Big Box of Eldar

So Ends the Big Box

2011-08-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

Six months ago, give or take, I decided that I wasn't going to do commission work anymore. My work rate was abysmal and I had lost interest in painting armies. I experimented with farming the rest of the Big Box out to someone else, but he proved at least as immovable as me.

And so today, after nearly five years of painting Ulthwe Eldar, I have returned the remaining contents of the Big Box. The job started when GW released the large Eldar army box that included the current codex, and it ended today.

That's a lot of Eldar.

Group Ready To Ship

2011-02-23T22:44:00.000-08:00

All painted, based and ready for a new home.

Maybe a home where the ambient light isn't so blue....

Skimmers & Banshees

2011-02-21T21:54:00.000-08:00

The big box gets lighter and lighter. These tanks are ready to roll (so to speak...) and the Banshees are nearly so.

Never underestimate a complicated infantry model's ability to take a long time to paint.

In terms of grav tanks, only a single Falcon remains now to be completed. There are a few Vipers and a trio of War Walkers, along with a dozen or so miscellaneous infantry models too.

Totally accidental flame hair.

A Wraithlord of Ulthwe

2011-01-17T20:32:00.000-08:00

I still need to put the grass on the base to match the other models in the army, but this guy is essentially done. Whoops, except for some specular reflections on gems I see I missed now.

Next up.... grav tanks!

Wraithlord WIP 2

2010-12-03T04:57:00.000-08:00

The camera on my new HTC Evo didn't like me last night. Anyway, Did a fair bit of work on it last night. They are impressive looking models, aren't they? I have heard of Harlequin lists that run 3 Wraithlords, and I can imagine that's an intimidating list.

Thoughts.... should I put the heavy weapon (thinking scatter laser) mounted on left should or on left arm? If I go arm, then small weapons will be shoulder mounted and sword arm will get a fin-thingy.

That Hex Pattern

2010-11-06T08:21:00.000-07:00

Found it! Main 40k rulebook, page 244. I'm pretty sure it's really just an artifact of the printing, but I really liked the effect.

Ulthwe Wraithlord WIP 1

2010-11-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

I can't quite remember where I saw a photo of a Wraithlord that looked like it had hex shapes on the border of the head, but I really thought that looked cool. It needs some clean up, but the basic idea should be evident.

The base (not pictured) is made from spackle and sand over a regular monster base, so it should show a good deal of relief.

Okay, that's all I did tonight. I'm still working on some other models.... Falcon, Wave Serpent, a warlock, etc. but this Wraithlord has my attention right now and I haven't posted pics in ages.

Bikers and Guardians and Swooping Hawks

2010-07-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

It's a nice day, so I took some pics outside. First up, 6 bikers with an attached warlock. The front two bikers have shuriken cannons.

Next up, a unit of Guardians with weapon platform, done to match previously painted units of Guardians.

Lastly, eight Swooping Hawks in Ulthwe colors. I really like how these guys turned out.

Warlock on Jetbike WIP 2

2010-07-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

Work continues on the jetbike squad. The warlock is coming along well. I've left his spear arm for last, since I've been using it as a touch point.

The only things left on the other bikes are the details on the two with the shuriken cannons.

I Officially Hate Those No-Neck Goons

2010-06-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's true. As great as Eldar jetbikes are, the models for the riders are the worst model in 40k. Well, the worst one I've painted. Maybe the old warbuggy orks are worse.

Despite my dislike for the sculpt, I am determined to mine some vein of cool from them. I've had limited success so far.

On the left of the pic is the converted warlock. He's looking pretty good so far.

7 Jetbikes ... 6 Riders

2010-06-28T03:48:00.000-07:00

While getting the pieces together to finish this batch of work (7 jetbikes, 10 guardians + platform, 8 swooping hawks) I realize that I am missing a rider for one of the jetbikes. In addition, one of the jetbikes is missing its flagpole bit off the back. I search the Big Box but cannot find either. What to do... what to do...

The answer, of course, is to sacrifice a guardian for his legs / left arm and a warlock for the upper half of his body. A little milliput here and there, and we have a warlock on jetbike nicely underway. Plus he'll have a singing spear, so that will add a bit of threat range to him. S9 against vehicles is pretty scary. Unlike the rest of the jetbikes in the unit, this fellow's cowling will have a facsimile of the bone armor pattern. The similar coloration should tie them together nicely. I've converted two of the jetbikes to have shuriken cannons, so this will make a nice 6 model guardian jetbike unit with an attached warlock on jetbike.

Hmmm.... I wonder how I would do a Farseer on jetbike now.....

6/1/10 WIP

2010-06-01T09:30:00.001-07:00

Just a quick one.

Swooping Hawks: done.
10 Guardians: done... need to paint weapon platform.
7 Jetbikes: 1 done, 3 basecoated, 4 unassembled.

WIP, no photo

2010-04-09T06:02:00.003-07:00

Swooping Hawks done except for basing. Yes, they are as tabletop as the look in the pic, but the deadline is the important thing here. We are ahead of target for these 8 Hawks, the jetbikes and a 10 Guardian squad for the May 1 deadline.

Swooping Hawks WIP

2010-04-07T22:15:00.000-07:00

Bone areas on SH's are done. What remains are eyes, face masks, highlights on black, and red details. Basing will have to come when they are done.

Jetbike test model shown too. Simple scheme, but they should look good on the table.

Eldrad, I Hate To See You Leave

2010-03-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

But I like the freehand on your back.

This group is boxed, sealed and ready to go out the door.
Thanks again!

Swooping Hawks test model

2010-03-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

I went for a dark Ulthwe centered color scheme. I think they are fairly menacing like this. Does this look like how you would like them? There are 8 total in the big box.

Bonesingers from various craftworlds (complete)

2010-03-22T21:39:00.001-07:00

Ulthwe, Saim Hann, Lugganath, Biel Tan, Alaitoc. Taste the Rainbow.

Seer Council of Ulthwe (complete)

2010-03-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

What's black and white and red all over?

Dark Reapers (complete)

2010-03-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

6 Dark Reapers. Two of them would be exarchs from the weapon load-out.

HQ Models (complete)

2010-03-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Prince Yriel, Eldrad, and Maugan Ra

A Bonesinger of Alaitoc

2010-03-20T01:11:00.000-07:00

I see a couple spots that need cleaning up, but he's essentially done.

Okay, sleep time. I spent way too much time painting tonight.

Warlocks, Bonesinger and Fire Prism... done!

2010-03-17T22:51:00.000-07:00

A Bonesinger of Lugganath and four warlocks of Ulthwe. The high gloss polyurethane I have on them for protection and the high contrast color scheme really makes them photograph poorly. Wow.

Fire Prism is done. It looks pretty sweet too.

All that's left in this batch, btw, is the Bonesinger of Alaitoc. Come to think of it, the Big Box is getting pretty empty too. There are 3 war walkers, 2 vypers, a bag of miscellaneous dire avenger/guardians, 7 or 8 jetbikes, a falcon, a wraithlord and a wave serpent. Then there's a foam tray that has 5 or 6 swooping hawks, some weapon platforms with various guardian weapon crew and a couple more farseers and warlocks.

Fire Prism ... almost.

2010-03-13T22:11:00.000-08:00

I just remembered why most of my own vehicles remain unpainted. They are time consuming! That said, they are very rewarding to have done. This guy is nearly there. I forgot the metal doodad in the front, so it's a recent addition.

I took the liberty of adding a shuriken cannon in place of the tl shuriken catapult. This way it has a bit of threat even after a weapon destroyed result. You could still zip around to pen a predator in the side armor.

Yeah, I've been reading a lot of Eldar tactica lately. I'm committed to improving my record of ZERO wins.

Friday Update

2010-03-12T14:36:00.000-08:00

This week was considerably less productive than I had hoped it would be. I hate it when life gets in the way of play.

So here's the to-do list for this phase. I'll keep on posting result pics as I get them.

Ultwe Fire prism (hull nearly done... should I try and convert the tl shuriken catapult to a shuriken cannon? It would certainly give the fire prism some more threat if it gets a weapon destroyed.)
4 Ulthwe warlocks (about 50% done each)
details on Lugganath Bonesinger
details on Alaitoc Bonesinger

Lightning Pattern on Grav Tanks

2010-03-07T19:30:00.000-08:00

I painted these intertwining lighting bolts on a some grav tanks done at the beginning of the big box, based on pg 74 of the Eldar codex. They are far easier to paint than I had originally assumed.

Start with a thick white line, and just do a single "bolt" originating at the front and terminating near the engine intake. It should a fairly distribution of acute and obtuse angles and try to leave some room for the other bolts. Continue with the other bolts, painting right over the first one. As long as you can see the intersection between the lines you are fine. If all you see is a big white blob then you'll have a harder time "knotting" them.

After the lines are painted (and optionally smoothed. You can do that before or after this step) you need to determine which lines are going to be "on top" at each intersection. I recommend going to the first intersection past the nose and defining that one first. Paint two thin black lines parallel to the "on top" line to show that the other line is passing under it. Then follow the "on top" line to the next junction it makes and paint it as the "on bottom" line. Continue with this pattern as much as possible and your lines will be nicely knotted together rather than just overlayed.

I used that technique here, then used black to outline each bolt for clarity. I really need to do some smoothing and clean-up work but the pattern is in place. Doesn't the hull there look tiny compared to the pin vise?

Heavy Metal Eldar

2010-03-06T20:14:00.000-08:00

Dear GW,

Please product a single plastic sprue for the Fire Prism cannon. The cannon assembly (both sides and the plastic axle) weigh 62g. Everything else, including the other metal parts that come with the kit, only add up to 74g. That is one hefty cannon.

Ulthwe Duo

2010-03-04T22:30:00.000-08:00

Bonesinger and Warlock of Ulthwe. The bonesingers face looks like I painted it with a chisel.... what's up with that? I'll have to sit down and see if he looks like that in person or if it's just a function of the single light I used and a lack of good focus.

Two Bonesingers, four warlocks and a Fire Prism to go in this batch.

Saim Hann Bonesinger and Ulthwe Warlock

2010-03-03T21:46:00.000-08:00

The march toward the next shipment continues! Saim Hann Bonesinger (nearly done) and an improvement of one of the Ulthwe Warlocks WIP.

I'm getting a lot done! I must be fleet!

Flashback to Harlequins (Dec 07)

2010-03-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Going over the old photobucket album that contains a lot of the Eldar I've done for "The Big Box" I came across the many Harlequins I painted for that army. My painting has definitely improved in the past 2 years (as I hope it noticeably does every 2 years) but I was pleasantly surprised at how fun these clowns look. They don't all have the standard Harlequin diamond checker pattern, but I really liked the more unique things like the tiger striped boots, the spooky red death jester and blue face troupe leader and the pink/blue one (who, if I recall correctly, has a heart on her butt to match the one on her chest.)

My own Harlequins will likely get more precise paint jobs given my added experience, but I hope they maintain that sense of whimsy that these have.

Ulthwe Seer Council WIP 1

2010-03-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

Five different warlock models make a cool looking council. The only colors used so far are black, dark grey mixed with ultramarines blue (for black highlight), skull white, mechrite red and (for the spear shaft) astronomicon grey.

They are really flat right now. I'm hoping the next few WIP shots you'll see the depth start to emerge.

At this rate I should have them done by the weekend. Then on to the Fire Prism and they belong to USPS after that.

Biel Tan Bonesinger

2010-03-02T21:38:00.000-08:00

Snice I finished all the little details on one of the Bonesingers I figured I'd post him. The others (Saim Hann, Ulthwe, Lugganoth, Alaitoc) have an embarrassing lack of gems and other fiddly bits.

I love this sculpt.

Quintet

2009-08-05T20:36:00.001-07:00

First five Bonesingers out of twelve. I tried some alternate basing on the middle one. He's standing on a piece of GW's urban basing kit.

Yriel and Bonesinger

2009-08-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

Here's the completed Yriel (minus static grass... I always varnish before doing static grass) and the first of a group of Bonesingers assembled. That ... thing ... in his right hand is pretty fiddly, and extremely thin on the lower part where it meets the hand.

I might convert one of my own Bonesingers into a Farseer. I think a witchblade in place of the flute thingy would look pretty cool.

Dark Reapers WIP

2009-07-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

These guys are done except for static grass. Man that is a lousy photo.... everything is darker in person and the whites aren't so washed out. They're Reaper "linen white" which matches the box pic pretty well.

I took a look at the army list entry for these guys. They are scary. Really scary.

Maugan Ra WIP

2009-07-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

The gamma on this photo is all wacky. He's really got more bone color in him than pure white. Also the cloth is much darker in person. Aaaanyway, another "by the book" scheme that is turning out good.

Yriel WIP

2009-07-25T22:26:00.000-07:00

Yriel is nearly there. I had a moment of stupidity when I did the eye of Isha on the banner with inverted yellow/black. Oops. Basecoat with Iyandan Darksun and try again.

I tried to get him as close to the book as possible.

Eldrad

2009-07-25T22:24:00.000-07:00

I got the camera out to take some pics. Eldrad here has been done for a while.

Camera > Phone

2009-07-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

Well, once again I can't find my camera. Seriously, this is getting old. All the same I couldn't let a WIP photo get neglected after having put so much work into these guys. They're looking pretty good. Eldrad has been finished for ages, but Maugan Ra and Yriel are finally approaching that stage. Come to think of it I should have photographed Eldrad's cool free hand on his back.

Anyway, take heart. Your minis are coming to life at an accelerating rate.

October to July? Really!?!?

2009-07-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, I knew it had been a "while" but I didn't realize it had been many months.

Good grief. Hobby ADD.

Anyway, I really, really need to take pics of these guys. Yriel is almost done, and Maugan Ra is looking pretty bony. Dark Reapers are dark. (That sounds like a lolcat, doesn't it. loleldar?)

The sad fact is the more Eldar I paint the more I want to do my own army. I even broke down and bought a single Wraithguard model. He sits alone on the shelf, unassembled and silver. Honestly, I have a hard time seeing myself playing Eldar... I can't make 3+ saves, let alone actually have some tactics that keep fragile T3 guys alive. Maybe that's why I picked a Wraithguard as my first model.... hmmmm. No Iyandan army though... I'm painting him Biel Tan. I just can't resist thorny vines, I guess.

Soo..... by the end of this week I should have some pics! Really!

As to the build-it-fight-it competition, I got smoked. Eldrad rocks, but when your opponent has a full tactical squad of marines, starts < 24" from you and uses his Librarian to teleport the whole squad right in front of your face and rapid fire you down to ZERO models at the beginning of turn 1 then you don't really have much of a fighting chance.

The most interesting battle was the third one, where the last two models of the game were Eldrad and a Space Marine Commander in terminator armor with a thunder hammer. We went round after round, Eldrad slowly eating away at the commanders wounds, while barely making his invulnerable save against the instant death hammer. In the end, with one wound remainging, the marine landed with the hammer and splattered poor Eldrad across the cardboard terrain. Epic.

The Eldrad Distraction

2008-10-29T11:18:00.001-07:00

I know it's out of order, but I painted Eldrad and he looks great (if I may say so.)

It was for a "build it, fight it" event at FLGS. I bought and built a box of Guardians to go with Eldrad, thinking the Starcannon would work well against the many Marines I was bound to face. I got seriously owned in every battle. The worst was the Marine player who teleported right into my face, rapid fired me with every Marine and killed every model I had but Eldrad before I even got to move. Ouch.

The other Marine player got smoked by the Starcannon, but in the end a captain in Terminator armor with a Thunder Hammer was too much for Eldrad. It only takes one invuln miss at S8 to turn the Farseer of Ulthwe into blood paste.

Yriel and Maugan

2008-09-23T09:55:00.001-07:00

I've been painting Yriel and Maugan Ra at lunch, and I'm having a change of heart. I've always liked the Yriel figure, but Maugan Ra never appealed to me much.

Painting him, on the other hand, has changed that.

I like painting bone. My Blood Ravens use a great deal of bone colored detail. Maugan Ra has bone. He has tons of it. The "'eavy Metal" studio model has a very cold palette for the bone. I like a warmer one, and I really like Maugan Ra with the bone scheme.

Priority List

2008-08-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

1. Yriel (like in the codex: black, bone and yellow)
2. Maugan Ra (Uthwe)
3. Dark Reapers (Uthwe)

after those, the priority becomes
1st troops
2nd Elites
3rd Fast Attack
4th Heavy Support
5th HQ

The batch that I am looking at right now is as follows:
2 x Falcon Grav Tank
1 x Wave Serpent
1 x Fire Prism
3 x War Walker
1 x Wraithlord (I would like to do this one extremely high quality using my new GOLDEN DEMON POWERS!!! (sound of thunder).... 100% gems, freehand, etc.)
3 x Vyper (1 in box, 1 on sprue, 1 primed)
7 x Guardian jetbikes (4 partially assembled/primed, 3 on sprue)
8 x Swooping Hawks (one appears to be Exarch)
7 x Warlock w/ sword (1 missing sword... I will convert something for him)
2 x Warlock w/ spear
3 x Farseer
1 x Dark Reaper squad (5 models)
...and that doesn't even empty the big box!

Saga of the Big Box

2008-07-16T05:55:00.000-07:00

More than a year ago I received the big box from a commission customer. I had done two Eldar "army box" sets for him, and he wanted to have more done. A lot more. Over time I was way too slow and had to return all the non-Eldar models that were included (some of which would have been quite fun to paint, but hey you can't have everything.)

This blog will... hopefully... chronicle the box as it approaches empty.