[PROJECT LOG] Northern Lights Wood Elf Army

[WolfDreamerNZ]

Think Alaskan Wilderness - snow, ice, icicles, rugged terrain. There will be lots of clear resin, water effects, snow, etc.

And to hopefully make them different from other winter themed armies, I am incorporating the aurora into it on the cloak backs and feature pieces.

I want to keep the feel of the elves and all the detail in the models but make significant enough changes to warrant a closer look. All models will be converted in some way. This represents a big step for me as the most I have done prior to this is a weapon swap. ;)

Since I haven't finalized an army list yet - I am starting on the core troop selections I know I need.

UNIT 1: GLADE GUARD
There will be 2 units of 10.

Looking at the glade guard bodies, I wanted to add a feeling of winter - instead of just painting them in a winter scheme. I looked at Eskimo style clothing and found what I feel is a good compromise.

I have added a fur lined parka type hood, fur lined boots, fur lining under the arm greaves, fur collar, hid the torso connection by widening the belt, and fur lined the cloak.

The cloak is only temporarily pinned in place to check the hood placement and I will be adding arrows to all the models with arms in this position which will pull the bow string tighter.

http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/%7Ebeowulf/IMG_3304.jpg http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/%7Ebeowulf/IMG_3306.jpg

I started a test scheme before trying any conversion to get a feel for the colours - using a heavy percentage of Foundation colours on this one. I kept the figures in muted tones, in comparison to the green/purple spring ones I tried before. I also used darker colours that would contrast well with the snowy bases. My goal is to attempt Best Painted Army at some of the NZ tournaments.

Don't worry - as test models - this is simply a colour test and the final result will be better blended and more defined.


http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/%7Ebeowulf/coloursample2.jpg


Any and all C&C welcomed...
(deleted old thread to start project log)

[v22TTC]

Yay - project log! This is one I'll be keeping my gleeful eyes on! Had some thoughts about materials - particularly if you paint the leathers as if they were the tougher (and grayer) hides of creatures from them parts; and if you make the bow `staves' and arrows out of polished bone, rather than wood... worth researching bone and sinew composite bows. Perhaps give your squad leaders recurved bows....

Same for the helmet that guy's got - bone and stone (though exceedingly well crafted and polished as is the Elven way) rather than metal. Arrow heads and blades magic-glowy-icey (especially for the leaders) or maybe in colours as if they were captured and condensced little pieces of the aurora.... Nice chance for uniqueness, colour and avoids the question `where are they getting their steel (and wood) from?' Plus that whole `in harmony with their surroundings' thing... metal never is really....

Just a few ideas... I love Elves!...

[DeafNala]

YES!!! RIGHT ON, LISA!!
Besides giving the Ancient One something really interesting to follow. You've rekindled my interest in working on my Goblin Horde; something that the "new" Ork & Golblin book combined with the 7th edition of WHFB had pretty much killed off.
The premise for the Night Goblins is that they have revolted from their oppressive Ork overlords, & have established the Magic Mushroom Brewery, providing mind expanding, highly popular, & extremely addictive beverages throughout the Empire. They've liberated an abandoned Sigmarite monastery; with all those cowls & robes, the locals have taken them for monastic order, referring to them as the Red Brothers [I did the hoods/cowls in a bright red with robes in a monkish honey brown]. Of course the sudden change in the forest from trees to VERY BIG MUSHROMS is somewhat suspect.
With all the extra heads I have from the "old" plastic N.Gs. rather than including any Orks, for muscle I'll take the Orks & give them Goblin heads [they're about the same size] for Uber Goblins [a side effect from the mushrooms].

Thanks for the inspiation/motivation.

[Wren]

The addition of the fur really does add so much more of a wintery feel. Looking forward to seeing the converted ones painted up.

[WolfDreamerNZ]

Thanks for all the suggestions - I have taken them all onboard...

Sorry for the absurdly long delay - it took ages to get this the way I wanted...Finally got the aurora sorted out on the cloaks - it about drove me crazy but I am quite pleased with it now....what do you think! Some shapes lend themselves a bit better to this than others...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/wolfdreamernz/SCOb5dtqtkI/AAAAAAAABiI/k0xQR3KLOss/s800/final%20cloak%20test.jpg

[Thryth]

I think it looks really nice.

[Skya]

Aurora Borealis on the capes... not at all what I was expecting. I like. :)

[v22TTC]

Mmmmm... very nice indeed! This is going to be some incredible looking army! :) Great fur too! I guess your biggest problem is making sure the aurora effect looks like that (and it does, though I always associate it with having a bit more green...) and not tie-die - you know, Wood Elves being Hippies and all that.... ;)

[DeafNala]

Nice work, Lisa. That's the way I remember the Aurora Borealis, a memory that has survived undiminished for forty odd [everything in my life is a bit odd] years. The fur is beautifully done also. It is a coming together very nicely. Well done, girl; keep it coming!

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

Fantastic. I was doing my wood elves in an autumn fashion, but I decided that I am going to do all four seasons and completely hijack those fur lined capes. Love it

[Jabberwocky]

Perfect realization of a great idea!

[Wren]

Very cool idea with the borealis! And the fur highlighting looks super.