Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Raining dragons!

Hey,

This time it's definitely not as big update as I'd wish but don't think I can make it anything better, not within the month. Funny thing: when I was starting my small real estates appraisal business I was afraid there will be problem with finding clients etc.

And it was pretty hard to start. Expecting anything else would be just silly.

Now, when the thing started rolling in the more-less right direction I am spending evenings or nights doing my paper work instead of painting minis. And it pisses me a lot: minis should never stay unpainted for too long...

Anyway last night I actually managed to spend 30 mins with trusty Dremel gizmo and finally one of my favorite models ever is assembled: Egrimm van Horstmann mounted on Chaos dragon. It's one of the models which lured me into the miniatures world and never allowed to leave it.

The model will be based on similar size plinth as the Zombie dragon but I don't want another swamp (I will save it for something more undead...). I am considering the surface either natural (plain or some flat rocks so other model can be added) or fantasy-urban (some ruins? piece of street?) but no matter what will be chosen there'll be Skaven running in the tunnel below, so looks like there's lotta drilling ahead.

As for painting I'd like to keep it oldschool, vivid style. I've never painted anything such big with bright colors but the official paintjob looks imo great. Or something like this.
 
So it's my first option - orange based beast but the sorcered will be wearing dark (black) armour. Choosing dark tones is also tempting but much, much bigger challenge will be ren and orange combo.

But first something more trivial: filling lots of gaps... =/


Monday, February 3, 2014

Zombie dragon - finished!

"North of the Kingdom of the Dead, and east of Worlds Edge Mountains, lies the Plains of Bones. The land is a desert of multi-coloured refractive sand from which huge rib-cages emerge. For this is the place where dragons came to die, to rest their bones among those of their ancestors as they had done for millions of years, before any other sentient being walked the surface of the Known World..."
 
For a bit more of that fluffy story you have to get a copy of Warhammer Armies Undead rulebook. Lots of other cool bedtime stories there as well...

Anyway this post is kinda special: it's dedicated to only one piece: very recently finished zombie dragon from distant past of my early gaming.

I remember I've been hunting for this model on local market for a while when it finally became affordable (purchasing such toys in high school was just bit beyound my reach). When I saw it first in the Warhammer Armies book I wasn't impressed at all, in fact I rather thought that piece is just crap compared to other armies' dragons.
It took a (long) while to change my mind and realise what a cool piece the dragon is.
My only regret is I couldn't field it while I was still into Warhammer Fantasy Battle but it's better late than never I suppose.

The story behind the thing is sth like the dragon corpse was animated on Plains of Bones buy some sort of wind of chaos and now it's heading for the caller through Border Princes or other dangerous area of the Old World.
The call is so strong that presence of the dragon makes foul undead creatures rise from their tombs and join the death march.

For the base I chose 3 models from 90's: wight* (not sure isn't it deader from very late 80'), plague zombie adopted from Necromunda and placcy skeleton. At first I wanted to use only metal miniatures but what the hell, I just love these skinny necro-cockers ^^

The banners represent Gork and Mork because:
- it's my model so I can hang on banner pole whatever I want
- it's fantasy piece
- orks and goblins artwork from 5th edition is supercool
- banners are J.Blanche inspired (Evil Sun for sure, not so sure about Bad Moon)

My vision was all the gods represent the same cosmic force so no matter you are savage orc (worshipping rocks), bride of Khaine or well conspired member of Purple Hand Order there's the same thing hidden beind each of the "gods".
So apparently these guys have crossed some greenskins settlement or war party and banners are the trophies taken from cold, green hands.

It's took a long time to finish it, sadly not only because it was lots of work but mostly because of stupid life issues. But it was worth it, no doubt. Watching the model standing behind the glass make me believe I can also start (and finish!) my fav dragons of all - Egrimm van Horstmann's Chaos Dragon.

Hope you like it.
I surely do =]








Cheers!

*thanks Bun!