Painting, mental health and mindfulness.

This article is to be something a little different to the typical article I post up.

I've posted before about how I use painting as a form of 'mindfulness' - a way to focus my mind and find calm.

Ruby Wax, writing in her excellent book 'Frazzled' explained mindfulness as: "For me mindfulness is like building a house, so the next time the tsunami that is depression comes I'll have a structure in place to resist it."  Through painting I build the structure that keeps me strong when the tsunami hits, as it sometimes does.

For me, I came to realise this when I had a period of severe depression in early 2016, which left me physically incapable of pretty much anything apart from basic living skills. However, what I did find, what helped remove the 'noise' in my head, the maelstrom that I felt just by opening my eyes, was painting.  Even if I couldn't eat, drink or in the worst days, wash, I could still pick up a brush.

Focusing on a inch tall miniature, working out the colours to use, the textures I needed to replicate drew the world down to what was in front of me, allowed me to block out the issues, both real and imagined that I felt I was fighting against.  Through this, and taking the meds as prescribed, I found that the time between the episodes of debilitating depression began to grow longer apart, until they stopped.

Now, I'm not saying that painting is a panacea for all ills, or a miracle cure for depression, but it certainly helped me, and continues to help me.

So this is where the new logo comes in.  Instead of just talking about it, I want to start to help others find their version of mindfulness, pushing the negative energy which depression unleashes into creativity, whatever that may be - painting, sculpting, writing - I'll be looking for stories of those who've managed to do this, who can stand as inspirations for everyone to look to.

I'd love to hear from you if you've experienced episodes of poor mental health, and how you've overcome them - however it may have been.

I'll leave the final words to Ruby Wax - who puts it better than I ever could:

"Why is that when people become ill and have something wrong with any of their organs, they get sympathy from other people - except when that organ is their brain?"

So let's change that - let's have the conversation and help each other!

Adding Units to the Praetorian XXIV - Glory Boys and Hotdogs!

Now I have the 'core' of the Praetorian Army done (each squad is a Veteran squad), it's time to start adding supplemental units to the army, to add depth...

First up is a 4th

Troops choice - Tempestus Scions. For my background, the Scions are seen as 'Glory Boys', they're not from Praetoria, don't follow the same code as the XXIV and always seem to only be there when the pict recorders are running...!

To differentiate them from the XXIV, I decided to paint them blue, with white accents. This was easy enough given the armour they wear, and the head choices - for these, I went with the berets.

To make them a mobile choice, I've added a Taurox Prime - chosen as it has a handy missile launcher on the back! It's a little more pricey, but I hope it will work as a good firebase. The 'standard' Taurox has track units rather than wheels, something I've never liked about the design, so I swapped them out for some large wheels I had knocking about.

Alongside these, there's a squadron of Armoured Sentinels. I prefer these over the lighter Scout version, even if they do lose the Scouting ability, they make up for it in firepower! Again, to try and make them into individuals, I've modelled each one slightly different (not just in weaponry) - these makes them into characters of their own...

So - here's the Scions and their Taurox Prime Transport:

And the three Sentinels:

Look to your front. Mark your targets. Look to your front.. Painting the Praetorian XXIV

Well, the side project isn't taking very long!

As you will be aware dear reader, I recently found and bought one of the Limited edition Praetorian XXIV boxed sets, something I'd wanted for a good long while!

Now, a little over two weeks since I purchased it, the box is completely painted, plus the start of support units - this will be added to my existing Imperial Guard army, but able to stand on its own as well...

The army as it stands today (547 points, 29 Power Levels) - the Aurox in the foreground is a 'counts as' Taurox...

Captain Karuthors, Commissar Fonbeck and Command Squad...

Squad 1 - Sgt Jenks

Squad Two - Sgt Smif, with Heavy Weapon Support Squad in the background

Leman Russ Vanquisher 'Gloriana' commanded by Captain Whight 

Next up to be added are:

Squad Three - Sgt Barcker

Bullgryn Squad 

Tempestus Scions

3 more Leman Russ Tanks

3 Sentinels

What do you think of these models? Which were your favourite IG regiment?  Let me know in the comments!

Standing with Cavan.

Recently, Games Workshop announced a series of books for release that are to be aimed at 8-12 year olds,  to introduce the settings of Warhammer: Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000.

The writers, one of which is Cavan Scott, have a past record in writing books for Younger Readers which deal with complex situations and settings, but in a way that the intended audience can relate and understand.

So far, we've had character synopses and a few illustrations of what these characters will look like - very much in keeping with the universes older readers will recognise, but rendered in a more 'animatic' manner (and I don't mean this as a negative point), the character biographies given hint at characters which will grow and mature alongside the reader.




Now, this to me is a good thing. Any hobby, sport or past time, regardless of what it is, be it wargaming, chess, football, macrame, crocheting or stamp collecting die and pass into memory if not for the recruitment of new enthusiasts, who can take up the hobby, enjoy it and pass it on to the generation after them.  To see younger players getting involved, and having avenues that make it all the easier for them has to be celebrated and encouraged.

However.... here we come to the reason I'm writing this blog passage.  Im 43 - far beyond the age these books are aimed at (though trust me, I won't let that stop me buying them if they tell a good tale). But it seems that the very existence of these books has enraged parts of the hobby community, and moved some to even post threats to the authors social media feeds.



This is unacceptable. By all means, question and critique the books when they're out, but this total loss of perspective is outrageous. Imagine if you will receiving threats and insults for your work if you were an accountant, or a bricklayer, or plumber - would you be happy to continue work? Why do some see it as their right to barrack, harass and abuse those in a creative role within 'their' favourite settings?

This is the same behaviour which has recently seen several stars from the Star Wars films leave social media - because a group of overwhelmingly white male 'fans'  decided that the producers, writers and actors took a storyline in a different direction to what THEY demanded. These are the actions of bullies - insecure, immature, violent bullies, scared that what they see as 'theirs' is being opened up to all.

In fact, there is a different word to 'fan' to use for these morons - Gatekeeper. I'm not sure on when the term was first used (if you know, let me know in the comments) but it refers to those who would block entry to a hobby, or interest to those they deem 'not suitable'  - they're no different to the old men who would gather in their clubs refusing access to women or Persons of Colour for no other reason than they were not male and white - these idiots seek to build walls where there should be open doors, stopping potential hobbyists, gamers and readers in, to experience what they purport to love.

BUT...

I truly believe that this toxic element is in a minority - a vocal one, but a minority all the same. In my many years of gaming, both within my social circle and the wider community through tournaments and events, I've encountered so many great people, all of whom want to see our hobby grow and flourish and be as popular as possible.  These are the people  who matter, they're the ones who will set the groundwork for the new generation of gamers and they are the ones who will be held up as examples of how to behave.

So how do we do this?  Some simple steps:

1) Don't allow negative, abusive comments go unchallenged - but don't become abusive in return - this only feeds the view of the abuser that they're in the right.

2) Do promote positivity - if you see a gamer, designer, blogger, shop or company doing something you like, let others know as much as possible - by highlighting these positive voices we can drown out the negative

3) Think about what you post - you're entitled to not like something, we all do - but don't let it become personal with the creator. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but just saying 'it's crap' doesn't help anyone.

In future posts I'll be highlighting some of the good work others are doing - hopefully by doing so I can do my part to keep the positivity going!

Hold the Line - a Praetorian XXIV Project

Way back in 1997, Games Workshop released a limited run box of Imperial Guard models known as the Praetorian XXIV.  Loosely inspired by turn of the century British Colonial Troops (in particular those involved in the Rourke's Drift battle against the Zulu nation) these were hugely popular models following their use in the Games Day diorama 'Encounter at Glazer's Creek' (also known as Big Toof River).

I'm lucky enough that I found an untouched box recently - which I'm adding to my Mordian forces, but an addition that will have enough character to be able to stand on it's own.

The box set comes with:

1) Lieutenant with Chainsword and Bolt Pistol

2) Command Squad with Vox and Grenade Launcher

3) Commissar

4) Squad One - Sgt, Heavy Bolter and Flamer

5) Squad Two - Sgt, Mortar and Flamer

6) Heavy Weapons Squad - 3 Las Cannon Teams

On top of this, I've added an extra squad:

7) Squad Three - Sgt, Heavy Bolter and Flamer

In support of these, I've purchased a squad of Forgeworld Charonite Ogryns, which will be converted to have shields, making them into Bulgryns.  These models are a little more ornate than the standard Ogryn kit so will fit nicely.

I'm also going to make this a mechanised army - each squad will have a Chimera.  To denote the Command Chimera, I've used a Forgeworld Aurox:

There will also be an Armoured Column to sit alongside these, made of Leman Russes of various marks...

Check back soon for further updates!

Project Necrons - A Milestone!

In my last post I talked about how I wanted to do a side project to my ever growing Eldar army, and that I'd chosen Necrons..

A little less than a month later and I've managed to build and paint a 1750 army! It's been a hugely enjoyable army to pull together, and I've already got plans on how to expand it up to 3000 points...!

I think that the deciding factor on how well this army has gone is that unlike other armies, I planned out what I wanted and in what order I was going to paint it.  I also only built the unit I intended to paint, rather than the entire army, which meant I didn't feel the weight of a large amount of unpainted minis looking at me accusingly.  This focussed my mind on the unit at hand, making sure that they were done to a good quality before moving on to the next one.

The Novokh Dynasty seemed particularly nasty to me - painting their armour red as to signify bathing in their enemies blood being a favourite - With talk of a C'Tan called 'The Crimson God' who makes his enemies explode in bloody fragments... who wouldn't want to play an army like that?

A NOTE ON COMPOSITION:

Some plan their armies based on the principle of 'WAAC' (Win At All Costs), some take a less aggressive, but still as tactical outlook, building a list for tournament use. Not me. I take units I want to paint - ones that look interesting to me. So whilst the list may look 'sub-optimal' to some, this is a great list for me, hence the speed of painting. It's interesting, balanced and I hope, fun to play with and against.

So, here's the army:

Overlord with Resurrection Orb and Voidscythe:

Cryptek with Canoptek Cloak:

2 units of Necron Warriors:

Unit of Immortals:

Unit of Wraiths:

Unit of Lychguard:

Unit of Scarabs:

Annhilation Barge:

Nightscythe:

And the centrepiece of the army so far - a Canoptek Tomb Stalker:

As kits go, this was a right bugger to build! Each segment of the throat is separate, allowing for flexibility, but at the same time you need to be nimble to position it correctly if you want to have it rearing up as I have... but as centrepiece it's stunning.

Now I've finished this 1750, I'm about to embark on another side project (again to 1750 points) - Imperial Guard.  But this one is based around a special set of miniatures...

Interlude: A New Army for a change of pace..!

As the keen viewer will be aware, I'm amassing quite a large Eldar army.

Now, the updside of this is that I have a large army, nicely painted, that I can be proud of.

The downside is... I have a large army that I've painted!

Painting the same colour scheme so many times tends to become a chore, rather than a joy, so to avoid this, I've taken on a side project...

The intention behind this project is to build an army with two purposes:

1) To enter this year's Armies On Parade competition

2) To be a '2nd use' army to my Eldar.

I've had a Necron army before, but I did really get to grips with it, and found painting it a little... dull to be honest.

However, with the introduction of Dynasty-specific rules, and a little more background of each given, I flicked through the new Codex, and fell upon the Novokh Dynasty, a younger Dynasty but one which was gaining ground...

The colour scheme also appealed to me - the blood red faces and shoulders giving a nice contrast to the metals.

So what have I got to start with? Where is this army beginning?

The new Forgebane box is a good, solid start - I grabbed two Necron halves from a friend who loves Knights!

Alongside this I bought the 'Start Collecting' Box:

And, for a bit of fun, I've bought a few Forgeworld kits - the Tomb Sentinel and Tomb Stalker....

This gives me:

2 Overlords (one aboard an Anhillation Barge)
2 Cryptek
10 Immortals
10 Lych Guard
6 Canoptek Wraiths
12 Warriors
3 Bases of Canoptek Scarabs
5 Deathmarks


The plan is to only build a unit at a time and then paint it, to avoid being tempted to use unpainted units...

This week has seen the painting of the first Cryptek:

12 Warriors:

And the 3 bases of Scarabs:

Next up will be the squad of Immortals!