Assembling and painting the Fastcallion Shop

In this article, we’ll cover the assembly options, techniques, and painting of the Fastcallion Shop from the Gloaming Swamps. The Fastcallion Shop offers incredible versatility on the tabletop. From modular builds to creative paint techniques, this kit creates a striking centerpiece for your games.

Modular Builds

The core of the kit is the detachable shell. On its own, the shell can be placed directly on the tabletop as a submerged monster emerging from the water for a perfect adversary or encounter hook.

From there, you can expand in different directions:

Fortified transport: Add the fortification structure to the shell’s back for carrying troops or loot.

Covered wagon: Create an Oregon Trail–style build that is perfect for a traveling caravan.

Multi-level dwelling: Stack additional levels to transform the shell into a raised homestead or fantastical walking house.

Three-story tower: Go all-out with a Terry Gilliam–inspired tower, echoing the original concept art.

Assembly Tips

The models are designed to print cleanly and assemble with minimal effort. A quick pass with a heat torch smooths the print surface, giving it a clean, almost factory-made look.

Superglue bonds the parts together effectively, and cleanup is straightforward thanks to the detailed design.

Painting Guide

Base Colors

We didn’t use expensive hobby paints; instead, we used a variety of craft paints you might find at stationery or hardware stores. Start with a muted green basecoat for the shell (you could look at Death Guard green by Citadel, for example). Add a white wash over the scales by heavily watering down an ivory-coloured paint, then dry-brush the same muted green back over the surface.

For the wood, use a variety of tones:

• Dark brown for logs (eg. Dryad Bark from Citadel)
• Mid-brown for planks (eg. German Camo Pale Brown from Vallejo)
• Light brown for the boat sections (eg. Banshee Brown from Army Painter)

Shading and Washes

Mix a darker, murky green wash (about 50% darker than your base color, adding some black or brown, or finding a darker green) and apply it generously in sections. Wipe back the excess with a soft cloth to create organic shading in the recesses.

Wood Stain Magic

One of the most effective (and affordable) techniques is applying wood stain from a hardware store. This adds depth and realism, transforming raw prints into models that look like they belong in a movie set. Compared to hobby washes, it’s far more economical for large terrain pieces.

Adding Depth

After staining, apply a light dry brush to restore highlights and cover any rubbed-off paint. We made a mix of medium and light browns. For extra realism, pick out individual planks in different wood tones or apply another coat of wash to suggest scavenged or shipwrecked materials.

Detailing

Once the major surfaces are complete, move to the details:

Ropes: Paint with a light warm brown and wash with an Agrax Earthshade.

Barnacles: Use bone white with light gray centers, then a wash with Agrax Earthshade again.

At this stage, you can afford to use your favorite model paints, since the detailed areas require very little. A small wash brings everything together and enhances the fine sculpted detail.

The Finished Model

The completed Fastcallion Shop is a versatile, characterful piece with endless playability and various assembly options. Whether you use it as a monster, a mobile fortress, or a quirky dwelling, it delivers a striking presence on the table.

Check out the video below for full coverage and commentary on the process for painting and assembling the Fastcallion Shop: