Farmer's Undead

[Farmer7574]

I'm currently working on a batch of Black Knights and I thought I'd show how to do my rusty metal.

Farmer's Rusty Metal Tutorial:

Tools required:

1/ On a black primed surface, basecoat the metal parts with Leadbelcher.

2/ Wash the crevices and details with Nuln Oil, then tidy up with Leadbelcher if you need to.

3/ These next few steps are quick and simple. Put some paper down on your work surface, get your stippling brush (the GW brush is great as it has hard bristles) & an old store membership card and dip your brush into Reikland Fleshshade. Flick the wash at the metal areas so you get a nice speckled appearance. Don't put too much ink on your brush and test it on the paper before you hit the miniature - you're looking for fine specks, not beads of wash. I like to make sure the whole area is covered with Fleshshade specks.

4/ Repeat step 3 but using Feugan Orange, this time using it sparingly and only in areas where you want a rustier appearance. Remember to test the effect first by flicking some onto the paper - you don't want to make your model look too orange.

5/ Repeat the process using Agrax Earthshade, this time targeting the deep crevices of the metal. I don't bother with this step on my Skeleton Warriors but it works well on large areas like the Black Knights' barding. Again, remember to test the effect on the paper before hitting the mini.

6/ Lastly, highlight the metal areas with Runefang Steel. I like to add some fine scratches too.

I hope this helps, cheers for taking a look.


@Adam_Barrow Cheers mate, I'm pretty happy with how he turned out. I'm a fan of the dark blue on the knights. As you said; keeps the 'black' in Black Knights and keeps the army colours there. More on the way!

 

[Borgnine]

Thanks for sharing! I never thought about stippling the rust, but it seems to be a very good idea! The last step desaturates that nice rust from the fifth step, but the effect is still awesome I'll try it out on some of my zombies.

Also, using a card to stipple.... And to think that I was doing it with a finger my whole life :slapface:

EDIT: This is a rather messy technique, isn't it? Best to do as the first step after undercoating probably...

 

[Farmer7574]

@Borgnine No worries

Stippling was a new technique to me when starting this army, so I tried a few different ways of doing it and flicking washes seemed to give a more pleasing result than the 'brush stabbing' method. I'm curious how you do your effect with your finger though... Do you just put wash on the area then manipulate it to the effect you're happy with?

I agree about the last step desaturating the effect but I like how it makes the edges pop I also experimented with using Leadbelcher as a highlight before - this works quite nicely but didn't have enough kick for my liking.

And yes, this is a messy process and I do it right after priming.

 

[Eyeless]

Great Black Knights there mate. i was also of the idea to keep both blue and black colour combinations but the final dark blue is the way to go =D however if you want to lighten/darken the shades of dark blue try using Drakenhof nightshade instead of nuln oil. And very interesting method to do rust. Never thought of it this was. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Farmer7574]

Here's the first batch of Black Knights:

Two of these are TK horse conversions and I'm pretty happy with how they've turned out. I'm a fan of how the orange leaves are working with the dark blue tones & rusty steel.

A shot of the unit so far:

That's four down and sixteen to go! These are fun to paint and I'm a fan of the sculpts; the vines covering the armour really work well for my forest theme. Looking forward to getting a few more done in the near future, but for now I've turned my attention towards a bunch of zombies.


@Eyeless I usually just use Nuln Oil. Crazy that the amount I use blue I've never thought of using the Drakenhof shade... I'll have to experiment with it on some units that I haven't painted yet. You're welcome about the guide mate.

Cheers for taking a look and feel free to drop a line!

 

[Wasteland Jack]

Wow, I think you did a great job with them. May I ask, do you highlight your metals in the armor or is that just the lighting on your table?

 

[Eyeless]

Lovely black knights so far. Keep 'em coming! I like the mixture of horses too.

 

[Borgnine]

Great job as usual, especially on the colors It really came together nicely. The dudes without the cloth on his horse looks a little naked, but I think they'll manage

 

[Farmer7574]

I've got the first bunch of Zeds all based, greenstuffed and ready for painting:

I quite like how they are without the Zomblins and might just keep them apart, leaving the zomblins as a parody of an unfortunate unit of my O&G army.

Here's the first zombie filler ready for paint:

I went for another fallen tree trunk just like one of the skeletons' fillers. These use a nice bit of space and add nicely to the theme.

Some conversions I enjoyed doing:

Straight off finishing those Black Knights, I got inspired by those vines and decided to sculpt some of my own on the standard bearer to make him look a little more special. Seeing some of CN's members getting creative with green stuff has given me a nudge to do something other than just roots on tree trunks.
Other things on these guys include some guts hanging out, things lodged in their bodies and belts to cover up those ugly assembly gaps.


@Wasteland Jack Cheers! Yeah, I edge highlight the metals to get that effect.

@Eyeless Thanks mate, more in the works after some zombies are squared away. I'm a fan of the mixed horses too.

@Borgnine Cheers mate, I'm pretty pleased with how the colours have turned out and work together. I agree that the TK horses look a little naked on their own without the robes, but I'm pretty confident that five will fit nicely into a unit of twenty and look decent.

Thanks for taking a look and feel free to comment. More coming soon!

 

[Borgnine]

Awesome! You're really going strong with them The vines are a very good idea, it'll reinforce the forest-y theme you have there.

Also, good luck during all the adventures with greenstuff - once you start doing it, it'll be difficult to stop

EDIT: I forgot, again...

I'm curious how you do your effect with your finger though... Do you just put wash on the area then manipulate it to the effect you're happy with?

I put the wash on a toothbrush and then flick it with my finger - instead of that card. I tried it like that it didn't really work out for me - I guess I'll have to get used to dirty fingers But I do sometimes smear wash and/or glazes on a mini with a finger - if I want to get some layer of grime on a large surface.

 

[wheeljack]

You been busy Farmer loving the undead army so far

 

[Farmer7574]

Working on those zombies and got two variations thus far:

I've decided not to go for the red variation I did earlier (on page 4) and opted for various grey tones for a more decomposed appearance. I think the dark one might be a bit overkill on rotten meat but I think it'll look alright dotted around a horde of zombies. Not sure which colour I prefer for their clothes yet...


@Borgnine Cheers for the feedback! It's given me the confidence to try more challenging green stuff work in the future. I'd never thought of using a toothbrush for that but it seems like it would achieve an identical effect.

@wheeljack Thanks a lot mate, good to see you back on the forums!

Feel free to comment, cheers!

 

[Lord Elpus]

Darn you, that rust effect is good, I may have to pinch that idea!!!!

 

[Borgnine]

Great job on them! I like the lighter skin more, it looks more pronounced and blood is much more effective on him. As for the clothes - the more various colors, the better in my opinion - blue, black, brown - it'll reinforce the rag tag feel of a zombie horde

Also, a question - what are you using for blood? It looks nicely brownish and desaturated on the pictures.

 

[Eyeless]

Looking good =] also great work on those vines! Just what they needed =D

 

[Farmer7574]

The first batch of zombies fresh off the painting desk:

And a shot with some previously painted zomblins:

I opted for two of three of my test schemes I did earlier this year. I also tried a green scheme too, he looks quite decomposed & mouldy, and fits in quite well. I think the zomblins blend in quite well with the unit and will keep them there for now, but I may want to make them their own unit in the future. Cheers to @Borgnine & @Malicht for tips on colours to help me find a palette I'm happy with

And here's the first filler for this unit:

The command group:

I used to play World of Warcraft and there were some undead characters without a jaw and their tongue hanging out:

I love the gruesomeness of it and really wanted to recreate this appearance on one of my 'important' zombies, so modelled my standard bearer in this fashion. Other inspiration was drawn from these undead characters too.


Regarding earlier posts:

@Lord Elpus Thanks mate, I hope it helps

@Borgnine Cheers for your feedback. I was going to do all of their clothes brown but it was a bit overkill on the earthy tones. I settled for mixed, blue & brown, and also added a very dark brown as I want to try to stay away from using black.

Also, a question - what are you using for blood? It looks nicely brownish and desaturated on the pictures.

I stippled a mix of Nuln Oil 2:1 Tamiya Clear Red on selected areas (after letting the paint dry slightly), then brushed on an equal mix of Nuln, Clear Red & Water.

@Eyeless Cheers mate, glad you like 'em I like the orange leaves contrasting the blue banner, the vines seem to have been a good choice.

Thanks for looking! More on the way...

 

[Lord Elpus]

awesome work mate!!! You're making me want to get back to my Undead now!!

 

[Mad 'At]

Nice! This is gonna be a tough challenge to vote in for sure. I'm really like the look of these zombies.

 

[Farmer7574]

Here's my second filler ready for paint:

I decided on him being arrowed to death. The 'zombie chow' already adds a fair bit to the ogre and I thought arrows would add an obvious cause of death without being too intrusive or over the top.

I've added another detail since taking these pics, but I'll let you all wait for the next update to see that.


@Lord Elpus Thanks mate, I'm glad my work is inspiring you to get your undead rattling again

Thanks a lot @Mad 'At, that means a lot coming from someone with one of the best zombie collections I've seen! The competition is shaping up nicely with some impressive work entered so far. It has already been a success in giving me the kick I needed to get these zombies started.

Cheers for taking a look! More coming soon.

 

[Blackbookofshadows]

Such clean painting here. The ethereal skull is a great effect, well done. Also liking the ogres! I actually have a bag of them somewhere.

 

[Farmer7574]

New recruits for the zombie unit:

A very small batch as I wanted to make sure I got my stuff done in time for the competition. The filler was fun to make & paint. Here you can also see the green variation of skin I tried. They fit in nicely with the unit so far. Let me know what you think. Cheers

@Blackbookofshadows Cheers for the comment mate and glad you like what I'm doing!

 

[NebuchandnezzarCD]

Great work especially on the blood effects, they make the mini pop without being over the top. That zombie unit is looking seriously good, I can't wait to see what you paint next!

 

[Borgnine]

Three posts with content since I last posted here! You're fast! Your painting is awesome as always The vines on the banner look as if they were always there, nice job! The ogre also turned out great - his skin is ogreish, earthly and rotten all at the same time! The conversion also gives him much character, munching on a corpse even after his death That zombie walking just right him, also terrific! Just barely standing! I think I have those parts still laying around somehere, expect to see him recruited into my unit too

Thanks for the blood recipe - that's not the first, nor the second time I hear about it. I'll have to look into it. I have a Tamiya shop 5 minutes away from me - let's hope that they have paints and it's not just typical german prepainted cars...

 

[Farmer7574]

I've spent the last few days putting together the next batch ready for painting:

More Mantic zombie conversions with a few fillers that now boost the unit to 50. Some of these guys may still yet get some arrows/weapons lodged in their bodies.

Here's the third filler for the unit:

I went for another of my ideas that I brainstormed a while back; a zombie staggering forward with his guts falling out and another in tow munching on them. Sick but fitting for zombies.

Here are a few conversions:

I also put a Necromancer together:

My army's first spell caster! I left that spikey collar thing off as I prefer the look of him without it. This guy also got rebased as I wanted something simpler than the sculpted base he came with.


@NebuchandnezzarCD Thanks mate, I'm glad you like them. Next up is more zombies but this is the last of the core for now, so when these are done I'll be setting my attention towards some different undead stuff

@Borgnine Cheers mate! The ogre was a conversion idea I brainstormed a while back - I really wanted to have a go at it and gladly the work paid off. He was also a lab rat for painting large areas of skin since I have a shed load of ogres still boxed up. This zombie ogre definitely helped to improve my skin painting, so there'll be more in the future!

I think I got that blood recipe off www.taleofpainters.com. There are a few decent guides over there, very useful!

Thanks for taking a look chaps, more coming in the near future. Let me know what you think.

 

[Sessioni]

@Farmer7574 I think you chose wisely basing the necromancer in the same manner as grunts, so you can make the lords and such more unique. How many zombies you will make for this unit? Looking good. Are you going to convert the necromancer more? Not that it "needs" anything, that model is quite cool as it is