The Lichborne - Homebrew Warband

[YoungWolf7]

Yes, I would leave the skull off of the shoulder. It breaks up the silhouette too much.

[Volgon]

Appreciate the feedback @ZeroWolf@YoungWolf7

 

Continuing my kitbash adventures, I've been thinking up some new non-character conversions. With the new Execrator and Crusade Ancient models inbound soon, I'll likely use those as the basis for some characters who will need retinues they can lead, and that means more Sword Brethren/Castellan/Crusader Squad proxies. I adore the Black Templars range and really enjoy Chaosifying the armor as best I can.

 

The first is the oldest of the three, a basic Initiate with 2H Chainaxe (proxy for a power fist, 2x power fists for every squad is a bit boring). I also stuck on one of the heads I will be using for all of my basic troops from now on (still need to paint one up for the previous power fist guy):

 

 

Next up I'm thinking is potentially a leader for a Sword Brother or Crusader Squad, or perhaps a Marshal (Captain). I originally used the body of this guy as the basis for my previous Dark Apostle conversion. The Sigmar Chaos Chosen arm is canted a bit which makes it look awkward, so I might try to fix that or just replace it with something else:

 

Last is just a Sword Brother:

 

He's missing some details like shin armor and a backpack because I was just seeing if I could make the pose work and I think it comes off pretty well. Meant to look like he is about to swing downward with the sword. 

[Firedrake Cordova]

I really like the first and last

[Volgon]

Been working on a few things. I vowed my Grimaldus proxy for the Call to Arms painting event and have done a few bits on him:

 

Not done a lot so far but I'm quite happy with the results.

 

One thing I've had on my mind for a while is a new elite infantry squad. I cycled through a handful of ideas but nothing concrete except that I wanted to incorporate some defining aspects of the Sigmar Death factions. I really enjoy doing that when I can as it helps evoke a specific feeling when looking at the mini. When you look at the Grimaldus proxy and see the Nighthaunt bits it feels like he's interacting with undead spirits. It's something I wish I would have done earlier in the project, so that each mini feels like an undead entity rather than just a Chaos Marine with a skull helmet.

 

With that context, I've done a few hobby sessions working up a tester to see how I like it. I'm trying to make them look more skeletal and fantasy styled. I'll be using skull heads rather than helmets (in this case I used the head from the old WHFB Krell mini), I used Sigmar Chaos Chosen arms, and made the robes out of Deathrattle Skeleton bits. I kept the scale mail tabard as that is a prominent design piece on the wights and skeleton units in that faction. I'm considering using Plague Marine pads and backpacks as they have more bone bits which ties into the skeletal nature of the unit.

[Tallarn Commander]

Very creative! I can't wait to see the whole squad. As a CSM player and former Vampire Counts player yours is a project near to my heart.

[Volgon]

@Tallarn Commander That's so kind brother, thank you! This is my first army of any kind but I've always liked the same things: skeletons and heavy armor, so Chaos and Death factions (Vampire Counts, now SBGL and the Bonereapers) are right up my alley. The project started as a way of marrying those two concepts, but only recently have I really tried to push towards a more unified theme.

[Firedrake Cordova]

The spirits and fire effect look great

[Volgon]

Did some more work on the Crozius! Almost done with it but I think I'm going to try doing some glowing eyes at least, and I'd like to attempt a bit of OSL along the same axis as the ghosts down the weapon/arms/shoulder pad.

 

 

Also I forgot to post the final update for this guy, knocked out the head a week or two ago:

Edited July 8 by Volgon

[Volgon]

More work done! Knocked out some smaller details, as well as completing the robe and added some OSL to the crozius. Very happy with the robe; it was one of those rare cases where I had an idea and it worked out basically perfectly.

 

[Firedrake Cordova]

Looks great!

[Tallarn Commander]

A superb model. I especially like your color pallette. Your placement of blues and reds draws the viewr's eye in a dramatic horizontal arc.

[space wolf]

The paint on those "spirits" looks great. Looking forward to seeing more.

 

[Volgon]

@Firedrake Cordova@Tallarn Commander@space wolf Thanks folks! Really happy with the progress on this guy, been a fun mini to paint.

 

Began working on some of the blue armor, mostly done on these pieces except I think I'll try smoothing the blend on the chestplate and forearm panel a bit more, and hit them all with some ultra matte varnish. Very happy overall though! I was not looking forward to blending as the first panel I did was the one on the inside of the wrist and I struggled to get it smooth. However, this mini was meant to be an exercise in layering which is not something I normally do. I did it on the crozius bones, on the ghostly bits, and on the robe, so I knew I could do it properly. I reworked my paint flow to incorporate more mixes of the various blues and this made glazing the gradients much easier which I am very happy to discover.