TSoM: Feng Shui your Coffee Table

Luke & Adam from The Sound of Machines have just released a fancy pants Coffee table book (or PDF/ePub if your Coffee table has its own iPad/tablet), chocked full of their larger projects over the last few years.

As they've done a good chunk of my Eldar (with still a good chunk to go), I thought it only right to plug them into the blog for a bit of exposure ;) - See what I did there... pretty picture Coffee table book... exposure...? No?... well I tried.

What I can tell you is it makes the new White Dwarf: Visions look pretty tame.

The book is 226 pages of full colour crazy - Whilst the Eldar make a solid appearance, they aren't the only pretties in this compendium of colourful commissions. What does the book contain you ask? Well let's see...

Eldar
Cang Dragon
Ogres
Zombies
Death Guard
Nurgle Daemons
Orks
Iron Man (Yep, f*&k you, he's Iron Man)
The Lost & The Damned

Below are a few samples from their new portfolio release (borrowed with permission!);

Current Schedule and WIP Sneak Peak

Well I thought a bit of a status update on where everything is at wouldn't go astray. Plus a few teasers here and there.

1. Eldar Planetscape - Elliot from CustomTerrain.net has put up some new photos of the six panel modular table. I was pleasantly surprised when I realised that not only are the boards modular, but the terrain on them is as well - for a very large combination of landscape possibilities. Keep in mind that there are some very very funky structures coming as well. All inspired by the Dawn of War II computer game. I've also happened to get my hands on some GW examples that were intended for release, yet simply remained as sketches - they look amazing - so stay tuned as I fully intend on having these realised as well.

Inset below - Blue areas denote where Eldar buildings can be placed, brown denotes the tiled dust covered rune work;

All project progress can be viewed here.

2. Eldar Shining Spears - Navin over at PaintedFigs.com is currently stamping out 20 of the 27 Games Workshop Shining Spears, as shown in the sample pictures previously. The colour scheme was kept the same as the Russian made Shining Spears for uniformity sake, and they've worked out pretty good considering the dated model. Next up are either the Swooping Hawks or resculpted Jes Goodwin Jetbikes (sixty of them). So stay tuned!

3. Eldar Phoenix Bomber - Luke from The Sound of Machines is going to get his hands dirty in the New Year working on this bad boy as an example piece. The reason I say example is because the same theme (if successful) will be applied to all Warmachines over the next 2-3 years. Yep, all 20+ big bessies will be getting their love in the same place. Ive nicked a previous concept for a Nightwing Interceptor found on the Internet as inspiration regarding how this will look - essentially the orange graduated flow and semi gloss black will be key. Pictured below;

4. Tanks, so many Tanks - Clinton back up North has been busy building and painting up Wave Serpents recently (10 of 16, with 31 Serpents in total). I had this image txt'ed to me a couple of days ago as to the progress of how they're coming along. The blue on the underside is to give the impression of power generation for the skimmer function of the craft. It will be getting a similar appearance to the (also nicked concept) image below Clinton's, minus the Beil Tann vines.

5. Eldar HQ Models - Vincent, we can't forget Vincent! The lad has gone and got himself hitched (congratulations mate if you're reading this!). I've no doubt we will see more magic from Vincent later in January, however the poor bugger is on a very well deserved break right now :)

Galactic Rockband of Awesome - Spirit Seers...

Good ole Lukey from The Sound of Machines flicked me some nice shots of the Spirit Seers Adam has done up. These were done a few weeks ago, however the boys have been busy as hell sorting out a bunch of events recently :) good times for all!

Here's a little more eye candy, with the four latest additions to the Warhost - Rock on!;

Quick Update...

Hi all, just a quick one as to how things are progressing so far, with some major updates coming in the next few weeks;

1. Axiom from Warseer has sent me some very rare items that will be getting only the best love and attention they deserve. The Dawn of War Farseer and two Warlocks finished by Shane Hoyle (oh and a lovely Webway portal from the original Dawn of War PC game... mmmmmm). Axiom also included a sensational Eldar casualty sculpt (1 of 10 cast) which has a very distinctive Exodite look about it - Objective marker here we come!

2. The first of two boxes arrived from the US (via my good mate and personal man whore Dave). I will retrospectively update with photos when I get my rear into gear. Included were both Limited Edition Eldar books (core and Iyanden) in all their overpriced dust cover glory. As a collector that was the ONLY justifiable reason to buy these at that price - i'm still a little guilty about it honestly. One look at the four Wraithknights kinda takes me to a happy place though - such gorgeous models.

3. Luke & Adam from The Sound of Machines have completed the Eldar Jetbikes (Warlocks and Shining Spears), with adjustments etc - and they look the ducks nuts. Spirit Seers are also sorted out I believe :) with two more to be sent over very soon (to round numbers up to 50).

4. Navin over at PaintedFigs.com has kicked off the approved Dire Avenger paint scheme, so we should be seeing 70 of those little buggers sorted out soon... with another 30 to be sent over in batch two! Stay tuned, Jes Goodwin Jetbikes, GW Shining Spears and Swooping Hawks to come ;)

5. Elliot has also got back to me earlier today with budget details and a kickoff date (1st of December). The project is now locked in, deposit paid and purchasing process for materials underway - http://www.customterrain.net/6x8-eldar-planetscape.html

6. And my good mate Clinton back North has also advised me the tanks are now well under way, thing having settled down :) So we shall see some solid armour very soon to accompany all the foot sloggers. What can I say, the lad loves an airbrush and does VERY neat work. Upon the arrival of second said box from the US, he will be getting a mother load of plastic crack in payment. Clinton, soon you will have a Tau army reminiscent of its former glory!... and Necrons... and Dark Eldar... and Grey Knights... oh my.

Stay tuned for photos of completed items, general eye candy and plans for the next round of goodness. Things sure are screaming along now and holding pace.

... WIP Updates ahoy!...

Well things have been a little slow this last week (work being work and a media server crapping itself during a rebuild to blame), so I thought i'd post an update.

I have updates from 3/4 commissioned artists, each are WIP, so please understand they're not the finished products :)

First up, Vincent (aka Duskfrost) with Farseer number 3 of 20 aka the Frostseer. Each Farseer will have different elements painted on their respective cloak (with the exception of the Whiteseer, that will be something else entirely);

 

Meanwhile, Navin over at Paintedfigs.com has had his lads working on the Dire Avenger concept - the first he admitted was a bit rushed just to see if the colours would work, the rest will be a bit tidier, but i'm loving the theme starting to really come out in the army now;

And last but not least, an update on the Jetbike Warlocks and Shining Spears from Luke & Adam at The Sound of Machines! There are one or two bits left to go (a blue energy stripe down each side of the length on the canopy). I've not seen the finished Spirit Seers yet, however they were much the same as previous Warlocks, so i'll leave them up to your imagination;

And a group shot just for good measure ;)

 More goodies to come in the next few weeks!

... UPDATED: Jetbike Warlock sneak peak...

Early this morning I had an email from Luke over at The Sound of Machines telling me the Jetbikes have been done - along with an MMS sneak peak, top shot of the finished Warlock. Luke has mentioned there will be more piccies to come in the afternoon, so stay tuned for the rest of them.

Very much liking the work on the canopy!

I'm also told the Shining Spears are completed as well, so those bad boys will be posted up here as well; in total there are 27 Shining Spears, 10 Warlocks and 4 Spirit Seers - Bwahahaha indeed.

Can't wait to mount these lads on the stands that turned up from Back to Base-ix . I will note, the nature of laser cutting had the stands smelling like the amazon had been burned to the ground, probably a good idea to throw them into some warm soapy water to help kill the smell and remove the laminate from both sides of the acrylic - if anyone is looking to buy some!

Update: Here is a quick pic of the Jetbike Warlock and Spirit Seer, some very small alterations happening in the next week or so (Shining Spears and a little bronze for the Jetbike Turbines), updates as they become available :)

... Quick update & promos...

Well this week certainly has been eventful!

Luke & Adam over at The Sound of Machines, have been busily working away at getting my Jetbikes (Warlocks, Shining Spears) sorted out, along with a handful of Spirit Seers - Expect piccies in the next few days or so. Luke has also generously offered to do up a wargaming table for regular play that I intend to store at work (for Pizza/Beer nights). One of the lads (Rob H) from back in my home state has also offered to part with three tables worth of terrain for these games - which should see us have buckets of variety! You might say the standard gaming stuff is now sorted out :)

*Plug - If you would like to meet the boys in person or discuss commissions, they will be out at the Grand Opening for Game Traders this weekend at Penrith (see image below);

Meanwhile, in the Northern Hemisphere, Navin over at PaintedFigs.com has had his colleague Anuruddha working on a Dire Avenger sample. Anuruddha is the lad that did the Warp Spider and Fire Dragon samples that I pretty much approved on sight, so i'm looking forward to seeing what he has put together. Also, the Jes Goodwin Jetbike sculpts turned up, so in the next couple of months we may see the sample images of those as well, I have it on good authority that the resin used was the best Navin has ever seen with hardly any cleanup required at all - stay tuned!

Oh and the Warp Spiders and Fire Dragons are on their way home as well - I seriously need to start thinking about foam trays to store these guys in pronto.

Also up North, on a different continent, my good mate Fireman Dave (Yes ladies, he's a Fireman, hold onto your panties though, he's taken) is in packing mode to ship the recent Eldar goodies (and Limited Edition books) Down Under. Big props to you lad :)

Closer to home, Vincent (aka Duskfrost) has just advised me the Scibor scenic bases have turned up, so expect an Avatar and Wraithseer mounted on those bad boys around the end of the year.

I have to throw in a plug for Back to Base-ix having their 50% off sale this week only on acrylic flying stands. They include the magnets as well if anyone is interested in popping over. I splashed out given it was an all in one solution with a choice of plastic colours (I still went clear). The Universe must have been listening as I was browsing their products on Saturday, only to find out this gem following day or so. Life savers indeed. The promo code is facebook001 used at checkout.

At this point it also looks like the Brass Scorpion is in the lead for the Phantom Titan scenic base project, so get your votes in before the timer clocks out :)

The previous poll results have also indicated you want pretty pictures, and pretty pictures you shall have - just need a few days until Adam's Jetbikes are sorted out and the goodies from Sri Lanka arrive... squee indeed.

... Shining Spears & Jetbike Warlocks Underway!...

The boys (Luke & Adam) over at The Sound of Machines have been pretty busy lately. One thing that boggles the mind is how fast they can churn the miniatures out!

As you're all aware (ok, maybe not), Sunday just passed I dropped a bunch of Non-GW Shining Spears and Jetbike Warlocks over to Luke (amongst other things *wink wink, nudge nudge*). What I didn't anticipate was how quickly they've jumped into the squads - The lads are working on a bucketload of Space Marines as well, so perhaps it just helps break things up a tad.

Yesterday Luke posted these piccies up for all to see, however I thought i'd drop them here to showcase how quickly they get stuck into their work - and lovely work it is indeed from what I can see.

First up, Jetbike Warlocks (with a few Spirit Seers in the background who will join the Warlocks);

And the Shining Spears;

... Monday - A bad Omen in anyone's book...

Ok, a little detour thismorning from the normal schedule of things. A bit of a rant, if you will.

For those of you in other parts of the world, Australia recently elected a new Prime Minister, by the name of Tony Abbott. We have a similar setup to the US, in that there are two major parties who promise the world, when really they're just selling us garbage in the hope we buy it to satisfy their shareholders (aka the big boys financing them). All fun and games, which makes the start to my day kinda disturbing.

My other half and I were waiting for our regular train, when as it pulls up, not 1.5m from us (or about 4.5 feet) the doors to the train open, a man stands in the doorway... unzips his fly, pisses all over the platform, the door threshold and himself to an extent, says "Soooorryyyyy"... and steps back inside just as the doors close, with the train pulling away from the station. My other half, pissing herself laughing in disblief and myself wondering if our new Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, has a twin (who likes to wear hoodies). We caught the next train, avoiding the puddle left behind.

Perhaps it was an Omen, who knows...

What I do know, is that in the next month there will be some gorgeous miniatures arrive in the form of Warp Spiders and Fire Dragons from Sri Lanka that were posted end of last week. Adding to that, a bunch of Non-GW Jetbikes (Shining Spears and Warlocks), a Phoenix Bomber and some Spirit Seers from The Sound of Machines and some pretty hi-def style HQ units from Vincent down in Adelaide.

That reminds me... Must send off the rune to be painted on the Avatar's loincloth!

Below, the reference image by Broken Blade in the UK that I sent to Vincent as a guide to what i'm chasing paint wise ;) naturally with the black/tiger striping on the loincloth and rune attached.

... TSoM Visit & Shadow Spectres MKII...

Well i've just arrived home after a visit to Luke over at The Sound of Machines, with good news no less!

The visit was a two-parter, to drop off and pick up (with a little discussion). Credit to my other half who was interested to a point - i'm sure I now owe her an outing haha. Shoe shopping here I come eh?

I'll start with what was dropped off;

1x Phantom Titan - with Distort Cannon, Star Pulsar and Titan Close Combat Weapon
1x Phoenix Bomber - this is to be used as the guinea pig for how the Titan's paint job will come up
4x Spirit Seers
10x Jetbike Warlocks - The Russian sculpts
27x Shining Spears - Also of the Russian variety
... Plus a bunch of Armorcast Cinematic pieces for use as "Turbine" flames

After a bit of discussion as to how the job should be tackled, we settled on the general theme for each unit and how it would be broken down (between Luke and Adam).

So, just what did I pick up?

46x Warlocks
12x Jetbike Warlocks
30x Harlequins
12x Shadow Spectres

Some of you may recall I asked Luke if he would be cool with darkening the red armour on the Shadow Spectres - That he certainly did, and let's just say i'm chuffed with the results!

My lighting is a bit rubbish, however from the following shots, you will get the general idea;

And one with a flash, although I don't think it worked out too well...

... And out the door they go! (Next batch off for painting)...

Just a quick update, in the next couple of months we should see the following completed by the following artists, so i've put together a schedule of sorts;

Sending off to Vincent (Aka Duskfrost).

1x Forgeworld Avatar (Spear type)
1x Irillyth, Shadow Spectre Phoenix Lord

10x Farseers (inc the four unreleased)

1x Illic Nightspear

2x Non-GW Jetbike Farseers

3x Non-GW Jetbike Autarchs

Followed by;

6x Phoenix Lords (the remainder)
6x Autarchs
3x Autarchs on Jetbike (GW Sculpts)
7x Farseers
1x Bone Singer
1x Harlequin High Avatar
1x Wraithseer

Also in transit are the following to Navin over at PaintedFigs.com;

60x Jes Goodwin Prototype Jetbikes

And returning soon;

81x Ranger/Pathfinders

Currently underway (samples approved!);

38x (+2) Warp Spiders
34x Fire Dragons

Yet to come (Awaiting samples);

70x (+30) Dire Avengers
24x (+10) Swooping Hawks
20x (+7) Shining Spears

Batch two to Navin includes the following (upon return of batch one);

60x Corsairs
120x Wraithguard/Wraithblades
9x Weapons of Vaul
240x Guardians/Storm Guardians

annnnd, a bunch of stragglers (Aspect Warriors - Banshees, Warp Spiders, Hawks, Dark Reapers etc)

The Sound of Machines will soon be getting the following;

27x Non-GW Shining Spears

... The first Phantom Titan (of eight Titan class walkers) - This is pegged for November, however may be a bit sooner.

Speaking of, below is an image that caught my eye regarding a scheme for the Titan paint job. Open to ideas/thoughts as to what I should consider changing to fit the army theme (naturally, no Saim Hann iconography for a start!);

... Update: Shadow Spectres & Harlequins...

Good news everyone!

I have images of the completed Shadow Spectres and Harlequins to share :)

Now, I did make a boo boo in this, I had other colours intended for the Harlequins, yet forgot to send them over (whoops). You know what that means though - yeah, probably gunna have to buy another squad or something later on so I can get the blend nice and even. Can you tell i'm devastated? :P

Looking forward to seeing the Shadow Spectres in person, from the photos the red looks a little too bright, but that may just be the camera being used. Typically i'm not a huge fan of red unless its almost the deep consistency of a good Grenache red wine, as the reference image depicted. Still, I believe Adam has pulled it off :)

UPDATE: After a brief chat with Luke, he has graciously offered to give them a bit of a "darkening" next week. I'm a happy camper indeed. Take note folks, that is SERVICE.

I have to say though, these guys have done a stellar job of getting all this stuff done in under two weeks. No complaints there! But enough of my gabbing on, here they are;

First up, Harlequins...

And the Shadow Spectres... (aka Chargin Ma Lazor)

Enjoy!

... A paint scheme is chosen... (Part 2)

Whilst many busy Sri Lankan studio workers tend to the bulk of my Warhost, I have three other commissioned artists working locally here in Australia (Sydney, Adelaide and my hometown of Rockhampton).

Let me begin with the good lads over at The Sound of Machines (Luke & Adam). I've entrusted these boys with my second tier HQ and some of the more intricate troops of the Craftworld - You can see why with the photos below! Whilst i've not really had any interactions with Adam (the painter of the below), Luke I have had a fair amount to do with, always finding him to be accommodating.

Later in the year, these boys may just find themselves assembling the first of many Warmachines - Budget pending of course.

Oh and here's a plug to their Facebook page :D

https://www.facebook.com/thesoundofmachinescommissionpainting

This pair have been chipping away at three different units as of recent;

47x Warlocks
12x Jetbike Warlocks
12x Shadow Spectres
30x Harlequins

So without further ado;

Warlocks... so many Warlocks...

And just to get an idea of what they all look like together...

I wonder what kind of Focused Witchfire template you'd need for all that psychic happiness?

Now onto the Harlequins

 

And some WIP Shadow Spectres, painted pics to come tomorrow!