This sentiment is very true. You really cannot put a price on being inspired and motivated to do more, create things to a higher standard, and keep growing. In relation to miniature painting, we're all looking for more to keep us going, whether we're fresh out of steam and need some motivation to work through all that plastic, or we need to push ourselves out of the comfort zone to learn a new daunting technique; Inspiration truly is priceless (though in this very specific case, it cost £7.50).
That's right, I am referring to the exhibition at Warhammer World! I had never really felt overly compelled to visit, as I felt to enjoy the full experience, you perhaps needed to be more invested into Warhammer as a whole, rather than just the painting side of things and a general interest into the fantasy lore. But with Armies on Parade looming, and my desire to enter this year with a large Tzeentch force that I have been slowly working on, I felt I needed some inspiration via the displays on show there. I had only heard good things and so decided it was time to go and seek out the exhibition hall.
Before even entering the exhibition hall, I was immediately blown away by the scale of this LOTR display of the battle of Pelennor Fields. So many models, and so much time consumed to create them. I could audibly hear all of the sounds from the film whilst admiring the display, and it truly made me feel like a small child watching this battle in the cinema for the first time again. Whenever I had painted a large force of a certain army, I liked taking what I call 'obstructed photography' to give the illusion there's a whole lot more going on. As if the view is from the eyes of someone right there in the midst of the battle, and it's not actually a bunch of miniature people. So this scene gave me the perfect opportunity to do just that.
It was wonderful to see some of the old original Warhammer models in all their glory, being used in scenes just like this one. Normally, most of the older OOP models I have had the pleasure (or displeasure) of witnessing, just have not aged well with their paintjobs, and it's difficult to make out details, let alone tell the difference between it and a melted Lego brick. And as a massive fan of the lizardmen aesthetic, this was truly enjoyable to see. It has given me a few ideas of creating a much smaller dioramic scene, which tells a far bigger story to keep the imagination running for it's life, much like the thoughts flowing through this unfortunate soul's mind.
It's scenes like this one which cause me to always want to paint huge armies in bulk, despite how mentally testing they can prove to be. But when you can create a result like this one, an impressive march of soldiers, it's so very tempting to only exclusively buy an army worth of models again. I realise I'm far from the only one who feels this way, as I've heard my fair share of people complaining about their 'pile of shame/opportunity/or whatever other noun to make ourselves feel better'. I just love anything that screams atmosphere at me...other than the homeless guy who hangs out behind my garden every night, I definitely don't love him. But this picture, despite being static, feels fast, aggressive and alive.
This Nurgle display was ridiculously huge, featuring all manor of horrifically disfigured and infectiously disgusting creatures. Old models amongst new, and some I have not ever seen before. But more impressive than all of that, was the diorama itself, featuring some sort of fortress set within a mountain, spewing a march of happy chappies from it's gates across the bridge, no doubt on their way to make a kid's birthday party, just a little bit more fun.
Once again, this LOTR display did so much justice to the battle of Osgiliath, making it so recognisable from the films. From the fear on the Gondorian soldiers faces, to the snarling of the orcs. Between the specifically dedicated terrain pieces, to the rubble coating the entire display, this was truly a treat for the eyes to witness. I wonder whether it's a curse or a blessing, to have the job of laying out one of these displays.
Well all I can say to that is, whoever you are mysterious person, whilst you might have had a tedious time with meticulous placement, you have provided me, and no doubt thousands more, with bundles of inspiration and motivation. I feel enlightened and ready to get cracking with my own diorama piece. And I can't think of a more beautiful job right now than this; the fact that you have unknowingly, and perhaps unwillingly, inspired so many humans to do better. I didn't think that would be the moral of this blog, but it has swiftly gone down that road, so let's just go with it. Thank you for reading this long piece. I strongly recommend taking the time to head down to Warhammer World, just to have a look at the amazing displays on offer, because not a single photo can quite capture the scale, and majestic awe to be consumed. Not in any way endorsed by Games Workshop (though I totally would if they asked, hint hint) but I feel we should all look for ways to be inspired. Never let the well run dry, and you'll be hydrated for the rest of your days.
There's the true moral; drink more water.
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