Pfreck's Miniature Painting & Modelling

Hi there! My name is Rens, known around the interwebs as Pfreck. I'm a 24 year old miniature painter & modeller based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I first came in contact with the hobby around 1999 when the first local Games Workshop opened. Around 6...

[pfreck]

Hey guys!

Remember the Harlequin-themed Wraithguard I posted earlier this year? It turns out it's in this month's issue of Warhammer Visions! I currently am not a subscriber to Warhammer Visions anymore, so I only just heard about it through my friends. They also took the picture for me (thanks, Bas!). As some of you might know, this miniature didn't make the final cut at Games Day. Though, I'm quite proud to see him featured and I'm glad I made the final push to enter something at the Golden Demons last year!

[pfreck]

Happy new year, people! A new year means a new logo! Oh, and of course new year's resolutions.. 

Continue work on the Mantis Warriors, my aim is to be able to field a fully painted 1000 points force.

Finish my Mordheim River Watch Gang for the upcoming fan-made Mutiny in Marienburg supplement.

Finish at least 2 entries for The Fang 2014 Painting Competition.

What are your new year's resolutions for 2014?

[pfreck]

Hey guys, Last summer I attended the Games Day Germany for the 4th time. After years of talking about entering the Golden Demons I never managed to enter anything, until this year! I decided to paint something relatively simple (ie. no conversions) to avoid running out of time once again. Now I do have to say that I painted this miniature in about a week, due to me slacking once again. Unfortunately my model didn’t get through the first cut, but I didn’t mind. My goal for this year was to finish something for the Golden Demons and actually enter something - and now I did - I do feel proud of my accomplishment.  Now this model is supposed to be a Harlequin-inspired Wraithguard. My initial idea was to do checker patterns throughout the model. However, due to my limited timeframe I decided to skip that. This model was quite a challenge because I never actually blended a miniature before, so with a lot of trial and error the blending came out quite well. Once again, I’d like to know what you think! :) PS. Can you guess how many gems this model has? CoolMiniOrNot link

[pfreck]

New recruits for the Mantis Warriors! Loving the new Tactical Squad box, excellent kit!

[pfreck]

So today I received my copy of july's White Dwarf. And while I was flicking through it I noticed something green, it looked familiar. I flicked back and.. Holy crap! Those are my models! I never saw this coming, maybe due to the fact that these pictures were from last years Lage Landen Painting Competition - which was about 1,5 years ago! I have no way to describe what I'm feeling right now, this is such an achievement for me. One of my dreams was to - some day - be featured in White Dwarf. I guess I can check this off my bucket list now!

[pfreck]

Mantis Warriors Contemptor Dreadnought Hey guys, I finally managed to finish the Contemptor Dreadnought for my Mantis Warriors, just in time for The Fang Painting Competition 2013 – I placed second in the Warhammer 40,000 Vehicle category! The reason the model turned out semi-glossy is because I didn’t shake my Lahmian Medium before usage.. I’m scared to use matt varnish as I’ve heard it usually ruins the metallics – any suggestions for a matt varnish that is safe to use?

[pfreck]

What's been on my mind? Part I

Hi guys, It's been quiet on the hobby front for me, which doesn't necessarily mean I don't think about wargaming, in fact I do - most of the time. As I started a new study last year I noticed the time I have for the hobby is quite precious, I don't have the time I used to have for the hobby anymore - which is kinda sad. However, I try to get stuff done anyway and this is where this new article format comes in. I think it's an easy way to share what's currently on my mind regarding wargaming and the hobby in general. I'd very much appreciate it to know if you guys enjoy reading this or you'd rather like something short and perhaps more pictures?

The Fang 2013

I'm currently still working on the Contemptor Dreadnought for my Mantis Warriors. Progress has been slow but I'm getting there! The Contemptor is also going to be my entry for The Fang Painting Competition 2013 (formerly known as "De Lage Landen"), this is basically a competition for the best painters in the Netherlands (now - being The Fang - it's also for the rest of Northern Europe). The first round will be held at any Games Workshop store on the 13th of April, if you place either first, second or third in your respective category you'll place for the finals at Games Day Amsterdam the following week on the 20th of April. Me and two other friends will be representing our local GW as we did last year. The plan is to at least finish the Contemptor Dreadnought for the Vehicle Category and if I have enough time left I'd like to paint up the new alternative Radagast the Brown for the Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit category. 

Warmachine/Hordes Other than The Fang something else has caught my attention and had been on my mind ever since. I've been looking to get into Warmachine for a while now but somehow I never made the big step to start an army. I've been looking at getting into the game for over a year now and somehow it keeps calling me. I was torn between either Khador, Retribution of Scyrah or Mercenaries and never made a final decision on either of these factions. But then something happened about a week ago, Privateer Press held their keynote at TempleCon of things to come for 2013. They announced a new faction for Warmachine; the Convergence of Cyriss - I was impressed. This really was the final push I needed to get into Warmachine, this is what got me interested in Warmachine in the first place; steam-powered (or in this case, clockwork) robots, and lots of them! Somehow the clockwork/Metropolis look and feel really appeals to me. However, there is still one more thing I have to do before I can start Warmachine; I have to convince my friends/gaming group to start playing as well. Most of the people in my gaming group are avid players of Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy (but usually we play Mordheim). I usually am distracted quite easily when it comes to finishing armies, again this is something that drew me to Warmachine as well (the same as Mordheim did a few years ago), being a skirmish game it makes it a lot easier to get a game started, something that has been a problem with Warhammer 40,000 - to be fair I haven't played a game in about 4 years simply because I really want to have a fully painted army when playing the game. I literally have played only 3 games during 5th edition, which makes me feel ashamed as well as wonder how many armies I have started and never finished during these years. Not to mention 6th edition, the current number of games equals zero. However, I'm quite convinced that Warmachine might be the game to get me back into wargaming as a whole. How can I make this game appeal to my friends, and how can I explain them that it's not just "another game"? I know some of my followers play Warmachine, so to them: how did you convince people or did your gaming group already play Warmachine? I guess this is it for this first edition on what's been on my mind. I'll try to make this a monthly thing so I can keep you guys up to date! TL;DR? Okay..

[pfreck]

Mantis Warriors Contemptor Dreadnought - WIP

Hey guys,

It's been about 1.5 month since the last update so I thought I'd show you guys some progress. I've mostly been working on my Contemptor Dreadnought for my Mantis Warriors, I've had this particular kit for over a year now so it was about time I'd start cracking on it! Personally, I'd had a hard time getting the legs right - it just didn't seem to work the way I had in mind! Eventually I got the pose I wanted, I'm quite happy how he turned out but I'll probably put more thought in my next Contemptor Dreadnought (that's right, another Contemptor!).

I magnetised the arms so I'll be able to field my Contemptor with whatever weapons I feel like using - at the moment I only have the fist and the Assault Cannon. At the moment he's mostly held together with blu-tack. Unfortunately the cast of the fist wasn't great, it was terrible to say the least. You can see I fixed most parts with Milliput, but it was in terrible condition when I received it. I was thinking about giving Forge World a call but unfortunately I bought this one off eBay, I'm pretty sure they ask for a order number to help you or to send a replacement kit.

Everything is obviously WIP, the dead marine will probably hail from the Minotaurs chapter!

[pfreck]

Loving your mantis warriors, trying a similar thing myself, what colours did you use for the green?

Thanks man! The green is Gretchin Green from the old Foundation Paints, I believe the new name is Deathworld Forest. The green is shaded with Athonian Camoshade and highlighted with a mix of Deathworld Forest and Karak Stone (Kommando Khaki). Hope this helps!

[pfreck]

Hey guys,

It's been quiet on the Mantis Warriors front. I actually finished the first 5 Mantis Warriors way back in March, I just forgot to post pictures of them. I blame the summer and the great weather, and maybe my lack of motivation. However, with summer almost gone I guess it's time to get back into gear.

I do have to mention that I actually finished them in time for the "Lage Landen" Painting Competition, and was fortunate enough to place second in the Warhammer 40,000 Squad category! At the event they actually took professional pictures of the unit - they also posted them on the Games Workshop website.  The pictures didn't turn out as good as I expected so I decided to take some myself.

Believe it or not, but I would love to make a playable army of these guys. At this pace it might take a while, but eventually I'll get there. I do still have a Contemptor Dreadnought lying around which I'm planning to assemble pretty soon. Also an additional 5 Marines to finish this unit off, some special and heavy weapons might be a nice addition.

I'd love to know your thoughts!

[pfreck]

I've been trying out a new, quicker way to post updates on Tumblr. I made this picture using Instagram on my iPhone. I'm quite happy about the quality of the picture so I guess updating like this will be a common thing from now on!

[pfreck]

Just saw the new Tartaros pattern Terminators, I'm not sure wether I like them or not.. The cool thing is that these are basically MkIV 'Maximus' pattern versions of Terminator armour (which is the preferred pattern of power armour for the Mantis Warriors). Though the poses seem a bit static..

What do you guys think?

[pfreck]

Wow, I haven't posted anything in ages! Time for some updates then.

I've been working on a couple more Mantis Warriors for my army. This unit of 4 + a Sergeant will be one of my entries of this years "De Lage Landen" Painting Competition 2012. For those not familiar with this competition you read more about it here.

They're obviously still WIP, painting the chapter symbol on the other marines will be a paint in the butt though!

[pfreck]

Hey guys,

Ever since I saw the new Imperial Armour Badab War books I've been tempted to start a Badab War army. This is a test miniature from the Mantis Warriors, one of the four secessionist chapters who rebelled against the imperium. I really liked their fluff and the colour scheme got a nice update from the Forge World team, I didn't really like the older colours. I want to do a couple more chapters to see which one I can paint relatively fast and see if I can paint an army of them!

Conclusion: I really dig the scheme, the fluff is also very nice as mentioned. They're a successor chapter of the White Scars, which means they are mongolian-like in appearance which I like a lot! However, the chapter symbol takes a long time to do properly and I still feel like I could've done a better job on it. I'd love to do an army of them if Forge World decides to make a decal sheet for them (as they did for the Carcharodons, Astral Claws etc.), but for now it's probably a no..

The next test model will probably be either a Lamenter or Carcharodon.

I'd love to know your thoughts!

[pfreck]

32nd Vraksian - Chaos Renegade Militia

Hey guys, 

I dug up an old unfinished project of mine last week, I'm a bit ashamed that I never finished these awesome miniatures.. So I guess it's about time I started cracking on them again! I started this army back in 2007/2008, somehow I wasn't motivated enough to finish this army. Luckily GW The Hague has a 40K double tournament coming up in October, the perfect opportunity for me to finish 700pts worth of Chaos Renegade Militia. I still need to make a 10 man Veteran squad for 700pts, this is the list I'll be using;

HQ

Company Command Platoon (95pts) - Company Commander w/ CCW, Plasma pistol. - Veteran w/ Regimental Standard - Veteran w/ Vox-caster - Veteran w/ Plasmagun

TROOPS

Infantry Platoon - Platoon Command Squad: Commander w/ Powerweapon, Vox-caster, Missile Launcher team, Commissar w/ Powerweapon (105pts) - Infantry Squad: Plasmagun, Missile Launcher team, Vox-caster (85pts) - Infantry Squad: Plasmagun, Heavy Bolter team, Vox-caster (80pts) - Infantry Squad: Grenade Launcher, Heavy Bolter team, Vox-caster (70pts)

Veteran Squad (135pts) - Shotguns, 3x Meltaguns, Vox-caster, Demolitions doctrine

FAST ATTACK

Hellhound (130pts)

Total: 700pts

I'm using Codex: Imperial Guard as the Forge World rules aren't allowed. My partner will most likely be playing Death Guard, I don't have a list of his army yet.

I'll keep you guys updated as much as I can.

Cheers!

[pfreck]

Hey guys!

I just came home from Cologne, Germany for Games Day Germany 2011. We went to Cologne last friday to explore the city, relax a bit and talk about Warhammer, obviously! This was the second year I went to Games Day Germany, I was there last year as well. I've been to Games Day UK twice as well, in 2007 and 2008. 

I had to say that I had a lot of fun this weekend. I read on Forge World's Facebook page that the Exalted Vermin Lord would be available to buy on Games Day, so after we got in we immediately went to the Forge World stand (like everybody does on a Games Day, right?). Luckily they still had one for me! I also grabbed the Limited Edition Chaos Dwarf Hellsmith, excellent mini! However, this is where a problem started to occur. I wanted to use my PIN pass to pay for everything but the PIN device wouldn't let me, we tried the PIN pass from my friend as well, it didn't work either.. Finally it worked when I tried another PIN device! Phew, what a relief! After the Forge World stand we went upstairs to see more of Games Day, including the Forge World design team. Unfortunately there weren't any new miniatures that I hadn't seen yet..

A couple of hours later I decided to pick up the new Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought as well, together with two Assault Cannon arms! I saw some excellent painted versions of these on Games Day so I just couldn't help myself but to grab one myself. My plan is not to start a Space Marine army, but to enter it for the Golden Demons next year. Somehow I never get around to finish something for the Golden Demons and every year I regret that I didn't finish an entry. The coming year I will spend a lot of time on this project. A friend of mine (who won a Golden Demon in the "vehicle and monsters" category three years ago!) is going to help me out by keeping me motivated to finish an entry for once!

My ticket included the Limited Edition Games Day miniature from this year, a Clan Skryre Warlord. I also picked up the Limited Edition Games Day miniature from 2006 that I didn't own yet. Just love the fact that the daemon head is the actual Golden Demon!

If anyone is interested I'll post some pictures of the Golden Demon entries I took.

[pfreck]

Hey guys,

I've been working on a unit of Skavenslaves. Mostly on the unit-filler as Slaves are dead easy and quick to assemble. The idea behind the unit-filler is that it's a failed Moulder experiment, instead of an adonis shaped Rat Ogre he turned to be an obese and most likely retarded Rat Ogre.

The filler is obviously still WIP, need needs some more details. The arms and tail are current blu-tacked on, they need to be glued and the gaps need some GS as well. His left arm will also get a handcuff and some chains hanging from it. :) I'm not sure about adding fur yet, I haven't done fur before.. What do you think?