Troll!

Getting close on the bomber now, and made time to get the bases done for the full-bloods.  I'm pretty excited now to get the army field-able after watching a bunch of Hordes battle reports.  Take a gander and critique:

In need of attention...

So obviously the metallic stuff needs further attention and some more orange rust in the deeper, less used portions of the model, the wood needs highlighting and cleanup, and the leather straps and loincloth will get highlighted.  The rocky growths are going to be given a gradient and the the flames will be given an OSL treatment.  It sounds like a lot, but the OSL and loincloth will be done via airbrush, so should take around 10 minutes for a pretty respectable effect.  I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to do the rocks, but I like the brown contrast to the blue so far, so I'll work it out.  

Full-bloods and the bomber's base

Kinda psyched about having these guys on bases and ready for primer since it'll give me further reason to make use of my new batch mixed airbrush thinner (50% water, 40% drying retarder, 10% flow aid) with the same VGC colors I used on the bomber; it's very exciting! 

Lots o' Hordes

In the above pic you can see how a normal sized humanoid model sizes up to the various models I've got propped on the bases around them.  A word about the bases:  I've taken to using plumber's crack repair putty to make my bases.  This gives me a few things that green stuff doesn't:  Faster hardening time, a more grainy texture, and a denser, heavier base.  I am thus far quite pleased with the results, but only time (and some paint, damnit!) will tell.  Soon, I promise...

Cryx Slayer, Pre-Base

I went ahead and tried an experiment using some home-made pigments to create rust on my Slayer last night and was so pleased, I decided to finish the whole darn thing.  This broke from the plan, which was to finish Asphyxious and then start really going at the Skarlock, but I had momentum and rode it. 

As with the bonejacks, the Slayer still needs a base, but I also spent some time getting the GS down on the bases so I can do a swampy looking thing, similar to the first bonejack I showed on here some time ago.  At any rate, here's a look at the Slayer:

Front View, Looking Mean

Rear View, Looking...Away

Necrotite Furnace

Perspective View

One thing you'll notice in comparing to my previous Deathripper is that the furnace glow is more "contained".  I thought about the geometry of the model, and it just didn't make sense for the glow to be that pronounced.  I didn't highlight the "gold" this time either; I thought it looked more weathered, but still metallic, in its current state.

Hopefully the rust effects are noticeable, since that's what really got me so excited about that effort.  I can detail how I "created" the pigment at some point, but I may have a better way soon; I need to experiment.

Warmachine Progress

I spent some more time last night with my airbrush and Cryx models.  I am really starting to learn to love the airbrush for all sorts of painting.  There are obvious benefits, but there's also a huge downside, which is time spent on maintenance.  I think the time gained back by the ease with which you can create those smooth gradients makes up for it, but the maintenance phase seems worse than it really is, likely because it's not time spent painting.

At any rate, I snapped a quick pic after a little work re-shading some of the helljack, as well as working on (and ultimately finishing) Asphyxious' base.  The picture is a bit de-saturated, but I'll soon be taking a "mission accomplished" picture.  Closing in on game time!

This is crying out for some saturation!

Adjusted to be more "true to form"

Primed for Battle

I've spent some time getting all of the metal stuff pinned together properly, and primed.  I highly recommend a little trick suggested to me by my father (a chemist):  "Weld" the metal parts together with super glue.  The process is as follows:

1)  Put a drop of super glue in place.
2)  Hold the stupidly heavy, ill-fitting metal part in place
3)  Use an old paint brush (or stick, or finger, or...) to place a drop of water onto the junction of the parts.

This catalyzes the "drying" reaction of the superglue and helps create a super strong, weld-like join.  As an added benefit, it also helps to fill in ugly gaps in the metal.


Anyway, tonight will see the first real painting progress on the awesome Lich Lord Asphyxious model, and possibly some airbrushing love for the Slayer.  This is what my painting tray looks like:

I wish Asphyxious were bigger...

Skarlock and Asphyxious Pre-Prime

I picked up my skarlock and Asphyxious models yesterday from the FLGS and was minorly surprised to see that I was to be taking home Lich Lord Asphyxious instead of the intended Iron Lich Asphyxious .  I wasn't totally caught off guard, and the fault lies with me for not clearly specifying the PIP number, but I am happy with the model nonetheless

I have a noticeable lack of infantry in the army still (at 15 points), so eAsphyxious (I will not refer to him as "eGaspy") will get to enjoy a totally useless feat, but when I've got some Bane Knights or Bane Thralls...

Anyway, I built Asphyxious last night and that particular process served to remind me how much I hate working with multi-part metal kits.  I built the skarlock today at lunch and snapped a quick pic of him. 

Dashboard Lightbox

 
I'll prime both when I get home tonight, and then get cracking on making magic with these fine fellows; I've got a tentative first game tomorrow night and they'll not likely be finished, but a decent approximation of it.  I also need to spend some time making the Battlegroup Slayer look less like a black blob.  I'll be posting a follow up tonight or early tomorrow.

Warmachine! Hordes!

I've been musing over what has been described to me as "the better game system with the worse models" when compared to GW's Warhammer lines and believe I am going to start delving into these options as a fun alternative gaming option.

Does anyone have any recommendations they'd like to share for someone new to the Privateer Press  stuff?  I lean Hordes simply because Warmachine screams "Dreadnought fight!" to me, but I'm open to anything.

I'm inclined to like, in this order:
Trollbloods
Protectorate
Khador
Minions
Skorne


Something to take note of there is that, while I call out a preference for Hordes, I include two Warmachine armies in my top three preferences.  With regard to Protectorate stuff, I feel like their models are top notch and exude that gothic religious aura.  Khador appeals to a part of me that has always been fascinated by the indomitable will of the Russian people.  Whatever the case, high-quality, dynamic models are essential to me and while the casters seem very nice, Khador jacks are somewhat lackluster.

Whatever the case, let me know what you guys are thinking.