Author Topic: Building the Black Company: Updated 07.12 (Read 2835 times)

Underdawg · « **on:** June 07, 2012, 06:11:47 PM »

Hi,
First post, long time lurker. Since my Beastmen collection is getting complete and because I needed a change of style in order to keep the interest up I decided it was time to start a more down-to-earth army. I wanted a human army that could put up a fight with only infantry, cavalry and possibly some ballistics. And maybe a cannon or two….and a Helblaster…..and inzane Priests with magical powers.
Anyway, after much consideration the choice fell upon The Empire. And what luck, after just a few months a shiny new book appeared!
Since it was going to be an Empire army I also decided that it would be the Warhammer Fantasy Black Company equivalent (with cannons and inzane priest of course). If you don’t know the Black Company I’m sure someone has written a Wiki article about (or read the books, they’re great).
This post will include my feeble efforts to bring the Black Company (Warhammer equivalentTM) to life.
Below is the first mini’s and the plan is to update this post with more later.

This is the first Spearmen, finished except the base. They are Perry minis from the Mercenaries set.

Back of the same Spearmen

Greatswords (axe), Greatsword Champion and Standard, Also Perry minis.

Back of Greatswords

WIP Halberdier champ

WIP Halberdiers, 1st, 2nd and 3rd rnak, Will be the same paint scheme as the Spearmen

WIP swordsman, Perry body with Viking head and arms
So that’s it for now, comments are welcome.
*Update 14.june: better pics...for free

And some more Greatswords*

Heinrich Kramer · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2012, 10:02:14 PM »

Are you going to do all the characters from the Black Company books? - I will be very interested in seeing you interpretations.

Your spearmen look well fed up btw. Long walk all the way south.

Siberius · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2012, 12:02:44 AM »

Yeh, those spearmen look amusingly depressed.

But this looks really nice so far. Keep up the posts.

Underdawg · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2012, 07:27:30 AM »

@Heinrich Kramer: I might do all of them eventually but first off I will do Croaker and Lady in their Widowmaker and Lifetaker battlegear, Goblin and One-Eye and Murgen with the Lance.
Lady will most likely be used as a Arch-Lector (Should have a beefier statline but at least it will represent her magical ability) and Croaker will be a General. Goblin an One-Eye will be wizards, preferably Shadow users but since I want to test other Lores this will be flexible. Murgen will of course be the BSB.

@Siberius: Thanks for the positive feedback, I will try my best to keep the posts coming

And yeah, life as a sacrificial Spearman in the Black company is very depressing

Slavik · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2012, 07:29:14 AM »

This looks promising

Jorgta · « **Reply #5 on:** June 08, 2012, 07:56:12 AM »

Nice colours on the spearmen, are you going to use the colour on the pouches as a spot colour on the whole army?

Also liking the swordsman, a unit of the will look nice. Do you know what models to use for the characters?

Underdawg · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2012, 08:11:01 AM »

@Slavik and Jorgta: Thanks for the feedback (yay beer

). I had not considered the green spot color on the entire army but thats a great idea. I wil vary the Scheme somewhat between the units but keeping the green spot will help unify the whole army. Thanks

In regards to the actual mini's to represent the char's. I have scoured the internet in trying to find suitable minis for Craoker and Lady but finding a female in plate without bikini armour or other silliness is not easy. Also the armour should be somewhat scary. If someone has got a good suggestion for a mini please let me know. here is the minis I man currently considering:

<Pictures removed, blame photbucket>

Both from Reaper, the paint job will not be that high standard after I have finished with'em

Jorgta · « **Reply #7 on:** June 08, 2012, 10:55:47 AM »

Those models are looking nice, perfect fit

Also, what is wrong with bikini armour?

Tribun · « **Reply #8 on:** June 08, 2012, 11:05:10 AM »

Great start, but please make the next pics on a white or black background and do some work for a good lighting please.

Heinrich Kramer · « **Reply #9 on:** June 08, 2012, 11:13:51 AM »

Like the lady suggested model - not so keen on the croaker model - does not look like a man. Reaper have lots of evil paladin type models which may fit what you are looking for. Are you planning on the shoulder crows for croaker? This would clearly identify it as him.

Can't wait to see you interpretation of Goblin and One-eye the best double act around with Fiddler and Hedge a close second.

Stolzeuhu · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2012, 05:43:23 PM »

When I first saw these perry historical minis, I was thinking You are going to build this Black Company:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Company
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9sVcRxopJU

But good luck anyway

Quickbeam · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:15:13 AM »

Quote from: Stolzeuhu on June 10, 2012, 05:43:23 PM

When I first saw these perry historical minis, I was thinking You are going to build this Black Company:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Company
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9sVcRxopJU

But good luck anyway

This is exactly what I thought as well.

Looking good so far though!

Captain Schweinkreiger · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2012, 02:19:27 AM »

Love the look of the spearmen, the downtrodden footsloggers of the bunch. Almost looks like someone lost a contact lense or a set of keys.

Underdawg · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2012, 08:12:15 PM »

@Tribun: I agree completly, the pics was not very good. I have now updated the first post with better pics

Thanks for the suggestion.

I wasnt aware that there actually existed a mercenery Black Company, guess that Glenn Cook drew some inspiration from there. Fascinating story someone should make a film about them.

@Heinrich Kramer: I also dont think they are optimal, I think I will keep looking. Browsing for good minis to add is a nice way to spend the lunch. By the way, do you know of a good picture of the Black Company banner? I was hoping to print one out but so far hve not found any.

Here is a update with 3 finished Halberdiers:

Hope the pic's look better, thanks for the feedback

Grutch · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2012, 08:19:07 PM »

I love the work you're doing. I'm 1/4 of the way through the black company book and I just don't like it at all. Im a huge fan of GRRM, Joe Abercrombie, Rothfuss, etc, but this book is a real let down in comparison. Why the craze for this series?

-Grutch

Heinrich Kramer · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2012, 08:12:15 AM »

Grutch - please stay with the series. The first book is very basic and I was also was not impressed after the hype and comparisons surrounding the series. The first book struck me as being almost an outline for a real novel, much like a movie storyboard is to a finished movie. However, the series really takes off after the 2nd-3rd book and the last 5-6 are ace. I reckon they are closest in style to Eriksson's Malazan books and there are clear crossovers - something openly acknowledged by Eriksson.

Underdawg - I have never really seen a picture of the banner only the descriptions in the books. I know there are some fan forums with lots of pictures of these kinds of fantasy series done by fans both professional and amateur so it may be worth checking in Google Image.

Heinrich Kramer · « **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2012, 08:43:18 AM »

Did a quick search on Google. Check out the cover of the Books of the South omnibus. If you can get the version without the title block, it has a great image of the banner. Flaming skull all the way!

It also appears someone else has done and empire related Black Company for warhammer in the past.

Nicholas Ironfist · « **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2012, 09:22:02 AM »

Love the purple, looks awesome!

Underdawg · « **Reply #18 on:** July 04, 2012, 07:50:48 PM »

Hi guys,
here is a small update on the painting process, have been busy with a newborn daugther since last time

The halberdier horde is growing slowly, this unit will be 40 in the end.

Same unit, different angle

These are some test bases, I think the colors are OK but not sure on the and. Too big maybe....If you have some feedback on the bases please share.

Here are some WIP archer, I will use this color scheme on the Xbows as well.

Thats it for now, if any of you know of a good mini that can represent One-eye please share. This mini seems to be the hardest to find (I have located some nice Croaker and Lady minis but not sure if the scale is correct, watch this space...)

ronnyjodes · « **Reply #19 on:** July 04, 2012, 09:46:54 PM »

Quote from: Underdawg on July 04, 2012, 07:50:48 PM

Here are some WIP archer, I will use this color scheme on the Xbows as well.

The faces on these are awesome, nice work

Jorgta · « **Reply #20 on:** July 05, 2012, 08:12:03 AM »

This is all looking very good! I like the bases, but if you want to improve further then maybe you could try a black wash on the gravel.

The archers are looking ace, the blue/black thing works out very nice. Maybe a black wash on the shirts would make them look even more like true mud-sloggers from the Black company. Keep up the good work!

(I swear I don't sell black wash or anything... I just like it, 's all

)

harv · « **Reply #21 on:** July 05, 2012, 08:24:14 AM »

I like the bases. What did you use for that size gravel?

Underdawg · « **Reply #22 on:** July 05, 2012, 08:34:58 AM »

@Jorgta: I see your point on the black wash on the bases, I did add Devlan mud but it didnt really show. Black wash will probably add more depth...
@Harv: The gravel is Hamster bedding, it works pretty well just dont get it wet because it will turn into mush

Gustavus Magnus · « **Reply #23 on:** July 07, 2012, 02:00:08 AM »

Really nice work.

Underdawg · « **Reply #24 on:** December 04, 2012, 08:42:23 AM »

Hi Guys, I finally managed to update my Black Company plog. So I have to finish 200opts before 20th of January since I will be competing in a tournament and this means I have to speed up my normally quite slow paininting process (not easy when Steam offers updates on Warlock AND Disciples 3).
For this tournament I will not be using the Spearmen so they are currently 'On hold'. (I wont be using the Crossbows either but they have been used in a Siege campaign I am currently in and therfore painted).
First, a picture of the so far completed army (minus bases and movement trays):

Halberdiers (missing banner still):

Helblaster:

Greatswords:

Archers: (will be used in 5 man Detachments but looks good in a unit)

Crossbowmen B:

Crossbowmen A:

So thats it for now, I am still missing more Greatswords and Demigryphs minis (Hoping Santa will supply some). Characters and bases are next on the painting plan. Comments and feedback are welcome.

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Author Topic: Building the Black Company: Updated 07.12 (Read 2835 times)