Thursday 13 #27: A tribute to Hank Raab

Welcome to yet another sterling Thursday Thirteen. This week we take another look at that other hobby that get my attention, miniature wargaming – specifically, Warmachine and Hordes.

It’s been my distinct pleasure, since taking up this game, to bear witness the the artistic majesty of one Hank Raab. Not only is he just one of the gosh-darned nicest gamers I’ve had the fortune to come across, he’s a very talented painter as well – so much that he actually hosts a painting workshop once a month at the Hobby Kingdom.

So, without further ado, a melange of pics and Q&A responses from the man himself!

ONE: Dire Trolls. These were the first of Hank’s models to catch my eye. The sheer vibrancy of the Mauler contrasts beautifully with the more neutral tones of the Earthborn.

Dire Troll Mauler and Earthborn Dire Troll

TWO: What got you started painting?

Getting hooked on AD&D 1st edition when I was a young kid, I used to save my allowance for my bi-weekly visit to the the local game shop to buy Dragon magazine (and then later White dwarf…). I used to drool over the adds with painted mini’s from Ral Partha and Citadel. My older cousin played D&D, and took me to the LGS and I bought 2 100% lead RP Orcs to start my collection. We painted in my parents laundry room with a set of oil-based testors. Lets just say my first few we’re too pretty. I later got into first Edition WH and WH40K, and White Dwarf magazine. White dwarf was the first fantasy magazine that showed techniques in their “‘Eavy-Metal” article. I learned dry-brushing, washes and high-lighting, and havn’t looked back since.

THREE: Kromac the Ravenous. This is a neat figure in that, well, it’s two figures. The one form is Kromac’s normal shape, and then he can morph into that more beastly shape. The joy of these two figures are how well Hank’s copied his palette over – you can see clearly that, despite the change in shape, it’s the same dude.

Kromac the Ravenous

FOUR: From an artistic standpoint, what’s your favourite faction to paint?

Well, I’ve only done 2 factions… Trolls and Circle. I’ve enjoyed painting both. Artistically, I would say that circle has been the most fun to paint, as I’ve been able to use many new techniques that I’ve learned in the past year. I used a lot of earth tones, blending these with cool and warm colors for some interesting effects. I made sure that I didn’t have any “metal” colors. I used a Tarnished copper non-metallic metal technique that I learned off of the Brush Thralls site (Thanks Todd Arington!). In terms of other factions that I haven’t painted.. I like the look of Skorne’s beasts, but Legion beasts would be much more fun to paint!

FIVE: Lord of the Feast. This one’s just so damn haunting. The gaunt figure is highlighted by Hank’s use of an imaginary blue light source… creepiness, I tell ya. This is something you can see throughout most of his Circle Orboros models (such as the blue on Kromac, above).

Lord of the Feast

SIX: From a gamer standpoint, what’s your favourite faction to play?

Trolls all the way! My favorite Pc ever was a Troll-Kin Pirate with a Jamaican accent! I’m a big fan of the Troll-blood ‘Locks…Grim Angus being my fav. His story is just too cool…he’s like Snake Pliskin

SEVEN: Grim Angus. Well, number six was just a nice segue into this pic of the Trollkin Warlock sniper. After seeing Angus in action, I’m really quite concerned about his niftiness – for what appears to be a close combat army, he’s really quite shooty.

Grim Angus

EIGHT: You run the painting classes, what’s the easiest painting technique to share?

Two part answer…1. For my beginner painters …Dry brushing 2. For advanced painters…. color blending

NINE:  Epic Kaya and Laris. I’ve only seen Hank use the regular version of Kaya, not her Epic variant, so I can’t comment on it in gameplay… but I can say that it’s a freakin’ beautiful paintjob. The intricate detailing on the armour gives plenty of opportunity to show off that blue lighting effect again.

Kaya and Laris

TEN: Conversely, what was the most difficult technique for you to master?

I’ve been slowing working on wet color blending. This is a difficult technique that uses a 2nd brush to blend wet colors together. When I’ve tried this I usually get a nasty streaky effect. Its a WIP

ELEVEN: Kaya’s cloak. I just had to show you the detail on this thing. Not only is it a startlingly beautiful example of blending colours, but the wolf logo thingie is so damn crisp it’s almost unreal.

Kaya and Laris

TWELVE: What’s it going to take to get you playing VS with us?

Sounds like fun, I’d like to try it some time… can you do street-fighter fireballs?

THIRTEEN: Pureblood Warpwolf. I saved my personal favourite for last. This figure is one of my favourite sculpts from the Circle Orboros army, and Hank’s done an amazing job painting it up. Once more, the blue light source is in effect, and the end result is breathtaking.

Pureblood Warpwolf

 

So there you have it. Hank is a regular at The Hobby Kingdom, runs his painting workshop once a month for anyone in the are who feels like attending, and gets an official nod of the head from me.

Shine on, you crazy diamonds.