11/100: Bring Out Your Dead!

I decided to get a start on two of my hobby goals I set for this year.  First up was some more units for my Grand Alliance of Death for Age of Sigmar.   I have a lot of undead stuff.  I have been collecting the various incursions of the Games Workshop undead for twenty years.  The fist models I ever bought were a box of skeletons. However one of the problems that I had last year was that I did not have a set goal.  I said I wanted to paint a full army, but there was no structure.   So I wrote a 2000 point army list last week to help me focus.  Now this list is not set in stone.  I am sure as I play more games I am going to drop units and add new ones.  But this gives me a start.

I worked on 3 units for AoS this week.  All of them where old models that I was re-basing and touching up.   I made a new large base for a Corpse Cart.  This is one of my favorite GW models.  It already has so much character.  I added a few tomb stones and graves to the base for ambiance. 

I also re-based and added some highlights to a converted wraith.  I made this guy out of a plastic Empire Wizard and some extra skeleton bits.  

The last unit I worked on was two bases of Bat Swarms.  I do not like the really really old plastic bat swarms.  I do however really really like their rule that gives all enemies within 12 inches -1 to hit.  So I dug out my Lord of the Rings Bat Swarms.  These are great models.  I know I have at least one more somewhere but I am hoping I have a second one to double my unit.  

I was also able to complete my first member of Thorin's Company, Gandalf the Grey.  It seemed fitting to paint Gandalf first for two reasons.  One: he organised the excursion to reclaim the lonely mountain. Two: one of the first models that I painted last year was Gandalf from the Battle of Five Army game.  Maybe this is a new tradition, new year = new Gandalf.   I do have Gandalf the Grey on horseback lying around...

                     

I kept thinking that it was going to be an easy model to paint.  Just a bunch of grey, right?  Trying to find different ways to paint various shades of grey became very challenging.  I almost gave up while working on the robes.  I hated the first highlight but the subsequent layers brought me back and I am very happy with the finished product.  The unique feature that I have found with the Lord of the Ring models is that I can see a very clear progression of my painting skill/style over the years.  Because I have painted the same character in different posses from different sets at different times, I can sit them side by side and compare.  Here is my most resent Gandalf with one that I painted at least three years ago (but it could be from longer ago, I am really just guessing here).  

That is all for this week.  Next week I am going to start on Bilbo Baggins and some Ethereal Hosts for my Warmaster Army.  

Kevin

I Made a "Grave" Mistake

This title is incorrect.  I made no mistake. Instead I painted 5 graves.  I was gearing up for the second scenario in the Age of Sigmar Skirmish campaign last week.  The mission calls for 5 treasure hordes placed around the table.  The goal of the game is to explore the treasure markers and keep enemies off them.  Since Brad is playing Grand Alliance of Death, I figured grave markers would be very thematic substitute for the treasure markers.

I think I will end up making a small base for the graves.  Have it surrounded by a wooden fence and have the tombstones free floating (like the GW plastic trees).  I have always liked the look of terrain in fantasy games.  However in the previous GW fantasy editions, unless it was a hill, terrain was a pain in the but.

WIP - Ring Toss Game Booth

Age of Sigmar has a very different relationship with terrain.  It can be an intrinsic part of an army or it can be an impartial second opponent.  On the other hand it could just be there to look pretty.  I think I am going to work on some terrain in the near future starting with an new piece for my BMG Carnival table.






Kevin

Malifaux!...Also I Am Back!

It's been a while since I've written a post.  It has also been a while since I've done any regular gaming (not to mention painting).  I did start to play Star Trek Attack Wing with my brother recently, which has been a lot of fun (battle report to come?). Other than that I have been absent from my hobby.

So a few weeks ago I dropped by my friend Jordan's Games Workshop store to meet up with another old friend, Josh.  To my surprise (and enjoyment) two more of my old gaming buddies whom I hadn't seen in years were also there (Ian and Curran).  I suddenly found myself feeling very nostalgic.  Good friends, playing a fun game...in a GW store.  I got the warhammer itch...a few days later my Blood Angel Second Company saw its first rays of light in many years.

Later that night we all went over to check out a new hobby store "Lords of War Games and Hobbies" in Oakville.  A great looking store with some very nice tables to play, and even more GW memories.  The store is run by former GW alumni Jason and Chris.  Through some sly (pun?) talk from the both of them, I left with the rule book and starter gang for a new game (for me that is).  Malifaux.

I picked up the Ten Thunders box with Misaki.  Some very incredible designed models.  My only issue was the lack of instructions (both in the box and online).  However after some research I found that the individual pieces are numbered on the sprue (A1, A2, E1, E3 etc).  At that point they went together smoothly.

I wanted to try a new colour scheme for Misaki's crew.  I am trying to expand my style and colour choices.  I decided to go with a baby blue for the main colour and beige for the secondary.  I also wanted to put a hit of pink into it.  The colour selection was inspired from The Legend of the Five Rings - The Crane Clan (even though the models look more like Clan Scorpions - I refuse to paint another red army after the aforementioned Blood Angels).

Here is the test model.  I tried to go for a pink lotus flower on the mask above the eye and another on the cloth.  I like the colour but I am not happy about the design.  I think I might try a top view
flower next time.  Any suggestions?

(I am also trying to decide which backdrop works better for taking pictures.  White or blue?)

Kevin