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Hey guys, I wanted to start a thread mainly to get advice on how to improve my work and stay motivate to keep working consistently and getting things done on deadlines. We all know how it's very easy to get distracted

Any way I have been playing guard for years now and ever since Vostroyans came out I loved how they looked and wanted to have an army of them. But at that time I was to young to have a job and just couldn't afford an all metal army. But now I'm finally diving in on my favorite guard regiment of all time.

This whole idea started with some men I bought on Barter town. Guy was really nice and I got a really good deal, he didn't tell me how well they were painted to and when I opened my package up I was stunned to see the level of work in these men. My heart dropped as I realized I had to match this or I couldn't do an army . But I really want to use this log as an excuse to improve my painting and modeling skills so Im hoping your guys feedback will help with that.

I haven't quite decided on the name of the regiment. But I know I want to do an all mechanized army, since my current IG are foot hoard. I picture the Vos as elite well equipped and with their ties to the Mechanicum why wouldn't they get armored transports and heavy tanks? So I recently ordered a couple of chimeras and a squad of Vostroyans with 4 special weapon guys as well. I'll post some pics of progress I have on this stuff as I get it built. Question for you guys, what should I name the regiment? Vostroyan Firstborn 9th mechanized? "Iron Bloods". Please share your thoughts.

Once I figure out basing ill knock that out, then prime black and start painting! Hopefully that will be soon I'm just a bit stuck on what materials to use for the bases. This weekend hopefully sort that out and build some snowy urban terrain for these guys to fight over. ill post an update hopefully this weekend!

Thanks for looking and keep on Rollin sixes

I really enjoying seeing vostroyan and can't wait to see some more.

If I ever did a guard army it would be the first borns... shame it would cost me two kidneys and a lung to buy all the models though.

Looking foreward to seeing where this goes.

Enjoy how the firstborn look keep it up.

***Update***

Look what came in the mail today! Reinforcements in the shape of another chimera and 2 plasma gunners, and a flamer. I think tomorrow after I take the SAT I'm am gonna play a couple of games with my friends and either work on these guys or terrain! I'll be sure to post up some pics of the games and any progress made. I hope to have the Chimera done by Monday night and everyone based by at least Wednesday hopefully way sooner.

I thought up a name for my regiment the Vostroyan Firstborn 9th Mechanized "Iron Bloods" known for their daring mounted assaults into enemy positions and ability to take and hold well defended objectives. They will be supported by the Vostroyan Firstborn 15th Heavy Armored Regiment "Iron Tide" this will consist of Leman russes and more armored chimera variants like hell hounds and bane wolfs.

@Nafarious thanks for the comment and I hope I can keep your attention!

@Ma55ter_fett glad to hear some love for the Vostroyans because I for sure think they are the most bad ass regiment, but sadly yes they come with a price

@ghostmaker thanks for the encouragement! Stay tuned!

***Update***

Hey guys, sorry its been a bit since my last post. I had quite a few things going on, girlfriend, soccer, school, work, and of course 40k.

On Saturday I was able to get in a game with one of my friends against his daemons army, I didn't get pictures because all his models are space marines proxied, he is trying to sell them to get daemon models. (If interested link to his swap shop: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/525547.page#5589502 ) Anyway it was a very fun game and my mechanized Vostroyan squad found its self rushing head long into an essential enemy objective and roasting the plague bearers holding it and the rest of my army consolidating onto objective I pulled out a 10-7 win, it was a fun game for sure. I hope to get some battle reports up here soon! So stay posted.

For progress while my two friends played there own game I hung around and built my chimera, it turned out very well in my opinion
I also got the new special weapons guys built.

But my biggest progress by far was finishing basing all the infantry. I was stuck on what I should do for the Ice sticking out of the ground like seen on the example models. I love the effect of them, and after tinkering with balsa wood and having issues, I tried out using some old sprue. It worked very well and I think turned out very similar to what I was hoping for.

So I should finally be able to prime tomorrow or Wednesday. And get painting! Me and a friend should hopefully be getting some terrain done to so ill post that as well when that gets done.

Well going to bed now, please feel free to post any thoughts or comments, I enjoy any type of constructive feed back.

Thanks,
IHLBT

Well, first thing's first. With metal minis you can always go back to bare metal in a hurry, so don't worry about experimenting. You won't mess anything up.

Also, go slow and work on quality from the start. It will take FOR EVER, or feel like it, but stick with it and you'll get a lot faster. I find it easier to start with quality and work on speed than the other way around. Black base coat could definitely work for vostroyans, but a $3 can of grey krylon primer might just do the trick too.

There are so many techniques that people use to get their results. It's easy to get bogged down trying to do everything on your first model. My recommendation is to work on getting really clean base colors down on your guys. While you're learning how to thin your paint right and all that, you could just get your whole force up to tabletop standard with clean, smooth base colors. Ignore the shading and highlighting and just work on getting that first step down. By the time you're done with 40 guardsmen, you'll have built up some skill and technique to go in and work on some washes on all those guys. Then, you can go start working your way through layering back up to edge highlights... And then for fine details (eyes woohoo!) And maybe even some more advanced effects.

Mostly, just don't worry about trying to match the paint standard of what you got from the trade right away. It's a long road to get good, but you can definitely get there... Time and practice!

Looking forward to seeing your progress, looks like you have a good start on the model acquisition front.

Looks like this army's got a lot of promise. Excited to see more!

***Small Update***

I managed to prime black all of the men tonight and both chimeras! Im not going to post a picture because frankly its not very interesting . I did find these models were a bit of a pain to get a nice coat and coverage of paint on due to how deep some recesses are and i was constantly putting at different angles to cover all the model, it took me a fair amount of time, and i still think i missed some spots! But i was running out of time before soccer practice so i packed them up, but they will do just fine. Im very excited to start painting.

Im at a loss on colors for the tanks, if anyone can point out what GW colors i should use to match the original Vostroyan tank colors please let me know!

Hopefully I will have something painted by the end of the week to show you guys, so stay tuned. I may be playing a game tomorrow and/or Saturday ill let you all know how that goes.'

@JWMarines
Thanks for the encouragement! I should clarify this is not my first time painting miniatures and have quite a sizable cadian force painted, but only using basic techniques of dry brushing a coat on then washing, then moving on. Im hoping to advance my painting skills a bit more on these guys, so please if you have any tips to get to that next level it would be much appreciated. Im sure you will be able to help more once i get some WIP pictures up. But thanks again, advice is always welcome.

@Darth Bob
Thanks for the comment, and thanks for the positive thoughts, stay tuned!

It may be better to strip the painted ones and start fresh. Trying to match someone else's colors can be a beating. Good luck either way.

@40kFSU

Thanks for the comment, and there is no way I could strip those models I just think they look so good haha but if it turns out I can't even get close to the scheme I might scrap the entire project but let's all pray I can come to some sort of acceptable standard.

Also any good ideas for colors for the tanks?

 iheartlargeblasttemplates wrote:

@JWMarines
Thanks for the encouragement! I should clarify this is not my first time painting miniatures and have quite a sizable cadian force painted, but only using basic techniques of dry brushing a coat on then washing, then moving on. Im hoping to advance my painting skills a bit more on these guys, so please if you have any tips to get to that next level it would be much appreciated. Im sure you will be able to help more once i get some WIP pictures up. But thanks again, advice is always welcome.

My bad man, I misunderstood the level you were starting from. With that said, my advice holds if you ever want to get away from drybrushing your basecoats.

If you're happy with your basecoats, then I can only offer this tidbit for the washes. I tend to go back into the creases and crevices with a smaller brush to lay in a second layer of wash in just those spots. I like the darker definition that it gives to the model. But that's subjective. If you're drybrushing your basecoat, I don't know if layering up with a regular brush technique is right for you. I guess layers drybrushed on after your washes would get you there, but I don't do much drybrushing, so, I'm not much more help.

Looking good the bases are really nice and well balanced, plus contrast well with the reds on the first born themselves, just keep up the good work

Young Logan

***Update***

Okay guys tonight soccer training got cancelled due to storms in Indiana. That was a good thing for me as it gave me time to start on my Vostroyans finally!

I started out by doing the red on all of them. But after I got done with like the 15th guy I just wanted to finish one so I started focusing on one all the while using the original model as a basis for how I was painting. And honestly I think it turned out really well! I was very excited about it when I got done as its very hard to tell a difference in my opinion. There's a slight color difference in the gold/bronze due to gw slightly changing color tone it looks like. Personally I like the updated bronze armor better. I did use more wash on the bolt gun metal parts of the model as I think it looks a bit better than straight metallic. And I did my first ever highlighting on the wood of the gun! It's not much but I think it turned out well! The only part I did not get right was the ice on the base I do not have the right blue for it so I need to go buy some paint and snow flock. So please disregard that part of the model when looking as it will be redone. Any ideas on how to get that effect I'm a little perplexed by it.

Overall very productive night and thrilled with how my guy turned out and I'm excited to paint more!

@JWMarines
Thanks for the comment, no problem man. I took your advice a bit on the washes and try to focus some a bit more in the deeper areas of the model and concentrate it a bit. Let me know what you think!

@Young_Logan
Thanks for the comment! The bases I really like to the white and blue really compliment the red like you said. I will say the ones in the pervious pictures I did not do, but rather the previous owner I am going to try to replicate it on mine but I'm having trouble with it. I don't have the right colors and ill need to try some different techniques. Thoughts on my current finished model?

I really like how those are turning out! the extra wash in the crevices is giving you nice definition between you major color areas, so everything that should pop, is popping. Keep it up!

@JWMarines

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah I like the wash as well thanks for the tip!

Should hopefully get a game and some painting in this weekend.

Looks like you are on your way to getting he core right. Well done sir. Come to think of it, if you build up a big enough army slightly different colors shades won't even be noticeable.

Love these models and you're doing a really nice job. Can't even tell them apart.

Man, I so wish these guys were in plastic...

@40FSU

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you think they look alike! On th table you can't even tell, so I'm really happy with it. I'm still struggling to find colors for the tanks.

@cincydooley

Thanks for the comment! I second that man I wish they were plastic. They are VERY expensive 30$ for 3 plasma gunners but the models are just so amazing its one hundred percent worth it! Plus it's really nice to have an army you almost never see on the field. Stay tuned buddy!

***Update***
Today I went into my local gw and the manager helped me figure out how to do the ice and I picked up the blue I need and snow flock so I will be able to fix and finish the bases! After work tonight I want to work on them so ill hopefully post some pics, Maybe get another done.

I also played a game against a dark Eldar player at 1000 points. It was the relic and he had a very poor list,, containing only two troop squads of 6 warriors the rest was spent on small squads of incubi on foot and a big unit of elite witches. He then advanced them on foot in the open to the relic in the middle where he was quickly blown apart. I tabled him by turn four and my armored fist vostroyans stormed the relic and then he was done. Good game but not very challenging.

***Update***

Hey guys sorry for the lack of posts hope everyone has been well, my week has been hectic with soccer and school. Not much time for hobby or checking the forum. I did Monday leave school early and paint the rest of the day which was very nice ! I got quite a bit done so I thought I'd share some pics. I hope to get at least 4 guys done this weekend but I do have games in terra haute, IN on Saturday and Sunday so we will see what Kind of progress I can get in between game times.

These guys look great. As far as the tanks go, nothing says you have to match the colors on the infantry. Sometimes I use colors on the tanks that are no where else in the army.

@40kFSU

Thanks man for the comment! And yeah that a good idea. I was kind of thinking a light brown for the tanks. But still thinking about it.

***Update***

Finished a flamer while waiting for my soccer game today. I love how his eyes look.

***update***

Hey guys, hope everyone is well I finished a sergeant and 2 regulars today. Really trucking along only 3 special weapons left another srg. And the heavy hotter team to go. And I'm done with the infantry! Hope you guys like. I'm not sure about the srg. Hat.