Grenadier Hirelings - Ready to spike doors and taste potions for a few GP

[Dragonfire Studio]

Ready to explore the Caves of Chaos, this crew of hirelings is always ready to put their lives in danger for a few coins. Why send a character to open a chest, spike a door, or fight that minotaur when a brave hireling will do it for you.

This was one of the box sets I never got 30 years ago, but always wanted. I had a couple of figures from the set, like the two guys carrying the chest, but not the whole set. I got this one off ebay and painted it right up using the zenith priming technique: black, then low angle desert tan, then high angle white. Everything else was washes, glazes and some final opaque highlights to finish them all off. They are quick jobs so I could finish the set. I wish I could have known this stuff back when I was using Testors enamels way back when. The W/N series 7 brush is just a bit better for detail than the old black Testors brush also.

The coolmini link is here. http://www.coolminiornot.com/273793

 

[COG]

for how old you did a very nice job. love the atmosphere they give off

 

[freakinacage]

great work. interesting technique

 

[supervike]

Great stuff. I love 'groups' of similar minis. It's like they all form to make a greater whole.

 

[Dragonfire Studio]

Thanks guys. I like the old sets even if the sculpting is not as good as today. The figures are very functional though. No dancing or runway posing like many figures now.

 

[funnymouth]

Love these! Just my style. I've encountered this painting technique a few times before, and I'm thinking I should try it. With results like these why wouldn't I?
You've done a great job photographing the group as well. In my experience it can be tough and I never get it quite right. The angle seems important......
Any tips?

 

[Dragonfire Studio]

thanks,

It's not a new technique or anything. It just makes it easier to use thinnned paint in a watercolor style. I wrote this tutorial years ago and probably should update it. http://www.lonebrushman.net/underpainting.htm

For photos, I have a piece of paper taped to the front of a lamp as a diffuser, and a second lamp pointing away from the minis but providing a bit of glow from the side. That's about it, nothing more beyond that.