Monday, 9 March 2026

"You Cannot Hide. I See You."

"There is no life in the void, only death".

This rather diminutive 28mm scale metal model of Frodo Baggins was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be found inside either the Nottingham-based company's "The Fellowship Of The Ring" boxed set [99111499002] or as part of their Frodo & Sam blister [99061461002]. Now long OOP (Out Of Production), I actually only recently discovered that I had this figure in my backlog of "The Lord Of The Rings" miniatures, and must have picked him up (probably with Sam, Merry and Pippin) second-hand at a show some years ago.

In addition, having already 'properly pigmented' an identical sculpt just last month, I was initially at a bit of a loss as to what to do with it. But then thought I could use it to simply represent the Hobbit actually putting on the One Ring - as per the "Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game" (MESBG) main rule-book. Resultantly, the entire piece was treated to a couple of coats of "Two Thin Coats" White Star, splattered with some heavily watered-down "Vallejo" Neutral Grey, and dry-brushed with (more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats".

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three of four Uruk-hai armed with crossbows currently on the painting table 

Now admittedly, this may well seem like a bit of a waste of a model to some. However, behind the scenes it provided me with a rare opportunity to experiment with a variety of "Citadel" Shades to establish whether I could suggest that 'ethereal creatures' (such as The Army of the Dead or the "Dead faces in the Dead Marshes") were actually wearing coloured clothing.

Having covered this miniature in a cunning combination of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, Nuln Oil, Carroburg Crimson and Reikland Fleshshade though, and subsequently started giving the halfling a dry-brush of (more) "Two Thin Coats" White Star, it disappointingly became clear to me that my plan using fading inks wasn't going to work. I therefore decided to sadly re-prime Frodo with (even more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats", and apply the far simpler two-tone colour scheme I mention above.

"Trench Stench" WIPs - Three of five Dirt Knights currently being worked on

In addition to providing my Fellowship with a distinctive-looking Ring-bearer, I've assembled, undercoated and progressed a handful more Uruk-hai armed with crossbows too. This all-metal orc unit by "Games Workshop" will be added to my already quite-sizeable Isengard force for MESBG, and also contribute towards the Angry Piper's "Forced March" painting event over on his "Dead Dick’s Tavern and Temporary Lodging" wargaming blog.

Likewise, I have dusted down the five 32mm Dirt Knights by "Trench Stench" I printed and began painting back in October 2025. Recently I've been producing quite a considerable number of the manufacturer's "Trench Crusade" inspired models on my "Elegoo" Mars 5 3D printer, and thought I had better start getting on top of this fast-growing pile of grey before things get too badly out of hand...

6 comments:

  1. Very nicely done on the ghosty Frodo - I like the effect.

    Uruk Hai looks like a slim-jim orc from here. Still, I think he'll do nicely on the tabletop.

    Last fellow might be designed for Trench Crusade (Still trying to see the appeal of this game/setting? Wonder what I'm missing?), but he looks like he'd be just as comfy on a dnd or Frostgrave setup too!

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    1. Thanks very much, Dai. I don't usually just paint pieces to signify an in-game condition. But as I had a spare Frodo and wearing the One Ring is such a big part of having him on the tabletop I thought I would.

      I do like the old metal GW Uruk-hai with crossbows, and constantly have to watch to ensure I don't have too many for a legal force in MESBG.

      You're right about the Dirt Knights being good for other genres. Unlike so many other Trench Crusade figures, they don't come with guns, so would definitely look good in fantasy genres.

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  2. Love to see new Frodo!
    And, Dirt Knights! What a great mini!

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    1. Cheers Michal. Simple stuff on Frodo obviously. Hopefully I can get the Dirt Knights finished soon.

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  3. Good stuff all round mate, love ghostly Frodo, and great to see you taking part in Keith's challenge. But Trench Stench made me laugh and is such a cool name for a company!!
    Cheers Roger

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    1. Thanks Roger. Keith's challenge was perfectly timed as I have a number of units I'd like to complete this month. Trench Stench is a wing of Westfalia Miniatures, and seems to be dealing with all their Trench Crusade STLs on My Mini Factory.

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