Spiky James Karch Interview

We interview Spiky James Karch -army painter extraordinaire and Space Wolves player!

Spiky James returns to his favourite army from Warhammer 40K second edition and talks us through painting, the hobby and why he's on his 4th Space Wolves army.

Adam: Hi James, thanks for taking time out to do an interview for the Space Wolves blog. Can you tell us how you got into the hobby to begin with?

James: A long time ago in a land far far away...called Scotland...I started looking at the hobby when a couple of mates asked if I wanted to split the cost of a skeleton warriors box. I think I must have read a White Dwarf before that.

I was about 14 at the time and hadn't really looked into the hobby much. Needless to say it wasn't long before I bought my first box of space marines after that.

Adam: So where did the painting talent come from, or was this developed over time?

James: For the most part, it was around 1989, just before GW edinburgh opened it's doors.
the painting is more something that's developed over time, although some of my family rekon I've picked a bit up of the eye for detail from my grandad who built architectural scale models for the local authorities.

Adam: You have this wonderfully clean painting style that's very crisp and very bright. I mean, your Space Wolves leapt out at the GT. How do you achieve this effect?

James: Don't really know, I've always tried to emulate the "eavy metal" style.

Adam: I'd certainly compare you work to Mike McVey when he was with Games Workshop. You both have very similar styles. Was Mike an early inspiration while learning to paint?

James: I think it's more basically a case of trying to be neat, I feel definition is key, something, if I'm honest I don't feel I achieved with last Space Wolves army. Yeah Mike McVey is definatley one of the painters that's influenced my painting style. I really hadn't thought about that until you mentioned it!

Adam: So you're on to your second Space Wolves army now. What is it that you are doing differently?

James: Yeah, starting a new army...I think it's actually my 4th Space wolves army to date, maybe more.

Adam: Is this more of the army you took to the Grand Tournament?

James: For the current army I've lightened the armour and added shading in the recesses. To date i've only completed 2 wolf guard and as we speak I've almost finished the third. It's a completely diffirent army to the one I had at the Grand Tournament and I'm going for a different great company this time.

Adam: Sounds like you're a bit of a perfectionist. So how did you end up painting for Games Workshop on the side?

James: Yeah, sort of. I'm never really 100% happy with what I produce because there's always something I feel could be better. Painting for Games Workshop really came about by chance. I posted a couple of photos of an older ultramarine army I had and got an email from one of the guys on the hobby team, inviting me up for a visit so they could have a closer look at my stuff.

Adam: They must have been impressive for Ultramarines. Then again, it's easy to spot the miniatures you paint for Games Workshop because they're so clean -especially the White Scars. Which miniature have you enjoyed painting the most for Games Workshop?

James: The main stuff I've done has generally been armies and most of them have been my own. I did actually do an army for them that to date hasn't been featured anywhere, I don't think it will either. I really enjoyed painting my red and black marines, I feel they're probably one of the best armies I've done

Adam: I remember those from a few years back. They gave my Deathwing a kicking. What made them so good to paint?

James: Yeah, I remember that now! I just really enjoyed the end result and thought they looked pretty cool all together.

Adam: So what makes the Space Wolves so appealing (for the 4th time)?

James: Don't know really, they were actually my first real complete army in 2nd edition. Before that point I'd just bought random squads, Space Hulk, loads of terminators etc. Currently I really like the way they play and bring alot more fun back into the game, it's what it's all about for me.

Adam: Any exciting conversions you've got lined up? I really liked your Ragnar, especially when he was 100% plastic.

James: Not really, I love the new kits, the dynamism you can build into them is fantastic. I'm aiming to add alot more freehand to the new army, especially the vehicles after being inspired at the Grand Tournament.

Adam: Got any more tournaments lined up?

James: Yeah, quite a few over the next few months. Got Warfare in reading this weekend (1750 Space Wolves) doubles tournament in Oxford with Dave Richardson from spiky (tend to regularly team up for doubles) then another doubles event in Bracknell in Feb and the Grand Tournament finals in march, I'm sure we'll have a few club events over the next few months aswell. It's all making up for not doing alot during the summer!

Adam: Best of luck with the tournaments and thanks very much for talking to us at the Space Wolves blog.

James: No problems, make sure you keep an eye on my project log at The Ammobunker for alot more Space Wolves goodness.