Farewell Ye Olde Vikings!
Recommendations: 36
About the Project
With the arrival of Matt Bickley's Vikings, I finally decided to sell off my old Citadel Vikings. These were 25mm miniatures made in the '80s, and were some of the first miniatures and armies I ever bought. I had over two hundred of them. I knew I was never going to use them, so I decided to part with them in order to make room for the new. I decided to keep just a handful, and paint up a little tribute to them. This is not a diorama, really, because it does not tell any story. I think it is more of a homage. These minis represent a more happier and trouble-free time in my life, so they deserve a worthy send-off or funeral. That is the crux of this project.
Related Company: Games Workshop
Related Genre: Historical
This Project is Active
Finishing The Base
Hi everyone,
The base is finally done. I painted the sea in oils. This gives me ample time to blend and get it as good as I can. I always use opaque colours when blending because it is easier.
To add sheen to the ocean, I gave it several coats of Mod Podge with a brush.
I also added a backdrop. This is sort of my signature, so I went ahead and did it. After I painted the surrounding in black.
When everything had dried, I added some white-water effects by mixing artificial snow with gel medium. Then I placed the mixture on the top of the wave crests and under the ship.
Next up will be the protagonists of the show – the Vikings themselves. I will start painting up the first five, because they need no converting or modifying. The following five need minor adjustments. SO I will leave them for after.
That is all for now. Until next time stay safe and have fun.
NR.
Building The Sea
Hi everyone,
I started this project with the base, so I decided to continue with it. The next step was to build an under-structure for it that fit the ship. Then I filled the base with air-drying clay and let it dry properly.
When all the cracks came out, I filled them with milliput, and added more miliput to build up some waves and once again let the whole thing dry.
After drying, I took some rolled-out-cotton roll that is used for plaster casting. I took a piece and pulled it opened. This is very cheap and can be found in most pharmacies.
N.B. I did paint the ship before setting it in place, but I forgot to take pictures – my bad!
Slowly, with the liberal application of PVA glue, I placed the cotton sheet onto the clay-sea surface to create micro-ripples on the surface.
When the glue dried, I added several applications of matte gel medium to create even more texture.
When the gel has dried, it is ready for painting, so I gave it a light grey primer.
In the next post, I will start painting the whole thing and add extra water detail.
Until then, stay safe and have fun.
NR.
The Project Begins.
Hi everyone,
As I have written in the sidebar, I have sold off a large army of these old vikings from Citadel Miniatures which I bought in the late eighties. This was one of my very first armies which I still had.
Unfortunately, they are now rather on the smaller side being true 25mm miniatures, but I wanted to keep a handful to paint up as a homage to these little wonders and to a better, happier time in my life that is as good as gone.
Since I am also getting the new Bickley Vikings, and knowing I will never use these older minis for any army project – I knew it was time to part with them
Looking through my pile of shame (that I pretend is potential), I also found a Viking ship from Revel. I remembered a piece of art from Angus McBride of a Viking last stand on a long ship – yes the one in the project picture. That is when the idea struck me, and I decided I would do something in a similar vein.
So, I went about building the long ship first. The fit was very good and easy to build. When it was dried well, I took out my fine saw and cut the ship in half and test-set my miniatures.
After deciding how the miniatures would sit, I primed the long boat and it is now ready for painting, but that will be for the next post.
Until then stay safe and have fun.
NR.