What awaits: The next four years...

So the light is finding its way to the end of the tunnel. As most of you know by now, especially commissioned artists and studios, I don't put deadlines on any of the works - this prevents the artists from getting burn out and also gives them flexibility to really shine when putting thought into the pieces.

*I will preface this in saying the below considers a time line of two years for the HQ/Titans, and 3-4 for everything else.

As most who follow this blog would have noticed, Vincent is getting out of the painting business and now well into sculpting miniatures for his business Limbo Miniatures. Seriously, check out his stuff, its jaw dropping.

What does this mean? Well, all the HQ models for the Eldar were his exclusively to manage, until now. The helm is being passed to Linford of Banshiek Miniature Painting (Brisbane, QLD) after seeing his incredible works with other Eldar commissions (seen below).

While a few miniatures are on their way back from Vincent, Linford will be taking up the helm in November on the next batch of 26.

Meanwhile, Clayton from Can Brush Studios (Toowoomba, QLD) will have his work cut out for him with doing detail/repair work on the Warmachines (some were severely damaged in transit, others will have the pilots and fine details attended to.

Over in Colorado, USA, Steve from Third Fate Creations will be kicking off work on the Armorcast Titans (Phantom, Warlock Class kit and Revenants).

In the background, and I owe this lad an apology for the delays of over two years (yeah, bad Dave), Arawn from Titan Miniatures will be taking care of a stupidly large amount of Wraith constructs, Jetbikes and Harlequins (don't worry... I won't be asking for all those diamonds, I'm not a sadist).

Warp Spider Phoenix Lord - A Story of Clavicle Cleaving

Steve the Man has just sorted out the latest addition to the Dras'Volharr - In the form of a completed Warp Spider Phoenix Lord diorama... Seeing what a Chaos Terminator lord is really made of inside.

This is what you get when a Warp Spider Phoenix Lord decides to open a slice of webway from within and emerges like a Xenomorph chest burster. Hint: It's more spectacular than a stripper from a cake.

I'm a bit limited for time at the moment, however, so I will be brief in this post... enjoy!

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...

Winged Nightmares - Corsair Vampire Squadron

May have slipped up a bit here - these guys were done some time ago (before the Titans) - however I seem to have forgotten to put the final post up for the trio of winged death.

The following three Vampires are part of the Corsair contingent, comprising of two Raiders (to transport 60 Corsairs) and a Hunter escort - just in case there's a tank or two that may present issues for the orbital assault.

Forming the base of the Vampire Hunter is a proper-f*&#ed Chaos Predator, making good use of brass rods, scenic smoke and missiles flowing from the undercarriage missile bays to support the weight of the Hunter. Both Raider are on 1"x12" thick acrylic rods that screw to the base and use guiding rods with magnets to lock the fuselage in place.

In the next couple of weeks they should be accompanied by a fighter/bomber wing - 16 regular flyers with another 4 in the winds to be completed over the next 12 months.

Twin Eldar Phantom Titans - Ready to Reap

What a week. There are some you wish would you could forget - thankfully Steve managed to restore my faith in things with photos of the completed Phantom Titans. Dubbed "Reapers" these guys came up a treat, making the Chaos Hell Turkey and Land Raider suffer in spectacular fashion - me likey.

I've no doubt i'll update this post a bit later when I have a moment, however I couldn't wait... here are the pretties in all their glory! Huge thanks go to Steve as always with these crazy creations :)

Harbingers of the Void - Twin Phantom Reapers

First up, Happy New Year to all :) hopefully each of you have your New Years resolutions all planed out with lots of Wargaming thrown in for good measure.

Steve has just sent an update for the two Forgeworld Phantoms, dubbed "Void Reapers" given their menacing appearance and general badarsery. With six of the nine Titans down, only the Armorcast remain, then around mid year the Super Heavy Grav Tanks will be seeking out their respective paint jobs.

The recent changes have been painting of all the gems to the blade colour to reflect a more "blazing" contrast that fits in theme with the army itself. Very much looking forward to seeing these bad boys flanking the Warlock Class Phantom Titan in the future.

Tables & Titans - Planetscape & Phantoms Nearing Completion

This week i've had both Steve and Elliot contact me with regard to current WIP projects, and given the Dras'Volharr Planetscape is oh so very close to being completed, i'm quite eager to post up the photos from Elliot's own website CustomTerrain.net

Steve has also been smashing along with the Phantom Titan progress, having just the finishing touches and some cinematic work left on the big guys. Enough from me... pretties...

 

Phantom Titan WIP - Shoulderpad Runes & Death Masks

New runes have been consolidated to create some new Titan glyphs for the shoulders and hip guards, albeit with a few layers of shading left to go. The ground forces contain the scorpions tail insignia and venom drip, in contrast to the airwing's more avian stylised glyphs shown on the Vampire's.

All coming together, with the Webway Gates up next upon completion, followed by the Armorcast Titans - Warlock class and twin Revenants.

 And a small glance of a downed Falcon for one of the Phantoms as a scenic piece. Still thinking about how this one will work out :)