Lots of Rivendell Knights

These past two weeks I spent mostly in Middle-earth. I finished up the first batch of Rivendell Knights and put the base colours on the next six. I also worked on the Emyn Muil versions of Frodo, Sam and Gollum as well as some Wild Wargs. In between the wanderings in Arda, I also put the base colours on my Aeronautica Imperials Eldar.

Pict 1713: Elrond leads the Rivendell Knights

Pict 1714: Rivendell Knights

Pict 1715: Rivendell Knights

First up, I finished the four Rivendell Knights that were almost done by my last post. I'm really quite happy with them, especially with the free hand pattern on the banner. However, I think by now that I could push the contrast on the grey parts of the cloaks a bit further. Also, I simply was not able to paint in the eyes, the space inside the helmets was simply to small. Still, with the five Warriors, the Rivendell riders are starting to look like an army in my display case!

Pict 1716: Rivendell Knights (WIP)

Next, I want to try and finish up the remainder of the Rivendell Knights. There are still the shiny new plastic Elrond and the beautiful ForgeWorld Glorfindel as well as several sculpts of Arwen waiting for me. But if I finish the Warriors first, these heroes can be the cherry on top. One of the Knights had been converted into Lindir on horseback but in this current edition he has lost the option for a horse. So I took some time to reconvert him back and gave him back the lance bow and helmet. Anyways, the base colours are done and as ever, I hope the washes and highlights go on fast.

Pict 1717: Aeronautica Imperialis Iyanden Eldar (WIP)

After the first test model for my Iyanden airforce, I went into production mode and put the basecoats and oilwashes onto a good part of my current collection: The two further Nightwings and three Phoenix Bombers from the Wrath of Angels box. I also got two each of the original Nightwings and Phoenix Bombers that ForgeWorld produced for the first edition of the game from @smallthingsmodeling. These are of course a bit smaller than the newer plastic models but that works out well since I can make them into Crimson Hunters and Hemlock Wraithfighters by painting them as such. Sadly the appropriate models from the second edition were only sold for a very short amount of time and are really hard to come by.

Pict 1718: Sam, Gollum and Frodo in the Emyn Muil (WIP)

The new book for MESBG inspired me to dig out the Emyn Muil set containing Frodo, Sam and Gollum. They seemed to be the sculpts of these characters fitting most of the scenarios. I hope to finish them soon to try and play some of these scanarios!

Pict 1719: Wild Wargs (WIP)

Lastly, while I did some work with Green Stuff on the Knight formerly known as Lindir, I also used the putty to fill in the gaps in the fur on these Wild Wargs. The white lines on their backs are simply Vallejo Plastic Putty. I hope to give these flat surfaces a bit more structure, but it is an experiment and I might go back in with the Green Stuff depending on how it paints up. I do enjoy these sculpts now that I have them in hand and I look forward to painting them up and use them in some games. A bit like Orcs, they fit into quite a lot of armies and should provide some good mobility!

Elrond, Master of Rivendell

Only a few more miniatures finished this time around, among them Elrond mounted and ready to lead the Rivendell Knights into battle.

Pict 1704: Elrond, Master of Rivendell

Pict 1705: Elrond, Master of Rivendell

Of course, I started out by finishing up Elrond. The lure of cool heroes will always be stronger than the necessity to paint the warriors to follow them. I did struggle a bit with the finecast sculpt. Some of the details around the face and the folds at the hem of the cloak were muddy or even obscured. Nevertheless, I'm happy enough with the result. But I'm really looking forward to painting the new plastic model now!

Pict 1706: Rivendell Knight

Pict 1707: Rivendell Knights (WIP)

I only managed to finish one of the Rivendell Knights in time for this update. But the other four of this batch are not far of as well. It should really only take a few more evenings, but I was distracted by other fun stuff...

Pict 1708: Bilbo Baggins, Ageing Hobbit

Pict 1709: Bilbo Baggins, Ageing Hobbit

While he will certainly not be able to keep up with the Rivendell cavalry, Bilbo Baggins, Ageing Hobbit should make for a fun addition to the army. He is quite useful with his use of the One Ring, halving any enemies Fight value, even when in combat with other friendly models. That would make quite the tag team with Glorfindel or even Elrond.
In any case, painting this little miniature was great fun! Such a beautiful sculpt and a perfect tribute to Ian Holm. I had done the base for the clear resin version quite a while ago and sadly the resin has yellowed over time. I only added a few birch seed as leaves onto it and will still use it in game.

Pict 1710: Aeronautica Imperialis Iyanden Eldar Nightwing

Pict 1711: Aeronautica Imperialis Iyanden Eldar Nightwing

It seems I can never only have on project on the go at once. So I also started with the Aeronautica Imperialis Eldar that came with the Wrath of Angels box that kickstarted my Blood Angels flyers. I always liked the colours of Craftworld Iyanden, maybe because I learned about them first whilst reading the Tyranid Codex. Of course, the yellow is not the easiest to paint, but I'm quite happy with my plan. The first test flyer is done and the rest of the fleet is waiting for their basecolours. I'm especially happy with the magnetic connetion between plane and flight stand. I might have to go back and do the same for my Astartes flyers.

Pict 1712: Legions Imperialis Blood Angels Rhinos (WIP)

And while prepping for a match of LI, I also slapped some quick base colours and decals on my Rhinos. Thirteen of them are built and marked for use with the Tactical Strike Force iconic formation. The fourteenth one was left over and might see use when I go for other formations.