The A-Team - Warp Spider Phoenix Lord Concept

So some of you have asked where this gem came from. Well, it has been a consortium effort... made up of the following;

1. Addinarr from Deviantart - The original concept mastermind. I found Addinarr's artwork many years ago and kept the photo in my archives for future reference. Sadly, I didn't know who the creator was back then. Thanks to reverse image search these days, I tracked him down to ask permission to turn his concept into a model. Ok... so the model had been started before hand - all the same he was kind enough to say "You definitely have the approval".

2. Mariano Pagotti - With the help of a good mate, I was connected with Mariano to see the sculpt imagined. After the first image forming the body, I knew it was going to work, Mariano was the guy to do it.. and then some.

3. Steve from Third Fate Creations - By now you would know of Steve's insanely good air brushing skills and knack for creating some incredible cinematic effects. Steve has been the man in charge of seeing my Super Heavy War Machines brought to life (from the Vampire Raiders/Hunter, to assorted Titans of various sizes).

Steve has contacted me asking for a crack at the cinematics... and given our discussions today... well, regardless of which direction chosen, the beast is going to look amazing. As much as I'd love to blurt these concepts out, perhaps a little patience on my part may be worth it for everyone :)

Stay tuned...

Warp Spider Phoenix Lord - Update #4

And now we start to see the beast in all its glory - one or two minor adjustments to the model and it will be finished... ready to find a commissioned artist to do the final touches. Thrilled? That's an understatement... Mariano has nailed this commission 10 fold over.

Warp Spider Phoenix Lord - Update #3

Mariano has been hard at work, developing the "spider" limbs. Now we're starting to see the more menacing details appearing with two of the four armatures, with power blades fixed, akin to scything/grappling talons for mobility and offensive capabilities. Coupled with its Phoenix Lord spinnerette rifle, I'd hate to be the designated target this thing goes after.

Now, on to the goodies!

Warp Spider Phoenix Lord WIP - Update #2

Mariano, not 30 minutes ago has improved my Monday ten fold with these recent WIP photos :)

With the integrated "Warp Jump Generator" now part of the suit, the first shoulder guard pieces down and head formed, small pincers (not shown) will goon after the next baking phase.

The holes in the back and side of the torso will be where the scything talon style armatures will lock in, adding quad power blades into the mix.

One of the scything power blades to be hooked into the integrated Warp Jump Generator.

Note, the weapons are still WIP, now that the general shape has been formed.

Stay tuned for the next update! Weapons and shoulder plates to be added soon.

Video Update: The "unboxed" so far...

Again, please excuse the lighting - the macro of a camera phone is probably the worst thing to use for something like this. More lighting to go in the top and bottom to "fill" the case, not just the shelves. If you want the high resolution images of what is here on the shelves, check the rest of the site as all the individual goodies are here (including the ones not unboxed yet!). Enjoy!

Commissioned Sculpt - Warp Spider Phoenix Lord WIP

When a miniature doesn't exist that you know is needed to make an already comprehensive Warhost that little more complete, what do you do? Put the feelers out for the best sculptors you can get your hands on and see what happens.

Well, something did happen, or I should say... is happening. Meet the WIP Warp Spider Phoenix Lord Mariano Pagotti is working on.

After a number of concept art pieces were submitted to Mariano, an agreement was made to see how badarse the elusive model could be manifested to life. Afterall, no one likes anything done by halves in this hobby.

So, with the cat out of the bag... or spider in this case, stay tuned for updates as this little ball of hurt grows into one of the missing pieces so wished for over the years.

Lights, Camera...

Phase two complete... well almost. Lights have been added to the display case as the boxes are unpacked onto the shelves, which are filling up very quickly. Somehow, believe it or not the case will hold around 2400 miniatures - War Machines included. At the moment, there are roughly 1600 painted miniatures, with about 800 left (80% of those off to Titan Miniatures, with the remainder to my existing commissioned artists - the awesome bunch they are!).

I'll admit, the first time I flicked the lights on, it was in "disco" mode, which, had I been epileptic... I'd have been in serious trouble. Perfect if you like to break out the glow sticks and party hard though, which I've been told the Eldar do a little too well *cough*Slannesh*cough*.

One more strip along the top to get light down through the shelves and all will be ready for the glass doors - then the Titans can go up. For those of you shouting "why not now?!", if any of you have had little people in the house, you will know pretty things demand touching, and while mine is pretty good all said and told... I'd rather not play the role of hostage negotiator with one of a kind Titans ;)

And as a bonus round, I had a dig through all my old Armorcast stuff on the weekend - this is a small portion of it, however I thought it may be worthy of a photo (note, half the Phantom and its addon kit is at a mates place). Yes that kit at the front is the ultra rare Bright Stallion Knight prototype.