The Eldar have always been close to my heart and perhaps particularly so the enigmatic Harlequins ( the word "enigmatic" has to be used at some point when discussing the Eldar...)
Now harlies were among of the first GW models I painted - including that awesome smiling jetbike. A friend of mine had the big harlequin box and the WD with the Rogue Trader rules and I was completely mesmerised by the imagery, the background, Jes´s models and the 'eavy metal teams exuberant paintjobs.
Unfortunately I'm a bit conflicted about GWs new harlequin release. My thoughts (rant mode warning...) on this matter can be found in the comment section on my buddy Kraut Scientists most excellent and comprehensive review of this release:
Suffice to say my two gripes about the models boils down to two things:
- The over dynamic (and sometimes ridiculous) poses.
- The strange shape of the masks. They have an unescessary rim that goes around the underside softening their profile and making them look like they have a double chin. (This can easily be rectified by carefully scraping the lower rim away.)
That said, these were issues that applied to the previous finecast incarnation of the Harlequis released in noughties so it's really not something new and the new versions are multi pose plastic so they're at least easier to tweak. In the end I just had to get a box to see what I could do with them - they are a treasure trove of bits and with some modifications, careful posing and a headswap or two you can make some truly spectacular pointy ears.
Here's my first attemt at a solitaire using a head from the dark eldar witch elfs:
Here she is showing off against the great enemy:
After struggling with the domino pattern on her right leg I have a newfound respect, bordering on awe, for the 'eavy metal painters. Doing such microscopic checkers like those on the studio army would have driven me insane...
Freakin' awesome !
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DeleteAmazing as usual, Mr. Vader. It's a credit to you that even whilst grescaled your miniatures have such depth on colour and tone. A wonderful solitaire conversion and I'm very tempted to pick up a box myself now.
ReplyDeleteCheers Jordan! And despite my initial mixed feelings I'd say it's well worth the investment!
DeleteIt's a lovely model, and I appreciate some of the more subtle touches--like the eyeshadow on the mask, or the vaguely slaaneshi rune on her coattails.
ReplyDeleteBut it doesn't really strike me as a Solitaire. The pose and paint scheme aren't different enough from normal Harlequins to really stand out.
Well, I think Solitaires can be any colour of the rainbow - at least they used to be as varied as other harlequins. That said I do sort of agree - in hindsight I wish I'd gone for a dark purple coat to make it more sombre and more slaaneshii looking.
DeleteI don't disagree that Solitaires can be colourful, I just think she doesn't really look like an independent character.
DeleteBut I'm hard to please, and I know you are too.
Fantastic looking conversion! I have been eager to attempt a similar conversion for a while now. I agree with just about all of your sentiments about the new Harlequin release. I really like how you modified her pistol. The removal of the banana magazine goes a long way in making the pistol look smaller and more manageable (and look more like the old ones!). The alternative head is also really fitting and has more of a Slaaneshii vibe than what the plastic Solitaire has (a simple horned mask).
ReplyDeleteHer red jacket also looks awesome. I love the full rich tone it has.
Ha! I forgot to mention the removal of the unsightly banana mag! That actually makes a huge difference... The pistol becomes much sleeker.
DeleteGlad you like it, sir!
The head swap is a great idea. Paint job is topnotch. It brings a grim aspect to the clown original model.
ReplyDeleteRespect Jeffy !!!
Cheers Darth!
DeleteNot sure if I agree about the "clown" label though...
Wow, the red on that coat is just so velvety.
ReplyDeleteI had the original RT Harlequin boxed set too, but other than those I've never played around with anything Eldar/DE. This is tempting me to pick up a a box to see what it's all about.
It is a quite stunning kit in some respects. Just needs a little work to truly shine.
DeleteThis new head really makes the model pop - I like the old one, to be clear, but it's more Kurnous than Slaanesh. This one feels like a midpoint between Slaanesh itself and a victim of Slaanesh - something that fits well into the role of the Solitaire and the Harlequins.
ReplyDelete(it is possible this has been posted repeatedly, my computer is being ever so weird...)
Cheers mate.
DeleteI´m also quite fond of the witch elf head - its scary, which fits the slaaneshii symbolism, but appropriately stylised.
Very Nice Jeff, I've never attempted to do checker pattern on any of my miniatures so tip of the hat for that. I will side with the anonymous though that I think the color scheme could have singled it out better as a Solitaire if it had been more sombre, but that red coat does look quite sexy I must say.
ReplyDeleteYeah the reds nice but I do agree - a darker, more sombre, tone would work better.
DeleteIt's almost scary how well your trademark style lends itself to painting Harlequins! I love how this guy seems less clownish and cartoony than the stock Harlequins, without losing any of the models' playfulness. Am I a bad person for wishing to see you paint an entire army of these...?
ReplyDeleteExcellent job with the facemask as well -- there's something subtly sinister about this model that the official Solitaire seems to lack (the hood and horns combo is a bit too obvious for me...).
Well... A proper army would be extremely time consuming, but a troupe or two is certainly possible...
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