Look Who's Coming to Dinner At the NOVA Open Narrative Event

The NOVA Open Narrative event allows FW and Lords of War. Since I am playing in the Warlord track, it seemed reasonable for me to bring the one true Warmaster himself. Why dicker around with a titan when when I can bring 500 points of doom on a 50mm base. I know it will be trivially easy for opponents to avoid the uber death star that is Horus with terminators, but I think it will be really fun to give people the ability kill the man himself.

Horus fights for humanity.

Repainting A Dave Taylor Masterpiece

Several years ago I visited the GW Battle Bunker in Glen Burnie Maryland, where  I discovered that Dave Taylor had an incredible Ultramarines force on display. Until then I had not liked Ultramarines, and had gone so far as to be proud of the fact that I had never painted a 'blue' marine.  A little context, if you were painting back in those days, you might remember how much nerd-rage the Ultramarines took.  Dave's force changed my opinion. His was one of the first beautifully painted forces I had seen. His army was awe inspiring, and my Ultramarines force was started specifically because of his

Rather than duplicate Dave's force, I decided to focus on weathering the models. Almost by accident I picked up a military modeling magazine and saw what the historical guys were doing with air brushes.

So fast forward a few years (and two Blood Angles, One Dark Angels, and one Tau army) later, and my Ultramarines force began hitting its stride. I had been working on the Ultras start and stop fashion in between other army projects, and by 2013 they were ready for the Nova Open Narrative event. The army went on to win two painting competitions, and inspired the Nova Open Charitable Foundation to pick an Ultramarines force for one of the next charity army projects.

I've had the privilege of working with Dave Taylor on a variety of charity projects, all the way back to the Storm Wardens. This time he did the unthinkable. He asked me to provide my painting recipes to the UM group. We have come full circle. Like all painters I remember earlier work with rose colored goggles. Context is everything. Dave had the idea to update the quintessential piece from his ultramarines force, blending both of our current styles.

In our division of labor my task is color modulation, grime streaking, and dust. The goal is to update the model to the blue recipe used in the NOVACF force, and then hand the model off to Dave to work his detail magic.

I can't wait to see how this tank turns out! So get out there and donate some money for charity. You might win this army or one of the other expertly painted ones!

Emperor's Children Loyalist Rhino

The havoc launcher is not complete, but enough of the tank is weathered and rain streaked that it was time for a progress shot. Well into painting I was surprised by some GW purity seal frosting the model. The entire top section turned white! A quick coat of gloss varnish restored the color, and then matte removed the gloss. I think this model has more varnish on it than paint!

I hope I managed to bring some realism to what is a purple tank for giant post-human warriors firm in the belief that visibility play no role on the battlefield.