Welcome Welcome to Purple Mantis. This site contains our painting gallery, general information about the business, links and contact details.
We also operate a Store, selling Winsor & Newton sable brushes, putty, sculpting tools and Woodland Scenics groundcover products.
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Latest updates
Commissions page updated 19 May 2008
The Commissions has finally been updated, with some information on the stages involved in commissioning work. There haven't been many additions to the Gallery lately, but that's because I've been spending all my time painting...
In the grim darkness... 29 April 2008
I've added a new section to the Gallery page, to show some figures from the Warhammer 40,000 range. The first model is an Eldar Falcon grav-tank, bearing the colours of the Ulthwe craftworld.
For the Motherland! 1 April 2008
The Imperial Khadoran war machine rolls relentlessly onwards. This week's gallery update adds some more units to the familiar green Khadorans - Spriggan and Destroyer warjacks, a Manhunter solo, and the Butcher of Khadov (with a bit of a difference...).
Conquest 2008 31 March 2008
Thanks to all those who dropped in to see us at Conquest over the Easter holiday. Sculpting tools and putty were both very popular, with the new Woodland Scenics sampler packs also selling well. Stock quantities in the store have now been updated, after a re-stock of hard-to-find sculpting tools.
The Vanguard 20 March 2008
Now the weather has cooled down a bit, I've been able to do some more painting at last. The latest warjack off the production line is a Vanguard, converted slightly to accompany the Mercenary warcaster Fiona the Black.
Kya and Fruit 19 March 2008
Something a little different this month - two World of Warcraft characters, designed to stand on top of a wedding cake. Sculpted in ProCreate putty, on an aluminium armature.
Major store update 19 February 2008
The Store has had a major update, adding the first of the Woodland Scenics products. If you base your models with sand or flock, try out the Sampler Pack - it has small quantities of several materials, so you can add detail to characters and other prominent models.
The next wave 12 February 2008
Arriving soon are a range of Woodland Scenics basing materials, for miniatures and terrain. We'll be selling these in sampler packs (good for basing characters and experimenting with new techniques), and larger bags for detailing armies and scenery.
Store updated! 6 February 2008
The Store page has finally been updated, with a list of items and prices. Pictures will be added soon, and all items now have a description of how they can be used.
Arcanacon wrapup 5 February 2008
Huge thanks to all the people who bought putties, brushes and tools during Arcanacon! Sculpting tools were the most popular items on sale, with ProCreate putty not far behind them. Over the coming weeks we will be announcing some new product ranges, and adding our first couple of tutorials - one on basic putty techniques, and another on painting weather-beaten armour.
Arcanacon ahoy 21 January 2008
We'll be at Arcanacon this weekend, from Friday 25th to Monday 28th. You'll be able to find a range of our sculpting tools and ProCreate putty on sale in the 40k area (managed by the War All The Time crew). Both Louise and I will be running the Warmachine tournament over in the main building - drop in and say hi!
Yarrr! 29 November 2007
The store opening has been pushed back a little, as I have three publishing projects that need to reach the printers this month. Painting continues apace, though - here are some pirate crew from Warmachine.
Online store opening soon 7 November 2007
Not long to go now. The Purple Mantis webstore should be opening in mid-November, and the first wave of products are ready to go. Our shopfront is due to go online by November 24th, with a range of paintbrushes and sculpting tools.
Pirate Warjacks, Take Two 1 November 2007
All that exposed metal was sure to rust in the ocean air, so I've re-painted the commission warjacks shown a few months back. A good protective coating should see them raiding for some time to come...
Back in town 16 October 2007
Long time, no updates. I've just returned from backpacking around North America and Europe, visiting GenCon Indianapolis and Games Day UK in the process. While at GenCon, I won a bronze "Skully" trophy in the Privateer Press Grandmaster Painting Contest (Unit category), for a group of goblin bodgers. Not just any bodgers, of course - I converted the four stars of Infernal Contraption. Pictures to come as soon as I get my camera repaired...
Trolls sighted 15 July 2007
Sadly, life's not just about steam-powered robots. Fortunately, the gaming world (and the Gallery page) is also filled with rabid trolls from Hordes...
Pirates with diving bells? 15 July 2007
Yo ho, yo ho... These are the first models in a Talion Contract mercenary army, for Warmachine. Next will come the character figures, followed by a motley assortment of crewmen.
Warjacks incoming! 14 July 2007
You can find a Warmachine Khadoran battlegroup in the Gallery page, lead by Orsus Zoktavir, the Butcher of Khardov. These are part of a large commission job, and there are plenty more models to come. Stay tuned for updates...