Mar 31, 2013

Grey Cloud


After some heretic scales such as 28mm and 15mm (the horror!) I am back to 1/72s. At the middle of March in some post I explained how I could still not acquire the Zvezda Medieval Peasant Army and how I had bought a second box of Vikings instead.

I wanted to do something new with them, first to make them look different, second, to have a fitting role in the 'World in Chaos' universe. And then, as the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge had featured some really beautiful minis painted grayscale, I decided to go with this solution.

The Grey Cloud was on the listing for the forces of the Dead Mountain, but originally I wanted the Revell Anglo-Saxons or Normans for that specific role. 

The Dead Mountain is a grim place in the heart of the Deepwood, where the servants of the Dark Lord (a fallen god - sort of a figure who is up to evil deeds and such) raise an army of dead  and half-dead. Some men of Vyrk, for power and recognition, join these forces voluntarily. They are past some tortures and stretching the limits of their will to live when they finally join the van-guard of the Army of the Dead Mountain, the elite Grey Cloud.


This unit features two closed formations, both of 12 men, command and three groups of skirmishers. (The enlarged pictures are a little bit crappy but now the deed is done.)


There is actually a background on the laptop but the flash made it disappear.


It's not exactly grayscale at some places but very dull shades (gray added) of green and blue and brown.


Warlord and flag bearer.


I didn't add static grass to the bases, hoping the drybrush will make most of the plastic's silhouettes disappear, which is a part success. The figs themselves are done the quick way (basecoat, block, quickshade). These are IMO one of the best Zvezda sets (and no doubt the best Vikings in 1/72) and the figs actually paint themselves up with those lovely but not pesky details. 

I don't know yet what I will paint next as I still look at the HäT Frenchies with a sort of disgust (sorry guys), might strip the Artizan Landsknechts I'd done a little while ago and start them again as after the success on the Alban figs I've gained some confidence. The Artizan figs are decently painted but I could do better with acrylics of the better quality. The other choice is either 15mm heavy armor or infantry for the WW2 project. I will buy some MDF bases for the tanks too.

13 comments:

  1. This has to be very hard indeed, to paint in almost all grey. I don't know if I could do it but you've pulled it off! Very cool indeed.

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  2. Amazing looking figures. The subtle variances of color (like on the shields) are very impressive. Best, Dean

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  3. I think you've nailed the technique Andrew - they look brilliant!

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    1. Thank you. I'm still learning though; next time at least one highlight will go on each fig. Tried to wash one with a darker grey tone but it wasn't as good as I expected.

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  4. I'm really enjoying looking at figures done in greyscale. You've done a great job with it!

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  5. love the grey scale... I remember someone recently did Zorro figures in Grey scale then with the help of a grey building and background made what looked like a black and white photo but which was actually a colour photo of an all grey scene.

    I am always amazed by grey scale painting as it must be hard to judge how dark everything needs to be.

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  6. This painting technique may be harder to do, than meets the eye. Nice job, Sir.

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