Wood Elves - Woody Three

Gartan's Wardancer Troop

So time for yet another blog on my growing wood elves. But first a little summary of how the Blog is doing.

Unit Command at normal distance

So as some of you might be aware; since the start of 2025 I left all media sites and started this Blog with a linked Bluesky account. I am keeping both to strictly miniature painting too, something I hadn’t always done in the past. After 15 posts and my third army/topic, the readership of the blog is on the steady decline since it launched, and I would say it’s now about 20 or so regular readers, from a launching of about 100 views (Update: this has now levelled out at about 100 views a week, more stats and info can be found in more recent Blogs), and one or two regular interactions. I am making note of this now so we can reflect on it in the future. 😃

Galdir, an elf with a deep Scottish accent!

Eidyn, spent some time in the gladiator slave pits of Kislev.

Edrim, used to be an acrobatic in a travelling circus around Bretonnia.

Eledhirn, the Jester of the woodland court!

A massive thank you to those 20 or so. I notice who you are, and I really appreciate the time and feedback you give me, simply put if it wasn’t for you there wouldn’t be any point in continuing.

Gildorn, the oldest in the troop….was present at the battle of Weeping Wood!

That’s said, and after missing last weeks Blog post,  onwards to this weeks Blog … Wardancers!

Lidhir, whispering death….you only ever hear the rustling of the wind as you lose your head!

For the last two weeks I have been posting my wardancer daily over on Bluesky, a single picture of each Wardancer in my unit of 15. Here you can see each of those posts all together, with the full unit shots and the little bit of fluff that went in each post.

Full unit shot

Action shot full of movement 

This unit consists of 15 Wardancers, painted and styled in keeping with the theme of the army. Eleven of which are Jes Goodwin classic sculpts from the early 90s, one of these is converted to be the unit standard. There are also an additional 4 Wardancers from different places: Gartan the Champion or Level 10 character, is from Warhammer Quest, with two old Witch Elves, and lastly a Bloodbowl star player, as a converted unit musician, the later also sculpted by Jes.

Hand painted banner, claw design from Mike

I think these models by Jes Goodwin are maybe some of the best sculpted models ever! Why I hear you say, because these have flowing movement clearly 20 years before other sculptors who are now creating a similar look. Also admitted I am biased for the reasons laid out in Blog post Woody One. I’m sure I am not alone in appreciating the sculptures on offer from Jes, especially when he went on famously to deliver to us all the second casting; Chaos Daemonettes.

Erolas, carries the claw or ‘Razor’ standard. She studied under a Cathay sensei.

The standard above is a simple conversion: by cutting the spear at the top hand I was able to replace it with a plastic high elf spear, which gave me the length on the pole to add the banner comfortably. This model had the best pose for this, as the drawing back gives the impression of flowing movement, and it makes it look as if the spear is still functional weapon, to remove heads in a big sweeping arch. Functionality which is key for a small unit such as Wardancers, they can’t afford all the pomp or ceremony!

Rear shot of shields

The Banner is hand painted on Japanese calligraphy paper, copying an old Mike McVey design and the shields are all hand painted to match. These are distributed to about half of the unit, both because I don’t feel they necessarily fit every single models pose, and as the new Oldhammer rules don’t allow for shields and I was thinking of using them in that rule set. Retroactively the latter point is minor in my design choice.

Gartan, spent years as dungeon adventurer!

Next the unit Champion or Bladesinger, Gartan, he has the notable triangle motive on his trousers as his massive hair didn’t provide for a hood as many of my other Characters do. However, I am especially pleased with the neatness here and the turquoise green that contrasts nicely.

Elril, having retired from the stardom of the Empire arenas, turned to music.

The units musician as mentioned above, is yet another Jes sculpt from the first 90s Wood Elf Bloodbowl team. I replace the left hand with a High Elf spare trumpet part, and added a shield to the left side, it fits on the back of his hand which is a great achievement in itself with such an old range of models.

Aerin, born in a far off land. Preforms her blood rituals in secret!

Now for what I consider my best painted model in the unit, a converted Dark Elf Witch, she has had both hand weapons replaced, one with a shield and a strap, the other with a Chaos Champions sword. Again spare from the 90s. This and the colour scheme removes it enough from the dark theme of Witch Elves and lands it perfectly in the flowing movement of the unit overall. I also nailed the makeup for her I think!

Midhir, a lover of eagles she wears feathers keeping her safe from danger.

Etain, travelled east in his youth to Nippon where he learned the arts of the ninja.

Yaloor, master weapon smith can kill you with anything, even his punk hairdo.

Elrim, converted from a champion, loves flowers.

Aengus, converted from old witch elf, the quiet one.

Lastly above woven into the article, we have the rest of the unit, and below the unit card I am creating for each unit. I won’t elaborate on the story for these this week as I have been posting that bit by bit on Bluesky, and in brevity under each picture…..more Wood Elves to come soon! 

Unit Card

Until next week stay safe everyone. NB: background added:

Wardancers are servants and worshippers of the Elf god Loer, and are the storytellers of the Wood Elves. They gather in tightly knit troupes and wander through Athel Loren, coming across the halls of the Asrai they enact the history of the forest through intricate dance rituals. One such dance recalls the famous destruction of Sir Giles de Luc and his retainers, during a night of drunken hunting adventures, by the infamous troupe!