Kings of War A Veteran Wargamer's Newbie Guide

I need two Hordes of Orcs in double quick time so it is time to whip out the Speedpaints.  I have been accumulating miniatures and have plenty of Mantic Orcs.  The basic Ax Orcs are a simple build with three basic bodies with three options of axes, shields and heads.  There is also a command sprue to provide a standard (with dwarf head, perfect), drummer and leader.

They went together easily and there was little visible flash.  Just as well as there isn’t time for extensive cleanup.  They were zenith undercoated and we are ready to go.

I tend to paint from inside out.  So skin is first.  Orc Green obvs.

Then on to some smaller details.  This helps to break up the painting effort and give some quicker progress as colours take less time.  Some bone details and the shafts of the weapons.

Then some complementary colour with some red.  Slaughter Red for the visible clothes on the back of the miniatures.  On the shields I did a wet blend.  The darker Slaughter red on the lower half and edges and Bright Red on the upper half and quickly wet blended into the darker colour.  This is most visible on the leader shield.

Shield insides were done in Leather and then I carried on with this colour to pick out the wraps on the ankles and any other prominent leather details like the wrapped axe handles.

Then the big one.  Broadsword Silver for the armour.  There is lots of this so this stage takes the most time.  This settles well into detail recesses which is just as well because there isn’t time to highlight the armour on these.

Finally the classic vaudeville phrase “Eyes and teeth!”  There is time to do some detail work and these two help to set the miniatures off nicely.  Black eyes and ivory teeth. Finished!