Scar -Scath arrives...and is unboxed!

*Squeek*

He has arrived...the great lord that my army has been waiting for! I have magic, I have war-machines, I have muscle, and now, NOW I have otherworldly EVIL as well!
(Insert high-pitched - yet still evil - laugh here!)

...or at least I have a model that COULD stand-in as that embodiment of Skaven evil, the scheming Vermin Lord.


I first came across Scar-Scath, Fiend of Vermin, from a post on another blog, and since then have visited the Bane Legions website several times. The models look great and could well accompany any number of different armies, and the range is expanding, with monsters ranging from tree-men to giants. I determined to buy Scar-Scath, as I thought he might be a really good centerpiece for my Skaven army, striding tall among the bent-backed, scurrying Skaven horde around him, massive polearm in hand.

I recently ordered the model from Maelstrom Games and a box duly arrived from the UK while I was on a business trip. I was really happy to get back and see the box there, not least because anything coming in the post from the UK by Royal Mail makes me worry. (Even worse if it is Parcel Force....Parcel FARCE more like) Note that isn't a slight on Maelstrom (I could choose a safer more expensive shipping option if I wish!), just my fears based on prior experience with the UK postal system.

Anyway, the box did arrive, and in perfect shape too! So what is in it?

Let's take a look...

As a total noob with resin miniatures, I appreciate this!

Wrapped up safe and sound in bubble wrap.

Pieces in a bag.

The head of Scar-Scath.

8 pieces.

The pieces are really clearly defined with lots of detail. The one thing I don't quite understand is that there was no base for the model in the box. Is it the case that with resin models people just always want to sculpt and create their own? Perhaps I missed where it said that on the website? It seems a bit strange as the foot (on the right in the picture) looks as though it has a rod molded for insertion in a hole on a base. I guess I will have to find one somewhere...

After getting out the model and making sure nothing was broken I decided to put Scar-Skath next to one of my Skaven to see how he looked in terms of size. Although Maelstrom have helpfully put sizes (H:84mm x W:96mm) on their site next to pictures of each model (so I had a rough idea) I was definitely nervous as I put him next to a Warlock Engineer for comparison. Would he look ridiculously large? or not impressive enough?

Here is the shot...

Yes, he IS rather large (and will look larger with the head on and when carrying the polearm) but I actually think he is going to look just about right! Not a giant - more a very large and powerful manifestation of a summoned being.

Now the challenge is just to assemble and paint my first ever resin figure!

*Squeek!!*

How to Paint a Skaven Warlord

*Squeek*

Below is a step-by-step guide to painting an Island of Blood Skaven Warlord. No claims that it is high-art or anything like that, but I think that it works pretty well on the table-top!

At a couple of stages I have added some WIP pics, and there are some images of the finished item at the bottom (Note that I painted this ages a go, so some of the steps may not be in order.)

Hope you like it...

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.

• File away any flash or very carefully remove using a modelling knife. (My ratty fingers carry many scars that are mute testimony to how important it is to be careful...)
• Glue to base.

2. First Basing.

• Paint some slightly watered-down PVA glue to the base.
• Dip base into modelling sand.
• Shake away excess and leave to dry.

3. Undercoat.

• Undercoat whole model. (I use GW Chaos Black spray paint.)

4. Dry Brush base.

• Calthan Brown.

5. Basecoat.

• Boltgun Metal: Halberd blade, chains on the back-banner, fixtures on back banner symbol (holding symbol to pole), chainmail, front edge of helmet
• Dwarf Bronze: Armour, helmet, Skaven symbol on back-banner, brazier
• Bleached Bone: Skull, cords on back-banner pole, stitching at the top of the back-banner flags.
• Dark Angels Green: Warpstone fumes.
• Codex Grey: Plinth/ masonry, back-banner flag:
• Tallarn Flesh: face, hands, feet, tail.
• Ice Blue: Robes, halberd pendant. 
• Snakebite Leather: leather armour straps, pouch
• Knarloc Green: Back-banner flag.
• Skull White: Teeth, nails.
• Red Gore: Eyes, jewel on plinth/ masonry.

6. Layers.

• Robes/ Halberd Pendant: Ice Blue/ Skull White (50/50 mix), then Ice Blue/ Skull White (25/75 mix)
• Flesh/ Tail: Tallarn Flesh/ Dwarf Flesh (50/50 mix)
• Skull: Bleached Bone/ Skull White (50/50 mix)
• Back Banner Flag (Green): Calthan Green/ Skull White (50/ 50 mix) then Calthan Green/ Skull White (25/75 mix)
• Back Banner Flag (Grey): Codex Grey/ Fortress Grey (50/50 mix) then Codex Grey/ Fortress Grey (25/75 mix)
• Warpstone Pendant: Dark Angels Green/ Snot Green (50/50 mix) then Dark Angels Green/ Snot Green (25/75 mix)
• Warpstone Flame: Dark Angels Green/ Snot Green (50/50 mix) then Dark Angels Green/ Snot Green (25/75 mix) then Dark Angels Green/ Snot Green/ Skull White (50/25/25 mix)
• Pouch/ Leather straps: Snakebite Leather/ Skull White (50/50 mix)
• Eyes: Red Gore/ Blood Red (50/50 mix)
• Jewel on Plinth/ Masonry: Red Gore/ Blood Red (50/ 50 mix) then 25/75 mix, then Red Gore/ Blood Red/ Skull White (25/50/ 15)

If you want to add Skaven symbols to the back-banner flags, now is a good time to do it - before washes...

7. Washes.

• Devlan Mud: Armour, chainmail, halberd Blade, halberd pole, hatchet, robes, back-banner flags, back banner pole (not cords.), halberd pendant, Plinth/ masonry.
• Thraka Green: Warpstone amulet, warpstone smoke.
• Gryphonne Sepia: Cords on back-banner pole, skull.
• Ogryn Flesh: Flesh, tail, feet, hands.

8. Drybrushing.

• Shining Gold: Armour, brazier, Skaven symbol on back-banner
• Mithril Silver: Chainmail.
• Calthan Brown/ Skull White (75/25 mix): Halberd pole, back-banner pole
• Codex Grey: very lightly brush across the exposed fur on the Warlord's back.
• Banner Chains: Chainmail or Mithril Silver.
• Earth: Calthan Brown/ Snakebite leather (50/50 mix)

9. Highlights.

• Weapon edges: Chainmail
• Metal clasps on back banner/ Skaven Symbol: Chainmail or Mithril Silver.
• Add a dot of white on the jewel on the plinth/ masonry. (See images below)

10. Final Basing.

• Dab on a couple of spots of PVA glue.
• Dip in green flock.
• Leave to set for a few minutes then shake off excess.
• Carefully paint around base edge using Snakebite Leather.

11. Verdigris (Optional)

This is the light blue patina that you see on old statues or layers of bronze in museums or exposed to the elements. Having this will add an additional sense of age to any bronze parts. Please note, if you haven't done this before, experiment first, as if you get it wrong this is the last stage of the model, so it may be difficult to correct...

• Heavily water down GW Ice Blue. You'll have to experiment to find the right consistency, but I would say 1 part paint to between 7 and 10 parts water. It should be watery enough that you can wipe away WITHOUT leaving a stain. (Very important so you can correct mistakes if necessary!)
• Carefully paint onto any bronze parts where Verdigris would naturally appear so that it gathers. In the case of the Skaven Warlord, a good place is around the base of the shoulder spikes on his armour. (recessed areas, around nails, buttons and joins between bronze parts are also good too.)
• Quickly take a tissue, fold to a point, and dab away any excess, so it is left gathered around the parts mentioned above.
• Leave remainder to dry. (Be patient!)
• HINT: Only add Verdigris to one area at a time so you have time to wick or dab away excess before it dries. Don't add to ALL bronze parts on the whole model at the same time! 

FINISHED!

The Chattering Horde thanks you...

*Squeek*

Many journeys have taken me away from my blog, but I have returned, and much, much has changed in the world of Warhammer.
1. ...The green things have many new reinforcements, both monstrous, and savage (and so we Skaven must build, build new and terrible ways for them to die!)

2.  ...and The Chattering Horde has received more than 20,000 page visits!

What does this mean?

Of course, for one thing it means that we Skaven shall conquer all, for surely the Children of the Horned Rat are without number. (Or at least, there are lots and lots of us!) Blessed be the followers of the Horned One.

For another, it means a big "Thank you" from me, Squeek Vermintide, to all those who have visited (and re-visited) The Chattering Horde! When I started this blog on May the 7th, 2010, it really was to try and keep myself motivated. I had collected and painted quite a large Tau Army for Warhammer 40K. I had found that it took me quite a while to paint those - so I was definitely worried about painting my first "Horde Army". I'd also been interested in trying to create my own blog, so saw this as a good opportunity to try out something on the web I hadn't done before. Finally, I thought that it might be one way to help other players who were totally new to Warhammer Fantasy Battles like myself. Although I had been a fan of GW and the Warhammer and Warhammer 40K systems for many years, I had no experience of actual gaming with WFB (and still don't as it turns out!) I actually just enjoyed the back-story, world and races etc. Painting an army would be a totally new thing and I was sure I would make a ton of mistakes along the way that others could learn from.

Now, I know 20,000 page views isn't a whole lot! Many of the blogs I look at have hundred of thousands of (very well-deserved!) visits and hundreds (or thousands) of followers. I'm just really happy because I when I started The Chattering Horde I really didn't think anyone would visit at all. As people started to visit, I actually started to pay more attention to the number, because it became another factor that motivated me to paint - people started to visit the Step-by-Step guides, and even to take the time to thank me for putting them up (you know who you are!).

So what happens now?

1. I've haven't updated the site for the last few weeks, but I'm planning to change that in the next few days with a Step-by-Step guide for the Island of Blood Skaven Warlord.
2. From March, when the job becomes (I hope) a little less hectic, I'll turn my attention to more painting. I still have a couple of key centerpiece models to do such as the Screaming Bell and Hell Pit Abomination, as well as core units such as Stormvermin, more slaves and more Clanrats.
3. I'd like to do a few more polls regarding the forthcoming new models etc.
4. I'd like to add some non-GW models to my Skaven army. (You've probably already read how much I like the Bane Legions range, which now has its own website btw.
5. If I have time, I'll try to master You Tube and put up a couple of videos on the site of work-in-progress or the army as a whole.

So, thanks again to...

...everyone who has visited The Chattering Horde...

...the very inspirational websites for Skaven Generals that are out there... (The UnderEmpire being just one example!)

...those who have taken the time to encourage me by leaving comments. 

Connivingly yours,

*Squeek*