The Eternal Court of the Carmine Rose
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Thanks, it's nice of you to say so.
Here are those bats (and their twigs) rebased in keeping with the new style of the army:
It's the same bases with the grass scraped off and the plastic accesories removed, then some broken plastic slabs and gravestones added, then a little extra PVA and sand to tidy them up. Perhaps not how I'd have done them from new, but I thought getting the twigs off the old bases would give a serious risk of damaging them.
I also added the extra plastic branch on the right hand tree, I think it works as a visual tie in with other parts of the army.
I've resisted the urge to add roses, partly to save on work but mainly because I don't think they would add much to the unit.
Here are those bats (and their twigs) rebased in keeping with the new style of the army:
It's the same bases with the grass scraped off and the plastic accesories removed, then some broken plastic slabs and gravestones added, then a little extra PVA and sand to tidy them up. Perhaps not how I'd have done them from new, but I thought getting the twigs off the old bases would give a serious risk of damaging them.
I also added the extra plastic branch on the right hand tree, I think it works as a visual tie in with other parts of the army.
I've resisted the urge to add roses, partly to save on work but mainly because I don't think they would add much to the unit.
robtion
Vampire Thrall
Nice one
The bases look much better with the manric gravestones added and sans the bright green grass. I like how you added some colour with the flowers.
The bases look much better with the manric gravestones added and sans the bright green grass. I like how you added some colour with the flowers.
Cheers!
And now, Vargheists:
Hmmm, they look greyer than that in "real life"! I've used a similar palette to my Varghulf, except that I've left it fresher rather than washing everything back with Devlan Mud. My idea is that they are similar beasts - the unrestrained bestial form of a Vampire - but while the Varghulf is an ancient Vamp who has given themselves up to their base nature, the Vargheists are forced into it by some terrible process (like that used by the Von Carstein's in the army book. So these guys are newly emerged from their coffins (cocoons!) and looking to feed until they are killed, basically.
I gave up trying to get them to form two ranks, and for speed I've only done one reposing (top right of course). I changed the elevation of the bases slightly with Renedra gravestones, a resin coffin off ebay, and a lovely sarcophagus from, you guessed, Reaper Miniatures - now available in Bones polymer. You'll be seeing lots more of those in the army later!
And now, Vargheists:
Hmmm, they look greyer than that in "real life"! I've used a similar palette to my Varghulf, except that I've left it fresher rather than washing everything back with Devlan Mud. My idea is that they are similar beasts - the unrestrained bestial form of a Vampire - but while the Varghulf is an ancient Vamp who has given themselves up to their base nature, the Vargheists are forced into it by some terrible process (like that used by the Von Carstein's in the army book. So these guys are newly emerged from their coffins (cocoons!) and looking to feed until they are killed, basically.
I gave up trying to get them to form two ranks, and for speed I've only done one reposing (top right of course). I changed the elevation of the bases slightly with Renedra gravestones, a resin coffin off ebay, and a lovely sarcophagus from, you guessed, Reaper Miniatures - now available in Bones polymer. You'll be seeing lots more of those in the army later!
robtion
Vampire Thrall
Just looked back through your entire plog and your army is really coming together. Such a cool theme, might be time for a group shot?
Vargheists look very nice, I like the bases but being such large figures with big wings it does seem like a lot of blue. Maybe a wash or something on the leathery part of the wings would add some contrast? Just a though, great painting regardless, keep them coming
Vargheists look very nice, I like the bases but being such large figures with big wings it does seem like a lot of blue. Maybe a wash or something on the leathery part of the wings would add some contrast? Just a though, great painting regardless, keep them coming
Thanks!
You are right of course, the wings do really need some colour contrast, I'm just getting lazy again! The Varghulf wings have a brown wash as I recall, I might go back and do that on these.
I'm going to have a go at finishing the Coven Throne next - at least the throne itself, maybe not the vampiresses as that is going to take some thought (multiple magnetised models I think!)
You are right of course, the wings do really need some colour contrast, I'm just getting lazy again! The Varghulf wings have a brown wash as I recall, I might go back and do that on these.
I'm going to have a go at finishing the Coven Throne next - at least the throne itself, maybe not the vampiresses as that is going to take some thought (multiple magnetised models I think!)
robtion
Vampire Thrall
Well, here is the Throne itself.
Struggled to get good pictures as it is way too big for my standard photography set up, I'll have to work something out for big models like this.
I hope you like it, it was a heck of a lot of work for what is ultimately a quite subtle effect. I think it was important that a centrepiece model reflected the army theme though.
I also repaired the gut-spilling pillow as that didn't feel like something my Vampiresses would appreciate! I think anyone who has struggled to achieve immortal beauty probably prefers proper soft furnishings!
The vampiresses will come later. There will be the standard two on the steps, and then the third at the top of the throne will be swappable - the fittings to allow this are already hidden in a modified top platform. There will be a default Vampire (the lying down one), a hero level Vampire and a (hopefully spectacular) Lord level model.
Struggled to get good pictures as it is way too big for my standard photography set up, I'll have to work something out for big models like this.
I hope you like it, it was a heck of a lot of work for what is ultimately a quite subtle effect. I think it was important that a centrepiece model reflected the army theme though.
I also repaired the gut-spilling pillow as that didn't feel like something my Vampiresses would appreciate! I think anyone who has struggled to achieve immortal beauty probably prefers proper soft furnishings!
The vampiresses will come later. There will be the standard two on the steps, and then the third at the top of the throne will be swappable - the fittings to allow this are already hidden in a modified top platform. There will be a default Vampire (the lying down one), a hero level Vampire and a (hopefully spectacular) Lord level model.
robtion
Vampire Thrall
Very nice painting and base, and the vines/roses look great as always
I know how much work goes into painting a CT, fun and rewarding though.
I had to chuckle when I noticed you finally got a model with built in roses and vines(under the steps) but decided to leave them stone colour
I look forward to seeing your variety of vampiresses
I know how much work goes into painting a CT, fun and rewarding though.
I had to chuckle when I noticed you finally got a model with built in roses and vines(under the steps) but decided to leave them stone colour
I look forward to seeing your variety of vampiresses
Top painting tip: paint the curtains before gluing them to the model. I neglected this!
I know - I've seen many of these models with stone roses painted, but I thought that would be too much of a good thing! It would also look strange if the "real" roses and "stone" roses were painted the same colour, perhaps?
I'm quite excited about the one vampiress, but that does put the pressure on painting her! It's a model I haven't seen you use yet, so that in itself is unusual!!!
I know - I've seen many of these models with stone roses painted, but I thought that would be too much of a good thing! It would also look strange if the "real" roses and "stone" roses were painted the same colour, perhaps?
I'm quite excited about the one vampiress, but that does put the pressure on painting her! It's a model I haven't seen you use yet, so that in itself is unusual!!!
Ta da!
This is from before the Vargs and the Coven Throne. Not a great photo, but it shows the growing size of the army. And so much still to do: blood knights; loads of characters; unit fillers and scenery; dragon(s); more skeletons; maybe even some zombies!
This is from before the Vargs and the Coven Throne. Not a great photo, but it shows the growing size of the army. And so much still to do: blood knights; loads of characters; unit fillers and scenery; dragon(s); more skeletons; maybe even some zombies!
robtion
Vampire Thrall
Wow, really coming together well I don't remember seeing that corpse cart before, have you posted pics of it? Looks interesting, are those etherel zombies pulling it?
I don't remember seeing that corpse cart before, have you posted pics of it? Looks interesting, are those etherel zombies pulling it?
Aha, that must have been painted in my early "can't be bothered to post everything twice" phase, I'll grab it from The Herdstone...
So basically, at the point I did my army GW studio painters were doing rot green zombies, so my zombie regiment (not yet pictured) was rot green, so when I got a corpse cart...
And a bit more fiddly, my corpse cart:
Getting this off the original base without wrecking it was a bit testing. The new base is actually "hand made" rather than cast - I'll only need a couple of chariot bases for the army so making a mold and casting them isn't economical.
I've also added magnets to the swappable fire / bell - this is a new technology for me since I built it!
Regarding the paint scheme, the zombies were painted in old skool zombie green (to match my zombies) but I wanted the cart corpses to look like actual fresh corpses. If I started again they would all be flesh-toned, but can I be bothered to repaint all my zombies...?
Missing from the shot is my rather spiffy old corpse master. I like him, but if I can lay my hands on a suitable corpse-mistress then he'll have to go. The main problem is finding a nice female mini that will fit in the cramped space of the cart.
So basically, at the point I did my army GW studio painters were doing rot green zombies, so my zombie regiment (not yet pictured) was rot green, so when I got a corpse cart...
robtion
Vampire Thrall
Nice one, thanks for that Okay so they're not ethereal, that could look cool though to match them with your current army colour scheme? Would make for some easy repainting too.
How about this lovely lady for your corpse mistress?
https://www.reapermini.com/Miniatures/ghoul%20queen/latest/03126#detail/IG_146_1
Okay so they're not ethereal, that could look cool though to match them with your current army colour scheme? Would make for some easy repainting too.How about this lovely lady for your corpse mistress?
https://www.reapermini.com/Miniatures/ghoul%20queen/latest/03126#detail/IG_146_1
Wonderful job on the 'special effects' on the ME I love the bright-toxic green of the flames and how you did the etheral horde. Very pleasant color composition here 
I love the bright-toxic green of the flames and how you did the etheral horde. Very pleasant color composition here
@Robtion - I still have to decide what to do for zombies. I have 60+ old GW zombies in that green which need rebasing at minimum, repainting or complete replacement is an option. It hadn't occurred to me that the green zombies would tie in with the green ethereals (and the green of the roses which runs through the army) so that is something to think about.... I have that model you have suggested, I'll see how she looks, thanks!
@Borgnine - thanks, both effects are very simple to do, and I often make good colour choices by copying the boxes! But thanks for the support!
@Borgnine - thanks, both effects are very simple to do, and I often make good colour choices by copying the boxes! But thanks for the support!
No new models to show you, but I did decide to sell of all my old zombies. So now I have to decide what / how /if to replace them.
robtion
Vampire Thrall
Mixing mantic any GW zombies and ghouls can look good, unless you're looking for something more unique. Lots of alternatives around I guess. Good luck finding some to your liking
Just a thought, perhaps for different feel, since so far the rest of the army looks a bit more sleak and clean than your average undead dribbling horde then maybe it'd be worth going with enthralled humans or something rather than the zombies. That or perhaps your flowers using their rotting flesh as fertiliser and growing straight out of em 
FINALLY got the Vampiresses for the COven Throne done...
That's a real monkey off my back, I'd got completely stuck on those.
That's a real monkey off my back, I'd got completely stuck on those.
robtion
Vampire Thrall
Nice colours, suitably regal and Did you still make the top one swappable or decide it was too much trouble?
Did you still make the top one swappable or decide it was too much trouble?
Yes, she has a magnetic bottom (!). The two (so far) optional replacements are now staring at me from the desktop waiting their turn with the brush.