So with all these Dark Angel rumors I figure now is a good time to give them a try. I started with a Devastator squad with a Tactical squad and Venerable Dreadnought on deck. I haven't decided if I will use the brown grass base or the tiles with autumn leaves base. I totally ripped off the idea from the guy at GMM. He used that kind of base and they look great. At any rate, here is the start....

A little work on the Tac squad. I gave these guys a light drybrush to lighten them up a bit. Ill do the highlights last. Eyes are blotchy. Im out of practice on marine eyes but I hope to get better. The eagles are going to be white, or whiteish. I decided on the tile bases, so the Devastators should be done soon.

These are some fine looking Dark Angels! I think I'd go for the Autumn base; the red and orange leaves/tufts will compliment the green really nicely.

@Brother SRM: Yeah, I agree the autumn bases are the ticket. I may play with them a little more. Maybe replace the black stripe with one lighter. Anyway, thanks for the compliment and for dropping by.

I mounted the Devastators on the bases and finished up the sergeant. I think these guys are going to have potential. Even if there is no new codex or models, I think this will be a pretty cool army. Tactical squad is coming along. I have been doing Orks and IG so long I forgot how relatively simple marines are. Anyway.....

Good looking models, mate! I really like the autumn bases, keep up the good work!

Your Dark Angels are looking very nice, I was planning to do a test squad using my left over Heavy Plasma guys as well lol

I like them a lot! Can't wait to see some more of them!

Thanks gents, I appreciate the kind words. I managed to finish 4 of the Tac guys. Almost done with the other 5. I havent decided what to do with the rest of the sergeants. I dont want a whole lot of robed Angels to support the whole, rare inner circle thing. After I posted the picks I saw specks of Dullcote, gotta fix that.

The first Tac squad is finished. Two things are obviously missing. The sgt is still a WIP and I haven't exactly decided what to do with the bolters. The gray is ok, but Im not sold. The red GW uses is.....meh. I may end up doing it though. Next up is the dred.

Really nice dude!!!

@TH3FALL3N: Thanks man.

I do see a big problem that I didn't notice until I looked at the post. Damn primer was grainy and it really shows with the Dullcote. I may have to switch back to GW black. Its about twice the cost but at least I can rely on a smooth coat. Im hoping it wont make the rest of the army too dark in comparison.

Looking good! Always been a DA fan. Been tempted to strip the marines I've got to go green. Can remember my old Raven Wing force well! Keep up the good work.

They are looking good keep up the good work!

@ghostmaker and XmarvX40k- Thanks guys

I risked the gray primer again and it actually worked on the Rhino. I used the GW spray gun for the first time, actually gave me a solid, smooth green. Very happy. The Dark Angels Green can be a beating to get smooth. Anyway, small WIP....

Ok, so the Dreadnought is still WIP, the Rhino is done. Well, sorta. When we moved I broke down the Rhino to save space. Ill be damn if I didn't loose 2 pieces. I cant believe it, a rookie mistake! I'll bet I've built 50 Rhinos and this is the first screw up. Oh well. This is also the first time I used the extreme highlight thing on a vehicle. I think it looks good but I need more practice. Of course the Forgeworld doors helped too. They were a steal on Ebay. I plan to attach a few transfers and some of the company icons from the new GW transfer sets.

Small update here. I changed the black base to brown. I thought the black made the whole thing look too dark and kind of, I dont know, clashed with the green. I had to switch to the black primer since the gray was just too unreliable. The green is darker so I didn't wash with Badab Black. I think it will be fine once finished. Poor Dread is still sitting there waiting for more paint....

I agree on the bases, they look much better now.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks MrMerlin, I appreciate the input.


I finished up the Rhino and its Razorback top. Still waiting on a Lascannon turret. I plan 2 Rhino/Razorbacks each will have the 2 weapons. The 2nd Tactical squad is coming along nicely and the poor forgotten Dread has gotten some love.....

Finished up the Dreads body...

Hello from a fellow DA player, your models look great. Please keep up updated with more.

@leohart: Im on it and thanks for dropping by. Your Angels are fantastic.

Dread still has a bunch of work. 2 arms and I haven't decided where to put chapter and company symbols.

So the 2nd Tactical Squad and 2 Dreadnought arms are all done. Ive reached the point where I have to decide how to do the sergeants. I was thinking the fully robbed DA's will be the command squad. They would, I guess, be more privy to the chapters secrets so members of the Inner Circle. That would also give the Company Master a couple trusted operatives he could send to investigate rumors during a war. The squad leaders are more senior Astartes, so you gotta figure they know something, hence robes. But I think, since there are so many, they would have a sterilized version. Im going to use BA legs with the tabards for squad leaders. Oh, also leaning towards a Sternguard squad in robes reasoning they are like the Company Veterans. Of course, the rumored new codex may blow up this army structure all together. Assuming there will actually be a new codex. I included an army shot for kicks.

Everyone is looking awesome. I love that you got 4 plasma cannons. I hope that the new book and rule will make plasma playable again.

The dreadnought is sweet. I would normally go for a close combat weapon to tie up troops. Looking forward to more awesomeness.

@leohart: Thanks man. As far as the Dread, Im painting up all the arms, those just happen to be the first two.

1st Predator is all finished. Those FW doors really look good on these guys. Started a little work on the squad leaders.

I love the predator. Clean + line highlighting really makes them pop. I also agree with you that the FW doors make it look super super sweet.

You even remember to paint the front light (I always forget to do that).

You should do this next: http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Space_Marines/Space-Marine-Tanks/DAMOCLES_RHINO_COMPLETE_KIT.html

@leohart- Yeah, its easy to get sucked into all those FW tanks. That is certainly a cool one. But, I am saving up my FW coin for the pre-heresy army. I've almost settles on World Eaters. I am reading "Know No Fear" right now, so may change. Who would have thought Word Bearers and Ultramarines could be so cool?

Quick update with 2 sergeants.

Looking great.

It must be the picture but it looks like there are some brush marks on the cloak of the second sergeant.

World class painting

@leohart: You may be right, I am still working out the whole robe thing. I want them to look a little dirty. I think that is more fitting than the clean style I see in the codex.

@blapblapblap: Thanks for the compliment and for dropping by.

Another quick update. I finished building the first 5 Assault guys. They will be led by the jump pack sgt I showed in a previous picture. I was finally able to use some of those Blood Angel bits Ive got. Add a little torso twist and they really make the models look aggressive. Those poor metal scouts are finally being painted. They and a bunch of their buddies have been languishing in the bits box for almost 2 years.

Try some dark red casing on the bolters, just adds a bit of colour to break up the figure. And finally. They weren't proper DA until the robes came out!

@Imperial Monkey: Hey man, you actually were the last post on my first miserable failure blog. Dark Angels/Fallen. Ugh what a mess. I may end up doing the red but Im not decided.

I did finish the plasma guns and bolters so both squads are armed. Also bought the Ravenwing box. Lots of bits and bikes.

They look great!

Really nice force as well as a really well painted one, my only gripe is the picture quality, other than keep up the good work. considering starting a dark angles army of my own at some point

Young Logan

Very nice - love the bases particularly, and the dread is going to look great!

@Norn King: Thanks man.

@Young_Logan: Thanks and I hear you on the pictures. Im still working out the light box thing. Dont really have the room to make one right now so I am using paper and a desk light.

@Slinky: Thanks, speaking of bases I finished up 15 today.

Got to work on the scouts and Apothecary. Not too much progress but its a start. I decided the apothecary would be with the command squad based on his skill set rather than his acceptance into the Inner Circle, so no robes. Managed to slap the green on the Assault Squad too.

No robe? I love robe :(. But wait, Apothecary has white armour since he is a specialist.

Other than that, awesome seeing more things getting done. Waiting for more.

Well, about the white. I am looking at bone white Terminators, black Ravenwing and Chaplains, blue Librarians, red Techmarines, I didnt want another color. Im going to have a ton of green Dark Angels to keep cohesion. I appreciate the input though.

Got the first squad of metal scouts finished. They are ok, I guess. Painting those metal guys was a beating. I dont know why, go figure. Working on the first assault squad now.

Love what you've done, can I share my hatred of painting the metal scouts?

At least the heads on the metal scouts are a lot better than the plastic versions! I replaced the heads on mine with some Pig Iron ones as I hate the plastic heads soooo much

Glad Im not alone in the scout hate. I do have 10ish more to do. Meh. Finished up Apothecary. Not thrilled with the shoulder pads. Ill probably change them.

Like the title says, 1st assault squad is all done. I also finally finished the Lascannon turret for the Razorback, giving it 2 weapon options. I was more careful with the highlights. I need a new brush, that Apothecary looks awful. I didnt realize how sloppy he looks until I checked out the post. Having said that I think I have painted enough for a while. Im at about the half way point on the 5th Company guys. I have some Ravenwing I am going to build and maybe some Deathwing. I want to take it slow, just in case.

Everything is coming along very nicely. You should work on your first HQ so your army composition is valid.

Time to invest in a good brush. Winsor Newton Series 7 Size 0?

Ok, Im going to give these guys a simple green bath and start over. I have never done the extreme highlighting before, which should be obvious, because I think it makes models look like models. Im not the best painter in the world but I think I can do better than this. Just sloppy, blah.

Besides, lots of cool new GW paints and stuff to try out.

Eh? You just finished these no? Wouldn't it be a better idea to have some force to play with before stripping all and redo?

Well, thing is I don't know how to play. I like the fluff and hobby part. One day I may find the time.

Don't get disheartened.

Bear in mind that pics like these are extreme closeups and show every single flaw - A good thing to bear in mind is the "3 feet rule" - i.e. how do they look at arms length, or on the table top - These models would look great on the table IMHO.

Isn't there a store nearby or perhaps a club where people get togeher and play? You should definitely go and try it out. It's a great way to meet fellow gamers.

People will have stuff that they are looking to offload. Since you are looking at stripping stuff and starting anew, you might be able to pick up a few stuff from others.

Plus, like Slinky said, it's about how it looks on the table. I think your army is looking great.

@Slinky: Thanks man, its not so much Im dishearted, Im just not digging the results. There were a few thing Ive been wanting to try out and I cant on this damn dark armor.

@leohart: I actually live close to 2 GW stores. Thing is I have odd work hours, my wife is changing jobs, and we have a 2 year old. Barely have time to paint and workout. Going and play isnt in the cards right now. Things change though, it does look like fun.

Those are some nice looking DA you have there. Very crisp and clean. The bases are awesome the contrast really makes them stand out. Any idea how many points you are going for?

@Mr. S Baldrick: Well sir, I appreciate your compliment thing is te army is currently taking simple green bath. I am reworking the color scheme. I usually aim for an Apacolypse size force. Will do the same here.

Have you decided on a new scheme yet?

So I settled on a color for the Angels. Its a good thing too, I tried about a dozen schemes. Mostly I just wanted to play with the new paints. I saw the Forgeworld pics from one of their book, kind of an olive drab I think. So here he is. Very WIP, I just wanted to put together the colors.

I figured out the other thing that was bugging me. I have been back at it almost 2 years and don't think I have really gotten any better. Im going to try to up my game. To begin, I am making themes for the Tac squads. I am thinking a running squad, a defending squad, and a consolidating squad. Im also weathering them. This guy wasn't weathered, but his buddies will be.

He's VERY nice

Maybe pick out the winged skull on the bolter in a different colour?

Thanks slinky, appreciate you hanging around. The guys is going to get a few more details picked out. In the meantime I got most of the "running " squad done. Also 2 drop pods with Dark Angel icons.

So the first half of the running squad is finished. I still high lighted some of the edges but I tried to tie it into chips in the armor or wear. The poses aren't quite as dynamic as I had hoped, but they are the first 5 so I guess its a good start. I took a picture without additional light just to get an idea what they would look like on the table. I think this looks much better.

Some WIP of the first drop pod. I will have 2 for infantry and at least one more for the Dreadnought. I experimented more with GW's spray gun. The paint looks a little thick, I know its not, but I guess it is what it is. Im going to explore other options for the undercoat.

More work, I think the icons are gonna look cool.

Army is looking good and progressing nicely. The bases do look good. How are you cutting the tiles out? The reason I ask is that one thing I think can be improved is working to have the tile perfectly match the base - not over hanging or under hanging. This would probably make it easier for you to keep the base edge and tile colour more clearly defined too... When doing this sort of work, I find gluing on a piece of plasticard slightly larger than the base, and then, when completely dry, running a hobby knife around at the angle of the base sides results in a near perfect fit. Keep up the good work!

@Arakasi- Thanks man, coming from you any compliment is high praise! Your Dark Angelz are an institution. Im trying a bunch of new stuff on these guys. I hope to become a better painter and modeler.

I finished up the first Tactical squad. I did a few highlights and tried to paint chips in the armor. I think it worked out ok. I did the same thing on the Drop Pod but I don't think its quite as nice. Im going to use the foam technique on the next one. Ill probably do some more interior work too.

I really like the colors you used on the pod!

I think the gold on olive look awesome. I don't really dig the red though. Isn't light blue the complement colour of olive?

MrMerlin- Thanks, second one is in the works.

leohart- I dont really dig the red either, but I didn't want to stray too far from the original colors. Now that you mention it, Ill give it a shot. Your Angels are great, any more progress?

The Dread is all done. The front needs something. I have 3 sprues of Ravenwing stuff so Im sure I can find something.

you could try a freehand design?

Yeah, Im pretty awful at freehand. Im thinking about decking the thing out in DA stuff. Let my paining hide behind the bits. Your Novamarines look good.

Ok, I still wasn't happy with the colors. The more I looked at the highlights the more the word fail ran through my head. So I tried something new. Ill wip up a few and see if these cut it. I've been trying to get a beaten up, on campaign look. I used that technique with the foam and some weathering powders.

Go Noles!

Nice looking DA force!

A question though, on these last set of photos, did you change the paint color or is that just the lighting making them look totally different?

SickSix- Go Noles!! You are the third Seminole I have run into on here.

So the first group of olive DA's had a wash of Agrax Earthshade. I was using the chip armor technique I saw in White Dwarf. The deal where you put a black/brown smudge in the highlights. Well, I suck at highlights and it works great for SW's, not so much the dark armor. So I remembered the stuff I read on Dakka about weathering and grabbed the powder in my desk. I like this a lot better. The only difference in the weathered guys and the dark olive guys, no wash of Earthshade. So its off to buy more Simple Green. Ugh.

I'd suggest doing the recessed panels on each side of the sarcophagus in a bleached bone colour, just to break it up a bit...

Imperial Monkey- I agree, the dread is going to be redone, again. So is the drop pod and running squad. I'm about half way done with the rest of the tactical squad I'm working on. Hopefully this one is the ticket and I can get to work.

The first Rhino is all finished. I posted a pic next to the drop pod with the wash and extreme highlights. Think the Rhino is way better. Im still playing around with the weathering powder. Im going to redo the bases and probably make them urban and all junked up.

FIrst Tactical squad is redone and a shot with the Rhino. Im planning to do a lightning pattern on the sgt's power sword. Haven't worked it out yet. I don't know why I just didn't do this to begin with. Still need a lot of practice to get the weathering down.

Looking sweet. I like it, you should try a white background since your guys are in darker colour. On grey, they look a bit off.

i don't know why but the scheme just makes me think gothic straight away. They are really cool and i like the way they look so battle worn, pristine marines are way over rated. and thanks btw

leohart- Yeah, you are right about the white. Now I need to work on the lighting.

Bigfish- Thanks man, I appreciate it. And you are welcome.

First drop pod is finished. I used weathering powder on the bottom to simulate burns from entering the atmosphere. Changed my mind on the bases, for now anyway. The light gray urban may look good with the green Angels, but maybe not with bone Terminators and black Ravenguard. Also thrown in is a turret to make the Rhino a Razorback. I will have at least 2 Rhinos and both will have the Lascannon and Assault cannon options.

I like the hazard stripes on the Drop Pod. Both the drop pod and the turret looks good. You can also try line highlighting with a brighter green colour. It will look even more mightily fine.

leohart- Thanks, man. Dont think Ill do the highlights, I tend to screw them up and I think it takes away from the worn look.

Here is what Im working on right now, may get some of it done today.

First Predator is finished. I went to town with the weathering. Lighting is still a WIP, a lot of the weathering is getting washed out.

Looking lovely. You should try adding another tone/colour to your scheme. I like that your Drop Pod has some grey in it. Maybe you can do a strongly contrasting colour for the other vehicles too. (perhaps, blue back door?)

I preferred the scheme and style of painting first time round. :/

leohart- I may take you up on that. Im trying to paint each vehicle a little differently. I want to try and keep them looking as gritty as possible though.

NoBaconz4You- Augh! Right through the heart dude! Well, thats cool I appreciate you dropping by. I have done so many neat, clean marine armies I wanted to try something different. I was saving up this weathering stuff for my pre-heresy army, but figured what the hell. I found the olive color from one of the Forgeworld books, but I guess it is a kind of alternate color scheme. Risky move for the First.

Found some time to knock out some more marines. Tactical squad and Devastators. All they need is transfers and weathering.

Very nice!

Four plasma cannons is very nice.

Main thing is perseverence and you have that. I also am a fan of extreme highlight. My process is as follows:

Basecoat

Using tank brush:
Flat Knarloc foundation
Flat snot green
Black wash for contrast
Heavy drybrush snot green
Medium drybrush scorpion green
Light drybrush 50/50 scorpion and white

Because its tank brush its very fast, even if lots of steps. Batch paint 10 to here in an hour or two and its a great base to start from.

From there i move to standard brush, painting metal bits back to black, picking our reds, browns etc on all the bits, eye glasses and so on. I also do a final 75% white extreme highlight on sharpest edges for super contrast.

I get the feeling if you took the time at the start to get your large armour plates 90% done with a quick process, then moving to what you are doing now will pay much higher dividends for you.

Keep it up, i started in 2008 when my second daughter arrived so appreciate where you are at. Painting sometimes is like therapy..

That looks more like the raptors colors still nice though.

Eldartau1987- Thank you!

Loricatus Aurora- Thanks for the pointers. I'll give the highlights a shot. If I focus only on the most extreme edges I may be able to pull it off. And you are right, painting these little plastic men is the best therapy on the market.

Jensvejmand- True and thanks. I need to figure out how to post that Forgeworld picture so people can see it. I actually thought they were Raptors at first too.....

they look good! keep them pumping.

Mate washing is gold, and easy

If you just do an extreme highlight with that, you will love the impact it has

@cormadepanda- Thanks man, almost done with the next batch.

@Loricatus Aurora- You are right about washes and highlights, I just want to try something different this time.

Speaking of the next batch, 2nd Tactical Squad is nearly finished. Ditto on the Devastators. Just need to pick a few details for the Sgt and put on the bolters. This is the Melta squad. I also finished stripping the "running" squad. They are next then I am gonna try the Ravenguard. Hopefully I will settle on a black scheme without redoing them 3 times.

You can always do a dual scheme wherein Assault Marines are painted differently from Tactical Marines.

I love Plasma Cannon btw. They do so well in every single game I play.

@leohart- Im working on a different accent color for the Company Vets, blue will probably be the ticket.

Here are the pics of the finished Tactical and Devastator squad. Also the stuff on deck. I haven't worked out the base colors yet. I need to find a good dark brown I can highlight then pick out the grass. The more this goes along the more I think this is 3rd Company from Piscina IV.

Cannot believe how fast the Dreadnought went. I think he looks way better now. Added an army shot.

So I put together my Ravenwing and they don't look like your typical Fallen hunters. A couple things about this. Reading the DA codex it seems these guys work as scouts and outriders until the main assault or until they find some traitors. Given that I wanted them to have various pieces of storage and extra fuel tanks. I want them to look as if they operate on their own for extended periods of time. As for the feathers and bird thing on the back of the bike, just doesn't do it for me. I am holding off on the paint until I figure out exactly how to do the black. I plan on 1 more attack bike and a total of 3 Land Speeders. And here they are....

I never have so many backpacks and stuff on my bikes. I think yours look more like the one that actually stay in the field for an extended period of time.

The flamer/nitro packs for the bikes are an awesome conversion.

That pumping! it keeps on going! your models seem alittle to dark to me, but its a nice factor/feel with them. They are good! keep pumping! must paint an army you know.

Thanks gents, I am almost done with the running squad. Trying to knock them out fast so I have a good stopping point. Dude who bought my Necrons asked me to paint up some more. Big package of awesomeness is on its way.

Got these guys all done. Still need weapons, but they are Astartes so they will figure something out until then. Im still working out the lighting. I figured out my camera is dimming due to my painting light.

I like the running pose. You should try the knife/sword underslung on one of the bolters.

I like those invisible bolters, must be some xenos tech

@leohart- Ok, Ill give it a shot.

@cormadepanda- Thanks, I hear they will be in 6th edition!

As I look at these guys, I wonder if future units should be weathered a little less. Then again they dont look as good in the pics, too dark.

Always nice to see another Dark Angel army! Gritty looking too. I think we will be seeing more of them soon....

I so glad that someone like you is doing a army that is not blood angels and or Grey Knights... its like their is someone out their who plays their army for enjoyment.
also keep pumping

@Reaper Man 2020- Thanks, I checked out your Angels in the gallery when I was starting mine. Some nice work sir.

@cormadepanda- Thanks again.

Small update. Trazyn found his way into this picture. The guy who bought my Necrons asked me to paint some more. When they get here Im going to set aside the DA's and wip them up. Ill post on the old Necron thread if anyone is interested.

I am iffy on the paint scheme. I like the old one but then again it is more what I am used to seeing. The Olive green is so close to yellow in some shots, and generally looks a lot like a Plague Marine paint job. This does inspire me to make a double army.

I have Chaos and use the Dark Angels Elites as the Chosen with Cypher. I also have some Dark Angels bits and that new starter paint kid with the Dark Angels in them. I think I will highlight them as olive making them more Nurgle and chosen. BUT still making them Dark Angel as 500 -1000 pts.

Your doing a great job by the way. Each entry shows more and more units coming together. Cant wait to see the tend Army.

@Adrian Fue Fue- Thanks for the comments. I guess this army is close to an alternate color scheme. Im going for a battle damaged and worn company. Hard for me to figure out with the dark green. I never thought of them being a dual army, but that would be cool and mildly ironic.

Drop Pod is coming along great. Gotta dirty up those panels.

Glad you had a look at them! Are you going to put some colour on the shoulder pad edges? It might just add a bit more contrast to the models.

@Reaper Man- I think Im going to stay away from the highlights. I think these guys look more realistic this way. If such a word can be used in 40k. Besides, I think a highlight would have to be yellowish.

@leohart- 1 dirty drop pod coming right up.....

I finished up with the Necrons and polished this guy off tonight. Included a picture with the first pod. Also stole a Land Raider and Vindicator on Ebay. And I mean stole. God bless Ebay stores. I need to stick some DA bits on them. Anyway here they are.....

Those vehicles look similar to the ones that I was bidding on. Hmm. Just kidding, I have made a promised to myself not buying anything until I finish everything I got.

Your stuff is coming along great. Keep on chucking, my friend.

@leohart- Thanks man.

Here is a little work on the Ravenguard. I continued with the no highlights theme. I did use a very light dry brush as the black had to have something. You know, as I was painting a question popped into my head. If a SM is encased is super hard armor, why does he need a padded seat? Maybe I need to get out more or something.

leohart wrote:Those vehicles look similar to the ones that I was bidding on. Hmm. Just kidding, I have made a promised to myself not buying anything until I finish everything I got..

Wow you have self control, I'll be dead before I paint everything I have and still I buy more! Hobby Crack!

LOL. Shame on me. I just bought a Games Day miniature on ebay when I checked this message.

Anyway, I love the black bikes with leather pouches. Definitely need the metal pieces picked out for even cooler look.

Alright, bikes are finished except for the weathering. I am pretty pleased just need to work out how to paint the riders with the least amount of stress. Not really sure how to expand beyond what I have. One would assume GW will rework the Ravenwing entries since its so old. I may do a few Deathwing next. Anyway, I have a bunch of little ideas to while the time until the codex comes. Assuming its somewhere in the reasonable future.

Sweet. I like the red bolter and the flamer (I assume is full of Nitro for turboboosting) cartridge.

RE: DA getting a new rulebook. My guess is some time next year. Definitely they will be the first book after Chaos.

I like your weathering. Some people go way over the top with it, but you have found a nice balance that is somehow fairly dirty, but still looks natural.

GO NOLES! (I am probably going to say that every time I post in here. I can't help it.)

Thanks gents. Im a little irritated here. Painted up the rider legs and attached to the bikes. Got the torso's done and primed them. Damn primer came out grainy, so I have to simple green them. Things were going so well. I am starting on the Vindicator tomorrow. Riders should be clean by the time I finish.

GO NOLES!!!

First 2 Ravenguard all done. I should be finished with the rest of the squad shortly. I used BA hand flamer and meltas instead of the regular weapons. I figured the bike masters would have figured out something better than carrying the bigger versions. Still havent worked out the bases yet.

The smaller one-hand version of these weapons look more fitting for them too (given that one of their hands is required to navigate the bike).

I think you might want to add some kind of highlights to the black armour. As of now, I am not sure how the features will be distinguishable at a couple of feet away.

Anyway, nice jobs on the weathering.

Yeah, my Iphone keeps dimming the pics. I need to find a better method. Here is a pic using the regular light, the colors are way better in person. I agree the ones above are washed out.

Yeah, this looks way better. I love the blue eyes. Very cool with black armours.

@leohart- Thanks man, Im glad you like them. Incidentally, I was talking to one of the black shirts at the GW today. He said the Storm Talon was vanilla marines only. This made me want to vomit, have you heard the same? Your Storm Talon is great, if what I heard is true it would be a damn shame.

Finished the rest of the squad faster than I thought. I just used the regular light and no white backdrop. My camera didn't dim so I think they look better. Also the first 3 members of the command squad. I have a set of Grey Knights. Im going to use their weapons to arm them. Hoping it will be sweet.

I also mix the Grey Knight small swords (falchions) as normal weapons for my guys. I think it is not too ridiculous and looks better than some of the other power swords.

The black shirt is correct. Stormtalon is only for vanilla. But with ally rule, I can bring it in my ally fast attack slot. :-)

The newer pix is indeed better with better lighting.

Really liking how the bike unit is coming together and your running tac squad, very nice

Yes the Stormtalon is just for standard marines but you could use the model and play it as a landspeeder tempest just the assault cannon won't be twin linked. I also saw on dakka some one converted it to the weapons of a land speeder and just played with the Stormtalon model.
On the subject of the bikes, they look great one comment might be to paint around the edges of the transfers in the colour underneath to make it less obviously a transfer.

..... But in the new edition you can have allies....

@leohart- Yeah, figure the BA and GK have a flier, SW fight with both feet on the ground as Russ intended, Storm Talon for everyone else, maybe some cool thing for Ravenwing?

@Reaper Man- Good idea on the transfers, Ill give it a shot. Frankly Im surprised they look as good as they do. I spray dull coat and when I tried that on IG a while back it made the transfers filmy.

@Bigfish- Thanks man.

Here are the first 3 command squad guys. Dude with the shield is the champion. That blue dude is about as far as my conversion skills go. I don't like him as a captain, maybe a Librarian.

Librarian usually need more scrolls, keys and librarian horned skulls. But hey, if shaolin monks can fight with staff, why not a captain.

Supposingly staff gives better stats in game now as well :-).

I like the command squad. Time for for an apo I guess.

liking the command squad a lot, very nice use of the bits there

Thanks gents. I got the AOBR "Librarian" finished. I think he worked out ok. Could probably use some more scroll bits but Im not sure where to put them. Also a shot of the army so far. Im really digging these guys. Maybe with 6th coming out I will finally learn how to play and use these guys.

Sweet. Everything looks awesome. Just in time for 6th edition

@leohart- Thanks, your Angels are looking ready for action too.

Vindicator is all done. Tried to weather the front and dozer blade more to indicate the tank takes most of the beating to the front as it plows through the bad guys.

Lovely weathering. I think I saw some guy with a dozerblade full of dead bodies got stuck through. You should add some unfortunate xenos filth at the bottom of your dozerblade .

@leohart- I saw that one too. Brilliantly nauseating!

And the command squad is all finished. I am running out of stuff to do here. I dont want to paint up a huge army and have no room for the new models, whenever that happens. Besides, really feeling the Chaos bug. I have only done one small Chaos army. Im thinking something in the Khorne department may be in order.

Looking sweet. If you need things to do, how about basing these guys

Yeah, its about to that point. Im looking at Secret Weapon Miniatures. They have cool stuff.

40kFSU wrote:Yeah, its about to that point. Im looking at Secret Weapon Miniatures. They have cool stuff.

They rock, I used quite a few of their bases on my BA!

Dot or, better yet, drill those barrels (Bolt pistol being the most obvious...) - that and bases will bring these up to the next level easy!

Lots of cool models on this page.... its hard to pick my favourites! Well, the Librarian looks very nice, and the bikes....

but I do agree with the others, drill your barrels. It improves the look of the guns a lot!

@MrMerlin- Thanks, glad you like them.

@Arakasi- I think I will actually drill the barrels this time. I figure I have time till the codex gets here.

@eldartau1987- I cant decide if the bases they have match what I want, still looking...

In the meantime, first Deathwing squad. A shooty squad.

Whew, looking pretty grim right now. Blah.

Looking sweet to me.

Hahaha so says the master of bone color marines! Thanks as always sir.

I wouldn't consider myself master of anything in this hobby :-) still lots to learn. I do like the bone armour on your models, they come out smooth. The red on weapons are nice as well.

Thanks man, so I was getting cold feet about these Deathwing. They look pretty awful about 60% done. So I finished one terminator to see if its worth the time or time for simple green. I think it is ok and will look better when based with his buddies. Also a jump pack Chaplain is on deck.

I feel that the termie looks good!

@eldartau1987- Thanks, here's one more for you.

On to the bases. No denying the resin bases are really nice. But they dont capture the look Im going for. All the city bases are rubble. I want the image of these guys fighting into a city, not walking around in a bunch of rubble. So I am toying with making my own using those I already had. The blob of sand and glue needs work. I think using the weathering powders to represent dirt and soot may work out. Just experimenting at the moment.

Ok I have decided the Deathwing suck. I'm trying the ceramic technique I used on my Necrons. Test model should be done shortly. In the mean time it's a simple green bath for these boys

Ill just edit this guy in real quick. Still needs some wash in the recesses. Maybe some more help, but this may be the way to go.

So I just realized I have hit 6 pages. Never got this far before.

Anyway, I got the assault squad back together. I figure I will knock out these guys while the Deathwing take a bath. I worked a little more on that test model with the old Griffon Sephia wash. It was what the model needed. I think it will look really good on the Land Raider.

Do work! I am sorry that you did not like the Deathwing.

What are you stripping them in?

Simple green. Let them soak a couple days and the stuff falls off with just a little toothbrush work.

Some modest progress on the assault squad. We are moving and work is hectic, free time is at a premium.

Managed to finish off the assault squad.

So a little progress on the Deathwing. I think these are way better than the bone version. I dont know why I make things so hard on myself.

My eyes must be tricking me but aside from the weathering, I don't see a difference between the new bone and the old bone.

New bone is the old Kommando Khaki with a Bleached Bone drybrush instead of the whole thing Bleach Bone. My lights have foiled me again. Anything new with your Angels?

Ah. I see. They look great. I have been busy with my school work so no not really.

Found some time to throw on a few more colors. After these guys I am stuck. I have 3 bike riders and a Land Speeder and then Im out of models. What a depressing thought. Thats for the best I really need to settle on a base for these guys. Its getting ridiculous.

So here they are. I think they turned out reasonably well. On a side note, painting these guys is considerably more enjoyable than painting a house. Just FYI.

Looking sweet. I think the red bolter case needs one more layer since some of the black is showing through. Time for basing? :-)

I think that is more of his sponge technique not undercoat showing through. Speaking of which for me it is a little sporadic and maybe needs a bit more light sponging all over to even out the effect over all of the models. Good progress so far though and nice to see another Dark Angels force taking shape!

@leohart- thanks and I am focusing on asking now. Have had a few more ideas but they aren't panning out. I may be painting dirt again, but that should be ok.

@Reaper Man- What you say about the sponging is interesting. I had been thinking I was over doing it. I try to weather the parts I figure would take the most damage, then throw in a few random spots.

I dig the weathering, but i feel like it isnt battle damage, but rather sut and things from walking through a firey building. Keep up the angels i hope to see a army.

Also drill out your barrels on your guns it makes the models look much better.

So I tried drilling a barrel. Lets just say I will be using the black dot approach. It was pretty grim. Not grimdark, just grim.

Alright, finished the last 3 Ravenwing Bikers. I think the squad looks really cool. On to the Land Speeder......

i love the paint job! Grim dark barrels you say? well what did you use to it.. i hope not a actual drill that will never work. I use a xacto blade a fresh one with the tip. I push it in slightly (fear of stabbing self rises) and then i spin the blade drilling out the plastic. Don't push to hard or you will snap the tip, and stab yourself... Done it. DONT DO IT. second method. Get a tiny drill bit and a dermal to go with it. Enjoy elegant barrels.

Finally got some paint on these guys! Looks good too! What kinda basing are you going to be doing?

@cormadepanda- Great advice, a little too late. Fortunately I didnt slice my arm open (I have in the past) but I did ruin a number of weapons. I should have tried this before I got so far in.

@eldartau1987- The answer sir, painted dirt.

So all my grand plans of grander bases kept fizzing out. I settled on the old painted dirt and grass standby. Still looks good and all, I was just hoping to up my game a little in this department. Well, there is always the next project. Im kinda glad Im running short of DA stuff. I have never done CSM and I have a great theme for a new IG army. And of course the Waaagh has been calling........

Based guys, rest of them should be done tomorrow.

40kFSU wrote:@cormadepanda- Great advice, a little too late. Fortunately I didnt slice my arm open (I have in the past) but I did ruin a number of weapons. I should have tried this before I got so far in.

Yeah. Practise makes progress. Always practise on something you don't care about. Get some solid plasticard rod to practise on. I mark the centre with the tip of a hobby blade as a locator, then use a suitably sized pin vice.

Have no fear, he can just mail all the pretty models to me and i will do their barrels..oh...and well they may see like 20 games over the weekend that i am "barrel drilling" and i will drill out the marines hearts in combat and of course send them back. However, i have a feeling that wouldn't happen, but one can dream to play with such pretty models.

@Arakasi- Yeah, I see every army I have done so far as practice for the big one. Hopefully I will have this stuff down.

@cormadepanda- You flatter me, I think your IG would be the talk of any gaming group.

I have finished the basing, just a little more housekeeping on these guys before starting new models. Namely the power weapons, objectives, and the damn barrels.

Looking very good sir. I have a successor chapter that I am working on right now, Disciples of Caliban, haven't had much time to paint recently but seeing your update and leoharts update I am inspired to make time tonight.

Love the assault squad's colour and the weathering effect seems to work very well. Keep up the good work

@Lucazi- Ive seen your thread, looks like a good start. Im looking forward to more.

@Beasty- Thanks man, and as a matter of fact I just based the Deathwing Land Raider.

Dat group shot. You'd think all the dots be talk of my local group, but actually my American orks are the local group chat. They don't understand how you run through ig parking lot, and grey knight purifier spam. I would most likely lose with your army tho, as i don't understand/can use mid squad sizes like 5-10 man. Not unless i use them as a 1 hit wonder. But dman son! i wanna see that army painted, and then we can meet IRL and play


Disclaimer: I don't stalk people.. i stalk nice armies...

@cormadepanda- Well, I would have to learn how to play first. Ive been telling myself I would find the time to learn. 6th may be the excuse I need. And American Orks sound pretty cool!

As for the army, more small updates. I finished the other weapons for the Dread and based him. Also tricked out the Land Raider. I was on the fence about making it Deathwing or just green. I read the codex and it seems a terminator squad can take one as a transport. I figure that makes sense, so Deathwing it is.

More Deathwing = more pure awesomeness. I like them. You do use a lot more doodads (scrolls, icons and such) than I do. I think that is cool because I find my tank rather "plain".

i love that raider your working on its such a big honkin model. Speaking of which my air guard are now the talk of the gaming group as they raped their first few games of 6th. So many space wolves crying. i laughed

@leohart- Your tank is plain? Its covered with FW awesomeness!

@cormadepanda- I would think that guard should be able to roll over anyone. It seems like they have the most of everything and lots of it. Nice work though. I read a lot about army lists and things and SW's are tough customers.

A WIP of the Land Raider. The gunner is a Techmarine, I thought it would be kinda cool. Hoping the red icons turn out to look ok.

That raider is coming along nicely! however, i am not fan of a red gunner, but i am just a nut as it is. I also think you should do something decrotive with the flak launchers on the front really pop things out. I am gussing you already did it, but eh who knows.

You're work is always a pleasure to look at. I am looking forward to the LR!

@cormadepanda- Yeah, you are right. Something needs to happen on those frag launchers. Haven't decided what yet. As for the red gunner, Ive never been a fan of Techmarine crews either, but I figured what the hell and tried something new.

@eldartau1987- Thanks man, I appreciate it! As for the raider, a few new pics....

I like techmarine gunner. I think it is a very nice contrast to the bone colour of deathwing.

The Landraider is coming on really nicely, I like all the purity seals and banners down the side and the hatch lenses look sexy too.

My only complaint is that the skull on the arm is a little chalky.

Maybe do green and white frag launchers. I find that most players tend to do them safe colors as red and such. You could do green base with gold tirmming and such. It would look good in my opinon. Are you going to shade the model with washes and such?

@leohart- Thanks, kinda what I was thinking. Didnt think a regular DA would be manning a Deathwing Raider, so no green.

@Reaper Man- Thanks, they are a pain sometimes but really pay off.

@eldartau1987- I see what you mean. Ill put a watered down coat on to see how it looks.

@cormadepanda- The Raider has a long way to go, washes, weathering, engine, ect. I cant decide if a bare metal thing would work or colors on the frag launchers. Im wondering how much time the DA's would spend tricking out something they detonate.

I think it would look so unbalanced if you were to make the frag launchers two different colors.

Agreed. Maybe painting them like the guns and tracks, but just the square frags themselves. Give the impression they are mounted on track armor.

Not sure i understand, but shiney is always the rules with the marine forces. I would do the base of the fragg launchers green and the square boxes a white and or gold. thats about it, and thats about how much attentio they get to blow up.

@cormadepanda- This is what I mean, plain bombs they can attach to the armor plates.

And this is what the Raider is pretty much going to look like. Just need to clean it up a little and put on the weathering. Also a shot of the Chaplain I have been working on.

LR looks good! I cannot wait to see the weathering. I am a fan of where the Chap is going too. Excellent work!

I like the chaplain too. If I haven't had too many chaplain (and I am holding out for new Interrogator Chaplain model coming soon), I would have gotten that model as well.

Thanks gents, still have a long way to go.

I love your work so much that i want you to join my contest! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/465722.page DO it but seriously nice work on the land raider its broken up enough not to look like a brick!

@cormadpanda- Ill take a look at it.

Land Raider is finished.

They look lovely together! excellent work. Really like that they theme'd so well as a group. Would love to see more work. Your metals are excllent shades and the reds are a lovely contrast.

Thank, Im glad you liked it. I was going to build some objectives for this army so looks like in joining your contest.

Love it FSU, I am diggin your whole army and the tech marine running the guns. The only thing i can really say, which could just be the lighting, is the scrolls on the side sometimes blend a bit with the tank itself. the washes/shading helps out a bit though

LR is ftw!

@Lucazi- Yeah the scrolls match the same colors as the veteran robes. Unfortunately it is almost the same mix as the Deathwing scheme. Ill try to work it out better with the next round of terminators.

@eldartau1987- Thank you sir!

Jump Chaplain is finished. Next up will be Rhino 2,then the Speeder. By that time hopefully we will have a DA timeline. If not, chaos is calling.......

i like the jump chaplin, but i feel he is alittle to scratched up or the scratches are too bright.. try perhaps a babdab black wash on it to bring ti down?

I agree with ComradePanda on the badab black wash.

He does look really cool though!

Is that a transfer on the left shoulder pad? It looks spot on. I don't see what ComradePanda mean regarding scratches too bright. Hmm.

Thanks for stopping by gents. I agree the pick looks a little more silvery, but the model isn't. I actually had to hold a lamp and take the pick at the same time, its little shiny. On another note, the 2nd Rhino is finished. I went with red doors this time just to break it up. When we moved I found a sprue of plastic scouts so the army has new life.

The rhino is lovely but your glue was...well poorly placed. Namely right above the door. It is however a lovely done rhino yet again.

Looks good! Well done!

@comrade- Yeah, busted. Screwed up the door. I didnt even notice till I posted. Funny how that happens.

@eldartau1987- Thanks again sir.

And, the Ravenwing speeder is done. I cant decide if I am happy with it or not. Anyway....

I think the speeder looks a little bland. Do you plan on doing any basing on the flight stand?

You need to drill those barrels.

BARREls and or other option is to green stuff pancakes on them and shoot pancakes on people

It looks flat, but flat isnt every bad. I like it.

Looks good, better than mine...it is still in pieces cuz I'm scared of the silly assembly

@Reaper- I know. It's going tobe one of my projects to fill time till new models.

@comradepanda- I was going for bland. I figure big time pilots wouldn't want banners and stuff creating drag and getting I their faces. But it makes for a dull model so I may throw some on.

@Lucazi- dude you gotta put that thing together it's going to look great. But you are right to fear assembly. It's a beating.

Just a few shots of the scouts. I decided to go with the metal snipers that have been languishing in my bits box forever. I think the Desert Yellow on the cloak actually matches up well with the grass.

I like the camo pattern you did, was it free hand or another technique

I like the camo pattern as well. I notice you don't do lens effect. Any specific reason?

These guys aren't done, I just posted some WIP shots since I haven't put up and pics lately. Glad you like the camo. Should work out well.

And the scouts are all done. I tried something a little different. I reasoned these guys would be crawling around a lot so I brushed weathering powder over the whole mini, not just the feet and knees. Trying to go for the really dirty look. And they are 15 year old metal guys.

They look really really good, did'nt relise they were the metal ones untill you said.

@bigfish- Thanks man. I have 10 more I havent got the will to paint. I dont know why, but those old metal scouts are a beating to paint.

On that topic, I think I have done all I can with these guys until the new stuff comes out. So, these guys are on ice until GW decided to give the First its due.

Ok, here is an army shot to date. Its the following squads: 3 Tactical, 1 Devastator, 1 Assault, 1 Deathwing, 1 Scout, 1 Command, and1 Ravenwing Attack Squadron, Vehicles are 2 Rhino/Razorback, 2 Drop Pods, 1 Deathwing Land Raider, 1 Predator Destructor and 1 Vindicator. I figure when the new stuff arrives Ill beef up the Ravenwing and Deathwing and round out the army to represent a Battle Company. Probably grab a few more tanks too.

Looks good, hopefully they get on the ball and get that new dex out sooner than later!

Looks great all together! I can't wait for the new codex either!

Excellent army shot.

Alright, I am pretty excited about Dark Vengeance. Those models......woof. Anyway I decided it was safe to try another Deathwing squad. I have some Dark Angely bits on them. I was wondering if they would all be wearing robes, glad they aren't. Of course whatever new plastics could be just that. Another thing, I decided the command squad just wasn't doing it for me. I am re-arming them as a Sternguard/Company Veteran squad.

Also a pic of my CSM. Im calling them the Blood Debt. Background is a IG army came home to great glory. Unfortunately a small piece of Chaos something got stowed with the army gear by mistake. So here comes the Grey Knights slaughtering the entire planet just in case someone sees the chaos thingy. One dude survives and swears vengeance! Not a Dark Vengeance, but still!!!

those are sexy chaos marines, love the paint scheme.

Well done! I am glad you are back!

@eldartau1987 and comradepanda: Thanks gents, appreciate you guys hanging around for updates.

So I have finished the Sternguard, much better I think. I have 5 combi-plasma and 1 combi-melta. There will be other opportunities for a command squad. Deathwing coming along too.

sweet!

I think i might do a small Dark Angels Force when the new box comes out. I am not sure yet.

that dirty look just really makes your whole feel of the model fantastic. And the model's face really sells that paint scheme. It gives a true war feel. Simply put, well done.

Panda, eldartau, I really appreciate all your compliments. Unfortunately my 40k madness is kicking in. Im seriously considering a simple green bath for these guys. There were some things I wanted to try on this army and I didnt. I think I can do better on other areas. Hmmm, damn this hobby.

Well, they are you models. I would say though that your first model in an army will never look as good as your last. I think they look great but you are the one that you need to convince!

rather then simple green them as i have been tempted by this fate as well, just work with what you have and spruce that up. A painted army is always better then not. Besides you have a excellent start; add more to them i say.

You guys make good points, but Im thinking new colors, new bases, maybe new Chapter. I mean why not right?

Are you wanting to do a successor chapter?

I don't know. May try a more traditional paint scheme. Maybe one of the successors with quartered livery.

So you are looking to highten your painting skills once again. I cannot blame for you for that. I do agree with Comradepanda though. A painted army is always better than a not painted army.

Well, I went and did it. I figure I can do a better job on these guys so here we are. Thanks for all the comments and compliments.

I was looking at the army and it just wasn't built very well. My goal will be to individualize the marines as best I can. Ill be starting a new thread for them. 9 pages and almost 8600 views is a little to far along to start over, again. Im also holding myself to the good bases standard. Somehow, I will figure a way to get good bases. I think using the brown weathering powder boxed me into what kind of base I could use. So I need to think this through some more.

I really like Dark Angels, always have. Im looking forward to getting them right. Thanks again!

Are you wanting to use resin bases or making your own? Also, message me if you need any bits, I can maybe help!

I haven't decided on the bases. The resin ones are great, trying my hand at scratch building is tempting. As for your bits offer, very kind of you. I may take you upon it. However, I do have 8 sprues of DA stuff I didnt really use.

Well I meant for basing. I have a good bit of BA, GK, IG and Dark Eldar bits if you are interested.

40kFSU a buddy of mine on my friends list Galhorn does resign bases and will craft some at your request. He already has a fantastic line up; i suggest you talk to him for some really special scenic bases.

Sad to see your mini's stripped, but this time around i expect nothing, but the best from you 40kFSU. Anything less and i will be here to tell you what to do. Here is for starters what i would love to see from you. Shaded Lenses on the helmets and everything, Highlights, if weathered; looking more then scrapes, Drilled Barrels, A of course outlandish paint scheme that will tickle the eye with its brilliance, chapter symbols on the shoulder pads along with classification symbols, free hand stripes here and there they add a lot. Hopefully that list is large enough for you to really expand your painting hand. I hope i am adding pressure; also if you didn't know september first is the box release of 6th edition and it is going to be dark angels and Chaos in it i got the limited edition.

Thanks guys for the notes on the bases. And as far as the next time I put these guys together, I am going all out like panda suggested. And Dark Vengeance will be mine on Sept. 1st, those models look fantastic! I may put off the Angels a while and focus on the CSM. Anyway we will see how it goes.

It is the perfect starter for you!

Looking forward to seeing what you get done with dark vengeance! Subscribed!

Well kind of sad to see you dash the whole army into the SimpleGreen. But, better things to come right?

My thing, if you really want to step it up:
1. Make mold lines your arch-nemesis (i saw a bit of mold line on the back pack of one of your new chaos guys)
2. Drill those weapon barrells!!! That is one of the biggest little details that sets models apart.

I look forward to your DA army redux. Good luck!