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The can of Army Painter Crystal Blue arrived today so I sprayed up a model to test it out. It looks very blue at first, maybe even too light but I press on and finish another test model:



And while the blue looks bright straight out of the can, once washed with Drakenhof Nightshade, it dulls the colour down quite nicely (apart from the bits I missed!) and overall, I think it looks OK. Still not sure about whether to go with the dark or the light blue look myself. The dark looks a bit too dark, I think whilst the light blue provides quite a nice contrast with the yellow and gold detail. Some comparison shots between the two in the same daylight:





I think I prefer the lighter of the two blues overall even if it perhaps isn't the correct colour canonically speaking, it just looks better to my eyes.

I think the lighter blue looks better, the darker one just isn't right for TSons.

Are we going to see your epic minis appear in this blog for painting as well?

 GiraffeX wrote:
I think the lighter blue looks better, the darker one just isn't right for TSons.

Are we going to see your epic minis appear in this blog for painting as well?

Yes I am inclined to agree I think.

I will probably have some Epic stuff in here - I recently (as in the last 6 months anyway!) painted up a whole bunch of Chaos legions so I should take some pics of those I suppose.

Very fond of the darker TS look. I've been washing Enchanted Blue with the old Badab Black for a while.

Slow going recently - I have been away for work to various places around the country and haven't had much time or inclination to work on this when I have been at home. So far, I have managed a small half squad.



But I have the bones of the process down now so hopefully it should be easier and quicker to start cranking these out.

I also got around to finishing the Lord of Change. I bought it from Ebay some time ago, already painted. It was in relatively good condition; I just bought a new resin base for it and re-based it, touched up the paintjob here and there as well as adding the verdigris effect to the brass helmet, staff top and rings using some of the Citadel Nihilakh Oxide wash which is very easy to do. I figured the paintjob was already more than acceptable for me so no real need to reinvent the wheel and re-do it all, just pretty up what was already there and touch up where it was flaking or chipped.

Wow, just goes to show how often I update this thread - it is perhaps not as effective as a motivational tool as I thought it would be!

Anyway, some background - I recently had a bit of a purge at the end of last year - I just got too frustrated and dispirited seeing the huge grey plastic mountain awaiting my attention so my plan was to divest myself of pretty much all my 40K stuff and focus on a couple of key armies that I would be enthused for - namely for Thousand Sons, which still await my attention. Sadly, like the hobby butterfly I am, I got intrigued by Mechanicum and ended up getting ~2500 points of those and 30K stuff, ending up with ~3000 points of that. I took some time to decide what legion to paint and ended up settling for Imperial Fists - and hopefully the Dorn model will arrive at some point as he is part of my list - although Alexis Polux is deputising for the time being.

So my painting criteria are for schemes that are a) easily replicable b) look semi decent and above all c) are quick to achieve. I found a decent Imp Fists yellow tutorial here:

http://jesterpaintingstudio.weebly.com/blog/citadel-shades-and-glazes-and-a-way-to-paint-space-marines-quick

And after a couple of test minis, I ended up with some results that I am happy with. Am I going to win awards? Absolutely not. Does it allow me to potentially get an army on the table some time this decade at my glacial painting rate? Yes, it does. For me, speed is king - if it takes too long to paint, I will quickly get bored, disinterested and then that's another half-finished army languishing. Like many gamers, I love the idea of fully painted armies on a lavish tabletop but reality rarely exceeds the dream and with two kids and two dogs taking up my spare time, quite frankly, what the end result looks like pales in comparison into how long it takes to do it! Anyway, that's the justification out of the way - some pictures:

A contemptor - quite happy with the way this turned out as it was my first use of weathering powders - I used some Humbrol Powders I got hold of - Smoke and Dark Earth:



The weathering powders were surprisingly easy to work with - not show how well they show in the photo but there you go:





Next up, my special weapons squad - yes, I know all the weapons should match but I like the old school missile launcher. In game, they will all be counts-as plasma guns or something:





On the work bench - a 'regular' squad + Alexis himself:



And this is what remains on the shelf of shame as far as the Imperial Fists are concerned:





So a fair bit to plough through but I am going to have a good bash at it this year.

A startling burst of enthusiasm it has to be said - I have learnt from past experience to ride the crest of the wave for as long as possible and get as much done whilst I still can before inevitable ennui sets in!

Managed to get Alexis Polux done today. Really happy with the way it turned out - my crappy photography notwithstanding; all I have to hand is an iPad camera - and the model was fun, quick and simple to paint.

The Fists are looking good, the yellow looks really nice.

 GiraffeX wrote:
The Fists are looking good, the yellow looks really nice.

Much appreciated. I was pleasantly surprised myself how quick and easy the scheme is and the results look decent enough for my standards. I aim to get this whole army finished within a few months (and believe me, for me, that is light-speed!)

Here is what is currently going on - I have the other half of a regular tactical squad up and just for giggles, I decided to paint Sigismund too. He isn't actually part of my list but still, I figured I might as well give him a go. Working on his scenic base first.



The aim for this is for muted colours and heavily dirty/weathered. Next step is to apply the rust drybrush then hit it up with some of the weathering powders. Then onto Sigismund himself.



Here are the initial stages of the method - a white primer followed by the Nuln Oil wash - awaiting white drybrush now. I am away for work on Monday and staying overnight on a hotel so they may see some work then!

Finally, I gave in and bought a camera app for my iPhone that allows better quality and more tweakable options using the standard iPhone camera. Put some models in the lightbox and was quite pleased with the results.





Should have drilled the barrels on the Contemptor though!

Was away for work for a couple of days at the start of this week and while it is a bit irritating being away from my kids and home, staying in a hotel overnight does mean I can usually get some painting done. Finished up the second half of the squad that was on the bench so I finally have a complete, finished tactical squad - just two more to go!

Also finished Sigismund. Quite happy with the results - I used the weathering powders and the GW rust paint on the scenic bases. I like the weathering effect, to the extent that I am considering going over the Marines once they are all finished and lightly weathering their armour a little as well.

One thing that annoyed me about Sigismund is the sword. I spent ages with hot water and a hairdryer trying to straighten the sword and believe me, it was much more bendy and twisted when I started than it is in the photos now, but I still haven't managed to straighten it completely. Still, c'est la vie, I can live with it I guess.







Up on the to-do list for today and the next couple of days, is an attempt to apply my colour scheme to a jetbike. If this works successfully, then I can be reasonably confident that I can apply it to all the vehicles.

Cool, plog you've improved since you started with the BA.

The 30k IF look really cool. Nice job.

EDC

Progress to day with the jetbike. Here it is with block colours done, awaiting washes and weathering:



And after weathering:





If anything, I probably weathered them a little too much but I am happy enough with the results.

Next up, some Cataphractii terminators - the rest of the jetbikes can wait!

Finished the Cataphractii Terminator squad - I resisted the urge to go into too much fine detail on them. They could look way more prettier than they do but the aim is to get a completed army on the table, not get bogged down in spending too much time per unit. Eyes on the prize!





Starting on this today - a Scorpius pattern Whirlwind.

Some slight progress today - initial wash and glaze done on Whirlwind. It is a bit harder using the same technique on vehicles as I do with infantry sized models as the vehicles have larger surface area and more flat areas. With the Cassandora Yellow, you need to be careful not to let it pool (as it goes orangey) or let it streak too much as it gives a crappy finish. It is a bit harder to do this with vehicles, or rather, infantry models are a bit more forgiving at any rate. Still, it turned out OK-ish, I am happy enough.



Plan for this Whirlwind is to really go to town with the weathering - I want to give it quite a exhaust-grimy, grubby, dirty look so will hit it with the weathering powders once the colours are done.

I am away for work for a couple of days later this week so have prepped a Tartaros terminator squad to go with me to the hotel so I can continue progress. Hopefully, the Whirlwind will be finished before then

Finished the Whirlwind (well, apart from a blob of gem paint that needs to go on a sensor). Again, fairly happy with how it turned out. As promised, I went to town with the weathering powder and frankly, made a bit of a mess in my study where I do my painting - the damn stuff goes everywhere. I might do the next tank weathering in the garage where I do my spray painting in future.

Some quick and dirty pics I took:





If anything, maybe it's a bit too weathered? Can you have such a thing!?

Anyway, on to the Tartaros terminators next that I prepped earlier in the week. Should have them done by the end of the week.

A quick pic just to prove I have been progressing, honest! Just been a little stymied by the delay in getting some more varnish spray.

Finished the Tartaros:



Onto another tactical squad now. I am away for work all next week so taking them with me. The downside is being away from home but I can't deny that it does offer some golden hobby time!

On another note, I also ordered my birthday present/annual bonus present which is a 2500 point Eldar army so I need to get a move on and finish the Fists.

Still to do:

Another tactical squad, another Contemptor, 5 more jetbikes, 2 Phobos Landraiders, a Deimos Vindicator and some rhinos. Oh and a Praetor as well.

A fair bit of work left. Not overwhelmingly so, but still. The vehicles in particular are a bit of a chore I find.

The models are looking fantastic, especially for such a quick pace! Keep it up!

Still going - and another quick update just to prove I am still alive and progressing!





That should be the bulk of the infantry done now (I may have another squad to do - I can't remember) so the only stuff that is really left to do are the vehicles - so 5 more jetbikes, another Contemptor, 2 rhinos, 2 LRs and a Vindicator, so still plenty to do.

They are looking very nice filbert

 GiraffeX wrote:
They are looking very nice filbert

Many thanks, much appreciated!

The goal is in sight now so I am slowly limping towards the finishing line. As of today, there are 6 more marines, 4 more jetbikes, 2 LRs, 2 Rhinos and a Vindicator to do.

Whilst I have been starting my Death Guard OPFOR, I have taken care not to neglect the Fists too!

Finished the second Contemptor today, Romuald:





I went to town with the mud weathering on his lower legs - I want to make him look like he has been stomping around and is all dusty.

Some progress made on another jetbike too:

Still inching along! Second jetbike is now finished. Weathering powder really does help cover a multitude of sins!







Some armour is up next - I am going to have a go at a Land Raider Proteus - bit daunted to be honest but I will give it a bash.

Looks solid. I'd paint a matching color on the bases before you use the crackle paint next time, so you don't get the different color where it comes up on the edges.

Very cool Imperial Fists. I love 'em. I especially like the yellow on your first jetbike. That's something else. I'm so going to steal that look. Pictures saved for future reference.

A little progress picture for today's efforts. A confession: I absolutely loathe painting tanks - for some reason I find they take ages, especially with the method I am using where the drybrush white stage seems to take forever. With the colour scheme I am using for Imperial Fists, you have to careful at the Cassandora Yellow stage not to let it pool or streak as it tends to look orange-y. This is even more difficult to control and pronounced on large flat surfaces like tank panels. On the plus side, any little mistakes can usually be hidden with weathering so it's not all bad.

Anyway, the time-consuming part, the drybrushing, is done so it is onto the yellowing.