Norse Warband for Brink of Battle/Epic Heroes - WIP

[Patsuriku]

Hi,

I'm starting a new project, and hopefully posting WIP pics will motivate me to actually finish it. I'm planning a 15 minis skirmish warband, converted and painted in groups of 3 so I can actually see some progress as I go on.
So, here are the first 3 members of my north warband for Brink of Battle/Epic Heroes. So far, I'm just using the miniatures I like, without worrying much about how I'll use them in the game.
The idea behind the warband is a group of wardens of an isolated viking village (Ravensfjord sounds cool to me for now, and suitably cliché  ). No name for the minis yet, but as usual I'm sure I'll find something as I'll paint them.
And of course, the minis are Red Box Games miniatures (a bit converted so they look like being able to survive in the snowy wilds), as Tre makes the best vikings !

The trio:


Details of the huntress (Svanhild the Sure from RBG,I always liked that mini but the weird buckler she had while firing her bow had to go. I gave her an axe and a sword, and reworked her cape so she could have a bedroll on her back, and gave her a hood to accentuate her ranger look):



Details of the dwarf (it seems he's not in production anymore, shame as he looks very cool. I gave him bags, a bedroll and a wineskin):


Details of the warrior (Weglaf the Wise from RBG, I gave him fur boots and a sword to go with the shield on his back. Plus, he got a James Hetfield beard, because he's that cool):



Now to finish the bases and start the painting!

Pat.

[hjorhrafn]

Nice.  I'm using a few Redbox miniatures for one of my Brink of Battle/Epic Heroes warbands as well, so this should serve as good inspiration. 

[DeafNala]

The profusion of paraphernalia adds to the character of the minis SPLENDIDLY. GREAT WORK!
It will be a pleasure watching your War Band develop...have FUN with it all!

[Faust23]

FANTASTIC!!!  THIS is why we wrote these rules! Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[roguepokemon]

perfect! The repurpose of miniatures for BoB has been my driving force for modelling and painting in the last two years! Here's some bird people I made up with a simple addition of heads to Warmachine Trollblood miniatures. No reason in Brink of Battle why your warband wouldn;t come into conflict with them!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205374831281002&set=a.4522938682292.176507.1555595344&type=1&theater

[Patsuriku]

Thanks 

Cool birdies there Roguepokemon!

That's the beauty of BoB, the possibility to use any mini in any setting, and make it all work. Hobby-wise, it really helps putting the imagination back in the hobby: you can focus on the setting, the background of your minis and not worry about which rules will allow you to play the story  you have in mind.

For the Wardens of Ravensfjord, I finished the bases, now to the undercoating with my usual white gesso (no pics as it's not that interesting to see).

[Patsuriku]

And I started with the dwarf.
The undercoating isn't my fav part of the painting progress, but in case of a conversion, it shows if the green stuff work is acceptable or not as it ties the mini together. I think the dwarf passed the test.
He's a tiny fellow, and as his face is hidden by his helmet, I chose to give him a fiery beard so the face of the mini can remain a focal point (and hint at the character of the mini, I think he'll be some kind of exile from a dvergr fortress living in Ravensfjord... and a fiery temper would explain the reason behind said exile).
Not much progress, but I like the result so far  

[DeafNala]

The beard looks TERRIFIC! Keep up the GOOD WORK!

[Faust23]

Looking good so far! What's the deal with the white gesso? Is it a spray or brush on? I've heard it mentioned before, but have never tried it. The coverage you have on this one looks pretty solid. How do you use it, and what is your recommended method of use?

[Patsuriku]

Thanks
No updates today, I'm still trying to find a color scheme that works.

Faust23, the Gesso I use (from the Bob Ross brand) is brush on. I use it like a regular acrylic paint, in 2 or 3 coats, very slightly diluted with water. I finish the process with a first coat of very diluted regular white paint to give more light to the basecoat.
White Gesso doesn't seem to have the magical "shrinking" effect that the black one has, where you can liberally splash it on the mini and obtain a nice covering coat just by letting it shrink, but it still covers very well the recess, like a chainmail for instance.
It's also quite cheap compared to a spray on can, there is less chance of cluttering details and no chance at all of messing the undercoating because of the weather!

Here is a good article about priming with gesso where you can see the magical effect i was talking about:
http://www.herebegeeks.com/games/priming-with-gesso/
I guess the extent of that effect depends on the brand you're using, but I prefer to use my several coats method, as it gives more control.

[Patsuriku]

And the pants are done. I'm not sure about it, and now I know why I don't use blue that often 
Should I push the highlights more or not, that is the question...

[DeafNala]

Of course I don't know how it looks in hand, but the blue looks BEAUTIFUL in the photo...I think you nailed it. The tunic color looks interesting. Keep at it; I think you have a winner here.

[Doomsdave]

The pants are spot on.  Don't change a thing!

[Patsuriku]

I followed DeafNala and Doomsdave and kept the pants color (I just touched them up a bit).
Work started on the tunic, the plan was either to draw runes on its bottom or some knotwork, but after a few tries I realized it made the mini too busy. So I just went for a simple line, it works better I think.

[DeafNala]

VERY NICE! I like your color selections. Keep up the GOOD WORK!