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Road to Armies on Parade- The Sisters of Battle Project- Sisters of the Cleansing Flame+ Breast Cancer Awareness



Today in April 3, 2012 I have finally received all of the models need to start my journey to Armies on Parade. This blog will be a detailed record from starting with unopened boxes of sister models to the work of art that I am hoping that they become.

I will explain everything from concept ideas and fluff for the scheme of the models so that people will understand where I was trying to go with my vision.

The Story-
The name of the army, Sisters of the Cleansing Flame, is based off of self-written fluff that I do not wish to bored those who are here to so the evolution of this project.

The color scheme was chosen by a random and unexpected event. Last year I ordered a set of reaper models for Reaper.com. I was planning to paint the models up and sell them online for dungeon and dragon groups who like a good-looking model to use while playing their games. My order came with a special reaper paint that for Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This paint inspired me to make an army theme that will both help Breast Cancer Awareness and just plan look good. Over the year, I have painted models for charities just because I am able to. This was for not only Cancer, but also animal rights, conversation, etc. Now a year later, I am better painter and willing to show everybody that I am able to go the distance with this project.


The Models-
From what you can see in this picture that I have posted everything that I need to start my project. I have my battle board square. I have my General. I have units and transports. Tomorrow I will post the Army list so that people can see so you are able to mark off each model, as they are complete. There will be a terrain piece created for the battle board and a super heavy that will be a great centerpiece for the army.




Please follow, watch, and comment whenever you feel. I have a long road so today I shall begin.




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I must apologies, I had to reload the pictures for the blog.


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Night 1-
Like all of the projects that I start, I must make sure I do each unit one at a time. The first unit that I am starting with is the nine Sister Repentia Squad. This elite unit must be done up to a 3 inch standard like all of my models. That first thing I must do is to clip off all of the access metal and then file off all of the mold lines. I know that I will not get them all so I will do what I can for tonight and then check again on them tomorrow after work. This will be for my benefit and for those who look at my models.

Keep it up want to see more !

This is the list that I have created to be the foundation for my project. This is an 1850 list using the point values in the new White Dwarfs Magazines. Before anyone asks or starts to pick the list apart, this in not a competitive list. ( So sit rules lawyers sit!) This list was made specifically so I can incorporate a different array of models for Armies on Parade. This will also be used as my checklist throughout this blog.

Saint Celestine
Uriah Jacobus
6 Celestian Squad (3 Stormbolters, Simulacrum Imperialis)
10 Repentia (1 sister superior)
Battle Sister Squad A (Heavy Bolter , Simulacrum Imperialis)
Battle Sister Squad B (Heavy Flamer, flamer, Simulacrum Imperialis)
9 Seraphim Squads (2 Two inferno Pistols)
5 Dominion A (2 Meltaguns)
5 Dominion B (2 Flamers)
3 Penitent Engines
Exorcist
Rhino Celestian
Rhino A
Rhino B
Immolator A
Immolator B

Obviously, i love sisters blogs. Waiting to see how this pan's out. Good luck!

I can't wait to see how these ladies turn out.

Day 2-
I started this evening by taking a good half hour removing the mold lines that I miss yesterday. I complete this by using a magnifying glass headset, not very stylish but it gets the job done.

Once I am through with the mold lines I rebase the model, I realized my PVA glue was too watered down last evening when I based them, which cause the sand to fall off with the slightest touch.


After the Bases dried, I used GW’s Skull white priming strap, which at room temperature gives off a smooth finish.



Now I had to decide by this point whether to paint them like a stock-standard sister unit, which is usually Caucasian skin color. Me, being who I am decided that this just would not do. I will paint them all in different racial oriented colors since I doubt that all Imperial Citizens are the entire Caucasian race. I took aside four out of the nine models to paint with the basic Caucasian, three will be paints with dark tone colors to indicate African orient, and the last will be a middle tan colors to indicate middle eastern to Asian orients.




Now what you see in the pictures above is just a base coat. The other models I did not touch yet for the reason that I like to finish before moving straight on to the next items.

Tomorrow I will do a second base coat to thicken the color before I start my highlights. Each model that I do, I will give a full two to three hours of my attention just to make sure I do what I am setting out to accomplish.

Day 3-
I must have to say that this was a slow night for my project. The first hour was searching for my paints. That was fun (please note the sarcasm). After the paints that revealed themselves to me within the last possible box that I own, I then started on the second base coat on the models to fill in the missed spots. I did not bother with pictures for the second coat just in case people asked.

Once the second coat was dry, I started highlighting the first models flesh tones. I find that flesh is the hardest part of painting the model so that is why I decide to do it first.

You can notice a big different between the nature shades on plain bases coat (model on the right) and the highlights and shadow tones that I have added (model on the left). I use a six-step system to wet blend and feather a model so that is looks more natural.



After the flesh tones dry, I pulled out the pink to start working on cloth areas that are there to tie the model into the army theme. As with the fresh tone highlights, I start with a base coat. I will use a mixture of purples for the darker shadows and soft white mixed with the pink to pull out the lighter highlight. A six-step process for highlighting will follow this up.



I would like to hear your feedback and suggestion. This will be and ongoing project that I hope to inspire others within the hobby.

The Repentia are really starting to look good and the highlight and shading on the flesh is seriously smooth. Flesh is something I hate painting in large amounts I can never seem to get it right yet but practise makes perfect.

You have definitely got me wanting to do some painting but safly I'm stuck spending the next couple of days with the future in-laws so maybe next week.

There have been a couple things that are plaguing me will the sisters army that I am making. I need to figure out what type of terrain that I am going to paint the sisters. I am have been trying to narrow down what I want to do whether I should do a wasteland planets, the streets and fresh grasses of a Chapel hive. The Wasteland planet made visual by burnt areas dust and drying plants. The Chapel hive the models will look more clean and fresh grass on some of the bases and marble. This is a tough decision but one that will be made by the time I get home from work to start the project of day 4.

Really like the idea of this project. Nice to see some stuff for charity and helping to raise awareness. Keep em coming, so far so good! The models have been beautifully painted so far so can't wait for the end result!

Subbed,

HAZZER

Excellent idea! Subscribed to this.

Looking forward to seeing your progress

Day 4-
This evening I was motivated to press out two more of the models. I had started with the six-step highlight of flesh tone in each, this you can notice within the first two pictures. I gave them each a good amount of time to dry before applying the second coat of flesh tones. I will go back again with a second lighting source later to smooth out some of the blending work and feather the shades in better. I do this after the base of the model is complete. I do this to finalize my painting of the skin in cases any access color touch the flesh; it will be easier to clean up. I use brown wash on the tip of the thinnest brush I own to outline the space between where the flesh meets the clothing, chains, icons, etc. I did not use the wash for any of the highlighting. I find that it makes more of a mess and it is harder to clean up.





Next, I did the hardest part of any model, the eyes. I had found a technique that works for me when doing the eye. I find that painting the eye black first as a base color will bring the result to look more like eyelashes or eye liner in the end. I used a “2/0 Rosemary & Co Kolinsky sable SER 323” because of it thin and accurate tips to paint the eye. I used an off white for the eye itself. I suggest this for more of a realistic look. Then I do what anyone would do, I dotted the eye. Please, I cannot stress this enough, make sure that you know where you want the model to look. A model looks horrible when their eyes are going in complete disorder.



For the final touch for this evening, I started all of the models with the pink base coat. I only did one coat so that I have an idea on how they are starting to turn out. The pink will be highlighted with white-pink and purple, this step will not be started until Monday or Tuesday.



I will not be doing any work on this project on the weekend because of Easter. I will however be going to the local comic show to pick up supplies for this project such as new paints, models for conversations, and terrain piece for the board itself. This in all will take less than ten minutes to complete.

I do hope everyone has a great holiday weekend. Please post comments, questions, and support of this project. I will answer and give any updates for this project. Again, have a great Easter and hope to hear from everybody soon.

Have a great easter too man! The girlz are looking good man! Keep it up!

Day 5-
I will first start this evening with hoping that everyone had a greet holiday weekend.

Now to the models, today I had to complete an item for one of my college course. This took some time away from my little project. I made the decision to not continue with the Caucasian sisters today and work on the base colors of the Africa and Eastern sisters. If people remember the prior posts, I am not making all of the sisters in my army the same stock standard color. This is a decision to respect and honor everyone, that and it get boring painting the same sisters repeatedly. I believe that most people would agree with this mind set especially those who paint Orks and Skaven models.



I started with a darker brown to bases the African skin, I will be highlighting later with lighter colors to express a close by lighting source. The Eastern base color I used is a yellow-brown color. This is darker the base tan color that I had used with the Caucasian skin tones. You can tell the different between the three models. Once I start the highlights, you will be able to see more realist feature per model. I will also, when these models are completed, add addition detailing of scars, banding, tattoos, embroidery, etc.



Tomorrow’s goal is to work on the highlight on all of the models and complete the eyes and facial features. Again, please show support, comments, and questions. Night

The girlz are looking good man! And yes I do agree with you with skin tones! I do the same with my orks. And is allwasy worth it!

Day 6-

I first tonight by doing the six- coated highlight for the African skin tone, This is accomplish with a dark brown for the shadowing, and medium light brown for the first layer of highlight, and then a tan color for the highest highlight. This is a four-colored process. I use paint retarder to slow the drying speed of the colors, this allows me to wet-blend the color sets together with a nature look. As you can see from the pictures below, the colors turned out very well.


After painting the highlights and letting them dry, I then start on the eyes. Since the skin one is already a darker color, I did not use the black to fill in the eyeball before painting the off-white. I warn people again, when painting the dot on the eye, think about where model is looking. I hate seeing a Space Marine in a battle pose, with his body facing a specific direction and the eyes looking up to the sky praying the Emperor is going to step on him .





Now I hate myself a little today for the fact that I had a “what the ….” Moment. I started to checkout some of the sisters that I have already highlighted, I was going to touch up on some of the areas, remember that I do six coats. Well, while I was evaluating the models, what do I find? (If people remember some of my older posts are going to love this) MOLD LINE!


I fell victim to my own pet peeve. I turned the model just right into the light and there is was, looking at me. I took the hobby knife and started to clear out the area. I will have to repaint the skin on the model; however, I cannot stand here and tell people that I am going to send a model to armies on parade with mold lines on it.

Now tomorrow I am not going working on the models. I have to give a speech for my Public Speaking course at college; however, I will have my IPhone with my to answer question that people may have throughout the day. Not only that I want to thank so far those who had subscribed to this blog so far and supported the project. Thank you HAZZER, SilverMK2, combat engineer, Mercutio, S’jet, and ghostmaker. This project still has a long way to good but I am glad to see that people are interested in this.



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I do have to apologies for the pictures of late. I use my IPhone camera; it works better than my Kodak EasyShare CX7525 when taking pictures of models. The problem is that my light bulb on my lamp broke and the only replacement that I have is not as strong as the original one. I will have to fix that soon but for now, I will have to use what I got.

An admirable cause and SOB's. What's not to like?

Looking good so far. Will be very glad to see this through to it's conclusion, and hopefully will see it at games day.

What a great cause!

Lorna wrote:Looking good so far. Will be very glad to see this through to it's conclusion, and hopefully will see it at games day.

Unfortunately, I know that this project will not be complete by this year’s GamesDay. I have come to terms with that. I started too late in the year for this to be a part of the 2012 GamesDay. I do not see this as a problem since I will have more time to work on the army and the battle board scenic base that the sister’s will be traveling on.

Its a SoB army for a good cause with a truly stunning paint job, how could we not follow this one.

I'm loving the skin so far man! Keep it up!

Day 7-

I decided to take this evening work a little easy because I am extremely tired from my Public Speaking class last evening. I did do a good amount of work in which I am surprise of in my current condition; however, like in previous posts I am not here to disappoint.

I start to do the first coat and highlights on the eastern skin. This did not turn out how I have expected. By the time that I realized it, my supposed eastern skin tone combination was too lite, making my eastern skin into and Asian skin. The results of this mishap are pleasantly pleasing to look at . I thought that I mix my yellow-brown colors into the mixture of the cream color to have a tanned Middle Eastern look. Only after the first model was not drying into the colors that I thought I mixed two nights ago, I found out that I only used that cream tones themselves and not the premix bottles. Therefore, instead of doing the whole job over again I stuck it out and added mix of highlights that made a great Asian tone.





Now please remember that these models not complete in any sense of the work. Every day I add a new layer of highlighting to smoothing out the texture of the model. I like realisms with the skin tones. Right now on the Asian tones, you are able to see the lining I did with the wash to draw out the lines from skin to clothing.

Once completing lining and first highlights, I pulled the African skin toned models for their second layer of highlights. As you may be able to see, the skin not is brighter where the light actually hits the model. I am doing a true light effect for the highlights of the model instead of the halo lighting that you see in most other models. Some people will complain I am not completing the model, I say that I am being true to the model.







Here with having all tree skin tones next to one another. I hope that you will be able to see the difference between all the ethnic groups that I had used for my sisters army so far. I like that there are slight difference within my sister’s army that make it just a bit different from other armies that I have seen.



With May approaching, my college course will be at an end. This means that I will be about to take more time to work on my painting and building of the models for this project. If anyone has read some of my other posts prior to this blog then you know that I have said that I have other projects that I wanted to start in May. I have to be honest that I do not thing that I will be able to get to those one any time soon. I have dedicated a lot of time, money, and thought to this project here to see it through to the end. I have people who want to see this project materialize and flourish to its final complete at armies on parade and hopefully Gamesday. I do not want to disappoint anyone ether.

As at the ending of each day, I hope that everyone enjoyed what I have shown you boys and girls so far. Please show your support, ask questions it you have them, comments if you want them (be kind, lol), and over all have fun and enjoy what I have to offer.

Oh, and I must make a comment on a private message that I have received. Someone ask me why I decided to make breast cancer awareness the focus for my army. Was there someone I know who has it, family, girlfriend, or a friend? The answer for the reason is this. Why not? Do I really need a reason to do something nice? I did this because it feels good in doing something that helps in the world occasionally. All I say is try it. What do you have to lose?




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I have gotten a better night sleep tonight so I hope that I will be more productive tonight.

The different skin tones are supurb! You are such a good painter man! The different skin tones work very well together man! Would you have any tips for painting skin please? Because, I'm going to be doing GD YB hpefully this year so comments I could apreshate! Looking good so far man, keep it up!

The darker skin tone looks really well done. You also don't see too many models of that colour around, so this is nice

HAZZER wrote:The different skin tones are supurb! You are such a good painter man! The different skin tones work very well together man! Would you have any tips for painting skin please? Because, I'm going to be doing GD YB hpefully this year so comments I could apreshate! Looking good so far man, keep it up!

I do my skin tones a little differently than most. Unlike what GW tutorials where the darkest color is you base coat and then build up to the lightest, I use a middle color. This middle color is the mean skin color. I work up the lighter colors for specific light source, which is usually my lamp directed into where the sun would be. Then I use darker colors to pick out all of the shadow areas that the light does not touch. I really do prefer natural lighting effects to the stock standard halo lighting that used in all display models. I like to have paint retarder close are hand during the highlighting process. It gives me more time to blend the colors smoothly together. The must suggestion is multiple coats of highlights, this will after a few time give a natural blend that is hard to notice. The coats do not have to be thick at all, just a little here and a little there. I hope this helps. It took me a lot of trial and error to get the looks that I wanted. Trust me, I am still learning.


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SilverMK2 wrote:The darker skin tone looks really well done. You also don't see too many models of that colour around, so this is nice

I believe changing models color is taboo to some gamers, painter, and hobbyists. It is not that they would mind to change the skin tones to other ethnic tones, it is just that people see them painted the same way every time, then it gets into their heads that they need to be painted like this. This can be skin color, armour color, energy color. I like it when I see an Ork painted completely red skinned and the fluff was that the tribe that lived on the planet skin pigment chanced due to the planets warp tainted atmosphere. I like see people make their own chapters and hearing the player fluff of their founding. I like to see power weapons that are not just blue. There is nothing in 40k fluff that says that all energy, physic or engineered, are required to be blue. That is why I painted my Sister skin, even the dark tones, into this army. The world and the universe is a large place. There are not just one color running around, there are many ethic races, and it is my personal preference to show that in my painting. This is not the Star Wars galaxy where Lando is the only black person within the entire universe. This is the 40k universe, the Emperor Protects


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Day 8-

This morning I thought that I would have been productive. The idea of being productive was great; however, this did not happen. Want I got home I realized that I had other things to do around the home before starting my models: Laundry, cook, clean, etc. The idea of fresh clothing was at the time better than my hobbyist instinct.

I did get an hour in of answering questions and comments for the subscribers. For the hour after that, I spent my time doing my next coat of highlight on each model. This highlighting had a purpose. This coat was there to thin out the areas where the brown wash for the lining bleed through. This is to fine remove some of the visual wash area but keep the fine dark line that are the border between the skin and clothing. This was hard to do without removing the line entirely.

Since today is Friday, I want to show everybody the work so far. These two pictures I tried to set up exactly the same way. You can see the models starting to take a life of their own yet unfortunately, some complications have arisen. One of the models broke from her base. She will be repaired as soon as I get a new drill bit; one of my friends borrows and breaks my bits without replacing them.





Now for those who remember my posts, comments, and rant about my pet peeve, on day six I fell victim to a problem of biblical proportions, MOLD LINE . This was not a single instant. After checking over the mold that have a mold line in the worse area possible I then examined her sister model, what did I find? I found a mold line in the exact same place . This was unacceptable for the Sisters of Battle . Does anyone remember the saying about Vanity, “Cut off your nose, despite your face.” Thispicture is the result of that.



I just thank God that this was only the base coat of pink. Now tomorrow I need to purchase the new GW white basing color, White Scar. This will allow me to fill in the filed down area to without problem.

This weekend I will try to get started on the leather and armour for these models. I may not be on a lot next week because I will have to work on my college finals. This will not hinder me from answering questions or comments about this project. I will take time out of my studies to replay when I can. I know that people are interested. For that, I thank you all.

Before I end today’s blog, I also like to hear suggestion as well as the usually opinion, questions, comments, etc. Please do not be shy and show your support. I plan to go the distance. Gamesday, I want you. (sorry, listening to “Eye of the Tiger” on repeat while I was painting, its motivational LOL )

Eternalhero1983 wrote:

HAZZER wrote:The different skin tones are supurb! You are such a good painter man! The different skin tones work very well together man! Would you have any tips for painting skin please? Because, I'm going to be doing GD YB hpefully this year so comments I could apreshate! Looking good so far man, keep it up!

I do my skin tones a little differently than most. Unlike what GW tutorials where the darkest color is you base coat and then build up to the lightest, I use a middle color. This middle color is the mean skin color. I work up the lighter colors for specific light source, which is usually my lamp directed into where the sun would be. Then I use darker colors to pick out all of the shadow areas that the light does not touch. I really do prefer natural lighting effects to the stock standard halo lighting that used in all display models. I like to have paint retarder close are hand during the highlighting process. It gives me more time to blend the colors smoothly together. The must suggestion is multiple coats of highlights, this will after a few time give a natural blend that is hard to notice. The coats do not have to be thick at all, just a little here and a little there. I hope this helps. It took me a lot of trial and error to get the looks that I wanted. Trust me, I am still learning.

Thanks man! Helps alot! Btw the skin tones are looking pretty sweet!

Sunday Morning (pre Day 9-) -

I will not call this a productive day so far since I only woke up around 11 A.M. I will like to look at this morning as a new toy day. Recently I have been looking for some supplies for the hobby to make it easier for me to see and paint my models better. Yesterday was the day that answered my prayers. I made it known to everyone on Friday that my Saturday are the days were I restock my paints, green stuff, brushes (if necessary), and plastic card stock. I decided or at least requested my girlfriend to make a stop at the local Hobby Town USA in her area when we go shopping today. Now since I have been driving her around from mall to mall and shoe store to shoe store, she agreed that I deserve this one small mercy lol. I went in there with the thought of a single purchase, and there it was. This lamp I was looking for the past few years.



In case no one knew this, within all of my pictures, a little blue desk lamp is the main illumination of the models. This lamp is also the only light source I have to work with when painting these models. Now I have a better way to see and pick out the details that I want to work with. As costly as this new lamp was, it is better than my old method of bend and squint at the model praying that I did not miss something important.

I may have a day 9- up tonight as soon as I get some things done around the house for the day.

Nice buy on the lamp man! Pretty sweet!