Dumbledore's Army [new DE and old LM]

[Dumbledore]

My first army, lizards, can be seen in sir shvantselot's thread here.

My next project is a black guard themed DE combat list. The first model, my Dreadlord and general, is done. Next will come some converted Knights.



The army as a whole will have the same red highlights, wood, cold armour and warm rocky bases, while the purple drake will help him stand out somewhat. Feedback and criticism very welcome!

[Turhake]

That is one awesome Dreadlord! I really love the red color, it makes a great contrast with the rest of the model's colors. Looking forward to those knights!

By the way, where did you get that dreadlord model? The only one I've seen being sold is the dreadlord with the "pick" and shield. Which is really a disappointment, since that GW-drake one is much more awesome. Do you have to mail order it or something?

[bigcheese76]

That is very nicely painted, well done, that unit should look great when all done.

[Dumbledore]

Here's the start of the first COK. His arms are ready, but I'll paint them before sticking them on. He will be the standard bearer as I can't wait to do my first freehand.





I've started painting the cold one and will post a picture once he is finished.

[Indreth]

The title of your thread is great

The minis are nicely done so far. The hero with the two-handed weapon look absolutely great, especially the weapon itself! I also like the light effect on his base and the strong red you used on him. Keep up the work.
Cheers

[swifty2]

That dreadlord looks totally amazing, I mean seriously sweet, looking forward to the standard. Thread titles cool too

[Dumbledore]

@ Turhake - The model is from the gw website, under the "collectors" section of the Dark Elves store area. Also note the lovely Mengil Manhide's Manflayers and BSB on dark steed - both things I aim to buy.

@ bigcheese76 - I'll finish the BG after my cold ones, although I may paint up a bolt thrower in between. You can see my test model in the BG unit. The BG will be painted more like the Dreadlord than the test model.

@ the rest - I'm glad you like the painting and the joke title, I rofl a little bit inside each time I open this thread.

[sir_shvantselot]

Dumbledore - this is truly amazing stuff. You need to give me a step by step dummies guide as to how you did the nmm sword. I am surprised you are so enamoured with dark elves though. They are a killer army so I looked carefully at the range on gw web site and I was so disappointed. Apart from the cold ones and some of the metal characters. The spearmen are dire, the dark riders are dire, the harpies are unmentionable. Even the black guard look like they're made by crocodile games , ie vey chunky and overscale for elves. I like your basing too on these though. I see your salary is being well spent. Look forward to seeing the cold one riders. Not sure how people paint the scales without dry brushing. Best wishes. Sir schvants.

[Cassarus]

That dreadlord looks gorgeous!
I'm really looking forward to see where this army is going!

[Dumbledore]

Yeah the warriors (spearmen and crossbow - same kit) are tedious at best. Your views on BG are heresy, they are some of my favourite models ever. They are to the same build and scale as other GW elves, with narrow waists, thin faces and light arms. Their weapons are suitable pointy and evil looking, and I really love their armour. The harpies I am going to convert with daemonette bodies, ghoul arms and gargoyle wings (40k tryanid things). Dark riders I will either convert with warrior, corsair and wood elf sets or wait until the rumoured new plastic kit comes out.

On the painting side of things I have learnt so much since my lizardmen! A lot was from reading GeOrc's plog and a lot was from the last lizard I painted - my slann. GeOrc's techniques are very very different from how I painted before. I've nearly done the cold one (painted his tail as a test last night) and should have that as an example tonight or tomorrow.

We should have a hobby session at brent X or your table sometime - some fun smaller games maybe, and some painting.

The basing is using stuff from the model (the gold hawk thing underfoot) and the "warhammer basing kit" (the stones and skull etc).

[Dumbledore]

Ugh. I'm tired. Before I go to bed, here's a cold one. The scales on the tail are done, the rest is only basecoated. The skin is pretty much done, only needs tidying and maybe a little extra tinting and highlighting. Enjoy. (and thanks for the kind feedback)



PS - I'm very happy with the darkening tail-end!

[LocaLicious]

Looks like a rly good choice of colours for that cold one. I did a white skin - blue scales raptor as well once. But this one seems to be headed in a better dirrection
good job
also, the dreadlord is stunning!

[Dumbledore]

The Cold One is done, only the metal, leather and base is left to do (I might twiddle with the horns too though). The metal and leather I will do at the same time as the rider.

[Dumbledore]

It's freehand time...



This is my first freehand attempt. A few thing's I'd do different and a few things I'll change. What do you guys think it needs?

[Asylsoekande]

I'm lovin every bit of this model, ace painting both on the Cold one and the banner!

[MalusCalibur]

This is my first freehand attempt.

I hope this isn't true or I'm going to weep. Your freehand is AMAZING - I'd expect to see such work in the pages of WD.

[Demrush]

Wow, awesome banner!

[Dumbledore]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I got bored and added a meteor and some more fancy edging (nothing very fancy, just a simple yellow trim on the corners). I'll photo it whenever the next stage of painting is done (either another freehand on the other side - probably of a crystal blade - or just some painting of the rider).

This really is my first freehand - my last and first army was LM, with no opportunity for freehand at all. I'm glad you people like my work anyway

[N0th1ng c4n b34t 3lv3s]

One second I thought it'd be a Harry Potter army...

Your dark elves are amongst the best I've seen!

[Dumbledore]

I've made some progress on the rider. The bulk of the work is done, with only the face, hair, arms and shoulder-details left to do, along with tidying of the cloth and painting some trims.



I included the Dreadlord as I sprayed him with purity seal. The matt ("satin") surface has made only a marginal difference to photos but a HUGE improvement in person as there aren't those crazy reflections everywhere from the thick glossy varnish. The blending on the armour is now much more noticeable, especially at a distance. He will look much more badass when crushing enemies on the field thanks to purity spray.