt joy and pride streaming through my veins.

After 20 years in this hobby I proved to myself I could paint an army.

NAMELESS GUARD

7 war machines. 7 units with 7 miniatures each. Nameless. 57 models in total.

Slideshow presenting the (almost) unstoppable growth of the Nameless Guard

Now, before I get too sentimental. I'm not a gamer anymore. I will not use this magnificent army on a table-top. And I'm sure it deserves to be taken to a real battlefield to destroy anything that stands in its path.

Anyone wants to have the Nameless Guard deep-striked straight to a gaming table? Give me a reasonable offer and who knows, maybe I will add a virus or two to the deal. No, seriously, this army is for sale.

Nameless Guard: Squad Fly

This Nameless Guard could look quite boring... Plague marines, rhino, plague marines, rhino, plague marines, rhino...

But, then came the terminators... and demons...

... and then came this cool guy, Jabberwocky, with a set of converted wings and a very short instruction: "I want you to use them".

So I did.

Thank you Sean! You've made my army more interesting and varied. This shall not be forgotten.

Nameless Guard: JUNE Was Not Immune

Ouch, my first failure in this very surprising project...

I wanted to paint a Rhino, Plaguebearers and Raptors in June. Unfortunately, my exams made it impossible to get all these minis done.

Rhino? Check...
Plaguebearers? Check...
Raptors? Ouch again... Wings only...

I'm now even more motivated to finish the whole army as planned...

Nameless Guard - Looking for Nameless

This whole army project is slowly coming to (hopefully) successful end. The problem is I don't have the most important model yet...

Nameless...

There are many different options on the market, I'm trying to pick the best one. Wanna help? I haven't yet decided who Nameless actually is, but generally speaking he could be a greater demon, demon prince or chaos lord. Let's check these three groups separately. The basic assumptions - it should fit the army, doesn't need to be a GW product and should be relatively inexpensive.

Greater Demons

A greater demon would be a great centerpiece in my army. There is the official GW model...

... but it's a Finecast model. Forge World model is even bigger and most probably of a higher quality...

Of course, there are other large demons on the market. Here are examples from MaxMini, Scibor Monstrous Miniatures and Ultraforge.

The problem is that these impressive models have even more impressive prices. I think that even the second-hand models will be outside my acceptable price range, unless there is a company willing to become a sponsor of the Nameless Guard.

Let's move with something smaller then...

Demon Princes

We are still within the large-and-eyecatching-models range, but also reaching the acceptable price level. The GW Nurgle demon prince would be one the most obvious choices, if it wasn't the Finecast model...

Maybe if I found the old metal copy? Forge World has a demon prince too in its range, but it's rather pricey.

Ultraforge again

Spellcrow

Something less nurgly, to boost your invention - two Cryx warcasters from Privateer Press

Finally, the third group...

Chaos Lords

By chaos lords I mean models resembling GW Typhus (Finecast again...) - bigger than a standard marine, terminator armour etc.

Maxmini has this one...

Scibor sculpted these three

Another Polish company, HiTech, released this model...

... but I could also use one of their Terrorizers

By the way, I have two spare sets of demonic wings, so in fact any of these models (demon princes and chaos lords) could get them for some additional oomph factor.

So, what do you think? Any suggestions? Have I missed something cool? Do you have anything I could buy from you?

Please, leave your proposals, sponsorship and sale offers in the comment or contact me. Without Nameless this army will not be complete...

Nameless Guard - Bonesmobile

The weekend had been full of tests and exams and Monday was full of painting. Rhino in half a day, anyone?

This APC was provided for the Squad Bones painted in May, so here's one more pic to show you the whole unit.

Getting closer to the end of this project... oh yeah, it may actually be a success. Surprise, surprise!

Nameless Guard - Too Long

"Long" in the post topic has nothing to do with the time I spent on painting this new unit or the whole army. It's just that I wanted to show you what happens if you stay too long in the Nameless Guard.

Well, basically, you rot...

Squad Rot

That was a very welcome break from painting the guardians' armours. Welcome and very short, too. Cutting these plaguebearers off the sprues and assembling took me more time than painting and basing, I believe.

I wanted them to look quite different from other models in the army, yet still achieve the overall coherency. Yellowish skin distinguish them from the rest of the Nameless Guard, while bases and orange elements tie them together. Hopefully.

Now, back to power armours...

Nameless Guard - Plans for June

Let's see how many models I can finish between my exams and other duties...

June is a "Troops" month in the Painters Activation event. Again, I will miss the theme completely, kind of getting used to it. You know, it's a tradition of mine.

What you can see on the photo below are three new elements for my army.

The first one is a continuation of the last month painting - Rhino APC for a unit painted in May. Then, still on the sprues, plaguebearers. 10 of them, but I will paint 7 only, as planned from the beginning. Finally, another unit of 7 plague marines with a champion - a mix of old metal and converted plastic models. This unit will get wings so I can field them as Raptors.

That's it folks. As always - keep your fingers crossed.

Nameless Guard - MAY I Continue?

The plans for May regarding the Nameless Guard were simple: to paint 2 units (plague marines and terminators) and 1 war machine (land raider). That's 15 models, including one stupendous.

30 days, 15 models.... that's like 1 model in 2 days? Gotta love maths, it makes planning easier.

The problem is when you start painting after the 20th. Then you stop doing maths and switch to painting...quick painting.

Calculations will not get you this, painting will:

Plans for May executed in 100%. Oh yeah, it feels good. Even more when I see what I have after three months:

Oh yeah...

Nameless Guard: Squad Bones

Last time I've asked if 2 days are enough for me to paint a whole unit of plague marines. Well, this is my response...

Squad Bones, made of standard plague marines box. The models are interesting and unique enough to leave them without conversions. The only additions to parts found in a box were a standard and power fist (to unify the champion with leaders of previously finished units). The power fist in fact is an arm taken from the very old obliterator model.

The unit does not have a rhino... yet.

Nameless Guard: Squad Rust

The empty Land Raider would be a waste of transport capacity, so I'm going to fill it with this unit of 7 terminators, Squad Rust.

Painted and based as all other Nameless Guard models. Four of these were converted with parts of loyal and chaos terminators by an unknown person I bought them from. I can take credits for adding a standard to the champions backpack only, nothing else. Three remaining terminators are standard plastic miniatures.

Don't ask me for their weaponry - it's a mix of everything.

The third element to be painted this month is a unit of plague marines. Two days to paint it from the beginning to the end? I've proven already it is possible, but can it be a habit of mine?

Nameless Guard: Land Raider

Why do I make plans for a whole month if I use just the last few days anyway?

The approaching deadline made me get back to my army. Land raider is ready, terminators are in progress. Now, will I have enough time for a plague marines unit I scheduled for May?

Nameless Guard - Plans For May

The Painter's Activation event is divided into 5 months with individual theme. The general scheme is following:
March - heavy support
April - elite units
May - fast units
June - basic troops
July - heroes

In March I painted 2 basic units for my army, not heavy stuff (though I added 2 hellbrutes at the end of the month). In April, I painted 3 tanks, nothing elite. In May, I should be painting "Fast Strike" models... which I of course don't have.

I'm not good in following themes. I'm not good in getting additional points for additional tasks.

I still don't care about that. Plan is simple. Get a painted army! I'm going to stick to that.

The first unit for May are Terminators. 7 of them, of course. Four black ones are built of both good and bad space marines. Conversions are not mine, I've only added a standard for a boss. Three remaining models are plastic chaos terminators, no conversions.

Terminators will have their own transport vehicle. Land Raider will be the biggest model in the army, at least at this stage.

Finally, another plague marines unit. This time it is a unit "straight from a box". No conversions here, with the exception of a boss, who got a standard and power fist (old obliterator arm).

That's it. Keep your fingers crossed. If I paint all this, I think I will see a light at the end of a tunnel. As of now, I'm still unsure if I'm able to finish this army in 5 months.

Nameless Guard - APRIL's Not For Fools

Second month, second summary.

I'd planned to paint three tanks (2 Rhinos and Vindicator) in April. I did.

Hey, no one said it would be a long summary!

I like how they look together.

Nameless Guard - Last Minute Painting

That was not a good month for painting. But, a plan is a plan, a deadline is a deadline and a promise is a promise.

I got these three babes from e-bay, relatively cheap. Well, what I can say... the price reflects the quality...

This is some very old stuff with broken and missing elements looking like it was dipped in a paint bucket. Yeah, nothing that a spray can and few layers of drybrushing couldn't save.

Nameless Guard - Plans for April

1 / 3 of April without any progress on Nameless Guard... This is not good...

Good news is I got 2 cheap rhinos and vindicator on E-bay. These machines will comprise my basic plan for this month. If I manage to find some more time, which I doubt, I'll try to add another unit of plague marines to the list.

3 pieces per month... I can't loose momentum... 3 finished tanks would mean I'm still slightly ahead of my schedule...

Pics of unpainted models will follow, I didn't even have time to make them.

Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed!

April Fool's Day

"Calculation is simple - 15 elements in 6 months make for a 2.5 element per month".


Very simple, though you need to count March, April, May, June and July as 6 months.

April Fool's Day. April My Day.

Oh well, 15 elements in 5 months, so I need to finish 3 elements each month. Anyone cares to do a check run for me, just in case?

Nameless Guard - MARCH to Victory

It's about time to summarise my progress on Nameless Guard. As you know, I divided my army into 15 individual elements - units and war machines. Calculation is simple - 15 elements in 6 months make for a 2.5 element per month.

With this in mind I planned 3 elements for March. Two units of plague marines would give me a solid base for my army. Solid and playable! Two "Troops" with one of the bosses promoted temporarily to "Headquarters" comprise a basic 40K army. To that I added a dreadnought to give myself a short break from painting marines.

I knew I had to come up with a quick painting method. I'd started painting miniatures 15 years ago or more, and I've never been able to finish a full army. Painting similar models to a high quality was like a hell to me. If Nameless Guard is to be completed by the end if July I had to drop my dreams of a showcase army and stick to something realistic - a painted army. So, I worked out a technique that works perfectly for me. I called it the "zenithal drybrush" method. Shortly - with consecutive drybrushed layers painted over a black base at selected parts of miniatures I build up a high contrast and strong zenithal lighting effect. Toxic mud bases were as simple and easy as paintjobs. I'll try to prepare a step-by-step tutorial to show you how quick it can be.

All in all, I think I found a way to produce an army that will not win any contest, but will look good on the table top. What's more, during the first month I managed to exceed my plans by painting an additional hellbrute. So, after March I have ~25% of my army painted! I start to believe that this whole thing may be a huge personal success...

Nameless Guard - Squad Decay

Squad Decay - as promised - in all its decayed (pun intended) glory!

It's very similar to the first unit I painted, the only difference is just one melta gun instead of two plasma guns.

Monthly Report for March to be posted tomorrow.

Nameless Guard - Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

The end of March is almost here and works on my Nameless Guard are progressing quite nicely, I must say. As I'd planned I got a dreadnought from my friend. Here's a proof photo with a code for this painters' activation event I'm taking part of.

My converting skills are non-existent, but I had to make this standard (old and metal!) space marine dreadnought look more chaosy. So, with a bit of milliput I "sculpted" an eye and three... blobs and I drilled few bullet holes. A zenithal drybrushing technique was applied and here it is - dreadnought Ash!

I was lucky enough to get an additional set of Forge World arms with that dreadnought. Quick research was carried out through my bits boxes and a plan was forged...

Legs and torso came from a GW Inquisitor game model (54mm); Tyrus was its name, if I recall correctly. Head is a spare part I was left after painting a MaxMini cyclops (their model had three head variants) and you already know about the arms and weapons. This time I sculpted a letter "S" which formed guts and three holes by the left knee. After some painting the hellbrute Dust was created!

If you read one of my previous posts you surely know that I assumed painting 2.5 elements of my army to have it finished by the end of July. Squad Virus and two big guys I've just shown make for 3 elements already, but I'm almost 100% sure I'll have another unit finished today or tomorrow. 4 parts in March? That's better than I've expected!

Nameless Guard - Squad Virus

As I've written earlier, if my plan to finish an army in 6 months is to be successful, I need to paint 2 - 3 elements (unit or machine) every month. Precisely speaking, 2.5 elements per month.

For March I've picked 2 units of plague marines and 1 dreadnought. You can see them on the photo below.

Oh wait, you actually can't see a dreadnought. Well, that's because I don't have it... yet. I should visit my friend's place tomorrow to collect it.

I tried not to waste my time and started working on the first unit while waiting for that dread. My speed amazed me. What you can see below was finished in one evening...

The second evening was spent on bases, and here it is - Squad Virus in all its dirty, rotten, sickening glory!

7 plague marines, including 2 special weapons (plasma guns) and a champion with a power fist and plasma gun. As you can see, they are heavily converted. Some conversions look good - I bought them from someone. Other conversions are mine. I will write few words about paintjobs in a separate post. What matters now is that I found a quick way to paint these miniatures, which makes my plan slightly more feasible!