this is not my first army see ;ater posts for details


My camera sucks, so sometimes the flash has to be on for a clear photo, which distorsts the highlighting, such photos will be labled with the word 'flash

(And yes, the models do not have any decal shoulder symbols yet, I am in the process of ordering the paper online to make some.)




Close ups of these models were taken before I based them.


My first ever model.






My razorback.


















Another Squad 1 Tac Marine



And the flamer from the same squad






And finally my WIP attempt at a conversion. I am making a librarian from just the tactical sprue and AoBR
since taking these photos i have file down the green stuff and the book looks really good now, not the lumpy thing it is there.





Comments and advice welcome.

Could a mod please change my country flag, too? I am an Australian living in Japan, so the Australian or Japanese flag would be good, but I'm not American

Please tell me you where into some sort of art / painting befor these cause if not thats very crazy .

slann wrote:Please tell me you where into some sort of art / painting befor these cause if not thats very crazy .

Can't say I was. But I spent about a month and a half reading every pdf, article, forum and guide I could get my hands on, such as the ones here, How to paint citidel minatures, etc.

Also it seems I only get the American flag at work (or that a mod has already changed it for me, thanks if that's the case!)

Nice librarian conversion and good paint jobs for some of your first mini's!

Cheers,

Dante

Abuh...

All the aussies on this forum ASTOUND ME. I still find it very difficult to paint that well on my characters, and then your missile launcher dude is there and it's BAM! Shame for Jimi.

Keep it up and bring us more pics!

Very nice work. My first mini's were painted in near-total ignorance and they were terrible! I especially like the chapter symbols on the rhino.

This really is excellent for your first attempt! Keep up the good work.

I totally agree, it´s nearly unbelievable that these are your first models. The red turned out especially well, it´s very deep and has a great highlithing. Also, great interior detail and bases!

Thanks for the kind words guys, really appreciate them, the next tactical marine should be finished after a few more hours tomorrow night, spend tonight highlighting his body tonight, so just need to do his backpack and gun, and his eyes (I am going to attempt to do the advanced eye highlighting for the first time, rather than the solid green I've done so far).

After that I'm going to take a break from the Tac squad so I dont get bored and do my Librarian, then go back and finish them.

Horah!

another marine joins the ranks! for your first ever model im in awe
you have to tell me your method on the red, the highlighting is spot on!

my view on this thread:
Hai guyz, I just started this game k?
*people look*
*people are shocked by amazing looking models that would embarass the armies of some who've been playing for 10+ years*

10/10, looking great so far!

I'm having difficulty believing that these were your very first models. They are really well done. You've used some very advanced techniques quite well, and I'm impressed and a little envious of your ability! Quite fantastic, indeed.

Unbeliveable these have to be the best first time minis I've seen, I mean you've actually painted the inside of the tank! And had a go at some good freehand! Keep on going and you'll be brilliant!

That is some great fine detail work, especially inside the Rhino. I would personally like to see more than one angle of each of the minis you showed, just a point-of-view ground level shot doesn't do them full justice. How long would you say you spent painting per model? I am fairly proud of my first foray into painting (I'm a recent starter myself), but seeing your work makes me a little ashamed of myself! If you have any tips about what brushes to use for the detailing and other sundry info, I'm all ears.

First try eh?
That is Pretty. Damned. Impressive.
Your work shames the pants off of several of the "veteran gamers" where I live.

Good job!

Bloody fantastic, to put it bluntly haha ! For a first try these are great, cant wait to see more of these, never have been a great fan of blood ravens,
this may change everything

Thanks for all the great comments guys!
I was more worried about some of the flaws, and wasn't sure if they were very good or not, so your kinds words inspire me!

For the red, I do,

2 thin coats of Mach Red Foundation paint.
Then 2 thin coats of Red Gore.
A wash of red ink over the entire red surface.
Highlighting;
A 50/50 highlight of Red Gore/Blood Red
Blood Red
A 50/50 Highlight of Blood Red/Bleached Bone.
A very thin glaze of red ink over the highlights, like maybe 8 parts water 2 parts ink, glazed 3-4 times.

Very nice! where did you get your bases from? or did you make them?

dashrendar wrote:Very nice! where did you get your bases from? or did you make them?

I ordered them from www.back2base-ix.com

They are very cheap and had the bases here to me in Tokyo from Australia in about 8 days.

wow, great stuff! I cant honestly say I belive these are your first models, but if they are, mass Kudos!

.

Well, skepticism aside (and its only there due to the execution of some more advanced painting techniques), they really are nice models. You should be very proud.

Ill say right out that your vet serge and razorback were the 2 models that more than anything made me think you’d been painting for years. The detail and execution are very high, and the little extras you chose to add are rarely seen (I’m talking about the freehand inside the razor).

In fact, the only criticism I feel is justified at all is that you did not drill out the barrels on some of your guns (namely the storm and heavy bolters). That’s just a matter of taste though.

Again, very nice work.

I drew inspiration for the inside of the razorback from these pictures,

http://www.minivault.com/BloodRavenRazorback.htm

And he gave me the inspiration to attempt a lot of interior modelling, and I drew a lot of ideas from his work on blood raven's as my own.

My attempts paled next to his, but I hope someday to freehand the Blood Ravens chapter icons to his level of ability.

The writing freehand proved to be really, really easy, compared to everything else I did. Probably the easist part of the models.

I'm currently working on eye details, and I want to try 'glowing' eyes for my librarian HQ model.
I feel now after painting 3 models since and the razorback I could have done a much better job on the vetern sgt's banner, as well as on his purity seals.

A phenomenal beginning into the world of painting 40K miniatures. You put to shame many 'veterans' of this hobby. Your Rhino is especially inspiring with all the interior work.

Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing more of your work on these forums.

I did the same attempt with my librarian (avatar) its fairly easy and knowing your painting ability, should look outstanding (pretty much just highlighting of blue)

Some WIP shots for people who were curious about my style.

All are very WIP, nowhere near finished.

First ts a tac marine, second is a librarian, with a basic blue coat down, now highlighting him up.

Wow those are really good I love the interior of the razorback

If your wanting to know more about glowing eye's P4nc4k3 has done some good ones on his necron models and orcs.

Your flag is based on your internet provider.
As for your models... wow. That's truly amazing for a beginner... actually its just great in general. Good job!

I love your work its really awsome ! , But as for the whole firstime thing I find it hard to swallow . Iam not trying to be a hater in know way but the techniques used to the standard you are putting out you just dont pick up from reading . painting is kinda like riding a bike know matter how much you read you still have to learn the feeel of it , like a brush . I can see doing neat highlighting some minor blending but the amount of free hand for someone that never took the time to feel out brush control its just hard to believe .

On that note I wont bring it up agian , but your stuff does look awsome keep up the good work !

And his tongue shall speaketh judgment
Blessed is the one who endureth temptation.
For when he hath been proved,
He shall receive the crown of life.
--Blood Raven 2nd company 3rd Librarian Pius









One with flash to show details, but the highlights look off under its purifying light.



In the end I liked how he turned out a lot, for a conversion using only the tactical sprue! I didn't like the power halberd blade, I will go back and re-do it next week, and try blending, rather than highlighting it up.
I also tried to do the eyes properly, as people suggested, after reading the suggestions people offered. Thoughts?

A combat Squad from The 2nd Company First squad deploys under the watchful eye of Librarian Pius, as they move to purify the enemy with holy bolter and sacred chainsword.







And one with flash.



CC welcome, no, encouraged!

nope, i really got nothing.. oh wait librarians have an icon/symbol they used to show what rank they are (episolary or something or other). its more described in the codex but maybe in future you would want to freehand the design onto your miniature. other then that... looks great

If those indeed are your first models ever then you are some kind of friggin' genious.. I still can't do highlights that nice... >_<

Sweet fancy Moses!

These models are amazing! It's hard to believe that these are your first ever!

Astounding work, Roleplayer!

great work on the models. I really like the converted librarian.

Keep it up. Id love to see more as the army grows

These are truly superb. I havent even tried a Vehicle yet (about to start my Aobr Deadnaught) but yours looks great.

Its an inspiration.

Lol, I love the backdrop of that tac marine. The cityscape fits well.

Your first painting jobs are WAY WAY WAAAAAY better than mine were, and better still than my painting skills are now after 3-4 months in! You should pat yourself on the back, my friend, for a job well done.

All your stuff looks great!

Your Librarian looks like its going well!

Wow awesome painting. I'm not so good at painting but I'm starting to get the hang of it. To tell you the truth the colours of the Rhino kind of make it look like it's just a plain square painted red though and it doesn't really pop out... other than that amazing job I can't believe you never did much painting beforehand.





-orkishly

StubbyGB wrote:These are truly superb. I havent even tried a Vehicle yet (about to start my Aobr Deadnaught) but yours looks great.

Its an inspiration.

Wow, first person to say I'm an inspiration.

I feel special inside ^^

I want to steal your cursedly-steady hands.

My first painted minis absolutely SUCKED next to yours. In fact, your first minis beat the quality of painting I do NOW. Tell me your secret, because surely reading a lot and watching internet tutorials did not start you off like that.

Great army...

Hmm, I dunno.

I've done martial arts for about 20 years, so maybe doing all the kata requiring pricse hand to eye coordination helped in developing good motor control?

Also do cartography as a hobby...

You have never painted before and those are your first minis? so at this rate you will sweep the boards at next years golden demons! Amazing work for a beginner...

farseer kyladras wrote:You have never painted before and those are your first minis? so at this rate you will sweep the boards at next years golden demons! Amazing work for a beginner...

I very much doubt that.

I dont have the kind of patiance for the 90 coats of paint on the face or 70 coats of glaze on a leather pouch needed to win or even compete at golden daemon.

I'd like to win some awards eventually, but I think I will shoot for best painted army at tournaments rather than single minatures.

Out of curiosity, what models have you planned out next, because these models are outstanding

Gutteridge wrote:Out of curiosity, what models have you planned out next, because these models are outstanding

I'm Making a Blitzkrieg style space marine army.

So all mechanized with a lot of tanks.

Current models I own are...

Dreadnaught.
Captain.

5 terminators + terminator chaplin
Drop pod.

2 more razorback/rhinos

Sternguard VeternSquad
Predator
Vindicator

After the tac squad is finished I was thinking dreadnaught or sternguard.

Work in progress Sternguard Sgt.



Side shot.



Advice I'd like;

Banner: I intend to leave the fabric black, to offset the gold, and to play into the three primary colours (Black/Red/Bone), agree/disagree?
Does the banner work at all, or do people hate it?
Powerfist Fingers;
Leave Black, do red, or do bone?
Bolter:
Standard chapter black, or do it a different colour to make it look more custom.
Belt: Leather brown, or Fabric Black? Or metallic?

Thanks.

Congratulations, you just kicked butt.

You know, Im haveing a very hard time buying the fact that this is your "First Army".

And since all your pics are Finished models.... No real WIP, No Before After... Im thinking you bought this off ebay and am laying claim to it.

If im wrong, so be it..... But this all seems kinds fishy.

Wow very nice im going to be starting my first army soon to...this week actually and i hope mine turn out this good.

really nice job on the razorback!

jp400 wrote:You know, Im haveing a very hard time buying the fact that this is your "First Army".

And since all your pics are Finished models.... No real WIP, No Before After... Im thinking you bought this off ebay and am laying claim to it.

If im wrong, so be it..... But this all seems kinds fishy.

Yeah, except the WIP librarian and baseless marines, genius.

The Sternguard Sgt only has his red armour finished too, with nothing else done ;_;
He is a WIP
If you want you can name him and I'll paint it on the banner, so long as it's Latin

(Also, the Razorback interior shots were taken halfway thru, you can see all the tracks missing, no highlights on the outside armour, the hatches missing, etc)

Have you finished the razorback yet, id love to see it completed

It's been finished for ages.

The final shots are in page one.

I was just saying, the interior shots were taken while it was still a WIP

Another WIP shot

Those are some very nice looking Blood Ravens!

Hey I got a comment for you....I hate you.

j/k!!!!

You just started painting this year and are already 250% times better than I am!!! Great stuff, and I can't believe I have missed your posts to this point. Don't really have any critiques as I love your style.

Kudo's!!

Roleplayer wrote:
If you want you can name him and I'll paint it on the banner, so long as it's Latin

can you call him "Incendia Vox" or "silentium" ?

Those would be too long to fit on the leg banner :(

Roleplayer wrote:Those would be too long to fit on the leg banner :(

could simply do "vox" if thats small enough

I'll use it on one of the sternguard in his squad.

For this guy I settled on 'Telum' which means Arrow in latin, fitting for a Sternguard sgt I think

Fitting indeed

any progress for painting? i really like how your army is turning up too be like. oh and incase you didn't know, "vox" means power but maybe better placed on a heavy marine etc..

*subscribed*

Sternguard is nearly done, but I'll do the next photo for him tomorrow, after I have finished him.

Here is a better shot I tried to take of my finished Tac marines, tho.

Thats some really good painting youve got going, i like the cloth that razorback

what does the "I" stand for on the veteran on your tactical squad out of curiosity?

*looks at your marines in comparison to my marines*

*checks proper blood ravens paint scheme*

*realizes he has painted the imperial eagle incorrectly*

*looks at 1,500 points worth of blood ravens painted up*

sigh.

It's meant to be the Roman Numeral 1, as you can see on their shoulder pads they have a 1 as well, being the First Squad of the 2nd Company of Blood ravens.
Also blood ravens use different eagle colours to denote different companies.

So black is just for the 2nd company, I believe.
So yours can just be a different company

F my life, im verry jellous

these look alot like the blood ravens in the white dwarf (lustria edition) very good for a first time

I finally finished the Sternguard Vetern Sgt today.

Here is Telum, Sgt of the 7th Squad of the 1st Company.

By thy colour will he know thee,

By thy banners will he fear thee,

By thy standard will he dread thee,

Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war.

Wow Im loving these

The Sternguard SGT turned out very nice!

I never clicked on this before because it says first army.. that was a mistake.

Really amazing models anyone would be proud to paint that well.

I really like telum.

Amazing!

Could you link me to some of the guides and PDF's you read?

Beautiful, pretty much sums it up really. This is truly an army to be proud of

Yes i would love to get a list of the really good tutorials you have read...

Very nice clean work, the gold on the stern guard veteran is awesome how do you do that because it gives great contrast (to which mine does not)?
keep up the great work!

WOW.

I'm a darn good painter ( modest and all too, I'll post my nids in a few days, so you can see that I'm not lying here. ), and I can speak from experience that building the highlight tones for Blood Ravens is tough. My Ravens don't come close to looking this good.

The step between red gore and blood red is a chasm. Blood red should be renamed blood orange, because it's completely different than scab, gore, and Mechrite.

It's a testament to your painting skills that you're able to make these guys look so good. Red's also a difficult color to work with as a base color(not nearly as bad as yellow, though).

You've done a phenomenal job with these guys and I can't wait to see the rest.

PS, as a side note, you may have just pushed me over the edge to repaint my SM army as Crimson Fists, as I'm unhappy with how they've turned out (and the few fists I've done have turned out tremendously)...so thanks, I think.

Wow. Those are incredible.

Let me ask you something: I get that you've never painted models before. Have you ever painted anything? Watercolors? Anything? Because your technique is awesome, and you didn't fall prey to newbie mistakes- missing detail, frustration, clumpy highlights, etc.

For my own sanity, I must know!

I'm simply amazed that you picked up painting that quickly and congratulations on having some outstanding models. Your highlighting and detail are awesome and if it's not too much trouble I'd also like a link to some of the tutorials you've read.

Wheres Gabriel Angelos? whaaa

..... Those are great for your first models.... i guess we'll see you at golden demon soon.

I am not sure if anyone else has posted this but IIRC you cant give a Tac squad any special/heavy weapons unless they have ten marines in he squad.

But good job on the painting.

Its a option in the new Codex that a 10 man squad can have a "Free" Heavy Weapon

6 man or indeed 5 man squads can still take a Heavy Weapon if abeit at a more expensive price pts wise overall im getting boned for it being that my squads operate as sixes

I think you can tell that he has jus started out painting, if you have a background in cartography, have done woodworking and 20 years of martial arts.. you would have some type of skill already not to mention patience.

Study beforehand... and you said 5 hours practice on ur first marine. It's entirely possible. It's just a matter of going straight to the advanced stuff and studying it as much as you can.

Excellent work - I don't think I need to say much more than that. Its definitely a standard for me to aspire to.

I think that you studying how to paint was the right move. It means you don't have any bad habits to unlearn. You've started as a pro!

Your blood ravens look the biz. How big do you plan your army to be? Or is it for the joy of painting, and not gaming.

Been a week since this guy posted, I wonder if he's coming back.

BOSS_PIMPALOTZ wrote:Its a option in the new Codex that a 10 man squad can have a "Free" Heavy Weapon

6 man or indeed 5 man squads can still take a Heavy Weapon if abeit at a more expensive price pts wise overall im getting boned for it being that my squads operate as sixes

Sorry sir, but unless there is a rule somewhere in the dark bowels of the 5th Edition Codex, you are wrong.

Here, from the Troop Page, on the Tac Squad Options
"If the squad numbers ten models, one Space Marine may replace his boltgun with one of the following:
-a Flamer Free
-a Meltagun +5 pts
-a Plasma Gun +10 pts

If the Space Marine squad numbers ten models, one Space Marine may replace his boltgun with one of the following
-a heavy bolter, multi-melta, or a missile launcher Free
-a plasma cannon +5 pts
-a lascannon +10 pts "

There

Next sternguard, comments and advice?

Thing I dont like the most is the highlights on the metal of the gun. Any good guides or changes you can suggest?

Cheers

Org wrote:

BOSS_PIMPALOTZ wrote:Its a option in the new Codex that a 10 man squad can have a "Free" Heavy Weapon

6 man or indeed 5 man squads can still take a Heavy Weapon if abeit at a more expensive price pts wise overall im getting boned for it being that my squads operate as sixes

Sorry sir, but unless there is a rule somewhere in the dark bowels of the 5th Edition Codex, you are wrong.

Here, from the Troop Page, on the Tac Squad Options
"If the squad numbers ten models, one Space Marine may replace his boltgun with one of the following:
-a Flamer Free
-a Meltagun +5 pts
-a Plasma Gun +10 pts

If the Space Marine squad numbers ten models, one Space Marine may replace his boltgun with one of the following
-a heavy bolter, multi-melta, or a missile launcher Free
-a plasma cannon +5 pts
-a lascannon +10 pts "

There

Oh I stand throughly corrected I dont really play you see (Which is no doubt evident) I only collect just going on what I heard but hey.

Metal is a hard one to paint sometimes, but it may have paid off to do a boltgun metal coat, bebab wash it, and then give it a very dry drybrushing of mithril silver.. just to pick out the very edges of that metal.

Either that or you could use your studying expertise and try your hand at Non Metallic Metals? If done right it comes out spectacular. There is a guide in the current white dwarf on it.

Sicarious85 wrote:Metal is a hard one to paint sometimes, but it may have paid off to do a boltgun metal coat, bebab wash it, and then give it a very dry drybrushing of mithril silver.. just to pick out the very edges of that metal.

Either that or you could use your studying expertise and try your hand at Non Metallic Metals? If done right it comes out spectacular. There is a guide in the current white dwarf on it.

I'm not a fan of non metallic metals, and don't think i will ever try and use the style.

Also these are gaming minis not display only minis.

I've heard of military modellers crushing down a pencil tip (carbon graphite) to a fine powder and rubbing that onto the surface. It gives a unique texture to the metal. I learnt it from this guy... http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/228741.page#541489 Hope that helps!

Good work with the paint job but i do agree with the others about the metal - it crashes too much with the extreme highlighting on the black on the weapon, with this i would just do a wash of badab black too just dull it down more,, good work on the rest of the model!

wow, amazing highlighting on those blood ravens, ive been playing around with schemes of my own, but none look close to this good, have you ever thought of making a tutorial?

Wait.... first ever? Please for gods sake, you took a painting class in college? Took an art class at the rec center? Watched that creepy dude with the beard paint landscapes on PBS?

Truly stunning models. It truly looks fantastic. I mean I could literally drool over those, I really reccomend starting a model painting business if you need extra money lol... \

The shading, superb.
The armor coloring, amazing.
The shading, perfect.
The gem on the forehead of the Combi-Plasma sternguard and its eye lens are pro-level.

I'm not even lying when I say that you can paint as well as the eavy' metal artists at GW. Even the scrips of the purity seals have writing on them! Its made me realize that I need to get my butt in gear with my Deathwing lol.

Thanks for all the lovely words everyone.
You don't know how much it means to me to hear them

And now,

AoBR post kitbashing,
whatcha think?

Its not meant to venerable or Ironclad, Just an older, more distinguished dreadnaught, hence all the scrolls, purity seals, icons. I wanted it to stand apart from a normal AoBR.
Do people think I should add a few more seals/scrolls?

Sicarious85 wrote:Metal is a hard one to paint sometimes, but it may have paid off to do a boltgun metal coat, bebab wash it, and then give it a very dry drybrushing of mithril silver.. just to pick out the very edges of that metal.

I tried this out and it looked much better on my tactical marine's gun.

I think drybrushing is the way to go for highlighting my metal thats not NMM from now on. Thanks bro.

Hi Roleplayer

As S.J said you could try graphite if you wanted but I've found that for fantasy or sci fi figures it doesnt really work that well.

I use the technique mostly on historical minis or vehicles.

If you do decide to use it start the metal areas in a black colour and then rub on grinded graphite powder with your finger.

As for the metal areas you've painted above theres an easy way to do this. Yes the high lights are a bit extreme at the moment so why not just mix two shades of silver colours to get a more natural progression?

For example boltgun metal mixed 50/50 with mithril silver?

Or you can darken down boltgun metal with a bit of black ink or chaos black and then highlight with pure boltgun metal.

Highlighting, blending, and shading in metalics is the same as in non metallic colours.

Several people have asked the OP if he has any painting experience at all, and he has not answered. I think perhaps he should consider how the idea of someone with zero art experience showing off master-quality models makes everyone else feel. Maybe that's the point, maybe he doesn't care; either way, it's upsetting.

I have no art skills, and I don't expect my minis will ever look that good, but it would help me sleep at night if I knew this guy had prior art training. It's like Malcolm Ingram said, "If Owen Wilson tries to kill himself, what right do I have to live?"

Roleplayer,

How do you do the white helmets. Is it just bleach bone and a white highlight or are there some glazes or washes involved?

It's not me not answering, I answered it in the first page, if you recall
People just keep asking me the same questions

I don't have any experience with model painting, I did a little bit of painting in art in high school/collage, but I didn't get As or anything.
I do cartography and calligraphy as a hobby, which requires a steady hand a brush respectively.
I spent about a month reading tutorials, and I practiced a lot of the various different techniques on the AoBR warboss and one spare marine I got in the box. I can post pics of those if you like

As for the helmets,

I paint the deneb stone, then 3 coats of thinned bleached bone, then a highlight of 50/50 Skull White/BB, then a 80/20 highlight of SW/BB.

Were these articles that you speak of on the web, or are they in magazines.

Also, you must have spent a hell of a lot of money since not only does it take a steady hand and knowledge of techniques, but a wide range of expensive paints.

Or are you just incredible and manage to gak out the right colours??

Oh come on guys, let the nerd rage die already

Xanthos552 wrote:Were these articles that you speak of on the web, or are they in magazines.

Also, you must have spent a hell of a lot of money since not only does it take a steady hand and knowledge of techniques, but a wide range of expensive paints.

Or are you just incredible and manage to gak out the right colours??

The guide I use the most is a pdf I found call CMON Ultimage Guide to minature painting. But I also read all the articles here, on Cool Mini or Not, 40kforums and Freeboota 40k radio forums. Jawaballs youtube videos were also a great deal of help, as were a large number of other people's videos.

And no, I just spent a lot of money About 300 US. I basically baught the entire Games Workshop Paint Line the same day I baught AoBR.
I'm 28, work full time, and live by myself in Japan, and have no social life here except for my gf. So I was able to invest a chink of disposable income into starting up painting.

As I said, first I played Dawn Of War, then I read a bit about 40k, then saw some minis online, was inspired after looking at them all, went to my local GW, baught everything I needed to get started and started from there!
As you can see by the mistakes I make in painting metals, painting details, and the way my first minatures didnt have eyes painted, but now do, I am learning more advanced techniques as I go.

The best advice I'd give is patience, I guess? I mean, that sternguard took me almost a10 or so days of 1 hour a night to finish, from primer to finished.

Hey, no rage here! Just despair. However, I am glad you've had basic training in both painting and other art stuff: it explains the control shown in your painting.

Roleplayer, this is a great blog with some awesome work

To answer your question I think the dread looks great as it is, if you start adding too many scrolls etc it will either start looking cluttered or more like a venerable.

I'm half way through painting my Aobr Dread now, I have to say its quite different from painting a regular marine. There are more little 'gribbly' details, but also larger flatter panels that you need to blend across.

Ive also found that citadel washes are great over boltgun metal for different types of metal.

For work on the dreadnought...

My first tip is to drill out the barrel on the meltagun with a wide drill. A flat meltagun surface is worse than a bolter with a closed barrel IMO.

Also, the dreadnought's powerfist has a gap in it that may want to be covered with GS or something, since it will show up.

Love the painting and I hope I can get this good. In my band of friends I play/model with, I'm the best painter, but your stuff makes mine look horrible... Note to self, look up that painting guide you mentioned.

I really recommend Jawaballs youtube videos, they're great for showing you some nice basic techniques. he has a lot of really cool free ones.

Roleplayer wrote:Next sternguard, comments and advice?

Thing I dont like the most is the highlights on the metal of the gun. Any good guides or changes you can suggest?

Cheers

Yeah, I am not digging the barrel end of the plasma portion of the combi-bolter either. I am thinking it might have looked better being straight black with your normal grey highlights.

Really crook today, very sore throat, headache, room is always too hot or two cold. My wall air con has like, this mold growing in it, and I hate to have it on, because I know that can't be healthy, but it was 38 here today and I was running a fever, urgh.

Despite all this, I managed to throw together a dry run for my Chapter Master, as my bitz game this morning

Dry run for my chapter master.
Pre-cleaning, filing ,green stuff.

The helmet wings and ceramonial back wings will be painted Raven black.

Thoughts/ Things you like, don't like? What should I add?

Cheers

Roleplayer wrote:Really crook today, very sore throat, headache, room is always too hot or two cold. My wall air con has like, this mold growing in it, and I hate to have it on, because I know that can't be healthy, but it was 38 here today and I was running a fever, urgh.

Despite all this, I managed to throw together a dry run for my Chapter Master, as my bitz game this morning

Dry run for my chapter master.
Pre-cleaning, filing ,green stuff.

The helmet wings and ceramonial back wings will be painted Raven black.

Thoughts/ Things you like, don't like? What should I add?

Cheers




Where did you get the wings and from what model??? or mini??

Is another variant I am considering.

Thoughts?

Personally its a little OTT for my tastes.

Maybe you can get away with the wings on the helm but the feathers on the cape is a step too far for me.

Then again if thats your thing then go for it. Theres nothing wrong with ornate conversions if thats your taste.

Edit - 2 Swords looks cool but in game terms a pistol would probably be more useful.

This is awesome. Excellent highlighting, kind of pillow highlighting, rather than directional, but clean, crisp and very well done.

One to watch for sure.

Have you considered shading the bone helmets?

Yeah, its meant to be a little over the top, he's the chapter master, and this is meant to be his ceramonial wear, like, dress uniform, he'd wear to important meetings, seeing planetary governers etc, and wouldn't wear to the battlefield that often.

you could count his 2 swords as a relic blade (2 handed) and craft the pistol onto his wrist perhaps? its legal.
on to the model, the feathers gives it a cool look, but when i see the winged helm i always think Dark angels, but its your call.

keep updates rolling!

I like the cloak wings, personally. In my eyes it's a good thing to go OTT with your scariest stuff, not a lot says YOU WILL DIE like a touch that makes your commander stand out. I'm not sure I would paint the wings black, though, helm or cloak. It does seem a little too Dark Angel, and washing the color theory around my morning-addled brain seems that it will entirely overpower the rest of him. The ratio of black bits to mini surface area looks to me like too much. Feel free to prove me wrong, by all means, with your skill it could probably be done. If you really want to go over the top and want to keep the black, do the leading edges of the wings and feathers on the helm in silver or bronze and then paint gold over it, with the rest of the wings black I think they would blaze.

Funny you should mention that. As you can see, he wears a death watch shoulderpad. I wanted to see my chapter master served alongside a Dark Angel when they were younger in the Death Watch, and they became almost like brothers, and he received the helmet from him.

I'm going to paint up one of his honour guard as a dark angel, to represent this person...

Is he there because of brotherly love? Or because the Blood ravens unknown history somehow connects them to the Dark Angels, and he's there for a more sinister purpose?

That was an idea, anyway.

As for wing colour, I am going to push myself, and do a colour scheme that starts black and then fades to red by the end of the wings, maybe. What do people think of that?

Or do they think a black then fades to bleach, like the Ravens shoulder pads would be cooler?

Where exactly did you get them wings?

The black fading to red seems like a good plan. Like I said, my brain is a poor grade of pudding right now (mornings and I have had several nasty fights, we're now legally separated but the mornings have custody of the rest of my days, so I wind up as a sleep zombie a lot whenever I work at 8am) but having the black to red gradient would fit it in with the rest of his armor while making it stand out. With the skill you've exhibited thus far the results should be fantastic either way you choose. A thought I had, though, is that if you have the patience to gradate each individual feather black to red rather than the wings as a whole, you could also gradate the red throughout, perhaps beginning with blood red or equivalents and going out to scab red at the end of the wings, or vice versa.

EDIT: I didn't see the Deathwatch pad at first, but looking back I was able to make out the Inquisitorial symbol. It is the right arm, yes? Very nice touch. I like the backstory you've crafted for him thus far, simple but strong and interesting.

Roleplayer wrote:Yeah, its meant to be a little over the top, he's the chapter master, and this is meant to be his ceramonial wear, like, dress uniform, he'd wear to important meetings, seeing planetary governers etc, and wouldn't wear to the battlefield that often.

I rather like the wings and wouldn't mind borrowing the idea for a Raven Guard character...

Where do they come from?

I think the wings are from the WHFB Empire Standard Bearer

I think you're right!

Thank you!

Great work and keep it up. It just shows you that painting is not talent or practice (though they help) its more patience and time. Your willingness to learn the correct steps and not rush through your army should be and example to all those haters that don't take the time to paint the way they could if they just followed your example.

Yes, the wings are from the empire general standard

I really like the wings, both helm and back, if you had a photo showing the rear that would be cool.

The two sword version kicks a$$. I love it ! he is rocking !

Goodness gracious!!!

You've got the highlighting down perfectly, you can really tell you spent a ton of time on these. Very, very nice. You may just be a prodigy.

I'm having a lot of trouble believing that anybody could paint that well right off the bat! I certainly didn't. (OF course, I kinda just jumped right into it, read a few web articles first and then got down to painting High Elves.)
When I saw the (First Army) thing, and then the pics, I was like: HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP! That's really really good for your first miniature.

Tek wrote:This is awesome. Excellent highlighting, kind of pillow highlighting, rather than directional, but clean, crisp and very well done.

One to watch for sure.

Have you considered shading the bone helmets?

What would you recommend?

At the moment I am just highlighting them.

Dreadnaughts take a LONG time to paint, Jesus.

Finished the body now, still need to do the arms. Posted with unfinished arms so people can tell me what they think of a bone coloured melta. I wanted to tie in the raven colour scheme more, but I think it stands out too much, maybe? Back to black with it?

Here are the fairly average photos. Dark out and raining, and used the bad camera, gf has the decent one.











As always, advice and comments welcomed, no, demanded!

I'm digging the dread. I think you should continue with the bone melta. Because like you said it ties in with the army. Also judging by the scrolls you will no trouble making it look good.

I really like the searchlight. I have had trouble with them in the past.

Also IMO when you put the banner on I would lose the Ork head, and just have the plain banner. Mostly because this banner isnt going to be in the middle and I feel it over balances the model.

Just my thoughts. I admire you patience.

I love the dred, the paintjob is excelent and has a really crisp feeling to it. Excelent work.

As for the Multi Melta, I kinda like the pale colour for it. It's original and unique. The one thing I'd do though would be to add burn marks around the side vent things on it. It would help tone it down slightly.

GREAT GREAT PAINTJOB! KEEP IT UP!

*picks jaw up off the floor* They are your first minis!? They are amazing. The Chapter Master is looking cool. I would say although the two sword version looks good I think a sword and pistol or sword and storm shield would look better.

i cant wait to see how your chapter master turns out, i had an idea like that for my own blood ravens but i never got around to it

Looking amazing as ever bro.

For the chapter master, have you seen Dante? Yeah, he's OTT, but that guy is very cool. Black Raven wings and a Bone colored helmet with that nice Red armor you got goin and some gold accents will make him look godly. The dread is also looking pretty damn nice.

O, and for the master, go with the double swords and I recommend making them sheen black power swords. Since the relic blade is a 2h weapon it isn't far off from giving him matching swords, they are occupying two hands... =P

It just looks way to cool to pass up on. Maybe encorporate the plasma pistol into one of the swords for like a "special sword" that shoots a energy beam or something to act like a plasma pistol? Kinda like Vulcan H'stans heavy flamer glove except a plasma pistol sword...

Thanks for all the comments, guys!

I will stick with the bone meta, then

As for the chapter master, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little bit before I start painting him. I'm currently slogging my way through getting the basic 1000 points painted up so I can start attending tournaments with it and playing games.

My 1000 pt check list.


Hq:
Librarian: Done.

Troops:
Tac 1: 7 models done.
Razorback: Done.

Tac 2: 0 models done.
Razorback: 0%

Fast Attack
Landspeeder 0%

Elites
Dreadnaught: 65%
Drop Pod: 0%

Sternguard: 2/5 finished.
Rhino: 0%

Heavy Support:
Predator 0%.


After that is finished I intend to paint,

Chapter Master.
Land Raider Reedemer.
10 Assault Terminators.
Chaplin in Terminator armour.

And then convert the new Vulkan into another HQ choice for fun.

I was considering either double black sowrds like you suggested on the master, or one ebony and one ivory.

First models? I hate you.


I kid, I kid. For your first batch, they really are fantastic!

ohhh black ebony and ivory would look sweet.

I did a bone white shoulder pads for my dreadnought. on your case the red looks great and the highlighting looks great!

I've just looked at your stuff and I am amazed.How long have you painted warhammer now?
I started in 2005 and I have just started putting hilights on my stuff about three months ago.
You may be much older than me, but that is amazing for someone who started in 2009.

Could you give me some painting tips for my space marine army?

THey look pretty cool although the colour pallette makes them sort of look like power rangers.

Platinum7 wrote:THey look pretty cool although the colour pallette makes them sort of look like power rangers.

Just the colours they are in the game, bro

positively precocious. are you young or old?

a prodigy, even.

I would try something really ambitious, and then post it. Like a really massive gnarly conversion -

mr. mxlflck wrote:positively precocious. are you young or old?

a prodigy, even.

I would try something really ambitious, and then post it. Like a really massive gnarly conversion -

I turn 27 in December.

I have a space marine lord who fits that category, but I want to get a working army painted before I start on him, since he'll probably take a full month by himself.

It starts to make more sense with that in mind -

You do good work.

Brother Luleo, Order of the Bloodied Feather, Guardian of 678th secret of true knowledge, Defender of the Rock.
Awards and decorations.
Order of Battle, Stravos Campaign. 678, M41.

Order of the Sacred Emperor, Youran IV Suppression, 690, M41.

Crux Terminatus, Induction to 1st Company, 770, M41.

The Imperial Eagle of the God-Emperor, 786, M41. For personally slaying a Captain of the Alpha Legion, location and details of battle: CLASSIFIED.

Honourary Dark Angel, Defender of the Rock. Issued for assistance rendered above and beyond to the Dark Angels against the vile forces of the traitor excomunicatus Sons of Horus, on 810M 41. Personally awarded a golden Dark Angel's insignia by Chapter Master Azrael, inducted into the initiate circle.

823, M41. Mortally wounded during a major engagement with the Greenskin WAAAAAAGH DAKKA DAKKA, lead by Warlord Dakka.

Interred the sacred Dreadnaught Armour, became one with the Machine Spirit, 824, M41.













Decorations


Crux Terminatus, 770, M41.


Scrolls containing the 678th secret of True Knowledge


Dark Angel's badge, bestowing the honourary title 'Defender of the Rock' and admission to the first circle of secret knowledge, 810, M41


The Imperial Eagle of the God-Emperor, 786, M41

Wow these are awesome remindes me of how much i suck at painting lol

Did you use back to base ix for the bases? they look great and go well with the army.
keep up the good work!

Gutteridge wrote:Did you use back to base ix for the bases? they look great and go well with the army.
keep up the good work!

Yes I did use them, and I recommend them to everyone. very fast, cheap and a great product.

i'd like to see that chapter master soon

Great work throughout! Your painting is really eye-catching and the extra effort towards making unique models through kit-bashing is really paying off. This is a first army to be proud of (and to expand for years and years). Congratulations.

Now that your Dread is ready to roll, what's next from your 1000pt list?

It'll be fun to see which direction you go with your chapter master - that's definitely going to be one of those "treat" models to work on after knocking out the core of your force.

GitSmack wrote:

Now that your Dread is ready to roll, what's next from your 1000pt list?

Thanks

Next, atm I am hammering out another Sternguard and another tactical marine. After that I am doing my Multi-Melta Landspeeder.

Everything looked even better on the battlefield. Also, having them already painted red helped you hide all of their blood that was shed!

Waaaaaagh!


Hope to play again soon!

whitestagg wrote:Everything looked even better on the battlefield. Also, having them already painted red helped you hide all of their blood that was shed!

Waaaaaagh!


Hope to play again soon!

:(

The Emperor certainly protects Predators!

Here is the final rundown for my chapter master.

Greenstuff will be applies tonight, then painting will begin.



Thoughts?

His staff is just too thin. It needs bulk. If you're gonna green stuff that, then good. Otherwise, it's going to look rather silly IMO.

Lorgar's_Blessed wrote:His staff is just too thin. It needs bulk. If you're gonna green stuff that, then good. Otherwise, it's going to look rather silly IMO.

The idea is the grip is where the girth from his hand comes from.

The weapon's blade itself is not held.

I had no intention to make it thicker. Hence why i attached it to a thicker grip for his hand.

Couple of friends and I are calling shenanigans on you, for proclaiming to being a beginner painter. The paint is obviously well done. However the number of highlights and scenic bases used suggests otherwise. To quote my buddy "Wtf, is he the rain man of warhammer or something". I've not seen a beginner painted do this good of work ever unless they had previous art experience. Either way...

Good stuff.

Backdraft005 wrote:Couple of friends and I are calling shenanigans on you, for proclaiming to being a beginner painter. The paint is obviously well done. However the number of highlights and scenic bases used suggests otherwise. To quote my buddy "Wtf, is he the rain man of warhammer or something". I've not seen a beginner painted do this good of work ever unless they had previous art experience. Either way...

Good stuff.

Well, you are certainly entitled to believe as you will.

The scenic bases are just resin bases from back to basix, and are the easist parts of the model to paint.

You just paint it a very dark grey, then drybrush up to a very light grey.
The earth is scorched brown, then drybrushed up to a very light brown!

They didn't take any practice at all to do well and were only like, a dollar each australian, if that.

I wouldn't call myself a rain man. All I did was read some online guides. Its not like adding of highlights was hard? Its only a 2 tone highlight.
Red Gore is the basic armour colour
Then 50/50 red gore/blood red.
Then pure blood red.

It just takes a long time. The dreadnaught was about 35 hours and each tactical marine is about 10-12 hours or so.

Anyone can do it if they are willing to put 10-12 hours into each model of their army.

The chapter master is looking awesome.

I'm not sure about the bird on his arm though, it looks kind of heavy and over balanced.

Is that another bird on his shoulder ? It's hard to tell from that angle.

That staff / blade looks bad-ass btw.

StubbyGB wrote:The chapter master is looking awesome.

I'm not sure about the bird on his arm though, it looks kind of heavy and over balanced.

Is that another bird on his shoulder ? It's hard to tell from that angle.

That staff / blade looks bad-ass btw.

Ah sorry, it's another bird standing on his backpack 'cawing' from the Empire General's shield.

Tho I may take it off and use it for the chapter banner.

As for the arm bird. I agree, but I think it only looks that way because
a) he's held together with bluetack, so the heavy metal arm is pulling the whole model down a lot, making him look saggy and crushed under the weight of the bird,
b) the bird is currently metal, making it 'look' very heavy compared to the plastic.

I think once he's painted up, and the bird is painted like a bir, when you look at it the bird will look very 'light' as we assosciate 'light' with birds.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I also intend to tilt his head up a bit, so he'll look like he's 'conferring' with the head of the raven looking back at him.

that's the goal anyway.

Im surprised you went that way with the dread. The brown melta tubing dosent look good imo. Also you went with the metal colour melta.. Haha nothin serious just surprised.

well done sir, i know its a lot but is there in the future any hope of a wip tutorial if you have the time???

p.s looking good and you liar! *rips hair out* first models!!!

emp.

I suppose the reason we were astonished by your level of painting is because it took us a few years to get to that level, even now we don't spend that much time on each individual model.

So, keep up the good painting. You can only get better.

I don't see why people are accusing you of lying. I don't paint to anywhere near that standard, and never will, but I see no need to accuse you of lying just because you can/do.

A steady hand, an eye for detail, and a LOT of patience (all things I lack incidentally) have given you great results your first time out. You're going to end up with a brilliant looking army, while most peoples first armies end up stripped and re-painted, or hidden away in a draw.

Alot of painters start out speed painting their armies, and have absolutely no idea on what they are doing, or where they are going. Also MOST are younger players and have no idea about art or colour.. they just start slapping on paint in the way they see it in the books.

Thats the way I started out, and very much the same for most of us out there. If I had it all over again I would have studied and read guides and watched tutorials to figure it all out properly before i started. But alas im ruined by my self taught ways and can never go back to those days. haha.

And like has been said before in this thread - ENOUGH ALREADY WITH THE NERD RAGE!

Hey bro i understand that your a god given artistic genius like me so i believe you 100% your army looks so sweet love the AOBR dread you mixed it up and it looks most AWEsOME now

Lextheimpaler wrote:Hey bro i understand that your a god given artistic genius like me so i believe you 100% your army looks so sweet love the AOBR dread you mixed it up and it looks most AWEsOME now

That's the cockiest statement I've seen in a while. "God given"?

I think people were taking my first comment a little to much to heart. It wasn't an attack, just simple disbelief and joking around. Hence the "rain-man" of miniature painting comment. If he took the to look at technique good for him. Like Sicarious85 says, majority don't, and that's why it was hard to believe at first.

don't see why people are accusing you of lying. I don't paint to anywhere near that standard, and never will, but I see no need to accuse you of lying just because you can/do.

*qoute*

itwas a joke i believe for me definetly and some others!!!!!!!!!

Just saw this on CMON.

http://www.coolminiornot.com/223876

with the painted bird, I agree it looks more balanced. His arm is also pointing upwards a little, I think that helps.

I love what you went with with the chapter master. I can't wait to see it painted!

Been so busy with work, not much painting done recently, but I haven't been slacking!
Been too tired after for the brush, but not too tired for some conversions!





Veteran Sgt Caedo, Keeper of the Vanguard.
My Second tactical sgt. Will post his full history when he's painted, but basically, he was a Vanguard Veteran who earned a lot of great honours, and then returned to tactical swuad duty, to choose new members for the Vanguard.
He also moonlights in my Vanguard Vetern Squad as their Sgt. When he's in the Tactical Squad his Two-Handed Battle axe "Raven-maw" is a power weapon, as he wields it one handed, but in the Vanguard it becomes a relic blade. The axe's blade itself was taken from a Necron lord on a tombworld.
Caedo earned 'The Raven's Feathers' the second highest award a Raven can receive (The helmet feathers) for killing an ork Warboss in single combat. I give these to a sgt model or higher who kills an enemy HQ entirely in close combat, and does every wound himself. Caedo did so in my first game on the weekend.
But I'll do him up with a real special character profile, like in the space marine codex, along with my Lord, the techmarine I intend to do, and the Term librarian I will convert up. These will be my 'special characters'.
They will use entirely normal rules, just all their attacks and weapons will have names and histories.







Also my Land Speeder.

This is the personal Land Raider of my Blood Raven Chapter master, so I have attempted to make it look old, and venerated, as well as adorn it with ravens and birds.

It's still WIP, so if people can think of anything else cool I can do, please let me know!

The person on the land raider is also a special character, my chapter's version of Chronus, and he'll be able to be taken off the land raider and placed upon predators and things as needed, though more often then not he'll just be decorative on my Land Raider.














Take a knee brothers, something moves up head.


And painting wise,

Another member of the Sternguard squad.



The model had some casting defects on its face I wasn't able to remove entirely, sorry.

The new models fantastic. I'm loving the "Chronus"! Keep up the good work dude, you've inspired me to create my own Space Marines Chapter- Salamanders

I for one, believe you about "first time painting"... it just takes practice.

Well done mate, I look forward to seeing more.

Cheers,

Jack

For the landraider, I think it has enough decorations, but maybe you can look at that freehand guide and paint a mural of like a raven on the side.

Hey man, I love your work. Especially all your Sternguard/Vet Sgts! Your conversion on Caedo is especially awesome, cause Im totally diggin the axe!

I would have to say the Blood Ravens are perhaps one of my favourite SM chapters, and you've certainly done them justice here. Enough to make me wanna collect SM myself after my Orks.

Keep up the awesome work!

EzeKK wrote:For the landraider, I think it has enough decorations, but maybe you can look at that freehand guide and paint a mural of like a raven on the side.

I'm going to try painting the Master's heraldry on the door with nothing on it, that's why i left it free

LOL that vet looks like he's has an awful lot of "bling-bling" on him.

Roleplayer wrote:

EzeKK wrote:For the landraider, I think it has enough decorations, but maybe you can look at that freehand guide and paint a mural of like a raven on the side.

I'm going to try painting the Master's heraldry on the door with nothing on it, that's why i left it free

Nice! Maybe even modeling flames coming out of the Flamestorm cannons?

AoBR Terminator converted to be a cyclone missile launcher bearer.







Any good?

Conversion looks nice!

Looks fine.

I like it, but I did something similar with a tau missle pod, so maybe Im bias.

i like it, i dont like missiles on termies, but i like the conversion!

Looks good!

these look really cool, the painted guys have been done very well. nice conversion, i like the "halted" squad, havnt seen that done before!

ElTanko

*looks at first army i ever did and crys*
My god man this is amazing
and you say you were not a artist before?
please teach me
this is amazing work mate

Love your work. The missile pod on the terminator is very good using the new Space Marine Codex. A friend of mine that usually wins best painted at the tournaments he attends has looked at your work and said the same thing you did. If you take the advice of other people, and have the patience, I too can paint this well. I have no problem taking advice but my patience is very lacking. Very fine work. Congrats and I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Rayuun, Blade of the Immortal, Master of the 1st Company.

Not finished yet, but any thoughts of what else to add?
Most of the time will just be my normal terminator sgt, but when I feel like playing all first company, he'll stand in for Belial using sword of secrets so I can use Deathwing rules.

P.S. Don't worry, that mold line on the arm won't survive pre-paint cleaning.

Blood Raven Supreme Librarian Aviun, Keeper of the Sacred History.
Counts as Cheif Lib Tig from the Ultra Marines.







Still a work in progress, any thoughts of what else to add?

Damn not only are your conversions just bad ass, but you can paint them just as good. Your army is one of the nicest SM armies Ive seen. You should be very proud

KingCracker wrote:Damn not only are your conversions just bad ass, but you can paint them just as good. Your army is one of the nicest SM armies Ive seen. You should be very proud

Thank you

The Libby looks very cool.

But as a librarian, shouldn't he have one of those psychic cowl type things ?

Maybe you could remove his helm and give him the cowl ?

It's a WIP

Currenly working on the psyhic hood

He'll have both his helmet and a psychic hood.

Everything in this blog is Win!

Awesome is all that needs to be said.

I love the models
and that red is top notch
Congratulations!

Thank you all for the compliments.

very nice army so far!
Mind on sharing the recipe for the red and librarian blue? what technique did you use on those?

I am currently planning a Blood Ravens army and I am doing all the research I can on various Blood Raven players.

After all Knowledge is power no? >=)
Anyways, I would take away the wings from the dread and give him a cape instead. IMO just my 2 cents.

I just spent three cups of coffee reading through this army blog. Obiwan has tought you well.

I love the Blood Raven color scheme, and how you paint them is nice and clean. I like the sharp black lines as a contrast. Your conversions are top notch. I am a long time fantasy player, and I always beleived that conversion were easier in WHFB, but you showed me that is not the case. I am looking forward to seeing more painted, especially your Chapter Master. I like the OTT conversion. SM are ego driven anyway, it seems appropriate.

I've already said how I painted the red in the thread, look back for it ^_-

Test run,
Blood Ravens Second Captain Sicarus.

Valhalla waits, valkyries rise and fall
The warrior tombs, lie open for us all
A ghostly hand reaches through the veil
Blood and sand, we will prevail




Just a test, what do you think?
If people like the book, I'll cut off the elf hand and add a space marine hand.
What about the wings?

The ultramarine symbol on the helm is still obvious, other then that - great work per usual, the wings looks appealing, i really like the broken/old feeling it gives. with the elf hand, it just needs a small buffering, just a little skim for a space marines hand. Keep up the ace work

Gutteridge wrote:The ultramarine symbol on the helm is still obvious, other then that - great work per usual, the wings looks appealing, i really like the broken/old feeling it gives. with the elf hand, it just needs a small buffering, just a little skim for a space marines hand. Keep up the ace work

It's only obvious without paint

Its all the same 'level' so when you paint over it it wont look like a U at all.

The only thing I don't like about the book is that I think you've already used it in another model. Maybe like a chalice or a plasma pistol firing.

EzeKK wrote:The only thing I don't like about the book is that I think you've already used it in another model. Maybe like a chalice or a plasma pistol firing.

While that's true, my blood ravens use a lot of book iconography.

Plus those two models will never be on the battlefield at the same time.

Roleplayer wrote:

EzeKK wrote:The only thing I don't like about the book is that I think you've already used it in another model. Maybe like a chalice or a plasma pistol firing.

While that's true, my blood ravens use a lot of book iconography.

Plus those two models will never be on the battlefield at the same time.

Ah if they won't be on the same battlefield then yeah that looks good.

the Captian looks really cool!

Now with that army facing me down on the table top i wouldnt mind losing that is some outstanding work my friend I am amazed.

I wait with baited breath for the next update

holy *beep* lol
i just started properly and decided to get sm blood ravens for exactly the same reason
and my painting skills are nothing compared to yours
top job

keep the work up

I dont really like the elf rune on the book. Why do space marines have elvish runes? IIRC you don't have those kind of runes on your other units. Other than that, yes I like it, and I like your conversion.

Grey Knight Luke wrote:I dont really like the elf rune on the book. Why do space marines have elvish runes? IIRC you don't have those kind of runes on your other units. Other than that, yes I like it, and I like your conversion.

I'm ging to leave the run because it looks like an elegant 'R' and I will wrote 'Avens' after it, so it spells Ravens

And the drop at the side will be painted like a blood drop, so blood ravens

This is the Rhino for my Sternguard. It's meant to have a very venerated and decorated feel to it, having been in service of a veteran squad for a long time.


Back





And my Predator, in my two games I have played thus far, despite being shot at remorselessly it has never been destroyed or even stunned, thus I will name it 'Immortal'




Back

Thoughts?

Are the wings on the Predator too much? I added them to keep a sense of consistancy next to the land raider but they're not glued so I can easily remove them.

They look good, I don't think the wings look over the top.

'Immortal' as a name for a tank is just tempting fate!!

But I like the details you've put on, very nice. They'll look great!

[edit] but as a tip, it'd look more 'realistic' with some bullet holes and scratches on it. I know its only a game, and you can go for the clean look if you want, but all my guard tanks look like they've actually been in a war, instead of being fresh and new! keep up the good work.

I like the wings but you need to drill out the heavy bolter barrels.

ive been keeping a close eye on this blog since it started, and it's given me soo many ideas for my own blood ravens Vth company, im currently working on my truescale commander and I cant wait to see yours finished

I like the predator with the wings, the only thing that I can think of is that it will be a pain in the butt to transport.

That rhino looks Ace!

Landspeeder Falconium

We ride on the wind we ride through the sky
like unholy birds of war we fly
we bring agony and insanity

Landspeeder Falconium. The 2nd of 3 blessed landspeeders operating in the 2nd Company of the glorious Blood Ravens. An expert at tank hunting and all forms of armoured combat, both with ground targets and in aerial duels.

Praise be to the Emperor that the guardians of mankind be gifted not only with the purity of fire to cleanse our enemies from the stars, but through the Emperor's light they be transformed into literal angels of death.

The machine god provides the means, the Emperor provides the will.
His wrath falls from the heavens.

















Glory be to the Emperor, and those blessed souls who do his divine work in mortal form.

That is amazing... I'm gobsmacked! I think i'm going to start a new tournament army and try and paint it up tot this level, probably Tau or Eldar...

Wow, amazing work yet again with the Landspeeder. Your conversions on the pred and rhino are awesome stuff as well. Cant wait to see those painted (as well as your other conversions)

Very nice painting, I also like the Librarian, looks like we had the same Idea

Great work as ever Roleplayer.

Your consistency of quality is an inspiration. I'd love to see a photo of your whole army together, it must look great now.

awesssssssome blood ravens

StubbyGB wrote:Great work as ever Roleplayer.

Your consistency of quality is an inspiration. I'd love to see a photo of your whole army together, it must look great now.

That photo is everything except the rhino

Everything painted, anyway

I can't help but look at everything and think that banner on the tactical squad is totally out of place with this army! there needs to be some major freehand around the 1. Still its a wow factor.

I've been following this thread for a while but haven't really posted. I'd just like to say that I'm impressed by your painting skills, especially as red is quite a difficult colour to paint. This is shaping up to be a nice little army. I particularly like the landspeeder.

Keep up the good work, I look forward to seeing more.

Hey great job on the minis, but i really wanted to ask where you get ur paints? please answer

THEBLooDrAVEN wrote:Hey great job on the minis, but i really wanted to ask where you get ur paints? please answer

I already stated earlier in the thread the paints used for the red effects.

I only use citadel paints.

sorry man. I went and checked it out. Its funny how i used almost all ur paints and mine turned out way different.Then l i re-painted them with vallejo paints.

OMG!!! I love your paint talent. I think you should drill out the barrels of the firearms- inc. the HB's on your Razorback. Great job!

Roleplayer, I have one thing to say to you: You should never come near the Tennessee area of the United States, or I swear I will kiss you on the mouth for giving me such great models to stare at!

THEBLooDrAVEN wrote:sorry man. I went and checked it out. Its funny how i used almost all ur paints and mine turned out way different.Then l i re-painted them with vallejo paints.

Its probably the constant layering that changes the 'look' of the red, I think.

Thanks for all the great comments, everyone

how much layers do you do on ur minis?

THEBLooDrAVEN wrote:how much layers do you do on ur minis?

2 coats of mech red, 2 coats of red gore, 2 full red ink washes, then 3 diferent layers of highlights of red, building to blood red.

what are the three highlights? but if you don't want to tell me I understand completely

This thread keeps getting better amigo!

THEBLooDrAVEN wrote:what are the three highlights? but if you don't want to tell me I understand completely

It is

70/30 RG/BR
30/70RG/BR
100 BR

Thanks, helps alot. sweet job keep up the greatness!

Roleplayer wrote:

THEBLooDrAVEN wrote:how much layers do you do on ur minis?

2 coats of mech red, 2 coats of red gore, 2 full red ink washes, then 3 diferent layers of highlights of red, building to blood red.

Have you tried using the GW Baal Red Wash instead of an ink wash?

I am guessing RG = Red Gore, and BR = Blood Red

is BR brown and RG is...?

Blood red, red gore

BR = Blood Red

RG = Red Gore

You defy the rule of "Practice makes perfect."

Roleplayer wrote:

THEBLooDrAVEN wrote:how much layers do you do on ur minis?

2 coats of mech red, 2 coats of red gore, 2 full red ink washes, then 3 diferent layers of highlights of red, building to blood red.

Wow, that's alot of layers dude. Dedicated. Whew.

Backdraft005 wrote:

Roleplayer wrote:

THEBLooDrAVEN wrote:how much layers do you do on ur minis?

2 coats of mech red, 2 coats of red gore, 2 full red ink washes, then 3 diferent layers of highlights of red, building to blood red.

Wow, that's alot of layers dude. Dedicated. Whew.

If you want to dance to the devil's tune, you must pay the devil his due

I'm pretty new to these forums, however, to echo what was previously said in this thread, you have been a great inspiration when looking at how my models turned out last time I painted to how yours have.

What're you focusing on currently? Modelling your (awesome looking) chapter special characters or painting units you have completed already?

My first test for NMM.

huh?

And your first broken link

Hmm, okay sorry, I'll get a new link up. Must not work for non members.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Slightly blurry image but it looks like you are doing a good job with the gold.

I love your painting. I am in the middle of deciding which Chapter I want to build for my first Space Marine army, seeing these photos and all..Your making me want to copy you, lol.

I am dying to see your Chaplain In Terminator!!

whats the front side



Automatically Appended Next Post:
I looks really cool. I cant really tell what the model is from tho?

One of the best painted Space Marines armies I've ever seen.

I wish i could paint even half as good as you But painting is just a tiny portion of my 40k pie, so because i tend to want more minis faster then i can paint them, its my own fault

Can't wait to see the Predator painted

Keep on being awesome

OMFG awesome looking army so far love the highlighting and your librarian is the bomb howd you get the head to fit in the mk 8??? i had dramas with the fit

That test for nmm looks good here is a good link for nmm
http://www.one-ring.co.uk/phpBB2/kb.php?mode=article&k=175

Still looking good ;D

I am so angry at this thread.
How are you so freakin good without ever having even tried? I read the PDDs and browsed painting blogs too but my first fire warriors were fething horrible, hell, I still can't do bare heads or highlighting right, you have no right to be this good, stop making me feel bad about myself ;_;

He does have an artisic background..

Still makes me cry looking at my dire avengers which i was so proud of.

Wow, I can't believe I havn't seen this blog before. You have some awsome stuff in here. I love the way you have highlighted the red(I really like the landspeeder). Your conversion work is something else too. Keep up the awsome work, I intend on following this thread!

awesome job, seriously very nice job.

Lextheimpaler wrote:OMFG awesome looking army so far love the highlighting and your librarian is the bomb howd you get the head to fit in the mk 8??? i had dramas with the fit

The parts of the helmet you can't see, I actually chopped off.

I did the same with mine

Like everyone else said, I'm amazed.

I have to say though some of your stuff can get a little overburdened with purity seals and such.

Other than that I think its going great.

person person wrote:Like everyone else said, I'm amazed.

I have to say though some of your stuff can get a little overburdened with purity seals and such.

Other than that I think its going great.

Can never be too pure!

I loved the Razorback on the first page! Lots of cool details. Other minis look very cool too, particulary for a first-timer.
Makes me embarresed that a first timer paints better than me who has painted for 3 years...
Anyways, Great Job!

No update for 6days?!?!

Hehe, no seriously man, you impress again and again on here.

Although I can only see a bit of your Sicarius, I can see the golden eagle. I have to admit, that is some of the nicest gold I've ever seen.

Congratulations for making such amazing models. Keep up the good work.

Cheers,

Jack.

Well, I'm still painting my drop pod, only about 50% done, its summer vacation which believe it or not = less time for painting, more time with my gf

But here are some more conversions I did.

The Chapter Master and his honor guard, the Raven's Feathers.



Glory and fame, Blood is our name
Souls full of thunder, Hearts of steel
Killers of men, Of warriors friend
Sworn to avenge our fallen brothers
To the end...

Sons of the gods, today we shall die.
Open Valhalla's door, Let the battle begin
with swords in the wind, Hail Gods of War!
The chapter champion



All ready for painting now

The Raven's Council, the 5 most senior Librarians within the chapter. They advise the Blood Raven's chapter master, as well as forming a highly potent battlefield unit, equal to any Grey Knight Squad. (in fact, I use them as a allied grey knight squad)

Firesword is genius!!

Everyone looks nutz!

The chapter master and honor guard squad are fantastic! The chapter master himself is an incredibly good conversion!

Also, the raven's council is also amazing... great use of plastic bits to create such a unique squad.

Great work! I look forward to seeing these being painted

Cheers,

Jack.

Just Awesome Awesome Awesome love it could you tell me where the raven is from on the libarians staff and all the wings please

Wow Fantastic, Still have to see the Chapter badges on thiese guys.

I'm reaaally likeing that Chaptermaster, and all the rest good work mate really , some stunning stuff.

Awesome paintjobs and conversions.

Wonder what the total paint time is on the ones you've finished so far though..

Hours / Months

Those conversions are INCREDIBLE!! how did you do that!? huh,HOW!?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
how did you glue the eagle to the arm wouldn't it be to heavy?

Your conversions are awesome. Because there are so many little things that you're adding here and there, are you ordering bitz packs, or just each piece as you think of it?

Keep it up; your work is why many of us enjoy the game.

bradshaw wrote:Just Awesome Awesome Awesome love it could you tell me where the raven is from on the libarians staff and all the wings please

Welcome to the forum Bradshaw! The Raven is from an Witchunters Inquisitor, the staff top is a ravenwing bike emblem and the wings (I believe) are from an Empire standard.

thanks i hope to recreate some of these minis

We demand more blood ravens!

(and a shrubbery...)

Wow, I just saw that Librarian council and that is all amazing.

i agree i stil can tbelive this to guy is new GW all of the minis are awsome keep the pics comin please


Automatically Appended Next Post:
this guy has either a very extensive knowelge of fluff or has a very creative mind

Where do you get the wings you used for the back on your chapter master?

Not finished yet, but here's some shots of my Dreadnaught's Drop pod, about 75% done, just doing the details now, tho some of the bleached bones need another thin coat or two to get rid of streaks

Thoughts and suggestions on colours?

Thats fantastic, what paints do you use


Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2008/06/blood-ravens-logo-sheet.html this might help you.

Miss Dee wrote:Thats fantastic, what paints do you use


Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2008/06/blood-ravens-logo-sheet.html this might help you.

Sadly I don't own a printer

I think an art shop might print them out for you.

Great colours, the dark shading and bright highlights really make the scheme pop. I don't know what else to suggest colours-wise but it does look like you need a couple more coats of Bleached bone there, just to smooth things out.

Do you do your black-lining with a pen or is that just very accurate brush-work

what is your dead line or dont you have one



Automatically Appended Next Post:
and on another note please move to the uk and apply for the evey metal your probably as good or better than them




Automatically Appended Next Post:
and on another note please move to the uk and apply for the evey metal your probably as good or better than them




Automatically Appended Next Post:
and on another note please move to the uk and apply for the evey metal your probably as good or better than them

Roleplayer wrote:

Do I spy a small swastika at one of the lower bleached bone panels?

Cor Angars wrote:
Do I spy a small swastika at one of the lower bleached bone panels?

I think it's a Rune of some sort.

Lorgar's_Blessed wrote:I think it's a Rune of some sort.

Yes , its fine :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

Ah Luna...you forgot to write "the more you know"

Japan
Japanese maps continue to use the swastika symbol to denote a Buddhist temple. [2]


[edit] Indian Subcontinent

The logo of the Indian State of Bihar incorporates a swastika.In the Indosphere (South Asia, Greater India), the swastika remains ubiquitous as a symbol of wealth and good fortune. In India and Nepal, electoral ballot papers are stamped with a round swastika-like pattern (to ensure that the accidental ink imprint on the other side of a folded ballot paper can be correctly identified as such).[citation needed] Many businesses and other organisations, such as the Ahmedabad Stock Exchange and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce[82], use the swastika in their logos. The red swastika was suggested as an emblem of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in India and Sri Lanka, but the idea was not implemented[83]. Swastikas can be found practically everywhere in Indian and Nepalese cities, on buses, buildings, auto-rickshaws, and clothing.

its a backwards swastica.

For anyone that didnt read the wiki i linked , i'll type it out .
Swastika have been around LONG before German decided to copy it. It symbolizes the "force , power"

Its perfectly fine to use it.

Now if he painted tiny mustaches and had armbands with the symbol on there I would say its messed up .

slann wrote:Now if he painted tiny mustaches and had armbands with the symbol on there I would say its messed up .

subtlety's the key there
Then again, it could be an 'R' with an extra bit between the loop and angled line
regards,
-jason

Yeah sorry guys, I live in Japan and am a buddhist, to us that symbol is either just the marker for a shrine or a symbol of good luck and good fortune. You find it everywhere around here. The intention was for it to just be a marker of good fortune for scatter rolls as I pray
Also that the drop pod is like the Dreadnaught's shrine or temple to the machine god, and this was it's marker.
It wasn't intended to be Nazi related or anything. Playing in japan there's no chance of it being mis-interpreted.

Thanks to those people who pointed out the meanings of the symbol over here in the far east have nothing to do with the evils of the Nazi party

*remembers forced RE classes*