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Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: vikotnik on January 24, 2010, 01:10:58 PM

Title: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: vikotnik on January 24, 2010, 01:10:58 PM
After finishing Nosferatu, I felt there should be something colourful again.

Lurch from MiniaturicuM and me chatted last autumn about a colourful table with lots of artificial flowers. I immediately started looking for possible miniatures and thought that one side should be represented by undead. As I have nearly the complete range of Confrontation Undead piling in my lead mountain, the choice was easy.
The table should be easy and fast to build and transport (1mx1m) and not too expensive for a change. ::)
The first game is to be held at our local convention 'Do or Dice' on March 13.

Lurch suggested using the Orphans from Zenit miniatures as the good guys and I immediately liked them, so these will be the good guys:
(http://zenitminiatures.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/huerfanos/nov_huer.jpg)
They should paint up brightly enough to be worthy antagonists to the undead, luckily, he had them in stock and sent them over.

The construction of the frame is already finished and the first undead are painted. If all goes well, I will post some pics this evening...


Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: Dr. The Viking on January 24, 2010, 02:11:08 PM
YES!

I'm sure it'll be just perfect. The confrontation minis are excellent.

What is Rut's garden?! Just an idea of your own!?
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: white knight on January 24, 2010, 03:03:27 PM
Good call on the orphans, I've been keeping an eye on them myself for some time, but managed to resist their temptation so far.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: dijit on January 24, 2010, 03:56:27 PM
Looks really interesting, I'll be keeping an eye out on this!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: Admiral Benbow on January 25, 2010, 02:22:15 PM
Looks like an interesting next game, Vikotnik. Hope to see the table soon ...
 ;D
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: NurgleHH on January 28, 2010, 07:27:28 AM
Very, very nice. Let us make a test game with lurch and grimm.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: dijit on January 28, 2010, 12:04:18 PM
Very, very nice. Let us make a test game with lurch and grimm.
It's enough to make those of us north of the border jealous, that you can say things like that! The rest of us have to wait for you guys to present them at the various conventions, whilst you guys get to play them long before they're ready. Green I am, green, especially if it's anything like Nosferatu.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War -Basic Table Construction
Post by: vikotnik on January 28, 2010, 10:08:48 PM
Thanks for your interest, guys!  :)
The pic above is from the website of Zenit Miniatures, forgot to mention that... ::)


Last weekend, I started with the basic construction of the table. As mentioned before, this one should be quite straightforward and not too expensive, the opposite of Nosferatu...

I found these at the DIY store and the measurements of the table were instantly clear: 1m x 1m!
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_23_05_0.jpg)

Some insulating styrofoam was bought to fill the frame.

Add to that a bottle of PVA and I spent nothing more than EUR 20,- for the basic table... ;D

A basic frame was made from the wooden strips shown above.

The styrofoam was connected with Cocktail sticks and glued with PVA:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_23_05_1.jpg)

After that, the foam was cut to the measurement of the frame and glued into it. I left it slightly larger so that it had to be squeezed inside the frame to make the whole table more rigid. The edges were filled with some elastic acrylic I had somewhere in my workshop.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_23_05_2.jpg)

I went over the flat and boring surface with a miniature blowtorch to make it more irregular, a cavity for a small pond was added:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_23_05_3.jpg)

Some hills made from leftover styrofoam ware added. To give them a more irregular surface and to prevent these small particles from getting everywhere, I tried to brush them with acetone to melt a kind of 'rocky' surface into them. While at it, I tried to deepen the basin for the pond in the same way with the result of that devilish stuff burning right through BOTH layers of styrofoam! CURSES!!!! >:(
Now I had a hole right near the middle of my table... >:( >:(

After calming down, I mixed up all the white glue I had bought, some water, a drop of washing-up liquid, lots of sand and a bit of colour to have this:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_23_05_4.jpg)
I know what it looks like, but I can assure you: It really smelled like PVA glue!

And spread it on the table:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_24_41_0.jpg)

While spreading, I sprayed the surface with a fine mist of water to keep it from drying. After the surface had been covered, I sprinkled all kinds of sand and gravel over it. When this was dry, I gave it a coat of thinned down PVA glue mixed with some sepia ink:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_24_41_1.jpg)
A close-up:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_24_41_2.jpg)
I already looks a bit like sandy potting soil! Man, I don't even need to paint it, how good is that?  ;D

Some static grass was flocked here and there over the table. The edges are a bit harsh and the green is too intense but I will correct that later:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_24_41_3.jpg)

More in-progress pics some time after this weekend... :)








Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: dijit on January 28, 2010, 10:18:44 PM
Looks great so far!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: Dr. The Viking on January 28, 2010, 10:18:59 PM
Looking good. You're very effective.

How will you match the bases and the table if you don't paint it? Can the same technique be applied when basing?

I had never thought of applying propanone directly to polystyrene... I would have expected more "total disaster". But I guess I will have to give it a go.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: Sangennaru on January 31, 2010, 05:43:02 PM
looks promising! i LOVE those orphans!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: Doomhippie on February 01, 2010, 10:51:09 AM
But Rut's Garden looks a lot mote tidy everytime I see it. I mean the real garden. Don't let her see your masterpiece here or she'll get to work on it... (we're talking about the scenery here, guys... no giggling!).

Seriously, I love this table. Looks really good.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War
Post by: Hammers on February 01, 2010, 11:44:33 AM
Sand and PVA, that's so simple and effective. How much sand could you stir into the gop and still get a durable surface?
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: vikotnik on February 07, 2010, 08:28:51 PM
Cheers, Lars! I hope to see You in my basement for a testgame soon!! Mrs. vikotnik has seen the finished table this evening and was pleased. Phew! She especially liked how I arranged the flowers according to her advice. ::)

Hammers, I stop adding sand to the PVA glue as soon as it does not drop from a spatula anymore. You can then almost sculpt it.

When the surface was finished, I had to think of something for inserting the flowers into the table. Over the years, I have seen many wargame tables and I must say that I do not like the looks of bases with vegetation on them that are scattered over the table. Not for this project at least. So I came up with this:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_28_01_10_10_24_41_4.jpg)

...and drilled a hole in the soil:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_45_56_0.jpg)

...the I hot-glued a piece of the black tube into it:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_45_56_1.jpg)

I scattered the tube-holes over the table where the vegetation should be. This was quite stupid work. The hot-glue melted through the styrofoam in one of the holes and I severely burnt my index finger, aaargh!!! >:(
The pond was made using Vallejo Water effects, this time, I used the blue-tinted stuff:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_45_56_2.jpg)
Again, I applied it with a pallette knife and dabbed the surface to give it some direction. Easy and fast.

I listened to Cathedral's 'Garden of Unearthly Delights' during the process of building the table and found the text of the song 'The Garden' quite fitting. So I decided to write a part of it on the frame:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_48_07_1.jpg)
I did it quite fast, it could certainly be more elaborate. However, I will use that again in a later project where I will do his in a more sophisticated way. Before I did that, the frame was stained and the upper edge was painted black. A thin (Well, relatively...)golden line was painted around the edge.

There is another thread by Funghy-Fipps on this forum mentioning Cathedral:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=13918.0
Check it out!

Here are the flowers:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_45_56_3.jpg)

And, finally, some views of the finished table:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_45_56_4.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_48_07_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_52_00_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_52_00_1.jpg)

The colour of the water in the pond will even out eventually, looking less like plastic and more like a water-filled hole in the ground. The most interesting thing with this project is to keep it straightforward and not to loose myself in perfecting details that no one besides me would notice anyway... This time, no scenic elements on the table have bases of any kind, the skull, the pieces of wood and the stones are simply put on the table as they are, the wood and stones are not even painted.

In one corner, there is a very special plant, newly designed by Apple in California vikotnik in Schleswig-Holstein:
The iplant:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_52_00_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_52_00_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_07_02_10_8_52_00_4.jpg)
 lol

That's it so far, now off to paint some miniatures!!!






Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: white knight on February 07, 2010, 08:33:16 PM
 :o
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: Dr. The Viking on February 07, 2010, 08:38:04 PM
LOL Karsten!

This is seriously looking good!

I haven't got the faintest idea about where it comes from, but it looks fantastic.

The idea with holes and plastic tube is brilliant. I wish I had been as forseeing as that.

By the way - many of those plant would make excellent scenery for VSF! Where did you get it and what did it cost?
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: Hammers on February 07, 2010, 08:47:59 PM
I love seeing how you know what you want to do and how to do it and then seeing you making  it happen. Also, you and Vanvlak got to be two of the more original members of this forum, which I admire you for.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: Doomhippie on February 07, 2010, 09:31:09 PM
Do you seriously have human skeletons lying in Mrs. Vikotnik garden? I thought she had enough of skulls. Aren't you suppoesed to keep your skeletons in the closet?  ;)
I love the iplant. And Cathedral is of course always the right thing to listen to...
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: Sangennaru on February 07, 2010, 09:34:04 PM
amazing, what to say... :)

I think it is one of the craziest tabletop I've ever seen!  o_o
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: Captain Blood on February 07, 2010, 09:44:15 PM
Wonderful Kärsten  :-*

The true spirit of Hieronymous Bosch is in this work...

Bring on the tortured souls!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: bc99 on February 07, 2010, 10:40:00 PM
Wowow... for many years I've considered doing a "fairy vs. goblin" type battle. This looks like it will just about fit the bill. I look forward to seeing more of your wonderful table.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: Agger on February 07, 2010, 10:52:05 PM
you must be some kind of superior overlord kind of wargamer alien  :)
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: Dr. The Viking on February 07, 2010, 11:08:05 PM
you must be some kind of superior overlord kind of wargamer alien  :)

Yes Karsten, you make us all feel ugly. I shall take my revenge at Tactica.  lol
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: grubman on February 08, 2010, 12:13:16 PM
that is very very NUTS!...I love it :)  Can't wait to see some battle reports, and a story to go along with it.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: dijit on February 08, 2010, 01:26:34 PM
Jeg iplant is very Jim Henson and 'The Labyrinth' like, truly goblinoid!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: marko.oja on February 08, 2010, 01:43:07 PM
nice and colourful,

love that not-at-all-creepy IPlant  :-*

marko
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: rob_alderman on February 10, 2010, 10:28:59 PM
That is an awesome table. Not only for the i-plant, but for the great choice in lyrics.

I'M MATTHEW HOPKINS-WITCHFINDER.
I love Cathedral, saw them at Hammerfest last year at 1.00AM or something silly like that.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: Doomsdave on February 15, 2010, 03:50:42 PM
This gives me a Hieronymous Bosch/ "A Midsummer Night's Dream" vibe.  Very well done sir.  I can imagine Puck, Oberon and Titania capering about on just such a landscape. 
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: rob_alderman on February 15, 2010, 04:39:48 PM
I do like a bit of Bosch. Have to agree.

The band is well suited then, what with their song 'Garden of Unearthly delights'.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table finished, pics added Feb. 7th--
Post by: The Rock on February 17, 2010, 02:23:28 PM
Nice work
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: vikotnik on March 21, 2010, 09:02:45 PM
Alright, so we had our convention yesterday and I really managed to finish the miniatures in time!

I will post some pics of Do or Dice 2010 in the relevant thread some time next week.

Presenting the game was a blast, I used the 'Song of Blades and Heroes'-ruleset as they are easy to explain and guarantee fast and exciting gameplay. Just my cup of tea. Have a look here:

http://songofblades.blogspot.com/ (http://songofblades.blogspot.com/)


Visually, the miniatures worked quite well on the table and I could finally enjoy what the gamers made of it. Please note that these pictures are made spontaneously at the convention. I will post proper pics of the miniatures during next week or so...  ::)


Have fun with the pictures!

The story is quite simple:

The grave digger...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_24_50_4.jpg)

...and his malicious wife...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_24_50_3.jpg)


...think that their graveyard is too small for the vast amounts of dead that have to be buried. So they venture out with their employer...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_24_50_0.jpg)

...into the adjacent garden in order to acquire more territory.

The residential fairy-like 'Orphans'...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_29_02_4.jpg)

...do not like that and try to resist!

Among them are some characters:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_19_12_1.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_19_12_4.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_19_12_2.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_29_02_1.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_29_02_2.jpg)



Even a troll druid, the 'Green Brother' has decided to help them:

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_19_12_0.jpg)

Secret weapons such as Blowpipes of Death...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_19_12_3.jpg)

...and a swarm of bugs...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_24_50_1.jpg)

...would be used to defend Rut's beautiful garden against the vile evil from the graveyard!

Let the slaughter commence!

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_29_01_0.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_29_02_3.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/5/173_21_03_10_9_24_50_2.jpg)

 :)



Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: Gibby on March 21, 2010, 09:07:02 PM
Stunning. Please, where is that Grim Reaper model from?
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: vikotnik on March 21, 2010, 09:11:48 PM
...where is that Grim Reaper model from?

Cheers, Gibby!

Enigma Miniatures:
http://enigmaminiatures.com/prestashop/product.php?id_product=52 (http://enigmaminiatures.com/prestashop/product.php?id_product=52)

This one is way too small to visually be a fitting antagonist to the 'Green Brother', so I am currently looking out for suitably sinister large-scale Olley sculpts...
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: Doomhippie on March 21, 2010, 09:19:58 PM
It sure was a nice table. Unfortunately I didn't get to play on it but I'm sure you had the right players from what I was able to see. And please do finish the witch fairy. Such a sweet little hippie...
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: Agger on March 21, 2010, 09:26:25 PM
This is just so overly perfect  :'(
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: Dr. The Viking on March 21, 2010, 09:31:47 PM
Oh! Karsten my man, you were at the Do or Dice?

I didn't notice you or your table there I'm afraid.

Must have been blinding by the VSF table by the Danish guys over in the corner.



Good thing that there are no killer slugs in that garden.

 ;D
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: Red Orc on March 21, 2010, 09:38:01 PM
Gorgeous. Lovely table, fantastical minis, and a really original background and setting. Don't get me wrong, I like games where great hulking mechanical behemoths grind each other into the ground and millions die, but a commando raid by Death and some extras from Alice in Wonderland up against some delinquent fairies, beetles and giant wizard... magical, really.

Once again I wish there was an emoticon for 'applause' because I'd be using it right now. A truely beautiful looking game.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: rob_alderman on March 21, 2010, 09:48:29 PM
Beautiful table and beautiful models. Very interesting.
I'd buy into it.  :D
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: dijit on March 22, 2010, 07:27:32 AM
Absolutely fantastic Carsten! Really a unique game and set up. It'd be great to see this expanded with all sorts of fantastic fantasy fun.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: bc99 on March 22, 2010, 09:00:55 AM
So, so awesome. I noted earlier in the post that I've always been interested in faires vs. goblins or some sort of thing, but this... this has taken the cake.

Thanks so much for the inspiration, I'm amazed how fast you got it done and all of the wonderful miniatures.

Ciao!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: NurgleHH on March 22, 2010, 12:13:30 PM
I was a little bit disappointed. It is the unbalanced games I ever played... ;)

Ok, it was brilliant and we had a lot of fun. Thank you, Karsten
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: oxiana on March 22, 2010, 12:26:03 PM
Hurrah! This is utterly wonderful.

I don't think you could have picked a theme with a greater contrast to your Nosferatu. From black and white to glorious technicolour.

 :-*
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: Funghy-Fipps on March 22, 2010, 01:24:26 PM
What a fantastic and original concept that has been realised with the finesse of an artist.  It really does make a change to see such an unusual table and combination of miniatures (we wargamers are generally a conservative bunch when it comes to such things).  Count me in as looking forward to the 'proper' pictures ('though the convention ones are awe-inspiring enough as it is)!

Actually I'm off to see Cathedral at the end of April (with the awesome Gates of Slumber in support)...
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: abhorsen950 on March 22, 2010, 04:01:59 PM
Really fantastic.

Steve
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Table in action, pics added 21. 03. 10---
Post by: vikotnik on May 04, 2010, 04:47:54 PM
Cheers again for the nice comments, guys!
 ;D

Meanwhile, not much has happened.

As a small convention will be held on one of the next weekends, I simply had to add a bit to it even though I was extremely busy.

The only things I could manage was to find and paint a proper antagonist for the Troll:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_04_05_10_5_37_03_0.jpg)

Welf VIII from this and other fine forums helped immensely in tracking that one down, I learned that this miniature actually is quite collectable. Cheers Oliver!
He is a bit smaller than the troll, but, well, he is UNDEAD and fits the style of the troll very well.


...and I ordered and painted the Giant Slug from Otherworld, I simply could not resist:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_04_05_10_5_37_03_1.jpg)

Cheese!
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_04_05_10_5_37_03_2.jpg)

Here it is in the real Garden of Rut:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_04_05_10_5_37_03_3.jpg)


Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: capthugeca on May 04, 2010, 05:03:57 PM
That undead giant is incredible. I have never seen so realistic rust.
And the slug - Words fail me!
Utterly brilliant.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Jase on May 04, 2010, 06:01:25 PM
Yuck!!! And I mean that in the most positive way possible!!  lol

That snail is fantastic!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Ray Rivers on May 04, 2010, 06:05:55 PM
THAT... is definitely a yucky slug. 

 :o

Nice painting!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: marrony on May 04, 2010, 06:09:08 PM
That slug is a triumph....very well done.But still gives me the creeps! lol
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: rob_alderman on May 04, 2010, 06:11:36 PM
That slug is awesome. Looks really real.

The skeleton is cool, I'd like it more if the armour was looser though.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: abhorsen950 on May 04, 2010, 06:20:17 PM
That slug is quality stuff.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Thantsants on May 04, 2010, 06:54:06 PM
Brilliant - saw someone elses giant slug on Frothers (ooh err that didn't sound right!  :o) Fantastic mini and an amazing paint job! I want one - don't know what for but I want one!

Am I right in thinking you've based it on a Limax maximus or otherwise more commonly known as a Leopard Slug...  ;)
Have you seen how these chaps mate - remember seeing them on a David Attenborough documentary - wouldn't want to be underneath two of the giant variety in the throes of passion!  ;D

Loving the rust on the undead giant too - you'll have to give us some tips!  :D
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Steve F on May 04, 2010, 08:36:26 PM
Also love (that is, am creeped out by) the slug.  But what's the circular hole on its right side?
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Agger on May 04, 2010, 08:36:57 PM
 :-*

(totally pointless response, but it pretty much sums up what I wanted to say)
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Dr. The Viking on May 04, 2010, 09:33:08 PM
Karsten, I've got an old boot for you. It has a history!

Nice slug though. I didn't get the picture with the grass until I figured out it was a model.

I looooooove Bob Olley miniatures, so obviously I love that skeleton (giant).
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Erny on May 05, 2010, 08:46:22 AM
Man, I thought the second slug photo was a real one you'd used as reference for your paint job!

Good stuff.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: NurgleHH on May 05, 2010, 10:33:21 AM
Oh Viko, next weekend I take this snail with some garlic in Oliveoil. Ok?
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: dijit on May 05, 2010, 11:20:39 AM
Man, I thought the second slug photo was a real one you'd used as reference for your paint job!

Good stuff.
Ok it was only after reading this comment, that I realised it too!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Aaron on May 05, 2010, 01:46:16 PM
Fantasy is not really my thing so I am just stumbling on this now. I did not think you could top your Nosferatu board, but I was wrong. Everything about this from the concept through to the life-like slug are fantastic. I never thought I would say this but you elevate a simple game/hobby to true art.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: oxiana on May 07, 2010, 10:09:50 AM
Who makes this great mini?

(http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq291/oxianaboy/173_21_03_10_9_24_50_4.jpg)

Thanks.  :)
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Sybou on May 07, 2010, 11:34:33 AM
It s a confrontation miniatures from the cadwallon range.

I think it s an OOP but you can still find it in some shop I guess.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Remington on May 08, 2010, 03:24:51 PM
I am sitting in front of my pc with a huge smile on my face and I still can't wrap my head around the project's brilliance! Sometimes in hobby life there are moments of blinding cheerful creativity that makes you think: "That's why I am doing this!"... Thank you for giving me one of those moments.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Lt. Hazel on May 08, 2010, 03:36:24 PM
This is a great project! I feel the same as Remington.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: vikotnik on May 08, 2010, 08:03:22 PM
Cheers again for the comments, guys! They really keep me going!
There will be a third party representing the 'force of Mother Nature'...

Am I right in thinking you've based it on a Limax maximus or otherwise more commonly known as a Leopard Slug...  ;)

 :o
I have thought of researching the correct common term for that species but thought it too time-consuming. Here in Germany, it is oddly enough called 'Tigerschlegel' - Tiger Slug.
We have some of them in out garden-real ones, I mean...  ;D

I am sitting in front of my pc with a huge smile on my face and I still can't wrap my head around the project's brilliance! Sometimes in hobby life there are moments of blinding cheerful creativity that makes you think: "That's why I am doing this!"... Thank you for giving me one of those moments.

@Remington and Hazel: This really is a nice thing you said. Cheers! :)

Luckily, Welf VIII. from this forum requested some in-progress shots while I painted the miniature, so I can show you how I did the rust effect on the skeleton's armour:

VGC=Vallejo Game Colour
VMC=Vallejo Model Colour
I always thin my paint with a 1:6 Mixture of Water/Future Floor Wax.

Step 1:
Metal parts primed white(!) sprayed over a black undercoat. I find it easier to define the general direction of light shining on the miniature.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_08_05_10_8_24_20_0.jpg)


Step 2:
VMC #828 Woodgrain (Transparent) wash over metal parts:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_08_05_10_8_24_20_1.jpg)
Sorry for the blurry pic...

Step 3:
First highlight using a 50/50 mix of VMC #828 and #851 Deep Orange. I applied the mixture as a wash. The trick with rust is that it works the opposite way that other materials. Liquids tend to collect in the deepest areas of a metallic object, so the lightest parts should be in the recesses. So it really should be called 'deeplight'...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_08_05_10_8_24_20_2.jpg)
Curses! Blurryness again!!! >:(

Step 4:
I added some more orange to the mix and applied it to smaller areas deeper in the recesses:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_08_05_10_8_24_20_3.jpg)

Step 5:
Some VGC #38 'Scrofulous Brown' to give it a yellowish hue and VVMC #70815 'Basic Skintone' to make it more opaque was added into the mix:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_08_05_10_8_24_20_4.jpg)

...and a different view:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_08_05_10_8_25_53_0.jpg)

Step 6:
I added some metal areas where the rust has chipped off in order to break up the whole, erm, orangyness. I used VGC #54 Gunmetal and VGC #72053 chainmail for this:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_08_05_10_8_25_53_1.jpg)

Done!


This is far too time-consuming and over-the-top for a simple gaming piece, but it had to be done, don't you think?





Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Hammers on May 08, 2010, 08:50:05 PM
In Sweden the cannibalistic European summer plague Arion vulgaris is  (un-)popularly called the 'Murder Slug' although it' more correctly vulgar name is Spanish slug. Vikkotnik's example certainly strikes the attitude of one, although the coloring is different.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Doomhippie on May 08, 2010, 09:44:35 PM
The rust looks really impressive and yes, I wouldn't use this method if I wanted to paint lots of models. However, leaving out one or two steps does the trick for lots of minis. Okay, they don't look half as good as this one. Two thumbs up (more if I may use my feet).  :)
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Remington on May 08, 2010, 11:12:31 PM
Great rust tutorial... I was missing a good one.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: dijit on May 09, 2010, 03:20:25 PM
In Sweden the cannibalistic European summer plague Arion vulgaris is  (un-)popularly called the 'Murder Slug' although it' more correctly vulgar name is Spanish slug. Vikkotnik's example certainly strikes the attitude of one, although the coloring is different.
In Denmark they're known as Dræbersnegl - killer slugs! It's always amused me that we have a group of homicidal gastropods running around our gardens. I'm sure sometimes I can hear the clatter of AK47s og 9mm pistols from our back garden.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: Welf VIII. on May 09, 2010, 07:30:33 PM
Step 1:
Metal parts primed white(!)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/173_08_05_10_8_24_20_0.jpg)

Well, that is not just white colour i spot on that scythe. You must have forgotten to mention a step.


All in all I am not overly enthusiastic when looking at vikotnik's project. I do think it is a good thing he was finally able to afford more colours than just black and white, but as long as he doesn't start with any serious project I won't applaud.

And I have to admit feeling insulted by the way he uses to write my name. It isn't that difficult, isn't it?
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Hammers on May 09, 2010, 07:34:40 PM
Stonking tutorial, Karsten. I may, with your permission make a sticky copy of this in 'How to...'
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Slug and undead giant added---
Post by: vikotnik on May 09, 2010, 07:54:23 PM
Well, that is not just white colour i spot on that scythe. You must have forgotten to mention a step.

Sorted.

And I have to admit feeling insulted by the way he uses to write my name. It isn't that difficult, isn't it?

Sorted. Stop whinging. Although you should have been happy that I got the number right. I tend to be a bit simple when it comes to numbers.

Please note that Welf VII. and me know each other in real life and usually, we get along welf, er, well.

Stonking tutorial, Karsten. I may, with your permission make a sticky copy of this in 'How to...'

Of course!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Welf VIII. on July 22, 2010, 08:37:22 AM
No updates in recent time. Eaten up by worms?

I guess you have put this mediocre project to bed and went for something more innovative like Space Marines, Napoleonics or Flames of War?
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Centaur_Seducer on July 22, 2010, 10:38:12 AM
I love this project, will we see it at GLAM next year? ;)
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Plynkes on July 22, 2010, 10:40:54 AM
It was at GLAM this year.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Argonor on July 22, 2010, 10:41:51 AM
It was at GLAM this year.

 lol lol
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Hammers on July 22, 2010, 10:43:07 AM
It was at GLAM this year.

In fact, we got to meet Rut herself.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Centaur_Seducer on July 22, 2010, 07:31:51 PM
It was at GLAM this year.
I was hoping for a re-run :(
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: vikotnik on July 23, 2010, 04:41:57 AM
We will have it at GLAM next year again as I will not start with my new project before spring next year.

Welf VIII. , two new parties are in the works right now, I will post some pics as soon as they are finished.
Now off to painting some WWII Napoleonics...
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: Centaur_Seducer on July 23, 2010, 07:12:01 AM
We will have it at GLAM next year again as I will not start with my new project before spring next year.
Great news! :)
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: white knight on July 23, 2010, 09:35:17 AM
Now off to painting some WWII Napoleonics...

 ???
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --Small rust tutorial added---
Post by: vikotnik on August 26, 2010, 09:32:23 PM
???
lol
I was just joking my friend.

During the last few weeks, I decided to paint up two additional warbands. As the table only is about 1mx1m, there will be a lot going on, no round will pass without something unforseen happening to the players!

I made some photos in my new photo booth and tried my new camera. Some of them have been made with the background cloth that came with the booth. I do not like it at all, but nevermind...

The first warband I came up with was a group of grubs. I saw the Bileworms at http://www.gribblyminiatures.co.uk/home.php (http://www.gribblyminiatures.co.uk/home.php) and instantly had the idea of an according warband!
The 'King of Grubs' needed no cleaning up and was a lot of fun to paint, here he is(with a proper background):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_9_59_34_4.jpg)

I just had to include at least one of the 'Larve Cthonique' from Rackham; the rest of the gang are leeches made by Otherworld Miniatures, here we have all of them, complete with blurryness in the front(Curses!):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_9_59_34_3.jpg)

The next warband I came up with was the plants trying to reclaim their territory.
Dryad Queen:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_9_59_33_0.jpg)

Tree King:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_9_59_34_1.jpg)

Dryads:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_9_59_34_2.jpg)

OK, this was the LAST pic with that dreadful blue cloth as background EVER!

Here are some I just made for fun, just to check out how the equipment works, with the printed background seen behind the Grub King:

Morticus and Malicia:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_10_02_44_0.jpg)

Some of the skeletons:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_10_02_44_1.jpg)

Blowpipe Pixies:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_10_02_44_3.jpg)

Pelota Pixies:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_10_02_44_4.jpg)

Pixie Characters:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_10_05_11_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_10_05_11_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_10_02_44_2.jpg)

...and finally, the little witch Doomhippie talked about earlier, she is called 'Janis':
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/173_26_08_10_10_05_11_2.jpg)

I will be at TST convention in Bad Oldesloe this weekend and will take some pictures during the turmoil of the game, they will be uploaded next week or so.




Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: dijit on August 26, 2010, 09:45:01 PM
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Some really great paint jobs, I'm still kicking myself that I didn't get chance to play this at GLAM, maybe another time?
Where are your dryads from? The last three look GW with a bit of work (I'm guessing though), but don't recognise the Tree King or Queen.
Duncan
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: vikotnik on August 26, 2010, 09:52:43 PM
Cheers, Duncan!

The Dryads are from several manufacturers: The Queen is a 54mm miniature from Enigma while the King is an OOP Rackham miniature that came in a box with some orc called 'Grakkha'(I believe). The three 'ordinary' dryads are from a spanish manufacturer called 'Tales of War', they have not been converted at all.

I will have the table with me at Horisont II convention in Esbjerg this year, so why don't we have a game there?  ;D
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: dijit on August 26, 2010, 09:58:27 PM

I will have the table with me at Horisont II convention in Esbjerg this year, so why don't we have a game there?  ;D
Sounds like a deal and thanks for the heads up on the minis! I also heard from a little bird (no names but we all know him as Thorbjørn) that it's your round birthday soon (or has it just been?) so congratulations good sir too whilst I remember.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: Thantsants on August 26, 2010, 10:23:20 PM
Many happy returns and I love the worms in particular!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: Dr. The Viking on August 27, 2010, 05:50:37 AM
I will have the table with me at Horisont II convention in Esbjerg this year, so why don't we have a game there?  ;D

I thought this needed quoting.  ;)

I think the look on the Janis figure is superb! I really like that one. Makes me want to do a witches vs. vikings game some day.

The rest of also good! We should exchange blue-blood-veins-painting experiences someday!  lol

Sounds like a deal and thanks for the heads up on the minis! I also heard from a little bird (no names but we all know him as Thorbjørn) that it's your round birthday soon (or has it just been?) so congratulations good sir too whilst I remember.

I must protest! I would never spread such rumours. Karsten is immune to aging. He turns 29 every year.  lol

Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: rob_alderman on August 27, 2010, 09:11:45 AM
Fan-Daby-Dozy!!!!

Where are those dryads from? My girlfriend would love to have some!  :)

Your paintjobs are awesome and I really love your ideas.  :) Excellent use of the miniatures too, they all have the right feel about them.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: dijit on August 27, 2010, 10:26:12 AM

I must protest! I would never spread such rumours. Karsten is immune to aging. He turns 29 every year.  lol

lol
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: YPU on August 27, 2010, 01:19:43 PM
Each time I think the awesomeness is at en and something new pops up, I bow to your skill.
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: .Per. on August 28, 2010, 03:01:13 PM
Lovely board! Where did you find the eyes for the iplant? : )
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: Captain Blood on August 28, 2010, 06:12:36 PM
Some wonderful figures and painting there Karsten  :)
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: LeadAsbestos on August 29, 2010, 05:24:53 AM
This is such a great thread! I never would have been interested in this idea, or these minis had someone simply told me abt them, but I am completely in awe of this spectacular project!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: Delaney on August 30, 2010, 02:39:29 AM
Very inspiring!  My wife would love a table like this- she keeps eyeing off my Talisman fairee...
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War --New warbands added---
Post by: vikotnik on November 05, 2010, 04:38:44 AM
Thank you again for the nie comments, guys!
 :)

Just wanted to let you know that i will be at Crisis convention in Antwerp tomorrow to present this table.  If you would be interested, I would be happy to host a game for you.

 
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War at Crisis 10!
Post by: white knight on November 05, 2010, 08:02:53 AM
I will wander over, at least to admire the table and figures. :)
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War at Crisis 10!
Post by: DeafNala on November 10, 2010, 01:22:28 PM
Thanks MUCHO for posting your FINE work. Beyond the inspiring terrain & beautiful minis, I find the whole project to be liberating & highly motivating...at my age, motivation is a cherished thing. VERY WELL DONE!
Title: Re: Rut's Garden of War at Crisis 10!
Post by: Tomsche on November 10, 2010, 02:23:51 PM
And congratulations again!!!


I definitly liked the whole look, though `the job` on the day prevented me for a chitchat