'Long time coming' doesn't even begin to describe the process behind that model. The conversion dates back to January 2014, I've tried many sources and ways to come up with a solution to do this head and it's only a month or so ago I finally got an actual answer !
But what was I trying to achieve some of you may wonder ?
A really simple thing really : Giving my 14 years old self what he's wanted for years, a model of that guy :
This iconic picture of a Venator (leader I assume) is one of those which made a huge impression on me in my teens. I've already covered the Venator subject in length so won't bore you (again) with it.
Now my good friend Jon/Axiom had the wonderful idea to make a game for the coming BOYL about Venators and the Specialist team behind the new Necromunda has released rules for... wait... VENATORS that's right !
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| Nooses, hoods, masks, yup, it's just the real deal. |
The rules also happen to be the perfect toolbox to do whatever you please. Now I like to think I'm not the ungrateful kind so when I'm offered good stuff, I try to make good use of it right ?
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| Sweet baby Emperor... |
Fate also provided me the miracle I had been waiting for as Alexandre Vallet at the local hobby shop sculpted the head I was unable to do myself for me, putting an end to the curse and misery of this project !
Now I've used the occasion to update the basing on my "old" venators and I have about 11 fully kitbashed fresh venators to form my new gang and god it feels nice !
And of course since Venators are natural born witch hunters, I did rebase my psykers as well...
I don't think there's going to be much more newly painted stuff around here since I'm leaving on holidays but with a few tools in the suitcase and BOYL coming there is still going to be some proper action !
I have some packing to do and plenty of lists for Necromunda, Mordheim and Dracula's America to do as summer homework !
Bringing a long-term project to a close is a great achievement. He's a great homage to the artwork and a perfect fit for the team. Of course, the fact that he's a collaborative project and you get to use him in games in the near future is just icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteI still want to do it better but it's good enough for now with all the good sides you're mentionning so it will be an absolute pleasure to have him on the board !
DeleteBloody marvellous conversions and painting.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty rough in places I won't lie but it's done and provides me a good dose of closure really !
DeleteThanks !
He evokes the image perfectly! That gang is looking ace Mec. ;)
ReplyDeleteThere are 11 other dudes to do mec !
DeleteSo it’s a horde instead of a gang 😂
DeleteJ'adore !
ReplyDeleteJ'aime l'illustration, j'aime la conversion, j'aime le schéma de couleur.
Merci merci ! ^^
DeleteThose off whites are awesome. Hints of browns and greens make the color so much more interesting!
ReplyDeletePA's stone grey is a really cool colour for that yes, it's slightly green so it takes arm colours like brown washes well, I really love it, I also use it to highlight some colours I want to desaturate. Definitely a pot I couldn't do without.
DeleteYou did it again. So great! Getting that head is the icing of the cake, you really made it justice. Wonderful project, JB!
ReplyDeleteIt took me a while to get someone to sculpt the head for me but I finally found someone at my FLGS so that was perfect !
DeleteExcellent work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michal !
DeleteWhat a characterful figure. A great boss for a very distinctive warband.
ReplyDeleteIt sets the mood I want to go for with the other 10 or so now. ^^'
DeleteThanks !
Just AWESOME man!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks mate, I wish he was more faithful to the illustration but I wanted him to tie him with the other guys, I still haven't given up on making an exact replication of him in 3D. ^^
DeleteLove the face, almost like a Mordheim moon mask. The desaturated colors do also work very well on this guy. Great work.
ReplyDeleteThat sinister look is just perfect for them, not a surprise they inspired so much cool stuff that came later like cawdors, redemptionists and a bit of Mordheim as ell, that's why I ove confrontation so much.
DeleteAbsolutely amazing! I'm happy to see your Venators getting some love again.
ReplyDeleteI really want to play the new Necromunda so much, still hard drumming up interest in my group :(
I'm using all those fancy bits you sent me in the end !
DeleteI guess you'll have no choice but to provide 2 painted gangs and scenery if you want to kickstart some interest into them !
Glad all the bits came in handy :)
DeleteI'm stilk working on the terrain between other projects, gangs will be right after.
Probably not what most people are going to compliment you on, but I'm liking the toned-down colour scheme and the added gravitas it gives the mini. I try to keep to a limited palette for the most part with Confrontation/Necromunda minis, as I feel it makes them integrate better with the down-at-heel setting.
ReplyDeleteIt's something that was really important to me on this one, and even here I opted for dark pants to give some contrast. I also really wanted to pait a red rim around their hoods but I resisted that again. I strongly believe there should be nuances of mood between bands or else they're all the same.
DeleteBrilliant! Love it!
ReplyDeleteExcellent recreation of the art work. It's nice to have talented friends.
ReplyDeleteIt really is !
DeleteThanks !
The fact that his face and the cloak that covers his head is the same color is a bit disconcerting at first ... but oddly it seems right for the mini in question. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThe all-white scheme is a problem in coloured 3D, I had to paint his pants with colours to tie him with the others and his mask does look odd as is, I want to add a red trim on his hood to break that effect actually.
DeleteExcellent work, and he makes a great leader figure (if a bit under armed with just the pistol and axe!)
ReplyDeleteI assume he's the head more than anything, he'll have more capable and deadly underlings to lead the gang. ^^
DeleteOh my goodness! Instantly recognizable - even just the face! Tremendous, and congratulations on bringing the project home, the gang is a work of art.
ReplyDeleteThanks ! That's all I wanted to read !
DeletePourquoi je commente en anglais moi?
ReplyDeleteC'est un plaisir de zyeuter t'es peintures sûr ton blog !
Vivement que tu passes à la peinture de tes nouveaux venators.
Tu fais bien comme tu veux hein ? ^^
DeleteJ'ai bien hâte de m'y mettre aussi oui !
Wish I had friends as good with clay as you... Lovely and a great rendition of that classic pic. Your colour scheme is perfect too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, when you lack talent it's always handy to know people who don't ! ^^
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