From PeteB - Challenge 16 Wrap-up

Thank you Curt, Lady Sarah and the minion for organising this challenge. Again it was great fun and I'm already making plans for the next challenge. And I'm happy with what this challenge is painted in scales 20, 28 and 54 mm.

Two figures are missing in the group shot, but they are at their new home in Germany. My friend was very pleased with them. Pictures of them here.

This is the final count for this challenge:

- 20 mm = 21 figures and 6 horses

- 28 mm = 3 figures and 1 horse

- 54 mm = 20 figures

And a cat and a dog! 😺🐶

Thanks for watching!

From PaulSS: The Last Danse Macabre - 114 pts

I was determined to get a few more units added to the Midgard undead army I've been working on this week before Challenge XVI ended and I'm writing this post while the glue on the bases to dry* so I can take some photos!

*Note: The glue was not dry when I took these photos :D 

Five more characters make it over the line in the form of a mounted Skeleton champion and four Banshees.

I'm not sure if I'll ever have a requirement for four Banshees, but here we are.

The grave stones are from Cromarty Forge.

Another unit of Skeleton Knights joins the Danse.

I broke the scythe of the base while adding the static grass! I've set it aside somewhere to stick back on, but it's in such a safe place I have no idea where it is!

Finally, a couple of units of Skeleton Warriors.

This makes six units of skeleton warriors, a good solid core for an undead army.

78 foot and 12 mounted 10mm figures will add another 114 points to my total, taking me to nearly twice my initial target!

Also another good collection of Skulls for the Skull Duel, there are 106 skulls in all here!

It's not been all painting though. yesterday evening I managed to take the Undead out to the club for a game against Midgard author, James Morris so we could give some new abilities a spin out. I had ~300pts of Undead from what I'd already painted against his newly painted Orcs of a similar size.

James Orc Warg riders

As I mentioned both armies were newly painted so one of us was going to do terribly, I'll drop the suspense, it was me :D 

First game my Necromancer double ravened a risk to heroes test in a combat he had no right to be in and my army reputation crumbled with him. 

The Danse deploys ready to face the Orcs

Second game I tactically decided to put him behind the front line where he would less susceptible to getting thumped. A unit of Warg riders took a shot at him and inflicted five hits from six dice, the army fought on  bravely, but with so much reputation gone, the writing was on the wall.

The Skeleton Knights are undefeated, less said about the rest of the army!

Stars of the show were the Skeleton Knights led by the Vampire, he can take a turn as general next time!

And so the Danse comes to an end for this year, I've been way more productive this challenge and feel so much better for it. Thanks all, until next time!

From Millsy:

I've thoroughly enjoyed your Danse Macabre stuff Paul. You chosen palette, the quality of your brushwork and the amazing detail on the miniatures has made it something that has rekindled my interest in Warmaster. Your knights and character stands in particular are absolutely smashing.

Your note about glue not being dry made me laugh. I'm equally guilty most years :-)

Well done on a great Challenge and thanks for sharing your work. You under costed your last post, the correct points is 114 according to the Spreadheet of Doom.

Cheers,
Millsy

From PaulSS: The Danse Macabre Marches On (135pts)

 The Danse Macabre marches on!

Since my last update a Vampyre and five new units have mustered for the Danse. Like the previous entries all are 10mm 3D prints of the Forest Dragon range from MGS Miniatures.

I'll mostly be playing Midgard with these.

A terrifying winged Vampyre stood atop crumbling masonry leads this contingent.

The level of detail in these prints is mind-blowing, they are a joy to paint.

My first unit of ghosts, I debated with myself as having entirely ghostly grey, but went for grey robes then skulls, limbs and weapons painted normally. 

Another unit of Zombies to shuffle along leaving a trail of discarded body parts in their wake. 

For the cheapest unit in the force, they are probably the most effort to paint of them all.

A fourth unit of skeletons were added.

I used a lot of the Raised Dead models in this unit, making the Front ranks and middle of the second rank look like upstanding spearmen, while the remainder of the unit rises from the ground to form on them  

Lastly two units of Vampire Bats to harry the foe from above.

Here is the force painted so far over the past couple of weeks, I'll be playing my first game with them tomorrow (Thursday) evening, of course being newly painted they will do terribly.

I didn't realise that the Skullz Challenge was drop in, so counting all the skulls on display so far, there are 282 skulls atop skeletons heads, standard poles, on standards, decorating masonry and as part of shield designs.

I hope to get at least two more units completed before challenge ends.

The models painted for this entry constitute 135 10mm foot to be added to my total.

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Sylvain: I can feel your suffering when you say: "For the cheapest unit in the force, they are probably the most effort to paint of them all." I find that in most (all?) armies, the cheapest units are the ones giving the "flavor". The "family picture" of your army at this point in time is just astonishing! It feels redoutable and creepy at the same time. Bravissimo!

 

From PaulSS: The Danse Macabre - 172pts

For the bonus theme round I made a start on a 10mm Undead force for Midgard, this week the Danse Macabre continues.

All the figures are 3D prints from the Forest Dragon range printed by MGS, and I must say they are bloody gorgeous figures that makes painting them a joy.

First up a quartet of characters to lead the Danse.

Three Necromancers and a mounted Wight, an avatar of Death hmself!

Excuse the extreme close ups, showing every botched brush-stroke and missed line, but the detail on these chaps is insane at 10mm!

The figures themselves are painted in the main using Vallejo Model colours and Army Painter Soft Tone, but for the raw magic I used Citadel Contrast Warp Lightning

Talking of the insane amount of detail on these figures, if you look closely, a skeletal hand is breaking ground from the grave at the Necromancers feet!

For the Wight I added a couple of figures from the Raised Skeletons set to the base. For an idea of the scale, these bases are 25mm in diameter.

Now onto the troops, starting with a unit of heavy hitting Skeleton Knights.

Because this range is designed for making Warmaster armies, the cavalry are printed two to a base, one at the front and one at the back, I managed to separate out enough of them to be able to make this "wild charge" vignette.

A couple of the Raised Skeletons set were also added to the base for scenic effect.

Moving on from the mounted heavy hitters to some solid fighty foot in the form of a unit of Wights. 

Hopefully, these stout warriors will form the core of my line and act as a bodyguard for my Necromancer.

 

Another unit of skeletons added to complement the two I did in the bonus round.

I stuck with a red, black and white scheme (Vallejo Black Red, Black Grey and Stone Grey) for the core of the force, but for the auxiliary troops I went more down and dirty, some-what of a theme for my challenge this far.

A shambling horde of Zombies in muted tones, the weapons were also painted from a rusty base.

Finally for this week, three units of Dire Wolves to rove ahead of the army and hopefully pick off any enemy skirmishers that may be an annoyance.

Again the detail is insane, not only do they have festering wounds on them, the ribs are poking through!

 Twelve mounted, 124 foot and 24 hounds in 10mm adds another 172 points to my total.

Now into the free-fire round where I hope to be adding a few more walking dead to the force.

I want to say many thanks to Dave for being my minion this year, we could not do it without these great volunteers! 

From DaveD. That’s a great mix of things there. The 10mm mass always works really well. I really like the skellies . You have had a good consistent challenge Paul, enjoy the last few days . It’s been a crew to look after as a minion cheers !