KOW - The Grey Empire and Regular Troops

Now that I want to play KOW more, I need a painted army. A big painted army...really big. One of the reasons why I prefer skirmish games if the small amount of models to paint so what is a hobbyist to do. The cheat with a good story. I will explain by telling a story.

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom of humans in the mountains that inhabited a wonderful valley. They were so wonderful that they were beset on all sides by its enemies until the peoples were more than decimated, they were counter-decimated (90% of population gone rather than the 10% used under the word decimate). The lands grew fallow, the mines unproductive, and the remaining populace sad and clinging to life. 

Then one day, deep in a mine, an underground complex was found. It appeared that the humans were not the first to live in the valley. Others once existed here who had grand technology and industry. Fundamental to this lost civilization was the ability to make magical simulacrums (clones) of its people and the current humans began to use this technique. To rejuvenate their lands they made copies of their best farmers, miners, and laborers. To defend them they made copies of their best soldiers. They had to choose their best as the copies were half as good as their originals. Within a generation the valley was again prosperous and defended using a workforce made from ancient arts and the every present grey mud found on the riverbanks of the valley. Now that the surrounding mountains are scourged, they look outwards for past enemies to vanquish and lands to claim. All to add to the Grey Empire.

So that was the concept that I came up with for my speed painted rank and file troops. I used GW Empire models I've had for a few years. My cavalry and heroes I will paint as per normal but will stick with the following scheme for my units and war machines.

Primed white they were painted Cryx Bane base, drybrushed Cryx Bane Highlight, and lightly drybrushed Trollblood Highlight, and very lightly drybrushed Morrow White. The eye sockets were painted with Morrow White and a dab of Arcane Blue applied. The shields were painted Cryx Bane Highlight and the bronze parts painted Molten Bronze. The spear poles, bow, and musket stocks were painted Umbral Umber and drybrushed Bloodstone. The metal parts were painted Cold Steel.

The tufts on the spear ends were painted either Skorne Red and Khador Red Highlight, Ordic Olive and Wurm Green, or Cygnar Blue Base and Cygnar Blue Highlight. Then they were lightly drybrushed with Menoth White Highlight.

The Musket had some parts painted Molten Bronze. The arrows painted Bloodstone and drybrushed Rucksack Tan. The musket men's sash was painted Iridian Flesh and drybrushed Beast Hide. There was bags of gunpowder painted Menoth White Highlight.

The entire model was washed with GW Agrax Earthshade. The base painted Umbral Umber. Then Gale Force 9 Summer flock was applied and the eyes touched up with Arcane Blue. All in all great test models so I will continue with the theme for the rank-and-file troops.