My painting pledge - one that will push the bounds of my saniity to levels only previously explored by those in padded cells...

I have sworn to paint a 1500pt force of Blood Angels to game with the two fine gentlemen below. The list is a fast moving, hard hitting army that gets in the enemy's face quickly and bloodys their nose. It contains the following:

HQ

Reclusiarch - no upgrades

Elites

Two sanguinary priests. One with a jump pack and power sword, the other with terminator armour

Terminator Assault Squad Garion - Five men, two armed with thunderhammer and storm shields and three armed with twin lightning claws. They ride to battle in the Land Raider "Hammer of Baal"

Troops

Tactical Squad Vittorius - 10 men armed with a missile launcher and melta gun. Sgt Vittorius is armed with a combi melta and a power fist. They ride to battle in a Rhino.

Assault Squad Nero - 10 men armed with two melta guns. Sgt Nero is armed with a bolt pistol, power sword and melta bombs.

Assault Squad Cestus - 10 men armed with two melta guns. Sgt Cestus is armed with a bolt pistol, power sword and melta bombs.

OK, its not exactly an amazing army. The tournament players who have optomised their lists for all eventuallities will likely pore scorn over it.....i dont care. It plays ok and suits my style of gaming. I like a decent fight in the centre and as long as i kill a few models, win, loose or draw i feel like i've had a good time.

Most importantly, it represents an army that is almost fully painted. At the time of writing this, i have only six more models to complete. Two terminators, a reclusiarch, two sanguinary priests and a land raider. The priest in terminator armour is proving somewhat complex but i have a model almost complete. My saviour has come in the form of the Space Hulk terminators. These wonderful models fit perfectly into any Blood Angels force and the skillful modeller can even turn them into other chapters. I have scene Dak Angel, Space Wolf and Ultramarine coversions. Games Workshop frankly should award large, gaudy medals to all the model sculptors.....But i would say that as a Blood Angels player. In a fit of inspiration (plus some sage advice from Ollie) i carved apart a terminator i had the foresite to purchase from Ebay and set to work. The chalice was taken from Space Hulk aswell and the arm built from three different terminator arms (again thanks to Ollie for some space Wolf terminator arms!). The Narcacium was culled from a sanguinary priest i had built a while back and pinned in place having had the hand removed. He still sits on top of my model cabinet waiting to be finished. I will complete him when i get my order of green stuff. Until then i can amuse myself with painting the others. A feat that is starting to drive me a little mad! Having painted just about 40 space marines in a few heated painting sessions spread out over the year i have had enough.....though my trials and tribulations will be another post. Next up i need to lay down my ideas for the back stories of the main characters in my force. This is something Scott, Ollie and myslef have in common. Your guys need names. They need stories to inspire you and your opponent/avid game watchers. Otherwise its just chess with dice. So, i have my date to work to. I have the models ready to paint, do i have the stamina. I hope so or Scott will be wrapping an iron bar around my head! (probably not but i'll never hear the end of it!).

Photo's to come when i can grab a camera!

Simon