Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: magnusthetraitor on January 15, 2013, 07:55:00 PM

Title: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-30-13)
Post by: magnusthetraitor on January 15, 2013, 07:55:00 PM
Seeing the Hobbit inspired me to break out the fantasy figs once more, and take a break from the sci fi end of things. I've got a number of scenarios in mind, and with more hobby time than hobby cash available, I figured this is the right time to play around with doing some sculpting. I'll be using SoBH or Brink of Battle for the rules end of things.

First, some Avatars of War Berserker dwarves, with added pelts:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fc63Sl-fZ1s/UOspnCJE6-I/AAAAAAAAEz4/KRAtHkRQsAI/s800/2013-01-07.jpg)

Some pack boars for them to guard:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YRiqcKjSIYk/UO75sh-mjxI/AAAAAAAAE1g/eVD90Rg4Y6M/s640/IMAG0055.jpg)

I've been re-sculpting the faces of some ogres and other assorted figs to match my favorite style of troll, the older GW Stone Troll:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RaMZdZWctl4/UPWV1P-7VMI/AAAAAAAAE44/UVl22aIcIyY/s640/IMAG0072.jpg)

I needed a proper leader for my nasty orc warbands, so I worked up this fellow:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ddJRWG6SZoY/UPWyzVuYmgI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/rQHIpjOhbkA/s400/IMAG0040-1.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-veRaXZzrQG0/UPWyzaLRVXI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/fy6avJ8S1AI/s400/IMAG0038-1.jpg)

Apologies for the blurriness! I hadn't thought they were this bad until I uploaded them. I need to break out the tripod and take some proper pictures with better lighting. I can't even find a decent picture of the rest of the orcs and goblins.

I'm planning on building some dwarven cavern terrain tiles for some skirmish gaming fun, but I find that I work better on the terrain if I've already got some painted minis to put onto said terrain! I'm certainly open to inspiration, so if you have seen any cool cavern/mine terrain I'd love to heard about it.

Thanks for reading,
Magnus
Title: Re: magnusthetraitor's Dwarf & Orc grudge match skirmish project
Post by: Gutbukkit on January 15, 2013, 08:17:25 PM
A great looking project. I love the extra sculpted detail you have added. I shall follow this with interest.
Title: Re: magnusthetraitor's Dwarf & Orc grudge match skirmish project
Post by: Doomhippie on January 15, 2013, 10:33:35 PM
looks good. I love the orc.

Isn't it wonderful how just a little idea get's you started on a whole new project? That's what I like about this hobby.
Title: Re: magnusthetraitor's Dwarf & Orc grudge match skirmish project
Post by: rob_alderman on January 16, 2013, 12:41:35 AM
Great project and great conversions, I particularly like the boars...
Title: Re: magnusthetraitor's Dwarf & Orc grudge match skirmish project
Post by: driller on January 16, 2013, 09:21:40 AM
Hobbit did the same to me... It wasn't even a good film, but the dwarves were cool. :)
Title: Re: magnusthetraitor's Dwarf & Orc grudge match skirmish project
Post by: magnusthetraitor on January 21, 2013, 05:02:15 PM
I've been working on some of the cavern and ruin terrain pieces. I have a number of other pieces planned to form the outline of my cavernous battlefields, but I still need to pick up some supplies. In the meantime, I worked up these scatter pieces to be placed about the interior regions.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K9_cmP5K-0o/UPy1SRxO3JI/AAAAAAAAE_E/1ttzyhozaoM/s640/DSCN4075.JPG)

The crystals are carved foam insulation, and the torches are greenstuff I sculpted. The firepit was a practice piece where I tested my colors and technique. I quite like it though, as it makes me feel quite warm!

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c8WKt0xaUxQ/UPy1QXx0IqI/AAAAAAAAE_M/ffQ5atqXsNc/s640/DSCN4073.JPG)

I wanted some statuary or decorative elements on the pillars, so I grabbed my Instant Mold and went hunting through the bits box. This is what I came up with.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q66RCGuBtHE/UPy06VhPi1I/AAAAAAAAE_4/QyTIxn0_tVw/s640/DSCN4062.JPG)

I really wanted to add splashes of vibrant color to this terrain, as our club has quite a lot of grey and brown natural-looking terrain, and it could use some more outlandish pieces. The blue crystals will one day soon be joined by bioluminescent fungae and algal pools.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A5q6jd6cubI/UPy1AFBRfAI/AAAAAAAAE_s/x2e7bLFltz8/s640/DSCN4064.JPG)

Here is the Troll matron I sculpted a new face for, seen unpainted in my first post. I think she looks quite content in her new home!

Thanks for reading,
Magnus

PS I have a new camera to play with. Can you tell? :-)
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: Mo! on January 21, 2013, 05:06:29 PM
Wow your sourcelighting is really really nice!!! Looks so real!
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: DeafNala on January 21, 2013, 06:16:18 PM
Wow your sourcelighting is really really nice!!! Looks so real!

I agree...AND I'm not usually all that keen on source lighting.
The Cavern pieces & the Inhabitants are all EXCELLENT little creations. Taking existing minis & making them uniquely your own is an art in itself; its an art for which you have a decided flair. GREAT STUFF!
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: magnusthetraitor on January 21, 2013, 06:18:44 PM
Wow your sourcelighting is really really nice!!! Looks so real!

Thanks! I use an airbrush and try to spray from the angle of the torch, moving it around and building up the layers. Picking the right colors was much harder than doing the spraying!

Magnus
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: manic _miner on January 21, 2013, 06:42:46 PM
 Great scenery and very well painted.Would love to see a whole tables worth with miniatures too.
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: B. Basiliscus on January 21, 2013, 07:05:56 PM
this looks like a very fun project! keeping my eyes on it.
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: magnusthetraitor on January 21, 2013, 07:34:17 PM
Great scenery and very well painted.Would love to see a whole tables worth with miniatures too.

You and me both! I have the MDF bases cut and sanded in preparation for my next batch of cavern walls. That will give me the basics for a 36" square table easily. I won't be getting the foam to build those pieces until later, so I will be busily painting orcs and goblins in the mean time. Somewhere in there I will need to stat up these baddies in Brink of Battle.

 
Quote
Taking existing minis & making them uniquely your own is an art in itself; its an art for which you have a decided flair. GREAT STUFF!

Thanks! As a fan of your work, I really appreciate the compliment.  :)

Magnus
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: Thantsants on January 21, 2013, 07:35:43 PM
Lovely scenery and that old stone troll looks great in grey and green  8)
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: southheaven on January 21, 2013, 08:12:13 PM
This is looking great. Can wait to see the way this project is going.
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: Engel on January 21, 2013, 08:30:45 PM
Nice work, especially the source lighting on those crystals and the fire effects.
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: Ninja on January 23, 2013, 07:45:41 PM
Very inspiring I may have to try this out!
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: Blackwolf on January 23, 2013, 07:48:01 PM
Impressive stuff :)
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-21-13)
Post by: magnusthetraitor on January 30, 2013, 09:00:22 PM
I ran a game for a few friends this last weekend, but didn't take a whole lot in the way of pictures. They were all miniatures wargame newbs, so I made up some simple stat cards for Brink of Battle. They were able to visually ID their figures (each had command of 3-5 figures) from the cards. The symbols represent Combat, Command, Consitution, and Armor stats. It made it easier when in the middle of play someone asked "which number do I add?" and I could respond with "the number by the swords."  :)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dzDm-1RXVS0/UQMXySq5vUI/AAAAAAAAFGk/Upi0vRBTWeg/s400/ExampleCards.png)

The goblins were pretty heavily outmatched by the dwarves in this scenario, and were butchered quite readily. Since I was playing the goblins, everyone else was quite happy! Brink of Battle was fun, but to bring a proper goblin horde would quickly tax the limited "activation stones" the goblin side had available. You gain a number equal to your command stat (plus 3 if you win initiative) and my poor goblin command Morg the Wary had a relatively low Command stat of 5, and over 14 goblins to command. I'm looking into adding a "Mob Mentality" trait to facilitate movement of cheap conscript troops in small units, all activating at the same time.

Here is the board before figures were put down:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q_IjCjLb54g/UQmHYH6ALuI/AAAAAAAAFHw/FH3FEZWZSy8/s640/IMAG0085.jpg)

I was in a rush to get the rest of the cavern terrain to a game-able standard, so I didn't have time to add mushrooms, crystals and torches. I'll be adding detail later on.

Thanks,
Magnus
Title: Re: My Dwarf & Orc skirmish project (update 1-30-13)
Post by: Admiral Benbow on January 30, 2013, 09:05:03 PM
Excellent work!
 :-*