Wednesday, March 8, 2017

DARK AGE - The Salt Flat Nomads


Welcome back! I know I have shown some of these before, but I figured I should start this look at my Dark Age collection with where it all began - the Salt Flat Nomads.

Dark Age has seven different 'primary" factions, and these are then (typically) broken down into a number of sub-factions as well as the "unaligned' faction models. The Salt Flat Nomads are a sub-faction of the Outcasts and, as their name implies, they are a people who were outcast from civilization and are now nomads on the great salt flats the occupy much of Samaria (where Dark Age is set).

I have titled the image above "The Tribe". These are the core of the Nomads, the regular rank and file, and their focused military and spiritual leaders.


First is Bendahrin Durshe, the Bladelord. Duarte is the leader of the Durshe tribe, largest amongst the Salt Flat Nomads thanks to his aggressive policy of raiding and assimilating other tribes.


This is a Caravan Keeper, a nameless leader of one of the smaller scouting/scavenging/raiding parties the Nomads have active at all times.


The Oathpourer is the keeper of the tribe's honor, and it's water. She keeps track of all transactions, including life debts.


These are Tribal Warriors, the backbone of the... well... tribe.


The infiltrating Thornwinds use shards of fulgrite glass in their lethal blowpipes.


The image is titled "The Herd". The Salt Flat Nomads "tame" various beasts from the wilds of Samaria, android them forward into battle. At the front of the photo stands Lynette and her two Dust Jackals (sadly I don't yet have a separate shot of them).


The Herders were some the first models that drew me to the Nomads. They're certainly not great in combat, but their shock prods can keep the beasts headed toward the right fights.


The dino-avian Vrocks are incredibly cool, although they require a bit of patience to assemble and keep assembled.


The Molokai are sand crocodiles that love to ambush unsuspecting passers-by.


The other model that really grabbed my attention for the Salt Flat Nomads was the Dust Bull. He also draws the attention of my opponents.


This image is titled "The Loners"


Kane has a very interesting story behind him, which helps explain the reason he isn't lithe and clothed in flowing fabric like much of the tribe, but rather clad in thick steel plates.


The Dishonored is someone who has caused the tribe a significant loss of resources, either through ineptitude of negligence. Stripped of all their normal belongings, they become the Dishonored and must now work to repay their debt to the tribe.


The Berserker is a warrior who has strapped on armor made from the skin of the spiny rock sloth. This armor has hallucinogenic qualities, and the tribe can never be sure exactly how it will affect the wearer.


Finally, these are the Hands of War (left and right) and the original Hand of War, Moonless Night (in the center). In combat they are each a whirling dervish of flashing blades.

I hope you like these models. If you want to check out more about Dark Age, visit the site HERE.

Monday, March 6, 2017

DARK AGE - A month of posts!


Over the last 15 months of so, I've been doing quite a bit of work for CoolMiniOrNot, primarily focused on grassroots promotion and marketing for Dark Age and Wrath of Kings. 

Over that time I've painted a LOT of Dark Age models. In honor of the game's first 2-player starter set being released this month, I thought it'd be cool to present you all with a series of posts that covers all the models I've painted for the various factions, including my own personal collection and those painted for other purposes. 

Stay Tuned!

Cheers
Dave

Friday, March 3, 2017

INQUISITOR - Power Armor comes in ALL shapes and sizes


I had time over February to paint up another two models for the ongoing Inquisitor commission that has now entered its second year. I chose two models that differed in size and detail, but were both armored and loyal to the Imperium.

The first is Brother Hexanchus of the Deathwatch (formerly of the Carcharadons).


This is, of course, the Brother Artemis model, with a slightly tweaked scheme.


I painted on the Carcharadon symbol, and his name - which comes from the scientific name of a pre-historic shark.


And painted a shark-tooth campaign badge on his knee.


The second model was this (as yet un-named) daemon-hunting Inquisitor, hauling around a fresh kill.

I hope you like these as much as the client. He'll take delivery of these at AdeptiCon.

Cheers
Dave

Thursday, February 23, 2017

THOUSAND SONS - Magnus the Red!


I mentioned in yesterday's post that I had also worked on a Magnus the Red... well... here he is!


My client was after something very close to the box art, and that seemed like a very cool proposition, at the start. The further and further I got into the painting I realized it was all going to take me considerably longer than I had quoted for, about 50% longer. But I'm a man of my word (and learn lessons best when they're impactful) so I did not increase that cost to my client.


Magnus was painted in a few sub-assemblies (the body, the wings, and all the armor and accessories), and then put together at the end.





The base is one of the excellent new bases from the Shattered Ritual line from Secret Weapon Miniatures. I have had the pleasure of seeing these bases develop - as my friend Chris Borer worked on them he'd show off the odd WIP photo here and there. Very cool. I'm pretty sure you can find them for purchase HERE.



Again, I handed them off the the client over the weekend, and he was very happy : )

Such a wonderful model, and brilliantly engineered by the team at GW.

Cheers
Dave

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

THOUSAND SONS - A squad of Rubric Marines


I recently finished a commission for these ten Rubric Marines and the might Magnus the Red. I handed them off to the client on the weekend and he was very happy, always a good thing : )

It has been a long time since I painted some Thousand Sons, and these new models are really spectacular (and super-detailed). My advice to anyone quoting on these? Think about how long you expect them to take, then double it. ; )





Cheers
Dave