Today’s reader submission is by Cat Austin. Cat is Manager of Games Workshop Barnet. Cat recently held a Merryment in Mirkwood event at her store. There were people playing the strategy game and demo games being run. Cat also had her collection of Lord of the Rings models on display which look amazing. I asked if I could photograph them for the blog and she agreed. I now hand over to Cat to tell you about her models.
Cat: Greetings! I hope you enjoy having a look at some of these minis. These are all in various states of WIP. They have been in my collection for a while but the recent injection of Desoloation of Smaug releases and general peak in interest in the Hobbit has really inspired me to knuckle down and finish them. My collection is as extensive as it is diverse and I think the way the Warbands system works to encourage variety is a blessing in disguise, if like me, you are a bit of a hobby butterfly.
Dwarf Warband
I absolutely love the Dwarf range. I will probably go so far to say that they are some of my favourite LOTR minis, they are surprisingly dynamic! I decided to collect a small host of Erebor a long time ago, purely for aesthetic reasons. Blue is just a really satisfying colour to paint! I have based the Iron Guard with ice and snow to represent the fact that they protect trade routes and are mainly outdoors. I will probably add some Dwarf rangers to my collection at some point and continue with the snow and icicles basing. It is fun and looks awesome.
Easterlings
80% of my painting now comes from referencing real life pictures. This way I know from the get go I have a good colour palate and it helps cut out any nasty surprises later. The decision to paint these Easterlings much darker, (as they appear in the film) has really payed off and I am glad I shyed away from doing the typical blingtastic colour scheme to them.
Rohan
Painting cavalry is not something I can say I have had much practise with. It was also challenging painting so much brown and green without making them look drab and boring. More layers to go, but I am quiet happy with them so far.
Radagast the Brown
The fact you can purchase a miniature plastic hedgehog, has put my life into perspective. But on a serious note, look at the tiny hedgehog!!! What is not to love?
Thanks for having a look! I would love to hear your feedback.
Garfy: I hope you all agree with me that Cat’s collection of Lord of the Rings/Hobbit models is a real treat for the eyes. It makes me want to paint more models from this range. Speaking of which, I have a bit of a teaser for all you fans of the Hobbit…
Totally agree – the Dwarves are some of the best sculpts going. Great stuff!
I miss Cat at Plaza! she was awesome! Might swing by Barnette soon for one of your painting sessions mate!
H
Yeah dude, we should do that!
Great warbands. I particualry like the different effects used on the bases to reflect their natural environments.
Some brilliant looking miniatures there. with the Dwarves immediately standing out for me, and not just because I'm a complete sucker for that colour scheme!
I'd love to hear how the Mirkwood event went as well!
The event went really well. The demo games were scenarios from the Hobbit boxed game for noobs like myself (lost one, won one). I only saw one of the other games being played but it was an army of the dead taking on some Elves. Not sure who won, but it looked cool on Cat's Hobbit board.
Great to hear! It is a really under appreciated game, and always good to hear new folks having a good time with it!
… any chances of pictures of the Hobbit board? 😀
My favourites are definitely the Easterlings. They look so menacing with their darker reds and grittier metallics.
Your Radaghast model is a thing of beauty as well. All the different browns come together nicely, and it's so neatly painted. Very very nice work.