As the year comes to an end, it’s nice to look back and reflect on the progress made. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing my thoughts on the hobby here on Tale of Painters, along with the models I’ve completed throughout the year. Before I go any further, I’d like to raise a glass to my good friends Garfy and Stahly, who have been so positive and encouraging. I can’t thank you both enough for your friendship and guidance as I continue to develop as a painter. And another cheeky toast to all our readers who have been painting along with us. Cheers to you all!

January to March

Inspired by Garfy’s amazing Blood Angels army, I came out of the “hobby blocks” strong in January. Our game’s of Warhammer 40k gave me the shot in the arm I needed to pick up my brushes as often as possible. I set myself the goal to start as I meant to go on.

A Cadian Ogryn, Ursula Creed, Minka Lesk, and a Cadian Heavy Weapon team, painted by Dunk, on a white background
Four kitbashed Inquisitorial Agents for Kill Team, painted by Dunk, on a white background
Five partially kitbashed Inquisitorial Agents for Kill Team, painted by Dunk, on a white background
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I finished Lord Castellan Ursula Creed, 3 Cadian Heavy Bolter Weapons Teams, 3 Ogryns, and Minka Lesk. I converted/kitbashed my own Cadian Rough Riders on motorbikes and an ATV and painted some 40k scenery from one of the Kill Team sets. In March, I switched gears and painted the Aegis Defence Line. Having been re‑reading the classic Eisenhorn novels, I then painted the Inquisitor Kill Team and kitbashed my own “Lady Inquisitor Felis of the Ordo Xenos! 🐱” (Which reminds me — I really need to get her on the table to kick some Xenos butt soon.)

April to June

The final 2,000‑point 40k game using our freshly painted armies took place in April: Blood Angels vs Astra Militarum. If you missed it, you can find it here: Battle Report: Blood Angels vs Astra Militarum. Garfy took a well‑deserved victory, and honestly the whole experience of painting a new army and getting it onto a fully painted tabletop battlefield with a mate was brilliant. I can’t recommend it enough.

Ultramarines 5 model Terminator Squad painted by Dunk, lined up on a white background
Ultramarines Terminator Librarian painted by Dunk, on a clean white background

Parking the Astra Militarum for now (and taking the chance to lick my wounds!), I began my next force: the mighty Ultramarines. This quarter I doubled down and went full tilt into Ultramar! I finished 10 Infiltrators, a squad of Terminators, 12 Intercessors (I wanted extra Sergeants so I could field two thematic combat squads), 10 Jump Pack Intercessors, Titus, a Terminator Librarian, and a mighty Ballistus Dreadnought.

July to September

The year was flying by, and my brushes kept moving. The UK summer was warm, so the wet palette was a game changer. I managed to get a game in with Garfy this quarter, facing his incredible Aeldari. He made short work of my Ultramarines and played brilliantly. I don’t think I laughed as much in any other game this year. The phrase “fail to prepare, prepare to fail” definitely applied to me: I really need to spend more time learning my rules, if not for me, then for my poor opponent, thanks Garfy! 

Ultramarines Primaris Repulsor hover tank painted by Dunk, on a clean white background
Ultramarines Terminator Captain painted by Dunk, on a clean white background

Having had my ass handed to me 🤣, I was determined to bring in some reinforcements. I painted a Repulsor Tank, a Terminator Captain, and kitbashed my own Jump Pack Captain. I needed a breather from blue, so I painted the awesome Noctilith Crown and the Sector Imperialis Sanctum for future games.

Five Ultramarines Scouts on a white background, painted by Dunk
Five Ultramarines Scouts on a white background, painted by Dunk
Marneus Calgar in Gravis armour and two of his Victrix Honour Guard on a white background, painted by Dunk

After those larger scenery pieces, I was itching to get back to my Ultras. I finished Marneus Calgar and his 2 Honour Guard (pro tip: fill the gaps in the cloaks… I didn’t, and I regret it!). Rounding out the quarter, I completed a Space Marine Lieutenant, 6 Bladeguard Veterans, and 10 Space Marine Scouts.

October to December

After painting so many 40k models this year, Garfy and I needed a breather. To his credit (as I’m such a 40k die‑hard), he encouraged me to switch lanes completely, and I moved onto my first ever Age of Sigmar models… and I really enjoyed them.

Seraphon Jaws of Itzl Underworlds warband, painted in turquoise and green by Dunk, on a white background
Three magenta-purple Kroxigor models on a white background, painted by Dunk
An orange Seraphon Old Blood on a lemon green Carnosaurus, on a white background, painted by Dunk

I completed the Spearhead Seraphon box set and the Jaws of Itzl box set, which we used in a game of Warcry (Seraphon vs Tzeentch) played on Garfy’s incredible scratch‑built Silver Tower alongside his other Warcry scenery. It was an absolute blast, and we followed it up later that day with a fantastic game of Spearhead, again Seraphon vs Tzeentch.

To close out the year, I returned to my Ultramarines, finishing four Eradicators and a Brutalis Dreadnought. For the Emperor! 

What’s Next? My resolutions for 2026

What a year. I don’t often do resolutions, but I do have goals and areas for improvement I’d like to focus on in 2026.  I want to continue improving my photography skills, which are… let’s say “limited” 😂. I also want to work on improving my brush control. It’s difficult to balance the volume of models I want to paint without sacrificing quality and accuracy. This is something Garfy excels at, and where I’ll be drawing inspiration as I look to improve.

Collage of multiple Warhammer miniatures painted by Dunk in little square tiles, amongst them Ultramarines, Cadians, and Seraphon

Until next time folks! Keep bringing those narrative miniature worlds to life, one brushstroke at a time.