I think you are a bit too hard on yourself (and the no-longer savager orcs). Your paint job will bring them together and can also mellow out their chiselled physique. I agree on the weapons but, that's an easy conversion.
HOWEVER, what about the digit divide? i.e. fimir should have three fingers and toes but the savages have four! Maybe you could fuse the middle and ring fingers with judicious use of green stuff? The Fimm on the right has pretty fat fingers after all.
Thanks. I get critical over details, but it's frequently not a huge problem. ALthough in this case, I'm still a bit undecided if I will do more. And yes, going to wait and see how they look with some paint on them.
As far as the digits, that's one detail I'm letting slide a little. I'm resculpting feet on all of the Reaper orc conversions. Some of those figures have three fingers, some have four -- but I'm not going to mess with them. So for these savage orcs, I've been cutting off the smallest toe, and will just leave the hands. My own fluff excuse is to just say there's variation within the species.
Throwing something new into the plans, someone at Lead Adventure just reminded me about the Frostgrave gnolls. I saw the announcement a while ago, but didn't know they had already been produced and released at some point since then. (Quick!) They may be another possibility, and I'd definitely like to try them out if I can manage a cheap box.
http://nstarmagazine.com/INTO_THE_BREEDING_PITS_htm_files/10986.jpgNice to see this project going forward!
I think your only "problem" is that the new plastics will look way better than the classic metal ones. While charming, the classic ones are rather one-dimensional and "flat" sculpts compared to Reaper and new GW. At least that Citadel Fimir on the right, in the photo above.
Thanks! The old sculpts are a little... rough. Especially considering that Nick Bibby is one of the most talented sculptors around -- then or now. But they also have a certain charm to them. Like I said, I like that they are not exactly body-builder physiques, fairly simple, etc. But I do like having the newer, more detailed figures for the elite Fianna & nobles. Forgeworld is also making some new figures that look great. Unfortunately I'm already invested in these conversions, and between overseas shipping and the usual GW/Forgeworld costs, the conversions are way cheaper. However, I do think that the FW prices aren't terribly bad, and at some point in the future I would like to get most of the new "Fimirach" figures.
Are they on 40mm square bases?
I was looking at the ones Westfalia are working on, and they look tiny compared to yours.
Mine are on 40mm bases. Many of my other "big guys" are older figures -- 2nd version of Golgfag's, Marauder ogres & trolls, etc. so they scale pretty well with those, but would probably look smaller compared to modern GW ogres & trolls.
I think once you do some weapons swaps you'll feel much better about them, this is your chance to give one of them a giant frog spear.
I should! The trick will be trying to make one. I think I can probably put something together with some plastic tube, brass wire, and just a bit of putty. Last night I started the conversion of three more, but want to do one more. But I couldn't find another weapon I liked in the limited bits I have access to at the moment. So maybe I should try the frog spear tonight!