While scanning dwarf figures online, I came across a new offering from Conquerer Miniatures (well, they were new when I bought them… ). I really liked the dark age Saxon look of the figures and decided they were for me. So, a few clicks and some Paypall bucks and they were on their way.
The figures arrived and came at a nice size. They are anatomically “short” humans. None of that oversized heads and hands that often come across as clownish. The poses are varied and you get different weapon options. To start with, I wanted some Dwarf Handgunners. This was not an option from Conquerer, so I did a little converting. I basically used the crossbow figures and did not glue the bow section on. Instead, I cut some hand gun fronts from some Perry plastics that I had and just glued them to the existing crossbow stock. Some came out better than others, but the variation gives that hand crafted look, so I went with it.
I decided that I really did not want to paint the figures from scratch, so, off to Fernando painting service they would go! I typed up the painting instructions and sent them off. I opted to go with an overall dark grey look for the army with some red thrown in for color and browns for natural leather.
A few months and a number of approvals went by and the figures were finished and returned to me. Unfortunately, it was at this point I realized that they did not paint the shields or attach them… A minor setback. I had planned to have them painted white on the front and add some Little Bigmen Studios transfers. I just would have to do that myself from the beginning. So, I painted the shields up and attached the transfers. I opted for a regimented look (my elite guys are more individualized). Finished up the shields and attached them to the figures. I then went back and added an additional grey highlight to the cloaks, as I thought they needed more contrast.
I decided to use up by backlog of old GF9 magnetic bases for this army. I sprayed these all dark brown and then fired and glue down all the figures. Later, I covered the bases with Vallejo dark mud (my new favorite pumice). I hit each bases with an earth tone followed by a tan dry brush. Next I added some Scenic Express blended turf and finally tufts. I wanted my dwarves to look like they were fighting on the highlands, so only flowers would do! I pulled out various shades from Gamers Grass and attached them. With that, I have some Dwarves Handgunners!
- Manteuffel