Another model that I owe the motivation to get painted from the community’s painting challenges today – specifically Swordmaster’s Monster March and Ann’s “Neglected But Not Forgotten” painting challenge. It’s a Varghulf model I’ve had for quiiiite a few years now, and in fact is the second one of these that I own. The first is …MIA right now, a boxed metal one I purchased a long time ago when such things were the norm. This one is a Finecast one (cough, hack, ptoooiii!!) that I picked up more recently secondhand (maybe 5 years ago? – that’s recently for me!) that unfortunately had Finecast quality all over it. So mould lines, some missing detail… you get the idea.
Anyway, while trying to work on some Yetis for the aforementioned challenges, I ended up finding this guy in a tub filled with random models and then took him to work to clean up, then assembled, primed and based it. I think I had planned to make a fancy base for it using layers of cork aand so forth to elevate it onto a rocky outcrop. Instead I just decided to get this fucker painted. After all, if I ever find the metal one, I can still do the rocky outcrop thing. I took a look at the official paint schemes that GW is using and has used in the past, but nonne of them really spoke to me much, so I just went ahead and did it by feels and ended up with this.
As for what the hell is a Varghulf, anyway? In Warhammer lore, they’re powerful Vampire Lords who have devolved into a permanently animalistic and bestial form, though in AoS they seem to have been shoved into the “Ghoul” undead sub-faction alongside things like Vargheists – known as Flesh-Eater Courts. With a new Vampire-themed revamp coming soon though – who knows if this model will be redone as a nice looking plastic multi-kit in the next couple of months and reinserted into the Vampiric faction? Not sure how any of this covers the “zombie” aspect of the model with all of the exposed bone and muscle sinew, but ah well…
I dunno. I just bought my Varghulf originally mostly because I like the look of the model and as a bonus felt I could use it as a good proxy in the Lord of the Rings SBG as Gulavhar, Terror of Arnor. As it happens, Gulhavar is a GW creation for SBG rather than something from either Tolkien or even New Line/Peter Jackson – essentially, Gulhavar is a giant vampire-demon. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the official model for Gulhavar at all, so you see where the connection was made…
So here is a Varghulf-as-Gulhavar, menacing a trio of Gondor’s heroes! Also serving as a scale shot!
Azazel's Bitz Box. 
Nice work on that model, I never met a Finecast model I enjoyed working on, in fact I think I decided ‘never again’ after the second attempt! Putting it next to those Middle Earth models shows its true size though.
The upcoming Cursed City box has one of these in it, so there’s at least one plastic update on the way.
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Ooh! I didn’t know that about the Cursed City. I mean, I plan to buy at least 2 sets, but I’ve been staying blisfully ignorant of the exact contents past the first couple of reveals for the time being… 😀
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It’s odd, in that they did a couple of close up reveals, then showed off the whole box contents, then went back to do single model previews. I saw the vargulf model close up on the webiste this morning when I went to check if there’s a release date yet (still no).
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Even now, I’m actually holding off going to look at the contents. I’m not sure why, I suspect to maintain the surprise for when I finally order it? Keep myself in check so I can keep focus on the models I’m working on right now?
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Looks cool! Just wanted to mention that the AoS lore for these guys is actually pretty great now.
The Flesh-Eater Courts are all under a mass delusion that they’re noble knights, courtiers, etc. They think their bones are swords, etc. The Varghulfs believe they’re noble pegasus knights riding out to defend their realm, but they’re actually horrible winged monstrosities.
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Thanks mate!
I was aware of the whole Brettonian-delusion thing as core to the FEC faction, but didn’t know that these ones think that they’re Pegasus Knights. (I haven’t read the battletome). So that begs the question: Do they think they’re the Pegasi, or the riders? 😀
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Very nicely done as always. Didn’t realise how big it was until the last shot, quite a beast. 🙂
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Thank you, TIM. Yeah, it’s quite a decent sized model, though it does look like it could also be quite small without that context. 🙂
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He looks great. I really, really like that miniature but it’s one I’ve never bought – first because the thought of working on such a big, heavy kit in metal was just a bit too intimidating at the time, then because good old firecast kept putting me off. Still one hell of a model though, and you’ve done a great job with it!
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Thanks Wudu! If you’re interested in getting hold of one at some stage while they’re still available, I’d say it’s not too bad, even in Finecast – especially if you can get one cheap. The metal one should be okay as well, though that outstretched arm will need to be pinned. The others can probably get away with a superglue-greenstuff join.
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Like Dave said, I to didn’t imagine for a moment how big this guy was! nice mate!
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Cheers, Pat – it’s a pretty big sucker, all things considered. I reckon it’d be fun to run in a game as well, even though I have no idea about it’s rules I’m just keen to see it on the table sometime soon(ish!)
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Incredible work there, I love the sinewy flesh on his back. I agree with you, I didn’t like Gulhavar’s model either, I don’t know if it was just too spindley and awkward-looking, or if it was just too jarring with the rest of the LOTR line. This model though would make an excellent substitution! 😃
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Thank you Steve! And yeah – so many of the LotR range are great, but a few of them just miss the mark badly. Amusingly the stand-out misses seem to be some of the GW-originals, as I’m no fan of the Dweller In the Dark either. I’d rather use my Be’Lakor (especially since he’s about to be superceded by the new, gigantic plastic version!)
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Agreed, the Dweller in the Dark isn’t a pleasant model to look at 😄 Be’Lakor would fill the role better. I like the look of the LOTR’s Shade model actually, but think I can find a better alternative in the AoS range (you’ve inspired me to look for a substitute!)
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Oh yeah. I do like the Barrow-Wights, but that Shade model is an absolute dog’s arse. I think the AoS Nighthaunt range would be overflowing with better proxies!
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To be honest, I don’t think GW even makes the bloody Shade any more! Those Nighthaunts have some brilliant models, good shout. I might have a look tonight and pick one out for my Angmar lads
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Ooo, impressive! 🙂
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Cheers, John!
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Very Nice mate 👏👏👏👏
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Thank you! 🙂
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAn6dy-_PoQ at 44seconds your wish is granted !!!!!!!
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Thanks Phil – just skipped to the shot and …I don’t know if I like it all that much, actually? I mean, it looks great as a giant bat, but it doesn’t have that hunched over, bestial, twisted & ruined look of this model.
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That’s a great mini and an excellent paint job. The skin and muscle tones are really good.
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Thanks Matt. I’m quite happy with how well it all turned out!
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That is great- a very bestial monster- I rather like it.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Thanks Pete – that’s one thing I like a lot about the sculpt here. 🙂
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Awesome. Nice paint job and clean up. For all its finecast problems, your made it look really good.
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Cheers, Tarmor. Even though the casting had a fair few problems, luckily the resin was easy-ish enough to work with, and the undead-ness of the model helps to cover up a lot of the imperfections. Kinda like Nurgle models can get away with a bit of extra roughness. 🙂
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You truly have turned a Sows ear into a silk purse, as this is a finecast model mate. I think your colour choices look spot on for the model.
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Oooh, I really like this guy. Wouldn’t wanna cross paths with him but he looks so badass! Nice work!
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A classic vampire sculpt! Excellent job persevering through the finecast issues. They really are a pain to work on but the good news is I can’t even see any of the typical flaws that come with those minis so you handled that part well. The color scheme you came up with looks great to my eyes too. Its dingy and looks like something that goes bump in the night. This beastie will look great in your LOTR games for sure 🙂
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I never heard of Finecast, but now I’ll be aware – though I do like this big model a lot. The work that you did on the anatomy is quite exquisite – I zoomed in and looked at the sinew and the tendons and flesh and was even more impressed Az.
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I really like the flesh colour that you came up with on the fly there, very nice.
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Splendid paint job. It is a very naturalistic colour scheme, that suits the fantastic beast well. I also like the understated base.
You did a good job cleaning the cast up. Seems pretty flawless to me.
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