Current Projects 3

So my latest project, and most important one at the moment is my Khemri Bloodbowl team. I've decided to run Khemri at both Eucbowl (Probably the largest Australian Bloodbowl tournament, although there are a few other contenders) in July, as well as the latest season of the CCKUP (an Adelaide Bloodbowl league) which coincdentally, also starts in July.
So basically, I need to get these guys done to a playing state. I was busy previously putting together some Lizardmen models for the Warhammer Fantasy tournament I went to in June, but now my main priority is getting my dead ready for some Bloodbowling.

So my original thoughts are, I was going to convert all the Skeleton types from the Tomb Kings Skeleton box. I managed to get some cheap bits for Charioteers as well, which were going to be my Blitz-Ra's. But I kind've copped out, since the Tomb Guard command models are nice enough. So the charioteer's will be turned into Thro-Ra's instead. The Mummies are a mix of Reaper models and the Warhammer Fantasy models. The Reaper models were simple weapon snips. Unforunately the Fantasy models are a bit more difficult as one arm has a shield attached, and for the other the great weapon was too intertwined with the arm to be useable.

Mummies. Reaper models on the sides, Fantasy models in the centre.
Blitz-Ra's. I actually had the standard bearer's arm snap when I was cutting the standard pole away, so had to pin it back in which was tough.

Regular Skeletons. I like the one in the middle. Looks like a little insane undead egyptian.

I actually just spent last weekend doing a lot of work for once. Usually I do little dribs and drabs, and then get a lot of work done in one shot, so just must've been one of those times. I managed to cut away the sword from the Mummy, and have begun work on the green stuffing of new arms for the Mummies. I also started on 3 more regular Skeletons. That should give me almost enough Skeletons in total, so will leave me with just Thro-Ra's to get done.

Slugged along a bit more with my Dogs of War as well. Filled in the gaps on my cannon. so that should almost be ready for everything to be glued together now. I continued work on my Captain on foot, who uses the Pike of Remas in addition to another item that is part of the Dogs of War Army project at http://www.dogsofwaronline.com. I'll try and get some pictures of him up soon. The last part was working on some of the Knight helmets from the Empire Knights box. Trying to get them too look more like the Voland Venator helmets (I mean, why pay $95AUD for 5 when I can get 8 Empire Knights for $50AUD which look almost the same?).

Current Projects 2

In general, I have lots of little side projects going on at once. This is so I can generally work on what I feel like. Doesn't always work out, sometimes I just don't feel like doing anything, but that can't really be helped.

For Warhammer Fantasy I have lots of little things going on, and moving onto a big thing. In general, my Temple Guard Saurus, Engine of the Gods and Kroxigors are all work in progress. I personally love painting Kroxigors, because they're really nice miniatures and I can put a lot of work into making a good looking piece.

I also have a Kroq-Gar on foot conversion in progress. This is for the Pyramid Vault Character conversion competition. It doesn't look like much at the moment, but it's actually nearly there. I just need to convert the spear holding arm into something more maneable for a foot slogger and then I can just glue in the head and right arm.

As you can see, it's a fairly simple conversion. I chopped Kroq-Gar in half pretty much, and plonked the torso onto one of the new Temple Guard bodies (Cut that in half). So now I can have Kroq-Gar on foot, as well as a regular Saurus Oldblood for the Carnosaur. (Of course... I actually have to assemble my Carnosaur for that to have any merit).

The next big thing I'm working on for Warhammer Fantasy, is a Dogs of War army. I generally love converting. It's interesting to make figures different, and is generally very rewarding. I have just slowly collected some of the Dogs of War figures, never really sure whether or not I'll make an army out of them. I have some Rugluds Armoured Orcs blisters, some Halflings, a Hot pot, Lorenzo Lupo, Hengis the Druid, Marco Columbo. So I figure maybe it's time I actually sat down and created an army out of these guys. I'll probably paint them for the Warseer Tale of Fantasy Painters 2009-2010, so for now I'll work on converting them. Converting and painting at the same time I think is part of what made me fail in the current Tale. It's a lot of effort when you have big ideas, and you're torn between making them come to life or just sitting down and painting.

I think I'll keep my army in the same colour scheme as my Mercenary Pikeman. This guy was created a fair while back now for the http://www.dogsofwaronline.com/ Golden Pike 1 competition. I love how this guy turned out, because I really think he embodies how a mercenary pikemen would look like. He's got a dagger in his hat, carries along some of his belongings, he just has a kind've rough appearance too him.
As of more recent for my Dogs of War, now that I've decided to actually collect them, I've been doing a few more things. I've started work on a Mercenary Captain on foot. I hope he turns out well, at the moment he isn't too much of a looker, but hopefully when I get too sculpting a cape on him and fancying him up a bit he'll start to look the part. I've also been working on a Small Cannon. I was able to get some bits fairly cheap, and while I couldn't get Cannon chasis', I had to make do with Helblaster Chasis' and cutting it up a bit. The great thing is, even adding the cost of two cannons together, isn't as much as a regular cannon from Games Workshop. So bits are win win, as I only get the stuff I need. Since the time of the image, I've lengthened the chasis a bit as I wasn't happy with the look (The barrel lookeed too big for the chasis, so either had to extend the chasis or cut down the barrel).

So yeah, that's a humble beginning to my career as a Mercenary. Should be more to come as I work on my cannon, Mercenary Captain and others in the future.

Current Projects 1

So, now that I've got most of the introductory stuff out of the way. What the blogs about, what stuff I collect, etc. I figure now it's time to go through what's currently on my workbench. Since I just attended a tournament with my Lizardmen, and didn't get everything painted (I'd rather tak my time, than rush for a tournament) - my Lizards are probably going to be updated only every so slightly for a while. I do need to fix everything that ended up breaking (A few things unfortunately) and finish painting my Engine of the Gods and Temple Guard, but it can wait.


I think I'll go through my Lord of the Rings stuff first. Most of this is on the back burner, since it's not important to get done immediately. However, every now and then I'll grab a model or few and just convert or paint them.


I actually forgot to list my Lord of the Rings stuff in the previous post, so now's a good time to introduce them anyway.


Dol Amroth for Gondor


I like the look of Dol Amroth. They're the models that have got me collecting, so it makes sense to collect them. To offset the fact that everything Dol Amroth is metal, I've got some plastic Warrior of Minas Tirrith that I'm converting into Warrior of Dol Amroth. Basically same deal, just a bit more chain instead of plate and a swan on their shields. Nowhere near the War of the Ring army I want, but hopefully I make some progress.

Goblins

Just a little project really. Since I have the Mines of Moria boxed set, I figured I might make something of them since I don't usually sell my stuff. I'm converting up the plastic gobilns. Basically getting the armoured guys together for Gundabad Blackshields, while converting the spear goblins into Prowlers (Goblins with Double handed weapons). I have also converted a Cave Troll to have a different pose from the plastic Cave Troll (Since I have two, I want them to look different). Not sure what direction I want to take them in, I think in the end I'll get a bit of everything.

Fellowship

Lastly I have the Fellowship of the ring. These are really just a painting project. I managed to get the Mines of Moria boxed set fairly cheap, and wanted a look at the Lord of the Rings rules. They're not bad to paint I think, a bit of everything and colourful. I actually really enjoyed painting Gandalf, and I think he turned out really well (He was also the first one I painted as he doesn't need too many colours).

The stuff I collect - Other

So here's part two. Warhammer Fantasy is my main system that I collect, so that got a post of it's own. The other systems I really only have 1 or 2 armies in, so they can all go in one post.

Warhammer 40k
Blood Angels - I started off Warhammer 40k with Blood Angels. I bought a big lot of models from a guy at school, sold off the stuff I didn't use and went from there. So really, it's a bit of a mish mash of stuff I have for my Blood Angels. Personally I think I intend to sell off all my old models and restart them soon, as I'm not really that fond of my old painting (Given most of it was over a coat of paint already).

Space Marines - With the advent of Assault on Black Reach, you could get Space Marines super cheap. So I decided to do so. Originally I wanted to convert stuff to plastic Grey Knights, but... the whole idea of getting them was to have a side project that didn't require much conversion in the first place (Doing it alongside my Empire, which required lots of conversion), so I just paint them really. I like how they look, and generally have almost gotten a proper army done (Commander, Terminators, Tactical Squad, Rhino, Dreadnought, 2nd Tactical squad just needs basing). Next I plan to add an Assault Squad and Land Speeder to the army, as well as some Heavy Support sometime down the track.

Mordheim
Witch Hunters - I picked up Witch Hunters box back in 2002 I think. That's basically my only entry into the system. I like the idea and design behind Witch Hunters, so I really enjoy the warband. Unfortunately I really only have the warband box + warrior priest for my warband. Since Specialist Games support is minimal, I can't really flesh them out by getting more hounds and models.

Misc - I have a few miscellaneous Mordheim models that I intend to use either in my Warhammer Fantasy armies, or I just bought becaus I liked the look of them. This includes Aenur, the Sword of Twilight, Kislev Ranger, Elf Mage, The Female Vampire persona.

Bloodbowl
Orcs - I started off with an Orc team. Why? Because Games Workshop were out of Chaos Marauders when I went to buy the box. Still I don't mind that, I had a lot of fun converting and painting the team. They're almost completely done as well! Only have to paint 2 more Blitzers, finish the Troll, find 2 suitable goblins and finish another Thrower. These are the guys I took to Southern Shrike Bowl 2008 and came last! (It was pretty much my first time playing, and I took some silly skill choices).

Lizardmen - Had to have a team of Lizardmen of course. Since they are my warhammer fantasy army, it just makes sense. Had plenty of models lying around, so I just did. These guys have served me well, and I think they ended up looking fantastic.

Khemri - Currently one of my work in progress teams. I hope to get them ready for Eucbowl in late July. Not sure if that's going to happen, but I need them done by then for both Eucbowl and the next season of the Adelaide Bloodbowl league I'm a part of.

Norse - Got some Marauders cheap, so decided to go back and do them. I've started, but have not gotten far on them. Got sidelined until my Khemri are done.

Epic Armageddon
Space Marines (Blood Angels) - Well... not really. I bought a box that has the Tactical and Assault marines in it. I'll see how the painting goes, and how much I enjoy it. So yeah, just for painting at the moment and we'll see how they go.

Unchartered Seas
I don't know much about Unchartered Seas. I'm getting a few fleets and the rulebook. Don't know if I'll end up playing, but I chose fleets that I think looked kind've nice. I like the look of the Dragon Lords, so they were a must. I got the humans cause they look kind've good, and should be a good guest fleet if anyone else wants to play. Bone Griffons I think looked pretty decent as well. These are currently on order, so I don't have these models yet, I'll definatly be posting when they come in though.

The stuff I collect - Warhammer Fantasy

So with my introduction post just out of the way. I figured I'd lay down what I actually collect in the various wargame systems. Sounds like a good idea too me.

Warhammer Fantasy
Lizardmen - Started off the hobby with Lizardmen, and still collect them to this very day. Once upon a time, my entire army was painted. Maybe because I didn't have too much cash and back in the days of 56k internet meant I spent more time on it, who knows. Nowdays I've got a lot of stuff tucked away under the bed, but can still field a plausible 2500-3000 point army.

Ogre Kingdoms - I picked these up back in 2005 as I wanted something to do, but didn't feel like getting the remaining expensive metal models for my Lizardmen army (At that point, I was really only missing Temple Guard, Kroq-Gar and Lord Kroak from my army). It's just the batallion with converted characters. It's kind've interesting to look at them, as they have some of my first conversions in those two characters (Two-headed Bruiser and a Butcher). Don't know if I'll come back to these guys, maybe when a new book comes out for them.

Empire - I had a really nifty idea. Witch Hunter army. Lots of rabble, lots of flagellants, crossbows, warrior priests, little to no warmachines. It was coming together alright, but as soon as it came too the militia and crossbowmen my interest started waning. I think it's because the models are too 'busy'. Lot's of little details that need to be picked out. I don't mind that on a few models like characters, but I guess it was too much for me. I'd like to come back and finish them off someday, or at least bump them up to 1000 points.

Dogs of War - My latest entry. I like converting, especially when my conversions turn out well ;). I'm hoping the diversity in the models will keep me enjoying the army. So far I've got the bits to make a few cannons, a few characters, knights, rugluds armoured orcs and some pikemen. We'll see how it goes.

First entry, more to come

So here is the first entry in my blog on stuff. Mainly a warhammer modelling blog really, but I guess it may include other interests as well. I figured I'd start this, as slowly but surely I have started getting more different types of Warhammer models. I started off my Warhammer days back in 1999, in 5th edition of Warhammer Fantasy battles. Was about 11 back then I think, and I picked up some Lizardmen.
Why Lizardmen? Well, at the store there were only two plastic boxes. Either 8 Saurus, or 2 Brettonian Knights. Pretty simple decision huh? For a kid like me with almost no money, gotta get the one that will give you more models right? And that's how it all started.
In High School, a few of my friends collected Warhammer 40k so Fantasy took a brief hiatus until my friends got into that.
Slowly over the years, I have been building my collection. It's not huge by any means (Although, with the way I spend money on it nowdays maybe it will be someday...) but it has been growing throughout time.
I have taken more recent interest in Specialist Games and other systems as of late. I did pick up Mordheim back in 2002 I think with a warband of Witch Hunters, but that was only my only stint with Specialist Games until more recently. As of 2008 I took an interest in getting into Bloodbowl, participating in my first tournament (In any system) and joining the local league in Adelaide where I managed to come in 3rd in the first season in 2009.
I've also picked up some Epic Armageddon Space Marine miniatures which should be fun to paint, and am looking at Warmaster possibly in the future (I have to restrict myself a little, too much unpainted stuff nowdays).

I've also put in a purchase for Unchartered Sea's, something that seems to be taking off in the Ausbowl forums. Should be interesting to paint something different.

Anyway, that's my brief? Probably not so brief really introduction post. Should be putting stuff up on this blog as they come to me or as I get stuff done (Which seems to be at a slow pace nowdays. Hard to balance work, warhammer and computer).