These four 28mm 3D printed Black Númenóreans are sold by "Fenris6661982" on "eBay", and can be purchased as part of a six-figure 'Buy it now' auction. "Seduced and corrupted by Sauron", the resin miniatures were bought as infantry proxies for my Barad Dur army until "Games Workshop" once again produce the "cruel oppressors" for their "The Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game".
The quartet were initially primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and soaked in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then 'picked out' their belts and shield straps with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before applying some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to the warriors' ornate armour, and swords.
These metallic areas were subsequently drowned with (more) “Citadel” Nuln Oil and later dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. To dirty the armour down somewhat and create a contrast between it and the Númenóreans' blades, I gave all the plate armour a splash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. Lastly, I 'picked out' the models' teeth using a little "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, as well as their chins with a dollop of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.
These supposed 3D printed proxies are bound to cause a little controversy as having scrutinized the sculpts closer, the manufacturer has quite possibly just somehow scanned the old "Games Workshop" miniatures and then digitally tidied-them up - as some details, such as the models' sinister teeth aren't present on my versions, despite being clearly visible on the now out of production (OOP) official models. However, as I don't have any of the metal or "Finecast" originals, nor am willing to pay a whopping fifty quid to own one second-hand, I can't say for certain.
This ethical conundrum has definitely curtailed my enthusiasm for the project though, as I absolutely don't agree with the re-casting of other manufacturer's figures. I suppose some might say that as the Black Númenóreans are no longer available to buy, and the products are clearly advertised as being "not [an] official product", then there's an element of acceptability in this instance..? But, I for one, see this as being part of a bigger problem where so many unlicensed or rather 'fan-art' 3D prints are flooding the hobby, and some sellers may well be sailing far closer to the wind than others.
Setting aside any debates though, I thought the foursome would make an excellent subject for my visit to the Fantasy Books area in the Challenge Library.
Four x 28mm scale foot figure = 20 Points
Fantasy Books Bonus = 20 Points
Total = 40 Points
Well, we definitely have some dark things going on here, Simon! However, whatever their provenance, you've certainly done a sterling job on these Black Númenóreans. Black is not an easy colour to work with, but you seem to have developed a good recipe. Well done, and 40 points it is!
MartijnN
These look great Simon. You are right, it is a tricky minefield with recasting these days. I bought an Eisenhorn resin off Ebay once and when it arrived I couldn't tell whether the loss of detail was due to recasting or just it being cast later on in the life of the mould.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter. I bought twelve of these figures as the Ebayer does a number of different Black Numenoreans, and these seemed closer in style to the GW Castellans of Dol Guldur I've previously painted than some of the others. They're definitely 3D prints, as I can see the prints line now they've been painted on parts of their cloaks.
DeleteThe paintjob is good, Simon! If they really are recasts, then I don't know what is bigger crime - selling recasts or selling recasts and telling they are own design.
ReplyDeleteCheers Teemu. I get the impression that by proclaiming the figures are "not [an] official product" the seller may well feel they're exonerating themselves..!?! They seem to be predominantly sellers of other people's 3D prints from what I can tell.
DeleteOk. At least they are not selling recasts as original. :)
DeleteNice work on these Simon, despite the potential provenance problems of the models themselves
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul. I do like the look of the armour.
DeleteSeem to be a lot of individuals seduced to the Dark Side Simon. Nice figures.
ReplyDeleteCheers Peter :-)
DeleteNice figures Simon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray :-)
DeleteAah the return of the Nuln Oil kid - mighty fine .
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave. I have a few more of these figures to paint over the next few months.
DeleteNice looking bad guys. The 3D minis market is to gaming what digital downloads were to the music business, it is a great way for new artists to get noticed, but others will use it for less legitimate things.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stuart. Totally agree :-)
DeleteLovely work on these figures Simon. I'm an enthusiast of having other options (especially in the case of GWs products), but when they are virtual copies of the original designs then it gets a little unsettling.
ReplyDeleteCheers Curt. I haven't any GW originals to compare but "virtual copies" certainly seems to cover these particular figures.
DeleteGreat paint job. Seems appropriate these particular casts have a potential dark and ruinous past no?
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom. Indeed. :-)
DeleteNice work Simon. Black Númenóreans are amongst my favourites of Tolkein's creations and you have done a great job on them
ReplyDeleteCheers Millsy. I too like the lore behind the Black Numenoreans, and love the look of their armour.
DeleteNice job on these, regardless of their provenance!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on these Simon
ReplyDeleteNice paint job
ReplyDeleteLoving these guys, very nice indeed
ReplyDeleteThese are very menacing, nice work
ReplyDeleteI perfectly understand your ethical concerns. The 3D STL files world is particularly complex, I know several groups where people are exchanging files for free in detriment of the designers revenues. I support your decision.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff simon
ReplyDeleteCool looking figs Simon 👍
ReplyDeleteGood looking brush work Simon. Difficult area and I like that you discuss the matter. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen these miniatures before so thanks for introducing them and you've done them up a treat!
ReplyDelete