Vlad Krakhead (or, how I learned to stop worrying and love the mini)

And so we move on to the next ‘Heroic Fighter’ from Citadel, the weirdly named ‘Vlad Krakhead’.  I’d love to know what the Citadel studio were on when naming models in the late ‘80s.

I’d always rated this as one of the poorest sculpts from the set.  The pose is flat and unconvincing (why would you hold a massive mace in that position?), and the proportions are just a bit off somehow (just how long is that right arm?). Not Jes Goodwin’s finest work.  So my plan was just get it done and move on.

Instead, something unexpected happened. 

I really enjoyed painting him.  I’m not quite sure what the recipe was.  Perhaps my low expectations took the pressure off, maybe it’s the relative simplicity (when compared to modern minis) that meant I could concentrate on the painting - whatever it was, this chap was an absolute joy to paint, and the end result is a great match for the vision I had in my head.

Which just goes to show you never know how things will turn out, and the importance of just starting to get the paint on.

Sir Brut

 Sir Brut - another from the Heroic Fighters of the Known World set.  Probably the second best, after the Moon Duke.  This one already has a shield, as I added one some time in the early 2000s.  The eagle is one of the old Arcane Armorial transfers from Citadel.  Ideally I’d replace it with a more modern, curved heater shield, but it’s in too good condition to muck about with.

As much for my notes as anything, the surcoat was VJ Game Colour Gory Red, GW Mephistopheles Red and Sigvald Burgundy contrast paint, then VJ Game Colour Hot Red highlight.

Gladius

Another Heroic Fighter mostly complete (shields will be a job for the end). Four down.

Ulrik Ulrikson

Another Heroic Fighter joins the fray - the vaguely Norse themed Ulrik Ulrikson.

He still needs a shield, but I don’t seem to have any of the old plastic GW shields of the right size.  A few are winging their way to me from eBay.

Lord Aquila and Manfred

Time for an update on the Heroic Fighters set.  First up, I present Lord Aquila!

Arguably one of the weaker models of the set, the pose is quite static, but on the other hand - just look at that massive crest!  The weapon choice is unusual - it looks crude and primitive compared to the armour, almost Skaven like (they were both sculpted by Jes Goodwin after all)!  Perhaps a trophy from a defeated rat thing clan leader that he now carries around to intimidate them with.

Here’s a reminder of how he used to look.

I’d say my technique has improved at least a bit.

Second is Manfred.  He already got an updated paint job around 15 years ago, and sort of represented my breakthrough on effective shading and highlighting.  So all he has had is some chips tidied up and painted.

It’s odd how his pose is nearly identical to Lord Aquila, yet feels much more convincing.   Or is that just me?