TP^DC Modelling Blog - Last Dalek and 3 Genestealers

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**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Firstly, I am terrible at blogging. I either write rubbish or just too much, so in advance apologies. I thought I'd keep one thread with all projects in to keep me more likely to post regularly although that's unlikely I gotta try.

I'm trying to get back into painting to give me a psychological boost at a very stressful time of my life and have a huge backlog of stuff that I never painted (shamefully).

EDIT - I was reading some advice on the forum pages about keeping threads organised to help people viewing. So I have opted to change the title of the thread for each phase of this rediscovery of mine and add this:
Contents List
Page 1 - The modelling kit
Page 1 - The task at hand (Dark Angels)
Page 1 - Paint stripping for the first time
Page 1 - Dark Angels Army Progress Updated 1st May 2015
Page 1 - ~~Project DA1: Ravenwing Command Squad~~ ON HOLD
Page 2 - Project DA2: Completing Dark Angels Tactical Squad 2, 3rd Company (Squad Argós) (COMPLETE)
Page 2 - Project DA3: Dark Angels Chapter Command Squad
Page 3 - Project DA4: Dark Angels Vindicator (COMPLETE WITH NECRONS TOO)
Page 4 - Project TY1: Zoanthrope and 4 Genestealer Dio (COMPLETE)
Page 5 - Project TA1 - Stealth Tau
Page 6 - Dark Angels Scout Squad Dom half finished!

EDIT - I've hidden the remainder of this original post, because it deals with my assessment of tools and equipment along with creating a more mobile paint station. It's interesting to me, but might be dull for others, have a glance if you want to, it might help you get an idea of my thought processes.

EDIT - I've entered some painting competitions on here, check them out, the talent is amazing. My rank in Paradigm's league is unknown at present with probably just 1 point:
Paradigm's March (Unofficial) Paint Competition - Space Marine (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/637582.page)
Paradigm's April (Unofficial) Paint Competition - Veteran (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/642414.page#7715639)
Paradigm's May (Unofficial) Paint Competition - Fast and Furious (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/646917.page)
Paradigm's June (Unofficial) Paint Competition - Some kind of Monster (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/650812.page)
Paradigm's July (Unofficial) Paint Competition - Sneaky! (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/654574.page)
LoER 14 - Making the extraordinary from something ordinary (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/643658.page)
LoER 15 - The Trapdoor! (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/654377.page)

Spoiler:

I have catalogued what models I've got, which I'll post next time and then what my proposed organisation after looking through the Dark Angels Codex will be.

Thanks for looking!

**nflagey**

Nothing to be ashamed of!
I came to realize that many of us here have looooaads of unpainted/unfinished models.

So you should be proud and happy to set your own goals, which is exactly the same as I did, the same way you did: by opening a P&M blog right here

**dubovac**

Nice start of the blog. I recently opened one also because of the similar reasons as you. Hopefully you will manage to keep it updated, but usually we all know that P&M blogs follow destiny of web comics

Wish you all the best

**MagosBiff90**

Great start! and I have to admit... you have a lot more than I do! I have been thinking of doing something very similar to this! IMHO the group of peeps on here are great at giving advice, help and general comments on projects and work... so as a tool for a psychological boost.... (as well as the painting itself) its great! )

Best of luck and I look forward to seeing your updates!

PS... I would have taken those old brushes off your hands.. I literally have 2 brushes for everything I do!

Cheers,

**Januine**

Nice one! I just got back into 40K after a 10 year hiatus. Had to totally start from scratch and I'm living in a country that has just ONE shop that stocks GW!! Dakka is a greta place to be for it. Good luck and enjoy

**WarbossDakka**

Welcome back! I love to see people start up the hobby again, especially when they are getting prepared for the long haul. You seem to be excited to start up again, so just remember, just keep going at a steady pace and don't try and take on too much at once. Once you have a good rhythm you'll be fine!

**Nevelon**

I find my blog helps keep me motivated. I make sure to post at least once a week, progress or not. The act of having to post a no-progress report if I don’t get any work done helps keep me honest.

Good luck!

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome, I don't know anyone who likes modelling/war gaming in my friendship group so it's great to find supportive people here. Pleased to hear that my first blog may well have been one of the best additions to this pledge of mine, I will defnitely try to keep posting regularly.

MagosBiff90 wrote:
PS... I would have taken those old brushes off your hands.. I literally have 2 brushes for everything I do!

The two close-up photos show how poor a condition my brushes were in after many years of painting various kits, I'd have gladly let you have them had there been any bristles you could have used!

Automatically Appended Next Post:
So hear is all of my Dark Angels/Space Marine models as they appear now:

This is a list of the models divided by painting status:

Unpainted:
Space Marine Terminators x5
Deathwing Terminators x5 (metal)
Master of the Ravenwing Landspeeder x1
MkIII Landspeeder x1 (with Forge World Dark Angels Doors)
MkIIc Rhino x1 (with Forge World Dark Angels Doors)
MkIIc Rhino x1 (with Forge World Dark Angels Doors and Vindicator conversion)
MkIIb Rhino x1
Grand MasterAzrael x1
Space Marine Devastator (Multi Melta) x1
Dark Angels Standard Bearer - Brother Bethor x1
Ravenwing bike squadron x1 (3 bikes)
Space Marine assault troops x5
Space Marine Devastator (Heavy Bolter, Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Plasma Cannon and Sergeant) x5
Space Marine Landspeeder Tornado x1
Space Marine Bikes x6 (with parts for Flamer, Plasma Cannon, Standard and Veteran Sergeant)
Space Marine Bikes x3
Space Marine Attack Bike x1
Space Marine Techmarine x1
Space Marine Apothecary x1
Space Marine Scout Snipers x2
Space Marine Scouts x4 (Bolter & sword)
Space Marine Tactical Marines - 2nd Edition - Bolter x12
Sergeant x1
Flamer x1
Missile Launcher x1
Multi-part x12
Ravenwing Nephilim Fighter x1
Deathwing Knights x5
Ravenwing Command Squad x3
Deathwing Terminators x5
Dark Vengeance Interrogator Chaplain Seraphicus x1
Dark Vengeance Librarian x1
Dark Vengeance Company Master x1

Painted:
Ravenwing Landspeeder (Heavy Bolter Conversion) x1

Ravenwing Chaplain on Bike x1

Ravenwing Sergeant Conversion x1

Dark Angels Tactical Squad x8

Painted Badly and destined for paint stripping:
Scout Sergeant x1

Tactical Marines x5 ( so painful how bad these are

)

It's a raw list as viewed out of the boxes so will condense and arrange in to force organisation selections with a plan of how I will paint to enable them to be used in gameplay should I ever decide to go down that route.

I'll do the same for my other armies (or fragments of armies) when I have either competed the Dark Angels or need a rest.

**Nevelon**

Wow, that’s quite the pile of stuff. Lot of work ahead of you. Or just fun painting, depending on your outlook!

**Januine**

That is a seiously awesome pile of aweomeness ahead of you!!! How great is it to be back in>??!!!!!! As I said I just got back in after over 10 years out and I started back with the DV boxed set (seriously one of the best buys out there) and am so happy to be back

Even my fiance (who really doenst get it but is begining to like the BL books) has noticed a huge difference in my happiness levels. Great to see someone else gettin back in with paaionn and excitement

**Azazelx**

You've got quite a collection there - I look forward to seeing them start to transform into a fully-painted force.

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

So here it is, after much deliberation and codex reading, this is how I plan to organise my models in to a workable army, or at least to give me various usable options following the current army list. I would love to hear any feedback.

Spoiler:

Thanks to all those who have taken an interest so far. Januine, nice to see someone else had a similar hiatus.

**Januine**

F'sure. Painting like a lunatic these days! Makig my way through the DV boxed set and doing some Eldar stuff on the side. It's crazy out here that there is only a single shop in the whole country that I can get GW stuff in. But as long as there is one, I'm good and loving being back lol

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

So, in an attempt to keep up some regularity of modelling/painting, I have stripped the paint off a few of the hilariously bad figures. I used Dettol after reading some of the how-to guides because it's what I am aware of here in the UK.

This is them before:

Them in the gloop of Dettol Doom (before adding the water):

And after a bit of toothbrushing and care where hands were placed:

First time I've tried this and was satisfying to give myself a second chance at painting the models. Will definitely do this again if needed. Starting to wonder about whether to make a ghilli suit for the scouts. Hmmm

**Ratius**

Great stuff!
Lovely project ahead of you

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

I thought I should keep a log of my progress through my Dark Angels army list, I'll update this post each time I complete part of the army. Items in olive are complete, those in cyan are in progress:

HQ:
Grand Master Azrael x1

Chapter Command Squad for Azrael
- Brother Bethor as Standard Bearer [Conversion to allow swapping of banners]
- Apothecary
- Company Champion
- 2x Veterans

Master of the Ravenwing Landspeeder (Sammael in Sableclaw) x1
5th Company Master Balthasar (Dark Vengeance) x1
Interrogator-Chaplain Seraphicus (Dark Vengeance) x1
Ravenwing Chaplain on Bike
Librarian Turmiel (Dark Vengeance) x1
Ravenwing Techmarine [Convert to mount on bike - long-held desire, see below] x1
Ravenwing Command Squad of 5 bikes [3 from new set plus 2 extra Knights made of older bikes with parts left over from new set - have always wanted to do this, I bought all the components to do a conversion - hence having techmarine and apothecary - but now one is sold that looks a lot better]

Troops:
3rd Company, 2nd Tactical squad (Squad Argós) (10 models)
Tactical squad of 10 models [2nd ed Sergeant, flamer and missile launcher]
Tactical squad of 10 models [2nd ed Sergeant, flamer and missile launcher if models with stripped paint don't look stupid after]
Tactical squad of 10 models [Multi-part]
Scout squad of 7 models [Sergeant after paint stripped, 2 with sniper rifles and 4 standard)

Elite:
Deathwing Knight squad of 5 models
Deathwing Terminator squad of 10 models [5 metal and 5 standard from battle force with ?leftovers from Dark Vengeance added on] [Can be fielded as Troops if fielding Azrael or if I bought Belial]
Deathwing Terminator squad of 5 models [Can be fielded as Troops if fielding Azrael or if I bought Belial]

Dedicated Transport:
MkIIb Rhino x1 [For 2nd ed tactical squad]
MkIIc Rhino x1 [For multi-part tactical squad with Forge World Dark Angels Doors]

Fast Attack:
Ravenwing Attack Squadron -
Sergeant Conversion
Bikes x5
Attack Bike x1
Landspeeder (Heavy Bolter Conversion)
[Can be fielded as Troops if fielding Azrael or Sammael fielded]

Ravenwing Attack Squadron -
Veteran Sergeant Conversion x1
Bikes x5
Landspeeder Tornado x1
[Can be fielded as Troops if fielding Azrael or Sammael fielded]
[Will need to buy 2 further bikes to allow the use of Landspeeder in the squadron, otherwise Landspeeder would be fielded as a support squadron]
[Metal parts available to make a flamer and plasma cannon]

Assault squad of 5 models
Nephilim Fighter x1

Heavy Support:
Devastator squad of 5 models (Heavy Bolter, Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Plasma Cannon and Sergeant) [6 models if multi melta not used in Landspeeder conversion]
Mark IVb Predator x1
Vindicator x1 [Rhino conversion]
MkIII Land Raider x1 [with Forge World Dark Angels Doors]

**Cleatus**

Looks like you have a lot of fun ahead of you! Keep posting pics. We like pictures.

I'm curious about the resistors in your toolbox. Are those for modelling/converting, or some other electronic purpose?

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Cleatus wrote:
I'm curious about the resistors in your toolbox. Are those for modelling/converting, or some other electronic purpose?

Thanks for showing an interest, I will keep posting pictures, I hope I don't post too many!

The resistors were bought to convert a Gundam model kit to have an ominous green eye and a Babylon 5 fighter to have blue glowing thrusters and a red cockpit. I'd post pictures, but I got the impression we should only be posting wargames-related pictures.

I have wondered about LEDing a 40K model, but think it would have to be a tank (dreadnought possibly) to hold batteries and wiring appropriately. It has to have a function too, otherwise it's just being done for gimic.

**Januine**

So much great fun ahead of you!! As I said I've only just got back in and the figs are begining to pile up already!!!! Must resist urge to stockpile!!!! Keep it up and have a cracking time

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Project DA1 - Ravenwing Command Squad
I tried making my own based upon earlier Codex rules about 12-13 years ago and bought all the components to create a converted squad. I managed to make a sergeant, which so posted above, but never got round to the rest. I'm going to make a converted techmarine but better get a flow going first.

So I bought the Dark Angels expansion for Dark Vengeance getting me the GW squad that looks great and thought I'd start with this with little conversion to get me going and fulfil that original aim (in a different way).

I'm going to use the additional Ravenwing Knights components from the set with two old bikes to make it up to a five man squad.

I've built the bikes so far and will post photos of the bikers when they are ready for painting. Updates may be slow next week because I have a post-graduate exam that I have to sit. That's £900 of 40K I could have bought!

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Project DA1 - Ravenwing Command Squad
So started up on this group. Trying to get as much constructed before conveyor belt painting for the first time.

Sprues:

Champion, Apothecary, Standard Bearer and two Knights (WIP):

Grenade Launcher Knight:

Awesome to be using green stuff again!

Have ordered magnets for Champion's head - I think helmet cool and want it in model, but think it's quite a static model with it on his shoulders as the actual head. So I am having a screaming head off sprue as the main head and the helmet magnetised to the back of the bike - I always wondered where the helmets go on these guys who aren't wearing them. I know they're "hard" but it's suicidal not to even have a helmet in close proximity in case of a huge barrage. Anyway, the magnet will be flush to the bike surface, so swapping it on to the model for aesthetic reasons will not leave an obvious blemish.

The grenade launcher knight needed slight tweaks to make the old bike I had lying around do the job. Stupidly miscounted the number of plasma talons, front shield and torso rears that I got with the kit, will need to get these of eBay - still cheaper than buying a brand new box of Knights.

Will update with more pics as soon as they are available.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
And here's the last of the Command Squad. His plasma talons, front shield and torso back are in the post from two parts of the UK and Australia. There are unsurprisingly an abundance of grenade launcher fronts, but very few plasma talons. So he's gonna be on hold until at least 16th March if the Australia delivery estimate is correct for the Torso back.

**Warboss_Waaazag**

Looks good. Keep it up.

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Project DA1 - Ravenwing Command Squad
Typical! You go and order a part and then find it in your Bitz box - important lesson I've learnt. It'll still come in useful and I need the Plasma Talons anyway. Here's my WIP final Ravenwing Knight for the Command Squad:

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Project DA1 - Ravenwing Command Squad

So magnets arrived and here's how the Champion is gonna look:

I'll keep it with face and helmet on side of bike, but be able to switch to helmet if the fancy ever takes me. Being primed now, painting starts soon. Exam on Wednesday, not sure how much I can justify doing beforehand.

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Project DA1 - Ravenwing Command Squad

So progress a little slow because of revision and other work. Have managed to start painting me lee weapons - Blade of Caliban, Corvus Hammers and Apothecary Narthecium.

I've entered the squad into Paradigm's March Painting Competition. Ironic the subject for the inaugural month was Space Marines!

Hopefully I can get them done in the time, if not I will pick the Apothecary as the one to focus on completing, I like the idea of painting someone white rather than black or green, not done that with a 40K character before

. Check out the competition at http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/637582.page, you can enter right up until the closing day, but need to post a proof photo first.

See you after the exam.

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Project DA1 - Ravenwing Command Squad

So, started doing some painting tonight. Mixed feelings. Messed up my apothecary to the extent that he's currently in the Dettol bath to strip the paint off - bit of a morale killer. Still managed to get these bits down, but took far too long! (Not to mention that their pads and highlighting aren't done

). I'll never get the whole squad done by the end of March for the painting competition deadline and the face is pretty terrible, I just can't seem to get it right. Pretty despondent right now. Here's a photo:

**dubovac**

To me face looks ok, but cant say really since it is too far. But it has nice gritty look and is that two day beard on his chin or..

**TP^DC Deputy Manager**

Oh dear.

Well, let's just say that life got CRAZY. Have made very little progress forward. I started to touch up the breast plate crests on the part painted figures above, but failed to finish. Stripped the apothecary back to plastic and resprayed white, but no further progress.

Inherited an airbrush from my Dad, but the compressor would wake corpses, so with two children in the house and painting likely being done when they are in bed, I don't see that as being a viable option.

Got excited by Tau Drones (weird I know) - because they aren't complicated to paint, so maybe a good confidence boost. Therefore possibly will try this soon.

Very little chance of completing Ravenwing Command Squad before Paradigm's contest ends this month, may just finish my tactical squad and rebase on new resin bases instead. Less wow, but achievable and necessary for my army.

Life events -
- Exam,
- Big progress meeting for work tomorrow that needed two weeks of heavy preparation.
- Night shifts.
- Relative in hospital very unwell.
- Wife unwell so I have had to pick up slack in the house.
Sure. Painting took back seat naturally.

So that's my progress entry. Not pleased, but hey.

**Januine**

real life jumps in! I'm trying to organise a wedding at the moment (in all fairness, my fiance is doing the lion's share as she speaks the language!) - every weekend is taken up going/doing/sorting something else out for it. Managing to get a bit of painting done in the early morns and evening after work but weekends are kaput! Real life eh - getting in the way of the important stuff! Keep going though TP - you'll get there

**Nevelon**

Hang in there and work when you can. Even slow progress is forward progress. It’s not like minis go stale. Deal with RL when you must, then pick up the brush when you can.