Just finished my latest project, the father of all Vampire Counts in Warhammer Fantasy, Vlad von Carstein and as usual I wanted to share it with all of you. This was quite a special project since it was the first time I was to try and paint out a Citadel Games Workshop Fine Cast miniature. Needless to say I was dying to try one out.
Vlad von Carstein
Cleaning and Assembly: Cleaning a fine cast figure resulted in quite a straight forward process. The miniature had quite few casting imperfection and all I had to do was to remove the access seam line and some extra resin from the air vent of the cast. The quality of the resin makes it also very easy to work with and to clean out the miniature. From this point of view Fine Cast miniature are really great.
Painting: Even from a detailing point of view the Fine Cast miniature is really a work of art. Every sculpting detail is very sharp and fine so it is really a joy to paint. From the start I wanted my Vlad to wear the classic blood red armour. I did not like the black version of Games Workshop since much of the detail of such a beautiful miniature is lost when one combines a black armour with the black cape vlad is wearing and then what is a vampire count without his blood red armour. I also wanted the father of all vampire counts in warhammer to look old in his every aspect from his skin to his armour.
The armour itself was airbrushed starting from yellow to orange to red and shading with ogre flash ink and even black in it’s deepest parts. Finally I highlighted all the sharp edges of the armour with orange yellow and a bit of white. To age the armour I shaded here and there with sepia ink until I achieved the desired effect.
The skink was also give an aged aspect. Starting from elfen flash, I first shaded with ogre flash and black ink and then highlighted back with commando kaki and finally white. Hair was give and old age treatment as well. Starting from dark grey to black ink and then highlighted with space wolf grey and pure white.
Finally the cape was first given various coats of different blue paints and washed. Then it was shaded with pure black ink and finally re highlighted with space wolf grey and pure white to make the Ghost faces pop out.
Gold was like wise given an old age treatment. A base of old gold was washed various times with ogre flash and black inks. Then highlight with brilliant gold and rewashed with ogre and black ink to be finally given a small silver highlight.
Assembly: The figure came in one piece all the assembly it required was the custom base.
I really enjoyed painting this great figure. Besides that the pose and every aspect of the miniature are great looking, the really great detail of a Finecast miniature made the painting experience quite and enjoyable one.
As usual any comments are welcome. 
Comments received from the modelling communities:
! He looks great, all of the detail is wonderful!!
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I am very happy to announce that my Black Dragon got featured on the official Games Workshop website. In the ‘What is new today’ Section.
Click to buy - Dark Elf Dread Lord on Black Dragon. Supreme Sorceress also included.
You can follow this link and scroll down to have a look: http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=19800030a
You can also see the full review on my blod here:
http://midnight-partners.com/blog/black-dragon-review
For a short period of time this same figure will be available on ebay here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200696638551?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 so grab the occassion if you want it at a lesser price.
Full Photographic review here: http://www.midnight-partners.com/GW-Black-Dragon.htm
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