Creating Celtic standing Stones

I thought I would have a go at creating some Irish myth scenery for the battlefield. I looked around on eBay but nothing really was right, then I had the idea of sculpting some simple patterns onto stones. Over the years I have picked up anything vaguely useful for war gaming and these stones are a perfect example. Garden centres are a great place to get good stones from, 

Having selected a few good looking stones I pressed some old Milliput onto them. I didn’t want to use my green stuff as I’m running low. 

Another stone was ‘rolled’ over it to create a texture. Don’t press the stone as this can pull up the Milliput. A rolling technique produces a good effect.

 

Once the Milliput is textured and looks rock like, I started to press and carve patterns into the soft putty. I had done a little research on symbols from the era, lucky some of these were quite straight forward to do.

My trusty retractable pencil end paid off AGAIN with some tiny circles around the pattern.

I created this one based on a carving of Balor, leader of the Fomorians. I gave him a sword to show his martial skill and warrior status. The other patterns I have seen in connection with the Tuatha De Danaan. 

Very mysterious and fey, these stones will be of long forgotten peoples and culture.

The Fomorian stone was a bit more tricky but rewarding. Once dry these will be stuck into 60mm round bases and painted up. These are addictive and it’s got me looking out for more good stones from the garden.

Here are the two references I found and used for inspiration. Let your imagination go mad I say, I look forward to doing more creepy Fomorian stones that’s for sure.

The best thing about this venture is it cost me nothing really, just some very old Milliput that was on its last legs. This could be used with a pinch of salt in Middle Earth or of corse Oathmark. They could make nice little Oathmarks themselves. 

Have a go it’s free and easy, just don’t bring anything through from the other side when creating ruins… have fun bye.

UPDATE:

The Milliput is dry now and I’ve hot glued the stones to some  60mm round bases. I tried to get in touch with my pagan self and create something truly ancient and mysterious. 

Radiating stones from the standing stone I have seen on the internet. Probably a modern addition but a good idea for a base.

I found a tiny fossil in my stones which looks great as a stone bowl. Heaven knows what gets poured into it but I’ve got a good idea.

This is the Fomorian standing stone with its ominous looking alter. Many souls are set free on this huge flat rock under the watchful eye of Balor the sun god.

Looking at this photo I’ve just had a dark idea for the bowl. Severed heads could be placed on the side rock and their blood could run down into the bowl. Grim…but it kind of makes sense. 

The old gods were always hungry and nothing could quench their thirst. Drinking…always drinking.

This is a larger 80mm base and seemed to cry out for a stone circle. It would be nice to create one that has a pool of water in front of it. I’d have to use the hot glue gun to build up the sides of the pool and maybe use some matt varnish to pour into it to act as water. Hopefully it would dry clear. Maybe a weapon could be in it. I got this idea from some of the lovely work seen on the Oathmark Facebook group. Some clever stuff on there that will certainly be useful for Celtic myth bases for sure.

I have ordered some 28mm resin skulls off eBay that will finish this dark alter quite nicely. Bronze swords, shields and spears will also look great scattered around some of the foreboding structures, offering to the old gods. Victory in battle guaranteed through the sacrifice of a priceless heirloom.

The last standing stone is a huge square slab, quite plain compared to the others. Which ones are divine and which are chaotic… or are they all dark and twisted?

One thing is for certain, they are all fey and terrible. If you see one in a field, do not approach it. Turn your coat inside out and swop your boots over to the wrong feet. Back away slowly, ranting like a lunatic. Fearies are terrified of madness, they think it is contagious! It may be the only thing that saves you. You have been warned.

Late Night Sculpting

Making these models is fun and addictive, I couldn’t help myself in making up another one tonight. I keep trying to think of ways to sculpt a ‘sea’ themed cloak with the tools I have.

Fomorians are known to have one eye bigger than the other so I tried a bit of eye surgery. Should look okay when painted.

Also to help tie the whole force together, I put a few cloaks on some of the metal duplicates. 

The new guy, another nice Snakeman weapon that looks wicked and cruel, very Fomorian.

When you walk by the sea,

 and a claw grabs your knee,

That’s a Fomori.

I even tried a bit of a chain mail effect tonight for the first time. It takes a bit more time but is fun to do. This is a crude first attempt but I have ideas going forward for the next one.

Aquatic cloaks that double as a bit of added protection.

 

Fomorians of Irish Myth

When starting a new era, where do you start? Well, a good illustrated book is always a worthy purchase. I found this beauty on eBay, it ranged considerably in price, so of course I went for the cheapest. It doesn’t disappoint and has everything I need to get a grip on events and characters. It is beautifully illustrated too by P.J.Lynch and his style does remind me of that of Alan Lee.

Also today along with the book, my first batch of Fomorians arrived from Alternative Armies. I was impressed with how big the sculpts were, they matched my mocked up snakemen very well in height.

The Fomorian king, Balor of the evil eye.

The figure below is very large, being around 35mm tall. It’s a Fomorian hero.

The figures from Alternative Armies were about £30 for ten, I thought this was okay as some are quite large. I was surprised however by the amount of flash on them though, they will take some time to clean up. I hear they are old sculpts from the Nineties so I imagine the moulds aren’t as good as they once were. Still, can’t moan I’m just glad I can still get hold of them.

My kit bashed Fomori are a good match for the champions and once painted should blend in. It’s the ears which are the main thing I think for this.

Lovely reference for painting cloth colours.

More flash on the old sculpts, a shame but not irredeemable.

There’s loads of lovely, atmospheric pictures in the book which will be great for painting reference.

Flash, bang, wallop.

It’s also nice to see some images of the Tuatha De Danaan, the Fey enemies of the Fomorians. These are basically the Elves of Middle Earth. Later they would be retold as faerie folk and shrunk by the Catholic religion to be the little people under the ground. Back when these stories were being told though, they were man sized and devine, processing great magical powers.

The sculpting on the AA figures is very good, there is lots of crisp detail. I like that some warriors have heads on their belts, a nice Celtic touch.

I’m pleased that the mock ups seem to fit in with the metals so well. It gives me a chance to create some unique warriors and also to pad out my war bands.

The Tuatha De Danaan burn their ships when they arrive on the shores of Ireland, so they can never go back.
 

Here we see an idea I had of including trolls from Reaper. Fomorians grow into giants the older they get, so these big miniatures fit right in. Cheaper than the smaller AA sculpts, I think it’s a good idea. Reaper do a whole host of aquatic trolls that will be perfect for the older Fomorians. 

This one is called Bulgoth, Troll King on the Reaper sight. His big ears make him fit in nicely with the others.