There are very few characters in the 40k universe that are as iconic as this one. As a matter of fact, it's only now that I'm typing these words that I do realise how Ghazghkull is a big chunk in many ways.
I've been meaning to paint this big fellow for a while now but only got to it now because I had the opportunity and someone had been kind enough to get me the model !
I started 40k at the very end of RT when 2nd ed had already started to take over in several ways, so 2nd ed is the edition I got to know the most. Of course the old white dwarves at made me admire the good work of Mike McVey on the very first iteration of our favourite ork boss :
You mostly all know the story of how those iconic characters were rolled by Andy Chambers and made canon so let's just enjoy the hobby porn right ? ^^
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| Ghazkull Thraka by John Blanche |
Now of course, you'll have noticed I didn't paint mine like the proud Goff boss he is. Well I have my own ork clan you know, the red stars, so I wanted to tie him with those guys right ? And to be honest, I don't think I can top iconic paint jobs nor do I want to try so I just did it myyyy waaaay and went for yellow with red stars with a bit of checkers for good measures !
The banner was quite tricky and I had to try a few design and get some help form my mate Rochie to get the design I wanted and paint it to the best my patience allowed :
Now I'm quite happy about how this group build over the years look now and a very good sign is that I can't take a pic of them all at once ! There's plenty more to come so I'm a happy ork boss as well !
He's suitably imposing warboss for your Red Star clan. I confess, Thraka has never been my favourite sculpt (Makari is much more up my street). That said, I really like him in yellow with a side of checks!
ReplyDeleteThe banner icon is perfect too!
To be honest he's the biggest I'd dare put on a table but I guess with al the boyz there needs to be a real tough one on top !
DeleteThanks !
Ghaz is iconic and looks like a fun model to paint.
ReplyDeleteNice to have him AND Makari ticked off the list.
They're a nice couple to have done indeed !
DeleteLovely execution JB and the miniatures look fantastic with your style. However I think the banner is the perfect icing on the cake. When placed with the last pic in the whole mob it really gives them the perfect look.
ReplyDeleteThanks mec, I'll have to get them all out now !
DeleteGreat work on Ghaz, but that banner and Makari are the best! All special characters should have banners.
ReplyDeleteI don't like painting banners but once in a while I have to say they're great !
DeleteLove this mini. A perfect example of the ability to make a big chunk of metal without falling in the scale creep.
ReplyDeleteGreat paintjob. I love how the little touches of ultra bright red make work with the general color choice. Also the checkers on the blade are a superb addition
You're absolutely right, it was funny noticing the upper half of his head is actually smaller than makari's while his jow is bigger than any other part !
DeleteI don't really know how he'd move with all that stuff on him but he sure looks imposing without being gigantic !
Thanks mec !
Charming fellas, I love what you did here with them. Specially because it's pretty unusual to see them other than in Goff colours, and damn, they look gorgeous in your scheme!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, It's like doing a cover version of a great song, you just can't do the original again and have to offer a fresh take !
DeleteThey fit in very well and that banner is sweet.
ReplyDeleteWish Thraka hadn't been changed into a dreadnought sized monster in current rules... This version is way more fun.
Thraka will have to come back again and I doubt he'll come back smaller than the current version so I believe his growth is ot over ^^'
DeleteI have plenty other greenskins to add to the crew so the body type and size will vary a lot which looks cool I reckon.
Outstanding work. I love the greentones of the skin and the extending the checks up the blade of the sword is an inspired touch.
ReplyDeleteI wanted checks on his blade so blended them a bit with some weathering and I think it works.
DeleteThanks !
A wonderful take on an iconic character!
ReplyDeleteThank you !
DeleteNicely done! I like your clan color scheme. I painted Makari ages ago and then let him sit, with the banner incomplete. Ghaz has been in the queue for some time, I'll need to make him a priority.
ReplyDeleteWell I realy wondered if I'd get tired of it and although I'd like a more sinister take on them I know I've scratched that itch with chaos orks and I still enjoy adding more to the red stars !
DeleteGet him on top of the queue, he's a real mojo booster !
I told you on facebook these are still some of my favourite figures of all time.
ReplyDeleteYou've done an absolutely amazing paint job on these (even if they aren't proppa Goffs!)
I've been really itching to go back to some more oldhammer hobby and dig my Orks out and you're not making it easy to ignore that urge.... I've got too many projects o the go damn you!!!
Plenty of Projects is fine, the main thing is to always have stuff to enjoy ! I find old orks to be a little treat every once in a while and over time it actually build up to a fun group so I'm keeping this approach, small projects or bigger ones broken into small ones I can deal with without exhaustion.
DeleteI've painted Ghazghkull Thraka before but the newer version which doesn't hold a candle to this version in terms of old school charm.
ReplyDeleteWell it's just something else entirely, I'm more on the cartoon side of orks I must say, it's more fun !
DeleteThat's a fine looking Warboss and the banner and bearer are both very cool also.
ReplyDeleteWell you know orks well enough so that's nice to read from you ! Thanks !
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