Friday Quick Tip: Published Resources

Remember all of those White Dwarf Magazines you have purchased over the years? You know, the ones that are packed away in the closet that haven't seen the light of day in countless years! Now what about all of those collectors edition video games you picked up because you just couldn't bring yourself to buy 'just' the normal game. What ever did you do with those art books that came with it? All those old codex books, rule books, source books? Same place as the White Dwarf magazines, aren't they? Now, WHY AREN'T THEY ON YOUR BOOKSHELF?!

As you can see from the small cross section of material in the photo above, I never throw out ANY modeling, wargaming, or painting publication! Why would I keep so much information out and on the shelf instead of packed away? Because they're CHOCK FULL of useful info and inspiration! Not having all of this on hand for quick reference or ease of browsing would be a travesty!


There isn't a project I work on that I don't go back to reference something in this collection if not for direct painting techniques and colors then for the pure inspiration held in the myriad of publications I have accumulated over the many years I've been pouring my money into this wondrous hobby. If you're not going back to those old magazine articles and looking through, you're truly missing out. There is no better way to reconnect with why you got into the hobby than to see the old images that hooked you in the first place!

So find a spot on your bookshelf and put those books where they belong! Don't have a shelf? GO GET ONE! You won't be disappointed once you break that painters block with a short flip through a few books.

My charge to you, the community, is to go back and dig up an old publication and read through it, reminisce and find that one inspiring picture, article, or painting guide that catches your eye and share it here! That's what I'll be doing for the next couple of hours!

Edit: If you happen to have a MUST READ publication that you think everyone should check out, I, for one, would love to hear about it!

Ask the Corps: Space Marine Highlighting

When it comes to the Space Marines, a lot of people get excited at the thought of starting an army of them. But when faced with the prospect of actually painting these round armored super-humans, many don't even know where to start!

Christian writes:

Highlighting Space Marines

What’s the standard for this? Thin lines? Drybrushing? Varying shades? I’ve tried a lot of idea’s but they just don’t seem right.

A very open question on technique and aesthetics if I've ever seen one. So let's hear it, how do you highlight your Space Marines?

Friday Quick Tip: Clampdown

Today's quick tip is about getting a helping hand when you need it. I've been assembling a few Chimeras lately and have found that a few small clams really help to get a good fit on these vehicles that sometimes have large parts that are hard to otherwise fit.


Sometimes you have to get creative with how you are going to arrange your clamps. On the rear section of the Chimera you can see the floor is too thin for clamping. In this case I used a small section of tube across the tracks. You could also use a popsicle stick or even another clamp.


You can even use clamps to secure models for a tight fit. This Guard sniper had a gap at the left wrist.


I've also used clamps to secure Falcons, Land Raiders and just about any 40k vehicle. There's no reason not to have a few of these clamps in your modeling tool box as they are a great time saver. You can pick them up from big box mega stores or tool places like Harbor Freight for $1.99.

What handy tools to you have in your modeling box?

BoLS Hobby Challenge: IG Command Squad

Just a reminder for all the Guard painters out there: Bell of Lost Souls is concluding their Imperial Guard Command Squad Challenge this Friday the 26th.

Rules are on BoLS, but basically you just need to construct and paint a squad from one (or both) of the new plastic Command Squad boxed sets and send in a photo.

The prize is a Valkyrie, so don't forget to enter and possibly win a nice transport for your squad.

I'm almost done with my mine; who else is entering the challenge?