Eldar Update EOAug18

My third batch of Eldar was again a lot of fun.  Some of the relatively consistent elements I'm slowly evolving and employing across the collection/force include Lothern Blue eyes, Drakenhof Blue Wash weapons with Blue GWS Technical Gems, Red Gems on the body armour and Green Soul Stones using GWS Technical Gems.  There are also a lot of yellows and warmer reds/oranges going on, especially applied as a 'red hot chilli' blend on helmets - a skill of which I'm becoming increasingly confident in applying and can probably afford to push a bit harder - and I'm going to need the practice as will be apparent when if you read on...

During August I managed to complete 15 models:

• 8 RT-era Guardians (4x Nael Fleetfoot and 4x Menhe Worldsong)
• 5 Dark Reapers
• 1 Dire Avenger - a test model
• 5 Fire Dragons
• 1 Wraithlord

I had two weapon crew members that didn't make the cut, but were finished soon after.  Here are some interesting tidbits regarding various paint jobs.

The Dark Reapers' armour was washed in an Ultramarine Blue Ink Wash.  It was an experiment that paid-off, making the recessed blacks that little bit darker from the armour plates.  That meant I felt that I could avoid edge highlighting which I found altogether too difficult working on the black.  Instead, post-wash I used a very dark grey dry brush and largely left the armour at that.  Painting the Dark Reapers' guns separately from their bodies and only attaching the two at the end made life a lot easier.  Now I've seen them on the table a few times, I think I might colour the ends/tips of their guns, maybe along the lines of what I had done for their test model?

The two different types of Guardians (Melta and Shuriken Cannon) had the same armour painting bases - a simply whitish scheme, primarily because I knew I'd have to get through a lot of them in due course.  For the yellow-headed Guardians, I also applied a Bone Glaze over the top of the armour.  I think it worked out marginally better overall - I could have likely gone even harder/heavier in that direction.  Something I'll try some more of in the future.

The Fire Dragons look good but I found their fuel canisters fiddly and annoying to paint.  While their red armour nicely contrasts with the rest of the army, I am seriously thinking about applying some transfers to their helmets.  Maybe that will be a job I tackle some time in the future once I've completed the bulk of the army (almost there!).

The Dire Avenger trial was a huge success.  I tried serious line edging for the first time and liked the results but jez it takes a long time.  The actual paint scheme isn't anything revolutionary, but as troops of the line (well maybe a bit more than Guardians but whatever) that's okay.  When he's accompanied by some mates they'll look the business.

So what's lined up for the future?

Recently I took a punt and acquired a small collection of Rogue Trader era Eldar (1987-ish) - all lovingly painted in enamels (yeek!) but just oozing charm.  There were a few doubles in the mix, but this is what I snaffled:

Firstly, from Rogue Trader Space Elf Command 1987 (RT402):

1. Commander Avele Swifteye (with a Shuriken Catapult)
2. Commander Yaevin Pureheart (Shuriken Pistol and Chainsword)
3. Kelos Longfinger (a musician playing a space harp!)
4. Taal Spellsinger (hand flamer and also a musician)
5. Fierme Direstorm (power glove and sword - a little bit of modding evident as well)
6. Elres Fireflash (Shuriken Pistol and Chainsword)
7. Velasinn Doomdrifter (Plasma Gun)
8. Menhe Worldsong (with a Shuriken Catapult)
9. Nael Fleetfoot (Melta-gun) I already had 

So that's all but three of the Space Elf Command Group - just missing three: Lassitae Starflare, Command Lessei Moondancer and Kaele Lightprow.

Along with those fellows, these little delights from the Rogue Trader Space Elves 1987 (RT04) release:

1. Captain Aetolia Lightfoot
2. Commander Inghen Keentongue
3. Sergeant Mael Nightwing
4. Caetra Darkflight
5. Gaedhil Quickshadow
6. Kern Proudbrow
7. Belgae Strongwill 
8. Iric Trueshot 
9. Alesia Wildfire

Again, almost the complete set, but for three being Aedui Starborn, Eoan Fireheart and Ceido Sharpeye.

Two gunners and D-cannon that comprise Rogue Trader Artillery 1987 (RT404) - I'm glad these are new models for the collection but I've really got altogether too much by way of gun emplacement-style support weapons now.  Maybe some swaps are in order.

Three models that I'm particularly pleased with are Proto-Dire Avenger 4 and 5 with Shuriken Catapults and Power Swords along with Proto-Dire Avenger 2 with Shuriken Catapult, all included in the Rogue Trader Pre-Craftworld Warriors release (~1990 or just before?).  I can use these when fielding an Eldar Kill Team in due course.

There was a single Battle Drone / Assassin Class Ghost Warrior from Rogue Trader Dreadnoughts & Warbots 1987 (RT403).  I'll have to do some investigation to work out what these guys are all about - they're new to me.

I tried my hand at some touch-ups and a matt varnish but it didn't really cut it.  Also, while I respected the last person's efforts, they were definitely someone else's miniatures.  So, after much contemplation, they've all been dipped!  Yes, no more painted lovelies, and instead, they'll be joining Namreb Craftworld as true brethren in due course.

Then, in a fit of nostalgia, I picked up 3 more metal, unassembled Wraithlords and a metal War Walker at a swap meet - so our house virtually is a shrine to the late 1980s (in many ways).

So there's plenty of metal awaiting painting there alone.