Dances With Yhetis - Display board added

All right, here we go.  This is my first Gnoblog or any Warhammer blog for that matter and I'm a bit nervous.  I figured I would start chronicling my progress for the Feb Challenge here and try to keep it going as I begin my journey with Ogres.  I am trying to go for a theme of along the line of the Sons of the Mountain tribe.  The Dances with Yhetees tribe also lives at the highest peaks at the top of the Tusk.

For the Feb challenge I am converting an Ironblaster to be drawn by a Yhetee.  I figure the Yhetee have become brothers and work closely with the Ogres of this tribe.  The Yhetee will be strapped into the Ironblaster and draw it into battle.  Just to get an idea of what I am talking about.



I had to convert/shorten the tusks on the chariot to make room for the Yhetee.  It's coming along.  Just about to the point where I need to prime it and start painting before putting it together.



Then there are my Ironguts.  Since they are basically brothers of the Yhetee, they have started growing patches of fur on their bodies.  This also helps insulate them from the frigid temps at altitude.



I really hope the fur turns out ok when I paint it.   

So far have my IG built for the challenge and working the green stuff.  I have a feeling I will be sick of green stuff by the time I am done with this project. 

All comments are welcome.  I am really taking the plunge into converting and using green stuff for the first time of any consequence.

Thanks for reading!

This looks awesome dude, loving the conversion.
Looking forward to more

Nice concept I'm interested to see how this army turns out

I expect to see a Horde of Yhetis! That would be epic! 

Looks nice! Keep up the good work!

I came to this blog for the title, and stayed for the awesome theme

Looks good so far, and very much looking forward to future updates!

JJ

Nice Work mate, I love the concept of the army and I like the Yheti Ironblaster...nice!

I don't have any Yheti's so I am not sure exactly how they look, but the guy pictured looks as if he is facing sideways with his arm behind (to the side). I would be tempted to lop that arm off and greenstuff it back on so he is still holding the cannon (closer to his head) and is facing forward. It may make him the model looked more "compact" and look more natural as the assumption is that the cannon is heavy so it would need to be held closer to the body. None-the-less, I love the idea and can't wait to see this guy built and getting some brush-love.

The Ironguts look great and the fur looks really good. The greenstuff fur looks fine and painting can always tighten up things your not happy with. On the GS front; go for it! It's the only way to get to grips with GS, practice, practice, practice. But well done for diving in and giving it a go. In the long run it will be an invaluable skill to add stuff/ details to your models.

Like the idea of the Yheti bloodline thing too. I shall be keeping an eye on your Gnoblog as I am liking this whole concept and army build, nice work, keep it up.

G_H

Thanks for the positive feedback guys, it helps keep motivated!

Herder, I like the idea of rearranging the arm I hadn't thought of that.  Green Stuff here I come.  We are likely going to get a bunch of snow here in MD tomorrow night and Th so I have a feeling I'll get some quality hobby time in.  It really is funny how much people freak out about snow around here.  I am originally from New England and have a much different attitude.   

Looking at the Yheti model pictured, it shouldn't be too hard to lop that arm off at the shoulder (flush with the side of the body) and re-attach it so the yheti is facing forward. Looking at the GSing you have done you will have no trouble blending the fur back into the arm if you do decide to re-position it.

It should be (famous last words) easy to blend the fur just by sticking a blob of GS on the join then re-creating a mirror image of the fur that was already there. I think this will work really well and should look awesome when finished. painting always hides any imperfections anyway.

G_H

Hello nice start so far.  I have always enjoyed more ice themed ogre armies and any excuse to see yhettis take to the field is a welcome one!  I will keep an eye on this Gnoblog!  Keep up the progress! 

Thanks for all of the positive feedback so far!  I really appreciate it.  So, without further ado...

Here is my converted Yeti pulled Ironblaster.  Still need to attach a couple straps but it is close enough to share. 









Please comment and offer suggestions.  One thing I am struggling with is what color to paint the Yeti claws.

I am loving this thread, great idea....I'll certainly be following this.

On the Ironblaster, the pic from the left side looks as though the yeti sis standing very upright, but from the right he is walking. Imagine if he was dragging the blaster he would be leaning into the pull a little more.
Some straps to the waist would be a good idea as you don't want that big a load all on your shoulders

As for the claws...no idea I'll be honest.

The posture of the Yeti was something I was struggling with.  I imagine this guy is helping the LB steady the cannon for a shot.  The next one will have the Yeti putting his back into it to pull the IB.

For the straps, yes..I have to finish that part.  If you look from the front you see the Yeti has a harness so there will be 4 straps connecting to the IB for him to pull it.

My next conversion is going to make some Yeti (Wendigo models) into ManEaters.  Hope the Wendigo models (chieftain and warriors) are close to the same scale to make it easier.

Looks good mate! I really like the concept of the army as well as the conversion ideas

Can you snap a couple of close-up pics of the Green Stuff fur patches on the Ogres? I'm always interested in seeing the modelling results and learning their techniques

And the Ironblaster looks definitely better with the arm position change

- Loran

This looks even better than I imagined it would! You've done a great job of remodelling the arm positioning to look as though he is supporting the cannon

JJ

Josh thanks for the ideas and feedback, I appreciate it. 

Loran, I'll post pix of the fur as I paint them.  I'll be sure to post the painted version of the green stuff earlier in this PLOG.  Maybe a before and after look.

Thanks everyone.

Cheers!

Great concept here and some excellent work with the generally awful, awful Yhetee models.

The cannon concept is fantastic but super strength would be required to keep it raised and stable with the one arm. Seeing as we're setting this in a world with magic, a Yhetee with super strength doesn't seem that much of a stretch! Love the tribe concept too!

BB

You make me really want to get some yhetti models, I want to be more of an aggressive player, be able to harass and throw the enemy off. I think these guys would do the trick. Let me just water my money tree and I'll get right to it :p

Cant wait to see more bud

~ConOgre

The Ironblaster looks awesome now and I really like the idea behind this army build. I have never thought about Yhetis or adding them into my army....I am reconsidering that now; these guys look great.
Keep at it
G_H

Hey, I was thinking about your army today and (this might be a bit out there) but a friend has recently bought some of the Kings of War Mantic Ogres and (whilst they don't look like GW ogres) they do have a vague hint of Ogre crossed with yheti about them.

Maybe, to add in a different look and variety of other models into your army (if you don't only play at GW stores) you could add some of them in? they already look like they are the hybrid love-children of lonely ogres and (presumably) slow Yheti's. Could add another dimension to your build...just an Idea

G_H

G_H,
Those do look pretty cool.  I may just have to grab a couple to mix things up a bit.  Unfortunately the GW that was 10 minutes from my house closed as a Christmas present, so I don't have to worry about GW not liking any models.

I should be getting in my Wendigo Yeti's today.  I can't wait to get them.  I am crossing my fingers that the characters are close enough in size to the Ogres to let me kit bas a little bit.

Thanks again for the suggestion!

Josh thanks for the ideas and feedback, I appreciate it. 

Loran, I'll post pix of the fur as I paint them.  I'll be sure to post the painted version of the green stuff earlier in this PLOG.  Maybe a before and after look.

Thanks everyone.

Cheers!

Awesome, thanks mate!
Keep on going!

- Loran

Got my Yeti in the mail today.  Here is what I am thinking for my Yeti/Ogre Maneater with Brace.  What do you think?  Worth making more or back to the drawing board?

I think I am digging it.   







Then my next question is where the heck do I find Ogre Pistols to use?  I have three sets from MC box but need 3 more sets.

... Most definitely worth making more. That fella is the s@$t.  The size is perfect.

Yeah for sure, do they come in different poses too?

liking this model I would continue with some more if it were me.

As for pistols...Mournfang obviously. I have one in my bitz box but I have no idea where I got it; it was an ogre kit but not Mournfang...do they have one in the Ironblaster kit?

Failing that, Greenstuff one or cast them yourself. You can do this cheaply and reasonably effectively with a Greenstuff mould. It's not the best way of casting stuff, but it is pretty easy.

Obviously you wouldn't be able to copy/ cast a GW piece, that would be illegal, but should you make a pistol yourself; you can then rub Vaseline on it, dunk it in a square of GS with half of it sticking up.. plonk on another half block of GS then take the pistol out and let the GS dry.

Next time just use more GS (with Vaseline in either side of the mould) to actually make the model. There are other ways of doing it, but I wont get into all that now. It could work for you, failing that it's (always out of stock) bitz sites.

G_H

G_H that sounds interesting, I may give that a try.  I think the IB does have one in a holding can or something.  Not sure if it has a separate one.

@Wilson Undead , yes they come in 3 different poses.  Unfortunately they were out of one of them.  The second pose is here.   





There is another model.  The Wendigo Chieftain, I bought some of them as well.  The problem is they are a little bit smaller and the heads are on them anyways (metal model) so not sure what I will do there.  I may just get some more of these to fill out my Maneaters and use the Chieftains as Butchers/Firebellies.

I am getting the army ready for a tournament at the end of March, but I bought a "Giant" that I am dying to put together.  Probably do that next.  Can you say Abominable Snowman for Ogre Giant?  Yeah Baby!  I am getting really excited about this army!

This sounds really cool, I can't wait to see more of this army.

G_H

Yhetti giant would blow my mind

@Conogre,
Consider your mind blown.   

Really like this model, I can't wait to paint it.  I should probably paint my tournament list first but don't know if I can wait!

Maaaaaaaaan. What's the maker? I want one

That looks great! I'm really diggin' the big guy
As Con already asked, which manufacturer makes that?

Stunning conversion work on the Maneaters as well. Can't wait to see them all painted up

- Loran

http://www.frpgames.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=578

Warbeasts of Hyperborea.  The Wendigo are the models I am using from this line for my Yeti.

The company who manufacture that range as well as many other very nice models is Crocodile Games

https://www.crocodilegames.com/store/index.cfm

That Giant is the most thematic I have ever seen It's seriously awesome! As much as I should be encouraging you to paint your tournie list, I think you should paint the Giant

JJ

^ Seconded, paint that big sucka now!

G_H

This guy looks awesome....I think he's just going to have to fit into your tournament list....He's too cool (pardon the pun) to leave behind.

You may be right, he is too cool  to leave behind.  Problem is the list is only 2400.  I need to figure this out.

You Ogres are a bad influence.  I am painting my Abominable Snowman now.

Here is a sneak peak of my WIP:

Looks great.
The eyes look like they could do with an iris....just a thin black or dark brown line through the middle.

Looking very good! Iris could probably make his eyes pop out a bit more, orange is blending in with his face some. Painting eyes is something I should learn to do too... I still don't paint eyes for my ogres, they always look retarded if I do paint them But good job with the bluish white fur!

Eyes are next up.  I think I decided to go with red eyeballs with a yellow pupil so you can actually see them.  I'll post some more pics when I get him knocked out.

Some basic advice for eyes that I recently picked up on the empire forum and is definitely helping...

Do the eyes before the skin on the face.
Paint the eyeball in the chosen main colour (if doing white try for for something not pure white as nobody has pure white eyes).
Put a vertical line down through the middle in a dark brown or black (or other colour of choice)
It doesn't matter if you go "outside the lines" on these steps as you now use the skin tones to paint over the areas that aren't the eyes.
This is actually easier to do than trying to be precise and paint hte eyes last.

@WSteve, I think I saw an article about that.  I did that on my Dark Elves and it worked fairly well.  I'm not sure I need to do a pupil on this guy.  What do you think?

Here is the painted Abominable Snowman.  What do you guys think?  Also, now that he is painted I REALLY want to take him in a competitive list.  Somebody PLEASE, tell me a story where the Giant made back his points or did something really cool besides die turn 1 to a cannon, giving the opponent a free 200 points.






Horrible light on this one, but you can see the red eyes really well in decent light.

Now please tell me your best or most amusing Ogre Giant story.

I htink with the red eyes there is far less need for the pupil.
The model looks really cool...the only issue for you that i see now is that the only successful lists I've seen run 2 giants, not 1 
I don't have any great stories for you, but I do know an orc goblin army ran 2 giants regularly at tournies and did ok. The key to making them work is to have other things that need to be shot first....nobody is scared of the giant and will leave it alone unless they spot the free victory points.

Well I have an Ironblaster in the list.  So I imagine that will be one of the highest priority targets.  I'll try to get some practice games in and see how it does.

Thanks for the comments.

Nice giant! Fully red eyes are always a possibility

About playing with giant. I have some experience with giant, but nothing in a competitive environment. Just couple of friendly games.

First game against High Elves. First couple of enemy turns giant soaked quite heavy fire from bolt throwers and archers, but survived with 2 wounds. Sadly I didn't get any buffs for him. But after that I actually managed to get trollguts bubble in action and giant killed a unit of archers and charged a bolthrower with one wound but failed to deliver and actually died. :'D It was a bit sad to see giant die fighting one single elf. (And giant even had trollguts)

Second game against High Elves. With help of sabretusks my giant managed to get a flank charge on a unit of 10-15 silver helms and in few rounds of combat killed them all without taking too many wounds. This time it didn't even have trollguts. And survived whole game.

Final thoughts: Don't forget that you can buff your giant with regeneration and +1 toughness. Helps a bit with staying alive. Ironblaster will definitely help too, as people probably are not that scared of a giant. They should tho', giant can be quite killy.

Both of my games giant made his points back, easily. In first game it soaked huge amounts of enemy fire, which would have been just devastating for ogre units. And killed 200pts of archers. Second game, did soak some enemy fire and kill more than 200pt worth of silver helms.

Still, it clearly is not the best rare option we have. But if you just want to play with giant in a friendly game, you won't be auto-losing because of him.

We may be a bad influence, but try telling me you didn't enjoy painting this beast?! It looks fantastic buddy, well done!

JJ

Saw one battle report, cant remember where, and the Giant in it ate the Vampire Count general.
Obviously that plus some undead crumbling was worth a lot of points.

Thanks for the comments guys.

JJ, yes I did love painting him!  I am going to try and get some games in with him in my list over the next week to see what happens.   

Had a giant fall over into a "deathstar" unit and knock off a few models. Actually had one fall over onto a passing TK chariot.....

But the real worth in points to me (primarily a friendly player, "no tornies please, we're British") are the great stories that can be told in the post match p**s-up, as everyone recounts how the Giant did absolutely nothing that was planned, and instead was more random than a pig in a parachute.

And for that I love them! 

G_H

Fantastic army theme, not sure if it was answered but the yeti's claws would look good painted black. Most artic creatures tend to have black claws it seems.

-GL

Giants are no slouches. They have their uses and in the hands of a good general. As I am sure you are, they can be a menacing foe with a bite to match the bawl. Above all else, they will demoralize a player facing you because people don't know much about facing them, and although the person using the giant may not like the randomness, rest assured your opponent will always wonder whether its going to thump that club and insta kill his steam tank or equivalent.

Food for thought.

http://battlereporter.blogspot.ca/2007/12/warhammer-orcs-and-goblins-giants.html

Eat, Drink and be Merry

~ConOgre

Thanks gents!  Conogre, that is a very uplifting article.  I'll get some games in this week and post up how he did.

Cheers!

Been a while since I have posted here but I have been making progress.  I am getting ready for Brawler's Bash in NC at the end of next month.  In order to do it I have to build and paint the following:

Tyrant with Ogre Blade and Ironfist (done)
Slaughtermaster with Glittering Scales and Fencer's Blades
Bruiser BSB
Butcher
17 Ironguts with FC (done)
7 Maneaters (3 braces, 3 AHW, 1 to soak up wounds)  Bellower/Standard
3 x Sabretusks
2 Ironblasters  (done)

Huh, when written like that it doesn't look so bad.   
I still have to base the "done" ones.

Here is my Tyrant!
   

Ironblaster #2 drawn by Rhinox instead of Yeti (didn't like the other GW poses for converting...boo)

and...one of my Guts.  I'll post them ranked up after basing.

really liking the metal work on this model, both the armour and his big chopper (steady on!) look really good.

seeing these guys ranked up will be cool. keep it up.

G_H

Great work mate, some quality things I really want to pick out:

Metal/Rust - Is looking particularly sensational on all of the models
Bone/Tusk - On the Ironblaster this looks awesome!

Looking good man!! I like how you have done you metal. Also, I wouldn't worry much about not using a yhetti for the second IB. Adds some nice variety to the army!

It's been a while since I have posted.  Guess I have some catching up to do.  First off, this month's painting challenge is 8 Leadies and 6 Bulls.

Leadies are done:




Bulls are basecoated.  Should have them done tomorrow night.  I am working on a display board for my tribe as well.  I'll post pix of the rest of my tribe and the board soon.

Cheers!

Wow lbisson those fella are looking good (but I may be biased ) I particularly like the Tyrant he looks like and angry santa! 

On a more serious note you are getting better on the skin tone.  One little bit of advice that I myself recieved from a local gamer.  I tend to highlight the face of the ogre further the the rest of the skin (works really well on bulls and leadbelchers as they have more face on show) It's a great way to bring the focus to the face of the model.  My Hunter I painted recently is probably my best example of this that I have done if you fancy a look.

Can't wait to see more!  Keep it up! 

Thanks Zolas, I plan on revisiting these guys in a bit to add more highlighting across the board.  My biggest challenge has been just getting paint on them to begin with.  I had a tournament 2 weeks ago and I have a big one coming up in 2 weeks.  Bragging Rights is in 2 weeks, so I plan to have more highlighting done and a suitable mountainous display board for these guys.

Been busy lately with hobbying 

Here are my bulls

Here's my Maneater unit.  Not really that happy with the painting on this one.  I'll probably strip and repaint at some point.

Gutstar with Tyrant

Leadies

Just about have my display board done as well.  I'll post pix of that with my ETC army on it when it is ready.

Your army is looking excellent mate! I love the blue skin tone and the units together look really good ranked up. Keep up the good work! looking forward to seeing the display board.

G_H

@ Zolas:  thanks bud.  I am going back to add highlights to faces and other parts of the models.  Now that I have them "complete" to use in competition I can start to make them look better.

@GH: thank you sir.  Display board pix follow.

Here is my mountainous display board for my tribe.



This one is pretty blurry.  I'll get a better one next weekend.  My Heavens SM high atop his peak.



BSB leading the way

Incredible lbisson!  I wish I painted as fast as you.  That army looks amazing and even more so on that brilliant display board!

+1 Gnoblar for you

I especially love the heavens SM and his peak!

Kind regards Zolas

You are very kind Zolas!  Thanks for the inspiration.

I think my next project will be building and painting a Thundertusk to see how he plays.

I also want to build convert some different ManEaters.  I need some ideas.  Here are a couple that I have.

- Sherpa Maneaters, wearing furs etc., kind of like your Hunter
- Wyatt Burp and his Posse:  create a posse of Cowboy Maneaters.  Wearing hats, dusters, holsters for their pistols, etc.  Not quite in theme with my army though.  Maybe their tribe suffered some horrible fate in the Chaos wastes and the Yeti tribe adopted them?

Open to other suggestions.  I think I am going to load them out with Braces of Pistols.

I was unable to comment on this when I saw it this afternoon as I was at work (and the IT boffins that "police" our internet access wont allow me to log into the Stronghold at work...fascists!) But I have to say that your display board is awesome, I love it.

The army looks great on it. I love the high peak mountain you have with it's field of Nephilim cloud there, it is just so good. Well done mate.

As for ideas on pistol Maneaters; well you just can't go wrong with gunslingers from the movies. The first thing that sprang to my mind was Clint Eastwood in "fist full of dollars" with the poncho and cigar. That would look awesome. Kromleck do some Mexican/ gunslinger bits for orcs that would look a treat on ogres. It would be a cool theme IMO.

Just can't wait to see more from this Gnoblog!

G_H

Thanks GH you are very kind.    Big Clint Eastwood fan.  May have to come up with some designs.  I'll check out the Ork bits you are talking about.  Maybe I can make an Infamous El Guapo.

Awesomelooking display board...the Slaughtmaster's position look s great

The board itself looks huge, do you use it to move your army around or just purely for display?
I will be looking into doing one for my ogres soon, but would like something practical as well.

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the compliments.

Yeah the board is pretty big.  It is 2x2 feet.  I primarily use it during paint judging at tournaments.  I have a simple corkboard that I use as a tray to bring my army to different tables.

Kromleck do some Mexican/ gunslinger bits for orcs that would look a treat on ogres. It would be a cool theme IMO.

Thanks again for the comments GH.  I tried looking up the bits on the Kromleck site and couldn't find anything.  Do you have a link by any chance?

All righty, a quick diversion before tackling the Tusk.  Needed to build some Gnoblars to go with the bonus model Neezy gave me during the Paint and Trade.   

Converted a couple of Trappers




And the gang to go with them

....and of course you wont find them! Because I ballsed up there!

They are not Kromleck at all they are from puppetswar (another superb Polish resin making company!).

Here is a link to the heads;

http://puppetswar.eu/product.php?id_product=24

If you take a look under orc accessories they sell the guns and maracas and heads separately too (to make it cheaper). I have ordered stuff from Puppetswar before and I have to say they provided me with an excellent service.
they delivered the next day! Which is quite a feat from Poland to the Uk (especially when you consider that I have had to wait for over 4 weeks for stuff from Wayland and others in the same country!).

Hope this helps and sorry for the "wild goose chase"

G_H

No problem at all.  Thanks for the quick reply.  If you are in the UK shouldn't you be asleep?  Maybe I am just getting old.   

Ha! I'll sleep when I'm dead! It wont help at all, but I am at work at 6 am tomorrow...so that would be in 4 hours.

I have been an insomniac since I was about 18 so I only need about 2hrs sleep a night. Sadly that puts me in the same bracket as Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Adolf Hitler. 

G_H