UMS "Agram" : TURM 2024 – How to thematize a warband – Fishfolk Warband < Articles < Hobby

TURM 2024 – How to thematize a warband – Fishfolk Warband

Domagoj Krpan, 18th June 2024

One of the biggest advantages of this hobby for me is creativity. Narratively and visually, we are given the opportunity to express ourselves and play with the ideas we want to realize.

For the upcoming Agram event TURM 2024, I decided to make my own warband and I was looking for a way to make it my own. The simplest way is to convert or, if you have the time and skills, to sculpt your own miniatures in order to better translate your idea into physical form.

The choice of theme itself had little to do with the miniatures I already own, but I was looking for a theme that I had not had the opportunity to realize so far, and which would match the theme and the atmosphere of the event. I wanted something that I could play with narratively and breathe life into the characters with a story, write their backstory and give them a motivation that would make them go into conflict with monsters or other adventurers in the first place.

One of the subjects that has always been interesting to me is the horror fiction of the writer H. P. Lovecraft. From his rich portfolio of monsters, the underwater horrors of Shadow over Innsmouth seemed perfect for an event like this – created by forces outside our world or reason, but still creatures of flesh and blood.

One of the things that significantly helped me realize the idea were the heads that Ana gave me. Fish-shaped faces perfectly match the aesthetics of vintage horror and how human-fish hybrids were portrayed in the middle of the last century.

As I was sure that I wanted to have a wizard in my group, I decided to use one head for the occasion. The body I chose for the wizard belongs to the Warhammer Fantasy Flagellants. Wizards in games typically don't wear significant amounts of armor, and the exposed torso does a great job of showcasing that unarmored approach.

Wizards in the game Forbidden Psalm, which we will play on Turm, are very perceptive. Surely such a character would contribute to his group in reconnaissance, noticing dangers or opportunities first, and reporting to his superiors. I imagine such a perceptive character would be in charge of a lookout, maybe a navigator, but a head with a face that looks like it's surprised or like it's shouting was just perfect for this character.

I didn't significantly modify the torso itself for this kitbash, I liked the fittings around the neck, but I had to deepen the recess for the head, and on the head I shortened the joint a bit to make the parts stick together easier and to remove the unnecessary gap between the torso and the head.

I have equipped the wizard with a sword in one hand, and to further emphasize his reporting, the wizard points to what he is talking about with the other hand.

When I was satisfied with the miniature, I repainted it black so that I could double check that all the connections were good and that I could consider the conversion complete.

Encouraged by the wizard's success, I decided to strengthen the crew with a real warrior! I used the Dark Elf Corsaire's body as a base, and for the head I wanted a face showing her teeth. Since the body is quite static, I wanted to choose hands and equipment that can tell my story. This warrior is armored in heavy armor, and I wanted to incorporate some other elements from Lovecraft's mythos. I had some ancient zombie miniatures with human faces crucified on the discs – this reminded me a lot of the Necronomicon displays. The hand holding the shield has a spiked shell, which reminded me of a crab's shell. I was left with a choice of weapons, and for such a brave warrior, who surely carries the spoils of his adventures to his temple for sacrifice, the Dark Eldar Wrack's hook seemed like a great choice - if we can handle big fish like tuna, swordfish or sharks with big hooks, why the same tool would not be effective against humans?

I wasn't sure how much time I would have to convert, so I wanted to fill the rows with something simple and effective. I converted the two nighthaunt models by replacing the skulls with octopus heads from Stargrave, and replacing the weapons (two-handed sword and scythe) with spears (one was a skeleton warrior spear, the other was a Dark Elf spear). Harpoons were popular weapons for hunting whales and large marine animals, so it made sense for me to have spears in this group as well.

The model I wanted to play with converting a bit more was this crossbow. The basis is the body of a lotr goblin, on which the head of the GW Horror is attached. Assembling the head was challenging, and I had to first cut and scrape the goblin head, so that the demonic face could fit into place. In order not to leave visible scraped plastic and part of the torso, I modeled the inside of the mouth and tongue from greenstuff. The arm and hand with the crossbow are separate parts, and there was a significant gap between the arm and the shoulder. I didn't want to close the gaps with greenstuff and then model the missing anatomy - I believe that great results could be achieved, but I wanted to introduce more underwater elements. I made thin ropes from greenstuff and wrapped them around both crossings - when I paint I will try to use them to show the coiled sea grass and kelp that this hunter brought with him. Every spearfisherman knows that the easiest way to hunt with a speargun (or in this case, a crossbow) is from an ambush - with a check.

These five models are the basis of my warband, and I hope that by the time of the event I will be able to assemble and paint a few more auxiliary and spare models!

Latest articles

Miniature Painting Workshop - 75mm Dwarf

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	On 09-10.05.2026. we held a new weekend miniature painting workshop. This time it was the turn of a dwarf in 75mm scale.

	

	




The workshop was held over two days (a whole weekend) and the participants painted a 75mm miniature dwarf. The focus of these lectures was painting various textures - metal, human skin, textiles and leather. Water-based acrylic paints were used in the workshop. For this purpose, the workshop leader, Ivan Knezović, chose a 75mm miniature dwarf from Durgin Paint Forge, sculpted by Carlos Perez Bugedo. The lectures were adapted so that the leader devotes equal time to all participants and can be adapted to all categories of miniaturists (from beginners to slightly more advanced).



	

	

	

	


The workshop took place as follows:

	First, the lecturer sits at his desk and explains and demonstrates each step in painting a miniature/model on his specimen. His work is displayed on a screen via a camera and projector, which the participants listen to, watch, and ask questions about.

	Then, the participants sit at their desks and apply the knowledge they have gained. The facilitator circulates among the participants and checks how each participant is doing. This way, he or she can adapt to each participant individually.




	

	

	

	The workshop will include the following thematic units:

	1. NMM (Non metallic metal)

2. Reflections of ambient colors on metal

3. Steel / gold

4. Face painting (male)

5. Adding vibrancy to the face (filters)

6. Extracting textures from fabric, metal and leather

	

	

	POWERED BY: Carta Magica, Fireball Figurines, Durgin Paint Forge, Playsupport
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	09-10.05.2026. smo održali novu vikend Radionicu bojanja minijatura. Ovoga puta na redu je bio patuljak u 75mm mjerilu.

	

	Radionica se provodila kroz dva dana (cijeli vikend) i polaznici su bojali 75mm minijaturu patuljka. Fokus ovih predavanja bilo je bojenje raznih tekstura – od metala, ljudske kože, tekstila i kože (leather). U sklopu radionice korištene su akrilne boje na bazi vode. U tu svrhu, voditelj radionice, Ivan Knezović, izabrao je 75 mm minijaturu patuljka tvrtke Durgin Paint Forge, koju je sculptao Carlos Perez Bugedo. Predavanja su prilagođena tako da voditelj posveti jednako vrijeme svim polaznicima i može se prilagoditi svim kategorijama minijaturista (od početnika do malo naprednijih).

	

	

	

	Radionica se odvijala na sljedeći način:

	Prvo, predavač sjedi za svojim stolom te objašnjava i demonstrira pojedini korak u bojanju minijature/makete na svojem primjerku. Njegov rad se preko kamere i projektora prikazuje na platnu što polaznici slušaju, gledaju, ali i postavljaju pitanja.

	Potom, polaznici sjedaju za svoje stolove i primjenjuju stečeno znanje. Voditelj kruži između polaznika i provjerava kako svakom polazniku ide. Na taj način, može se prilagoditi svakom polazniku ponaosob.

	

	

	

	Radionica će uključivati sljedeće tematske cjeline:

	1. NMM (Non metallic metal)

	2. Refleksije boja iz okoline na metalu

	3. Čelik / zlato

	4. Bojanje lica (muškog)

	5. Dodavanje živosti na lice (filteri)

	6. Izvlačenje tekstura tkanine, metala i kože (leather)

	

	

	POWERED BY: Carta Magica, Fireball Figurines, Durgin Paint Forge, Playsupport
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Ivan Knezović, 26th May 2026

We visited: Festival Svet v Malem 2026, Pivka, Slovenia

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	On May 23, 2026, we participated in the international plastic model making competition Festival Svet v Malem 2026 in Pivka, Slovenia.

	

	The competition is traditionally held at the Military History Park in Pivka.

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	
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	23. svibnja 2026. sudjelovali smo na međunarodnom natjecanju u plastičnom maketarstvu Festival Svet v Malem 2026 u Pivki u Sloveniji. 

	

	Natjecanje se tradicionalno održava u Parku vojne povijesti u Pivki.

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	
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Krunoslav Belinić, 26th May 2026

We visited: KupKA 2026

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	On May 16, 2026, we participated in the international plastic model making competition KupKA held at the Museum of the Homeland War in Karlovac.

	

	

	

	The competition was organized by the Slavoljub Penkala Modeling Club from Zagreb.

	

	

	

	

	Thanks to the organizer for an interesting competition, to the judges for some medals, and especially to my colleagues from the Maketarski Club Novi Sad - IPMS Serbia for the medal!

	

	

	
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	16. svibnja 2026. sudjelovali smo na međunarodnom natjecanju u plastičnom maketarstvu KupKA održanom u Muzeju domovinskog rata u Karlovcu.

	

	

	

	Natjecanje je organizirao Maketarski klub Slavoljub Penkala iz Zagreba

	

	

	

	

	Hvala organizatoru na zanimljivom natjecanju, sucima na ponešto medalja, a pogotovo kolegama iz Maketarskog Kluba Novi Sad - IPMS Srbija na medalji!

	

	

	
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Marko Paunović, 26th May 2026

Back to Basics Workshops in Gallery VN

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	In May 2026 we held our Back To Basics miniature painting workshops for the youngest in Gallery VN.

	

	The workshops were completely FREE for all participants!

	

	

	

	

	The Back to Basics method is a method of making models and miniatures that focuses on a fun process intended for younger ages, but everyone is welcome! In three separate sessions on Thursdays, participants (aged 7+) painted miniatures of their choice (knight, princess, king, wizard and barbarian). 

	

	

	

	

	

	

	1st session: Painting miniatures of choice, Thursday, 07.05. - from 18:00 to 19:00

	2nd session: Painting a miniature of your choice, Thursday, 14.05. - from 18:00 to 19:00

	3rd session: Painting a miniature of your choice, Thursday, 21.05. - from 18:00 to 19:00

	

	

	

	

	

	
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	U svibnju 2026. održali smo naše Back To Basics radionice za najmlađe u Galeriji i čitaonici VN.

	

	Radionice su bile BESPLATNE za sve polaznike!

	

	

	

	

	Back to Basics metoda je metoda izrade maketa i minijatura kojoj je fokus na zabavnom procesu namjenjenom mlađim uzrastima, ali svi su dobrodošli! U tri zasebna termina četvrtkom, polaznici (od 7+) su bojali minijature po izboru (vitez, princeza, kralj, čarobnjak i barbarin).

	

	

	

	

	

	

	1. termin: Bojenje minijature po izboru, četvrtak, 07.05. - od 18:00 do 19:00

	2. termin: Bojenje minijature po izboru, četvrtak, 14.05. - od 18:00 do 19:00

	3. termin: Bojenje minijature po izboru, četvrtak, 21.05. - od 18:00 do 19:00

	

	

	

	

	

	
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Krunoslav Belinić, 26th May 2026

Painting Faces at Tabletop Level

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	In this short article, I will describe two ways to paint faces on a so-called tabletop standard. The text follows two versions of the painting. One will use a store-bought wash, and in the second, slightly less contrasting one, I will use a wash that I got from regular paint. This way, the reader can choose which method suits them better.

	  

	The first step is to dye the base color.

	Left: Since I'm going to use a store-bought wash in this example, I decided to go for a darker shade of skin tone.

	Right: In this example, I'm going to use the color as a base for the wash, so I decided to go for a slightly lighter skin tone - and therefore a lighter base color.

	  

	The next step is to apply the wash.

	Left: I use a regular, store-bought Reikkland Fleshshade wash.

	Right: On a drop of the darker skin tone, I add two drops of Lahmian Medium and a drop or two of water. This creates my own wash, which I apply similarly to the example on the left.

	  

	Then comes the first highlight.

	Left: I apply the base color to the raised parts of the face and thus get the first highlight.

	Right: Just like in the example on the left, I use the base color as the first highlight.

	  

	Then the second highlight.

	Left: I get the second highlight by mixing the base color with a lighter shade.

	Right: I follow the same process as on the left, with the caveat that I never use pure white to mix the highlight, it's always an off white – with a minimal amount of some pigment.

	  

	The penultimate step is to outline the eyes.

	Left: This step is identical in both cases.

	Right: I outline the eyes with some off-white paint (to make my life easier, it's usually two lines).

	  

	The last step is to add shadows around the mouth and eyes.

	Left: In this case, you can use a darker wash like Nuln Oil or Druchi Purple.

	Right: I mixed black and purple and added two drops of Lahmian Medium and a drop or two of water to create a darker wash, then applied the mixture to the eye sockets, making sure not to get the wash on the previously drawn eyes.

	And the last thing is drawing the pupils – just vertical lines of dark/black color against the horizontal light lines for the eyes.

	 
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	U ovom kratkom članku, opisat ću dva načina za bojanje lica na takozvanom tabletop standardu. Tekst prati dvije verzije bojanja. Jedna će koristiti kupovni wash, a u drugoj, malo manje kontrastnoj koristit ću wash kojeg sam dobio iz obične boje. Na taj način, čitatelj može izabrati koji način mu više odgovara.

	  

	Prvi korak je bojanje u osnovnu boju.

	Lijevo: s obzirom da ću na ovom primjeru koristiti kupovni wash, odlučio sam se za tamniju nijansu boje kože.

	Desno: u ovom primjeru koristit ću boju kao osnovu za wash, tako da sam se odlučio za malo svjetliju nijansu kože – a samim time i svjetliju osnovnu boju.

	  

	Sljedeći korak je stavljanje wash-a.

	Lijevo: Koristim običan, kupovni Reikkland Fleshshade wash.

	Desno: Na kap tamnije nijanse boje kože stavljam dvije kapljice Lahmian Mediuma i kap do dvije vode. Na taj način dobivam vlastiti wash kojeg nanosim slično kao i na lijevom primjeru.

	  

	Zatim ide prvi highlight.

	Lijevo: Nanosim na izdignute dijelove lica osnovnu boju i na taj način dobivam prvi highlight.

	Desno: Jednako kao i u lijevom primjeru, kao prvi highlight koristim osnovnu boju.

	  

	Potom drugi highlight.

	Lijevo: Drugi highlight dobivam mješajući osnovnu boju s nekom svjetlijom nijansom.

	Desno: Pratim isti proces kao i lijevo, uz napomenu da nikada ne koristim čistu bijelu boju za miješanje highlighta, uvijek je to neki off white – s minimalnom količinom nekog pigmenta.

	  

	Predzadnji korak je iscrtavanje obrisa očiju.

	Lijevo: Ovaj korak je identičan u oba slučaja.

	Desno: Nekom off white bojom iscrtam obrise očiju (da si olakšam život, to su najčešće dvije crtice).

	  

	Zadnji korak je dodavanje sjena oko ustiju i očiju.

	Lijevo: U ovom slučaju, možete koristiti tamniji wash poput Nuln Oil ili Druchi Purple.

	Desno: Pomiješao sam crnu i ljubičastu boju te dodao kap dvije Lahmian Mediuma i kad do dvije vode da dobijem tamniji wash te smjesu nanio u očne šupljine pazeći da wash ne dođe na prethodno iscrtane oči.

	I zadnja stvar je ucrtavanje zjenica – samo okomite crtice tamne/crne boje u odnosu na horizontalne svijetle crte za oči.
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Marko Paunović, 20th May 2026

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