Gyhrdrak the "Bonebreaker" Druchiisbane

Not much is known about Gyhrdrak Druchiisbane, also known in the Blood Bowl community as the “Bonebreaker.” It is reported that he hails from the more rural communal mountains of Chrace, in the Elven kingdom of Ulthwae. After relocating to the capital city of Tor Achare as a young man, he was selected for service among the Pheonix bodyguard known as the White Lions, where he distinguished himself.

Gyhrdrak plays as a star blitzer on the Tor Achare Lions Blood Bowl team, one of two professional teams hosted by the capital city. It is reported that Gyhrdrak is the strongest High Elf in all of Ulthuan. His propensity to cause numerous casualties each game is what has earned him the moniker “Bonebreaker.” His strength and Stature have become legendary not only throughout the six kingdoms of the High Elf realms, but ubiquitously among opposing teams on the grid-iron.

(Credit: Christopher Burdett; donwloaded from https://christopherburdett.blogspot.com/ 10.8.2024) 

Never compromising his performance on the pitch, as soon as an opposing player is red-boxed, Gyhrdrak is quick to lend a helping hand winning him many friends among other teams, star players and heroes of other mortal races. 

Ironically, Korhil Lionmane, who is the current high commander of the Chrace White Lions bodyguard, displays very similar characteristics to Gyhrdrak.  Whenever the “Bonebreaker” is performing on the grid-iron, Commander Korhil always seems to be conspicuously absent from his duties. However, due to his popularity, nobody (not even reporters) seem to care to comment. 

Regardless, look for Commander Kor… er um… Gyhrdrak the “Bonebreaker” for his next appearance on the pitch!

Read about Commander Korhil here: Korhil Lionmane | Warhammer Wiki | Fandom

A Pretty Mini Cool Thing!

Well, the results are in!  I probably sound like a broken record, but I am very grateful to all of you who have been so supportive of my endeavors... Thanks to all who got the last few votes in!  Here are the results:

I am no longer "unranked" and tossed at the bottom of the preverbal pile at Cool Mini with everyone else!  I am rather ecstatic to have jumped over 7k artists to be at 2268!  It is nice to have a better idea of where I am at, and am content (for now) with the ranking! Besides, it gives me something now to work toward (like making the top 500!) :D

With that being said, I decided to take another piece out of my age old collection of miniature stuff (don't recall where I got this piece from... probably Ebay), and do a celebration piece!

Here is an old pic of the original model, all gummed up, and painted rather horribly (probably by some young-blood who gave up the hobby):

 

After a feeble attempt to strip the paint off (with some success) I decided that the remaining paint that I could NOT get off would lend itself to a "battle-worn" Rhino...

Here are the results:

Left frontal view with the gunner managing the pintel-mounted, twin-linked Storm Bolter, ready to lay down a barrage of fire!

I put a lot of rust, smoke-stack stains, and blast damage on the tank to help hide some of the paint I could not get off, and to add more character to the model! 

 

Here is the veteran Sergeant barking orders to the tank commander letting him know where to disembark his troops at:

 

The Tank Commander has his chainsword clasped tightly in the clutches of his bionic arm, telling the driver to stop so the tactical squad of space marines can get out and join the fray!

 

This frontal shot gives you a better idea of the extra armor placed on the vehicle along with some rusted out dozer blades and the Hunter Killer Missile ready to be put to use... better launch those smokes Commander, and get those Marines out!

Let me know what you think...

Comments are always welcome! :D

Last Professional Push!

I am a bit befuddled by the crazy downpour of snow coming in right now... everything is shut down! (feels like Wisconsin where I moved from!)

 

Can't thank all of you for following my blog and for the kindness shown.  Below are some of my top ranked minis at Cool Mini or Not.  This is my last serious push for the higher ranked posts I have submitted.  If you could take a few minutes and click the links to vote on each (provided you haven't done so already), I would greatly appreciate it!

 

I am needing to get them over "50" votes each to get an "official" ranking (Several are close wtih 45-48 votes).  Thanks a million! (Feel free to share these with anyone you think my give me a boost over the top!)

1) Wood Elf Team, 2) Treeman, 3) Agememnon the Troll, 4) Eldar Harlequin, 

5) Lewdgrip Chaos Star Thrower, 6) Ripper Bolgrot Troll Star Player, 7) Fezglitch Skaven Star Player

 

Thanks for taking the time to vote!

 

(Here is one individual's take on the great storm that hit North Carolina!)

Wonder, Wit, and a Little Wet Paint!

Wanted to 'pause' for a few moments and say "thanks" to all of you out there who have posted comments, and continue to make blogging such a rewarding experience!  I remember the first time I heard about it (years ago) and thought to myself, "what's the big deal?"  Well... it is a certainly rewarding to have a place where I can share a little tiny sliver of myself with others, and have folks respond in such a kind way, so again, many thanks!

The one thing that I was not expecting, and I suppose has brought a bit of wonder to me, is how many there are out there who thoroughly enjoy the miniature world of collecting, painting, war-gaming and the like!  It has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a kid, and was a little frustrated (and even a bit perturbed) by the negativity surrounding it in the early 80's and even a bit in the early 90's... my, how faaaaar culture as changed!

I don't know that I have anything terribly witty to share other than the fact that I have found this hobby of ours to be "beautifully simple, and simply beautiful!"

Regarding the wet paint; well, all I can say is it has been very rewarding thus far cutting my teeth into a very dynamic and challenging industry, and I am still a bit 'wet behind the ears' so-to-speak working as a pro-painter.  But my brush always has paint on it, and I always have a project I am working on, which is incredibly rewarding!

Having said that, if ya'll (there is my southern! :D) wouldn't mind giving me my last little boost over a small hump, I would greatly appreciate it!  In order to get ranked at:

...which facilitates other professional achievements, I am just shy of getting an official ranking, and I could really use your help!

 

Over the next few days, I will be reposting six posts/pics that I need just a few more votes on; if you would be so kind as to take just a couple of seconds and vote (provided you haven't already) it would be most appreciated!

 

The first, is a post that is dated November 10th (Happy Birthday to my beloved Marine Corps!) regarding a trophy that was brought back from a competition in Virginia...

 

Here is the pic on the post, which is also a picture of the miniatures that I am asking for a vote on at Cool Mini or Not!

 

I am just a few votes shy of getting it officially ranked... thank you so much for your taking the time to look, and vote!

 

(click the pic to enlarge and vote)

Imperial Fist, 3rd Company Commander: Brother-Captain Silas Hammerhand

When I first started posting on my blog, this miniature was one of my "test" pieces to see how things would go... little did I know the place I would be in now! With a new store to keep on top of (which includes all the games I need to know); I have had to get back into Warhammer 40K! 

With the 6th edition rules now, I am able to field a pretty severe Inquisitor/Grey Knight army, and the fast attack option that Kor'sarro Kahn (White Scars) means I am needing to go a different direction then the beloved Imperial Fists I used to play back in 3rd-4th edition at the turn of the century.  Lamentably, the Imperial Fist Commander that I custom built: Brother-Captain Silas Hand, Captain of the Fist's Third Company, is need of a new home!

 

This is a one-of-a-kind custom mini that can only be purchased on EBay!

 

This miniature is modeled WYSIWYG: armed with bionics (Feel no pain on a 6+ when wounded) along with artificer armor (2+ Armor Save), an Iron Halo (4+ Invulnerable Save), Master Crafted Relic Blade (+3 Strength, 2 AP), and Combi-Melta gun... pretty cool stuff for only 150 points!

 

 

 

(Cast a vote for him at Cool Mini or Not!)

 

If you know anyone who is currently in to 40k, perhaps they might know someone fielding the Imperial Fists... don't hesitate to share this post with them so they can nab this guy! Thanks for stopping in! :D

WIP: Inquisitor Storm Bolter Converison/Pinning!

I had to chuckle as I was getting ready for this post because some of the people I communicate with online had some recommendations about this very topic being addressed today: that would be pinning models!

Currently, I have been wanting to add a storm-bolter to an Inquisitor model that has been sitting on my shelf for a very long time.  With the recent release of 6th edition 40K, I have to get a token battle force ready and the most easily "alliable" force (in my opinion) is the Inquisition!

Here I am checking to see what the Storm-bolter is going to look like (and where I need to pin in it to the hand) in order to get the right look I am after!

 

I am using a pin-vice to drill a hole into the place where I want the 'pin' to sit in order to glue the miniature together.  Truthfully, it took me a number of years to actually put aside my clumsy mini-hand-drill before I tried the pin-vice.  Take it from someone who has been doing this awhile; make the switch if you haven't already!

After pre-measuring the proper depth in the holes I have drilled with a brass rod, I am now cutting the rod to the proper length that will be used in order to pin the Storm-bolter in place.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

Always check to make sure that everything fits BEFORE you glue it in!
(If you don't... you will be sorry! YES! I am speaking from experience! LOL!)

 

Here I am, holding my breathe while I put a dab of super-glue in the fist with the pin carefully positioned in!

 

Now I am  pressing the glued and pinned hand into the Storm Bolter being VERY careful not to glue my fingers to it as well! :D

Here he is with the Storm Bolter pined to the hand, and the hand and arm attached to the Inquisitor! Ta'da!!!  I am pleased with the result... what do you think?

 

Here is a brief tutorial video which covers the process I just went through with you:

Heavy Bolters with Hellfire Rounds!

Today's post covers the two Heavy Bolters on the Deathwatch Kill Team; each kill team can "upgrade" two space marines' weapons to two heavy bolters.  Normally a Heavy Bolter is a "move or fire" weapon, but these bad-boys come with suspensor links!  That allows them to move AND fire! Additionally, the hellfire rounds they carry are a "blast" weapon which has increased damage due to the "mutagenic acid" rounds they carry that get into the target's blood stream! (Ooh! Ouch!)

These two particular Deathwatch members hail from the Ultramarines chapter as well as the Imperial Fists chapter respectively...

(Vote on these Marines at Cool Mini or Not!)

 

When I was painting these guys, I dropped the Imperial Fist marine on the floor and he exploded; left arm one way, right arm the other (with the Heavy Bolter!), his backpack another direction, and the body a forth!  I was able to find all the pieces and assemble him back together, but I was still missing the left arm (Aargh!)

 

I spent the next hour going through EVERYTHING (including my clothes) trying to find the dumb thing!  It finally turned up... and where do you suppose it was? On the base of the Marine! ROFL! (Grrrr!!!)

 

You can see the Heavy Bolter in Action below:

A Drunken Brawl!

I can honestly say, that while being part of a gaming store/environment is loads of fun... it seriously hampers (at times) my ability to get done what needs to be done!  I think it was a few minutes after midnight last evening when I finally kicked out the last of our 'dwarven' role-players! *wink*

Luckily, in addition to getting several minis completed, I was able to finish up the 'Cutlass' terrain as well as the miniatures in preparation for a random encounter... as luck would have it, my studiously disciplined gang of Royal Marines were preparing for a rumble when the Admiral stumbled into a group of scurvey dogs, and ended up in a drunken brawl!  The rules specifically state "any model that draws their weapons automatically lose the encounter!  This is an all-out first fight!"

Here are my marines, with Admiral Dylan Lloyd preparing for battle...

 

A bird's eye view of battle preparation...

 

Unable to hold their grog (or use their weapons), my Navy Captain, and Marines start tripping and taking themselves out of the rumble... the dice mark "stunned" results!

(click any pic to enlarge)

 

The Admiral is being swarmed by Captain McBride's scurvy crew of pirates, with the ever-lovin' Captain sneaking up from behind... what a scoundrel!

 

Well, with all of my Marines down (or taken out), it was obvious that the Royal Navy are not as good at holding their grog as the Captain McBride's crew are... it was a notoriously disastrous wipe for my men, with McBride making off with weapons, loot and about $110 with of my purse!  Easy come, easy go!

 

Overall, it was a tremendous amount of fun learning the new gaming system.  I really like the stat-die rolls as opposed to stat characteristics, as it adds a bit more of randomness to the game... but more importantly, a critical success adds successive rolls allowing for a common sailor to do some rather heroic things! Good fun... check it out!

(For a quick tutorial on how to play "Cutlass" click here!)

WIP: Dynamic Diorama!

I have been stating for a while now, that I have several projects that I am working on in addition to my commission work... this is one of them: this WIP (Work in Progress), is nearing completion and it is going to be incredibly cool when it is done! So, I thought I would share... It is a diorama for a Hobby Store Window that I was commissioned to do! (Kind of a miniature painter's dream-come-true!)

 (click any pic to enlarge)

Here are some of the Orcs, and Space Marines I am working on to put in the window...

 

Because the window is so long (12 feet x 12 inches), I had to build the diorama in two parts in order to get it in the window, this is the first half... 

 

This is the other half, which is a 'beach assault' that will be occurring with the Orcs and Gretchen.  A while back I posted an Orc Warboss as well as some 'beach assault' grots that were in preparation for this monstrous undertaking! (See the little gretchin?)

 

Here are some pics of the ship: 1) a back-up view of the Orc Pirate Ship, 2) A Gretchin taking aim in the crows nest! 3) The Botsun' near the Anchor overseeing the launch of the skiff, 4) The First mate (with nothing to do) since the boat is anchored, so he is salivating wanting in on the assault!

 

This store is not just a "Gaming" or "Hobby" store... it also sells other merchandise, including OOP vintage games and puzzles.  In order to incorporate this, I used an 'under the sea' puzzle for the ocean and poored polyurethane over the top of it to give it a 'glossy-watery' look.  Some of the spare puzzle pieces were used to create waves. 

(see the little shark? :D)

 

Here is the whole thing fitted in.  I had to get an idea of how it was coming along, and what was left to do in order to plug in visual gaps... very helpful I think; obvious there is still more to do! *sigh*

 

The Ship in the corner...

 

Orcs and grots assaulting the beach... Gonna be a challenging filling in the gap between the two slabs with putty from behind the diorama... he he!

 

Space Marines 'busting' out of the 40K box to coincide with the store marketing point, which is "An Adventure Awaits inside!" (whether in the store, or in a box, or in YOU, there is an adventure awaiting inside!) Pretty nifty idea I think...

 

Well, I will keep you posted over the next two days on this as it has to be finished for Black Friday!  There have been some other "how to" requests that I have received which I have been cataloging during this massive undertaking, which I will be sharing with you as well! Make it a great day!

Bacon-Wrapped Blood Bowl!

Here a some pics of the SPR Bacon-Wrapped Blood Bowl Tournament that I promised!  This first pic is a massive Chaos Minotaur that my second opponent was using as his "coach" mini (a farce since this guy is like eight inches tall!) I think this guy forgot the definition of "mini" LOL!

 

Here are some shots of guys and gals just getting in their matches... there were well over thirty participants! ;D

(click any pic to enlarge)

 

 

Here are some pics from some of my matches that I played with the Norse team that I took!  The Norse lining up for a bash against Chaos!  (you can see what a difference it makes playing with painted minis!)

 

 

Here are these poor Norse trying to find a way in around three St4 Chaos Warriors! Ugh!!!

 

This is a River Troll on a goblin team I faced off against... looks like this guy vomited right into my lineman's face, knocking him on his keister! LOL (Again, notice the difference painted minis make... such a neat effect!)

 

Here is my catcher waaaaay down the field with my other players setting up some loose dodge traps for the gobbos so I can score!

 





Overall, a great turn-out with great gaming, good fun, good company, and good eats!  Hats off to Jeremiah aka "The Grillmaster" and Mike the commissioner of the Stony Point Refugees, and FTW Games for hosting the event! Great day guys! :D

Hairnet to Steel Grating!

With this Harlequin project nearing an end, I thought I would show everyone a cool idea I picked up as a young blood (can't remember where I learned it), but as I was strolling down the street one day I remember this gem of a basing technique when I found this piece of hairnet blowing around on the sidewalk, hmmmm...

 

Wanting to 'pull the eye' on the Harlequin's diamond patterns, as well as unifying the jewels on the left shoulder, I thought "...this would do well for some steel grating on the base!" I was very excited!

 

Here I am 'pre-cutting' the hairnet to make sure it fits properly, and now I am going to take some PVA glue (standard Elmer's craft glue) and glue it down, using a que-tip to 'press down' the net and let the excess squish out to overlap and dry for a nice hard surface.

 

Diving into my 'bits bag' (everyone should have one!) of spare pieces and parts left-over from countless mini-projects, I fished out an Orc boma'stik and began hacking the shaft into small circular pieces for rivets.

 

I then cut a small strip off of a spare business card I had laying around to have some metal framework for the rivets, and started carefully placing them on the dabs of super-glue I put down with the tip of my X-acto knife.

 

 

I then hacked up the remaining pieces of the Ork Stik (with accompanying arms) and made pieces of rubble to glue to the base, adding some sand texture to really give the base some grit!

 

Getting rather excited to finish for this post, along with the late hour last night, coupled with wanting to slap down the paint... I held the mini up to my work light to speed up the glue drying process! LOL!!  Next, I base-coated with three layers of black and began dry-brushing the silver into place!

Using a brass wash with some black added in, I put some 'rust' spots on the base where the grating, framework, and rivets would probably be rusted.  Then I dry-brushed some white over spots with a few white 'highlights' strategically place, and... Voila'! I think the finished product looks great! The diamond pattern on the grating will pull in elements of the diamond pattern on his leg, and the riveted framework will pull in themed elements from the line of jewels on his shoulder!  Let me know what you think! :D

('click the pic' to enlarge)