"Gut You Like a Bonefish!" - Beginning of an Orc army (Archers 9/7/25)

[mikedemana]

First batch of 8 Linebreaker orcs from Warhost emerging from the ruins

I've begun painting orcs for what will be a 28mm Dragon Rampant army. When it comes to miniatures, I'm a metal man. I'll paint the occasional 3-D printed, plastic, or resin figure, but my first true love is metal miniatures. To that end, I made a huge purchase off of a friend of Gripping Beast orcs and goblins from their metal Ragnarok line. However, I first wanted to paint up the two packs of Warhost orcs "Linebreakers" from Hicks & Hobday.


I found myself quoting the Tolkien films while painting this batch -- this guy in particular prompted me to mutter, "I'll gut you like a bonefish!" over and over...

In particular, I wanted to experiment with my orc skin color. I am a bit of Tolkien traditionalist when it comes to my fantasy. No green orcs nor D&D pig-noses for me! I take the description from the text of the Lord of the Rings and interpret it as I think it is meant. Described as "sallow" skinned, and dark (even "black" in one passage), I am interpreting that as very dark-skinned creatures with an olive or yellowish hint to their flesh. My particularity about orc skin color necessitated a test batch, and what more perfect group than the one from a different line than the rest?


I really like the guy on the left, and how the dark red clothing turned out

After priming them with White Gesso (I was tempted to buy a bottle of Black Gesso and use that), I painted the skin areas with a craft paint from Delta Ceramcoat called "Walnut." It has a more watery mixture than some, and settles into low areas acting almost like a wash if you don't put it on thickly enough. After the base coat had dried overnight, I dry brushed it with two different colors. The first was a Folk Art craft paint called "Raw Sienna" -- a medium leathery tone. The next day I did a final highlighting with Delta Ceramcoat "Khaki." I was very happy with how the skin tone came out. Much to my surprise, there was even an olive tint, especially if next to green clothing. Not a bright, Games Workshop green skin, but a true olive complexion, as is sometimes used as a description for Mediterranean flesh tone. I was worried that the eventual black wash would ruin that, but I was happy that it did not. It just made them more dark skinned, which is something Tolkien refers to more than once in Lord of the Rings.


Most of the orcs are heavily armored and about half carry heavy, two-handed weapons

Next up were the metal and armored parts of the figures. The Linebreakers are heavily armored -- most in chainmail and a couple in scale mail. There is a lot of great detail on the armor, too. Some have metallic discs or bands attached in random places, as if to patch up holes made in them (and also, likely, the previous wearer of the mail shirt!). I painted all the metal, including the metallic part of their weapons, in Iron Wind Steel. There was one scale armored orc that I painted the individual scales bronze, next (leaving the sides, tops, and bottom steel), as well as a couple Orcs that got bronze discs attached to their chainmail. For the rest, the steel received a light drybrush of Silver. Here and there, I went back and added steel to rivets and such and then painted the center part copper. For the most part, though, you see a sea of dark metal with only a hint of a silvery glint here and there when you look at this batch of Orcs. That was definitely how I wanted it.


I really liked the personality in the evil, leering faces of the orcs - very happy with how they came out!

The next step was to paint the clothing colors. I surveyed my paint racks and wrote down a list of colors that I think would look good for orcs. Most were darker versions of a color (like red), or pale versions (blue or green). I had no real plan at this stage, just working my way, in general, from the "inside out" on the clothes they were wearing. Cloaks, hoods, and such would be last. There were a couple colors, such as the pale yellow, that I probably won't repeat. Otherwise, once dry brushed to give a worn look, I think most of the colors work well. I will probably do more tans next time, and I definitely liked the olive and pale greens next to the dark orc flesh.


"Order for orc take-out? Various hands and bits of flesh...?"

Another interesting and unusual detail on these metal sculpts was the "Orc take out" many seemed to have hanging from their belt or around their neck. These appeared to be hands or other random body parts carved off of a dead enemy. I assume the orc must be carrying them around in case he got peckish and wanted a snack! In one case, a severed head is tied by its hair to the Orcs belt. I painted all of the carved off body parts with a very pale flesh, and liberally added Iron Wind Blood Red to them. Straps and belts were painted leather, various hilts of knives or swords often got some bronze on the them, and this batch was getting very close to being finished. I used a pale yellow for both the eyes and the Orc teeth, where they could be seen. The eyes received a dark brown dot for their iris/pupil.


I decided to go with my normal flocking method for these, rationalizing the orcs are invading civilized, fertile lands!

I really like how these "Orcses filth" (as Gollum would say) came out. These are really cool sculpts, with lots of fierce-looking character. The only thing I didn't like were the "knuckle dusters" or metallic domes the characters carrying swords one-handed had molded on their off-hand. I Googled what they might be, and one result said they were intended to be metallic reinforcements for their fists to either smash enemy faces or perhaps deflect blows? I also felt there was a chance they were supposed to be metal bosses for a shield that was sculpted with a hole in the middle (for the boss to poke through?). There were no shields in my Linebreaker packs, though. So, I painted them up as dubious, un-Tolkien like, knuckle dusters or brass knuckles.

The next batch, 8 Warhost orc archers, is underway on my painting desk. I'll update this thread with progress toward the army...hopefully regularly! 

Thanks for any comments.

Mike Demana

[Dean]

Looks like you are having fun with those Mike, great stuff!

[Pattus Magnus]

Those turned out great! Of course, I also lean toward Tolkien’s version of orcs, rather than GW or D&D, so I’m completely biased. I think your colour palette and basing works really well. I don’t think I have seen any of these Hobday and Hicks orcs painted yet (aside from studio pics in the advertisements).

That’s odd about the “knuckle dusters”. I also would have assumed they’re for attaching shields, but if none were included then that becomes a bit difficult! I suppose if you have some surplus shields in the bits box it would be straightforward to drill the right sized holes and retrofit some.

I’m looking forward to seeing more as this project continues!

[Frugalmax]

Great work! They really look nice in the terrain you've got there.

[Hobgoblin]

Those look terrific! The studs must be for shields - you can probably pick some up suitable ones on eBay or Etsy.

[Luigi]

Great job!
Your orcs, both with their excellent paintjob and their brushland basing remind me of those in a videogame (Sacred).
A game that I used to play back when I was a teenager ( 20+ years ago!!!!! )
Perfect start to an horde of orcs.

[hubbabubba]

I really like those orcs, they is proper orcses, well played.

[Mr. White]

I’m gonna try not to let this thread trigger me. I’ve been meaning to get my own fully realized Dragon Rampant force off the ground for (“”checks thread history””) about 4-5 years! First in 1:72 then abandoned to 28mm, then still undecided so every other project under the sun slipped ahead. Even my recent attempt with those blue orcs has sputtered. Yes… I’m going with a different direction again, so that’s kinda dead. It’s wildly ironic because I’m really good about finishing projects and the * Rampant line is one of the most flexible and forgiving rulesets out there. Maybe it gives me too much choice and I can’t settle in!!?!!!?

But, I’ll celebrate your work here, Mike! These look amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing what you bring into this army.

(Fantastically staged photos too!)

I wish I had picked up these same H&H orks because I’ve got quite the metal footsore barons war collection from Paul Hicks that would pair perfectly against them.

Those forearm nubs are odd. I would certainly think they were meant for shields, but maybe that just me being an oldhead and working with those citadel minis with nubs that slotted into plastic shields.

[mikedemana]

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the kind comments.

Sounds like everyone seems to agree they're bosses for shields. Sigh...I wonder how the shields got left out of the pack? It's not like shields with holes in them are a common thing. I have dozens and dozens of 28mm shields in my weapons bit bag, but none with bosses drilled out.

If the army was mostly H&H figs, I would probably do something about it. As it is, with these four figs being the only ones, I'll probably just leave them "as is." The Gripping Beast ones that are the main bulk of the army include shields.

Mr. White - I agree with you on the Rampant system being very easy and forgiving, rules-wise and army wise. I am slowly working on my friends to start building their own armies, or adapting the figs they already have for Dragon Rampant.

Thanks again!
Mike Demana

[Little Odo]

Great start on these orcs Mike - as mentioned above, I really like the way that the red has turned out too. They look suitably mean and nasty - perfect for breaking those pesky human lines.

[Mr. White]

Mike, are you going to do any unique basing for the leader? I mean, I’m a larger or built up base? Something that makes it stand out from the rest?

Base size in DR doesn’t matter. I’ve never done it, because I usually want my models flexible for other games, but I’m considering trying out a large base for my DR Leader. When I get to it…

[mikedemana]

Probably not. I am assuming the commander is a figure in a chosen unit, like the other Rampant rules. I'll just pick one I like when it is all said and done. That is, unless one speaks out to me specifically from the upcoming Gripping Beast metal ones...!

I honestly read the first edition of Dragon Rampant so long ago that I don't remember the differences between it and the various other sets. I'm not going to re-read it because I'd rather do that when 2nd Edition comes out. No use getting confused between 1st and 2nd Edition! The hazier 1st Ed. is in my brain, the better... 

The Warhost Orc archer unit is coming along nicely. It will likely be done this coming week.

Mike Demana

[BeneathALeadMountain]

I’m loving those orcs - just wish I could decide what type of orcs I like - I have some rackham ones that are cool but the biggest problem is I love the Paul Bonner GW images but GW didn’t ever really produce any models that truly looked like them. I think I’m back to sculpting my own heads……..

I may have some (very old GW) shields for you (can’t definitely promise) - I’ll try and spend what energy I have tomorrow rummaging on the north face of mt.lead to see what I can find for you. How many do you need?

Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain

[Frugalmax]

@Andrew BeneathALeadMountain - I know I've mentioned it before on another thread (apologies if I'm repeating myself to you), but just in case: for Paul Bonner-inspired orcs, I really like the Longsnouts (https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-the-longsnouts-multi-part-multi-pose-fantasy-orcs-the-core-kit-428115).

If like me, you don't have a 3D printer, you can find them on Etsy or perhaps other 3D printing services. I reviewed them on my youtube channel if you're interested: https://www.youtube.com/@Frugalmax

Again sorry if I already pointed you in that direction (I know I pointed someone in that direction...) and apologies @MikeDemana for going off on a tangent. Looking forward to more of your orcs!

[BeneathALeadMountain]

@Frugalmax - yes it was me, and thanks I do really like those orcs, they’re the only ones I’ve seen that fit the bill of what I’m imagining. I intend to get some for dungeon crawls and fantasy (but my biggest downfall is trying to make my sci-fi GW Orks look any good!). Sadly I can’t own a printer as I have a rescue parrot and they are very susceptible to fumes. I have a friend that prints lots but never seems to remember anything I ask for 

@Mike - I’m just about functional, my wife’s packed me a lunch, have roused my faithful German Bernard, tied a rope to my waist and I’m about to set off into the unknown of our hobby room to try and find you some shields! (I think there are some in my old GW Legion of doom box, in my sale pile, so if they’re any good I’ll liberate them for you).

Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain (or BALM if it’s quicker to type  )