So I've taken a couple of days off work really just to crack on with all the bare plastic I have before me. I aim to redo pretty much everything that I have already painted too though, as honestly I just don't like them.

I'm starting out on my Space Marines as they've been waiting the longest and I want to get them out to game. Having always been a fan of the Scout models, right back to 5th ed before they were known as Neophytes in my at the time Black Templar army, I figured that I'd start with them.

Before I post pictures though, an explanation. My core chapter is the Sons of Orar, though as I get bored easily with repetitive gak, I figured that I'd include various different chapters of note in this force. The key was simply that they had to be codex chapters, I need to like the scheme, and they needed to fit fluff as to why they were included in my SoO force. My Scouts are therefore from the Scythes of the Emperor - it's a brilliant colour scheme, and as for fluff, I can base them around the SoE's Salvation Teams (small squads that have been sent out to search Hulks for signs of 1st generation Scythe Veterans). I see my Sons of Orar as moving en route to a battle somewhere distant, and having "stumbled" across these various other chapter units as they go, requesting or giving aid in exchange for use of that squads skills in the forthcoming battle. Kind of as you'd see in a video game, where you rescue someone and they add their strength and characteristics to your team.

I've learnt a couple of things in having done this though. 1) I really (like really really really) fething hate painting faces (I knew this already, though it's just reaffirmed it to me) and 2) split armour colour schemes (ie, yellow torse, black everything else) can be hampered when you have a massive sniper rifle, completely covering the yellow torso armour

I don't class these guys as done yet, I don't like the paint job enough to say that, though I need to move on to something else for my own sanity for now, and posting pictures up on Dakka should help with that. Next up, my Sons of Orar Contemptor Dreadnought, airbrush style.

Pictures to follow momentarily, having some trouble linking my camera phone to the laptop...

Pictures: (remember, I can not get across how much I hate painting fething faces these guys look like they were eaten by zombies whilst taking a gak)

Yay Kitch is back with another thread! lol i'm glad you've tidied your modeling life up somewhat and are following the path of Space Marines again! :-) and I shall of course be following your work!

the Scythes look good so far! I'd say wash the yellows in an earthy tone wash, Agrax or Devlan or anything similar then re apply the yellow and do small highlights with yellow/bleached bone? I think if you do a bit more work to the yellow areas you can get away with the black parts staying quite dark.

and faces eh! if you want I can help you out? just let me know dude and I'll do a tute for you on how i do mine :-)

i'd have to say so far missile guy is my fave! Cyclops from X-men springs to mind! you've done a pretty neat job on all of them, what are you planning on doing to them next?

Dude, a tut on faces would be amazing - I have no idea how anyone has the patience to do all these stupid little fething eyes and cheek bones and other stupid stuff.... gimme a helmet any day!

I agree about missile bloke, my fave too, next up for these guys is a general tidy up and to make the colours pop a little more.

Just got my airbrush out for the first time ever, took me ages to figure out how to work it, a minute amount of time to use it, and ages to get it anywhere close to semi clean! I thought airbrushes were supposed to be the way forward!? Damn thing!

Easy as dude! I can do that for you no problem, I need to re do one for my blog so I'll link it there when I'm done!

excited about the Airbrush? I find I only use mine for shading vehicles and larger items and using it to give a good coverage of wash over all the models in a squad! works a treat! as far as details go you can paint faces with the AB too, but I prefer a brush :-)

So it's been a while since I've done anything modelling / painting / gaming related, though I finally got to scratch a 2 year itch on Saturday by getting my Grotesques converted

O.K Kitchy that first Grot is creeping me out! the little useless arms at the front like some kind of disabled T-Rex gives me shivers....... but the fact that you're scratching your itches makes me happy :-)

Number 1 is by far my favourite! Need more talos parts! Grrrraaaaaaghhhh!!!!

Lol

Certainly felt good to do after so long of planning

Also in the pipeline is completing the model I'm doing for you, and a diorama of 2 skinks playing swingball with an ogres head.

feth yeah that last sentence felt awesome! :-P

lol, trust you :-) and that reminds me I MUST finally finish your Termie! I've been mister Uber Slack with finishing him!

You gonna drop some work in progress when you get the Skink Tetherball running?

Definitely, parts have been despatched today, how my week pans out will dictate how much actual painting and modelling work I get done though

Right, I await eagerly........something from you......... model-wise that is..... nothing freaky with wetsuits and custard

One question. My grots are nude, they need trousers at least. Armoured or cloth? I'm inclined to go armoured... not crazy though, still fitting the de segmented style.

I'm a beginner green stuffer though :-P

Thoughts???

Thoughts would be using plasticard and other shapes already in plastic rather than Greenstuff, you can then Green it to smooth and gap fill :-)

LOL the face on the 4th scout marine gets me every time XD

Yeah you're not alone there pal, I want to make a meme out of him, that's gotta be all he's good for like that.

"Jersey Shore Scout sees what you did there" or something lol.

Fortunately I found my elysian helmets so I'll be ripping those crap jobs off as soon as I can!

<------ There are no words for how much WIN this face is

Love the Grots conversions, are those bodies the big bat beasties from Vampire Counts? Keep 'em coming!

I love it, who'd have thought such a fail could bring so much joy to the community

And yes, they're the crypt ghouls which are an alternate build of the vargheists box.

More to come, must find plasticard!

That scouts face is really funny, defo full of the winning.

I believe senor Kitchington has found the image for his new avatar yes?

Monsieur Nerdilroy, that is so done


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With thanks to Fango for the crop job too!

Even looks like you Kitchy! except for the tanned skin and goggles.......but the crazy eyes and clenched teeth seem to work :-)

I can buy goggles and smear myself in brown sauce if that'd do anything for you nerdy?

Mods, I'm in a foreign country, sans miniatures. On topic posts will resume as soon as I'm back in the country.

You have my drunken holiday promise.

Not the greatest pictures in the world, though here's a wip shot of a necron big cannon thing that I've forgotten the name of, that I'm doing up for my dad

And the driver

AH, progress :-) nice angry robot dude! your dad will be happy fo shure!

Lol thanks Nerdy, he's certainly impressed so far, even offered to buy me a BEER!

Nice stuff! Would be good to see more regular updates mind

Your avatar is hilarious by the way.

Lol, yep, guilty of being a bi annual hobbyist lol...

Should become more regular now though as I've my hobby station to be more accessible.

What's my avatar again? It doesn't show up on my phone...

So I treated myself to a few bits recently, here's a wip of my high sanguinary priest for my blood angels allies!

(Upload pic 2)

(Upload pic 3)

Righto Kitchy I need to know the bits for that model NOW! looks totally awesome, great pose and very nasty feel to him! the SoH helmet works really well too! job bloody well done captain foist!

Lmao! Cheers pal

Bits are as follows

Emperors children palatine blade torso and kakophoni shoulder pad (on his right side)
Thousand suns shoulder pad (narthecium side)
The narthecium is from legion apothecary set
The lightning claw is from the vanguard vets set
And the helmet is, as you say, a sons of horus mk4 variant.
No prizes for guessing where the back pack came from!

I've been working on his paint scheme over the weekend; green armour (I've used Stracken green, though not sure of it yet) and eshin grey wings. The trim will be gold. It's always gotta be gold


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And a little back story...

This allies force will consist of dante, the sanguinary priest and a squad of sanguinary guard. Possibly a dreadnought too. And a definite storm raven.

Long n short of it is that the chapter master of the "Jaded Angels" got bored, and decided he was off hunting with his elite warriors. They stumbled across my Sons of Orar force, embattled against a well equipped Tau force.

Chapter Master Balthazar Vladkali and his elite sanguinary hunting party descended on wings of ruby fire and did SMITE the vile Tau xenos scum, breaking the back of the STATIONARY COWARDS, forcing them to fight on 2 fronts: 1 of methodical close range fire fights, the other of short, bloody melee!

Got a little carried away towards the... beginning... there though you don't mind indulging me do you nerdy

Oh heavens no Captain Foist! I shall be more than happy to indulge your poetic musings on any given day! ;-)

So, you got any paint on him yet? I'm interested to see how this comes together! those parts are perfect for kitbashing and now I feel i must go and smooze the Nerdwench to squeeze some extra spondoolie from her to enable me to purchase some FW goodies..... just for cutting up!

Not much, a single coat of straken and the wings have been shaded, here's a quick pic


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Oh, btw, I got the bits through ebay, I think the seller was eggheadminiatures. Not cheap at about £30 though a massive saving compared to buying all the kits!

That is one NASTY gut punch bro! :-O

Lol, I always thought of him as looking at the next kill, saying "you're fething next, scum"

In true kitch fashion I've started another model instead of finishing what's been part done for months on end

A gift for Papa Kitch as his cron dynasties slightly lacking in the hq dept atm... please excuse the camera flash, and yeah I've tidied him up a little since this pic was taken

Ladies, gentlemen and everyone in between, I give you - my first ever properly completed model!

There's a couple of bits I wish I could have done better; more effective lightning on the blade, make the orb stand out more, make the eyes stand out more, though for now I'm pretty chuffed with myself

Swirly balls of death! good to see you get brush on agin Kitchy!

Ha - cheers love Must admit this guy was fun to paint in his simplicity

I treated myself to a few ebay purchases the other day, and am slightly obsessed with this model already...!

He's going to be the Grand Chaplain to my Jade Angels. Where's his crozius you say? Good question. The Chapter has rebelled against the imperium, though a few remain loyal, such as this guy. During their flee from rebellion, the Grand Chaplain was attacked by other members of his order. In the ensuing melee his crozius was broken, the shards remain on the lone Storm Raven that they used to escape.

Future models for these guys include a counts as Dante, Techmarine, Honour or Sanguinary Guard and a Dreadnought, possibly a librarian variant. They'll be allied to my Sons of Orar and whilst they may not be points efficient, I'll fething enjoy myself along the way

Edit - add picture


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(I seriously wish these pics would upload the right way round, sorry about that).

Ps, he'll have a sanguinary guard jet pack as per the apothecary.

I dont know why, but his helmet is looing real swell!

Cheers, it's one of the Death Guard helmets from FW - I've started painting him and the apothecary recently and will hopefully post pictures on Monday

Pictures as promised - please excuse the poor quality, pretty crappy lighting

Very nice looking paint job the candels are great and the claws are looking evil can't wait to see it in action disembowelling I tyranid prime

It'll happen soon pal, though feeling the need to dust off my de first

Need to get the new rule book first mind, especially if it helps my de to be more effective as I'm hoping!

I will not excuse your poor lighting! but I will express my joy that you're back painting and getting excited about 7th :-) looking good, I also think you've done a really good job on those candles on the pack! I think the mini's may need a little ink wash or two though? but that could just be the flash?

You're absolutely right pal, I don't think I'd washed them in those pictures

Just on with some immortals for my dad and will get right back to these guys asap.

Hints on the apothecaries armour are more than welcome!

Hints on apoth armour eh! make a wash from a light grey or blue and was the armour with it then use white to mix into the wash until you use pure white to either egde highlight or smooth the entire panel colour out, just my 2c's :-)

Legend, I was gonna black line it though don't have a steady enough hand

Updated apothecary


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I went with black lining in the end as I just couldn't face painting any more white!

Just waiting for the agrellan earth to dry before finishing the base off, head has yet to be glued on and maybe a little more tidying up. Tried blending the lightning claw as I did on my libby and failed so not sure what to do there. Shading required on the eagle and cables too, with some smaller details still to do

Got to hand it to you kitch looks great the eagle details are killer but a fancy paint job won't save you from my broodlord

Coming along noice! I reckon one shade lighter as a highlight on the robes then a wash in green and they'll be stellar! wash that gold in agrax then re apply gold to the edges then a little silver mixed in and you'll be amazed :-)

Cheers lads :0

I'll give that a shot tonight if I can Nerdy, pics to follow

Cool, I await your progress Sir Kitchington from Kitchington Manor! push yourself dude! you know what would be great fun? a Skype Paint date!!

Sorry for the delayed reply mate - busy evenings! Skype paint date sounds like a great idea, I just need to find that damned webcam now lol!

Made some progress on the apothecary and started planning my Chapter Master as a reward. Coz, you know, I don't have enough outstanding

An update on my apothecary to test my new camera

.tmyry
,,

Reclusiarch Alastor nears completion

Made a start on painting the grotesques tonight...

I need help dakka, pallid Wych skin colour or fortress grey? Or do I do a mix and have chapter badges of the chapters that these guys used to belong to? So raven guard for the white skin, salamander for a darker grey?

Get a flesh colour dude and water it down into a wash, then wash the skin with it, as it dries use it again on the higher parts that get the light and you should be good :-) don't be scared to use a wet brush to remove the colour in the bits you need darker for shadows!

Do you mean change the overall colour to a regular flesh colour, or to use it as a highlight to those I've already used?

Personally I'm keen to stay away from regular colours, as the scheme for my DE is a washed out, unhealthy, kept in the dark grey. I picked up the Wych flesh to experiment and can't decide between the 2!

Whoops, got distracted again... Here's my latest project, Sanguinary Guard, known as The Dark Black Wings, for my Jade Angels chapter. Really happy with how he's coming on, without a doubt my best work yet


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Ps, I'd like to doff my cap to sockwithaticket for the inspiration on the axe, not an approach I'd previously considered though I think it works brilliantly. Definitely check out his Crimson Tears if you haven't already, they're awesome

So I'm working on a custom chapter standard for my Jade Angels. The image is of their founding Chapter Master, Agostin Vil'ho, formerly of the blood angels.

He was gifted the honour of founding his own chapter in the 38th millennium, as encouraged by The Inquisition and blessed by Lord Dante. This honour was bestowed upon him after he, at the time a Veteran Sergeant, slew the Khornate Greater Daemon Be'Rith during an attack on Mars. Having suffered grave wounds, his body shutting down while the battle raged around him, he was defended by Inquisitor Bel'conna who had witnessed his plight.

Later recovering from his wounds, the Mechanicum gifted him with a unique pattern of Artificer Armour, that is portrayed on the Chapter Standard and subsequently gifted throughout the ages as a token of office to all Jade Angels Chapter Masters that followed him.

Unbeknown to all, whilst Vil'hos wounds healed to all intents and purposes, a poison had seeped in to his blood that would later tear his honourable chapter apart, branding all but a select few as heretics and traitors all...

I made a start on my jump pack librarian recently, here's the wip. Greenstuff'ing fire is an absolute pain in the ass!

Good start senor Kitchington! i'm still watching you..... Oooooh yeah dry that pasty body! Mmmmmm.....

Well, you'd think that the words pasty (as in lacking colour) and pasty (as in the fattening savoury snack) might be spelt differently! What a phrase to wake up to lol!

Ok, he's not finished as there are still a bunch of highlights to do, and I need more superglue as mines dried out

But, here's the overall design idea held in place temporarily by green stuff, which I shall now forever more refer to as soul-sap compound.

We seem to have an infestation brewing... Summon the First Company!

The Jade Angels staff are really coming along, I'm getting back to the Black Wings now, once they're completed I'm planning on doing a counts as Dante, or an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor with conversion beamer and HB Servitors.

Looking pretty sweet Kitchy! very striking together, I like the Sang priest personally you've got a really nice mix of complimentary colours and your current painting style seems more natural to you and it's working well :-)

Those Jade Angels are looking very nice there kitch.

The colours go really well together and I really like that green.

You're going to have to start sharing this blog now Nerdy, you're starting to look like a stalker

Cheers gents! I'm really enjoying these models, they've really rekindled my desire to get painting. I used to criticise myself for jumping from one project to another, though I'm coming to accept that painting what interests me at the time is without a doubt getting the best results, which itself keeps me going I've got most of a Storm Talon done too which I'll upload when I've done more to it.

I started writing some background fiction today too, telling the story behind the meeting of my Son's of Orar (possible name changing incoming so I don't have a problem of using Iron Hands CT'S with an UM descendant), any advice that can be offered on writing fiction would be appreciated too!

More.of the green to come soon; I'm currently picking out the gold trim on the Black Wings (I've even progressed to BATCH PAINTING! #proud) and hope to have a semi sizable update by the end of the week :nods:

Peace!

(PS, Nerdy's welcome to stalk all he likes if it means that someone gives me feedback on here! )

Evening dudes (and dudettes). Not much of an update, just thought I'd post a view of the overall intended colour scheme for the Black Wings. So, here's Black Wing Captain Orchid. Please excuse the rubbish lighting.

Love the colours Kitchy! I really like how the ornate armour and the BA iconography justs suits the scheme in such a striking manner :-) if I were the sneaky type i'd steal that look for sure!

Take / use whatever you like pal, you don't need my permission!

So I got my copy of the new de codex yesterday, guess what? There's a kabal called The Sundering that I'm not aware of having been fleshed out in the last codex. Their colour scheme is purple and green, and a frequent seen thing is the left hand being replaced with blades and the like, and they're a fleet based kabal that live outside of comorragh and the webway.

So let me tell you about my kabal that I started when the de were released in 5th ed.

They're a fleet based kabal that live outside of comorragh and the webway. Their armour is purple and gold with a good amount of green trim. I cut the left hand off one of my guys, and replaced it with a blade from a Splinter Rifle, he's in my gallery if anyone would care to check. Did that like, what, 2 years ago?

So my question is, when will gw start sending my mother fething royalty cheques through?!

Guys, I need your help.

I've been told to Google and recipe called blue waffle, but I can't find it anywhere, any hints please?



But seriously, can't decide if the scale of this helmet is alright or not. Basically, this is a captured autarch / farseer (delete as list requires) that my DE have turned more than a little bit crazy, the helmet is supposed to represent his/her tortured soul and fractured mind. It seems more mon-keigh scale though. Is it too much?

Was thinking of justifying it by saying it's a torture device traded with Fabius Bile in a... Cultural slash educational exchange. Thoughts?

So I ended up painting the helmet just to see how it looked in colour and I'm pretty happy with the results

Merry Christmas all

Works for me! scale is only a poofteenth big, nothing that looks outta place though! painted it looks even better and the idea behind it is really cool :-)

Thanks for the feedback pal, glad you're on board with it

In other news, I got one of GW's Project Boxes today (had a.gift voucher and couldn't justify buying more models until I've made a serious dent in what I have!)

Gotta say, I love it. Yes, it's hellishly expensive for what is essentially just a plastic box, though what it represents - a tidy and organised painting area, of which I have limited space as it stands - has really got the juices flowing. So I've been back on with the Jade Angels, got the standard bearer done (would like to improve the banner, though I think it's been done to the best of my current ability) and am now on with the 3rd member of the squad

So that totals so far, 1 librarian, 1 sang priest, 1 Reclusiarch, and 2.5 sang guard. All in about 6 months. Which is pretty good for me

Lol 6 months! :-) Crikey I could have an army in that time! but you've made a dent which is a good start and something to inspire you to keep chugging along with it all when you see the models and get that urge to paint more more more! once the avalanche hits man there'll be no stopping you.

My latest side project, Raging Heroes' Hildegaard Von Konigsmark, who I'll be using as an.inquisitor

So the inquisitors pretty much finished, just need to highlight her hair and then buy in the bits for her.conversion beamer gun carriage and heavy bolter servitors.

Separately, here's another wip of my vanguard vets / assault squad / whatever




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Hm, forgot about the wood on her guns and the pouch too so I'm a little further from finished than I realised!

Vanguard vets work in progress. Looking at the picture here, it highlights a couple of bits that I want to change, like the crux terminatus on the sergeant (far left) and other more minor bits.

There's been a run of bad luck lately, so much so that I've come close to believing that our Sci fi universe, and the grimdark that it embodies, has suddenly become very real. I find myself wondering which of the chaos gods I'd eventually fall to, probably Tzeentch, after all, the temptation to be able to change the past, to buy more time.for those around us, is surely something that any person with good intentions would be tempted by. Still, the road to hell and that eh?

So, perhaps against my better judgement, I fell to a little retail therapy and have added a techmarine to my Jade Angels remnants command squad. The majority of the bits have arrived, with more.to follow (namely the head from the iron hands upgrade sprue with the brain half showing, and another sangy jump pack).

As you can see from this first WIP, he's been seriously wounded, with 2 arms, and a leg replaced with bionics, and the aforementioned head (hurry up aus post!)

Needless to say I'm excited to complete the build, even more so to get him painted as the command squad nears completion now. So, as the first indication of my latest exciting project, here he is, currently unnamed though likely Techmarine Unlukius Bodius!




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Parts featured are

Iron hands medusan immortals legs and right arm
Iron warriors upgrade torso
Unknown left arm
Sci fi axe from, I think, maxmini


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And the iron hands mk2 heresy shoulders.pads

A splash of colour later...

Need a new.detail brush though!

That is one kick ass axe dude! :-) what's the next step for him? an overall wash in Agrax or Carroburg followed by a re highlight with the base colour? he's coming along nicely mate!

I love this, good stuff. More please.

Thanks guys

I based him in khorne red, washed with carroburg, and highlighted with wazzdakka red, though I think I overdid the highlight... Was told to pick out the edges with squig orange, though thinking of mixing wazzdakka with troll slayer instead so I don't have to buy a new colour.

Can't wait for the head to arrive!

Just looking at the picture, and wondering about the cables. Would you keep them black with grey highlights, or a lighter colour to see them easier? Green in line with the chapter colours, red in line with the armour colour, or blue in line with the edge highlight on the chapters power weapons (see earlier pic of Vanguard Vets for an example of this)

Just a quick WIP shot for tonight. Didn't really want.to give him a green helmet, though going with the normal techmarine colour took away from the brain, so the hope was the green would tie in with the scheme and still show off the brain sufficiently. Not perfect, but enough for now. We'll see how it looks complete.

Rather fond of the servo harness backpack, the arms obviously from the main techmarine kit. It fit pretty nicely inside with little cutting needed. Think it'll look even better once the wings are in to "frame" it.

So close to finishing the techmarine! Just the base to paint and find somewhere to stick the servo skull and we're pretty much there. The highlights on the pistol aren't as stark in person, had to use flash to get a picture I was mostly happy with.

Comments welcome, hope you like him

Very bloody cool conversion Kitch! love the mix of parts that tie in nicely :-) paint on his helmet *snicker* is a touch thick but otherwise he's got good contrast and colour choice.

a thing I do when photographing with flash is hold a strip of white card in front of the flash so it diffuses the light. this way you can hold it at different distances until you get a good image quality :-)

keep at it dude you've been quiet for too long!

Yeah I think I rushed the helmet, started out with the khorne red and changed my mind, it may been a little wet still hence the slightly thicker appearance.

So basically, diamonds are a bitch to paint!

This guy took up most of my Sunday. I've dual coloured him to utilise the purple, green & gold of my Kabal of Shattered Souls, and the black, orange and silver of the Wych Cult of The Silver Fang (who themselves have adopted the colours of the Eldar Craft Wold that they smashed up - Lugganath - which itself also had close ties to the Harlequins [still with me, yeah?]) - it's hoped to represent the Harlequin Troupe acting as mediator between the two forces.

To add a little more mystery to the Troupe, I've opted to have them as part of the Twilight Sect, whose motives are said to be largely unknown until all the pieces have fallen in to place, when at last, their plan comes to full fruition. So how will they ally themselves? Are they seeking revenge for Lugganath's Inner Council, and hope to strike down Silver Fang herself in a gloriously bloody dance, or is there something else at play entirely?

Orange and black look much neater than the other one, maybe you could use a micron pen to neaten the lines up? could also use it to add shading? i've one I can send if you need it :-) I gotta give you respect for even attempting these models! they look pretty involved for ANY painter!

Good idea - hadn't thought of that. I marked the diamonds out to begin with with a micron pen so going over them shouldn't be a problem, here's just hoping I can keep a steady hand!

I have painted A LOT of harlequins, to make these diamonds neeter you need to get a thin brush with black and paint the outlines again to make it far neater. This is why your orange one looks nicer, because the black diamonds already have this outline effect done.

Go over the black lines again patiently and it will look great (trust me).

Ironically the orange and black is the most messed up! I screwed the patterning slightly and need to redo the base of the cloak on that side. Fortunately it sounds like tidying the green and purple will be a lot easier to sort!

When trying to keep a steady hand, drink only water. No caffeine and no sugar. These are the things that make your hands shake. Looks good so far. Keep it up!

There's water in beer, so that counts, right?

Not had any time to paint lately, though needed to scratch the hobby itch somewhat. I'd been toying with this kit bash for sometime - just taking every fur covered space wolf bit I could find and cobbling it all together to make a Lone Wolf. I don't have the Wolves codex so I may be a little out here, but this guy comes in at 45 points, with a frost axe and storm bolter, and has eternal warrior.

Not being much of a gamer I'm light on rules knowledge, though 2000 points of these guys stomping about as part of an unbound list sounds pretty fun, even if they aren't scoring.

Namewise, Nik Furry seems to have stuck

Note to self, because you keep forgetting, no matter where else you write this. Colour scheme for Nik and co will Storm Wardens, likely with silver helmets to tie in with the Sons of Orar scheme of white helmet / red armour.

Wolf pelt to be painted black with greenish tint, resplendent of Cu Sith legend from Scottish / Irish mythology.

Source images -

For my birthday last year, my wife got me some much needed painting tuition with Adam Boyes, who's done some absolutely amazing work which you can find on http://www.miniature-painting-lessons.co.uk/gallery/

I met him last November for my first lesson and, to my shame, it's taken me this long to properly sit down with a brush and have a go independently. That means that some of the techniques that I learnt are a little rusty, and I'm grateful to be booked in again in February for a refresher.

Today's work has been focused on 2 models, Nik and his compatriot. As always, my camera phone has changed the contrast of some colours a bit (if it looks white it's really silver) and these are only the first layers. Today was also my first attempt at xenithal lighting, for which I was limited to spray cans. Needless to say, the black went on a little thick so a see an airbrush in my future at some point!

More to come, though for today's update, here we are

Looking good Kitchy! you know, if we skype again we can have a lesson or two? :-)

Wow man. There's some awesome stuff in this thread.

Great conversions all around, and a great lone wolf.

EDC

Thanks, both of you

Nerdy, definitely up for that, as soon as I find my webcam I'll shoot you a PM

Just need to do a few more layers of the same on these guys to build the colours up a bit more, before moving on to shading and highlights.

Only thing I'm not too sure of is colour selection for their hair - any thoughts? Similarly, re the wolf fur, I painted it Eshin Grey before glazing with... whatever the green glaze was called. Didn't really work. What do you think to just painting them black and edge highlighting with successively lighter shades of green? Would then do the same for the hair / mohican?

Update from the paint station:

Keep putting your base colours down Kitchy and then wash the whole model with black or brown wash, then we'll get into the details :-)

More Base colours? Could you elaborate on that a bit? I was thinking of hitting the blue with a guilliman glaze to smooth out the transition between light and dark? As for the silver, I've washed it with black and intend to go over that again with all 3 shades.

More areas of colour like for instance the plume on the helmet in a red or white, the flexible armour joins in a light grey? basically paint by numbers approach to getting every colour you want on the model.

Cool. The transitions between the shades of blood are looking great.

EDC

Ah I'm with ya

Yeah the plumes are steadily being worked up from a dark green to light, following the xenithal approach though I need to be careful with blue & green palette.

Reason - in Irish mythology there's a creature called the Cu Sith, a wolf like animal, green of pelt, whose howl is said to foretell the death of those that hear it. I want to represent that on these models, working it in to the lore of the chapter - I want them to have each killed a "doom dog" - for want to a better phrase - in much the same way that the Raven Guard & Salamanders do on their home worlds. To have conquered a creature of pure death and wear it as a totem? That sounds so Marine to me, especially suited to the tribal-esque bearing of the Storm Wardens.

These both started out as Lone Wolves, and they may still do so in game at a later date, though I currently see them as part of a squad of 5, all models for which will be posed to look observant rather than combative. Nick, who will be renamed, I see as squad leader. The Wolf Helm guy is the representation of the squad's own Cu Sith; silent, patient & watchful, the only sound he makes being a trio of echoing howls just before launching a brutal whirlwind of death, flensing his enemies to the bone with every sweep of his spear!

Phew, got really absorbed in writing that! 'scuse me, I need to go sit for a bit

Renegade Ogryn, which I've been working on since my first lesson with Adam Boyes back in November (delay only caused by my busy schedule, my actual painting has sped up).

Nicely don Kitchy! even that Ogryn beside some of your older work really shows the improvements you've progressed! steady lines and good coverage :-)

Ogryn is looking good.

EDC

Cheers dudes I agree Nerdy, and feel loads better about my abilities now versus where I was this time last year. I think I could do with investing in an actual camera though, as my phone doesn't seem as well suited to photographing minis as I'd hoped.

For this guy, I really wana do some extra work on his base. I can't decide between pipework / urban rubble etc, or a fethed up corpse of some form. Have you guys come across any decent pre-made corpses?

One of my local GW's are running a painting competition on Saturday for the space marine anniversary, decided to challenge myself so started this guy today. Happy with how he's coming so far, just not sure what to do with the blade.

Hit me up if you need help on messenger dude! first order is washing the model in Agrax and then seeing where we're at!

Would if I had it! I'm sure that I picked some up some time ago though I'm damned if I know where it's gone!

Really struggling with the axe blades though, any thoughts on an easy yet effective technique? I don't just want to paint it silver.

Relatedly, best product for removing existing layers of paint without damaging the model?

Ok, so I got some agrax earthshade. Don't reeeeeally see what the fuss is all about though I'll try it out on a few more models when this guy is done.

Tonight has mostly been working on the axe, which I'm so far very happy with, just need to glaze in the next shade down according to this tutorial that I'm folloeing. Contemplating adding lightning bolts running between the lighter areas, though I'm eager to not over do it, and want to play to my strengths which for the time being may mean keeping things simpler for the sake of this competition.

I need to put more focus on the face (hit me up Nerdy, you're the king of the visage!) and revisit the armour, bringing the highlights back out after my stint down Agrax Lane.

So, here he is for now...

Tonight's update, really happy with how the axe turned out, though less so the eyes - he almost looks as though he's wearing a batman mask...

Wow Kitchy you've just progressed in leaps and bounds mate! so so much better than some of your early work, the axe really does look cool, i'm not sold on the eyes glow yet it maybe a little bit too bright and needs to be softened around the edges (hard to do at that scale) but everything else is coming along so well, your application of paint is heaps better now, the layers are smoother and much thinner. re applying your base coat as a highlight now you've washed the model will be next step, then you only need to add some lighter paint in with your base for a final highlight and bingo-bongo! finished awesomeness :-)

Nice Libby. Excellent work on the axe.

EDC

nerdfest09 wrote:Wow Kitchy you've just progressed in leaps and bounds mate! so so much better than some of your early work, the axe really does look cool, i'm not sold on the eyes glow yet it maybe a little bit too bright and needs to be softened around the edges (hard to do at that scale) but everything else is coming along so well, your application of paint is heaps better now, the layers are smoother and much thinner. re applying your base coat as a highlight now you've washed the model will be next step, then you only need to add some lighter paint in with your base for a final highlight and bingo-bongo! finished awesomeness :-)

Thanks buddy, I finally found my sweet spot when diluting paint - 3:1 medium to paint (well, Citadel paint anyway) seems to work really work for the blending technique that I was taught

I agree about the eyes, I think all that happened there is a started out too dark, with regal blue, and worked up to Alaitoc, Teclis, and Temple Guard Blue - I think the regal was just too dark and melds too much with the black cowl that he's wearing. I'll revisit that late tonight with a view to lightening it up more, which should - I think - improve the overall impression. Then glaze guilliman blue over the whole eye area to soften it down a little. The competitions tomorrow and I'm out most of tonight for my Dad's birthday - cross your fingers that I get him done in time please!

I did revisit the armour again, shading with regal on the undersides and alaitoc on the uppers. I did rush it though so will be tidying it up tonight. The only complaint that I have about trying this xenithal approach with termy armour being that the shaded areas you want to catch with a xenithal approach are on their own blocky surface, which kinda takes away from the effect with little soft blending to be done - it's all about the hard edges!

evildrcheese wrote:Nice Libby. Excellent work on the axe.

EDC

Thanks buddy, much appreciated

Didn't get in til gone 10pm, it's fast approaching midnight and my hands are getting a little too loose for comfort, so I'm having to call it a night. Fingers crossed this works out!

feth me I won!!!

Well done on the win, a worthy victory. I bet it was because of that yellow! Was this at a FLGS or GW?

Thanks bud! It was a local GW, to be fair I haven't seen any of the entries, can't help but wonder if I was the only one lol


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Well talk about deflated, turns out I was the only entrant :(

Not worth winning :(


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Aaaaaand I'm good! The prize was to get a model painted by the manager, which I declined as I prefer to paint my own. So he's offered a clam pack mini as a prize instead! Now what to choose.....!

Shame that you were the only entrant, but you certainly can't complain about a free clam pack!

EDC

Yeah man, though I wish there'd been other entrants as I predominantly wanted to test myself against other people. Next time though...!

A win's a win Kitchy! :-) well done for having the gumption to enter and it paid off! a clampack is a great prize and you should still be chuffed at how your models are turning out now.

Thanks man, that's much appreciated

Decided on a Necron Overlord which I'm gonna paint up for my Dad's force - god knows I have enough in my own queue lol

That's enough for today

Stuff has come along away, gives me hope as a painter.

That said, its stellar now.

Also, no one entered into the contest cause they saw your entry and realized they had no chance!

Haha thanks man, you're too kind never thought I'd "give anyone else hope" lol

Please excuse me just a sec.

feth YOU BLACK PAINT! feth YOU!

And now back to our regular broadcast. Any tips on painting black please? This melon-fething Necron scheme is absolutely killing me. I've tried blended black, edge highlighted black, just made my first attempt at nmm black and NONE of the fethers look right AT. fething. ALL.

Crons don't seem to lend themselves to such a flat colour, they're so thin that you have absolutely no space to play with for highlights without making them not black. I must've had these damned models for maybe 2 dog damned years now and everytime I pick them up I just feel like I set myself further and further back.

Help me Dakka Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

If I may offer some input on painting black. Are you going for a matte black, or more of a satin/sheen look?

If the former, here's an example of what I do, and how I achieve the look. Note the casing on the Heavy Flamer.





Now, to achieve this, you simply paint the area you want black with a few thinned coats of black paint so you have even coverage. After that, you drybrush dawnstone (Or a similar grey shade, I prefer the nice neutral grey of Dawnstone myself) over the edges, corners, and raised areas of the black surface. Be sure you use a small brush and get a nice thin line of grey drybrushed along the edges.

After this is dry, take some Nuln Oil wash and apply it so that it coats the interior portions of the black areas but does not really get on the drybrushed edges where the grey is most prominent/most applied. Do this once or twice, allowing the wash to dry completely between coats. Also feel free to let a little Nuln Oil flow into the areas between edges such as gaps or what-not. If you get a little wash on an edge on accident, use a clean brush to 'wipe' it away from the edge where the Dawnstone is most prominent before it dries.

Once it dries, you'll have a nice highlight on a good matte black that isn't over-stated, but is subtle and still visually there, allowing the edges to be seen clearly and cleanly.

I hope this helps. Take it easy for now and if you have any questions feel free to let me know.

Take it easy.

-Red__Thirst-

Definitely a satin black, I could always just hit it with an edge highlight or dry brush before finishing with a gloss varnish, to cheat my way to getting that xenithal highlight look, though for this project it just doesn't feeeeeeel right (painting them for my dad, want to pull off a master artists piece of work despite not actually being a master artist!)

For a Satin black you coud use the above technique and finish with a brush on clear satin varnish on those parts.

Might try it and see how it looks on a test mini.

Best of luck & take it easy.

-Red__Thirst-

Nice work on the Overlord, I really like the choice of colours.

EDC

Thanks EDC. I like the cape, and see how it'll look finished already with a nice glow coming off those blue orbs - just really need to sort this black out.

I got some black & white pictures which I've collaged together, which should help with placement of highlights and shades, hopefully that'll help take me to the next step. Also spent the night gathering source images.

Red_Thirst, thanks for your help too - off the back of our chat I've been looking at black cars to see how they respond to light placement / reflection.

Fingers crossed tonight yields better results, may need to invest in some of that magic Dettol stuff again though

Edit - image dump

Had chance to splash a little more paint on this guy. Still not 100% happy with the black, though I think I'll leave it there and perfect it over future models.

Nice work dude, really like the blue on the cloak.

EDC

Thanks man, it still needs a little more work, a couple of light glazes of white should do the trick

So, had my first game of DnD the other day. Got a bit excited in the lead up as it gave me the excuse I needed to pay Hero Forge a visit!

Long and short of it, I present my latest WIP - Silas the Half Elf Bard. Think Jack Sparrow's adventurous alcoholism combined with Tenacious D's humorous musicality and you get an idea of who I'm going for

First layers down today, still a few coats to go!