Thursday 15 March 2018

Citadel Spectres and Skeletons


FEAR not loyal reader, the prolonged absence since my last post is not indicative of a weakening resolve regarding this project (well it sort of is, more on which in a moment...) and I have been gradually working my way through the small pile of solid-base goodies I have amassed since this blog began. Employment has been intermittent over the last four-or-so months so I have been undertaking some commission painting for a friend to provide those all-important hobby funds. This does of course sadly mean less time for painting my own stuff, but my situation is now improving and I should be back to full-functionality shortly.

Another excuse for my tardiness is that I have had a number of gaming-shaped distractions since December, although all of them have been welcome. This began last November with a friend purchasing the new Necromunda box-set. We've played a fair few games since and I have to say overall I am  impressed with GW's re-imagining of a game we played a lot in our youths, if not with the outrageously gougey manner in which they are releasing it. Needless to say I'm not touching the new plastics ('though they're actually rather nice) and instead have a bunch of 1e Cawdor gangbangers soaking in a jam jar of Dettol as I write. Our group have also got in a few sessions of WHQ since January, never once making it through to the fabled Objective Room - which is precisely as I remember it. Other than that I have also assembled a warband and am building (non-frosty) terrain for Frostgrave, which we did briefly dally with upon its release, but have decided to revisit more thoroughly. I've gone late eighties Citadel for this and will post the models here as they are completed. Oh yeah, I've also got five RT SM Scouts I need to get painted for a RT game at the end of April over at Jamie Loft's manse (he of Old School Miniatures). So nothing too demanding, which is nice. I have some 10mm Copplestone fantasy tucked-away for a future mass-battle project, but that can wait.

RPG-wise things have been quiet since our Black Hack sessions last autumn/winter. I am waiting for Gavin Norman over at Necrotic Gnome Productions to complete all the B/X Essential books (three down, two to go) before launching into a fresh campaign, for which I will use Raging Swan Press's amazing Duchy of Ashlar/Gloamhold setting.

So, that's the situation. Without further ado, on with the minis!

First up we have a pair of C18 Spectres from the First Citadel Compendium (Oct 1983), although the second spook was previously part of the Fiend Factory range as 'FF72 Spectre'. Went for a simple paintjob here, perhaps too simple in retrospect, but hey-ho: they'll do for the table.



Next up we have nine Skeletons from the Fantasy Tribes Skeletons (FTS) range, sculpted by the Perry bros.. Fiddly little buggers to paint. Earnestly wish I'd used a series of washes and glazes instead of the usual layering, but, again, these look fine on the tabletop - it's just up-close that they come across a bit 'amateur hour'! And at least my Ral Partha Necromancer won't feel lonely anymore! Got this chap primed and based - he'll do nicely as a champion/leader/whatever. As usual your comments are gratefully received. 




9 comments:

  1. I like them! Very bright without being cheesy. Good paintjob: how did you do the spectres?

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    1. Thanks! Just been looking at your Sea Elves - wonderful work. The Spectres were base-coated Citadel Ice Blue (now Lothern Blue, I believe) and dry-brushed with about two highlights (Ice Blue+white). I then mixed some Vallejo Glaze Medium with Ice Blue and applied a heavy glaze to calm the dry-brushing down. Hope this is useful!

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  2. Sounds as if things are going well Gareth. I really like the spectres.... nice and bright contrast against the basing, and the skellies have come out well too.

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    1. Thanks Mike! Really regret not going with washes and glazes for the bony ones, but I think they'll do!

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  3. I think the slightly grimey paint jobs work really well on these skeletons. Nice stuff.

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    1. Cheers Zhu. I was in a bit of a funk when I tackled them, but it's gratifying to hear people think they're okay!

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  4. Beautiful old lead. I also like the bases a lot!

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