So my completed models for this year’s Jewel of July come to a close with this model from Avatars of War. Their Dwarf Berserker range are clearly a series of Not-Slayers, though unlike some stalwart GW defenders, I don’t take umbrage with other companies and artists taking inspiration from models and concepts that have clearly taken inspiraton from many and other sources themselves. AoW have a pretty impressive of pretty amazing quality sculpts from a range of forces, with a clear line of inspiration from a certain fantasy “Old World”, and their new released do continue in that vein – though the crossover with a new Age of S..culpts is still close enough that it would allow their use in most forces of newer games set in a series of Mortal Realms. I got this particular Dwarf Berserker quite some time ago, and it appears from the internets that he was withdrawn and used as a limited edition model, and sadly, no longer appears to be available. A real shame, as he’s a real nice one…
I’ve actually got a fair few of their models across several of their ranges, though this might be the first one I’ve actually gotten around to painting – such is my sad backlog. I see this model as saving (one of) the best for last, though. Frankly, it was a reward to myself for finishing so many of the other, difficult paints.
One annoying thing about warpaint and tattoos on models is there are times when you really feel that you’vre properly nailed the highlighting and shading on a model’s musculature.. and then you’re going to cover it all up with their “ink”. This model is an example of that. The left shoulder and arm looked pretty spiffy, so I can only hope that the knotwork dragon was worth it. (Tilt your head to the right and let me know if you can actually see the thing?)
A Traditional Rivalry, about to play out in a messy manner…
There are still a few more metal “Dwarf Slayers/Berserkers” on my desk. One is an odd one. A metal prototype for a plastic model, perhaps? A beloved character, and a rather quality single model from Mantic. After that, all the remaining Slayers are my other AoW metals, my AoW plastics, a few models from Reaper (if I can find ’em). Maybe something from Russian Alternative (I need to check!) and then it’s Fyreslayer time!
My little “Jewel of July” batch of completed Dwarf Slayers. Oh yeah, this should go without saying, but despite me saying nice words about AoW, this post isn’t sponsored or contra’d or anything’d by Felix or AoW in any way. Models all bought by me (too many fuckin’ years ago) with my own pocket money, etc. 😉
Azazel's Bitz Box. 
Awesome work, the tattoo looks great and I can indeed see a dragon 🐉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Cheers! The designs are based on the ones that are somewhat local to you out there, so hopefully they’ve got at least the feel right, as inauthentic as they may be. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another great slayer, AoW do some really awesome models in my opinion
LikeLiked by 2 people
Cheers Dave – and agreed. I need to go Slayer model hunting again very soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great work – and yes, I can see the dwarf with the dragon tattoo there nicely. Never really understood why some people get their noses out of joint over these things on GW’s behalf – GW are big enough and ugly enough to look out for themselves! Plus, much as I love the old GW Slayers they were mostly quite cartoony, and I do enjoy the greater realism from companies like Avatars of War (not to mention the fact that GW doesn’t make old-fashioned Slayers any more, but I still want to paint them, so what else is a guy supposed to do?)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, I can’t see some counts-as models based on GW designs which in turn are also based on mythological, historical and pop cultiral designs putting GW out of business anytime soon. Like the Vikings, the Slayer project is far from done on my end, though! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful work dude – yes I can make out the dragon tattoo, and if wearing a human skull as a hair clip was acceptable then I would grow a ponytail too!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
The weight is what keeps his braids nice and tight!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like the look of that tattoo, I think you’ve nailed it. Fun seeing the unit together, that orange hair is really iconic (or iiiiiiiii-CONIC, if you want to do it in a nasal voice and Aussie accent!)!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Mikko. On behalf of all Aussies, let us thank ya!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great work- that make a nice group.
Cheers,
Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Pete. When I finish a few more, I’ll have to do a proper, big-group shot of them all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent! The Dwarf With The Dragon Tattoo – sounds like a film title in there somewhere! Definitely worth adding the tattoos!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, they’re attempting to make Eisenhorn into a TV series. Who knows what might come later? 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know exactly what you mean about covering up something you think is well painted with freehand/tattoos! It was well worth it though and while I don’t like this sculpt nearly as much as the GW ones (just seems to be lacking in detail and I don’t care for the way the face is done), I think he is just as well painted and the squad/group shot is fantastic. Should be quite the intimidating little crew of dwarves when all is said and done!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks mate. I’ve just finished a human female model that will be up in the next week that has that same potential issue as I’m happy with her arm as it stands. Still mulling over whether to go back and give her some more tattoos (there are a couple, but they’re subtle/hard to see). Worried about messing up her arm, though at the scale – though the models feels like she’d have some ink IRL.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I look forward to seeing her and I guess the best advice I can give is to paint bravely. The worst thing that happens is you make a mistake and it looks slightly worse than before.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great work! And yeah, you can see the dragon tattoo. 🙂 Nicely done! I especially like the bitter rivalry battle shot! 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, IM. I do enjoy adding some nice nk to my models when it works. I’ve got to practice a lot more on the “sleeve” look, as they tend to look like nothing in particular from a distance, which works against simply having a few bold designs which works better on models…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great looking slayers – been catching up and I thought I’d give them a collective THUMBS UP!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mark. If you hadn’t, they’d probbaly take your thumbs, vicious bastards that they are!
LikeLike