Ogres of the Moonlit Hunt – A Hobby Blog (18)

Note – this article is part of an ongoing series – previous articles can be found here.

It’s been roughly two weeks since my last blog post and I am excited to share that I have finished painting the full 2300 point list!

I kicked things off by painting the second Boomer Regiment. These were probably the trickiest of all the Ogre models to paint because the poses create some difficult-to-reach areas. Still, each model comes together in about five hours of work time from start to finish.

As I’ve mentioned before, the Ogre skin is the one area where I pay extra attention, as it is the most prominent feature. A follower on Twitter asked me about the process, so I created a step-by-step guide.

As with all of the models in the army, I start by priming with Wraith Bone. I then apply a thinned layer of Abaddon Black to the pants and eyepatch and a layer of Leadbelcher to the metal. I recently switched from using the regular Leadbelcher to the “Air” version and, I must say, it is a lot better. It flows much more smoothly. Once that is dry I apply a wash of Nuln Oil. Then the model is ready for some color!

Next, I apply a 1:1 mix of Fyreslayer Flesh and Contrast Medium to the skin.

The result creates some nice shading but the raised surfaces are too pale. I fix this by applying two thin layers of Kislev Flesh, leaving the recesses untouched.

At this point, the skin looks too flat. I apply thin line highlights with Flayed One Flesh.

The highlights are a little too stark, so I finish it off by applying a 1:4 mix of Fyreslayer Flesh and Contrast Medium. This softens the transitions and adds a little more warmth to the finished look. I also hit the lower lip with a 1:4 mix of Blood Angels Red and Contrast Medium, the areolas/nipples with a 1:1:1 mix of Blood Angels Red, Fyreslayer Flash, and Contrast Medium, and the tongue with a 1:1 mix of Blood Angels Red and Contrast Medium. Lastly, I highlight the teeth and fingernails with Ushabti Bone.

I really do like the finished look of the skin and, although it is several steps beyond the other parts of the model, it is still a relatively simple and quick process. I plan on experimenting with future projects to find a similar method for painting brown and black skin.

Here are some photos of the individual models:

Once again, it was a bit of a challenge to arrange them on the Regiment base without overhanging the front edge. I tried out a couple of different poses and, with the advice of some fellow hobbyists, settled on the final positioning.

After completing both of the Boomer Regiments I gave them a custom name and wrote a quick backstory. If you haven’t already, check out Blog 16 to read the background and lore of the whole army.

Sentinels of the Sacred Spore – Boomer Regiments

A select group from the Moonshine Tribe is entrusted with the honor of guarding the clan’s cache of Amanita muscaria. These somber Ogres swear of a vow of abstinence, as even a small taste of Mushroom Soup could tempt them into gorging themselves on the stash. They are outfitted with all manner of cannons and pistols to ward off friend and foe alike.

In times of war, the Sentinels prove invaluable. Though small in number, their range, accuracy, and armor-penetrating ammunition makes for a deadly combination.

The final unit for the army is Nomagarok. It took me a little while to figure out which model I was going to use to represent him. There are some excellent Ogre Warlock miniatures available, including the one from Mantic, but as the rest of the army is composed of GW models, I really wanted to stick with their range. I am not a fan of the GW Butcher, so he was not an option. The GW Firebelly is an incredible model, but Nomagarok does not have Fireball so it wouldn’t be a great representation.

I turned instead to the Gloomspite Gitz and fell in love with the Shroomancer from the Gobbapalooza box. That entire box features some wildly absurd models, but the Shroomancer really stands out for me. I wrote a suitably ridiculous backstory to explain how/why this model matches the rules for Nomagarok.

Nomagarok

The Crescent King is loved, respected, and feared in equal measure by his followers, and with good reason. New conscripts that fail to live up to expectations are dragged off and rarely seen again. The Crescent King subjects them to increasing amounts of Mushroom Soup, watching intently and taking copious notes as their bodies wrack and convulse. Most die within a few hours, but those that don’t are often left with extraordinary powers.

Nomagarok is the most infamous of the Crescent King’s twisted experiments. The Red Goblin is a conduit for some of the most potent magic Panninthor has ever seen. His body has become so dependent on the Amanita muscaria that it is all he consumes. As such, he is in a constant paranoid hallucinogenic state. He lashes out with bolts of destructive force, waves of healing energy, and a Mushroom-laced mist that compels his allies to feats of strength.

This model was an absolute joy to paint and without a doubt ranks among my favorite GW miniatures of all time.

With 2300 points completed, the army is set to make its tournament debut in the U.S. Masters this coming July. This leaves me with plenty of time to get some much-needed practice and also time to create some fun supplements for the army – you can expect to see and hear more about those in my next update. Until then, thank you for reading, and please feel free to share your comments and questions below!