One question- Fourth picture down what is the female miniature second from the left in black and gold?
Very well done! Your dark troops are exquisite. What company makes the lady with the crow?
Do you happen to remember where the blonde lass with the big anthropomorphic sword comes from? I don't think I've seen that model before, but she would fit into one of my warbands quite well.
I really like the almost monochromatic look you have for the undead. Very cool.
Great ogre. If you are going to do full undead as well ral Partha europe have some great undead ogres.
I love the concept of those undeadish, they're really creepy. How will you base them?
Thanks, I've been looking for some skeletal ogres (and other races) and haven't had any success. Indo wish they 8ndivated how big they are. Still, I will add these to my "wish list."I've got some of them. I think I have one painted on a thread here. I'll link you to it.
Thanks, I've been looking for some skeletal ogres (and other races) and haven't had any success. Indo wish they 8ndivated how big they are. Still, I will add these to my "wish list."
I have a compilation of links to undead non-humans on my blog
(near the bottom of http://argonor-wargames.blogspot.dk/p/my-favourite-links.html)
no ogres, though. Would a giant skeleton with a few alterations do?
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/draintest02_zpsqjf743pw.jpg)
I'm looking for some armored skeletons to use for elites. Preferably heavily armored.
I'm looking for some armored skeletons to use for elites. Preferably heavily armored.I always liked this one.
@smith: The Reaper stuff looks a little bit like Undead Spacemarines.
I think the mantic skeletons (or any other for that matter) would be way to large for perry minis.Did Wargames Factory made Skeletons? Will they fit? Or take the knights from an other plastic company with more heroic 28mm like Fireforge.
Did Wargames Factory made Skeletons? Will they fit? Or take the knights from an other plastic company with more heroic 28mm like Fireforge.
I found a pic of those and went looking for them. In some ways, I like them better than these guys above. But as you said, they don't seem to be in the shop. Probably a good chance they would be out of my budget anyway. (I hate having to say that, and would love to throw money at independent sculptors producing awesome work. But unfortunately I can't afford to do that anymore.)From noble knight games. Quite expensive though, $30ish for 6
Regarding the comment on 90's shoulder pads - I realise now that was 20 years ago.
I feel so old. (And yes, it was a silly fad.)
From noble knight games. Quite expensive though, $30ish for 6
Actually, from what I've seen, the shoulder pads are separate, and could feasibly be left off... There are some useful shots at this page:
http://losthemisphere.com/wp/2014/01/bane-thralls-plastic-resculpt/
Some work might be needed to remove the plugs on the model's shoulders (or they could simply be cleaned up and painted to match the armour).
The back spikes appear to connect with a small plug - my guess is the hole that would leave in the back of the armour could either be easily ignored or filled with a little nub of greenstuff.
Thanks for that link, I've been looking for something like that! Much better idea of what they're like now. The back spikes should be no problem, as I expected. The shoulders look more involved than I thought they would be. I didn't expect those big plugs. Maybe I could cut them off & put something more modest sized over the top. I may end up just having to pick up a box and see how it works out in thefleshplastic.
(Don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I dig the El Panda avatar!)
The hand & eye were part of a 3d printed designer toy I customized for the release show at Rotofugi Gallery in Chicago next week. He's a little bigger scale. :wink: Just finished him up & put him in the mail.
They are OK models for the price. I'm not a huge fan of Mantic's figures in general. But I was more optimistic with the undead after seeing photos online. Once I got them in person, and now after I painted them I am less impressed. Some of the detail is very shallow and just doesn't show up with the paint. Some of the poses are a bit awkward (a few of them reminded me of the Warlord Celts,) including the way some of them were holding their weapons. I'm not really a fan of the "expressive" (cartoon-y?) skulls, either. They're not horrible figures. And they might look better in mass numbers. I'm just not a huge fan so far.
They're also a lot smaller than I expected. They look OK next to the ancient Germans I'm using as "undeadish" and should scale up OK with Perry WotR figures that will end up on the opposite side of the battlefield. But they really look miniscule next to GW and other fantasy figures. This wasn't entirely unexpected, but the difference is more noticeable than I had thought it would be. (At least on the painting/photo table -- I'll have to see how they look on the gaming table.)
I hear that too. The elves, besides being stick-thin, are tiny with it. I'd say they'd struggle to be even half the mass of a GW uruk hai. (Both minis just happen to be on my table right now)
Initially, I was simply going to use my WFB Marienburgers, and cling to a lot of the background. Previously I decided to transpose most of the general concepts of the city to my own setting. My thoughts on this have continued to evolve, and I have decided that although Marienburg and the existing army will most likely be a part of the narrative, I am going to start with some new ideas, background, and figures from the ground up.
I think it boils down to a few main reasons. One is that I am really getting into the world building and fictional history creation. (Maybe I will try my hand at writing some actual fiction?) The other is that I would like to construct, paint and base a new army from scratch. I think I can also benefit from narrowing the focus of the setting, background, armies, and map(s).
All three look so well sculpted. I've got a couple of the other Meier dragons, and really like them.I'll take some pics next to something tonight. I think they are fairly handy. I'll probably forget though so I'll send myself an email lol. I'll put the zombie dragon in the pic too, not painted but put together already.
I don't suppose you have any photos of the ogres with something giving a hint as to their size? Such as bases of a particular size, next to other figures, or anything else that would give an indication of scale. (Edit: or even if you could tell me the height in mm, I would be so grateful!) I have no idea how big they are, the only photos I've seen show them on their own.
Not sure if this is making any sense or if I've lost everyone at this point. lol
All three look so well sculpted. I've got a couple of the other Meier dragons, and really like them.
I don't suppose you have any photos of the ogres with something giving a hint as to their size? Such as bases of a particular size, next to other figures, or anything else that would give an indication of scale. (Edit: or even if you could tell me the height in mm, I would be so grateful!) I have no idea how big they are, the only photos I've seen show them on their own.
If you don't mind me asking, what are your thoughts on the mantic undead range? Do you get a lot of options with the skeletons sprues?
OK, I really wanted to order the dragon & ogres, so every bit of encouragement pushed me over the edge. They're ordered. :D
Speaking of Tom Meier and his dragons, I've been looking for an excuse (as if I should need one) to repaint one of the others -- a favorite of mine, and another one to fit with the scale of the current project.
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/serdrag00_zpsvky44glk.jpg)
He/she needs a name. For the moment I'm referring to him/her as "Calgon the Black" until I think of something more appropriate.
(Any guesses what's in the jar?)
A Citadel Coatl soaking in Simple Green? :).
Got to be the jabberwock then?
Awesome stuff. I agree with you...as much as I don't "love" painting...it is one of the things which lets me zone out and chill-out. Something my folks noticed as early as middle school. I was a pretty spastic child, so they'd see me sit at the kitchen table for 2-3 hours at a time, fully concentrating on painting (poorly).
It is definitely a calming process.
I finished up five more bases of Mantic skeletons, and finally based the undeadish ogres (Golgfag v.2.)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/mantskel02_zpskfh6jwij.jpg)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/gfo02_zpso3ndc24u.jpg)
what do you use for the short grass on your bases - looks great, and am hoping it's not static grass?
Thanks. After applying the glue, I dip the base in a tub of Woodland Scenics flock (a mix of green and just a little yellow,) shake/blow off the excess, then dip into a tub of static grass, hold that upside-down and tap the base a few times and blow off the excess.
Yeah that logo (and the minis) is ace!
Can I have a picture with it!?
I can't help but thinking that there's something mildly heretical about those Ral Partha rabbit-men, given that the original orcs are so good. I have some gnolls or beastmen that are also converted from them and which carry the same hint of vandalism about them. :D
Wow, you have been very busy sir! Puts my painting output (or lack thereof) to shame.
I also like the 'none-unification of the Empire' idea. It gives many more gaming opportunities :)
So I primed the Nightmare Legion and.... disaster. The dreaded "fuzzy" primer. [...] Now that I've been contemplating it for another day or so, I'm considering the dreaded task of stripping the remaining figures and re-priming. /a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/nl02_zpstytn1tot.jpg[/img]
I haven't thought about the painting for the others (insect critter & dragonfly) yet. The latter, at least, seems like it needs more color than the undeadish aesthetic.
They look amazing! Are they mostly metals or plastics?
I confess that I wasn't overly fond of the 5/6 edition plastic Empire soldier kits at the time, but your efforts (and others I've seen) have rather changed my mind. :P
[warm fuzzy feelings towards LAF]
At the time they were first released, I wasn't as fond of them either, but that's because I just wasn't into the landsknecht look at all at that time. However, since then, they were the initial inspiration for me to start an Empire army!
I also started on some terrain a week or two ago. Finally finished today, with the addition of the grass flock. Inspired to get back to the Marienburg/Wasteland theme a bit.
I am starting to regret not putting a metal or magnet-receptive material on the trays as I did with the older WFB sized trays. The standard bearers like to tip over a bit too much.
Very nice - I really like the two merchants/tax collectors at the back. Where are they from please? :)
I believe they are all Lead Adventure Bruegelburg figures.
Hmmm... I've always wanted to try one of those floating terrain projects. Maybe I should give it a try.... o_o
I love the selection there. I've wanted the cyclops for a while and there is a bunch of other stuff I want from mirliton. People try to sell original grenadier ones for silly money on eBay.
It always felt wrong to me to have just 2 horses in front of that massive thing.
...but that war wagon - It always felt wrong to me to have just 2 horses in front of that massive thing.
Lovely painting as always - but that war wagon - It always felt wrong to me to have just 2 horses in front of that massive thing.
If I may make one comment on painting, I personally think that the War Wagon horses could do with a little more contrast on their barding. Probably only a soft variation (as too stark a contrast would look odd). To achieve this, you could add a tiny amount of colour to it as well.
I'd suggest using a little purple ink, with a touch of sepia ink added to it (I really like the Vallejo inks for this), and then thinned down to a glaze - build up a few soft passes and you'll have that subtle look in no time. :)
If for no other reason than it is SO difficult to find tailors to fit them for new finery which then wouldn't then be ragged.
With or without the batwing helmets (which, ashamedly perhaps, I actually like! :-X), the various current GW skelly regiment kits are really nice IMO - I think your paintjob here has emphasised all their best bits too, and they look great. :)
The TRUE nature of the Orcs comes to the fore: i.e., SNAPPY DRESSERS. BEAUTIFULLY painted & base...VERY WELL DONE!
I have a mere six Great/Mercenary Orcs. I really like the figures, but it's difficult to fit them into my collection/budget unless I find bargains. Below are the painted ones together. Four is the minimal I need to put a unit on the table under my current plan, so I'll finish the last two at a later date.
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/grorcs03_zpsfxh9lqyk.jpg)
Just thinking, would those orcs look good as ogres if painted with different skin colours?
What a beautiful thread and project! Very nice painting, creative ideas AND good pictures - what else would we need?
:-* :o
I'd go with something completely different to the yellow-blue Marienburg livery. So green-red or someting. Black-orange would be very cool, or how about purple-white?
Good suggestion, but please avoid green-red (it always seems to look like a tacky Christmas effort IMO...).
I like the idea of an acorn, but not sute if that's a little cheesy or cliché.
:D Especially halflings would look like Santas elves.. :D
The daft thing is that green and red are (or should I say were) the most common colours for the Moot! At least according to the Uniforms and Heraldry book. There the Moot's banner was a fighting cockerel. (Though still acknowleging this isn't strict Warhammer World ;) )
I was thinking of avoiding green, as I hope to have militia & scouts in more earthy greens & browns. I was thinking that red would add some visual "punch" to balance their small stature. Probably red & white.
Going to look through some books for inspiration for a badge/symbol/charge/blazon or whatever it's called. I like the idea of an acorn, but not sute if that's a little cheesy or cliché.
I knew someone would mention that!
I still think it's an awful colour scheme though - so hard to get right unless you go for something broody, and that somehow seems counter to the other stuff ZeroTwentythree's painted. :?
Thanks!
I've been procrastinating on these, but really think that the Undead need at least one unit. I've painted up two to see how they look & get a feel for the process of painting them. I really like these figures, aside from some of the skulls sculpted into the armour, and the bat-winged shields. I did end up replacing some of shields and cutting off a few bat wings from helms. I'm already tempted to get a second unit of these. (Still tempted to do a second unit of the converted heavy skeletal infantry, too.)
I'm curious though; since these are laid flat on the table, why didn't you just use the roll of textured vinyl on its own? I can't see the floppiness of the vinyl being a huge issue when placed on the table unless it's thin like wallpaper.
Speaking of wallpaper, you can usually get a sample piece from most stores for free, and one piece is more than enough to make a tonne of terrain. You can likely find something with a suitable texture, and is an old trick for texturing large areas quickly and cheaply! ;)
No idea who sculpted the BK - not only do GW no longer publish the artists any more, it's also possible that the plastic kits designed digitally are the work of more than one person.
First up is Phil. Phil the Spectre.
Looks like a very chaotic vulture-man kind of sorcerer.
Love the wight lord, I think the Vampire Count range was one of the most improved with 8th edition.
lol
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/jbbw0203_zps4w89pdgm.jpg)
Some lousy photos of one of the next things on my table. A pair of old Marauder dwarf swivel guns. [...] My plan is to mount these on 40mm bases and use them to bolster my insufficient numbers (10) of Marauder dwarfs with handguns.
They fit diagonally on a 40x40, but just barely. Not too fond of this look.
Still might add some more detail to the base.
Might I suggest Lion Rampant (or wait on the Dragon Rampant)...you could use all of your figures and it's super simple, doesn't worry about basing etc. Cheap rulebook and very easy to get back into the swing of things. Very non-crunchy and easily adaptable to all kinds of miniatures.
I second that.
It can scale pretty well from what I remember. It's maybe not regiments but a standard unit is either 12 or 6 guys, and you can field as many of these units as you want. It's based on a "half or more alive" and "half or more dead" so you can really make the "guys" in a unit into wounds for large creatures and it doesn't affect the game.
I'm flexible with numbers, basing, and figure scale. What I'm after is a solid "feel" of large regiments & large battles. I don't want to worry about individual figures. I want to see how a regiment acts as a unit.
As much as I enjoyed WFB (or at least 3rd-7th editions,) it always seemed stuck somewhere between large scale battles and 1:1 skirmishes, regardless of Rick's intentions. But it never seemed a perfect fit for either scale. I think that Warmaster, and subsequently Hail Caesar (Black Powder, Pike & Shotte...) not only capture the feeling of a large battle better, but do so in a graceful and accessible manner.
One of two beastmen I'm painting for someone I semi-regularly paint on commission for.
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/jhe/jbst01_zpsf7ko5p5z.jpg)
But when I saw it for cheap, I convinced myself to get it as a birthday (next week) or Christmas gift.
No one ever gets me gaming stuff for either. I'm even thinking about wrapping it up and putting it under the Christmas tree. :wink:
(Probably shouldn't say this so that Ii don't tempt you, but I'd love to see what you can do with a little Beastman army...)
In case I forget then, Happy Birthday! ;)
Still not much time for painting lately. But I did finish the second commissioned beastman, shown here with his friend from last week.
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/jhe/jbst02_zpspojzsxfb.jpg)
Enjoy your holiday of choice, y'all. Or don't. Crom does not care.
Then to hell with Crom! :)
Shields turned out great. I really like how you paint the metal on your undead. What paints do you use?
They look great, and the rust turned out quite nice.
One thing I have found - I like the vallejo game air metallics better than the game colour ones - especially the silver. I find that the Game Colour (and GW silvers) end up being really thick and they don't thin as well as non metallics. The VGA have really nice flow, and the coverage is pretty much as good as the VGC.
Just in case you were planning to buy more vallejo metallics in the future.
The Mushrooms look happy in their new home...TERRIFIC photo.
AND the Mostly Dead Beasty Boys look FANTASTIC...GREAT brushwork & the gradient bone shades are WONDERFUL. OUTSTANDING WORK!
This will bring my dwarf totals to 2 units of spear/pike, a partial unit of handgunners, and 4 light artillery (which I may just "brigade" together into a unit.) That seems close enough to a division/contingent of its own. At some point I would like to pick up just a few more figures to round it out. Maybe some more handgunners -- though I am thinking about just rounding out the unit with command & accessory figures. I would also like a heavier unit of infantry. I've been drooling over White Knight's figures for years. At the very least, I should get a unit of dopplesoldners and/or halberdiers.
There's also a swivel gun and some more engineer types in the range if you want. ;)
I already forgot if you have mentioned your secret bone colour recipe yet? :)
The one eyed, peg leg Fellow is an old favorite. SPLENDID WORK!
I noticed werewoolf minis are sculpting some nice ogres which would fit right in, pricey but nice
But sometime after the departure of the Elves and the Dwarfs and before the arrival of Man, Chaos and evil came, spreading like a cancer from the north and the south. The Skaven, digging their tunnels like cracks meant to undermine the continent, burst forth from the abandoned mines and ravaged the surface. Within a few decades, the land was a ruin: the herds were slaughtered, the waters poisoned and the groves cut down. Marching like vermin into the north of this realm, they found the Fimir, a race of reptilian giants who themselves were remaking the land in their own blasphemous image.
War was inevitable. For how long it raged, only the Fimir and the Skaven know, and certainly no one is asking them. The Skaven built great castles to hold their conquests, and slowly they pushed the Fimir back. In the end, there came a cataclysm that decimated both sides. Whether it was a last desperate effort by the Fimir, an attempt at final victory by the Skaven, or even a rebellion by the earth itself doesn't matter. Great waves of magic washed over the land and the earth convulsed and cracked. In a night, the castles of the Skaven and the holds of the Fimir were thrown down as the very bedrock heaved, broke and sank. Their armies were destroyed and their minions crushed or swallowed whole. By dawn the next day, only the land itself remained, nearly empty of life and hiding its wounds under a thick blanket of fog.
And that's why I only converted one high elf. lol ;)
Painting of the fimir is brilliant. What your general recipe for the bronze metals? I think I might like to nick it, soon.
Just Vallejo Model Color Bronze, followed by a whatever Citadel is calling their black wash this week
Yep, that's very good...possibly my favourite bit of this thread. I particularly like the blank liquid eye. I vastly prefer that appearance for most creatures.
Wow, I never made the link between fomor and fimir. Even with all the fluff being centred around that area (albeit in the GW world). Those are really nice. I have a bunch of Bones orcs like that that could do with some converting.
Sleep is important. Allows you to reset and start the problem afresh. The undead are restless for a reason - they don't sleep.
Brilliant painting as always, but the heads are absolutely brilliant. Did you sculpt them from scratch?
The village matron affectionately known as “Ma Khorne” started the village orphanage after her husband, “Pop Khorne,” recently met his unfortunate and explosive demise on the wrong end of an Imperial fire mage and a halfling hotpot full of butter . In anger and sorrow (but mostly anger) she turned to the convent of the Sisters of Perpetual Bloodshed, where she has assumed the role of caretaker and disciplinarian (strict disciplinarian) of the village children whose parents have died or mutated to such a degree that they can no longer care for their own young. Here is Ma Khorne with Oswald, one of the adorable young tykes under her care.
It's more like a sloppy wash, and looks more like I've painted a three dimensional watercolor.
I've also scrolled back up to that gif. What is it with me?
Great conversions with the Reaper Bones stuff. What are your experiences with that material? What glue will hold on Bones plastic, and what about green stuff? I havn't heard much good about Bones plastic, but on the other hand your painted miniatures show that it can be used obviously ...
1. A Fomorian/Fimir army is GO.
2. Casting is GO.
Oooh, and just a week away from (hopefully) getting to play a few games! It has been years since I've played anything, and just as longs since I've seen a lot of my old friends, so I'm really looking forward to this!
Cool. Where did the centipede come from?
(http://arthurevans.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/scutigera2.jpg)
I played some games of Kings of War. And some other stuff. Just going to link to my blog this time...
http://www.zerotwentythree.com/2016/03/holy-bog-burgers-i-played-game.html
I've seen a number of complaints about the mechanic of not removing individual troops. That never came to mind. It's simply not WFB, so I never thought that was something that was missing.
Do you have closer-up photos of your minis somewhere? I'd like to use some for my game if you're okay with that.
I've deleted most of the hi-res/original photos. But if there's something in particular you are interested in, let me know and I can see if I can get some good photos when I get a chance.
....all centipedes of greater than 6' in length should have human eyes.
You say you haven't much done, but from my POV you're a machine. :) Nice job on all the newer minis.
Really good. One thing is a little diturbing to me though: The wet spots on the base: Did the fellow wet his not existing pants? lol
To be honest: I relly like the vibrant colors...
Excellent painting as always. Time for a couple of group shots soon eh?
I love how the giant apes the landsnecht fashions.
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/giants09_zpstwuujl7c.jpg)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/giants09b_zpsogupzdjz.jpg)
I would also like to make some more river sections. I've been dying to make decent river terrain for... decades.
Now you've gone and given me a bad conscience, as I all too clearly remember that I have some Amera river sections somewhere in a box... :?
I like your lakes/bogs, and the partially modular river will give you some nice options for tactical challenges on the battlefield.
The Hill Giants have Eyes...
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iQyrDwp7qzs/maxresdefault.jpg)
It reminds me of some John Blanche stuff - and there's no higher praise than that!
Love those giants! I've been eyeballing that Ultrafogre one for a while now. I just need to figure out a reason to get one...
Love those giants! I've been eyeballing that Ultrafogre one for a while now. I just need to figure out a reason to get one...
Because big mini. ;)
Very cool. You have more giants than any other gamer I've seen. Huzzah! lol
I wonder how you managed to not get the roads to warp. I used the same material and for me they warped quite significantly.
I don't really think, anyone would hold any two-handed weapon like that with the right hand (not even pikes - you would hurt your hand on the impact with an armoured foe), but as the minis are sculpted that way, it could just as well be halberds.
Yeah, they look fine. I will probably do the same with mine and give them halberds or spears. The pikes look great, but you can't really game with them if you can't get near the enemy units and the ones pointing upwards are just hazards to get knocked over, caught in sleeves or stab you in the hand.
I saw that too, but then this might give a problem with flanked attacks of the unit in some systems perhaps.
Yeah, they look fine. I will probably do the same with mine and give them halberds or spears. The pikes look great, but you can't really game with them if you can't get near the enemy units and the ones pointing upwards are just hazards to get knocked over, caught in sleeves or stab you in the hand.
Could be - at least with rules-lawyers around - but the sensible thing to rule would be to only be able to contact the part of the base actually containing troops (which is how it would work with 'normal' basing).
But, yes, pikes are a nuissance to cope with on the table.
Maybe do some more of the Undeadish and their (very) limited color pallet? Or maybe take some time to experiment with sculpting for a bit? That takes up far less space
Having limited hobby space isn't all that bad. I generally paint/model/game on the dining room table. It's sometimes a pain to have to keeping clearing things away but I think it makes you a tidier hobbier? as a result and stops you having 15 projects on the go at once.
I keep all my hobby things neat and tidy in a set of drawers so it can all go away easily in a few minutes.
I'm sorry to read about your difficulties; I hope you find something suitable soon!
As for small projects... Have you considered something like an old dungeon crawler (Advanced Heroquest springs to mind)? They are quite modest in terms of requirements, they can be played solo or Co-op without a DM. Plus, you probably already have lots of suitable stuff for it, and it can all go in one box.
Really fighting the blues as I pack up the the attic.
No room at the new house, so everything is going into indefinite damp-basement storage, being trashed, or possibly sold.
The Trio looks WONDERFUL or potentially so. The Fellow doing The Monster Mash is going to be FANTASTIC!
Also, I have almost got a painting desk set up!!! ;D
Loving the new Fomorian orc conversions.
Your new work-station is far better than mine ( which consists of an area I use in my kitchen/diner).
And wow, that work lamp! Did it belong to a dentist?
Just caught upon the Fimir. Bloomin' lovely. The frog spear is great, the rest too. (I refuse, however, to believe that the skaven hands exist. It would be silly to believe in their hands if I don't believe in the rest of them.)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/20160829_173135_zpslu1e4qxo.jpg)What brand is the middle left guy?
I.C. 2439. Marienburg. The hobbit convoy was halted outside the walls of Marienburg. Guards and teamsters all were a bit impatient with the delay. It wasn’t just the idle time -- being forced to wait in the Cursed Marshes outside the Suid Gate had made even the animals jittery.
The job wasn’t one without it’s dangers. Roads through the Wasteland were more dangerous than those of the Empire or Bretonnia. Trade most commonly passed along the waterways. But there were no navigable rivers from the Little Country to the City of Gold, just streams, marshes, moors, and a good quality road through uncertain country.
They were working under contract to an ambitious hobbit looking to trade the region's produce, especially it’s famed sausage, to the larger markets of Marienburg. The people of the Little Country -- man and hobbit alike -- were rustic folk. Although they engaged in trade with merchants of Bretonnia, Reikland, and even (rarely) the dwarfs of Grey Mountains, they usually relied on the foreigners to come to them. Nob was the first hobbit (as far as anyone knew) to make the effort to market the communities’ wares directly to the outside world. He argued that by travelling to Marienburg, he could command a better price, and in the process employ some of the restless or ambitions youth of the Country in his venture as well.
The promises of mild peril and moderate profit worked. A significant train of wagons and an adequate force of guards had signed on for Scrobbleton’s Jackrabbit Trading Company’s first undertaking. And it had gone well. Better than expected, in fact. Flush with silver, and with the promise of further expeditions, most of the profit (after food and drink) was spent on new equipment -- better wagons, larger draft animals, heavier arms and armour.
This second trip to Marienburg had gone just as well so far -- until they had reached the gates, that is. This time they were barred from entering the city. Only Nob, along with his master of books, Will Smallroot, and a pair of personal guards, were granted entry to meet with the authorities. Now it was past first supper, and uncertainty was leading to disquiet. There was little room to pitch camp outside the city walls, and the landscape was pretty miserable to begin with. Rumors of marsh beasts large enough to swallow a hobbit whole were well known.
Minutes after a Bretonnian caravan had passed by the hobbits and entered the gates, Milo Greycap, one of Nob’s guards, emerged from the tall reeds to the west of the road.
“We need to leave. The master’s been taken, so has Will. I snuck out the gate but they will be coming for the wurst. Maybe us too.”
His comrades stood silent and dumbfounded.
“I don’t know everything. I was waiting down the hall. Through the door I overheard something about contraband, mushrooms, and the corruption of Marienburg’s youth. If we don’t get out of here, I don’t know what will happen. We need to leave now.”
More dumbfounded stares.
“Marienburg dungeons serve three meals of fishy broth with old roots a day, that’s it.”
The caravan became a rapid and precise maneuver as wagons were turned around, ranks were formed, and the entire party began a brisk march South.
As the walls began to disappear in the distance and growing darkness, a distant voice was heard, “Stop! Hold the wagons!” followed by a whiney blast from a horn. The hobbits pace quickened.Campaign
Forced Marsh
Setting
Forces
The Wurst Case Scenario
Setting
Forces
Anabasis - Part One
Setting
Forces
The eternal struggle of the wargamer -- to finish projects (or even just a portion of one) before moving on to the next.
Thanks!
Westfalia kobold samples:
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/kbtst02_zpsr7bl2gxr.jpg)
The photos weren't great so I tried again. How's this?
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/kbtst03_zpstdguk3ci.jpg)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/kbtst04_zpsq1gl2faz.jpg)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/skrolk2lg_zps2shd1u3y.jpg)
I see you gathered some liquid inspiration ;)
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ci3G1zfVmCU/WDkzvaiYDxI/AAAAAAAAEjU/-zU9cpsd6E4EHjb7E-PAnX_m9XYA3463QCLcB/s1600/blkdedfri.jpg)
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/0multiplog/uknwt_zpsxkomteoh.jpg)
[...] the various insects (pill bugs, crickets, centipedes and spiders) whose corpses (and worse) litter the floor and ledges. I'm hoping they have no reason to craw/die/defecate all over my table.
[...] If that doesn't work, I'm going back to my previous dream of buying a used delivery van and setting up a portable studio in it. :D
Man I do miss those armoured skeletons from Citadel, they were fantastic.
Wow, you're hobby output is really crippling :P
Lovely stuff - especially the Lotr hobbits bring back memories. :)
That pitch fork is nicely done (along with the rest of what you have) did you scratch build it?
Awesome collection, yet the classic giant on the left works bst for me.
Nice skin tones on the last few and tartan on this latest giant.
I hope some of them seem familiar - and that my painting does your sculpting justice. :)
That metal gw giant is great I've got mine made up but almost too scared to paint it!
Excellent painting there. How big is thefirefrost giant?
Superb. The eyes of the owlthingy really seem alive :).
Not sure who the sword swinging blonde is referencing... ???
Orcs of the Crimson Wave? I picked up a few of those as testers some months ago, they look like nice models.
Are those from Black Tree Designs? You've made them look 1000x times better than their horrific website.
Yes, Black Tree. I think half the problem with the web site pics is that they're too small to see clearly enough.
I hadn't read this topic before and I'd read all the pics. There are amazing minis and beatiful paint job!
Love the halfling units :-*
The half-orcs are looking great! The models strike me as particularly good matches as hybrids of the mid-80s Citadel orcs.
I yield to no one in my love for Aly Morrison's magnificent half-orcs, but they always look to me more like hybrids of his (equally magnificent) hobgoblins rather than the Citadel orcs. (As the hobgoblins are closer to Tolkien's orcs, that doesn't bother me in the slightest.)
These fellows, on the other hand, look like they trace half their unfortunate ancestry straight to Kev Adams' beetle-browed, jaw-jutting classics.
Spot on. I bought some things from Ral Partha Europe and had much the same experience, great models but poor photography.
You'll have your whole regiment painted before I even start my three orcs, I think!
They look great! I like the varied skintones.
As far as some other, smaller half-orcs, I'm still wondering if maybe some of the old Asgard orcs might fit the role... http://www.thevikingforge.net/25mm-fantasy-orcs.html
*FWIW, I 'm getting further into the idea of creating specific mercenary companies or regiments rather than just painting figures and calling them "mercenaries" and being done with it. I'm OK keeping all the generic landsknechts I've got on that basis. But I think my new projects will all have more to them. So the current batch of half-orcs are getting a backstory developed as I paint, similar to the way I've been working on the Scrobbleton Jackrabbit Trading Company for the hobbits. This has a secondary effect of giving me an outlet for putting down some of the geography and cultural background that I've had in my head.
Nice idea. And that gives you the option of mixing up troops from various companies to create an even less trustworthy mob of deserters and renegades.
I think the Asgard orcs will find a home in my collection one way or another. I really like them, and i'm thinking about getting a full set and using them however they fit.
You're making noises when you play with it, aren't you?
You're making noises when you play with it, aren't you?
That is what she said... ;D
Sorry i could not resist.
I quite like the big Bones stuff.
Looks good! One thought on basing: could you do him on a 40 by 20? The figure looks wide but not deep (though that might just be the photo. If you added a familiar - a giant weasel or rat or something - under his raised hand, you might end up with a base that justified "counting for two" while not disrupting the rest of the unit overmuch.
I thought about a few options like that. But given that I rarely game anymore, and still hope to keep my future gaming more relaxed, less rules obsessive, I just went with a big decorative base.
What about the ex-Wargames Factory orcs' heads?
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ci6Tw6zz8M8/WeQJ-XCCxSI/AAAAAAAAF38/c7B0AtxxmJ8eLgeUZuZq8H_l4YmSGEYngCLcBGAs/s1600/20171015_200307.jpg)Really liking these guys a lot. Love the Bane Knights for Warmachine but the missing shoulder pads are growing on me. Wonder how much better they would look w/o the oversized axe heads.
(On the plus side, there's a full bowl of candy left for me!)We're rotting our teeth away at my workplace thanks to a couple of people bringing in their sweets stash for the same reason - no takers on the day itself!
Very nice - and I love the old Barbell-wight (what on earth did the Perrys think they were doing with that one? ;)). Great work on him, especially.
Those armoured skeletons are some of my favourites and you've done a great job on them as usual!
And those are the 'best' plastic skeletons imo..though the generation before them are a close run.
Very good as usual!
I think the major factor in play is that I don't really feel like cleaning & assembling a bunch of minis.
The mounted liche works I think. Have you considered painting a necromancer with deadish skin tones? I sympathise, I find most necromancers to be too alive and most liches to be too dead - where are the models of the necromancers sunk deep into their arts, existing in neither life nor (un)death?
Is that an undead owlbear?!
They are little popped, deformed skulls if you think about it...
I found the earlier blog post on the Meat Hating Robot Pirates, but what are they? Apologies if I missed the explanation.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqIGsddfcd4/Wj_p2ePFpGI/AAAAAAAAGTg/j5o5dtg4bK8PWU-WrVtnSp1m-HiPGKxigCLcBGAs/s1600/20171224_110559.jpg)
Is that Keith Richards on the far right? lol
I really love the way you do the boils. I'll be copying that some time I think if you don't mind :) Any special way you do it?
Bog corpses.
A bit of background: http://www.zerotwentythree.com/2018/03/bog-corpses.html
Yes, more S&S goodness about to be displayed! 8)
Just preparing to get stuck in myself - and looking forward too see some of your fine minis in action, too!
Seriously? It's the perfect dining table centrepiece :D
Nice work Z.
Loved the painting on your "small Giant," in Imperial livery ! So much more refined than his larger, and brutish, colleague.
Remove the axe and replace it with a removable carving knife?
Looks nice. I can't wait for my copy of Sellswords to arrive. I might browse Aliexpress for some cheap terrain.
I've been itching to finally play some solo Sellswords, so drew up a warband based on some of the setting I've been developing, adapted a scenario from the book and.... I need a boatload of bushes. So I've started making some based on a couple of earlier test pieces from a few years ago. Still need even more...
For the first scenario, you really just need a 3x3 table and a lot of bushes (I used moss/lichen).
Can't wait to see your take on it - SS&SS has really tickled my Fantasy nerve and has we wanting to get new stuff ready for the table.
Jackalope!
Lovely stuff - I really like the hermit and the boar.
Where are you getting the Grenadier fighting men from? I'm striking out with the retailers I got my barbarian army from.
They also fit into a nice continuum with Jez Goodwin's Asgard orcs at one end and his Uruk-hai and ogres at the other.
So... There's now this creation. Horc Solo. Read on zee blog if you're curious about him.
Where are you getting the Grenadier fighting men from? I'm striking out with the retailers I got my barbarian army from.
No progress on the half-orcs. Travelling a lot for work this month. On a positive note, I'm on a work trip that's close enough to make it to a gallery opening that will have a few of my creepy toy things tonight...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAY2Uk_egQo/W8IL33II5VI/AAAAAAAAHag/rVojJdJ4CCEBcdHww8OSxUzHHgF-e1JhQCLcBGAs/s280/IMG_20181013_104518_308.jpg)
Pics on the blog:
https://www.zerotwentythree.com/2018/10/monsters-under-bed.html
I'm still trying to decide on a design or sigil for the shields.
I'd like to do something simple, but avoid cliches like an eye, hand, or evil sun/moon.
Maybe a stylized black star (sort of like a Macedonian design?) or plume of smoke ?
(FWIW, I've been thinking of using my generic fantasy half-orcs as actual orcs for possible future Middle Earth gaming. I think these minis in particular will would work fairly well in such a role. At least in terms of what I envision Tolkien's orcs to be. I still have some other minis in mind...)
I really like 2, 3 and 5 (from L to R). I don't mind 1 but it's a little cruder than the others. I know what you mean about the club one, it doesn't look like it's part of the same group, style wise. I do like his helmet though.
These were originally part of Rieder Design's Dungeon Dwellers range. There used to be lots of adverts for that range in White Dwarf in the early 80s. A lot of them hold up very well - especially the "Homus Hyena" gnolls (you can see one half-painted here (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=77384.0;attach=77606;image)).
I think the hobgoblins were one of the later Rieder releases. Their armour is very similar to Aly Morrison's C36 hobgoblins (released in 1984), so that could be an influence. But it might just be "parallel evolution" from the Monster Manual illustrations.
The variously coloured skeletons are oddly reminiscent of the skeletons from the Diablo games. Great stuff.
Cool. Nice bunch there. What colours do you use for your brown (which paint I am meaning, I realise it is brown, lol)
Which brown? (Corpses, spiders, bases?)The bog corpse brown.
The bog corpse brown.
The new guy is very cool.
The new guy is fantastic! Such movement, such perceived weight!
And I get the stress relief thing - I painted some stuff in the last few weeks because work had gone crazy.
Kinda curious how (big) the forces of Marienburg and the Undead would look by now...
Wow. Noce to see the heresy giant finished. Looks great, any chance of some close upshe unfortunate victim?
Your collection of giants is inspiring... I suddenly feel the pain of not having a giant myself..
Which one is your favourite?
Great job on that monster giant. He is another amazing sculpt from Andy.
Thanks for that (also realised my last post was riddled with errors lol ). The close ups are awesome. Nice creaming face on the victim.
I thought I had a lot of giants! but you outstretch me! Funnily enough I think I only have 3 that you have, many of mine are either old grenadier or reaper bones.
Nice Marsh troll in the background.
Love the figures. Additions of GW bits also look very good. I am not a big fan of the shields, though.
Wonderful work, and I love those hobbits! Where are they from?
The Oathmark minis look interesting, particularly with the alternative heads, I’m looking to get a box of their Dwarves out of curiosity.
Damn that is nice.
And we had that in the news the other day:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-24/art-therapy-heals-war-veteran-with-post-tramatic-stress-disorder/11537026
Love that shield :-* Nice design and very well done. Over the years I've painted a lot of nautical nonsense but I don't think I've ever done a lobster before, may have to steal your idea and try that sometime in the future
Thank you for sharing that! I don't have PTSD, just an unusual amount of stress lately.
Stunning free-hand lobster Sir! It's been too long since I last looked at the Marienburg vs the livingly challenged thread. I see you've been pretty busy in the interim. Will the elf unit all get similar nautical themed heraldry? :-*
Yes. He is The Khorc.
lol
I've had a half-baked attempt at converting a Bloodthirster into something resembling one of my favorite Dragon Magazine covers (#119) (http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/2017/06/this-old-dragon-issue-119.html) sitting around for years. So the Former-'thirster no longer needed an axe.
Oh, I have a copy of that miniature. Can't remember who the company was but it was sculpted by Paul Meuler. The company has since gone defunct though and I don't know who has the rights. I may have a pic here of him painted up.
Found the link, (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/138453512/infernal-minions-of-the-outer-planes/description) Go all the way down the bottom of the page and start scrolling up. Look for Koscheii.
I always felt Sea Elves never really got a fair crack of the whip with Warhammer. These guys are great.
I always felt Sea Elves never really got a fair crack of the whip with Warhammer. These guys are great.
Nice lineup of the undeadish.
I love the half orcs too. The pike conversions have worked well!
I agree! They are really nice sculpts. I like a lot of the old Fantasy Warriors figures.
yup I have orcs goblins and dwraves - they're my "obsession"*
* For mild definitions of obsession
Is he doing an Ian Anderson (of Jethro Tull) stage pose? But with a skull-topped wand instead of a flute?
Is he doing an Ian Anderson (of Jethro Tull) stage pose? But with a skull-topped wand instead of a flute?
Nice. I love skeletons how quick they can be painted but how good it still looks when you do so. Love the work on the basing as well. Interesting but not overshadowing the dragon. Is that a reaper one?
Just finished Undead Lemmy from Diehard Miniatures. Difficult miniatuere to photograph since I mostly painted him with a variety (hues?) of black.
Nice work nonetheless. The gems in particular. And is that a custom tuft in the front?
Stop that, stop that! You're not going to do a song while I'm here. Now listen lad, in twenty minutes you're getting married to a girl whose father owns the biggest tracts of open land in Britain.
I also got some Stuff! In the Mail! Powrie from Cauldron Born Miniatures. Awesome sculpts. Can't wait to get some paint on them.
Nice, I'll be curious to see your take on them. I went with flesh tones myself.
Did you post yours here? I didn't see them (but would like to!)
I don't think I posted them on LAF, I should start a fantasy thread I guess :)
They're on my blog though:
https://miniatureextravaganza.blogspot.com/2020/01/cauldron-born-miniatures-powrie.html
Those hobgoblins look great! I don't think I've ever painted anything from that company before.
The isolation has been a weird experience for sure, and can get stressful.
Your kid's school year hasn't ended yet? How long does it run?
Cool. Great to see the goblins painted up. I have a bunch that need work including the one flying on the bat (all still available from Ral Partha Europe).
Well done, something to be proud of!
Treebeard at the back is very cool!
Beautiful army! I have most of those figures too. Best wood elf figures in my opinion.
Brilliant little minis! What make are the dwarves?
Great work on the Dwarf army. They are certainly not short of artillery!
I somehow missed that Stygian orc - that's my favourite orc range.
That is a very cool figure and an excellent paint job! I hadn’t heard of that manufacturer before, thanks for posting. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with the dwarves - the ones you’be already done look great.
You have done a sterling job on a unique and interesting figure. Great job.
Cool miniature but my god what a paint job😳
That is a rather nice Troll Giant Thingy.
Reminds me of the McDeath Giant...
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MXm6Eu-ZfyA/Vu6pKdo69KI/AAAAAAAAKXU/G8rgjwBIgGAJLkIkFEros4Z11AYhArB6A/s1600/IMG_5229_crop_edited-1.jpg)
...crossed with a Gruffalo.
Everytime I see the Fistborkus meme it makes me smile, if not laugh. I've been wanting to do this for a while...
I would also take a Fistborkus. The dog looks like one my wife and I rescued from a shelter in the US Virgin Islands.
I mean... she had a normal head, but the body color and spots otherwise are dead on. lol
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anrvtLq5f9s/X-lu2bAFrQI/AAAAAAAAJS4/aOse5kF9OQMZvPJUdvWL1brpvIq0QyXSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/IMG_20201227_211707_969.jpg)
The Grenadier Demogorgon figure was a Christmas gift from my wife three years ago. I finally painted it! I didn't really have an interest in it until it was made (sort of) famous from it's appearance in Stranger Things -- a show that struck a lot of chords with me. After years on my painting desk, he finally got painted in my "undeadish" colors. I wish I could get a better photo. There's quite a bit of subtle color that got washed out.
The orb is brilliant!
Thanks. Halfway through the figures for my March entry and it's just going to keep getting weirder. ;D
Superb - fantastic imagination, very well rendered.
Agreed, that is an army right up my alley. The banner reminds me of the Hypnotoad from Futurama. All hail the hypnoskull!
Just discovered this thread and really enjoying the unusual and varied stuff on it. Keep up the good work!
He's nice. Where's he from?
Oh man, imagine the shame of being vanquished by undead flamingo cavalry.
Bravo
Or worse; their goth flamingo riding champion who, according to his shield, is a total pacifist... lol
You actually built those metal carrion?! I'm impressed! How was it?
I get the reference, Zero. No way could I ever any allusions to... ;)
You actually built those metal carrion?! I'm impressed! How was it?
Ha, i havent braved mine yet either. Would also like to know!
And the necromancers quarreling about theyr scrolls are just great! lol
They are gorgeous carrion and you've done a wonderful job painting them too!
I'm not sure my modelling skills could be called delicate lol That said I just discovered the magic of superglue plus accelerant so may have a small hope...
And congratulations on 1000 posts!
I painted the second two of my four test figures for the 'shruman concept. I will definitely build & paint some more. Almost out of these old Citadel zombie bits, so I will need to look into other options.Love the Shrumans! lol
The 'Shroom Folk are WONDERFULLYimaginative creation; something I had never thought of before. I do have quite a few GW plastic Zombies on hand; you may b=have provided inspiration for their use...other than as parts. WELL DONE!
Really funny and nice looking. Did you made them with a glue gun ?
The color is really well chosen.
OUTSTANDING STUFF! I really like the new Mushroom Guys & the Ogres.
The Possible Puffballs might make good Morels:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8D50xIPW755OTmhH_B7AJ51V7KtJft94tdtwLGNv7T2IIzLCF2WTBNOUePm00qbytAHxmZWJd4nZCMXsqTBk_-2mdaOo1sScPd9Q9siWzo8PANOYwrjR5DVlUjIVW56t_v1jMT6lWgsdGYy9jhIxeeIJg=w1541-h1156-no?authuser=0)
Not suggesting yours were inspired by this, but I think that with the Last of Us we’re going to see a lot of people doing mushroom related things. Yours love ace. If you have access to a printer there’s a few things I’ve seen on MMF that might fit in nicely with yours?
Mushroom knights https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-fungus-knight-modular-bundle-presupported-227148
Swamp zombies https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-swamp-shroom-zombies-150016
Those are lovely dragons - the brighter colours look well on them.
Cool. Love the tail!
I painted some stuff for Orctober!! Half-orc kitbash, mostly Oathmark human, but with a mystery head. Maybe from a zombie? I forget where it came from. The goblin shaman is, I think, from Clan War.
Is there anywhere I can see the photos from the first few pages of this thread? I remember being struck by that black and white painting style you used in the beginning and I would love to see the examples.
Beautiful dogs. I still miss my lab, Casey. He was a wonderful companion. Loved playing with wrapping paper.
Those all look excellent! The baby beholders are so cute! I don’t remember from the lore are what stage they develop their death gaze… might be from, birth, hatching, mitosis?
Nice painting. I love the mimic's. The undead gnolls are rather unique. Who makes them?