Pictured above is a 500 point Isengard army for Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game. I built and painted this army over 4 months, for a slow grow league with my local gaming club. ‘Slow grow’ as a concept is essentially an excuse to start a new army every January. You start with low points – only a handful of models, then each month add more models, until you have a full fighting force at the end.
Fun fact: I bought some of these uruk-hai 20 years ago, and only recently painted them in 2026! How’s that for lifetime warranty.
“It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.” - Samwise Gamgee
My hobby journey began all the way back in 2006. I still remember walking into the local Games Workshop, scoping out the most affordable pack my pocket money could stretch to. I was drawn in by with what was then Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game,…
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Thanks for visiting my blog! Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
Completed Projects: Mainly progressing a Black Templars army, an Isengard army, and a 20 year backlog of mismatched Middle Earth SBG models.
Battle Reports: My games are mostly 40k games with a crusade narrative or Middle Earth SBG tournaments. Immersing in both these communities has meant squaring up against armies of all shapes and sizes, so I’ll try to share a variety of matches!
Lore Drops: In early 2026, after finally getting to grips with Warhammer 40K rules, I joined a group of veteran crusade players on an Armageddon crusade. In a nutshell, crusade adds an extra narrative element to the game and you can flesh out characters and follow some great stories.
While teams of Imperium, Chaos and Xenos armies fight for control of Armageddon, there are also prizes for painting and lore. This was the first time I’d tried creative writing since school… and I loved it! As the narrative around my characters develops, I’ll share lore from battles they’ve fought.
Painting Guides: Getting back into the hobby after an almost 20 year hiatus, the first thing that hits you is the steep learning curve. With global, professional events like Golden Demon, painting is constantly evolving with new techniques and trends. As an average painter who’s been lucky to dedicate time to the art, I’ll share what works for me and tips to get satisfying results with minimal expertise.
Terrain and Dioramas: Terrain building was a part of the hobby I fell into very early. I was obsessed with recreating famous scenes from Lord of the Rings like the Bridge of Khazad Dum and Helm’s Deep.
it’s also a part of the hobby that’s way less complicated than miniature painting once you get the hang of it!
WIPs: What I’m working on, what challenges I’m facing and what I’ve learnt – so you don’t have to make the same mistakes that I do (ahem thin your paints).
Finally, if you’re a fellow hobbyist please feel welcome to get in touch! Instagram is currently the best place to contact me, link’s at the bottom of the page.
“In the grim dark future there is only war. There is no peace amongst the stars, only an eternity of carnage and slaughter, and the laughter of thirsting gods.”
Warhammer 40K
