Re: Oropher's WIP Thread - Mirkwood Armoured Elves

Oropher · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:43 pm

pHi all,

I mentioned in a previous thread that I have recently (Christmas) got back into the whole LOTR hobby after giving it all up a long long time ago. Probably close to 10 years...
Anyway what got me keen again was thinking back to one of the best Christmas days I had when I was younger. It was getting a huge amount of LOTR boxsets and spending the entire day building and painting my models. This suddenly got me really motivated into digging a bunch of old models out the attic and do a spot of painting.

2 months later and I'm still really keen for it and have quickly got back into the swing of things. This site has really been a huge help/inspiration to me, great to see so many people psyched for the hobby.

I just thought I'd share a few photos of my current WIP. These are some of the first models I've painted since being a school kid! Not the best quality pictures so apologies there... I'll try to upload some more when I get a chance.

Any comments/tips/criticism would be greatly appreciated.

BillFerny333 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:48 pm

Excellent paint work, especially given a 10 year hiatus. Bases look great as well. If anything, maybe run a wash over the hair before the highlights to give it a bit more depth, but that's just minor. Welcome back!

Bandobras Took · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:54 pm

That is a really nice standard you've got there with a great looking army so far. For your first minis in 10 years that is excellent! :yay:

Your bases are great as well. The skin also looks good.

My only pointers at this stage would be your shield faces look a little flat. Perhaps a highlight round the edge would help this?
Also, from what I can see, the steel areas could do with a touch more highlighting on the tips and edges. Not too thick a highlight but just enough to "lift" the look of the blades/spear heads.

But overall great work and welcome back to the hobby

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:27 pm

After a 10 year break, I would love to be that good. I will be interested to see how you develop from here, there is talent here I think.

Hodush · **Posted:** Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:03 pm

Looks great! Welcome back!

Erunion · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2014 12:31 am

Wonderful work on these guys. Despite the fact that they need some tweaks to their profiles the Rohan miniatures are awesome. They were my first army, and unfortunately, I've never re-visited them to finish the collection, but they hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to seeing more of your work!

Lord Hurin · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2014 12:39 am

Really nice work, and some of my favourite models to boot! I'm looking forward to more updates from you!

Crucium Giger · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2014 12:31 pm

That's some pretty nifty painting after a ten year break.

Oropher · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:02 pm

Thanks ever so much for all the replies everyone. It is very encouraging!

I've been working on a some bases today. Quite pleased with how Gamling's is turning out, but still not convinced on the shield idea...? Needs more grass and touching up I reckon as well.

Also not sure on what to do with Hama's base, maybe something similar to Gamling's or just leave it more plain... Any thoughts?
Again, sorry as not the greatest quality of photo!

theavenger001 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2014 6:59 am

Well done, and it's great to see you back! Am I remembering correctly that you made a sweet diorama of Durin's door outside Moria?

Dior · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2014 7:19 am

Your photography is excellent. I like your painting alot.
One criticism... I thought Hama had a brown hair and beard? Because I thought I was looking at two Gamling models.

Ok so tell us what have you been painting in the ten years since? Surley something?

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Mar 07, 2014 3:15 pm

I like the shield idea, it makes it unique.

Oropher · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2014 5:23 pm

Dior wrote:

Ok so tell us what have you been painting in the ten years since? Surley something?

I have literally painted nothing in that time, although I may have dabbled for a couple of days 4/5 years ago. But apart from that, nothing at all.

Gotta say I'm really enjoying it at the moment. Very keen!

I found Merry the other day, stashed in a box, kitted in his Rohan garb and decided to add him to my small force. Here is my current progress, along with 3 Royal Guard. He has been fun to paint so far and made a nice change. Just about finished bar some final highlighting etc.

Looking forward to basing them all and lining them up alongside the rest of the army!

Aulë, the Valar · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2014 5:29 pm

your minis look really nice, dont you dare to leave the hobby again

Hodush · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 2:37 am

Nice work on Merry

Oropher · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2014 11:36 pm

Cheers guys!

Eomer up next!

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Fri Mar 14, 2014 4:07 pm

Rohan is one of the best looking forces and you have certainly made them look great. Looking forward to seeing more!

Oropher · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2014 9:14 pm

So its been a month or so since I last picked up my brush. Other things have been taking up my time and it's been hard to find a moment to sit down and focus on just painting.

However the other day I was finally able to make some time! I found an unpainted cave troll in a box and very quickly got motivated to give it a whirl. I remember always being put off painting something like this as it generally seemed/looked hard to get right.

Here are a couple shots of my WIP. Still a way to go but fairly pleased so far... Having fun painting something new and different!

Oropher · **Posted:** Wed Jun 04, 2014 4:26 pm

Okay so he's still not finished yet but I was keen to post up my progress.
I'd appreciate any tips anyone might have. He seems a little 'light' in these pics... Ideally could be darker I'm thinking.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:02 pm

It depends what you are after as for advice.
Personally I think it looks way too light. When I painted mine the rear scales were a shadow grey sort of colour that blended to dwarf flesh on the front skin. Therefore the lightest tone I had is way darker than the shade area on yours.
Again this is personal choice but you certainly need to more contrast between light and dark areas.

Re: Oropher's WIP Thread - Mirkwood Armoured Elves

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