A bad workman blames his tools.

Still, look at what I did with her fancy (read: expensive) camera...



compared to



Yeah, it wasn't finished, but the change is clear to see.


Just don't get too used to semi-pro pictures...

This is where it all goes horribly fucking wrong...

Well, I was all ready for the New Year, and my self-imposed challenge to paint at least 365 Mantic models (average of 1 a day, see?) but I swung by my local GW yesterday to grab a few bits and bobs and ended up walking out with the new Hell Pit Abomination kit to paint for the store.

Fuck.


Fuck.

Fuckity Fuck.


It is rather lovely though. I expect a frenzied painting session today to try and get it as close to completion as possible. After I've been out, daylight bulb blew at 3am, so had to give up and play Fable III instead...

Backlog...

Right, well, yesterday, in a fit of madness and trying to get shit sorted for the new year I did a quick inventory of all my Mantic miniatures, including all the Limited Edition 3ups, and other sundry bits and bobs. And a cheeky wee pre-order as well...

So, a few hours of rooting through boxes and it turns out I have somewhere in the region of 15-1600. Not including any casualties or beasties from the sprues.

What this basically means is that were I to paint an average of one model a day, it would take at least 4 years and 90ish days to clear the backlog, assuming I don't buy any more. Fat chance.

More than 200 Elves (the shame), over 600 Undead, 600 plus Dwarfs (although, thankfully nearly 150 are done) and about 100 Khaos Dwarfs on pre-order.

Pass the poly-cement. This may take some time.

Ch..Ch...Ch...Ch...Changes.

Yeah, short attention span (and Khaos Dwarfs) got the better of me...

I don't know if I can limit (or force) myself to paint 365 Dwarfs in a year. Especially when there is the promise of so many new minis to be released. I think I might start January off with the Mhorgoth's Revenge battleset, which, being the 'special' version has about 120 minis, plus a couple of warmachines and crew.

Not a bad start to the year I guess. Unless I change my mind again.

Still, I have made inroads into clearing all manner of shite off of and away from my painting area, there is not a single non-Mantic mini to be seen, and all the built-up crap is gone. It is almost tidy. Maybe focusing on this might stop me switching my plans around in the next two weeks...

Has it really been so long?

Well, yes apparently...

So, in order to make amends to the great Gods of gaming for having the temerity to allow real life to infringe upon my hobby time, I am going to make a pledge of great magnitude.

Next year (so, about 3 weeks away) I plan to commence the great 'Year of the Dwarf' in which, I am aiming to paint an average of one Dwarf infantry model for each day of the year. So, that's 365 by my reckoning. Unless it happens to be a leap year. I'll check when the new calender goes up.

So, 365 Dwarf infantry. Of course, I'll have to add some Heroes into the mix, and I might as well take advantage of the fact that a KOW army can include 1 warmachine per 20+ model unit. Going by preliminary design, it is looking more like 419 models so far...

So, what is in the list then -

1 Dwarf King
2 Berserker Lords
5 Warsmiths
1 Dwarf Army Standard Bearer
2 Ironclad Regiments (Banner, Musician)
1 Ironclad Horde (Banner, Musician)
4 Ironwatch Regiments (Banner, Musician) - 2 units with Rifles
2 Ironwatch Hordes (Banner, Musician) - 1 unit with Rifles
1 Ironguard Troop (Banner, Musician)
1 Ironguard Regiment (Banner, Musician)
3 Shieldbreaker Regiments (Banner, Musician)
2 Berserker Regiments (Banner, Musician)
6 Ironbelcher Cannons (12 Crew)
5 Ironbelcher Organ Guns (10 Crew)
4 Fire Belchers (8 Crew)

Which comes in at 4500 points exactly, and 1.15 models to be painted per day...

Oh, just noticed I haven't swore in this post. Fuck.