More Big 'Un's and decisions...

I had a productive evening last night, and managed to polish off the last two members of the front rank of my Big 'Un's unit. So now I can take a shot of the whole rank, as intended. Looking mighty and fine if I do say so.

 

 You may have noticed that I am doing checkers on the weapons. I figured that the Big 'Un's would be big enough to bully anything smaller to do that for them, so I'm intending to do that for the whole unit. When I finally get some normal Orc Boyz, I don't think I'll be that keen (all checkered out and all that).

I've also been thinking on what to paint next. I had in my mind that I'd do the first rank, and then move on to something different. Only thing is that I'm still awaiting some models from old ebay to arrive, which is most vexing. Ahh well, I'm sure something will come to mind.

I've also thought about my army list, as I have a game this Saturday night with some friends. Its only 1000pts, but it will need to be an all comers list, as I lack the model variety to do anything else. I have a few ideas what to include from my practice games, so we shall see. At least this time there will be someone to officially take photo's! So i'm told anyway!

Back to painting.

Cheers!

Big 'Un's and Realm of Battle boards

Working on my Orc's and Goblin's for an upcoming game, I put the finishing touches to my Big 'Uns standard bearer. I've slowly be doing more and more freehand in my models, so I was quite keen to give freehand a go on a banner. The choice for me was obvious and classic. That big red face on a yellow background. Painting so many Imperial Fists means yellow comes quite easy now, so it was merely the freehand I was worried about pulling off.

I put a fair amount of detail on the face, including teeth and spots, though the camera doesn't always show that. Either way I'm am very pleased with how it turned out, and can't wait to use them in a game.

Here he is...

I have also put some time aside to painting the battleboard we use for our games. I think its a shame we have some cool painted models, but are still playing on grey and undercoated black Realm of Battle boards, so I made a dent in one of them. I still have about 7 more to do at some stage, but this one only took a couple of hours, so hopefully it will be easy to get them all done. I added a lot of washes to add some colour and depth to the cracks. I quite like how it turned out. I also wanted some moss in there, so I watered down some Castellan Green for it. Finished it off with a varnish. Will see if that holds up after the next lot of games. Hope you like.

I used a lot of artists acrylic for this, as its far cheeper than buying the individual pots. Goes a long way too.

At the moment, on working on more Big 'Uns, and am aiming to at the very least have the first rank painted before the next game. I'm also working on a 1000pt list for them, so will share that when I have made a few changes.

Anyways, back to painting.

Cheers!

The Waaagh gathers...

Well time certainly flies. Didn't realise I was so slack posting here during August but there you go. I have been up to things though, so hopefully this month will be a little more productive.

In case it wasn't clear, I've been working on my Orc's and Goblin's. A while back I posted my completed Warboss and Orc Shaman. Since then I've been busy, but I finally got round to adding some more things to the force.

Firstly I assembled my boxes of Orc Warriors. I had three boxes but I only assembled 25 of them. The reason for this is that a) The sprues didn't have enough of the weapons to give them all additional hand weapons, and b) I literally hurt my back bending over scraping and assembling these brutes. Henceforth they are known as the 'Brackbreakaz'. This unit is going to be my Big 'Uns. I have modelled them all with extra armour in the form of shoulder pads, and they are all going to have shields on their back, just like Warboss Gorbash himself. I thought it was a cool idea.

So, I assembled them and my Arrer boyz in the form of Rugluds Armoured Orc's, as well as purchasing from old ebay two of the old Rock Lobbers that have the Orc crew. I thought it would match my theme of having predominately Orc's, plus I'm a sucker for old school models, especially at a good price! So I can't wait to use them. I also managed to procure some old Kev Adam's Goblin Wolf Riders as scouts for my meagre force.

So not only have I assembled some models and spent some money getting more, I've also painted some. First up is Gitkilla, my Tribes Battle Standard. His job is to carry the pole carrying Gorbash's trophy's (the ones that won't fit on his back banner, cos you can never have enough trophies. I made sure the Dwarf was in my Hold's colours as well, just for continuity. Hope he looks proper!

 This model is of the old metal standard for the Black Orc's. I thought it wold work well as a Battle Standard, at least till I can get my mits on the ForgeWorld one!

 Added some freehand to the gutplate to try and make him stand out. Next to the unit standard of the Big 'Uns he doesn't really, but we shall see if this helps him stand out.

Poor Dwarf Clansman. What a way to go...

I have also painted the Big 'Uns champion. This is using the spare bits that was left over from the Warboss conversion. Yet to be named!

So, not only have I assembled (so, so many orc's) and painted two whole models, I've also managed to have some games with these guys. Now I know I say this everytime, but I forgot to take photo's, again. There has to be a better system than me relying on my own memory, but I can't think of one at this stage.

Anyways, I got an opportunity to try out 1000pts vs Vampire Counts with these guys, and It ended with a minor loss in one game and a win in the other. Not bad. I learned a lot, not least of which was to equip my Warboss better, and what works in the game. Rock Lobbas are kinda cool, especially two of them so I'll definately keep them in.

Still, I got a game lined up in a week and a bit, so I'll take the greenskins again, and hopefully remember to take few action shots.

Back to painting!

Cheers!

Chaos and a touch of Slayer

Well, it has been awhile since I have update this, but I haven been quite busy. I played in a nice 2 vs 2 game last weekend using my Chaos against Night Goblins and Empire, with Dwarfs as my ally (as my friend wanted to try something without magic). Pretty strange match up, but we went with it anyways. Needless to say, I got wiped out by turn 3 I think. Good times. I deduced it was due to my unpainted models, whereas my painted Dwarfs that my friend was using, just would not go down. Lesson learned!

So here is some of the Chaos I have painted since then. First is my mage, Tormentor, using the Avatars of War model. Very cool model, and I use it as a lv3 Sorceror Lord, as Throgg or an exaulted champion take up my Hero slot. Hoping now it will do more than fail to cast!

So now that is all my characters painted. Next up I have finished my unit of trolls. I'm only taking 5 for the time being as I've dropped Throgg and am trying something else (my Exaulted Hero on a daemonic steed). Hoping now they will do a little better!

And the full unit. 

Just incase your interested and I don't forget, here is how I painted them.
Skin
Midnight Blue
Nuln Oil wash
Dry brush Midnight Blue
Dry brush Shadow Grey
Dry brush Space Wolves Grey

Belly
Steel Legion Drab
Ushabti Bone
Agrax Earthshade Wash

Mutation
Khorne Red (drybrush)
Blood Red (drybrush)
1:1 Blood Red and Troll Slayer Orange (drybrush)
 Agrax Earthshade Wash

I have also not neglected my Dwarfs and finished a Troll Slayer standard. I've now got 18 painted.

 In progress I have a killer unit of Chaos Warriors on the way. I hope to be able to show my first rank soon. Oh and of course more slayers to paint.

Cheers!

Slayers: A New Hope

Another quick update here. Finished off the first three of the Slayers I need to do for the unit painting challenge at Bugman's. I do intend at the end to add some tattoo's, but for now they are done.

I also noticed that they model on the far left is a GW resculpt of an ealier slayer model. It is slightly different to the original and is thinner with a gloved hand. Amazing what you find when you look at slayers all day!

I also have realised I haven't shared my Beard recipe, so I will endeavour to do so below. These are all using the current GW range (bar one), but really the colours are rather general, so I'm sure you could achieve something similar with other paints.

First a Skrag Brown undercoat
Wash with Agrax Earthshade
Couple of light layers of Troll Slayer Orange
Wash of Baal Red (old wash) to tone done the orange
Wash of Agrax Earthshade to add some depth
Couple of light layers of Troll Slayer Orange but keep the recesses dark
Highlight the tips 1:1 Troll Slayer Orange and Yriel Yellow

Hope that comes in handy!

Only 8 more to go! Cheers!

BTW: Finding it more difficult to think of appropriate post titles with the word Slayer in it. Such Madness!

Painting Motivation...and Slayers

I thought I might take a little time in this post to talk about some of the things that keep me motivated. I can at times paint quite quickly, and at others, need a break, but there are a few things that keep me focused rather than jump from project to project.

Probably my main motivation is online painting competitions. Last year I entered all the compeitions at the Bolter and Chainsword for my Imperial Fists. This was ideal for me as at the time I very rarely had time for games (with a new baby in the house) but could still be connected to the hobby and feel productive (and quiet). I found that this was great to put a deadline on what I needed to do, and helped me stay focused. Most of the Imperial Fists I have posted were painted last year, so I did very well!

Its also worth mentioning that I also only have in sight what I am currently painting. I think I have mentioned this before, but everything else is either boxed or put in a draw out of sight. I can get very easily discouraged if there is too much, so I make sure that for myself, there is nothing out. This also includes putting away my models once I have painted them, for the additional fact that I have two boys running around the house and Warhammer is not very safe around their grimy paws. 

Another form of motivation for me was discovering youtube Warhammer battle reports, in particualar Wargamming for Fun. Linked to my inability to have time for games (baby in the house), this was a great source of inspiration to get things painted. Generally I listened to the friendly banter and good and bad luck as I painted, and before I knew it, I was making great headway through units. Can't recommend it enough. It is also worth mentioning, that Wargamming for fun is running an escalation league on their home website, where Ade and Andy are planning on starting a new army from scratch, and you get to see their progress, just like the old White Dwarf Tale of Four Gamers! Great stuff!

Lastly (and more recently) I encountered podcasts for Warhammer. There is a ton out there, and at present have only really listened to one, but I believe it is of very high quality (and shenanigans), The Dwellers Below. They are a more tournament orientated group, however I do enjoy their insights and reviews on different armies. Again, I listen as I paint and that tends to help me stay focused.

These have worked for me, and certainly help me stay focused on getting my models painted, which is a very welcome change, considering in the past I really didn't.

So, is there any else that motivates you? Other youtube channels or podcasts that you like to listen to? Please let me know as I'm always hungry for more!

To finish off, I have painted 2 Slayers since last time. I know I mentioned painting my Chaos Sorceror, but I hit a hurdle in the paint scheme, and it is currently languishing in the shame draw till inspiration strikes. So you will have to make do with these.

Unfortunately, the Dwarf of the right has had his sword cut off at some stage in his history (not by me!), however I couldn't resist painting him anyway. 

Also I have entered a unit this time for the Bugman's painting comp, unsurprisingly it is the last of my Slayer unit. Here's hoping the dealine will keep me focused in finishing these 11 off. 

Back to painting!

Cheers!

Chill wind from the North...

Well, finally finished Throgg. I must say I had quite a bit of trouble painting him, going through many different variations of skin tones to get the one I wanted. Then changing again, and once more after I looked at the unit as a whole. Still, he is done, and I am now pleased with him. Hoping to use him in a game this Saturday against my friends Vampire Counts. Hopefully he doesn't die straight away!

Anyways, here is the King himself. I quite like the icicles on the base. And the blood seeping from that monster of a weapon.

 

 

Lastly a group shot of the unit so far. I still have another 5 trolls to paint. I'm thinking, since the scheme isn't too laborious, might try and do all 5 at the same time. However I definately won't be able to do that by Saturday!

I'm thinking I might paint my Chaos Sorceror next. The model I have used is the Avatars of War Lord of Torment, which I aptly name the Tormentor in my games. So far it hasn't been too lucky in games, but I figure a lick of paint may change that.

And that neatly moves me on to my scheme for my Warriors. I'm intending to have a generic scheme for my Warband, and applying marks as need be. Problem is I really like the red and gold scheme, but don't want to be shoe-horned into Khorne, so we shall see how they turn out.

To give you an idea of the scheme itself, I painted this model, last year for a bit of fun. Hope I can remember the paint scheme for it!

 

 Well, off to paint another character for Saturday's game. 

Cheers!

Another day another Slayer...

Well, finished off this unit champion for my Slayer unit. I entered him into the Bugman's painting comp, so we shall see how he goes. This would be my first time painting gems that aren't red, so hopefully it turned out alright.

Wasn't sure if I should add blood to the axe, any thoughts?

Anyways, let me know what you think.

Next up will be Throgg. Just for something different. Will let you know how that turns out.

Slayers - Part 2

Another quick update here. Making some good progress with my Slayers for my Dwarf army. First up are the four I have done to add to the unit. So far I have no doubles of any Slayer, and hopefully I can continue that way for the whole unit. There are quite a few old ones here as well, but rest assured, I do have some of the 'newer' ones as well to do. I have also started to be a little quicker with regards to painting them. I find an undercoat of white primer, followed by a light coat of Skrag Brown over everthing, is a good basecoat, considering the majority of them are either orange beard or flesh. Certainly speeds up the process!

Anyways here are the next four.

A few old ones in there. I have also made sure to make their clothing different, to represent they are from different clans and holds. Plus its a bit of variation.

I have also completed a unit filler for my slayers. I quite like the idea of unit fillers, to add some narrative to the unit, such as Hrothmog for the Miners. Now this model is a Games Day 2005 or 2006 model. I know its not terribly original, and many have done this before, and probably will after, but it seemed to me a natuaral choice. It just looks really cool!

This model arrived on Monday, then I assembled, based, primed and undercoated Monday night. Finished all but a few details on Tuesday night, and finished it this morning. Probably my quickest turn around of a model I have recieved from old evilbay. Not bad at all!

Hope you like it, I did do some tattoo's as well, and maybe in the future I'll add some tattoo's to the other slayers as well. Well, here he is taking a well earned rest atop his latest kill.

 Next up will probably be more Slayers, though I just saw that I won the painting comp at Bugman's again, so Hopefully I can think of a theme encompasing Slayers in it, other than 'Slayer' or 'unit filler'.

Cheers

Slayers!

Well, finally got some time to make a post! I've been up to a bit of hobby activity so will try and share what I can remember.

Firstly got up to a Warhammer Fantasy night last weekend, which was a blast. Basically took along 700pts of Dwarfs for one on one, and a 1200pt list for a 2 vs 2 game. I also brought along my Chaos Warriors for my friend to try (as he doesn't have an army).

My first match was against him and the warrior list I made. I also rolled watchtower, and he put that nice solid unit of warriors with addidional hand wepaons in there. Needless to say, I just bounced off that thing and ultimately, only killed everything else bar that blasted tower! Ahh well.

The second game of the night was the 2 v 2. I was allied to good ol solid Empire, and the forces of Destruction were Night Goblins and the Warriors of Chaos. This game was rather short, as we managed to steal the first turn (with a six), then my ally cast Dwellers below on a big unit of Night Goblins, and we cannoned off a mangler. Their first turn mainly resulted in the Chaos Sorceror miscasted and detonating inhis big unit of Chaos Warriors, killing half and getting himself sucked into the Realm of Chaos. Then they ran. They decided to call it there. Fair call.

The third game was a bit longer, still a 2 vs 2, but this time was a watch tower scenario again. So in went the Chaos Warriors with the Mark of Nurgle, halberds and shields into the watch tower. Despite the early success of Dwellers on a few units, and a rampaging Throgg, we couldn't take the watch tower in time, and ultimately the game went to the forces of desctruction. Ahh well, better luck next time. Still I had a blast, and am looking forward to the next planned evening. Just a shame I didn't take any pics! My bad.

So I have been painting up some forces for the next gaming night. I really want to take slayers, so have started a unit of them. I already have two Dragon Slayers from the painting comp entries, so should hopefully be able to throw them in there as well. Down below I have the first three models painted of the unit. le me know what you think.

I have also painted some more Chaos. Namely some more Chaos Trolls to walk around with Throgg. All up now I have 8 Chaos trolls plus Throgg, so not a bad unit.

So now I have three painted of eight. Not too bad. For the Warriors of Chaos, which at this stage I am mainly painting for my friend to use, I also got some Chaos Warrior Halberds and some nurgle icons, in order to make the unit more appropriate. Still thinking about a colour scheme though, so will let you know whan I come up with one.

I've also painted up some more movement trays for the Dwarfs, as I do dislike using unpainted ones, just ruins the paintjob to be honest!

Well, back to painting!

Cheers!