Heroes for Wargames: Dioramas

Today's post sees us delve back into the essential Oldhammer reference book, Heroes for Wargames for one final time. Now most of us love dioramas though few of us have the skill and patience to produce one. The Oldhammer Movement has yet to capitalise on the concept though I expect it's only a matter of time until we see one or two emerge, hopefully in the style of those presented below. I have selected two of my favourite dioramas from the book, both of which I have never seen online before.

Here goes...

I am not sure who, or whom, is responsible for this battle scene but isn't it impressive? I love the way the colours all merge into each other so it seems that you are looking not at a miniatures display, but an oil painting by some old master. Now if I was to put money on those behind this model, I'd say the Perry's. What do you think? The buildings are also evocative and really remind me of the more recent plastic Fortified Manor, so perhaps Dave Andrews had a hand in this one too. Anyone know for sure?

Next , we have a box diorama by Colin Dixon. Loads of classic sculpts in this one too. I always loved the ambient storytelling that goes into displays like these. You find yourself inventing your own stories as you study the piece.

Love 'em!

Orlygg

'Eavy Metal: Ancient Gems

Hello fellow followers of the antiquus malleus.

I wonder how many of you are aware that 'Eavy Metal was not the first painting article in WD about the joys of miniature painting? That a regular series of articles predated the famous painter's column. If you were there man, I wonder if you could recall its name? I am talking about Tabletop Heroes. And before you ask, I wasn't aware of its existence either. Not until I read a post (I forget who by, sorry) on the Bloodforum that suggested going deeper into the WD archive in search of hidden gems of ancient antiquity. 

So I did!

Well the first article I am going to share with you is an edition of this aged regular column of the mid 80s. Interestingly, it was written by Joe Dever and Gary Chalk of gamebook fame.

No NMM here.

Funny how the article ends with a reference to Citadel's new LotR miniatures. Times don't change. 

The standard bearer is a converted Fighting Fantasy 60mm plastic kit. While the Rider of Rohan, with the blue, yellow and orange shield, is an early contribution from 'Eavy Metal painter Paul Benson. 

What did you think of the models? They are beautiful and imaginative are they not? Produced before this age of pathetic rules (hey mate, you are painting your Space Marines the wrong colour) and petty traditions. The dioramas look natural and character full. The miniatures themselves are intricate and detailed. Even though these models were cast and painted nearly 30 years ago, they do not resemble toys. Which cannot be said of much of the chunky, souless  plastic of contemporary days.

The 'art' is there because the sculptors and painters were passionate enough about putting it there. Many modern painters on the CMON scene have incredible technical skills, but one paint job merges very easily into another and there seems to be little scope for personal style or real innovation. 

Talking of innovation, how incredible are these painted '80s dragons? This article represents the greatest collection of them anywhere. Sure the photography and printing are a little primitive, but my limited knowledge of the publishing process in the mid 80s tells me that a spread as detailed as this would have taken some real effort.

Just compare the love and care taken over these articles with the reams of bland models that choke the pages of modern White Dwarf. These models were considered works of art, and were treated and presented as such.

Colin Dixon's dragon mounted on that skull is one of the most dynamic dioramas I think I have ever seen!

Awe-inspiring.

More awe.

I have posted these dioramas before but its nice to see them presented in a different way with a
little written background. 

These dioramas just re-enforce why I prefer metal models over plastic. Its the depth and variety of poses.
These sculpts are all individual models that look like separate entities, not bland generic poses ranked ad nauseum . 

Finally, an '80s double page 'Eavy Metal spread from the master of miniature painting. Just look at this spread. Image how difficult a job setting this collection of his work out would have been in the mid '80s! There are quite a few pieces from Blanche in here that I have not really seen before (as well as a closer look at that classic diorama) and his work just proves my point that an artist's individual vision will over ride technical brilliance every time. 

There are a 1001 painters out there whose skill far exceeds Blanche's, but the far majority (think 99.999%) lack his understanding of art itself. 

Technique can never be a replacement for soul.

The Mona Lisa appeared in many of Blanche's '80s pieces, both on canvas and lead. 

The twisted and wonderful. '80s Citadel (and other manufacturers) in Blanchitsu glory.

Hope you enjoyed these.

More soon.

Orlygg.

Are you an Oldhammer General?

A flying visit today, just to prove that I am not dead really! The abomnible combination of work, family, commuting ( a new ill for me) and not to mention the wife's new desire to move house have all conspired to prevent me from blogging, or indeed, even painting!

One thing I can do is direct the many hundreds of visitors that this blog gets daily, thanks to you all, to quality third edition related links.

Last time it was the incredible Three Flies For Nurgle, and those of you who have not frequented that blog, then why not?

This time its the fascinating Oldhammer Generals blog. The propriator of said blog is none other than Jonathan Merry Esq. He has gone to the trouble of scanning for us some of the startling dioramas put together by the legendary Colin Dixon ( a man who deserves a post entirely devoted to his early 80s work ) which, though simple by model standards, have an immediacy and narrative often lost on more contemporary  efforts.

But that is quite enough from me, I like the images to speak for themselves.

How many of those classics are in your collection then?

Here are a few links you may find interesting.

http://www.solegends.com/citjour87a/index.htm

http://oldhammergenerals.blogspot.co.uk/

So do yourself a favour, support Jonathan over at his blog and (hopefully) he will put on more quality old school goodness like this soon.

Big post promised on the weekend. We will be having an in depth look at the only scenario published for Third outside the rulebooks.

Orlygg.

Dioramadrama: 80s Orc Assaults

Orc Assault by Ivan Bartlett. I love the cut through approach with this diorama as well as all the little details; the corpse in the dungeon, the sappers breaking through, the goblin waiting above the trap door, the artillery... I could go on and on.  

It seems that the model makers of 80s Citadel had a particular fondness for assaults involving orcs, or indeed, orks. The goblinoids were the atypical fantasy baddie in days before the 'flavour of the month races or armies' of more modern times.

This is a shame, since there is something deeply insidious about the greenskin, don't you think? By greenskin, I don't mean the massively muscular brute circa 2012, with their moronic, identikit faces but proper orcs, or indeed, orks.

The crooked, gangly characters that ooze a malign but comic disposition. And there is plenty of that character splattered about these wonderful dioramas.

 I have a feeling that this one, which makes excellent use of the Mighty Fortress, was built by Dave Andrews. Some of you may recognise it from Warhammer Siege. Lots of lovely citadelesque orcs on display here. I love the crossbow man about to finish off the fallen orc!

Though fantasy, this diorama was constructed for Advanced Heroquest. Ivan Bartlett built the scenery here from clay. I am particularly fond of the the shield designs on the skaven.  

Finally, a Mike McVey ork assault from good old Rogue Trader. I love the bloodied orcs! 

Hope you enjoy these excellent dioramas as much as the last load I posted. The images got picked up by quite a few other blogs and tumblr accounts- spreading the 3rd edition/Rogue Trader message to the masses.

Enjoy!

Orlygg.

Dioramadrama: Rogue Trader Old School Stuff

I've given up!

I'm going have to collect Rogue Trader too. Quite where that will fit into the 'grand plan', who knows!?

These dioramas are tipped me over the edge. The John Blanche diorama I posted earlier got a fantastic response, and I'd found these alongside it, so I have decided to post them too.

Fantastic aren't they?

Again, I'm letting the models speak for themselves.

However, I'm not one hundred percent who they are by. Gut instinct says Mike McVey but if you know different please comment and give us the full facts.

Orlygg.

Dioramadrama: John Blanche's Undead Assault, Mid 80s.

Good morning (or indeed afternoon, or even evening, depending on where you are) and welcome back to my blog.

Only a quick post today as I've got loads to do, including trying to get my wolf riders finished,  as what with all this scanning I'm not getting much painting done! I just started to write a couple of more 'scholarly' posts about our period but they may be some time to complete, if at all, really. During my research, I stumbled across a couple of sites that had some excellent images and resources on them.

This one I just had to share.

I've never been to Warhammer World; I always wanted to go there when I returned to GWplc hobby in 2004. The gaming, the shopping and of course, the hall of miniatures...  I binned 'official' GW late July last year and these days it would just be the miniatures that would draw me in; if I happened to be in Nottingham and had nothing to do, I'd visit!

I don't know if this is still on display there; its the undead diorama as seen on page 180-181 of the 3rd edition rulebook by John Blanche. Mid 80s.

Mind-blowing, isn't it?

I'll let the images speak for themselves.

Big thanks to Mabden for the images.

Orlygg.