I began working on this team as soon as Blood Bowl came out, so end of November. It’s been slow progress on the team since then, but I also approached it that way.
I wanted to step back from the assembly line painting of Warhammer 40K, and focus on working on a model or two at a time to a higher standard.
So, it took me 4 months to paint 13 models, but I had a lot of fun doing it, and I’m happy with how the team has turned out.
Titan Bay Thunderhawks (Human Team)
I came up with the team name for my Human team as a result of the paint I use for the team, Thunderhawk Blue. I was trying to decide what color to paint the team and was having no luck.
So, I started browsing the paints at my FLGS and saw the Thunderhawk Blue. I really liked the color so I grabbed it, and that’s how the team came to be.
For the team logo I decided to base it off of the Seattle Seahawks logo, but more simplified considering the scale it would be painted.
Lastly, I decided to not do a clean look, which I do with my Chaos Marines, but something that looked like the models were in the middle of a football game.
So, I did some paint wear, armor damage, dirt, etc. Pretty simple and basic stuff, but it really made a difference in the end.
First is the team pictures, but below are shots of each position grouped together.
Team
As always, click for a larger view.
Linemen
Blitzers
I did conversion work on the Blitzers to make them all a bit different and also to stand out from the Linemen.
The helmet crests are Dark Angels bits from Warhammer 40K. They fit on there almost perfectly and only took a little liquid green stuff to fill in a few gaps.
Catchers
Thrower
Ogre
If you’re interested, you can read my tutorial on painting the Ogre.
Blood Bowl Team Tokens
These are the Blood Bowl tokens and balls. The tokens are used for turn counters, re-rolls, and game score.
There’s two types of balls. The one on the finished base is for when the ball is loose. The other one sticks into the base of the player who possesses it.
That’s why the base on that one isn’t done, it was a placeholder while I worked on the ball itself.
Nothing fancy. I was a worn out after finishing the team itself, so I just stuck to pure golds on the tokens for simpleness. I wasn’t up for more blending at that point.
Still, I think they look good enough for game markers.
Painting Thoughts
I’m really happy with the results of this team.
I think the little scuffs, scratches, and damage really give some nice detail and make the team feel like they’re in the middle of a game, which was the goal.
I also worked in some grass stains and dirt for the overall effect. I was skeptical it would come out the way I wanted, but I feel it worked.
I had never done so much damage and weathering on such a scale (so many models) but I’m really glad I did.
As a whole I just wanted something grimy and gritty with this team. Clean looking Blood Bowl teams aren’t as interesting in my opinion.
I do have a tutorial on battle damage and weathering if you’d like to see how I did this.
I tried to make each model a bit different, be it through the painting in some way, or by adding little details like the purity seals.
The Ogre was a model I had picked up from a third party. I did a painting tutorial for him as well which shows how I did all the armor and everything as well.
The End
I’ve had a lot of fun working on the team, but it’s always nice to finish a project too. This is the first Blood Bowl team I’ve painted up and I will no doubt have more teams to do in the future as I love so many of them.
I’m proud of my work here and I hope you enjoyed the pictures!
Also, if you aren’t playing Blood Bowl then you really should be. I did an article about just that, why you should be playing Blood Bowl.
Blood Bowl Stuff
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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Skin tones came out great man. I look forward to seeing these in person. I wager they look even better.
Thanks.
I spent a lot of time trying to get better with skin on these guys. Learned quite a bit in the process.
The time and hard work shows. These look fantastic. Colours work really well together. Is Thunderhawk a GW colour?
Thank you.
Yep, Thunderhawk Blue is a GW color. The shading and soft armor is Dark Reaper, and highlights are Fenrisian Grey; all GW colors.
Sweet. Painted Mechanicus a tan colour. Still deciding on a secondary- blue, red, or brown. I think I may go with your blue scheme. Was initially thinking a darker blue but like your scheme more.
It should work very well with the tan.
Could look over those photos for an age.
I usually only say something like that if it’s a naked woman, but if miniatures do that for you then great ;)
Thor your painting has a smooth feeling that I really like. Colour transitions -above all the blue- are great! Also, I can imagine the blitzers using their helmets like rams with sharpened horns: I do not know if it is their job in BB but I like the idea. Great job! If the team is finished, I am wondering what’s next!
Thank you very much.
The Blitzers would definitely use whatever they have to hurt the opponent, helmets are definitely included.
I’m not sure what I’m going to work on next. Still trying to figure that out.
They look great together and I really like the amount of weathering on them, they definitely look like they are in the middle of a game. I hope you’ll keep doing tutorials like you have for them, it’s been very interesting to follow.
Thanks.
I’m trying to figure out what to do for tutorials because I would like to do some. I guess it depends on what I paint next. I thought I’d try to find something on whatever I paint next to cover, like maybe blending or something.
Now they look great! Not interested in the game itself, but your paint jobs are excellent, and the time you have put into them has really paid off
I appreciate it.
It’s a really fun game, even if you don’t like football. I stumbled into the game initially. It took me some time, but I grew to love it.
My friends got a copy, so I am sure he will rope me in to play it at some point :)
Looking great! I’m also basing my Norse scheme on the Seahawks, since they’re my local team. The Bjornling Fjordhawks. Too bad we’re on opposite sides of the country, so we can’t get a Game in.
That’s a great team name.
I wish I could get to the big events that some of the other blogger folks make it too. It would be awesome to meet the people I’ve spent years chatting with, and of course play some games.
Thanks!
I feel pretty jealous of a lot of the British bloggers I read, who are all within a few hours of each other, and can meet up at events all the time. Sometimes living in a large country kind of sucks.
They have come up looking great. You can see the time that you put into painting the skin has really paid off!
Much appreciated.
How’s your team going?
S-l-l-l-oooooowly
That’s a great looking team! Good call on the winged helmets too. Showing the whole team really highlights how hard it would be to spot the blitzers from the linesmen without them. As others have said, great work on the skin tones. I really like that you took the time to vary shades of skin tone to add some nice variety to the team.
Thanks.
Yeah, those helms were almost identical between Linemen and Blitzers. The armor is different, but not enough to be a good distinguishing factor.
I’m happy with the skin admittedly. My big push with these guys was to learn to paint skin well. It’s been one of my biggest weaknesses for years.
Good grief. This is the best human team I’ve ever seen. I’m totally in love with them.
I really appreciate that. This was my first Blood Bowl team, but remains one of my favorites that I’ve painted years later.