Circle Orboros: autumnal theme

[redmanphill]

So I have had these, like my menites, painted for a while. Now I am slowly starting to get more done despite a lot of distracting side projects. I thought I would show the models here as well as on my blog. I started these following on from the excellent Brushthralls article on getting the faction box done in ten days. I did that copying what I saw there. I loved the faction so much I couldn't stop! I think an autumnal theme is one that suits the Circle Orboros really well and I try to stick with that. I use green only on the armour and the rest of the models tend to be varied browns.


Kaya was the last model from the faction box I did. I followed the guide fairly well but I still made plenty of mistakes especially with the skin tones.


One of the best tips on the Brushthralls site was forest bases. I have used it almost on every model since. I have atutorial on the way I do it here but it is a pale comparison to the original which had a few other types included. I use this scheme on my Warhammer armies too it is great. I am considering a new scheme for my upcoming Khador but I haven't finalised anything just yet. I like to think of this scheme as continuing the autumnal theme and I don't use a strong green on it. I have blended some lighter brown static flock into the standard green to create a much more dessicated and washed out colour. I think it works fairly well.


This Woldwatcher is one of my more recent models. As I have one already I converted this one a little by moving the arms to give it a better walking pose. It wasn't too hard as the joint give a few good places to cut and reattach the arm in a different position. I really like the Sticks and Stones army and so I have multiples of all the Wolds. I do still need to pick up Megalith though...

[Blue Claw]

Nice, that Kaya looks great.

[PG_Jack Tesla]

The paint job looks good, and I really like the bases.

[menothswrath]

How'd you do the leaves? :?

[redmanphill]

The leaves are commercially available. They are dried birch seeds and you can collect them really easily in autumn. I am not sure of a US source but most games stores in Europe have them. I assume it is the same there. I got mine from www.barrule.com

[Magister of Menoth]

Leaf Scatter is available at Skullcrafts.com in a variety of colors.

[mikethefish]

First, I would say that your work is fantastic. Very excellently done!

If I had to offer any sort of critique, I would say that you did not do a very good job of conveying "Autumn" with your color scheme. Yes your greens are muted, but the very fact that you even have green in the color scheme really undermines the feeling you are going for. Yes, in "real life" there are green colors during autumn. However in the minds of the average viewer, autumn is a combination of reds, oranges, and yellows. It really doesn't matter that you have included muted browns and such on the rest of your Circle clothing, since the regular studio scheme uses the same color combination.

In short, you have created a great looking Circle army - it just doesn't really convey much of an Autumn feel. It does convey the leafy green nature feel that Circle is known for, so that is definitely a plus!

[redmanphill]

I guess thats fair enough criticism. I have kept the greens to a minimum as much as possible but it is still used as a unifying colour across the army. With the incredibly varied troop types in the army I wanted to have something that would tie them all together somehow and I think the green armour contrasts strongly enough with the other neutral warm tones nicely. It does dilute the autumnal theme somewhat but I think it is still a valid enough theme considering the palette.

Here are my Wolves of Orboros. They were painted a while back and when it came to figuring out the colours I used later it was pretty tough. I really need to start keeping a colour diary I think!


So below is the reason I needed to remember the colours. I had painted the unit up as soon as they were released and I only painted the unit attachment recently. I think I did a decent job of getting the colours the same.

[D-9]

Great looking stuff! The bases add a lot to the models, especially the leaves.

[PG_Agamemnon]

You can defiantly play those models with pride.

It is preached everywhere that you should document the colors you paint your models. I am willing to bet that over time we will be getting more optional UA/WA and solos that will want to match their parent units.

[BLUTAXT]

The autumnal theme fits perfect on the shown models. The dull effect on them looks really nice.

[redmanphill]

So here is my Warpwolf, one of the first models I painted for the army. I copied the Brushthralls painting guide and it came out pretty decently in my opinion.

[jjpens77]

awesome work on the unit...painting consistently across multiple modes, especially if done over time is very tough thing to do.

[redmanphill]

Here is another not really autumnal themed model Moshar the Desert Walker. I tried to keep the colours in both themes with lighter browns than I would usually use. I think he came out fairly well.

[freelancerebel]

Really like this color palette and the basing is pretty sweet. Where do you get the small logs for the bases? I am expecting they don't come in the autumn litter maybe.

[redmanphill]

Sorry for the late reply! The logs come from twigs collected outside and then dried over a radiator (household heater). I collect them in the autumn while it is still fairly dry so they are firm. I do think that Woodland Scenics sells something like this but it isn't quite to scale. They look too massive on bases.

[LordSorrow]

Leaf Scatter is available at Skullcrafts.com in a variety of colors.

I think skullcraft is out of business. Site has seemed down recently...

[Halcyon Dtier]

I think skullcraft is out of business. Site has seemed down recently...

The owner has had trouble filling orders. He said it took it down temporarily so he could catch up.

[roddo]

Sorry for the late reply! The logs come from twigs collected outside and then dried over a radiator (household heater). I collect them in the autumn while it is still fairly dry so they are firm. I do think that Woodland Scenics sells something like this but it isn't quite to scale. They look too massive on bases.

Woodland scenics ones are kinda pricy for dried twigs, really is better to just go for a walk and grab your own. Easier if ya have young kids, then ya can explain away any weird looks ya get if your in a crowded area.

[redmanphill]

I have also been painting some Minions for my Circle and I have been keeping them in the same autumnal theme. Thats resulted in some brown alligators! I really don't like the more vibrant green I have seen on a lot of the Gatormen. I think brown works fairly well when it is kept muted. I would like to eventually expand into the Blindwater Congregation but I must stay focused on the Circle for now.

[Llael'sHope]

Those gators are awesome! I really wish I had thought of that. Mine are grey/green not vibrant green, but yours are better.

[ZealousJohnny]

The one reason I refused to consider collecting Circle for my future (distant future) Hordes army was I felt the range didn't have a strongly unified theme/look. These models really have convinced me otherwise. Such a strongly unified theme in an army with no uniforms and creatures that all look entirely diffrent is very hard to pull off.

Well done

[redmanphill]

I managed to finish eBaldur today in hopes of using him in an upcoming tournament in Kiel. I may use him in the Olgunholt league also. I have been told that he is fairly decent, much better than pBaldur. I loved pBaldur in MKI but haven't had as much luck with him since. I used a little more green than I was happy with but I still maintain there are enough muted browns to tie him to the more autumnal elements of the army. I have some Druids also up on my blog if you care to visit.

[PG_ICleadpeople]

Did kinda the same for my eKrueger list.

Yours look great.

[redmanphill]

Thanks, I am struggling through my Tharn Ravagers at the moment. Nearly finished now so hopefully some pictures soon. I am also working on some terrain so I have a lot of projects on the go at once.

[redmanphill]

Finally the Tharn plus attachements are done:



These took ages but I think were worth it in the end. I have used them a few times in games already and they are under preforming, sadly! All that effort to paint them and now I think I shall have to retire them. I got distracted by terrain in the middle of doing these and while I now have a fairly decent IK building I think it is always best to stick on one project rather than skipping between two.

[Mr.chair]

Well, they look great. I think it's important to paint the bad pieces before you put them on the table, otherwise they'll never get done, haha.

[redmanphill]

Here are some close ups of the Chieftain, one of my favourite models:



I have had the druids done a while but forgot to post them so here you go:

[dreamspirit]

those are lovely models mate, I really like the color scheme and the basing!

[Gladewolf]

Some beautiful painting. You've got a nice clean style I'm rather envious of, and you have some great color choices. Your Wolves are quite striking.

I'm currently working on eBaldur myself, and I really like how yours came out, particularly his sword and its runes. Keep up the great work!

[redmanphill]

After a lot of trials and tribulations, all documented here, I managed to finish my first Heavy Warbeast in a long time. I have wanted to pick up the Gnarlhorn Satyr for years but I never did. Between buying Menoth and Mercenaries last year and then starting a Khador collection I neglected getting much new for my Circle Orboros. Now that I am back painting them I can't resist getting some new toys!

[Mr.chair]

Lovely stuff. That chieftain looks awesome.

[redmanphill]

I picked these up recently! Sadly just before the plastics were announced. The models are great and a joy to paint. One problem I had was that they are soo top heavy they can break off the base during painting. I am a bit nervouse about transporting them now.



I hope they are getting a unit attachment in Gargantuans. I don't feel as if they replace the Tharn Ravagers just yet. Also as I will undoubtedly be picking up the two player starter box I will have two units of these and the attachment will offer something extra.... heres hoping!

[Wulfenstein]

Superb job. While it was already addressed about the not so autumnly look, I really love the muted colors as it ties both the regular circle scheme together with that fall time we all know.

What really impresses me is the bone on your tharn chieftain. I'm curious a to the colors used as I might give that a shot on a similar project of mine if you don't mind?

[Nirvanawn]

Can I get those leaves in the US anywhere???

[Wulfenstein]

Leaf Scatter is available at Skullcrafts.com in a variety of colors.

As pointed out farther up in the thread...

[Jake the Dog]

Can I get those leaves in the US anywhere???

Secret Weapon Miniatures makes leaf scatter now too, pretty cheap to boot. They sell them at their site. TheWarStore sells them as well.

[redmanphill]

I used Snakebite Leather as the base coat and then highlighted it with bleached bone. There was some Skull White added just at the end to cool the colour out a little. It is simple enough to do.

[redmanphill]

I have been making great progress on my Circle force but I forgot to post it up here. Here is a shot of one of the latest beasts I painted, the Scarsfell Griffon:





I slightly overdid the black on the inside feathers I think. I was copying a real falcon scheme and while it looks great in real life it isn't perfect on a miniature!

[PG_Cygnarforever120x]

Bravo Sir Bravo.. That is the best Circle army I have seen.