Hello all,
This is my first ever post on anything like this, but as my Blood Angels seem to be coming along rather better than some of my other attempts at army painting (I like to convert and then not finish things) I thought I'd share them. Also the guys in the Poole store in the UK were giving me a little grief at not showing my stuff off, and having moved to Lima in Peru for work last week (for 3 years!) then they can also have a peek at what's going on.

Currently completed and painted (except the sword blades as I want to paint them all together for consistency)
2 Sanguinary Guard
1 Sanguinary Priest conversion

Completed building but not finished painting
2 Sanguinary Guard
1 Captain conversion
1 Stormraven (interior done exterior sprayed mechrite then 50-50 mechrite blood red)

The Stormraven is probably the star of the show so far, fully converted and scratchbuilt and not a Landraider or Valkyrie part in sight. (Please don't ask me to build you one as it took 5 weeks to build (I was bored while packing my stuff in the UK before coming here so had 5 weeks holiday and plenty of late nights!)) It's based on the Aquila Lander, and I was going to use the wings too, but then decided it didn't look right and built my own with loads of other kits including 2 drop pods and a lot of plasticard. There are lots of photos of it from day one and I will be posting these too.

Photos will be posted later today when I go get them after lunch.
Alex

Hey guys as promised photos of some of the finished minis. Stormraven ones coming later today, just locating some earlier pics for those interested in seeing the what's resin-p'card or GW bits.

Wow, those are some outstanding paintjobs. If I may, how did you paint the skin on the Sanguinary Priest?

The pics were well worth the wait!

Nice!

IAmTheWalrus wrote:Wow, those are some outstanding paintjobs. If I may, how did you paint the skin on the Sanguinary Priest?

Tallarn Flesh basecoat then thin Dark Flesh / Devlan Mud combination wash. Tallarn Flesh over the top of this, then add Skull White and highlight away up until almost white. Can't remember how many highlights but probably 8 or so. Then thin Regal Blue glaze near eyes and Scab Red around the mouth.

Some nice work here, I can't wait to see the Stormraven.

Well here it is - excuse the photos of the interior which are upside down, this was better for lighting it, and on rotation it after it looked odd so left it as is. Should get round to finishing it in a couple of weeks, have to move into apartment and then get a nice painting table. Best thing though - managed to negotiate an entire room for cabinets, painting etc. Can't wait.

I have put some other stuff up in the Gallery, bit of Dark Angels (including my Dreadnought featured in What's New Today on GW) and some older Eldar.

Note the photo of the Stormraven in the oven, 2 minutes, 50 degrees celsuis and on old baking tray does wonders if it's cold outside and you've just sprayed anything. And I'm not kidding either! Got fed up waiting for the foundation spray to dry so accelerated the process.

THE BEST looking stormraven in the WORLD !

is it plasticard its made of ?

btw how did you do the chalice on your sang priest

Claimh_Solais wrote:THE BEST looking stormraven in the WORLD !

is it plasticard its made of ?

btw how did you do the chalice on your sang priest

Used half of one of the Dark Angel hanging spheres-orbs with the holes on the outside, plasticard rod round the top and the rest is green stuff.

Yeah the Stormraven is made of plasticard, mostly 0.40mm with some 0.60mm. The wings are hollow with thick supports inside. Tried to keep the weight down so when it won't break the flying base when I finish it.

Omg...

Any chance you could provide a tutorial on how you made that fething awesome Stormraven?

Valkyrie wrote:Omg...

Any chance you could provide a tutorial on how you made that fething awesome Stormraven?

Will get round to it eventually once it is fully painted, I've taken photos all the way through so I'm going to post a full thread on how it was made including concept drawing etc. Shouldn't be more than a month!

Patience was the key! Went through 4 wings before I got to those ones. Still playing with the weapons and the idea or more underside armour for the ceramite plating, it is supposed to be a orbital lander after all and none of the turrets I've built so far for the front look like they would withstand a bird hitting it let alone an orbital entry.

Well I'm certainly looking forward to making one of my own , although I have to ask how much scratchbuilding with plasticard was involved? Scratchbuilding is not my forte although I will be definitely trying to make one of these excellent models.

I have to agree, those are some great looking models, very crisp!

I also have to agree that that is most definately the best looking Stormraven I have EVER seen! I have to change my pants now...
Admittedly though, there is something about the rear wing that I don't like for some reason. Apologies...

Great work, keep it coming!

I'll echo that your brushwork is excellent.

But above all else, the use of drop pod harnesses in your fully detailed interior is spectacular! Beautiful attention to detail, and very cleanly accomplished. I can see a squad strapped in, then the bay doors swing open just before the harnesses release.

Kudos!

Keep up the outstanding work, and please do continue sharing.

that scratch build is awesome, any chance that tutorial will have a template section to it?

awesome work mate just awesome

Just Dave wrote: Admittedly though, there is something about the rear wing that I don't like for some reason. Apologies...

Cheers, I was waiting for someone to comment on it! I'm also not 100% on the tail fin and I'm working on a shorter version using the same top plate but with the upright section reversed. Looks way better from the front-back than the sides which I'm not happy with, bit too tall maybe, what do you think?

Thanks for your honesty, I thought that everyone would think it's good but I was also looking for some criticism too as my rule has always been until the spray varnish comes out it's still WIP (Though this has led to some very nice stuff being pulled apart and changed!)

Easily the best storm raven Ive seen that thing could be sold as a model kit

Forgot to add this earlier - baked Stormraven! Just don't close the oven door as it gets very hot, very quickly.

Haha I thought you were baking a Stormraven cake there.

.akjfhaeahjsakjfhadslkjfhadskjfhhh876y

good god that's an awesome scratchbuilt.

alexneufeld wrote:

Just Dave wrote: Admittedly though, there is something about the rear wing that I don't like for some reason. Apologies...

Cheers, I was waiting for someone to comment on it! I'm also not 100% on the tail fin and I'm working on a shorter version using the same top plate but with the upright section reversed. Looks way better from the front-back than the sides which I'm not happy with, bit too tall maybe, what do you think?

Thanks for your honesty, I thought that everyone would think it's good but I was also looking for some criticism too as my rule has always been until the spray varnish comes out it's still WIP (Though this has led to some very nice stuff being pulled apart and changed!)

Wow, thank you for your honesty! Personally, I'm all for honesty, but that's a different matter entirely...

Yeah, I agree actually, shorter 'stem' and reversed 'upright' could work I think. I wonder about making it have an almost 'double upright' so it's longer and acting like a 3rd wing?! But yeah, I think that's a very good idea, worth a try atleast, and ultimately, it should be you that's happy with it!

Btw I just noticed how much drop-pod bits you used on it - inspirational!

oh man, excellent work with everything so far.

Incredible work on the Stormraven! easily the best one I've seen and it keeps with the fluff! alot of people model it using the valkyrie when the codex pretty much describes it as a mini thunderhawk, Bravo!

Just spent last night finishing up the third SGuard. Need to do jump pack and shoulder pads then done. Was a bit worried about the pose especially when I only had the gold done but it looks cool now that all the details are painted. Should finish it tonight so will post photos tomorrow.

Captain model also got the mechrite base followed by devan mud wash and willl be done in a similar colour palette to the SPriest. Progress pics also coming tomorrow.

Based on Astorath jump pack and wings, SGuard body and legs + Gstuff, death company head with GStuf long hair.

Best Stormraven I've seen so far, congrats!

Indeed that is the best stormraven I have yet to see.

AMAZING STORMRAVEN! The general public will be lucky if the actual release is as good. I am most impressed with the floor hatch that opens and the interior harnesses. What a great touch.

Where does the dread go?

Deuce11 wrote:Where does the dread go?

The bits of the back behind the tail fin will eventually have the dread mount attached (the bits from the Ironclad seismic hammer above the rear hatch) Had a go at one to test and it worked good, redoing it now so that it moves about and is properly magnetised. It looks a little bit like a bigger drop pod harness.

There are also some lower bits which the feet will attach to, these come off the back of the wings and also move, they also incorporate some shielding for the dread to protect it from engines and orbital entry.

Just Dave wrote:I wonder about making it have an almost 'double upright' so it's longer and acting like a 3rd wing?

Hmmm this has me thinking! Drawn up a concept which looks way better, going to keep it a surprise though, like the turrets until it's built! Off to the realms of plasticard after work today, I'll just try not to mess up the hotel room too much. Apartment only ready to move into next week so my proper work station is a week or so off.

Wow, these all look amazing. I'm subscribed. And I hope that request for a tut, or at least some more wip pics of the stormraven caught your eye. I'd love to see some early pics.

wow that stormraven is incredible awesome job!

This is my favorite stormraven I've seen, keep up the good work

Morning all from not so sunny Lima. Spent most of yesterday evening painting up the 3rd SGuard. Got a little distracted and decided to paint the jump pack engine outlets blue, and added a little bit of directional lighting around them, looks very subtle and my first real effort at it.

Not sure what to get onto next, but probably finish up the Captain's armour and wings

Keep the comments coming. Alex

My God, that Stormraven blows every other one I've seen out of the water, even the one I liked so much that I copied it for my own.

Really likeing the paint job so far; look forward to further updates.

Quality work so far. And add one more to the "That's the best stormraven ever" club.

Ah yeah, the top back wings roughly twice as tall as it needs to be

Outstanding work, sir.

*golf clap*

Add another mark to the "best Stormraven I've seen," tally. The Sanguinary guard are very well executed, as well.

The sang. guard are sickkkkkkk

alexneufeld wrote:

Just Dave wrote:I wonder about making it have an almost 'double upright' so it's longer and acting like a 3rd wing?

Hmmm this has me thinking! Drawn up a concept which looks way better, going to keep it a surprise though, like the turrets until it's built! Off to the realms of plasticard after work today, I'll just try not to mess up the hotel room too much. Apartment only ready to move into next week so my proper work station is a week or so off.

Well I'm flattered you're listening to my suggestions! <-- of happiness!

I look forward to seeing the progress with it, I'm sure you'll know what you're doing however as it already looks great. As do the Sanguinary Guard - I love the blue jump packs and the latest guy! Great Work!

My God! Best ba I've ever seen.

Loving the storm raven, great paintjob on the ba, don't like the matte black power weapons though...

Cadet_Commissar_Ludd wrote:Loving the storm raven, great paintjob on the ba, don't like the matte black power weapons though...

That's because they haven't been painted yet. The first post tells you! I'm waiting to do them all together for a nice consistent finish.

subscribed。 This stuff is just too cool. Seriously might flog the Jump pack idea. Just so great.

I love this!

Hey all been busy building some new things, given up on painting for a week or so due to poor lighting, definitely moving into new apartment on Wed so then the painting can continue, and the Stormraven is first up.

Meanwhile in the land of hotel rooms (floor now covered in small bits of plasticard!) I have been building a Furioso Librarian. Taken some inspiration from Grimteef's one, but decided on Smite as one of the powers so have used brass rod as lighting on the fist.

Made him a bit taller so he stands above a normal dread. Lots of green stuffing coming later today, just waiting on all the glue to dry completely. Tabard, detaling on the blade, scrolls everywhere + chains holding it on. Trying to keep the GW style of librarian detailing throughout.

IDK what you did to make 'em taller, but he definitely looks more imperator titan-like than a normal dreadnought, which appears to be how dreadnoughts are normally styled with their super top heavy fashion. That's super cool man. Are those guns on either side of the force weapon?

That's a cool looking dread, and the exhausts on those jet-packs is really nice

Qualude wrote: Are those guns on either side of the force weapon?

Nope, they're for cables going to go into force weapon, was waiting for them to dry before drilling out a little bit more for the cables.

The exposed head is so nasty! May I suggest you connect a vast amount of cables and junk to the head so that the librarian really looks like he is cheating death by being encased in dreadnought armor. Oh man this is getting better and better!

i am officially geeking out



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oh and if you included an LED below the head i will send you send you photos of my girlfriend naked.

So far so good , this is going to be a very nice looking army when finished .

Why are you so AWESOME? Nice work, love the librarian and he's exposed face.

So much win in the general area of this thread.

alexneufeld wrote:Hey all been busy building some new things, given up on painting for a week or so due to poor lighting, definitely moving into new apartment on Wed so then the painting can continue, and the Stormraven is first up.

Meanwhile in the land of hotel rooms (floor now covered in small bits of plasticard!) I have been building a Furioso Librarian. Taken some inspiration from Grimteef's one, but decided on Smite as one of the powers so have used brass rod as lighting on the fist.

Made him a bit taller so he stands above a normal dread. Lots of green stuffing coming later today, just waiting on all the glue to dry completely. Tabard, detaling on the blade, scrolls everywhere + chains holding it on. Trying to keep the GW style of librarian detailing throughout.

OMG! FREAKIN' EPIC!! This dread is so awesome that I just got a bloodgasm (ew!! lol) Keep on doing things like this and I will set up an alter in my room for you.

Dude
Thats amazing
Love the paint job on the sanginary guard
Good, crisp lines
Stormraven is awesome!
Well converted
Good work

Great Looking Dread Man! I'm pleased that it'll be along the lines of Grimteef's one, let's see if you can beat it?!

Loving the pose too, particularly it's increased height. Superb!

Love the Sang Guard, add another to the 'best Stormraven I've seen' tally, and I can't wait to see that dred finished.

Deuce11 wrote:The exposed head is so nasty! May I suggest you connect a vast amount of cables and junk to the head so that the librarian really looks like he is cheating death by being encased in dreadnought armor. Oh man this is getting better and better!

You'd be amazed what a good paint job can do, trust me he won't look alive when I'm finished, and there are some green stuff cables now across the forehead. Gonna use a grey flesh palette with glowing red eyes, including object source lighting around them.

Love the Libby dred, can't wait to see it painted up!

Agreed, the Stormraven looks classy! Great paint jobs and Lib dread!

alexneufeld wrote:

Deuce11 wrote:The exposed head is so nasty! May I suggest you connect a vast amount of cables and junk to the head so that the librarian really looks like he is cheating death by being encased in dreadnought armor. Oh man this is getting better and better!

You'd be amazed what a good paint job can do, trust me he won't look alive when I'm finished, and there are some green stuff cables now across the forehead. Gonna use a grey flesh palette with glowing red eyes, including object source lighting around them.

Victory

That's easily the best Stormraven I've seen. Great work.

Some really fantastic work in here, i love GW's new blood angles plastics, and you have defiantly done them justice. Also that storm raven is ACE, think i may have to have a go a one for my BA successors chapter, only thing is, they are true scale.

Ok, nearly done with all the GS on the Librarian dread, just finishing off the head and one side of the force weapon to go. Got the apartment keys and off to find a suitable painting station at the weekend. Should maybe have some colour on it or the Stormraven soon too. Pics below (sorry for the poor quality and lighting but you get the idea.

Best part - Peruvian independence holidays next week from Wed - Fri, looking forward to 3 days of weektime painting, should make good progress!

That Stormraven is absolutely amazing!

Lovely, the keys are a great touch. consider the idea nicked.

Awesome GS work, and, well, everything else too!

Amazing green stuff work! That dreadnought is seriously coming along very nicely!

The dred is turning out better than I thought it would.

You are truly talented.

Properly mindblowing stuff, both modelling- and paintingwise!

Damn awesome!

you could probably sell that stormraven. Just call it cloudybird or something to avoid any IP disputes. ha.

EDIT
I'd buy it fo sho

Been a while since the last update, and not been up to much except finishing off the Librarian. Finally moved and also got a desk in the new apartment on Friday. Hit the GS, finished it off and sprayed it up yesterday.

Also got the metals and some of the blue done last night. Should have it finished middle of this week. Looking good so far.

Progress photos coming tomorrow

Somebody link this thread to the GW model team. THAT"S what a Stormraven should look like!

That Stormraven is awesome, some serious hobby skills you have there. The dread looks sweet aswell. And your painting is good as your conversions.

I look forward to follow this blog.

Brotherjulian wrote: Somebody link this thread to the GW model team. THAT"S what a Stormraven should look like!

Hahahaha, Please someone do, but only if GW pay me loads of money for using my design and give me a fleet of them for free.

Thanks for all the praise of the cloudybird (kanelom has to get credit for the name though)

I haven't seen a storm raven that even comes close to that thing! that is really very good and your painting is brilliant! I just love that thing! I wish the FW one was as nice looking!

Your storm raven is a real beauty, the level of detail makes me very happy. Is definately in the top 3 best storm ravens I've seen. The sanguinary guard are superbly painted and the libby dread is the absolute most awesome I've seen. All in all this is an awesome army so far!

I love your stormraven, can I have it's babies?

Got round to painting the lower half of the furioso librarian, not finished on the blue as there is some minor tidying up to be done and final highlight.

Nice, what colours did you use?

Looks good man, looks very good! I look forward to the rest, without which it kind of looks like a Crimson Fist!

Hits_the_spot wrote:Nice, what colours did you use?

For the blue I presume? Mordian Blue base, Necron Abyss washed into the recesses (this keeps away the shiny effect from using blue washes like Asurmen Blue) then several thin coats of Ultramarine Blue, mixed up to Space Wolves Grey (the final SWG hasn't been done yet)

The work with the green stuff looks awesome, gotta love dreads

MY god man! This is bloody brilliant!

That Stormraven looks like it deserves to be a Forgeworld model honestly! Though for that Vertical Stab I would have done a V configuration like a MQ-9 Reaper, but that is just me, the orginal vertical stab though does look a bit akward. It looks to be more at home on a full sized Thunderhawk then anything.

Ok so no new photos for you but just reporting progress -

Librarian dread nearly done, had a test on some chipped armour effects and now putting this on the dread (he's supposed to be a veteran after all) Only took three attempts to get the Smite power effect out of his had looking right, but now it doesn't look like purple lightning (1st) or fire (2nd).

Swiping some A3 white paper from work today and will get proper well lit photos of it all loaded up on Monday.

Also adding armour chips to previous models (in moderation) and should get captain, sword blades etc also done over the weekend. Then it's time to paint the Stormraven, with it's new rear wing (which I'm keeping secret for now, but it looks much better than the previous one).

Enjoy the weekend, mine will be spent strapped to the desk painting!

Wow. Impressive stuff here.

When you post the SR tutorial, PLEASE link it in here!

Eric

Update time: Taken a little longer than planned finishing off the Furioso Librarian. Still have a few details on the front plate to finish off and highlight including the head, then there is a scroll rack and the force weapon arm. Progress pics below.

Idea for the head-cables at present is to go with chainmail for the wires and then paint the smooth cables as tubes supplying him various fluids. Still planning on pale grey, probably with veining made to look like skin is almost transparent, vein colours same as fluids in tubes. Eyes glowing red, similar to the smite bolts on the hand.

Awesome with a whole bottle of awesomesauce.

Only the BA codex could have something as winsauce in it as a psychic tank powered by a half-dead space marine.



(on a side note, this is my 1,300th post! )

If I may, you should add eyes to the angel on the shoulder.

battle Brother Lucifer wrote:If I may, you should add eyes to the angel on the shoulder.

They're missing because I haven't finished highlighting it yet! Still have wings, head, hands and blood drop to finish off tonight. Thanks for the reminder though!

Looks Great Man!

Can't wait for the finished product!

alexneufeld wrote:

battle Brother Lucifer wrote:If I may, you should add eyes to the angel on the shoulder.

They're missing because I haven't finished highlighting it yet! Still have wings, head, hands and blood drop to finish off tonight. Thanks for the reminder though!

No prob. I can't wait to see your libby dred finished. It puts mine to shame.

How did I miss this! Amazing conversion work and painting!

jaw-dropping amazing !

Whenever I think Dakka is going into a lull something like this appears.

Your scratchbuilding and converting skills are excellent, the stormraven and furioso are both great.

Not to mention the painting on the sanguinary guard is fantastic too.

I really should get painting.... *sigh*

Damn lighting effects....

Keep it up :thumbs up:

I love the conversion and the paint job is very good. My only critism is minor and that is that the lighting effects on the guantlet seam a bit too opaque.

wyomingfox wrote:the lighting effects on the guantlet seam a bit too opaque.

Any ideas anyone as to how to fix this? I also think it's a bit to dark, had it a lot lighter at first but then it looked to purple and didn't look at all right.

Might try a blue wash over the top, very thin and paint based rather than a thinned GW wash. This might tone it down a bit.


In other news, confirmed shipment of a whole new sets of bits, might be a week or so for delivery but then will be building Chaplain, Death Company etc. Also two sets of dread legs as I used the others on the Stormraven landing gear, I'll then have enough for another 3 dreads.

Mephiston conversion also started last night from Astorath model (i used the wings on the captain, still no more progress on that by the way, got distracted by the dread), needs a lot of work, removing both arms etc etc. When it looks a bit more than a concept I'll post some photos.

Enough rambling at work! Will get dread done tonight hopefully then finished photos tomorrow or Monday.

alexneufeld wrote:

wyomingfox wrote:the lighting effects on the guantlet seam a bit too opaque.

Any ideas anyone as to how to fix this? I also think it's a bit to dark, had it a lot lighter at first but then it looked to purple and didn't look at all right.

I know WD had a mastercalss tutorial on lighting effects when they did thier step by step paint tutorial on the Vermin Lord (back when Skaven was released this year).

If I remember correctly, it involved building up several glazes starting with the darker glazes that covered the most area and working up to the lighter glazes as he got closer to the source of light. He was working with green light source that started out with glazes of bluish green that eventually worked up to spot highlights of yellow.

Given that you have a red light source that is reflecting off of a blue surface, naturally, as you work away from the light source, the reflections will fade into purple.

wyomingfox wrote:I know WD had a mastercalss tutorial on lighting effects when they did thier step by step paint tutorial on the Vermin Lord (back when Skaven was released this year).

Cool. thanks for this, will chase the article down. I think re-painting is in order.

Stormraven is awsome. I love the look of the guys.

Dam you Alex! Your making me envious as all hell! I wish I had half the time or even a QUARTER! of the skill you have!

OH your second line in your signature is deciving me! I was so hoping you posted the Tutorial for your still so amazing Stormraven!

That is one amazing looking dreadnought. Is that angel on the right shoulder from the baal pred sprue?

Lysenis wrote:OH your second line in your signature is deciving me! I was so hoping you posted the Tutorial for your still so amazing Stormraven!

Ooops! Didn't ever read it as a link to the currently non existent tutorial! For me to write a tutorial it would help if I finished the thing sometime! got distracted with the dread and now Mephiston. Oh well that seems to be the way most things of mine turn out.

On a brighter note, no pics yet, but dread is nearly nearly almost done! Only force weapon to do then finished. Mep might be a while as there's a lot of GS on it and I need to wait for my new colour shaper tools for the cloak so maybe the Stormraven might see some highlights this week, certainly planning on doing the metal bits tonight after finishing the dread. We'll have to see if the wife is in a cooperative mood for me to paint all night!

Reprisal wrote:That is one amazing looking dreadnought. Is that angel on the right shoulder from the baal pred sprue?

Yep certainly is, trimmed down every so slightly, even then it still not in the middle of the armour plate.

To all who were concerned about the bare head, it's turned out pretty good. Left the glowing eyes well alone as I think it will ruin the model and kept them black. Purple and red veins on the top coming from the cables. Def. looks like he's been there a while!

Photos of dread tomorrow, also will post Mep photos of GS so far (how to build Mephiston without using any of the model - pain in the a**, especially the psychic hood). Head based on plastic SG one, shaved off to be pointy and then eyebrows and cheekbones enlarged with GS. Looks a bit like a marine who's mother spent too much time in a Dark Eldar brothel and then came home via the Eye of Terror, very demonic. My thoughts were given his new stat line something a little more extreme was neccessary!

alexneufeld wrote:

Lysenis wrote:OH your second line in your signature is deciving me! I was so hoping you posted the Tutorial for your still so amazing Stormraven!

Ooops! Didn't ever read it as a link to the currently non existent tutorial! For me to write a tutorial it would help if I finished the thing sometime!

Please do finish it I want to see the awesomesauce creation in all its glory!, and then I want to make my own >.>

Progress pics from yesterday, all last nights planned work put off until today, had to work late. Took some pics this morning to show head, right arm and Mephiston WIP. Enjoy.

My god man! Both of them look really good and your work on Mephiston could be stunning!

Looks great, keep it up!

Finished Furioso Librarian, completed up the force weapon blade, chopped the legs in half (it was a bit wobbly with all the handling, those round GW joints at the bottom of the legs aren't too strong, so pinned it properly) Added some grass to the base too while it was off, along with a little wash shading under the grassy patches.

Enjoy!

Wow. That looks great! I particularly like the force blade and its shoulder joint. Really good work Alex!
next?

Dreadnought and GS build look excellent. Love all the detailing on both.

How did you get the studs on the two plasticard spires you've built on either side of mephiston's head?

Captain Klaw wrote:Dreadnought and GS build look excellent. Love all the detailing on both.

How did you get the studs on the two plasticard spires you've built on either side of mephiston's head?

Cut them off any spare SM plastic bit with a scalpel, in this case one of the spare armour plates from a venerable dread.

Oh god I love it! How much time did you spend on painting it? Must've taken hours!

Everything that you have done so far is stunning! That Mephiston is looking really promising and so much better than the GW figure and he does not even have arms yet!

Woohoo all my stuff just arrived from the UK and South Africa, that means a whole load more bits to build. Already dug out more bits for Mephiston and the Stormraven turrets.

Pics coming over the next few days completely unrelated to Blood Angels, but old Golden Demon and Dark Angels stuff.

Quality work man! Building a Librarian Dread myself right now (progress at knightsofbaal.blogspot.com). Paint scheme looks great.

Blog subscribed!

These models are FANTASTIC!

Wow that guys really dead, reminds you that the 'nought is really a sarcophagus, not just some big bad robot guy.
I like it!

Great thread Alex. Your models, especially the dread and stormraven are fantastic. Keep it up and looking forward to seeing more pictures!

Hey all,

Been away for work for a while so not much progress to report. Pretty much changed the entire top of the Stormraven to incorporate the top turrets. Didn't want the razorback slapped on look so have done some serious chopping! No photos of this as it ain't done yet.

Concept done for the tail fins too, built the basics need to add detail. Basically 2 fins coming off new engine guards which I've added, small engines below each one like the previous one. Best thing is it seems to have added a little length and the dread mount is going to work even better.

Nearly done on the front turrets, unfortunately I only had spare 2 razorback armour plates (one of the key components) so only made Assault Cannon and Plasma Cannon (who needs lascannons anyway?) Had to modify the whole mount too, looks way way better and more slimline! Photos below -->

One bit of bad news, work turned on the content filters in the new office while I was away and blocked Dakka, Dammit! Updates coming via Starbucks wifi for now so maybe only once a week for now.

PS I wonder what GW are launching on Monday, there's rumours of a 40K update on What's New Today, hopefully not a Stormraven for GK!!!


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Forgot to add - turrets aren't quite done before anyone mentions the sides. These will be covered with armour plates.

Fantastic turrets! Well fantastic storm raven actually. I too am waiting to see what GW are releasing on monday...

Looks really very nice Alex! I also look forward to the progress on the tail!
I really love those turrets though, looks great!

I would put (lots of) money on the announcement on Monday not being a Storm-raven, it's almost certainly the games-day model or a competition winner. Promise.

alexneufeld wrote:Well here it is - excuse the photos of the interior which are upside down, this was better for lighting it, and on rotation it after it looked odd so left it as is. Should get round to finishing it in a couple of weeks, have to move into apartment and then get a nice painting table. Best thing though - managed to negotiate an entire room for cabinets, painting etc. Can't wait.

I have put some other stuff up in the Gallery, bit of Dark Angels (including my Dreadnought featured in What's New Today on GW) and some older Eldar.

Note the photo of the Stormraven in the oven, 2 minutes, 50 degrees celsuis and on old baking tray does wonders if it's cold outside and you've just sprayed anything. And I'm not kidding either! Got fed up waiting for the foundation spray to dry so accelerated the process.

this is great!! !!!! i need a few for my army so may be using this as a model for it! thanks!


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i was trying to quote the pics of the stormraven haha sorry.


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the libbie dred looks awesome too!

More photos, had a busy few days. Top now finished, including the revised cockpit cover and top turret. Bonus - all my bits I ordered from the US arrived yesterday and I didn't get distracted building new things. Lots more builds coming soon, but only after Stormraven is done. Tail fin now 80%, should post more photos over the weekend, plus planning to start the highlights on the red then too.
Enjoy:

wow very nice! I am not to much of a fan on the top mounted TL MM because of firing arc so unless you have the model angled on the base it is going to look like it does not have a proper hitting arc

Lysenis wrote:wow very nice! I am not to much of a fan on the top mounted TL MM because of firing arc so unless you have the model angled on the base it is going to look like it does not have a proper hitting arc

Same, I think it just is...bad lol.
I don't think you could hit any ground units with that, unless you shot through your own ship, on did a nose dive.

Been MIA for a while for work (earning money to buy toys).

Just a quick update, probably upload some more photos over the weekend.

Not much to report on the Stormraven, hitting a brick wall with the second weapons, not sure about the top turret anymore, might integrate it into the side or maybe the nose, I'll see what I come up with. Final bits arrived this week for the tail and new scanner/radar so will get to finishing that next week.

Built up the remaining 2 Sanguinary Guard both in really cool poses like the others, undercoated and ready for paint over the weekend.

Also built a Chaplain, this is about half painted and should be done on Sat night or Sun am. Used lots of Death Company bits, Chaos skull helmet (40k one) and a Black Templars torso for robes. Same winged jump pack as SG, but sculpted chains round the 'wings' and more purity seals too. Painted up the legs and jump pack so only torso and wings to go.

Also reorganised my Dakka gallery so that the finished stuff is separate and can be voted on, also uploaded bigger pics of finished Furioso.

Well, been away for a while and haven't had any time for updates or painting. Converted up a Chaplain,and painted him too. Just finishing off details on Mephiston too. Nice base, took me about 30 mins this morning!

Enjoy, and now that I'm around again more updates soon, got a Death Company dread half built too.

I love the conversions... I think I may have to do some of those up myself.

Nice work! Both look great, the head is from the SM statue correct?

Very effective white on the chaplain BTW.


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Any progress on the stormraven?

Jeezus man that is the sweetest Stormraven I have ever seen in my life! Like the Sang guard also. You have a great style. Want to see more!

Wow that chaplain is friggin sweet lookin!

Commander Cain wrote:Nice work! Both look great, the head is from the SM statue correct?
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Any progress on the stormraven?

Yeah head from the statue. Idea stolen from 4th page of the codex.

Stormraven, well ......... it's stopped for now, but only temporarily until I finish some more troops, it was taking too much time and I need a break from it! Will get back when Mephiston is done, also waiting to see what GW do with the dread clamps on the back as I'm struggling with it.

im in love with ur mephiston conversion

and the chaplain is just beautiful... no more words can describe him

what did you use to convert him?

wow great work!

YOU, SIR, are a wrong'un. ama zing work! subtle, well made, detailed, and REAL!

Can we get some 360 shots of Mephiston? I'm thinking of stealing....errr.....copying your idea. I HATE the current model, wish they would Lemartes'd him

its too bad the GW storm raven is so tacky, yours has a more smace marine feel

whalemusic360 wrote:Can we get some 360 shots of Mephiston? I'm thinking of stealing....errr.....copying your idea. I HATE the current model, wish they would Lemartes'd him

Will do when done, detailing up the front now, got the tabard done and finished the arms. Thinking he'll be done tomorrow afternoon.

Busy last night with Mephiston. Got lots done, photos attached pre the morning session just about to commence!

Plasma pistol arm and base - done
Cloak - needs collars and right side edge finished
Body - detailing around tabard, finish hanging drops
Force weapon arm - cables and detailed on blade and tidy up glove

Crud, I'm thinking that is well beyond my GS and Plasticard abilities. Looks great though, worlds better then the GW model.

Fantastic! Can't wait to see him all painted up!

Finally finished the Mephiston conversion last night and got some photos tonight. There are a couple of the Death Company dread legs too, got a good running pose as I imagine him charging headlong into anything!

Black spray tomorrow and maybe some painting on the cloak if time allows after work.

the bottom of that dred is hard to look at, but im sure this will change when it is painted. It is hard for me to tell where the legs are at first glance.

love your meph conversion!

Nice! Incredible work all around.

What did you use to bend the toes on the dread? Did you heat and bend or just go for it? They look very clean.

Seriously though?! What am I missing about greenstuff. How is your greenstuff so smooth and detailed? Do you let it cure before use? If so, how long? What mix of it do you use?

Amazing work!

very nice mephiston
can't wait to see it painted

This is awesome work dude. Truly inspiring!

Monkeh wrote:Nice! Incredible work all around.

What did you use to bend the toes on the dread? Did you heat and bend or just go for it? They look very clean.

Seriously though?! What am I missing about greenstuff. How is your greenstuff so smooth and detailed? Do you let it cure before use? If so, how long? What mix of it do you use?

Amazing work!

Thanks!

Bending the toes is purely brute force! If it splits then fill in with GS, but if you're carefull they bend quite a long way.

Green stuff mix varies, but normally 55-45 yellow to blue, or more simply a little more yellow then blue. I'm not particularly precise about it. The smoothness is all about the tools, for anything need to be really smooth use colour shaper silicone tools, I use the hard ones most of the time but do have the soft one tool for big cloaks and the like. I heard about oiling the tool but good old spit works best for me!

I do some changes during curing but mostly for detailed things like the wings on the front of Mephiston, it's easier to correct things or make small adjustments.

Good luck!

that. . . chaplain. . . wow. . . simply outstanding. . . that could win most competitions on its own. . . the simplicity combined with the detail makes it look FANTASTIC!

Very Impressive stuff. Loving the Mephiston, was more character than the standard figure. Looking forward to seeing some paint on him

Stuning work, consider me inspierd!

Brilliant work I absolutely love your memphiston

Your conversion work is top notch. GW should be taking notes on how a Dreadnought Librarian should look. You really capture the feel of this particular unit and still keeping in line with the Codex Astartes. Your attention to detail really makes this kind of model stand out. Can't wait to see more from you.

That some really nice conversion work and great painting.

Hey all,

Photos of the first painting stages below, got the cloak and backpack part done except for the fur collar (which will be done later as there is a section on the body too) Freehanded the small skulls on the cloak trim, very happy with this as it's the first time I've tried something that small.

Had a slight problem with the face in that it looked awful when sprayed, and not at all smooth, so out with the dremel and removed it!! Not to worry already got the replacement going, and this time will undercoat it by hand!

Off for a few days for work so won't get back to it until Friday, will keep you updated as it progresses

A

Very jealous right now!

Lovely work.

Hey all,

Not the best photo but a snapshot update of Mephiston. Got the head resculpted and done v. quickly, and detailed up the body. Added some freehand linework on the cloak which isn't very clear on the photo but proper pics on completion.

Pretty happy with it all, especially the face and armour.

Enjoy the rest of Christmas!

Alex

Alex all your models look great! I just seen your post for the first time and just subscribed to your thread! Your work is just amazing!

this....is....incredible your conversions look great i want mephiston done now so i can see him in all his glory

Awesome conversions, librarian dread is awesome, can't wait to see the next dread

Stunning paint job!

Tues night update - plasma pistol arm done and other side about half. Cables for the collar done, needing painting and putting in. No photos but should be done tomorrow night. Eyes giving in now otherwise would be done!!
Until tomorrow!

That is absolutely beautiful. Great conversion man!!!

Whoa! I'm really glad i found your thread, as everything is pretty much amazing! You are truly one of the top-notch hobbyists on dakka! Keep it up, i'll surely be watching!

Great conversions and paintjobs. Loving the stormraven and dread. And looking forward to the fully painted Mephiston.

Well it's not quite100% done, still playing with the cables going into his head, the problem is getting them so small it can fit 3 in.

Photos of the final job so far. The only thing I'm still pondering is the lighting effect on the sword as I was planning on making it turn red from the bottom as if the Sword of Sanguinius is starting, but I like the contrast of the blues on the plasma and sword to the red.

Enjoy!! Not sure what's up next, maybe the DC Dread or some scouts I was fiddling with the other day, snipers in ruins etc on small bases. We'll see ....

He is pure awesome. My friend you are a god!

Wow that is an amazing model congratulations.

Beautiful!

Wow, this stuff is great. Can I just ask (I know its a bit late) but how you did the chips on you libby dread? Also, the skin-tone on the libby dread face is absolutely stunning. Really looks like he's barely alive! You are a master and should be doing commissions.....

Imp. Monkey

Only two things from me. I think the tear on the statue could be done in a gem scheme, because it would look really cool
Also, its a little late now, but purple gems (like the ones on the backpack) could replace the red gems hanging from his tabbard
Amazing work

Great Mephiston.......Just starting a Blood Angels army myself and love your reds........

Keep the pics coming.......

Excellent work! The force sword looks great and I love the deep red of his armour.

That's really incredible - the texture on the armor and the powersword look really good.

Imperial Monkey wrote:Wow, this stuff is great. Can I just ask (I know its a bit late) but how you did the chips on you libby dread? Also, the skin-tone on the libby dread face is absolutely stunning. Really looks like he's barely alive!

Imp. Monkey

Thanks, really tried to get the dead look on the face, as if without the cables he wouldn't be about much longer! The chips are painted using the initial base colour, in this case Mordian Blue, then highlight the bottom edge sharply with Skull White and a tiny bit of UM Blue mixed in. Then I shaded just above the highlight to give it depth, watered down black does the trick.

battle Brother Lucifer wrote:Only two things from me. I think the tear on the statue could be done in a gem scheme, because it would look really cool
Also, its a little late now, but purple gems (like the ones on the backpack) could replace the red gems hanging from his tabbard
Amazing work

This was the original plan, still not too happy with the big gem on the statue as it's a bit yellow on the bottom highlight. Testing out a trick of cracking the main stone on test bits so might use that. The statue has fallen over after all. Same goes for the currently red stones, I had though about purple for contrast too. Might change this!

Thanks for all the comments, especially suggestions and I'm glad the sword blade has gone down well!!

Everything you have produced thus far has been absolutely stunning. But i will say I dunno about Mephys white hair. To me it seem like its just fading into the model with all the other white on him. I think it would look better with dark hair but thats just a personal opinion. Still everything looks amazing

I'm not sure I like the red cape on Mephiston. Should be a contrasting color like black or cream/white, in my opinion. Still though, the skill in it is amazing and your conversion skills are top-notch.

I wanted to do the kind of effect you got on the flame inside your jump packs for my shield generators on my titan. How did you do that? PM me please.

I know I am a little late on the comments but that has to be the coolest Stormraven I have seen, GW needs to base theirs off of yours. All of the other figs look great too, your flesh tones are amazing.

You've done a fantastic job with 1 single reservation for me. The gloves which I assume as sculpted really let the rest of him down. They are flaring right off the wrist and look a tiny bit like lampshades with hands morphing out of them :S . Were I to change one thing, that would be it.

The job you did overall, and especially on the base and freehand are really top notch. Very inspiring look forward to more!

i would love to see some scouts in ruins next!

maybe some assault marines that looked as if they just jumped down from a stormraven!

Sageheart wrote:i would love to see some scouts in ruins next!

maybe some assault marines that looked as if they just jumped down from a stormraven!

Both on the way - Scouts still in pieces but getting there. Assault marines mostly done - how did you know?? To be honest feel a bit guilty that I haven't done some troops yet!

Two landed and running forward, sargeant leading. Other two flying over ruins about to land. All I have left is the GS details, scrolls, wings and blood drops.

I just couldn't see how, with your modelling and GS ability, you wouldn't do such a squad! I was thinking you had to do a squad jumping from a stormraven! it just had to be. my other idea would have been a squad of assault marines on ledges as if waiting for their quarry to mindlessly walk below them!

Assault marines don't look great posed the way they are bought, but they are great when they are posed in more dramatic poses! i'm trying to figure out how best to do that for my slowly building up DoA army list.

I can't wait to see your assault marines, would love to see what kinda poses you make and how you did them!

Hey all,

Got down and finished Mephiston's cables and changed the gems on the front to purple. Pics below. Will get round to putting final ones in the gallery too so that everyone can vote on them.

Also as mentioned started the assault squad, some pics of WIP, no GS yet just basic positions, lots more to do to them. Sargeant is missing too as he's way too WIP!! (like only the base)

Looks awesome, can't wait to see the Assault Squad finished.

AWSOME!! JUST AWSOME!!

those assault squad models look great!

Hey all, some pics of the assault squad heads which I painted while doing some of the finishing off. Glow off the eyes needs 2nd coat of green to smooth it over.

Sprayed up some of the squad, will finish up tonight and do some reds tomorrow.

amazing heads, great models! cant wait to see them done.

do you plan to play with this army, or is it solely for modeling?

At the minute no plans to play, but only because it's going slowly. I've written a list for 3000 pts and I'm sticking to it so far, not designed to be practical though, just all the fun things I want to paint!

That sounds good. Wow, 3000 points, you have a large list of things you need to do !

when these models are finished can we have a group shot?

I must admit I'm buying units as I go and the ones I really want to model such as really expensive Death Company....not really building a list as such....will end up with a random points total no doubt

Doots - I started that way but ended up going mmmm think I'll paint some more elites and HQ, and a few more, oh and what the heck a few more too. Decided it was about time I had a proper playable force so wrote up a list to get an idea, and motivate me as it's a target.

On another note Iwata compressor and airbrushes on the way. Fed up with GW spray, and painting red over black base, even if it is Mechrite foundation. Much easier to spray foundation. Also will mean I can get back to stormraven and tanks too. Really can't wait to start, been watching Eggrolls blog using airbrush and the effects are pretty good.

Been away for work so progress limited, apart from the excitement of ripping apart all the new airbrush toys which arrive next week, followed by Stormravens and plenty of conversion work. Following the leads of Eggroll and MajorTom for the vehicles, and we'll see how we go.

Got the Sanguinary Guard blades done finally, inspired by the new Ikit Claw in WD, metal base with power field over the top. Really happy with the effect, though it still needs a little more practice. Also added freehand and text to them. Touched up the Sanguinary Priest face too, eyes were a bit off and it had been bugging me for ages.

No photos of Assault squad but there's red and boltgun metal on them now, still way off but maybe get some final highlights to the first one's red tonight. Still batching them so progress is slow!!

Was thinking of maybe a tutorial on the blades if people are interested, let me know. Put some more finished pics up in the Gallery so you can vote away too.

Enjoy - Alex

I like the energy effects on the power weapons, very flashy.

your power weapons on the gaurd are absolutly amazing, any chance on you doing a tutorial for those.

Yeah next time I paint one I'll take progress pics and show the stages, very simple though

Absolutely phenominal stuff!

Especially the dreadnought armour highlighting.

The only thing for me that Id say you could improve on is the writing on the purity seals, but I couldnt do any better so who am I to talk!

Awesome work on the sang guard swords Alex! Really like the lighting on the actual metal of the sword which works very well. I'm going to have to try that out once I get to my sang guards.

I really like that sang priest, very cool stuff!

Sageheart beat me to the 200 post but hey never mind!

Been busy, finished making the two remaining sanguinary guard for the squad, and as you can see below for me progress is flying along!!

Bare heads done too, the two with brown hair for the assault squad and the older looking one for the one of the sang guards.

Hopefully have more progress tonight and tomorrow. Stuck a photo below of the current progress queue on my desk.

this is amazing.
do you do comissions?!?!?!

Verry nice mini's. Keep up the awsome work

would reallly like that tutorial on the power-metal!

Really nice work! I like how the power swords remain metallic with the lightning running through them. Keep up the good work!

absolutely awesome, thread subscribed!

Your stuff is very inspirational.

One small question: What do you do to get the heads to attach to the pins/cork for painting purposes?

Sarigar wrote:Your stuff is very inspirational.

One small question: What do you do to get the heads to attach to the pins/cork for painting purposes?

Drill a hole in the base of the head, then sometimes superglue the head to the pin if needed (if it turns round when you paint it) then simply stab it into the cork. I quite often use long pins around 1cm without glue, then remove the pin when I stick it to the model and reuse the pin for another head.

Gold on the S Guard done - photo below of all the bits. Needs a final Gryphonne Sepia glaze to knock back the brightest highlights, but apart from this done. Off away for work tomorrow for two weeks so no more progress until then. Sucks as I was getting back into these.

Airbrushes arrived today and in customs so will get some picks of the setup when I get back. Enjoy the final photo and see you in two weeks.

Alex

Back from my little trip last night, got very busy as I couldn't sleep either.

Painted up some more on the S Guard, not much left to do now, whites, reds and weapons. Will also be doing a tutorial on how to do the power weapons with the lightning effect over the metal. Should get round to this tomorrow or Friday, as . . . .

Airbrush setup arrived - Iwata Smart Jet compressor with Ellipse BCS Airbrush + some accessories! SO excited about this, and been testing it out using some online tutorials, can't wait to get going.

And just because the airbrush arrived I needed something to paint with it, waiting on the GW order containing the Stormravens but it will only be here next week. I got a little distracted from the S Guards last night and decided to build a razorback, not sure why, especially as it has twinlinked heavy flamers but all the matters is it looks cool.

Gone for some severe armour upgrades, because I hate the current razorback turret, it has the pred turret. The next build is a Baal pred with even heavier armour (vindicator with some extras).

Enjoy the update and hopefully there'll be some more progress tomorrow.

Sang guard looks great alex. Looking forward to seeing your progress with the airbrush!

That sang guards face reminds me of someone though I am not sure who, an actor maybe? Good luck with the airbrush! And the predator looks great with all that extra armour, maybe a little too good if this is your first test with an airbrush

Commander Cain wrote:That sang guards face reminds me of someone though I am not sure who, an actor maybe? Good luck with the airbrush! And the predator looks great with all that extra armour, maybe a little too good if this is your first test with an airbrush

Maybe, but only going to use the airbrush for a base coat and then some shading. That's what I've been practising on using spare drop pod doors with lots of recesses. Got it pretty sorted. Might try a bit of highlighting.

And it's only a razorback!! Wait for how much armour the predator is getting when it arrives from GW! Don't like the lightweight tank look, has to be properly armoured for me. Also one stormraven getting the armour treatment too!

The armored look is much better than the normal tanks, love that razorback and can't wait to see what you do with the other tanks! def the stormraven!

Nice work on that razorback, be interesting to see how the pred and 'raven turn out.

It's official - airbrushed on vehicles is the best idea ever. Started the razorback and two hours later the red is done, except the red wash over the top and then chipping. Both of which I am doing now. The shading is quite subtle, maybe next time I'll make it less so. Drybrushed through with blazing orange and vomit brown, and dev magic into all the recesses.

Very very happy, especially as it's the first vehicle I've done like this. More photos tomorrow, but for now enjoy this one

Cool I have yet to find an airbrush that I actually like, congratz on yours and nice red you got here. Liking the sang guard

More progress from yesterday and this morning.

Added Baal Red wash. Painted (freehand) numbers and symbols pre weathering. Then scorched brown on a sponge, boltgun metal over the most scratched edges. Also smoke-dirt from vents.

Now onto the metals, BGM base, black then devlan washes, just started this now. Should be done in pretty soon.

Looking good! I have an airbrush but have not actually started to use it yet, I must pick up the courage to pour my amazing blood red paint into it and get painting those tanks

You really freehanded those symbols? They look amazing!

Commander Cain wrote:Looking good! I have an airbrush but have not actually started to use it yet, I must pick up the courage to pour my amazing blood red paint into it and get painting those tanks

You really freehanded those symbols? They look amazing!

Yeah freehand all the way from now on. I had the transfer sheet in front of me so I could check the proportions. Really struggled previously with the wing symbol but got it right this time.

I think using a good conversion on the first airbrush attempt was good as it made me concentrate on being careful. Just go for it, the only thing I struggled with yesterday was getting the paint the right consistency.


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Nearly all done, text to go on the scroll and the tracks and driver need finishing. Just about to take photos and what happens . . camera battery is dead. That sucks! Off out for a bit now but will stick photos up later.

Hey all, as promised photos of the razorback. 2 days work and it's 90% done. Driver to do tomorrow morning, along with the tracks and some text on the door and that's it.

Stormravens and other tanks currently in Miami on there way to me in Peru according to UPS! Need them now as I didn't realise I could paint something this fast.

Enjoy - ->

A wee bit more weathering maybe?

That razorback looks sweet, I especially like the look of your spaced armour

Really ice heavy flamers. My only problem with the razorback is that it looks too much like a predator with the turret mounted so far forward....

The painting however remains sublime!

Bossasaurus wrote:A wee bit more weathering maybe?

There is a bit more than shows up on the photos, also when the tracks are finished they're also getting dirty so some of this will get onto the tank. Not a fan of too much, it would also look unbalanced in the army as most of the foot models are not weathered.

Ghost_Leader_7 wrote:That razorback looks sweet, I especially like the look of your spaced armour

Thanks, going for the same on the Baal Pred and one Stormraven

Imperial Monkey wrote:Really ice heavy flamers. My only problem with the razorback is that it looks too much like a predator with the turret mounted so far forward....

The painting however remains sublime!

At the minute yes, but this is for two reasons
1. I don't like the GW razorback with the turret in the troop compartment, I moved the turret forward (more than the pred) and added bigger hatches on top to give the impression that there is still a troop compartment at the back
2. Wait for the Baal Pred, it's going to look much heavier than this, similiar pattern but with bigger turret and vindicator armour with extra spaced plates

Very happy with the painting especially given the time it took! Cheers.

Awsome models all round, love both mephiston and the libby dread. Storm raven is an amazing piece, much better than the GW one in my opinion, keep uo the good work

Hey all, finished the razorrback tonight. Still needs one bit (hence the not so heavy weathering on the front) a dozer blade, but's still in the post somewhere with the rest of my stuff so it can wait.

Enjoy the photos. Happy with the final model, especially the airbrushed red bases, used this on the crewman too then added final hand highlights. Def using this method in future and already have a tactical squad done and waiting for the highlights!

It looks great,ESP the gunner.

However, im not sure you accomplished everything you could have with the airbrush. It seems you used it more like a general red primer rather than leveraging the techniques possible, because it lacks any subtle gradients, it looks like a brushed tank... A great one mind you, but a brushed one none the less.

Could be what you were going for, if so mission definitely accomplished, but if you want to take it to the next level, I highly suggest checking out the MIG FAQ airbrush modulation techniques DVD (vol 2), it may well blow your mind.

Amazing blog so far man, I'm really enjoying it!

MajorTom11 wrote: However, im not sure you accomplished everything you could have with the airbrush. It seems you used it more like a general red primer rather than leveraging the techniques possible, because it lacks any subtle gradients, it looks like a brushed tank... A great one mind you, but a brushed one none the less.

Amazing blog so far man, I'm really enjoying it!

Unfortunately the subtle gradients were lost with the Devlan mud shading and then the wash over the top. I think I made them too subtle. Watering down the shading next time too. Trying to get a mix of airbrush and brush, trying not to copy Eggrolls stuff too much, as it doesn't fit my style of painting but definitely going for more gradients next time round. Checked out the tutorial too, thanks for the link.

Back in the world of the living, it's fun staying in a tent for work but nearly 3 weeks ain't so great. Next time taking some models with to sculpt or model.

Stormravens, vindicator, baal pred and other stuff arrived. Got the first stormraven on the go now, changed the front weapons locations to where the lights are (bit like MajorTom11's). Now working on armouring up the cockpit and front. Will post photos later today when it looks a bit neater.

Amazing models so far Best scratchbuild SR ive ever seen, will be eagerly waiting for tutorial for alexneufeld pattern Stormraven. I love extra armour on predator as well one small gripe is how w/ tank exhaust being raised idk if you try and turn the turret might get stuck IDK just me tho... Consider me subscribed looking forward too seeing more!

Holycrusader27 wrote:Amazing models so far Best scratchbuild SR ive ever seen, will be eagerly waiting for tutorial for alexneufeld pattern Stormraven. I love extra armour on predator as well one small gripe is how w/ tank exhaust being raised idk if you try and turn the turret might get stuck IDK just me tho... Consider me subscribed looking forward too seeing more!

Thanks! You can turn the turret through the fully 360 even though it doesn't look like it.

Here's a progress shot of the Stormraven, MajorTom11 pattern front end complete, a little wider though! Working on flaring out the engine flaps at the minute.

Why is everyone better at doing MajorTom pattern stormravens than MajorTom :(

MajorTom11 wrote:Why is everyone better at doing MajorTom pattern stormravens than MajorTom :(

How is yours coming along? Haven't seen any photos on your blog for a while so I presume it's a struggle! If it's any comfort it did take me nearly all day to sort out all the angles, and lots of wasted plasticard. The cockpit was a real pain!

It's been a piss off right off the bat to be honest... first parts I wanted to use took a month to get here from the us (normally it is a week), everything I cut seems marginally off, despite my best efforts to be precise. Frankly, the more I just eyeball stuff, the better it goes.

I have the back extensions in place now, but am a bit stuck figruing out what to do about the door. Making it open and having my dred-deployment system is making it tough too lol!

Dying to try the airbrush too, making it tough to be patient with this!

Really like what you've done with the cockpit, looks pretty cool!

Really liking your red's your scratch built SR is quite the impressive build, I also thought it was a cake when it was in front of the oven.

Looking forward to seeing more as it comes along!

Well, you inspired me Alex, I actually got some work done on my SR tonight! Thanks!

MajorTom11 wrote:Well, you inspired me Alex, I actually got some work done on my SR tonight! Thanks!

Glad I could be of inspiration! Was really struggling with the dread clamps, then also had a genius moment! Still tidying it up but will stick up photos tomo. Still don't understand how on earth GW could have made what I think is cool model and then gone, on yeah we forgot it has to carry a dread too so lets stick a bit of the new furioso on and call it a grapple. Hahaha!

How are you making your dread mount-grapple?

Knightley wrote:Really liking your red's your scratch built SR is quite the impressive build, I also thought it was a cake when it was in front of the oven.

Looking forward to seeing more as it comes along!

Thanks, scratch build on hold for now as I prefer the GW model. BUT will finish it off, just need to get some more bits for the front and tail.

Got the interior done last night, went for a very light base and then spent a long time dirtying it up. Did a bit of interior detail on the door where the back of the hurricane bolters would be, ammo silo and control panel. One thing left to do and that's a banner hanging from the roof, behind where the cockpit comes down, this is a large area which you can see clearly from the back and there no detail on it, not sure why! So adding a banner here.

Should be done with the banner today and then can get on with the rest of the outside armour.

Nice job on that interior!

Very awesome interior, with the banner that will look very authentic!

Words cannot express how subscribed i am right now
Love the work so far

Mind=blown. Just unbelivably good. Makes me kinda jealous TBH.

Awesome work, both you and Majortom are great inspiration.

The stormraven interior is very very nice, I went light brown in mine, but not light enough it seems, I just hope that when you're all built you can actually see inside well enough the appreciate the work you did. Maybe a little LED or two would help?

Played around with the turret of the stormraven and eventually settled on the original one, doesn't look to bad. Stuck it together, finished the flared engines. Then got out the black spray undercoat (just a dusting really to get the reds to base nicely over)

Then did the metals on the engines, blending nicely using the airbrush, and some very light brush highlights on the very front. While I was at it did the dozer blade for the RB, stripes were a pain but turned out good.

Also sprayed everything with matt varnish through the airbrush, makes a real difference and was certainly not using GW spray! Any residual glaze and shiny patches from the washes are gone. Should get to the reds on the stormraven tomorrow night. Compressor suffering from the heat a bit now, so giving it the night off.

Very exciting for me to see how comfortable you are getting with the airbrush and the workflow you are developing around it!

Keep it up!

MajorTom11 wrote:Very exciting for me to see how comfortable you are getting with the airbrush and the workflow you are developing around it!

Keep it up!

Thanks! Can't wait to get the reds onto the Stormraven with it. Going to go for stronger shading with the airbrush, also doing white stripes on the wings to break up the red. Trying to use it as much as possible, it definitely has increased my output. Would probably have more done if I wasn't away for work so much!

Love the storm raven, sometimes you wish that it wouldnt have to closed up like it is so you could see it all the time, keep up he good work

RED is done! What a mission, it's much bigger than you think when you start painting! Same technique as the RB but I left a lot more shadow from the airbrush colours.

Off away for work tomorrow for a week so no more updates for a while. Need to paint all the markings, numbers etc before the weathering starts, and after that the details, crew, turret etc.

Happy so far, much more shadow on the model but still the red wash definitely blends it all back a bit too much. Enjoy the photos and back soon! Hopefully get it done before holidays in 3 weeks. Not sure my wife would appreciate me taking it along to finish!

Very nice! Any chance you could do a Step-by-Step Tutorial on an airbrushed tank?

Looking very nice alex. Rear engine flares look very cool and unique.

Wow, I love the pod-racer engines.

Liking the flared engines, glow would look awesome

Back to the land of painting following work. Hit the Stormraven with some serious weathering over the weekend. Still busy with it now, and doing some details. Photos coming very soon!

Just WOW - the Librarian Dreadnaught is phenomenal!! Your painting is smooth and vibrant - much to be proud of in this thread!

Here's the promised progress shots:

So much more to do ........!

Your stuff is absoloutely fantastic. How did you achieve your gold?

MunkeyKungFu wrote:Your stuff is absoloutely fantastic. How did you achieve your gold?

Basecoat 75-25 Scorched Brown Shining Gold
50-50
25-75
100% Shining Gold
Heavy Devlan Mud wash
Highlight 50-50 Shining Gold Burnished Gold
100% Burnished Gold
50-50 Burnished Gold Mithril Silver
Gryphonne Sepia Glaze (to knock back the silver a touch)

It takes ages, but the gold is very rich and deep, this is what the 4 coats before the wash are for, as it gives it a good solid base.

Finally back to the BA after an extended holiday. Decided I needed some new inspiration after not doing any infantry for a while so started what you see below. This is what happens when you combine a few left over libby dread bits and a terminator! Doing this for fun so will have a full scenic base with victim rather than the typical stuff.

It's nice to be back to some sculpting too after a time of painting. Stormraven still on the way, bit more details done but all focused on the new librarian. It's way more fun than painting red!

That is a beautiful model!


any way we can a group shot of all the things which are done?

Sageheart wrote:That is a beautiful model!


any way we can a group shot of all the things which are done?

Thanks. Yeah no probs will try and get everything out over the weekend when the light is better for photos

Group shot of all models including in progress for Sageheart, and mini diorama librarian progress.

Still final bit of detailing left to libby and lots more on the base. Victim lying down the stairs has been ordered, keeping it a surprise for now.

Wow. It's been FAR too long since I've checked this thread; great work man, I love what you're doing with the Libby (the base looks fantastic) and the group shot is great. The flared engines are lovely too. Great work.

Amazing looking work! I am quite impressed with the Librarian model you're constructing, looks great, I'd love to know what parts you used where and how difficult it was to model? your airbrushing and painting is exceptional as well, such a cohesive and good looking army!

nice! that group shot looks good

Updated pics of the librarian and the base. Libby with not much to do, base done! Should finish the libby tonight and maybe get some paint on the base too. Other model for the base is still on the way. Also bought some new Eldar corsairs too as the wife decided she wants to paint something with me. (Not sure how good an idea this is but never mind )

Just Dave wrote:Wow. It's been FAR too long since I've checked this thread; great work man, I love what you're doing with the Libby (the base looks fantastic) and the group shot is great. The flared engines are lovely too. Great work.

Thanks, good to see your still having a look now and then.

nerdfest09 wrote:Amazing looking work! I am quite impressed with the Librarian model you're constructing, looks great, I'd love to know what parts you used where and how difficult it was to model? your airbrushing and painting is exceptional as well, such a cohesive and good looking army!

Thanks for the compliments. Hmmm, the list is quite long and it's not particularly easy! Basically a normal terminator legs, arms and body combined with the libby dread bits and then lots of GS. Changed my mind with the front cables as you can see as I felt they unbalanced the model before (with the plastic ones). Sculpting isn't too hard, use colour shapers for smooth areas like the tabard and shin areas, the hardest bit is balancing the chest eagle and horns on all the skulls so that both sides are the same (oh and getting to the head to paint it, which at the minute I'm hiding how, when it's finished you'll see)

Sageheart wrote:nice! that group shot looks good

Thanks, not much done but it's more than I normally do! Not travelling for a while too so should get some more progress this weekend.

Dude, that is a fething brilliant model, you should be raking it in doing commissions...

I'm not sold on the librarian at all. That psychic hood just looks comically big.

I'll reserve judgement until it's fully painted, but I'm just not sure.

I thought that at first, but with the shoulder pads and iconography attached, I think it all fits really well and look suitably bulky, but maybe that's just me.

Great work as ever Alex, I've been missing out!

Ok, added some more detail on the chest to finish off the eagle and detailed the shield on the shoulder pad. No photos as in a rush to go to work! Will stick some on later.

Re the psychic hood, the almost comical look is part of the plan, that's why he's taller and wider than a normal libby, it will offset the other model very well. I thought the same as Just Dave, which is why I bulked out the shoulders a bit more to balance it.

ph34r wrote:I'm not sold on the librarian at all. That psychic hood just looks comically big.

Leave him alone, just because the psycho-conditioning process doesn't improve some areas

Small update - new photo of the progress on the libby. PS stole the wife's camera for this one, think I'll be using it again, puts mine to shame.

Enjoy. More to do today, mainly finishing up armour details and the hand

WOW!
Any greenstuff tips? My greenstuff skills have been weighed, measured and found wanting

lessthan1337 wrote:WOW!
Any greenstuff tips? My greenstuff skills have been weighed, measured and found wanting

Thanks, yeah some tips:

Use colour shapers, soft and firm ones, sizes 0 and 2. I use these for all the smooth surfaces and my GS is improving all the time, especially cloaks and tabards. For details I have favourite tool which I've never seen for sale, a friend at GW gave it too me years ago. It has a long flat oval on one end with a sharp point, I've seen similar but never as good!

Also for metal tools I tend to use spit on the tools as it lubricates better than water, colour shapers not so important. On the sculpting itself, it's easier to take it in stages and build up several layers when you start rather than trying all in one go. For example: the shoulder pad on the libby with the book - 1st base shape with edge corners, dried for 1 day, 2nd book pages, dry for 1 day, 3rd chain across the middle. The colour shapers help with this as it's easy to blend into previous shapes with them.

Hope this gives you some tips.
Alex

Libby looks awesome Alex. You seem to find the perfect balance with just enough to make it look cool with out going ott.

What are colour shapers? Sorry pretty new to greenstuffing myself.

kanelom wrote:What are colour shapers? Sorry pretty new to greenstuffing myself.

They's painting tools for oils and acrylics made of soft or firm silicone rubber, this is why they're so good for GS as it doesn't stick to them at all.

nice

alexneufeld wrote:

kanelom wrote:What are colour shapers? Sorry pretty new to greenstuffing myself.

They's painting tools for oils and acrylics made of soft or firm silicone rubber, this is why they're so good for GS as it doesn't stick to them at all.

Did you know they came out with Extra Firm set? I just bought a pair and they are very stiff...just a bit softer than metal (of course).

Really like the conversion here! I do feel that it looks slightly off balance, there is a lot going on with his right hand side holding the staff with the storm bolter etc, where as his left is sparse in comparison.

I'm currently at a loss as how to best balance it however perhaps migrating the storm bolter from the current arm to the other side, this might give a more balanced pose. food for thought I guess.

Knightley wrote:Really like the conversion here! I do feel that it looks slightly off balance, there is a lot going on with his right hand side holding the staff with the storm bolter etc, where as his left is sparse in comparison.

I'm currently at a loss as how to best balance it however perhaps migrating the storm bolter from the current arm to the other side, this might give a more balanced pose. food for thought I guess.

Aaahh but that's because you haven't seen what or who is going to be attached to it! Still keeping it under wraps for now, model only arrived today but tested the idea.

Off for three weeks for work now too, so typical that GW delivers the day I go so I don't have time to get stuck in to the other part of the duel (hint). (Oh and releases the new resin versions after I already ordered mine)

Alex

Aha,

That then makes sense.

I guess I'll have to wait for 3 weeks before I get a hint

Knightley wrote:Aha,

That then makes sense.

I guess I'll have to wait for 3 weeks before I get a hint

Yep. Done a lot more work on the libby though, nearly done on the force weapon and his hand is now more armoured. Sorting out a photo now

Here's the photo:

Hey all, been away for work for nearly a month but lots to report.

Finally convinced my boss to let me have leave to go the UK Games Day in Sept so it's time to get cracking for GD. The Librarian is part of a duel scene, with a DE Succubus in mid strike. Still about a week's worth of GS to do to finish and then painting. Fortunately at home now for 2-3 weeks so should make some good progress.

Meanwhile just to pass the time I bought a Wasp Assault Walker from Forgeworld to paint, just to get the painting going again. Might enter this too but only into a comp here in Peru at end of July. Going for an Iyanden theme, simple yellow, blue gems and dark blue cockpit to mirror the guardian scheme. Been fun so far to build, esp. the base! The top section is WIP painting as I wanted to test the yellow blend and the blue gems. Busy with this now.

Some photos for you. Comments appreciated too, and hopefully you won't be waiting a month for the next update!

Nice to see such a great update, it was def worth the wait!

Diorama is looking awesome. Will that DE just be suspended out over the base? The Wasp walker looks pretty solid, too. I like the yellow you have achieved and the base looks really good. I like that it isn't over the top, since it's just a simple walker.

Loving the pictures of the duel; that's going to be immense, I can't wait to see more.

I wasn't a fan of the Wasp itself, but I'll be interested to see what you do with it.

Great work so far!

Sageheart wrote:Nice to see such a great update, it was def worth the wait!

Thanks, been working on the top of the Wasp this afternoon so will post more pics later.

Moltar wrote:Diorama is looking awesome. Will that DE just be suspended out over the base? The Wasp walker looks pretty solid, too. I like the yellow you have achieved and the base looks really good. I like that it isn't over the top, since it's just a simple walker.

Yeah, the Succubus will be suspended by the agoniser wrapped around the arm. The other arm will be a sword striking behind the head. Glad that the base is getting appreciation, there are a few leaves to go on and around the stones to make it more subtle.

Just Dave wrote:Loving the pictures of the duel; that's going to be immense, I can't wait to see more.

Cheers Dave, sometimes it's funny how a simple idea of I want a new libby has turned into something crazy and complicated!

Nice update. Love the base for the diorama, very nice.

Youre awesomeness makes me sad. Anyway your work is awesome and I love everything and especially that furioso and libby terminator.

More paint on the Wasp top section - finishing off the bone effect underneath and then onto the tail fin. A little more damage too, there will be two types, one deep through to a bone effect underneath and another which is just scratches (not done yet) Enjoy, and more progress tomorrow.
Alex

That is some amazing blending on the the yellow panels. The underside is pretty cool as well, reminds me of beach wood.

The yellow is fantastic.

And this is why I'm not entering Duel this year...well, that and I can't afford to buy another Chakax and Queek to convert up at this moment in time.

What other categories you entering? I'll have to keep my eye out for you!

More Wasp progress - done with the top part of the body, working on engines, with silver NMM now, then onto the centre of the body. Did a little freehand copy of the Yriel rune from the banner onto the tail too. More soon, should be busy over the weekend with a lot more progress

Nearly done with the duel sculpting now, Succubus hair and finishing off legs to go. Ready for painting! Wasp coming along too, will try and post some photos today.

Nice stuff man, consider me subscribed

Hey all,

A good update for you, finally finished the Succubus after several changes. Also done more painting on the Wasp, and base coated all the duel parts (except the Succubus, who's GS is still drying)

Very happy with the final sculpt, only two things to change - reduce the back of the head to get the angle right, at the minute the cables get in the way of the correct position and she looks a bit like a chicken with her head sticking out. AND THE MOLD LINE ON THE FRONT VIAL (before anyone mentions it!)

Enjoy - 2 and a half months of painting to go now, starting with the bases of both entries.

I've gotten reasonable success sculpting fur, twisted mutated flesh, more "amorphous" things with putty, but how do you get armor plates and such sculpted so cleanly? I can never get that crisp hardness to the edges like that. I've had some success waiting until it dries and then cutting/filing, but I can't get any indentions that way and if I cut it wrong, then it looks horrible, not to mention wayward nicks coming out in the final product.

Almost done with the librarian, and finished the base. No photos now (taking lots of WIP for a later post) (probably keeping it all under wraps now until GD!). Gone for red on the librarian armour, with blue tabard (inside is bone white), blue inside to psychic hood too. Looks awesome so far! Succubus position finally sorted so they really eyeball each other.

Resin plinth ordered and on the way too, trying to think of a name too for a brass plate