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Not replacing my scout army at all, but I happened to have no use for the Marines I got in the Black Reach box so I decided to make myself a brand new chapter to help interested others in the area learn to play. Basically these are going to have an Egyptian-ish theme to them, deserty and with Khopesh power swords and chainswords (eventually). I might even throw up a fluff blerb on the Fluff board so my writing becomes better.

Anyways, I know Thousand Sons has an Egyptian theme going on as they're kind of sort of all mummies in that armor, but I don't play Chaos. I'm also a Theme Whore (TM) when I can be, and this is no exception. So I sat down and thought: When I think Ancient Egypt, what colors do I see? I came up with: Gold, Bronze, Copper, Yellows, Blues and Purples. Colors of Royalty, Dignity and Ancient Power. I decided I would go with a desert armor scheme, befitting the whole "Egyptesque" theme. Thus, I have picked Desert Yellow for the armor, with Khaki to break it up. Outlines like wrist joints and around the shoulder pads are originally to be Royal Purple, but it turns out dark enough that I disliked it overall (didn't pop). A lighter purple isn't going to do it so I'm going with a bright blue not too unlike this:

http://www.lori.com/tutmask.gif

Below is what it looks like right now. It's going to be a vehicle heavy Marine force (Chariots) as well, so the tanks should look good. Let me know what you think.

M.

Sure, why not? I like egyptian themes, so this might be really cool. I do however think you should add Thousand Sons parts to your veterans, captains and all that.

Some kind a desert marines, me like it looks cool.

Scheme is pretty, I like.

Nice combination of colours - make it happen!

Already on the way. I've got two squads to paint up but I am going to do two guys fully to photo and display here. The purple I plained in place of the turquoise last night is nice on it's own, but far too damn dark to work on the table top. Just finishing my fluff thing, maybe a list and then I'll be back on them.

M.

I like it but it would be better if you did a marine to see the actual result!

It'll be interesting to see the two sandy shades on a mini. They're really similar colors, and I like it in the scheme template, but I'm not sure if they're different enough to look good together. I'm looking forward to seeing it!

Here are some crappy pics, including one with flash because it looked kinda funny. Not done; the base still needs to be finished and...well, I'm never happy with anything I paint so it's still "not done".

M.

Try primeing them black, and then painting the armor plates the color you want but leaveing unarmored joints (back of the knee, wrist) black. I have seen it done on alot of marines and it looks cool, cool enough that I would try it myself except that black templars are black all over. =)

I will try to find a picture that shows what I am talking about.

Edit: Found one, the back of the knee and where the leg connects to the thigh are two examples, I find it brings alot of contrast to light colored paint schemes.

I'm inclined to agree with you, though I've already primed them a lighter gray so I could just go back over it. On the model it's Earth (aka Graveyard Earth if you use GW paints), which in person does an alright job of distinguishing the upper and lower leg parts from behind. The model you posted has an outlining in black wash or ink which sets it apart, and it uses much better layering than I used on mine (or am willing to put on a rank and file model). I think a black, sepia or smoky ink wash would help diffentiate the parts of the armor, as long as it's thinned enough. If it doesn't, though, I'll take what you posted above and do it in a theme appropriate color (a dark blue in this case).

Also have yellow ink but I think that since it's "brighter" than the Desert Yellow I'm using for the armor it might backfire?

M.

Wait wait wait... you're converting a delicious batch of chariot-rhinos, right?

Here's a bit of infermation you might find useful,
Colors & there meanings to ancient egyptions

Gold-This was the color of the skin of the gods
Black-Resurection and Rebirth
Green-Life and Resurection
White-Joy
Red-Evil
Blue-War

Just some stuff I know 'cause I have way to much free time.
Hope you find a use for it and keep painting

Ordo, unfortunately I'm not taking things that far :p

Fox, thanks for that. Ironically I picked Gold and Blue without having known; works well I think.

M.

The test model looks nice. Green for the medics though?

I would also try adding Thousand Sons helmets to your sergeants & heroes.
1 box should do for a whole army.

Might well do that; are they plastic bitz?

M.

EDIT: Flinty, I don't get it :/

Infantryman wrote:EDIT: Flinty, I don't get it :/

Green=Life and Resurection=Apothecary

That's a acually a pretty good idea.

Oh, duh, I can't believe I missed that. Gonna pretend to be color blind >.>

Yeah, maybe I'll pick out their details in some kind of nice green, like jade green.

Also bronze. DELICIOUS BRONZE

M.

Infantryman wrote:Might well do that; are they plastic bitz?

Unfortunately no but as you'll only ever need 1 box I think it's worth it.

I'll have to see about it. If they're good bitz they're good bitz; anything to help my guys stand out. Which reminds me, I have to go and see if I can double-wide track Rhinos and the like.

I've decided the knee pads are no longer to be Khaki as it made the legs blend together on camera and most of the time in person. They're now turquoise like the trimming and weapons, which brings better overall unity I think. Now the elbow pads are Khaki, to aboid color crowding as the shoulder pad trimming often butts up against it. I might make it a bright yellow, maybe, if I can find a yellow that isn't thin crap. The shoulder pads are khaki still, because I have not figured out a better color. Overall I think it works together. No idea what the tactical arrow symbol is going to be colored, either. Unfortunately, something's up and for the last few days I have been unable to upload even a single picture of anything. Shots when I can.

M.

except that it needs a bunch of things picked out in gold, it looks nice.

This is my take on a desert theme after I also noted a lack of liht colours on the table, although not all troops have blue helmets :

Some great work there; I haven't used red but it sure looks good. What's the base color?

M.

Base colour is Kommando Khaki over white undercoat. Liberal use of Badab black or Sepia washes does wonders for all the armour plates.

I'm definitely wanting to see more on how this progresses for you. It's always fun to see how someone can take a theme and make it work for a whole army.

I know Scibor Miniatures does some conversion bits that might tie in with an Egyptian look. There are some shields and things to put on vehicles and dreadnaughts by the look of it.

The Tomb Kings fantasy range might also have some useful stuff. Switching out the standard chain sword CCW for a khopesh might be a nice touch too.

Yeah, I plan to get myself some Khopesh sometime soon.

M.

Khopesh, those'll make nice power swords

Here's some shots of how they are right now. I've brought more blue into it by getting rid of the earth tone knee pads. Eblow pads are still "earth" but it's less a problem. Metals like barrels and loading arms are in bronze. Decorations are copper. IN THE GRIM DARKNESS OF THE FAR FUTURE, WE USE SOFT METALS FOR HIGH PRESSURE WAR GEAR

I'm really liking where these are going.
Do you have a name for the chapter yet? If not I've got a few ideas.