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Author Topic: Working Through the Pile of Dwarves  (Read 3665 times)

Offline arabianknight

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Re: Working Through the Pile of Dwarves
« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2022, 09:21:34 AM »
I am too nonplussed when it comes to painting shields: “do I paint it normally or do I go for a freehand? And what I could I draw??”

I keep meaning to investigate decals but never get round to it.

Any suggestions from anyone more than welcome.  ;)

Offline robh

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Re: Working Through the Pile of Dwarves
« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2022, 10:46:41 AM »
For shield designs the best place to start is with a sourcebook on heraldry.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Heraldry-Origins-Symbols-Designs/dp/1855855607

This one is excellent and has hundreds of designs pictured.

Once you know the "rules" regarding which colours can be used and how they are arranged, coming up with designs is easy.
For decals VVV do a small range of medieval heraldic devices in various colours that can be added to shields and surcoats or barding. They also have standard devices like Fleur-de-lys and Crosses in differing sizes and colours.
The excellent old GW fantasy decal sets still appear on eBay regularly but are never cheap. The later releases became very GW unit specific while the earlier were more generic.

Offline jon_1066

  • Mad Scientist
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Re: Working Through the Pile of Dwarves
« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2022, 02:45:24 PM »
Great looking dwarves, I like the shield design a lot.  Almost look like a load of hammers.  Sort of a dwarf version or ermine.

I would take inspiration from the heraldry books but these are fantasy races so don't get stuck on the rules as such.  Also you can take inspiration from Viking/Anglo Saxon, Celtic, etc.

The simplest form is halving the shield, then quarters, perhaps a diagonal  break across it, for dwarves geometric mountain shapes are always good, hammers are relatively simple shapes to try as well.  Keep doing it and you'll get better.  I find the best way is to paint in a dilute grey what you want to draw then go back over it with the colour you want.

Offline arabianknight

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Re: Working Through the Pile of Dwarves
« Reply #18 on: May 28, 2022, 09:20:56 AM »

To celebrate my Dwarven horde reaching 20 strong I thought I'd do something different from the pile - an old 80's Dwarf  'Copter.

The jacket and scarf seemed like a nod to the old RAF pilots of WWII so that is why the jacket is such a non-fantasy jacket colour. With the pilot dropping a bomb it needed a target - set up an unused bag of Citadel Snotlings to supply a willing subject.

I think we should also take a moment to look at the packaging and take in the instructions for these new fangled "slotta" bases - they'll never catch on!


Offline arabianknight

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Re: Working Through the Pile of Dwarves
« Reply #19 on: June 21, 2022, 07:00:02 PM »


Two more standard troops. One may be a guard, actually. He's certainly leaning on his spear enough to have been standing watch for a few hours! An old Harlequin figure.
I really should have done something with the mould line on the right hand figure, but oh well, maybe next time.

Offline Orctrader

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Re: Working Through the Pile of Dwarves
« Reply #20 on: June 21, 2022, 07:35:49 PM »
I think I have missed this thread... ::)

Very good.  Nicely painted and it is impossible to have too many dwarves.   :)

Offline Pattus Magnus

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Re: Working Through the Pile of Dwarves
« Reply #21 on: June 21, 2022, 07:39:38 PM »
Ah, just lean into the mould line - the last dwarf to own that helmet got smacked across the head and the armourer didn’t do a very thorough job banging out the crease before it was re-issued…

The figures look great. There’s something about the expressions on their faces that says “I would rather be elsewhere”.

Offline arabianknight

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Re: Working Through the Pile of Dwarves
« Reply #22 on: July 12, 2022, 10:19:40 AM »


A couple of more specialist figures now, both from the Ganesha Games ranges (produced by Alternative Armies). Advanced Song of Blades and Heroes has a specific "ball and chain" weapon rule giving an extended attack radius, which the left hand figure perfectly represents. The other figure is obviously a thief, and a great looking figure he is too!

 

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