eldar phoenix lord jain zar
the storm of silence (version 2)
Having previously converted the old metal version of Jain Zar, when a new plastic version was released in 2020 I was in two minds about whether or not to attempt a similar conversion a second time. Ultimately I decided that the improvements to the base model were significant enough to warrant revisiting the character. The move from metal to plastic also made the model easier to work with and allowed for a dynamic pose without worrying about supporting the weight of a metal model.
date: 2021 - present (work-in-progress)
components: 1x plastic Jain Zar, 1x plastic Jain Zar torso, Green Stuff, paperclips, brass rod, 40mm round base
see also:
1. Once again, this piece of artwork of the character by Mark Gibbons was the inspiration for this conversion. My goal was to recreate it as faithfully as possible.
Original illustration by Mark Gibbons, © Games Workshop.
2. The standard model has a dynamic pose, but it is clearly very different from the pose in the artwork that I was aiming to recreate.
Image © Games Workshop.
3. The head was assembled as per the instructions, but then had to be separated from the body in order to reposition it.
4. The legs of the conversion. The left leg had to be cut down substantially so that it would fit snugly alongside the right leg.
5. The torso and legs at an early stage of construction.
6. A rough mock-up of how the various pieces will fit together.
7. The head and torso have now been attached together.
8. The feet and lower legs have been glued in place. I was pleased to have managed to have the feet crossing over each other slightly and for the toes to be close together.
9. A side view of the assembled legs. The left leg is slightly forward from the right, which matches the source illustration.
10. The right arm, wielding the Jainas Mor (the Silent Death), actually required a lot more work than it initially appears. The arm was repositioned at the elbow and the hand was separated from the forearm at the wrist and then reattached in a new position.
11. The component pieces of the conversion, partway through assembly.
12. A close-up of the left arm wielding the Zhai Morenn (the Blade of Destruction).
13. Some sculpting work was needed on the legs, to mask the join between the left leg and the hips and restore the creases to the loincloth.
14. Side view of the legs. I used Green Stuff to fill in the gap behind the left knee and to resculpt the top half of the left leg.
15. The scenic base.
16. The torso starts to take shape.
17. The entire miniature is connected to the base via a single piece of ruined scenery. The advantage of a plastic miniature (compared to a metal one) is that it is substantially lighter; this means that the model is easily supported with just one pin.
18. A close-up of the head and torso after some Green Stuff sculpting. I based the neck on the source illustration, which has a more organic look, rather than the "ribbed" design that is usually found on other Eldar models.
19. A mock-up of the assembled model, with blu-tack holding some of the components in place.
20. Rear view of the model. The tips of the toes won't be glued to the base at all; this will allow them to retain their points and give the impression that Jain Zar is pirouetting.
21. Alternate view of the model. This shows that Jain Zar will still have some forward momentum despite having her arms raised up, as I didn't want her to appear too static - rather that she is in the middle of a balletic spin towards her enemies.
22. An updated shot of the scenic base.
23. The completed conversion, undercoated and ready for painting.
24. Side view of the conversion.
25. Rear view of the conversion.
26. The conversion from the right side.
27. Final view of the undercoated model.