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Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: area23 on February 08, 2018, 06:43:06 PM

Title: Return to Middle Earth [Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: area23 on February 08, 2018, 06:43:06 PM
The new Oathmark toys inspired me to get out my old Grenadier Half-orc/Uruk hai army and try to finish them.
These ones are all dark red, as was the fashion after the LotR movies came out. These days I'm more into black or dark grey skin for orcs, so I'll change some and add more newly painted ones.

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QN5UDyP7rI/WhrZyLLol6I/AAAAAAAAAv4/TCu1DVjbPBgEB19cZCOlNjMcD3F3pdr_ACLcBGAs/s1600/uruk02.jpg)

Some half-orcs got a headswap with West Wind arthurian seperate heads, to have a bit of variation. Five troopers is not enough.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0RhYDBNfLc/WhrXgQ1hFoI/AAAAAAAAAvk/DmdCboVhj1ghaR-sp-jjtYT4cJPqRliagCLcBGAs/s1600/uruk03.jpg)

I already used Copplestone Yeti's as hill-trolls. This new two-headed Frostgrave troll of course works as a perfect addition.

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBD3cHQbWB4/WjgvFOL2t2I/AAAAAAAAAw0/3sxGOF5nEzE3vQZCjuutFZghjg2yuqpoQCLcBGAs/s1600/orc_troll.jpg)
Title: Re: Uruk Hai army thread
Post by: Quendil on February 08, 2018, 07:21:40 PM
Looking good, will follow with interest
Title: Re: Uruk Hai army thread
Post by: Patrice on February 08, 2018, 07:29:14 PM
Excellent, I like them! :)
...Any skin colour is better than green anyway. :D
Title: Re: Uruk Hai army thread
Post by: Sunjester on February 09, 2018, 08:29:21 AM
A lovely job on some great figures.
Title: Re: Uruk Hai army thread
Post by: Anselm van Helsing on February 09, 2018, 02:52:06 PM
Got these minis unpainted, and this inspires. Nice paintjobs!
Title: Re: Uruk Hai army thread
Post by: Hubminator on February 09, 2018, 07:07:20 PM
Hi there, was reading through your blog (very cool by the way :)) and I saw you mention that you were waiting for more of the half orcs to be released, you may know this already but Miriliton in Italy sell the minis and they have a set of half orc pikemen that I could not see in any of your photos

http://www.mirliton.it/product_info.php?pName=half-orc-with-pike&cName=fantasy-2528mm-half-orc

Just thought I'd let you know in case you weren't aware, cheers :)
Title: Re: Uruk Hai army thread
Post by: area23 on February 10, 2018, 06:35:46 PM
I know them, thanks! Those Mriliton pike-men are conversions made after the LotR movie came out. I prefer to use originals, or convert them myself.
Title: Re: Uruk Hai army thread
Post by: Garanhir on February 10, 2018, 11:54:48 PM
I adore those Copplestone half-orcs. Except for the bows; not mad keen on the bows, although they look better if they're strung.
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread
Post by: area23 on February 25, 2018, 08:54:22 PM
This dabbling with Middle Earth completely escalated and now I'm doing several projects at once.
I'm really happy with these easy conversions of West Wind age of Arthur figures. These are all late romans but some have Pictisch heads. Dunedain rangers of the north. Both regular rangers but also Grey Company members. I'll do them with shields because so I can do Winter King style shieldwalls.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVmvFfzWFHE/WpKdC4lg1ZI/AAAAAAAAAxw/S4y-hpZUEeY91jHSbrHdlaUWobxqMhQQACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180218_143923.jpg)

I remembered I did something similar years ago with Crusader late romans and West Wind saxon heads to make footsoldiers of Rohan, the poor men that defend Helms Deep.

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J_joB0dPWHQ/WpKdUCVbClI/AAAAAAAAAx0/4uF_YheccjIh14Xu2MPfxS5ulnxNytKFgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180225_121003.jpg)

I incorporated a werewolf in my or army. Sauron was the lord of the werewolves since the days of Morgoth.
These are not shapeshifting lycantropes but "dreadful spirits imprisoned in wolf bodies" by Sauron.
A nasty creature that might lead a band of orcs and wolves. Not as powerful as a Ringwraith or Balrog but still a powerful monster.

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Pyo527fEk/WpKeLH8JbvI/AAAAAAAAAyA/f4oNEvcwCCs6ZxPESHIjax7OFRr2QIhVACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180225_104902.jpg)

After years I decided what to do with these Ancient Germans. They will be Hillmen of Angmar, servants of the Witch King.
'Hillmen' is a generic term in LotR for tribes of 'savages', and there were also hillmen at Angmar. I read somewhere that the men of Rohan were related to the men of Dale and Laketown. It's quite plausible then that other related tribes moved west past Mount Gundabad into Angmar.
This is basically because I want to paint them as early germans, otherwise I would have used them as dark haired Dunlendings.

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tEeHQOLkuTE/WpKh3vHlM8I/AAAAAAAAAyU/1fICRFxvkfgnlN4caacMVbq-GAsz0lxRQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180225_120939.jpg)

Last but not least, a Grenadier/Mirliton Balrog.

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l2BM0wxy9bU/WpKRPaYDosI/AAAAAAAAAxU/Wl_dLtybu1QHnRPXqnoUzoZfZaBlgoaiACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180216_191602.jpg)
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dúnedain and werewolf]
Post by: Loop on February 25, 2018, 11:20:07 PM
Lovely project, right up my street. I particularly like the use of the Westwind figures; I’ve used a selection of their dark age heads with both Perry and Northstar bodies, there are some really characterful faces in that range.

Is the werewolf one of the new Northstar sculpts? They’re in my shopping list but I wasn’t sure how tall they were. I was worried that they would be too big but the scale looks good mixed with the goblins.

I’m not sure if you’re aware of them but the recent ‘Adventures in Middle Earth’ D&D sourcebooks by Cubicle 7 are worth a gander if you want some artistic or gaming inspiration that’s neither from the Peter Jackson or the classic Alan Lee, John Howe, Hilderbrant etc. interpretations.
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dúnedain and werewolf]
Post by: Ethelred the Almost Ready on February 26, 2018, 04:22:39 AM
The werewolf looks a great sculpt.  Enough wolf and man without going to cartoon-like features.
I do like those Mirliton/Grenadier half orcs.  I have often be tempted to get some.
Has the Balrog borrowed a costume from the original Planet of the Apes?
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dúnedain and werewolf]
Post by: Sunjester on February 26, 2018, 07:41:26 AM
Bags of character in those Dunedain and that werewolf is a fantastic model.
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dúnedain and werewolf]
Post by: Severian on February 26, 2018, 05:16:39 PM
Great stuff! Lots of good figures and some great adaptations. The Dunedain and German/Angmar hillmen are splendid. I have stacks of German tribesmen somewhere in the lead pile and you've hit on a very plausible use for them...

I'll echo the praise for the werewolf. He's a cracking sculpt. Who makes him? I don't recognise him but could easily have missed him.

Has the Balrog borrowed a costume from the original Planet of the Apes?

Now that you mention it...
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dúnedain and werewolf]
Post by: area23 on February 27, 2018, 09:15:54 AM
The werewolf is from North Star, from the Dracula's America range.  Copplestone sculpt just like the orcs above.

thanks all!
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dúnedain Grey Company and Corsairs)
Post by: area23 on March 13, 2018, 04:02:53 PM
Some new toys.
The first four of the Grey Company, the armoured Dúnedain rangers of the North.
West Wind Arthurians with the Star of the Dunedain on their shields.

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vvNECFV1KM/Wqfk5EIkICI/AAAAAAAAAyw/lP9XJVmQbLAPaQCSN-BUNXWp7e3wMHMBACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180311_212203.jpg)

Corsairs of Umbar.
These are based on 6th century Berbers/Moors at the time of the Vandalic empire. The rank and file will be Numidians.

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESL4VbPewtE/WqfuDu5szsI/AAAAAAAAAzE/p007j0sJpdAUwHnvQ5ygDT6xCrM01ewNwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180311_201500.jpg)

and wicked orc drummers in the deep.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk6JFcdd_sM/WqfkzkgeDtI/AAAAAAAAAys/aMVi2mN7Xg8_3XBgI47bZvRN79lf9Yp9ACLcBGAs/s1600/drums.jpg)

Much more incoherent rambling on my blog (https://area-23.blogspot.it/2018/03/dunedain-of-north.html).
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dúnedain Grey Company and Corsairs)
Post by: arget8 on March 14, 2018, 02:22:13 PM
I really like this project. If I ever do a "True" Tolkein Middle Earth project, the Arthurian era is definitely the way I'll go as well. Are you planning on using the Northstar orcs?
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dúnedain Grey Company and Corsairs)
Post by: area23 on May 05, 2018, 08:12:17 AM
I decided how to do Dunlendings and half-orc 'goblin men'. For the Dunlendings I use a mix of Bizantine Varangians and tribal Irish, to reflect the difference between normal men and nobles armed and armoured by Saruman. For the goblin men I'll be using Normans. They were described as having long mail coats and axes at the Fords of Isen. With no beards they'll be easy enough to modify.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2IiWzf82rk/WuzPUnH5WAI/AAAAAAAAAzw/cq7n7rtoNcUOJdQDhFm9EwXGl2yo2j6VQCEwYBhgL/s1600/dunlendings.jpg)

I managed to paint these old conversions I did of Rohan footsoldiers. Mostly Crusader Arthurians with West Wind heads and Foundry ancient germanic command. Shields are Little Big Men and Schildschmiede from Germany who do several Rohan 'pferdeherren' waterslide transfers.
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AzQmT10c28Y/WuzPmWcdfHI/AAAAAAAAA0A/s7D6nL3lnAEVEGYzX9rw9pxbTsLTg9XngCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180402_133341.jpg)

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hK-nmFwlAcE/WuzPsnBhu2I/AAAAAAAAA0E/thH_1baqMUwD0s-VPe-v9Il4T1K0KExIgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180402_133107.jpg)

I used Oathmark goblins with Wargames Factory orc heads to make these Gundabad orcs. Works pretty well.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jIudxf5wqkc/WuzPzvLOp-I/AAAAAAAAA0I/2KycTk10N8gGM4CkRHpziQ0eRdNQMfxOQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180325_211453.jpg)

Gollum
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9eb6bN8vco/WuzPdvZkP8I/AAAAAAAAAzs/FfQXDVTf_LcBgbkcM7iJsaZeN6Uc2wEwgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180330_213621.jpg)

A Balrog. Rackham Fomor being converted. I'm not sure if I'll give him a sword or a whip.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3RQId81mSw0/WuzPUxZLDhI/AAAAAAAAA0E/msD3xUpxq8Ikh43hAZ_P3HQrRRuj9AhggCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20180428_091657.jpg)
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dunlendings, Rohirrim, Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: Ethelred the Almost Ready on May 05, 2018, 07:27:34 PM
What's wrong with giving him both?

Nice work there.  The old Wargames Factory goblin heads work well on the Oathmark bodies.
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dunlendings, Rohirrim, Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: Severian on May 06, 2018, 05:01:46 PM
Lots more good things here and much food for thought.

That balrog has great potential. And the WF/Oathmark conversions look the part. Like those Rohirric shield transfers, too - nice find!
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dunlendings, Rohirrim, Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: Bloodsbane on May 09, 2018, 08:03:35 AM
The wargames factory heads are looking perfect on the Oathmark bodies! Excellent stuff all around.
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth thread [Dunlendings, Rohirrim, Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: area23 on March 15, 2020, 08:41:43 PM
*Bump*

I painted my old Grenadier goblins. Black undercoat, drybrushed with GW wraithbone and coloured with contrast paints.
Took me only thirty years to get these done.

Gundabad goblins.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAoznv-cSl0/Xm6NRjIxItI/AAAAAAAABC0/7uPH-a0Xbe0zp4iGjUbB1UL0L58E_G6mwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20200315_123536.jpg)

and an orc bannerbearer.

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuwZKfgBDsc/Xm6NOqLFjyI/AAAAAAAABCo/hinaYcAuMlE65YAGiZRy0On5jG16mL3DwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200314_172122.jpg)
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth [Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: area23 on March 29, 2020, 08:10:24 PM
The Deadmen of Dunharrow.
Grenadier Miniatures by Nick Lund and Bob Naismith.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJsez3XrVr0/XoD1Zm3CHOI/AAAAAAAABDk/a4Azs_DykCMxwiavKYJQkAFl2ErYe9hygCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoCo2NbgPBtzAq1LAylS2QoZ2PdgqZ8SagJSiVDivzBnp98w5TfFUQnKNqHZUeQQl2Zva47FvYEhtHNB_3dC1te0tqCOQ8qibOoxDaoTJHFWzSVzuCR7iZKvSp-Z01YRHNelxmjJ9_MKZ-dwKKWhgp3c8khu9foBclQzPuRVaHhqn2VM7e39xtfqYJ1oHAVkXpmqtK8XSDav33cfqCOnLInjSVv1co9iadra8cwuVEBSpwrdzh4TAB2VcUURTgsOXWfhQG2ko8FKqB8Wm8Zcw1p6rEGUpyYkkxfJoKQdi8Qds_xugrvVl_TFCjY-QHHCSIM1T4YzALLlP4ar5Q3COy3_aXj1xYBWZsRL6SM8dI53moWEo1rBAK_6lGtot1FALPhMn07VnlmJVsNj1wJQu0dwntBo6XM4na1936BVPsne-ZeVJ28jNwofcRk4sWpHoCZSlz54SfqFwaGCrJGbVAVB1KrCrYCz9RX-qI_-1kE_bKOXTxAKFybjXH1AhuU4T01OQ_4RzyXUq3E1tN-Jb5DKZSZq31drItOSnPwizqRtM8co2JrWMp_MmRBSroFYyXaxCQBHaY6EDDlvHHeBA55v_MYwXUAPPkYw9POD9AU/s1600/IMG_20200324_220446.jpg)

Two Frostgrave wraiths painted as Ralph Bakshi style Ringwraiths.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjHfY1Hmz5A/XoD1amBZ_NI/AAAAAAAABDo/AX8xFlVHlZcue8PzvYMWqAGfowjL0OR_gCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoCo2NbgPBtzAq1LAylS2QoZ2PdgqZ8SagJSiVDivzBnp98w5TfFUQnKNqHZUeQQl2Zva47FvYEhtHNB_3dC1te0tqCOQ8qibOoxDaoTJHFWzSVzuCR7iZKvSp-Z01YRHNelxmjJ9_MKZ-dwKKWhgp3c8khu9foBclQzPuRVaHhqn2VM7e39xtfqYJ1oHAVkXpmqtK8XSDav33cfqCOnLInjSVv1co9iadra8cwuVEBSpwrdzh4TAB2VcUURTgsOXWfhQG2ko8FKqB8Wm8Zcw1p6rEGUpyYkkxfJoKQdi8Qds_xugrvVl_TFCjY-QHHCSIM1T4YzALLlP4ar5Q3COy3_aXj1xYBWZsRL6SM8dI53moWEo1rBAK_6lGtot1FALPhMn07VnlmJVsNj1wJQu0dwntBo6XM4na1936BVPsne-ZeVJ28jNwofcRk4sWpHoCZSlz54SfqFwaGCrJGbVAVB1KrCrYCz9RX-qI_-1kE_bKOXTxAKFybjXH1AhuU4T01OQ_4RzyXUq3E1tN-Jb5DKZSZq31drItOSnPwizqRtM8co2JrWMp_MmRBSroFYyXaxCQBHaY6EDDlvHHeBA55v_MYwXUAPPkYw9POD9AU/s1600/IMG_20200327_183408.jpg)

and some 20mm. orcs from Rebel Minis. Angus McBride MERP-style orcs.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHMDJ2JW8B8/XoD1int1tYI/AAAAAAAABDs/gSaDReuZt181mxaPEp2-OIlSAhti_4jbgCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoBFUWHc5XIqW5xDadCu7kfxnaEeZcJggMJJluO8cwb8E22uTEFtJGgdLUrnUxI-9OMQkXbrjk71p3_Q3_dcviIoW0AzRoCaqemMRe9OmNEa7pv-z8TiX_aTQKr7VSQo1_SXS0GEtwyeqJEdZPvf5E79VXF6NPeZ37LA8ghVIgJuo5luDtB-XOuko1j4FoxJSyJkttZWHLIwDsB2tA7exMqnV17wxtx8bZGCtjBkt5nZfA3l0hDte_Yh4C0h7Nq2MN6IHNCwAZi1QnqsGgTYYzV29ZCHNFC6Zpyb8rYA3r5dXL-J1Cn8_iQ9iY2EZJfR1AwnpTqw7b-J-62uINiw2YdRcW_GxZWLsgc-UgnZRwCippXWxF6AzdkNaGcnrLargBwRI-pM_aoPqcAh_Hv5bM8ABzKWJPXePV9O9bysM40GSbUO0ClFk4uPvwluTFRgfsj1-V0PRXVsw-vZuGiqueVjnV3xGlW8lZgsxO_boKaPW2Uy2rmzgNgKTgAkxVX_i8gmaEZxiPPjUUtLHbY7BFExTPrjzQ-lrtAxeWRDrfJ3oCxV1Ye2hSUU85rr3e1VfQLz1kqXpypeb0OVwXy8t9Zjjeq9OZvOg_8wpvWD9AU/s1600/IMG_20200324_203040.jpg)
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth [Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: beefcake on March 29, 2020, 09:58:49 PM
Very nice. Love the Frostgrave skellies as Ring Wraiths!
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth [Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on March 29, 2020, 10:53:59 PM
Some great ideas and execution here, thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth [Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: Ethelred the Almost Ready on March 30, 2020, 03:20:57 AM
Thanks for sharing these pictures.  Looks like a great project.
How big are those 20mm orcs when compared to 28mm figures?


Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth [Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: Swordisdrawn on March 30, 2020, 05:41:08 AM
Brilliant stuff!
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth [Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: area23 on March 31, 2020, 04:58:43 PM
Thanks for sharing these pictures.  Looks like a great project.
How big are those 20mm orcs when compared to 28mm figures?
They're about the size of the original GW plastic Moria goblins, but the proportions are different. I wouldn't use them as 28mm.
Unfortunately, as they are brilliant miniatures.
Title: Re: Return to Middle Earth [Gundabad goblins P.2]
Post by: Melnibonean on March 31, 2020, 09:31:28 PM
Some great stuff here.