A Vamp for Vampifan: Part 1

Roger from Rantings From Under the Wargames Table has organized a tribute to fellow blogger and miniatures enthusiast, Vampifan (Bryan Scott), who sadly passed away earlier this year. I knew Vampifan from his blog, Vampifan’s World of the Undead, and from Painting Challenges like Zomtober and Forgotten Heroes. We tread the same internet and blog byways, but I can’t recall ever corresponding with him directly. I wish I had. By all accounts, he was a great guy, a veteran gamer generous with his advice and encouragement; a good friend, a real credit to the hobby, and a man who will be missed.

This month, to honor an absent friend, Roger has proposed painting a vampire miniature in lieu of simply raising a glass in Vampifan’s memory (although feel free to do that, too). I’ve got a vampire miniature, so count me in.

The miniature I have chosen is one I have had for about 25 years: The Red Duke, by Games Workshop. I bought him right around the time GW split their Undead army into Vampire Counts and Tomb Kings. I chose to go with (though never played) Vampire Counts; the Red Duke was to be my general.

As you can see, he was primed black some time ago, and 25 years of being knocked around in a box has worn some of that off. He also had a cape at one point, but I seem to have lost it. No matter. This Heroclix Hobgoblin shall donate his. You may recall this particular Heroclix has already donated his left arm to my Nexus Forgotten Heroes submission earlier this year. I’ve also removed his head and cut him off the glider. Waste not, want not.

You never know when you’ll need an empty goblin glider. Ask Norman Osborn how dangerous they can be…

Anyway, I don’t want him to go on a boring cavalry slotta base. I’m going for a more dynamic pose: I want him on a rearing skeletal steed! The billowing cape should help the overall effect. I chose a 60mm round base, then added a 30mm base for height and applied some Magic Sculpt to level everything out.

A bit of green stuff, drilling and test-pinning, and I think I’m ready for a re-prime. I’m going to paint the Duke and the steed separately before fitting them together. It seems I may have to use more of the dreaded green stuff to sculpt some reins, as his new, more dynamic pose doesn’t “sit the saddle” the way it was intended.

At this stage of the game, I’m happy with what I have. It looks like this could be a good-looking miniature when I’m done, if I don’t fuck up the paint job. Fingers crossed!

7 thoughts on “A Vamp for Vampifan: Part 1

  1. Dave Stone

    Off to a great start Keith, what a dynamic pose you’ve got. Have you tried using masking tape to make reigns ? Cut a piece of masking tape longer than you require, then fold it in half longways so it sticks to itself, then cut out a piece of desired width and length and stick to the desired spot.
    If your going to have a go with green stuff, make the reigns on a flat surface, so you can get the pressure to get it nice and flat. I would do it on a piece of acetate so I could then bend the acetate while drying using pegs and rubber bands to add shape to the reigns.

  2. Dick Garrison

    NIce stuff Keith, I think I remember that mini from back in the day (old git that I am!), you can’t beat a skeleton on skelly horse in my books, should paint up really nicely and look mighty impressive when complete.

    I think you and Bryan would have got on very well to be honest, you have a similar sense of humour. I’d never seen that scene from Spiderman when Green Goblin bites the big one before, thanks for posting that, very interesting.

    Oh and how did you get on with painting that “oldhammer Orc” or shouldn’t I ask.

    Cheers Roger.

    1. The Angry Piper Post author

      Hope I can do this fellow justice, Roger. I’ve had him far too long. The orc is coming along…I find myself struggling with his colors. Funny, if I were painting an army of them I wouldn’t think twice, but because it’s just one figure I’m taking far too long to decide. I took a break to get the Red Duke ready, so I’ll probably go back and forth between them until they’re both done.

  3. Matt

    Oooh, looking good so far and I can’t wait to see it painted up and based! I would go to Vampifan’s site every now and then to see what zombies he’d painted, but I had no idea he’d passed away. I’m waiting on my vampire to turn up in the mail.

    1. The Angry Piper Post author

      Had to take a slight break in order to finish my #oldorcs submission, but I should be starting the Red Duke this weekend. Right now I’m in the “staring at the miniature wondering where I’m going to start” phase.

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