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Writer's pictureBlaxkleric

"The Witch-King Is The Greatest Of The Beings Known As The Nazgûl.”


“And is the Dark Lord’s most deadly lieutenant.”

This 28mm scale metal model of the Witch-King of Angmar is produced by "Games Workshop", and these days can only be bought as part of the Nottingham-based manufacturer’s nine-piece resin Nazgûl boxed set. Thankfully, I was able to purchase my ‘terrifying undead servant of Sauron’ separately at a wargaming show's second-hand stall several years ago.


The Ringwraith was actually still partially-primed when I had once considered entering it into the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, so I simply smoothed this out with an application of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. I then furiously dry-brushed the figure with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal before drenching it with “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"Games Workshop" WIP - This Warg Rider's mount has had its fur blended together

The spirit’s armour, sword and Morgul Blade were ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. These areas were then dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. Finally, in order to better tie-in the palette with that of their master Sauron, I applied a little “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade to the former King’s armoured gloves and boots.


Considering that the “Hero of Valour” actually costs 100 points when armed with his Morgul Blade, as well as a couple of additional Will and Fate points, I’ve managed to complete my initial 500 point Barad-Dur army for "The Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game" with just two figures. However, whilst I’m looking forward to seeing just what Sauron and the Witch-King can achieve alone on the tabletop, it’s clear I should also continue with my plan to give the force some actual basic troop choices.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Space Marine just needs some washes and a 'tidy up'

With this in mind I have been slowly trying to progress three plastic Warg Riders to use as a scouting force for both my Isengard and Barad-Dur warbands. But to be honest I’m not enjoying painting the large wolves as much as I thought I would. Indeed, I’m not at all happy with how their dark faces and legs are blending in with their light brown fur, and need to revisit these somewhat softly-detailed areas once I’ve finished working on the beasts’ teeth, tongues and toes.


Happily, I am currently having a blast working on more 28mm plastic Space Marines by "Games Workshop". The first ten of these multi-part figures will all wearing MK III power armour and will form the first of three Sons of Horus Tactical Squads I have planned for the Horus Heresy…

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planetmut
Sep 26, 2022

Despite the Witch King being all black, you've really managed to bring out the folds in its cloak and the details. Black can be such a sod to paint but this chap looks great!


As usual your SoH Marines are superb, and as for the Warg, to me the transition from skin to fur looks fine, but I guess you could use some washes to blend it a bit more?

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Sep 26, 2022
Replying to

Thanks Matt. I've got a few more of the old metal Ringwraiths to paint when I fancy something straightforward, as I find the "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal does the heavy lifting for shadows/edges.


Lots more Sons of Horus and Warg Riders to come once these ones are finished, as I have a fair few to crank out.

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undercoat2670
Sep 26, 2022

Nice job on the Witch King and, whilst it is a great model that has aged well, I do prefer the newer plastic kit I have to say. Your warg rider looks fine to me, especially as it is just a work in progress! Nice marines, as always!

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Sep 26, 2022
Replying to

Cheers Undercoat. I rather like this Ringwraith version, but it does lack the ferocious-looking armour of the Witch-King from Return of the King. I'm pretty sure I have that figure riding a Fell Beast somewhere. Hope to get the Warg Riders finished soon, along with some more Sons of Horus.

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wsd50
Sep 26, 2022

You do black so well mate (I might have mentioned that before.....🤔). Great work on the witch king, and as usual great start to the marine. Now the warg (or wolf), the leg blending looks good to me, but I agree the face could perhaps do with stretching out the blend a little, or perhaps some quickshade might make the transition a bit smoother. Just a suggestion, it's not far off now to be honest, just a tweak.😉


Cheers Roger

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Sep 26, 2022
Replying to

Thanks Roger. The "Vallejo" Matt Varnish has dried a bit more shiny/satin than I would have liked on the Witch-King, tbh. But it's one Ringwraith down and just eight more to go in my books. LOL!!


Yes. I do plan to go back and do some extra work on the face/s. I'll probably pick out the ears a bit more and some additional wash/dry-brushing is definitely in order. I've actually got twelve of these Warg Riders planned over time, so I want to be happy with my technique with this one first. 😀

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