Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: guitarheroandy on November 11, 2019, 01:10:22 PM
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I've been bitten by the Tolkien bug again after playing an excellent game with James Morris's excellent home-grown rules a few weeks ago. I've started painting Elves - GW Rivendell models to be precise. I know they aren't really very 'Silmarillion' what with their plate armour and weird swords, but I've always liked them. (Actually, I've done some converting to replace the swords, but more on that later.)
Anyway, I've got almost 52 models in various stages of base coating/dipping/dullcoating so I can start the highlighting. To relieve the monotony of this process, I've painted a banner for the Elven hero who will lead the army. I decided I wanted a generic force rather than one tied to a particular named hero/kingdom. So here it is: Based on the Elves' love of the stars and also the two trees of Valinor. It was tough to do with all those fine line details, but I'm dead pleased with it!
The first Elven infantry will hopefully be done within the next week or so. Watch this space!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJws8fZ-r3g/XclYXDtttjI/AAAAAAAAEa8/7j05PCCkJMo_OaMmrWUMwDrl7-pCwZnqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2650.jpg)
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Superb banner :-*
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Very smart banner. Look forward to seeing the elves. Have u decided on a colour pallette?
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Amazing free hand, I wouldn’t try anything that intricate
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Excellent!
I'm considering a silmarillion project myself but fancy a human/orc storyline (based around Turin) rather than and elvish one.
Looking forward to seeing how you get on.
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Excellent banner!
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Very smart banner. Look forward to seeing the elves. Have u decided on a colour pallette?
Thank you.
Colour palette- Yes: I was inspired by these lines from the Silmarillion referring to the Host of Gondolin arriving at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad:
"For unsummoned and unlooked for, Turgon had opened the Leaguer of Gondolin and was come with an army 10,000 strong, with bright mail and long swords and spears like a forest... Now he hastened to the aid of his brother; and the Gondolindhrim were strong and clad in mail and their ranks shone like a river of steel in the sun."
Consequently, the armour will be silver, not the gold seen in Fellowship of the Ring movie. The tunics will be Foundry Arctic Grey and will have final highlights of white. They'll have hem decoration in Foundry Slate Grey. The cloaks will be Foundry Union Trouser Blue, with hem decoration in Foundry Union Blue and the waist sashes will be Foundry Royal Purple. Shields will be done in slivery metallics with Union Blue (Light) as a base - i.e. not all of the shield will be metallic and I'm thinking of painting the bosses as blue jewels, as I've seen this done in various armies online and it looks very cool. I'm hoping that this will give them a very bright look to match the above quote as much as possible.
Here's a WIP pic at the base coating stage. They look a bit crap here but they've had dip added since this was taken and they already look 200% better - once highlighted they'll really pop!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGceU4nvprc/XcmK8eBzdvI/AAAAAAAAEbI/kqP_MmVvPyckfY_A-SrxxyqoMd3ga_JigCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/59439257984__2DCB813F-2E97-487D-8F98-D34B34E3CB7B.JPG)
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Excellent indeed. Really good choice of colours :D
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Very well done banner! Evocative! :-*
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Brilliant banner! Great project and I like your thought process on it. Looking forward to seeing your continuing progress.
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In order to spur myself on with this colossal painting task I've set myself, I have painted one figure to completion. This has been a real encouragement, not least because:
a) it's the first figure I've painted in months and months
b) I can still paint!
c) I love the colour scheme I've chosen.
I'm even more excited to complete the unit and get onto the others now.
Anyway, here are some pic. Not great photos as they were done on my phone late tonight but they'll give you an idea. I love the replacement sword and the Unreleased Miniatures Elf shield looks cool (the spearmen will have the stock GW shields.)
I'm also pleased with the conversion. The left arm repositioning has worked well, I think. I was going to paint hem decoration on the tunic, but once I'd done the cloak I realised that the tunic as well might be overkill. I might do that on the hero figures only, I think. Anyway, see what you think... (EDIT: Sorry about the huge picture size! I'll alter that in future...)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUUPrVOrs_U/Xc3lwcgtLUI/AAAAAAAAEbc/90WfGecmnekNWrTp-Bg7Rhhxf-Q14Tf5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91LAnBleeoM/Xc3lwYu6EkI/AAAAAAAAEbg/lCdY5LD5YtsRbIF-cJxqi9tNssCTIFz4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2669.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16fbt42blt4/Xc3lwcfrALI/AAAAAAAAEbY/hrK-r-ce-jMUKV4eJWFpvDgaxC59FaXMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG)
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Nice work!
The picture size seems fine to me,I can see your beautiful painting :)
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Great work! Brilliant color scheme and conversion work.
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Excellent. The colours really complement the elf miniature. Photo looks great to me. :o
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So I finished the unit of swordsmen. I'm pleased with these. I like the colour scheme very much and the shining steel armour looks so much better than the gold from the movies (to me anyway.) I have a unit of archers and one of spearmen ready for highlighting next and am base coating a hero command base as well.
Photos aren't great - it's hard getting good pics in my house at any time of day, even with a daylight lamp, but this'll give you an idea.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf5I29BjAGI/XdhtUKtNI-I/AAAAAAAAEcU/P8wsAJmoLxwaix8oZoh0aAkSPwk0VLM-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00457.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--85PbqxMX2o/XdhtT2jtpDI/AAAAAAAAEcM/i3MvBgbC8F89u_UAeiDYuCqPJjrXNur-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00458.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WSmewTa6gBM/XdhtUF3XkvI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/OiLQvyPCfkwRyaXaap45HxpKXGmqokauwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00459.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2UszmD-7J04/XdhtVJKTFcI/AAAAAAAAEcY/HEMLVKlMY64Xp9EwdHVNoyTIWyIcnxKIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00460.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9qOXStCo0o/XdhtWOVF_PI/AAAAAAAAEcc/8-joPNcdIOwOHzRWw2l5iLEpXls2R3zMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00461.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNfxt160bWI/XdhtWtdBG0I/AAAAAAAAEcg/3oQCaqM-WRYWwsUobAahiCawgy1SCb2cgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00463.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tx8bDhuQ2ss/XdhtW7VSSjI/AAAAAAAAEck/fyad6FiPdy8kUNmSrfybQbW3MzVceOuEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00464.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqzxm6mWkgs/XdhtXlPogGI/AAAAAAAAEco/dVksW708kfU-vpDY0TwX7pz2DSr1z_y8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00465.JPG)
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Lovely paint jobs, great choice of palette
:)
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Great job... your freehand is really good... also like the jewel tone on the shields.
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So I finished my first unit of Elf spearmen. They weren’t easy to work with. As per my recently finished swordsmen, I wanted to convert the original models. There were two reasons for this; the first one is that the GW/movie Elf spearmen carry a weapon more akin to a Japanese naginata than a typical spear. These look more like a ‘cut and thrust’ weapon that would be used two-handed rather than used with the shield that these Elves carry. Also, as I’d replaced the glaives with broadswords on my swordsmen, I wanted a look that tied in with them.
The second reason is that these models are Finecast – a more badly named material I can’t possibly imagine! The spears that came with the set (I got them from EBAY) were all either bent or broken and it certainly wasn’t due to the seller packing them poorly. Apparently if they are bent, one can straighten them under hot water! Now given that these models cost £4 each if bought new, that’s a bit crap! Pay £4 for a model - oh and by the way you have to straighten its spear! Also, they are prone to miscast. One of mine has a miscast helmet. Not acceptable really… Maybe these were early ones, as when GW first produced Finecast, there were numerous issues with it. Anyway, luckily, the material is easy to cut so replacing the spears was relatively easy. There were also numerous bits of flash everywhere. I did manage to clean them up pretty well, but not perfectly.
Anyway, despite the issues with the material, they painted up well in the end. I’m really pleased with the way the colour scheme works on these. I like the Foundry Union Blue Light which I used for the background to the shield. It goes well with the overall scheme but being darker than the other blues just provides a nice contrast. I have one more unit of these to paint, half of which are the old metal ones which, while having fewer casting issues, were a lot harder to convert. However, next up will be the first of three units of archers.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wEc-DljzUPc/XeBG5OTSLpI/AAAAAAAAEfY/kteFw4czB1opB6ADz5SgEFBZt9UO-aJUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2Bspear%2B1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YINwXuWi2Jc/XeBG2aiGyYI/AAAAAAAAEfA/98aaSw3cn4gRJAFPkvoQrnklIdqyKM1cACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2BSpear%2B2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5L7hrtbngQs/XeBG3oi8CFI/AAAAAAAAEfE/wTxJH-Z_GXYiZ92sr76WaQnXNgcryYA-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2BSpear%2B3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDcAOWvhUac/XeBG4B4uP2I/AAAAAAAAEfM/3fs8HYy3IDkdtdBYpyzVgOBKea6JUqITQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2BSpear%2B4.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VV3ljcd3xn0/XeBG2KaIWPI/AAAAAAAAEe8/jJ7kaFzBvtQRDsboHhztEIHqYCEr8xkBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2BBanner%2B1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFbRZOpjim0/XeBG2Ok3yuI/AAAAAAAAEe4/O6G9jimp6hU4MFlqR4vzCC2Y0epqWAL8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2BBanner%2B2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jATjHHuwC1U/XeBG39c7O5I/AAAAAAAAEfI/6PzP1Z0HSDo5fdimaRtqKqLuCSgdfzpeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2BSpear%2B5.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01YcA7U_XU0/XeBG4gRSX0I/AAAAAAAAEfQ/uBJc0_iH_XgBPnozMESXSl617IhYG8d4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2BSpear%2B6.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qilzGgRS4s/XeBG410bqAI/AAAAAAAAEfU/yh826U3twaISkIXnm9nWOAYRVP2geoy0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2BSpear%2B7.JPG)
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They look terrific!
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Another beautiful paint job!
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Fantastic :o
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Excellent work.
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Very well done and I like this color palette!
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Also, they are prone to miscast. One of mine has a miscast helmet. Not acceptable really… Maybe these were early ones, as when GW first produced Finecast, there were numerous issues with it.
Yeah, I've seen that claim thrown around (that only the early sculpts had this many issues), but I can't say I have seen any proof of it thus far. Earlier this year I got a made-to-order "fine"cast figure that presumably was cast freshly for that purpose (as is the idea behind the sort of print-on-demand nature of those temporary releases), and it was as poor as any I've seen from years back. As were the various kits I got in-between those. Although I love the range and there exist a fair few figures I'd like to add and new factions I'd start collecting in a heartbeat, I've had it with that rubbish resin. The vents and other support structures make them an absolute pain to clean up, and even with those they somehow manage to have bubbles in the worst possible places!
But that's enough of a rant for now. >:( :D
Great work on these, the spears work very well (tempted to do the same, although I'd feel bad about drilling the metals in my collection, and am unsurprisingly reluctant to get more of these "fine"cast versions!). The colour scheme perfectly encapsulates the elegant, vibrant yet restrained Elves I feel. The simple white, neutral cold blue with the rich purple.
Certainly looking forward to seeing the next batch, and what you will do with the heroes.
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...And we return to Beleriand, where recruitment continues...
May I present to you the Elf commander with his banner bearer? I realise that elements of this banner may point to Gil Galad (the stars) but this chap is intended to be an unnamed Elven lord who can see service in any of the wars of Beleriand or even the War of Sauron & The Elves or the Last Alliance (as I see fit.)
Before anyone says anything, I am very aware that the sword and sword-hand are too big. I chopped off the ridiculous glaive and then went hunting for a plastic replacement as per my Elf swordsmen. However, none of my Numenorian or Gondor swords fit the bill so it had to be an Oathmark one and this one had the best angle for the arm position. It's less of an issue when viewed from a gaming angle at table-top distance than it is in the close-up photos.
I'm pleased with the freehand on the Lord's shoulder-piece and the banner benefited from the extra yellow tails I added this week.
Archers are on the table as we speak...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uwiu6DQym58/XerWRIr94VI/AAAAAAAAEgE/chzeH4QD3ycEFD4veLS20V_OBhTMcpHTACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00493.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbzd6si3uM8/XerWRB7yIxI/AAAAAAAAEgM/TDWFlPDO0G4zemTtHPkGzRXzWZkytGy8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00494.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncs_qMSJ3Xc/XerWRIU-cMI/AAAAAAAAEgI/spc2XLoelHMFyEAwFFKfpbty0f-_Xhi2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00495.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Oyy-IdSbEs/XerWTj-zXvI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/98ltsB6vnJQVzchV-HBXhBwcHYWUux40wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00496.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z136NDaXOFo/XerWT5Ny1YI/AAAAAAAAEgU/cwVS_rnO6TctYtv5qg7cHtjMzvKEj0QvACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00497.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT4F1FH0Q08/XerWT5n3AnI/AAAAAAAAEgY/SboIF_Th4KUNrtDSrSl6sj0BY0KRL1onwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00498.JPG)
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:-*
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Liking all of these conversions and paint jobs a lot but the command and banner are superb. What material did you use for the banner if I may ask?
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Fantastic piece! Your project is just awesome!
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Liking all of these conversions and paint jobs a lot but the command and banner are superb. What material did you use for the banner if I may ask?
Thank you. The banner is bog standard computer printing paper. I always use it as I always have loads in the house... It's obviously easy to lightly draw designs on, takes acrylic paint well and folds relatively easily.
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A big right hand never hurt anyone.
Lovely work!
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A successful conversion, very well painted vignette on your standard quality style and the banner is all the money!
Especially the last picture is very atmospheric! Congratulations for your work!
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Your freehand painting is amazing! Especially on the banners! Thanks for sharing!
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I'm cracking on at a fair old pace with the Elves. Finished the first unit of archers last night.
No conversions on these as there's nothing to be done and I couldn't be bothered trying to add bowstrings!
Two more units of these to paint. Boring old job but they come out ok when finished.
I'm pleased to say that I have met my Christmas deadline of 3 units plus a command base. I now have two more archer and one more spear unit, plus a hero, to paint before March when my Davale Miniatures Bloody Elves kickstarter will arrive to further swell the army. I also need some cavalry but not quite sure where I'm gonna source those yet as the kickstarter didn't make enough money to get cavalry and I don't much like the GW Rivendell ones. The Hobbit armoured cavalry are nice but bloody expensive... Still, they can wait.
I also have more evil models to paint, so will be tackling some of those shortly too. I hope to drag the whole painted collection out over the next day or so to take some 'action shots' for your delectation...
Anyway: Archer pics...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_B0PcO_RuI/XfIibFF4slI/AAAAAAAAEhY/2K4XOTdrs0cj44JqZrU1VgKTiVHpIWZYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Archers1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRHABx9yPIs/XfIia585SHI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/SEbrxtANSrUkk02FlrF3VgayX7JqNn48QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Archers3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VRxqawr5d8/XfIicSyhIiI/AAAAAAAAEhc/9Ab38_tdhnUGK9380swBKW-jbQuYWidKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Archers4.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1ak_NFBeVg/XfIicjrRbmI/AAAAAAAAEhg/oZLGviAPQKQfegsAyFSjJV1FTjqzbHzlACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Archers5.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lLJ28eKR2Qg/XfIicmFX8nI/AAAAAAAAEhk/7z7zhycmkBAYevKkmO04DSwRILiq3CqDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Archers6.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHlm8CNRzJo/XfIidtt-9nI/AAAAAAAAEho/n8dIndvVLjQ39gWYX63aqgUrQtbZBVTqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Archers7.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5yOCTtCSqI/XfIid7AQY0I/AAAAAAAAEhs/ydcXapPSbu81eD2pdcEsaNwCAZXm4W95QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Archers8.JPG)
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Brilliant :o
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Nice - again!
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I decided to get all my Middle Earth models out for a photoshoot - some action shots with all my available light sources and a bit of scenery. I'm pleased with how these turned out. The lighting gives you a MUCH better idea of the actual colours than my recent pictures of the Elves on a white background.
The army of Angband is 70% bought off EBAY ready part-painted - I went for models that had been base coated neatly and ink-washed, perhaps with minimal dry brushing or highlights. All I've done is tidy up the highlights and repaint some of the cloth as most people seem to use a bright red that I really hate on Orcs in large numbers...
Glaurung, the troll, 12 Orcs, the Orc commander and the werewolf (weird Warhammer bits conversion) all painted from scratch by me. The rest courtesy of EBAY. More pics on my blog: https://guitarheroandy.blogspot.com/2019/12/silmarillion-action-shots.html (https://guitarheroandy.blogspot.com/2019/12/silmarillion-action-shots.html)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCiIopaLiTU/XfQC5YP9s5I/AAAAAAAAEjM/YL7rOBba9zgRzzuT3TXkB1leiDdT6yIWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/action7.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTMCuYGb55w/XfQC6vApOxI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/Xmr6AJSOBVQcM3tOkM7BlcT4TX2zItE8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/action9.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuGT3i6LXKQ/XfQCsRYBJ2I/AAAAAAAAEiU/aEGr38QT_lg9GRKgXqvCag8stV5sQGXvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/action12.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xHAooi9KHo/XfQCuN4AylI/AAAAAAAAEic/Atg-J9Hla6cnJcJS_hVCi-XVckwNKpQPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/action14.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kPzIICYmSss/XfQCxLhvqVI/AAAAAAAAEis/hDJlsgEkUsEabyfy5GXk--Sk_okduIdaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/action18.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wr8-DaG4db8/XfQCz2e5XrI/AAAAAAAAEi0/RfAUK6RfpgEi7yRTD309GqcVjHYzCc7TQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/action21.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DvEVMu4Oo9s/XfQCsKswGFI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/7LXPmsoYW00Ivfp7JGNGd-J4GkHwl9MewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/action11.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_jmcgLkl60/XfQC3OgsYqI/AAAAAAAAEjA/NnsUCMpPM8gvcyh6Ex3K7FHmVm0lnHwnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/action4.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sh_0qFAokZY/XfQC3m6HU9I/AAAAAAAAEjI/YC5FM6ZEMqovjro_6gANlwK4c_L56hgVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/action6.JPG)
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These action shots look lovely. I really like the general end result you achieved but those elves are stunning! Excellent color choice as well.
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Yes, the elves really are excellent. The colours are rich without being too much, if you know what I mean.
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Fabulous stuff Andy. It’s amazing how much different good light makes. I just finished another 24 orcs...aiming to have ten units by Christmas!
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Brilliant stuff.Both sides are distinctive with the palette choices. The elves are my favourite. :o
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Some lovely looking figures there
8)
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Working on a command base for my Silmarillion project evil army at the moment and decided I needed a banner to match that of the Elves.
I had no idea what to do with it... Black? Red? Design?
Then I had a brainwave! What would be the one thing that'd p*ss off the Elves more than anything else (especially if facing the sons of Feanor)? A banner featuring the Silmarils themselves!! So the idea was born - Morgoth's Iron Crown, with the Silmarils floating above it in all their radiance!
Clearly the Orc Chieftain who fights under this banner has many Elven slaves who have worked on this affront to their race.
The base colour is Foundry Madder Red triad with a final highlight of Foundry Bright Red Light.
The crown is Foundry Slate Grey triad, with some highlighting with Foundry Arctic Grey and fine lining with GW Corvus Black. The silmarils are the Foundry Arctic Grey triad, with outlining in GW Corvus Black.
Working on the Chieftain and his banner bearer as we speak - hope to have them done just after Christmas...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lTriCZsjy8A/XfzirmWHg2I/AAAAAAAAEkI/XN8rFcdDKYUrq_iTR1SiKmxIe61xbjA8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00562.JPG)
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That really looks the part - inspired choice
:)
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Good job!
And lovely action photos!
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That banner's a great idea!
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I managed to complete my Angband Command Base ahead of my planned schedule. The Lieutenant of Angband is a metal GW LoTR Morannon Orc commander with a shield from War-games Illustrated's free sprue of Warlord Roman Veteran Legionaries from a few months back and with a wire spear. I painted him from scratch. The GW Uruk-hai banner bearer came from EBAY part-painted. He'd been base-coated, ink-washed and the armour had been dry brushed. I just added some extra highlights and repainted the loin cloth.
The top of the banner pole is, I think, from an old Gripping Beast Hun standard or maybe a Standard from their Saxon range... I've had it in the bits box for over a decade.
The GW Uruk Hai and Morannon Orcs largely fit the description of Orcs from the Silmarillion - 'shod with iron, shielded with iron'. Also, we know from the Silmarillion that the Orcs were heavily armoured - I think it's Beleg who pleads with an Elf king (Thingol? Can't remember...) for a new sword because his can't get through Orc armour. To me that suggests armour heavier than simply mail, hence me being happy to use these GW figures.
Anyway, here is the vignette...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk7BbuukmwE/Xf--rPt6W3I/AAAAAAAAEkc/5d8jjAxpPZEDRF1mvY2rIGkxgFwdhXBrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBoss1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvAPJACEqUc/Xf--rAaAxOI/AAAAAAAAEkg/Ld9o0K16FF0Wk0haDuHSaS1a6vi5TGMuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBoss2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPSSdL12PZI/Xf--rOfjdDI/AAAAAAAAEkk/5iIGdBQ0iRAP5uV7t_Fln-QfYiLQaTO3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBoss3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1xy5GWSWNQ/Xf--s6kk01I/AAAAAAAAEko/KDyhrn_KgLkzxJPL1VIXa1-GhIddGHJowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBoss4.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUpemsvTAMA/Xf--tDuNO4I/AAAAAAAAEks/htwl8gO6MfkHSBZ4RUmoZaL8ERm1c8xKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBoss5.JPG)
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Epic job!!! Congrats!
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Stunning :-*
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I've been painting Orcs the past couple of weeks. Like most of the army of Morgoth figures in my collection, these were all purchased part-painted from EBAY and I've tidied them up.
The unit of Morannon Orcs and Uruk Hai swordsmen were a mixed bag. The Morannon Orcs were reasonably neatly basecoated, had been ink washed and highlighted, again quite neatly. I just had to sharpen up the highlights and neaten things up a bit, plus repainting all the tunics which were bright red when they came to me - way too bright for bog standard Orcs so I repainted them in a variety of colours. The Uruk Hai models were a bit of a mess - mostly just badly dry brushed in metallics and some skin tones. To be honest I probably should have started again with them, but figured I could 'lose' them in amongst the rank and file so just fixed them as best I could. They look ok in amongst all the others.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A73C7sM10ZA/XgPTNrCRwKI/AAAAAAAAElU/yLSbXnzeD1gA0Q2GRZiCDZ53bn-J-q2awCEwYBhgL/s1600/OrcsA.JPG)
The unit made up from Uruk Hai Scouts were nicely base coated with some decent single highlights. It was an easy job to sharpen the highlights up neatly. However, all the clothing had been painted black and it was just too much, so I repainted bits of clothing in either Foundry Rawhide or Deep Leather Brown triad to break up the black. Those without shields were given the freebies I received in War-games Illustrated a few months back - a sprue of Warlord Games Veteran Roman Legionaries. I think these look good on these models. I also added a standard (I'm basically doing one standard for every two units) which ended up looking pretty cool, I think.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTmYiGufw7w/XgPTNr9gcVI/AAAAAAAAElY/UPRQPHl3XZMWEObTiyoli5YK-ZTJW-oWQCEwYBhgL/s1600/OrcsC.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEMHFrzzmXk/XgPTOCFhaTI/AAAAAAAAElc/FhOdPgzjkHsFM8DLSxS4Uc3aTHGvHr3iQCEwYBhgL/s1600/OrcsD.JPG)
I now have 6 such units fully painted with two units of Uruk Hai pikemen awaiting my attention. I also have a unit of 4 archers finished and two more units to paint, plus a unit of trolls to finish. I also have enough models for two units of 4 warg riders in my bits box, plus a couple of Orc heroes. A tidy little force for playing James Morris' homespun rules or Dragon Rampant.
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Great work :-*
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Amazing stuff, simply amazing.
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More lovely work. I bought a few off eBay but ended up with a near total repaint - you must have had the good ones! Absolutely top job anyway and the banner is just perfect.
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More lovely work. I bought a few off eBay but ended up with a near total repaint - you must have had the good ones! Absolutely top job anyway and the banner is just perfect.
The trick is buying ones that have been neatly basecoated - they are not very common (the phrase 'well painted' is usually a total lie on EBAY) and the cost is going up at the moment! Typically they are now about £40 for 12!! When I started buying these I was paying about £25 for 12. It may be because of the relaunch of MESBG by GW, whereas when I bought most of mine it was a comparatively 'dead' game.
Even when I do quite substantial highlighting, I'm still saving quite a lot of time because I find base coating a lengthy and dull process. Also, it means I don't have to do the 'dip' stage, which saves time (no need for a 24-36 hours drying period.)
The Uruk Hai pikemen I recently bought were £40 for 25 models (a rare good deal!) and they need full highlighting and some base coating. The flesh and armour was basecoated and they have been based (although that's terrible and may need redoing). Still a decent deal though as I reckon it's only 2 or 3 evenings' work max to complete a unit of 12, which is super quick for me. So it's a bit of a lottery really...
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The forges of Angband are working overtime over the holiday period! I finished a unit of trolls... The GW hill troll was painted 6 or 7 years ago and I needed 3 more for a unit so decided to buy a pack of Last Alliance plastics - £10 for 4 soft plastic trolls.
To be fair, the plastic is kinda 'medium' plastic. It took a bit of work to clean up the flash, etc (possibly because my knife blade needs replacing, possibly because the plastic is a weird consistency - probably a bit of both) but they painted up really well! And I still have one left over if I want a unit of 4 with a Troll leader...
PS these trolls are from 'War Trolls set 3' - Last Alliance do several troll sets...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cUIn-QA-5Js/Xgky4LpXNQI/AAAAAAAAEmI/TCXW4N4oYG0fUlVje4OgOdRdG_7wti-bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trolls%2B1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkHPyVzrh08/Xgky4F0Jj6I/AAAAAAAAEmM/RCuuqZWWigUTEHgBuhydgDAPLdTC_MnxACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trolls%2B2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OU6ng-9nCCk/Xgky3lYUNEI/AAAAAAAAEmE/QuPGvJQV-PMWkJd43mvD5Mkp4ro3If9WgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trolls%2B3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gY4N80szy8w/Xgky4poSFdI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/6aTkSDp_4fAOV0IfWHf0nL7SCY7UjZSVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trolls%2B4.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gweNcYU3UY/Xgky5O664aI/AAAAAAAAEmU/HYpeIbzfFDIFEKavWyIO6NwVzlfTI3KhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trolls%2B5.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGTrMVNCASM/Xgky5ufPDKI/AAAAAAAAEmY/e_uaI-2BExQB8D5VDTeoiVj13fSZFubLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trolls%2B6.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QlkBtfvsV30/Xgky515Rb_I/AAAAAAAAEmc/_1IsDs1_e-EGqvCts1_0BApj9nuPoWoKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Trolls%2B7.JPG)
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Wow! You did a great job with those. Especially the Dark Alliance ones. I have some on my to do list and you have set a high standard for me to aspire to!
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Wow! You did a great job with those. Especially the Dark Alliance ones. I have some on my to do list and you have set a high standard for me to aspire to!
Thanks Rick - they were painted in a very simple style; my usual style: neat base coat on white undercoat, Army Painter Strong Tone dip brushed on, Testers Dullcote (again, brushed on) finally some highlighting, usually with original base coat colours.
Colours used: Grey hide Foundry Granite Light, Fleshy hide: Foundry Flesh Light, Iron: GW Bolton Metal (or whatever it's called now) which was highlighted with GW Ironbreaker). Loin cloths etc either Foundry Deep Brown leather triad or Rawhide triad. The claws were Foundry Drab Light. Teeth: GW Screaming Skull. Tongues: Foundry Terracotta (mid shade).
Obviously the GW troll had a few more browns, etc, added.
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More progress on the army of Angband. Some Pike-armed Orcs today. Bought from EBAY with armour neatly drybrushed and flesh base coated. I tidied up the armour, highlighted the flesh and painted all the other bits. It's amazing what you get done with a couple of child-free days!
I have one more unit of these on the painting table, plus 2 units of 4 archers that I want to get done by 11th January... Hope I can make it. I have my lad with me for the next 6 days so will not get so much painting time...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUTZjg4spyk/XgqLXzCRLMI/AAAAAAAAEm8/_-8K7Ca4yxs6ZxQODM9vlZ1v3OO0n7H9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BPikes%2B1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCk0GqOrJ0Y/XgqLX-asPwI/AAAAAAAAEnA/Gmpl__qJCxkDobDCR_-RQjbp7s3mllzVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BPikes%2B2.JPG)
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The Orcs very nicely done, but the Trolls are all the money :-*
All very well done! Cheers!
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By the spirit of JRRT, you are unstoppable at the moment! These are fabulous.
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Lovely pikemen
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The forges of Angband have been busy since Christmas in preparation for a Middle Earth gaming event in Nottingham on Saturday. I painted a second unit of pike-armed Orcs and two units of Orc archers plus an Orc hero. The pike-armed Orcs were tidied up having been bought from EBAY part-painted as per most of my Orc forces. One Uruk-hai scout archer in one of the units was the same. The Mordor Orc archer models and the hero were painted from scratch. I now have 8 combat Orc units - 2 with pike, 2 with spear and the rest with sword, 3 Orc archer units, a unit of trolls, 3 Orc heroes, a Werewolf hero and a firedrake. I have two units of wolf riders in the painting queue. Quite a decent force! Here are pics of the recent additions.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrpMUGyVwlk/XhelWCavJxI/AAAAAAAAEoA/7xGlrsOT7fkCmVZwM46klxkoEH7QrR6-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBows%2B1a.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RyyXL341Qag/XhelWaTCLzI/AAAAAAAAEoE/JJ9OhmdRJe4twEnf4ppDUyyNgfUvQ_FhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBows%2B1b.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbqTggRjhGQ/XhelWKgD9YI/AAAAAAAAEn8/7b061uVJi7cZl9Io_E2B6fS2PYYWocSQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBows%2B2a.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2UQuH5_jLM/XhelX6AKquI/AAAAAAAAEoM/ByZfcjMfqmwve5i5U4k2Jyxk0f6Z9xHsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBows%2B2b.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMXXTFRyIw0/XhelX8ZJoWI/AAAAAAAAEoI/Pojlo62jY3ApM4dmgh-pyQ1sgDADjxWCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BHero%2B2a.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20lELwAmJj8/XhelYMc0qkI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/iuzTN59UP2wnHXGWMIM8_WI3AG7xqDV8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BHero%2B2b.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hq8Spk9hfRs/XhelZcATSiI/AAAAAAAAEoU/Ocykjne6iJEYY-1Nhvo37PTiCYA5H984wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BPikes%2B2a.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6kUWJ7Aux0/XhelZmodd2I/AAAAAAAAEoY/Zbiq_2oXNEcj4jKggMbBN53hmTina7lywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BPikes%2B2b.JPG)
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Awesome, once more! Very good job, congrats!
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Excellent! Your ebay strategy w/r/t the orcs seems to be paying off nicely :)
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Great stuff!
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Thanks for the positive comments, folks!
I took the collection to Nottingham for a gaming day today. If you've followed James Morris' posts in this forum about his Orc kitbashing, you might be interested on this too, as he was putting on one of the games we played. There are loads of pictures and a full write-up on my blog here: https://guitarheroandy.blogspot.com/2020/01/silmarillion-gaming-day-in-nottingham.html (https://guitarheroandy.blogspot.com/2020/01/silmarillion-gaming-day-in-nottingham.html) In the event, most of my Orcs were surplus to requirements - we had well over two hundred and fifty of the blighters, but my Elves took part.
Here are a few pics to whet your appetite. Check out the full report!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysiSMH5rlB0/Xho6usDOMKI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/h6RYRD1h5ygTekE41LBY7mQRybgH1SCTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Fingon%2BBattleline%2B3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hc_plPmyz-4/Xho6wu8c-vI/AAAAAAAAEpc/bNiMMPjctIYmm9wwMjIShp8pqk-E0vjqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Orc%2BBattleline%2B2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVLDqiE984U/Xho7Ke9ZHVI/AAAAAAAAEqE/WDDeSWCXkHIru2EMmqwOOP2VNysPescZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Gwindors%2BCavalry.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lz5i08TNyH0/Xho7LTAzk8I/AAAAAAAAEqM/O0i5QxeMxk4def--uQT_80FtjqH9CqCqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Gwindors%2BCharge%2B2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GGpDcCjq7Ng/Xho7MItcgmI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/_2wsFdzlg4c305vmuxVEdlr4VD1vczFBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Gwindors%2BCharge.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQYEAGSZIxA/Xho7uIlzs-I/AAAAAAAAEqs/7uwbqRzc5_Ml5t9ztlxr9ZMOxUz_jzuPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Andys%2BElves.JPG)
It was a fantastic day of gaming with like-minded folks and we hope to organise another later in the year.
I have more Elves on the painting table and am in the middle of some plastic kit bashing using Victrix models to create a more 'Tolkien-like' (as opposed to 'movie-like') force of Elves - Sindar this time. Watch this space as updates will keep on coming!
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Great write up and pics, Andy! Thanks for coming along.
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While I'm not abandoning my GW movie Elves yet (lots more to paint!) I have been doing a bit of historical kitbashing to give me some more 'book-like' Elves. This was prompted in part by my discovery of the artwork of Tom Loback; in particular his Battle of Brethil picture, which pits axe-armed Sindar and a bunch of men against an Orc legion. I thought I'd do some Doriath Sindar as everyone seems to have this Noldor fixation going... I know Thingol's lot didn't do a lot of fighting, but someone oughta do something with him and his troops - he can get some action in in our wargaming world anyway!
I've put this guy together from a Victrix Anglo-Dane Huscarl (body and top of helmet), Republican Roman (head) and a cloak from (I think) a Fireforge knight set (I was given a bag of about 20 cloaks by a friend tonight), plus an Oathmark feather plume. I'm REALLY pleased with this and will be adopting this approach with more Anglo-Dane Huscarl figures and with the Victrix Normans when they come out in the summer.I love the way the helmet has cheek pieces and a Dark Age look to it. I've attached the Loback pic as well just so you can see what I mean by the inspiration it gave me.
Here is is: Lovely piece of work, albeit very stylised:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZZfJJGiHuU/XianlZaeaLI/AAAAAAAAErk/aFDXvxqudZozX7XSSAn42-jr8ReMvTskwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Battle%2Bof%2BBrethil.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZNnVERGAVc/XianqP2hpvI/AAAAAAAAEro/0CGz2WDKkA4KtOOVLscdhhRMpfwjSUAiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BHousecarle1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--aa5GWUG1ZI/XianqAVZFdI/AAAAAAAAErw/P2-0uN-iW4kPeBUMoes5Hn5xlb6iIURIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BHousecarle2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4exT88cgiY/XianqBVW_eI/AAAAAAAAErs/fU3hZxP8BB4XUFyFn5UW3u_r-UGs9BkWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BHousecarle3.JPG)
I just need to tidy up where I used liquid green stuff to fill a tiny gap where the two parts of helmet were joined, then I can get him on a base and do a colour scheme test...
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Brilliant kit bash.... lovin‘ it!
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This thread is becoming more and more interesting! Cheers!
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Awesome kit bashing! I'm guessing that the Roman came from a victors kit as well?
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Awesome kit bashing! I'm guessing that the Roman came from a victors kit as well?
Yeah, Victrix Republican Romans...
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Very smart
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A few weeks ago I drew out my vision of the typical 1st Age Elf hero. It was based on a number of things and it came out pretty well. Here it is...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0-JLpuuXR4/XiiZPDI_DBI/AAAAAAAAEsM/99Q7jvNpmG8zw4P6V81gCsIIX_jNWxjewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elf%2Bfirst%2Bage%2Bsketch.JPG)
Well, I remembered that when the Oathmark Elves were released, North Star offered a deal with the box plus an Elf captain. I bought this deal, only to realise that I don't really like the models. So they languished in my bits box until I realised that I might be able to use the metal figure to I create a figure to match my drawing. So I decided to try to create it as closely as possible. He'll be a captain in my Sindar army. On looking at the photos and the model again, I think I may add some long hair to smooth out the join between the GW Galadhrim head and the metal Oathmark body. I am very pleased with the shoulder armour and long tunic I sculpted with Greenstuff. My friend Grahame at Peterborough War-games Club gave me a bag of plastic cloaks in which this particular one was lurking. The shield is from the Victrix Anglo-Dane Huscarl set.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYIUIcME_TE/XiiZOutNQmI/AAAAAAAAEsE/blfQ-l3Sx_wVaHs2272VDx37kZzEuzsBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Thingol1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jd2dYBOCvaw/XiiZO5fhG6I/AAAAAAAAEsI/-Vp0Jjrb5psmZieWYUqsrVguoafZ4T2rACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Thingol2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrKPQNdwlSE/XiiZPyyA4TI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/99zFsJ8jQ5cFsItH521ijk8Az7W12MSiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Thingol3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20Uhn0f24qE/XiiZPxVs1CI/AAAAAAAAEsU/C2VghheQNRwBObUzze65PdtDvAZhMEsUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Thingol4.JPG)
He'll go on a base with a banner bearer which I'll make from the Anglo-Dane command sprue when it arrives...
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Nice start to the conversion, but that sketch is brilliant.
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Nice start to the conversion, but that sketch is brilliant.
+1! :-* :-* :-*
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I've done some more kit bashing. I now have enough Sindar axemen to do a unit of Elite Foot for Dragon Rampant which is probably what I'll do with these kitbash models, as I won't need to do too many. As with the other ones, the bodies and helmet tops are Victrix Anglo-Dane Huscarls, the heads are Victrix Republican Romans (good job I bought too many for my Clash of Spears Samnite Wars project, eh?) and the helmet feathers are from the Oathmark Elf set. I've ordered a box of the Anglo-Dane warriors from Victrix so I can do some sword and spear-armed Elves too...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59-WE7X76Wo/XitvhrfDpzI/AAAAAAAAEtA/SwuhpCJqHMM0a6tPUIv5H9Ttt3aFWNF_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Housecarls1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mO3z_aADI1E/XitvhstqtMI/AAAAAAAAEtI/guYjIqL6DIU6LwL2h2CzasNAANJrtC0QgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Housecarls2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRRnhSZY1hQ/XitvhszvvlI/AAAAAAAAEtE/zdj1P_diX84QylCFSTR9il4CMsb-vYHzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Housecarls3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjyaAzKDEss/Xitvi6wwP4I/AAAAAAAAEtM/OcOYEKUzz5YEOYVIMRE_vfKuWs5NOUkcACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Housecarls4.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKDXTRDC_xA/Xitvjo6XsjI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/VWifP4p66GsoWRrPCLvES6QaxTmptL17wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Housecarls5.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B2PRYOepLy0/Xitvjg9rK4I/AAAAAAAAEtU/10MxQu-k-yAFALMya0vxXljd82nK1vnSACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Housecarls6.JPG)
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Saw these on Facebook, they’re terrific!
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Really cool view in Sindar elves!
Keep on!
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Thank you for the kind words on these thus far...
Anyway, I did a bit more work on the Sindar and their captain. Added some long hair on both and smoothed out the bases on the axemen.
I know it's a kinda 'Warhammer' or 'Movie' thing, but I do think long hair adds a more 'Elven' feel to these chaps... It also disguises the neck joins on some of them, which were a little clumsy looking. Gonna undercoat them tomorrow and start getting some paint on them. Still not sure on the colour scheme. I don't particularly want a typical Wood Elf green scheme but I want to avoid them looking too 'High Elf' either. I'm thinking a pale greyish blue cloak, with pale grey tunics (with contrasting cuff and hem trim) and leggings in greyish greens, various browns, etc...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ya8T0ei29D8/Xizh-SPnXhI/AAAAAAAAEt0/XP3sB7li7OQhBqsiwdC8WwqqqtwQZaliwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Housecarles7.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htbQ_IIDvXM/Xizh-PNnoMI/AAAAAAAAEtw/Y42_YrCnzI8zumYF1qeyumN0z_G8YRCZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Thingolv2a.JPG)
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I've been a bit quiet lately but haven't been idle. I've been doing lots of glueing together of Victrix Anglo-Saxons to convert to Sindar and it's still going on. However, I thought I'd show you a couple of pictures of my conversion of Beleg Strongbow, chief of the Doriath March-Wardens as I finished making him today.
He's made from a warrior from the Anglo-Saxon command frame with Oathmark bow arm and quiver and a particularly decorative Republican Roman helmet that I simply altered by adding a long horse-tail style plume.
I've given him an Elven horn for a Dragon Rampant scenario I'm working on, of which more will be revealed soon(ish).
The stroke of luck with this model was that this particular cloak comes with a separate fur collar which I decided I didn't want to use, but it left a gaping hole where the brooch would be. However, on the Oathmark sprue, there are little circular bits of waste sprue on the standard that need removing and they are exactly the right size to be the brooch on here! I love it when happy little accidents like that happen!!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idpjhet1Tic/Xj8medZMMlI/AAAAAAAAEuw/toP8vVfohgkUDaX0de6g0e-ubSffQ2JkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Beleg%2B1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BHzmNR8TYU/Xj8meTRI1zI/AAAAAAAAEus/E584Sa9YBAg7lOZZrghWVPngltypIgvRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Beleg%2B2.JPG)
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Very well done,and spot on with the helmet, brilliant! I always thought(from early Ral Partha elves 1977) that Corinthian helmets were the most suitable,you have shown me the light :)
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Thank you, Blackwolf. I've been struggling for ages to get the 'right' look for the helmets so I could convert some historical minis for Middle Earth and I'm very pleased with the way they are turning out.
I've been busy with the Greenstuff again last nigh toot... Here are the Sindar of Thingol's Kingsguard. They'll be included in a unit with the king's command base - it'll be a reduced model unit of Elite Foot in Dragon Rampant.
Victrix Anglo-Saxon bodies, helmet tops and shields, plus Victrix Republican Roman lower head. I'm pleased with these. If you saw my sketch of my vision of 1st Age Elves a few weeks back, you'll recognise how close I'm getting to that with these models. A unit of Offensive Heavy Foot next, armed with spears, swords and shields...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKXJcn_daHE/XkAStbyI5fI/AAAAAAAAEvI/yh54czyr5zww0puychYtX6qOPGY-8WmswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kingsguard1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qstt1Itu4IQ/XkAStf3yYdI/AAAAAAAAEvE/cXqpxY1FSEANPyk9ExYuHIqPmdlxqRjdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kingsguard2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvnCzGfzank/XkASspLmE5I/AAAAAAAAEvA/RyYfbF3f2Ho7iY9Vy9HvsmC1m-jZGrmvACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kingsguard3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsG8Wiyjsng/XkAStld9HuI/AAAAAAAAEvM/M-fis9FZILIITmcr1UxlBPGKWxCep8zFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kingsguard4.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKPTEpkSQ1c/XkASuTvAxnI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/4F9wbGancIE_QtZ1JbmARSUpfkEEwCangCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kingsguard5.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5yFkB4vtZY/XkASupfCsuI/AAAAAAAAEvU/5H1TRcDr5IUlClCgKt1OlUBRgVh3dENSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kingsguard6.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn2SveselnA/XkASvIYFlKI/AAAAAAAAEvY/WyjCIjKNeHYjF9TmwkIO6z7s2UeE9NP7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kingsguard7.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vM8_qjygtY/XkASvUy3rJI/AAAAAAAAEvc/lEiESVC1BNg1Hh1jlqrZjaLSStAjz-NJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Kingsguard8.JPG)
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The helm combo's are inspired Andy :-* :-* :-*
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Continually impressive work!
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Excellent conversions :o
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Just love all of This!
Well done.
I think JRRT would approve.
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These are really good,I mean really good,kudos!
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I think you've managed to creat a whole new style and look for elves. Bravo!
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Really impressive conversions. Just goes to show how versatile plastics are!! Did you have much trouble when converting the heads, with a half and half approach?
Also will you be cutting the crosses from the front of the figures? They're not exactly an elven symbol.
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Really impressive conversions. Just goes to show how versatile plastics are!! Did you have much trouble when converting the heads, with a half and half approach?
Also will you be cutting the crosses from the front of the figures? They're not exactly an elven symbol.
Thank you. :) Yeah the plastics give you a whole new set of options. The only concern is the very brittle spears. I may have to replace those with steel ones...
Chopping the Roman heads in half is not easy. You need a very sharp knife and a lot of care. You don't always get a first totally clean and accurate cut so you have to then shave the excess off and try to file it all flat. I really need some liquid green stuff to fill in the inevitable slight gaps, although to be fair, although the gaps are very noticeable in close-up photos, they are not so much an issue at tabletop distance.
I'm not going to remove crosses etc. It's too much trouble to repair the mail where they get filed off. I'm just going to assume that Elves wore all kinds of decoration and just keep the crosses on. Most models don't have them anyway, so it's not a huge issue and it doesn't bother me enough to spend the time on it. I appreciate that for other people it would be something they'd want to remove...
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If you feel that the cross could be too extreme for Elves to wear, my idea is that you could add a tad of green stuff to the right and left of the cross to look like a pendant.
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Chopping the Roman heads in half is not easy. You need a very sharp knife and a lot of care. You don't always get a first totally clean and accurate cut so you have to then shave the excess off and try to file it all flat.
This suggestion may prove to be even more fiddly but here goes.... have you thought of using a very fine bladed razor saw?
If you have a good quality modelling vice you can mitigate any damage that might be done to the plastic components by cushioning between layers cloth in the teeth of the vice that.
As I say, it might be a 'long winded' solution :)
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This suggestion may prove to be even more fiddly but here goes.... have you thought of using a very fine bladed razor saw?
If you have a good quality modelling vice you can mitigate any damage that might be done to the plastic components by cushioning between layers cloth in the teeth of the vice that.
As I say, it might be a 'long winded' solution :)
As I own neither a vice nor a razor saw, I think it would be both expensive and long winded! lol
It's not actually a massive issue just a bit fiddly but I've not had any disasters yet - no Roman heads wasted through ill-judged slicing... Mind you, I do have 19 more to do and have only thus far done 9 so... ;)
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Thanks for the info. Do you leave the heads on the sprue to cut them? I cannot imagine how fiddly that would be! Still, I have some spare plastics, might be worth an experiment :)
You mention liquid green stuff. Have you seen this trick: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EY8Acdi59M0
I've not tried it, but there is a wargames show in Hamburg this weekend, planning to pick up some millieput and have a go!
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Thanks for the info. Do you leave the heads on the sprue to cut them? I cannot imagine how fiddly that would be! Still, I have some spare plastics, might be worth an experiment :)
No I take them off the sprue. I had a few Romans made up already that have ended up spare so I started with those. I'll watch that video, thanks.
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As I own neither a vice nor a razor saw, I think it would be both expensive and long winded! lol
lol I'm laughing as I'm nursing another finger injury- under the nail this time (metals!) :o
It's not actually a massive issue just a bit fiddly but I've not had any disasters yet - no Roman heads wasted through ill-judged slicing... Mind you, I do have 19 more to do and have only thus far done 9 so... ;)
Sounds like you have it all under control Andy :)
Mind those digits! My left hand is typing this with my middle finger! :D
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Gonna undercoat them tomorrow and start getting some paint on them. Still not sure on the colour scheme. I don't particularly want a typical Wood Elf green scheme but I want to avoid them looking too 'High Elf' either. I'm thinking a pale greyish blue cloak, with pale grey tunics (with contrasting cuff and hem trim) and leggings in greyish greens, various browns, etc...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ya8T0ei29D8/Xizh-SPnXhI/AAAAAAAAEt0/XP3sB7li7OQhBqsiwdC8WwqqqtwQZaliwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Housecarles7.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htbQ_IIDvXM/Xizh-PNnoMI/AAAAAAAAEtw/Y42_YrCnzI8zumYF1qeyumN0z_G8YRCZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Thingolv2a.JPG)
In case you haven't started painting them, you might want to check out Unfinished Tales for inspiration. As I recall (don't have it to hand) there is an Elven axe armed unit referenced garrisoning one of the gates of Gondolin. I think they are described as being in red from memory which might not appeal but worth a read anyway.
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In case you haven't started painting them, you might want to check out Unfinished Tales for inspiration. As I recall (don't have it to hand) there is an Elven axe armed unit referenced garrisoning one of the gates of Gondolin. I think they are described as being in red from memory which might not appeal but worth a read anyway.
Yeah that whole passage in The Fall of Gondolin is a goldmine in terms of it being a rare very detailed description of warriors and their heraldry. I think red would be too much for my Doriath Sindar, but anyone inspired by this thread to create their own Elven force should certainly seek that passage out as the variety of colour schemes within it for each of the units gives potential for some stunning looking armies.
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I've been a bit quiet the last couple of weeks - my mojo stalled a bit with the thought of building the next 20 or so Sindar, but I'm back on it today. Here's Mablung of the Heavy Hand, chief among Thingol's Thanes. The usual mixture of Victrix Anglo-Saxons, Republican Romans and Greenstuff.
I'm pleased with this fella. He looks like he means business! He'll have some of the axemen I posted a while back as his bodyguard as an Elite Foot unit in my Dragon Rampant Sindar army... I really must get some paint on some of these to break up the monotony of the conversion process!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D89PW0NffEU/XlcAaXZbbLI/AAAAAAAAEwk/vpO79CZUokMoZAsR5-cwYZDKti1PPn9YACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2B1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikAqNsK0kQY/XlcAaRinZSI/AAAAAAAAEwg/7DfW6MZjKMUqAnKTJFOxhDBUk3NUy-aQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2B2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TTpDZMqx2Ms/XlcAaa7wRWI/AAAAAAAAEwo/O-et9qhk7GEdMZNAz7NRra_oNlGDBbEOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2B3.JPG)
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Thanks for the info. Do you leave the heads on the sprue to cut them? I cannot imagine how fiddly that would be! Still, I have some spare plastics, might be worth an experiment :)
You mention liquid green stuff. Have you seen this trick: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EY8Acdi59M0
I've not tried it, but there is a wargames show in Hamburg this weekend, planning to pick up some millieput and have a go!
Thank you for sharing ... had no ideas milliput was so versatile ... and I just ordered some tamiya epoxy putty :'(
And Mablung looks great! Your conversion work is infectious... like many other things in 2020.
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You are making fantastic conversions, eager to see them painted! Cheers!
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Another busy evening building and converting Sindar. Usual mix of Victrix Romans and Saxons plus some Oathmark helmet plumes. I'm concerned about the spears on these. They are so very brittle and are gonna break for sure with any heavy handling or dropping. I should probably try to replace them with steel ones but that will require some very precise drilling...and the purchase of some new steel spears!
Still, they do look rather good, I think!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-envMa3ue2MA/Xlg3H1fR5WI/AAAAAAAAExA/ohJdUv0xtGIXJKZ-nuwFEnOruNtbTq2pACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkatrgMKWM0/Xlg3Irf6NYI/AAAAAAAAExE/FXI7s9M-zuQ_9WrMsyPPvx4LjfWg100HQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1CDVJb6e-s/Xlg3JFR1qsI/AAAAAAAAExI/GTyEKSzS4cs74gRzPe4w6rFhNZysJ3nkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwxrlLAL3i0/Xlg3JKwVwTI/AAAAAAAAExM/S9b8kQRuhEUYaTA9D5rnTX2pIJJQJ_GOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B4.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5c3Y131JqBA/Xlg3Jkt7qWI/AAAAAAAAExQ/PPTFtemQxHAalwC4YrCT5ob8jrnKlQpRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B5.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqyRaRZntUM/Xlg3KDJLw7I/AAAAAAAAExU/BJZwIRqVjqQ_Fxun6HfBAKB7rMub5F7UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B6.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7jVEYgllRQ/Xlg3KQLrSpI/AAAAAAAAExY/V3MDwxCU8wUzq2sAr3fgT3oGk2-r-6pXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B7.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7JxQCInahbM/Xlg3KeM7GwI/AAAAAAAAExc/guGJAmX5YrUZs3xRPkI_mrbjJeYYtJexgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B8.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvoeI_Wwgzo/Xlg3K6IcQgI/AAAAAAAAExg/sYMHdSyZkhoLFDGsc2rC6mhJIOVrtVQ8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B9.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4bw3-j0Dog/Xlg3H1lGVoI/AAAAAAAAEw4/7VvkIAg027EZiVg07t51LtX1CFMZuYN9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B10.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UsCsRJS27ZU/Xlg3H42ebnI/AAAAAAAAEw8/jv_dkN2EEr4Ip8zLG9ceVU-OWBZflXx3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B11.JPG)
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They look great :) I am enjoying following this thread as well as the other Middle Earth 1st Age threads I have noticed of late.
As a teenager (when the world was young!), I remember trying to field all the armies of the Battle of Unnumbered Tears (the Leipzig of the period) at 1:100 ratio in 28mm. A rather mad escapade that I eventually abandoned as Gondolin alone was 100 figures. Goodness knows how many orcs I would have needed!
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Busy evening finishing the building of the last 7 models in the Offensive Heavy Foot unit. Usual mix of stuff. I'm really pleased with these. The unit is going to look immense!
I need to order a new Roman sprue now as I've run out of heads and need to do 9 more axemen and they'll be the last ones for the time being. The archers and Beleg's bodyguard for this army are all GW LoTR range - the former are Lothlorien Archers and the latter are Rangers of the North models. They fit in pretty well actually even though they're a little smaller. I'll take some pics of those once they are painted as most will be unconverted.
Anyway, here are those latest sword/spearmen...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUgbFdDFmyQ/XlrovGsp-6I/AAAAAAAAEyY/cwDFwLr40wEljYCXFNsXVWePZqfjO3PvACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B12.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wItbjIwRbvs/XlrovOAsvII/AAAAAAAAEyc/wJ4BOjBt_8QolhSkhVDRxExkavEvyqOrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B13.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AaKTHdZHTog/Xlrou6fhjII/AAAAAAAAEyU/naibO8sTEcs1DcQyoT_BiHWQhH2Fi8EEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B14.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4oiL8vNyTM/Xlrov_KHaXI/AAAAAAAAEyg/CojZrX4bME0Tu8r2stnUFmH4_GmGIOEzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B15.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ONj-Bn3E-eU/XlrowLhM0rI/AAAAAAAAEyk/Fojx8waEWegrgEI419g8_3LqttvVTR0xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B16.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-v3se-8yxM/XlrowQIA1zI/AAAAAAAAEyo/cqSthYw8M5Y741o97ctWf3fQvoqQJ-0KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B17.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4mCGXDIHffA/XlrowjYG4hI/AAAAAAAAEys/MDxQu5Y4d-IzKulcbEcBbnjMdTfj9WbiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B18.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmQqeth2HXo/XlroxcAIPhI/AAAAAAAAEyw/ajh7d-FeaO8fbGSTlBwlXHCPvDmHTXFWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B19.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2yHfF5QTdE/XlroxsMMYQI/AAAAAAAAEy0/NwI2-gSI82Q_4lVhAzoPeg4_Y10_Bx-ZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B20.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CY8vKopAYwg/Xlrox3jkdDI/AAAAAAAAEy4/VB7ezcCMYl8sppqGUjfqvSmKXEQ0gokBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B21.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SlcmUdjFBo0/XlroyP5ysBI/AAAAAAAAEy8/8P51Tezp8pwDzWmguB_RY0R1y0h99RExACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B22.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o3vLrTn3Zw4/XlroymkzmNI/AAAAAAAAEzA/R5YagZUhg6geR-Sv8krFk6kzfHr_C1g_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B23.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w8WRPGynd5g/Xlroy8baqII/AAAAAAAAEzE/z5mvXWDv4ZwtXr9YSKuDLW-0WPQ8NUW_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B24.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ovV7vbDWro/XlrozILGStI/AAAAAAAAEzI/aSfgJugaykc6QGJdt1PRKobqbaLYrubpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B25.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WB58UXKQPtE/Xlrozs72DsI/AAAAAAAAEzM/O6YndLX_rCcS6yVrS38TndVHGkJ-diosQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B26.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rf5LLEO-gqM/Xlroz_pUbCI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/rymhLbMY7tkeMYn7mtxAHR9ZkY0C0YHHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sindar%2BFoot%2B27.JPG)
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They are coming out wonderfully!
Very convincing natural action poses!
Cheers!
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They are coming out wonderfully!
Very convincing natural action poses!
Cheers!
Thank you, it's down to the quality of the Victrix Saxon figures - so much more 'active' in the posing than some of their earlier ones, e.g. the Republican Roman set is very 'static' in the poses. They've been relatively easy to build, although you do have to watch which arms you use with which bodies...
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Looking fantastic, Andy! I’m waiting on the Victrix Normans for further elf conversions. Are the plastic cloaks from one of the Victrix sets or part of your bits box?
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Looking fantastic, Andy! I’m waiting on the Victrix Normans for further elf conversions. Are the plastic cloaks from one of the Victrix sets or part of your bits box?
Thank you! They came courtesy of Grahame from P'borough war-games club and a very kind chap on this forum who sent me about 25. They are a mix of Victrix and Fireforge but I'm not 100% sure which sets they've come from.
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Having tried several times to marry the top and bottom of two different heads, with a few middling successes and many cone-headed freaks, I am very impressed.
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Glad you're all sticking with me on this and liking the look of these guys.
A busy time at work and a nasty back injury have resulted in less work on my Elves than I'd have liked, but I have now completed Mablung's bodyguard unit. They'll be Elite Foot in Dragon Rampant. Mablung himself will be worth 3 strength points and each of his guards will be worth 1, so a 4 model unit can equate to full 6 strength points the unit needs. I do this a lot with hero units.
I now only have 5 axe-armed Elves to build and the whole Doriath force will be complete and ready for painting...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGxVhFvBIWo/XmTdNZdrY7I/AAAAAAAAE0Y/HbcES0iT6L0JQHGTDT1frzoYUn-MPmx_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2BBodyguard1.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfHpPDbC0_M/XmTdNaMsHpI/AAAAAAAAE0U/V7SUGrHyqHsrKi3eoP-If1tM64Qxzx9hwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2BBodyguard2.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPw3r_hn1BM/XmTdNXv_u9I/AAAAAAAAE0Q/6eYhHM5LdaYzryGmALx9bsmscxcjOC4xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2BBodyguard3.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXRl3__N_SM/XmTdOFhKQcI/AAAAAAAAE0c/FCoWLIWkW5IhJg7lus-1YisdC2kKUw2oQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2BBodyguard4.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPiW70f7o50/XmTdOQ_5HiI/AAAAAAAAE0g/e6MR-pxl5L8nKZt-alIJEb9WjaER8FuIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2BBodyguard5.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNMD0p-kcRA/XmTdOthGReI/AAAAAAAAE0k/OY9azMdO3iw-GeXs74zCSXVFzvWXDbedwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2BBodyguard6.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl6qBZ8ZGx4/XmTdO5DvFlI/AAAAAAAAE0o/dRzo7XGrwmEbfyRLChSg2kBj6THY1sVGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2BBodyguard7.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UQywxUzh4Oc/XmTdPXV7HcI/AAAAAAAAE0s/Zr54NZ1-V28wfHsJGqMWf9NiWegb2-8TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mablung%2BBodyguard8.JPG)
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Can’t wait for the paint! :o
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Brilliant :-* :-* :-*
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This topic is pure gold. I really like the interpretation of Beleriand armies
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Your conversion work is worthy of the greatest smiths of the First Age. You really capture the right look. Excellent craftsmanship !
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@Skirmisher and Lord Borjado: Thank you very much for the comments, guys. Glad you like them. :) Thanks also to everyone else who is keeping with me on this.
I'm hoping to get some paint on them in the next week or so - I work in education and am anticipating school closures due to the virus, so I may have a few additional hours available... Good job because my Davale Miniatures Bloody Elves Kickstarter (basically LOTR-alike Elves) is set to arrive in a couple of weeks, so I'll have yet more Noldor to paint as well as the Sindar and the 24 more Noldor I still have in the painting queue!! I never learn...
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I'm late to this particular party but I've just spent a worthwhile couple of hours reviewing the entire thread. Totally inspirational! The conversions, ideas and general creativity as well as fidelity to the great JRRT's vision are just superb.