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So, I have been interested in building a Dark Eldar army since the previous codex. I waited till after the new codex released before I started building. Got my first box of warriors, and then realized that I have a name and a paint scheme, but I am having trouble with the bases. My idea was to make them look like they were in the main hall of a dark eldar palace or a cathedral dedicated to the dark muses. The problem that I am running into is how to make the floor look like mosaics. I have ideas of images I want on the floor, but not how to make it look like images made up of small tiles. Anyone have any ideas that are simple and not ridiculously expensive?

http://www.maelstromgames.co.uk/index.php?act=pro&pre=mas_hob_bbs_mos_201_000

http://www.maelstromgames.co.uk/index.php?act=pro&pre=mas_hob_bbs_mos_211_000&sou=rel

Sadly, these may not fit your "rediculously expensive" requirement. I'm not certain how many models a proper DE army contains.

I would just make some of them, maybe one out of every three or four a mosaic. I would think getting tile textured platcard plasticard and painting it a high glass black would give a cool look of obsidian tiles. Another idea would be polishing the texture off of the top of the bases with 1500 grit wetsand, painting black and adding veins of slate and grey finished with a high gloss varnish to produce a black marble effect.

As for the mosaics why don't you try drawing a pattern on a 98 cent for sale sign, cutting the pattern out, painting the individual pieces and gluing them on. You'd probably need to hit it with dullcoat or a gloss varnish depending on the effect you want to keep it from peeling. you could do breasts or phallaces or whatever dark eldar excesses you can imagine. Freaky deakys need love too.

The idea I had was to put images under my models, to kind of distract my opponent as well as depict the Dark Eldar way of life. Maybe one large picture per squad. Something like this
Completely innapropriate image deleted - Mt11

Now, I just need a way to break the image down into tiles and then put them on bases where the image would be visable when the squad was all standing clse together. I had a thought of making 1" x 1" squares to put on top of the round bases, and then put the mosaic on top of that. That way, when the squad is together, on the field or on a display base you could see the full image. Also it would keep the round bases under the 1x1 squares so there is no issue about models being in base to base. Really the only issue I have is, how the hell do I break the image down to something that makes it look like lots of broken tiles?

I think there might be a point where you just have to sit back and ask, "How much is too much?"

In my opinion, enough is never enough. I want my Dark Eldar to disturb, unsettle, and in general just cause problems with my opponent. I plan on having a harem for my Lord. Picking up some nude models of women and demons to paint as his many concubines. When my army enters the table, I want people to oggle and just generally be shocked by what I put down.

I didn't mean with the over the top with the blood or sleaze or anything. I'd be impressed if you managed to give every model a butt-plug but i mostly mean that a mosaic the way you're describing probably isn't going to pan out well on the tabletop, especially if you're thinking of going the photorealistic route. You could get a much more disturbing and much better effect with the mosaic if you went with something with far less color and detail. Something like this perhaps?

Completely innapropriate image deleted - Mt11

Dark Eldar..... Could be fun..... If there are anything like the personality of your orks they should be interesting to watch. Don't know a whole lot about the DE but I'll help where I can.

Well, a vagina was posted. Asgard forbid the Modquisition will lock or just eradicate this thread!


On a serious less scornful note. Cool. Let's see some models!

...the feth? So tentacle rape has been around for a while then it seems, lmao.

Boo if it turns out that's not actually an old drawing like it looks.

Frawg wrote:The idea I had was to put images under my models, to kind of distract my opponent as well as depict the Dark Eldar way of life. Maybe one large picture per squad. Something like this
Completely innapropriate image deleted - Mt11

Now, I just need a way to break the image down into tiles and then put them on bases where the image would be visable when the squad was all standing clse together. I had a thought of making 1" x 1" squares to put on top of the round bases, and then put the mosaic on top of that. That way, when the squad is together, on the field or on a display base you could see the full image. Also it would keep the round bases under the 1x1 squares so there is no issue about models being in base to base. Really the only issue I have is, how the hell do I break the image down to something that makes it look like lots of broken tiles?

Bumping prior to imminent lockitude!

Postin' in a doomed thread.

On topic, I'd say you'll have a hell of a time painting detailed mosaics onto 25mm bases.

It's a pretty well known piece from 1814, so, depends on your definition of old I guess.


@ Frawg

One click in the photoshops. Just print out, glue to bases, glossy varnish and weathering to taste is what I'd do.

Well look at that. Thats one hell of a good idea TiB. Gonna have to lock that trick away in my brain pan for future use.

Well, I wasn't aware that I couldn't make an adult oriented thread. Thank you Tib, That works pretty well. Guess I need to find a copy of photoshop. Never used it before. that would help though. I'll have to start experimenting. Love the octopus on geisha action too. Hawt.

Well... This is a disturbing thread.

I like the idea of the Dark Eldar, but couldn't you make the pictures a little less erotic?

Nothing disturbing about it, if you keep a level and mature head on your shoulders.

@Frawg
Run with the idea! The Dark Eldar are supposed to be a debased race

Yep I see no problems here. I don't see this endly badly!
I am being truthful!
Dark Eldar are suppose to disturb people.

Maybe I'm supposed to be disturbed since I'm only 15, but I actually like where this is going. I mean if you searh Dark Eldar in the gallery, you can see a naked DE hellion rider, and it fits the theme perfectly. Just don't ruin your miniatures by making them look like they are always aroused more than they are "torchureful" if that is a word.

Emperor bless your fragile young mind
When you're 15 years old and male (no offense, just an educated guess) aren't you supposed to be aroused rather than disturbed by naked female breast (even though covered in blood)?

TiB wrote:Emperor bless your fragile young mind
When you're 15 years old and male (no offense, just an educated guess) aren't you supposed to be aroused rather than disturbed by naked female breast (even though covered in blood)?

I am aroused but I still try to think rationally, and give advice on the DE.

Okay, so, thanks to all the input from all the fantastic people here on Dakka I have enough ideas to get me started on making the bases. Tib, you really helped me out with that. Anyway you could do that image again and make it a little clearer? If you could, since you are one of the rare people I know who know how to photoshop stuff. If you would be willing to try, and email it to me. monkey392099@yahoo.com if not, I may be able to ask a friend or two to help. I have a paint scheme, and I am going to try it out tonight when I get home from my birthday dinner. Happy day to me! Hopefully I will get a box of something Dark Eldar from a relative. Anyway, I have more thoughts for what I plan on doing, but time to go eat steak and spend time with family. Thanks again for all your help guys.

Oh wow, still here.

Well, I think the print'n'paste idea is your best bet. You got PS? It had several pixelate/tesselate settings. Perfect for your goals. I'd also recommend looking through H R Gigers work until you find something sexual enough (protip: it won't be difficult) and use that.

You could always shoot me a pm if you have a picture you want mozaiced. It's three clicks of a button for me and if you're only going to use ps for this it's a bit of a hassle.

Very true. Being a former animation student I forget that the average person doesnt have access to PS.

Upped the detail like you asked. Something like this?

That is perfect. That is exactly what I am looking for. Now I need to print it out, cut it to fit the bases, use a gloss varnish or water effects to make it shine, and then weather it to make some of it look aged. Hrm, so many choices. So much to do. Thank you though TiB, you are a godling amongst men. You art work is impressive too. Like what I saw on your site.

You'll need more of those Dark Eldarish erotic pictures for a bigger army. Also be sure to have lots of slaves, and make your raider sails erotic too

@ Frawg: haha! Don't thank me, thank the person that coded the Stained Glass filter Just let me know when you need anything else.

This..... this is strange. Normal anywhere else. Here this is strange... I... I don't know how to react.