The secret kohorts #2

The Cult ov the skull is getting stronger! 🤘💀🤘
It's strong enough to face such a monstrosity as most terrifying nepharite of Demnogonis!

Another trio of worshipers has just joined (modest) ranks of the secret kohorts. I tried to use more-less the same color combo like before to make the squad as much coherent as possible (it was good idea to note them down). Although this time robes look more red then before. It's probably because I didn't use this silly "rapsberry red" wash from Vallejo line.

I like the final look. Metalics should be more shiny, but these are just gaming models so I can sure live with that. What I don't like it that not planned red "hue" on random elements (gloves, shoes). It's not any attempt of object source light or weird shading, but simply screwed masking. including characters there are still 7 models from the range to go, so I have to be more careful with airbrush and masking tape next time. 

Dark gods don't like their cultists spreading death and destruction while wearing dirty robes...

These 6 guys are just enough to form small unit which might be included in the coming Warzone game, so there's a chance I can finish piece of terrain (statue of the Dark Soul 😈) for battle report. Fingers, hooves and horns crossed for that!

The secret kohorts #1

Since my Dark Legion finally got the proper leader I decided to support him with with mob of trusty followers. Trusty but also maniacal and absolutely ruthless that is...

During many years spent in the hobby I've managed to collect some models from Dak Legion secret kohorts range. I got them pretty randomly so these are mix of acolytes, initiates and characters. These models are nothing special in the field - these are basically necromutants, but alive (what a shame... 😒). The sculpts are also definitely not the best old Warzone had to offer (my taste that is) but they are very distinctive and they wear robes, so they can look very striking on the battlefield is painted right.

Looking at my Warzone force I can see mix of rust, dark metal, rotting olive and dirt. Shouldn't expect anything else from Dark Legion, but having some contrasting unit on the battlefield wouldn't hurt. 

Robes is most of these sculpts so decided to paint them more-less red so squad looks striking on green battlefield. All in all I like the final result, but it's not what I really had in mind when painting started. I used lots of red wash from Vallejo range but it turned out it's just different color compared to paint from few years back. It's rather "rapsberry" then red... 🙄

For other elements the basic plan was to use dark metalics and dark tones for uniform (green or blue). White masks was Tymon Ultraa's idea (thanks for the tip mate!). I didn't even consideded it at first but all in all these faces are just great eye catchers. Because of white masks I also applied some ridicuous old white skull decals from Imperial Guard and Chaos infantry. You get the point: Algeroth, war, death, skulls - shit like that.

There sure will be more of these guys. To prevent getting bored too fast  I split the mob into 3-men squads, There will be surely some color differences  between whem but they should look just great assembled alltogether.

So here they are: cult of Algeroth facing dirty servants of Demnogonis (must say robes look much more red on the pictures then in the display case, guessing it's the matter of light):

Skeleton guard

A while back a friend of mine asked me about stuff I paint. One thing led to another and in the end I agreed to paint another souvenir piece. Ho! Ho! Ho! 🎅

So deader below is simple rank and file piece from Wargames Factory, equipped and armed to fit bronze age setting. It's was fun to get it done - painting skeletons is always fun actually. The lean back pose was kinda accident at work. To get paints set faster I used hairdryer but I put it for bit to long and bit too close and suddenly model started bending. But the pose turned out just so natural I might give it a try while assembling / painting more deaders.

Merry Deadcember! 💀

PS. I gotta get myself brighter backdrop - this one seems to suck colors of the picture... 😒

Alakhai the Cunning

Alakhai is well over seven feet in height. His armor is forged of petrified human souls, it's surface etched with runes telling of the atrocities he commited to acquire such protection. 

His piercing eyes cast a fiery glow across his thin lips and sharp teeth, which are always visible through his maniacal smile. 

Always accompanying Alakhai onto battlefield is the Meat Wolfer, his huge battle sword...

Well that shit freaks me out! 😱
And those tiny guys on the pic below most probably have already fouled their panzer pants after they noticed it's Meat Wolfer's feeding time... 🥶

Anyway I've finally done it - after all those years my Dark Legion got worthy commander!

This model is kinda special (most of Warzone models I have are kinda special): 

official Paul Bonner's artwork was one of my very first Warzone pictures I spotted back and on that very moment I just knew that was it. That second I was sold to the Dark Soul...

No matter how cool the artwork is, model is just... Well - oldschool Warzone style: maybe cool but also kinda goofy. Color choice was based on "official" paintjob I spotted in Mutant Chronicles zine. The plan was to add more red elements (like armor edges) but dropped it - I am more then sure such thing would look just flat. Red cloak is test piece: I want to add unit of acolytes wearing red robes. They should look striking especially on grass green battlefield. The final result is ok, but next time I'll use violet instead of dark brown the shading.

Like most models I have this one is second hand. I got it slightly damaged - the rim on right back shoulder pad. The top of the horn was also broken so I cut it off and replaced with greenstuff prosthesis. I made it bigger then original horn: it makes Alakhai even more badass and besides we all know what do girls say about nepharites with big horrrrrrns...

I'd love to ask the sculptor about the gem on left knee. No idea what was the idea behind it but my guess is round piece of greenstuff was left there by chance. Accident at work. On the other hand - old Warzone sculpts were specific and gem on knee ain't most weird thing...

And since this one is painted it's time to modify army composition for the coming game...

Cybertronic Cuirassier Attilla

After finishing Undead wyvern it was good idea to take a step back from classic fantasy theme to see what's going on in the good old dark space...

Turned out there was actually lots of going on in that matter. 

Last weekend we managed to play another Warzone game. It was probably the 3rd game this year so it was quite an achievement especially given the fact Warzone is supposed to be dead system for quite a long time. Luckly for the game what is dead may never die! 😁

And luckly for us this time instead of sever rules modification we added scenarios from 3rd edition of Warhammer 40000 and must admit it was a blast. It was actually so cool we decided to use these rules during another match - hopefully maybe even next week.

One of most deadly models during that game was my opponent's Cuirassier Attila. That deadly clanker managed to eradicate most of my undead legionnaire squad with a single rocket missle. It was huge pain in the ass until I managed to reach it with my long range weapons. The model my opponent brought to the game was painted with just few base colors so I decided to give it some fresh tones - such a model deserves looking nice.

Must say I've always liked this sculpt - since the time my buddy introduced Warzone to me - at the beginning of high school. It's just damn cool: cold blooded (cold oiled) killing machine, equipped thick armour and big gun. With no skulls, spikes, loincloth and other useless crap models from most popular miniatures company on Earth wear... 🙄

I was asked to paint the model using more less original color scheme. But I was also asked to keep the head (face mask) gold. There's a story behind it:

Back, back days when we were starting the Warzone thing there was group of a few playing but none of us had any painting experience. In mid 90's my city was dark shit hole as for hobby. As for other thing most probably too. We brely had any painting tools and paints - I even remember I was also using those stinky, toxic enamels to paint first models ^^
My opponent (that time collecting Brotherhood) was trying to paint his units but I remember he had only 4-5 colors at the disposal: blue, red, white and brown (probably) aaand gold...
For some mysterious reason he decided to paint bald head of the seregant with gold which was just utterly stupid idea. It you cannot imagine it - check this guy 😋 (the band is pretty good actually). So to give the honors to the old times and bring out some cosy memories of careless times Mr Attilla got some gold to shine in the dark, cold, cosmic abyss.

Below - supporting squad of Chasseurs (some more pics of this unit here):

And here - patrolling dead zone alone:

Thanks for reading!

Undead army wyvern #2

Undead army just got another fast attack unit.

After finishing the "serpentine" wyvern I was actually hoping for a bit more from the rider. Thought it would be bit more "epic" - it's wight lord after all. On the other hand it's just better dressed and armoured skeleton so I guess it fits the mount. To make it more coherent with the other units model got black-and-white stripes on the shield. It got spike in the middle 'cause shield to hide the pin - don't want it to fall off in the heat of the battle...

It's a big model so I tried to take some herohammer styled pics for group shots. Using large game mat was good idea but the landscale background is just too small. I think I'll just have to paint one sometimes instead just using prints.

So here they are:

diving from the blue sky to bring death and destruction to the empire of men! Bwah! Ha! Ha!

Another scale shot:

(most probably) about to get dead-ass kicked bit time by Khorne's daemon prince:

And here matched duel with greenskins wyvern:

Supporting unit of zombies:

This is where the magic happens. Looking at the picture I am quite sure I need like twice wide background for taking pics of large units or armies. The game mat I use comes from terrains4games - definitely recommend stuff they make!

And some close ups:

Thanks for reading.
Next stop: dark future... 💀

Undead army wyvern #1

October was pretty fuc#ing busy month.

I had it all planned but unexpected load of work from real life pushed away whole painting I was hoping to finish. Life's a b!tch, but apparently that's nothing but yesterday news 🙄

Hoping to get on track again.

So after returning from this year's Oldhammer Weekend I decided to add some more models to the Undead army. Not that I expect to start playing Warhammer Fantasy Battle on regular basis (or playing it at all...), but working on fantasy themed stuff is just fun: 

lots of colors and lots of ideas contrary to Bolt Action armies for example.

During Oldhammer Weekend it turned out my army was pretty lousy. I sure liked all models but it was just way too slow for any attempt of offensive play. Most of armies I've seen there were led by badass general mounted or even more badass monster: dragon, manticore or such thing. I know it's Herohammer, but general on dragon is just too much for my taste.

So while digging through pile of shame graveyard I found old serpentine dragon. 

I remember I got my copy like 8-10 years ago and I really liked the model until it arrived. After I put my dirty hands on it suddenly I had no idea what to do with it. Tried to assemble and paint it but there was no painting mojo anymore so it ended up on the top of pile of shame...

...until I came back from the mentioned Oldhammer Weekend. Driven by Warhammer frenzy started looking for proper mount for wight lord. And tt was perfect: old dragon models were much smaller compared to modern dumb as fu#k placcy monstrocities so it was great candidate for winged nightmare of wyvern.

There was only problem: dragons have 4 legs but wyverns have only 2... 

But on the other hand there's no problem which cannot be solved with brutal strength and wallpaper knife. Quick surgery supported by Doctor Dremel and suddenly Undead army got frying monster to command!
To make rider fit the mount even better (and to hide all post-surgery grievious wounds...) I made simple saddle and model was ready for painting. As for color choice I used trusty color combo. The beast is part of Undead army so it got blue tones instead of green - like it's younger cousin serving the green horde.

The base is pretty busy but large bases are perfect places to dump incomplete models, spare bits and other junk from the bottom of the bitz box. Judge for yourself. 

Next stop: wight lord riding that beast and I can move to another post-apo themed piece.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

Oldhammer Weekend fever has went away. Must admit first thing painted after the event would be something Undead related, but surprisingly - something else was found on the bottom of the Pile of Shame. Funny thing speaking of this actually:

every time I take a look into the Pile I am wondering whether or not I can paint it before I die, or which models will be left untouched even by undercoat mist. Pretty creepy 💀

Back to the point.

Model I chose is larce scale (1/35?) post-apo inspired character. The moment I took a look on the sculpt and I had that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. sign glowing with sick green light in my mind. Sculpt itself is fragile and very detailed - it's one of those sculpts which are just fun to work with from the very beginning.

It's not gaming model, so I gave it fancy display base. I like when miniature tells some story: 

I imagine it patrolling perilous wastes after nuclear war. Or something. 
Like "Fallout" but during winter.
Nuclear winter...

Khorne Champion found new home

It took a while but it happened - Champion of Khorne who's been preparing for battle for many years has finally found new home. Kinda by accident.
After coming back from Oldhammer Weekend I decided to re-arrange some miniatures stanting in display cases, which means changing unused models for Undead... 😋

This one was painted long time ago but since I don't have Chaos army it's been only display case model. Really cool but not Undead...

I remember I tried to sell it before but there was no responce. This time new home was found the next day after posting the advertisment. It's surely Oldhammer magic (or Necromantic - cunning Undead lords can do everything to get some more dedicated space in Detlof).

 So farewell Mr Khorne Champion and happy plundering realms of men!

Oldhammer Weekend 2022 summary

I've just came from Oldhammer Weekend Poland 2022. 

Wasn't sure about getting there at first but I am really glad I decided to move my ass got the event, 'cause it was a blast! 🤗

Whole event started on Friday. There were lots old Herohammer-era games to be played and lots of people from "the branch" to be met (even some guys from the Crown of Command team! 😲), but I only decided to took part in Warhammer Fantasy Battle 5th ed "tourney" and brought some stuff for painting contest - there was not much time for anything else if someone decided to run the campaign.

I had lots of fun - no doubt about it!
Especially the last time I played WFB was over 20 years ago! 😁
As for the campaign I've managed to reach 5th score and brought 2 statues from painting contest: 3rd place in large model category for Warhammer 40000 Carnifex and 1st place for the best army! 😲 That was surprise because there were other stunning armies, and in my opinion - renaissance styled dwarves and savage orcs were true contest killers. But on the other hand - it's great to be appreciated and recognized: 

"So YOU are the guy from Elbląg, who's painting deaders!" 🤣 Here they are:

It was also great to finally meet some fellow painters, who (until now) I knew only by their works. Especially Tymon Ultraa (who robbed most of statues from painting contest 😋) and Kuba (who's savage orcs wiped the desert with my Undead).

Below you can see some of the photos I took during Warhammer campaign and between the battles. I regret I didn't manage to take a try of Gorkamorka, Heroquest and Man-o-War, but hopefully next time I can plan my time little better.

Adam and Piotrek did hell of a great job with bringing another edition of Oldhammer Weekend to existence and hope I'll be able to participate in the next of the event.

The mummy-crushers... 🥶

Undead marching towards Chaos Dwarves positions...

Dwarves defence line...

Dwarves with spears are better then skeletons without them ^^

Some Warmaster manoeuvres:

Group shots of painting contest works:

Classic Herohammer duel-photo:

Savage orcs WAAAAAAAGH! force:

Sunday Evil vs Good (well... more like Neutral) 3 vs 3 mega battle:

Warhammer 40000 3rd / 4th edition match:

Time to order some green stuff and start working on mounted wight lord for the nexxt year! 🤘🏻