Harlequin Death Jester

So the new Harlequin Codex/Supplement/dataslate/whatever they end up calling it has got me stoked.  Harlequins where really my first army in 40k.  I was an Eldar player, but the first real force that I look the field with were the murder clowns.  With the leaks already, I feel they are getting the attention I think they deserve.  I know I cannot wait until I get my hands on that new Solitaire.  On to the model.

This is one of the three old style Death Jesters.  The original boxset from GW came with 16 models, three of which were Death Jesters.  This one is easily my favorite.  I used this model as an exarch for years during 2nd ed when he wasn't in my Harlequin force.  For a model from 1989, I think it really holds up and definitely still inspiring the current sculpt. 

These were some of the first diamonds I have done in some time.  I think they came out well.  I spent a bit more time than in the past and I think the finished product shows that.  I kept the rest of the model very dark.  I changed up some colors than my traditional Eldar scheme.

I have a whole mess of Harlequins on my table right now.  If Harlequins get new Jetbikes, I think my head will explode. I haven't pre-ordered anything from GW since 8th edition fantasy rulebook.  Eldar Harlequins will reset that clock.

Eldar Alaitoc Farseer

I have to start off and say, I love this model.  For some reason, I never made it a priority to get one and it took Justin to mail me one to really appreciate it.  I am disappointed the other more recent Farseers have almost the same positioning though.  

I want to talk about the photos first.  I chose not to crop them at all.  I really wanted to get the most exposure for the awesome piece of terrain Justin built a few years back.  He seriously just carved this entire coliseum piece that is roughly a cubic foot in size out of hardboard and flower foam.  He used only a bread knife.  The first photo is also my favorite.  I have a Warlock, the Farseer I posted last week, and Eldrad in the background.  

The paint scheme itself is nothing too new.  I continued adding some silver distress to the gold though.  I also went with green hands.  Justin paints all his exposed Eldar flesh as green.  I figured I would give him a shout-out via green hands on this guy.  

As for what's up next, I hope some Murder Clowns.  That is, Harlequins.  The rumors and rumblings are pointing to a Harlequin book.  They were my first 40k army back in 2nd edition.  I'll have to wait to see what's available to them, but if Venoms are really an option, my Dark Eldar Venoms will be stripped and painted up in proper colors, bright primary colors and diamonds. 

Eldar Farseer and Wraithguard

I got an Eldar goodie box from the great white north that Justin sent me just after Christmas.  It was full of cool stuff, these two models are just a few of them.

First up is the Farseer.  I think this model was unreleased and more of a concept model.  You can tell by the somewhat unfinished backpack and relative simple adornments for an Eldar of his stature.  Backpack aside, I really enjoy this model.  I think the more simpler look really sets this guy apart from the others in a good way.  He's more reminiscent of a Warlock than a Farseer, which makes him a great addition to my army as a leader of a front-line detachment. 

Next up, is the Wraithguard.  I guess he was on the bad side of an eBay deal and got some "recast Wraithguard done in solder grade lead" as he puts it. I like the throwback nature of the OOP Wraithguard and the older style Chinese recasts.  The details aren't the sharpest and there are some flaws even my dremel couldn't fix. If I ever finish the other 4, which are of a poorer quality than this chap, then they would be a great suicide unit, a designation befitting their origin. 

I have a newer style Farseer that I am working on next.  He's got a lot of base-coating done on him, it's just a matter of motivation right now. 

Lizardmen Temple Guard

Here's some of my Temple Guard.  Looking back on them, there is so much more I can/want to do.  Even with their faults, I still enjoy the models and the way they came out.  I have 20 Temple Guard, but only 10 are "finished".  The other 10 are mostly done and just need some time put on them.  

As for the paint scheme, it's my standard Saurus colors and techniques.  I think the red and blue go to together real well and the gold is a great contrast.  I definitely want to work on the gold some more.  

The next unit up on my Lizardmen post list are my plastic Saurus Cavalry.  Pulling them off the shelf and dusting them off, I had some minor repairs to make.  I also saw a few small opportunities to get their paint jobs up to snuff.  Look for them next week sometime. 

Lizardmen Saurus Cavalry

Continuing with the Lizardmen theme, here are my Saurus Cavalry.  These are the older edition cavalry that are combination plastic Cold One and metal riders.  I've always loved these models.  I started Lizardmen at the tail-end of 6th edition, so the current plastic ones were already released, and I still really like these models.

Even though I painted these models years ago, I think parts of them still hold up.  There are definitely room for improvement, but due to the rather large size of my Lizardmen army, it would be a large undertaking.

Lizardmen Skink Chief

I felt that the lack of Lizardmen on my blog was an unfortunate oversight.  Lizardmen were my first army for Fantasy and still one of my biggest point wise.  I had originally painted the army in different colors and in a different style than the style it is currently in.  I repainted the entire army in a 3 month period.  For the most part, I think it still stands up, but have started to think about revisiting them.

The model here on display is a metal Skink Chief.  The simple pose and equipment on this guy is just great and kinda rare to find on hero level characters of the era.

The skin is a lighter blue that I used for all my skinks.  His larger scales were done in a mustered yellow color and are also consistent throughout the army.  The shield is of the same style as the entire rest of the army, skink and saurus both.

I plan on posting some more of the army in the coming days.

Eldar Alaitoc Storm Guardians

I finished the majority of my Storm Guardians a few days back.  I decided it was time to work on some basing.  Unfortunately, I hadn't done much base work in some time, so there was a considerable backlog.  I ended up having to flock around 40 models.  I am working my way through them, but I decided to finish up these 10 guys to get them ready for the camera.

I already posted a few of them, but here's the full squad in all of their glory.  They are done up in my standard Alaitoc scheme.

Here we have grenade girl.  She was created using a Defender Guardian cradle arm with a snipped off grenade from a Dire Avenger kit.  Created out of necessity, I think the model works though. 

I love the pose of this guy.  I have dubbed him the top dog of this Storm group.  The fancy Dire Avenger pistol with the strait up chainsword says a lot. 

 Side-leaner here is just too cool for school.  I feel that she has been on the path of service for sometime and just needs to kick some ass, but not enough to go the path of Khaine. She also has issues with baby daddys and her douche boss at the cafeteria.

 I call this guy "1v1 U bro".  He's just a bit too cocky for his own good.  Always the first casualty.

 This guy is just plain lost.  There was a mix up in his paperwork.  He's supposed to be trying a shuttle bus, but accidently ended up with a catapult and power sword.  Somehow he'll always live though.

 Fusion Gun #1 is his name and he actually thinks that the #1 means he's in charge.  He isn't.

 Another necessity build here.  It doesn't show it, but his left arm is a Dire Avenger exarch force shield.  Much like grenade guy.  Karate chop here ends up looking pretty cool.

Fusion Gun #2 is constantly reminding people that he's only number 2 because the other guy's last name just happens to come before his.  He's not quite sure why he's got a chainsword.

 This guy is just too damn eager.  His squad mates call him beaver and he has no idea why.  He's just happy he's got a nickname.

Double pistol is just a bad ass.  He has no idea who John Woo is, but that doesn't matter.  He's ex Dark Eldar, I'm not sure how that gets him access to a Rogue Trader era Eldar Las Pistol though.  I had some other options for that arm, but just had to use the pistol.  Rogue Trader was probably the last time this unit option was viable.