Scarab Lord Chaosmorph (Ilyad Games)

Last weekend I've finally managed to cross off the list special piece among stuff being seasoned in the pile of shame: Scarab Lord Chaosmorph from Ilyad Games. The company is dead for a long time and models from that line are nowdays very hard to get but these are must-have for all Rackham fans. 

I've been thinking about those companies recently and cannot believe they fell down - Rackham especially. Back days, when it was fully operational. it had top sculptors, top painters, wide range of models plus game system on top (never managed to see the rules though). But even though it collapsed and it was long before STL files and printers rammed into the miniatures market 🙄

Not sure what Ilyad Games line was supposed to be - spin off of Rackham's sculptors maybe? Cannot tell. But it had solid line of supercoll classic fantasy sculpts: knights, demons, barbarians, fantasy creatures. There was also short line of Chaosmorphs - no idea what was that: demon / mutant / fantasy race. I really liked them and even managed to get he big guy you can see below.

It's official paintwork was stunning - kinda like Rackham's stuff so I didn't even try to copy that. Instead I chose color combo based on classic genestealers: that plus rusty oil drum and voila! - we got ourselves nasty mutated crab straight from rad zone. I regret I run out of Tamiya Clear Red - some fresh blood splatted on claws would surely look eyecathing. So here it is:

And some scale shots: here NBC suit squad is about to get to reactor guarded by the Thing:

And here - the Thing is about to get some plague zombie burgers:

Slaanesh Chaos army - finished 🤘🏻

It is done!

The army is painted so it is time to sum up the Chaos army project. It took longer then I expected (no surprise with avarege painting ratio ~4 models per month...) but Slaanesh has finally brought his army to the Empire of men. It was nice to dig out and made use of some oldies from the very bottom of the Bucket of Shame.  

Surely I don't have enought models for another force like that but while looking for proper Warriors models I found some oldies from WH 40.000 range, so I actually might try to assemble some oldschool styled combat patrol. That is as long as it's not purple... 🤢

I've always loved that themed army pics from old White Dwarf zines and army books: wide pictures with painted background etc. It's impossible to take such pic on painting desk that's why especially for this project I brought the toys to gaming bunker and prepared more-less natural backdrop for army-size photos. As for the very first time - turned out pretty fine. 

So here they are - already raging through the Empire:

And some close ups with links for detailed pictures: Daemon Prince, Dragon Ogres and trecheous Ogre mercenaries (those back-stabbing bastards were serving Undead Lord during Oldhammer 2022 campaign):

And here - warhounds, exalted champion on Slaanesh steed and some Chaos warriors: 

Below - some more Chaos warriors and Chaos knights:

Pair of Chaos spawns / fiends of Slaanesh and the chariots (one of the led by sorcerer):

Heavy hitters once again:

More Chaos infantry:

And the backdrop - apparently there was perfect weather in Empire for the raid... 😈

Warriors of Slaanesh 02

Another month and another group of pervies joined Chaos Warriors unit!

Just like before I tried to use the same color combo so they all look coherent standing together on the battlefield. Four guys got as bright pink colors as possible (uuugh... 🤢) and to my surprise - these also look just fine standing among their vivid brothers in arms. Slaanesh ain't picky. With these minis crossed off the list the Chaos army got all models required to field 2000 points worth force, but I'm waiting with the final group pictures until I get done the very last 4 Chaos warriors models in my possession. 

That is: convert the one missing and then painting the remaing four... 

Really cannot wait to see what 6th edition of Warhammer Fantasy Battle has to offer 😁

And here unbreakable Warriors of Chaos are facing terrifying Dasyatis clone:

🤘🏻🦀🤘🏻

Ogre mercs - finished!

It's been a while but recently I simply have no steam for painting. I suppose it's because of that damn sun - it's so hot you can almost see steam over wet palette. Because of this I am even more happy I've managed to cross off another model from ye liste of shame. 

This one is special - ogre champion from Knightmare Games range, which was part of Oldhammer Weekend 2022 prize box. Not only the model is just super cool, with strong Middlehammer vibe, but it's also the last model my ogres were looking for to form full unit (you can see other guys here #1, here #2, here #3, here #4 and here #5).

I tried to keep color choice similar to rest of the squad so they all look coherent and keep Middlehammer spirit and must say I like the final result. My only regret is I paint so slow and there were other supercool models in the prize box still waiting for some attention (like hobgoblins or even more skeletons...).

As for the lil' undead-familiar it's ordinary skeleton from Rackham's Confrontation range. I found it together with recently painted wulfen zombie, and simply couldn't just put it back to the bucket. These minis are just way too cute! 🤗

That's it for now - hope Army of the Dead will use the mercs properly to spead death and destruction in the Old World!

Wulfen zombie (Rackham)

I was actually looking for other model (broken horn from Ilyad Games demon to be more specific) when I found this guy. This zombie fella is one of few models from Rackham's Confrontation range I've managed to collect ages ago. I remember I got it when Confrontation was still alive and these models were available - for affordable prices that is. 

If I remember correctly part of my collection was purchased as second hand models, and the other part was payment for painting service (like these Mid-Nor perverts).

I was always fond for undead armies of any sort, and Nightmares of Acheron is still probably the best line of undead models evah made. Keeping that in mind I still cannot believe Confrontation didn't manage to get solid position among other wargames - those models are just fucking amazing 😐

No matter how much I like undead models sadly I've managed to collect only few models from this line (surprisingly I have much more Mid-Nor dwarves). Among them there were wulfen zombie triplets. These were very cool models, sadly with no practical use for me. And because of this one of painted zombie wulfens ended up as gift, the other was either Ebayed or exchanged for some hobby supplies and what was left is this zombie orphan... 😢

To make it feel better decision was made to get it painted and placed in Warhammer zombies regiment as kinda filler. This badass stands on 40 mm square base, so it can easily replace 4 rank and file deaders. Not even mentioning the fact having such a beast surrounded by swarm of deaders should look just darn cool. Dead - cool that is... 🥶

And the family postcard from Border Princes:

Dasyatis clone (Rackham)

"Only a Syhar could concieve them..."

I still cannot get myself to start painting US army stuff although one more nasty mortar is something my trusty Bolt Action force would definitely benefit from...

That was bad news. Good news is one more model from fantasy range left the painting station and once more it's Rackham beauty:
Dasyatis clone from  Alchemists of Dirz faction.

Back days (when Rackham was still alive...) painted models from this range were making my jaw drop every time I was looking at whole that georgeous NMM and freehands (check Trovarion's stuff for example). Obviously I didn't try to match or beat Rackham's vision of this faction but rather have some fun. The model is quite unique for what I usually deal with because it's mostly bare flesh and it's alive ^^

So the idea was to make it look rather warm than dead, and standing on bright, striking base. At first I was quite scared of painting huge amount of flesh but all in all oil washes and patient glazing were more than helpful. I don't have many occasions to paint fresh blood on my minis but this one was definitely worthy few drops of Tamya's Clear Red.
The sculpt is totally badass!!!

As mentioned before next time I hope to paint something from Bolt Action range once again:

while painting recent Rackham stuff I got some ideas about painting US uniforms which requires testing. If that works I might wanna refresh and repaint the basic infantry so about 30 them might hit the black market shortly...

Black troll (Rackham)

"They call me the Shipwrecker..."

Hey again, once more I had opportunity to paint something nice from long-dead Rackham range. Working on Goreth the Massive was so much fun I dug out another piece from Goblins of No-Dan-Kar faction: the mighty black troll.

Just like in case of the previous Rackham piece I didn't try to reach or beat official paintjob, but rather to paint something radical different then US stuff for Bolt Action.

Fantasy stuff (especially big like this one) gives opportunity to learn and practice some new things. On this one I tried to work with oils on the armour but for me you need larger and more flat surfaces to get the right result - all in all I ended up weathering and rusting the plates.
I also tried darker pigment on the base which was imo good idea: stronger contrast with bright flesh.

Hope you like it! 

I like rusty spoons...

And the official, supercool paintjob:

Goreth the Massive (Rackham)

Apparently there are pros of that stupid quarantine:

I must honestly admit without it most probably I'd have been painting some remainting Bolt Action stuff, but instead - I've been doing some more serious digging in the pile of shame.

And another interesting result of the quest for the forgotten miniatures is Goreth the Massive - badass, overgrown gobbo boss (I guess) from long dead Confrontation line.

Back, back days, at early days of running the bloggy, I've managed to get some random models from Rackham's Confrontation line:
I got some painting commissions and the client had lots of Rackham stuff so I agreed to paint in exchange for some models: mostly deaders.

Watching at sculpts and artworks I still cannot believe Rackham dropped dead. But this makes models even more unique and fun to paint. I guess...

At this one I didn't try to copy supersmooth Rackham style, rather tried to make it eyecatching. Always loved the fact Confrontation minis were packed with juicy details, which gave so much character: severed limbs, mushrooms, voo-doo dols on Mid-Nor dwarves...
101% of cuteness!
The skulls are bit too bright and clean for my taste so they'll get some glazing before model rests in the display case, but apart from this - I like the final result. Judge for yourself:

And the oldie official paintjob for the reference:

Happy Easter

Yup - that's corrected: Jesus was crucified once again and once again he ressurected!
He's been doing the same trick every year for almost 2000 years now and somehow people aren't bored yet - that's what I call the miracle!

Fortunately there are also more interesting things to write about that Easter so let's go back to the weekly hobby summary.
First of all - technical changes: as you can notice the blog is constantly changing. Every week I spend some time learning basics of html and this site is good place to test new skills and magical abilities of mine. I have no idea how long will it take to get the final look of the blog but no worries - I'll write about it for sure. What do you think about new avatar by the way?

As for miniatures there was also going on a bit during passing week - no as much as I'd wish but it's still much better that nothing.
So first of all I prepared another display plinth for one of my miniatures - another one with forest theme. I must say some time ago I discovered building bases is for me equally cool as painting minis and now painting figure on plain, flat, boring base is just no fun.
The mini which will be standing on this base is Mid Nor standard bearer - I got the model at the beginning of the year together with rest of zombified dwars goodies. It's already pinned and undercoated so I hope to paint first layer of paint on it soon.

Another scenic base I started creating last week is designed for 2 Mid Nor minis I will be painting for my mysterious figures supplier (hi again Alek ;) ) . The plan was to add some water effect on it but because I have no Andrea artificial water anymore but Vallejo crap only I'm not sure I want to risk using it. As for minis for this project - these are sentinel and scourge bearer from Mid Nor. Painting these minis is just 101% of fun.
When the paintjob is done my collection of models will be supported by Cadwe Agitator, fire support goblin (hope to practise painting osl on this piece), Bacbunzen, Kobalt the Caustic (which will probably be opponent of my Aberration on the diorama) and two cherries on top of the cake: Xherys the Visionary and Akaranseth - the last one will make my collection of Mid Nors nearly complete - nearly...

And to finish theme of Rackham for this week I undercoated Nemesis clone and Dasyatis clone and almost assembled black troll and behemoth troll - the last one will surely be placed in winter scenery - if I find another nice model I also might try to make a bigger diorama. We'll see.
And the absolutely last thing about Rackham was gathering wood for Mid Nor war staff. If there's any painting contest I want these guys be my entry in unit category.

As for other brands od models - last friday I finally started painting the biggest warcaster in Cryx arsenal: Lich Lord Terminus. I was aware of the fact painting it won't be easy but I didn't realize how much until I painted first layer of paint. Hope I can finish it before Xmas...

Now after load of boring stuff the time has come the the big news of the week:
definitely the biggest hobby success was painting Chaos Champion of Nurgle. Paitning it took me about 3 evenings so looks like I am geting faster with every rotting style model painted. Once again the the critical moment Raphael fine detail brush save the paintjob - it's just perfect for painting all tiny things like pupils and sparks of light (thanks Ana and Mahon!).
I like the final effect so much that I'm sure similar colors will be used for Palaquin of Nurgle waiting patiently (and pretty long) for paintjob. It was supposed to be centerpiece of my old "Forces of Evil" project but I think I'll rather make decent base for it only - I was never good at painitng large, time consuming projects because sadly I tend to get bored just after painting a few models. Anyway the champion is done and I think I'll take a few days off work soon to paint the Palaquin - the model is way too cool just to lay in string bag.
So the Champion is finished but I now greedy person so I decided to share it with the world - it's already available on Ebay. Too bad I don't have any more Chaos Marines to paint - such models are always very "Ebay-friendly". Oh well - I think I'll be watching internet auctions more diligently searching for another victim to paint.

That's all for the first post of April - take care and see ya next Sunday!