OldHat's Ironskin Tribe - New blog and finally some updates! 1/17

Hey there, fellow Tyrants! I have been a pretty long-time lurker and have spent many years yearning for an Ogre army. Finally got the funding and have started building the Ironskin Tribe. My goal is not to represent the main body of it with their ubiquitous leader Ghark, but a splinter set off from the main that helps round up slaves and iron (by any means necessary!).

Right now, I have a few "build lists", most revolve around a core of Ironguts and Ogres, with Ironblasters and Mournfang Cav. Simple, straight-forward stuff. I have a Stonehorn I am working on purely for love of the model and I am opting out of Leadbelchers (sacrilege, I know!). I am a good chunk of the way through the modelling stage right now.

The current basing concept is to represent the blasted wastes of the Plain of Zharrduk, which I envision as a grey-hued, cracked plain covered in traveler's discarded detritus and remains. With that in mind, I grabbed some Viva Crackle Medium and went to town making bases.

The overall color scheme will be normal flesh tones with a favoring of dark red and/or purple undertones, to give them a bit more richness/depth. The metals will be mostly black iron, rusted iron, and patina bronze (standard fare). Most clothing, I figure, will be red/black in various configurations - stripes, halves, and single solid colors.

Anyhow, since I had been maintaining a steady presence over on Dakka Dakka, I am a bit behind in posting here, so I am going to toss up a whole slew of pictures to get this up to speed and will update regularly for any fellow Tyrants who care to watch my progress!


My humble start!


Ironguts WIP


Firebelly WIP (I need another with a AHW!)


Me screwing around with greenstuff for the first time!



Using some Instamold stuff to give a bit more variety to my Ogres!


Getting everything posted



Sculpted a new foot for my Slaughtermaster. I had to change up the model at least somewhat, so my Butcher and SM weren't too similar.


I gave the altered peg leg to one of my Ogres!


Ironblaster in a lot of sub-assemblies


More goodies


Slaughtermaster w/ Ironfist


Bruiser BSB WIP - yes, that is going to be a BIG banner. Thinking of doing one forged of iron plates!


Riders getting posted... super awkward!


Some bases (pre-prime)



Some bases primed up


Stonehorn in sub-assemblies (not attached to base) and mostly ready to prime up.

Next on the agenda is to get two more Ironblasters ready, as well as order another Battleforce and some Sabretusks. Probably another Firebelly, so I can have a AHW option for him. I want to do four Maneaters in the future, too. I have a bunch of pistols from the various kits and think I could pull them off and it would give me a chance to explore some greenstuff work a bit more. On the literal drawing board is a display board, too. Going to have it all crackled up, but thinking of having an outcropping or road or something too (maybe with a sign pointing to Zharr Naggrund, with that neat Vulture from the Stonehorn perched on it!).

And on a final note, I attached the snippet from the Armybook that I will be emulating (if able) for my own Sabretusks. I think the Stonehorn will stay the same, but maybe a bit darker. The pelt an Ironblaster will reflect the alternate Sabretusk scheme (only one will most likely wind up with a pelt, for variety). The Rhinox and Mournfang will be standard colors, though.

There you have it, for now. Going to post updates as regularly as they happen (which tends to be on the weekends). Enjoy, Tyrants!

And you know, just for reference, here are my "build lists" (all are 3000pt, because that is the max size I expect to play, scaling down is as easy as removing some units/models):

"Competitive" Build (as competitive as I can be, at least)
Lord:
Slaughtermaster
Level 4, Armor of Destiny, Crown of Command, Ironfist
Lore of the Great Maw
[373]

Hero:
Bruiser
BSB, Ironfist, Talisman of Preservation, Heavy Armor, Look-out Gnoblar
[188]

Butcher
Level 2, Hellheart, Ironfist
Lore of Heavens
[188]

Firebelly
Level 1, Dispel Scroll, AHW
[147]

Core:
(9) Ogres
Bellower, Standard, Ironfists
[308]

(9) Ogres
Bellower, Standard, Ironfists
[308]

(12) Ironguts
Bellower, Standard, Standard of Discipline, Look-out Gnoblar
[561]

Special:
Sabretusk
[21]

Sabretusk
[21]

Sabretusk
[21]

(4) Mournfang Cavalry
Bellower, Dragonhide Banner, Heavy Armor, Ironfists
[350]

Rare:
Ironblaster
[170]

Ironblaster
[170]

Ironblaster
[170]

[2999]

Maneater Build
Lord:
Slaughtermaster
Level 4, Armor of Destiny, Crown of Command, Ironfist
Lore of the Great Maw
[373]

Hero:
Bruiser
BSB, Ironfist, Talisman of Preservation, Heavy Armor, Look-out Gnoblar
[188]

Butcher
Level 2, Hellheart, Ironfist
Lore of Heavens
[188]

Firebelly
Level 1, Dispel Scroll, AHW
[147]

Core:
(9) Ogres
Bellower, Standard, Ironfists
[308]

(9) Ogres
Bellower, Standard, Ironfists
[308]

(10) Ironguts
Bellower, Standard, Standard of Discipline, Look-Out Gnoblar
[475]

Special:
Sabretusk
[21]

Sabretusk
[21]

(4) Maneaters
Brace of Pistols, Musician, Standard Bearer w/ Banner of Eternal Flame
Stubborn/Poison/Scout (not sure yet!)
[278]

(4) Mournfang Cavalry
Bellower, Dragonhide Banner, Heavy Armor, Ironfists
[350]

Rare:
Ironblaster
[170]

Ironblaster
[170]

[3000]

Stonehorn Build
Lord:
Slaughtermaster
Level 4, Armor of Destiny, Crown of Command, Ironfist
Lore of the Great Maw
[373]

Hero:
Bruiser
BSB, Ironfist, Talisman of Preservation, Heavy Armor, Look-out Gnoblar
[188]

Butcher
Level 2, Hellheart, Ironfist
Lore of Heavens
[188]

Firebelly
Level 1, Dispel Scroll, Great Weapon
[154]

Core:
(9) Ogres
Bellower, Standard, Ironfists
[308]

(9) Ogres
Bellower, Standard, Ironfists
[308]

(10) Ironguts
Bellower, Standard, Standard of Discipline, Look-Out Gnoblar
[475]

Special:
Sabretusk
[21]

Sabretusk
[21]

Sabretusk
[21]

(4) Mournfang Cavalry
Bellower, Dragonhide Banner, Heavy Armor, Ironfists
[350]

Rare:
Stonehorn w/ Harpoon
[250]

Ironblaster
[170]

Ironblaster
[170]

[3000]

Obviously, feel free to chime in on these. I am sure they could be better, but they are my general direction. Thankfully, Ogres are not too hard to expand on (our Battalion box is just that awesome!). As you can see though, I have a "core" of models I am working on with changes here and there, for flavor/fun.

Wow what a start!  Have to say you have some serious skills with green stuff there.  The chain mail is good, the scale mail is just ludicrously good!  And to finish off I love that you have given your slaughtermaster/butcher and real foot!  Fantastic work right from the off.

Going to give you +1 Gnoblar just for the scale mail alone to be honest.

Kind regards Zolas.

Fantastic looking work all around!! Thanks for sharing it here on the Stronghold and keep it coming!

Thanks guys!

Been super busy with work and class, so I haven't done much. I did get my Stonehorn rider ready for prime/painting, etc. Had to get his harpoon quiver on him, so I made a plasticard strap and used a gutplate buckle. Seems to have worked out.



Also, getting my ducks in a row for a display board. Going to stain the frame wood dark, sand it down some, and give it a wax polish. Then I will glue in the finished board, which will be roughly the same basic finish as my bases - wasteland, with skulls and bones and detritus.



Debating on getting getting some foamular material and carving some large stone-like skeleton parts to put on it, for visual impact. Not 100% sure yet, but I am just getting ideas together right now more than anything.

This one slipped by me, so sorry  . Some amazing work here, really looking forward to seeing more of this army. I actually love the bases you have done. Sure I have seen this style attempted before, but not as well executed as yours are. Keep up the great work.

G_H

Thanks so much Gnoblar_Herder! I really appreciate that. This is my first time doing crackled bases.

So, more updates! I got some new Ogres built. Tried to make sure their heads were all unique compared to my past built ones, so had to do some creative editing and use heads from other sets.

All I have left to buy is a Battalion box, some Sabretusks, and one more movement tray pack. Ordering them Monday! Then I am done, barring a new cool release - like maybe some epic End Times kit (fingers crossed).

Anyhow, here they are (two angles!):




I have a huge pile of bladed weapons and ironfists sitting out ready to get painted and glued on when I have the bodies painted up. I don't want to attach them yet, it might get in the way. That being said, I am going all swords and blades, because Ironskin Tribe are all about the iron, so why would they use clubs?

I got some blue extruded poly board yesterday. Going to cut out some pieces and see about adding some depth to the display board for this army (and others). First time for it, so wish me luck. I just want some kind of fissure for some height variance on the board, as well as some ribs or stone ribs, for visual interest.

We will see! I should have more updates next weekend.

Getting the display board ready. I hate, hate, hate standard cork, but it serves its purpose at creating a raised area. It will be entirely covered in crackle medium. I tried using blue foam, but it was too dense and I couldn't get it how I wanted it. I just need practice with it. That being said, I applied water/glue/sand/ballast to the edges and let it dry overnight. Next step is adding the crackle.



Ordering myself a Battalion, 2x Sabretusk packs, and the last set of movement trays I need today, too.

Ok, so it's bugging me now, so I have to ask (because I will never rest if I don't) where or what is the head on the ogre in the second picture, second ogre from the left?
This guy just looks awesome, I love his head/ face and I need to have this handsome devil in my collection! So, where did that head come from and if you altered it which head was it and what did you do?

enquiring minds need to know.

G_H

That is the Hunter's head from the Stonehorn kit with the beard shaved/filed off and a bit of liquid greenstuff to touch up the imperfections (same process for all those heads).

Small update!

So, I got the display board frame done. Just a simple wood frame for art I sanded, stained brown, then sanded again, and waxed to protect it (I do a lot of furniture distressing/refinishing, so I have this stuff on hand!). The board fits ...so-so. I will need to tack it down after it is finished. Waiting on my Crackle medium to ship, hoping it arrives around Nov 10th or so, so I can finish the base crackle coat and get to priming it up.





Also, I had worked up an alternate ...saddle? for my Mournfang. Not anyone special, just my constant need for some variety. I don't mind two of the four having the same, but a pair or pairs - no thanks! So now I have this!





I didn't use the in-between thingy because... it broke. Stupid thing. Happy accident though, because I think this is more in flavor with the look for Mournfang Cav anyhow!

The remnants of my army should be shipping tomorrow or the day after, so I am hoping they get here by the weekend. I will be assembling a whole slew more of Ironguts and Ogres! Plus, I have two Ironblasters left to assemble (don't want to!) and my Sabretusks to work on too.

Still in the "what the hell should I do about that Battle Standard?!" mode... but I am thinking about honestly linking some small plasticard plates with wire and maybe having dangling plate/scale/chain of various types and maybe (just maybe!) a skull or some such. We will see. I also need to try my hand at sculpting fetishes and stuff to added even more decoration to my Ogres and their gut-plates, etc.

So, I did a few non-standard Ironfists for my dudes. I am huge on variety, so these are variously changed spikes/blades or shaved-off spikes/blades. I need to go in with some liquid greenstuff to tidy them up.

Still waiting on my crackle to ship... never using Pricefalls again. The Ogres should be coming from Dicehead Games, though they said my Sabretusks would be shipping later, presumably once they got some in for me. C'est la vie, I am in no hurry.

Going to be eagerly plotting out foam sizes/shapes for a future Battlefoam Bag for this guys. The Stonehorn takes up so much room! I figure I will pick up a bag for these (and my Carcharodons Astra and maybe Knights, too) whenever they have their Black Friday sale.

Loving the stone horn saddle!  If only we could mount Tyrants on Mournfangs!

However it's the Ironfists that I like the most and I think I will be borrowing those simple changes for some of my own Bulls should it I get round to doing more. 

Kind regards Zolas.

Great start to the army mate, and amazing patience to go through and get everything put together the way you have.  What did you do for the bases?  They look amazing.

Loving the stone horn saddle!  If only we could mount Tyrants on Mournfangs!

However it's the Ironfists that I like the most and I think I will be borrowing those simple changes for some of my own Bulls should it I get round to doing more. 

Kind regards Zolas.

Yea, I am amazed we can't have that. Mournfang Tyrants would be amazing! Maybe someday, since GW has been on a kick about adding supplements with new rules. Not going to hold my breath, though.

Glad you like the Ironfists. I hated the idea that my army would all have the same ones, so I just had to fix that.

Great start to the army mate, and amazing patience to go through and get everything put together the way you have.  What did you do for the bases?  They look amazing.

Thanks! I have lots of patience. I want to get this stuff right, which I can't do if I hurry it, imo.

The bases were made with Viva Crackle Medium spread somewhat thickly with a palette knife over bases with a coat of primer (and any detail bits are glued down ahead of time). I will be painting them up with my airbrush, then some light drybrushing to pick out the texture, then washes/inks, details (skulls and detritus), then finishing with some tufts. Rather excited to start them, but I am waiting on more stuff to arrive so I can do it all in big batches for uniformity sake.

Got my last Battalion box! Going to start building in the next few weeks or so. Got a model to paint for a Charity Auction first. Waiting on the Sabretusks, still, but this was a nice surprise waiting for me on my lunch break.

Finally got that second layer of crackle down! I am never, ever using Pricefalls again. Took them forever to ship.

Anyhow, here is a shot of the board now, before I add some sand/water/glue mix to some of the larger cracked areas to add some depth/realism.



Here is a close-up, so you can see that sick crackle effect!



On an aside, my LGS is running their 5th Annual "War for Tots", which is a charity tournament and auction. I have submitted painted models for the auction previously, so this year I am doing another. Not Ogre/Fantasy related, but I am hoping it fetches a fair amount for the auction, since that all goes to the Toys for Tots charity.



Currently just blocking in colors and whatnot. Getting the base shaped up. Apologies for my pics (all of them), they are Instagram shots from a really old, crappy phone. But for now, it is as good as I can muster... until Cyber Monday, when I hope to snag a nice, new tablet with a camera for all my Instagram needs.

Finally! Updates!



I had made some instamolds of some gutplates and other tidbits to use for textures for other gutplates. Here they are curing.



And here they are cut and ready to glue on. Also, I made some more unique great weapons for my Ironguts, because of my need for diversity. Just used the Mournfang ones, pinned them nicely, and did some small changes. This gives my army more metal stuff overall, which is perfect for my Ironskin dudes. [Ignore the AdMech emblem! That is for my Knight Errant!]



And life wouldn't be complete without yet more crackle bases! This is the last of these, but I have four Sabertusks coming to me, so those are the last of the bases total and should be arriving at my door... someday. Issues with stock on those has me waiting a bit, so we will see.

On a non-Ogre note, I am still doing that charity model... and a Cerastus Knight-Lancer. Yea, I got one. I am such a sucker for those Knights! And I also have a totally, completely unrelated model in the form of a '90s vinyl Judge Dredd that I just can't wait to start working on (...next year).

Anyhow! More updates tomorrow, ideally, as I get assembling on the last batch of Ogres.

Really like how this is coming together. You put my army work to shame with all your planning, lol. Though I can definitely see the benefit of your planning in the results so far.

The crackle bases look awesome and makes me want to give it a shot on a future army.

Eagerly anticipating more from you!

Looking good mate! I love how you've got a lot of stuff done ready for painting. Reminds me of my own way of going about the hobby

A quick question about the bases: What did you use for the cracked ground? That looks really great

- Loran

Really like how this is coming together. You put my army work to shame with all your planning, lol. Though I can definitely see the benefit of your planning in the results so far.

The crackle bases look awesome and makes me want to give it a shot on a future army.

Eagerly anticipating more from you!

I am all about having a plan. Keeps me from wasting money, time, and effort. I will have more up next weekend (I hope!). I got to get about a dozen more Ogres built and two Ironblasters. Waiting on the Sabertusks to arrive (apparently, they were Out-of-Stock, but should be to me eventually). When all that is ready, I get into the painting.

Looking good mate! I love how you've got a lot of stuff done ready for painting. Reminds me of my own way of going about the hobby

A quick question about the bases: What did you use for the cracked ground? That looks really great

- Loran

Thanks!

I used Viva Crackle Medium. It isn't too easy to find, but I found a few places. Avoid Pricefalls, though, if you want it in a timely fashion. It is cheap, though, through them.

Sabretusks arrived!



Also, one big thing I was waiting on before I started painting was adequate cases to store my models. I waited a long while for the Battlefoam Black Friday sale and got a case for my Carcharodons Astra and for my Ironskin Tribe.



Painfully expensive, but the last major purchase for my armies anyhow.

On a non-photo hobby note - I am working on a Cerastus Knight-Lancer before I get to building my other normal Knights, along with my new Ogre Battalion box and my last two Ironblasters.

So, updates ahead over the next few months, for those patient enough to follow.

Crappy pic, I know. Still, I got this guy done today! Best part of my four-day weekend has been catching up on side projects. I got a commission lined up to do an Avenger Strike Fighter for an Adepta Sororitas army, which should be fun. And hopefully, I can get my hands on some of the new Styrix Knights for my 30k Questoris Knight army.

On an Ogre-related note, I have some crackle medium drying on a trio of Sabretusk bases right now. Going to start getting dudes built for the rest of my Core needs. After that, once my BF case arrives, it is painting time!

Some more Ironguts WIP


Ogres WIP


Sabertusk bases ready to prime


And some more unique Ironfists (these are going to the Mournfang, mostly)


Anyhow, that is it for my updates for this (long) weekend. Back to the job and stuff tomorrow. Updates as they happen, but I don't expect many before next weekend - which is the charity auction, so I hope to be there to see if anyone bids on that Crimson Fist!

Saberkitties. Rawr.

I have been heavily contemplating my color scheme, too. I think I am going to do dark, dark red fading into dark blue for the pants. I think that will be more visually interesting than the standard single colors. I will have to try it out on a test model, but I think I can do it.