Oldhammering...

Oldhammer... a revolt against the plastic mass produced sprues of contemporary fantasy and science fiction wargaming? A sentimental attitude harking back to the time of blister packed white metal/lead figures of our childhood? A bit of both... but its more than that.

The old lead still has a lot to give- it's hand sculpted details may be softer than the modern digital sculpted, dynamic models but it has a certain charm with the sometimes wild designs and exaggerated shapes. A lot of the sculpts seem to rely on- from what I understand- the rtv molding and spin-casting process that limits the dynamism to a degree while trying to achieve a single piece figure cast.

Artists/sculptors seemed to imbue more of their own ideas into the pieces that hinted at a much more varied universe and made for a range of interesting, diverse characters and creatures before an amalgamated style was settled upon.

There are some great blogs showcasing these old classic pieces...
http://realmofchaos80s.blogspot.co.uk/
http://realmofcitadel.blogspot.com.au/

In addition here is a great interview with Rick Priestly with a lot of tidbits on the conception of 40K and the 'old days'...
http://talesfromthemaelstrom.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/rick-priestley-interview.html

And in the meantime here are a few Undead pieces of mine- old and new. A mix of 80's Citadel metal, contemporary plastic from Games Workshop and Mantic and some models from the metal Lord of the Rings range.

Vlka Fenryka... The Wolves of Fenris

Not being a fan of the plastic GW jump packs I thought I would convert a Heresy Era MarkIV Jump Pack Assault Squad into Space Wolves. With the new Black Library book coming soon I'm sure we will see some Age of Darkness Wolves from Forge World in the near future.

Death Korps of Krieg Mortar Team...

To add to the growing army of muddy trench warriors I have recently finished this two man mortar team. A lot fiddlier than the larger, heavy siege mortar but a lot quicker to paint. Finished with AK Interactive and Mig enamels and powders over Games Workshop acrylics.
Melbourne Museum currently has a quite somber exhibition from the Imperial War Museum on the Great War. Worth a look if you are in town for some first hand references...

 

Heroes for Wargames...

Hidden in the boxes from a recent move I rediscovered this book. It's a gem of references, photographs and information from the early days of Citadel published in 1988. Great shots of the sculptor's and illustrator's workspaces and you cant go past that cover painting. Now I just wish I could find my early Citadel Journals with the Kaleb Daark storyline.

Krieg Turret Emplacement...

My recently completed turret...

Dust shook loosely in the air as the pounding autocannon turret spewed flaming shells across the trenches toward the Vraksian heretics. The firing signaled the charge and the Krieg infantry launched across the gap in the trench into the closing fray of horrors.

Panther AUSF .A

I was finally able to finish this Bolt Action piece, the Panther AUSF .A.
It went together well, nice resin detail from Warlord. Painted for winter in acrylics and finished with some Mig and AK weathering and enamels.

Orks...

Twenty something years ago, long before Games Workshop had arrived at our shores I was a keen collector and painter of little lead Orcs. After a childhood of Tolkien it was a natural progression. I'm only just rediscovering some of these minis that have been hidden a way in boxes stashed at the back of cupboards and in attics. And discovering that Kevin Adams still sculpts and is creating new pieces in the old style (some refer to Oldhammer).

Last year GW commissioned a few new illustrations for their Ork Codex, I was happy to oblige and keen to bring an older more feral approach to these paintings...