DreadTober 2022 Week 2: Jason and the Dreadonauts

 

Hi folks,

Week 2 of DreadTober has passed us by and it is time to see what our challengers have been able to achieve. Some people (like me!) have only just started to paint their projects, whilst others are approaching the finish line.

If I have missed your progress shots for some reason, please let me know in the comments. I can always amend the digest post during the week.

If you see something that you find amazing, I encourage you to take the time to visit the participant's blog/social media account and make a connection. That kind of encouragement is worth more than the Golden Fleece itself!

Here we go...

Name: XarfaiEngel
Project: Blood Angels Contemptor Dreadnought
Blog: https://abutterflyshobbytally.blogspot.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xarfaiengel/

XarfaiEngel has the base colours down and is about to start with washes and weathering. Keep an eye out for this one, the magic is about to happen...

Name: Sachiel
Project: Ork Dreadmob
Blog: https://sachiel-returns.blogspot.com/

Sachiel has been working on shading all the dreads with Agrax wash. I loved this photo on the blog which clearly shows the difference the wash makes. It is a long process when you have so many dreads to do, but well worth the effort.

Name: Rory (Stepping Between Games)
Project: 2nd edition metal chaos dread
Blog: steppingbetweengames.com
Instagram: @steppingbetweengames

Rory has been adding power to the power scourge and adding some colour to the lenses. Looking great already!

Name: D
Project: contemptor-esque chassis roll-a-lump-of-glue-in-the-bitz-box
Blog: imalonewithadream.blogspot.com
Instagram: langshan_hexachord

D has continued building his scratch-built Contemptor. Creating something like this from bits is such a huge modelling challenge, even just getting that distinctive torso shape is wonderful.

 

Name: Agis
Project: Thanatar-Siege-Automata
Blog: http://agis40k.blogspot.com/

In the past week Agis has done a huge amount of work on this Thanatar, go check out the blog for some extra WIP! I am really interested to see how the plasma coils turn out, as I am struggling with my decision on how to do them as well.

Name: Bob (BornOnBoard)
Project: Ork Deff Dred built from Kastelan Robot
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaintsB

I am really getting jealous; all of these people having fun with weathering already! This project is so much fun, I cant wait to see the finished product.

Name: Neverness
Project: Ultramarines Rogue Trader era Dreadnought restoration.
Blog: http://nevernesshobby.blogspot.com
Facebook: Neverness Hobbies.

Neverness has added some shading and new metallics to this ancient one. I would love to paint one of these someday.

Name: Gerard
Project: Deathguard Contemptor Dreadnought
Instagram: @sharpegerard

Gerards Dreadnoughts already have that Nurgle vibe to them, such a great selection of colours. 

Name: DAM
Project: Pre-Heresy Dark Angels Contemptor Dreadnought
Blog: https://262krieg.blogspot.com/
Instagram: @262_krieg

DAM's 2021 DreadTober project features on our Week 2 poster! This year DAM is working on a 1st Legion Contemptor (glory to the Lion) and it looks like a lot of checkers were painted this week :-) I am glad I don't need to do that this year... though I may still get an urge to do so...

Name: Joe M.
Project: 3 Paragon Warsuits
Blog: https://www.joesavestheday.com/
Instagram: @joesavestheday

The warsuits are primed and ready to roll. It is great when family members join in the fun, bravo Joe!

Name: Danforth Laertes
Project: whatever things with legs I have sitting around unfinished....
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danforth_laertes/

Danforth is going all out with this conversion; it reminds me very much of the Imperator-class titans from Epic 40K.  Just spectacular!

Name: Battle Specter (Mike Uher)
Project: Contemptor Dreadnaught
Blog: battlespecterblog.com

From what I understand, Mike's son has been working on this Dusk Raider Contemptor. It is looking fantastic! Again, so good to see some family member getting involved.

Name: Da Masta Cheef
Project: Tau Commander
Blog: dlwdg.blogspot.com

Da Masta Cheef has been busy blocking in colours, which is a bit of a slog (on that I think we can all agree). I am getting a real winter-camo vide from this mech. I think that is the second time I have said "vibe" in this post; I am at risk of losing my old school credentials.

Name: Dave Weston
Project: Foetid Bloat Drone [and more]
Blog: www.40kaddict.uk

Posting just one photo of this drone feels like a crime, go and check out Dave's blog for more amazing shots of this monstrosity. What a wonderfully disgusting tribute to grand pappy Nurg Nurg.

Name: Wachtmeister
Project: Iron Warriors Contemptor
Blog: https://www.hmgs.org/blogpost/1767208/The-Wachtmeister-s-Patrol

Slow progress is still progress! Wachtmeister is still constructing this Contemptor.

Name: Cylde
Project: Redemptor dreadnoughts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyldear/?hl=es
Blog: https://mastodontica.blogspot.com/

Cylde has done some beautiful work highlighting these Contemptors. I really love this scheme; such clean bright colours.

Name: Einarr
Project: Kitbashed Killa Kan
Blog: https://einarrmakesthings.net/

Einarr has had some health troubles, but still managed to get a little bit of progress done. As great as dreadnoughts are, we all need to focus on family, work and heath matters sometimes. Wishing you a speedy recovery, mate.

Name: WestRider
Project: Varied. I've got a number of things going that could qualify, including a kitbash inspired by Mission: Dreadnought from Space Crusade, a couple of converted True Mechanicum Robots, and a take on a White Scars Venerable Dread that I'm pretty sure is unique!
Blog: http://cascadiangrimdark.blogspot.com

😂 So good! First into the fray indeed. 

Name: Siph
Project: Imperial Knight Preceptor I think, that or Rotigus!
Blog: https://weemen.blogspot.com/

Construction underway; what a beast!

Name: Kushial
Project: Lions of Harlech Dreadnoughts
Blog: http://lionsofharlech.blogspot.com/

Kushiel has made great progress on a large number of dreadnoughts this DreadTober. The combined dakka is already quite ridakkulous (it's a real word... trust me).

Name: Marc
Project: Deathwing Redemptor Dreadnought
Blog: http://oldschoolg4m1ng.blogspot.com/
Instagram and Twitter: @m4cr0dutch

I have been busy priming and airbrushing my Redemptor. One of the challenges of painting clean white is how to keep the layers thin but still achieve coverage. This white was built up from a very pale ocean grey colour. I'll probably add a glaze of darker grey to the bottom of each panel to push the contrast just a little.

That's it for this week. A couple of challengers missed the deadline, so I will be keeping an eye out for progress during the week. Good luck everyone!

Dreadnoughts of Renown: Bjorn the Fell-Handed

 

Hi folks,

I learned how to play 40K back in the mid 90's, when two of my good mates happened to bring their rulebooks with them on holidays. We played a bunch of games on a folding camping table, using folded paper miniatures and handmade templates. One of the guys was an avid Space Wolves player and regaled us with stories about his favourite heroes. Chief amongst them was the Dreadnought known as Bjorn the Fell-Handed. The idea of having a special character who was a Dreadnought sounded awesome to me. It was one of those conceptual hooks that made (and still makes) 40K such an immersive universe to delve into.  Additionally, the 2nd Edition Bjorn the Fell-Handed model was a beauty!

Bjorn the Fell-Handed is (arguably) the oldest living Space Marine, having fought alongside the Primarch Leman Russ and the Emperor during the Horus Heresy. Bjorn served in the 3rd Company during the Battle of Prospero, where he lost his left arm to the malignant sorceries of a daemon. 

On the volcanic world of Gryth, Bjorn fought a battle against Arvax the Arch-slaughterer, barely surviving whilst the brothers around him all fell. Mourning the lost kinsmen of his pack, Bjorn swore an oath of vengeance against the daemon king of Khorne. It would be many years before he got an opportunity to fulfil his oath, as rumours of the Arch-slaughterers location began to surface. Leman Russ himself led the attack, but was denied his own personal vengeance, when Bjorn struck the daemon down by tearing out its throat with his Wolf Claw. In honour of this mighty deed, Bjorn was promoted into the Wolf Guard and given the name "Fell-Handed".

When Russ set forth on his final crusade to the Eye of Terror, accompanied by his Wolf Guard, Bjorn alone was left behind. It was judged that only he had shown the requisite strength and determination to lead the Space Wolves in the Primarch's absence. 

During the Proxima Rebellion Bjorn led a successful raid to save a force of Space Wolves trapped within a Dreadsun Fortress. The raid was successful, but Bjorn sustained such horrendous wounds that, to preserve his life, he was interred into the sarcophagus of a Dreadnought. Abdicating his title of Great Wolf, he returned to the battlefield with renewed vigour, crushing the enemies of mankind in the arching talons of his lightning claw. The centuries of warfare took their toll, however, and he began to spend longer periods of time dormant in stasis. Now, he is only awakened in times of greatest need. 

It is a testament to his character that, despite all the centuries of faithful service, Bjorn the Fell-Handed still feels the pain of being left behind so keenly. Many believe that he will not allow himself to die until he has fought alongside Russ one final time.

DreadTober 2022 Week 1: Dread Calm

 

Hi folks,

The first week of the challenge has flashed by and it is time to check out some progress. If you are like me, you are probably just getting on top of your construction phase. Other intrepid DreadToberteers are already getting close to finishing their projects, if they haven't done so already! 

If I have missed your progress shots for some reason, please let me know in the comments. I can always amend the digest post during the week.

If you see something that you find amazing, I encourage you to take the time to visit the participant's blog/social media account and make a connection. That kind of encouragement is worth more than Rogue Trader era Grey Knights on eBay!

Here we go; try to stay calm...

Name: XarfaiEngel
Project: Blood Angels Contemptor Dreadnought
Blog: https://abutterflyshobbytally.blogspot.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xarfaiengel/

XarfaiEngel has been painting some lovely Heresy era Blood Angels, so I am really looking forward to seeing how this one turns out. Such a dynamic pose!

Name: Sachiel
Project: Ork Dreadmob
Blog: https://sachiel-returns.blogspot.com/

Holy Gork, that is a LOT of Ork goodness! I think we can legitimately call this an OrkTober challenge now too. 

Name: Rory (Stepping Between Games)
Project: 2nd edition metal chaos dread
Blog: steppingbetweengames.com
Instagram: @steppingbetweengames

I have always been a huge fan of the old school Chaos Dreadnought (perhaps because I am such a Dark Angels fan...). Rory is surging ahead with this project.

Name: D
Project: contemptor-esque chassis roll-a-lump-of-glue-in-the-bitz-box
Blog: imalonewithadream.blogspot.com
Instagram: langshan_hexachord

D's ability to build things essentially from scratch (and nightmares) never ceases to amaze me. I am really interested to see how this turns out; it is going to be unique as heck.

Name: Agis
Project: Thanatar-Siege-Automata
Blog: http://agis40k.blogspot.com/

It is well worth checking out Agis' blog to see the process used to bring this project to life. If last years final product is anything to go by, this is going to be an amazing model.

Name: Bob (BornOnBoard)
Project: Ork Deff Dred built from Kastelan Robot
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaintsB

This sounds like such a fun project; I love it when Orks loot something cool. Check out Bob's Twitter account for more WIP.

Name: Neverness
Project: Ultramarines Rogue Trader era Dreadnought restoration.
Blog: http://nevernesshobby.blogspot.com
Facebook: Neverness Hobbies.

This is the kind of DreadTober project that brings a tear of happiness to my eye. This Dreadnought deserves some love after all of those years! Here is a starting shot, to show everyone the challenge that lies challenge ahead.

Name: Gerard
Project: Deathguard Contemptor Dreadnought
Instagram: @sharpegerard

...or two. I have been on the receiving end of Gerard's Deathguard Contemptors and they are brutality personified. I can't wait to see how corrupted and putrescent he can make that armour look.

Name: DAM
Project: Pre-Heresy Dark Angels Contemptor Dreadnought
Blog: https://262krieg.blogspot.com/
Instagram: @262_krieg

Have I already said that I am a Dark Angels fan? This is going to be awesome; I especially love the idea of the dual twin-heavy bolter wielding Contemptor. So much dakka!

Name: Joe M.
Project: 3 Paragon Warsuits
Blog: https://www.joesavestheday.com/
Instagram: @joesavestheday

Joe is working on some Paragon Warsuits for his daughter (I salute you, sir!). I have always been impressed with how these sculpts stay true to the Sororitas aesthetic whilst adding some dreadliness* to the collection.

*It's a word, trust me.

Name: Danforth Laertes
Project: whatever things with legs I have sitting around unfinished....
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danforth_laertes/

Danforth has been working on this stained-glass Imperial Knight. It is quite possibly the brightest knight I have ever seen!

Name: Battle Specter (Mike Uher)
Project: Contemptor Dreadnaught
Blog: battlespecterblog.com

Mike has just about finished his build and is just working a bit more on the base. Solid start!!

Name: Da Masta Cheef
Project: Tau Commander
Blog: dlwdg.blogspot.com

Da Masta Cheef has made some quick early progress constructing this Tau Commander Firestorm and getting some colours down. I really dig the use of the additional 3D printed parts and that cargo container [chef's kiss].

Name: Dave Weston
Project: Foetid Bloat Drone [and more]
Blog: www.40kaddict.uk

Dave is powering ahead at the moment; he is a man on a mission! I have really enjoyed seeing his take on the Death Guard paint scheme and this Bloat Drone promises to be a spectacular (and gross) addition to his growing collection.

Once again, Dave has done a lot of work behind the scenes, creating the DreadTober 2022 blog banner and several promotional images. His 2021 DreadTober project even features in this week's Dread Calm poster! Thanks Dave, DreadTober wouldn't be the same without you :-)

  

Name: Wachtmeister
Project: Iron Warriors Contemptor
Blog: https://www.hmgs.org/blogpost/1767208/The-Wachtmeister-s-Patrol

The Wachtmeister is busy constructing an Iron Warriors Contemptor and is about to start magnetising. I am looking forward to seeing some hazard stripes...

Name: Cylde
Project: Redemptor dreadnoughts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyldear/?hl=es
Blog: https://mastodontica.blogspot.com/

Last year Cylde painted a pair of beautiful Redemptors and it looks like we are in for another treat this year.  I love the colour scheme of this custom Chapter so much!

Name: Einarr
Project: Kitbashed Killa Kan
Blog: https://einarrmakesthings.net/

Another super-fun ork entry, this time a creative kitbash from Einarr. These projects are inspiring me to do my own Orky kitbash. Perhaps I can get The Boi (my Ork collecting son) to work on one with me...

Name: Damien
Project: Dark Angels Leviathan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slightly_unhinged_works/

It may not look like much now, but this is going to be one chonky Dread. Did I mention I am a Dark Angels fan?

Name: WestRider
Project: Varied. I've got a number of things going that could qualify, including a kitbash inspired by Mission: Dreadnought from Space Crusade, a couple of converted True Mechanicum Robots, and a take on a White Scars Venerable Dread that I'm pretty sure is unique!
Blog: http://cascadiangrimdark.blogspot.com

I don't quite know where to start with this entry, there is so much to look at! The White Scars Venerable Dread cracked me up; great idea :-)

Name: Siph
Project: Imperial Knight Preceptor I think, that or Rotigus!
Blog: https://weemen.blogspot.com/

Siph will be working on a Knight Preceptor this year. Knights are such a challenging project to finish in a short period of time, best wishes mate.

Name: Floyd 
Project: Old school Blood Angels Dreadnought
Blog: https://1stlegionchronicles.blogspot.com/

Another project to warm the heart (...could just be the multimelta charging up), a glorious 2nd Edition Blood Angels Dreadnought. This model was my first Dreadnought too, though I never painted it red...

Name: Kushial
Project: Lions of Harlech Dreadnoughts
Blog: http://lionsofharlech.blogspot.com/

Kushiel has a whole bunch of Dreadnoughts to work on during this challenge, I'm looking forward to see how this custom Chapter grows during the challenge. I encourage you to check out the blog for a preview of the paint scheme.

Name: Marc
Project: Deathwing Redemptor Dreadnought
Blog: http://oldschoolg4m1ng.blogspot.com/
Instagram and Twitter: @m4cr0dutch

I think that just leaves me (let me know in the comments if I skipped you!). I have been busy kit-bashing the heck out of this Deathwing Redemptor Dreadnought. I am calling the close combat weapon a "graviton mace" for now, until I can come up with a catchier name. The mace itself is from Taro Modelmaker, who I have purchased parts from before, to use on other DreadTober projects. 

There are a few other people who have entered the challenge but have yet to post any progress; I will try to catch up with them during the week. I will also be posting a mid-week article; the first in a new series on Dreadnoughts of great renown. Until then, good luck and keep painting!

DreadTober 2022 has Begun!!!

 

Hi folks,

The challenge has officially started and people are already starting to make some progress on their projects. Thanks to all of those people who have posted their entries, either as comments or using the contact form. I will be checking for weekly progress photos after each Friday deadline, so make sure you have something up before then if you want to make the weekly digest.

This year I am working on a Deathwing Redemptor Dreadnought, after being inspired by other projects last year. This week will mostly be spent kitbashing the heck out of it, with as much Dark Angels symbology and urban warfare equipment as I can (without making it look silly).

 

It has been a bit of a slow start for me, but I am hoping to get some more done today. I wish you all the best of luck as you get your Dread-themed projects started. 

It is not too late to enter the challenge, just comment with your name, project and blog/social media link in the comment section.