Levarius’ Army of the Dead – Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game

After painting about 8-9 of them, I realised that the blue might be a bit too heavy and overpowering,  especially when the oxide paint drys and stops being so translucent.

Therefore, for the rest of the models, I opted to mix in some Lahmian Medium to reduce the thickness of the blue. After doing a further few models, I think that in the end the ratio was along the lines of 1:1, though I can’t be exact as it was slightly different each time!

Above shows some of the models with a lighter tint of blue, which I think works better. I was worried at this point that I would have to repaint all the ones done with the heavier blue. However, when I put them in a big group, the differing shades of blue works really well when all mixed together. That’s a relief!

The next entry will be focused on the edge highlighting and starting the bases, stay tuned.

Having trouble uploading this entry, the beasts site doesn’t seem to process it one go, so splitting it in 2!

As I said in my last entry, I wanted to add an extra dimension to the Army of the Dead, rather than leave them a single shade of green. Whilst the green is a perfect fit the colours of them in the films, I wanted to add a tint of blue to them to give them something extra to look at with the eye.

To add the blue, I opted to use the citadel technical paint, Nihilakh Oxide. I had seen this used in some photos online, and whilst it’s more designed to create copper oxide effects, I thought it would work well for what I had in mind.

For the first few models, I applied the oxide almost neat out of the pot, with only a little water mixed in. I focused on applying it to areas of the models, rather than specific items of clothing wargear etc. This was to create an ethereal effect where the colours are transitioning and flowing across the entire model. Areas that got particular focus were the weapons, the bottom of the robes, the faces and the lighter sections that weren’t stained a heavy green already. Knowing that the paint is designed for copper oxide effects, I tried to stay out of the recesses as it would lay over the shade already in place.

Apologies that these models look further along with the painting process with the bases etc, I ran ahead with a few and forgot to take photos…

The Army is building up with the Hexwraith Wash. Here’s about 15 of them with just one stage of wash. In the films, the Army of the Dead are very green in colour, so this wash is ideal to match that. Now whilst I think this is a pretty good match, I want to divert slightly by adding some blue to the models in small tints, so that step was next!

Note: I’m finding it hard to get the camera to effectively show the vibrancy of the green, especially under a daylight lamp. They either come out to dark, as above, or far too bright that the photo is garish. They aren’t like that to the eye.

My first public project here, quite exciting! I’m thoroughly looking forward to the new version of the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game. I’ve always wanted to large Army of the Dead, so in anticipation of the new rules set seems the perfect time! I acquired over 40+ Army of the Dead on a Facebook Trading page.

Here are 3 of the models I acquired on a Facebook trading site. The previous owner had based the models by using a pin to hold them above the base, and thus make them look like they are floating. The bases are made from a layer of green stuff carved out to make like flagstones.

Later in the project I will show my attempts at making bases in the same vain.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of all of them before beginning to paint them, I was too excited to get cracking!

Starting out with the project, I picked up 4 paints from GW, Hexwraith Flame, Guass Blaster Green, Nihilakh Oxide and finally Celestra Grey.

The first step to wash a few test models in Hexwraith Flame. The technical wash is applied very liberally using a large brush. Ensure every spot on the body is covered and nothing is left of the basecoat of white, I had to swap to a smaller brush to get in to the tight spots etc.