Gathering the converts

OK, back to the first set of conversions I did that would serve as conscripts for the upcoming Imperial Guard army.  The original figures are Wargame Factory (corrected to Warlord Games)  Ancient Celts... or at least I think they are!

Obviously, I have added some actual GW I.G. bitz, such as the lasguns, grenades, and so on. The backpacks, however, are from Victoria Miniatures.

I used those on a set of regular GW guard a while back, and I thought they were fantastic.  When I had this project in mind, I figured they would just do the trick... making those Ancient Celts look a wee bit more like some raw recruits for the Guard.

Now that I have the Highland Moss Guard from Victoria, I won't have to add any more of these lads.  They will be nice to work into the whole mix, though. :-)

I think I will be going the striped pants look on them, which should be fun.  Also, plenty of tattoos and woad, which is an important element that will tie in the Sisters with the I.G. elements.

Interspersing some of these more primitive looking guys with the Highland Guard will make them look even more distinct from the 'regular' elements of the Guard force.

Can't wait to do a color test mini!

What I was saving it for...

Yea!  I finally got to use one of the Secret Weapon plinths for an actual miniature!

This is a Reaper special edition Sophie from 2010.  A very fun miniature to paint.

It fit just perfectly on the plinth.  Also, a nice counterbalance to the weight of the wings.

She is also here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321309022873?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

The Swordsmen cometh...

I have been hammering away at the Greatswords for a while... doing all the 'grunt' work like painting the bases, movement tray, and the Shaded Basecoats.

Lately I have been doing some glazing across the unit as well.  Every so often, I just have to finish one completely to keep from going nuts :-)

So, one more joins the fray!  More to come...

A bit of practice here and there.

Back to the Reaper minis that were considered for some of the videos.  This one was a candidate for fur, since it was becoming very difficult to find any sort of critter that did not have a rider, or was not covered in armor.

I was also trying to stay away from much bigger miniatures as well.  This one had potential, since it had fur in a few different places.  I thought it could be a nice practical application for painting fur instructions.

The other reason for considering it was that I already had some here.  They were being saved for a Slaine Campaign.

Instead, it has served as a test for painting kilts on the Victoria Miniatures Highland Moss Guard!

He is also here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321308317804?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Blade Dancer

Here's another fun Reaper miniature... and yet another candidate for the skin color videos.  On this version, I was balancing the reflected color of the turquoise costume against the fairer skin colors.  That meant incorporating that shade with the skin colors as I was mixing them.

It was more challenging to do so without the skin color becoming too gray or dull.  I did add some elements of much warmer skin colors, using the Transparent red color in key spots.

Using the warm reds for the marble and the reddish brown hair meant that such brighter red skin tones would not be too out of place.  Also, I wanted the costume to be semi-transparent, so a bit of that grayed down skin tone could be used in the deepest folds of the outfit.

This allowed me to integrate those opposing colors even more.

Again, a fun little exercise!

She is also here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321307863536?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Rub a dub dub, three slugs in a tub.

Or is that three Rotters in a swamp?

Anyway, I believe this is all the Rotters now!  Yea!

I have been looking around for images of snail shells and even some sea shells for color ideas on the warriors.  You will see what I mean when the first images are posted!

There are 16 Rotters in all, so I will try to get all of them in one image for you next week.

I have no idea how I will be able to fit the whole team on one image.  Tons of support staff as well.

Looks like more company for Stu!

Hey, more Zombie killin' gals for Disco Stu!

Yes indeed... she's not afraid of a little blood and guts.  Especially when they are someone else's.

A view of the newspaper telling you to watch out for those tricksy zombies!

Plus here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321306027503?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649