http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/56.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net My first thread on DakkaDakka! I'd like to share with you the graverobbing journey that is my VC army being built. Hilariously enough, I'm not a big fan of vampires. However, I've got a burning [i](or is that rotting?)[/i] love for the undead. Since my choices in warhammer inevitably come to either Tomb Kings or Vampire Counts I've thrown my lot in with the Aristocracy of the Night, subtly hoping however that I can one day retire my vampires and let my Necromancers and Wight Kings take the reins!
Enough chatter for now, lets get to the pictures!

First up, some of my finished undead gribblies.

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/DarkElfVampirefront.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/DarkElfVampireback.jpg[/IMG]
[i]My only painted up "Vampire" in my army. Most of the available Vampire model range does not really interest me. I got this old DE corsair model from the bitz box at my local GW retailer for free and I think he looks dashing! He was also my colortest for the ancient bronze armor scheme, and I've since applied it to the rest of my army.

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/WraithKingfront.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/WraithKingback.jpg[/IMG]
[i]My Wight King. As astute Dakka modelers will notice, then he's not really a warhammer model. He's a Castellan of Dol Guldur from the LotR model range. Since that game flopped here in Iceland the models have been on sale for ages, and finally went on a "2 for 1" offer. I've been able to pick up lots of really cool sculpts including my bat swarms which I'll post in the future ^^
Anyways. The King was my colortest for the wight blades and now all my wights have that scheme for their blades.[/i]

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Corpsecartside2.jpg[/IMG]
[i]Ahhh...the corpse cart. A wonderful sculpt full of detail, one of my favorite models when it comes to sheer nastyness. I made sure to make the whip nice and crusty. You can see more detail shots of the cart [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Corpsecartside.jpg]here[/url], [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Corpsecartdriverdetail.jpg]here[/url] and [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Corpsecartdetail.jpg]here.[/url][/i]

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Zombiegroup.jpg[/IMG]
[i]A sample of my lovely zombies! They need some explaining. For a long while I wrestled with how I should paint my zombies. First I tried the classic "pale dead person" scheme. That looked ok, but not raggy enough. It didn't convey that "wrongness" I wanted. I tried making them dirtier, more blue here, more green there etc. But it just looked like a mess. Then I started doing shades of green until I just starting layering dark green onto them. Stepping back, I realized this really did capture their look and sense of malice. Green skin, white eyes and dripping with gore, trailing slimy guts. Basically I made my zombies caricatures of animated corpses rather trying to capture that ultra realistic look. I think it worked pretty well! More shots [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Zombie1.jpg]here[/url], [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Zombie5.jpg]here[/url] and [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Zombie4.jpg]here.[/url][/i]

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Skeletonunit1.jpg[/IMG]
[i]Skeletons aplenty. Again, a sample of my ancient animated warriors in all their splendor. I got (and still get) alot of niggling comments about them being too white, the scheme being too simple, using so few colors in the palette etc. But to me they're just pointing out exactly what I set out to do. They're a great contrast to the shambling hordes of zombies and the limited palette means they tie in closer with the rest of the army.[/i]

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Graveguardgroup1.jpg[/IMG]
[i]The menacing and homicidal wights! Lovely models, great detail in their armor, heads and weapons. My favorite ones are the axe and shield wielding ones. Here you can clearly see influences from the armor scheme from the vampire and weapon effect from the wight king. More pictures [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Graveguard1.jpg]here[/url] and [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Graveguard2.jpg]here.[/url][/i]

That's what I've already finished. I'm busy exhuming and raising more undead though, so lets have a look at what I've dug up recently, eh?

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Direwolvesgroup2.jpg[/IMG]
My lean mean killing machines! I finished basing and drool-detailing them today. There's more detail shots of the wolves [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/DoomWolfWIP1.jpg]here[/url], [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/DirewolfWIP3.jpg]here[/url], [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/DirewolfWIP1.jpg]here[/url] and [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/DirewolfWIP2.jpg]here.[/url] [i](All the detail shots were taken before adding the drool though =p)[/i]

So, now that we've caught up with what I'm doing I'll start posting more "In progress" shots of my undead horde coming together. Next up to be finished are my Dire wolves. Then I'll most likely expand my supply of zombies and grave guard (having already assembled and primed a few). After that is something I'm very much looking forward to. I plan on getting a pack of Ogre bulls and converting them for use in my army. I'll make a few of them as mercenaries who've spent too long in the company of the undead [i](sickly, drained, too much zombie meat still wriggling in their bellies, etc)[/i] and a few who've succumbed entirely and now shamble along with their zombie brethren [i](I figure that an ogre is a great way to add menace to my zombie units, plus he's a placeholder for four zombies meaning I won't have to have as many on hand!)[/i]

Stay tuned!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/514383.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/514383.page GMT WOC Warhounds]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/514416.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/514416.page GMT
Beacon's 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue is the name. Got it at Michaels.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/514496.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/514496.page GMT Hehe, well once I push my suspension of disbelief to the point where I can accept dead wolves the size of small tractors rising up and pouncing around the countryside at the whim of vampires intent on enslaving the world into a undead parody of its current existence...I find that things like "How are they drooling" just sortof fades into the background!
But it IS a good question...I guess the magic used to animate them might have something to do with it. Perhaps it is simply "formed" via the winds of magic and continuously replenished or, in the case of non-skull heads, their rotten saliva glands are jumpstarted back into production.
No matter the exact method, these wolves drool alot so we must assume somesort of fell method is being used to supply them with their veritable ocean of saliva!

As for how it is made, I used a hot glue gun and pulled strands from it with my sculpting tool, then I stuck it to a surface and pulled it to another. It makes great gore, drool or whatever you want thin and stringy. My first experience with it was on [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/wraith1.jpg][b]this[/b][/url] model and since then I've used it on a few others. However, the glue I'm using on the wolves has a different consistency than the one I worked with when I was first starting to use a glue gun, so it is taking some getting use to [i](again)[/i] ^^ [i](I'm currently using 7mm "Meister" glue rods in a "Bostik" hot glue gun)[/i]]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/514568.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/514568.page GMT
Some great conversion work on the zombies, and I love the bases on the wolves.

Can't wait for you to post a pic of your wargulf!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/518558.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/518558.page GMT A blizzard was busy consuming the surrounding neighborhood as I painted, white flecks steadily building a wall across the window and buildings intermittently hidden as winds picked up and tossed up a near solid wall of snow.
Perhaps it was this that caused me to take a more "winterish" theme to my Dire wolves...perhaps it was something else [i](Like having just finished Gotrek & Felix: Vampireslayer)[/i]

I'd love some comments on my wolves, the scheme, the contrasts and if my first ever "Glowing eyes" effect works ^^
It's not done, plenty of detail work to be done, tidying some overlapping colors, finishing the base etc...but the basic scheme is here.

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/DirewolfcolortestWIP1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/DirewolfcolortestWIP1left.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/DirewolfcolortestWIP1back.jpg[/IMG]

Eagerly awaiting comments!
*Lopes back into the snowstorm*]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/523351.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/523351.page GMT Hehe, well once I push my suspension of disbelief to the point where I can accept dead wolves the size of small tractors rising up and pouncing around the countryside at the whim of vampires intent on enslaving the world into a undead parody of its current existence...I find that things like "How are they drooling" just sortof fades into the background! [/quote]
Touché, thanks for the how-to]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/523353.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/523353.page GMT gz]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/524532.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/524532.page GMT ofc better also), simply due to the badass painting!

Excellent army, glad to see the detail work, and the nice basing.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/524960.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/524960.page GMT
Read through I noticed some questions and ideas of drool effects so I thought I would throw my two cents at you folks.

An easy way to do some drool (Or whatever you may need to string off etc.) is right in your modeling tool box, plastic cement. Melts the plastic ever so slightly. Apply, wait for the plastic to soften, and then take a needle tip or even a paper-clip and string away. I highly advise this technique be used in a place suitable for melting a little of your model, or in other cases hidden in such a way you do not sacrifice detail.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/602681.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/602681.page GMT I'll definitely give this a try when I'm caught without my glue gun and need some drool stat! =D

I'll have to excuse the lack of updates here, I've been busy handling my schoolwork and such and simply haven't had time to photograph my progress. My Dire Wolves are shaping up nicely so you can expect to see some progress shots of them soon-ish. I've also been "procrastinating" and painted up a necromancer from an old "Dark Emissary" figure I had lying around as well as doing some work on an old river troll!

I'll post those along when I've got time to take decent pictures of them.
For now though, electrical theory calls me =p]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/603027.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/603027.page GMT I just sploshed the last bit of paint on my Doom Wolf and I've got other wolves on the production line. I feel more confident with this color scheme now and I've made some minor adjustments to it. As with the other one the base is not yet finished and I've been contemplating to add some snow, which I think might work really nicely.
Without further ado here's my Doom Wolf.
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/DoomWolfWIP2side.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/DoomWolfWIP2.jpg[/IMG]

I also finished one of my necromancers. The tribal "Rothhurgur" which those have been following the [url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/227941.page][b]Zombiefest battlereports[/b][/url] will remember as the fellow who loves nothing more than roasting Skaven with his Rod of Flaming Death!
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/NecromancerRothhurgurfront.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/NecromancerRothhurgurback.jpg[/IMG]

More forthcoming as I finish off my wolfpack!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/614370.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/614370.page GMT
The wolf looks totally hardcore, a sort of "I´ll drink your BLOOD" type of look. Sad that they´ve got so little punch in game terms... :S

The dark emissary fits well with the rest of the horde, surprised to see how neccromancer´ish he looks. Did you modify the model at all?]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/614627.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/614627.page GMT
After being swamped with work and working on a painting competition entry and a diorama I've started work on my VC again. I made a blue tac mockup of my next corpse cart, here's what I've got so far:

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/corpsecart2wipside.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/corpsecart2wipfront.jpg[/IMG]

I figure that the corpse cart is like a mobile buffet for the ghouls. Driver is seen here skewering a hungry ghoul. I'll also impale the one dragging it or alternatively tie him to the pike thing...still haven't decided.
I don't like the "Murloc" look the ghouls have so I'll be "shaving" them all similar to the one pulling the cart. Much prefer them that way ^^
Liking the look of this cart so far, very different from the other "standard" one I made before. Also the ghouls look so devious somehow. Silly ghouls, zombies are for the cart!

Anyways, just some WIP stuff for now
Stay tuned!

@Xanthos
I didn't modify the base model at all, he really is perfect as he is! =D]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/647616.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/647616.page GMT
Now I'm gonna collect Vampire Counts as a project.

You sir, have inspired me.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/647653.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/647653.page GMT ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/649436.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/649436.page GMT ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/649461.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/649461.page GMT doubly so since i don't care much for some of the models from that army
thumbs up man]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/649594.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/649594.page GMT Thanks alot for all the kind words! I'll really try to get some more progress pics up since people seem to like those alot
I'll be doing some conversion work on the Corpse cart today as well as finishing up more Dire wolves. I've got more pictures of them for 'ya propably by tonight and then I'd like to hear your input on some of the basing ideas I have for them!

Thanks guys 'n gals...you've really inspired this zombie ^^

[i]p.s.
It seems like the link to the picture of the back of my vampire was broken. I've fixed it now ^^[/i]]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/649799.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/649799.page GMT It seems like I caught the terrain fever...along with a more nasty fever that has made me bedridden for days now!

I've got a large update post on my WIP projects. I've been sortof wandering to and fro in my project schedule, depending on how the mood strikes me and where I am. Mind you, all the pictures are very much WIP, I just felt like documenting my progress and to let some folks know that I haven't stopped modelling or anything =D
So here it is, what I've been up to these last weeks.

[size=18][b]Farmers Hut[/b][/size]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/CIMG2352.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/CIMG2351.jpg[/IMG]

[i]My first large terrain project. The tools and materials used are there, it's mostly composed of a old ruined Ikea basket that I harvested for the walls and its excellent stiff cardboard, then there's a cereal package, some model straw, masonite for the base, chimney from the GW house kit (that was donated by a friend)and liberal amounts of PVA glue and spackle! The picture is taken just after its first coat of paint, there'll be highlighting and such once the paint properly settles. The roof is removable and I'm building furniture for it.
I'm very happy with how its turning out, not bad for a first piece =D [/i]

[size=18][b]
Zombie Champion[/b][/size]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/Zombiechamp.jpg[/IMG]
[i]Yes, I know zombie regiments don't technically have champions, but why shouldn't they? I cobbled this black orc zombie together from various bits I had lying around. I plan on including a special Zombie Champion model in all my zombie regiments. It's a fun conversion opportunity and who knows, maybe one day we'll have a champion ^^[/i]


[size=18][b]Vlad[/b][/size]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/CIMG2361.jpg[/IMG]
[i]I don't like the Vlad model. His cloak sticks out over an inch, there's a friggin' hurricane blowing behind him sending everything flying in one direction and he has his sword stuck out another inch or two behind him. He's basically impossible to place into a squad without tailoring it for him. Plus...I just don't like him. "Hey look! It's the ring! It's my only weakness! But don't steal it! Lawl!". Meh.
Anyways. I've shaved the model, reducing the size of his ginormous cloak, shaving off the bear paw that stuck out and I'm planning on repositioning the arm kinda like its been blue tacced on the picture. I'm pretty much set on hacking off the sword hand however and replacing it with a nasty looking single headed axe, perhaps from the Grave guard sprue. I think it'll fit much better in with the rest of my army. I'll also sculpt some hair flowing down his right side.I've also been giving some thought to sculpting somesort of spell like flame in his outstretched hand and then possibly doing source lighting from it. I don't have much experience with such stuff...but it's an exciting prospect![/i]

[size=18][b]
Turn Counter[/b][/size]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/CIMG2363.jpg[/IMG]
[i]I've been meaning to make a nice looking turn counter for a while now, the old "dice-on-top-of-something" working fine...I just want a fun and cool looking turn counter! =D Rediscovering my Hasslefree Miniatures shipment I thought this Harem girl model would make an excellent "Mistress of Turns". Lounging under a palm tree I'll add a few knick knacks lying about. Wine goblets, books etc. I'm planning on having six shields arranged around on the lower base with roman numerals from I to VI. I'll find shields from a variety of armies to give it that "universal" look. The turn counter is composed of a large flying base, flying base rod and a coke cap that's been drilled to fit the rod. Turns nice and smooth and sits snugly =D[/i]

So yeah, this is what I'm up to at the moment. Not pictured is a finished version of my "Ghoul Cart" along with another Wight King and five grave guard. I'm also working on a "Wight Queen" but she's still in concept stage and I'm acquiring the materials I'll need to do a mock up of her.

Seems like the first coat of paint has dried on the hut. Time for another!
Stay tuned.
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/678361.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/678361.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/678759.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/678759.page GMT
The zombie champion looks interesting too, I´ve got a box of chaos warriors sitting around my place, still wondering if they are to become inquisitorial guards or something more sinister.

And the turn counter.... Now that´s stylish!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/679652.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/679652.page GMT Camera has decided it does not want to play along however, so I'll have to forego my usual picture update and instead post a concept sketch of a project I'll get into at around about the same time as my Zombie Ogre filler units.

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/BonegiantWIP.jpg[/IMG]

I already have the bone giant model I just don't like alot of the components of it. The face is abit too smiley so I'll move the lower jaw abit [i](I even photoshopped that in!)[/i] and then I want to bulk him up to make him more like a giant version of the Grave guard [i](might add some tattered cloth as well)[/i].

Anyways. I'm raising this thread from the depths and breathing new (un)life into it!

p.s.
In the process of photoshopping I couldn't resist making [url=http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/Bonegiantnom.gif][b]this[/b][/url]. Fear his chewy fury! ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/914418.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/914418.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/914446.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/914446.page GMT
Finished next batch of Grave guard and a Wight King. Also, progress on Corpse Cart II and then a teaser for what I'll propably finish in the next few days.
Lets get to it!

[b]Grave Guard:[/b]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Graveguardgroup2.jpg[/IMG]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Graveguard3.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Graveguard4.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Graveguard5.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Graveguard6.jpg[/img]

[b]Wight King II (Front & Back):[/b]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/WightKing2side.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/WightKing2back.jpg[/IMG]

[b]Corpse Cart II WIP:[/b]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/Corpsecart2WIPGS.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/Corpsecart2WIPmuleghoul.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/Corpsecart2WIPskewerghoul.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/Corpsecart2WIPnomghoul.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/Corpsecart2WIPbackghoul.jpg[/img]

[b]Teaser:[/b]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/VladWIP.jpg[/IMG]

More soon.
C&C welcome ^^]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/921010.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/921010.page GMT
I've been trying my hand at more sculpting. Nothing major, but certainly alot for me. Up until recently I only really used GS for filling cracks and such.

Vlad Flame WIP:
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/VladWIPflame.jpg[/IMG]

Thinking of doing some source lighting from the flame in his hand ^^]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/924057.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/924057.page GMT
I presume your exposed muscle is just red gore, baal red and blood red following standard base, wash then highlight patterns?

or do you have some sneaky trick? (i hope its a sneaky trick, my exposed muscle never comes out as good)]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/924100.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/924100.page GMT
Actually, I do my exposed muscle differently.
Basecoat Chaos Black - Drybrush Scab Red - Drybrush Highlight Blood Red - Asurmen Blue wash [i](then retouch with Badab Black wash if it's too light, Blood Red if it's too dark ^^)[/i]
I used a blue wash following a conversation with a medical student friend of mine. According to him exposed meat will turn blueish then eventually black once exposed.

Luckily it also looks pretty good!
I'll take WIP pics of my next Dire Wolf that I have in that stage so I can show this better ^^]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/924106.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/924106.page GMT a sneaksy trick
bookmark'd the page for when im painting zorks]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/924140.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/924140.page GMT I'm still considering him to be WIP, since I'm thinking of doing OSL on the flame. I'll practice on a zombie first to get a feel for the technique.

Withour further ado.

[b]Vampire (Converted Vlad von Carstein)[/b]:
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/vladWIPcolorfront.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/vladWIPcolorside.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/vladWIPcolorback.jpg[/img]

Next up it's Dire Wolves...
No seriously...I'll totally get on that now =D

p.s.
Yes, there is a face in the flame! =D]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/925401.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/925401.page GMT ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/929446.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/929446.page GMT
I thought I had seen this stuff before, but apparently I hadn´t.

Really liking these guys, good luck with the OSL, it´s one of the techniques I´m still on the fence about, I´ve seen it done well, but too often it can ruin a model that had a perfectly good paintjob...

Subscribing to tihs one now, don´t want to lose it again.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/979856.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/979856.page GMT
Speaking of stealing ideas, how did you paint the bronze armour? It's perfect for my high elves, so would really love some info on how you did it!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1050352.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1050352.page GMT
@Treadhead
The way I paint the bronze armor is like this:

* Prime black
* Drybrush Tin Bitz
* Drybrush Shining Gold [i](focus it on the areas that're likely to be hit with alot of light)[/i]
* Wash with Badab Black [i](I use to just use very thinned out Chaos black, but Badab Black does the same thing. Thinned out Chaos Black to wash consistency will give a grainier look though).[/i]
* Re-drybrush with Shining gold, focus on edges, large reflective areas.

The armor really isn't as glossy as my pics may indicate, the final effect is quite matte. My Dark Elf corsair vampire shows the most "real" effect on his left shoulderpad. Camera seems to invariably gloss up the armor as can be seen on his bracers [i](they look exactly the same in real life =D)[/i]

A dose of influenza and heaps of schoolwork has kept me from getting on with my painting schedule. But I did get my Varghulf back from the retailers display case so I can finally get pics of him up!
Pics soon...for realies.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1053060.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1053060.page GMT It had been sitting in a retailer showcase since I finished it (at the retailers) and I never got a chance to take pictures of the beast!

[b][u]Varghulf:[/u][/b]

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Varghulffront1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Varghulfback1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Varghulfside1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Varghulffront2.jpg[/IMG]

I might be sproussing up the base abit later, but the model itself is finished!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1055036.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1055036.page GMT VC army in a heart beat.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1057500.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1057500.page GMT As I was trying to find where I'd stashed my Dire Wolves I came across my bone giant, so I started to tinker with it.

Here are some WIP shots!

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59513-Armor%2C%20Bone%20Giant%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Giant%2C%20Greenstuff%2C%20Plasticard.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/21/59513_sm-Armor%2C%20Bone%20Giant%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Giant%2C%20Greenstuff%2C%20Plasticard.JPG[/img][/url]
The pieces I've made so far. Remade lower jaw (with teeth incoming), one shoulderguard and the greaves.

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59514-Armor%2C%20Bone%20Giant%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Giant%2C%20Greenstuff%2C%20Plasticard.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/21/59514_sm-Armor%2C%20Bone%20Giant%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Giant%2C%20Greenstuff%2C%20Plasticard.JPG[/img][/url]
Shoulder fitting shot

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59515-Armor%2C%20Bone%20Giant%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Giant%2C%20Greenstuff%2C%20Plasticard.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/21/59515_sm-Armor%2C%20Bone%20Giant%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Giant%2C%20Greenstuff%2C%20Plasticard.JPG[/img][/url]
Greaves fitting shot

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59517-Armor%2C%20Bone%20Giant%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Giant%2C%20Greenstuff%2C%20Plasticard.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/21/59517_sm-Armor%2C%20Bone%20Giant%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Giant%2C%20Greenstuff%2C%20Plasticard.JPG[/img][/url]
Blue tac assembly to check pose. Shield and sword are just stand ins at this point.

More to come as it gets made.
Oh and I found my dire wolves, shots of those soon too =D]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1059355.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1059355.page GMT Helmet is very much WIP, but this is the result of loads of scrapped versions. Arms and shoulders are attached now, and I'm making the cross brace. There'll also be some that go around to the back to another loop there.

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59717-Helmet%252Fshoulders.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/22/59717_sm-Helmet%252Fshoulders.JPG[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59718-Helmet%20side%252Fshoulders.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/22/59718_sm-Helmet%20side%252Fshoulders.JPG[/img][/url]

The idea is to have the shoulders studded. I still haven't decided what to do with the helmet. Perhaps put studs there too? Or somesort of spines, viking horns perhaps...I'll see. It really does need something though.
The jaw came out great though! I was most worried about it not really looking proper, but it seems to be fine!

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1061304.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1061304.page GMT I've decided against a sword and fitted him with a spear instead, using one of his cut off blades as the spearhead and cue tip sticks for the shaft. I'm thinking of covering it in greenstuff to give it a more interesting texture.
His shield is just the plasticard core of his shield for now, it'll get greenstuff bulked out and detailed later.

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59948-Spear%20fit%252Fstud%20fit.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/23/59948_sm-Spear%20fit%252Fstud%20fit.JPG[/img][/url]
[i]Here I was fitting the spear, checking height etc. Also seeing how the studs would come out on the shoulder. I've also finished the shoulder brace on the front of him here and fastened all the components, except for the head, together.
[/i]
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59949-Spear%20front.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/23/59949_sm-Spear%20front.JPG[/img][/url]
[i]Drilled and pinned the spear also had to pin his shield arm due to a weak joint (it had actually broken when I was clearing away mould lines and broke again as I was messing around with it during the spear pinning). Also fastened the studs to the shoulder and sharpened them.[/i]

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59950-Jaw%20closeup.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/23/59950_sm-Jaw%20closeup.JPG[/img][/url]
[i]An attempted closeup of his jaw. I have no clue what that metal stuff is in his mouth. Isn't there when I check now =p[/i]

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59951-Shoulder%20closeup.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/23/59951_sm-Shoulder%20closeup.JPG[/img][/url]
[i]A closeup of the studs.[/i]

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/59952-Back%20detail.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/23/59952_sm-Back%20detail.JPG[/img][/url]
[i]A shot of the cross brace on the back, also visible are the greave fastenings.[/i]

Next I'll propably start working on the shield and layer the spear in GS. Another tube of GS is drying now so I can make the studs on the other shoulder. Then it's helmet and bulking up his hips!
All coming together ^^]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1063801.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1063801.page GMT
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/60698-Shield%20WIP.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/26/60698_sm-Shield%20WIP.JPG[/img][/url]
[i]Shield so far, showing the WIP rim and boss. Idea is to make planks and perhaps some battle damage once thats finished.[/i]

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/60701-Spear%20tip%20WIP.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/26/60701_sm-Spear%20tip%20WIP.JPG[/img][/url]
[i]Showing the spear tip here. Fits snugly at the top and we can also see the top of the spear wrap here.[/i]

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/60700-Spear%20layer%20WIP.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/26/60700_sm-Spear%20layer%20WIP.JPG[/img][/url]
[i]Spear wrap.[/i]

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/60699-Giant%20layer%20WIP.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/10/26/60699_sm-Giant%20layer%20WIP.JPG[/img][/url]
[i]Giant as he looks now, head is not permanently attached yet.[/i]

Still open to suggestion as to what to do with the helmet!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1071305.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1071305.page GMT
and any plans on what he is going to count as]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1071771.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1071771.page GMT He'll count for 4 x skeletons in a regular skeleton unit.

While work on the giant progresses [i](doing his shield at the moment)[/i] there's some other things happening!

First off, I magnetized my entire army! Just took an evening and I got magnets under all my zombies, skellies and characters! The magnet material was alot easier to work with that I thought, cut away really easy and glues extremely well!

I also got around to converting a model that's been annoying me for a while, the aristocratic vampire model.

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/m1182215_99060207170_VCVampireLordM.jpg[/IMG]

I think I got her in the 'Spearhead' box and she's just been lying around in my model case. The model looks pretty cool, it's just that her face and the extreme collar wasn't really my style. Since there's not that many armored female models in the GW range I didn't want to just discard her though. Once I'd done my two Wight King versions I started thinking about alternative Wight Kings and then about Wight Queens, since surely these ancient kings and warriors weren't doomed to an eternal sausage fest beneath their hallowed cairns! The result was this:

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/64767-.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/16/64767_sm-.jpg[/img][/url]

I took the vampire model, snipped abit off the collar and scraped off her face. Then I sliced the front part of a Skeleton Warrior skull and transplanted it. Green stuffed a headdress and after that had cured, some hair around it mimicking the style of the already present hair. The exposed 'fleshy' bits will be painted as armor, the cloth bits a faded red to tie in with the rest of my army. A cool thing is that her fingers are already really thin and boney so they don't need any conversion as the paintjob will simply give the skeletal illusion.

Its a very simple conversion but it completely saves the model for me.
Hail to the Queen baby!

On a perhaps abit unrelated note, I got an Ushabti at a sale ages back and during my magnetizing spree he turned up. A quick chop and slice later I'd given him a pretty snazzy base! I might work on him as my modelling ADD goes into full swing!

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/64765-Scenic%2C%20Ushabti.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/16/64765_sm-Scenic%2C%20Ushabti.JPG[/img][/url]

Broken statue thingy is from a LOtR boxed set I think, model is pinned through the statue into the base as can be seen [url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/64766-Pin%2C%20Pinning.html]here.[/url][i](pinned using florist wire)[/i]. I think it looks great and it was really simple. I'll fill in the side gap with some dry spackle. It'll be easy to make that look like broken stone too!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1116040.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1116040.page GMT I also think that it's a fun and original twist to bring in a female wight, since we see so few female undead as is.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1124265.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1124265.page GMT
I finished a project for a local painting competition, I'll post that once voting has finished ^^

I also finished my farmhouse terrain as well as my Wight Queen!

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/CIMG2767.jpg[/IMG]
Here's my finished Wight Queen! I tried to give her dirty blond hair, since black hair would be so...obvious? I dunno. The conversion came out great and she'll have a place of honor in my army.

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/CIMG2773.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/CIMG2777.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/CIMG2779.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/CIMG2781.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/CIMG2785.jpg[/IMG]
I also finished my farmhouse, including furniture and such. This is my first terrain piece =D The door, windows, shutters, chest, desk and stool is all made out of toothpicks. The barrels and grain bags are made of air hardening clay. The bed is made of spare cardboard and all the cloth around is made of jean fabric.

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/CIMG2784.jpg[/IMG]
Also, here's all the stuff that's loose around the house, I particularly like the chest.

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/CIMG2786.jpg[/IMG]
There's also something lurking in the rafters!

Anyways, lots of old projects getting taken care of now!
I feel like I'm in the zone!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1126628.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1126628.page GMT [url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/66166-Grave%20Guard%20Freehand.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/24/66166_sm-Grave%20Guard%20Freehand.jpg[/img][/url]

I used an image of a fleur de lys from the Bretonnian army book as a reference. My own criticism has mostly to do with a slight lack of symmetry between the arms of the fleur, also that it feels abit "fat" somehow. However, once on the table and not to mention from across the board it just looks fantastic!
I started by drawing the design on a piece of paper and choosing which elements to keep on the flag. Then I selected the colors. I started by painting the flag with an even coat of Skull white. The fleur is painted with Iyanden Dark sun, Golden Yellow, Sunburst Yellow and Bad Moon Yellow with some Badab Black wash for downtoning some colors. The flag itself is just a shadow Grey drybrush over black.
I'm very happy with it and I hope I'll be able to practice on more stuff!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1135460.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1135460.page GMT
The giant looks promising as well, did you get those sculpting tools, or are you using metal tools for this still?

Nice stuff overall, the hut is super detailed as well, which I support 100%!


[size=9]Automatically Appended Next Post:[/size]
Oooh, flag, I forgot to comment on the flag. I was actually thinking that it looked really good, almost TOO good actually.

You could consider mucking it up a bit, you know, dirt, moisture, the terror of the graaave, all that?]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1135496.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1135496.page GMT

I love the work on the giant]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1135917.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1135917.page GMT I'll see about weathering the flag once I get abit better at actually doing that! For the moment I justify its condition the way any good GM would: "It's magic!"

You're not gonna believe this, but I actually finished my Dire Wolves! I started them in January and then they've just been sitting around aching for some paint. I went with a Grey/white wolf scheme with really gory exposed muscle.

I keep my paint in a shallow box, big enough to fit a single paint pot standing up, but nothing ontop of that. When I'm painting I'll grab a pot out of the box and the leave it on my desk as I progress. In the end I'm left with a big pile of colors and I'm always surprised at how many colors I use! I took a picture after finishing off the wolves, these are the colors and washes I used for my Dire Wolves =D
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/67101-Dire%20Wolf%20Colors.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/67101_sm-Dire%20Wolf%20Colors.JPG[/img][/url]
It's about 30 total, though that's not counting any on-the-fly blends. It really doesn't "feel" like that many colors though...It just kinda happens. Anyone else have the same thing happen?

The basing is among the most extensive I've done for a set of models and it has a funny story. When I was assembling the wolves I failed to note that the sides of wolves had designated partners. There are these little numbers, so side 2 left matches side 2 right etc. I'd assembled eight wolves when I actually noticed this and then when I was checking them against a base later I saw how their legs were floating above the base and doing allsorts of weird things. I fixed it by building a base underneath them that fit, and the result was much better than I anticipated!

[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Direwolvesgroup1.jpg[/IMG]
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/66998-Dire%20Wolf%20Lineup%201.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/66998_sm-Dire%20Wolf%20Lineup%201.JPG[/img][/url]
First off, the original finished lineup of the Dire Wolves next to the painted version ^^. There were pretty heavy moldlines across their heads and back, a kind of chasm of uglyness. So I fixed that with some green stuff. Their bases are made using some sand, broken up popsicle sticks and then Empire Militia, Zombie and Flagellant bits.

Then here is a sample of the Dire Wolves:
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/67001-Doom%20Wolf%2C%20Undwead%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Wolf.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/67001_sm-Doom%20Wolf%2C%20Undwead%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Wolf.JPG[/img][/url]
Doom Wolf

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/67149-Dire%20Wolf%204.2.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/67149_sm-Dire%20Wolf%204.2.jpg[/img][/url]
Dire Wolf about to chomp down on a villager
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/67142-Dire%20Wolf%207.2.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/67142_sm-Dire%20Wolf%207.2.jpg[/img][/url]
*Rip - Crunch*

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/67140-Dire%20Wolf%206.0.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/67140_sm-Dire%20Wolf%206.0.jpg[/img][/url]
Be careful when you play fetch with these

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/67138-Dire%20Wolf%205.0.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/67138_sm-Dire%20Wolf%205.0.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/67139-Dire%20Wolf%205.2.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/67139_sm-Dire%20Wolf%205.2.jpg[/img][/url]
I'm kinda proud of the sign ^^

Here's a shot of the regiment:
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/67019-Dire%20Wolf%20regiment.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/67019_sm-Dire%20Wolf%20regiment.JPG[/img][/url]

I also magnetized them!
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/67020-Dire%20Wolves%20Magnetized.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/11/29/67020_sm-Dire%20Wolves%20Magnetized.JPG[/img][/url]
*Mandatory upside down shot*

All in all I'm very happy with how they turned out! I wanted to make them look different from the ones I'd seen around online, while not going too far away from something familiar. The theme for the basing was that the wolves had just crashed into a small town and started tearing up villagers and militia I think it came out great and I'm thinking of making more of this kind of basing [i](intentionally positioning the models this time though! xD)[/i]
There are more pics of them in the gallery under "Dire Wolves" if you can't get enough Wolf action ^^

C&C welcome as always!


[size=9]Automatically Appended Next Post:[/size]
Last week I had my first Wightfest Warbands game.

My list was as follows:

[b]Wight King -Ilkur Vorsekan-[/b][i] (General)[/i]
[b]Wight Queen -Aygül Vorsekan-[/b]

[b]Skeletons x 10 [/b]

[b]Grave Guards x 14 [/b]
[i]- Full command
- Standard of Everlasting Death[/i]

[b]Cairn Wraiths x 3 [/b]
[i]- Tomb Banshee [/i]

[b]Total:[/b] 603 points

My opponent was Tomb Kings. I don't have his list, but from memory he had a Tomb Prince equipped with the Collar of Shapesh in a block of skeletons with hand weapons, shield and light armor. A line of skeleton bowmen, 3 chariots and 4 light cavalry.

I placed my Tomb King and Queen in the unit of Grave Guard and deployed on them on the extreme right flank. The unit of Skeletons took the middle and the Wraiths surged up the left flank. The game was decided from deployment, my opponent is new to the game and I could see he'd get caught in his own battleline unless he was careful. In the end he'd deployed his units too tightly and was unable to manouver them sufficiently.
Game winning unit was undoubtedly the Cairn Wraiths, which he was powerless to stop.

This game pushed me into finishing off my Wightfest list. The only units left to paint were the Wraiths and Banshee. I have three OOP Wraith models and a Banshee I had painted years ago. As a kind of homage I decided not to repaint the banshee. She was one of the first models I was very proud of, having painted her ages ago when I had no clue how to do most basic painting techniques. I fixed minor details I wasn't able to do back then like teeth and minor stuff like that, otherwise she's as I painted her all those years ago. The Wightfest list only has 2 Wraiths and a Banshee, but since I was doing them anyway I did the last Wraith too ^^

[b]Wraith 1[/b]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Wraith1.jpg[/IMG]

[b]Wraith 2[/b]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Wraith2.jpg[/IMG]

[b]Wraith 3[/b]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Wraith3.jpg[/IMG]
[i]His hourglass looks weird and flat on this picture, the lighting obscures the shading on it =p[/i]

[b]Banshee[/b]
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/warhammer/Banshee1.jpg[/IMG]
Ah yes...the Banshee. I painted her before I even knew what drybrushing was. I handpainted those black lines in her dress. Her hair was brilliant, I didn't know how to get that 'line highlight' effect so what I did was that I painted it black, then scraped off the paint where I wanted the line highlights to be =D Brutally simple, but it worked!

That's it for now, I'm hoping to finish the Bone Giant next!
C&C always welcome.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1147508.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1147508.page GMT
Always fun to dig up old models and use them. The banshee is not bad at all, especially considering that it was one of your earliest models.

Keep up the good work! ^^]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1147945.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1147945.page GMT
I finished a batch of zombies in a new color scheme. It's quick, dirty and I can do it in big batches pretty fast! Most important of all I find that it stands up to scrutiny as well as giving a nice overall look. A problem I've been having is the compromise between tabletop looks and close scrutiny good looks, since the two can often clash.
I got to experiment with a variety of new techniques while painting them. Realistic flame, stipled blood effects etc as well as testing how a restricted color palette can tie together a unit more closely. I chose to have alot of red in in the unit for contrast and to visually tie it in with the rest of my army.

Bring on the zombies!

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69721-Zombe%20Group%202.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69721_sm-Zombe%20Group%202.jpg[/img][/url]

The whole unit, looking pretty cohesive! Muted earthy colors for the clothing with slimey guts and bloody/rusty blades! Looks alot grittier than my green zombies, and more realistic.
Here's a sample of zombies from the horde.

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69720-.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69720_sm-.jpg[/img][/url]
Gouged out his head with some pliers, looks very nasty! The crusted, rusty blade can be seen nicely here.

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69716-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69716_sm-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.jpg[/img][/url]
Stocks zombie! Flagellant kit just never stops yielding great conversion bitz. Chain bit comes from a flagellant arm that I used for one of the zombies, the chain looked weird sticking out horizontally from a vertical arm so I cut it and it migrated here ^^

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69717-.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69717_sm-.jpg[/img][/url]
George Romero homage zombie. Ofcourse after I take the picture and upload it I notice that it's not finished. I was going to pile more dirt around him like he's really bursting out of the ground! I'll add that later.

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69715-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69715_sm-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.jpg[/img][/url]
My favorite zombie head. The large bloated eyes, slack jaws...it's awesome. This was the test model for the color scheme. Brushed on 'Ardcoat gives the guts that slimey look.

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69719-.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69719_sm-.jpg[/img][/url]
Torch-head zombie! This was actually the first time I try to paint realistic fire. Before this I painted it in some unnatural way, ghostly green, white or blue. Overall I'm very satisfied with the look, and I learned a bunch of stuff. Lots of fire reference pics up while I was painting this guy, as well as staring at a large candle =D

More pics in the gallery!

I had fun with the zombies. I chose just a few brown colors, some Shadow Grey and Blood Red and didn't allow myself any other colors for the clothing. I can easily get distracted and start seperating jackets from shirts and from cloaks and pants and boots etc...it just becomes too many colors over a regiment of figures. I used a blood effect tutorial from [/url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/user/profile/943.page][b]King Ulrik Flamebeard[/b][/url]. It consists of taking alot of red and mixing in abit of black. In my case it was GW Blood Red and GW Chaos Black, roughly 3:1 and then watering it down to a wash consistency. Then, using a stipling brush, roughly stiple the blood mix onto the model/weapon/surface. It'll look abit off-brownish to dark red. Repeat as often as you want and you'll get a nice crusty blood effect. Finish it off with a stipling of the pure red if you want it to look partly fresh. I liked this stipling technique, it created random patterns on the skin and weapon parts that looked natural and very nasty.

Next up, the Ghoulcart.
I started on the Ghoulcart back in February/March this year. The idea was that ghouls propably follow those of necromantic inclination for more reasons than that they're awed by their power. Those who periodically raise the dead are also an excellent source for their favorite food; Corpses. To a ghoul a zombie is little but a walking food source that doesn't mind if it gets nibbled on. I can imagine packs of ghouls descending on zombies and ripping them apart, tearing off a piece and loping back to gnaw on them as they follow the undead host. A corpse cart is practically a buffet, and I can imagine the driver not appreciating his charges being eaten by some bastard ghouls!
So, the ghoulcart was born, assembled out of Blue tac!

Ghoul Cart WIP
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/corpsecart2wipside.jpg[/img]

Then it got converted more fully, based etc.
[img]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Warhammer%20WIP/Corpsecart2WIPGS.jpg[/img]

And now it's finished!
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69712-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69712_sm-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69711-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69711_sm-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69713-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69713_sm-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69714-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69714_sm-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69707-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69707_sm-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69858-Impaled%20Ghoul.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/16/69858_sm-Impaled%20Ghoul.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/69710-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.html][img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2009/12/15/69710_sm-Cart%2C%20Corpse%2C%20Fire%2C%20Vampire%20Counts%2C%20Zombie.jpg[/img][/url]

There are a few more pics of it in my gallery.
The ghoulcart really was a blast to convert and paint. I got to try out alot of new techniques here too! I was finally able to create 'verdigris' effects that I'm happy with, visible on the front end of the cart, lanterns and balefire brazier. More realistic flame and light effects, building on stuff I learned from painting the zombies as well as making some purplish ghoul skin, seperating them from both zombies and corpses [i](I was very pleased with that =D)[/i]. What else...hmm...oh yes. I attempted to paint transparent bottles with stuff in them, which can be seen hanging on the sides of the cart. It didn't turn out exactly as I had imagined...but I thought it looked good regardless ^^
Anyways, there's alot of stuff happening on this model. I wanted it to be like a still image from a much larger scene. I like mini-narratives in large models, and I think its fun when you're rewarded for really examining something. Small stuff like the rats, faces here and there, heads dangling from underneath the cart etc. Special mention goes to the impaled ghoul that's been tied up. I actually did some research on that one, working off from old scouting knots and a mini mannequin made out of blue tac and paintbrushes. The ropes were designed to prevent him from ripping himself free of the pike that's been shoved through him.
A note on the ghouls. I'm not a fan of the current 'de-humanized' look the ghoul models have. In my opinion, what made the old ghoul models so scary was how regular they looked, aside from being so gangly and disgusting looking. Like creepy old men, that's how they looked. Remember this picture from the old VC book?
[IMG]http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/dreihaddar/Ghouls.jpg[/IMG]
That's what ghouls are supposed to look like for me, like deranged men turned to cannibalism. I gave the ghoul models a shave, removing the large tufts of hair from their backs and all the bone piercings. You're left with some creepy and gangly humans!
I used gloss varnish on the bloody parts very sparingly, compared to my other corpse cart. Wanting to use it to lead the eye to interesting parts of the model, as opposed to slathering it all over.

I had loads of fun with this, and I'm really happy with how everything turned out.
My army is coming together nicely, I'll take some whole pictures of my army in the next few days, I was really surprised at seeing how much I actually had once it was all set up! =D

Thanks for your time, C&C as always welcome.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1189559.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1189559.page GMT
These newer zombies do look "fresher" than the previous ones, and the bitz usage is good too. The flaming head puzzled me at first, I was thinking that he might have trouble refilling it without hurting himself, you know, the whole Zombie <-> Flames thing...? But it does look great.

Oh, and the ghoulcart turned out nasty as all heck! Love the effects, that would really worry me on the battlefield!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1189690.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1189690.page GMT ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1190247.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1190247.page GMT VC stuff and you definitely don't see it often enough.

That skeletal giant you've been working on looks pretty good, I think at the moment he kind of looks like he has a leather helmet like an old-school football player , so maybe some more spikes reminiscent of the grave guard would detract from that appearance. I like what you've been doing!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1190451.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1190451.page GMT [/quote]

It's a Dark Emissary from the 'Dark Shadows' 2001 summer campaign.
Sadly, it seems to be OOP, there were some lovely models produced for that campaign. I happened to pick up a blister pack and then he just got forgotten as I moved around a few times.

I've been looking over alternative models to use as necromancers/Vampires and I've become kinda infatuated with the Dark Elf Dreadlord.
[img]http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m1820076_99060212085_DEHighbornMain_873x627.jpg[/img]
Snip his Super-Topknot-of-doom and sculpt some hair on there and it's a pretty awesome looking vampire, with a little dragon familiar to boot! His shield might go, get replaced, whatever. I'll see once I actually have the model.

I've also got a LoTR 'Gríma' sitting on my bench, aching for some paint. I think once he's done he'll look like a sleazy, if abit small, necromancer.
[img]http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m1180673_99061464076_EvilSarumanGrimaMain_873x627.jpg[/img]
[i](The one on the right, for you folks that've been living under a rock)[/i]

Another candidate for vampirism is the Bretonnian damsel on foot.
[img]http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m400773_99060203089_BretonnianDamselStaffFootMountedMain_873x627.jpg[/img]
[i](The one on the right, in case I wasn't clear enough =D)[/i]

Since my army hails from Bretonnia, I don't think a spot of nationalism on the part of my vampires will hurt. All the Fleur de Lys on her is fine, since it's already a symbol I use in my army and appropriately 'Vampirized' I think she'll look great!
If you have any good suggestion for alternative vampire/necromancer models I'd love to know! The current range produced for the VC just isn't my thing =p
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1193555.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1193555.page GMT
I have the other version of that dark elf dreadlord, and there is one thing you should be aware of. The hair of the topknot does come across the dragon's back wing, so you're going to have to be careful removing it (I'd suggest completely ruining the topknot itself by slowly cutting it down with clippers) and do a bit of sculpting.

It is definitely worth it, though.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1193641.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1193641.page GMT [I]A former devotee of Slaanesh, Valchian is a twisted individual.[/I]

I finished another necromancer for my army, bringing my total to three (Meaning I'm done with necromancers for awhile, which is sad since I love making 'em!). However, he's also painted in such a way that I can easily claim him as a vampire, neato!
I really like this model. You can just see how slimy this character is. Does great justice to Brad Dourif's portrayal in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings.

[url=http://www.theargonath.cc/characters/wormtongue/pictures/wormtongue2.jpg][B]This is clearly the concept art for the model[/B][/url], which is awesome! Something about actually seeing the model alive infront of you =D

Hope you enjoy this!
I've got some more Dire Wolves in the fleshworks as well as some ghouls! They're slated after [url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/292244.page][b]my dwarves[/b][/url] however, so it'll be a while. I might do individual models, then I'll ofcourse post them here ^^]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1627126.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1627126.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1627269.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1627269.page GMT WoC I'm starting a VC army.

Thanks for the inspiration!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1627558.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1627558.page GMT
Hope I'll find some time to raise some more of the foul undead soon. If you're hungry for updates on what I'm up to (and don't mind abit of beardy grumblyness) then my other project; [url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/292244.page]"Karak'Odro Karaz"[/url] is getting abit more attention these days!

Thanks for the kind words.
I really appreciate your comments and criticisms, so please leave some if you have any!
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1630257.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1630257.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1630679.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226945/1630679.page GMT