Converting Justaerin Terminators and Drepur's Wraithcreepers

Another few weeks of slow progress. But at least I built a few more miniatures and even managed to finish some Undead for my Age of Sigmar collection.

Pict 1190: Justaerin Terminators Kitbash

I have once again delved deep into the vaults and have returned with a sprue of Cataphractii, some MK IV heads and a few other assorted bits with the intention of building a retinue for Horus. You have to remove quite a bit of material to make the power armour heads fit but my trusty Dremel did most of the hard work. Once I get my preorder of the new big box, I might go back and add chain bayonets to them since the Forge World models have those.

Pict 1191: Drepur's Wraithcreepers

I also managed to finish highlighting these Glaivewraith Stalkers, that I had started a few months back. Always good to finish something and get it from the to do pile into the glass cabinet. I only recently realised that they are a team in Warhammer Underworlds (oh, the joys of getting your models second hand), but I will probably only use them in a modded version of Cursed City.

Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it?

Once again only three completed miniatures with the Witch-king and his second in command, Khamûl the Easterling. I also built a few more Heresy-era Space Marines; I really should get to painting them, shouldn't I?

Pict 1184: This is my hour!

Pict 1185: The Witch-king of Angmar

Pict 1186: The Witch-king of Angmar

First up is this Witch-king of Angmar. I really like this model that echoes the moment in the book, I used for the title – the Witch-king rinding into Minas Tirith through the broken gates. He's going to be a great leader for my Mordor army.

Pict 1187: Khamûl the Easterling

Pict 1188: Khamûl the Easterling

The other Nagûl I painted while at it is Khamûl the Easterling. Very fitting with the Defence of the North supplement finally released, even if I don't plan on painting any other Easterlings. I'm really happy with the way the highlights on the cloak came out, I managed to put in a bit of tattered texture.
For now, Khamûl will also be part of my Mordor army. To complete my collection of the named Ringwraiths, I'm now only missing two more: the Tainted and the Undying.

Pict 1189: Reaver Attack Squad (WIP)

Lastly, here is another Horus Heresy kitbash that I made in preparation for the new edition: a Luna Wolves Reaver Attack Squad with attached Apothecary. The latter is pretty much stock but with an added jump pack while the Reavers themselves are made from several different kits. The starting point was an Sons of Horus upgrade set. With some MK IV Marines, Sanguinary Guard jump packs and a few more bits and bobs, I'm pretty happy with the way they came out!

The plan is to go for a late stage of the Luna Wolves, about the time of the Ullanor Crusade, maybe a bit earlier. Certainly the Legion at it's prime, with the Cthonian gang culture limited to only a few squads. And pretty much only the Reavers and the Justaerin will be allowed to use the Eye of Horus. We'll see how that shakes out.

Defending Dwarven Doors

These past two weeks, I only managed to paint up a few bits and bobs. But at least I managed to finish up a set of ten dwarf warriors!

Pict 1180: Thráin's Guard defending the Erebor Gates

Pict 1181: Erebor Dwarf Warriors

Here then are the next ten Erebor dwarf warriors. I decided to keep the colours consistent even if the Dwarves all wear different variations of coats and chest armour. The predominant red cloth could mark them out as part of Thráin's personal retinue.

Pict 1182: Dwarven Gates (Mines of Moria)

This set of doors comes from a Mines of Moria set, that I bought used years ago. Sadly the doors are glued shut (certainly one way to keep a Balrog from escaping...), but they painted up nice enough and make for a good prop for the scenic photo of the Dwarves.

Pict 1183: Legion Seeker Squad (Kitbash)

Lastly I once againg cought the Heresy bug with the all the hype for a new edition of the game. To start of, I raided my bitbox and assebled this Legion Seeker squad using parts of MK III, MK IV and MK V armour, special issue bolters and a scratch built nuncio vox. I imagine the Seekers ranging far afield and thus being allowed some idiosyncrasies with their armour. I plan to paint them up as Luna Wolves once again, but I want to try and incorporate some weathering techniques I used with my most recent Howling Griffons.

Painting Dwarves for a Tournament

These past two weeks saw not to much progress, but I managed to finish the first two Erebor dwarf warriors to fit into an army concept for a tournament that I played yesterday.

Pict 1177: Azanulbizar Tournament Army

For this tournamet, I wanted to go with an Azanulbizar theme - partly to spur myself on and paint some Erebor warriors, partly so I could use Thrór as my army's leader and thus free up Dáin to go on a rampage unpunished.

Pict 1178: Erebor Dwarf Warriors (Banner Conversion)

I bought these Erebor dwarves used and one of them was missing his axe – a great opportunity to give him a banner made from plastic card. While I added strips to give the banner some structure, there was still plenty of space for a freehand of the ornament that holds the Arkenstone in Thrór's throne. I'm quite happy with the way it turned out, even if it could be a little bigger to fill up the space some more.

Pict 1179: Erebor Dwarf Warriors (WIP)

I really enjoyed the colourscheme and went along with the next ten dwarves. They are, once again alomst all basecoated and ready to be washed. I really have to do a few week where all I do is highlight miniatures. At this stage, there are quite a few of them now!

Two more Dwarven Royals and a bunch of Spooky Scary Skeletons

Only a little update today – I only managed to finish painting two miniatures, the missing Dwaves from my last post and then put on the base colours on some more Age of Sigmar miniatures.

Pict 1172: The Battle of Azanulbizar

Pict 1173: Thrór and Thráin II

Pict 1174: Thrór and Thráin II

Thrór and Thráin II will be the leaders of my Erebor dwarves. I have already experimented with allying Thrór with the younger Dáin and his Iron Hills dwarves for a hard-hitting Azanulbizar army and I'm looking forward to using Thráin as well.
Next up will have to be some more Dwarf Warriors!

Pict 1175: Sepulchral Guard and Wight King (WIP)

I also started once again on some more Undead miniatures, this time the rest of the Sepulchral Guard as well as the Wight King that was released at the tail end of Warhammer Fantasy. Again, they use the same colours as the Ulfenwatch, but the Wight King recieved a black cloak to set him apart from the normal warriors.

Pict 1176: Glaivewraith Stalkers (WIP)

At the same time, I also put the base colours and washes on these Glaivewraith Stalkers here. They might technically be from a different faction within the Death army, but I thought they should also fit in with my colour scheme. The spectral tendrils I found somewhat difficult, but for now the plan is to keep them mainly black and maybe even give them a coat of gloss varnish. We will see, how that turns out!

Howling Griffons Sternguard and Dwarven Heroes

These past two weeks, I finished four of the dwarven heroes from my last post: Dáin Ironfoot, King under the Mountain, Thorin III 'Stonehelm', Múrin and Drár. While highlighting, I also wanted to do some work with broader strokes and got on with the Howling Griffons in the form of a Sternguard Veteran Squad.

Pict 1163: Howling Griffons Sternguard Veterans

Pict 1164: Howling Griffons Sternguard Veterans

Pict 1165: Howling Griffons Sternguard Veterans

After last post's successful experiment in painting Space Marines, I dug out this Sternguard Veteran Squad and continued the streak. Instead of the combi-weapon the squad usually comes with, I pulled in another normal Bolter Marine so that they can double as a Tactical Squad in smaller skirmish games such as Combat Patrol or Kill Team.

Pict 1166: Dáin, King under the Mountain and Thorin III 'Stonehelm'

Pict 1167: Dáin, King under the Mountain and Thorin III 'Stonehelm'

The first two dwarves to get finished, were Thorin III 'Stonehelm' and his ageing father Dáin Ironfoot, King under the Mountain. The two of them will allow me to field my Iron Hills in the War of the Ring era – we will see, what the War in the North supplement will bring. Thorin III had his arm slightly reposed to prevent him from unsafely flailing his pick about and painted up very fast in my usual Iron Hills scheme. Dáin on the other hand took a bit more work. I only took out my Battle of the Five Armies Dáin to compare them after I had already painted quite a bit of the new Dáin. I subsequently repainted some areas and I am way more happy with him now.

Pict 1168: Dáin Ironfoot, Lord of the Iron Hills

And while I was at it, I also updated the face of Dáin on foot and riding his pig since the original paintjob from five years ago didn't quite cut it upon closer inspection.

Pict 1169: Múrin and Drár

Pict 1170: Múrin and Drár

These two Dwarves were ported over from the original Khazad-dûm line into the Iron Hills and they do look it. Still nice sculpts of adventuring dwarves always on the move, but a bit generic. Nevertheless, I look forward to trying them out in a game!

Pict 1171: Thrór and Thráin II (WIP)

Thrór and Thráin II are not quite finished yet, but should not take much longer – and after that, onwards to some more Dwarf Warriors for all these heroes to lead!

More Dwarves and a Space Marine?!

These past two weeks, I managed to finish my Iron Hills Dwarves in time for a tournement but also did a few more bits and bobs including my first Space Marine in a very long time!

Pict 1156: Iron Hills Dwarf Warriors

Pict 1157: Iron Hills Dwarf Warriors

Pict 1158: Iron Hills Dwarf Warriors

First up are the six Iron Hills Dwarf warriors, I needed for a 1000 points doubles event. We got to play the Iron Hills list twice, but lost both times – my Chariot only managed to drive over 5 orcs in total if I remeber correctly... Anyways, I'm very happy with these Dwarves. I find them to look better than the dwarves I painted, when I started the blog five years ago. This should not be surprising, but I might want to go back to the older ones and touch them up, esspecially their faces. Maybe in the runup to the next event?

Pict 1159: Uruk-Hai Captain (Helmet Conversion)

I also did some scuplting for a good friend I was going to see at the event and put a helmet on this Uruk-Hai captain. Always a good idea to wear one, if you ask me! And of course its a great way to make sure your miniature is different from everybody else's.

Pict 1160: Howling Griffon Badab War Veteran

Pict 1161: Howling Griffon Badab War Veteran

As far as I can tell, this Howling Griffon is the first Space Marine I painted in over four years! I recently was inspired by ArbitorIan's video on the Badab War and a collection of metal Space Marine Veterans primed and ready to go. I always liked the quartered livery of the Howling Griffons, but I also wanted to try and go for a more grimdark / blachitsu style of painting. Fortunately the Howling Griffons wore a darker night world camo variation on their stark yellow/red livery during the Badab War.

Usually I prefer bright and clean colours but I wanted to push my techniques and my horizon a bit. And so I got to experiment with oilwashes and sponging for the weathering. I have to say I'm very pleased with the outcome! I might have to print some decals for the chapter symbol, because I don't want to freehand a griffon on every shoulderpad...

Pict 1162: Múrin, Drár, Thrór, Thráin, Dáin, Thorin III

After my succes with the Iron Hills warriors, I got on with the Dwarf heroes I had started at the same time. For now they have their basecoats and washed done and are awaiting highlights.