After taking forever painting Magore’s Fiends, I managed to knock out my Thorns of the Briar Queen warband in short order.
A major reason for the speed on this warband was the simplicity of the models, though very cool models, and I painted them more to tabletop quality. When I worked on Magore’s Fiends, and especially my Ironskull’s Boyz, I spent a great deal of time blending their armor. There’s only 4 models in each of those warbands, so it’s time I didn’t mind spending. Hell, I put more effort into Garrek’s Reavers than this warband as I worked on their skin a lot.
However, for Thorns of the Briar Queen there’s 7 models in the warband. Granted, 7 is a far cry from batch painting squad after squad for 40K, but I wasn’t willing to commit hours and hours a model blending tirelessly.
Also, I really wanted to play around with the Hexwraith Flame technical paint. So, I decided on something simple and easy to get the warband on the table.
Aside: I love how painting Warhammer Underworlds warbands has seen me crank out more tutorials in a few months than years of working on 40K stuff. A major reason for that is the constant variety of stuff to work on. I’m thoroughly enjoying that.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. The commission earned helps maintain this site.
Thorns of the Briar Queen Painting Showcase
Anyway, let’s move on to some pictures.
As always, click/tap for a larger version.
Chainrasp #1
Chainrasp #2
Chainrasp #3
Chainrasp #4
The Ever-hanged
Varclav the Cruel
Briar Queen
How to Paint a Nighthaunt (Thor’s Way)
These are mostly here for my own reference later, but of course anyone is more than welcomed to use these painting recipes.
Time needed: 30 minutes
So, here’s how to paint a Nighthaunt my way.
- Painting the Base
Base coat Mournfang Brown.
Wash with Carroburg Crimson.
Dry brush with Tuskgor Fur.
Dry brush with Emperor’s Children.
Wash with Carroburg Crimson.
Dry brush with Emperor’s Children. - Painting Rocks/Stones
Administratum Grey base coat.
Agrax Earthshade wash.
Sepia wash in areas.
Dry brush with Administratum Grey.
Highlight with Administratum Grey - Painting Stone Tiles
Administratum Grey base coat.
Agrax Earthshade wash and immediately add pools of Athonian Camoshade to it.
Dry brush Administratum Grey.
Wash with Athonian Camoshade.
Highlight with Administratum Grey.
Extreme highlight with White. - Painting the Cloth
Base coat Incubi Darkness.
Shade with Abaddon Black.
Highlight with Thunderhawk Blue.
Extreme highlights with Fenrisian Grey.
I also have a tutorial on painting black that covers this theory more. - Painting Rust
The rust I did using a technique I’ve done a tutorial for. The only difference was omitting Typhus Corrosion.
- Painting the Ghostly Parts
I also did a tutorial for for this you’ll want to check out.
Painting Thoughts
I’m pleased with how the warband turned out. As I said, I was aiming for simple. I put some effort into the ghostly parts, making that the focal point, but the rest is all simple stuff.
The ghostly bits came out better on some models than others. The nature of the game when you’re mixing glazes, but I’m still happy with it. I did do some blending, obviously, but nothing like the insane work I put into the armor on my other warbands in terms of time and effort.
Individually, I don’t think these Nighthaunts are anything to write home about, but collectively I think they look great as a group, and that’s all I wanted.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, my Thorns of the Briar Queen all ready for the table.
I’m not sure what my next project is going to be. I have the Stormsire’s Cursebreakers since I got the Nightvault starter set, but much like the Steelheart’s Champions, they aren’t a big interest of mine. However, like I did with Steelheart’s Champions, I’ll eventually get them painted once I come up with something fun and different to do with them. I just hate the gloriously golden good guy paint schemes.
I have been considering picking up the Chaos team for Blood Bowl to use in my league’s next season. Maybe I’ll do that and change gears for a bit…
Thor’s Warhammer Underworlds Warbands
I love painting miniatures and teaching people how to paint. I also really love blogging, so I've combined those two passions here.
- Creative Twilight’s Future and My Thoughts (Feedback Welcomed!) - December 4, 2021
- My Top Gift Ideas for Miniature Painters & Hobbyists + Gifts to Avoid - December 2, 2021
- The Year That Was 2020 and Where I’ve Been - January 17, 2021
They look really cool! That green from the Hexwraith Flame really stands out nicely. I also like that you went with yellow roses for the Briar Queen. Don’t see those too often.
Thank you.
I’ve mostly been seeing purple roses, and red is too typical, so I settled on yellow. I like it too. Adds some visual “pop” without being too much.
Amazing! The models and the blog! It’s evolved as much as your painting skills since last i checked. I’ve been so damned busy I haven’t been able to stop and smell the paint fumes. Great work, sir!
I appreciate it!
How are things going settle back into the country?
It’s an ongoing process, even 9 months later! But thanks for asking. Getting there, but still a bit chaotic. Haven’t gotten to play anything yet. Well, I guess I played one game of 8th ed 40K a few months ago but that’s it. I put together a few DE wyches for a Killteam but haven’t played yet.
Extar points for giving the paint schene breakdown. I think they look well and sill have a great presence on the board. Are you working your way through all the warbands?
Thanks, and not all warbands. I mean, maybe someday I may own them all for the sake of having them, and the extra cards, but for now I’m only buying those I’m interested in.
In fact, I currently have no painting projects/warbands to paint. However, I’m going to use that painting time to work out a couple of tutorials I’ve been meaning to do.
Hi there,
great job!
What paint/wash combos did you use for the pieces of rope?
Thanks for the advice
Thank you.
If I remember right, I did an Ushabti Bone base coat, washed with Agrax Earthshade, then dry brushed with Ushabti Bone, and a highlight dry brush with Screaming Skull.