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Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/04/27 23:53:35


Post by: Mad..


Hi, welcome to my hobby blog.

Started this a few years ago when I came out of hiatus to get nice painted armies completed and onto the tables for games. In the beginning it was just a Tyranid Hive Fleet, it has since grown to include multiple armies, along with other models and battle reports

The following is a summary of how I have gone over the years, for those of you that read this Thanks for taking the time.

Hive Fleet Ngaro

Ngaro is the name I settled with, it is from Te Reo Maori and it's meaning relates to consumption, extinction, and destruction which sums up a hive fleets purpose in the galaxy.

The colour scheme I went with is a combination of the Aliens from the movie series (Game over man, Game over!) along with the yellow black influence of the Starship troopers bugs, along with some other "alien" colours to help make the army not look to monotonous on the table, then based with a red planet theme.



Cult of the Red Saviour

I have been a fan of genestealers since playing the board game Space Hulk heaps as a young chap and was the main reason for me choosing Tyranids. While I was looking for an alternative army to the nids and looking at creating a genestealer cult using nid and AM/IG bits, Games Workshop came to the party and released the Genestealer Cult codex and models, so I have a second army now and it is called the Cult of the Red Saviour due to the red skin of the patriarch, and the patrirach being a "saviour" of the local population.



Zerg Infested Terran Deathguard

With the release of 8th edition 40k, I picked up the Dark Imperium box set. I gave the Primaris marines to one of my brothers for a birthday present and have decided to keep the deathguard. Given they have growths and tentacles growing out of them, I have decided to make a little army of deathguard similar to Zerg Infested Terrans from Starcraft. ZITs chapter works well I reckon because we are talking Nurgle here. They will be on Zerg Creep bases which I am making using PVA and superglue.




In Progress
Foetid Blight Drone


Completed so far

Spoiler:
2014 "Learn to paint" year

CC Warrior brood (3 strong)
2x Tyrant guard
2x Zoanthrope
Broodlord
Termagant brood (8 strong)
Carnifex
Trygon
6x Rippers
8x Genestealers
Chaos Lord
Leman Russ Tank

2015 "Complete the army" year

Swarmlord
8xHormagaunts
8x Spinegants
2x Lictor
Tervigon
10x Termagant brood
8x Spore mines
Warrior Brood (six strong)
Flying Hive Tyrant
3x Space Marines
8x Genestealers

2016 "Consume and grow" year
Neurothrope
Venomthrope x2
Exocrine
Gargoyles x10
Hive guard x3
Tyrannocyte
Chaos Space Marine x10
Purestrain Princelings x2
Cult Patriarch
Genestealer Familiars x2

2017 "Rise of the Hive Mind" year
Aberrant x4
Acolyte Hybrids x6
Mucolid Spore
Acolyte Hybrids x6
Leman Russ
Neophyte Hybrids x8
GSC Primus
Neophyte Hybrids x8
GSC Magus
ZIT Plague Marine x 7

2018 "Hive mind meets the warp" year
Mortarion
Carnifex #2
Carnifex #3
Hive Tyrant #2


Primed and ready to paint
8x Termagants
8x Spinegants
8x Hormagaunts
Ravenor
Goliath Truck
GSC Sentinel
10x Genestealers
Lord of Contagion
Malignant Spellcaster
Noxious Blightbringer
7x Plague Marines
20x Poxwalkers
10x Neophyte Hybrids
Tyrannofex
Chimera
10x Neophyte Hybrids
20x Poxwalkers
20x Poxwalkers
Tyranid Prime
Venomthrope
Zoanthrope
Neurothrope
Broodlord


To be Built
10x Gargoyle brood
2x Warriors
16x Hormagaunts
28x Termagants
3x Warriors
3x Ripper bases
Mawloc
8x Genestealers
GSC Leman Russ


Completed work showcase

Here is a showcase of some of the work I have completed in this blog:

Hive Fleet Ngaro

Swarmlord Completed Jan 2015

Spoiler:
The Swarmlord from Hive Fleet Ngaro. I thought I'd do something a bit different with the bone sabres on this creature, as it mentions the sabres are made from a substance not native to this galaxy and are pretty awesome weapons. So I thought I'd give lightning effects a crack to show the difference in these weapons compared to rest of the swarm. I used Knightleys tutorial on how to paint lightning effects on purple and this is the result.





Flying Hive Tyrant Completed Sept 2015

Spoiler:
Flying hive tyrant from Hive Fleet Ngaro. Modeled with Scything talons and without the feet talons to give it more of a close quarter combat feel, as it should be jumping and flying from combat to combat and it's hard to do that with spikes for feet. Mangled marine from my brothers chapter on the base to taunt him a bit.





Zerg Infested Terrans (ZITs)

Mortarion completed Jan 2018

Spoiler:
Primarch of the Death Guard, done up in my scheme. Very happy with how this came out, feel like it is some of my best work so far!









Cult of the Red Saviour

Genestealer Patriarch Completed Oct 2016

Spoiler:
Genestealer Patriarch. Decided to go with a different scheme for the cult compared to Hive Fleet Ngaro. I am really happy with how this model has turned out!





Cult Leman Russ Completed July 2017

Spoiler:
Leman Russ tank. Went with a strong weathered look with cult symbols and hand written slogans, I reckon it cam out pretty nice.







Other Stuff

Chaos Marine Squad completed Sept 2016

Spoiler:


So for Christmas 2016 I decided to paint up a squad of Chaos Marines for my brother that likes the Emperors Children scheme. I am happy with how this squad turned out overall.

During this work I tried out a few more techniques to add to the repotoire and details are on the completion post on page 11 if you are interested in more info

Leaders:





Close combat:



Banner and guns:



The whole squad:



Christmas Marines completed Dec 2015

Spoiler:
I have two brothers, they like Emperors Children and World Eaters pre-heresy colour schemes. So for Christmas 2015 I painted up three tactical marines, one Imperial Fist (mine), one World Eaters (bro one), and Emperors Children (bro two) to represent the three brother idea. I enjoyed painting these models and it was my first time doing decals and weathering, along with yellow and white power armour, I was happy with how these came out. They have a Green/Red Genestealer head on each base as a "signature" that I painted them up for Christmas.









Cheers.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/04/28 02:03:48


Post by: SBG


Post 'em up! Can't wait to see what you've got together.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/05/04 06:51:10


Post by: Mad..


What I decided on paper was this:

- Models primed with black
- skin drybrushed with Night blue
- carapace stipple brushed with golden yellow
- teeth, claws, scything talons etc based with night blue and finished with ultramarine blue
- flesh based with goblin green (including ribbed tendon things that are in skin)
- finished with gloss varnish to give the shiny alien effect.

Over one weekend I sat down with three models, a Termagant with spinefists, a hormagaunt, and a genestealer with scything talons. These guys are my test models so I can have a play with different brush techniques, see how different combinations work and get some practice in. I found that the above original idea was too basic, and as you will see below it has evolved overtime, much like a hive fleet should.

I am glad I sat down with test models and had a play, it really helped me suss out what would work and what was going to give me the effect I'm after, I have also learnt a lot since getting into the painting proper as you will see over the following pages, and I have refined how I am doing things a couple of times.

OK here are some photos as promised, please remember these are test models, and I did learn a bunch of stuff doing these up

Genestealer with base layers and stipple carapace done (hormagaunt in background):



Shot of the spinegant showing off the stippling:



The three test models varnished and looking shiny:



And the next project, three man warrior squad with basecoats complete:



Bit of an update on how the Warrior squad is going, all the paint is on them now, just need to get their skin gloss coated and matt coat the carapace and talons etc.



Still learning and experimenting a bit as I go, here is a picture of the carapace effect with different thicknesses of paint used:



The difference is quite noticeable. Personally I like the left and right ones more than the middle one. Middle one had the thinnest paint on it.

C&C welcomed.

This week I'm thinking of painting up either some tyrant guard, or some zoanthropes.

I failed a bit with my primer on the gaunt squads, so need to give them some more primer before I get stuck into them.

Oh and basing materials and a exocrine/Haruspex kit is on the way.

Cheers.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/05/04 20:33:25


Post by: James811


Love the skin colour and the carapace, I'm not a fan of the blue claws etc though, I'd try them a mid grey tone personally but that's just my opinion. Will look go when you've got loads done!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/05/05 06:26:31


Post by: Mad..


Hmmmm, thanks for your thoughts.

I've got a random single metal ravener that I can test paint with grey instead of blue claws to see how it looks. Will give it a whirl and throw up some pictures


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/05/18 06:25:56


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

I have been playing around with the colours of the claws and talons etc as I felt the blue I had was too bright...

Now it is a base of Imperial blue with Ultramarine blue highlight... I like it a lot more

Also I am dry brushing the skin with Imperial blue over the top of the night blue, which really makes the skin look better.

Here is the Warrior squad all varnished and shiny! (photo isn't the greatest, they look better in real life)



So now they just need basing which I am testing a red mars/Ayers rock colour scheme on my test models.

In the mean time, I have done some work on a Broodlord and 2x Tyrant Guard:



I am 90% happy with how my models are turning out and the scheme I have got going, one thing I am struggling a bit with is the tendon bits that poke through the skin. I'm finding it tricky to get a smooth finish to them without getting onto the skin again, and at times it is looking messy. So any tips would be welcomed!

I'm thinking I might need to thin the paint a bit more when hitting those areas and just do some lighter coats...

So thats where I am up too, next update will probably be based Warriors, Broodlord and Guard, along with a start on two zoanthropes.

Thanks for reading!







Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/05/20 02:03:59


Post by: Knightley


Really like the stippling on the carapace's very bug like and well painted. The only thing I'm not sold on is the blue claws, I can see you are trying to get a contrasting colour to the Yellow of the carapace and Blue being the stark contrast makes sense, the downside is the blue claws don't 'pop' for me. It might be the base colour of the blue is to light to begin with? so highlighting up to a bright blue perhaps changes the colour balance to much if you are happy sticking with blue, perhaps start with the darkest blue you have (or mix in a tiny bit of black) then when you wash/highlight the over all look might pop better, or perhaps instead of layering along the claw try a cow horn approach as below?
Spoiler:


The toughest bit I find with painting small bits is getting paint over the edges and onto other parts of the model and for a while I used a blutac substitute (sadly I can't recall the name) where I would 'mask' off the area around so the blutac would get the paint and the rest of the model would be fine. It might be you have to much paint in the body of the brush and this leads to overspill, hard to say without seeing you paint

Hope that helps.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/05/20 22:55:36


Post by: Mad..


Hi Knightley,

The next lot of claws I paint up I am looking at using Night blue, up to imperial blue, and then smaller amount of ultramarine blue, which is similar to what you are saying I believe. The ones above actually have a base of ultramarine blue underneath the imperial (because I changed my mind) which makes it brighter than I wanted. If this doesn't work, then I'll give the cow horn approach a crack.

Blutac masking sounds like a good idea, I'll give that a go if I can't get my technique sorted, but I am confident that as I get more practice in I'll sort it out . I am learning HEAPS sitting down painting these up, I'd love to crack into a MC, but I want to do the big guys well, so figured I'd practice on smaller bugs to get my techniques and scheme threshed out.

Thank you for your thoughts and advice, much appreciated by this newbie painter, and glad you like the carapace.

Another update coming soon, I'm just playing with some basing materials on the test models and will get some photos up in next few days.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/05/25 06:45:05


Post by: Mad..


Update time.

Been good progress this week

*disclaimer* Got a new camera this week, so am getting used to it

Firstly, got some basing testing done, and I am really liking what I have got going.

I base the model with PVA and a layer of army painter black battleground with some battlefield rocks randomly placed, then a layer of Gory red paint, and a highlight/drybrush of bloody red. Looks like Red desert/Mars type of colour. I've got a few tufts to throw on here and there , will also be putting some debris, other army "bits" and things like that on the bigger bases, but here is a photo of what I'm up to thus far with the basing:



I have also started working on my Zoanthropes, and have base coated them, and done the carapace and skin work, so here is a couple of photos of how they are coming along:




I feel I'm really getting into the swing of painting models up now and feeling a lot more confident and the work I am doing is getting more accurate and looking better. I'm constantly trying little things like paint thickness, different brushes etc to get the effects I'm after.

Anyhow back to the models, the Tyrant guard and Broodlord have now been varnished and are ready to be based I really love how the Broodlord has turned out:




And for a bit of fun I did a little group photo of everything done so far in it's various stages of completion:



This week I'm looking at getting the zoanthropes finished, and get everything else based so I have some stuff I can say is actually complete

My question for the week is.... does anyone still do a spray can gloss varnish? I have found plenty of the matte varnish in spray cans but not gloss, reason I'm asking is I don't really fancy brush varnishing all my troops! Big bugs and elites etc I'm happy to do it on... but that many gribblies is intimidating, so if anyone can suggest a product that would be great. I thought GW or Army painter used to do them, but haven't found any on my searches.

Thanks for reading, comments welcomed!




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/06/04 07:30:29


Post by: Mad..


Hey all update time.

So have done the gory red paint layer on the bases:



And a close up:



Next up is to give them a quick highlight of bloody red and throw a couple of tufts onto them.

On my bigger models I will have more interesting things on the bases, like skulls, and detritus of war etc.

Also done a wash on the brains of the zoanthropes, I am trying something a little different and I have done a goblin green wash over the top of dark green base colour. Most of the time you see a dark wash over a light base for brains, so thought I'd try the other way. Next move is to pick out the high bits with dark green again to really get the contrast going. I'll get a photo next update because I really like it

Thanks for reading, as always C&C welcomed.





Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/06/15 06:38:51


Post by: Mad..


Well, first phase of painting is all done including bases. I am happy with the overall look.

There is some individual things I would like to fix up, but here is what is finished thus far:

The three "experiments"



Warrior squad with rending claws and scything talons.



Tyrant guard, which are annoying to get underneath to do the base... learnt something there for sure



The broodlord, who I reckon looks really good. and is my favourite painted up model thus far.



And a group shot



And ongoing updates, zoanthropes are painted up and varnished, just need basing.

The pair front and back:



And a close up the brain, been a bit different and gone with a light wash over a darker base colour, as opposed to the normal darker over light base. Not sure if I will keep this for the rest of the army, especially the Tervigon birthing sacs... something to think about for me anyway.



Next up, starting on a troop brood, eight termagants primed and ready to get painted up this week.



I am happy with how I am progressing both with amount that has been painted up, and the improving quality of my work. Really happy receiving any c&c as I know there is a heap of experience out there which I am happy to tap into.

Thanks.






Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/06/21 09:08:34


Post by: dwez


Loving the mottled yellow, ou have a recipe and that's working for you so that's a great start. I'm loving the red planet basing and they really make the army come together as whole.

My advice to take them to the next level is I'd look into using a wash in the joins between the Chitin Plates just to define where each one is Devlan Mud [or equivalent] should do or even a blue? Definitely a black wash around the base of the Scything Talons, where they join the hand would fade them nicely into the blue, similar to the way GW do their Hive Fleet Kraken claws.

Then perhaps just add some lighter highlights of yellow on the edges, again it'll add a little more definition to the model. Good luck with it.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/06/23 03:14:01


Post by: Mad..


Hi dwez,

Glad you like the red planet basing, I thought I'd go with something a little less common and I really like how it is turning out.

I definitely want to get my hands onto a couple of washes, as it is something I would like to expand my painting ability with, and I was looking at doing washes over the flesh parts of the models, like brains, feeder tubes, birthing sacs etc. You have given me food for thought on the ST and the chitin plates as well.

Thanks for your thoughts!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/07/06 06:47:56


Post by: Mad..


Time for an update.

Zoanthropes completed and based:



And gaunt squad is coming along:



Dwez has suggested I make use of a wash on the chitin/carapace joints of the models, so I have experimented doing a blue wash over the whole area just to see how it turned out (gaunt on right)




While it has worked well in terms of shading the joints, it has also darkened the overall effect too much for my liking.

So tomorrow I will do another model with just the joints done (as Dwez suggested) and the rest of the carapace left at it's normal colour... I agree with dwez that I need to do something to show or shadow the joints a bit more, especially on the bigger guys.

Watch this space for update, should have some new photos tomorrow.

PS: Does wash go onto varnish ok? Just thinking future of doing the wash on the existing completed models that are already varnished, I'd hate to have to strip already haha.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/07/13 06:46:51


Post by: Mad..


Dwez.... thank you for your suggestion of the wash in the joins of the chitin. I've done just that (used a blue wash)and the effect is awesome, So far I have done it on the Termagant brood I am currently working on, and the Warrior and Tyrant guard broods that I had already "finished".

I experimented a bit with highlighting edges as well, but I really wasn't liking it as it made it look a bit strange with the mottled/stippled look of the chitin pattern, so I am going to stick with washing the joins. I have also started washing the claws and talons on the models with the same blue wash as I have found it is blending them a lot nicer and overall getting a good look. Overall the washing has made my chitin stand out a lot more and looks more realistic and bug like, so thanks again dwez for the suggestion, I have added this to my "recipe"

Warriors chitin as it was:



Warrior brood chitin as it is now:



Tyrant guard as they were:



Tyrant guard as they are:



I think most people will agree that this makes the models look alot better overall as the chitin doesn't look so blended and washed out and I actually have some definition of the plates of chitin now.

As mentioned above have been continuing to work on the Termagant brood as well.

Chitin is complete, all base coating and washes are done, pretty much just need to put down my greens and purples on top of the white based bits, do a bit of tidy up and they are ready for varnish and basing.



Next update should be zoanthropes chitin washed, along with Termagant brood near completion.

I really need to do something about a lightbox. Relying on daylight means half the time my photos don't come out very good at all

Thanks for stopping by and having a look dakka!





Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/07/13 21:31:19


Post by: Knightley


I really do like that left most Warrior, his carapace looks amazing, the others do as well, but the left most one is just off the chain

What's next on the build list?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/07/14 03:00:50


Post by: Mad..


Hi Knightley - I agree that the left most warriors carapace looks the best, would you believe it was due to a newbie mistake that I got it looking that good? I had the bottle of golden yellow paint stored upside down, and when I squeezed a drop out I wasn't paying attention and didn't notice it was very thick and very pigmented (didn't shake bottle enough). Did the first couple of stipples and noticed how awesome it looked. I haven't been able to get it to look like that since.

What is next on the build list? Well I have a Exocrine and gargoyle brood unstarted, and I'm working on a building a second lictor currently and painting them both up once the termagant brood is done.

My primed and ready to paint list is pretty big though:

2x Carnifex
Walking Hive tyrant
Trygon
Tervigon
Warrior Brood 2
Hive guard
Lictor
Bunch of troops - Termagants, stealers, rippers and hormagaunts.
Crashed aquila lander terrain piece (going to do same red planet theme as army)

Actually I'm going to alter my original post with to build, to paint and completed lists now.

I'm thinking I might be ready to paint one of the big bugs after I finish the two lictors, I've been holding off so I can make my "mistakes" and refine my techniques on the smaller guys so it's not as obvious overall



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/07/21 06:27:32


Post by: Mad..


Have finished all the little tricky bits on the termagant brood, so just need to a few tidy ups here and there and then they are ready for their gloss coat and basing:




Have also done the wash in the chitin joints on the zoanthropes, so they are done too.

Next up after the termagants are finished, I'm trying to decide between painting up the two lictors or a carnifex. I'm currently leaning towards a carnifex


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/07/21 20:48:26


Post by: Knightley


Going to be an awesome looking brood thats for sure, I vote Carnifex btw.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/04 06:33:10


Post by: Mad..


Time for an update.

All the previous completed models have had the chitin joins reglossed after they were washed, and it has blended it better and the models are looking really good! Unfortunately the photos failed, so next update I'll have a group shot of what is completed so far, which I'm going to put in the first post and update that photo each time I complete a brood/MC.

In the meantime my brother saw this blog and asked me to have a crack at his Chaos Lord in terminator armour. So I said why not, it's all good practice for me. Brother wants him done up like pre-heresy Emperors Children, so that's what I'm working towards.

Here is the said model... first base layers done with a bit of drybrushing on the cloak fur and rock.




So next update will hopefully be next layers of paint on the lord along with the termagant brood all glossed and based

Cheers.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/04 17:22:52


Post by: Warboss_Waaazag


Looks good so far. Nice, clean painting.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/04 20:33:57


Post by: Knightley


Agreed, nice and clean so far, looking forward to what you do with the layering


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/06 06:31:31


Post by: Mad..


In Hive Fleet Ngaro news, I picked up a Flying Hive Tyrant and Warrior Box for pretty much half price today, so added to the construction pile!

With Chaos Sorcerer have done second layers on most parts, the purple over the base is much more Emperors Children The cloak and skulls have had extra coats put on, and I dry brushed the grey spikey bits with a charcoal grey colour which has come out nice.

Not sure if I need to do more on the gold, as it looks ok with only one coat? My next steps from here are some highlighting on the cloak and skulls etc before applying washes.

Here is current progress photos:

And UGH... I've just seen those mold lines on the power pack vents on the back... I'll clean them up for my brother I think because they will bug me!






Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/12 07:07:17


Post by: Mad..


Update time.

My flying hive tyrant and warrior brood have arrived, so added them to the "too make" pile

I have been doing a bunch of looking around here in NZ to try and find some spray on gloss varnish, and looks like I found a shop that sells Krylon Clear Coat Acrylic which a lot of people online seem to recommend, so I will buy a can of that and get my termagant brood finished up.

In the meantime I have kept working on my brothers Chaos Sorcerer in terminator armour.

Since last update have done another layer on the cloak (50/50 gory red/blood red), some more work on the skulls (50/50 dead white/bone white), and tried to tidy up the eye on staff and shoulder (50/50 Gold yellow/sun yellow) along with a small bit of black on the tip of each spiky bit to give them a warp fire scorched look. Next up I'm going to do a bit more highlighting on the same things, along with some more work on the gold as it is patchy in places. Once these are done then I'm going to do some washes, at this stage I am thinking mostly using sepia, what about blue on the armour? Might go ok?




Cheers for checking in



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/12 20:29:18


Post by: Knightley


Starting to see that cloak really start to come together, how much more time will you be putting into it?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/13 20:15:54


Post by: Mad..


Hi Knightley,

I am really happy with how the cloak is turning out thus far. As to how much more time will I put into the model. Well my plan is:

Highlight cloak, skulls, eyes and weapon some more. Tidy up the gold, then give the model a wash with mainly sepia wash, maybe a blue for the armour, then do a bit more highlighting and I'd hope by then it would be about done.

How long will that take me... no idea, several more hours left to go I'd imagine, I guess it will take me as long as I need to make it look good


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/24 06:52:22


Post by: Mad..


So had a finecast Lictor bought for me as a present. Thought I'd put it together.

Annoyed at the quality of this model... the connection nubs at the end of the rending arms were almost non existent and had huge holes where resin was missing, and took a bunch of extra work with putty to fix the issue. Might be a one off, but is my first fine cast build and not terribly impressed.

Anyhow, here it is (bursting from the trees haha), posed differently from my other lictor and has a bit of rock to stand on



Brothers in arms...



Next up will be an update on the termagant brood, finally got the gloss coating done and working on basing now.





Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/24 06:57:28


Post by: angelofvengeance


Really interesting paint scheme for your Nids there Mad . Looks like a really natural insect-like carapace. Great job!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/24 23:32:01


Post by: Knightley


With your Lictors have you pinned any of the joints? I had to pin most of my finecast as the connections were terrible.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/25 05:48:38


Post by: SBG


I know it was a ways back, but you mentioned that you were looking for gloss spray. Don't forget to check your local hardware store or home paint shop - they often have gloss enamel in spray for woodworkers and metalworkers. I get all my primers and sprays from the local paint shop. Cheers!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/25 07:35:29


Post by: Mad..


angelofveneance - thanks for compliment, I really love the way the chitin is turning out, pretty much what was in my head

knightley - no, haven't pinned any joints. The primed one is metal and has been together for years, the new one is finecast, and I'll guess we will see how long he lasts before fix it ups are needed.

SBG - After looking around on the net I found a bunch of people were using Krylon Clear coat 1303, got some from my local art supply shop I have used it on the termagant squad and it works well.

Speaking of which... here is an update on that brood - glossed and with gravel base done, just need to paint up the bases, add some foliage and done!



I also pulled out an old brood of termagants that I painted up 10+ years ago, I think I have gotten better, at least the scheme is a lot better anyhow here is a couple of comparison shots




Cheers


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/08/31 06:28:48


Post by: Mad..


Termagant brood all finished:




Have done washes on the Chaos dude. Used sepia on skulls, cloak and other bits and pieces, and I used blue on the armour and gold bits. I'm still happy with the red cloak, the next part is what is going to make or break it I feel.

So will work on tidying up and highlighting after the wash and then I think he is almost done, showed him to my brother before the washes and he thought it looked awesome, so I have a happy client




Meanwhile, this guy is the next on the Hive fleet Ngaro paint list, why it has painted hoofs and vents I have no idea... I'll fix that when I base coat him in next few days.



Thanks for checking in!



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/03 06:26:37


Post by: Knightley


Wow, seeing the comparisons between the termagaunt broods certainly is interesting! such vibrant paint used on the older models, how do you feel about the difference? nice to see how far you've come? Proud that you were able to get the paint in between the lines?

Now question about the purple, It might be the photo however the purple looks quite flat, I think I can see some shadows in the recesses but the highlighting seems lacking? If that's what your brother is looking for please ignore my comments.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/03 07:32:34


Post by: Mad..


Hah, yes it is awesome seeing the comparison from old to new paint jobs on the termagants, helps keep me motivated to keep going and improving on the painting side of the hobby.

In regards to the chaos lord, that purple power armour is dead flat with a bit of wash on it at the moment, funnily enough I have just been looking at your Kharn and Abbadon to get an idea of how I might highlight it... my brother has no idea what he wants so I have artistic licence on the armour

I know what I want to do on the gold, cloak on the rest, but the power armour is slowing me down for sure.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/07 10:01:32


Post by: Mad..


Pretty much finished with the Chaos Sorcerer, highlights have all been done, although some are a bit thicker than I would have liked. However, this is the first time I have ever painted something that isn't a Tyranid, so I am actually pretty happy with how this has come out.

My brother loves it, so success I guess

It needs to be matte varnished and some gravel on the black bits of base, but apart from that I'm about done I think. C&C welcome.










Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/07 20:00:25


Post by: Knightley


Highlighting on the armour brings the whole thing together!

You did miss a good opportunity to put a pupil on the staff's eye, but apart from that you should be stoked with how it came out. Back to the nids now?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/10 06:57:04


Post by: Mad..


The highlighting made it all come together very well. I am very happy with how it came out for a first time effort, I'll pop a pupil onto that eye before I varnish it up and give it to my brother.

Yip, back to the nids!

So the carnifex a couple of posts above is what I have been chipping away at. First I got rid of the random bone white paint on the hoofs and vents, then I pulled him off that base which was a bit of a mission but I managed.

I have almost finished all the basic colourings and fex is almost ready for his washes, forgive the hands in the following images, do you think I could get the silly creature to balance for photo time?





All the greens will be washed (dark with light, and light with dark), I'll also be washing the blue spikey bits and exposed skull, and finishing his chitin with blue wash at the joints.

I'll throw up another update when progress has been made.

Thanks for checking in.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/11 06:09:34


Post by: Knightley


Yeah that carapace is the bee's knee's


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/17 07:00:12


Post by: SBG


I keep coming back to the Zoanthropes. The paintjobs on those are fantastic! The Carnifex carapace is pretty kickin' rad too


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/21 06:40:47


Post by: Mad..


Knightley - I reckon it is pretty sweet!

SBG - Zoanthropes came out nice, I especially like the brains.

I've been on a mini holiday with my family so was nice to relax... now back to the painting.

Here is some update photos with the washes (greens, carapace joints, claws etc) done... onto highlighting now.





Thanks for stopping by.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/22 03:40:58


Post by: Knightley


That tail is pretty cool, I like the might brighter look to it compared to the rest of the model. What plans do you have to highlight it?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/23 02:27:13


Post by: Mad..


At the moment I'm thinking I will hit the ends of the spikey bits with a bit of imperial blue and then edge highlight said spikes with some ultramarine blue to try and make it all pop.

Never know how it is going to look until I try I guess.

I did the first bit of highlighting on the model last night, will do some more tonight and then post some more update photos... better start working on his base as well I guess


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/09/28 06:38:37


Post by: Mad..


Evening all,

Overdue for an update I reckon.

I am thinking of altering my scheme ever so slightly. Instead of doing the whole model as a gloss coat I am thinking I will use Matte varnish on the yellow carapace bits and leave the skin and tubes etc glossy and shiny to give it that slimy aliens look that I'm after, will add a bit more visual impact to the model as it will differentiate the skin to carapace better. I'm going to hit my test models carapace with some matte varnish shortly to see how it works out, but that is the plan at this point.

Have finally sussed out those little tendon things in the skin... I was struggling with getting them to look good, which has been solved by a dark green wash going over the white and goblin green paint which helps to make them pop and get the shading between the ribbed bits back. I am still putting a bit too much paint onto them, but I am improving which is the main thing I guess

I've started reading articles on how to photograph minis better, and am learning a bunch of stuff about lighting and white balance and stuff, so will work on getting better photos onto here as we go.

Carnifex is coming along really nicely. Pretty much everything is done on the creature now, just some minor things to do like a bit of work on eyes, then onto varnish time.



Bit of a focus on the exposed skull, done the same colour as claws and teeth etc, as it it bone after all.


I have also begun working on the base. I have taken one of the tyranid terrain pieces that come with some kits and am painting it up similar to the fleet, I'll then do my red planet theme on the rest with a rock here and there... here is a photo complete with the fex foot hold from when I popped him off the base which will be fixed up as I go.



Here is a bit of a close up for Knightley of the tail mace



Thanks for stopping by.




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/05 05:41:39


Post by: Mad..


Hey all,

Weather has been windy as heck so haven't been able to get outside to spray the gloss coat onto the carnifex... figured I wouldn't waste the time I had did some work on the base:



And then did some base coating on a trygon that I'm going to paint up next. I know it isn't a popular bug this edition, but I built it when it first released, and I still love the model. Can always use as a counts as Mawloc until I get an actual mawloc model



Hopefully have completed fex pics in next few days along with an update on the trygon.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/12 05:36:00


Post by: Mad..


Evening all,

Firstly a question about home made light boxes for photos. I have been looking at how people make them, I have a box... I'm just wondering what is best for diffusion on top and sides, I've seen fabric used, baking paper, normal paper etc... so is one better than another, or does it not really matter as long as it diffuses the light well enough?

I am keen to get one up and running because as you can see in this blogs photos thus far, I have some work to do on the quality of the photos, and I know how to make them better. I'm setting white balance, using macro mode, got a decent camera etc.... Biggest issue is lighting!

Trygon is coming along nicely, almost all the bases laid and ready for washing:




And the Carnifex sporting the newer version of my "recipe" in that the carapace is no longer gloss with rest of model, the carapace is matt, the skin et al is still gloss. Adds a bit more visually to the model, and makes the gloss bits look more slimey like they do in aliens, which was the intention... also means the whole model doesn't look like glass.




I am slowly but surely going over my completed models and matt varnishing their carapace, once I get my lighting issues sorted and get better photos of them all I will post some up



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/12 08:08:04


Post by: Knightley


Suitable goopy and shiny, I like it!

For Lightboxes, I used to have 4 lights that are on stands and put baking paper over 100w white light bulbs then arranged them as I felt needed.
Now however I still have 4 lights on stands but have changed the bulbs for 2 60w Real light (for the top) and 2 100w Real light bulbs (for the front) all found at Bunnings has then in blue cardboard containers.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/12 20:48:02


Post by: Mad..


Hi Knightley,

So you don't use a light box at all? you just use lights with the diffusion on them and arrange to suit? Or is that your lighting config with the mini inside a light box?

You produce great quality photos, so I'll head to the hardware store and find the bulbs as per your recommendation.

Thanks


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/12 21:05:27


Post by: SBG


I like the carnifex, and I'm finding it funny how you and I have opposite gloss schemes. That slimy look on the skin is great!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/13 03:40:43


Post by: StolleMan


Love the carapace, very insectoid!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/13 07:21:35


Post by: Knightley


You got it, I just have a white bit of paper taped to the back of my writing desk and have two lights above the model and spread out (almost 45 degrees from centre) and have two lights facing front at about the same angle (means minimal shadows)

The brand for the bulbs are General Electric with the colour type daylight 60w and 100w (just as a heads up they get quite hot, so I turn the lights on only when I'm taking photos, managed to melt some plastic pegs I had on the lights due to the heat)


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/14 02:20:49


Post by: Mad..


SBG - Yip, I noticed we have gone opposite on our usage of gloss varnish, both look good though. I also notice we are both having "get better photo" moments

Stolleman - Thanks for the compliment, I am proud on how my carapace comes out.

Knightley - Hmmm, thanks for the input. I got a couple of lamps for cheap at Briscoes yesterday and got some bulbs for them today. Might fire it up tonight and see how it goes, I have found a box and got a roll of baking paper at home, so maybe I'll try a light box as well as it isn't going to cost me much to make one.

Coming soon... Mad tries to get decent photos of his Tyranids!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Okay so this is a bit earlier than I though... Kids went to bed really early so I had some time up my sleeve.

Made myself a light box.... sellotape, baking paper, a box, and a couple of lamps:



So I slapped in two white pieces of paper (will get one big one later) and this is what I got of the carnifex:

The photo as above before light box and lamps:



Similar angle, with auto white balance used on the camera:



And same angle with the white balance manually set:



Looking at the three shots, I actually think the second one looks the best, as the manually set white balance looks a bit washed out? Bear in mind that I have done nothing post production to the image, have no tripod, and have had to get right up close to the model due to using small pieces of paper.

I'm amazed at the difference just some small changes makes, and obviously have a a lot to learn, and some experimentation to do

What does everyone think Any advice is appreciated as I am very keen to learn and get better.






Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/19 05:18:18


Post by: Mad..


Update on the Trygon,

It is coming along really nicely, just got a bit of highlighting to do here and there, the base to do up and the varnishes.

Here is some progress shots:




I'm going to be playing around with a photo editor on the "light box" carnifex photos to see what difference I can make with post production work on the images.

Hoping I can have it sussed by time I have finished the Trygon.

I figure I should do a troop brood after trygon is complete, any requests?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/19 19:13:45


Post by: Knightley


I reckon Troop choice, if only to flesh out your army

Also I really really really like that carapace you've got going on, so good!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/19 22:13:51


Post by: Mad..


I'm thinking that as a rule moving forward I should go with a brood choice, then big bug as a "reward" and to break up painting so many troops. I'd hate to get towards the end of painting the army up and just have the small bugs left to do.

Plus like you say I will actually have painted enough models to actually start playing a few games with.

I think you have mentioned once or twice how much you like the carapace ... I'm really glad that you guys are jumping in here and are commenting on how much your liking the carapace pattern, as I reckon it is pretty eye catching and bug like. Helps stay motivated when painting a horde army too


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/27 04:52:10


Post by: Mad..


Almost there on the Trygon:




Just got to paint up that basing and he is ready to go

Has been fun painting it up, once I have finished the basing I'll pop it into the light box for a proper photo session and we will see how that goes

Next up I'm going to peel out the six ripper bases, as I reckon they will be nice and quick to finish up, and will then move onto a eight strong brood of genestealers.... why genestealers? Because I have loved genestealers since I first encountered them in Milton Bradleys Space Crusade board game and Space Hulk of course. They are the reason I looked at Tyranids when I started playing/collecting 40k... I wanted to have genestealers.

Cheers


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/29 19:01:58


Post by: Knightley


Ooooh genestealers..... are they going to have anything that sets them apart from the fleet? (going by the fluff that they try to get away from the hive fleet when it gets close)


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/10/29 22:25:20


Post by: Mad..


I have two eight model broods of genestealers to paint up. One brood is modelled with scything talons and one is modelled with all rending claws like a "purestrain" should look like.

With the fluff side (Ignoring Ymargls for now), genestealer broods are used within hive fleet armies as vanguard assault and shock troops, and you also have the infiltrating cult ones that try to stay away from the hive fleet.

I also have a broodlord who is already painted up in the hive fleet scheme, so my plan is that the brood with the scything talons will be led by the broodlord and they will be standard Ngaro paint scheme and are part of the hive fleet production line.

The other brood with rending claws will be the infiltrators that try to get away so I will paint them up in a scheme that is similar to the rest of the army so you know they are related to the fleet, but different enough to stand out. I'll also do different bases for them, and who knows maybe one day I'll find a patriarch model to go with them

What this special brood looks like.... well that's something I am working on. I could just reverse the scheme somewhat and go with blue stippling and yellow claws and teeth, so they are more stealthy than their hive fleet counterparts.

Happy to hear suggestions


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/11/02 05:51:17


Post by: Mad..


I have basically finished the Trygon... will get it into the lightbox and get some nice solo photos in the next day or two.

I say basically as I will be adding bits of tau (and perhaps fire warrior) to a bunch of the bases once I get them from my brother.

Meanwhile here is a couple of group shots of what I have completed so far I reckon the scheme works well when there is a group of them:




What I am really happy about is as I was pulling all these models out I had a look at the paintjobs, and I am glad to report that I am getting better as I go along! I didn't think I had improved all that much, but when I look at some of the first models and what I was doing compared to the carnifex and trygon which are the most recent completions and I can see a noticeable difference. This keeps me motivated to keep going and feeling good overall on the army paint up.

At this point I have painted up nine units out of the thirty I have to get through... so basically a third of the way there.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/11/03 00:38:33


Post by: Knightley


Looking impressive, I'm imagining copy pasting the picture multiple times to make a swarm and see what it all would look like (in my head its pretty awesome)


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/11/09 05:58:20


Post by: Mad..


Heh, cheers Knightley... I'm hoping that I won't have to copy paste images and that I'll have my whole army painted up in the not too distant future. Still several months away from completion I'd suggest.

Have been working away at the rippers, not much to see yet, so will post some progress pics in a few days. Also started building my Exocrine, looking at the kit thus far it looks like it will pretty easy to magnetise, so I might do that so I can make it a exocrine or a haruspex.

Trygon is all completed, here are the photos from his photo shoot in the new light box... still sussing out my lighting and what to alter in editing, but hey, looks better than previous "completed" photos I think you'll agree.






Thanks for checking in.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/11/09 19:32:06


Post by: Knightley


Looks good dude, One suggestion for the light box, you've got a paper line along the models base, I had the same thing in my photos when I started however I put a larger bit on top with the open edge facing the rear of the box, this stopped the line showing up in the pics, so hope this helps.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/11/11 06:17:02


Post by: Mad..


Yeah I know that piece of paper was waaaaay too small this is what it looked like full size:



I now have a pad of cartridge paper which is plenty big enough to cover the whole light box with on piece of paper, so that little problem should be solved.

Couple of new arrivals, first up I got some tyranid dice. Really nice, bone coloured with the classic genestealer purple, thinking I might use them as themed wound counters, or of course for those rolls that really matter



And I got these to use as objective markers for my army, they are done by secret weapon and are 25mm objective markers, three open eggs and three closed. If I don't use them for objective markers I can always use them as random little bits of scenery.








Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/11/11 20:01:32


Post by: Mad..


Rippers are coming along:



Just need to wash the carapace joins, and highlight the teeth and claws. (and base them) Then onto the genestealer squad.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/11/17 22:09:01


Post by: SBG


Rippers are looking good - I've always liked the little guys. Yours have an awesome bumblebee look!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/11/23 05:27:24


Post by: Mad..


SBG - Yeah I agree they do have a great bumblebee look going on, kind of a mini version of what I'm hoping the whole army looks like when I've finished painting it up

Here's an update with a very shoddy photo, sorry to say.

They just need their varnish coats and then based and done... I'll be honest, I struggled motivationally painting these guys, and I'm not sure why. But at least once they are done I can move on to bigger and better things, and at least I'll have two troops choices painted up for when I get back into the gaming side of things in the New Year.



My brother (the one I painted the Chaos Lord for) gave me a couple of random Leman Russ tanks that he got given. So I decided that as a bit of practice I would paint one up for him in his colours as a Christmas present.

Base coats done so far:




Like I say, they are his army colours.... pre heresy Emperors Children, and I'm using it as a chance to practice some techniques (like weathering) and on something I have never painted before (vehicle)

Oh yeah, I also built my Exocrine, he has a few join gaps that I'll fill in with some plastic putty before priming.



Thanks for checking in.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/11/30 05:23:21


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

My update for this week.

Exocrine join lines have been plastic puttied and it has been primed with black spray, so the big shooter goes onto the to paint list

Picked up a box of the new Venomthrope kit.... I'll be making the Neurothrope, and one venomthrope out of this kit.... what I do with the third, I'm not sure yet.... probably a second venomthrope as I already have two zoanthropes.



Rippers are coming along, they are varnished and I am just working on painting up the bases... will post photos once they are all complete.

Made a good start on my "pure strain" genestealer brood. This is the one that will be different in some ways to the main Hive Fleet Ngaro so will be darker and a bit more camo/darker overall, but still related. At this stage my plan is to do my normal carapace technique but with dark blue instead of yellow, and then the claws and teeth etc will be yellow. Also the skin will be a bit bluer. I have also ordered some "alien invasion" by secret weapon bases for them to further differentiate them from the main hive. Here is a progress photo of the genestealers so far, if you look closely you can see my carapace technique has been used on the little bits they have. Will get onto the claws and other bits this week.



The Leman Russ tank I'm doing up for my brother... was coming along awesome! I did a base layer of heavy violet, another 50/50 layer of heavy violet/hexed lichen and then did another layer of hexed lichen... hit the other parts with gold... it was looking awesome and I figured is was time to do the washes, sepia wash went fine on the guns, grey metal bits and looks good. The blue wash on the gold and purple however looks like this




Now, what I would really like is advice from experienced painters out there.
Did I use too much wash? Should I have only hit the areas I wanted to shade? Should I have done it after the initial base and before the next layers? Is the wash too thick? Is it a combination of all I have mentioned? Or something I haven't thought of?

Now I will be able to save it and make it look awesome again... I'd just like to understand what I did wrong? (if anything)

Thanks in advance for any help!




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/01 01:31:14


Post by: Mad..


Ok so I spent my lunch break reading up on washing tanks (don't get video at work) and general consensus seems to be that I should have only washed where I wanted shading as opposed to hitting the whole surface on a large model like a tank.

Ah well, will put this into the "gaining experience" bucket... onto fixing it up now and getting that nice purple colour my brother likes so much back.

If anyone has anything to add, feel free, I'm a happy learner



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/07 05:43:18


Post by: Mad..


Hi everyone,

Weekly progress update time.

Genestealer brood, I have done the green tendon bits in the skin. However the squad has stalled as I ordered two new paints and the different bases for these guys and the order has been held up, so hopefully I will get it all this week and can get some more work done on this brood!

Ripper swarms, just need their bases dry brushed and they are ready to go. Will pop them into the light box this week and get their photo shoot done... if I can keep them still long enough, they are always hungry!

Leman Russ, this week most of my hobby time has gone into this and progress is being made... I reckon I did ok in saving it! I have also had a crack at a glowing plasma type effect on the coils and under the main gun.





I'm going to tidy up a few bits of over spill, give it some highlighting and then I'll call it done... well in time to give it to my brother for Christmas

Thanks for checking in, as always advice is appreciated!



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/07 18:59:23


Post by: Knightley


Yeah you look to have saved the purple now, quite the cost in time to learn that mistake right


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/08 21:31:34


Post by: Mad..


 Knightley wrote:
quite the cost in time to learn that mistake right


Very much so... basically had to redo all the purple work on the armour that I had already done.

Have learned my lesson, now I can get on with finishing it up... I'm glad I gave myself plenty of time to get it done or else I'd be under a lot of time pressure for Christmas Day delivery.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/12 17:11:35


Post by: SBG


Looking forward to seeing the Genestealers finished - I've a squad to build and might draw some inspiration from you there!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/14 05:37:47


Post by: Mad..


Ask and you shall receive SBG, update time!

The two paints I ordered arrived with the bases for the Genestealers, so I decided to lay of the Leman Russ for a while and do some work on the brood, here it is with all the base coating done:



This week I will do washes and highlights on the greens and yellows (so they aren't so vibrant), a spray of gloss coat and that will be the models done, then I'll get these bases painted up for them:



They are secret weapon alien invasion bases. I reckon they will suit the brood perfectly, as it is a bunch of steel flight deck base with alien stuff growing onto them, will highlight the "space hulk" or sneakiness of the brood

I did some minor work on the Leman Russ, but not really noticeable, I'll finish the highlighting this week and share in next update.

Thanks for stopping by!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/21 06:09:20


Post by: Mad..


Genestealers are coming along nicely. All I need to do with them is do the varnishing and pop them onto the unique bases.



Have done base coats on the bases, while I work on these I am popping the stealers off their current sprue bit and getting the ready to be super glued onto these.



I have finished the rippers and the Leman Russ.

I put them into the lightbox last night to get their photos done up and ended up with a bit of a mess. Not sure if it was the settings on the camera, or I need more diffusion on the bulbs... what is happening is I am getting way to much light coming in from one side in particular and it seems to be washing out the images... here is a couple of examples:




Any advice would be appreciated as I'd like to be able to do nice photos of finished works

Thanks.



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/21 09:25:34


Post by: Knightley


Almost looks like one of the lights is facing back towards the camera (the right hand side)
What has worked for me is having two light foreward facing and two top down but far enough apart.

If the right stays bright attach some baking paper over the front and try again?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/21 23:07:29


Post by: Mad..


Hmmm, maybe I bumped the light and made it point back towards the camera a bit.

I'll set it back up in the next day or two and give it another crack. If I'm still getting the "glare" then I'll put some more baking paper on it to get more diffusion.

Or maybe my bulbs are just too bright.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/28 05:28:30


Post by: Mad..


Hi everyone.

Trust everyone is having a nice holiday season... unfortunately I drew the short straw and am working through... ah well.

Hive Fleet Santa dropped this in my lap on Christmas day, very much looking forward to getting it built and painted up! (be a while though)



Genestealers are nearing completion, I have finished their bases, popped them off their old boring black bases and super glued them all to the new ones. Just need their varnish work done and I'll get them into the lightbox!



Here is a close up of one of the bases, basic, but effective



What's next on the Hive Fleet Ngaro list? Well, I sat down and had a look at what I have painted up and something is missing.... an HQ. So if I want to get some small games in soon I'll need one of those. I have a metal hive tyrant who is magnetised. So I am going to paint it up, I have also grabbed the bone sabres out of the plastic Tyrant set I've got as I figure I'll make it so this beasty can be a Swarmlord or a tyrant seeing as though he is magnetised. Also gives me a chance to try out some "power weapon" lightning techniques on those bone sabres... I'll be using Knightleys guide but with different colour. So a bit of a shout out to Knightley



And lastly, I altered my lightbox set up every so slightly to try get rid of the glare problems I was having as mentioned above... I am happy to say the new photos looks a lot better. So I will sit down and edit the set and then upload it to dakka and add it to first page showcases. Here is an unedited one... you can see the difference from above.



Take care, have an awesome New Years Eve and I'll see you next year




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/28 22:12:45


Post by: Knightley


Aaaaw yeah, getting some swarmy up in here, Those bases look pretty amazing man, well done on them!

Have a great new years and I look forward to seeing a productive year from you


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2014/12/29 20:19:34


Post by: Mad..


Thanks Knightley. I'm pretty pleased with how those bases turned out and they make the whole brood look very cool.

Heh, I'm looking forward to 2015 hobby wise, I've gotten back into the hobby mid this year and have learned a lot about the painting side of things, so I'm going to be interested to see what sort of progress I make. I'm aiming to have the whole army completed by this time 2015, I'd say that is definitely achievable and takes into account going to Europe for 5-6weeks, daddy duties, sport commitments etc.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/04 05:46:39


Post by: Mad..


Happy New Year to everyone out there, hope 2015 is a good one.

So have got a bit of work done on the Swarmlord/Hive Tyrant here is how it looks currently:




And here are the images for the Leman Russ I painted up for my brother for Christmas, he was pretty stoked when he got it, so I guess it was a success!

I enjoyed painting it up, learned a lot doing it (like how NOT to wash a vehicle) and am looking forward to doing another one some day.







Now that I have got my lightbox and photos working better I'll start putting through the Hive Fleet Ngaro stuff I have completed through it, starting with the Genestealers I recently completed

Thanks all.




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/04 23:03:53


Post by: Knightley


Happy New Year Mate!

Looking pretty awesome on the Swarmy, can't wait to see how you go with his bone swords!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/06 21:48:12


Post by: Mad..


Yeah I'm looking at using your Purple power weapon lightning technique on his bone sabres, I'm going to do a bit of practice on some sprue or cardboard first to try get my eye in, and then I'll give it a crack on the sabres.


Being a New Year I have been having a think, and I came to this conclusion:

2014 was me getting back into things after a long hiatus and starting to finally paint up my army. Was slow but steady progress and got a lot done, main achievement was gaining some skills and confidence in actually painting, and photography

2015, my goals are:

- Get all currently owned tyranids modelled and painted.
- Paint up the terrain pieces I have to match Hive Fleet.
- Actually play some games... haven't had a rumble on the table since fourth edition
- Keep learning and getting better... I'm still pretty new, so easy goal this one

These may seem pretty simple but I have a big year coming up including trip to Europe with family etc, so we will see how I go. I'm confident I'll get the army painted up and some games played.

I got the Genestealer squad into the lightbox last night, so I just need to edit and upload the pictures... watch this space


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/07 19:56:44


Post by: Ratius


Nice going on your Swarmy Mad. Is it the same model as Hissys one?
Are you going to kitbash it at all?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/07 23:15:34


Post by: Mad..


I believe it is the same model as Hissys one. It's the metal hive tyrant model from around fourth edition. It's a heavy model for sure.

I have it magnetised so am hoping to put that to good use, at this stage I am working on the bone sabres from the plastic hive tyrant/swarmlord kit to get them magnetised and painted up for this model., from there, I'll probably magnetise a bunch of other weapon options so I can use it as a standard tyrant if needed.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/11 05:49:52


Post by: Mad..


Hi readers,

Weekly update! I have made good progress on the Swarmlord/Hive Tyrant. All the washes are done, just need to pick out some details in the carapce, highlight the blue claws and give the whole thing its varnish work.




Here is some photos of the genestealer brood I completed recently.

Group shot, then a pair front and rear and then lastly is close up of one of the bases.






I'm still learning with the photography and editing the images afterwards... I'm finding it more frustrating than the painting learning curve if I'm honest.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/11 11:03:22


Post by: alabamaheretic


Very nice Mad! i really dig em. they are utterly disgusting in the best kinda of way. how did you get that mottled effect thats really neat and i think i might try to recreate that on a few of my bugs. Oh Grendel has spawned...and as rousing from its mellinia long slumber ready to consume biomass...


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/11 20:11:50


Post by: Mad..


Thanks Alabamaheretic, I like how they are turning out.

My mottled effect on the chitin plates is pretty simple.

Base coat the chitin with black, then using golden yellow straight from the bottle I dabble/stipple it on using a brush in a random pattern until all the chitin is covered, then I use a blue wash in the chitin joins, and finish it off with some black in the little cuts and grooves details the chitin has and it is varnished with a matt varnish.

The application of the golden yellow did take me a bit of practice, if you look at some of my earlier work, the chitin isn't as good as it is coming out now, I was experimenting with thickness and amount of paint and those other little things that you don't click to until you are actually doing it


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/12 20:59:05


Post by: Mad..


So I went to a gaming store yesterday to pick up a black wash... made the mistake of checking the specials section. They had two fine cast hive guard at 50% off. After checking the casts were ok I ended up buying them both.

So I now have 91 models to get painted up during 2015


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/13 07:15:18


Post by: Knightley


Ooooh which gaming store having a bargain bin?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/13 20:14:28


Post by: Mad..


Vagabonds in Auckland CBD have a spot on a shelf where they have 50% off some things. Most of the time it is older models in blister packs, codexes and stuff like that, but sometimes something pops up that are something I need

Like two finecast hive guard... goes well with my metal one to at least get a three strong brood.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/18 05:48:34


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

Update time! Have finished painting up the swarmlords body this week, just needs the arms and basing done now... no photo though, came out really blurry for some reason.

I have however got a photo of where I am up to with the arms (little bit washed out due to sunny day, but you get the idea)



The four bone sabres are obviously for the Swarmlord, and I just need to do the power weapon lightning effect on the blades from here and attach them to the rest of the model. Also in that photo is a Tau fire warrior arm and a ripper which will be going onto the base of swarmy. The crushing claws are for a yet to be painted Tervigon, but I figured while I had paints out for the other arms I might as well not waste any paint, so did them up as well.

So I am loving how the swarmlord and sabres have come out thus far, next up is getting that lightning into the blades, which I'm a little nervous about as it may make or break the model... hence why I thought I'd do it on a fresh session

I also learned something very very useful this week. Paint dry times. All tutorials and advice say make sure one layer is dry before starting on next layer, but never really mention how long this should be. As it turns out, I was being waaaaay to cautious with my dry times. I was basically doing a layer and then leaving it overnight before doing anymore on that layer... as you can imagine that made things very slow, so I asked Knightley for a bit of advice and came up with rule of thumb that if the paint is still shiny, its still wet, if its matt, its dry. Well... I managed to get everything on the photo above done in one session, instead of what would have taken me several days. So I am veeeery happy to have learned this! Thanks Knightley.

Cheers for checking in. Should see a completed Swarmlord next week and a good start made on a bunch of gribblies, 15 gaunts is next on list.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/18 09:21:25


Post by: Vespa


Nice work! I really like your carapace!

I almost bought those half price hive guard at Vagabond myself, then I remembered that I already 6 metal and 2 finecast ones.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/18 19:59:06


Post by: Mad..


Hi Vespa,

Thanks for the compliment, I really like the carapace as well. Worked just as well on the model as it did in my head when I was coming up with the scheme.

I only had one metal hive guard, so was in the market to at least get a brood together, so the 50% off encouraged me

Nice to meet you here on dakkadakka as well, always good meeting other kiwis on here


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/18 22:28:52


Post by: Ratius


Looking goodssss Mad


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/19 06:37:44


Post by: StolleMan


Looking forward to the Swarmlord pics!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/19 07:35:53


Post by: Knightley


Arms look like they are off to a great start, can't wait to see how you do the blades!

Happy to help with the advice btw, helping the community strengthens it.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/19 20:00:10


Post by: Mad..


Ratius wrote:Looking goodssss Mad


Are you waiting to see if my swarmlord can distract the sisters from Swarmy Hissy?

StolleMan wrote:Looking forward to the Swarmlord pics!


I'm really excited about getting it finished up, should be completely done by next "update".

Knightley wrote:Arms look like they are off to a great start, can't wait to see how you do the blades!

Happy to help with the advice btw, helping the community strengthens it.


I should be giving them a crack tonight, I've been drawing on a piece of paper trying to suss out how it is going to work and look. Strange thing for me is that there is four of them, and I figured they will be at different points of lightning pulses, so I've been trying out different shapes and styles on my paper before putting paint to the blades.

Fingers crossed it comes out as well in reality as it is in my head


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/19 21:22:55


Post by: AnUnearthlyChilde


Consider yourself followed

I've scan read this, so forgive me if I've missed stuff. Two things jump out for me from what I've seen. The Tyranids dice you got, contact gw, as the dice don't match the picture on the tin. Its a known issue with them, and I've heard a lot of people got replacements. The second thing is your stippling for the carapace, I'm assuming you've used a sponge, and I've a couple of tips which may help you. First is, don't over load whatever your using to stipple with, as it can go one too heavy which is a pain to remove. The second tip is, when stippling, you need three colours of whatever colour you want to stipple. a base, a midtone, and the highlight. As I say, don't overload your tool, and build each colour up in turn, that way you add depth to it, as well as a highlights. Also, I suggest adding a highlight to the edges of yellow which meet the edges of carapace, a 1-1 ratio of the yellow you've used and white should do, as it'll just make it pop that bit more.

Hope your ok with the advice lol, but I do love what I've seen so far and look forward to seeing more!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/19 21:41:42


Post by: Mad..


Always good to have new followers, welcome

The dice, I see what you mean and I have read a post here on dakka about them now. Thanks.

Actually I use a brush for my carapace effect and have a pretty specific way that I do it. At this stage I'm going to leave it as is as I like how it looks and want to get rest of army done. I can always experiment with edge highlights and other tones later on down the track as it will be relatively easy to add some paint to the carapace parts of the models

And advice... please feel free anytime. I am still learning a heap with this side of the hobby, and am constantly learning, so advice is welcomed.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/19 21:45:37


Post by: AnUnearthlyChilde


That's cool then lol. Didn't want to offend by offering unwanted advice tbh. And I thought it worth a mention about the dice, I only found out by a post on a fb group I'm part of, I didn't buy any so I lucked out unfortunately :(

Also, been doing this hobby 23 years now and I'm still learning, but if you've ever any questions, just inbox me or ask on my thread, always happy to help!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/20 20:07:34


Post by: Mad..


Couple of mid week updates.

Firstly I emailed GW about the Tyranid dice quality. They asked for my address and said they would be sending out a new set... awesome!

Secondly, I sat down and had a crack at the bone sabres last night. Was a interesting learning curve to say the least, I got quite frustrated at a couple of points because it wasn't quite going right, but I feel like I saved it and they look pretty good overall.

Here is a smartphone photo of them:



Because there is four of them, I tried to do different phases of the lightning pulse on each blade, with mixed results.

Interested in peoples thoughts.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/20 20:14:55


Post by: AnUnearthlyChilde


Looks good Mad, The only thing I'd suggest is to do a watered down purple wash over the lightning to knock it back slightly, but thats personal preference tbh. Other than that they look spot on


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/21 05:00:08


Post by: Knightley


Huzzah, so nice to see you stepping your game up so much!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/21 20:22:28


Post by: Mad..


AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:Looks good Mad, The only thing I'd suggest is to do a watered down purple wash over the lightning to knock it back slightly, but thats personal preference tbh. Other than that they look spot on


Wash or a glaze?

Hmmm, I don't have any purple wash/glaze. Is there some way I can make one with the purple paint I have? Rather not spend money on something I'll probably only use once

Ratius wrote:Looking nice!


Knightley wrote:Huzzah, so nice to see you stepping your game up so much!


Thanks guys, I assume you approve of the purple lightning then Knightley... it was based off your power axe tutorial after all


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/21 20:51:46


Post by: AnUnearthlyChilde


Mad.. wrote:
AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:Looks good Mad, The only thing I'd suggest is to do a watered down purple wash over the lightning to knock it back slightly, but thats personal preference tbh. Other than that they look spot on


Wash or a glaze?

Hmmm, I don't have any purple wash/glaze. Is there some way I can make one with the purple paint I have? Rather not spend money on something I'll probably only use once



Wash, and not really, as the composition of a wash is similar to an ink, without being an ink. Sorry lol


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/22 10:27:40


Post by: alabamaheretic


very nice man...looks good. keep up the awesome.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/27 07:15:59


Post by: Mad..


Update time, a little bit late as we had a holiday yesterday

Swarmlord is all finished!

Here is one of the shots, I had those glare issues again so will have to do another set...



So model number one for 2015 is all done... only 99 more to go in 2015 haha.

Model count complete will speed up with this next lot:



7 hormagaunts and 7 spinegaunts.

Current painted up army shot:



I'll get the better swarmlord photos up in the day or two... will take them tonight


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/27 08:01:41


Post by: Knightley


Yep, that lightning on the swords is pretty ace if you ask me!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/01/27 20:35:49


Post by: Mad..


Thanks Knightley, it is awesome to hear that from the person whose tutorial I followed... I must have done something right

Personally I am happy with how they turned out, and it works in the big army scheme of things as you can see in the latest army shot

I'm really happy with how the model turned out overall, I took a bit more time on it being an HQ and given that it might get a bit more scrutiny thrown its way. The base has a ripper, few tufts and rocks, and a Tau fire warrior arm on it. Main thing I am unhappy with is that I didn't notice the gaps on the back carapace where the model joined until after I started painting. I did model this years ago, so I'll live with it for now, and will fix it one day once the main push of getting army finished is complete.

I edited up a set of the swarmlord photos that I thought were ok in terms of glare, but I'm getting to a point where I have looked at them so much that I think maybe I am being to picky, so here are some photos:






What do my readers think? Should I redo the photo shoot or is this set ok?

I am going to start a 2015 goal progress counter here, to help me stay motivated (or make me depressed when I fall way behind ). My goal is to finish modelling and painting everything I currently own by end of 2015, which is 96 more models (list on page one). So here is the counter!

2015 goal progress: 1/96 models complete

Thanks for stopping by.



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/02/01 05:13:27


Post by: Mad..


Weekly update.

Been working away on the Hormagaunt and Spinegant models, here is where I am up to:



Just need to do some washes, and detail work and they will be ready for basing etc, making good progress on this lot.

My brother gave me these:



Couple of busted up old battlesuits of his, so I have thrown them into a "bath" for stripping and will repaint them in a basic scheme and use them as broken tau on some of my bases, because taunting my brother is fun

Thanks for checking in.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/02/01 07:40:15


Post by: Knightley


Interesting with the Tau, have you got any ideas on the paint scheme going into it?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/02/02 08:35:04


Post by: Mad..


Erm, at this point I'm looking at a basic paint up as it is "only" for the base

I'm currently looking at a charcoal grey base colour of the armour with glowing lines in the gaps.... now my bro likes orange, so I was considering that for glow, or maybe go with red to make it look like they are defending this red planet?

Still mulling it over. Good way to practice some new stuff though, still eager to try new stuff, hence the lightning on the bone sabres...

You got any thoughts?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/02/08 09:48:38


Post by: Mad..


Time for my weekly update.

First, got a nice package in the mail this week.... dice!

Pack on left is the original ones, and the bag has 20 of the "proper" ones in it.... so I have lotsa Tyranid dice now. Good on you GW for stepping up and giving out the proper set of dice



Have completed hormagaunt and spinegant broods, here is a bit of a photo pre them having the final touches added to their bases, I'll get some nice photos done in next few days. I need to add an extra green colour into the mix I feel as the green currently looks a bit flat, ill keep working on it.



So, progress update on my goal looks a lot better after peeling out some troop broods

2015 goal progress: 17/96 models complete

And next... well following my rule of Troops - Elites - MC, I'm up to an elite slot... so here is what is coming next:



I'm thinking I'll have a bit of an experiment on one or both of these models with the chameleon skin special rule they have and get them transitioning into different colours... see how I go

Thanks for checking in, C & C welcome as always.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/02/15 05:37:39


Post by: Mad..


So, its update day... and I have got a grand total of zero hobby work done this week.

Been doing a bunch of maintenance and DIY around the house which has taken up all my spare time this week.

Not all bad news though, I got the deck water blasted and stained, also got a bunch of pavers down among other odd jobs around the house, looks really good and I have a happy wife which probably means I can get away with something 40k related in the near future

Should be able to get onto the Lictors this week.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/03/01 06:34:20


Post by: Mad..


Hi everyone,

Been yet another quiet week on the modelling and painting front. I managed to build a venomthrope, and lay down a base coat on the lictors, but not much else... why?

This is why:




It was my aunts birthday down in a little town called Te Anau, so I went down there to surprise her for the birthday and ended up staying a few extra days and going on a good hike/tramp... awesome down there, I love it

So we will see if I get the lictors finished this week...


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/03/01 23:07:12


Post by: Knightley


Great views there mate, perfect weather as well!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/04/05 07:09:16


Post by: Mad..


Man time goes quickly... its been a month since my last update, whoa. Time flies when you're having fun and I've been having plenty of it

So this will be a decent update.

First up have finished the lictors. I have had a go at representing the chamelonic skin by matching parts of them to base colour etc. I think it works quite well, although I'm not completely happy with the red splotches on the one standing on the rock.




Next up on the paint up list is mumma Tervigon!

Have also built up a few more models, not many to go until the whole fleet is built, then just need to finish up the paint side.

Creepy snakey venomthropes:



The big brained nerdy Neurothrope:



Flying hive tyrant.... modelled with scything talons because I like them more than the nid "guns". Nid guns need to be part of the creatures body in my mind, like thorax weapons, spitting, or things that are just gun beasts, like exocrine and biovore, just how I feel



Lastly, Lego in the title? What the... here is something that I thought I'd share with you all and show off... because it has taken me a long time to hunt down all the pieces and build the thing.

The Winchester tavern from Shaun of the Dead fame in all its Lego glory!




So thats what I've been up to... next update should be some progress on the big Tervigon

Thanks for reading.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/04/05 07:26:02


Post by: Knightley


Definitely liking the lictors, I've seen a similar look to the tau stealth suits and can totally see the lictors doing the same thing!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/04/07 08:29:36


Post by: Mad..


Thanks Kinghtley, was the effect I was going for... nice to know it worked


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/04/19 07:15:13


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

Have been quietly beavering away at the Tervigon. Have finished the green on the birthing sacs and I am happy with how they have come out, I'm planning on using the same technique and colours on wings of gargoyles and flying hive tyrant.

Have started working on the carapace now, and some detailing to go... is progressing nicely



Thanks for checking in.




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/04/19 07:19:23


Post by: Knightley


Simply adore the carapace, looks so good!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/04/20 10:10:42


Post by: Mad..


So that progress pic of the Tervigon looks pretty good.

That was taken off my phone camera on a cloudy day with no image enhancements. Is it me, or does it look better than my other photos? Because they are with a "proper" point and shoot camera...

I'm just wondering if my phone camera seems to be taking better photos?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/04/20 21:24:38


Post by: Knightley


I might have to agree with you, the photo looks better.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/04/21 08:24:39


Post by: Mad..


I will experiment a bit more with this... see if I consistently get better photos from the phone.

Cheers


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/10 06:29:49


Post by: Mad..


Evening team,

I have been beavering away at the Tervigon and she is nearing completion.

Have finished all the detailing, just need to do the varnishes now, shiny for skin etc and matt for carapace and she is done!

Stuck the crushing claws on as well. Decided to go with crushing claws on this model as I don't have another model with them on, and I find they don't obstruct the view to the spawning termagants as much and that is a big feature of the model... plus the claws look cool.

Couple of photos:




Have started working on the base as well, using a tyranid marker piece, a couple of tentacles made from green stuff and the normal cork and basing material that I have used for the rest of the army, just need to paint it up, attach her to it, and viola, a big mean nasty spawning brood mother of a tervigon



Next update will the completed beast




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/10 07:29:07


Post by: Knightley


Having held a tervigon box in my hand, painting this behemoth is quite the feat! good work mate!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/10 21:03:58


Post by: Mad..


Thanks Knightley.

This has actually been a really nice model to paint. Reason it has taken me a while to get done is that funny thing called real life, two kids under five take up a good chunk of time, then throw sport etc into the mix and things slow down.

I'm still keen as to get this army done by end of year, so will keep pushing on and see how I go


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/11 01:02:51


Post by: SBG


Tervigon looks great! Whatever you did to the claws and hooves is great - I really like the blue.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/11 06:28:08


Post by: Mad..


Thanks SBG.

The blue on the claws/teeth/etc has been evolving and getting better as I go. These latest ones look a lot better than the original warriors and test models I did. Same goes for the ribbed tendon bits in the skin and carapace, definitley got my technique sorted on those too.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/18 06:56:56


Post by: Mad..


And she is done!

Had a lot of fun and took my time painting this one up, I love the idea of Tervigons.... big beasts that could wreck your day coming your way, but wait.... its spawns even more little ones! What to shoot?!?! Sums up tyranids for me

Modelled with crushing claws because I have no other model with them at the moment, its gives more room for the little ones to get out, and if one gets into trouble she is more likely to be able to do something with claws as opposed to talons. On the tabletop, crushing claws means while she stomps around she is somewhat of a threat to armour, threat overload... the tyranid way isn't it?

Here is the base I made for her, including foot holes to attach her to it:



During painting this model I improved my process and technique for the little ribbed tendon bits in the skin and carapace towers, and I personally really like the newer look, much crisper and nicer. I also continue to improve generally speaking which is good. When I look at some of my earlier stuff I can see good differences which is great

And here is the big mumma bug attached to base and ready to go:








There you have it.

20 models painted so far this year, have a 8 bug brood to paint up now, so watch this space,

Thanks for reading.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/18 09:20:29


Post by: Knightley


Did you green stuff those little tentacles on the base? if so they look awesome! Also love the spawning sac's top notch!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/18 21:20:56


Post by: Mad..


Thanks Knightley, I'm glad I nailed the spawning sacs. They are pretty much a focal point for this model so I wanted to make sure I got them looking suitably gross looking which I have achieved.

The tentacles are green stuff, I was doing some work on another model and had a lot left over mixed up, so I rolled out some tentacles and bent them into a suitable shape. They worked well, especially coming out of the little tyranid marker piece. Only the bigger ones are green stuff, the little ones are part of the marker piece itself, so I won't claim that


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/25 06:54:40


Post by: Mad..


So this week I had a small break from painting and worked on some modelling, built three more warriors with deathspitters and barbed strangler, and the remaining brood of termagants.

I also went to put the Tervigon into the storage box and decided to pull everything out and see how I was tracking... here is a picture of what it looks like currently, which to be honest is a lot more than I thought I'd done and it is starting to take shape:



Then I decided to put out the whole collection, because why not? So here is pretty much everything I have currently in it's various stages of completion... the bright yellow gants on the right are to be repainted in the same scheme as everything else.



All I have left in boxes is:

Tyrannocyte
2x finecast hive guard
10x gargoyles
Bunch of spore mines

So I think I'll finish off modelling the remainder then do a big push to get everything painted up and done by end of 2015... ambitious for me, but need to be challenged

Then I'll start adding new creatures to the swarm, also a new gaming club has started up nearby, so perhaps I can get some actual games in as well


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/25 09:00:51


Post by: Knightley


Bloody hell thats one kick arse looking army, you've powered through so much so far. Whats next on the painting desk?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/05/26 07:04:01


Post by: Mad..


Knightley - I've just finished a MC, so I figure I should knock out another troop brood. Might do the Genestealer squad with the scything talons next as they are ready to go, whereas the other troops all need a bit more modelling work done.

Slaanesh Devotee - Thanks, always nice seeing new admirers



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/06/01 06:35:46


Post by: Mad..


Weekly update.

Haven't done any painting this week (unless you count priming) as have been building a bunch of models.

Six warriors, Ten termagants, eight spore mines and a ripper base all primed up and ready to paint!



Have a couple of fine cast hive guard that I'm currently working on, first one is almost a perfect cast

Then just a brood of gargoyles and the Tyrannocyte to build, then all models made and the big paint push continues!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/06/08 06:36:56


Post by: Mad..


 Knightley wrote:
Bloody hell thats one kick arse looking army, you've powered through so much so far. Whats next on the painting desk?


Been a busy week so didn't get too much done unfortunately, however was able to sit down yesterday and do a skin base coat and drybrush on some termagants and spore mines, so should see some progress on these this week.



This photo makes the skin look really really blue for some reason... maybe its because I took it in their container... ah well, they look they same as everything else in reality




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/06/14 07:13:51


Post by: Mad..


Evening all,

Been slowly but surely working away on the termagant brood and the spore mines. Not long to go, just need to do blue washes and some blue highlighting, purple eyes and then they are ready for varnish and basing



Really like how the tentacles are coming along on the mines, I will give them another highlight before varnish to really make them pop.



So next update should be a couple more broods completed and new brood hitting the table... current options are a six model warrior brood from a few posts above, or I could peel out the two venomthropes and the neurothrope. If anyone has a preference let me know


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/06/29 07:04:11


Post by: Mad..


And they are done! Had some real life things which sucked up a bunch of painting time... so took me a little longer than I'd hoped, but they are done now.

Here is some pics under the room lights so the colours are a bit off but close enough:






Next up I'm going to paint the two venomthropes as I am really keen to get a game in, and I'll be using venomthropes, so would like to get them and the flying hive tyrant painted and then will reward myself with some gaming!

I'll do the Neurothrope at the same time as the venomthropes because they came out of the same box

Cheers for stopping by.



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/06/29 09:52:56


Post by: Knightley


Loving the the mini-meat shields.

If you dont mind me asking how are you doing the bases? I wanted a look that was very similar to how you've done yours but I could never get the look right.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/06/29 10:57:23


Post by: Mad..


No worries Knightley, happy to share

What I do is pretty basic, gives me the look I want though.

1. Cover the top of the base in PVA/White glue.
2. Then place a couple of big pieces of "rock" at random spots (I use bits of cork/army painter battlefield rocks)
3. Then cover the rest of the glue with some sort of grit/sand. (I use Army painter black battleground)
4. Once glue is dry I base the cork a charcoal colour and then paint the whole lot with gory red including the sides.
5. Once base coat is done I drybrush blood red onto areas that will see light (I dont worry about under the model for this bit )
6. To finish I do some spots of PVA and stick some different tufts on. (I use army painter wilderness 4mm and jungle 6mm tufts)

Viola you have a red based planet with the odd bit of vegetation on it that hasn't quite been consumed by the rampaging hive fleet (yet)

Here is a photo from an earlier post of the basing before I paint it up.



And one from an earlier post just after it is painted and tufts attached. This was for the Tervigon so I attached her later, but the little guys I just base with them attached... saves time



Hope this helps.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/07/19 10:13:11


Post by: Mad..


Time for an update

Went to paint up the Neurothrope and two venomthropes and found I was out of black primer, so rather than waste my limited painting time I decided to work on the remaining Warriors.

I have six that I am painting up, two standard with devourer and scything talons, two with scything talons and deathspitters, one with talons and barbed strangler, and the last one has a venom cannon and rending claws, because that is what he was modelled with. Generally speaking I'll be running a three strong brood with barbed strangler and the devourer guys as part of a living artillery node, but I have some other options there. Anyhow, here is the progress on them:




Just a bit more work to do on the greens before varnish and basing... oh I went and got some more black primer so am back in business

Thanks for checking in.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/07/19 20:04:24


Post by: Knightley


Wow, the greens on these ones seem so much more vibrant, if you can keep them looking like that then do so!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/07/19 20:48:06


Post by: Arson Fire


I haven't seen anyone use that dappled effect on tyranid carapace before. It's pretty effective. Nice job


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/07/20 06:28:09


Post by: Mad..


Cheers Knightley, the green is done in a similar way to how I did the birthing sacs on the tervigon... it's getting better especially when I compare it to some of my earlier models

Thanks Arson Fire... after checking out your paint log and seeing your models that means a lot because your Tyranids look pretty sweet!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/07/26 09:51:54


Post by: Mad..


Hey all,

Have completed the warrior brood this week, just need to add a few grass tufts to the bases and they are all done!

This brood I'll run with living artillery node, so two standard load out warriors and one with barbed strangler in the middle, I gave him a different head crest to add to her "uniqueness":



Then the other three I did at same time, two with deathspitters (I drilled out the barrels, because they looked silly otherwise) instead of devourers, and one with a venom cannon and rending claws.... because that's what it was modelled with



What's next?

Well I have been delaying doing this particular model because I wanted to have all my colours, techniques and confidence up before I hit my main HQ unit, I also wanted to thresh out what I was going to do for the wing membranes, you may of guessed:



Flying hive tyrant time! I'm pretty excited and keen to do the best job I can on this beastie!

I have a mangled marine that my brother gave me, so I stripped the paint, glued it to the base and will paint that up at same time, I've also filled in the gaps with plastic putty (white bit on tail for example). So she is ready to go!

Stay tuned for Tyrant updates



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/07/26 20:20:17


Post by: Knightley


Oooh a big beastie! the warriors look very cohesive, top work


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/02 09:02:52


Post by: Mad..


Evening all,

Managed to make a start on the flying hive tyrant this week. Have mostly finished the skin and am now base coating the wings... which took me a bit longer than I thought so have only got one wing base coated thus far, here is a few progress pics:




I'm going to work away at the marine on the base I as get to the washes, and purple eyes on the tyrant, and it will be done up in one of my brothers marine scheme.... you know, to taunt him a bit

My youngest brother has a birthday this week he loves his Tau army, but has been a bit uninspired lately so as a present I got hold of his riptide and got it commission painted for him as a bit of a centre piece for his army.




So hopefully this reinvigorates him and his army, so Hive Fleet Ngaro has some more food to eat

Hoping to make some good progress on the flying beastie this week, so stay tuned.

Cheers.



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/02 20:19:59


Post by: Knightley


That riptide! did you get tristan to do it for you, I swear I just saw this pop up in my FB feed.

The HT is coming along nicely, the first picture looked like a normal black primed model then I readjusted the screen and saw the blue, nice work


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/03 06:24:25


Post by: Mad..


Haha Yes I got Tristan to do the riptide. Luckily my brother hasn't seen any pics of it as he hasn't got it yet.

I've got Tristan working on something special for myself now as well

I find that photos with just black primer and blue skin sometimes come out funny and it really depends what screen you are looking at them on. The first picture looks completely black on the screen at work, whereas at home it is fine.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/09 06:13:01


Post by: Mad..


Update time!

Got a good amount done on the flying hive tyrant.

Mostly ready for washes and then detailing work, just not sure if I need to do another slightly brighter drybrush of the wings before I give them a dark green wash... or wash them now and then give them the goblin green drybrush/highlight.

Here is some progress pics:

Underwing and front:


Back and top of wings.



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/09 08:39:40


Post by: Knightley


Loving the wings! Although I feel the yellow on the carapace seems a bit overdone, That's my opinion though it still looks good.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/09 11:14:00


Post by: Ratius


Great work Mad


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Hissy didnt stop by to your Hive did she?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/09 21:30:59


Post by: Mad..


Knightley wrote:Loving the wings! Although I feel the yellow on the carapace seems a bit overdone, That's my opinion though it still looks good.


This comment coming from someone who likes the carapace normally has got me intrigued. What do you mean by a bit overdone?

So far I have done the same as I have done with the other models... this one hasn't had it's washes or detailing done as yet. I am happy to hear opinions, as that is why I share all this stuff, otherwise what's the point?

Ratius wrote:Great work Mad

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Hissy didnt stop by to your Hive did she?


Not that I am aware of sorry, however my hive fleet may be keeping it a secret.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/30 06:43:09


Post by: Mad..


So now that hockey season has finished for the year (won the grand final!!!) I've had some time to get some more work done on the Hive Tyrant.

Painting is pretty much done, got some gloss and matt varnishing to do, along with the base work.

Front:


Back:


Marine:


I'm happy with how the wings are coming on, I guess the kicker will be once they are gloss sprayed... watch this space




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/30 09:34:05


Post by: Ratius


Wings came out great Mad, love the veiny sort of look to them.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/08/30 21:18:32


Post by: Knightley


Yeah I second that the wings look really really good!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/09/01 08:06:34


Post by: Mad..


Thanks!

I have gloss varnished the model, and I reckon the wings look slightly better now as well, kinda highlights the brighter bits even more.

I'll get some photos soon


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/13 05:23:46


Post by: Knightley


Just wondering if you're still alive or if you nids have revolted and snacked on your painting hand?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/13 05:48:19


Post by: evildrcheese


I'm loving that yellow and black scheme you've used.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/15 22:12:40


Post by: Mad..


Knightley wrote:Just wondering if you're still alive or if you nids have revolted and snacked on your painting hand?


I am alive. The Tyranids haven't gotten me... a five week trip to Europe with my wife and daughters (both under 5) took me away . Got back yesterday so am just getting over the jetlag, getting unpacked etc. I did finish the hive tyrant just before we left, just didn't have time to get photos taken and put up here, so I'll get some photos on Sunday and post them up... I am happy with how the flying beastie turned out!

evildrcheese wrote:I'm loving that yellow and black scheme you've used.


Thanks very much! When they are all out on the table it looks pretty good in my opinion


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/15 22:54:17


Post by: Knightley


Awesome, I've had to many people I follow just up and disappear on us I was hoping you weren't going to follow suit!

Can't wait for the update


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/20 05:48:21


Post by: Mad..


So I took some photos of the completed tyrant, and then put it away in the carry case.

I only discovered when I put them onto the PC that the photos aren't the best by a long shot for some reason they have come out a bit grainy.

Here is a couple to give an idea of the finished product, I am really happy with how the wings turned out and have found my formula for future wing work (gargoyles etc). I'll dig it out again this weekend as we have a long weekend and take some more photos along with a completed army shot or two as well. I'll also have worked out what I am going to paint up next as well







Thanks for stopping by.




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/20 05:50:36


Post by: evildrcheese


Yeah the wings do look really cool. What was the recipe/technique?

D


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/20 19:16:31


Post by: Knightley


Very cool looking wings!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/22 07:18:14


Post by: Mad..


evildrcheese wrote:Yeah the wings do look really cool. What was the recipe/technique?

D


Kept it simple knowing that I need to replicate it on a lot more wings in the near future (gargoyles, hive crones etc).

Base coat with dark green
Drybrush with a 50/50 dark green/sick green mix
Drybrush high areas with sick green
Drybrush highest areas, and around holes with goblin green
Gloss varnish

Nice and easy, but effective.

Knightley wrote:Very cool looking wings!


Thanks Knightley


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/22 19:36:49


Post by: Warboss_Waaazag


The wings are very dark and very shiny. I love the mottled carapace.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/26 08:08:41


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

So Christmas is around the corner, I'll be taking a small hiatus from painting Hive Fleet Ngaro because I'm going to painting up three space marines as Christmas presents for my two brothers.

I have got hold of three of the "clip together" space marines with bolters, so I'll assemble them and get them undercoated then...

One will be World Eaters colours pre-heresy for one brother
One will be Emperors Children colours pre-heresy for the other brother.
And the last one will be Imperial Fist pre-heresy for myself.

So I'll paint them up for Christmas presents so us three brothers have a battle brother each in their favourite chapters colours.

Updates coming soon!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/26 19:41:12


Post by: Knightley


Sounds very cool.

Just make sure you don't prime the Imp Fist in black, I made that mistake once and it was a nightmare to get a nice vibrant yellow!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/27 22:57:57


Post by: Mad..


Hmmm good point.

Would that be the same for the white armour of the world eater? So prime those two models with white as opposed to black?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/28 01:26:42


Post by: Knightley


Yes, I would definitely advise you do that, You can prime black, but you end up having to work more to get a more vibrant colour opposed to priming white where most of the work is done for you.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/10/28 09:45:59


Post by: evildrcheese


When you said Christmas Marines I assumed they'd be red, white and green.

Seriously though, it sounds like a fun project.

D


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/01 07:27:57


Post by: Mad..


Knightley wrote:Yes, I would definitely advise you do that, You can prime black, but you end up having to work more to get a more vibrant colour opposed to priming white where most of the work is done for you.


Advice noted and taken as per below!

evildrcheese wrote:When you said Christmas Marines I assumed they'd be red, white and green.


My little marketing ploy worked, I wondered if anyone would expect Christmas colours.

Update isn't much this week, I cleaned the marines up and then had to wait a few days for the white primer to arrive. So here is the three, primed and ready to get into some painting this week!





Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/02 05:38:52


Post by: SBG


A little late to the party, but that Flyrant looks fabulous!!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/03 03:51:17


Post by: Knightley


Good start, are you going to do each one individually or do them all at the same time?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/03 07:19:52


Post by: Mad..


SBG wrote:A little late to the party, but that Flyrant looks fabulous!!

Better late than never SBG, thanks for the kind words

Knightley wrote:Good start, are you going to do each one individually or do them all at the same time?

I'm planning on doing them at the same time. Will see how I go I guess


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/10 05:43:42


Post by: Mad..


Little update on the marines.

Done some base coats and then covered the lot in wash, next up is carefully bringing the yellow and white armour to the colour I am after, will see how that goes, then onto bolters and such.

Haven't done gold trim and washes on the purple guy yet, but I've painted that scheme before so I am confident with that one







Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/10 06:57:50


Post by: evildrcheese


Looking good so far. Another reinforcement that the World Eaters have one of, if not, the best pre-heresy schemes (in my mind at least).

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/15 05:51:47


Post by: Mad..


 evildrcheese wrote:
Looking good so far. Another reinforcement that the World Eaters have one of, if not, the best pre-heresy schemes (in my mind at least).

EDC


Can't help but agree with you on the evidence I am seeing in front of me as I look at photos and actually paint the marine itself... I think it looks great!

Up date this week, I only got one actual painting session in which is a bit of a bummer, but real life and all that jazz.

During the session I painted the gold details on the Emperors Children and gave him a wash of blue.
The Imperial Fist got a layer of golden yellow over what he already had... I'm thinking I have one or two more layers to go before I get it looking smoother... interested in your thoughts on this one.
The World eater, got more white layering and blue over the shoulders and backpack. I am really happy with how it is turning out!

Here is how it is looking:




Next session will be layering the purple and bringing the gold back to life on the EC, doing some highlights on the blue bits of the WE, and probably doing another layer of yellow on the IF. If I get more than one session this week then I'll start on bolters, and pouches etc

So let me know if you think the IF needs more yellow layers, and keep watching for more updates


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/15 17:57:08


Post by: SBG


So far so good! The yellow looks good, but the blue/white one is my favourite. Very curious to see how you base them.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/16 06:42:17


Post by: Mad..


Thanks SBG,

The World Eater is my favourite thus far.... just means I have some work to do on the other two to get them to same level


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/16 06:51:10


Post by: evildrcheese


What colour is the shoulder trim on the IF going be?

I think the main tone of the yellow is pretty much there, just a few highlights to make those high points pop.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/22 07:26:29


Post by: Mad..


 evildrcheese wrote:
What colour is the shoulder trim on the IF going be?

I think the main tone of the yellow is pretty much there, just a few highlights to make those high points pop.

EDC


I'm going with pre heresy colours, so at this point going with black trim. Might change it up if I finally get round to starting a Fist army.

Update for this week, got a couple of sessions in so there is actually some stuff to see. photos are a bit funky on the colour, but you get the gist.

Armours are done, most of the work on the bolters is complete and just a bit more highlights and work to be done on eye lenses, skulls, penants etc.

I'm also looking at some tutorials on how to do weathering so I can do a bit on these guys, and then some decals to finish... I think they are coming along nicely!





The one I am happiest with at this point is the EC, possibly looks best because I have painted the scheme a few times before, so practice does make you better, who knew

Thanks for checking in, should be a good update next week




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/29 05:59:32


Post by: Mad..


Hello all,

Been good progress since my last update. The three models are pretty much done!

This week I finished off the little bits of skull and pennants, had a crack at weathering with both a sponge and doing other bits black and metal with a brush, finished off the lenses, applied some decals and had a crack at some squiggles (following Knightley's blog is rubbing off).

Overall I'm pretty happy with the look of all three, there are some things that worked really well, and some things that I need to improve on. I am happy because I have increased my techniques in the painting skill set I am building up.

One thing I will definitely be investing in is decal fix solutions... before this the only time I had done decals is on big flat tank and helicopter models, with no curve... I found the decals onto the shoulder pads rather annoying to get right and the symbols aren't great, but passable. So when I start doing more marine stuff, I definitely want some decal solution.... or just go freehand

Here is the latest pics:






So to finish off I need to get hold of some Imperial Fist decals, and base the three of them. I have a idea on my head for a bit of a "signature base" theme for these three, so we will see how it works this week!

Should be a final update with completed models and bases in the near future




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/11/29 19:15:31


Post by: Knightley


Nice! almost at the end and right before Christmas to boot!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/03 06:31:33


Post by: Mad..


Yeah I got the timing of getting them painted up pretty much bang on. Only a couple of weeks until I can give them.

Almost finished the bases and got decals for the imperial fist, so update on the weekend will have the completed marines and some WIP updates from my next Hive Fleet brood.

Watch this space


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/03 06:55:28


Post by: evildrcheese


Looking good. I think the EC is my fav.

The sponge weathering looks really good.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/03 09:07:16


Post by: Mad..


Thanks EDC.

Never done weathering before, so was a bit nervous. I think I have overdone it a little bit in some places but overall effect looks nice enough for a first effort. The bits I really thought came out nice were little brushed on bits with the metal showing through.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/06 06:00:20


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

The Christmas marines are all finished! I got hold of some Imperial Fist decals and applied them, and then I did up some bases. The genestealer heads on the base are my "signature" for these three models, green and red to represent Christmas, and tyranid to represent that I have done them might be total cheeseball but I like it

Learned a lot painting these three up and gained some more skills (weathering, lenses and squiggles) and insights on the way, plus some confidence to keep giving new stuff a crack and continuing to improve. Plus I may start a secondary army one day and marines could be on the list.

Here are some final photos:









This week I will be jumping back on the Hive Fleet Ngaro bandwagon and as the hive tyrant was the last model I did I have to do a troops choice and I have gone with more genestealers, so will get them painted up this week I reckon.

Speaking of the Hive Fleet, I had them all out today so I could work out where I was up to and plan my next steps to finish it off. So I took some photos of the fleet:

Completed so far:




Really happy with the overall look I've got and the progress I have made is good. So what I have left to go is a tyrannocyte, gargoyles and 2 hive guard in boxes, plus this group of misfits:



Venomthropes and Neurothrope are up after the genestealers, then Exocrine and so on. So I'm not going to get this all done before end of the year, but it will be early next year when this big push of painting everything I own is finished!

Thanks for checking in!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/06 06:31:05


Post by: Knightley


Such a nice looking army man! very cohesive and such good scheme!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/06 09:42:18


Post by: evildrcheese


The finished Xmas marines look great.

It's always good to see army shots too, your force is looking wicked. It must be a great motivator too.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/07 08:45:41


Post by: Mad..


@ Knightley - Thanks, that means a lot coming from someone who has followed me since the beginning and produces some stunning work yourself

@EDC - Yes very much a motivator! Sometimes painting up troops is a pain, but you see the overall look and its all worth it.

Got started on the genestealers tonight... good progress already!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/07 21:52:04


Post by: Master Azalle


Love your painting style, cant wait to see what you come out with next!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/08 07:08:41


Post by: Mad..


@Master Azalle - Thanks for stopping by, always nice to get compliments!

When I had the army out I took some more shots of the bigger bugs because frankly the photos I have of them on the front page are pretty average, so over the next while I'll be getting the newer photos up as well.

Here is an example using the Swarmlord, and i think you will all agree the new photo looks waaaaaaay better, because it's no longer just a fuzzy blob

Old photo:


New photo:



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/13 05:06:02


Post by: Mad..


Evening all,

Been working away on the genestealer squad and it is coming along nicely:




Only a couple of bits and pieces to do on them before they get varnished and based, so well on the way to knock out another squad before Christmas, then I will move onto neurothrope and venomthropes.

Thanks for stopping by.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/14 06:36:18


Post by: Mad..


Evening all,

I have been doing some editing of the front page to stream line it a bit and get much better photos of the models there, as I have decided I don't need to try and show every model I do, rather I'll focus on some of my better models that have something a bit unique about them, like the swarmlord with the bone sabres, and the lictors with the chamelonic skin effects I've painted onto them. This is obviously a work in progress but will be better for people looking at the first post to get an idea of what's in here. While I was doing this I updated the army photo and while I looked through a bunch of the army shots I took the other day and came across a couple I thought I'd share here... because I can

This first one is the Tervigon with a brood of termagants clumped in front of her. When I saw this photo it reminded me of the picture in the codex and also highlighted really nicely the effect I was going for with the scheme looking like swarming insects.

****really sorry this is displaying on it's side... I even tried rotating the source photo before upload but no matter what I did it kept coming out like this!



This second shot caught my eye because of the focus, there is many little nids running out in front and in the background you can kind of see the big beasts coming up from behind to do some big damage and keeping the broods in line.



Anyway, they appealed to me so thought I'd share... cheers

PS: Genestealers varnished, so just the basing to do!




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/14 06:45:20


Post by: evildrcheese


Nice. Genestealers are looking good.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/14 09:03:49


Post by: Knightley


A chittering swarm! So cool as a group man!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/15 06:48:02


Post by: Mad..


Thanks EDC and Knightley

Genestealers have had their basing glued on, just need to paint them up and done!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/23 05:39:16


Post by: Mad..


The genestealer brood I have been working on is all finished!

I like how they have come up, especially how the faces look like they have war paint, these are the Hive Fleet Ngaro bred "shock troopers" as opposed to the pure strain infiltrator brood that I did up earlier on.




I will need go around the bottom part of the bases with another hit of paint as it is a bit thin and patchy in places, but that is easily fixed when I do the bases on the next models.

I have primed up the two venomthropes and my neurothrope and they are currently sitting on my painting table to get done up next, which will probably be early in the new year as I'm going away for a small get away with my family between Christmas and New Years.

So, Merry Christmas and safe and happy holidays to all my readers and dakka in general, may your Christmas be filled with grim dark hobby things!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2015/12/23 06:53:22


Post by: evildrcheese


Looking good Mad...

Merry Xmas to you too. T'is the season to do hobby!

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/06 05:51:44


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

Nice to see we made it through another Christmas and New Years holiday period

Quick review of 2015, which was my "Complete the army year" where I set myself the goal to finish painting up the 90 models or so I had left to do by end of the year... I got to 60, which isn't a bad effort considering there was a trip to Europe, a couple of other holidays, sport, and of course family commitments with two kids under five. I also used some time up painting up some marines and dabbling in some other stuff, so I am happy with how my 2015 went overall!

2016, I'm planning on finishing off the remaining models, and then start growing the swarm (of course!) looking at buying a hive crone, the new combo pack and what ever else might show up with a rumoured new codex. To grow, a hive fleet must consume, so I will be actually getting the army out on the table in the near future, I'm just sussing out size and stuff now for my first hit out. I'm also going to do some dabbling in other models, as I have a ten man Chaos Marine squad to do up for my brother.

So, bring on 2016 I hope you stay tuned! This is the "Consume and Grow" year for my Hive Fleet.

Ok, so that's the New Year stuff out of the way... straight into it:

For Christmas my brother gave me this after he went to England and visited warhammer world (lucky )



I'm going to get this one commission painted to as high a standard as I can get, as I want it to be a display piece, but if I ever get an Imperial Fist army going, he can be the centre piece to that army

I've also made a start on the first 2016 models for the Hive Fleet, a Neurothrope and couple of venomthropes. My plan is to get the venomthropes painted up before I hit the table for my first game in a couple of weeks time. I haven't played since fourth, so really looking forward to getting back into game mode!

Only the blues done so far, and the claws and teeth need their blue wash, but it's a start. I've also got something a bit different planned for the spike coming up out of the neurothrope which will be similar to the lightning effects I did on the swarmlord sabres.



I'm going to get onto the greens and carapace shortly.

Thanks for stopping by!




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/06 06:42:25


Post by: Knightley


It's been a great year following your blog seeing your army grow and prosper. I look forward to seeing it grow and consume going forward

Do you know what your first game will be against?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/06 07:44:09


Post by: evildrcheese


Consume and grow is a great 'motto' for a Nid army.

Looking forward to see what you deliver in 2016.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/07 06:06:24


Post by: Mad..


Thanks team, I'm looking forward to seeing what I produce myself, got some good plans in my head, but you know what they say about plans

@Knightley - Either Tau or Chaos. Looking at a 1000 point game first up and then go from there.

Got some carapace work done on the models on the painting table today, so just the greens and detailing to go.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/11 05:51:34


Post by: Mad..


Evening all,

Pretty productive weekend hobbywise.

Got the models to this point:

Need to finish the black detailing on the carapace, purple eyes and do some goblin green highlights on the venomthropes tentacles and venom sacs etc... oh and some lightning effects on the purple thats on the Neurothrope! Then obviously varnish and basing.



Also built one of the finecast Hive Guard that have been sitting in my to do pile for a while.

Have confirmed a game or two at 1000 points for this Sunday, so looking forward to getting Ngaro out on the table for the first time

thanks for stopping by


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/11 20:31:59


Post by: Knightley


Oh wow, you powered through those guys! they look ace man! Good luck with the games btw, don't get disheartened if it doesn't go as well as you hope, learning your army can be a tough process


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/12 05:41:15


Post by: Mad..


It's amazing how fast you can get through models when you have a day free from kids and work and stuff

I'm pretty stoked with how they have come up as well... only bummer is the plastic putty I used to fill the join on the venomthropes carapace sacs has shrunk back a bit so a bit of a line there in real life, I've got some liquid green stuff for future use as I hear it's a bit better for what I need.

Heh, I'm not going to get disheartened at all, I'll just be happy that I have an army on the table and painted up and really looking forward to having a crack at playing for the first time in ages... I'm also NOT taking a flyrant as my HQ, taking a tervigon instead as I figure she will be pretty decent at the lower point end.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/12 06:46:53


Post by: evildrcheese


Looking good. Any idea what army you'll be facing off against?

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/13 06:25:00


Post by: Mad..


Not too sure, but probably against Chaos.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/13 06:46:58


Post by: evildrcheese


Cool. Make sure you take some pics! Good luck!

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/13 09:18:08


Post by: Mad..


Thanks EDC, I will take a few photos to throw up on here for sure, probably wont be a full on battle report, but some photos nonetheless.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/17 06:17:04


Post by: Mad..


Hi team,

First things first I have almost finished the neurothrope and two venomthropes, they just need their matte varnish on the carapace and the red base painted in. I did a bit of lightning effect on the neurothrope spire, and it came out... ok. Not as good a swarmlord blades, and I think that is because of the segmented nature of the spire.

Here is an average photo, the finished product photos will be back to normal



I also got the army out onto the table for the first time since 4th edition today. Had an awesome time and it definitely gave me the bug to play more games! Had a 1000pt eternal war game first up to ease me back into it, and then we had a crack at a maelstrom game. We only got to turn three of the maelstrom game due to time constraints but I really like that game type, achieving objectives and the ever changing nature of the battle really appealed to me and I really enjoyed the time I got. So will definitely be playing a lot more games this year and really looking forward to it.
The army performed well, I haven't lost that much memory from 4th and the tervigon was my MVP, she spawned close to 60 termagants, denied the witch several times against a Thousand Sons army and absorbed a bunch of flak and took down the predator tank The rest of the army did their roles pretty well too.

Here is a couple of photos:





Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/17 12:53:35


Post by: Ratius


Good worksss Mad xxx


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/17 14:14:29


Post by: evildrcheese


Awesome pics. Looks and sounds like you had a great time. I also really like the Maelstrom mission, they can be so dynamic and exciting.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/18 08:13:34


Post by: Mad..


Ratius wrote:Good worksss Mad xxx


Thanks Hissy, although Thousand Sons Marines don't taste very nice... all dry and dusty, not like the lovely cultists.

evildrcheese wrote:Awesome pics. Looks and sounds like you had a great time. I also really like the Maelstrom mission, they can be so dynamic and exciting.


It was a nice table to play one, its a Realm of battle board that the owner is painting up, added to the fun for sure. We only got three turns in with the maelstrom game, but the club I played at generally don't do eternal war missions, so I can look forward to more maelstrom in the future.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/18 17:12:47


Post by: Ratius


Thanks Hissy, although Thousand Sons Marines don't taste very nice... all dry and dusty, not like the lovely cultists.


Yuk! But good work eating the ressst of the tasssty guys. Hissys Hive proud of your Galactic rampage.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/24 06:20:48


Post by: Mad..


Hi all!

Well lets start this weeks update with... hive fleet has grown! Went into one of the hobby stores and found they had the "start collecting" sets in stock, so to reward myself for being a good boy last year and not buying any new stuff for the hive fleet and painted a whole heap I brought one of the kits... so I now have a hive tyrant, 3 warriors and 10 gargoyles added to the build pile. I am going to magnetise the hive tyrant so I can use it in different ways as needed, also looking at making a tyranid prime with the warriors parts. Buying this brings my total collection up to 3000 points I think, so that is a bit of a milestone.

Next up the Neurothrope and the two venomthropes have been completed. The lightning effect went a bit skew and I don't think a lot of what I did works as lightning and I think that is because of the segmented nature of the bit I was trying to do, but it can stay like that until I come back to do fix ups sometime in the future. Anyway, here are some pictures:






And lastly in this update, I have a 1850 game booked for this coming Sunday against an IG tourney list that the guy is trialing, so I said I'd give him a game... so I made a list, but it included a unit that I hadn't built yet... so I spent today building this:



I must say, I wasn't hugely convinced it was a cool looking model until I built it... in real life this thing is pretty choice! I am thinking I will magnetise the side tentacles (not pictured) to make it easier to transport and while I am doing that I might as well do the weapons as well. I am also thinking one day I will get a second one, and model it as if it has just hit the ground with open carapace shell etc... but I am getting ahead of myself, I still need to liquid green stuff the join lines etc on this one

Thanks for checking in!







Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/24 20:11:26


Post by: Knightley


That thing is monstrous! I like the thropes, the purple on the neuro is on point imo so don't beat your self up over it.

Good luck with the 1850 game, should be a valuable learning experience, beware the cheap as chips mounted mortars, they will shred your gribblies.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/26 05:53:45


Post by: Mad..


Thanks Knightley, perhaps I am being a little harsh on myself with the Neurothrope.

I will be running a Living Artillery Node in the army on sunday, which has a brood of biovores, I figure they will be rather effective against guardsmen and hidden weapons. But I am really looking forward to the game and I'm sure I'll learn a lot!

I have continued work on the Tyrannocyte and magnetised the weapons and debating whether I bother attaching the side tentacles, or whether I leave it as is and use those side ones for a mucolid with some green stuff. Also makes transporting it easier.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/26 06:44:58


Post by: evildrcheese


Really like the Venonthropes all the tenticles really works with your scheme.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/26 21:52:02


Post by: Master Azalle


They look great! Love the work on the tentacles like EDC said


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/27 02:07:46


Post by: Mad..


Thanks EDC and MA!

The tentacles took a long time and slowed me down somewhat, but given they are the focal point of the models I wanted to get them looking nice. Glad I have succeeded and not the only one that likes the green colouring.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/01/31 06:52:50


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

Been a modelling week for me this week, did zero painting.

The Tyrannocyte is built, weapons magnetised and the join lines etc have been hit with liquid green stuff. So this week I'm going to do a bit of work on a bit more of an interesting base and then get it primed up. No progress photo of this unless you look in the game photos below

The other modelling I've been doing this week is helping my youngest brother build a forge world Tau Supremacy suit, this thing is huge! While I helped him with that I also started modelling my other brothers 10 man CSM squad, and some gargoyles for myself.

Where it is up to currently:



We are going to magnetise all the weapons, for ease of transport if nothing else.

Gargoyles, which are actually really easy to construct and I think they look awesome... my five year old daughter decided they were Pterodactyls, which I thought was excellent.


If I ever come up against the supremacy suit, I'm going to stuff Gargoyles down the barrels

Today I went out to one of the clubs in Auckland and had a 1850 game against Imperial Guard player who was testing a tournament list.

Game was brutal, fun and full of learning and experience! IG shot out to an early lead, but I managed to reign it back in and was actually 9-8 up at end of 5th turn, we rolled and game went on, it ended at sixth turn with 11-11 draw in the end, however looking at this end of game picture I'm glad it didn't go to a turn 7!!

i rolled rubbish psychic powers so wasn't able to capitalise on the fact IG had no pysker presence at all, and I forgot my hive tyrant had electroshock grubs which would have made a dent in the tanks.



A zoanthrope, tyrannocyte, and a couple of troops versus six tanks, and a vendetta that you can't see in photo.

Here is a few other photos of the game:




Oh and my use of biovores went well... they pinned a unit so my stealers could get into combat with the veteran squad and take them off the table, it was 2 stealers versus 8 veterans... genestealers are awesome


My next scheduled game is against Knightley, and I am very much looking forward to that, and perhaps we can do a battle report for that game

This week I'll keep helping my brothers and keep modelling my stuff, then back to painting table I go.

Thanks for checking in!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/08 05:58:49


Post by: Mad..


Hi DakkaDakka,

Been a pretty productive week for myself and the hive fleet.

Firstly I have added some bits and pieces to the base of the tyrannocyte and it is now primed and ready for painting... I'm still working out how I am going to tackle it because it is going to take a bit of paint!



And seeing as though I completed a bunch of mid sized models most recently (Venomthropes and Neurothrope) it is time for me to get on with a MC, so I got the exocrine out onto the painting table and got a good chunk done:




Seeing as though this gunbeast has a bio plasmic cannon and is really the only thing in the tyranid arsenal like it I thought I'd do something a bit different on this model and do a glowing plasma effect. Personally I think it has come up pretty nice, but if anyone has an idea that might improve it, I'm all ears The trickiest decision was what colour to go with, and I was debating between purple because I've got that on other "special features", blue because it is plasma, or green because my hive fleet ranged weapons are green. So I went with green as you can see, and started the plasma effect in the ribbing of the cannon near the back and worked it up.

I have to finish up some higlights on the claws and a bit more work on carapace before varnishes and basing, so this should be finished in time for next weeks update


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/08 06:18:28


Post by: evildrcheese


Nice piics from the battle. Nids can struggle against mechanised lists, but it looks like you had a blast.

Speaking of blasts, the glowing plasma effect looks wicked.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/09 06:05:16


Post by: Mad..


Thanks EDC. Struggled even more in this game because I forgot I had elctroshock grubs on the tyrant (haywire attack) and didn't click to the zoanthrope brood rule which means I should have been shooting two warp lances at his tanks instead of one.

Still had a great time though!

Glad to hear the plasma effect has the desired effect, can never be too sure I suppose


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/09 06:29:14


Post by: Master Azalle


Wow that excocrine looks fantastic! Stunning work!

The carapace paint job alone is stunning. The blues on the blades are also incredibly well done.

Love the glowing green. Would you care to share how you accomplished it?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/10 08:19:15


Post by: Mad..


Thanks for the Kudos MA, always good to hear positive feedback

So the way I did the plasma effect was based of the Eonsofbattle youtube channel method and altered to suit the Exocrine cannon.

My steps:
- Basecoat of dark green
- Layer of 50/50 dark green and sick green
- Some highlights with goblin green
- Washed with GW Biel-tan green shade
- Drybrush of 50/50 goblin green and white staying a bit more central so the darker colours are still there
- Drybrush of pure white trying to keep as central as possible on all the bits to show the intense part of the "glow"

I found it pretty easy and effective method.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/10 23:20:33


Post by: Knightley


The glow looks like the stuff from star ship troopers, ace!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/11 05:56:41


Post by: Mad..


Well, considering that was one of the inspirations for the hive fleet carapace, and one of the reasons I was considering blue plasma.... your comment makes me very happy to hear! Thanks Knightley


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/14 06:10:33


Post by: Mad..


Evening all!

Hope everyone had a good week... mine wasn't bad

Finished up the Exocrine, so here I am to show it off... really happy with how it turned out.





And a close up of the bio plasmic cannon.... because I can


Next on the painting table is a brood of Gargoyles, and a game with Knightley coming up... can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/14 19:36:17


Post by: Knightley


Digging the little purple eyes on the barrel, that's a nice touch


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/15 05:21:22


Post by: Mad..


Thanks,

I saw something similar in the codex on the "official" paint scheme with yellow eyes so thought I'd do similar on mine... came up quite nice I thought


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/15 06:51:50


Post by: evildrcheese


Exocrine looks great. What's next on the agenda?

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/16 06:16:33


Post by: Mad..


Thanks EDC,

Next up on the paint table is a brood of 10 Gargoyles


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/16 06:44:59


Post by: evildrcheese


Nice. I really don't see enough Gargoyles on the table top, good to see you representing.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/18 06:10:14


Post by: Mad..


Sadly we have a bit of distance between us EDC so you'll have to settle for seeing them show up in my future battle reports (once painted of course)


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/18 17:02:32


Post by: Ratius


Great worksss Mad. And thanksss for your support during illnesss.

PS beat up Tau thingy for ussss.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/18 17:46:22


Post by: Fifty


Whilst lurking in this thread, I've grown to really like the pattern on the carapaces. It is something very different that really marks yours out as unique.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/19 05:23:54


Post by: Mad..


Hissy - silly tau need to finish building it first, then I will make gargoyles fly into the barrels, exocrine melt it down into slag... Should work.

Fifty - Thanks for hanging out in the thread and thanks very much for the compliment on the carapace!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/22 06:44:25


Post by: Mad..


Evening all,

A bit late on my update... in terms of painting it has been a slow week, pretty much got the gargs base coated and got first layer of blue on their skin, here is a mosh pit shot.



Speaking of mosh pits, I played a game against Knightley this week, against Chaos Daemons, which I have never played before. Had a really good time and it was a fun game, with lots of funny moments and a heaps of units being spawned and summoned! It was eternal war with the scouring, I was lucky in that I got a four point objective pretty much in my deployment zone, so I camped my warrior brood in there and prepared to defend while the rest of the crew got out and got to a few other objectives and started fighting. I managed to hold on against the warp tide and sneak a win 9-5 or something like that.

First turn to last turn was fun because we were spawning and summoning a lot looked a bit like this:




Memorable moments for me were...
- First turn Knightley cast something (I lost track due to the insane amount of powers he had by the end) which he rolled a lot of sixes and hit most of the army on the board, and my venomthrope went POOF! Which didn't matter too much because the MCs didn't take many wounds in the game which helped against the tide.
- Lictor came charging out of cover hit a horror squad that had been paroxysmed by the swarmlord... and promptly died in combat just before the Mawloc was due to come on and use him as a homing beacon .
- The Soul grinder provided much entertainment zoidberg shuffling backwards and forwards trying to get a shot off
- When my Swarmlord finally starting beating stuff up Knightley's army were down to 6+ saves due to a roll on warp storm table, Swarmlord caused three wounds... and Knightley rolled this on his magical grey dice:

- Turn five there was heaps of horrors and blood letters on the table, there was a lot of assaults and the four point objective was hotly contested with rippers providing a meat shield for the warriors in the barricade and said demons throwing themselves into the fray, and onto barricades:



- My MVP was the Tervigon again, she managed to hold up the right hand side almost by herself with 28 gants spawned and hunkering down to hang onto another objective.
- I learned a lot this game, like I should have started the dakkafex on the table so could hit the flyers, as it was I ended up using the exocrine against the flyers the most which gave Knightley something to think about. With the Swarmlord, I should have put that into the pod so he could have smashed into the demon backfield
- Letdown unit was swarmlord, I think that was because it was first time outing with him AND there wasn't much for him to fight because they either stayed away or flew over him. Single zoanthrope didn't do much against a super psychic army either, although he had a hand to hand fight with some flamers.

Couple of other shots (Knightley took better ones I'm sure):





Thanks for the wicked game Knightley! I'm looking forward to the next one



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/22 18:30:06


Post by: Fifty


That is two absolutely fantastic looking armies. Very jealous.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/23 05:53:44


Post by: Mad..


Thanks Fifty! It was awesome seeing them slugging it out on the table. I built an army with as much painted as possible, only the tyrannocyte let the team down

Knightley has done a nice recap batrep over in his thread as well which is more detailed than mine http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/4590/349329.page#8474951





Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/02/23 06:46:17


Post by: evildrcheese


Cool. Judging from the 2 blogs ot looks like you both had a great time.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/03/06 06:28:27


Post by: Mad..


Hi everyone,

Been a busy couple of weeks which has limited the amount of time I've been able to dedicate to hobby.

One thing I was busy with was a bit of DIY on my house, taking this:



To this:



So pretty happy with how it has turned out

I have done no more painting on the gargs at this stage, so no update there. However I did sit down with the remaining bits of my Tyranocyte kit and produced this:



Mucolid using the "side" tentacles of the cyte itself, six spore mines and magnetised all 15 weapons.

I have also grown the hive fleet as well! I was mucking around online and found this box for a good price, so picked it up, plenty of troops and some old school genestealers. So I have given myself some more work to do, but one thing I found was my collection was missing some troops, so this is a good boost.



Lastly, given that I love Genestealers and was thinking that my "second army" could be a genestealer cult using a mix of guard and genestealer models, I was very happy to see Deathwatch Overkill released... I am picking up mine tomorrow!

Plan this week is to get the gargs painted up for Hive fleet Ngaro, get the fleet out on the table for a game and maybe start building the vult as time allows, so will be a bit more back to normal this week

PS: Sorry about the photos team, do you think I could get the stupid things to rotate or anything?!?!



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/03/06 20:40:46


Post by: Knightley


Thats a sweet deck! Having made one my self I can appreciate the work thats gone into it

I look forward to killing more stealers with my horrors soon


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/03/08 05:58:23


Post by: Mad..


Thanks Knightley, I'm really happy how the deck came up, pretty much went to plan which was nice!

So... picked this up today:



And I must say... the models are even cooler in the flesh than you see on the photos. Although there isn't much to the board game on this one (just some boards and cards) when you compare it to say, Space Hulk.

However, it will be a little while before I get onto these models, as I have realised that I started getting distracted from my painting "mission" and I have added over 100 models to the "need painting" pile in a very quick time, so back to the paint table I go!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/03/08 06:18:55


Post by: evildrcheese


Cool. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the cult stuff.

Nice decking too, however it needs more digestion pools.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/03/14 06:15:44


Post by: Mad..


EDC - Heh, digestion pools are underneath the deck, don't want the neighbours getting suspicious now do I?

Update for the week!

Got some painting time in so have got a good amount done on the gargoyles, they need their carapace and wing washes done along with picking out the smaller details (claws, tendons, eyes etc) and then they will be ready to go, I'm confident I'll have them finished by the weekend update.



I also played a 1000pt game vs an unbound ork army, from memory the orks had six fast attack slots and HQ, and that was it. However we played a very basic game which was line up and try kill each other, we didn't have objectives etc which I feel would have made the game more interesting. As it turned out it was a 7 turn game that had the orks on me pretty much straight away.

MVP of this game is hard to pick, everything contributed except for one squad of genestealers that got insta-killed first turn because I infiltrated them into a dumb place, but I guess even then they soaked up a round of shooting from the bikes which means they weren't shooting at my warriors/exocrine, who then retaliated pretty well

Deployment looked a bit like this:



End of game looked a bit like this:





Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/03/14 06:44:23


Post by: evildrcheese


Gargoyles are looking good so far.

Yeah, I always prefer a objectives mission rather than a straight up face punching match. Especially against an an made of of mostly Ork bikes. Urgh.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/03/14 18:44:24


Post by: Master Azalle


Your deck looks fantastic! and in time for good weather. Cant wait to see more paint on Nids


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/03/16 08:37:24


Post by: Mad..


@EDC - Yeah we talked about it after the game and both agreed we should have done some objectives, ah well, next time!

@MA - I'm on the other side of the world to you, so we are heading into the colder months. However I've been getting good use out of it while it is still sunny


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/03/27 05:49:45


Post by: Mad..


Hi everyone,

Well there was a bit of fun and games in real life over the last few weeks, hence no update last week. However, things are looking good again and I used a bit of Easter to get back into Tyranid mode!

I pretty much finished the gargoyles, I say pretty much because when I went to give them their gloss coat spray I had a fun surprise... there was none left in the can so here they are waiting for the gloss coat before I can finish them off. I'll be picking up another can of spray this week, so real photos should be around next update



Given that I have acquired another bunch of Tyranids to expand the Hive Fleet and I have almost run out of built models I have sat down and planned out what order the remaining models are going to be completed, it is still going to be a small troop like brood, then a mid size, then an MC. Above I have completed (mostly) the gargoyles, so I got onto the next brood. I had a couple that needed to be put together, so here is the two fine cast guard with their metal brethren ready for the paint table:



So, see you all next update where the gargoyles will be up on their flying stands finished finally and the hive guard brood will be in progress!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/04/17 07:13:16


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

Doesn't time fly when you are having fun. Got clobbered in the hand playing hockey which pretty much stopped painting and modelling in it's tracks for a little bit, it is coming right now so have finally gotten some work worth showing done

Gargoyles have had their gloss coat applied, and now I just need to go over the carapace with the matt varnish and they will be complete, so I'll share a photo next update with them finally completed!

Made a start on the three hive guard and they are coming along really nicely, need to do blue washes and highlights, along with some highlights on the greens and then they are into varnish and basing time so at least this brood won't take as long as the last to get finished hehe, here is a bit of a progress pic:



I played a game against Dark Eldar last weekend... and wow did I learn some lessons. My opponent was practicing for a tournament and had a couple of raiders full of warriors with splinter racks, plus some bikes with a similar set up, a grotesque formation and a bunch of scourges.

The volume of re-rollable poison shots decimated my big bugs as they were forced to make a lot of 3+ saves which didn't go so well. However not only was I losing stuff to his fire, but I did more damage to myself in the psychic phase than to him! I pretty much killed my own flyrant, rolled a perils, suffered a wound, failed grounding check, smashed into ground losing another wound, and where I crashed was pretty much open and I couldn't find cover so it didn't take much for the Dark Eldar to pick it off ... this happened in my turn one as well after they seized initiative and killed my dakkafex, zoanthrope and a bunch of other stuff in the alpha strike.

I reckon I recovered pretty well, and ending up going down 6-2 in a tactical escalation maelstrom game (oh yeah, I didn't get any cards for my own or middle objectives, they were all in his deployment )

The Living artillery node did a lot of work in blowing up the raiders and picking off the soldiers inside, but by that point I couldn't handle the reserves as they came deep striking in. By game end all I had was three biovores left, so if game rolled to continue I would have been tabled.

I still really enjoyed myself, and I learned a lot from this game not only about my army but also the dark eldar and what I can do better in a rematch... the terrain was interesting and I set up a pretty epic looking scene with my deployment on the right hand side:



I have a 1500pt game scheduled with Knightley this weekend, and I'm really looking forward to that one!

Thanks for stopping by.





Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/04/25 06:30:31


Post by: Mad..


Been a good week for the hobby and I feel like I am back into the groove after a couple of little set backs.

Gargoyles are complete, photos to come tomorrow.

Hive guard are complete and just need their basing done, photos again to come soon.

And I played another game against Knightley yesterday... we are working on our different battle reports, but here is a teaser photo:



It was an awesome game, and playing against such a nicely painted LOW was awesome!

Photo update and a couple of battle reports coming soon!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/04/28 07:09:59


Post by: Mad..


So, played an excellent game against Knightley on Sunday just been.

He has done up a batrep and posted it into his blog (thanks Knightley!): http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/4770/349329.page#8613676

1500 points Grey Knights vs Hive Fleet Ngaro
Hammer and Anvil
Purge the Alien

Rather than me making a similar batrep, or being lazy bum and not doing anything I thought I'd have a crack at doing a bit of a narrative/story version of a batrep of the same battle, so without further delay here is my first attempt at turning a tabletop battle into somewhat of a story, hope you enjoy

Spoiler:

Inquisitor Ravos and his grey knight force are travelling through the warp in response to several reports of daemonic activity in a nearby system, suddenly there is confusion amongst the navigators and in the ensuing chaos the inquisition fleet falls out of the warp and re-emerges in real space. As inquisitor Ravos awaits status reports of what has happened he looks through the viewport at a world that seems lush and green except one area that looks dead, and seems to be growing in size. The captain of the ship appears and reports that the navigators were effected by the Shadow in the Warp that accompanies Tyranid hive fleets and the inquisitors fleet has been scattered throughout real space which will take some time to regather the forces, the captain also plays a vox recording from the planet below asking for any assistance against the tyranid creatures that are attacking the world. Ravos looks at the data and realises this tyranid force is not currently very big and there isn’t any noticeable space borne presence so he decides to take a force of his henchmen, strike marines, and nemesis dreadknight along with his grey knight terminator retinue to stop the alien menace before it could grow to become a bigger threat. As he discusses this with the librarian who leads the grey knights force they decide to bring the Knight Castigator that they requisitioned for the daemonic investigation in case the tyranid threat is bigger than first realised.

Landing of the inquisitorial forces is uneventful and they start heading towards the last known area of activity, there are reports from the local PDF that were manning the bastion and weapon emplacements before being overrun that there was a giant winged beast that seemed to be leading the tyranid broods. While moving through the area that has been abandoned they start picking up enemy signals, as they continue moving through ruined imperial buildings they see a mass of tyranids advancing through the now barren wilderness towards them. The grey knight force set up in amongst the ruins and prepare for battle, including the librarian making the castigator invisible to the oncoming menace. The tyranid army emerges from a grove of dead trees, while others trample through the local graveyard which further hardens the resolve of the imperial forces to see such desecration.

The hive tyrant notices the knights force and recognising the distance is too far for shooting it urges it’s forces forward faster while it takes to the sky, it heads towards the enemy commander and launches a volley of brainleech worms towards it’s foe, the voracious hungry worms burrow through the armour of a terminator and feast on the marine inside. Before the tyrant can make it’s next move it gets fired upon by the transport vehicles and a few heavy shots cause damage which makes the beast pause. It isn’t sure where the heaviest fire came from, but it can see a large shimmer behind a bunker, it directs it’s forces to continue running, while itself flies back to the main group to oversee the upcoming battle.

With the main force of Tyranids running down the left flank inquisitor Ravos and his terminator bodyguard hunker down the on the right flank behind some storage tanks, suddenly rippers appear from the undergrowth and a fusillade of spines shot out from the critters, most bounced harmlessly off the dense armour of the terminators, but one terminator wasn’t so lucky as a couple of spines managed to punch their way through killing the marine and Ravos himself took a spine to his left bicep. The Nemesis Dreadknight gearing up to assist the beset inquisitor hears a boom from above, when he looked up he witnessed a tyrannocyte falling from the sky, it slammed into the ground and a screamer killer carnifex appeared from the innards of the pod. With an escalating scream from which their famous name is derived the carnifex unleashed a blast of bio-plasma at one of the henchmen chimera’s, parts of the hull melt away from the heat but stays intact. The screamer killer then notices the castigator and turns it’s attention to bringing it down. Meanwhile the tyrannocyte reinflated and is now floating in the field of battle, it’s deathspitters unleashed on the same chimera which again managed to stay intact to protect the henchmen. The Dreadknight evaluates these new threats and moves to take it down the screamer killer, first it lights it and the tyrannocyte up with the incinerator and then charges in to finish the threat with his sword, the carnifex doesn’t seem to notice that it is now on fire and it turns to face this new enemy which gives an opening and a massive sword is thrust between the neck and carapace of the beast, killing it instantly in a spray of alien ichor. As the dreadknight withdraws his sword and wipes xenos filth from the blade, the tyrannocyte continues to burn while spitting death into the now critically damaged chimera, seeing the armour of chimera is about to fail the dreadknight springs to action and chops down the tyrannocyte in quick time saving the chimera and it’s occupants.




The strike marines disembark from their razorback and fire into the oncoming mass and incinerating a brood of rippers, little do they know that they have attracted the attention of an underground threat. Feeling the vibrations of the marines running down the ramp and the heavy thump of weapons, the mawloc burrows up towards the area and emerges in a choking cloud of dust. As it emerges it clips the razorback and weakens the hull, it then skewers two marines on its scything talons while a third is consumed in its huge maw. The remaining pair of marines lose their footing in the sudden attack and fall into the hole made by the creatures emergence, the mawloc dives back into the hole to finish off the unlucky marines while the razorback hangs precariously over the attack site. Suddenly there is a squealing of tearing metal as the mawloc tears through the bottom of the razorback and attempts to get in far enough to finish off the crew, the crew react quickly and attack the head of the monster with pistols and a shovel and manage to kill it, however they spend the rest of the battle trying to soothe the machines spirit and removing the dead mawloc wedged in the vehicle.

Meanwhile as the hive tyrant flies over the forces it’s directing towards the prey, it gets confirmation of the presence of a Knight Castigator through the screamer killers link in the synaptic web. Although all that can be seen is the large shimmer still behind the bunker, the tyrant urges it’s broods to continue running, and the tervigon to spawn more termagants to assist with the fight to come. As if on cue, huge amounts of heavy firepower from the shimmering shape come booming through the air towards the swarm smashing into the shrouded area where the venomthrope has been creating a cloud of spores and toxins to obscure the swarms advance, the venomthrope shrieks in pain as it is grazed by one of the oversized bullets however the nearby synapse creatures exert their control and it remains in position. The tyrant fires into the enemy transports and causes some more damage and then it swoops forward to get behind the gunline that the prey has created, it hears more booming fire from the knight and feels the venomthrope’s presence in the synaptic web disappear, knowing there is no more cover it urges it’s broods to run and spread out. Bio cannons start firing in response and more damage is done to the prey’s transport vehicles.

After having one of the bodyguard downed by the flying beast during initial contact and then having rippers appear from nowhere killing another terminator and wounding himself, Ravos turned and watched in horror as a squad of marines were devoured and a razorback crew fought for it’s life. Squad Ravos head back towards the razorback to see if they could help in anyway, when they get to the scene they see they could be no more use to the crew who were still busy trying to remove the pulped mawloc from the floor of their vehicle. Suddenly one of the terminators voxs “contact” and the squad open fire into a brood of termagants that have changed direction suddenly, three of the beasts are blown apart and the return fire of flesh boring beetles manages to penetrate yet another set of terminator armour to allow the beetles to feast on the flesh inside. Squad Ravos get out of the open and take cover behind the storage tanks again. While they are getting their bearings they can hear what seems to be a roar of frustration and shuddering footsteps from the plasma beast as it moves out from behind the abandoned bastion to try and get it’s weapon into range, the inquisitor notices that floating behind is a zoanthrope which is obviously keeping the exocrine in check, suddenly over the storage tanks comes several massive bone spikes which hit the terminators armour hard and are deflected, the hive guard have found their range. Ravos decides they will take the fight to the enemy and they leave the cover of the storage tanks and start charging towards the exocrine, during the charge the inquisitor skilfully throws two grenades at the beast. The psychotroke grenade detonates first and distracts the exocrine enough that the bio plasma streams miss the squad, the radiation grenade explodes second and Ravos smiles as he see the weakening effect the radiation is having on the exocrines living tissue, he ducks under a clumsy swipe from a scything talon and spins into range of the monstrosity’s head and with a smooth motion plunges his force sword through the eye and into the brain, the exocrine falls down dead and the squad look across the field of battle to see that the tide has turned in the Grey Knights favour, the squad then butcher the lone zoanthrope with ease and look to join the mop up on the other side of the battlefield however there is a bestial roar from above and the last thing Ravos will see is the image of a flying hive tyrant firing brain seeking worms towards him.



The pilot of the castigator takes a small moment to celebrate as the obscuring cloud of spores dissipates after killing the venomthrope, the xenos are exposed and they start scattering left and right, the pilot sees the tyrant fly past but the chimeras start shooting skyward so he turns his focus to the lynchpin of the swarm in form of the tervigon and the spawn she has created. Along with the dreadknight the castigator charges and they make short work of the puny gaunts with cleaves of swords and gleefully stomping on the ones left alive soon there is a path opened to the tervigon and the gun beasts around her. The knight charges the tervigon who is slow to react along with the hive guard which join in the desperate fight for their survival. The tervigon tries to smash the castigator on two occasions, but both times the hits are easily absorbed by the blessed armour, the pilot uses the sword with consummate skill and stomps, and when the dust settles there is one hive guard that has somehow survived. The dreadknight meanwhile saw the battle between the castigator and tervigon going well, so took his time finishing off the remaining termagants and when the tervigon was slain there was some sort of backlash with the termagants and several fell down dead, the dreadknight freed himself from the pulped termagants and opened fire on the warriors, destroying them completely. The dreadknight turned in time to see the castigator finish off the last hive guard and go striding off towards the wilderness to check for any other tyranid threats, the dreadknight pilot also saw the inquisitor’s squad finish off a zoanthrope, but before any celebrations could be had a bestial roar echoed around the battlefield and the flying hive tyrant reappeared from its rampage through the back line in which several of the transports were wrecked and it fired upon Squad Ravos, riddling the inquisitor with worms and as the body twitched in his death throes the hive tyrant flew off to lick its wounds and regather it’s strength.

The battle had been won and not without causalities’, but with the escape of the hive tyrant how long would it be before the threat returned? Several kill teams have been dispatched to try and locate the tyrant before it can regrow it’s army and the Grey Knights have continued on their mission to investigate and deal with chaos incursions.





Was quite a comprehensive victory for the Grey Knights in this game 13-4 was the final score from memory. I still thoroughly enjoyed the game and learned a lot. My deployment could have been better to bring my gun beasts into the fray before turn three, and having deep striking rippers gave away some easy kill points which meant I started chasing the game a bit and ended up with nothing but my warlord left, and I had my first ever game against a LOW which was awesomley painted so I wasn't phased when it started stomping bugs hehe

Looking forward to the next game thats for sure!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/04/28 09:10:34


Post by: Knightley


Digging the story-rep.

I actually like the idea behind it and might try do this in the future, perhaps for our next game


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/04/28 13:23:34


Post by: evildrcheese


Cool narrative report. That last picture made me chuckle as it appears the terivigin is reading the book on the Castigator's base.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/01 06:31:38


Post by: Mad..


@Knightley - Thanks, I figured it was better than doing one up in the same style you were... saved dakkadakka from a double up, and I'm looking forward to our game in May for sure!

@EDC - Thank you, was a bit of a learning curve doing one up this way. It's almost impossible to have every little detail of the battle in the story so I concentrated on a couple of points of view which I reckon worked well. Also, I think that Tervigon is reading the book in the hope there is a clue in how to crack open the armour

Gargoyles all done and dusted:



Hive guard just need their basing done, so completion photos will be in next update... along with progress pictures of the Tyrannocyte!

Cheers.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/15 06:35:50


Post by: Mad..


Hi DakkaDakka!

Time for an update... I have finished the hive guard brood, they were actually nice and easy to put together and paint up so ploughed through them pretty fast.






Next up is a MC/ Big beastie, so I have started on the tyrannocyte:



Plenty left to do on this, I've only started laying down the base colours

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more updates


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/15 07:04:03


Post by: Knightley


Awesome, Greta to see the Cyte getting some love, you'll be at 1500 points fully painted very shortly I would say


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/16 06:35:49


Post by: Mad..


Heh cheers Knightley.

I sat down and worked out how much I have got painted thus far.... sitting at about 2600pts worth painted up, so coming along nicely. A lot of the stuff I have left to paint is still in box, so I've almost cleared all the back log and will be moving into modelling and painting new stuff as I go soon.... including the Cult models


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/16 20:18:24


Post by: Knightley


Oooh cult models, this is interesting!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/19 06:42:04


Post by: Mad..


Heh, yeah I'll be painting up the cult models myself, and I'm thinking of getting the deathwatch marines commission painted to put on display as I really like the deathwatch idea and the models in this set are great.

Would you like to paint up some Deathwatch models Knightley?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/19 08:39:34


Post by: evildrcheese


Nice work on the Hive Guard Mad, top quality as ever.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/19 21:12:02


Post by: Knightley


Yeah I could be interested in doing that


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/23 06:26:20


Post by: Mad..


EDC - Thanks for the kudos

Knightley - Guess we will talk about it more this Sunday then...

Got some more work done on the tyrannocyte and it is coming along nicely, I was a bit worried the blue to green would be too much of a contrast but now that I have started blending and doing some work in that area it is looking a lot better, so I am quietly confident that it'll look good when I'm done.




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/26 03:02:43


Post by: SBG


I must say, the paint on the gargoyles and hive guard is just awesome. Very well done.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/26 06:29:55


Post by: Mad..


@SBG - Long time no see! Thanks for the nice words. Hope real life is treating you well as I'm assuming that's why you have been quiet recently.

PS: Holy four armed god, I've hit ten pages! never thought I'd get this far, so here is to the next ten huh!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/26 23:52:56


Post by: SBG


Things have been busy, for sure... But now I'm getting back on track and should be able to update my p&m blog soon as well. You've kept up a pretty steady pace - I will have to play catch up now!

Eager to see what you do with the Tyrannocyte!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/29 08:07:27


Post by: Mad..


Yeah been keeping it ticking along. I'd say I had some catch up to do to get to you in first place, so you just gave me time to get there

Tyrannocyte is coming along, I should have it done by next weekend, I'll get some progress pics up soon.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/30 09:11:48


Post by: Mad..


So been a good week hobbywise.

Firstly have been ticking along on the Tyrannocyte bringing the greens and blues up, here is where it is currently up to, with carapace to yellow up and then it is washing and final detailing time.



Secondly had an awesome 1500pt game against Knightley, he had a Sisters of Battle army that he put on the table to face a hungry Ngaro. I also had a different list as was trying out a bunch of units I hadn't used before, like a Neurothrope, Tyrannofex, gargoyles and a Warrior Prime HQ choice, so there was a few points where we both realised we completely forgot something our army could do. Still it was a great Maelstrom game and it came down to the wire with the difference being a roll of a D3 each on a maelstrom card... I rolled a one, and Sisters rolled a three, 10-8 win to Sisters.

In regards to the "new units" I had in this game the neurothrope was ok, it got taken out relatively early as Sisters bracketed it and mowed down the brood because it was a big threat where it was. Ten model Gargoyle brood did well in giving cover and launching forward to grab an objective and be an area denial unit which made the Sisters change their plan a bit, I can definitely see them being useful again in the future. The Warrior Prime became a tough objective holder with his squad of warriors and did more defensive work, although they did chip away at the giant Sister blob that was running around the place. The best of the new units was the Tfex, I dropped it in the pod in the back field where it promptly melted a tank then proceeded to absorb fire from the other tank as it reversed across the field of battle for the rest of the game, leaving the Tfex to walk along melting sisters and doing a good final clearance of an objective to claim a vital victory point along with line breaker, while finishing on 2 wounds.

Another notable mention has to go to the Tyrannocyte itself, not only did it deliver the Tfex safely into battle but it then proceeded to chip away hull points of multiple vehicles and also chip away at the sister blob and provided enough of a distraction that it and the Tfex kept the Sisters army on its toes.

Things that didn't go so well were... my dice, soooo many ones and twos which made things even more interesting, and the Trygon which arrived safely but really didn't do much else, got tarpitted and dragged down, I suppose it supplied more distraction, but at 190pts that is pretty expensive especially when a Mawloc at 140pts can hit on entry and do about the same in combat as the Trygon did in this game, so will probably staying on the sideline for a while longer :(

So another awesome fun game with Knightley, I'm looking forward to the next one and I'm learning more about my army and different opposition on the table every game, and enjoying the game more and more.

Cheers for stopping by.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/30 14:13:34


Post by: evildrcheese


Sounds like a cool game. SoB are a fun army to play and play against.

Tyrannocyte is looking great so far.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/05/31 03:48:25


Post by: SBG


Good highlighting on the blue bits of the Cyte, and I have to agree with you on the Tfex and Trygon. My experiences with them have been consistent with yours - Trygons are often underwhelming, while Tfexes almost always over perform. Though sending in a Tfex in a Cyte... Not something I had considered, but now...


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/01 07:06:48


Post by: Mad..


Thanks for the compliments on the cyte progress, I did some more work on it tonight, but it was only painting black onto all the carapace parts so looks no different at this point. Will be doing the yellow and washes next so will have a photo for that update

I saw the Tfex come down in a Cyte in a youtube battle report I was watching Nids Versus Tau... it did some good work and was a very tough distraction so thought I;d give it a go. I'll give it some more game time and see how I like it.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/02 06:47:01


Post by: Mad..


So, Knightley has done a cool narrative batrep of the battle we had on the weekend, you can check it out here:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/4890/349329.page#8689470

And here is a couple of photos I took of the game.

Tyrant eye view:



And winged beasts closing the gap:



Looking forward to the next game for sure.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/03 00:59:02


Post by: SBG


That looks like it was a fun game! Good batrep too. Did the Warriors all get taken out by the Exorcist?


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/03 04:11:40


Post by: Knightley


IIRC he was was left with 2 warriors and a Prime in the area terrain, I tried a risky melta outflank and failed to snipe.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/03 04:23:44


Post by: SBG


Yeah, Warriors need cover to survive...


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/03 06:00:52


Post by: evildrcheese


Yeah, as an SoB player myself warriors outside side of cover are just Exorcist fodder.

Cool pics, looking forward to reading the bat rep when I head over to Knightley's plog!

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/12 06:55:12


Post by: Mad..


Heh, the warriors were in cover the whole game and survived the exorcist... a lot of that had to do with the fact there was a tyrannofex and tyrannocyte dropped into the back lines which gave the Sisters something to really worry about, especially that t-fex which went on a mini rampage.

Finished the tyrannocyte, man this thing took some painting, glad to have it finished and happy with the overall look.



This photo doesn't quite do the finished model justice, I should have turned the magnets on the weapons away from camera and there is more depth to the colour in particular the greens which I'm really happy with how it came out, so maybe if I can get a better photo i'll share that, otherwise Knigthley can critique it in person in our next game

I'm going to a bit of a "stocktake" now on what I have left to do, as I have pretty much finished all the old stuff I had to catch up on and now have to model everything from here on in so am going to put together a little bit of a plan as I have some Chaos troops to do for my brother, a Genestealer cult to start painting and a few mores boxes to keep growing Hive Fleet Ngaro. So I'll make a decision and you'll see some pictures of what I chose next update

Thanks for reading.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/12 08:32:29


Post by: angelofvengeance


Loving the carapace on the Tyrannocyte bud! Great work!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/13 06:47:06


Post by: Mad..


Thanks AOV, seems to be the thing that most people like about the scheme... which is good


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/13 08:42:45


Post by: Knightley


I am totally looking forward to seeing this on the table, having seen it twice already I think a third time is fitting for a fully painted cyte


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/06/16 06:55:30


Post by: Mad..


Third times a charm they say...

We will see if it can redirect some of your force in the next game like it did in the last.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/07/03 08:21:42


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

So now that I have basically completed all the "old" tyranid stuff I had for hive fleet Ngaro, I have sat back and taken stock of what I have unpainted and come up with a plan... first up is a ten man chaos space marine squad for one of my brothers, then I'm going to get my cult models done with maybe a Ngaro beast thrown into the mix, then back to "Ngaro full time" as I still have the start collecting box and some other boxes I have purchased in more recent times...

Now that the plan is set, it's time to get on with it... here is the first photo of the new plan



They are a random mix of close quarters and ranged models, but they are more of a display than for actual game so my brother won't mind. I'll be doing them up in the pre-heresy Emperors Children colours that I have done in the past.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/07/04 21:14:30


Post by: Knightley


Oooh some Chaos Marines, this might be a nice small distraction from the swarm

If you want to use my airbrush to get the base colour done your welcome to use it.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/07/10 06:27:42


Post by: Mad..


- Knightley, thanks for the offer. Have already done a bunch of the base colour stuff as you will see below... however I may take you up on your offer when I come to base coat the skin of 40 odd tyranid troops choices in the future, because brushing on that much base coat doesn't seem like a lot of fun hehe.

Got some work done on the CSM squad this week, mostly just base coat stuff, got some bone colour and the gun colours to get on then I can get onto washes and start bringing out the details.



So a nice steady progress thus far


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/07/18 07:16:43


Post by: Mad..


Had a 1500pt game vs Knightley over the weekend.

Given that I am still learning the army on the tabletop in 7th I keep bringing different things in my lists to try them out, and Knightley has a lot of armies to choose from, so I've been able to take on Sisters of Batlle, Grey Knights, and Chaos Demons thus far and this time around it was Tau.

Lists:

Ngaro
HQ - Walking hive tyrant - Lash whip/bone sword, heavy venom cannon and two bowling balls.... I mean Tyrant Guard.
Troops - 10 Hormagaunts, 2x 3 Rippers with D/S
FA - 10 Gargoyles
Elite - Lictor, Venomthrope, 2 Zoanthrope
HS - Tyrannofex in a pod, Mawloc
Form - Living artillery node, Exocrine, 3 warriors, 3 biovores.

Tau
Ethereal, cadre fire blade, fire warrior blob with markerlights, 40 kroot, 10 vespid, and transport.
3 crisis battesuits with drones, 2 broadsides with drones and missiles, hammerhead with railgun, 2 piranha

We rolled up Eternal war mission big guns never tire with five objectives evenly placed around the corners and middle of table, Knightley got to deploy first and I failed to seize.

Deployment looked like this:



Knightley had the crisis suits and kroot in reserve, I had the Mawloc, Tyrannofex, and rippers in reserve. Tau set up fire warriors in ruined building with vespids flying around the place, the broadsides started in the middle behind cover with the hammerhead, piranhas etc on the far side of deployment.

I set up my LAN in cover so the biovores could bomb the table and exocrine could come to grips with the broadsides. Hive tyrant and venomthrope was in the middle providing a tough middle table nut to crack providing synapse and shrouding, and the Zoanthropes on the close edge with the hormagaunts and gargoyles spreading out between all forces and the lictor infiltrated in front of the fire warrior building.

Due to some questionable deployment options from myself, along with not really prioritising what to kill effectively and struggling to catch the buggers as they stayed out of range of my shooting it was a bit of a slog, At the end of turn five we calculated that it would have been a draw, however the game went into turn six and this is what it looked like at end of the game:



The game was great fun to play with good highlights. The hammerhead failed to fire a single shot all game which I found surprising as I was expecting it to blow my hive tyrant to smithereens, the other heavy choices for both teams worked hard and all survived the whole game, with only 1 VP being scored from big guns never tire when I downed the hammerheads detached drones. Actually, in hindsight the Tau Hammerhead must of had rippers inside the wires, or the tank commander had been infested by a brain bug as it did it's best to keep me in the game, by not shooting and giving me it's drones to kill Here is an over the shoulder shot from the said hammerhead



Other notable highlights were the kroot blobs coming in from the far end and hitting the biovores and warriors, leaving just one biovore alive which started running towards it's mates while the Mawloc came up and ate a bunch of Kroot and made them turn around and start running towards the table edge... they managed to regain their morale when they fired some snapshots into a ripper swarm and took it down... big tough brave kroot running from mawlocs and bullying poor little rippers.

I also lost all my synapse from the outside of the army and was relying on the hive tyrant and instinctive behaviour tests which did alter some of my plans somewhat, one of my stars was again the t-fex being dropped in by pod next to this...



After absorbing a bunch of fire from many sources the t-fex then proceeded to cover the building in acid sprays and grubs before making a charge under instinctive behaviour to keep itself safe in combat... it chewed through the fire warriors pretty easily and did what it needed to do, ending the game like this:



Annoyingly the hiding in ruins fire warrior blob was about 49" away from the cover I had for the biovores so had to settle for shooting at suits and spawning the odd irritating spore mine when I missed my shots, and I also lost my lictor, gargoyles and zoanthropes way to fast on the close end of table edge due to dumb deployment spots...

Learned heaps from this game though and had a really good after game chat with Knightley about what went well, and what didn't so still learning and I find I learn more on these close games/losses than when I have a win so that is a nice bonus.

Thanks for the game again Knightley, really looking forward to the next one!

We also played a game of execution force which is a great little game as well, co-op vs random game mechanics is interesting and varied.




Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/07/18 20:08:53


Post by: Knightley


In hindsight having a foot slogging army vs a shooty army is always going to be tough, there were a ton of things learned from both side, *cough* don't take a hammerhead *cough*

Look forward to the next game


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/07/27 06:27:26


Post by: Mad..


You should always take a hammerhead... that unit was stunning in it's ability to keep me in the game

I've been slowly plugging away at the Chaos squad and they are coming along nicely... no photos to show at this stage because the ones I took for latest update look terrible, so blurry you can't see much at all. So i'll get some photos for a proper update on the weekend


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/07/27 06:32:19


Post by: evildrcheese


Sounds like you had a blast. Great pics.

EDC


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/08/10 06:38:19


Post by: Mad..


Chaos Space Marine squad is coming along slowly but turning out nicely.



Got a bunch of highlighting to do on them along with picking out a few details and getting the weapons sorted. I'm going to go with a green power sword for the champion, and the plasma guns are getting a green glow treatment as well. The rest, well they will be a various assortment of dirty grey and metals because they are chaos



Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/08/28 07:14:33


Post by: Mad..


Hi all,

Winter sport has just finished for another season, so I'll have a bunch more free time again to put towards painting and modelling, so should get more updates in near future.

Have continued work on the CSM squad.

Still have the weapons and trims to do along with a few other highlights to finish up on the armour and then they are done... close to completion now!



Also played another game against Knightley today. First time since fourth my Tyranids had encountered the Necrons (robots aren't that tasty). It was a spoils of war maelstrom game which the Necrons won 12-6, was another really good enjoyable game and although the score blew out by the end it would have only taken a couple of different dice rolls and it would have been a very different score.

I learned that Necrons are very resilient, and get back up a lot. Also learned that when the Death Ctan rolls 11 Destroyer wounds nothing is going to stop that

MVP unit of this game was the Mawloc who did pretty much everything the hive mind needed it to do and was still standing unscathed at end of game after taking out a couple of Necron units. Venomthrope was a close second protecting the right flank and helping prevent a lot of wounds with it's shrouded bubble. Tervigon was solid again, only downfall to her today was she corked on first turn spawn which is unusual for her in my army

Had a great post game chat with Knightley who thought my tactics were pretty sound this game with only a few tweaks needed, although he recommended I melt down the dice I was using for this game Looking forward to the next rumble in a couple of weeks.

Till next time!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/08/28 09:11:26


Post by: Knightley


Agreed!, those dice need to be burned in sacrifice to the dice gods, when you roll 12 shots and hit with 1, something is wrong!


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/08/30 06:10:55


Post by: Mad..


Haha, or need a 3+ run move for rippers and roll a 1.... and then do it again with another ripper brood and roll a two.

They were certainly testing the hive fleets resolve on Sunday.


Mad Nids, Cult and ZITs blog (Update: Foetid Bloat Drone WIP1 and new addition )  @ 2016/08/30 07:13:05


Post by: evildrcheese


CSM are looking great so far, really like that purple scheme .

Sounds like you've been using my dice recently...

EDC