02640, Tharn Helmsunder

[Metalchaos]

Here's Tharn Helmsunder the Norse Cleric 02640.

He was sculpted by Todd Harris and was released in 2002.

After some interesting research, I chose to paint this guy as realistic as possible by choosing natural colors.

I added hair on his forehead and the shield from 03643 Aina the Valkyrie.

I was wondering what was that flash under the mass handle... I found out it's was women hair.

It's a strand of hair from his wife to remind him the reason he need to win and come back home after battle.

I also learned that dispite contemporary beliefs, Vikings didn’t wear horned helmets.

Only Norse and Germanic priests wore horned helmets for ceremonial purposes.

This being said, I hope you'll enjoy.

Comments and critiques are very welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

[Baugi]

Woooow. Shield, cloak, highlighting, basing... One hardly knows what to compliment first! Incredible work.

[Dilvish the Deliverer]

I agree.  Most excellent!  Keep up the great work.

[ub3r_n3rd]

Really nice!

[CashWiley]

Amazing. The freehand, the shield, the metals, the cloak. Simply amazing.

[LittleBluberry]

Obviously a Viking of some importance, based on the decoration on his clothing and gear.  Perhaps the horned helmet was earned, or a battle trophy. 

 

Seriously though, he is just stellar in every way.  I absolutely love what you've done with him, I'm a fan of all things Viking. 

[malefactus]

That is a SPLENDID creation. From his expressive face to the freehand, the brushwork is OUTSTANDING. AND I love you color choices & the base. VERY WELL DONE!

[Corporea]

That is just gorgeous!  Although the pose of the sculpt makes me think he's holding out that hammer to hitch a ride!    The freehand really is stellar.  Awesome!!

[Grimreaper71]

Wow awesome details I like this !!!

[Metalchaos]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. May Óðinn be with you!

Edited February 2, 2014 by Metalchaos

[Tricksay]

Love it! Nice work.

[Slendertroll]

Looks great! The NMM is really stellar. My one suggestion would be to push the contrast on the browns a little higher; the tunic especially looks a little flat. The freehand is very nice as well.

[youwashock]

Awesome freehands.

[Metalchaos]

Looks great! The NMM is really stellar. My one suggestion would be to push the contrast on the browns a little higher; the tunic especially looks a little flat. The freehand is very nice as well.

 

You're right about the armour, I'll rework the highlight. Thanks!

Edited February 3, 2014 by Metalchaos

[Grim]

There's a tapestry called "The Osberg Tapestry" that depicts a man in a very prominent position (in the upper right hand corner) who is clearly wearing a horned something, but it's a very abstract piece of art so it's really impossible to tell.  This is where the idea of the viking "horned helmets" came from - it propagated particularly in the 19th Century.  There are, however, horned helmets among the Celts (again, probably ceremonial since they were pretty impractical.)  Oddly enough, other than the horns, the helmet has a very actual Viking design - the "eyebrows" and the oculars (the goggle-like appearance) are both features of real Nordic helmets.

 

As to the figure itself - it's a pretty amazing job.  I love the freehand on the cloak (Fenris and the MIdgard Serpent, perhaps?,) the shading on the figure itself. the stripes on the breeches, and the NMM on the hammer.  Very nice!

 

The armor is a bit flat, it's true.  Looking forward to see the rework!