Skaven Doomwheel Stage-by-Stage

*Neek*

Behold - the Skaven Doomwheel...

Click here for my Doomwheel Gallery

Perhaps the most devious of the inventions of Clan Skryre and a fearsome sight on the battlefield (even to the Skaven, given how regularly it goes out of control...) After starting on this as a result of a poll held on the site, I finally finished it a couple of days ago.

Here are the steps followed: (Roughly...consuming too much pilfered Bugman's may have affected my memory...and I sometimes do highlights/ drybrushing and washes "out of order" etc.)

EDIT: Following the launch of the latest Citadel Paint range in 2012, please note that the colours listed below are from the previous range. I hope to have time to rewrite in the future, but for the time being, you can use the conversion chart/ list I made here or use the official Citadel Conversion chart here.

1. Assembly and General Tips:

• Remember to follow the instructions and assemble and paint the pilot and pilot's cage first. It would be extremely difficult to paint once you have glued the wheels and other parts on!  
• I painted up almost all parts before assembly. Trust me, it's easier...

2. Undercoat:

• All parts were sprayed with Chaos Black.

3.  Basecoat/ Layering:

• Pilot:
• Cloth: Red Gore, layered with 50/50 Red Gore/ Blood Red mix.
• Skin: Tallarn Flesh, layered with Elf Flesh.
• Helmet/ Armour: Boltgun Metal.
• Gloves: Snakebite leather, layered with 50/50 Snakebite Leather/ Skull White mix.
• Pilot's cage:
• Inner cage: Dwarf Bronze.
• Outer cage: Boltgun Metal.
• Steering column: Boltgun Metal.
• Pipes: Codex Grey. Drybrush Fortress Grey
• Tubes: Snot Green, Yellow, Regal Blue. 
• Compressor/ Tank: Dwarf Bronze.
• Pilot's periscope: Boltgun Metal/ Dwarf Bronze on the plates. Dark Angels Green on Lens, highlight 50/ 50 Darkangels Green/ Snot Green, and then 25/75 Darkangels Green/ Snot Green.

Lens detail

• Wheel units:
• Wood: Bestial Brown.
• Cogs/ Gears/ Wheelstuds/ Symbols: Boltgun Metal.
• Warpstone: Dark Angels Green.
• Outer Cage/ Blades.
• Blades: Boltgun Metal.
• Cage: Boltgun Metal/ Dwarf Bronze. (Clasps, coachwork)
• Lightning(?): Dwarf Bronze. 

Various parts, before Devlan Mud wash.

• Flag/ Pennant. (See "Custom Bitz" below for more info...)
• Wood: Bestial Brown.
• Symbol: Dwarf Bronze/ Boltgun Metal. 
• Cord: Bleached Bone. 
• Cloth: Red Gore, layered with 50/50 Red Gore/Blood Red mix, and then pure Blood Red.
• Cloth: Ice Blue, layered with 50/50 Ice Blue/ Skull White mix.)
• Rats: 
• Calthan Brown, drybrushed successively with lighter and lighter shades of Calthan Brown/ Snakebite leather mix. 
• Crew/ Crew Platform:
• Cloth (Hood): Gore Red (Hood), layered with Gore Red/ Blood Red mix. 
• Cloth (Robes): Codex Grey, layered with 50/50 Codex Grey/ Fortress Grey mix.
• Skin/ Feet: Dwarf Flesh, then Elf Flesh Highlights. (Horns are Skull White or Bleached Bone.) 
• Platform: Bestial Brown drybrush.

4. Drybrushing:

• Warpstone: 50/50 Darkangels Green/ Snot Green mix, then Darkangels Green/ Snot Green/ Skull White mix. (Drybrush this quite lightly so it doesn't overpower the darker greens.)
• Wheel units: 75/ 25 Bestial Brown/ Skull White mix on all wooden parts. 
• Wires: Gryphonne Sepia 

NOTE: All the above was done when the parts were separate, as was the Devlan Mud wash below.

5. Washes:

• First, Devlan Mud everywhere except Warpstone/ Rats for the base. 
• Use Thraka Green Wash on warpstone.
• Gryphonne Sepia on the rats. 

Pilot and Pilot's cage after Devlan Mud wash.

Wheels after Devlan Mud wash.

 At this point, the model was assembled, but not glued to the base.

• Then Rust wash: (25/75 Calthan Brown/ Blazing Orange mix, very, very watered down.) This was brushed onto most metallic areas. Immediately after applying , I then dabbed/ wiped away excess using a tissue, leaving the rust wash around spikes and gathered around areas where rust would naturally occur.
• Then Verdigris wash: (20/80 Regal Blue/ Ice Blue mix, again, very, very watered down.) This was brushed onto and around most Dwarf Bronze areas. Dabbed away as above immediately after application. 

Rust and Verdigris (Around Skaven symbol)

6. Base:

• Brush P.V.A. glue all over, being careful not to get too much on the model.
• Pour modelling sand over glue. Allow to dry.
• Brush with a watery Calthan Brown.
• Drybrush successively lighter layers of Calthan Brown.
• Final (very light) drybrushing of Fortress Grey. 

Custom Bitz...

• Pennant/ Flag. This is taken from the Skaven Warlord in the Island of Blood Set. I hate really extravagant back pennants (They just seem silly to me...especially for a tunnel-dwelling race!). Also, the huge and very dynamically modeled pennant that comes with the Doomwheel model could be used as an awesome army banner! 
• "Ratty Roadkill": Used a spear arm and a Plague Monk head from my Bitz Box.

Lessons learned?
I attempted a couple of things I haven't tried before - rust and verdigris washes. In both cases I didn't have any professional washes so I used watered down Games Workshop colours. I'm not sure they worked 100%, but I think they achieve the desired effect.
- Definitely test them on a small, out-of-the-way part of the model before using them on a larger surface.
- For the rust, the balance of Calthan Brown to Blazing Orange is tricky - too brown and it looks like mud, too orange and it looks too bright. I found about 25/75 CB to BO to be about right.
- Also, test the consistency of the mix once you have added water. Not enough and it will be like paint and impossible to remove, too watery and you won't get the desired effect. Experimentation is key!

Bases. I should have done the base properly before gluing the model on. The glue and sand was difficult to do with the model in place and I ended up getting it on the Doomwheel and other places I didn't want it to go.

For all that though, I have a Doomwheel to add to my fledgling Skaven force!

All comments and criticism or advice welcome.

*Squeek*

Skaven Doomwheel - gallery

*Squeek*

"A Doomwheel, yes-yes! Only one, but even so, a new unit of Clan Skryre-devised death-dealing destruction is to be welcomed...
...now, where is that cretinous pilot?"

I'll post a stage-by-stage guide in the next day or two!

As always, all criticism, comments and suggestions welcome.

*Squeek*

Doomwheel Update!

*Squeek*

Phew, it's about 25 past midnight here in Japan on the morning of Tuesday 21st of September. While that means I broke my deadline of posting an update on Monday, at least I have something to share with everyone who voted on my poll a few days ago.

Here is my Doomwheel at the time of writing. I started at 1 PM today, and in total I would say to get to the stage at bottom of the photos took about 8 hours in total (Yeah - I know, pretty slow eh?):

It isn't finished by any stretch of the imagination.., but I am well on the way now. Lots of details to be tidied up, basing (of course) highlighting in lots of areas etc...To be honest, I think it looks OK so far, but I have the feeling that the base will pull it all together in the next few days.

Once that is all done, I'll try to find the time to post a full step-by-step.

DOOMWHEEL! 
:-)
Thanks for dropping by!

*Squeek*!!

And the poll winner is...

Image from www.games-workshop.com

...the DOOMWHEEL!
...neek, neek, squeeel!

Here are the poll results at the time of closing...the Doomwheel just edged ("rumbled"?) ahead, surely due to a potent combination of arcane technology, warpstone and rodent treadmill power...

1. Doomwheel...look, it's a frikkin' Doomwheel OK? 18 (34%)
2. Stormvermin...awesome... 17 (32%)
3. Clanrats...ALWAYS need more! 6 (11%)
4. Grey Seer...you're toast without magiks... 5 (9%)
5. Warpfire Thrower...burn, baby, burn! 2 (3%)
6. More Slaves...cannon fodder FTW!! 4 (7%)

Looks like those Stormvermin were just edged out...

So a big thanks to all those who voted! If you came here but just missed the voting - apologies, I had to close it otherwise I wouldn't have time to try to finish the Doomwheel by the end of the long weekend.

(As it is that may be a stretch as my litter are demanding attention...)

I'll start working on this today and will post updates over the weekend and (hopefully) a full blog post at the end of the day, Monday 20th Sept!

To work Clan Skyre slaves - to work!

*Squeek*

What should I paint next?

Never criticize a sensitive artist...

*Squeek*

Fellow Warlords, I need your help! I got back from a week away (of work) and want to take the plunge for the coming long weekend by finishing up some more painting. The only question is, what to paint?




Help me decide by using the poll to the right!

Whichever answer has most votes by the time I get up and stumble to my PC this Saturday morning (18th September 2010) wins!
"Wins what?" I hear you ask, (your pinkish, scabrous paws rubbing together in anticipation of riches beyond your wildest ratty imaginations...)
Well, um, nothing...
...except the satisfaction of seeing me try to finish the model(s) and post an update by the end of Monday 20th September. ("Keiro-no-hi" - Respect for the Aged Day - just one of the 15 or so national holidays in Japan).

You can base your choice on whatever you would like to see from the list in the poll OR by taking a look below at the models I currently have painted and thinking about what you would add next to this small (but growing) force...

• x1 Skaven Warlord
• x1  Plague Priest
• x30 Plague Monks
• x12 Giant Rats
• x2 Rat Swarms
• x2 Rat Ogres
• x30 Skaven Slaves
• x30 Skaven Clanrats
• x1 Warpcannon with Crew
• x1 Jezzail

To the poll...THE POLL!

*Squeek*

How to Paint Giant Rats

*Squeek*

After finishing a couple of Rat Ogres I thought I would tackle something that looked as though it wouldn't take much time and that would be pretty simple to do. Giant Rats probably fit into that category (along with Rat Swarms) more than many other troop types in the Skaven army:

1. They don't demand too much detailed painting to look OK on the tabletop
2. They are small models.
3. A unit can be anything from 5 on upwards (I think), so you can get them up and running quickly. (The unit of 12 here took me a few hours (I'm a slow painter so this is pretty quick for me!)

Below you'll find a few more pics, followed by a (rough) step-by-step guide that looks OK to me for the tabletop.

EDIT: Following the launch of the latest Citadel Paint range in 2012, please note that the colours listed below are from the previous range. I hope to have time to rewrite in the future, but for the time being, you can use the conversion chart/ list I made here or use the official Citadel Conversion chart here.

A.) Undercoat

• After assembly, liberally apply PVA glue to base and dip in modelling sand. 
• Wait until dry, then undercoat. (I use Chaos Black spraypaint.) 

B.) Basecoat(s)

• Fur: Drybrush Calthan Brown OR Bestial Brown OR Codex Grey. (Note, I usually use all three colours on different models in a Giant Rat unit to achieve a bit of visual interest in the colours, otherwise the whole unit looks just brown...)
• Skin/ Tail/ Feet: Tallarn Flesh. 
• Metal: Boltgun metal and Dwarf Bronze. (Trinkets, machine parts etc.) 
• Bandages: Skull White OR Bleached Bone
• Buboes/ Boils: Elf Flesh Bone
• Exposed bone: Skull White OR Bleached Bone
• Warpstone: Dark Angels Green, then Scorpion Green. 

C.) Apply Washes: 

• Apply Devlan Mud Wash all over.

D.) Reapply base colours: Layered up lighter shades/ colours:  Skin/ Tail/ Feet: Dwarf Flesh on raised areas. (Try to leave some Tallarn flesh areas and the shadows created by the Devlan Mud wash and the black undercoat - especially on the tail)

Metal: Chainmail on edges

Bone: Skull White or Bleached Bone on edges.

• 
  

• E.) Drybrushing

• Fur: Drybrush Calthan Brown/ Skull White (50/50 mix) OR Bestial Brown/ Skull White (50/50 mix) OR Codex Grey/ Skull White (50/50 mix). I find that unless I drybrush this lighter shade then all the fur ends up looking very similar in a unit.

• 
  

F.) Base:

• Drybrush Calthan Brown, then Tallarn Flesh, finally a very light brush of Codex Grey. 
• Apply dabs of PVA glue onto the base and dip into green flock. 
• Paint base sides Knarloc Green. (Many, many people have told me they prefer to paint their based edges Calthan Brown or another brown rather than green.)

Now I'm going to have to do some Clan Moulder Pack Masters. Until then these guys are just going to have to run wild!

*Squeek*

How to Paint Rat Ogres

* Squeek*

"Are you telling me those FOOLS at Clan Moulder have only sent TWO Rat Ogres to join my ranks??!!
...AND the slaves they promised as food have not arrived?
...Surely the paltry number of fake warptokens I sent mingled with the down-payment wouldn't have anything to do with this?"

I got my first ever ROgres done. I don't think they look too bad for a first attempt. What follows is a rough guide (I may have forgotten a step or two) to the process, including the washes etc. Some notes follow the guide that I hope you'll find useful.

First, a couple lots of pics...

Rat Ogres!

Base Details...

The  process followed was:

A.) Undercoat

1. After assembly, liberally apply PVA glue to base and dip in modelling sand.
2. Wait until dry, then undercoat. (I use Chaos Black spraypaint.)

B.) Basecoat(s)

EDIT: Following the launch of the latest Citadel Paint range in 2012, please note that the colours listed below are from the previous range. I hope to have time to rewrite in the future, but for the time being, you can use the conversion chart/ list I made here or use the official Citadel Conversion chart here.

1. Fur: Drybrush Calthan Brown OR Bestial Brown.
2. Skin/ Tail/ Feet: Tallarn Flesh.
3. Cloth: Ice Blue.
4. Metal: Boltgun metal and Dwarf Bronze. (Weapons, belt buckles etc.)
5. Bandages: Skull White
6. Buboes/ Boils: Elf Flesh
7. Bone: Skull White
8. Exposed arteries: Red gore then Blood Red.
9. Warpstone: Dark Angels Green, then Scorpion Green.

C.) Apply Washes: Liberally apply Devlan Mud Wash all over.

D.) Reapply base colours: Layered up lighter shades/ colours: 

1. Skin/ Tail/ Feet: Dwarf Flesh on raised areas. (Being careful to leave some Tallarn flesh areas and the shadows created by the Devlan Mud wash and the black undercoat - especially on the tail.)
2. Cloth: Ice Blue/ Skull White (50/50 mix) on raised areas/ edges of cloth.
3. Metal: Chainmail edge highlights on metallic parts.
4. Bandages: Skull White highlights on edges.
5. Buboes/ Boils: VERY watered down Blood Red around rim of the boil
6. Bone: Skull White highlights
7. Exposed arteries: Blood Red highlights
8. Warpstone:Scorpion Green/ Skull White highlights.
9. Blades: Add Red Gore along blade edge, then highlight/ fill with Blood Red.

E.) Final Drybrushing:

1. Fur: Drybrush Calthan Brown/ Skull White (50/50) OR Bestial Brown/ Skull White (50/50)
2. Metal: Drybrush Mithril silver (Weapon edges) buttons etc.

F.) Base:

1. Base: Drybrush Calthan Brown, then Tallarn Flesh, finally a very light brush of Codex Grey.
2. Apply dabs of PVA glue onto the base and dip into green flock.
3. Paint base sides Knarloc Green.

G.) Extra Base Details:

NOTE: At this point, the size of the bases meant that they felt very empty, and the green flock looked very bland, so I decided to add a couple of visual highlights that I thought would draw the eye and keep things interesting. I would definitely recommend spicing up these bases with something! I raided my bits box and came up with a plastic Axe, a shield, and some giant rats.

I thought that if if I was lucky, I could make these weapons look and feel as though they had been abandoned in the face of these onrushing Rat Ogres. I don't know if it worked, but it was interesting to try it!

Since completing these two Ogres I've been working on a full unit of giant rats, and I hope to get some pics of those and a guide up in the next day or so. In the meantime, I'd better go and round up some slaves to feed these ravenous rat ogres!

Let me know if you have any questions. 

*Squeek*

Rat Ogre Update 2

*Squeek*

Pretty busy this week so haven't had much chance to work on the Rat Ogres too much, but I have got a couple of things to show you! (Scroll down for pics...)

1. I did a little bit of highlighting now that the Devlan Mud wash is done and used some Dwarf Flesh on the tail of one Rat Ogre to see how it looks.

2. I also started on the bases. Usually I would just add some flock etc. after drybrushing the mud, as that is easy and doesn't take much time. However, just as I suspected, it quickly became apparent that bases this size would need a detail or two to bring them to life, necessitating a rummage around the bits box.

Here is what I came up with...

• "Say Hello to My Little Friends". If you've got Skaven, somewhere you have a pile of rats from the sprue that you haven't used. These guys add a touch of ratty flavor to anything pretty easily. As well as that, they are easy to throw in: black basecoat, drybrush Calthan Brown or Codex Grey, add Tallarn Flesh/ Dwarf Flesh for limbs, face ears - voila!
• "Run Away, Run Away!" I thought it would be cool to try and throw in some broken or abandoned weapons. I wanted it to feel as though the enemy had turned and fled and thrown their weapons on the ground - not sure if I succeeded, but if I did this on several Rat Ogres the combined look might work...(In this case I used a plastic axe, cutting off one edge to give the impression that it has been wedged in the ground, and a plastic shield I got from somewhere. I used cutters to add some notches to the shield.)

I still have highlighting to do on the rats, shield and axe and of course flock and paint the base, but all feedback welcome! 

Pics below:

Hope to have these guys finished by the end of the weekend!

*Squeek*