This was so hard to choose (I am also bitterly disappointed that I didn't get to enter myself, though I would have been crushed by this kinda quality)

In the end I gave my vote to Grungehogs Dragon. The deciding factor was, he has used the flame as a light source and extended the shadow / blending onto the terrain. For that attention to detail, hats off.

The Fell beast and the great eagle as also spectacular, and of course I want to do my own Ice Balrog now, what a great concept, and beautifully painted model.

Congrats to all that entered

Well, its clear that I'm a big fan of your work, as you can easily see as I voted for it despite the high quality work of others.

So my comment was nitpicking, however when I have more time I will explain what I meant.

That would be very kind - thanks!

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Manners maketh man

Ahhhhhh it was close for a while but I didn't really have much of a chance in the end.

Well done, Kev! I really thought I was on to a winner this time but I guess with your Ice Balrog as competition there was more chance of 'Hell freezing over' *groans*.

I'm here all week

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Manners maketh man

It is the transition between his right cheek and the hair, also the cheek itself, hard to describe, it looks kinda grainy. But after seeing how the conversion was done in your WIP thread I don't understand where it comes from. Maybe it is mostly the close up pic, not the model itself.

Could just have been the resolution as I took the pic with my phone and blew it up a bit to make it fit ah well, thx for the feedback!!!

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Manners maketh man

The Ice Balrog has even now been featured on TMP ! Well done.

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Congratulations DMS even though I voted for Matt that was a well deserved win

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'You would die before your stroke fell!' ~Legolas

Check out my WIP!

I actually lost my chance to vote just because I couldn't make a decision in time...

Seriously.

The Trolls and Goblin King looked great and would be wonderful on the table. Likewise with Treebeard. In fact, I think he reminds me greatly of my own version, so that's gotta say something for taste.

The Ice Balrog was a neat concept and very well execute, but I'm not a huge fan of it. I think it's the ice blocks out of the back. Just a personal taste item. But the paint job and base are all done wonderfully and it's a pleasure to look at it.

The Gandalf / Gwahir conversion really, really impressed. Mostly for the paint job on the eagle itself. Truly amazing and it looks every bit a REAL eagle.

But where I was stuck were the two Fellbeasts and I couldn't decide if either drew enough of my attention from Gwahir to get my vote. The work on the wings (especially) and the hide for RZ's entry are a standard I hope to reach myself when I paint one. And I love the "on the ground" conversion for Knighty's. You want to see Eowyn standing over Theoden and Snowmane in front of that one. VERY very nice. I'd talked to a few local gamers about having a FB on the ground rather than flying but we just couldn't figure out how to best pose it to still be playable without having it climbing on a wall or such. This looks unique and like it can be used on the table without much issue and those are key points.

In the end, I told myself I'd step away a couple days and come back and go with whatever gets my gut feeling. Then "life happened" and I didn't get back on in time to put myself through that final torture.

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Wait ye the finish! The fight is not yours.
Beowulf

http://TacticsInMiniature.com

I didn't know where else to post it but congats Monotone Matt for your eagle being post on GWs daily white dwarf

Thank you very much, Lord! I really appreciate it

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Manners maketh man

I'm Impressed!
- The model is fantastic and very well painted.
- It ISN'T photoshopped unlike certain GW pictures in a recent scandle, a geniune hobbyist putting in effort and love into his project.
- GW finally featured LOTR/acknowledged it's existance
- Again, a very nicely painted and converted model (great job!).

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10-25% off LOTR.

- Model Painting Service also available.

Thanks GD! Even though the guy said he might use my pics on the daily page I never thought he actually would - especially seeing as it was being dominated by new WH/40k stuff... What a pleasant surprise that it ended up there in the end though

What scandal are you referring to? I didn't hear anything about GW photoshopping pics...?

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Manners maketh man

It is a pleasant surprise, must feel good! Keep that in your sig as long as possible!
I read it over on another forum (source not 100% legit though) in which some GW store manager had openly admitted he knew they photoshopped everything in white dwarf to help make it look better. I had my suspicions being a photoshop user for recreational use on my own photographs, you can sort of tell in certain images.

All that aside though, congrats! I hope you aren't entering this next challenge cos I'm screwed if you are!

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My Wargaming Store: http://www.greendragongames.co.uk
10-25% off LOTR.

- Model Painting Service also available.

Credit where it's due Matt, you did a fantastic job and how many times do you see those who deserve credit losing out ? Well not on this occasion.

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mallysminiatures.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks Gandalf!!! As I said I never thought it'd make it up there but I'm well chuffed it is now

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Manners maketh man

Well that's a common secret nowadays everything that has to do with photography (from magazines to advertisments even movies) goes first through the photoshop "treatment"