edge WIP - Balin's tomb + Update July 1

Cyndra the Grey · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:31 pm

Good work so far. The orange colour scheme works well and I like the alternative troll colours.
Keep it up.

Cyndra the Grey

edge67 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:19 am

Thanks for all the feedback. I have now added most of the figures to the diorama. Still have a few to go - goblin captain, another shaman and finally Gimli. I am also now thinking I will add a Balrog to stand above the arches which I have just put a roof over - I imagine lava floor tiles, molten rock or something like that. Seems fitting to have shadow and flame from the deep watching over everything - and gives me an excuse to paint a Balrog!

More images below.

Cyndra the Grey · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:25 am

It looks fantastic and very real. I didn't think you would be able to pull it off with just the MoM figures but you have and it's amazing.

Keep up the epic work.

Cyndra the Grey

edge67 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:33 am

Thanks Cyndra. I agree the plastic MoM figures weren't too flash. I think the goblins turned out OK, but the fellowship...well

I had a terrible time trying to get a decent version of Legolas or Aragorn. Plus I'm learning to paint as I go so that doesn't help! Since it's taken me a year to get this far I thought - ah stuff it, I'll just keep going. Hopefully will finish the last 3 figures soon.

kidterminal · **Posted:** Mon Mar 14, 2011 8:33 am

Very nice, thought the plastic figures sadly look it.

edge67 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:21 am

Well I have started to paint the Gimli model to go into the diorama. I used tallarn flesh as the base coat for the face, then a ogryn flesh wash and then highlights with dwarf flesh. I think it turned out OK, but maybe more highlights are needed?

I basecoated the beard with a 50/50 mix of black and calthan brown. I tried highlights with dark flesh but this looked blurg

(see image 1) I then did a wash of black (image 2) and tried highlights with calthan brown and then again with 50/50 calthan brown and white (image 3). It still looks messy and not right. Any suggestions for improvements most welcome.

edge67 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:42 am

Made some more progress with the Gimpster. Finished most of the metal bits - simply with boltgun metal and mithril silver for the highlights (and a black wash inbetween). I also had a go at the cloak. Most is 50/50 mix of necron abyss (using GW paints by the way) and white with original colour in the deep creases and extra white added to the 50/50 mix for the highlilghts. I like the colour. Painting getting better hopefully! Progress below.

Cyndra the Grey · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 9:18 am

Very nice, the cloak is also a nice contrast to the usual film version. Keep up the amazing work

Cyndra the Grey

DM · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2011 9:29 am

Thats a really nice Balin's Tomb. Great use of the Hirst Arts blocks, now I see why you have shown so much interest in my WIP...

Looking forward to seeing more.

Drumstick · **Joined:** Sat Sep 19, 2009 8:57 am **Posts:** 1223

Your gimli looks very good so far, I like the colour scheme your using. This will certainly be a fantastic game to play once you've finished off all those MoM models.

Elros of Numenor · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 11:28 am

edge67 wrote:

Painting getting better hopefully!

Yep

Interesting that you panted the whole axe head silver.
It does help to paint figures with better detail

Keep it up.

Meneldil · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:08 pm

This is amazing work! You did a great job recreating Balin's Tomb. It looks really nice, and I've got the plastic fellowship myself, so I know how hard is to paint well.
I like how you used the MoM set but still added your own touch to it.
I can't wait to see your Gimli model finished.

edge67 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:33 am

Well here's Gimli close to finished - and a sneek peak of his position in the diorama. I think he turned out OK. If I gave myself one piece of advice it would be 'thin your paints more' :-X

However, the fun of the hobby is gradually improving over time - hopefully! Of course I could always claim 'it was deliberate, it was deliberate' :rofl:

edge67 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:35 am

PS - thanks for all the supportive comments. It really helps the motivation to keep at it.

Meneldil · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:02 pm

Looks good! Nice work on the cape.
Maybe you could make Balin's Tomb looking a bit more rough and old.
Keep going on this project!

TheBucklandBrewer · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 6:59 pm

Fantastic! Great personal version of this chamber! Love how it's all coming together, the chamber, the golbins without standard red rags, the Troll and the fellowship! Great big diorama! Very well worked out!
Very nice use of the different styles of scenery aswell, all combined in this great project!
Well done so far! Keep us up-to-date!

dave85uk · **Posted:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:39 pm

Loving the WIP thread, Gimli looks pretty sweet and i love the colour scheme for your Moria Goblins.

edge67 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:17 am

Meneldil wrote:

Maybe you could make Balin's Tomb looking a bit more rough and old.

Yeah, this has always bugged me. I tried adding some teased out cotton wool to represent cobwebs but this was not particularly successful. I actually think the easiest thing to do would be to leave it in the shed for 6 months and let the dust and cobwebs build up. I will cry when I do this - and I will have to protect the minis - but it might be the only option for a realistic effect (although the cobwebs will look like they came from giant spiders!) :sad:

The tomb is actually meant to be viewed in the dark with just a beam of light coming from a slit in the wall as per the movie. I'm going to use a small torch for this. I'll set this up in the next few weeks once I have painted up the last models.

edge67 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 10, 2011 4:01 am

Well I added the final figures to the tomb. I played around with a light source coming from the slit in the wall to simulate the shaft of sunlight as seen in the movie. Hmm - not sure I am 100% happy with the result (would like the shaft of light to be more directed - might need a different torch) - however, it makes for some funky pictures.

OK - so this is the end of stage 1. I have decided to add a Balrog perched over the arches. This will require some more casting of floor tiles, stones etc. I want to simulate Balrog ready to descend into chamber with associated chaos, broken stones, flame, smoke etc. I'll try to update regularly as I go through this process - who knows how long that will take! :shock:

Enjoy pics

The complete scene

Gimli ready to chop some poor goblins head off

Troll blinded by the light, wrapped up like a duce....

Sun so bright it leaves no shadows, only scars...

The light source

The drummers

kidterminal · **Posted:** Sun Apr 10, 2011 5:19 am

Nice pictures. If you wan the the bean effect try cutting a slit in a piece of cardboard and hold it over one of your lights. That might give you what you're looking for.

edge WIP - Balin's tomb + Update July 1

Who is online