Conversions
I've always been intrigued by conversions. Some of them are simple reposing of a figure, or a head or weapon swap. Others are complete re-imaginings of a figure or a total repurposing of it to something else entirely. While paintjobs can help enhance an effect, conversions offer poor or mediocre players the chance to add something interesting to their figures. (I say this from experience, that was part of why I've done a lot of conversions.) Conversions also offer good or outstanding painters a chance to make their work stand out from the crowd or help highlight their work. As a quick note, I do not own most of these models, nor do I make any pretense of doing so. I am including them here because I find inspiration in them, and I hope others will as well. If you own these models, please let me know and I will happily attribute them to you.

This is the Stalker model, made by Sherman Bishop. This was probably my first exposure to conversions. I had probably seen some previously, but I didn't recognize them as such. This was the first time that I recognized a conversion _and_ found instructions on how to make it and wanted to make some myself. Unfortunately, the models were 2nd edition Hormagaunt models and were too pricey for my (nonexistent) budget at the time. I had to shelve the idea and carry on.

Later, when the 3rd edition Tyranid plastic models were released, someone did this conversion, based on the original Stalker model. I saw it, recognized the original inspiration and immediately decided to make some of my own. Unfortunately, it required 6 scything talons per gaunt, but only 1 scything talon per gaunt was provided in the box...

I tried a number of methods to create the extra scything talons I needed. (I ended up with 32 gaunts, meaning I needed to come up with 160 of them.) One of the primary ways I did it was to cut gun-hands off of arms, then carve talons out of sprue material. The above model is one such. I got quite a lot of praise for my arachnid bugs. (Also got a few comments where somebody told me my bugs creeped them out! I took that as a compliment also.)

Once I had 32 spidery gaunts, my monstrous creatures started to look out of place. Therefore, I cut off their old hooved legs and gave them 6 Scything talons as well. I tried a number of methods for this. I molded Lictor scything talons and formed them out of sculpy modeling clay for this model.

Vroom, Vroom!
Next up, we have some cool vehicle conversions. These definitely fall into the "re-imagining" category.

This is the HQ from Commissar Wood's Obsidian Brigade. I believe he based these on the Combat Cars from David Drake's "Hammer's Slammers" series. I'm pretty sure that's two back ends of a Landspeeder and the extended hull and turret of a chimera, but I'm not sure what else is on there.

Here is another Obsidian Brigade Infantry Fighting Vehicle. He used these for chimeras, though I recall also seeing regular chimeras in his force. These might have been his command vehicles.

I remember seeing this on a forum, I believe it was a re-imagining of a Landspeeder for the Iron Hands chapter. (Very high tech, using an Unmanned aerial vehicle for close air support.)

This is an Imperial Guard Sentry re-imagined as a tracked scout vehicle. I have no idea where I found this, though I remember that the creator referred to it as a Wolverine.

Taking Flight
This next group of models uses wires and clever posing and sculpting to make the models appear to be flying.

This is a totally awesome model (Sanguinius, I'm guessing) that looks like it is hovering. The hanging tabard disguises the solid connection to the base.

This group of battle sisters does a fantastic job of using the flames to support the models. (It's also an excellent example of source lighting painting.)

This flyrant doesn't really disguise the wire supporting it, but that doesn't take away from the dynamic posing of this fantastic model.

This is a beautiful sculpt of an Eldar Harlequin in mid-leap, using the sword as it's support column. The hair really sells the look of motion.

Scenic Bases
Now we come to the root of it. The base can really add character to a model and these really showcase that effect.

I really love the ground ripples here. (Morghur harnesses the raw power of chaos and turns nearby models, even friendlies, into chaos spawn.) It's a very simple effect, but it really looks amazing.

I wish I had a full picture of the model here. It's actually a Tau Piranha, the Firewarrior is just there to add character to the rubble!

The shape of the mound of snow and the crack in it really helps sell this model. Again, simple effect, fantastic result.

Battle Damage
These next two pictures are from the GW website from the last time they released Tyranids. Battle damage is a great way to add character to models.

This was for acidic damage. I believe the effect was created by using mini-drill bits and carving out chunks with knives.

This model was the battle damage example for claws. The effect was created by slicing the mdoel with a hobby knife.

Praise the Emperor!
This last model is a fantastic example. It's a complete resculpt with massive amounts of greenstuff work. I've reserved a number of the more heavily converted/sculpted models and completely re-imagined ones for part two of this series. You can find it here.

This is based on a picture of the emperor and it really turned out amazing. The green one in the upper right corner shows how much greenstuff was used.

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