Working on the next big skeleton unit

So for my next big skeleton unit I am going to be using Games Workshop Grave Guard models from 1999. I like the models. However, I don't think they fit perfectly in style with other Vampire Counts miniatures from that period. Perhaps that is the reason they were very short-lived and were replaced in 2001. Also they newer made a command group for this unit which is kind of annoying.

At first, I painted all the clothes in black, and armor in dark metallic color. I wanted to add some red, since all my units have some red on them, so I decided to paint the straps in red. However, after finishing first four, I wasn't 100% satisfied. It turned out I didn't really like the red straps in the end. It just wasn't realistic since these would be definitely made in leather. So I decided to paint them in brown colors. However now I was left without any red, so I decided to ditch the rusty shields and replace them with Empire spearmen shields which I then painted in red color. These shields have the symbol of a lion on them which kind of looks like a dragon, so I think they fit quite nicely with the unit. I also decided to add some rust to the armor plating. So here is the final paint scheme I'm satisfied with:

Valdemar Von Todtstein

Son of Kain. Extremely violent and sadistic creature even by Vampire standards. Known to rip and eat the faces of his victims leaving them in horrifying state. Clad in Blood Dragon armor and draped in red cape, he is a real nightmare for people across the Empire. Eaten faces are his signature. Loyal to his father above all, he often spreads terror by his side, leaving Kain astound at times by the cruelty of his son. The slaughter of townsfolk and local man-at-arms in the village of Brashovice is where he left his biggest mark. 

In life he was an infamous, expert duelist, very hot headed. No man wanted to offend him or cross his path - it didn't take much for Valdemar to throw down the gauntlet. Every noble who did, payed with his head. In un-life his choice of weapons remained the same, a pair of dueling swords.

This is one of the Games Workshop "midhammer" Blood Dragon minis. Released in 6th edition, this line of Vampire minis is my all time favorite! Plan is to collect and paint them all, both on foot and mounted. Although traditionally Blood Dragon armor is in red color, I kind of like my armor to be in metallic colors. I gave him the red cape instead.

Berthold Brandt

After about 15 years I'm slowly returning to my Warhammer Empire army. This was my second army which I started to collect back in the year 2000, after three years of collecting Wood Elves. Vampire Counts, Empire and the Tomb Kings are my three favorite Warhammer armies, and I hope, with time, I'll manage to collect them all! :) 

I decided to start this journey with one of the characters, Berthold Brandt, a warrior priest armed with a hammer and a shield.

I like both the pose of the mini and the character. I decided to use more or less the official color scheme (which rarely happens) from the 7th edition Army Book. I think the choice of colors is great. I did however paint one of his eyes like it is blind with scaring around it from the battle wound. I think it makes the priest look more brutal, like a veteran who had his share of action. I also did some dirt stains on his clothes.

And here are some shots with neutral background:

Project Log: Altburg - Townhouse II, Part 1

Time to start working to the second house for my big Altburg project! This one will be based on the existing Tabletop World Townhouse III model, which I plan to modify quite a lot. I already did some work on the ground floor.

I started by adding wall sections and stairs to the bottom of the Tabletop World Townhouse III model. I also removed the flagstone flooring from the ground floor.

Next step was to remove some of the stone texture in order to rebuild the walls and make them look uniform. Also, I dug out the small tunnel under the stairs which will lead to the functional doors. On one side of the ground floor I added a functional window.

I decided to start the wall with a pillar to make it more interesting. I also added one stone flower-holder in the front.

Next, I will be doing the rear side. Cheers guys! 🍺

Leonard "Lenny" the Henchman

Recently I have painted another Dunkeldorf Miniatures character. This time a henchman Leonard aka Lenny. The resemblance to the rock legend Lemmy from Motorhead is obvious, hence the name Lenny I guess. I think it's a cool tribute to the man. :)

As always, it was a joy to paint one of their minis. Really crisp sculpt with just the right amount of details.

Lenny always liked to hang out with Helmut, but recently he is thinking about finding a new drinking buddy. Helmut gets hammered way to easily these days. :D

Cheers guys!🍻

Expanding the zombie horde

Every once in a while I want to (and need to) do a few zombies so that my zombie horde constantly grows. The Black Guard is still my biggest infantry unit, which does not make sense since they are an elite unit compared to zombies. I need to get to the three digit number to consider my zombie unit a decently sized horde.

Recently I bought some Forgotten World Living Dead Peasants which I intended to combine with my recently discontinued Games Workshop zombies. The size of the torso and legs fits perfectly with GW models, but heads and arms are significantly smaller. Especially the arms which are overexaggerated on GW models. They just didn't look right together.

Then I came up with an idea to combine the parts from the two kits. This way I will add variety to the unit without loosing cohesiveness. I used torsos from the Forgotten World zombies with the heads and arms from the Games Workshop zombies. I must say I was actually quite pleased how they fitted together, I didn't even end up with those bulging shoulders which is the thing I hate the most about GW zombies. I like that you get some female bodies in the FW kit which go awesomely well with those "Norma Bates" heads from the GW kit. 😁

I also like those typical, dragging, zombie legs which are featured on the FW models. So here is the result of combining the two kits:

Mortreich's Black Knights

Mortreich's Black Knights represent the spearhead of the Mortreich Legion which is comprised of Black Guard and Black Knights. When the legion marches to war Black Knights are always in the first ranks leading the skeletal warriors into battle. They are often joined by the Nightfang Specter Lord who leads the undead cavalry into unstoppable and terrifying charge. They are wielding the banner representing Mortreich's coat of arms and are considered to be his most elite troops.

Originally I intended to make the unit 24 man strong, but I decided to leave them at 16 for now. This is more then a decent number and I can easily get back to them in the future, when I feel like it, and add one more rank. Now I want to move on to other units.

Project Log: Altburg - Townhouse I, Part 16 - Final Showcase

And with all of the details done this long journey comes to an end! 🍺 I am very happy with the final result, the house turned out just how I envisioned it in my head 10 months ago when I started building the model.

In the end I decided to add even more color to the model by painting the plaster on the second floor in dark blue color and red and white stripes pattern on the window shutters. The red and white pattern for the shutters was a good call in my opinion. They make a model look really striking.

This is the first model that will be featured on my Altburg display/gaming board. Now its time to wrap it up and move to another project. So without further ado, here are the photos of the final piece:

Until the next time, cheers guys! 🍻