Really nice j-paint! Great use of form and color.

Looking really good, I can't wait to see the tank all built and painted!

@VIk- Fingers crossed.

@Gits - Thanks Gits, sounding very technical there, makes it sound like I'm not just making it up as I go along

@Reaper - Thank you reaper! Its proving a nightmare that tank, so many nooks and gaps. As for assembly It's all done It's just the legs are magnetic, makes it easier to store (and currently, paint.)

J-paint wrote:Can i have your thoughts on what i should do next?

My options are:

1) Buy and make a whole unit of the bird warriors.

2) Buy some more standard guys to turn into valhallans, (and turn a few into snipers whilst i'm at it.)

3) Or 3 go for something wild... either for guard, Ad mech or maybe some form of power armoured felllows? (alpha legion? raven guard? black templars?) Any ideas are very welcome, name whatever you think would make a good addition/you would like to see.

I vote (in descending order) 2, 1 or 3a (tanks for Valhallans, you're going to need more than 1 Chimera ), 3b (all the rest)

J-paint wrote:
And as for finished guys, the Crows: (they will count as stormtroopers, and I really wana do a valk for them, so they can actually fly, a whole unit may or may not be coming, depending on if i can bring myself to give more money to FW.) Comments as always massively appreciated!

Great work on these guys, especially the paintjob! I wasn't sold on the concept, but finished up they look awesome! Did I miss the fluff on these guys or is it yet to appear?

Those stormtroopers are so cool, great choice of colours.

I'd say make a whole unit of bird warriors or more admech, or admech birdwarriors.

Really liking your crows, well done!

ya skitarii...i read some book and it made me picture skitarri as minotuars.. so confused.

cormadepanda wrote:ya skitarii...i read some book and it made me picture skitarri as minotuars.. so confused.

Titanicus? Dan Abnett's description of skitarri was really weird in that one...

Rawson wrote:

cormadepanda wrote:ya skitarii...i read some book and it made me picture skitarri as minotuars.. so confused.

Titanicus? Dan Abnett's description of skitarri was really weird in that one...

Sounds right.. never cared for the combat in that book, it was to slow and off key all the time. However, Minotuar skitarii have always sounded like a fun deal for me.

Those look like real things gw would make good on ya.
Also the spider tank very clever, but my main thing is you've mastered
painting red.
Keep this up and you could join Eavy metal.

hahli87942 wrote:
Keep this up and you could join Eavy metal.

xxx

Well, you need to remember that Titanicus was written from a single perspective, and combat waaay up in those beasts would seem a bit disconnected.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
IMHO you might be disappointed in the combat because we are so used to Dan's first/third-person Infantry account of battles.

love the crows...so much!!

@Rawson - The crows havn't got any fluff yet, I wasn't sure If anyone would be interested in that sort of stuff, I'm no writer, but I'll give it some thought. As for what I've done next, More valhallans, unfortunately I did cheat a little, I used the old metal guys. I think next I will do some form of tank for these guys, your right, a chimera and guardsmen alone aren't really a force to be reckoned with.

@ Ironbars - Thanks very much! I think the crows will indeed be getting some back up at some point.

@Merlin - Thanks man =]

@Comradepanda- Lol yeah titanicus is an odd one, they are described as feral guys with warpaint, not what i imagined at all.

@hahli - Lol your too kind! really, I am nowhere near that level, can only dream. =p

@dsteingass - This is a good point, I bet it was hard for him to swap from first person gritty real life to a titans perspective.

@ Monkey - Thank you! More will be coming when I can afford it.

So tonight I give you more valhallans, these are the standard metal guys, I wanted to see how some minor conversion work and some love would shape them up, I think it's worked quite well, the sculpts haven't aged brilliantly in places, but overall I think they are of passable quality. I've got some more close up pics of these guys, because the big pics don't really show they brilliantly. Let me know what you think. I have tried to have a few with wounds, (some quite serious!) I thought as grunts they would be pretty beaten up:

All my guard so far:


The new squad:


Close ups:

Head injuries:

Those look fantastic J-paint... really nice! Great job on the faces.

Thanks gits, the faces are a nightmare! The majority of their eyes aren't level so you sort of have to paint them on blindly, ignoring the eyes in the sculpt to a certain extent.

verrrry good looking... by the way... the green spot color... what green is it exactly?

specially like the fact that not even two bases are alike... gives the air of a totally characterful battle scene too!!! i am way too lazy to attempt this^^

Great looking guard army you have so far! Love the guy somking a cigar!
But while I think the green works really well in this army, you should give some of the weapons more depth... the chainsaw for example could use a highlight or two, and some heavy weatering with the metal underneath showing through....
Oh and are you planning to paint the base-rims?

Keep up the work on this awesome army!

Loving the overall look and feel of these guys! How about a group shot of the Ad-Mech army!

I know I've already seen these but I have to say it again... I love the guy with the bloody eyepatch! xxx

Thanks Vik - The spot colour is the old snot green, but I think it has become 'warpstone glow' now. The pictures make it seem ever so slightly lighter than in real life. As for the bases, Its good fun, It's preparing me for some sort of scenery project. =] Oh whilst your here, have you had a chance to rummage around looking for those dkok? don't worry if not. =]

Cheers merlin, your totally right about the green, I've been having problems getting the green on flat to start with, so by the time I have I'm usually too sick of it to bother with a great deal of highlights, but I will defiantly go back to these and give them a bit more green loving, the chips idea is a good one too! As for the rims they will just be black, It's one of those jobs just never seems to get done even though it would take a few seconds at most

As for a group shot reaper, that's a good idea, I'll do that when I get the motivation to finish the damned walker tank.

Thank you bubble, as you well know, it wasn't overly intentional =p

Oh seeing as I'm commenting again, here is a random chaos objective I've made, for no particular reason other than as a chance to use some different colours:

BOOBIES!

hehehe! xxx

Oh whilst your here, have you had a chance to rummage around looking for those dkok? don't worry if not. =]

ouch.... *kneels in the dust* so sorry... that as totally slipped me... the last coupla days...*insert standard apologetic reason* sorry ... but i will do so tomorrow for definite... as i want to see more birdies done by you^^

and i ask thios here too... that booby damsel... isn´t she the free-mee one from ramshackle games? i always ment to get her for my own sinister needs too... by the way... did you file off those pokies???

Lol don't worry about it, I've got your bits n bobs in a bag awaiting you, but no rush at all . =] As for the woman she is indeed the free woman from ramshackle, can't complain about a free-bee. As for the pokies.....I have literally no idea what you mean, lol!

LOOOOL... well the bag won´t have to sit ther collecting dust for long will fix that my light of day^^

Dude! Your minis look freaking awesome!

that's a chaos icon
good job
as for the Valhallans one army I want on my side
keep up the good work

I have no idea how I missed this thread, 1. amazing admech! 2. best valhallans i've ever seen. period. (thanks for the hat tutorial I willl use that!) and 3. i never knew bubble had freinds! (only kidding) Im looking foward to her painting that ewok though!

Great work on those valhallans, that green is spot on, also the faces really bing them to life. Looking forward to more.

I love the servitor as part of the weapon team. That's a really nice touch.

Rogue Wolves wrote:I have no idea how I missed this thread, 1. amazing admech! 2. best valhallans i've ever seen. period. (thanks for the hat tutorial I willl use that!) and 3. i never knew bubble had freinds! (only kidding) Im looking foward to her painting that ewok though!

1. True!
2. Also true!
3. Sod offff
4. I PAINTED THE EWOK it's on my thread silly hehe xxx

get that ewok in your sig... much better than the stooopid panda anyway

The crows are a simple, yet bold and suprisingly convincing conversion. Good job!

Nicely done, the crows was a flash of genius.

@Recycled genius - Thank you very much!

@ Hahli87942 - Indeed, Slaanesh in fact, made it as an objective for a chaos army that I may or may not do at some point. The valhallans are indeed good allies, think they go with the Ad mech quite well.

@Rogue wolves - Thanks for joining, always nice to have big dakka names commenting! As for bubble? bubble was it? Never heard of her,

@Ironbars - Thanks, strange you should say that, i was going to go and touch up some of the green in places.

@Imperial monkey- Cheers, I thought they made a nice link between the Ad mech and the valhallans that I plan to have as allies.

@ Baiyuan - Lol thanks, I was a bit worried they would look a bit obviously DE heads on DKOK bodies, but I think they worked out OK in the end.

@STC - Lol thanks STC, you flatter me though, It wasn't that ingenious, just thought would make for some nice fluff, when I work out how to paint as smoothly as you, THAT will be a flash of genius.

Before I start I need to ask a favour of everyone. I need to earn some money to continue to buy these stupidly expensive projects, so I will be painting and converting some sort of character and then making an auction for it, I wanted to know what people might be interested in seeing/bidding on? If I get a few votes for something I will get on it.

Today I will be getting the trumpets out for the grand unveiling of the Ad mech walker, which has taken FAR too long to finish, but finally it is done. I apologise if the painting is a bit poor in places and there are small problems and bits of gunk in the construction, but I think the overall effect is pretty good, let me know what you think:





A group shot of the finished Ad mech, as requested!



Some extra freehand I did on the techmarine since last time I put it up, It's meant to be some profound bit of code:

That's really fantastic J-paint! The whole group together is so inspiring, and that vehicle... holy smokes! Very impressive my friend.

Your auction idea is a neat one and given your skill level, bound to generate some good cash. I have a suggestion for something that might be right up your alley and universally useful to anybody who plays (giving you a larger bidder pool).

Given the new paradigm... with fliers and all... how about an Ad Mech version of an Aegis Defense Wall? You could probably scratch-build everything for low cost... painted it like the Ad Mech that you're famous for & anyone could use it on their table as an abandoned Ad Mech emplacement!

any chaos renegades I would be very interested in!

That walker is looking great, the bright greens against the red is outstanding.

Awesome stuff.. if only I had money to bid in your auction! Good luck, I hope it pays off for even more projects.

very good looking... IF i had the money i would love to have painted stuff from you on my shelf/table... but well... i have to get my kids some shoes first

Great tank! The group shot is awesome the red and green does work so well. Can't wait to see more of them!

Looking good J, and the best of luck with an auction. In regards to my painting tricks: so are you saying that you want tutorials?

@Gits - Thanks! as for the aegis idea...I like it alot, maybe cog shaped walls or something, would be fun, depending on how well this first auction goes I may well do that.

@Captainsolstice - I'll bear that in mind for the future, chaos is very appealing conversion wise =]

@Biohazard - Thank you! That seems to be my 'thing'

@Demetri- Lol thank you, by the way I must see how your FW goodies are coming on!

@ Vik - To hell with shoes! Lol nah, thats very understandable, I apologise by the way, Your package in on my kitchen worktop, tommorow! I promise.

@Reaper - Thanks reaper, well if the auction goes well, here's hoping.

@ STC- Thanks very much, and well, any tips on the smooth black you paint would be very appreciated!

So, I decided that rather than making a whole new project for the auction I should sell something already in progress, so that I didn't have to wait for the next week whilst I prepare it, so I have been busily painting away on an old fellow from this blog...

Anyone remember my IG psyker? well he is now finished on ebay and is looking for a new home, please have a look:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140815887558#ht_500wt_1288

excuse the photobomb. :

Nice work! That should attract some attention.

Great work there J-paint, I love the gun and the eyes! The face in generall is really well done.... kudos.

I don't think you'll have problems selling him!

Really cool model, especially the robe's blue.

i wish you all the luck with that seeling.... it looks very cool...and the beginning price is very moderate...


as for my package... the postoffice tried to get me angry... said the parcel was too...wait for it...small...??? so i had to make a letter out of it... it is on its way to you now!!! so watch out!

nice psyker J-Paint i really love the conversion work on him!

@Gits- Thanks gits! here's hoping anyway!

@Merlin - Thanks, the eyes are my favourite bit too I think =]

@prime - Thanks, was a bit worried, only very rarely paint in blue.

@ Vik- Hopefully it might go for a teeny bit more, especially with free shipping! lol. Talking of shipping, your stuff is on its way!

@ Rogue wolves - Thanks alot, mostly kitbashing really, nothing too groundbreaking.

Thanks for the kind words on the auction guys, fingers crossed that will go well. Anyway, I have been a bit presumptuous and used the proceeds from him selling to buy a wraith, and converted him up, Admech style, I've wanted to do this since I first saw this model, the new plastic characters are just so good for conversions! Anyway, here is what I have so far, the arms are chimera lasguns by the way, they don't show up very well in black:





I have been very busy you'll be pleased to hear, not only have I botched that guy together I got inspired by all the Daemon-ness this month and painted up a horror as an excuse to paint something other than grey and red, I went a bit wild with it, I tried to get him looking as if he was changing colour all the time. (apologies to any die-hard fluff addicts out there, it's not overly pink for a 'pink' horror, but there is some I guess!)

holy gak... that is totally awesome looking... i really like that scheme... looks cool, poisonous and bright! you definatly have to do more of these horrors...


the admech looks aslo very good... i remember seeing rawson doing a wraith conversion earlier too... those are rather perfect for such creepy conversions ideas....and the chimera lasguns go very well together with those cowls...by the way... is that a necron head?

oh and nice to hear that the carepackage is on the way^^ looking forward to a lil christmas feel soon^^

your admec wraith is turning out so cool! ever since I saw that guy I wanted to do someting similar but allas, I have guardsmen before any other projects

Very Tzeentch... color me impressed...

Love the wraith conversion!

That horror is ace too, very nice colour changes. Dont worry about the fluff, no need to when it looks that good!

@Gits: Its Tzeentch

Fixed... thanks Vit.

@VIk - lol! no! don't tempt me! Whilst I was painting it I suddenly had visions of the bird guys done in the same colours, they would make PERFECT tzeentch traitor guard. As for the ad mech, the head actually came with it! I was suprised too! looks very necrony to me.

@ Rogue wolves - The cogs are calling to you....

@Gits - Thank you!

@Vit - Thanks, your dark ad mech guy from your dual entry gave me the idea actually, so hats off to you. And lol about the fluff!

No pics today, am working on one of the minotaurs for my guard, he is now festooned in bits and bobs, so hopefully he looks a bit more convincing than last time.

well... i like your vibrant style in using colors and mixing up schemes.... so tempting you comes natural to me

and a traitor guard with this mix of bitz... hmmm... not too much rotten this time... more political heretics with a cool looking style... yers...this is something to ponder ...

Jpaint i am simply loving your work, sorry i haven't checked in some time!

That demon is exactly how it should be. Great job.

@cormadepanda - Lol no problem, thanks for doing so now!

@Demetridominov - Thanks! By the way I want to see how your attempt at the valhallans came out.

So there has been a massive gap between this and my last post, for which I apologise. I lost inspiration for modeling for a while, fortunately I'm back into it now and have alot to share.

First up I've finished one of my IG minotaurs, (atm they are counting as oversized ogryns, but if you have any other ideas please share.)




Also I have painted up a commissar for my valhallans, because lets face it, commissars are awesome.




Also I have made a new squad of valhallan troopers, I'm only going to show this briefly, but It represents a stupid amount of converting time,


Finally I've included this for Vik's benefit, I have put the troopers you sent to good use! I've decided the bird warriors should be the command squad for now, so i've made up these specialists:

damn J-Paint, great work! I LOVE those valhalans you made, best valhalans I've ever seen, and thats no joke! Those bird warriors are really cool too, where is their heads from?

Jpaint great work, but i cant but notice one doesnt have a head... he is in the middle and only has a hat. Is this a new kind of Valhalan?

panda... they all have heads...

wow... you sure used your time away from dakka to chucvk out some awesome work mate... that pgryn looks stunning and that is only saying the half of it... it oozes just the right amount of brutality that these units need!

the new squad of valhallans again look stunning... you say stupid amount of conversion...i say... they look as meant to be... these are true valhallans!!!

and the birdies... yes! now i see i gave them to you for a good reason... also the idea to make them as command units is a good decision!

Really like the Minator/Ogryn but maybe a bigger weapon than a storm bolter, give him a heavy bolter! The Valhalans look awesome as usual. I love that female commissar model, painted one myself and got a spare one for later aswell. Keep up the great work!

 J-paint wrote:

Also I have made a new squad of valhallan troopers, I'm only going to show this briefly, but It represents a stupid amount of converting time,

How about a few close ups? Mostly because I'm trying to figure out if the guy on the left has a skull for a face...

Lol thanks for the kind words everyone! I will reply properly tommorrow, am settling into a new house at the moment so no internet as of yet, so I'm squinting at my phone, but I will get some more pics for you rawson, as a teaser: it is indeed a skull face =p well spotted!

Great work here J!

Just read through the whole thing, and your converting skills are equally as good as your painting

Good luck with settling into the new house and all that

Pro

Right! internet all set up, time for a proper reply!

@Rogue Wolves - Thanks alot! thats very high praise, there are some stunning valhallans around. As for the bird warrior heads, they are the dark eldar scourges, I found mine of a bitz site relatively cheaply.

@comradepanda - Lol I see what you mean now! That's a particularly bad angle for that guy, try this: (The head is one of the pig iron winter ones, I thought it would help mix up the look a bit.)



@Vik - Thanks VIk, I'm glad you like what I did with them, I think they look 'elite' enough to be a command group. As for the ogryns, still have another two to do, trying to give them some more imperial bitz before I undercoat them, they are a bit plain at the moment.

@Reaper - Thanks reaper, I thought the same at first and I tried a heavy bolter but it looked a bit odd, cant explain really. I might give it another go with one of the others, see If i cant work something out. The commissar is a lovely model isn't it, I was a bit worried about buying from such a small store, but the quality is really good.

@Rawson - As I said last night there is indeed a skull in there Rawson! Here are some better pics of the rest as well. The skull guy I think will have to be painted silver, If i do it bone it will look too much like a dead guy, and not the mask idea I had in my head.



Anyone else think DKOK without their normal hats and tubes look ALOT like wombles?



The one on the far left here is a woman, subtle, but I guess it is really in full winter gear.



@Progreen10 - Thanks for joining in! Your too kind though! my hands can't do the things I imagine in my head, most of this is just kitbashing with a bit of greenstuff and over-enthusiasm with an exacto knife!

 J-paint wrote:

That would be "UKOK"... (Undead KOK)

Nice work mate. Like the mask idea.

that masked guy sure has some issues... running around with a flamer in his hand should suffice i think... some peeps these days

i like how it is coming.

 Viktor von Domm wrote:
that masked guy sure has some issues... running around with a flamer in his hand should suffice i think... some peeps these days

Hey, how else is he meant to keep warm?

yeah... right... skullshaped masks have always been the epitome of keeping ones face warm...

As always, nice work. I too have been playing with my Korzacks (my Valhallan's). When I get access to a camera, I'll post some pics for you. Also, trying to figure out a custom gameboard for them to call home. For the Motherland!

wait i come back and their is no new Valhallans?!

Sigh...... i wish i could do this but i have neither the skill nor the patience to do this.... i have ADD like urs but i see my IG and i say *yao ming face* F---- that whenever i try and start... you make me want to get bak into the nitty gritty with sum bitz and new guardsmen

@Gits - Lol indeed, UKOK, a scary proposition!

@Comradepanda -

@Demitri - The korzacks! I like it, very much looking forward to some pics of them!

@ progreen / Vik - It is an INSULATED face mask...bear that in mind.

@Somedude - Yes! more guardsmen are definitely needed around here. Honestly though none of this is that exceptional, just a bit time consuming =p (trying to stoke the ADD in you. )

Right well I've been busy and have painted up all those guys from last time and also a spotter. (Brownie point to whoever gets where I'm going with the spotter idea, hint: it will be a squad.)

For these guys I have tried to show they are cold with the little pink faces, I figured my last set looked a bit warm for people who needed so much extra clothing.

So without further ado I will just totally photobomb here, and for that I hope you can forgive me! C&c as always very appreciated. Not sure what to do yet either, posibly the other 'ogryns' or maybe a russ?













And the spotter!

I. Love. Your. Valhallans. So. Much.

Those are fantastic J-paint! Really well done.

those faces... you out did yourself this time!!! the look almost photo realistic...

Did I mention these are the best valhallens I've ever seen? No joke they are.. I definatly like that you used that great green color for accents compaired to using it for the coat color like you did on previous models!

Wow J paint!! These are all looking rediculous! I love love love those valhallans, so unique.

Stellar work as always, J-paint! Your Valhallans have so much character, all the work you put into them was definetely worth it!
btw, is the last one (the one before the spotter) a woman? The face looks very female

looking forward to your next updates as usual!

Awesome squad you have there, J-Paint! Is that last pic before the spotter a valhallan woman? The faces on all of them turned out completely awesome. Wouldn't have thought of the bright green as a spot color throughout, but it works so well. Great work all around.

Colour me inspired! .... and uber impressed! they are all fantastic! the faces especially stand out for me as well as the expert conversion work!

Wow thanks for all the responses guys, makes it worth it, really does.

@Rawson - Your vostroyans are awesome as well!

@Gits - Thanks

@Vik - Thanks vik! I was very chuffed with the faces, even facebook tried to make me tag people in them!

@ Rogue wolves - Thanks man, yeah the green coats didn't give the right look, I might have another go with that in the future, but I think the grey works better.

@ Vit - Cheers vit!

@Mrmerlin - It was indeed a woman, well spotted merlin, i figured under a coat and warm clothing like that a woman's shape would be more or less identical, plus I ran out of male heads =p

@Moltar - Thanks! strangely the green spot colour was forced on me, I wanted them to match my ad mech somehow so they both share the green to keep them unified.

@Nerdfest - Thanks very much! I wouldn't go so far as expert, but still ,thanks alot!


So Just a smallish update for you guys, I felt I;d been neglecting the Ad mech recently so I finally applied some paint to this guy from a few pages back, The eagle eyed of you will notice hes got a different head and more cables, I thought he needed a bit more conversion work, help him look a bit more imperial.

To anyone after words as well as pics, I'm also working on a new valhallan lascannon team and another spotter for the hinted at sniper team .

Nice conversion! Where do you get a fetish girl? there's only one official female commissar miniatures released by GW (and it's limited edition ono!)

for the command section however. it seems that beakie full helm looks very like Chaos militia. are those fullhelms originally elf or eldar headgears?

Vik - Thanks vik! I was very chuffed with the faces, even facebook tried to make me tag people in them!

now this is just priceless!!! and i would like to see the suggested persons matching your valhalans lol

the admech looks really creepy... somehow the red coat/rags enhanced that feeling... and i cant recall atm as to the changing of the head... but that skullservitir...er...serves good

@lone cat - thanks, if your talking about the commissar she is from warforge, a lovely sculpt and well worth it I think. As for the bird heads, they are dark eldar scourge ones. Thanks for stopping by!

@ Vik - Fortunately it didn't make suggestions, just recognised them as faces.

So I have bought imperial armour model masterclass, and it has totally inspired me! The whole realism they achieve is stunning, so I'm going to try and copy a few of their techniques. First off is armour chipping which you will notice on the green on the guys I post today, I think it looks much better than before, alot less bright and more realistic so I'm considering applying it to all the green in my army so far, (quite a large task now!)

Here are a couple of tests I did, do you prefer the first or second for overall gun look? (The second has a wash after the chipping) On closer inspection the chipping patterns on the first arn't great, that was my first attempt.
1

2


The second part of the update is a lascannon team in the same style as the heavy stubber team, I used a mask for a face here, (I'm warming to the mask theme it seems.)



On this last one note the chipped green, especially on the lasgun, think it ruins the spot colour effect too much?

I adore weathered things, and those look top notch! I dont think it ruins the spot colour at all.

I also adore weathered things. Yours look great. Sorry, but you now need to go over all your greens and weather them too. And I mean every model in you army!

hmmm... i am torn... i like the waethering of the green ... you overdid it a bit on the scond spoilered pic tho... but i also think it ruins a bit the spotlight color... finally it is up to you... coolness or the duality of grim dark brought forth by bright colors in contrast to a sick world... thankfully i have not to do this decision^^

@Vit - thanks man, Was hoping someone would say that to reassure me!

@ Merlin - As much as I hate you for speaking the truth....you are right, hence the hour and a half I spent last night! All is now weathered!!

@ Vik - It was a very hard call, I think in the end though the more realistic effect looks much better, less cartoony, as for the spot colour I think its muted it a bit, but not as much as I feared.

This first pic is just to show everything I have finished so far and how much of a task the weathering was!!! The lighting is a bit rubbish though, the colours are all a bit lighter in real life. The problem with taking this picture and having a look at all the older models makes me realise I've improved alot with the faces, it annoys me and makes me want to redo some of them, I'm not sure I have the hours in my life is the only constraint



This is an example of when i got carried away and in my opinion did a bit too much on the gun:



And this picture shows when it went quite well, on both the flamer and sarge on the right.



Last thing! Do you think the bird warriors should be chipped too??

´course the birdies should be chipped... whoever is in a command squad is bound to be a vet... and a vet with pristine armor??? never!

well i knew from the beginning that i was fighting a loosing battle for your spotcolor^^ but i think it now looks good too... sometimes i have to play the devils advokate^^

as for your full army shot... with pics like these you really have to go into the gallery... one has to sijmply zoom in on all the details... and your cam allows that quite superb... so go to the gallery... and while you are there go and try the fish... ah... and vote

Those valhallans are incredible - the sculpting is absolutely top notch, and the green is such a genius spot colour. I wouldn't have thought it would work at all until I'd seen it!

The skull mask is ace on the flamer - I like that they're starting to pop up a lot in your work, not that your faces aren't fairly mind-blowing too... any chance you'd be willing to do a mini chat through on how you get that skin?

Personally I think the weathering on the green is a big improvement, and it's a lot of fun to do too! Keep up the great work!

really cool J!

 J-paint wrote:

Great family pic

@ Vik - lol! okok, the birds will be chipped! XD And thank you for playing devil's advocate, nice to hear a dissenting voice sometimes!


@Scarper - Thanks for commenting. Like I say, the green was more of a happy accident than anything else, as for the masks I'm glad you like them, nothing says grim dark to me more than creepy metallic masks! The weathering is indeed very fun to do, i didn't realise it would be, but its bascially about doing everything you normally avoid when painting! just roughly stippling edges and going for an uneven look, very rewarding. Will do a face tut for you on my next guy. =]

@Rogue wolves - Thanks.

@ Rawson - Lol it is indeed, but a very dysfunctional family consisting of whatever models I think look good!

So I'm on a bit of a modelling roll at the moment so I'll keep you informed, I got off ebay a fairly ok condition old leman russ to start bulking out my force. Now I've been messing around with it and have the start of something I like, first of all I chopped off the ridiculous looking battlecannon it came with, (am I the only one who thinks the old ones looked goofy?) and replaced it with a nice looking turret consisting of bits I thought looked cool together, If it came to a game it will count as the one with the twin linked autocannons? The name starts with an E I think.

I also replaced the lascannon with a heavy bolter so It has more of a defined role, namely destroying medium infanty and light vehichles. I then started adding little bits to it like the aerial. You'll have to forgive my lack of knowledge about leman russ tanks but I have a few questions for you shown below in bold:

Firstly should I include the track guards you see in the first pic? my main problem with these is they might look like they are floating in mid air, how are normal track guards attached?

Secondly should I include the dozer blade?


What shall I fill this hole with? The more creative the idea the better!



what is the hole in the spoiler picture and is it meant to be empty?


There is still a great deal to be done with loads of extra details and stuff so ignore any rough looking areas, I'll be going around with GS later.

Its the drivers viewport Pretty sure it has a hole in stock.

the spoliered hole is meant to look that way... it is a viewpoint... but if you feel akward about it... then simply fill it with PC or GS... do some lense effect there and you are good^^

the hole in the side is usually closed with a small door...



if you dont have one... and you don´t want to scratchbuild one or pressmould one... i can look if i have one in my bitzbox... iirc i know that i own one of these...

as for the dozer blade... well i cant picture my tanks with these things... it is a matter of taste i think... pointswise it is not really that expensive... style choice really...

as for the track guards... well i think you have got the wrong ones in your bitzbox? the pieces you show look fishy...

this is supposed to be the "fender" / end part of the trackguard...



by the way... i need to do some scratches and weathering like you did on your shoulderguards and guns... would be nice if you could do a small step by step for me as a sort of guidance? never really did that before...

I like the balance a dozer blade brings to the model... though I think you should mek it up a bit (perhaps some crenelations).

Thanks guys, the problem with getting it off ebay is your never quite sure if its all there Dont worry about digging out a spare Vik thats fine thanks, I'll improvise something out of pasticard, its good practice for me, as for the track guards they arn't the official ones, they are some weird extra plating you get in the chimera kit that I always get nervous about because after assembling I'm left with this large bit of riveted metal but no gaps, I just had them lying around so I heated them with a hairdryer and wrapped them round the front to represent that AV14 a little better, not sure If I like them though.

As for the chipping its pretty straight forward, I do a line of boltgun metal along any raised edges to start with, but make it a bit irregular, leave a few gaps, then do tiny irregular shapes near the line you've made, some should join with the main line but others should be totally separate, hard to explain, but really the less thought you put in the better!

On my next guy i'll show you what I mean, also I will do a quick face tutorial for Scarper and kill two birds with one valhallan!

Thanks Gits, I agree, it gives a bit of weight to the model, I may paint it but keep it separate for now, see how it looks at the end. Want to try a technique on the front of it anyway.

that sounds truly promising J-paint... looking forward to your face and scratches tut^^

and yeah... pratice makes indeed perfect^^ (to the PC works)

Sorry Vik! still havn't managed to get round to the tut yet! been a bit preoccupied with this tank! but it's next on my do to list! promise!

So here we go then guys! I've tried to use as many of the techniques in model masterclass as I had the stuff to do, which was admittedly not a great deal, but I made proxys for some of the weathering powders ect. I think overall the result isn't bad for my second tank attempt, Tips would be very useful here, how to refine/improve techniques, anything, be VERY critical. All are in gallery so click to zoom!

Great work mate! The tank is awesome. The guard troopers are great too. The converted wraith is very colorful and the complementary contrast is a little to much for my tastes, but it's still a solid paintjob and a nice conversion.

One thing about chipping:
If you want to add some more depth/realism to it, highlight the paint at the bottom edge of the chipping (i.e. brighter green at the edge) and shade the top of the chipped area (black on the upper edge of the metal). This takes some time and steady hands, but it's very rewarding when done right.

Boy... it's hard to be critical of that JP. If anything, the cleanliness of the tracks seem at odds with the disrepair and wear of the rest of the tank... and there's still a visible mold line on the spare fuel tank.

Other than that, I'd say you learned your lessons well.

J-paint, that tank looks great. The weathering is perfect, I love the oil/rust streaks. Great job!

@Baiyuan - Ah that's a great tip, I haven't heard of that one before, thanks very much, I'll give that a go next time I do a character or something important, I think it may be a bit too much effort to go to for all of the troopers! (Having said that...I may do a few.)

@Gits - Ah yes! that mold line annoyed me too, very irritating when you see them when a model is finished! The tracks your right about too, I might see about adding a bit more mud or something to them, your right, they seem a bit too clean compared to the rest.

@merlin - Thanks man! The streaks took quite a while but I think it was worth It. I'm waiting with bated breath for your update when you get back from germany by the way.

Great looking tank you have there! I think your weathering turned out much better than average, so don't worry about that! Also, very nice fix on that missing hatch door on the right side. Well done!

gotta gree with git on the tracks...but if he hadn´t mentioned that i t wouldn´t have bothered me because of all the cool weathering and the nice all around look this tank shows... the amount of grime and soot and rust... very cool work...

Still loving your work J-paint. As promised, the Korzacks are beginning to take shape in the real world...

J PAINT!!! YOU ARE STILL DOING WORK!!! AND IT LOOKS GREAT!

@Rawson - Thanks very much! Yeah the weathering is Ok, needs to be refined a little, practice makes perfect though! As for the door It's just some plasticard and a handle.

@Vik - Thanks Vik, I've since muddied the tracks up a bit more so I'll take a pic when I get a chance.

@Demetri - Awesome! Can't wait!

@Comradepanda - lol I am, thank you man!

So because I promised a face and chipping tutorial I thought I'd honour my promise for scarper and Vik, although the chipping on this guy didn't turn out as well as many others, must have been the pressure!

So first faces:
Basecoat of tallarn flesh and wash with ogryn flesh and thinned down aggraxearthshade. (You'll have to forgive how I have an odd mix of old and new paints, I buy them as the old ones run out.)
That will get you to here:


Next I black in my eyes, even though they were already fairly dark:

Then I put a VERY small dot of bleached bone on each side of the pupil, I use bone not white because white can look a bit starey. Dont worry if the eyes are a bit droopy at this stage like this guy's left eye.

I then go around all the high areas with tallarn flesh, including just under the eyeball to show eyelids. (sorry for slightly unclear pic here, lighting wasn't the best.)

Then I take a small amount of elf flesh and mix it into my tallarn flesh and pick out the highest area, especially on the top half of the face as this is where the light hits more.

This is then repeated with even more elf flesh in the mix but just on the most extreme edges like the eyebrows and nose.

Now It's perfectly fine to stop now, its a very passable face, but because these guys are a bit cold, I've gone on to give them slightly rosey cheeks and a red nose. I mix a very small amount of red gore into my flesh mix and thin it slightly, then i apply it over the tip of the nose and the bottom half of the cheeks, i.e. under the cheek bones:




As for the chipping Vik, Its pretty straight forward but I'm not a pro at this yet by ANY means, but heres what I do:
Base coat of colour with all the normal highlights/washes etc:

Then all the obvious sticking out edges are lined in metal:

Finally the edges are roughed up a bit with random chips in the middle, (this is a bad example, I wasn't very pleased with this.) This is the second of my spotters btw!


As for what else I've been doing, i have been slightly sidetracked AGAIN! I have decided to do a squad of space wolves grey hunters to go with my valhallans as a sort of cold theme, I don't like space marines normally, they seem too small, but I think I've come to a compromise I quite like, even if it only works for space wolves. I have a feeling I am not the first to have this idea but this is my take:


WIPs:

And for scale, I think it gives him a nice boost, makes them closer to the height they should be in the fluff:

what have you used for those legs? that isn´t standard SW armor? cool looking... those boots give a nice ruffian feel to them!

"loincloth" and cape look very cool... the air of that one giy tho looks weird ... there needs to be done something about that...

as for the tuts...

many thanks mate!

the facees one was done as meticulously as can be... i specially like the little remark about the white in the eyes... that´s going directly into my active memory!!!

and the chipping...have you considered using a tougher bruch ... to stipple the scratches? for my current project i needed to do lots of random looking structures and i used a very old hard brush and just happily stippled through the project to get my glow effects for my arena...with a small enough brush it might work here too...


and ...where the hell is that yellow abomination coming from???

many thanks again for those tuts!

Lol thanks for commenting Vik! Your the only one brave enough to! The legs are from warhammer chaos warriors, as are the capes, It's actually a pretty fiddly conversion but I'm getting better at it! The hair is indeed needing a bit more work. The tough brush is a good idea! might look into that, even if it doesn't work at this scale It would definitely be good for tanks and stuff, but then with things of that scale you can use a sponge for a really nice effect too.

The yellow THING was just for scale purposes, didn't have any other very common models to hand! It was an attempt to see If I could paint yellow with just a series of washes...The answer unfortunately is no! Its far too bright and uneven for my liking, but hey, it's good to try things out.

nice tutorial, lovely vostoryan, And cool spacewolfs!

Awesome stuff!

actually you have to see the yellow with the eye of a detailed mini... just a yellow canvas is too much to bear... thus your reaction...

and i had the slight suspicion it was of the choas warrior sprue... those boots... cool idea!

well... as for braveness

Hey dude, awesome thread. I'm a huge fan of your Admech, and the Valhallans are top-notch. I really like your use of Blood Angels death masks. Very creative, and I might just steal it, if that's okay!

As for your Space Wolves, a good friend of mind does the same thing with his awesome Word Bearers army; seen in this thread: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.php?showtopic=150542

The one issue about the way you're doing it, is that, unlike my friend's, you haven't changed the look of the boots. The legs look like power armor until you get to the feet, and in my opinion, they look derpy. My suggestion is to carve the plastic below the kneecap and mold the power armor around the carved-out portions and feet with green stuff. It not only makes them look beefier, but it gives the legs a more consistent feel of armor, rather than them being Space Marines with leather boots. I'm pretty sure my friend has a tutorial on how to do it in his thread, but here's a picture comparison so you can see what I'm talking about:

Welcome darth bob! Thanks for commenting, please feel free to steal away, the internet is one big creative soup.

That is a very nice word bearer's army!

As for the boot thing, I do see where your coming from, and I appreciate in reality It would be ridiculous for them to wear either boots OVER their armour or just boots, but I was going for a very tribal look for them, I'm not a massive fan of the rounded feet on space amrines anyway so I thought it might be passable, I intend to armour them up a bit more, add something that marks them out as being a bit more high tech. But thanks for the link and the comment, I will try GSing a normal SM foot on one of them just as a comparison.

 Darth Bob wrote:

The one issue about the way you're doing it, is that, unlike my friend's, you haven't changed the look of the boots. The legs look like power armor until you get to the feet, and in my opinion, they look derpy.

I don't agree with the derpy boots thing. In fact, I kind of like the booted wolves! I agree with JPaint, it doesn't really make sense from a fluff perspective, but I like the look, and it works with the pelts/teeth/runes imagery. Let's see some paint!

 J-paint wrote:
Welcome darth bob! Thanks for commenting, please feel free to steal away, the internet is one big creative soup.

That is a very nice word bearer's army!

As for the boot thing, I do see where your coming from, and I appreciate in reality It would be ridiculous for them to wear either boots OVER their armour or just boots, but I was going for a very tribal look for them, I'm not a massive fan of the rounded feet on space amrines anyway so I thought it might be passable, I intend to armour them up a bit more, add something that marks them out as being a bit more high tech. But thanks for the link and the comment, I will try GSing a normal SM foot on one of them just as a comparison.

Honestly, if you're not keen on the armor thing, some rivets and Space Wolf iconography (maybe even some wolf clawed-toes on the boots) would make them look a bit high-tech.

Thanks Rawson, the boots are impractical but characterful! Paint will be on the way soon, I've spent today making the rest of the squad, will put some pics up when I'm finished with the GS work.

And Good ideas Darth, The rivets in particular will help it look like boots ON TOP of armour, (for whatever crazy reason) I'll give that a go.

More to come later guys.

Good morning all, so here are all of my space wolves before priming, I may do something to their boots like darth said, but it depends how lazy I am feeling! The look I was going for was more tribal than viking, but I couldn't resist the massive axe! All in all I'm fairly pleased and just hope my greenstuff work looks OK with paint.

Just had a look through this thread and all I can say is "wow". Brilliant work dude, really liking the Valhallans and the Crows.

Bunch o' chunky, fuzzy boyz you got there JP.... very Norse. I like 'em! Nice work on the sculpting too. Gives them some added "beef" that I think is very appropriate.

 J-paint wrote:

Wow this is fantastic, definitely one of the best guardswomen I've ever seen.

Subbed!

interesting stuff you have there J-paint.

I'll be watching with keen interest!

so officialy my favortie valhallens, and now my favorite space wolves, I really like the tribal masks!

I really like the truescaling you've done on your Wolves. I don't think it would work for any other chapter (I think you mentioned that), but looks great on these guys!

On te other hand, the skull masks I really don't like. The concept is okay, but the execution was not so hot (I've given you tons of encouragement, so I think some frank CC is ok ) Main problem: most don't line up well (i.e. Can't see out of them), If you got the alignment better, they might work ok, but I think you would be better off just sculpting your own. You've got the talent to do it

Keep up the great work!
Rawson

i am with rawson on the skullmasks here...they look a bit too much wanted without really fitting ...

also the last fella... the one on the left with those two holes in his mask....sorry... but he looks more like porky pig than the ruffian wolfen...

the other conversions tho make a cool and very fluffy look!!!

Jpaint...why have you betrayed the guard way?! why is there now great looking wolves...i love the mask with just 2 holes in it.

by the way... you made front page with one of your vlahallans!!! well deserved i have to add!

i sent him a congratz, but he needs another.

Love those wolves, so ferocious and raw!

Ive always liked the whfb chaos TS, and youve done them great justice!

Wow thanks for all the feedback guys, REALLY appreciated!

@Elnibbus - Thanks for commenting man, If you continue as you are at the moment though my guard wont hold a candle to yours!

@Gits - Lol thank you, the cloaks really help to bulk them out!

@A Kvlt ghost - Thank you! that is very high praise indeed, very simple though, just a wood elf head on a regular body!

@Anunearthlychilde - Thanks very much!

@Rogue Wolves - Lol cheers, The masks seem to have split opinion, but I'm glad you like them!

@Rawson - Lol don't worry you ave VERY much entitled to some criticism bearing in mind the constant support you've given! I do totally see what you mean about the unallignment, I have taken your advice and tried to tweak one or two of the more 'unalligned' ones to get the eyes lined up ok, this first guy I haven't but I didn't think he was TOO far off so I thought it would be passable, I'll let the judges decide!

@Vik - As I said to Rawson I totally see where your coming from and have tried to make some of them 'fit' a bit better, I'm not sure if I have succeeded! Lol at the mask guy comment! He will officially be known as Mr Pig now. Thanks for alerting me to the front page thing! It's an honour!

@Comradepanda - Fear not, I am just doing this squad of wolves and maybe a character then I will return to the guard in full force! I'm glad you like the mask. And thank you for the congratulations, very pleased I mananged to get there!

@Vit - Raw? good! Thats the sort of look I was going for, and having said that I'd seen it before I;ve looked into it, didn't realise how many amazing things people have done using the same base as a conversion, there are some gorgeous black templars I saw done a similar way....Must resist!


Right so for an update, I have finished my LEAST favourite of the wolves to check the colours worked well and to get some practice, I used some of the techniques on chipping and it was a mixed experience, (read: I dont think I did it right,) THe black on top of the chips seems to have worked well, but when i used the armour highlight under it seems to make it look like a gradual transition, not sure why...or even if that makes sense. I also have got a pic of him next to a valhallan to show you the scale. Enjoy:

Your Space Wolves look damn good. I love the little bits of conversion work and kitbashing you've done, especially the wooden shield!

Green for the green god!

I very much like the more weathered approach you are heading towards now, always been my preferred style. Now all you need are some weathering powders

wow... that SW is looking damn fine... the right shoulderpad needs some more realistic loking scratches tho... but the clooak is the bee´s knees... totally awesome...and may i say...bone is your thing... looks very good!

He will officially be known as Mr Pig now

oh my...what have i done^^

I just love the way those are turning out!

@Mrmerlin - Thanks merlin, yeah the shield grew on me after I put it there, its a bit impractical, (not exactly going to stop a bullet) but I figured he might keep it more for smashing in skulls etc!

@Vit - The green is unavoidable it seems! And thank you, I'm definately leaning more towards the weathering now, its alot more satisfying, as for weathering powders, it wont be long now, i've already been eyeing some up, got any reccomendations?

@Vik - For the shoulder pad do you mean HIS right or our right? If its HIS right you might have seen his symbol marking thing as scratches, for which I can understand, need to make that clearer, It was meant to be a sorta tribal symbol. If you meant OUR right, then I agree, Its a bit too regular and rounded patterns.

@Gits - Thanks gits =]

Eh i just use FW, but theyre all the same really. MIG are the most professional, and have the largest range iirc. Secret Weapon Miniatures do some good ones too. Im pretty sure AK Interactive also sell some, or if they dont their other weathering products are fantastic.

nono... his right was meant and now that you explain it that this is infact a tribal rune... i see what you mean... the other one is quite nice i think...

J-paint that wolf makes me happy that they are few. They are too sexy to be a army.

Those SWs are looking totally badass, J-paint! My only concern (which has stumped my own converting a few times) is that the poor dude with the wooden shield probably isn't going to get much use out of it. It could be petrified Fenrisian wood, but bolter fire will still eat away at it so quick. Regardless, they all look boss. The painted one looks great and the upscale works so well next to your guardsmen.

Your Valhallans are obviously very nicely done. However, that Space Wolf with the Skull mask is awesome. Captures the barbaric nature of the Space Wolves better than I have seen.

- Martok

@Vit- I'm bought a couple from forgeworld to play around with, will see how I get on!

@Vik - Sorry yeah, not a very CLEAR tribal rune

@Comradepanda - Lol! That is a very unique compliment format you have right there panda!

@Moltar - Thanks very much! I totally know what you mean about the shield though, see what I wrote to Mrmerlin about it, (basically that he might just smack people with it!) I thought I would include one though because you can't have tribal vikings without big shields!

@Martok - Thanks very much! And that one is my LEAST favourite of the bunch! Hopefully the others will live up to the high expectations now in place


So this post is especially dedicated to Vik for his kind donation of the bodies for these guys! The Crows are now officially large enough to be a command group (maybe). Following you guys' recommendation I have chipped these guys to match the rest of my guard, The silver chips unfortunately don't show as well against the grey, I tried outlining the chips in black but it looked to OTT. I played around with a few things on these guys and one of these was the blood on the banner guy's arm, it was a few different layers of red and then after I matt varnished I went back over it with gloss, Hence it looking shiny, not a golden deamon technique but pretty effective nonetheless, As always feel free to pick holes in these, you are far too kind to me I'm sure!

actually i think these are your emotional strongest creations ever... the red against the grey is looking totally strong!

the wound on the banner bearer looks hurting! the banner... legio corvi...good call!

the white hemlet for the medic... all these nice lil details add up to an awesome command group... outstanding in every sense of the word...the flask with the medic by the way is a nicew gesture towards all the RPG players out there... so diablo!!

i like them! and i don´t know a thing to say where you lack about them... maybe only in numbers....you need to make more

Wow! Haven't been on for a few days and almost two pages of goodness. I know it is a while back now but some comments on the tank. I'm not keen on the hatch that is bare metal, it is in my opinion a missed opportunity for lots of wear and tear on the paint work as it will be constantly being opened and shut and clambered in and out of. Some one else mentioned it but I spotted it too, mould lines on the spare fuel tank. You seem quite good with green stuff, how about trying the welded joins technique from the book, I'm thinking especially at the front where the plates don't meet so well. On the exhausts I assuming that the effect is supposed to be rust, I think it is a little heavy maybe go back and streak some of the original colour up into it to thin the effect out some what, add some weathering powder (if you don't have powder make some by shaving pastels from an art shop, just as effective). Over all I really like it but you said be harsh!
The space wolves are great and fit in really well with the Valhallans as an allied force. The marauder legs are inspired and don't seem too out of place and the extra height is much more realistic for True Scale marines. I've been doing a few of my own wolves, pop on to my misc modelling blog in my sig to check them out. As usual lots of modelling goodness to be had on here!

That command squad made my jaw drop. I picked back up off a air plane! Well done man, i take my hat off to that wound! it looks realistic and well done. The grey is nice and solid and the painting is good. I love the squad, well done.

J-paint wrote:
The Crows are now officially large enough to be a command group (maybe). Following you guys' recommendation I have chipped these guys to match the rest of my guard, The silver chips unfortunately don't show as well against the grey, I tried outlining the chips in black but it looked to OTT. I played around with a few things on these guys and one of these was the blood on the banner guy's arm, it was a few different layers of red and then after I matt varnished I went back over it with gloss, Hence it looking shiny, not a golden deamon technique but pretty effective nonetheless, As always feel free to pick holes in these, you are far too kind to me I'm sure!

Greatwork! At first I wasn't sold on the Crows, but seeing them painted up is beautiful! (They don't even look like DE ) Also, don't you need one more for a CCS? I'm looking forward to see what you do for a company commander!

I, for one, am not afan of the shiney blood. Shiney means wet and still bleeding (though you could argue that there are plenty of wet and still bleeding wounds on the battlefield )

Viktor von Domm wrote: the red against the grey is looking totally strong!

For some reason I read this as "totally storag"

Cool crows! And rawson i read storag too

For some reason I read this as "totally storag"

LOL...*shakes head*

and i think the wet wound is a good idea...makes him that more heroic!

Read in monotone:

Crow people... Crow people... crow people.... crooow people

*Get's hit in the face with tomahawk.*

@Vik - Thanks Vik, The contrast is very nice with the red and grey! I'm pretty chuffed with it! I'm glad you like the flask! Thought it would be a subtle nod to all the thousands of games like that where you use flasks to heal! As for more of them, maybe....maybe.

@Reaper - Thank you! I really appreciate the constructive criticism, gives me pointers as to where I need to improve. The mould line has now been fixed and I've taken your advice and have thinned the exhaust rusting a bit. As for welding lines, that's a great idea, can't remember seeing that in the book but I will look into it. The bare hatch was indeed silly, next time I intend to paint it grey too and weather the crap out of it, Again thanks for the suggestion to look at your thread, your right, It really helps to look at similar projects, helps alot with inspiration.

@Panda - Thanks panda!

@Rawson - Cheers, and damn your right! I need one more! I have a few ideas for a commander but not sure how to do it just yet, need to have a think! Yeah the shiny blood was more of an experiment really, see what it looked like.

@Rogue Wolves - Thank you kind sir.

@Demetri - Lol I have no idea what that is a reference to but it sounds creepy! I must pester you to see your Korzacks!

So Just a small update tonight, finished up the second wolf, think he looks very old, almost heresy style armour....(Although the beak helmet is a bit too modern I guess.)

Beautiful as always! totally loving the wolves! in fact I'm going to 'borrow' 'nick' 'steal' 'lend' the green pad for some of my own i'm planning (shhh don't tell anyone!) it looks great and unusual on the SW's, your conversions are top notch man, the Crows look freakin' superb I wasn't sure how they'd turn out but WOW with your paint skills they are amazingly good! I can't wait to see what you do next!

Damo

Although the beak helmet is a bit too modern I guess

wrong.... you gotta love the beaky helmeted SM...it´s the law!!!


great looking...one thought crossed my mind tho... the wolfen head on the bolter... would it look better if you brassed this up? or maybe not as you never use another metal color... so this might ruin it...

@Nerdfest - Steal away, that is what this blog is for after all!

@Vik - Lol don't get me wrong I love the beakyheads, they are my favourite Mk of power armour head, but aren't they like Mk 6 and the heresy was only on Mk 4?? (please don't flame me fluff gurus, I know not what I do.) As for the bolter wolf head, I could do, I could see about giving it a sepia wash so it was somewhere between silver and gold? Like the armour of my skittari fellows. I'll do a test on a spare one and see how it looks.

nono... you are totally right in the armor history here...of course i was only jesting

and adding a wash would surley warm up the hue... i think that would be good looking... maybe something on that giant of an axe too then?

What do you think, dried blood too predictable?

 J-paint wrote:
What do you think, dried blood too predictable?

it can be amazing if done properly... but so easy to do wrong. blood never dries red, it's more a brown of a sort, taking on the colour of the item thats stained too.

So if you know you can do it, go for it

If he's savage enough for cloth boots and skull masks, he's savage enough to not clean the blood off himself

why clean off the blood anyways... when you are in mid battle there is bound to happen the next drawing of blood anyways...

but i more thought of the wash methode to make details pop on that axe and to give a sort of symetry between axe and bolter...

 Viktor von Domm wrote:
why clean off the blood anyways... when you are in mid battle there is bound to happen the next drawing of blood anyways...

but i more thought of the wash methode to make details pop on that axe and to give a sort of symetry between axe and bolter...

yup.


No such thing as a clean battle. hence why my nids a gaked up to fudge.

 AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:

 Viktor von Domm wrote:
why clean off the blood anyways... when you are in mid battle there is bound to happen the next drawing of blood anyways...

but i more thought of the wash methode to make details pop on that axe and to give a sort of symetry between axe and bolter...

yup.


No such thing as a clean battle. hence why my nids a gaked up to fudge.

Could just be your nids are kinky

well my nids ARE kinky, but thats not the point...

 J-paint wrote:

Nice.

@Child - Not sure how confident I am on getting it looking effective, will do some tests so I don't ruin him!

@Rogue Wolves - Lol, good point.

@Vik - Even better point! But I agree, if I go the wash way it will be on the axe and the wolf on the bolter, maybe just the haft of the axe, not the blades?

@Elnibbus - Merci bucket.

So third wolf done now, Plasma wolf! The wrist mounted plasma gun was on reflection probably a bit heavy, but never mind, we learn from our mistakes. HIS left shoulder has a mark of aversion that feature heavily in prospero burns, the idea seemed pretty cool.

Showing the eye of aversion in more detail and also that the wrist gun may have been a bit TOO clunky:



And a back shot, these are all fairly similar so i'll keep it optional:


Front shot.

This is absolutely phenomenal work. Those Guardsmen are awesome. Love the servitor with the lascannon power pack. Now I want to steal that idea for my own project.


While the legs are a bit bulkier than I'd think would be practical for the Space Marines, you definitely nailed the height, and your conversions/paintwork are awesome. Making the "tall scale" Space Marines isn't easy by any measure, lol. So you've done a great job regardless, and I'm sure they look amazing in real life on the tabletop.

the plasma effect is off the scale mate... i like it!!!

and the washes you did on selected parts of the backpack and so on proves the idea is right... that is so helping the look... also the grey and the... well... stained metal play very well together...

and yes only tiny parts of the axe to be washed... and not the blades... wouldn´t make sense this way...

that plasma is great, really pops on the model compaired to the nice weathered browns and blues!

Viktor von Domm wrote:the plasma effect is off the scale mate... i like it!

Rogue Wolves wrote:that plasma is great, really pops on the model

I agree with these guys! That plasma glow is really good! What was your receipe? (Not that I have three plasma vets to paint )

i think the wrist gun is fine btw.

@Veteran Sergeant - Thanks very much! glad to hear you've taken something from it!

@Vik - Glad you spotted the new wash, it defiantely does help!

@Rogue wolves - Thanks, wanted it to really stand out!

@Rawson - Thank you! It wasn't too complicated, I started with warpstone green and added gradual amounts of scorpion green to it, (no idea what the equivalent of scorpion green is, I'm going to be so lost when mine runs out, had it for years!) Then when it was pretty much pure scorpion green i added a bit of white and did that a few times, getting lighter, then on the very edges used pure white. Finally I washed the whole thing in the green glaze from GW, no idea what its called, and tbh i'm not sure it gave that much to the look but I thought i'd try it to help blend.

@comrade - Thanks! was a bit worried!

So today is basically going to prove to you guys that I listen to what you say and act on it, even if it takes me years to actually do it! Now you may remember my counts as ogryn minotaurs however many pages ago and you suggested bigger guns! So I have obliged! I've also tried to implement a few of the new techniques I've picked up to add to the realism, for example the oil running from the canister on his belt is shiny, and he has been weathered more.

More importantly though I've tried to 'grimdark' him up a bit, with the blood and the wires going into the skin and fusing with his spine, let me know if you think its an improvement!


Before the revamp:


After:



More pics for those who want different angles, It's hard to photograph! :





Also I have improved his 'friends' who will hopefully get some paint too at some point:

Great job grimdarking him up, he looks great. The wires are genius!

Thanks merlin! had no idea how much of a nightmare those stripes are to paint though, I don't envy people who play iron warriors!

er... yes... i think that looks painful... that ogryn is probably in that frenzy because of all that fancy rewiring^^

awesome looking model... even now more so...the green you know put to a really stress test... and succeded brilliantly!
also all these lil cuts and scars on his arms and the back... cool details...if i could suggest just one thing... he is a guy a bit probably on the smelly side if i am right... dusty boots and all those sick prostetics... well i bet he would have a hard time to retain such a neat looking powercord we currently see in that crsip yellow and blackness... i think an aplication of a generous wash is in order...but other than that i think he looks bloody amazing...literally^^

same goes for his buddies...which i hope we see them soon with a lick of paint

Jealous. That was seriously one of the best hours I've had looking through a blog. Was impressed on every page. Be it conversions or painting.

The best part for me would be the Valhallans, you've certainly shown what can be achieved with a strong conviction of will (which is what you'd need to go hacking away at such expensive models). The integration with the metals has given me ideas for my own army. Mine will be know where near as good as yours if I decide to go down that same road.

Keep up the hard work, it's well worth it, in my opinion.
Howie.

 J-paint wrote:
Thanks merlin! had no idea how much of a nightmare those stripes are to paint though, I don't envy people who play iron warriors!

It looks easy, I know....

Loving the beastman!

fantastic models jpaint. The wire conversion is a nice homage to your guard.

@Vik - Thanks! Very good advice, the wires will get a nice brown wash to dull them down slightly.

@Howie- Thanks Howie! It really is nice to hear that you're giving people ideas. Your right about the strong conviction thing, but It could just have easily been madness! I would really like to see anything you do If you do get round to doing something simalar so I can borrow ideas too, doesn't matter how good you think you are you will always have an original perspective and with that comes stealable ideas!

@Rogue wolves - Come now, that is not very PC, 'abhuman' or they get pissy.

@Comradepanda - Thank you! Not quite sure what that means but It sounds positive!

So I thought i'd include something that is a bit easier to leave C&C for, As you may have guessed I seem to have a compulsion to put furry hats on guardsmen, and today is no exception, EXCEPT the end result is actually a decrease in overall fluffy hat-ness.


...intrigued?

It started off when I got a vostroyan off ebay and was maessing around with some colours to see what would look good, when I had my usual yearning to cut his head off, which I just about staved off in exchange for his hat.

Well basically I spent about a year sawing it off and replacing it with a valhallan ushanka.

Firstly do you think the combo works? And secondly do you like the current rough outline of colours, with a green coat and the usual fawn trims? I'm open to suggestion here, still at a very early stage, (unlike most of my posts.)

i think the combo totally works! vostroyans are only one small more good looking step away from valhallans anyway... so for more ornate troops this is a good idea!

as for the paintscheme... cant really tell as the roughness is dirsturbing for me... but...stick to your basic scheme and you are good! my five cents

HERESY! Thou shalt not disfigure holy Vostroyans!

I think he looks great, though you'll have to try hard to tie him in since the style is so different. Looking forward to seeing progress!

Hot dayum! Those Minotaur thingies look uh-maze-ing!

He looks cool, I see him as an outsider who was payed to train some Valhallans and after the war he stayed with them, and is becoming a part of them

The combo is balanced and fair! along with the paint it is top notch, but do orange lenses. Trust me . i give it 10 pts to griffin-uhh Hersey!

@Vik - My thought exactly, thought he could count as a vet?

@ Rawson - Lol I apologise rawson! Truely! But I really love the vostroyan models but cant justify a whole new guard army.

@ Elnibbus - Why thank you!

@Rogue wolves - I really like that Idea, I'm thinking of using them as vets, maybe as the remnant of some crazy battle.

@ Comrade - Lol thanks! I would go with orange but unfortunately It doesn't fit with anything else, I do love your orange visors though!

So I've painted my Vet up, think he looks good! Tempted to do a whole unit?? He looks like a more ornate valhallan, even if his coat is a bit short

Man, that vet looks great, J-paint! I really like the way his power sword came out. I'm all for you putting forth the time and effort to make a squad of vets. I'll hold up my end and ogle them from afar.

Love it man

He looks like a more ornate valhallan, even if his coat is a bit short

he looks definatly superb!!! and as for the short skirt well... i think with great coats you get really slow and inflexible so vets... being the survivors of many battles should have a peak on their side.... if that peak comes in the form of a short skirt so be it

and by the way... cool looking energy effects!!!

Superb work on the Vet dude! I've got to confess that I've done nothing this weekend :(

Well the green looks good, and the dude looks very good, doing a squad to be a center piece would always be good.

Very cool JP... love the green and the work on the coat. Wow.

@Moltar - Thanks, the power sword was a nightmare to do, but I think it was worth it, You'll be pleases to hear I am doing a full squad...just slowly, Work is dragging me down and doesn't look liek abating before christmas. =s

@ Spicey Badger - Thanks!

@ Vik - Ooh, more maneuverability in shorter coats, I like that idea alot! Thansk Vik, full of good ideas.

@Elnibbus - As but now you have! Your tank is looking awesome!

@Comrade - Lol you do make me laugh comrade, I think I will be doing a whole squad. =o

@Gits - Cheers Gits, trying out a slightly darker green, think it looks more army-like.

So like I said to Moltar I havn't got much to show lately due to Uni work, but here are a few bits and bobs for you:






And as a little clue as to what I'll be doing next! (I'm very sorry Rawson!)


Plus I've been fiddling with some of my older valhallans that I wasn't very keen on, This first guy I think I might have to tweak even more as his hat looks wrong, (I fear I rushed it.) Also the cigar is annoying me as it gets wider as it goes in his mouth due to the superglue....I fear I'm becoming one of those obsessive hobbyists.

Before:


Second fiddle was just because I didn't like his face so I've just tried to make the eyes look less cartoony and make his flesh toens more realistic:
Second (very minor tweak):

The third fiddle I couldn't get the face looking right so I took drastic action and ripped his head off and replaced it with one of the masks I'm keen on at the moment:

God damn those are good minis J-Paint!

 J-paint wrote:

And as a little clue as to what I'll be doing next! (I'm very sorry Rawson!)

You monster!

Just to play with your feelings, Rawson: I've got a lot of vostrian fur hat chunks in my junk box too. And I had quite a lot of fun to sloooowly saw them off...

Ugggh i know the feeling of too much uni


The new additions are looking very cool!

 Baiyuan wrote:
Just to play with your feelings, Rawson: I've got a lot of vostrian fur hat chunks in my junk box too. And I had quite a lot of fun to sloooowly saw them off...

The Guantanamo Bits Box

Very nice work. I love those Valhallans.

So many chopped heads

dude I LOVE the look of the sanguinary guard mask, I mean LOOOOVE IT!

very very very cool stuff here! I'm loving all the models and the conversions, keep it up!

 Rawson wrote:

 Baiyuan wrote:
Just to play with your feelings, Rawson: I've got a lot of vostrian fur hat chunks in my junk box too. And I had quite a lot of fun to sloooowly saw them off...

The Guantanamo Bits Box

LOOOOOL

Dear J-paint (OP right?)

I've spent the last 2 hours oogling over your work... i'm currently trying to do an Ad-mech/Void Dragon force, but i am really new at this kind of thing... its a whole different playing field i've stepped on..

I was wondering if you could help me, give me a nudge in the right direction. I just wanted to make a small inquiry as to where you obtained/how you made the coils/cabling that are on your models... e.g. on the2nd page of this thread.... where you have the pic of ur skitarri... from the back:

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/1/29/322951_sm-.jpg

AND:

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/1/29/322990_sm-.jpg

how do you manage to create the coils/cables that are present in those two pictures? As with all ad-mech forces, these cables are essential... So, can you kindly help me on the first stepping stone PLEASE?!
I'd be so so appeciative if you could help me out!

Many thanks in advance!

@Neonfunk - Of course I can help! thats exactly why I post stuff on here so other people can borrow ideas!

For the first example, it really is very simple, first of all I take a paperclip and cut off all the plastic coating and unbend it, then I trim it to roughly the right length (the problem here can be removing the kinks in the paperclip smoothly, but usually you'll find that you'll only need to 'undo' one bend to get the size you need.)

Then I drill a hole wherever the wire will be coming out of and glue the wire in place then bend till the shape looks good (sometimes it is easier to bend before you glue, it depends really!)

Once you have the first wire in place it can be a nightmare to keep using paperclips for the others because lets face it, they aren't the easiest stuff to use. This is why after the first paperclip wire I do the rest in greenstuff, the good thing about this is that the metal wire usually gives enough structural support for the other greenstuff wires to be draped off or wound round.

When it comes to green-stuffing cables it couldn't be simpler, mix up your greenstuff and on a surface (I use a wet surface, but I'm not sure if its the best way, experiment!) but yes...on a surface I roll out a long thin sausage of greenstuff, i then leave it for maybe 5-10 minutes to let it harden slightly so it doesn't instantly get fingerprints in it. I then take this sausage and drape it over the metal wire and using a tool or a knife or something sharp to chop off the ends where you want them, sometimes it sticks by itself, other times you may need a small bit of glue to keep it in place.

As for the second guy he is fairly simple and none of it is due to my skill at all, the long wire from the servo skull comes like that from the Imperial guard sprue, look on some bitz sites to see if you can't find one, and the wire in his mouth is the mouthtube from a DKOK! (Not a route I would go don't jsut to steal their wires!) If your looknig for that sort of wire I would go for the old favourite of guitar wire, even if it is a bit difficult to use.

Anyway I hope to see your Ad Mech stuff on here in the future! If any of that didn't make sense I can make you a quick picture tutorial?


As for the rest of you fine fellows thanks for your comments, I will reply properly when I next update which wont be long now! I Have a finished SW I need to photograph.

And here i was, expecting something worth while to read/oogle over, and no, Jpaint does a tut. How informational, such useful notes there. You failed me Jpaint, there was none of your beautiful work there, well done. *cracks whip* back to work!

@Elnibbus - Thank you!

@Rawson -

@Vit- thanks man, yeah uni is sucking up all my hobby time, very depressing.

@ Valhalla130 - thank you! I approve of your name!

@Rogue wolves - The masks are definately becoming one of my favourite ideas, going to see if I can add one to an old metal valhallan to give them some variety....will be difficult..

@Sageheart - Thank you and welcome!

@Comrade - LOL I do apologise comrade, here, Have this space wolf as an apology!

Those of you who have read prospero burns may see what I tried to do with his eyes....not sure if it worked really.... By the way does anyone else think he looks a bit like Nigel thornberry? (a slightly childish reference I realise.)

SMASHING RESULTS! i really like it. And all the Nigel thorn-berry it has.

he´s looking truly massive... in any positive sense of the word!

and the piercing eyes... very cool!

@Comrade - Thank you! Smashing, lol!

@Vik - Thanks, big is best.

Sorry for no updates for a while all, been busy with uni still, essays coming out of my ears.

Right so I did get round to doing another of my vets and decided I really liked the look of the shorter trench coat and ushanka and decided to mess about with some cadians to see if I couldn't make some plastic versions, as you can see it went OK, but my greenstuffing isn't perfect so I've been practicing.

Also I have thrown in a picture of a random feral guardsman I made whilst doing this, no story there, just fancied it!

Comments as always very welcome, I'm thinking of doing a whole unit of these plastic fellows, not sure what they are really, they are cadian/vostroyan/valhallan hybrids. I might come up with some fluff for them If I get inspired, any suggestions here are very welcome, you guys are very creative when it comes to that sort of thing!

PICTURES!
Second vet:



The new guardsmen concept needing fluff!





And second attempt at shorter coat, Think its an improvement, need to practice more, the put together guy above still looks too obviously made of greenstuff, not sharp enough edges.


Random Feral guy:

That vet's gun needs a bit of viagra...

I was thinking the same thing. lol

i like the new concept quite a bit!

drooooooop. Indeed it does, I will work on straightening him out..... ......

Don't let it get you down.

Heh... see what I did there?

Bravo bravo.

Edit: and also I missed your comment comrade, thank you! You don't think it looks too poorly executed? (Thats my main concern at the moment.)

I don't think so at all. i wish I had the skill you display so i could make more Valhallans. I'm pretty content to paint what they've put before me, though. I'm not that imaginative.

No the sculpting and everything is well done

I love the way this looks alot, but I fully understand your concerns, by what I can tell in the photo if you can get the front edges as refined as the back ones you should be set (although I personaly would be ok with it how it is)

These models are very well painted! I enjoyed going through your thread!

Looks great apart from the obvious lasgun erectile dysfunction! these things happen with the stress of war! :-) and anyway didn't the Germans invent a 'round the corner gun' that had a bent barrel but a short lifespan? could be a successor!

I like your Greenstuff work too! that first guy looks excellent! you're being too harsh on yourself for sure! once you caress the paint onto him it'll be just as amazing as your others!

@Valhalla - Thank you Valhalla, not sure its so much skill as an obsession with this damn theme, don't seem to be able to get past the ushankas, the original idea was just cadians with trench coats, but the hat sort of just happened.

@Comrade -

@Rogue wolves - I'm glad you see what I mean, I showed bubble and she just looked at me blankly. I think the new one is a bit sharper.

@dominiquekee - What an awesome username! And also thank you for commenting, always good to know its not got too long to be daunting to click.

@Nerdfest - Lol! it would be a fairly poor successor...in fact I cant think of a single scenario where a gun that was bent down would be useful, its what knees were designed for.

I will get on painting mr greenstuff today, see how it looks.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Good evening dakka, for you tonight I have 1 finished guardsman fresh off the painting table. I'm fairly happy with how he came out apart from his face and I don't think it was my fault! I didn't notice during the grey plastic assembly stage, but the head I used from the cadian command squad has 1 tooth! Has anyone else used this head or have I just painted it wrong?

Anyway, I give you (slightly unoriginally) Peggy:



I went too far with the weathering, and it doesn't help that white and silver are so similar but on this you can see a VERY worn away 171 unit number.

went too far with the weathering, and it doesn't help that white and silver are so similar but on this you can see a VERY worn away 171 unit number.

not likley... it´s looking very good... the faded number is looking like a lot of work to get there... and the carpaced new look is very good... and i wouldn´t be too self criticising with non sharp GS edges.... your painting will solve that... we all know that for sure... as your painting is always putting a sharp edge on your models

I enjoy the scratches on your color armor, and a lovely model over all

Hello dakka, progress is still very sluggish at the moment which i am not happy about, but hopefully I'll get more time over Christmas for hobbying. In the mean time I keep doing bits and bobs when I get a chance, I have now finished two more new plastic guard who are ready for undercoating.

The sniper is the crow from before but modified to fit my new fellow. (doing the trenchcoat on the kneeling legs is actually pretty hard to look get looking OK as you can see in the second pic, in fact, due to the perspective in the second one he looks like a standing up squat!)



I also have another trooper of the 171th (no idea what, 171st squad? regiment? Not very big on army organisation fluff.) He has his helmet on over the top of his ushanka, wanted to see if it looked ok, think its ok, hard to tell without paint though.

the mask on the sniper does nieed some paint on it for final judgement atm it rather surprises me/makes me feel slightly akward about it... but i am patient

the soldier with the cap under the helmet... interesting concept... as you said... both need the odd lick of paint to determin win or not...tho...seeing your works...i have little doubt

Sniper might look god with a bionic protuding from the eye socket of the skull like a cool night vision apparatus or something?

Cool stuff

@Thanks vik, yeah I will see what they look like painted before I cast them down just yet.

@nerdfest - ooh! that is a good idea, I like that. I will have a root around see If I have a suitable lens somewhere.
@ Bigg boss grimbad - Why thank you!

Glad i can be of assistance! :-) have you found one yet?...... how about now?

nono i'm afraid not...

...still no I'm afraid

...but Now? ... Yes I have! It looks pretty good for 4 seconds work, I added a greenstuff wire too, so got to wait for that to cure now.

Will put up a pic if you likeys?

I love the rugged feel of your models. Beautiful conversions!

the mask is interesting and the fuzzy helmet is win. Lets see paint for final judgement.

Ummm, J, do you really need to ask if we want a pic?.... like, seriously dude! ....... c'mon where is it already?



...... waiting.......

..still no pic :-)

@Thegunslinger - Thanks man, rugged is definitely what I'm going for so that's great.

@comrade - Lol 'fuzzy helmet' hopefulyl it will live up to expectations

@nerdfest - Lol, alright alright, was just building tension
Unfortunately I've already primed it so its a bit hard to make out:


And whilst I had the green stuff out I made my feral guy so he can be part of the unit: he needs bits and bobs to hide the join on his side and to bulk him out.

that bionic eye sure made the masked look win the day! looks very good now!...

i am not that fond atm of that SW head on the new fella tho... looks way too big for my taste...sorry if this comes along too unfriendly... but is meant in the best way...

Not at all vik! Dont you worry! You have given far too many lovely praises of my stuff in the past, your long overdue a frank comment!

I do see what you mean, I'm hoping paint will shrink it slightly (not literally!) but even if not I don't mind, I'll just rip it off and replace it, then stick the painted head on a spike and turn it into scenery...that will teach it for not being the right proportions.

well... if it werent for the size... then the freal look of that head would be a good choice... maybe a paintjob can compensate a bit... with enough shadows and stuff it might just work... everything has to be tested first


and... i am not frank... i am a "mathias"

I agree, lots of shading will be needed! And lol, here...

frank 1 (frngk)
adj. frank·er, frank·est
1. Open and sincere in expression; straightforward: made several frank remarks about the quality of their work.

I would change the original post to 'you are due a Mathias comment' but if it caught on I would feel bad, everyone associating you with criticizing.

hurhurhur... can i then get my image in a dictionary just like homer got?

It is now a thing. Congratulations.

oh my... °.°


i am rather proud now!!! i knew i would get my shot at immortality one day

Hmm...guy got a big head? no worries. Give him a giant hat to compensate.

 cormadepanda wrote:
Hmm...guy got a big head? no worries. Give him a giant hat to compensate.

Yes a giant hat!

or perhaps seriously, removing the mohawk could make him appear more in scale? or even trimming it down so it's nearly 'stubble'?

A great big christmas hat you say?......welll I don't know....I suppose I could......you insist you say? You want a whole new christmas themed model you say?


...I think you may be on to something guys, a christmas themed figure it is.

yay! santa valhalla!

YES! Christmas themed model is a must, it shall lead us Dakkaites into the festive season nicely! and perhaps a 'Festy festive' nurgle claus could work too? I accidentally made a christmas themed model years ago! made a terminator Santa when attempting a chapter master

Lol I love that nerd, even better that it was an accident!

I have already had a stroke of inspiration for this! I'm afraid when it comes to novelty models like this there really is only one race for the job, ORKS! In particular these guys:



My plan is as such: The herder will make a brilliant really grumpy santa claus, (think santa hat and sack of prezzies, all the normal stuff)

And the gretchin ..... christmas elves!

I have ordered them from GW and GW are really top notch for their deliveries so I expect them very soon.

Any ideas you have here I would love to hear, like which ones could hold what etc. Go crazy.

Well the easiest part is the handlers squig arm shall hold his sack!....... (of pressies you filthy brutes!)

and I can see little mister double pistols holding 2 christmas crackers (bon bons)

guy top far right needs a candy cane held above his head in some kind of sweet tooth gladiatorial pose!


... I'll keep thinking :-)

Ah yes, I like those ideas, candycanes may well feature heavily. The problem with alot of the others is they are one piece and firing guns, the whole pose doesn't lend itself well to much else.

There's only one thing in 40k funnier thank orks... Grotz!

I am so looking forward to this!

that sounds like an epic task... and if you are working on the elves/grotz... you have to make a fitting dio.... at least a sleigh with some weird looking squiggs for reindeers...

...oh vik how I wish you had not said that. The mental image I have now will never be realised, and its such a shame.

Not only will there be a sleigh, there will be jet engines on the side in true ork style......

and as you say, it will need squigs with reindeer horns.

This is going to be the most fun project I've done in ages.

well... plead guilty with all due pleasure

and i knew it... you are the guy that has to be pushed over his broders

 J-paint wrote:
Lol I love that nerd, even better that it was an accident!

I have already had a stroke of inspiration for this! I'm afraid when it comes to novelty models like this there really is only one race for the job, ORKS! In particular these guys:

Any ideas you have here I would love to hear, like which ones could hold what etc. Go crazy.

Are you kidding me? We all know Papa Nurgle is the original Santa Claus....

i seem to be late to the show..

@Vik - Damnnn youuu

@Meade - A very fine point, it would work just as well with nurglings for elves!

@comrade - Not at all, here, your jsut in time for the start of the actual modeling.

So here is the rough plan guys: sleigh will be being pulled by 5 squigs, the one at the front will be on his own and will be the one from the gretchin handler set, he will have a massive jet engine on his back that will be propelling him along, (he may also have a big red nose ) This guy will be connected to the sleigh by two reins made of plasticard that will hold him up in the air.

The other four squigs however weren't lucky enough to get jet engines so they are just being dragged along, they will be dangling from the reins with their legs flying out everywhere.

Anyway, thats the context, here is the start of the four dangling squigs: The two with holes in their faces will have their mouths open btw!

now that´s a cool start! i am taking notes by the way... one of these days i wanna make some squiggs for my own dirty needs

 Viktor von Domm wrote:
... one of these days i wanna make some squiggs for my own dirty needs

Most people have a girlfriend Vik

well i am even married if thats enough for you

and i do own a small force of grotz that could do nicley with some odd job squiggs...

The helmet over hat look is great, and LOL I just randomly bought that grot box too, though mine was more random, looking foward to grumpy santa!

Then my timing is better than ever. Good start Jpaint, Santa should be a warboss, with a big sack of shootas and sluggas and choppas.

Awesome idear, and a nice way to get yourself some squigs!

@Vik - ah yes, will keep an eye out for these grotz!

@Rogue wolves - Ah cool! will race you to see who can finish theirs first =p

@Comrade - lol! a nice idea!

@big boss grimbad - thank you! they are actually really fun to make, don't need to worry too much about weird expressions because thats what your aiming for!

Progress! I'm pretty pleased with these guys so far, still not finished, thinking of giving them bits of fur and reindeer antlers: what do you think?

40k grimdark at it's finest.

Those squigs. Those feels. I can't even handle it.....

But also, dem teeth.

Keep up the great work J!

good start J

 J-paint wrote:


Progress! I'm pretty pleased with these guys so far, still not finished, thinking of giving them bits of fur and reindeer antlers: what do you think?

I think you should do those cheesy headband antlers like you can get for dogs. Now that would be hilarious!

 Rawson wrote:
I think you should do those cheesy headband antlers like you can get for dogs. Now that would be hilarious!

Seconded!

Agreed! I will get on that when I get back from uni.

If anyone can find a good source pic in the interim that would be great!

just look around town for examples.

Yup thanks comrade, I found some stuff, and had a bash, it looks ok, not quite as good as I hoped but it will do, hopefully the next ones will look better. (he will also have the headband bit attached, jsut waiting for these to cure first:


I also have started work on the sleigh! (bit annoyed my GW stuff hasn't come yet, but nm, what can you do!






On a more boring note I have the helmet-hat guardsman finished up.....to be honest I'm not feeling these cadian conversions, they are alot of effort and just dont look anywhere near as good as the valhallans in my opinion. So i might ditch them and see if i cant get some more valhallans.

Love that sleigh...

That sleigh looks great, j-paint! What bitz is is made of apart from the plasticard?

That sleigh is awesome.

@gits - thank you kindly

@Merlin - unfortunately I have never had any orks so had no bitz waiting for this project so had to buy them off of bitzbox, The front and sides are the sides of the fantasy orc boar chariot, the engine on the back is from the SM landspeeder and the two engine/mechanical bits in front are from burnaboyz i think. nothing too complicated and only set me back about £8 in total.

@valhalla - thank you! when are we going to see some of your stuff on here valhalla? with your name I'm very hopeful indeed.

That sleigh is coming along nicely J! you've got the right feel straight away :-) and your converted guardsman is fine as is, only thing i can think of for next time is perhaps he needs some fur around the bottom edge of his coat as well to match his fetching helmet?

 J-paint wrote:
@valhalla - thank you! when are we going to see some of your stuff on here valhalla? with your name I'm very hopeful indeed.

I am seriously thinking about relocating my P&M blog here, but I don't know if I want to just repost my old pics or redo them all. Plus, my output is so slow I wouldn't be able to update it often.

EDIT: I was not aware GW was making a Northern Wastes Basing Kit, with mini icicles (growing up from the ground?) slate, snow and a frosted sheet. Expensive, but neat. I had gone to the local store to get the new texture paint and drybrush for snow bases on my Valhallans (I'm going to rebase them all) and when I saw this I thought it might give me some neat stuff for a few special models. I can't wait to see how it looks. I am curious what the frosted sheet is for though... icy ground?

mate, so impressed by your guardsmen. love the palette and the faces/eyes are really well done.

All right, I pulled the trigger on it...

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/492068.page#5032835

Wow its been far too long since i've commented here For some reason i was just lurking, don't ask me why.

The Farvork Krismus is fething win, bloody hilarious, and you haven't even finished yet. That sleigh in particular is just amazing.

I do have to say i'm very fond of your cadian conversions, they look super cool and do a great job of getting rid of the standard boring Cadian look. Perhaps you could use them as Conscripts instead?

@nerdfest - Thanks man! The fur coat is a good idea and i strongly considered it for a while, but was concerned I would end up with more of an eskimo look than a guardsman! (i will give it a go though, see how it looks.)

@Valhalla - Your thread is awesome, and its only just started! The northern basing kit is very interesting, I was a bit put off by the price but I will keep an eye on your blog and see if its anygood, particularly the frosted sheets.

@San - unfortunately your guardsmen are putting them to shame, so smooth!

@Vit - Vit you have been sorely missed! Lurking is a very bad habit! I keep checking back with your thread but has been a lack of hobby goodness there lately, we need an update! The cadians as conscripts is a good idea actually, hadn't thought of that.....hmmmmm, I might be swayed to make some more then. Farvork Krismus has officially been stolen now!

Im sorry I've just been swamped with uni at the moment. I took the day off today to do Christmas-y things like making mince pies and listening to carols, but tomorrow its straight back to writing reports and doing complex computation

Im on an inquisition tip now, but im in the process of building terrain, so i should have something to show soon hopefully.

Well i suppose you can be excused for mince pies! I look forwards to it (the models, not the mince pies.)

I always look forward to the mince pies! .... and then the models..... mmmmmm mince pies.......

How comes nerd gets one of your mince pies Vit, this is favouritism!

Ummm, hello? i'm kinda cool and people often give me mince pies! ..... o.k maybe they throw them at me but it's still giving right?

Here you go, freshly made an hour ago

nom nom nom, ty.

No. We shall have no mince pies, they're boggin'. Just saying xxx

Quiet bubble! Mince pies with brandy cream are amazing! *gaaaaarrrggg*

Awesome work on the squigs dude! Would like to do something Christmassy, perhaps a drunk guardsman asleep in his own vomit? That seems to be a particularly christmassy thing to do these days...

the squiggs are really fun looking and a great artistic work...

same goes to the sleigh... very good looking and i think those three engines are exactly the right amount... two would only look lame!...

as for the guardsman... if you ditched the aquilla on the helmet i think it would have been better... but i still see this conversion as a success! don´t short sell your work mate here!

Well.

Great and all that J-paint.

Sooo.. Where is those Mechanicum you promised an age ago?

I have been waiting. Patiently.

But I do like the squigs, the added hillarity suits them indeed.

umm...yes....about that STC.....it...welll...hmmmmm...

would basing all the existing guys and finishing the two other skitarii count?

that sleigh is awesome! also helmet hat speaks for itself, well done. Agreed your other dudes look much cooler.

Homemade squigs and i thought this blog couldn't get any better