Orlygg's Commissions: Chaos Champion (Slambo)

Now that I have got my painter's block well and truly subdued, I have cracked on with another project I have had on the go for a while. That of the commission that Steve 'Citadel Collector' Casey made in return for a rare Alpine Dwarf model - which long term readers will know I have been after for a while. 

He was after a classic Citadel Chaos Warrior and a shield (one of the ogre face jobs that many of my chaos units have) and we spoke about suitable models. Eventually, we settled on Slambo and instead of just doing another shield, I suggested having a go at something I had been wanting to do for a while - painting chaotic little faces on the armour itself! 

Well that project is complete... As you can see here. 

I think Steve is happy with it. Hopefully, over the next few days I shall have a spare moment to wrap him up and send him off.

My next commission is something a bit bigger in scale!

A dragon!!

Orlygg

A Warhammer Bestiary: Lizardman

I must confess to not having got much painting in lately. Its a sad consequence of my profession, as Septembers are notoriously busy for school teachers, especially teachers who have three classes of 30 children to get to know! Still, I am starting to get into a pattern of working (largely involving me rushing around all day long at work) which allows a little bit of time for painting. 

As many of you will recall, I have an ongoing project called 'A Warhammer Bestiary' in which I am attempting to paint a single model for each and every entry in the Third Edition rulebook. I have painted quite a few models already, so of which have been incorporated in to my other armies, but found myself stalling with the lizardmen. In fact, the model you can see here was started months previously but ended up rather neglected as I just couldn't work out how to best paint it. 

In the end, I just went for it and am fairly happy with the result, though its not a classic. Still, its broken the painter's block that I have been suffering with this project, so that is a good thing.

The model you can see here is one of the pre-slotta lizardmen sculpted (I think) by Tom Meier. I built up around the base of the model to create a flat surface and opted to keep the jungle theme I had started with my Coatl model some months previously!

The paintjob was simple and quick. Just a dark green base followed by a green ink wash. Once this was dry, I added layers of green (using Bilious Green) to build up the scales. Red was used as a spot color for the eye and scabbard. The gold was also very easy to do. Just a simple basecoat, chestnut wash and then a gold followed by silver highlight. 

I even added aquatic plants to the base in another experiment in doing something different. I am not sure if I was totally successful here, but no matter. I can all ways pull them off at a later date!

Delving into the background of the lizardmen at the this point in Warhammer's history was also interesting. Their relationship with the Slann is prevalent as you would expect, Only, here they are the product of a failed genetic experiment and were actively hunted down by the Slann, and largely destroyed. The entry goes on to state that the lizardmen live an underground existence, deep than even the dwarfs or goblins, and only rarely appear in the sunlight world for raids. Though not evil, they alignment is alien to those of the sunlight world and communication between them is very rae.

Looking at their rules lizardmen are quite hardy. They are immune to panic and fear reactions as they are extremely solid and resolved. They are also unaffected by the stench of troglodytes and lead units of these foul reptile beasts.

So all in all, a unit of these models is a worthwhile addition for any Oldhammerer, as they are perfect cast members for mysterious raids, tunnel attacks and alien alliances. 

Anyways, onwards to the next model! 

Orlygg

Fighting Fantasy: Official Miniatures on the Horizon and Zagor Review

Regular readers will no doubt recall my post from last week reviewing the excellent You Are The Hero: The History of Fighting Fantasy by Jonathan Green. Well, I can tell you that it was a very popular post and hopefully persuaded a good number of you to get your own copy. Sadly, I wasn't able to attend the 'official launch of the book at the first Fighting Fantasy Fest, due to it being too close to the start of a new school year for me. 

However, I have picked up news about a 'special miniature' that was given out (much like our own Oldhammer Goblin) at the event, an Otherworld Miniatures version of Zagor, the Warlock of Firetop Mountain. Though limited edition, he is still available from the Otherworld Miniatures webstore so I bought one. The image above clearly shows you what you get. 

The image below gives you a closer look of the miniature safe inside its clampack. 

And a rare rear shot of the miniature, now free of the horror of the clampack!

Some people will no doubt be wondering about scale. People always do and I am happy to say that the Otherworld version fits very nicely alongside a classic lump of Citadel lead. As can be seen here... Though it has to be said, the arms and legs seem much frailer. 

I found a painted example taken from the Fantasy Fest via Joao Sousa from the Oldhammer Group which I have shared here, along with some interesting looking dragons. From what others have said, it seems that Otherworld will be producing further models in a range of FF inspired sculpts.

Though that is not all it seems...

Check out these...

Lizard-King!

Bloodbeast!!

Shapechanger!!!

These models are not by Otherworld. They are part of a forthcoming range by Pure Evil Miniatures, which I am reliably informed will be Kickstarted soon and should be available for purchase in the new year. 

Amazing aren't they! 

More news when I can sniff some out! 

Antiquis Malleum: 21st Century Slomm and co!

I expect some of you old hands and Oldhammer history buffs will recognise the image above. Its Leaping Slomm Two Face, one of the chaos characters used to illustrate the mutation system in the First Citadel Compendium back in 1983 (I think!). This really was a forerunner of what would later be published in Slaves to Darkness, and several examples of the creatures that could be made with the system where provided. Slomm was one of them. 

Like the other examples in that article, a series of limited release miniatures were produced to represent them, though sadly the Slomm example is now extremely rare - so rare I have never actually see another example save for this photograph and I believe that Steve 'Citadel Collector' Casey doesn't even own one! 

Now that IS rare! 

Later on, Citadel released a different version of Slomm, this one looking much more dynamic and aggressive than the first example - who to be honest, looked a little forlorn! This second example so fairly large scale production and can be picked up on eBay for about £15 or so these days. 

Tim Prow, former 'Eavy Metal painter and Antiquis Malleum sculptor, had an example of this second model on his desk as he had long been a fan of the figure. So for no other reason that because he wanted to, and having a bit of spare time, he created his own 21st century version entitled rather provisionally 'The Son of Slomm'. Earlier on this week we shared a few teaser pictures of this model, but I am now happy to say that we can reveal the whole thing!

Here we go!

The Son of Slomm!

The model is multi-part and can be broken down as such into four pieces. Talking to Mick Leech, owner of Eastern Front Studios, he told me that he plans to do most likely produce a set of different heads and or weapons to further customise this model. So look out for more news there when we get it! 

When I posted up the details of the other models, those of Matthias Witherheart and his warband, there was much talk of more close up images so that fans could have a look at the detail. Well, Tim has provided that too, and its here. One thing that is worthy of note though, is that this is only SOME of the miniatures that will be available (hopefully later this year) as many others are in the US and were sculpted by Drew Williams. So watch this space! 

Oskar the Writhing, Matthias Witherheart and Gregror Sinblister built and ranked up. Don't worry, you don't have to use round bases!

Two of the beastmen that will soon see the like of day. There will be other models in this range too - with an emphasis on .non-goaty' beastmen. 

A scale shot showing off the smaller miniatures alongside the snakemen. As with the Son of Slomm, hopefully we will see additional parts for the snakemen to help create additional figures. 

The Son of Slomm figure alongside Oskar and Gregor. He is a good size, but should match the other larger creatures produced in metal during the 1980s. 

Here we can compare the relative sizes of the snakeman champion and the proposed Son of Slomm model. 

 And finally, a shot of all of the models put together.

What do you think?

Orlygg

Antiquis Malleum Master Castings Have Arrived!

And here they are! The metal masters of the miniatures we have waited a long time to see. Designed by Tony Ackland, sculpted by Drew Williams and Tim Prow and put into production by Eastern Front Studios.

I really am looking forwards to painting these up!

Now, where is that Kickstarter?

Antiquis Malleum Is Coming....

Snakeman by Tim Prow

The Antiquis Malleum project has been quiet of late. If you need a reminder about the project, click on the labels below or follow the link here. But noises are starting to be heard once more. These noises suggest that master castings are only days away from delivery and Mick Leach is hoping for a winter launch.

Realm of Chaos 80s will continue to bring you news of these Third Edition inspired models as soon as we can. 

Until then, what could these belong to?

Gary Chalk Wizard Art Mystery Solved!

A series of Gary Chalk GW originals are for sale online at the moment. Here is a link to the auction if you are interested. Though the prices seem rather high to my inexperienced art buying eyes! Its certainly been a day of discoveries - with the goblin inspired Talisman, the photograph of Bryan Ansell in 1979 and now the solution to a mystery nearly thirty years old....

What was under the black spot in this famous image?

Well, here is the answer! A Tzeentch symbol!

It still doesn't explain why the symbol was removed for the article on Colour Magic. Perhaps they were trying to suggest that the wizards were not chaotic?

If you are interested in Gary Chalk's work, don't forget to check out my interview with him here! 

What a day!

Orlygg