Bandobras' WIP - Elrond (08/16)

Oropher · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:50 pm

Agree with you on how thin some of these new models look compared to some of the older stuff. But you have made a lovely job of this one. The gold armour is perfect!

Bandobras Took · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:01 pm

Thanks guys!

@CaptainBlake - For the gold I wanted a more Autumn-y feel to it so I started with a base coat of Gehenna's Gold (Shining Gold) mixed with a little Warpstone Glow (Snot Green). Then I gave it a wash of Thraka Green, followed by a wash of Agrax Earthshade. Then I highlighted with Burnished Gold (this was more like a layer on the breast-plate), followed by a couple of glazes of Ogryn Flesh. Finally, I highlighted with Runefang Steel (Mithril Silver) and then took some slightly thinned Chaos Black and carefully defined each of the plates on his arms and the central ornate pattern on the breastplate after painting it Leadbelcher (Bolton Metal) and highlighting with Runefang Steel.

@Gandlaf - Here are some pics.
The outside:

And the inside:

The inside wall looks better in the photos I think than it does in real life unfortunately... :roll:

I just don't feel like it will do the miniatures justice as I will want to spend a lengthy amount of time on each in order to make them as good as I can possibly make them.
I also find that part of the problem with this is the fact that I chose to do the inside wood details with greenstuff and when compared to the plasticard ones on the outside, it just doesn't look as good.
What are your thoughts on this?

Harfoot · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:16 pm

Great Elf Captain, the base works well. Good painting on the face, i didn't realise about the size difference.

Don't apologise for lengthy post's, always enjoy reading them

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:48 pm

Okay, I think the issue is the inside needs a bit more attention.
The windows could do with an insert to frame them, I used some plastic tubing which I cut to the thickness of the wall.
Use a very light colour, something like a buff colour to lightly dry brush the wood. This should pick out the highlights and help create a wood feel.
I would look to the inside stone slabs being a greyer colour to differentiate from the wood.
The outside brickwork wants some dark shading on the the face of the bricks, literally jet dabbed on, you don't need to be precise, the more random the better the look.
Hope this helps.

Bandobras Took · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:08 pm

Thanks Gandlaf - that definitely helps. I meant to mention that I was already planning inserts and "glass" for the windows themselves anyway but that won't be happening until the rest of the wall is completed in order to avoid messing up the clear plastic that will comprise the glass! In terms of the painting, I'll definitely give that a go and hopefully that solves the problem. If it doesn't, I may well resort to my earlier idea of forming a hill at the back but it may not come to that.

Thanks again. I really enjoy reading your constructive criticism. It is extremely beneficial

@Harfoot - Thank you

Coenus Scaldingus · **Joined:** Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:14 am **Posts:** 1121

Those new Mirkwood figures are indeed pretty different in scale from the LotR era minis, very thin and delicate (and in that, rather the opposite of Warhammer). Personally much preferred to the clunky old plastics, though it's also a pity they don't mix well. The difference seems a tad less noticeable for somewhat bulkier armoured figures.

Anyway, great looking captain! Worthy of a good paintjob, and although yours may have been speedy, it certainly brought him to life.

Bandobras Took · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:37 pm

@Coenus - Fair enough. Warhammer does have weird proportions (different type of 28mm scale?). I guess my comparison of their thinness was misplaced, so my genuine thanks for pointing that out

I do think that the Mirkwood Elves have some resemblance to their Warhammer equivalents, although this is probably more noticeable in the Mirkwood Rangers' clothing and poses in some cases. Then again, I think Warhammer's Wood Elves took a lot of their inspiration from Tolkien anyway so... :roll:

Bandobras Took · **Posted:** Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:10 pm

Well, Bag End as a terrain piece is now officially finished and one of the minis is now painted and fixed in place. All that remains is for me to paint up Gandalf (already undercoated) and add him to the diorama and then this project will be completely and utterly done!!!

So, I thought I'd share a couple of 'teaser' photos of how it looks. I don't want to take a full shot yet as it's still missing one figure obviously but still wanted to share. I am so happy with how this project has turned out and am also so grateful to all of you who gave me advice, comments and criticism along the way, especially "Gandlaf".

Between my last update and now:
- I lightened the colour of the inside wall to a light cream
- I gave the inside wood detailing a light dry brush with Rakarth Flesh (but left the indoor flooring the way it was as I wanted it to look as close to the brown tiling in the film)
- Deepened the shading on the outer red brickwork
- I completed painting the door
- I added plastic tubing inserts to the windows, painted mid-dark green (no 'glass' - just didn't work)
- Glued on a variety of static grasses, flock and other greenery
- Painted and added the fence and gate
- Added a wooden 'mahogany' table and Bilbo's walking stick to the inside
- And I painted up Bilbo Baggins and added him to the piece

So... a very busy few days but thoroughly enjoyable. Now I just can't wait to paint Gandalf...

Here are my 'teaser' pics. I envisage having my Gandalf mini completed by the end of next week followed by some full shots of the diorama...

Harfoot · **Posted:** Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:49 pm

Perfect, just perfect, the whole thing, Bilbos face is so well painted. One day i want to do something like this.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Jan 02, 2015 9:56 pm

Tzat extra work has made all the difference. It's surprising, just an extra little highlight here and there can suddenly made things pop.
The inside cream colour really works well and I agree on keeping the floor as it was.
Bilbos face is epic, first class job mate.

Sithious · **Posted:** Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:37 am

Wow. that looks fantastic.

Bandobras Took · **Posted:** Mon Jan 05, 2015 10:54 pm

Thanks everyone!

Well, Gandalf is now complete and added to the diorama. So all that remains is for me to display some pics of the finished product. Once again I'd like to thank everyone who gave me advice on this. This whole project has been a real learning curve for me with some really tough things to get my head around but I'm so glad I finished it, and I think I've learnt things that will help me with future projects like this! I'm really happy with the whole thing and am proud to place this on the very top shelf of my cabinet! Hope you enjoy

Oldman Willow · **Posted:** Mon Jan 05, 2015 11:06 pm

Well Done!

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:39 am

Great job, you should be proud of what you have done.
Like with mine, you learn things you don't expect you would need to. This will stand you in good stead for future projects.

Mars_2000 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2015 1:20 am

Excellent work !
Beautiful diorama.
My congratulations.

Coenus Scaldingus · **Joined:** Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:14 am **Posts:** 1121

Great painting on the Gandalf, an excellent inclusion and conclusion to the diorama, which turned out to become a lovely piece.

Crucium Giger · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:31 pm

Fantastic job all round

paliouras · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:45 pm

very beautiful, you should be proud!!

Gene Parmesan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:58 pm

Lovely work. A few flowers might be in order though perhaps?

Bandobras Took · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2015 4:17 pm

Thanks everyone!

Gene Parmesan wrote:

Lovely work. A few flowers might be in order though perhaps?

Thanks. Yes, I did try to make them from round-headed pins but that didn't really work. So if I do add them in the future, I'll need to buy myself some proper modelling flowers. It won't be happening anytime soon though as I'll be far too busy over the next few months to do any hobby work. Thanks for the feedback

Bandobras' WIP - Elrond (08/16)

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