An Orc for Orctober

 

Since it is that time of year, it's time to paint an orc. So, I finished off the archer from my classic ME-51 Orcs of the Red Eye set. 

The orc in the middle

Rob 

More Roman Mobs

& Malacassa Makes an Appearance

The lady had some damage around 

the left eye, so I painted it as a scar. 

So, my painting of the Gangs of Rome continues at a reasonable pace (for me), with the second mob base done. Son & I are prepping a new gang each for a mini-campaign. To test out the rules and try finish off some minis. Funny these minis have sat on the side lines for most of this year but making the mini-display base has really spurred me on to paint up the minis and play a game or two. 

Continuing to create a variety of different skin tones by using random base colours from my paint collection to reflect the cosmopolitan nature of Rome. Rather than starting with the standard Bugmans Glow and then working through the usual Citadel skin tones. 

And mounted on the mob base. 

And I thought Malacassa ought to try out the new Slann mini board. 

The mighty Malacassa leads 

the jungle braves on a raid. 

I found a better back drop for the jungle board, still find one with more perspective. And I think I need to add a few skulls, it just seems lacking a details. 

Rob 

Sometimes You Just Have to Have Another Go!

 Roman with a Sack Repainted 

Family trouble at the market

As is often the case just when I think I'm finished on a bit of a project, in this case the first mob base, my eye invariably gets drawn back to the bit I'm not entirely satisfied with which case is the Roman carrying the sack. He was done with a crude zenithal highlight and contrast paints with quick bit of highlighting. However, the rest of the Romans were done with the more traditional base colour, wash, and base colour back up to highlight approach.

Mark1 paint job on the Roman with a sack

A much nicer mark 2 version. 

I was trying to give him a 5 o'clock shadow. Not sure it really shows up in the picture. 

Clearly from the lower classes, so I want 

him to look a bit dirty and shabby. 

So, it was sort of inevitable that I would go back and paint him in a similar style to the other Romans on the mob base. With that done I am much happier with the final look of the mini and now he fits in much more happily with the rest of the minis on the mob base.

Rob 

Down in the Jungle

Second Mini-Display Base Done

Diehard Amazons repel an attack from 

a rather classic Citadel Witch King

I've now finished the second of my miniature display boards: a jungle board for the Slann. One of the challenges I set myself was to use only materials I already had, rather than buying anything new and shiny and I managed it.

The jungle board suits these Ral Partha Europe

 Slann proxies rather well. 

Early on, I debated whether to paint the trees or leave them as they were. In the end, I went for a halfway approach: painting the trunks and bases but leaving the leaves untouched. This saved a lot of time and gave the foliage a slightly glossy, jungle-like look. I also really liked the pinkish-green leaves on some of the plants.

It's easy to get carried away with a board like this and keep adding more and more detail. However, once it becomes overcrowded, it stops working well as a display board. I learnt that lesson from my first board, which had so many features that it was difficult to display even a small regiment. In the end, I had to remove a few elements to make it more practical.

I still need to find a better photographic backdrop, particularly for the jungle board, so the background disappears more effectively in the finished photos.

I've really enjoyed making these display boards, and the process has already got me thinking about future projects—perhaps an Ork Mech scrapyard or an undead tomb. Plus I still a load of minis to paint for my new wave Slann army. 

The WIP Shots

The starting point, was the texture roller road. 

As is usual for me this project was built from an original concept rather than any kind of detailed plan. Based on what I can find and how it sort of looks as I go along.

 I needed some height at the back, so an 

old cork place mat was broken up for the cause. 

I really liked the swirl effect of the ink/vanish on the water. I will have to try and find a way to keep that as the final look for future swamps. Once it dried it was dark but still has that semi reflective quality. 

The board, built just waiting for the jungle... 

Rob 

Roman Mobs

Painting Done on a Friday Night

Finally managed to finish off the 4th & 5th Romans to complete the first of the Roman mob bases. 

And work progresses on the Slann display base. 

And on to a Friday night beer. 

Rob 

Final Trophy for IgG

One More for the Bloodstones

For the latest trophy for the Rhino clan, I needed a wolf pelt. Fortunately I found one on a Viking Hirdman and quickly made a mound. This allowed me to shape it before the green stuff properly cured and shape it over the stone.  I also added a little pictogram of IgG and the wolf. 

What next for the Hunters?

As this a Cheaphammer project* I had a look through the opportunity pile for some more barbarians cave hunters. This guys has been zenithal highlighted with several greens for at least couple of years when I was experimenting with different zenithal highlighting. And now seemed a good time to finish him as a shaman from a rival tribe. 

*a.k.a. Not buying loads of new stuff but actually painting stuff I have got!

Rob 

Roman Graffiti & More Hunts in the Holocene

Calling People Rude Names in Latin

While finishing my Roman board, I remembered, during my visit to Pompeii and Herculaneum that there was Roman graffiti all over the place. Some of which was not child friendly! So, I decided to add a little to my board after a quick search of the Internet.

A quick run through a Latin translator gave me some Roman graffiti.

Paleo-Hunt: Blood at the Wolf Den

‘From his vantage point above the valley, IgG watched the wolves pacing around their den. The hunters had separated to reduce the risk of discovery. The old Crone had received a vision from the small gods: a den filled with wolf cubs. This was their chance to return with hounds of their own.’

The hunters began at the four corners of the board, with the wolf den at its centre and four wolves prowling nearby. Victory required at least two hunters to reach the den and escape with a cub.

The hunt began cautiously, with the hunters creeping forward and searching for a route around the pack. When a wolf blocked his path, Ugg loosed a carefully aimed arrow. The shot missed, but it frightened the animal away and opened a path towards the den. Seizing the moment, IgG charged through the gap.

Across the board, Grog drew the attention of another wolf and was forced to take cover behind a patch of nearby bushes.

UgG pressed forward once more, but this time the wolf held its ground and attacked. UgG escaped unharmed, and AgG hurried to support him. Meanwhile, IgG took advantage of the distraction and made for one of the cubs.

The cubs bit Igg repeatedly, but he finally managed to seize one. Nearby, the combined presence of UgG and AgG drove the attacking wolf back. UgG capitalised on its retreat, striking it with a second arrow and bringing it down.

Agg beats a hasty retreat with a wolf cub. 

AgG secured a wolf cub and escaped with his prize. IgG was less fortunate: as he attempted to follow, an enraged wolf cut off his retreat. Hampered by the cub in his arms, he could not defend himself effectively and suffered a wound.

The other two hunters also escaped with cubs, dragging the dead wolf behind them. IgG, however, remained trapped. The wolf attacked again and brought him down and killed him.

Grog and UgG also escape with wolf cubs and a dead wolf

A hunter down. 

The hunt ended in a costly victory. The hunters returned with three wolf cubs but IgG was killed in the attempt. No new hunters joined the tribe after the game, although IgG was posthumously awarded the victory trophy: a wolf pelt.

Rob 

Gangs of Rome Display Board

Finished (for Tonight)

Obviously not the upper market part of the city!

I kept the building detachable so I

 could always add a different one. 

So, it's probably no surprise to those who read the last blog post that most of my hobby time has been spent just trying to work on the gangs of Rome display board. I was really pleased with the flaking plaster effect on building which was a complete accident. Which was backing paper left when I peeled off the card from the foam card. So quick couple of pictures on a Friday night before I sit down and finish my beer.

An easy beer for a Friday night. 

Enjoy the weekend.

Rob 

Wandering Off Hobbywise

It all Started After I Finished the C08 High Elf Collection

The mostly unpainted and unassembled Diehard Eru-Kin

As, I had finished off the high elves collection, I was thinking about what to focus on finishing next. Like most wargamers, I have a pile of Shame, Opportunity and other half finished projects. And I decided it was time to try and paint up my box of Diehard Eru-Kin. From Tim Prow's Kickstarter a couple of years ago (I really didn't think they had been waiting that long...) and provide my Slann army with its unit of Bull Slann. I have already painted up the Amazons and one Eru-Kin but the rest of the minis have sat waiting in the postage box. 

The beginnings of the Jungle display board. 

Yep I know it is missing quite a bit of jungle!

This led to a bit more thinking and wouldn't be great to have a small photography / display base for the Eru-Kin (at this point they are going to be called Slann, so I am going to stop flip flopping over names). And out came the stuff to start building a display base. 

And the beginnings of the Gangs of Rome display board. 

This led to a bit more thinking (I know it takes me a while these days), and if I was going to do one display base then I might as well do two. Since I already have large display bases for general woodland and city use. And with a new jungle one for the Slann then one for the Gangs of Rome would make a useful addition. 

The Gangs of Rome display board built. 

With a working door!

So, once I started the Gangs of Rome display base it sort of took over and then I started looking at accessories and the the Roman gangers. I have never been entirely happy with the grey colour scheme on the bases and decided they needed an update to a more brown/sand colour scheme. As well building the display bases, the painting some accessories, I then repainted the bases on the gangers. 

The questionable grey bases

That's much better.

All of the bases re-painted. Fortunately it is a slow burn project. 

So not that many done yet. 

And finally got round to painting* the wolves for my Paleo-hunt campaign, as they are needed for the next hunt. 

*Actually this is repainting as they have been painted at least two times for before. Once as hobhounds for the Bloodbath at Orcs drift scenarios and a second time as part of the wilde hunt for the Fae army. 

Rob