Ash River Falcons Showcase

I painted this team specifically for the 2017 Carnage Cup. In case you missed it, I discuss the event and my achievements in this post. Unlike the last tournament I attended, this time I didn't bring a bad build.

Today, I present an in depth photo report of the completed Ash River Falcons.

The entire team incuding custom "ball".

The team logo is a parody of the Atlanta Falcons. I searched a Warhammer Old World map and found a river located in the Land of the Dead called the Ash River.

Positionals
4x Tomb Guardians: Crypt Horrors base, 1K-Sons helmets and shoulder pads, Ork heads, and Necron Praetorian Groin Guards.
2x Anointed Blitzers: Skeleton Warriors, Kroot shoulder pads, and 1K-Sons helmets.
2x Anointed Throwers: Skeleton Warriors, Kroot shoulder pads, and 1K-Sons helmets.

Linemen
10x Skeleton Linemen: Various skeleton bits, Necron Praetorian heads, and Dreamforge Stormtrooper shoulder pads.

Coaching Staff
Coach: Wight King with 1K-Sons helmet.
2x Assistant Coach:  Reaper Mummy Rising.

Other Staff
3x Cheerleaders: 3 different Reaper Bones spirits in translucent green, based on top of electronic tea lights.

The Cheerleaders with the tea lights on in the dark.

Display Case
During games the case functions as a reserves box. It folds up into a book.

Exterior of book/case.

Interior of book/case.

Blind River Ravens Showcase

I painted this team specifically for the Ordo Bowl 2017 Blood Bowl Tournament. In hindsight I made a poor list, which helped lead me to loosing every game. All was not lost however, as I did take the Player's Choice award.

The entire team plus inducements and gubbins as it appeared at the tournament.

Back Row (left to right): 3 Refferees, Stupid Marker, Toll, Ripper Bildgerot, Troll, Stupid Marker, Turn and Score Markers.

Middle Row (left to right): Coach, 5 Goblins, 2 Re-Roll Coins

Front Row (left to right):   Fungus the Loon, Looney, Bombadier, Fanatic

Bottom Center (left to right):  Spikey Ball, Bomb Marker

The Stupid Markers are hand painted foam clouds attached to a magnetized Night Goblin mushroom.

The Bombadier is a converted Goblin Archer. The bomb is a bead, the match and wick are made of wire, and the match head and flame are made of hot glue. I also made a bomb marker similar to the one the Bombadier is holding.

I found this book box at a local thrift store. It was originally a box for a puzzle. I designed the cover in Photoshop, printed on standard 11" x 17"copy paper, and then affixed the new cover with spray adhesive.

The inside of the box. It held everything I needed at the event: Dice, tokens/markers, balls, pencil, glue and the entire team. I cut the edges of the facing so that it would lie flat. During the game it functioned as a pseudo dugout.

The team logo was not at all inspired by it's NFL progenitor. But instead it came to me while painting the team.

Post tournament celebrations.

Animal

For my band's last show, I dressed up as the Muppet Animal.

I used colored hair spray for my hair and my skin. For what I could spend, it seemed the most durable and had the best coverage.

The ankle and wrist shackles I made out of craft foam. I cut the strips out of a large sheet, and bought a package of shapes. All hot glued together with strips of Velcro for easy  on and off.

The chain was from a Halloween decoration. I made a choker out of Velcro and looped it through the chain.

The gig was a huge success!! We were offered a weekly spot at the bar, but unfortunately we had to turn it down. We said we could do a monthly show and it looks like that may happen.

Props - Viking Helmet

I have mentioned before that I am in a band (one month shy of a year ago!). But I don't think I ever said that in March I made a Viking helmet to wear on stage.

I was initially trepidatious about sporting this at our gigs. But to my amazement (and the band's), I get approached constantly before, during, and after our shows with people asking me for a photograph, to try on the helmet, and all around positive comments! I have even had a line of people to see me!!! What an experience!!

Front of the helmet

Before I joined, the band started out as playing Celtic/Punk covers. At the time (and still) the lead singer, and founder, wore his clan's kilt while the rest of the band was in street clothes. As we added members, and started writing our own songs, we were also adding global folk influences.


It was around that time we decided that each member should adopt a character--A pseudo-version of their ancestry! I am half Norwegian and chose to add Viking elements to my stage outfit. Since we have a strong Punk edge, I decided to not dress in traditional garb.

Back view

I thought long and hard about buying a metal helmet. There were about 5 styles I looked at on Amazon that were under $100. I had been given gift cards and cash for Birthday/Christmas specifically for band needs. However, I eventually decided that fit and weight were going to be issues while I performed, and eventually chose to make my own helmet instead! (Thanks Dave!!)

Toy Helmet (Image taken from interwebs without permission

Never making anything like this before, I bought an adult toy helmet, thinking I could simply paint it (I do have those skills). Unfortunately thy toy helmet barely fits my soon-to-be-10-year-old son, let alone my big ol' noggin! At that point, I had a string of gigs in 2 days looming ahead and had to make it from scratch or else do without for the next 5 gig's.

First Attempt frame-work

I started out scavenging the horns, top spike and fur rings from the toy helmet. Then I went to Michael's and bought craft foam sheets (ala scrap-booking), textured felt, and googly eyes. I didn't really have a plan, I just started cutting and gluing. All was OK until I started gluing in the felt inserts. The second insert was a little off center and it completely warped the helmet... I had to start over!

The bad news was I ran out of craft foam, but the good news was I found these half round "beads that worked out much better as the rivets.

Inside the helm is tac "welded" with hot glue

The second go around was a breeze! I now had a template to follow, and was able to tweak the design in a few places, making it a more durable item. Once everything was assembled, and the glue cooled, I sprayed the inside with 3 coats of liquid rubber. After that dried, I primed everything in black.

I wanted to go simple on the paint, applying a base coat, ink wash, and a simple dry brush. Then I coated the silver with and horns with a brush on gloss coat. Finally, when everything was dry, I slid on the furry rings.

Photo by Digital Style Photography

This is a pic taken at one of our recent shows. He caught me in a strange expression, as if I was deep in thought.

I hope you like it! As always, questions and comments always welcome!