Milamber's Painting Blog

The Tormented...

2010-05-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

Here are my first dipped models, the unit of 5 forsaken.

Pre-dipped:

Post-dipped:

Finished:

Again, pretty happy with the result. They seems to have photographed marvelously which is rare for me. I love the models and can't wait to seem them rip stuff up then die horribly in a manner fitting to their calling.

The Beast...

2010-05-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

And here he is in all his glorious red. I'm perfectly happy with how he's turned out. I was nervous about the terracotta bases, but some bold highlights and brown grass did the trick. I think the tree foliage also helps balance the red. My aim of having the army finished in time for Tin Soldiers in on track due to my decision to dip the army. Having finished my first dipped unit, I'm pretty happy with the result too. Now, the painting formulas so I don't forget:

Skin:
Mechrite Red
Badab Black
Mechrite Red
P3 Khador Red Base
P3 Khador Red Highlight

Horns/claws:
Scorched Brown
Graveyard Earth
Vallejo (?) White (72101) added for highlights

Base:
Terracotta
Devlan Mud
Terracotta/Vallejo Bone White

The Fallen Shall Rise...

2010-05-17T00:35:00.000-07:00

So I've got lots of projects on the go at the moment. Firstly here is my Warriors of Chaos Dragon Lord, fully modeled and prepared for a lick of paint. I picked up the model from my local club's bits box and have been meaning to put it to use for some time. To those of you that are bound to claim all Chaos Dragons must have two heads... shut up! I don't care. I have finally decided upon a paint scheme for my Warriors of Chaos, which I will actually be dipping to get them done in time for Tin Soldiers 3. Cream and red is the order of the day, so the dragon is going to be dark red with my signature bold highlights. The Lord the Juggernaut rider and is interchangeable.

Secondly, here is the fully painted 15pt army for the Nation at War Warmachine campaign. I am pleased with the colour scheme (consisting of more white than the usualy Cygnar blue), and also with the quality given the low amount of time I committed to finishing these off. We are currently half way through the 25pt part of the campaign. My list for this segment is:

pStryker
^Ol' Rowdy
^Lancer
^Squire
Jr Warcaster
Black 13th
6 Sword Knights
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution

Nation at War...

2010-04-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

So, I'm going to take a break from WHFB for a while to give my Cygnar some much needed love. There is a National campaign running at the moment that I will be a part of which continues for a number of months. Lists start off at 15 points and increase as time goes on. My 15 pt list is based (of course) around Stryker, and is as follows:

Commander Stryker
^Ironclad
^Lancer
Jr. Warcaster
Black 13th
Stormsmith

Having finished the Ironclad I am happy with the colour scheme and am planning on having the last two models in list (Stryker and Lancer) finished before the end of the month.

I have also given in to more Maelstrom goodness and purchased eHailey and more importantly Ol' Rowdy. Can't wait to add Rowdy to the team.

The Battlefield...

2010-03-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

I decided that sponsoring a table for the upcoming Equinox tournament was the only way I was ever going to get around to finishing my terrain. So that's what I did. Unfortunately it means that I haven't even finished assembling the army I plan on taking to Equinox. Late nights ahead!

And the winner is...

2010-02-21T16:29:00.000-08:00

Well, I have finally secured myself a Best Presented Army prize! Attending Fluffycon this year I knew this was likely my best shot at winning for a while as Philfy's Demons are nearing completion. I've also decided that is my last tournament with the Orcs probably until Fluffycon next year. I had added a number of new models to my list since the last tournament which were very well received by all, namely the 'Trolls' and the Goblin BSB on spider.

My list:

Orc Warboss, Wyvern, light armour, Enchanted Shield, Akk'rit Axe
Goblin BSB, Gigantic Spider, Amulet of Protectiness, Sneaky Skewer (newly modeled)
Orc Shaman, Lvl 2, Scroll
Night Goblin Shaman, Lvl 2
25 Orcs, FC, shields
5 Wolf Riders, musician
5 Spider Riders, musician
20 Night Goblins, shortbows, musician, fanatic
20 Night Goblins, shortbows, musician, fanatic
15 Savage Orcs, extra handweapons, champion, musician
14 Black Orcs, shields, FC, Warbanner
Boar Chariot (newly modeled)
7 Squig Hoppers
2 Spear Chukkas
Doom Diver
4 Trolls (newly modeled)

Pics to follow when I can be bothered. For now, the Orcs have finally been put in a carry case as I look to start on the Warriors of Chaos army I've been planning. I have all the models and need them assembled in time for Equinox (four weeks time).

Gateway for the win!!!

Dreams are free...

2010-01-29T15:49:00.001-08:00

So I thought I'd list my goals for the year 2010 in order to 1) give me the drive to complete my painting projects, 2) gloat if/when I achieve them, and 3) hide in shame if/when I fail spectacularly.

1. Qualify for the NZ Masters. One more decent finish in a tournament last year would have seen me up there, so with a planned attendance of 5 tournaments this year, I think I can achieve this.

2. Win a Best Painted Army award. I believe the best chance I have of this is FluffyCon in a few weeks as the army I lost out to at Fields of Blood won't be there. I have some nice new centerpieces planned so fingers crossed.

3. Finish the Warriors of Chaos army in time for Natcon. I don't think will (read: I'm sure I won't) be able to finish them for Equinox which was my goal, but I will be taking them even if they're bare and blue-tac'd!

4. Crush my arch nemesis Adam Richards the next time he's brave enough to accept my grudge. So far I'm 0-1-1... a record I'd like to rectify!!!

I think that should be it. The Ogres are on hold again unfortunately. There's just not enough sun shine hours these days.

The Girlies...

2010-01-29T14:07:00.000-08:00

So for FluffyCon '10 this may indeed be the final run of the orcs in a tournament for a while (assuming I can at least assemble the WoC in time for Equinox in March). Although I enjoy the giant in my standard tournament list, and think it's a soft choice, I want to take the Wyvern and the one terror causer limit means I've been forced to look in the troll direction. These lovely ladies are my answer to that!
The inspiration comes from the general lack of knowledge regarding female orcs (or the reproductive cycle of orcs in general) which sounded fun to play off, and also me having no desire to spend $150 on some 'normal' trolls. Painting has begun, as my things to do list consists of these, the Spider-mounted BSB and the boar chariot.

The Gauls...

2009-11-30T15:20:00.000-08:00

Well, I began this project back in March 08 and it is time to finish them off (sort of) before I begin the Warriors of Chaos. I've had to plan pretty carefully my painting schedule over the next few months and there's not enough time for much else so I hope I can remain focused. As it stands:

- 500pts of Ogres ready for Cakecon, 18 December...
- 4 Trolls, 5 Savage Orc Boar Boys and a Goblin BSB ready for Fluffycon, 19 February...
- Warriors of Chaos army complete for Equinox, 20 March...

So that gives me 3 weeks to complete the 9 Ogres. Not such a hard ask, except these are no ordinary Ogres! The modeling inspiration for this army is the Asterix and Obliex comics. The 500pt list is as follows:

Getafix (Butcher)
2 Gauls (Bulls)
2 Gauls (Bulls)
3 Romans (Ironguts)
Chief Vitalstatistix (Maneater)

Here's how things started...

So, we have of course Obelix, Unhygienix and a random Gaul. After a bit of painting this week, Obelix is finished with a better looking menhir...

Look forward to plenty of updates with this blog in the coming weeks/months as there is plenty of Warhammer to be done!

Time of the Dead Passes...

2009-10-05T23:04:00.000-07:00

Well sadly I have decided to sell my first Warhammer army. Yep, out with the old and in with the new. Here's the pics to immortalise them as long as Blogspot stays online... It's a bit sad I suppose. I learned so much in making this army.

My first conversion, the King...
My first blending, the skeleton shields...
My first center piece, the giant...
My first scratch built model, the tunneling Scorpion...
So many memories...

Twang... d'oh!

2009-07-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

Yay, finally finished up a unit of arrer boyz. I'm quite happy with how the bows turned out and will probably do the same thing on all bows I do from now on. Quite easy to do as well. I've decided that snow is much better looking when I cover baking soda over the BS/PVA mixture rather than just sprinkling it over straight PVA. Melting snow needs the bulk.

Blue is da Best!

2009-07-11T15:46:00.001-07:00

I've decided to really play on the red vs blue theme for this army now, continuing from the chukkas to the boyz. This is the unit filler for the blue team. The boyz below will have blue paint being splattered on them from above. I was happy with how the paint spewing from the cans worked out.

Wheels of Thunder...

2009-07-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

I read somewhere to always use your chariots in twos. With that in mind I altered another of my boar chariots. I was happy with the freehand on the banner here, but I must say Gnoblars are arse to paint.

Whiz, bang...

2009-05-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

I dropped something onto the goblin chariot the other day and the little ninja hero went flying. I have no idea were we went off to, so I made a new shaman instead. The model is actually a previous edition fanatic that's been altered a little.

I must admit, with a pose like that one, I was VERY tempted to sculpt a tutu on him/her!

Bigfoot...

2009-04-07T20:46:00.000-07:00

My decision to include a giant into my Orc and Goblin army was final as soon as the thought of using a Hordes Trollbloods Mauler came into my head. After the intense difficulty of sourcing one in NZ (in time for Natcon 09), I approached the local Trollblood players to beg.

The concept for the model stayed very close to the original as it was being painted. One thing that did change was the sign the goblin is holding. I had intended it to read 'Meet Mr. Hyde', but a Mauler just looks very, very hungry so I changed it. The new phrase also helps to reflect the mercenary nature of the giant. The tribal tattoo was added after inspiration from CMON, and based off a Samoan style.

Skin - Chaos Black, Scaley Green, Skull White
Teeth and nails - Graveyard Earth, Kommando Khaki, Skull White
Loincloth - Scorched Brown, Chaos Black, Skull White
Shoulder Spikes - Chaos Black, Graveyard Earth, Kommando Khaki, Skull White
Porcupine Spikes - Chaos Black, Codex Grey, Fortress Grey, Skull White
Mouth - Blood Red, Skull White
Base - Chaos Black, Codex Grey, Fortress Grey, Skull White

The Babarian Horde...

2009-02-15T21:01:00.000-08:00

The horde, as complete bar a few (40 actually) unpainted Orcs. The goblin hero in wolf chariot deserves special mention I feel. He's a kamikaze goblin, thus the traditional flag, and ninja feel with nunchucks. The chariot is converted from a boar chariot also.

And he rode upon a mighty steed...

2009-02-15T20:45:00.000-08:00

My efforts in the converting and painting of my lord and current favourite mini. As you can see from above the Wyvern has had a fair few alterations. His torso has been made more vertical, his neck lengthened, armour added to the top of his head, tail lengthened and repositioned, and wing positions changed. The lord is the normal Wyvern lord with a couple of changes from the Warboss box added to bring his look into the 7th edition.

'Ome Sweet 'Ome

2009-02-12T00:46:00.000-08:00

The Blorc BSB proudly mounted on a fine looking rock from the garden. I also chucked on a couple of Birch seed "leaves" and am an instant fan. It's a great thing there's a Birch tree at the end of our driveway.

S.O.U.S.'s (Spiders of Unusual Size)

2009-02-10T21:01:00.000-08:00

Spider Riders. A nice and colourful addition to the already very colourful army.

Wild Dogs and Crazy Pacmen of Doom...

2009-02-09T03:27:00.000-08:00

Squig Hoppers and 2x 5 Wolf Riders with muso and spears are the latest additions to the painted ranks. With so much to paint and so little time, it leaves little room for writing lengthy blog posts.

It Doesn't Matter If You're Black or White...

2009-02-01T00:48:00.000-08:00

The first rank for each orc unit and the Black Orcs have been completed. The Black Orcs are terrific models and great to paint. They took a lot less time than the vanilla orcs due to my colour choices. Next on the painting block is the Squig Hoppers.

Squig Wagon...

2009-01-25T15:34:00.000-08:00

The scratch built Snotling Pump Wagon is now complete. Aside from my 'effort' in sculpting my second Tomb Scorpion, this is actually my first scratch built model and I am very happy with the result. It looks nothing like a Snotling Pump Wagon, but follows my original concept very well. It's made from balsa and God knows what else from my bits box. I like how the shield came out also.

Lazy Gobbo, Scary Troll...

2009-01-19T22:49:00.000-08:00

The troll is of course from Battle for Skull Pass, I just added the chain for a little more interest. As he is going to be used (for now) as a regiment filler, I figured he would look better as a slave of sorts. The colour is based off the Warmachine Trollbloods. The other miniature is a converted Gnoblar which will act as an Animosity marker. Lazy Goblin!

Goblins With Spears...

2009-01-16T19:14:00.000-08:00

Spear Chukkas, red team and blue team. Nothing special with modeling except sticking them on bases. The models are nice, esp the chukka itself. I do like the way the metal has turned out on these also. Basically black undercoat, Boltgun Metal drybrush, my fancy 'rust' wash, Brown Ink, then another Boltgun Metal drybrush.

Orcs with guns...

2009-01-15T21:38:00.000-08:00

The latest addition to the army is a Rock Lobba, made from an old Empire cannon and some common gobbos (and a couple of Empire bits here and there). The cannon was suitably hacked up and 'orc-ified' to help the looted feel of the machine. I do really like the actual Lobba model, but am also a cheap ass also so this will have to do. It's always nice to include in your army something people don't expect to see aswell.

The Green Tide Begins...

2009-01-13T01:12:00.000-08:00

To the side of Warmachine I've begun the construction and painting of 2250pts of Orcs and Goblins. I have the noble idea of having them all finished in time for Hamiton's Over The Top 09 in February. Here's the start! I've also finished 3 fanatics, a Night Goblin Shaman, a Rock Lobba, and 2 Bolt Chukka's... pics to follow.

Lady and Master...

2008-12-09T12:12:00.000-08:00

Aiyana and Holt are my latest and final models painted while on holiday. The purple used is so easy to make look good, just add black for shadow and white for highlights. The colour scheme ties nicely in with the rest of the Cygnar, while the models show enough distinction to be recognised as mercenaries. Beautiful models to paint, whole-heartedly enjoyable.

Gun Mage Hobbits...

2008-12-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

The Black 13 are some of the most difficult models I've ever had to paint. Due to the puzzling reduction of scale, and countless bits and bobs all over the miniatures touch ups were required again and again. Went for the darker leather boots this time and am much happier with the look. The finished models look good enough (two minds over the dreary colours though), with Ryan being my favourite. I hope their performance on the battleground exceeds their small stature!

Three Stooges...

2008-12-02T14:37:00.000-08:00

Here we have my latest completed work, the Stormsmiths. I realised as I was finishing them off that I've never really had to paint hair before (all skeletons previously). I was keen on painting them with diferent coloured hair including one redhead. Believe it or not I used Jessica Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) as a template for the colour, although it doesn't much resemble her colour.

The NMM is coming along nicely and I am happy with how it looks. I'll not be trying to go for the whole nine yards 'chrome plate finish' with any of these.

Under the capes that can be slightly seen in the centre of the top photo, I used the blue with highlights to add a more Cygnar feel.

The only thing I'm not so keen on is the leather boots. I'll try a darker colour for next time.

Introducing...

2008-11-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

The first of my Cynar warriors of the Seven Seas is Jr. A fantastic model to paint, the sculpt is clean and clear with no tricky places for a brush. This model was my trial for the paint scheme and I am very pleased with the results. I took a risk trying a sort of fake NMM (to scared still to try the real thing) with the result looking like a matt metal finish.

There's a little bit of lighting effect there too which I hope to get better at. Good enough for now though.

Blue - Midnight Blue to Enchanted Blue to Skull White, personal fav.

NMM (?) - Shadow Grey to Space Wolves Grey

White - Tried something new here and I like it a lot: Dark Flesh, Dark Flesh/Vallejo Bone White 50/50, Bone White, Vallejo Off White.

The Next Step...

2008-11-24T14:46:00.001-08:00

The second round of bases are finished. These are the last (for now) that have been completed seperate from their models. I have added a beach in many of the bases to asist the 'tying-in' of those that won't fit/work on the wharfs, i.e. B13, Reinholdt, Aiyana and Holt, epics, etc will have beach bases.

Colour Schemes:

Timber - Balsa, Chaos Black spray undercoat, Scorched Earth basecoat, Graveyard Earth/Commando Khaki drybrushes.

Metal - Nails cut from Tomb King spearheads, chain from $2 Shop necklace, Chaos Black, Chainmail wetbrush. Rust - 70/30 Terrecotta/Blazing Orange, watered down to wash, applyed liberally in 1-3 coats as required.

Sand - Chaos Black, drybrush (DB) Snakebite Leather, DB Bubonic Brown, DB lightly Bleached Bone, DB Chaos white in selected patches.

Water - Enchanted Blue and mixes of Enchanted Blue with Chaos Black and Skull White for wave shadow/highlight lines.

Glowsticks - Cut from Thunderhead's electrical arm coils (unused) Dark Angels Green/Scorpion Green/Chaos White, drybrushed lighting effects.

Humble Beginnings

2008-11-06T17:26:00.000-08:00

Being inspired for a change of scenery after 3 years of Warhammer, behold the beginnings of my Cygnar army... the bases. Balsa, jewelery chain and wire 'ropes' make for a nice start to the nautical theme.