Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: Jagannath on August 05, 2017, 05:05:04 PM
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Hi all,
This project's been on the slow burner for a while (a group for it was one of my first LPL entries) but I've been kicked into action thanks to Michael over at Angel Barracks/Crom's Anvil's excellent stuff.
It's not really intended as a Conan project (though I have painted one up) - it's a persian desert, meets Far Harad, meets Arabian Nights, meets heroic Greek thing. Sort of human-centric, desert ancients fantasy. The honest answer is I'm not entirely sure what it will entail, I'm just gathering up some minis for it and seeing where it takes me.
So the first group I've show off a couple of times:
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/img_0053-e1489933887555.jpg)
Forged in Battled picts painted as vaguely arab desert raiders. These will work as raiders/attackers in RPG type games and also as a force for some LOTR SBG based games I want to play. I've got another equal sized group on the painting table at the mo.
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/img_0748-e1501948850815.jpg)
The next two are just adventure type characters - A Conan-esque barbarian from Copplestone (with a tiara/crown thing, bracelet and necklace sculpted on for no good reason) and an aged barbarian, out of place in the hot desert. I've got a camel, daughter and tag-along monk to finish painting that will accompany this guy. 'Scuse the picture - I'm having real trouble getting good pictures at the moment, so had to do some weird stuff in post production to get it vaguely viewable.
I've also been scouring every 15mm manufacturer going for ancient civilians (roman, greek and generic - trying to avoid trousers) and have a fairly good mix now - those will all get prepped and primed this weekend, then I can paint them one at a time at leisure. I've also bought the excellent temple from Crom's Anvil - now I just want some good, not medieval, skeletons!
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:o Hate you...
These are better than my 28s!
Please keep us updated with this as it look ace.
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These are terrific! The Picts work well as desert raiders, and the colour schemes are lovely.
I recently read Night's Master by Tanith Lee, which is heavily influenced by the Arabian Nights. There might be some inspiration there for fantasy ideas in an pseudo-Arab setting.For example, she has minor demons called the Drin, which combine some of the characteristics of the Norse dwarfs with a peculiar attachment to arthropods - but still manage to fit in nicely to the Arabesque setting.
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Thanks matey.
I'll have to check it out - il working my way through the first of the a Dream of Eagles series, which I'm really enjoying, but it's not helping me keep my enthusiasm up for desert fantasy... it just makes me want to paint Picts (as actual Picts)!
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Brilliant painting on awesome models, even the small greenstuff modifications look great!
I totally love this!!!
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Thanks Florian - still got a fair chunk to do before this project finds its feet and I'm distracted by other things again!
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now I just want some good, not medieval, skeletons!
Try the Decians from Battle Valour... They are medieval but many are just bare bones, literally!
http://www.battlevalorgames.com/decians.aspx
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The =59679&cat[]=59856]Chariot skeletons from Magister Militum (https://www.magistermilitum.com/scale/15-mm.html#order=name&limit=36&p=1&dir=ASC&cat[) might be reasonably close, as they are generally just bones and rags. The only hint of anachronism is that some of the sword hilts appear to be basketed (and polearms and scythes might have to be clipped into spears). But the shields are very much "ancient", and the archers look the part. Despite the illustrations on the site, there are variants in each pack (shields, poses). They also have chariots, which fit the "ancients" theme.
I've got some speed-painted examples on my thread.
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Thanks Florian - still got a fair chunk to do before this project finds its feet and I'm distracted by other things again!
I know that feeling. I just had a 15mm VSF run, which I posted just two days ago, and now have to pack my stuff because I'm moving to another town. So I fear now painting until September for me...:(
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Thanks everyone.
I think Hibgobkin might be the winner here - those Magister Militum ones are great, and definitely have a bit more of an ancients vibe. I always forget about the Blood Dawn range - they're not absolutely massive are they?
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These are brilliant. I look forward to seeing more!
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Thanks everyone.
I think Hibgobkin might be the winner here - those Magister Militum ones are great, and definitely have a bit more of an ancients vibe. I always forget about the Blood Dawn range - they're not absolutely massive are they?
Here's a comparison pic - with a (crouching) Copplestone barbarian and a Demonworld barbarian. These are the Chariot ones rather than the Blood Dawn ones, so are significantly smaller (and spindly rather than chunky, which suits skeletons, I think). To my eye, they're perfectly scaled with the Copplestone barbarian - they could be the bones under his meat. He is crouching quite significantly, which lends them height.
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Thanks everyone.
I think Hibgobkin might be the winner here - those Magister Militum ones are great, and definitely have a bit more of an ancients vibe. I always forget about the Blood Dawn range - they're not absolutely massive are they?
Their Orcs are pretty large, though okay if you like your orcs like in Warcraft or Warhammer and the dwarfs are pretty big (bit afaik still okay with Copplestone). The rest is pretty well scaled with modern big 15mm a.k.a. 18s.
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Than so both - gotcha Hobgoblin, Chariot not Bloodawn. I'll take a look this afternoon - got a lovely temple from Crom's Anvil that's begging for a dark priest and some skeletons.
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Boy, those Picts work surprisingly well for their new role, don't they? Clever repurposing there. Lovely paint jobs too.
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Great 15 mm painting here, really wonderful stuff!
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Fantastic painting. Looking forward to seeing more of this project.
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Really nice work. Thanks for sharing.
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Meant to say: those geometric shield designs are terrific!
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What can I say that hasn't been said yet...Nice work, as always.
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Fabulous looking figures! I'm also a sucker for any Arabesque theme so that's just a bonus.
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Thanks All,
The group of priests are progressing nicely, so those should appear in a couple of days. I've also started basing and priming my civilian collection, so I'll start picking at those here and there.
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I do enjoy all of your 15mm projects, this one is really nice. I have to keep myself from starting something new (like fantasy)...
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Boy, those Picts work surprisingly well for their new role, don't they? Clever repurposing there. Lovely paint jobs too.
Sorry, missed this - thanks mate. Yeah I thought so, one of the nice things about 15mm is how much of a 'conversion' you can do with just a paintjob.
More to add to this thread this weekend hopefully.
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Afternoon all,
I haven't managed to get a huge amount off my painting desk recently (a bit chunk awaiting varnishing and a chunk more awaiting *shudders and whispers* basing) but I have been thinking about more desert terrain for RPG encounters.
I've waffled a bit more on my blog but essentially I'm taking a 'dungeon' appraoch to represent the narrow walled alleys of a desert city (so a souk/medina) by stealing Matakishi's dungeon stuff and reapplying it.
Here's where I'm at so far:
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_0836-e1506253017899.jpg)
One batch basecoated and one just varnished on the backs (to stop warping).
Once these are done I'll work on some rooms (for players to burst in and out of) taking a similar approach (and sussing a way to represent doors) and also a big (probably 240x240) central tile as an open air marketplace. In a perfect world I'd like to also build a frame and paint a load of black 'blank' tiles, to help hold it all neatly together, but that might be ambitious.
I'll have some time to matte some minis this week, so more to come soon.
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Interesting, looking forward to following the progress on this
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This looks terrific! I may well steal the idea shortly.
Have you had a look at DM Scotty's The DM's Craft YouTube channel? He's got quite a lot of stuff on "2.5D" and "tilescapes" - I think it's the latter that just represents walls with occasional doors, etc.
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This looks terrific! I may well steal the idea shortly.
Have you had a look at DM Scotty's The DM's Craft YouTube channel? He's got quite a lot of stuff on "2.5D" and "tilescapes" - I think it's the latter that just represents walls with occasional doors, etc.
Ooh no, thanks - I've got s day at home on front of excel tomorrow, so I'll put them on in the background. I'm quite excited about this idea, just need to research ancient street furniture now, which isn't that easy!
I need market stalls, benches (were there ancient benches?) and amphorae, pots and junk.
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Hiya folks,
A very low excitement post - just another Barbarian I've found time to slap some matte varnish on. Sorry, for some reason my photo set up seems to have just stopped working! Need to have a play about, but you get the idea.
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_0870-e1506517772337.jpg)
Bit of a He-Man vibe on this one.
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Jolly Nice - and as you say a definite 'He-Man' vibe.
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Great stuff! I think those barbarians are a good illustration of how 15mm is more forgiving than 28mm of certain exaggerations. If you scaled him up to 28mm, there would be more than a touch of Thrud - or He-Man, as you say! But in 15mm, he "reads" perfectly well as a Conan type - though probably a Vanir rather than a Cimmerian, given the hair colour.
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Great mini, love your paintjob!
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Thanks both,
@Hobgoblin - yeah definitely, I think he's probably the most 'extreme' of the Copplestone physiques (though none of them are far off). He's probably one of the most fun to paint too - it's a mini I really like (I've got the same one my desk at the mo being converted to a science fantasy type chap). The Copplestone range really is a pleasure to paint, really nice and clear detail for 15s (unlike, IMO, the Demonworld range, which are sculpted incredibly but I find so hard to paint clearly and concisely).
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Quick pick of a small group of Eureka 18mm Man-Orcs I speed painted ages ago (but promptly took about 3 months to do the basing!)
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/img_0919.jpg?w=1000)
They're not quite as contrasty as they look here (though they are pretty contrasty!) or up to my usual standard, but I'm pleased with them - it feels good just to churn a group out sometimes.
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/img_0915-e1507644237725.jpg)
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They look great - the contrast between the dull red and the subtle green of their hides works very well.
How do they match up with your 15mm stuff scale-wise? "15mm" seems so elastic that I'd guess that these fellows are actually smaller than the Blood Dawn "15mm" orcs.
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Thank you sir. Hmmm - I wouldn't be certain on that one, there pretty big. Bigger than Copplestone barbarians by a wee margin - Eureka do call them 18mm though. I've got some orcs from the same range and those are smaller (I think the eureka range is heavily inspired by Tolkien's LotR descriptions) but these are definitely taller. I'll take some comparison pics tomorrow. They're 'OK' minis - deep but rough detail, well cast though, and I think the white metal contains lead - it's very soft. One of the reasons I speed painted them is that I'm a wee bit worried about their durability.
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I agree the dull red paint job and the high contrast on the face gives them a grungy look that I would have done with a wash in 28mm but ruined in 15mm with the same technique. 8)
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Cool minis!
Sometimes I want to start a new project with 15mm fantasy (for potential RPGs), and these pictures aren't helping me staying on track with my 15mm sci-fi!
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Are those Man-orcs the same, you sent me? They look pretty darn tough. Nothing you'd like to face in the dozen (except if you're Aragorn or Legolas in those Jackson LotR movies lol). Nice painting on them, too!
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Ah thanks chief - I think so yeah, I can't entitelybremeber what we swapped!! They're good minis just a) quite big ("18mm") and b) quite rough and treads sculpts in a really soft alloy. I wouldn't choose them to spend loads of time on, not convinced they'd survive!
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I think they look great. You could always do a Westworld/Futureworld and mix the cowboys, ancients and sci fi all together!
I'm still waiting on you to finish your fantasy tiles!
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Thanks! I often think that some sort of cowboy-dungeon crawl mashup would be fun. Funnily enough I finished those tiles earlier, I'll try and get some images over the weekend.
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Tell me about it. I have way too many genres on the go, including scales!
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A really evocative concept which you are realising with brushwork that has me grinding my teeth in envy. Have you settled on a rule-set yet?
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Nicely done as always
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Amazing. :o
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Thanks all!
A really evocative concept which you are realising with brushwork that has me grinding my teeth in envy. Have you settled on a rule-set yet?
I think it'll vary depending on the games I want to play... LotR SBG, Crom and Pulp Alley likely candidates.
My sand tiles to represent a souk or pther narrow desert streets (or the corridors and halls of a desert temple) are almost finished:
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/img_1181-e1511902857910.jpg)
They're still a touch glossy but I'll do another matte coat once I've stuck a few moss pads of flock on - I like the final matte coat to help to stick them down. I'm clearly in debt to Matakishi here - no pretending otherwise. There's a couple of chaps on 18mm bases and a camel on a 25mm (unfinished) to give a sense of scale.
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/img_1182-e1511902839845.jpg)
On reflection the paving slabs are too big, but I don't think that will matter once I've built up some street furniture and scatter terrain.
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These look terrific - and I wouldn't worry about the slabs being too big. I've run a few D&D sessions recently using 28mm floorplans with 15mm miniatures, and they always look fine. In fact, I reckon they look better than with 28mm figures, somehow, because everything seems less cramped and thus less artificial.
You could get a brilliant city-based game going with some sort of random street generator. I'm sure there is such a thing somewhere, but it would be quite easy to make one, I'm sure. The Vornheim RPG city supplement has some sort of random generator, but I forget how applicable it would be to miniatures games; it might be a bit too abstract. I could see chases and ambushes and much gleeful demolition of souk stalls and angry protestation of merchants ...
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Thanks very much - what floorplans do you use? I could do with some indoor ones.
I downloaded Vornheim ages ago (I think you told me about it when I first started posting about these), I'll have a look later.
I suspect their first outing will actually be sci-fi - I've got more street furniture. I like the idea that models can use corners as cover too, should make for interesting gun fights. I'm trying to work out the best way to make the larger square next, and what to do about modelling some permanent features on it.
For the fantasy street furniture I'll be building it on some bases with right angles so they slot nicely in to corner etc. My Magister Militum order of Baueda bits arrived today, so all being well I can start on those over the next few evenings.
I need to make some small stalls and maybe a small fountain too.
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Another post!
Managed to get a matte coat on these 5 civilians for my Souk tiles
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/img_1194-e1512060834336.jpg)
I've written a bit more about then on the blog, but I'm really pleased to have them finished. I carried on experimenting with a solely layering method (no washes) as per my current Old West thread, which reaffirms my feeling that the issue with those cowboys is more the sculpts than the painting style choice. These work much better I think.
My Crom's Anvil Crom-funder arrived, so I'll be painting up some Copplestone Picts next I think to accompany the new Crom's anvil minis.
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/img_1190-e1511966029120.jpg)
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Thanks very much - what floorplans do you use? I could do with some indoor ones.
I just use some official D&D ones I got over Amazon. They're far from perfect - not least because they have lots of 2D features (fountains, beds, tables, etc.) on one side. But they do the job. I noticed that in guard barracks and the like, the 28mm beds look appropriately sized for 15mm miniatures; maybe not if you look too closely, but no one does. I mix them up with the odd surviving Advanced Heroquest room and the like.
The civilians look great. The layering technique's working well: they look both "clean" and striking.
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Ah OK - keep meaning to buy some and never know which.
Thanks very much - "clean and striking" is exactly what I'm going for, so I'll take that!
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Nice painting Rory :)
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Thank you kindly - hopefully we can compare Picts soon! Do you still need those extra poses? I ended up buying a new pack so I may well have the ones you need now...
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Oooh, yes please - if you have those as duplicates. That’d be lovely. How do the Forged In Battle figures compare in terms of size, stature and quality? I was looking at their Celtic villagers pack as possible generic Northern civilians for Hyboria...
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I'll pop a couple of ancient Germans in with the Picts so you can check them out. I Really like the FiB range - similar height, a little more delicate but really nice. I'll drop you a PM for your address.
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Hullo folks,
Having asked about ideas for Cylopean ruins in another thread (which I'm definitely going to continue - I suspect Hirst Arts blocks'll be the winner) I decided to pick up some cork block walls I half-bothered started ages ago and did some more work on them. These are scaled to be 'normal' 15mm - though the blocks are quite big - so will just be regular desert ruins;
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1205-e1512494170217.jpg)
The floor needs a bit more detailing work and will be finished in a oretty similar style to the desert tiles I've already posted. Lovely amphorae from Baueda btw, great for some simple extra details.
I also just received these 3
(http://www.beastsofwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Corelock-Bods.png)
who'll populate the cyclopean ruins once I eventually sort them
I love the idea of a ruined desert city complex populated by degenrate men-monsters. I think of them as ape-ish, clambering around and spying on the tiny interlopers from afar. I need a pile of 15mm skulls to decorate them too, and too make them a lair. I'm sort of imagining a combination of the naughty tribe from the Peter Jackson's King Kong, The Cyclops in Sinbad and cavemen, all inhabiting a mix of Old Valyria and desert ruins like this:
(http://c8.alamy.com/comp/FRY686/the-ruins-of-the-ancient-city-of-palmyra-in-the-syrian-desert-north-FRY686.jpg)
but built by 10 foot tall giant.
In my mind there's a sort of exploratory concept to - a huge, complex cyclopean ruined city (with temples, streets, houses, labyrinths etc.) that the desert has reclaimed. Small, human townships have moved in to some areas (perhaps because the ancient city walls are s tall and protective) and squat amongst certain areas. It's almost post apocalypse I suppose.
Anyway - these first ruins aren't that, they're just desert ruins but if nothing else they're a proof of concept for a bigger set.
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Looking good - very interested in where you go with all this.
I'm with you on the appeal of lost Cyclopean cities half-buried in desert sands - all those hints in Dunsany, Lovecraft &c &c. Great stuff!
I think I have some of those amphorae somewhere (they got an outing in a game of Crom! a year or two ago, IIRC) and they are indeed very well done. Where are your ladders from?
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Thanks! The ladders are plastruct HO ladders - I *might* wrap some cotton thread around the corners of the rungs to make them look more old fashioned, but I might just paint them wooden and be happy.
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That's it. I'm convinced this would work for the streets of Mos Eisley.
I'm going to start working on it this weekend.
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What the ruins? Yeah definitely - you could even 'skin' them for the Tatooine adobe effect. The bricks are really easy - i use 6mm cork cut into strips then chopped. Obviously if i was doing 28mm I'd use more but I'd probably keep the bricks the same size tbh.
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Sorry I meant the tiles, although the ruins could work as well.
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Ah yeah, that would be a great approach - I was thinking the other day (in regards to sci-fi) that you could have wider 'corridors' of space where vehicles could move, then narrow alleyways interconnecting, that infantry could scamper around firing off anti-tank weapons... good for irregular warfare.
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Ah yeah, that would be a great approach - I was thinking the other day (in regards to sci-fi) that you could have wider 'corridors' of space where vehicles could move, then narrow alleyways interconnecting, that infantry could scamper around firing off anti-tank weapons... good for irregular warfare.
Interesting - your tiles reminded me of playing the Grand Bazaar map from Battlefield 3! I think you've got a great idea.
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15mm.co.uk do several different packs of 15mm skulls.
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Super quick (slightly over exposed) post of another Barbarian I've finished off. I'm painting a batch of these to try and represent the 'same' chap, in different ages and clothes and equipment (i.e as his fortunes rise and fall through over the years). I've got this background idea for a wandering warrior cursed in his very young years with 'the rover's curse' - anything his eye falls on, any property he gains, any village he calls home and any woman he loves he is cursed to tire of... cursed to wander seeking a satisfaction he will never find. The games I play will represent him later in life, relaying scattered tales from his colourful life. The fella with the crown and bracelet next to the white haired barbarian will also represent this 'accursed wanderer' too.
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1211-e1512773815106.jpg)
Not a great image - I'm still trying to paint with 100% layering at the mo (though I did glaze the hair) and experimenting with how much contrast to use... this guy is actually a bit too contrasty, but the pic's washed it out.
Got a whole day to myself tomorrow, so going to work more on the ruins.
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Looks great!
That "eternal wanderer" idea is nice too, with echoes of various pulp heroes (Kaine, etc.).
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Nicely done Rory. Subtle and effective 8)
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Thanks both.
Looks great!
That "eternal wanderer" idea is nice too, with echoes of various pulp heroes (Kaine, etc.).
Yeah that's sort of the idea - it also feels like it makes even small games (fighting off 3 wolves, say) more interesting but I don't have the pressure of having to slot everything into a narrative. It's just an old warrior relaying his tales.
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I appear to be on a bit of a terrain kick at the moment.
I bought a few Deep Cut Studio mats on Black Friday - a 3x3 meadow, a 3x3 winter (for future projects) and a 2x2 desert. I've since realised that I don't have a space to lay out a 3x3. I was going to buy a trestle table but realised I have two folding trestle legs from ages ago, so instead I bought an art panel in 3x3 from Jackson's (a really good online art shop). Not cheap, but I like it, and future proof incase I decide to make a 'proper' terrain board with it later.
Anyhoo, whilst I was buying that I bought a few of the 30cm square ones too:
https://www.jacksonsart.com/jackson-s-wooden-panel-12x12in-approx-30x30cm-20mm-deep
On sale for £6! I'm going to make a series of heavily styled terrain boards for 15mm skirmish - I use rulesets with CM instead of inches, works fine IMO, so these boards are over 2x2 using that ratio. Great for Open Combat, Crom and a Pulp Alley.
The first one is a cave network. Here's the rough cut cork rocks
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1214-e1512836609369.jpg)
They need chopping and shaping, but unlike most of my terrain I'm not basing them, they'll me moveable to create loads of layouts. 3 have a right angle to so they can be put in corners, and 1 has a flat edge to sit flush. I'll probably finish it in a desert scheme like the rest of my stuff - I was considering doing it in dark grey stone though, like a classic dungeon cave, but that would mean painting up new minis, and I could do with a bit more focus at the moment!!
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Looks like a promising start
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Had almost zero time today - inlaws for brunch! but I did manage to shape the cork 'rocks' last night and apply some filler (to vary the texture) then slap on a basecoat this evening
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1223-e1512949636790.jpg)
That's a wee unfinished barbarian on an 18mm base up there at the top to give a sense of scale.
I also started knocking up a small piece of scatter terrain to represent a cave entrance (as though a character would fall through the ceiling of the cave, as opposed to a cave mouth) to help tie an adventure on the desert board in to an adventure in the caves. No pics though, I forgot.
I think I'll pain the flat tops of the rocks black, to reinforce visually that this is inside a cave system, not rocky outcrops outside.
Not a massive update, but it's progress! Lots of glazing and drybrushing in my future!
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1224-e1512949646598.jpg)
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Good progress! That'll be a great set-up for skirmishing when it's done.
I think I'll pain the flat tops of the rocks black, to reinforce visually that this is inside a cave system, not rocky outcrops outside.
You could paint the tops black and the bottoms rock colour - allowing for doubling up as inside and outside terrain. But that might be overthinking it ...
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That cave system looks great - can't wait to see the finished piece!
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VERY nice painting and setup! I sincerely hope you'll allow me to use some setup photos for the Round of Fire fantasy expansion! *___*
Jack
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Thanks everyone.
@Hobgoblin - I did consider that, but the thought of texturing the 'top' etc. etc. put me off. I would like to iterate on this idea though and make some rocky areas and bridges (like Goblintown) - shouldn't be too difficult. One of the nice things about terrain like this, from big lumps of cork is that it's super robust (and therefore really easy to store). The plaster sections aren't great either, so I'll have another go at that at some point. When it's all finished I'll have a desert board (with rocky areas), the souk tiles (which will double up as the halls of a desert temple) and a cave system. Seems like a good start for desert adventure.
@Sangennary - cheers Jack, I can definitely try and get you some proper photos if you wanted once it's polished off. What's the first expansion for Round of Fire heading for? Fantasy? I doubt I can get any images as nice as your images on the concrete board you made though, it's ace.
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@Sangennary - cheers Jack, I can definitely try and get you some proper photos if you wanted once it's polished off. What's the first expansion for Round of Fire heading for? Fantasy? I doubt I can get any images as nice as your images on the concrete board you made though, it's ace.
Well, your painting is certainly better than mine!
I've got a few ideas for the first expansions, mostly very small booklets introducing new settings or game modes. And yes, i've done a bit of work with fantasy already! :)
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Love the cave terrain, lots of possibilities!
I've started working on the sci fi Mos Eisley back alley tiles:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=105975.0
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Thanks - this afternoon I managed to make time to finish a decorating and applying the 'glaze' that I use for a lot of my sand terrain - it's all looking pretty good, even if I do say so myself! If I can matte varnish tonight I'll put some pics up.
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Those cave tiles with a railway tracks could double as a mine for your 15mm western miniatures. I love Treasure of the Sierra Madre!
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I've been thinking today how good a set up 'cave' is - you can dungeon crawl, you can do fantasy and sci-fi, you can so a sort of 'indoors' thing, as though an entrance to a base (or whatever) was inside a cave. It's going to be useful!
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*not sure* If I can fire up the matte varnish today, but here's the cave system basically finished (with the glossy glaze still on the rocks).
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1228-e1513188042682.jpg)
I'd love an opinion though - I want to make it clear that this is caves so I'm thinking of painting the tops black (I'll be painting the board edges black anyway). Thoughts?
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Try flipping them over. If the tops of the rocky columns overhang the floor rather than taper up toward the viewer, then it will add to the suggestion of an overhead roof to the cave. It need not be a dramatic sweeping curve that blocks fat fingers from reaching the figures, just a gentle overhang should do it.
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I texturized the tops of my columns with rocks and plaster. Painted them generally darker. What about stalagtites?
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Thanks both - good suggestions there. Ive brushed on the first coat of matte, so I'll think on and come back to them with fresh eyes.
In the meantime, here's some pics of another barbaric hunk - very pleased with this chap
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1235-e1513212070874.jpg)
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1234-e1513212045492.jpg)
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1236-e1513212061576.jpg)
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Man, I'm starting to feel like stripping all of my barbarians and painting them anew.
Great work on that last miniature, are you still doing the layering only thing? I may have to look into that.
Cheers,
Stroezie.
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Oh no, don't say that - yours are ace. Yeah, the skin has 6 tones I think - it's a bit laborious!
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Oh no, don't say that - yours are ace. Yeah, the skin has 6 tones I think - it's a bit laborious!
Definitely gonna be in the RoF expansion. Great painting!
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That's an ace barbarian - and impressive cave system as well!
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The highlights on that fellow are fantastic! Great work!
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Wow! Great painting mate! :-* I’d be proud if I could even manage that in 28mm!
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6 tones ;D
Amazing work. Have you seen the barbarian from Khurasan miniatures? He might work with your older version of Conan.
http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/fan300.jpg
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***Edit: sorry, thanks for all nice compliments above***
Sounds a lot but the surface area is so small it feels very quick - quicker than using washes to my mind (coming from someone who until very very recently swore by washes!)
Yeah i have - I worry he's a touch small (I really like Khurasan but sometimes I find them a little small compared to my other bits), I do want to order some sci-fi bits though, so I'll probably chuck him in.
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Splendid highlighting Rory. Great job.
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Cheers chief - did our Pictish mate arrive OK?
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Not yet. Hopefully over the next day or two though... ;)
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Oh no, really? Maybe they're a casualty of Christmas post business. Give it a day or two longer and of there's no joy I can send you that one pose again, I've got 2 more of him!
Right - cave system is done and dusted
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1239-e1513341222391.jpg)
Black edging and 'cutaway' is intended to reinforce the fact that we're underground. Not sure it works, but I'm maxed on the effort I'm willing to put in to this.
Next board will be a high ravine with a bridge.
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I think that works really well. How else could you do it??
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Thanks - not sure to be honest, as someone mentioned over on The Wargames Website, it might just be that the sand colour is a touch bright for a cave, but that's tough, because I want to use the surface for over things too. I'm by no means disappointed with it though, pretty chuffed with how quickly I got it done.
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I Like it, very smart and neat. It does a good job of saying "underground" where before I could might have thought you were just playing in a very very neat canyon. :D
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It looks awesome! I personally like the black tops, it creates the illusion of being underground.
Simple modular terrain is the way to go, especially with 15mm. Using similar ground tiles will save you space in the long run too.
My caves are always dark brown. Kind of boring really. Your cave could easily double as a ravine, or quarry.
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.... it might just be that the sand colour is a touch bright for a cave, but that's tough, because I want to use the surface for over things too. I'm by no means disappointed with it though, pretty chuffed with how quickly I got it done.
Maybe adding a couple of torches in front of some spots of very light sand colour would give you enough contrast to pull of both a dark cave and a shadowy canyon without needing to darken the whole thing ?
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Love it, the black tops remind me of the Baldur's Gate games!
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Thanks folks
Love it, the black tops remind me of the Baldur's Gate games!
That cut-away isometric game thing is exactly what I was trying to achieve!
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Yeah, that black really sells the 'cave' concept. It helps that the tops are all one level, too. That conveys the sense of it being a cut-away surface, too.
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Hey, those caves are really cool!
I do like interior terrain and using black tops is Ace, I think! Makes the entire board look more like a cave than a hilly area.
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Thanks - not sure to be honest, as someone mentioned over on The Wargames Website, it might just be that the sand colour is a touch bright for a cave, but that's tough, because I want to use the surface for over things too. I'm by no means disappointed with it though, pretty chuffed with how quickly I got it done.
Maybe if you used a warm grey instead of the black, it would reduce the contrast and not make the sand look so bright.
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That's a great set-up. I really like the "cutaway" effect - not least because it makes it immediately clear where miniatures can and cannot go. If the tops were in a natural colour, players would be tempted to climb the pillars.
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.. it might just be that the sand colour is a touch bright for a cave..
I really like the idea of black areas to indicate that its a cave, but I too think its slightly spoiled by the bright sand colour. Dont get me wrong, its still good work :)
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Little last minute post before I head off for festivities
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/img_1256-e1514123756493.jpg)
Painted this lady (although, very androgynous) thinking he'd be useful in both Sci-Fi and fantatsy - a noblewoman, a diplomat, a priestess, just a civilian... another lovely Forged in Battle mini, I sculpted a hood over her head. There's also a little sculpted on her back that I intended as a Sci-Fi detail, but doesn't really detract from using her in fantasy, and I'm on a fantasy tip at the mo (hence posting her in this thread).
Anyway, merry Christmas folks!
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What a great little figure, Rory. Very useful, and wonderfully painted :-*
(Still no sign of your Pict BTW - somewhere in the Christmas post I guess... :()
Merry 15mm Christmas to you 8)
Richard
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Lovely - and that's a terrific shade for the robes.
Have a great Christmas!
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Very nice!
And merry Christmas!
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Thanks everyone.
Richard, I'll pop another one of the the pose in the post when I'm back on 28th - it was only a wee parcel, maybe it's fallen down a crack somewhere.
Merry Christmas folks!
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Great miniature, lovely paintjob and adaptibility!
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Another beauty - as you say plenty of uses for it too.
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A lovely collection of minis and terrain :D
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Nice. 8)
Would she not work for your Sci Go setting too?
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Cheers all - hope you all had nice festivities.
Nice. 8)
Would she not work for your Sci Go setting too?
Aye - in fact, she was intended for Sci-Fi originally, but I'm in the fantasy zone at the moment. I suspect she'll be a very useful mini.
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Very quick job but I painted up some of the Copplestone barbarica terrain I had squirrelled away - the cave entrances suddenly felt like they might be useful!
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/img_1311-e1516037450899.jpg)
That's them as scatter terrain on my 30x30 board.
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/img_1315-e1516037438260.jpg)
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So cool, I'm jealous!
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You're looking at about ten minutes work there in total - all my desert stuff is 'glazed' for shading which makes it super quick. They're nice little bits of scenery.
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Nice! They look good painted up, simplicity is often the best method.
I suppose if the skulls were removed they would make good beastie lairs for smaller scales too. What d’you think?
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Nice! They look good painted up, simplicity is often the best method.
I suppose if the skulls were removed they would make good beastie lairs for smaller scales too. What d’you think?
Cheers matey... yes, very satisfying to get something finished quick sharp. I reckon so - but having said that, if you were going to go to that effort it might be just as easy to make something similar with rocks/cork and a bit of filler...
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I reckon so - but having said that, if you were going to go to that effort it might be just as easy to make something similar with rocks/cork and a bit of filler...
You’re probably right, and I have got rather a lot of cork.
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The board looks great! That set-up looks perfect for a skirmish game already. And those cave mouths would be ideal for objectives ("Remove the idols from the cave temples!") for something like Pulp Alley.
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Well that does the trick. It could be a cave troll's cave, a Krayt dragon home or a hidden temple. Looks awesome. They will match well with your caverns.
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Thanks both
The board looks great! That set-up looks perfect for a skirmish game already. And those cave mouths would be ideal for objectives ("Remove the idols from the cave temples!") for something like Pulp Alley.
I was actually thinking of Pulp Alley specifically with these - one of the 3 caves is the entrance to the caverns...something something...draw a card to 'check' (I need to refresh my memory on the PA card mechanic).
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Cheers, mate. I hadn’t checked your recent updates and must say the cave-tabletop is magnificent! Great job there. I’m tempted to steal the idea!
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Hiay all,
Decided to take a few pics of everything I've painted in the past year...here's what i wrote on the blog:
I’m starting to get my brain into gear for this season of Lead Painters’ League (assuming it's on this year), and that got me thinking about everything I’ve produced since the start of the last one.
One of the things I enjoyed about LPL was that the ‘pressure’ of keeping up a consistent flow of minis at a high standard (debatable) forced me to learn a few things – it’s where I started pushing my highlights further, using less washes and more layering (because of the drying time) and got my desert basing formula down to a tee. It’s really where my consistent 15mm Sci-Fi project ‘started’.
Admittedly it’s not the most minis in the world, and I’m sure there’s painters out there who could produce this in a month (though, in all fairness, it’s not the only stuff I’ve painted) but it’s a nice and consistent cast of minis, which is all I wanted it to be. So this year, there’ll be plenty more 15mm sci-fi groups, plus a lot more 15mm Fantasy.
Here's the fantasy batch (not the easiest thing to take pics of):
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/img_13651-e1517261620890.jpg)
and I'll be posting my sci-fi version over on my sci-fi thread: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=74920.195 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=74920.195)
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That's a tremendous batch of sand-dwellers! Those children are standing a bit close to those orcs for comfort, though!
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Nice collection! :-* You make it hard to stick to 28mm! (You know....true model scale! ;))
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That's a tremendous batch of sand-dwellers! Those children are standing a bit close to those orcs for comfort, though!
Lunch!
Nice collection! :-* You make it hard to stick to 28mm! (You know....true model scale! ;))
Thank you sir! I don't know how you fellas all paint those huge lumps... takes me long enough to paint 15s!
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Managed to get a matte coat on this beastie today (sorry, photos are dodgy)
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/img_1371-e1517330873351.jpg)
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/img_1372-e1517330880357.jpg)
Useful for all kinds of scenarios I reckon - lovely little thing from Essex minis.
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Looks great - and very useful indeed! I've got a few 15mm pack animals to do when whimsy leads me back to that scale. They make excellent objectives or plot points for skirmish games, as they're less abstract than some alternatives. A few more such bactrians, and you'll have a great caravan-raid scenario ready to go with the figures above ...
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Top job, and nothing in the baggage that ties it to a specific period - will you be doing some blue ones for your sci-fi games ;) :D
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Haha even better actually - I'm sculpting bits and bobs onto the cavalry beasts from GZG crusties, they're edging nearer the front of the queue as we speak!
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Haven't updated here recently - lots of WIP bits going on:
- 7 or so adobe buildings from Crom's Anvil (and some carts, livestock etc.) for small town games.
- a load of smashed columns for ruined temple type areas (again Crom's Anvil, with a hammer take to them...)
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1416-e1518552763811.jpg)
I've ordered the Baueda mycenean city walls for some gaming outside the walls of an ancient city (I've got a cunning plan for these and how to arrange some boards for gaming inside and outside the walls).
and on my Instagram I've got a few pics of some generic city guard I've been working on. Lots of updates on the way hopefully...
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Hiya folks,
Been a little busy recently but have managed to get all the basecoating done on the above ruins, and box off some generic 'guards' - I may have bought the Baueda mycenean fort walls, so need some generic 'city guard' to go with them
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/img_1454-e1519817487441.jpg)
Really enjoyed painting these - went with trousers as opposed to skin for the legs, and I know the greaves are totally a-historical, but it doesn't really matter!
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Excellent models! :)
For the columns, may i suggest a little more chipping?
Cheers
Jack
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Thanks! You can suggest away - the issue is that they're sooooooooooooooo tough! I hit these, outside, with a metal hammer against a tarmac floor and that was the best I could do, it's unbelievably tough resin. They are dented and chipped a little more than it looks in the pics though - I might freehand some cracks etc. on as well.
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Those guards look great - and oh so handy in a game, I'll wager. You can never have enough city guards ...
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Cheers - exactly! I'm working towards a whole series of RPG/Skirmish games following the exploits of a 'Witcher' type character, so all my focus at the mo is generic 'encounter' type minis. It's an endless list!!
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Thanks! You can suggest away - the issue is that they're sooooooooooooooo tough! I hit these, outside, with a metal hammer against a tarmac floor and that was the best I could do, it's unbelievably tough resin. They are dented and chipped a little more than it looks in the pics though - I might freehand some cracks etc. on as well.
That sounds interesting! You could freehand chips indeed, and if it's the only solution it sounds quite right!
Your collection is really becoming more and more epic! I'd love to see RoF played with that! Did you try it fantasy already? There are some samples in the manual, i believe.
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Thanks dude - lots and lots on the painting desk at the moment too, it's going to increase massively over the next few months.
No I haven't actually - I've only had one play through for Sci-Fi (which I really liked!) but I should try and stat something up soon - maybe I'll give it a go to celebrate finishing the ruins!
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Keep up the good work, it's great following your projects!
Love the pillars and the amazing guards. Also: could there be historical accuracy in a fantasy world?
As long as there's something resembling internal consistency, I'm happy!
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Keep up the good work, it's great following your projects!
Love the pillars and the amazing guards. Also: could there be historical accuracy in a fantasy world?
As long as there's something resembling internal consistency, I'm happy!
Thanks matey - yes exactly, vaguely historical is fine by me! (Despite painting up some orcs I want this project to be pretty low fantatsy/human-centric)
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I don’t know why I haven’t posted on this sooner. What a very inspirational thread, the quality of your painting is astounding for 15s!
Could you do a comparison of FiB against a Copplestone mini if you get a mo? I thought the Barbarians were huge but it doesn’t look like they are from your thread. I keep toying with the idea of a 15mm LOTR/generic fantasy project but it never gets off the ground.
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Thanks very much!
They're not that massive - much bigger than 'true' 15s if you're used to the older historical brands but very similar in size to most modern 15mm Sci Fi. They're smaller than Eureka's 18mm not-LotR range (which is right on the edge of what I find acceptable scale-wise).
FiB are slighter but similar height, they scale absolutely fine to me (I'm not a massive scale fiend though).
I'll try pop a pic up later.
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Thanks! You can suggest away - the issue is that they're sooooooooooooooo tough! I hit these, outside, with a metal hammer against a tarmac floor and that was the best I could do, it's unbelievably tough resin. They are dented and chipped a little more than it looks in the pics though - I might freehand some cracks etc. on as well.
If you need any cast in plaster let me know.
:D
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Thanks! You can suggest away - the issue is that they're sooooooooooooooo tough! I hit these, outside, with a metal hammer against a tarmac floor and that was the best I could do, it's unbelievably tough resin. They are dented and chipped a little more than it looks in the pics though - I might freehand some cracks etc. on as well.
If you have one, try a small chisel or nail punch. That should cut into the surface and give you some goos splitting.
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you could even split them like actual marble. Drill a small hole, insert the points of two nails into the drill hole, them hammer both the nails into the hole. It forces the piece to crack.
it'll be far easier on resin that on marble, trust me! :)
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If you need any cast in plaster let me know.
:D
Thanks matey - I think I did an OK job in the end.
Haven't taken proper pics but here's some ripped from my instagram today (I was trialling the new version of Five Parsecs from Home)
(https://scontent-lht6-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/75405ca9574d7f04b8caad60eea39c1b/5B70FC8D/t51.2885-15/e35/29094244_816992798498439_2215567314957369344_n.jpg)
I regret the base shapes being so neat, but other than that I'm pretty happy with them. They also took about 45 minutes in total I reckon, so easy to have another go.
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Wow, that looks ace!
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Hiya all,
Managed to get this chap done at the weekend (including his base edge since I took the pic) - a cheeky little homage to the very excellent Head Lopper comic
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/img_1592-e1524608721105.jpg)
(https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/005/299/910/large/ivan-elyasov-hex-lopper-2.jpg)
Another great comic form Image Comics
I've got a big chunk of Crom's Anvil buildings about 80% done, so hopefully they'll pop up next.
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Great work, as always!
I'm looking forward to see your new terrain!
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Hiya all,
Managed to get this chap done at the weekend (including his base edge since I took the pic) - a cheeky little homage to the very excellent Head Lopper comic
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/img_1592-e1524608721105.jpg)
(https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/005/299/910/large/ivan-elyasov-hex-lopper-2.jpg)
Another great comic form Image Comics
I've got a big chunk of Crom's Anvil buildings about 80% done, so hopefully they'll pop up next.
Hi Jagannath,
Great mini! Is that a head-swap? I remember I own the pose, but mine has ssifferent hair.
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Very impressive painting. You do 15mm better than I do 28mm :-[
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Cheers both.
No DivisMal, it’s just a cheeky bit of greenstuff to build the beard.
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Brilliant little conversion and paint job to your usual high standards.
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Great stuff: the new beard works really well - and the painting's top-notch!
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Sorry, missed these responses - thanks both. I’m pretty pleased with him!
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It's been a while!
Slowly adding things to this project, I painted these fantastic minis a while ago . I’ve still got some more of the excellent Beastman range to finish off too – very cool release from Khurasan. Minotaur couldn’t fit in better to the mish-mash desert fantasy setting I’m slowly accumulating.
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_2275.jpg?w=1000)
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Really cool minis with really good paintjobs!
As usual, it's a pleasure watching your work!
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Whoah! Those are absolute beauties! Great paintwork!
The models are terrific too. The huge heads are something that both makes sense (bulls' heads being huge) and is done far too infrequently in fantasy illustrations and minotaurs. I always liked the way that Pauline Baynes' Narnian minotaurs had huge heads.
Great stuff!
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Lovely brushwork
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Lovely painting and hobbying in this thread.
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Nice paintwork Rory :)
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Wow! Great painting! :o I think that's on3 of my favourites of yours so far! That brown..... :-*
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Thanks everyone - I'm very pleased with them, and they were a joy to paint. Increasingly I'm enjoying skin and smoother surfaces, much easier for my painting style.
Whoah! Those are absolute beauties! Great paintwork!
The models are terrific too. The huge heads are something that both makes sense (bulls' heads being huge) and is done far too infrequently in fantasy illustrations and minotaurs. I always liked the way that Pauline Baynes' Narnian minotaurs had huge heads.
I think the big heads is also what makes it clear they're 15mm, somehow (as opposed to just big beastmen). They're really great sculpts - I don't know who Khurasan uses.
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Great work on the minotaur. You're right with the big head, it gives them a certain 'look' that works in 15mm.
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lovely work.
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Happy new year all!
Kicking off 2019 nicely, I’ve finished up this group of bandits and general ruffians.
(https://bladesandblastersdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/img_2340-e1546732101220.jpg)
These guys are drawn from a few different Forged in Battle packs, and I wanted them to represent a mix of races and backgrounds – I originally pictured them as escaped slaves (indeed, a couple of them are from the Spartacus slave rebellion packs) – and now I think of them as more general ne’er-do-wells, but still a mixed group down on their luck. Like old west bandits.
All in all I think they’ll be really useful for little ambush scenarios and raids.
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Sweet! And happy 2019!
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Thanks mate - and to you too. Looking forward to seeing what you produce this year!
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Just discovered this thread and wish I hadn’t...your 15mm pjs are much better than mine in 28mm damn you...
;) lol
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Excellent work on these! The dark-skinned guy with the big shield is particularly good, but they're all great: a really characterful crew of villains.
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Great group, sure wouldn't like to meet them a dark night in the desert...
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Thanks all
Just discovered this thread and wish I hadn’t...your 15mm pjs are much better than mine in 28mm damn you...
;) lol
Haha my projects don’t have quite the ambition yours do though!
Excellent work on these! The dark-skinned guy with the big shield is particularly good, but they're all great: a really characterful crew of villains.
Cheers - he’s my favourite, I absolutely love the pose of that sculpt. I added a greenstuff fur shoulder thing to make him look a bit more imposing. I’m not certain the animal skin shield works that well though.
Great group, sure wouldn't like to meet them a dark night in the desert...
Haha that’s the idea!
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Wow, amazing work here. Really inspirational! :)
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Wow, amazing work here. Really inspirational! :)
Thanks mate, that’s kind - I’ve got so much more half finished for this thread, should have loads to update soon.