Armies on Parade 2021 is fast approaching – in fact, the submission window for this year’s competition opens on the 1st of October. If you’re seeking inspiration to get your project underway and tips for tackling a multitude of miniatures, you’re in the right place. We’re talking to Tyler Mengel, an Armies on Parade veteran and occasional judge, to see how he’s getting on with his entry. You can catch his initial stages in our announcement of the return of Armies on Parade.
All caught up? Over to Tyler, then.
Tyler: For this month’s addition to my growing Soulblight Gravelords entry, I decided to go for what I call ‘quality of quantity’. I like to have unique conversions in my armies to help set them apart, but when you’re doing an army full of Deadwalker Zombies, it’s best to focus your conversions on just a few models. After all, converting 80 zombies would be enough to drive anyone as mad as a Necromancer…
Speaking of these masters of the dark arts, my first addition is a chap I’ve affectionately named Necromancer Lord Vallkren Groust. He’s based on the new Swampcalla Shaman from the Kruleboyz range. As soon as I saw the stooped posture, the pouring liquid, and the giant skull on his back, I knew it was ripe for a Death-themed conversion.
This involved replacing his face with one from the Corpse Cart, adding several suitable totems, swapping his staff top for a scythe, and giving him a few deathly animals to hang around. I topped it all off with some spooky candles on his back.
There was a lot of sculpting involved here, mostly to hide the joins. I made the candles from plastic tubing, with putty added to give it a waxier feel.
I’m particularly proud of how his crow turned out – it comes from the Glaivewraith Stalkers box. On the tabletop, I’ll probably just run him as a Vampire Lord as he’s on the appropriately sized base, although I could use him as Torgillius as well. He’s even got the critters!
What Necromancer Lord would go to battle without his trusted bodyguard? In a Deadwalker-themed army, that can only mean the Kosargi Nightguard. Since my army isn’t part of the Vykros bloodline, I decided to ‘de-wolf’ them, so I got rid of their fur hats and wolf shoulder pads. I also added a few roots sticking out of them to tie them to the other zombies.
Next month, I’m hoping to bulk out the shambling dead aspect of my army with some more zombies and Dire Wolves. When you’re painting a horde army, it’s important to sprinkle in some smaller, more unique units like I did this month. It helps break it up a bit and makes sure you don’t burn out by painting too many of the same model all in a row.
Thanks for the update, Tyler. The submission window for this year’s Armies on Parade opens on the 1st of October, and it closes at the end of the month, so there’s plenty of time to start your entry. Join us on Instagram, Twitter, and our Warhammer Official Facebook page to let us know what you’re planning – and to show us what you’ve done so far – using #PaintingWarhammer.