ROUND 4 Pro Patria Mori vs Wargames - Animal Farm Winter 1946

[Captain Blood]

[Mancha]

Well, those are among the best painted pigs I've ever seen.  Yup...

[DFlynSqrl]

Nice use of the map tile for the table!

[Alxbates]

I had to vote for Animal Farm because of the great concept and the map tile.

[gamer Mac]

I don't get the concept on the second one! Can anybody explain

[Malebolgia]

Really like both of them. The first one uses a very cool backdrop which really enhances the whole picture and adds a lot to it. The painting also looks very nice and it is always a treat to see Hasslefree stuff painted.
The second is sheer genious in its design. A lot of painted stuff, lots of character and great humour. And there is a tank.
Good job on both entries!

[Braxandur]

I don't get the concept on the second one! Can anybody explain

I'd suggest reading the book "animal farm" by George Orwell. The must be a meeting of the pigs. Perhaps even the at the end of the book when an outsider looks at the pigs.

Then again, I have no clue why there is a swine in a tank 

[Wirelizard]

The period photo as a background for the WW1 hobbits is inspired, as is the (GW Empires?) map tile and general concept of the Animal Farm setup!

Not an easy choice!

Who makes the pigs?

[Vanvlak]

OK, I'll have a shot at explaining. But first - yes, using the trench and the view 'over the step' was a grand idea.  

Animal Farm was a swipe at Communism by George Orwell, and in this the pigs led a revolt which resulted in an animal-owned farm; eventually they themselves became an elite, and things ended up same as before for the other animals.
In this case, some years down the line the Pigs are at war with their neighbours, and they're into mechanized warfare (hence the SU with the - uh - sawn-off cannon); and four of the bosses are meeting to plan the next campaign (on what I'd love to have for a games table!). The tank happened to be passing; and there's a human mechanic (his tools in his apron can only just be seen) for no good reason except that he has slightly porcine features, which can of course not be made out in my photo. With him is a cat. Cats belong anywhere.
The pig is in the tank because I like tanks with a Saukopf...    
The four 'main' pigs are, by the way, allegoric: one is a War pig, one a Worker pig, one a Sea pig and one an Air pig (hence the propeller leaning against the table). Yes, I know, hopelessly over the top and whatever happened to the-picture-tells-a-story?
But they were fun to paint. And I'd had this table idea for ages, so this provided a good excuse to use it.
WireLizard - yes, the table is a map tile from GW's Mighty Empires campaign pack (the current edition) - it was free with an old White Dwarf; the pigs are actually mounts for a range of dwarfs from -dang! I forgot! I'll try to find out.

[Malebolgia]

They're from West Wind's range, aren't they? The range with all the dwarves riding all kinds of weird animals?

[Vanvlak]

They're from West Wind's range, aren't they? The range with all the dwarves riding all kinds of weird animals?

That's it! West wind. Thanks Malebolgia.

[keeper]

Great concept, Vanvlak   The prop against the table next the the flying pig is a really nice touch

How did you get that nice water effect on the pig's base on the right?  Is it just painted on? Because if it is, it is very good!

[Wilkins]

Amazing concept on the second one, no idea how you thought of doing that! And you pulled it off marvellously as well, great effort!

[Vanvlak]

Great concept, Vanvlak   The prop against the table next the the flying pig is a really nice touch

How did you get that nice water effect on the pig's base on the right?  Is it just painted on? Because if it is, it is very good!

Thanks 
The water effect uses a basing material which produces a gritty base; I usually roughen it up a bit to produce a choppy sort of surface and paint the lot blue, shade some slightly lighter blue and then drybrush with white for the foam. I'll check the name of the product once at home - my memory is rubbish!
The idea cropped up because a trawl of the lead mountain unearthed the pigs, which are (a) nice old models (b) fast and easy to paint (c) unusual (d) they could be easily placed to overlook the table, which I'd been itching to include (with taller legs it looks a bit unsteady). The tank came as an afterthought.

[Mad Carew Snr]

Both excellent!