Gitsplitta's Unified Painting Theory (3/18: Adepticon prep - gaslands cruiser)

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**Ramos Asura**

Wickeeeeeed! Thats an AWESOME conversion!

**War Kitten**

By the Emperor..... that conversion is so cool

**StarDrop**

awesome!

Can't wait to see the whole thing together!

**GiraffeX**

Some of the things you can find on ebay amaze me some times, so have you bid on them yet?

**Gitsplitta**

Ah.......... no. BUT... it's further proof that I'm not the only Mantis_Warrior player in the world. Though I might be the only one with taste...

**GiraffeX**

Gitsplitta wrote:
Ah.......... no. BUT... it's further proof that I'm not the only Mantis_Warrior player in the world. Though I might be the only one with taste...

**inmygravenimage**

That is pretty bonkers. I think you should own it for posterity.

**Bash the Bosh**

20 years ago, that sort of conversion would have graced the pages of White Dwarf. Funny how times change!

**Solar_lion**

They are interesting but the MW don't need any more heresy rumors.

Stay tuned I'm sure Git has some very cool ideas for his post Crusade MW army.

**Gitsplitta**

A little surprise... had the airbrush out so I thought I'd get some work done. There are two different base greens here (I was fiddling) but the actual color difference to the eye is much less between the two then appears here and they'll be fine together on the table. The LR is actually more yellow green in the highlights and the pred is darker than it looks here. Amazing how the harsh light of a flash can make things look really different. The land raider is a rescue project. Used to be painted (quite nicely) as a camo IG vehicle. Anyway, I'll be piddling away on both from time to time.

**War Kitten**

They both look quite good.

**inmygravenimage**

They look amazing! Now could you be convinced to put a seven on that raider? Just as a nod to the old old OLD white dwarf where there was a green lucky sevens IG raider

**Archer**

I really like the land raider. I forgot how big that old style raider is. Once upon a time I owned a pair of them. No idea where they ended up. Such a pity. You have done a fantastic job of bringing it into the Mantis Warriors fold.

**Gitsplitta**

I need help with some of the minutia of my Halloween/chaos list... powers, war gear, upgrades... stuff like that. If any of you know anything about chaos and could like to make helpful suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Here's a link to the thread. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/668181.page

**Gitsplitta**

If any of you who oringinally wanted me to do a contemptor dread haven't been following my Halloween army blog... I did finally finish it. It's not a mantis warrior pattern... but it's fun (and there's no reason I can't field it with my MWs).

**whalemusic360**

Normally I'd scoff at using it with a MW army, but you are playing some dirty heretics, so I guess it's to be expected.

**Stonelessword**

Holy crap. After like 3 weeks i have finally caught up on this.

**Matthew**

Hey, sorry for being late, but what will you do for the 500th page?

**Gitsplitta**

LOL Stonelessword.

@Matthew: It was supposed to be the contemptor... but that got requisitioned for my Halloween army. Looks like it'll be the predator and land raider. Not too bad a pair for page 500...

**War Kitten**

I love how the contemptor came out, kinda makes me want to pick one up for my Ultramarines.

**Gitsplitta**

Hey gang! Just wanted to post a note that there will be MW activity soon. Have an "old blood" tournament next weekend where we're playing 7th edition rules but using 5th edition FOCs. (i.e. only 1 basic FOC allowed).

I thought I'd do an old style mechanized infantry list, so I need to finish up painting the predator (it's only 1500 points so I don't think I can fit both land raiders in). Should be fun though... couple of las/plas razorbacks, vindi, pred & LR... LS typhoons as FA choices... that kind of stuff. Pretty sure I can get that all in. Won't be competitive in the least but since the theme of the day is retro I might as well play the part.

I've got a mass of skeletons to finish up for my Halloween army first, but they should paint up very quickly... so I hope to be able to start working on the pred by Sunday.

Finally, thanks to those of you who've been following my chaos/Halloween army blog, providing excellent support and ideas and those of you who actually voted for my entry. I won with a comfortable margin over some really amazing competition. Thank you.

**Nevelon**

Sounds like a fun list. And while it might not be hyper-competitive, it looks balanced. Mech lists always look good on the table as well, good on theme.

**Gitsplitta**

I can't believe it's been nearly 100 pages and over a year since my last P&M summary. Man I'm slipping. Well... without further adieu, lets get to it!

I built this gun servitor for graven's "repurposing" competition. Did well as I recall.

Got these astounding tech marines and servitors from Weety... good heavens that woman is talented!

Tweaked/painted my dalliance in Grey Knights... BLACKHAND's "Brotherhood of the Black Hand".

Worked on a couple of TFC's to go with Weety's brilliant tech marines.

Entered another competition (single, standard guardsman). Did well I think.

Went to Adepticon, hung with friends, had fun.

Got an awesome TH/SS Tiger Claw terminator from Ice Angel.

Got this amazing assault terminator from Cam.

Made a GMS marine.

Held another wildly successful Mantis Maker competition.

First Place: Dr H --- Prize: Infinity & non-GW figs

Dr H wrote:

Tasked with laying mines, the Mantis Warrior became aware of the sound of approaching footsteps. He waited, hidden by the foliage, until the enemy was within sight and then burst forth to eliminate the patrol before they could raise the alarm or trip one of his traps prematurely.

Many angles, should show all...

Notes relevant to the competition/modelling:
I tried to use parts for the model that were (or appeared to be) of older marks of armour/equipment. This was to keep with the aesthetic of Gitsplitta's Mantis Warriors and to represent the length of time that the Mantis Warriors have spent away from the Imperium on crusade. The "beaky" helmet, to me, represents speed due to the streamlined look. This then harks back to being successors of the White Scars (the only other marine I have with a beaky is a White Scar), who like the faster modes of transportation. Plenty of purity seals to show that he (and the MWs) are loyal to the Emperor. The studded shoulder pad, in the tranquility camouflage pattern, shows that this marine was a veteran of the Badab war and, while his armour has been repaired and refurbished, he has chosen to keep the pattern on that shoulder as a badge of honour.

His bolter has been modified into more of a rifle than an assault rifle, and he carries a suppressor, to show that he is well versed in sniping from a concealed vantage point. The "many" grenades and the meltabomb, and the mines are all to show that he is also proficient in sabotage. Both of these to emphasize the Guerrilla warfare preference of the MWs. Most of the metals (in particular the knife) are dulled to avoid detection. The pose, however, is to show that he can act when he needs to in a "sudden application of violence from concealment". Holding the knife to show that he can and will get stuck in as well as the occasional, subtle, stab in the back/slash of the throat.

This model just jumps out at me as hitting all the main elements nicely . The pose clearly shows violent intent. The basing is fantastic and clearly addressed the cover issue. Aside from that the model itself is very well built, cleanly painted with extra details here-and-there, not to mention of very nice job on the MW insignia. - Gits

Second Place: Camkierhi - Prize: Imperial Guard package

Camkierhi wrote:

Other shots spoilered to avoid boring you.

Spoiler:

Yet another model that just jumped off the page at me. The menacing elements of the chain-saw bunny ears... a-hem... I mean mantis-like arms above the head of the terminator. His exposed head showing a focused rage magnified by the finger pointing... he's got that "Your next me laddo!" look. The basing using the terminator time travel bubble effect to represent teleportation is what really elevated this figure into 2nd place. Great idea, very well executed. - Gits

Third Place: Littletower - Prize: Space Marine package

Littletower wrote:

Barely seen through the heavy mist, the Battle Brother moved upon his target swiftly and without noise. A brief opening in the fog, a demolition charge casually left behind, almost as if forgotten…
The blast went off even before the mist had fully closed behind him, and the wall was breached. The fight was over before the debris from that first explosion had finished falling to the ground, the enemy never getting over the utter surprise of the attack.

Maybe because of living in an arid climate, coming out of the mist for a swift attack before getting lost in the fog again quite embodies the idea of the "sudden application of violence from concealment". Surprise assaults, bombs and quick strikes come to mind regarding the guerrilla tactics of a depleted or isolated force.

I really enjoyed watching LT work his way through figuring out how to do the mist. This is the last figure that I felt hit every aspect very solidly, though many of the other entries came close. Nice, solid work on the figure, love the little bomb and the cinematic effects (laser sight and mist) really make the figure stand out. - Gits

Fourth Place: D'naru Thuos by Knightley - Prize: Eldar 1 package

Knightley wrote:

Tranquility sniper squad member D'naru Thuos. Ritually scarred as a follow on from the primogenitor chapter of the Whitescars, D'Naru has also reached high enough within his squad to go through first two trials of absolution, the aim being cleansed of their sins. Separated from his squad after a tight skirmish D'Naru found him self fighting alone to get back to the chapter, having gone through his bolter rounds he now has to rely on his bolt pistol, a scavenged knife and his wits. to survive.

Knightley hit on a bunch of details with his figure that I really like. The tranquility pattern armor brings the essence of MW camo with it, even though the base is simple. The drawn knife and bared teeth show a clear indication of the violent intent of the marine, and the ritual scarring is also reminiscent of the tribal nature of the chapter. An exquisite job on the face and the less then perfect state of the armor are just icing on the cake. - Gits

I want to comment that even in my own judges notes... 5a and 5b have switched places many times. They are both fantastic in their own way, but ultimately, I had to make a decision.

Fifth-a Place: Brother Mercutio by the shrouded lord - Prize: off-menu terminators

the shrouded lord wrote:
I've always been against the whole thing of space marines being shown in pretty, un-damaged armour, completely unaffected by battle. so, this guy has just appeared in the midst of a traitor PDF patrol, and pretty much exploded through them with chainsaws.
bhold, brother MERCUTIO!

Quite simply put... its the pure, unabashed violence and carnage depicted by this figure that flips my switch... more so than any other entry submitted this one revels in violent intent. Just love it. - Gits

Fifth-b Place: cormadepanda - Prize: Eldar 2 package

cormadepanda wrote:

"Like a Boss!!" as my children would say. Awesomely heroic viewpoint of a great figure. Pose and painting are excellent. I want this guy as my sergeant! - Gits

**War Kitten**

Looking forward to another year of Mantis Warriors goodness Gits.

**inmygravenimage**

Glorious my friend! Here's to the next 500 and the next million!

**Dr H**

Nice summary (and I'm not just saying that because one of my models is in there; woo, it's like winning all over again

), and that's just what you've done for this army, not all the others that you have.

**Knightley**

Its been an amazing ride so far, as always I am looking forward to what you produce next

**IceAngel**

I love the recaps Gits. It must feel great to have so many amazing projects to constantly share with everyone. It doesn't seem like another year has passed. Keep up the good works!

**Solar_lion**

Nice review.

**Gitsplitta**

Apoc... 90,000 + points.

Amazing terrain. One of these buildings is over 4' tall!

Tau gargantuan creature next to a riptide.

Astounding chaos warhound titan.

Tower of Tzeench.

Chaos Reaver.

Reaver detail (simply stunning).

Beginning of turn 1.

Knights in the van!

March of the Knights.

Titans protecting the tower.