Flings, Fling

Now, I'm not the fastest painter, nor do I claim to be the best. But it would seem that some people like what I do. In this case, so much so that I've gained a new friend, Robin. We met as you sometimes do in the 21st Century, on Facebook after he was selling some old miniatures. Turns out that he also has a love of the old Halfling Blood Bowl team, in particular, the style that I've painted mine. At the time I was look for some Skaven (ratmen) to increase the models I had so that I could start a Skaven team of my own. So in exchange of the Skaven he had, I said I would paint him some Halflings and he'd send me the minis. Though I did warn him, I'm slow, and I paint in waves. 6 months later, I've finally finished. I don't know the team name, I'll add it once Robin has decided, but they are done and posted yesterday. Painted in a style similar to my 'Fondant Fancies', but with something a bit different so they are not just a clone of what I did before. Even the Treemen are painted in 2 different styles, with one just a light brown/sand and a Earthshade wash. Then the other one is also brown/sand base, but with ink washes in 2 different colours.
I hope they bring him years of enjoyment, it was nice to paint the little guys again.

 

D&D Party Time

Maximising my nerd level, I'd recently joined a D&D group. As part of that I'd started on some sketches of the characters in the group, but then the DM decided combat was getting a bit confusing. So added a dry wipe maps and some models, so on behalf of the group I painted us all up. I've tried to pick and paint models based on the characters, so first a group photo.

As you can see we have (left to right, front to back), A Halfling Monk (me) called Perry, a Druid Dwarf called Ulfgar Frostbeard, 'Elf' Barbarian called Jerry Jackson, Elf Rogue called Oakenheal, and finally a Dragon Born Rogue called Skylax. 

My own model Halfling, is not the same as I'd imagined, but I was rather limited by the range of miniatures. But a more slender figure then the usual tubby Halflings worked well, and he has a nice set of chops (Halfling Fighter). Perry was nice and quick to paint, and didn't need any modification. The 'sculpted' eyes where a bit of a challenge and he looks a bit 'squinty'.

 

Next is the Druid Dwarf, he's built from a Dwarf Champion. His axe lopped off, and a pickaxe added, along with a cape and some 'animal' hand shoulders. Tried to keep the skin tones dark, and and simple clothes, along with his 'shoe-less' feet. Took the opportunity to add some grass to his cloak to add more or a earth feel.

The Elf Barbarian was a bit of a challenge, all the models I could find where clothed or had mssive beards. This didn't really suit him, so this one is probably a bit more 'bulky' then a traditional elf. But it is tall, and had a rather awful pony tail, so won it for me (Merc Barbarian). I added a cloak, just a protect from the elements, and the axe head is swapped from the Dwarf model.

 

Another Elf this time, a Rogue. This model fitted in perfect with the image in my head, and was in a nice pack of 2 from Ral Partha. So she just needed some 'firey' red hair and a nice clean finish, though I also added some deep purple to the leggings. To show off that Elf 'refinement'. I had to play with her skin tone a lot, and I'm not sure its pale enough, but she does have a little flush in the cheeks. 

Finally we have our Dragon Born, who a Lizardman mini, with his spear removed. A magical sword added, and a little clothing. I did want to give him some proper 'Rogues' clothes, but the shape of the mini rather limited this. Plus it would hide his glorious copper skin, which is a gold base, light green wash. Followed by a purple wash and gold highlight.

If you like the Ral Partha miniatures, then do take a look at their website. Or direct to the links I've added to this blog above.

BLOOD BOWL!

I've finished rather a few Blood Bowl teams over the time that I've had this blog now. Most of them my own, and a commission that I did for a friend as I liked the challenge. So lets start at the beginning. 'Orcwind' are the first Blood Bowl team that I played and painted when I was getting back into the hobby. I made some silly choices with the team positions at first, but they allowed me to get some practice in both the game and painting. Plus I made a cool logo for them.

So, you can see I have all four 3rd Edition Goblins lined up ( would I ever use four?). Behind them 4 Blockers being the Black Orcs, then the red based Blitzers, Linemen (grey). Token Thrower, chap I converted from the plastic Orc with a chainsaw. At the back a Troll, an original Ripper model.

Next was my Chaos Dwarfs, these I used to be my originally painted Chaos Dwarfs that I did when I was 15ish, plus 2 new painted ones. You can tell the early painting due to the flames on the legs like a bad heavy metal band. Added some 3rd edition Hobgoblins, and then did a Chaos Dwarf conversion with a boar and made another out of Milliput. The Minotaur, which I've yet to use, as they are a bit of a liability. 

I called this lot, Chopper Pots, due to the mine they get their money from. You can also see another conversion of a Chaos Dwarf with a 'Blunderbuss' as a star player. Then in the back, their coach Dark Dwarf Lord Va'Durr (Heresy Miniatures).

Next are Goblins, they have had a mix of names. At the moment I've called them 'Lucky 4 Sum', though I expect that might change depending on my mood or futher inspiration.

These are all 2nd edition Goblins, painted in 3 main colours. Red for 'Lava', Green for 'Forest', then Blue for the 'Sea'. I figured different types would come together to play. The other positions are from 3rd Edition models and a Warhammer Doom Diver. They also have some Goblin Cheerleaders who have their nipples out. Then its the 1999 Chaos Troll, along with Ripper you'd have seen in the Orc team. He doesn't care who he plays for, as long as they pay.

You can also see the Orc coach in this photo, though he heads up both the Goblin and Orc teams. He's a busy Orc.

After this is, the team I painted for a friend are Space Frogs or as GW calls them, Slann. Now this seemed like a great idea at first, but these are resin. Some of the most awful resin I've ever experienced. These where won at a auction, but apparently not the first time, I think four other people gave up with the idea of painting them. While I persisted, it was a arse. The resin wouldn't hold the paint, even after cleaning and soaking, so I had to be extra careful until they where varnished. Assembly was a bit troublesome too, lots of parts had to be re-worked to get them to fit. The heads being the most difficult. But they got finished in all their multi-coloured glory. Unfortunately I don't think my camera did the colours justice.

They are painted in colours similar to rain forest tree frogs, so bold bright colours to warn of poison. Along with random dark patterns on the skin like below.

These two are probably linemen.

I painted these up as Blitzers due to the increased armour, and gave them red and orange tones.

 2 more line men

Catchers/Runners. 

When I finished those I decided to make a start on my Dark Elves, these are the oldest team I own, making it 30 years now. But with changes to the rules, they are missing some players, so I've added some Witch Elves, an Assassin, and touched up the paint work on the team. Which I think needs doing again.

I'm currently using these the most at the moment, hence the paint needing some TLC.

After these it was the ones everyone loves and hates, the hardest team in Blood Bowl (to play and win) the Halfings and their Treemen Friends. I've got a mix of the 2nd edition (smallest) and 3rd edition models, which I've done in what I consider fondant colours to match the team name, 'Fondant Fancies'. Plus 2 of the first release Treemen, or which one I was fortunate to acquire with the 'limited' arm-sculpt. The chap in the helmet has this arm set which was only out for a while as the original  mold broke, after which they went with a 2 shoulder pad version.

Made another team logo for them!

This is the Treeman with the 'limited' arms.

This is the other sculpt that was also used for Warhammer Fantasy Battles, know as Tree-beard.

 I liked them so much I decided to draw him too!

These were the last Halflings I painted, which was for a challenge to paint with only 3 colours. Those behind the models. 

Finished with grass and mud. 

I did 4 Halflings, but the chap on the right had a extra colour for his belt and 'satchel' of loafs.

All stand together.

With their Treemen friends.

Note the team logo on the Treeman shoulder pad.

Finally we have the extras, Star players, Cheerleaders, Coaches, turn markers of tied up dwarfs, and Bloodwiser Wench.