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Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: Cubs on September 24, 2013, 04:47:57 PM

Title: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on September 24, 2013, 04:47:57 PM
Anyone remember 'The Tragedy of McDeath'? Surely one of Games Workshop's highlights, way back in 1986.

(http://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic481269_md.jpg)

A customer got hold of a few of the original models (lucky boy) and thus I have been enjoying a nostalgia trip painting them up. The colour schemes and shield devices were all dictated by pictures in the boxed set itself, barring a few artistic licences and gap-filling.

First up is Julia McEwan.

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-FMITOZY7-D.jpg)


Next is Donaldbane.

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-MXAEL6KU-D.jpg)


Banquo with unfeasibly large axe (not nearly as big as the weapons eventually got).

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-UUHDBRUG-D.jpg)


Arka Zargul, the dwarf miner union leader.

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-E8YWTUMH-D.jpg)


And last but not least, the Earl of Harkness with flaming sword (and fun with OSL technique).

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-OJFEPAAC-D.jpg)

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-POVFUMAP-D.jpg)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on September 24, 2013, 04:49:25 PM
I've got a few more on the way now.

The odd thing is, the retro models and colour schemes actually forced me to paint in a retro fashion. It really brought it home to me how much the model dictates the painting and end result.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: LeadAsbestos on September 24, 2013, 04:58:08 PM
Love 'em! Really nice work!
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on September 24, 2013, 05:13:18 PM
Here's -


Dokko McCoughlin ...

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-8M3YCJKK-D.jpg)


... and two Knights of Harkness (apparently the camera couldn't decide which one to focus on and chose neither).

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-SJVSVBMS-D.jpg)

Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: phreedh on September 24, 2013, 06:02:36 PM
Bloody fine work Cubs!  :-* Like the shields in particular, very inspirational!
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Blue in vt on September 24, 2013, 06:20:03 PM
Really spectacular stuff here!

Will the big man himself make a difference.

Cheers,

Blue
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on September 24, 2013, 06:32:59 PM
Will the big man himself make a difference.

I guess it depends on whether my customer can get the model or not. He hasn't made an appearance yet.

Next up is a foot version of Harkness, plus a wizard and a generic Orc.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: aiteal on September 24, 2013, 06:40:47 PM
wow! Those are stunning. I love Arka's wrinkly old face.
any more pics on a blog? I'd like to see Arka's shield design a little better :)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: AndrewBeasley on September 24, 2013, 07:23:25 PM
What - not a Chicken Nugget in sight!

Seriously though - love the figures and the painting is brill  :)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Dr Mathias on September 24, 2013, 07:28:38 PM
Nice painting, I've not seen those figures before.

Quote from: Cubs
(apparently the camera couldn't decide which one to focus on and chose neither).

 lol
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on September 24, 2013, 07:37:17 PM
any more pics on a blog? I'd like to see Arka's shield design a little better :)

No, sorry, I didn't think to take a better pic of the shield and I don't have the min now. It's just a crossed pick-axe and hammer (I chose a maroon and blue background because I thought they'd look nice) with a little banner underneath.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Glitzer on September 24, 2013, 08:13:49 PM
Lovely.

That makes me wonder: Are there any manufacturers out there, who still sculpt in that old style?
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: area23 on September 24, 2013, 08:37:49 PM
Amazing painting and miniatures!

Original Jes Goodwin sculpts from before he joined Citadel are available here:
http://www.alternative-armies.com/28mm_Barbarians.htm

Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Luddite on September 24, 2013, 09:24:40 PM
Those old Citadel metals were 100% better than the stuff the GW accountants chuck at the kids nowadays.   :'(
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Chico on September 24, 2013, 09:51:33 PM
Looks stunning, alot of love for McDeath in the last few months :)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on September 24, 2013, 10:02:58 PM
Thanks guys and gals, very kind all.

I must say, I did love doing these models for the nostalgia, but the finishing and quality control is pretty rustic!
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: jthomlin on September 25, 2013, 04:12:33 AM
Beautifully done!

Inspiring enough for me to crack open my own McDeath collection, and briefly contemplate abandoning the seemingly never ending clean-up of Mad Mullah Ac'land's Regiment of Renown for some painting. Sanity prevails however as I remember why they were put aside in the first place ...

I have been fortunate to manage to get a considerable number of the 'Death Commando' figures and the thought of painting all that tartan makes partially re-sculpting 30 poorly cast desert dwellers seem like a walk in the park!  o_o

Cheers!
Joe Thomlinson
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: LeadAsbestos on September 25, 2013, 05:13:27 AM
I have been fortunate to manage to get a considerable number of the 'Death Commando' figures and the thought of painting all that tartan makes partially re-sculpting 30 poorly cast desert dwellers seem like a walk in the park!  o_o

Cheers!
Joe Thomlinson
If you'd like to be rid of a few, please drop me a line, and I'll help you out! :)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Vanvlak on September 25, 2013, 05:32:11 AM
Brilliant, and very nostalgic. Love the old style.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Doomsdave on September 25, 2013, 06:54:35 AM
The shield designs are beautiful, especially Harkness.  Well done.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: DeafNala on September 25, 2013, 02:38:55 PM
The McDeath scenarios came along at a time when I was going through a less pleasant scenario of my own; so I'm totally unfamiliar with the Beasty. HOWEVER, The minis, graced by your OUTSTANDING brushwork are WONDROUS to behold. VERY WELL DONE!

One of the joys of commission work is getting to do minis that you might not otherwise have the opportunity of doing...& in a style you might not have considered.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Paleskin on September 25, 2013, 10:33:36 PM
Nice work indeed!
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Spooktalker on September 26, 2013, 02:19:17 AM
I am ON BOARD, Sir.  :-*
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on September 26, 2013, 06:58:40 PM
Next up is Mergrey Calchoner. I wanted his flesh to look withered and grey; the side-effects of mucking about with too much powerful magic. Remember kids, just say 'no'.

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-W3NQZY77-D.jpg)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: LeadAsbestos on September 26, 2013, 11:03:12 PM
Nice! I've never seen the actual model, after all this time!
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: DeafNala on September 27, 2013, 01:51:06 PM
TERRIFIC in a dead sort of way! The skin tones & the eyes do convey a certain unhealthy, withered aspect to the Necromancer...the surrounding grass looks a bit under the weather also. GREAT WORK on a FINE mini!
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on September 27, 2013, 02:03:35 PM
[b...the surrounding grass looks a bit under the weather also.

Aha! I'm glad someone spotted that. None of these McDeath models have grass of their bases (except tufts on the mounted Harkness), but instead have been treated to some of my favourite decorations of all time - namely Mini-Natur Moss. It's lovely fuzzy stuff (cropped close by wandering ruminants no doubt) that I felt was absolutely compulsory for the highland theme.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Gun bunny on September 27, 2013, 07:53:39 PM
OUTSTANDING!  :)  love'em, they were never offered in my area when they came out  :( . 
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: aggro84 on September 27, 2013, 10:47:44 PM
Lovely work!
 :-*
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Timotl on September 28, 2013, 03:34:15 AM
Fantastic! The rich, warm colors work perfectly for the subject matter and really lend a bit of "Old Skool" feel to them. Jealous as can be... ;)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Blackwolf on September 28, 2013, 07:37:12 AM
Wonderful painting :-*
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: DeafNala on September 28, 2013, 01:56:52 PM
Aha! I'm glad someone spotted that. None of these McDeath models have grass of their bases (except tufts on the mounted Harkness), but instead have been treated to some of my favourite decorations of all time - namely Mini-Natur Moss. It's lovely fuzzy stuff (cropped close by wandering ruminants no doubt) that I felt was absolutely compulsory for the highland theme.

I'm a bit of a basing Fanatic...a well done base places the mini in a natural time & place. Thanks for the lead on the Mini-Natur Moss; it's something I will look into.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on October 06, 2013, 08:10:17 PM
Latest one, the Earl of Harkness on foot.

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-QM3QGEVZ-D.jpg)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: LeadAsbestos on October 06, 2013, 09:41:05 PM
Nice! That very fellow arrived in my mailbox just yesterday, unfortunately sans lovely paint!
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: DeafNala on October 07, 2013, 12:58:29 PM
That is a SPLENDIDLY painted & based mini...the shield in particular is OUTSTANDING! It is a far better piece for the work you put into it than it would be otherwise. VERY WELL DONE!
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: aiteal on October 07, 2013, 07:47:37 PM
Nostalgiagasm!
The Earl is absolutely wonderful
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Centaur_Seducer on October 07, 2013, 08:24:55 PM
My hearts pounds some extra beats when I see old school citadel. Both due to sheer joy, and pure jealousy.
Great paintjob! The customer will be pleases :)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on October 08, 2013, 05:28:01 PM
Here we go guys, the final cherry on this sticky bun of nostalgia (if the customer sends me any more, I'll tag them on at a later date).

He's not really a McDeath model (he may not even be Citadel), but he's going to be used in the game and came with the rest. He's an Orc Champion (as far as I can make out), but has this crazy looking head-dress/face plate thingy and only his jaw is visible. It just goes to show what a bad idea it is to interrupt a Greenskin during Mardi-Gras.

(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-8LGVJ7OH-D.jpg)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: thebinmann on October 08, 2013, 09:52:05 PM
lovely stuff
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Brummie Thug on October 08, 2013, 10:35:36 PM
Very nice all of them. Can someone explain to me what the fuss about the McDeath set is? Besides it being classic figures? Been reading a lot of threads about them lately and some of the prices are astonishing.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on October 09, 2013, 08:18:49 AM
It was one of the unique battle sets that GW released in the 80's. The rules and models were only available for a short time, were unique to that specific game and are pretty rare now.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Maspalio on October 09, 2013, 08:33:44 AM
love your painting style, really inspiring  :-* :-*
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Brummie Thug on October 09, 2013, 02:47:55 PM
Thanks for clearing that up its explains a lot now  ;)
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Blue in vt on October 09, 2013, 03:53:19 PM
Fantastic work!

cheers,

Blue
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: Cubs on October 09, 2013, 04:00:29 PM
Thanks for clearing that up its explains a lot now  ;)

In truth a lot of the models are actually pretty shoddy compared to even a middling quality company of today (look at the Harkness models), but that's not the point! It's nostalgia man, and that always comes with rose-tinted specs.
Title: Re: All aboard the Nostalgia Express, with original McDeaths!
Post by: FramFramson on October 09, 2013, 08:36:01 PM
Ohhh that colour, I love it.