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Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Laughing Ferret on June 17, 2011, 09:21:12 PM

Title: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Laughing Ferret on June 17, 2011, 09:21:12 PM
I finally put some paint on a project I started over 4 years ago.  Most of those years the minis were built and other than getting them out now and then to look and say "I like these- wish I had time to paint them' they have just been idle... although I did redo all the bases a couple years ago, so I'm glad I hadn't started painting them!

So here is the beginning of the Draniki, or as Earth-men often call them "Lizardmen of Venus".
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb16/LaughingFerretStudio/Draniki/Draniki015.jpg)
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb16/LaughingFerretStudio/Draniki/Draniki005.jpg)(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb16/LaughingFerretStudio/Draniki/Draniki004.jpg)
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb16/LaughingFerretStudio/Draniki/Draniki011.jpg)(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb16/LaughingFerretStudio/Draniki/Draniki010.jpg)
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb16/LaughingFerretStudio/Draniki/Draniki007.jpg)(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb16/LaughingFerretStudio/Draniki/Draniki008.jpg)

I haven't updated the Phobosian VSF Quar thread in awhile- since nothing new is complete- been making some progress on Cavalry & more infantry though.  These are going to be the Quar's native allies in the Venus campaign, but I thought they deserved their own thread separate from the Quar, since they'll eventually be their own army.  I already have over 120 minis made for them including characters, cav, 'tanks', couple little sliers and various infantry types. I had thought to leave them unrevealed until the whole army was done, but seeing how this is the first paint they've seen in 4 years, it's anyone's guess as to how long that would have been. 

More background on the Draniki on the hobby blog here:
http://laughingferret.blogspot.com/2011/06/draniki-scouting-party-sighted.html (http://laughingferret.blogspot.com/2011/06/draniki-scouting-party-sighted.html)
or click the topic 'Draniki' on the blog.
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Steve F on June 17, 2011, 09:25:31 PM
Those have turned out very nicely - I particularly like the gradation of the green colour.
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Mason on June 17, 2011, 10:52:04 PM
Lovely skintones and the blue markings on the eyes really set them off beautifully.
(Not sure 'beautifully' is the right word, but you get my drift, I hope!)
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Chairface on June 17, 2011, 11:27:24 PM
These are top notch - the bases are superb!
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Bullshott on June 18, 2011, 12:09:12 AM
Very nice indeed.
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Powered Armored Stooge on June 18, 2011, 12:34:09 AM
Good Idea
+
Mind Blowing paint job
=
 :-*
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Ray Rivers on June 18, 2011, 01:40:38 AM
 :-*

Very kewl!

Where did you get the minis?
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: fitterpete on June 18, 2011, 02:37:12 AM
How well did the Kroot arms matchup to the Saurus bodies? Did you have to do much filing or greenstuffing to make them fit? I was just thinking the other day about trying the kroot arms with saurus bodies and the lizardman cold ones bodies(the ones standing  upright on their back feet not the ones slouched over) too!
Really cool conversion and paintjob BTW.
Pete
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Froggy the Great on June 18, 2011, 03:26:48 AM
Beats the heck out of my offerings along these lines...
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Mason on June 18, 2011, 06:12:02 AM
I keep coming back for another look at these chaps.
Very inspiring!
I'm impressed :o
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: infelix on June 18, 2011, 07:55:08 AM
They look great, very impressive conversions. Gotta love the Kroot :)
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Laughing Ferret on June 18, 2011, 08:41:08 AM
Thanks for all the feedback! Much appreciated   :D

responding to specific questions & comments:

Those have turned out very nicely - I particularly like the gradation of the green colour.

Thanks! I was pleased with the gradation too. This by necessity has to be a 'speed paint' project, since with well over 100 miniatures I'll never have a chance to finish the army otherwise- They've already been in a box for 3 years without a lick of paint and I don't have the time to devote to them to treat them with the focus I would a small project or a commission.. I can't afford to hire myself  lol So after primer, and giving a few of them an undertone of a vanilla color by brush I knew it just wasn't going to happen- so I did a group of 40 by airbrush, then did all the green levels by airbrush as well. Did about 5 days work in 5 hours -not as good as by brush, but I can't complain considering the time saved.  After so many years of building them, waiting & planning, was almost hard to start them  ::)

Lovely skintones and the blue markings on the eyes really set them off beautifully.

Thanks! I'm happy with the blue.  I thought it needed a bit of bright color since so much of the minis overall was greens & browns. Glad it works.

These are top notch - the bases are superb!

Bases were quite easy. ground is just a bit of texture, the water is just color painted right on the base surface and a couple layers of water effect. Can get a good illusion of shallow water without really needing depth at all. Plus it is so much easier.

Where did you get the minis?

Kitbash: GW Lizardmen Saurus for bodies & heads.  GW Kroot for arms/guns & little bits.
I've also made some close combat shock troops with beastmen shields & weapons, cavalry & more.

How well did the Kroot arms matchup to the Saurus bodies?

Not so well. The Saurus chest is a good deal wider than a kroot chest. There is one arm/gun set that really doesn't work at all, but all the others can work alright. The Saurus chest always needs to be shaved down some, to get a smaller area for the arm contact, and often the chest needs to be thinned in a 'V' shape a bit so that the arms will angle to meet to hold the gun right.  Not much green stuff was needed, just a bit of fill, but all of the shoulders needed to have scales sculpted so the arms would blend into the back scales & look right.  Tedious.  ;)





Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Gun bunny on June 18, 2011, 08:49:57 AM
those are fabulous, total and complete cool.i cannot wait to exterminate their culture and teach the heathens the error of their ways (cue triumphal music and heartfelt flag waving)HUZZAH!!!
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Bako on June 18, 2011, 09:46:46 AM
They are most certainly wonderful! I think there might be an oversight on your implementation of the bayonet, however. Its spikes seem to be blocking the muzzle. Still pretty otherwise.
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: leadfool on June 18, 2011, 10:07:43 AM
Scaly.........But do they like turkish food?  or rather Turks as food?
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Laughing Ferret on June 18, 2011, 10:44:46 AM
They are most certainly wonderful! I think there might be an oversight on your implementation of the bayonet, however. Its spikes seem to be blocking the muzzle. Still pretty otherwise.

It's close, but doesn't block- those two that have bayonet style metal blades have guns that are double barreled, and the part of the blade that sticks up is between the holes. Most have rifles that have the large tooth mounted on the gun, only the double barreled heavy rifles have the bayonet style blades.

Scaly.........But do they like turkish food?  or rather Turks as food?

Closest translation from the Draniki language for Turkish flesh is delight.  :P

(sorry.. had to.)
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Alfrik on June 18, 2011, 02:05:45 PM
Yes, but how well trained are they to Shoot?? OBTW did I mention in our VSF Campaign on Venus that Kneemo has attacked a Swedish Expeditionary force that some how took the city he was about to besiege? Same city, Siege engaged, Swede's will die!
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Bako on June 18, 2011, 09:43:33 PM
It's close, but doesn't block- those two that have bayonet style metal blades have guns that are double barreled, and the part of the blade that sticks up is between the holes. Most have rifles that have the large tooth mounted on the gun, only the double barreled heavy rifles have the bayonet style blades.

Oh, I see. That makes sense.

Doubled the barrels, for twice the fun?
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Skrapwelder on June 19, 2011, 03:20:15 AM
These look great. I hope we'll be seeing them on the field tomorrow.
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: G2 on June 19, 2011, 06:58:58 AM
These are looking really good. I like the colour scheme, very realistic looking lizards. The weapon choices are perfect. They look exactly like the sort of weapon as Lizard warrior would use. Job well done.
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: magokiron on June 19, 2011, 08:30:51 AM
 :o  :D  :-*

A fantastic idea, and an even better job to make it real.

Mixing kroot amd lizardmen bits is just genius!

I'm sure it will be a pleasure to play with or against this army.

Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Black Cavalier on June 19, 2011, 06:29:47 PM
Beautiful Plumage!
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Doomsdave on June 22, 2011, 12:46:40 AM
These are simply beautiful.  I have never been able to airbrush minis like this.  I just can't get the control down.  Yours are great. 
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Chairface on June 22, 2011, 04:19:51 AM
Beautiful Plumage!

Of course it's a Norwegian Blue Draniki.....  ;)
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Sterling Moose on June 22, 2011, 04:51:21 AM
Quote
Of course it's a Norwegian Blue Draniki

Pineing for the fjords?
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Laughing Ferret on June 22, 2011, 05:16:31 AM
Pineing for the fjords?

After the game on Sunday, yes, unfortunately all 24 Draniki appear to be pining for the fjords... though they console themselves with the fact they each have a Belgian skull or two to keep them company  ;)
Title: Re: Draniki: The Lizardmen of Venus
Post by: Alfrik on June 22, 2011, 02:54:54 PM
After due consideration, I think they need a large toe claws like a raptor.... ;)