Dwarf Lord - Non Metallic Metal

Reading the War of Vengeance is filling me with Dwarf pride and got me wanting to bust out the bearded ones and lay down a little paint. I've been taking a color theory class, so I decided to try out a non metallic metal technique we learned. I think he came out pretty decent. It's not something I would do army wide, but it looks very striking for a lord or hero. I would love to hear what you all think or how others have achieved the effect.

Non Metallic Silver - is a mix of scorched brown, black and white, with more white added to highlight. .
Non Metallic Gold - is Snakebite leather and white with more white added to highlight.
I glazed the runes with Gulliman Blue.
Color Theory - the model is painted in a Split complimentary #1 color harmony.

My new Dwarf inspired Song

This has been in the works for quite some time (lyrics originaly posted here). And with the help of my reunited band mate we have completed the "Saga of Karak Zull". Here it is, enjoy.


Transpo-Mutilation "Saga of Karak Zuul" by jcroxford

Dave and I made industrial music in the 90's, and after a 17 year hiatus we are back together (well sort of) I'm in California, and he lives in Montana. We now make music by the power of the interwebs! There are more new tunes in the works, though not all will be game/hobby inspired. Here is an older track remastered:

Lonely-remastered 2011 by jcroxford

More on my Dwarf Throng of Karak Zuul

Mida! Dwarfs!

 A crazy idea I'm throwing around for a new army. 

March of the Dwarf Warmachines

Master Engineer Burlan Barakison II. Poster Board Standard, cork base. He wears the colors of the Engineers guild, Engineer grey (similar to space wolves grey). Catch phrase - "Fire!!!!"

This classic grudge thrower was made before the fall of Karak Zuul. It escaped the Hold intact. 

A newer version of the Grudge thrower was designed after the fall of Karak Zuul.

Classic Bolt thrower

And finally this Rare device of war - the Organ gun, is adorned with fine Gems.

Value priced Dwarf War Machines

If you play Dwarfs, you best come with some war machines and lots of them!

I have the latest incarnations  of the stone thrower, and some older bolt throwers but I need more!!! Today I stumbled upon ZVEZDA that makes some VERY affordable war machines that don't look half  bad. They are not quite as detailed as a GW product, but I think a few dwarf bitz here and there would do the trick nicely. The stone thrower looks very similar to the last edition Dwarf one. The bolt Thrower just needs to be chopped down so the stunties can reach.

At $15.00 for 1 Bolt thrower, a stone thower, and 3 wheeled shields (use for entrenched?) How can you go wrong?

Organ gun  + a bunch of other stuff for an Empire army for $12.00

 3 cannons + more for $12.00

Dwarfs - The A-Team

In between moonlighting with Warmachine, I managed to crank out these guys. I love the rules for these guys they are my elite strike force (yeah, like these guys)

(oops, I just realized I forgot to highlight the standard bearers beard)

Saga of Karak Zuul

Once we were proud living under the mountain

Mining the earth, for gem and for ore
Once we were proud living under the mountain
crafting devices and weapons of war


All hail the Dwarfs descend form the mountain
We will Never rest till our hold is return
All hail the Dwarfs descend from Karak Zuul
We will never stop till the greenskin burn


In twenty five hundred the green-skin came
Overwhelming our home and stopping our trade
he drove us from our lands to roam the country side
A day long ago that saw many dwarfs die


All hail the Dwarfs descend form the mountain
We will Never rest till our hold is return
All hail the Dwarfs descend from Karak Zuul
We will never stop till the greenskin burn


Now we roam lands as rangers and miners
Bearing great 2 handed weapons to smite the foe
Underground advance surprises the enemy
War-machines fire, Hear the Thunderers blow!


All hail the Dwarfs descend form the mountain
We will Never rest till our hold is return
All hail the Dwarfs descend from Karak Zuul
We will never stop till the greenskin burn

Now I just need to work on getting the music written for this and get it recorded.

Dwarfs - Warriors Complete

Here's the first unit of my Core Troops! 

I shaved off all of the shield icons, to fit the icon of Karak Zuul.

Dwarf Warrior Musician carries the coolest looking instrument in the game! 

I did give the Veteran a different color cloak to make him stand out a bit. 

I trimmed all of the Anvil shaped hammers except for the veterans to make his unique. 

Nothing fancy for the warriors as far as color scheme goes. They just get standard Leather trimmed armor. Light green shirts to match the rest of the army. 

Dwarf Lord

This is one of my favorite Dwarf Miniatures. I love the pose. He is looking very stoic.

I paid more attention to the gold then I normally do, trying to get it just right. I started with a base of shining gold, followed by chestnut ink shading, followed by devlin mud wash. I highlighted with burnished gold, followed by a tiny bit of chain-mail. 

The Flesh,  I took a bit more time then usual as well. Tallaran flesh base, shaded with fleshwash, followed by Gryphone sepia. Highlights with Dwarf flesh, followed by elf flesh. 

Blond hair is Desert yellow base, gryphone sepia wash. Highlighted with bubonic brown followed by bleached bone. 

Dwarfs - Rangers Complete

All done and ready for the premier of 8th Edition WFB.

Some of Bugman's Metal unit. (where's Bugman?)

Here's some of the older plastic models to join the party. 

So much to do, so little time

I need to win the lottery so I can have more time to finish the things on my plate. Here is what's in the current rotation:

Space Wolves - Need to complete a unit of long fangs w/ multi meltas, a couple more Thunder wolf cavalry and some Fenrisian wolves to round out my 2000 pt force for the next Contest of Champions.

Chaos Dwarfs - 15 Warriors, 10 blunderbuss, 1 sorcerer conversion, and a hobgoblin bolt thrower. This is going to be a quick 500 pt force to play/test/learn the new 8th Fantasy rules.

Tyranids - I've been wanting to get started on these guys for a while, but the Space Wolves have been taking most of my time. I think once the COC force above is complete, I may start painting a small force of nids to play/test/learn this codex. I have pretty much everything assembled, just need to lay down paint. I also want to put them on these wonderful bases (I'll need to remove them from their current ones).

Dwarfs!!!!! - They have been patiently waiting in the box unassembled for years!!! I have a ton of them, and nothing is assembled. Lots of work here, but once 8th comes out, I'm going to have to dive in!

So that is what's currently on the table. I would also love to make a Blood angels army, but I think that is more of a dream at this point  (unless that lottery win happens). And depending on  what comes in the Fantasy starter set.... (did I hear skaven?). I've always wanted to do a skaven army. I have a Skaven Blood bowl team, but that isn't even on the list of things to do at this point.

Paint on!!!

Dwarfs of Karak Zuul

I'll be using the design below for my shields and standards.

The once great stronghold of Karak Zuul was legendary amongst the Dwarfs for creating great war machines and fabulous runic weapons. In 2500 the hold was over run by Greenskins. Many Dwarfs died to ensure the engineers guild could escape with their plans and creations intact, including thier Lord Master Engineer; Burlan Barakison. . His sacrifice was not in vein for not a single war machine was captured by the Orcs. Now the Dwarfs that once called Karak Zuul home, roam the land as Rangers and Miners often attacking by surprise and from underground advances, always bringing their mighty war machines to bear upon the enemy. The Dwarfs of Karak Zuul will never rest till their grudge has been settled, and the Greenskins eradicated from the Worlds edge mountains and surrounding lands.

Dwarfs - There and back again

I have Dwarfs on the brain right now. Grumpy Stunty's work really inspired me to lay down some paint. So yesterday I worked out a test mini.

I kind of like how this one turned out, but I'm not sold on it being the color scheme for my entire army just yet. I also have an idea shooting around my head to do an army in my clan tartan.

I have this old regiments of renown set : The Dragon company , that have tabards that would be perfect for a nice plaid. Below if one of the miniatures from the set that I painted some 20 years ago.

I was really proud of this guy back in the day. But I'm thinking him and all of his buddies are going to get the strip treatment and a new look. 

He was one of my first "conversions". I carved his little shield nub on his back into a little pack, and put a different type shield in front for mountain scene. 

Another old mini form the Long Drong Slayer Pirates set.

I also loved the old Chaos Dwarfs. (Yes I can not wait to see what forge world does with them....Big hats or not)

This all leads to one inevitability. The Dwarfs are Coming!!!!!