I decided to mount tit on a 120mm round to try something new, and I really like the way it turned out. I used my Dremel to grind out the base slots and added some metal plates so I could magnetize the crew to the base.
It had plenty of fun parts, but also just as many annoying/monotonous sections. Having to do all that bone was a real pain, then having to blacken and highlight all those ribbons was even worse. I can say I did end up saving a lot of time using my airbrush to get the priming and base coats done. Doing that with a brush would have been a nightmare!
Since I’ve been painting again, I can see I’m rusty. These last few things I’ve worked on have not been as ‘sharp’ as the work I’m used to completing. A few more units and I think I’ll be back to full speed.
I’m not a very big fan of the current carrion models and they really don’t have a place in this Arkhan host I’ve built so I’ve been hunting for some suitable replacements.
I first went with the giant bats from the VC line and they didn’t quite work either. Then the book got re-released and the Vargheist kit showed up and I knew I found my substitute.
Pretty straight up paint job here. I used my airbrush to prime and get the red basecoat done along with the black transitions. I made the hair bone color to add some contrast. They use all but the metallic colors in my army scheme.
I’ve also taken a shine to GW’s texture paint. That stuff makes basing a breeze and it looks better then the flock stuff I was using. Way more visual interest there. I’m debating on rebasing my army with this stuff. It will likely never happen…
Remember that ‘building Jones’ I mentioned? Here’s one of the results.
I picked up a pair of these this year during my lull along with some Tomb Guard. I slapped this together right after grinding the horse out of the Mournghul’s claws. I ‘m trying out a round mounting base with some recessed slots for the crew.
I’ll paint this when I’ve finished the other unit that came out of that building session.
Here he is. My first completed model in over a year. Not too shabby.
This was the first of my own projects that utilized heavy use of my airbrush. The model was primed, base coated, and faded using my Iwata Eclipse HP-CS.
Since this guy lacks any metal elements I had to stick to the other primary colors in my army being Black/Gray & Red. I wanted the column to be dark so that was done first using a series of Vallejo grays with some white line highlighting. The Mournghul himself was a different story.
I only had one more color in my palate so his body had to be red. I was not too big on a solid red body so I added some transitional fading effects to his most exaggerated elements: his shredded abdomen and claws. I added some color to the talons and gave him wispy white hair for contrast.
I really like the way he came out and I think he’ll fit in perfectly with the rest of my army.
Since my discussion with my friends Juan & Robert on the glories of the High Elf army in Warhammer Fantasy, I’ve had Tomb Kings on my mind.
I haven’t touched this army since Oct 2011 when I finished Arkhan, but I have been collecting stuff for my eventual return. I knew I needed to get rid of that silly pyramid I was using for my Hierotitan, but I never found a suitable replacement and then my Thokt Necron project put my TK on the back burner for 2 years.
I fell in love with the Mournghul (I know there’s no ‘h’ in there but it needs one) when I picked up Monstrous Arcanum from Forge World and the model did not disappoint! I wanted this piece to replace my pyramid, but that horse under his left hand had to go.
Have I told you how much I love my Dremel?
2 hours of grinding removed the horse and after fishing around though the few TK scenery pieces I had I found the perfect fit; one of the ruined Egyptian columns from Armorcast. I had to saw off the column to change its direction so the piece gets to utilize all that nice texture on the shattered side of the pillar. He’s also pinned in two places for stability.
I can’t wait to paint this bad boy, but I got a building Jones that I just have to satisfy…
Well, he’s done. I’m very satisfied at how he came out.
I have not attempted light sourcing in years and this didn’t come out too bad. I’ll need to refine the technique some but it is rather fun to do.
With Arkhan complete, I believe I can call my Tomb King Army finished. I still have some units to finish off but with 7 characters and 12 units complete, I can proudly say this is the largest army I have ever done.
Feels good.
Shawn G. (SoI)
PS – I painted this model months ago and never took any pictures.
I’ve been busy as hell with work so I’ve been real slow on work for this army. Well, thinks have been settling down and here are a few things I’ve got stored up.
First up is a Tomb King I built right after the tourney at Blob’s. I wanted to try some new army builds so I needed a king with the appropriate parts. I used the axe from the Necro Knights kit but it needed to be converted some so it would fit onto a Tomb Guard body. The death mask also comes from the same kit. The shield comes via Scibor.
This guy was really easy to paint and I’m glad at how he turned out. I was worried the shield was going to be poor as the detail did not seem to strong, but it looks good! I’m especially fond of the ‘intent’ of this mini. There are some unsavory types on his lawn in dire need of immediate extirpation…
Next up is the sphinx from my display. The model is a limited run terrain piece sculpted by Chris Fitzpatrick. It came out around the same time the Tomb Kings army was first released and I bought it to eventually paint up for my personal army. I ended up selling the army but kept the sphinx because it was too damn cool to let go of.
I painted it up for my display using my army colors. It looks ok, but I’ll have to revisit it eventually as it is in need of detail work.
Lastly is this little beauty.
I have received tons of inquiries as to how I did the sandstone skin of my original Necrosphinx. I really want to share how I did it, but it needs an appropriate model so the technique translates correctly. There was no way that I would buy/repaint another sphinx just for a tutorial, so I’ll use this.
I’ll work on the tutorial over the weekend (hopefully).
So I got back home from Blob’s Park last night at 12:30am and I have to say that was THE most fun I’ve ever had with this hobby. I met a slew of incredible players, played 4 fun and intense games, and saw some of the most talented hobbyists I’ve ever come across. I’m so glad I kicked myself in the ass and went.
I more or less broke even for the event with 1 major/minor victories and 2 minor losses. I and I have to say that’s not too bad for my first competitive tourney with a non-optimized list. I have not been excited like this about this hobby in years and I can’t wait for my next tourney fix.
High Points of the Battle at Blob’s Park:
John Matthews – It was a real honor meeting him didn’t get to play him though. ☹
There was a painting competition at Blobs so I took my Necrosphinx and my Nurgle Demon Prince. Cool Mini or Not (CMoN) was supporting it for as minor Crystal Brush event with the top prize being a ticket to Adepticon but they backed out last minute. My sphinx took best large mini. The prize was a resin Elf on Great Eagle and The 7 Day Army Painter DVD both from CMoN.
I was the only TK player there, which kind of surprised me. I’m glad because it netted me best TK general for just showing up and a free Necrosphinx/Warsphinx kit. That prize was more expensive then the entry fee so I was in the green!
I also got a box of Kings of War elven archers just for showing up.
All-in-all I had a blast at Blob’s and I can’t wait for the next event. I’m already revising my list for optimization. My TK mojo has returned!
Shawn G. (Soi)
P.S. – Here are some more pics of the display I did for this event. (I’ll explain the Sphinx in a later post)
