A few months ago I redid the basing on my Chaos Spawn unit. The unit was a collection of different snow basing techniques that I had tried out over the years. I thought it was time to unify the unit. I figured since the unit was finally unified, why not get some shots using the better setup I now have for pictures?
Chaos Spawn Gallery
Background
This unit is known as The Unbound. In my army’s fluff they were once fellow Space Marines. However, a genetic flaw in their gene-seed, once exposed to the warp, caused their mutation into what you see. Either that or it’s the Chaos Gods having fun; one can never be sure!
In game terms, they have served mostly as a bodyguard for Soulgore, one of my Chaos Lords who primarily rides his Juggernaut. While they are mutated, and mostly insane, they have retained some sense of who they once were, and remain loyal to the warband.
Painting & Modeling
The models I used as the Crypt Flayers, formerly known as Vargheists. While I do like the actual Chaos Spawn models, for just a few more dollars you get an extra model with Crypt Flayers. I also think these guys fit the role and look cool as well.
It was years ago that I painted the unit. The first three I painted were the purple, green, and black ones. Those were painted pretty simply with a base coat and heavy washes – nothing fancy. The last two I did, the yellow/gold, and blue/purple ones, I did with zenith priming, then washes and glazes. It’s a technique I found very liberating to do, and one I plan to use again in the future on organic models like this.
I love painting miniatures and teaching people how to paint. I also really love blogging, so I've combined those two passions here.
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Like the concept of the corrupt gene-seed. Really nice work.
Is there any chance you’ve noted down how did you paint that purple? Was looking to paint tyranids in a similar way
Thank you.
The purple one is base coated with Warlord Purple (Vallejo). It’s then washed with Leviathan Purple, now called Druchii Violet (Games Workshop). It’s also painted over a black primer.
I never considered using those models as spawns, I think it looks really good. I’ve never been a fan of the current spawns, well besides all the tentacles and eyes you get.
I did a similar thing for my plague bearers. Didn’t like the current ones at that time, so I used Kroot bodies and the rest from the crypt ghouls and I quite like how they turned out.
The bits in the Spawn kit is probably the best part of it.
That sounds like a good kitbash for the Plague Bearers. Did you ever put them on your blog?
Not sure if they are on there, but I had a couple at home so here’s a photo from my phone.
I really like that. Has a cool zombie vibe.
That looks great! I might have to do some up like that myself. I need more Kroot Rifle bits for another project anyhow, and this would let me make use of pretty much the whole kit.
thank you, I really like them. one thing I would have done differently if I did it today is to include some weapons.
I’ve got a box of those lying around that I’ve been planning to make into Spawn for a while, but haven’t gotten around to it.
I have mixed feelings about the varied colour scheme. It is totally fitting for Chaos, but I find I like the aesthetic of having some unifying element within a Unit, even in cases like this. Also they remind me a little of the bags of plastic monsters/dinosaurs that I used to get at the drug store for like a dollar when I was a kid. But they do look really good individually, and I suspect that when viewed more from above (as is normal on the table), the basing will help tie them together more. And like I said, very fitting for Chaos.
Also, the name for the Unit makes me think you should do a Squad of Chosen or Terminators or something called The Battle-Forged ;)
I know what you mean about uniformity. I’m the same way, but I felt like having fun and trying something different with these guys. Plus, as you said, it’s fitting for Chaos.
I had named them before 7th, but The Battle-forged has a ring to it… ;)
They look well all based together.
How do you think they will fare in 8th?
Thanks.
I like them in 8th. They got better. Now they have a save, and in combat they got nastier. They were good before, but now I’d say they’re great.
I like these, The colours work as a group of chaos marines dedicated to each god mutating into a form beyond their control. (it looks like an undivided, tzeentch, slaanesh, khorne and nurgle spawn menagerie)
Thanks, and that’s pretty much what I was going for too :)
They look great! I love the bright colors and cool conversion details you added. I have some of the similar ghoul models that I’ve used as plague zombies and/or plague bearer daemons. I also have some fun ogres that I’ve mutated a bit to use as spawn, and the new stats in the 8th edition fit them even better than the last! Praise Chaos!
Thanks.
Ogres have been a consideration for a long while if I decide to do another unit. However, seeing as I’ve started this route, I feel that Ogres might be a bit out of place…if that can be said of Chaos.
Spawn have become great in 8th. I was very surprised to see that honestly. They were always good, and one of my favorite units, and 8th has solidified that.
Love the models, Is there any way you could post the main colors that you did, just like what you did with mentioning the purple. If it’s not too much trouble.
Thanks a million
It’s been many years since I painted those and I honestly don’t remember exactly. I can say the blue and yellow one were done with washes and glazes over a white primer. I didn’t use normal paints on them, just washes and glazes over white: blue wash for that guy, and a yellow glaze on the yellow guy. I did use an orange wash GW used to have too on the yellow Spawn.
The black and grey one is black (of course!) and I believe Codex Gray (GW). Purple one was Warlock Purple (Vallejo). That green one I really don’t remember though. It was some sort of a camouflage green from GW and I used a bone white to highlight it but I don’t remember exactly the colors.