Avelorn Themed army blog -- UPDATED 7/31 bsb conversion

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Eärendil
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Avelorn Themed army blog -- UPDATED 7/31 bsb conversion

#1 Post by Eärendil »

Well these spears are the start of my Avelorn themed army. I want my army to look somewhat forest themed but distinctly high elves and not wood elves. My guiding motto has been "they are supposed to be from the forest, not wearing it." :) I choose the traditional white robes to clear up any confusion, yet shaded them with brown instead of grey. I have some fluff coming along to add a story to the tree motif on their shields. The only thing that isn't quite done on the models are the little gems below the spear heads. I want to make them amber, but i am having trouble with that. A unit of archers and a mage are on their way. Let me know what you think!


Image

Image
Last edited by Eärendil on Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:40 am, edited 16 times in total.
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MuffinMan
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#2 Post by MuffinMan »

looks good, nice trees...

seems to be alot of white though
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Archmage Eternal
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#3 Post by Archmage Eternal »

I think the models would benefit from added colour distinction. In particular, their armour would stand out more if you painted the details on the breastplates a colour besides silver. The faces also seem somewhat flat.

Apart from that, the models look quite nice--neat painting, and the tree motif is well executed.
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Mantriel
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#4 Post by Mantriel »

Thats an amazing looking unit. The freehand tree is superb.

Keep up the good work, and post more pics please for our (my) enjoyment. :)
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Ecthalion
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#5 Post by Ecthalion »

Really nicely painted unit, neat and clean, great job. Only got two small problems IMHO, I don't like the brown trim around the bottom of the scalemail, Think it would be better green because it would tie the bottom and top of the miniatures together. Also, I like the freehand shields but the tree looks dead, are you going to be adding any foliage?
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#6 Post by Burning Gaze »

Looks good!
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Eärendil
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#7 Post by Eärendil »

Muffinman- Thanks! Yeah there is a good deal of white. The amount of white was pretty reasonable until I added the shields. Although I don't have any regrets.

Archmage Eternal- I see your point about adding some color to the breastplates. I don’t think I am going to go back and change anything on them, but I will take your advice on future models. As far as the faces are concerned, I do agree that they are a little flat. I tried to add more depth on my batch of archers and I think I did a better job. They should be up by next weekend so you will have to take a look.

Mantriel- Thanks! :D

Ecthalion-I have some fluff a coming to explain the leafless state. I was hoping to have it done at the same time as the spearelves so I could post it at the same time. Hopefully it will be done soon.

Burning Gaze – Thanks!
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Master Foley
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#8 Post by Master Foley »

Alright mate, nice unit you have going there, will be keeping an eye on this topic for updates :D

i have an idea for you if you haven't already considered it, if you plan on using a chariot track down the old wood elf chariot, would be perfect just a few High Elf plastic parts too it and voila!
I also think that your army would benefit from some heart imagery, although not over the top, we don't want hippy high elves.
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Eärendil
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#9 Post by Eärendil »

Hey Master Foley,

good idea on the WE chariot, although a chariot is pretty low on my list of priorities. They aren't really my style. Still I will keep my eyes open for one on ebay.

And it is funny that you should suggest hearts, because I was planning on using some! I have the oop standard bearer with the heart on his banner pole and a WE banner top bit with a heart too. I think i will use the model on foot as a BSB and perhaps use the bit for a mounted bsb conversion. I have a few other models that have hearts also.
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ctran
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Re: Avelorn Themed army blog (pics)

#10 Post by ctran »

Eärendil wrote:...The only thing that isn't quite done on the models are the little gems below the spear heads. I want to make them amber, but i am having trouble with that.
Hey Earendil,

I've been wanting to start a Saphery army with a blue & gold color scheme, and adorn it sapphire and amber gems. At the rate I'm painting, I probably won't get to it until around 2011 :-) Since you mentioned painting ambers in your post, however, I thought I'd give it an early try:

Image

I don't know if that looks like amber to you, but my recipe was

Scorched brown base coat,
highlight in bestial brown,
then bestial brown + blazing orange (I think vermin brown might also work),
highlight the lower half of the gem blazing orange,
then paint an upturn crescent on the bottom of the gem in fiery orange
paint a thinner crescent in fiery orange + golden yellow
final highlight on the bottom with golden yellow
add a white dot at the top for a glare

While I was at it I thought I'd experiment and try to paint a star gem on the other side:

Image

Ok, the star gem needs work, but I have 3 years to practice it :wink:

Chinh
Army of Eataine: http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24671

Da Red Skullz: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Orc__Goblin_Warpath/index.php?showtopic=23224

Ultramarines: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.php?showtopic=158014
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Eärendil
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#11 Post by Eärendil »

Chinh I love you! I had another frusterating session of attempting to make amber last night to no avail. Your amber looks perfect! Thank you so much for taking the time to write out your recipe and post pictures. I owe you one 8)
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ctran
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#12 Post by ctran »

You're welcome! And I like your trees, they're awesome!

Chinh
Army of Eataine: http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24671

Da Red Skullz: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Orc__Goblin_Warpath/index.php?showtopic=23224

Ultramarines: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.php?showtopic=158014
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Re: Avelorn Themed army blog (pics)

#13 Post by Spiked-Lord »

ctran wrote:
Eärendil wrote:
I've been wanting to start a Saphery army with a blue & gold color scheme, and adorn it sapphire and amber gems. At the rate I'm painting, I probably won't get to it until around 2011 :-) Since you mentioned painting ambers in your post, however, I thought I'd give it an early try:

Image

Ok, the star gem needs work, but I have 3 years to practice it :wink:

Chinh
why not do this in your own painting thread?
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#14 Post by faile »

Great work Eärendil these are lovely.

Oh Spike it was posted here because the person whose thread it was requested some help on painting amber. and Ctarn helped.... Or do you mean it's so good he should start up his own? :roll:
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#15 Post by Leoniidi »

faile wrote:Great work Eärendil these are lovely.

Oh Spike it was posted here because the person whose thread it was requested some help on painting amber. and Ctarn helped.... Or do you mean it's so good he should start up his own? :roll:
I guess Spike just didn't want anyone to hijack Eärendil's thread, which wasn't the case now.

Anyway enough with that, great painting here! Your spearmen are very clean and resemble eachother well (that's how it should be:)).

If these are going to be used on tabletop, I'd suggest doing a bit of sharp highlighting to make them stand out even more.

Keep painting and keep the blog alive. :wink:
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#16 Post by Evenstine »

I love the free hand, those shields look good. Might want to use more light, in particular more diffused light when taking those pics.
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Eärendil
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#17 Post by Eärendil »

Thanks for the continued feedback everyone. The lighting was a little low when I took the pictures, I should try to take them during the daytime. I played with the spearmen the other day and they looked good on the table so I don't think any sharper highlights are neccessary.

I have the day to paint so I am going to make every effor to finish my archers and post them later (of course this means I will not be able to take the pictures during daylight hours!). The only thing that I won't have done are their bases since I ordered some goodies to put on them which won't arrive until later on next week. They just have rocks and dirt as of right now. Maybe I will even be able to finish up the mage. Anyways, check back later!
army blog: http://ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25300
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#18 Post by Eärendil »

well I finished the archers! But I can't seem to take any decent pictures without daylight so I am going to try again tomorrow.
army blog: http://ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25300
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#19 Post by Eärendil »

Alright, I got some pictures of the archers! Not amazing pictures--I need to practice. Like I mentioned before, I am going to add to their bases. These are the chill vintage 4th edition metal archers!! 8)

Image

Image

Image

Let me know what you think. Mage will be soon to follow!
army blog: http://ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25300
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#20 Post by langbaobao »

Nice work. However I think the spears need another touch of paint to make them a bit more distinctive, too much white. Have you thought about painting the border of the shields with another color? (maybe a deep green?)
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Eärendil
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#21 Post by Eärendil »

thanks langbaobao. I have considered an outline on the sheilds, but I like them the way they are. One thing to keep in mind is that I only have pictures up from the front; from all other angles their is a lower percentage of white showing.
army blog: http://ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25300
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#22 Post by ctran »

Nice work Earendil!

I really like the guy with the gem encrusted circlet. The alternating emerald & amber gems was a great idea and you did an awsome job highlighting them.

Chinh
Army of Eataine: http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24671

Da Red Skullz: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Orc__Goblin_Warpath/index.php?showtopic=23224

Ultramarines: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.php?showtopic=158014
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#23 Post by Master Foley »

Very nice work on the archers, some of my favourite High Elf Archer Models, (second only to the 5th edition Unarmoured metal archers)

I think you've done a really nice job, must have taken a while to paint them though, i recently did a unit of 10 (of the same model) took me about 2 weeks although i'm not happy with the finished product, they'll be stripped after i finish my Fortress of Dawn army.

I think one thing which could really set the archer unit off (depending on how steady your hand is) would be to add a think (dark) green band around the bottom of the robes, and if your feeling super fancy maybe paint a rune on the quivers without ornamentation, that's what i've been doing painting my archers, looks great too :D

All in All, sound work you have which i'm sure can only get better, keep it up!
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#24 Post by Telephalsion »

What you could do with the spears to decrease the amount of white, is to paint the edges of the shield in earthen colours, greens and browns.
If you feel up to the task, paint some thorns and brambles at the edges.

Or you could just go for the heraldric approach and switch half the white on each shield for green.

nice work nonetheless!
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#25 Post by Eärendil »

Thanks ctran. The circlets are my favorite part of them too. I almost didn't go for it because i thought it would be too hard, but I persevered and they came out just fine! I used a reduced version of the recipe you gave me. Those bumps are so small it was hard enough to fit 3 colors on them!

Master Foley - It did take a long time! I think I spent a whole month on them. At least 3 weeks. I suppose I was simultaniosly working on the spearelves and my mage, along with gluing dragon princes and reavers. Anyways, I can see how a band around the bottom of the robes might look nice. I actually have one on the WIP mage. I will consider it for the archers. I could also try to paint a small bleached bone tree on their quivers to tie them in with the spearevles' sheilds. Hmm. Thanks for the feedback!

Telephalsion--I don't want to decrease the amount of white. I can understand why many would want less but I am quite happy with them as they are. And like I mentioned, from the sides and the back there is much less white. I always see the backs of them anywyas! (Which means I never get to see the sheilds and banner :cry: )
army blog: http://ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25300
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Telephalsion
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#26 Post by Telephalsion »

Oops, missed the earlier comment on the shields there.
My bad. :oops:

I just wanted to ask you, have you given any consideration to adding foliage to the trees? They aren't ugly or anything, I'm just curious. :)

Also, I'm looking forward to seeing that star gem when it's finished, inspiring work.

EDIT: Note to self, learn to read.
Last edited by Telephalsion on Tue May 06, 2008 8:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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#27 Post by Eärendil »

That's ok, I didn't mean to sound grumpy about it, so sorry if I did :wink:

It looks like you missed a few other things too! I have some fluff in the works to explain the tree's leafless state, which I mentioned towards the beginning of the thread. Also, the star gem is ctran's--he was demonstrating how to make amber for me.
army blog: http://ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25300
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#28 Post by Eärendil »

I finished up the mage, here she is! Mini is from reaper miniatures. I thought a female mage would be cool since the Everqueen and Maidengaurd are a big part of the Avelorn fluff. Maybe there is also a small group a femal mages that protect the everqueen from magical threats? Well here is one of them!

Image

Image

Still have to finish her base.
army blog: http://ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25300
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Master Foley
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#29 Post by Master Foley »

Loving the mage, cool model aswell sound choice all in all, only thing i would change is just give a little more attention to her sword, maybe just a green or blue gaze as it would add a lot more depth and really set the model off.
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#30 Post by Ghost »

The mage is amazing! I love the model it is different, if only gamesworkshop sold those...
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