From Millsy: More circuit breaker fantasy minis (25 points)

G'day All,

Progress is steadily happening with the Late Romans but again there's nothing ready to show this week, largely because the weather has been appalling and both varnishing and basing is a real pain to fit in. There will definitely be a crop for next week though.

In the interim I'm still filling gaps with ancient fantasy lead. This week it's a small batch of Grenadier Models orcs and goblins. Some searching on the truly wonderful Lost Minis Wiki has allowed me to clearly identify four of these five as Lesser Orc w. Sword, Goblin of the Mount 1 w. Sword, Goblin of the Mount w. Axe and Lesser Orc w. Waraxe. I don't have Goblin of the Mount w. Spear unfortunately but a hunt has begun!

The last chap (on the extreme left) I believed was a Denizen Miniatures goblin but cannot locate him online anywhere. Answers on a postcard comment if you can identify him!

5 x 25mm greenskins = 25 points. Importantly (to me at least!) this takes me past my initial 1,500 point target, so I'm upping my target to 1,800 to push myself these last few weeks.

Thanks for looking!

Cheers,
Millsy

***

Well done Millsy - this is another lovely little "circuit breaker" while your late Roman troops continue to muster. All of these little green fellows have a classic look that will inspire a jolt of nostalgia for Challengers. The fact that the painting is sharp, and green "just right" is just an added bonus - great stuff!

And well done smashing through your points target!

Greg

From MartinN: Kev Adams Orcs (10 points)

For various reasons I've not found much time for painting lately, so you've got to contend with these two fellows down here for the time being.

These two fine specimens of the Orc race were gifted to me by a friend during one of our semi-regular painting meet ups. I've never had much track with Fantasy, but still I've always had a soft spot for the older, more cartoony Orcs of the late 80's, early 90's. So I had a blast painting up these two fine fellows. I might even have a little look-see if I can acquire some more, who knows?

Figures are sculpted by Kev Adams and available through Ral Partha. The backdrop is available from Handiwork Games and I can only recommend you giving them a try. 

Points wise I'm pretty sure we're looking squarely at a grand total of 10 points.

***

Once more Nick you grace us with a combo of hobby nostalgia and stunning brush work! The posture and proportions of these figures just shout "1990s!" to me, and these renditions look truly stunning here. While they are proper "green", the variations on the skin tone near the eblows, knuckles etc. are amazing! And the "piece de resistance" has to be the checkerboard patterns on the red shields - it just sets the whole thing off! Brilliant work Nick! I'm sure I am not the only Challenger who hopes you will find your way to acquiring a few more of these and painting them up!

GregB

From MartinN: Orc and Orcling (10 points.)

A couple of friends and I spent the last few days together painting miniatures and talking rubbish. A great time was had and as a result of this I came home with something a little unusual for me: An Orc. I'm not quite sure if it's an official GW miniature or not, but it was great fun to paint anyway. 

Roman Lanciarii in for a nasty surprise

For these I claim 5 points for a single 28mm miniature while I'd rate the Orcling as a 15mm miniature for an additional 2 points.

***

Well, that is one crazy-looking Orc you have here Nick! As ever, your brushwork really sets the standard. Quite right...those Lanciarii are in for a rather terrible day at the office, I expect. 

I like to consider myself an old grognard and afficianado of older GW castings, but I cannot say I recognize the provenance of this chap. He certainly has the LOOK of a big scary GW orc...perhaps a Challenger will recognize the casting and its origins.

Just incredible painting as usual Nick. I'm adding three bonus points for the checker pattern on the weapons. Because that is extra awesome and you get to do that kind of thing when you are the minion. 

GregB

From Millsy: Kruleboyz Killaboss on Great Gnashtoof (45 points)

G'day All,

Phew! 11 hours and some change to paint one bloke and his dog. Seems excessive when you say it like that but once you see the thing it starts to make some sense...

This is the final unit required to complete my age of Sigmar Kruleboyz Spearhead and very pleased I am indeed to have him painted and based. Fiendishly detailed and chock full of hard to reach nooks and crannies, he really tested my patience, brush technique and desire to have him painted to a matching (or higher) standard than his minions.

Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking in this instance. Enjoy!

Points-wise this is a hard one. I've gone with the "it is what it is" option as a single mounted 40mm figure and will let Sarah decide if it merits anything beyond that...

• 1 x 40mm cavalry = 15 points
• 1 x Third Circle: Gluttony (as in I am one for punishment!) = 20 points

Total = 35 points

Artist: John 00 Fleming

Album: Essential Mix 2010-02-12

Artist: Matt Darey & Scott Bond

Album: Gatecrasher Sydney & Melbourne 2000-05-13

Artist: Paul Oakenfold

Album: Live from Creamfields, Liverpool UK 1999

Cheers,
Millsy

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In full disclosure, I absolutely despise 'Age of Sigmar', but I absolutely love this. 

Beautiful work Millsy. In looking at all the detail crammed into this pair I can only imagine the time and patience in doing it justice which you've done in flying colours. I particularly like the barding and armour of the two, especially the bone yelllow sections. Lovely brushwork that.

'Who's a good boy?! Get him a treat, will ya.'  I'm going to use my substitute minion powers expansively and give you another 10 points for this. Excellent work Millsy!

- Curt & Huck

From Millsy: Age of Sigmar Kruleboyz (163 points)

G'day All,

So I couldn't paint any more black without a break. Instead I switched tack and although I am still painting fantasy miniatures I've changed game and faction.

This week I've been painting Orruk Kruleboyz for Age of Sigmar. With the exception of the leader on big beasty this is the Age of Sigmar Spearhead force plus Da Kunnin' Krew for Warhammer Underworlds. I have a bunch more to paint and based on how much I enjoyed these the next batch will be along quick smart...

Killaboss with Stab-grot and Murknob with Belcha-banna

Whoever names these things smokes some great stuff. Whoever sculpts these things is a genius. And whoever designs the sprues and does the instructions should be incarcerated. The two big lads are enormous and top out over 40mm, towering over Grot and their Orruk minions.

Man-skewer Boltboyz

Three chonky Orruks with shootaz ready to skewer some man-things and spit roast them for dinner.

Beast-skewer Killbow

I think the guy who names these things might also be the guy who does the song titles for The Offspring. I might even rename my Killaboss to "Killboy Powerhead". This thing was a bugger to paint even in sub assemblies but it looks the business.

Gutrippaz

I mistyped this as "butrippaz" initially and was tempted to leave it. I have two more units of these, one more with stickaz and one with choppaz.

Da Kunnin' Krew

It's fair to say I've become obsessed with Orruks and am buying up everything there is in the range. Didn't need these for AoS but they will make a great Warcry warband with a couple of Butrippaz Gutrippaz thrown in. Two more 40mm beasts and a bunch of mooks for da sneaky stuff.

Points for the Point God!

• 4 x 40mm infantry = 28 points
• 14 x 28mm Orruk infantry = 70 points
• 1 x 28mm artillery(?) piece = 10 points
• 7 x 28mm Grot infantry = 35 points
• 1 x Fifth Circle: Wrath bonus = 20 points

Total = 163 points

Plus 6 skullz lurking in the swampy reeds and grass.

Artist: CamelPhat

Album: Spiritual Milk

Artist: The Offspring

Album: Americana

Artist: Hylls

Album: Once

That's everything for this week. Thanks for looking!

Cheers,

Millsy

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Oh wow!

 I have no idea what exactly I'm looking at but the minis are super cool and the paint job is fab! I'm a big fan of purples&greens so I'm predisposed to like these scary bad boyz and their nasty weaponry.

Congrats on passing through another level of hell ... what will see next?

-Sarah

From GeoffT: Ambition, Orc Warlord on Wyvern (45 points)

Hello Challengers,

For the theme of Ambition, I give you an Warhammer Fantasy Orc Warlord on Wyvern.  Orc warlords are bent on conquest, with a driving ambition to become someone in their short brutal lifetimes.

A few months ago I was given a painted 4th edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle army.  Lots of goblins and squigs, but leaderless.  This I purchased from GW, as it is now available again due to the release of the old world.

Points,

One 28mm vehicle (Wyvern) 20 points

One 28mm rider 5 points

Ambition theme 20 points.

Kind Regards

Geoff.

From Millsy:

This model is an old favourite of mine and I have one in my collection with a very similar paint scheme although I have pale skin on the wings. The green just seems to suit a wyvern so well right?

Super brushwork picking out all scales, wrinkles and folds in the skin. You've really nailed the big lizard vibe on this beastie. He'll strike terror into whatever he faces across the table I am sure.

45 more points for your tally mate. I have no idea what you'll do next which is great!

Cheers,
Millsy 

From Steve K: Savage Orcs and Spider Riders! (40 points)

 Now then,

Painting has slowed down this week due to the inevitable holiday family stuff... But, i have managed to get some Orcs and Gobbos painted up for my SAGA age of magic warband. 

First up, the Savage Orc Beserkers! These are all GW miniatures that have been rattling about in a box for a couple of years so its nice to get them done.

I decided to mark out my beserkers with some blue warpaint, It makes them stand out against the chaff Orc Boyz, and was something I wanted to have a go at.

Enjoyable to paint, and a nice break from painting more realistic looking models.

The 2 spider riders are actually characters for my Goblin force, a champion and a Shaman.

Very fiddly models to paint but very cool too. So odd looking but I think they look suitably sinister and evil.

Finally all the bad lads together. A fun couple of evenings painting.

Scores!

4 x 28mm Orcs @5pts = 20pts

2 x 28mm mounted @10pts = 20pts

Total - 40pts

Happy new year everyone!

Steve

Happy new year Stig. lovely job on these. With yours and IanW's orcs you should have enough to fight my lizardmen this year.

From GregB - 10mm Orcs for GW's Warmaster (200 points)

Ready for war! 10mm Orcs for "Warmaster" - GW metal castings.

This week's submission carries, for me, a huge dose of nostalgia - here is a force of Orcs for GW's "Warmaster". These figures are all metal castings from GW - in my opinion, some of the best metal fantasy castings ever done by GW, or done by anyone. I don't want to bore you with the long story of gradually acquiring these OOP figures over many years, keeping them as part of my Smaug-like hobby horde...but The Painting Challenge smiles upon long-unpainted figures, and for the 12th edition of the Painting Challenge, I felt it was finally time to open these packs and get paint on these Orcs!

I find I can't quite throw these away...that is probably a bad sign...

There are three units of Orc boyz, two units of Goblins, a unit of Orc boar riders, a unit of Goblin wolf chariots, along with a couple of character bases - and to cap things off, a Giant! Enough to cause plenty of trouble on a raid out of the mountains and into The Empire! 

Three Regiments of Orc boyz! The core of the army.

Beautiful castings.

So many small details...really tried to capture it...

"Warmaster" is, flat out, one of the best rule sets GW has ever produced - indeed, one of the best sets of rules, period, its core mechanics having served as an underpinning for so many other rules that followed. The accompanying line of miniatures that GW released to go along the game were amazing, just wonderful castings. Painting these was definitely a "labour of love", and I tried my best to capture the many, many small features cast on to these stunning figures - a squiq here, a bone there...all sorts of wonderful little details - many perhaps beyond my brush skill, but I gave it my best shot. 

The goblin regiments...I wish I could secure more of these units...note the Orc in the front rank to keep an eye on the other gitz...

The Giant in particular is such fun to work on - many, many, many little details, like the smashed cart on the base, the poor patrons of the cart either hiding, or already stuck into the giant's belt for consumption later...what a cool figure. He should be fun to unleash in the game.

The boar riders, ready to charge home!

Gobbo charioteers - ready to rampage!

Curt and Byron, among others, have been posting some amazing 10mm fantasy work of their own during this Challenge. They have been basing their awesome figures for other games, but for me, I wanted to do plain old fun "Warmaster", so I based the figures up for the classic game - ready, one day, I hope, to take on my Empire troops on a game with my friends! 

Here are the characters that came with the Orc starter army. The Warlord is on the right, and an Orc boss is on the left.

As I said at the open of this post, the nostalgia factor on these figures is tremendous. For me, they are a connection to GW's "Old World", still one of my favourite fantasy settings. I have a few more packs of Warmaster Orcs that I hope to paint up before this edition of the Challenge ends...after all, even with all of the Orcs you see here, this is actually a pretty compact Orc force for the game. Still, even if my brushes don't find more Orcs before Spring arrives, at least there is a force that is ready to go! 

Here is the full bunch - ready for war!

Ok - for scoring, I hope I have this figured out...but we have 96 orcs, 49 goblins, three chariots - all in 10mm - and the giant, which I thought I would score as a 28mm figure. I think that works out to 191 points, which should bring me very close to my overall target for this edition of the Challenge. Good thing, given that we are approaching the end stages of this edition of the Painting Challenge...thanks for reading, and have a great week!

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Ahh, this is fabulous, Greg. I love seeing all these 10mm fantasy armies being brought to life this Challenge. The Orcs are so iconic, especially for the Warhammer setting, so it's great to see these wonderful (and rare!) models getting treated to such fine brushwork. I really admire the clean lines, fun banners and punchy colours of these greenskins - they will look absolutely spectacular arrayed across from your Empire army. 

I'm going to add a few more points for the banners and extra details on the command stands. Beautiful work dude!

- Curt

From EvanH: A Giant Figure For One Man (50 Points)

Greetings Challengers and Challenge Fans, my third fourth entry (third completed, fourth submitted) for Challenge X comes lumbering over the battlefields of the Old World in the form of this Citadel Giant.

This is my belated Curtgeld submission for Challenge X (don't worry, I cleared it with His Big Blueness earlier in the week), and is intended as a gift for my good mate Millsy.

Millsy has been run ragged fighting the fires which have been encircling Sydney since September last year, and has consequently missed out on his normal form of holiday relaxation, i.e., painting like a maniac.

Well, I couldn't have him miss out completely, and as it was his birthday a few weeks back, I dug out this old Giant from the Garage of Shame to add to his Orcs & Goblins army, or even use as a Mercenary Giant for his Dogs of War. Portability is the key!

I've left the base free of flock or tufts, so that Millsy can customise it to match the rest of the army. I'm quite pleased with how he's turned out, and I hope Millsy likes him too!

So 25 points as a Curtgeld submission, and as he's 110mm tall, I suppose that qualifies as the equivalent of two 54mm figures, which is 20 points, near enough. So if the Minions allow, he's worth 45 points!

More on the way, but for the moment, I've got a balloon to catch!

Stay tuned...!

Ev

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Evan - this is really cool to see! It brings back so many memories of Warhammer Fantasy Battle - at least, it does for me, and hopefully for the other classic Warhammer Fantasy fans who are participating in The Challenge. In my case, the memories are not "oh, I painted that figure too", but instead are more "oh, wow, that is the kind of figure I hope I can paint one day when I figure this stuff out."  It is so neat to see a finished one!

And really, who wouldn't want to carry a big barrel of grog around, right?

I'm sure Millsy will love it. Great work. I'm adding five bonus points for the "holy smokes, one of those wish-I-could-paint-that-thing-one-day-things" having actually been painted and for the fact that it is quite large.

GregB