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excellent watch tower! love it! might have to steal the idea when i start an ork army when i'm finished with my guardsmen. and one hell of a wicked job on the painting and scenery on that too!

the sniper is also pretty awesome =D

Great paintjob Yggs! You did really well with the sponge painting and the weathering in general (why am I not surprised?)

As I already mentioned it in another thread, you really have a talent to give each of your conversions a specific mood through your paintjob, and its something I really envy you.

Here we are, back to Radio Omid, the radio that - tries to - bring hope to that barren land!!!

For once we'll start right off with the song of the day : Paparoach, "Reckless". http://youtu.be/HcxNBJTWKoo

It has been stuck in my head for hours, so let it come out loud!!!!

Let's then review the small comments so far. First are the ideas for naming the watchtower...

Flinty wrote:Hows about "cowardly-sneaky-git-perch"?

Very nice work.

prototype_X wrote:da spottin platfrom (spelt wrong on perpuz)
or da veiwin place
or DA BIGGERERER INATA

Matt.Kingsley wrote:Da Vewin' Plase
or
Da Wachin'Tawa

Thank you guys, I think the one I like best is Matt's last one (and I didn't get DA BIGGERERER INATA btw, prototype_x), I think it's the most "striking"...

Or something along the lines of "Da Wutch'Tawa"...

Gitsplitta wrote:You're gettin' really good at those paint chips Yggs, and I love the verdegris. I keep wanting to put it on my son's Necrons but there are just so many of the bloody things I can't stomach the thought. The water drop symbols on the watch tower turned out really well. Very striking when compared with the rest.

Thanks Gits! It's pretty quick actually, as only a few lines there and there manage to make it stand out! Alternatively, you could try graven's technique!

inmygravenimage wrote:Great verdigris mate! Another way that's very quick is lightly drybrushing on the SH turq followed by bestial brown, then dwarf bronze and a final turq (@gits - it's a very very fast way of doing it, repainted a cryx army in a day that way).

Sorry, didn't mean to threadjack there Yggs, and I'm definitely going to try your way. Incidentally, you still need to pm me your address for =I= bits.

Hey, no worries, that's what we're here for, sharing modelling & painting techniques!

DarkStarSabre wrote:The verdegris is simply fantastic. Subtle, no OTT (as GW's tends to be) and well executed.

Thanks, I was afraid it might be too much in the end... Welcome on board, btw!!!

ComradePanda wrote:excellent watch tower! love it! might have to steal the idea when i start an ork army when i'm finished with my guardsmen. and one hell of a wicked job on the painting and scenery on that too!

the sniper is also pretty awesome =D

It's pretty much all I could do with a few bits I had from a friend's Battlewagon kit leftovers... Feel free to steal the concept though!!

Hyenajoe wrote:Great paintjob Yggs! You did really well with the sponge painting and the weathering in general (why am I not surprised?)

As I already mentioned it in another thread, you really have a talent to give each of your conversions a specific mood through your paintjob, and its something I really envy you.

Uh... I didn't know I had such a talent, but thanks for the praise... Sponge / blister weathering felt really easy, honestly!!!


As for the progress, here are the latest pics : everything done except for the FW Dark Sand pigments, which I've spread in large quantities all over the base & Grot feet to give a dusty, wind-blown look...


Don't ask me why, I had to paint the crosshairs in turquoise blue...


A better front view of Da Snipa (or should I say Dezeegnat'd Merksgrot?)


And a general view...

What struck me when I painted him, is that the verdigris turquoise makes a great contrasting colour to the rust orange... That's definitely a combination I'll keep in mind for future uses!!
I'll try and upload the last pics, with the dust pigments on, maybe tomorrow...
In the mean time, if there's anything you think I could have done better, feel free to tell me! I tried to keep the timecount pretty low for this one, so there are things that still lack definition (the Grot skin, for instance), but as I have no varnish here, I will be able to touch it up if it's worth it...

For now, there are a few things I want to do, but don't know where to start :
- a 8-strong CSM squad with MoK & bolters (I saw one unusual squad in the gallery one day, looked awesome! Btw, if anyone can find the pics, I'd be grateful!);
- some Achlysian Reaver Scouts;
- some Achlysian Reaver Power Armoured Marines;
- a special project for my sister;
- a Skaven slaves regiment...

Any preference?

Awesome grot!
I'd love to see your take on a Mok squad, if you wouldn't mind

Edit: spelling...

its da biigaer inata cause it makez im talla

What's "inata"? My ork language is a bit rusty...

inator as in zappinator etc

Love the grot. The rust, verdegris and pose are all fantastic.

And cheers for the welcome as well.

CSM, skaven or sister's project.

I think he turned out great. You did the crosshairs like that because in spite of yourself, you needed something approximating OSL on the figure... and you were just showing off! :-)

Cool song BTW...

Yggs, the grot looks great, man. I like the camo on his bandana. I think it turned out pretty sweet for how small of an area you had to begin with. I would vote your next project be the skaven slaves. I think they would give you a great oppurtunity to keep working on and apply the weathering and rust effects you're currently practicing. But whatever you choose, we'll be following it.

prime12357 wrote:Awesome grot!
I'd love to see your take on a Mok squad, if you wouldn't mind

prototype_X wrote:inator as in zappinator etc

Ok, got it!

DarkStarSabre wrote:Love the grot. The rust, verdegris and pose are all fantastic.

And cheers for the welcome as well.

Thanks, and de nada.

Gitsplitta wrote:CSM, skaven or sister's project.

I think he turned out great. You did the crosshairs like that because in spite of yourself, you needed something approximating OSL on the figure... and you were just showing off! :-)

Cool song BTW...

I think you nailed the OSL thing lol... I love that turquoise too much lol!!

As for the song, it's far from Paparoach's best ones, I just had it in my head... But it's a nice one sure!!

Moltar wrote:Yggs, the grot looks great, man. I like the camo on his bandana. I think it turned out pretty sweet for how small of an area you had to begin with. I would vote your next project be the skaven slaves. I think they would give you a great oppurtunity to keep working on and apply the weathering and rust effects you're currently practicing. But whatever you choose, we'll be following it.

Camo was your idea Moltar, I probably wouldn't have done it without you, thanks!! My biggest problem for now is I don't have any spray primer, and it's a terrible mess going through hand-undercoating... I might focus on building things until the spray arrives?

Anytime, Yggs! I don't blame you for not wanting to undercoat by hand, that's the worst. Especially, to do a whole squad or regiment. When are you expecting that spray? I would agree and just stick with building atm.

Erh... Since it hasn't even left France... Maybe at the end of June?

Oh wow, that's quite awhile. Undercoating one mini isn't too terrible, but for the most part I would just go with building. Of course, if you post just builds, we're all going to yell at you to paint them.

I would expect no less from the rabid Dakka hordes...

Are there any other sort of Dakka hordes?

Hey Yggsie,

Looking good, and cool concept!

For sponge chipping, mega useful, I love it myself... but I'll go you one better, liquid mask sponge chipping. Next time around, use sponged liquid mask over a scorched brown basecoat and then paint up the model as normal sans any furthering chipping. At the end, simply rub the surface lightly, and voila! Instant chipping that looks identical in pattern to regular sponge chipping...

BUT

the chips are now in physically accurate relief, they have actual raised edges around them, and look a lot more refined and genuine. It is subtle, but once you see it you can't help but notice it every time. Consider it advanced sponge chipping.

You can then go over the model again with a much paler, dustier chip color and do regular sponge chipping sparingly over the liquid mask, this creates a very realistic patina over the surface.

My next suggestion would have to do with your weather streaking, I would suggest alternating your colors away from all browns, throw in some beiges, oranges and reds, and the result is a lot more intricate. Make sure the washes are thing though, you don't want to obscure the work underneath either!

Lastly, you mention this will be your first time with pigment powders, make sure you put them on AFTER your sealer coat if you want a dusty effect, otherwise the sealer will make them muddier in texture. You can then use white spirits or even better, MIG pigment fixing fluid, to lock them down. simply dip a brush in the fluid, and then touch it to the pigments lightly, the pigments will just suck down the fluid on their own, and when it dries (which happens pretty quick) they will not rub off easily.

Good to see you at work again, always a pleasure to see your stuff!

Hey MT, do you have a link to something that explains this system with pics... I'm a bit fuzzy on the last step.

Which part gits? Locking the pigments?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This may be enlightening, and I cannot stress how much I recommend MIG F.A.Q dvds for pigments and airbrushing -


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The enlightening link lol -

http://ultrawerke.blogspot.com/2007/08/rust-painting-tutorial-with-pigments.html

The third step in the chipping process.

going over it again with a lighter color?



I did it here, you can see a lighter khaki beige and also an orangish brown done over the main charcoal chips. It is a bit messy here as I was experimenting, but it does create a more convincing, multi-tonal layering. One thing I note more and more as I study the masters is that they rarely ever shade up or down with linear colors... They always inject warm and cool elements, brightening a midtone with an avocado green instead of white, darkening with purple instead of black etc etc


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Note: This is not a liquid mask chip, it is just regular sponge cihpping. I have liquid mask chipped my StormRaven, which I will be putting up pics of sooner or later. Waiting for the oil washes to dry... takes forever lol.

It's the sponge chipping over the liquid mask that I'm a bit fuzzy on... you're referring to the darker red on top of the dark grey? (like around the bigger round thing on the right?) That looks darker to me though... or am I misinterpreting?

Ah ok,

What I meant was that after you remove the liquid mask and reveal your 'main' chips, you can go over and chip it again with a much subtler color, which depending where it sits could look like grime, or like shallower chips.

Likewise, you could add liquid mask chipping to every layer of paint you do, esp with AB, and then remove it all at once, that way, you will reveal a multitude of varied chip colors that again just add a sense that all the chips are different ages and from different kinds of wear and use -

Got it. Thanks MT.

Yggs - what I meant was

you said... Looks quite good to me, for a first trial... I think the shapes of the chips aren't that good, so if anyone has an advice to share, it'll be welcome!

What I was trying to say was I think you're looking for errors and ways to improve a little too hard and the chips etc look fine to me.

Major Tom - excellent link...bookmark. Thanks

Peter

Yggdrasil wrote:

Or something along the lines of "Da Wutch'Tawa"...

So was there no way outta there? And quite how confused is the grot exactly?

your work has inspired me! i have made one but not the walls on the tower its still very wipp though

Before we even begin, here's for today's radio program :

Ska-P, Insensibilidad. http://youtu.be/WWFWE2j4iVs

Play it in the background while reading my post, that should be cooler!!

DarkStarSabre wrote:Are there any other sort of Dakka hordes?

I guess not

MajorTom11 wrote:Hey Yggsie,

Looking good, and cool concept!

For sponge chipping, mega useful, I love it myself... but I'll go you one better, liquid mask sponge chipping. Next time around, use sponged liquid mask over a scorched brown basecoat and then paint up the model as normal sans any furthering chipping. At the end, simply rub the surface lightly, and voila! Instant chipping that looks identical in pattern to regular sponge chipping...

BUT

the chips are now in physically accurate relief, they have actual raised edges around them, and look a lot more refined and genuine. It is subtle, but once you see it you can't help but notice it every time. Consider it advanced sponge chipping.

You can then go over the model again with a much paler, dustier chip color and do regular sponge chipping sparingly over the liquid mask, this creates a very realistic patina over the surface.

My next suggestion would have to do with your weather streaking, I would suggest alternating your colors away from all browns, throw in some beiges, oranges and reds, and the result is a lot more intricate. Make sure the washes are thing though, you don't want to obscure the work underneath either!

Lastly, you mention this will be your first time with pigment powders, make sure you put them on AFTER your sealer coat if you want a dusty effect, otherwise the sealer will make them muddier in texture. You can then use white spirits or even better, MIG pigment fixing fluid, to lock them down. simply dip a brush in the fluid, and then touch it to the pigments lightly, the pigments will just suck down the fluid on their own, and when it dries (which happens pretty quick) they will not rub off easily.

Good to see you at work again, always a pleasure to see your stuff!

Thanks for the advice, Tom! The only thing is... Where do you expect me to find "liquid mask" out in this barren land lol??

Also, thanks for the tips on the pigment, I was thinking of "spraying" the fixing spirit on the pigments... But if you say it works with a brush, I take it for granted!

MajorTom11 wrote:going over it again with a lighter color?
I did it here, you can see a lighter khaki beige and also an orangish brown done over the main charcoal chips. It is a bit messy here as I was experimenting, but it does create a more convincing, multi-tonal layering. One thing I note more and more as I study the masters is that they rarely ever shade up or down with linear colors... They always inject warm and cool elements, brightening a midtone with an avocado green instead of white, darkening with purple instead of black etc etc

That "yellowish" hues to the red paint is masterful, looks really awesome... And I know I have to stop highlighting with white, it's just I never seem to think the right colour for it!

Gitsplitta wrote:Got it. Thanks MT.

Same here. Thanks MT.

PDH wrote:What I was trying to say was I think you're looking for errors and ways to improve a little too hard and the chips etc look fine to me.
Peter

Ok, thanks, then!!! We usually try to get better, that's why I was asking!! Considering your talent, I'll take it as a huge praise!

Flinty wrote:

Yggdrasil wrote:

Or something along the lines of "Da Wutch'Tawa"...

So was there no way outta there? And quite how confused is the grot exactly?

Uh? Why do you want him to be confused? (There must be something funny I am missing here...)

prototype_X wrote:your work has inspired me! i have made one but not the walls on the tower its still very wipp though

Feel free to post your work if you want in here!!!


As for updates... The final pics of the pigmented Grot, and a WIP of a test Khornate CSM (model provided courtesy of Jin).









If it looks "dust", that's because of the pigments! Thanks to MajorTom11, I now have some more work to do (fixing the pigment with a fluid), but hey... It was a test piece for new techniques after all!!!

As for the test Khorne Marine, I'm not convinced it's that good... Have a look by yourself (still WIP) :



- I don't really like the armour trims (here in Khemri Brown), and would like to avoid the usual brass...
- The red looks too orange for me (It's a Mechrite Red > Baal Wash > Blood Red > Baal Wash > Blood Red); does anyone have another recipe? I'm not used to painting red actually, so any advice would be welcome...
- I'm not sure on using the same red + black colours on the bolter... Any hint / suggestion?
- What I like is the contrast between the black & red armour plates, though I feel there could be more black... Or maybe I should go with browns instead?

Please take into consideration that it's going to be my first Khorne unit ever, so I'm pretty open-minded as to how it should look... I'm also tempted by "The Pyre" paint scheme, but for this I'll need some Blazing Orange, which I'll also get in 1 month....

As always, thanks for looking!!!

Yggdrasil.

The brown looks nice against the red, and a great change from the usual brass. I've had some success with mechrite red > black wash > stipple with blood red > watered down black wash > gryphonne wash > baal wash; though the order of the washes is really up to you.

Thanks prime, I might try that... Or leave it aside and get to another project, considering the enthusiasm around him...