Welcome all to the 36th round of the Unofficial Painting Challenge here on Dakka. For anyone who's unfamiliar with the format, this is a simple community challenge open to anyone on Dakka, the aim of the game being to paint a model or set of models relating to the month's theme and win points for doing so! This also constitutes the final round of the challenge's third year, meaning it's the last chance to push yourself up the League Table before it all gets reset come March!
The theme this month is 'Carry A Big Stick'. Your entry should be boasting a weapon of particularly immense size, be that a Lascannon or a greataxe, a Grenade Launcher to a broadsword. The killier, the better!
How To Enter
- You may enter up to 5 MODELS as a SINGLE ENTRY, and are permitted one entry per member per month. If you enter multiple models, they should ideally be related in some way, such as part of the same squad, unit or scene if you are doing a diorama
- You MUST post a 'proof' picture of your entry in the thread of the state it was in before you started working on it; this must be either unassembled, unpainted, primed or coated a single colour. Entries that do not submit a valid Proof Picture will not be eligible for voting.
- After this, you may post WIP pictures in this thread and your own if you wish, and on completing the entry, you may post up to 6 final pictures IN THIS THREAD that will then be used for voting. Please note that pictures in a montage or collage picture will be considered individual images for this purpose, so while these types of presentation are certainly acceptable, please keep the image limit in mind when compiling them. For example, a collage of 5 images and one separate image would count as your 6 picture allowance.
So What Do I Win?
- Points... and points mean... bragging rights for the next month! Following the vote, points will be awarded to every entrant. This year, the Points you receive will be equal to the Percentage of Votes your entry receives in the final Voting thread; if you get 10%, you get 10 points, if you get 6% you get 6 points, so on and so forth.
These points will be used to form a league table, which will be updated month on month as the results come in.
How Long Do I Have?
This challenge begins 1st of February and will end at midnight GMT on the 28th of February. After this, I shall compile the finished entries into a new thread, and voting will run for 5 days.
Heavy thunder hammer deathwatch vanguard vets?
Lascannon heavy support squad?
Converted ironman Leviathan dread?
Ahriman?
Grey Knight purgation squad?
Eldar Dark Reapers?...
I'll have to throw a die or something to decide on this one...
I really like this kit, it was nice to build.
Some month ago I bought a gundam kit, which was completely glueless to build, everything fit perfectly and it was a joy to build and I tought, why GW dosn't have these kind of kits.... and et voila.... there it is.
Going to be a tight month, as I’ll be moving to a new place in the middle of it, but let’s see what I can do. I was planning on doing my Hunter tank, but will aim to get at least one of these lieutenants done:
The Boy also wanted to try to enter on his own this month with a captain with a relic blade.
Going to be a busy month for me,so i would say its 50/50 i get these things finished in time,wish me luck!
Some Battletech.They carry big guns for such tiny vehicles.
Long Tom Artillary Cannon & Ammo Carriage.(Has a cannon capable of firing "nukes")
Good Luck to everyone for the final challenge of the challenge year.
Quite a variety already, I'm always impressed with your tiny work U971.
I'll go in with this one, an Ork Nob with Waaagh Banner! (a big stick) I've played a friend a couple of times with the new rules and had to use a nob with a trophy rack as the Waaagh banner model, so only seems right I make a proper one
I'm in with an Alpha Legion Sorcerer. He's wearing a jump pack and carrying a big stick. Here's my proof:
Good luck to everyone who's entering. I already see a bunch of cool entries getting ready to throw down!
Disclaimer: This one was ordered with two close-combat weapon options, so the final picture may feature my magnetized weapon from previous...so it'll be 90% painted this month. Only thing I have laying around with a "big stick".
Well after spending most of last month ill and shivering on the sofa, I actually feel like a real human this month (so far. And human is open to interpretation at the best of times anyway!).
So, I thought of a big stick to use. What better than a Swordmaster of Hoeth, using a blade almost as big as himself with inhuman speed and swiftness.
Proof:
My plan is to paint them 1 by 1 and provide the proof images as and when I start them as I want to spend some time working on my hellblasters from last month too.
It is time to paint the only true Dragon Slayer (having a giant proof under the feet helps the credibility). This is what I was talking about Scibor
miniatures being more on the artistic side. The miniature is incredible, the character, authenticity, the sheer awesomeness it evokes.
This is one of the two most prised (the mini was extremely cheap for what it is) minis I have, the other one being Szalamandra tag from infinity
which I'll paint in the future Challenges.
I just hope I will do him justice with the paint job.
ChaosDad, two scifi Cossack ogres are on my buy list. Keep an eye for the promo prices they run on the site, you can get up to 50% discount.
I just made another order with 50% off.
@Mordock that sculpt is just stunning... Googling them now!
I'm in this month with my Chrono-gladiator conversion for my Inq28 Mechanicus warband. Still a bit of tidying up to do before I hit it up with primer, but near enough for a photo now.
WIP. Almost done with the main body of the main body of the cinerator. The NMM gold turned surprisingly good. When looking at it in real life I wasn't too sure, but after taking pictures I was shocked at how good it looked. The NMM silver on the other hand is pretty bad. The fact that both the armour and the silver is painted in shades of grey simply makes it look bad. I will add blue into the mix so that it becomes steel and offers more contrast. I will also have to find a way to dull the purple. I'm painting this model entirely with supershandys' paints because, although he is quite happy with the paintjobs I provided for his page, I feel like I can do better now that I've gotten somewhat farmiliar with his paints. Do you guys register the model as white? All the people I've asked so far said yes, but more oppinions on this are always welcome.
Been a while since I painted... well, anything really. But I'm gonna enter these... You won't find many bigger "sticks" than these outside of superheavies
So...If I understand the rules correctly, I cannot submit an old model I made from about 5 years ago, or one I just painted and converted yesterday? Because I don't have any proof pictures.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: So...If I understand the rules correctly, I cannot submit an old model I made from about 5 years ago, or one I just painted and converted yesterday? Because I don't have any proof pictures.
Nope, there has to be a proof pic. The entries are looking ever more spectacular month on month, and it looks like this'll be one of the best (if only for Modock's scibor entry)
CthuluIsSpy wrote: So...If I understand the rules correctly, I cannot submit an old model I made from about 5 years ago, or one I just painted and converted yesterday? Because I don't have any proof pictures.
Nope, there has to be a proof pic.
The entries are looking ever more spectacular month on month, and it looks like this'll be one of the best (if only for Modock's scibor entry)
What if I still had the pieces I cut apart for a conversion? Will that count as proof?
CthuluIsSpy wrote: So...If I understand the rules correctly, I cannot submit an old model I made from about 5 years ago, or one I just painted and converted yesterday? Because I don't have any proof pictures.
Nope, there has to be a proof pic.
The entries are looking ever more spectacular month on month, and it looks like this'll be one of the best (if only for Modock's scibor entry)
What if I still had the pieces I cut apart for a conversion? Will that count as proof?
If you can provide a photo of the model either assembled or unassembled and still grey or just primed, I think that should be allowed.
Though to be clear, the proof pic does have to represent the model as it was at the start of this month, you can't submit an unpainted pic of an already-done model and enter that if that model was started or finished before the 1st February.
Obviously an early WIP, enough stuff to do. Always loved barbarians handling brutal warhammers, so this challenge is a perfect moment to make my own. I do have some considerations:
1. Isn't the stick too long? Notice the metal "bracelets" on the club, on the upper part of the stick (btw, is that called the stem?). I could lower the hammerhead by removing one or two of those "bracelets".
2. Isn't the hammerhead too big? I will carve up the hammerhead itself to give it a stone-ish look, kinda like the one from the Firebelly. Just less sharp edged. I also will be adding some sculpted metal straps to unify it with the stick/club underneath it.
3. I may want to enlarge the ogre by adding height around the ankles: make a cut there, adding greenstuff.
Again, I'm aiming for a brutal, barbarian hammer look, not a cartoony version like Harley Quinn carries around.
Thoughts and critiques are welcome!
Well, I've decided on which of my big sticks I'm going to paint, and it's my Deathwatch hammer boys...
So, I will therforemore not refrain from the obligatory humorous reference...
It's Hammertime!
*insert image of MC hammer, or thor, of those german soldiers with 'Halt, hammerzeit', or any other thematically appropriate image that corresponds to your own sense of humor and sensibilities*
Chris56 wrote: Three dreadnoughts walk into a bar...stop me if you've heard this one...
Also, Garrlor - I love that Swordmaster model, can't wait to see it finished.
Tim121RVC - I love the massive hammer but I might make it a little shorter if you're going for a more realistic look.
Anyhow, gonna try to get on top of things this month with my painting so here is my proof - Severin Steelheart and his big-ass severin' sword!
thanks Chris! I am looking forward to painting him, as the detail is unreal. I honestly forgot how much effort they put into the sculpts for the Warrhammer IOB kit, it far outstripped anything I saw 20 years ago! My guy is ready to paint, now I have had my worst 2 days of work out of the way tomorrow night he will be getting as much done to him as possible!
My intention eventually is to paint the whole Unit and send them to visit Auntie Ebay, as I think a reasonably painted unit can expect to fetch a few £££ to help me with my next purchase. As I have no interest in AOS I might as well get something out of the models on top of the enjoyment of painting them!
@Cryocat some Blood for the blood god would look awesome coming out of the scratches on the legs, good job so far!
While not the biggest sticks, a power sword and a oversized bolt rifle in the hands of a primaris lieutenant can swing the battle.
Was planning on something a little more impressive, but I’m moving in a week, so needed to get something done quickly. Not quite happy with the face on the bolter Lt, but I’m rarely happy with my helmetless guys. Quite happy with the sword guy though. Freehanding the LT bars on the helmets was OK. Could have been neater. Finicky detail, but I needed to give them their old RT markings. If I had been thinking, I would have press moulded the one off my old metal LT and applied that to these guys. Oh well. 20/20 hindsight.
First time using micro sol/set on the decals. Made a big difference. I’ll count that as my new technique for the month.
Hey guys, I finished Roboute today. I'm in a new flat and finding it hard to find places for good miniature photography - but nonetheless i'm pleased enough with these five choices. The photos look a little dirty on here, but clicking on them for a closer look amends that so I encourage doing so! Cheers everybody, and good luck for the remainder of the competition!
This thread is super active, I only wish the terrain competition got this much participation! I need some motivation to get my Necromunda gang painted. I'll enter this month, for the first time...with my Goliath gang leader.
lipsdapips wrote: Hey guys, I finished Roboute today. I'm in a new flat and finding it hard to find places for good miniature photography - but nonetheless i'm pleased enough with these five choices. The photos look a little dirty on here, but clicking on them for a closer look amends that so I encourage doing so! Cheers everybody, and good luck for the remainder of the competition!
Here's a WIP I took since the big shoota is about to cover up all that detail I spent hours painting.
It's also coincidentally right before I destroyed that lovely paint job by trying to assemble him; I had a terrible time fitting both arms, the gun, and the head just right. It remains to be seen over the weekend whether or not I can salvage this mini/concept.
@Nevelon: Those LTs came out wonderfully, nice work!
@Manalishi: I love that Basilisk! That weathering is incredible!
@Cryocat: Orion turned out great! At least as good as your Spartans from last month.
Here's a quick WIP shot of my entry:
More work to be done, but it shouldn't take too long. Like my entry last month, I may have to sacrifice a little quality for speed as I've got loads of stuff to paint by the middle of next month.
WIP, quick pic. Painted the first arm. Glazing instead of wet blending the white produced much better transitions. That said the highlight transitions were much better, from now on I will use 2 shades instead of one. Also I just now noticed that I missed a gem, will get right on it.
I'm slow off the mark this month. I didn't really have anything that fit well so went out and bought myself a new wierdboy (taking 'stick' a bit literally). Looking forwaRd to painting this one up.
That’s a really interesting concept, where are the bits from?
Oh, thats just the Ethereal from the Start Collecting, Fire Warriors legs, shoulderpad and helmet. The tabard (?) is cut off of the Ethereal. I than cut the wings of the staff. Arms are from Fire Warriors as well. Cut the right hand of for the staff hand.
Lots of great stuff here already! OP is now up to date with everything, apologies for the delay in getting that sorted.
As for my own entry this month, finding myself very light on models to paint I'm going to have to buy some more... it just might be time for me to get my Primaris on... Though of course, Primaris significantly converted and with a total disregard for the rules, because I hate the MkX helmet and if I want one to have a Thunder Hammer, it'll have a Thunder Hammer, whether the books say he can or not!
I'm almost done, only a few details and the sword (the actual stick) left. Really hoping for a good result this month, I have to admit that my results so far have been discouraging.
Nice to see you back lipsdapips, I really like your work on the sword for your entry (and the model is pretty epic)
I'm really impressed with your blending and glazing Power Elephant and that you are attempting them on pretty much most of the model, keep going it looks very good.
The tanks are come out really well Manalishi, just one more to go
Again a very well painted entry Cryocat, 2 good ones in a row, I really like how you do your Flesh, it has nice tones to it, want paints/techniques do you use?
Welcome back Kustomer D, looking forward to seeing your entry finished
I had The Boy for this weekend, and we got some hobby time in. Which for him, meant finishing his entry for the month.
Even got to field him on the table, where he got to carve up my entry for the month (well, one of my LTs) as well as some intercessors. Not a bad showing for fresh paint, which tends to fail spectacularly.
Thanks Midget Gems, flesh is just basic Cadian flesh, Vallejo flesh wash, highlights with Cadian/Kislev flesh. The highlights are actually a lot lighter in real life but they don’t show in photos very well
Man... Managed to crack the top 10 using the "enter every month" method. Still... the gap between top 3 placing often and just showing up is massive. I'm going to have to come up with some better ideas for 2019...
Thanks for all the positive feedback guys. This is going way faster than I expected honestly; at this rate I might just have to enter my manticore too!
Done. I think he turned out pretty great, even though I could make a long list of things I want to improve. Instead I'll simply do more of these if the reception is warm enough.
feltmonkey wrote: In an amazing show of progress, I have basecoated one shin and one foot of my treemen.
It's going to be a tough month.
Haha,
similar for me, I've done a base coat on the skin and the bone. I need to tear myself away from playing Gloomhaven and get some more painting done!
feltmonkey wrote: In an amazing show of progress, I have basecoated one shin and one foot of my treemen.
It's going to be a tough month.
Haha,
similar for me, I've done a base coat on the skin and the bone. I need to tear myself away from playing Gloomhaven and get some more painting done!
Myself, I've been slowly basecoating my Giant and let me tell ya, his pants are the definition of Hell. Now I understand what "Riveteers" suffer; To paint every single seam of leather that holds the different pieces of his pants together, and each piece I decided to paint in a different color, the amount of stuff I now have to fix after those strands.
That's looking great though. Doing things like painting all the sections different colours (and the checked patch is genius) is exactly the kind of thing that adds character to a mini.
As an update, it's now two hours after my previous post, and after spending those two hours intensively painting my treefeller, his other shin is now basecoated, as is one thigh. I have absolutely, categorically chosen the wrong method to paint the thing. I'm wet blending everything, because I'm trying to get a different look to my other treelord, but I think I should have just drybrushed it. Drybrushing looks really good on bark. I don't know what I was thinking.
feltmonkey wrote: In an amazing show of progress, I have basecoated one shin and one foot of my treemen.
It's going to be a tough month.
Haha,
similar for me, I've done a base coat on the skin and the bone. I need to tear myself away from playing Gloomhaven and get some more painting done!
Myself, I've been slowly basecoating my Giant and let me tell ya, his pants are the definition of Hell. Now I understand what "Riveteers" suffer; To paint every single seam of leather that holds the different pieces of his pants together, and each piece I decided to paint in a different color, the amount of stuff I now have to fix after those strands.
So quick run down so far. Spent most of last month ill, and feeling like painting was the hardest thing in the world. Well, most things were to be fair, but painting especially so.
This month I get my guy primed and ready early doors, and think I will start in a day once the primer has dried fuly and I get through a couple of days of work. Last day in work, I tweak a muscle/trap a nerve in my upper back.
Not a good start! So I have been battling away against that, trying all of the usual remedies (Bruphen, tennis ball under the shoulder blade, hot baths, beer) anything to get it gone. So last night I get some painting done, and I am looking forward to more tonight. Little lady decided she had to ride on daddy's shoulders today when we went into town, back has now flared up again! Fortunately I will be seeing a friend of mine tomorrow who is a physio so he should be able to help.
Anywhoo, I have got all the armour painted on my Elf. I started off with Runefang Steel as I wanted the armour to retain the brightness that you expect with a High Elf, and then I have blued the steel with several applications of blue wash. It is at the stage now where I can clean up the scales and the raised areas of the armour with some Stormhost Silver, which should give me a nice oiled/blued armour effect which will complement the rest of my colour scheme. WIP shots are below for those interested.
- shortened the stick
- cut up the hammerhead for a more stone-ish look
- added some greenstuff as metal straps on the sides, on top and on the bottom of the hammerhead. Also added nail heads and toothpick ends as spikes.
- added helmet decoration
- gave him some hair on the back of his head
To do tomorrow: removing mold lines, sanding the greenstuff, glueing the last few parts and filling some cracks. Oh, and pinning him to a base.
Haha,
similar for me, I've done a base coat on the skin and the bone. I need to tear myself away from playing Gloomhaven and get some more painting done!
If you need to take the month off, I have no problem with that. Maybe rest on your laurels for a bit after last month's podium...
No, this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact you're 1 point away from knocking me out of the top 5 in the League, why do you ask?
Automatically Appended Next Post: A WIP on my entry, never painted a Blood Raven or a Primaris before so things are still a bit rough around the edges. Getting there though, I'm happy with the overall look even if he needs a bit more work.
Done early this month! I tried a few new things and am really pleased with some, others obviously need more practice. Finished pics (Ork Freebooter Big Shoota Boy):
As a DE player from way back, I love your choice of model, Ninjapirate - can't wait to see it done.
Love the weathering on Manalishi's artillery.
Also very envious of the weathering on that drone, Kustomer D.
The camo on your ethereal is really nice, Supershandy and that is one big truckload of grots - looks very cool, Guildenstern...
Hammer looking really good now, Tim121RVC!
Gulgog - love the stripes on the pants and the bullet holes in the rocks.
Finally, I'm very jealous of Para's Blood Raven. Awesome detail and brutal atmosphere as always - great work.
Here are more photos of my dude with the background cropped out so that the model takes up more of the picture. Do you like these pictures more than the previous ones?
I'm painting the bark my Treelord Ancient a really cold brown, almost grey. I'm going to contract this with some warm red/orange/yellow tones on areas such as the runes and the staff. What I'd like to know is what colour do you reckon I should use to shade the bark? I'm blocking in darker brown in the shadows, and lining cracks with an almost black brown, but I wanted to put a bit of wash into the recesses to change the tone a touch and add interest and a hint of colour to something that is almost monochrome at the moment.
So I'm thinking I could either use a reddish brown shade, or a blue. The blue would suit the cold colours of the bark, and contrast the orange bits I plan on doing. However, it might make it too cold, or get lost in the overall feel of the bark. The red might bring a bit of life to this area of the figure. Or I could paint in the runes and such and see what I think then. What do people reckon?
For reference, the base of the bark is Dryad bark, and the highlights largely baneblade brown.
@Feltmonkey seems like you have a lot of options! I personally like the idea of using a blue. If you're afraid it'll be too intense, you can always dilute with lahmian medium or some other retardant (even water). I also think a purple could work, and also don't forget that you can mess with the hue of your treelord afterwards as well with some glazes
lipsdapips wrote:@Feltmonkey seems like you have a lot of options! I personally like the idea of using a blue. If you're afraid it'll be too intense, you can always dilute with lahmian medium or some other retardant (even water). I also think a purple could work, and also don't forget that you can mess with the hue of your treelord afterwards as well with some glazes
Yeah, I was considering a purple as well. It would be a compromise between the red and blue! The Dryad bark has a purplish hue to it anyway. I'm not sure it would change the feel of the miniature particularly, but it would create interest. Having now painted all the bark, including the younger wood these Treelords have between the plates of bark armour, and the firey runes, I do like the general hue of that part of the miniature generally. It just needs something subtle to finish it off. I'm actually considering shading in different tones on different areas - redder towards the top, head, and chest, then some purple/blue lower down on the model.
Garrlor wrote:How about warming it slightly with a watered yellow wash?
I'm not sure that would work, as the Dryad bark is pretty dark, especially as I have shaded the recesses with a mix of dryad bark and black. This was applied not as a wash, but blended in and painted where the shadows would fall. As a result, I think yellow would look kind of muddy. Besides, the idea is not to warm the bark up, as I'm aiming more to keep it cold to create a contrast between it and some warmer areas. Also, I'm thinking about how my Sylvaneth army will look as a whole. I have a more vibrant, warmer-toned Treelord, and I'm trying to make this one look older. Obviously this is all information I didn't give you before you made your suggestion!
Thanks to both of you for the ideas.
I've spent too much time trying to physically paint wood grain on the thing now. It's becoming my white whale.
Feltmonkey, in that case how about a purple wash at one end and a green one at the other. Even better, how about purple for most of him and green at the ends of the bark pieces etc to show even old trees can occasionaly grow new leaves!
As we are coming up on the year 4 change-over... Will the topic for March be Space Marines again per tradition?
Also: Just spit-balling here: Was thumbing through the old topics and was thinking of some other ideas:
1. Killer Queen: From Morathi to Jeanne D'arc. From Saint Mary to Saint Celestine. From the underhive to the glades of the Everqueen: This month's entry must be a female model.
2. Mekboy Madness: Whether it is a seamless masterpiece or a messy bodge... This month's entry must be a conversion! Make the job a good 'un.
3. Color Challenge! This month's entry must incorporate *color of the month* as a theme into their entry. (I think that a variety of challenges could come out of this - including black and white, monochrome, all the colors of the rainbow etc.)
4. Old but not Obsolete: This model's entry must be OOP! (Admittedly problematic due to variances in people's collections...)
Nice work womprat49, the red cloak reminds of of the Spanish Inquisition (No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.......)
Welcome EagleArk
All of your words made sense Felt, but it is beyond my current level of colour theory knowledge to guide you in any way only to wish you the best of luck and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do. If you overthink it you'll never get it done.
1. Killer Queen: From Morathi to Jeanne D'arc. From Saint Mary to Saint Celestine. From the underhive to the glades of the Everqueen: This month's entry must be a female model.
3. Color Challenge! This month's entry must incorporate *color of the month* as a theme into their entry. (I think that a variety of challenges could come out of this - including black and white, monochrome, all the colors of the rainbow etc.)
I like the colour one not to many technicals challenges get voted for over themes but would like to see it and its open to everyone. Also if we did number 1 I could do an Ork dressed a Freddy Mercury dressed as a woman (or something like that) 2. Goes without saying for me really but some people may not want to do a conversion.
keezus wrote: As we are coming up on the year 4 change-over... Will the topic for March be Space Marines again per tradition?
Also: Just spit-balling here: Was thumbing through the old topics and was thinking of some other ideas:
1. Killer Queen: From Morathi to Jeanne D'arc. From Saint Mary to Saint Celestine. From the underhive to the glades of the Everqueen: This month's entry must be a female model.
2. Mekboy Madness: Whether it is a seamless masterpiece or a messy bodge... This month's entry must be a conversion! Make the job a good 'un.
3. Color Challenge! This month's entry must incorporate *color of the month* as a theme into their entry. (I think that a variety of challenges could come out of this - including black and white, monochrome, all the colors of the rainbow etc.)
4. Old but not Obsolete: This model's entry must be OOP! (Admittedly problematic due to variances in people's collections...)
While I think a lot of these ideas are cool, I think most of them are pretty restrictive, and the bulk of people would have trouble finding an entry. I think we should avoid hard rules, like “must be female”. It’s one thing to play fast and loose with the theme, but let’s avoid binary yes/no things when we can. Especially with the dearth of decent ladies in most model ranges.
Mekboy is only an issue for my due to the time. Generally I have a couple of months lead time before stuff gets paint. a decent conversion is not always going to be readily available in some people’s painting queue, and not something that can be rushed.
I’m a big fan of the color one. I seem to recall once there was the thought to have at least one of the options for the vote be a technical/painting one, not a subject mater one.
While I can’t swing a dead squig without hitting models older then most posters, I think I’m in the minority here. If this got voted in, I suspect it would get a lot of “I’m out, see you next month” replies. I’m all for age related themes, but leave them open to interpretation, so someone could paint an elderly knight, or a venerable dread, or something. It would be a good excuse for us greybeards to get the lead out though.
I’m for keeping March marines, but some of these ideas could be tweaked a bit for April.
Okay, I'm going to call my entry finished as there are many other models that require my attention. I present to you my Alpha Legion Sorcerer on a jump pack (and of course, he's carrying a very big stick!):
Like my entry last month, this guy is not at my usual standards for my entries in these challenges, and for the same reason (I'm trying to work fast to prepare for Adepticon). I feel like he turned out okay though, and I did have fun painting him. Feel free to vote for the pics in the Dakka Gallery, and I look forward to seeing what everyone else turns out (hopefully it's better than my pitiful effort).
I'm painting the bark my Treelord Ancient a really cold brown, almost grey. I'm going to contract this with some warm red/orange/yellow tones on areas such as the runes and the staff. What I'd like to know is what colour do you reckon I should use to shade the bark? I'm blocking in darker brown in the shadows, and lining cracks with an almost black brown, but I wanted to put a bit of wash into the recesses to change the tone a touch and add interest and a hint of colour to something that is almost monochrome at the moment.
So I'm thinking I could either use a reddish brown shade, or a blue. The blue would suit the cold colours of the bark, and contrast the orange bits I plan on doing. However, it might make it too cold, or get lost in the overall feel of the bark. The red might bring a bit of life to this area of the figure. Or I could paint in the runes and such and see what I think then. What do people reckon?
For reference, the base of the bark is Dryad bark, and the highlights largely baneblade brown.
Maybe I'm too late but if not I think a subtle bluish (dark desaturated blue, navy blue, would be best) shadows would do the job nicely. I see you already highlighted with baneblade brown
which is a grey brown I believe, you could go over highlights with a light orangy brown tone. Blue is a complementary color to orange so you would create a nice contrast, cold shadow vs. warm highlight.
Orange goes well with the blue.
Thanks for the further advice, Modock, Midget, and Garrior. Some really good ideas there! Garrior, I like the idea of a bit of green. There is going to be green on the model even if it's only on the base. I'm considering trying to do a mossy effect in patches on the Treelord. It's a bit nerve wracking though because I've never done it before and don't have time to redo any mistakes. Modock - there are quite a few warm orange tones as spots of visual interest on the runes, the magic areas, and so on, so the cold bark is supposed to contrast them a bit. Midget - the advice not to over-think it is probably the smartest advice anyone has given me!
I can't wait until I post it and you all think, "wtf that's just brown, same as all his other trees. What was all that fuss about?"
The Camoshade is my most used shade now-a-days... it gives a real earthy tone to models. I find that the old Agrax Earthshade and Nuln Oil get so little use that I will probably not replace them when I run out.
For moss effects try one of the gw textured paints then overpaint and highlight to show moss. Will work really well on an older tree, especially if you use a dark blue/brown base and highlight to white on the tops to show old deadened lichen.
I can't wait until I post it and you all think, "wtf that's just brown, same as all his other trees. What was all that fuss about?"
Ha-ha-ha! I think that exact thing about my own stuff all the time!
On the subject of challenge topics, I really like all of keezus' suggestions. I especially like the idea of a technical challenge or an 'old model' challenge (worded to be as inclusive as possible, as suggested).
Sorry to say guys but I'm out for the month. Got so much on with painting and gaming for malign portents ( I know nagash is right in the mix for this) also there's a little thing called life that's really getting in the way too. Hope you guys all get your models finished. Look forward to seeing all the pics at the end
Quick WIP from me. My back has been playing merry hell on and off all month, but I have managed to get close to completion now.
Spoiler:
Just phone pictures for now. Got the gems to do, the face and hair and the blue areas to finish off (Helm, small squares of decoration), the robes and the white squares of decoration and he is pretty much done. I have a little clean up to do on his armour and may blue wash it again to get a more blued effect. I am also considering putting a glaze on the runes on his weapon to try and bring the highlight down a bit.
Surprisingly i'am still in this,been busy playing with drones making lots and lots of markers,and general time consuming life stuff "house cleaning" Painted 1 of my 2 Battletech Vehicles,Hoping to get the last one finished in the next few days if time allows it. wish me luck!
Huzzah! I'm done too! This bad boy took most of February, but I'm quite happy with my Big Stick user. (and I know it sounds weird, but I think my favorite part are his nails. They look so disguntingly yellow and fungi-ish, love how i "nailed" it )
Finished. Battletech Vehicles.
These will be the last battletech vehicles i enter for alot of time,due to both wanting to paint some bigger things and i'am almost outta battletech to paint.
But if this is not enough battletech for your taste there are more tiny things here> https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-108282-56599_Battletech..html
Long Tom Artillery Cannon & Ammo Carriage.(Fires Cluster Bombs,Nukes,High Caliber Shells,Two Part Vehicle)
Land Barge.(Carrys a large Laser,Is heavily armoured)
Some really cracking work over the last few days, just about to update the OP with all the awesomeness.
Thanks for the theme suggestions, those who suggested them. As per tradition, March will be the Space Marine round, after that it'll be back to voting on a monthly basis. I do like the idea of technical challenges, they come up every so often but in 36 rounds I don't think any technical challenge has actually won out over a subject-based one, so I kind of stopped doing them. I'll certainly throw them into some upcoming polls if there's demand for it, but it's on you guys to vote for them!
As for my own entry, forgot to post him over here, but here's Captain Aulus Brutus, Raven Guard 4th Company.
You can do it! I mean, you've already won the year by a ridiculous margin, but to complete all 12 months would be the icing on the cake!
Cheers for the kind words, I am particularly pleased with his face. Based it a bit on The Witcher's Geralt as I've been playing that a lot recently, hence the white hair/stubble and the scar over the left eye.
Finally got the second round of animal adventurers done. Decided the crossbowman servant was the one to not count.
And extra, not counting pictures, just because I like them, but they were either of the guy I wasn't using, or didn't quite frame the weasel as well as I wanted:
Corporal Otter Is Not Amused:
Crossbow butler:
U971: Looking good. Any way you can put something to give an idea of scale in the shot with those?
Keezus, DraconicLord: Very much seconding the good skin.
Battletech Scale pic below as requested threw in a necron i painted a while back in the open round. Lots of sweet entry's this month,you will all get a vote from me as usual.
I still have quite a lot to do...it's gonna be tight...damn it!
Same here. I've got a couple of areas that are still just primed. I always seem to be battling against the deadline on these challenges. I'm a really slow painter, so my models for the challenges tend to take at least 10-20 hours work. I've got tonight, and then I have a day off work tomorrow, so I'll have a few hours to work then, while my son is in school. I should be okay, as long as I don't go down some insane rabbit hole trying to do nmm or osl on a tiny area of the model or something. That has happened before. In fact, now I think about it, the last two days work gave been taken up with trying to do a sort-of osl effect on the stick, and a water effect on the base. Like four or five hours just on them.
These challenges are quite a big part of my life in a weird way. I use them to push myself in my chosen hobby, and whatever I paint for the thread is my big painting focus for the month. They take up a fair bit of my leisure time. Thanks again for organising them, Para.
3 years ago (3 years... bloody hell! I feel old now) I had the idea for these and creating that kind of motivation is exactly what the goal has always been. Getting people to keep on painting and honing their skills, even if it's just a model a month, that's what it's all about. The fact that so many of you are still here, and seeing people improve month on month, that's far more important to keeping these challenges alive than the work I do copy-pasting a big pile of pics each month! So really, thank you, those of you who have been here since month 1 and those who only joined this month!
Ok, that's getting overly dramatic now, but really, I absolutely love the community and spirit we've built up around these challenges, it's constantly inspiring and that's why I'm happy to keep putting the legwork in each month.
Thanks for running this event Para. Having a deadline means I actually have to get stuff done. Otherwise, my production would be close to zero. The strong showings by the guys atop the leader board every month keep me motivated to keep pushing the painting quality. If I keep entering... maybe I can get a top 3 finish one of these months. I've come within spitting range a few times...
3 years ago (3 years... bloody hell! I feel old now) I had the idea for these and creating that kind of motivation is exactly what the goal has always been. Getting people to keep on painting and honing their skills, even if it's just a model a month, that's what it's all about. The fact that so many of you are still here, and seeing people improve month on month, that's far more important to keeping these challenges alive than the work I do copy-pasting a big pile of pics each month! So really, thank you, those of you who have been here since month 1 and those who only joined this month!
Ok, that's getting overly dramatic now, but really, I absolutely love the community and spirit we've built up around these challenges, it's constantly inspiring and that's why I'm happy to keep putting the legwork in each month.
Well said! Thanks for all the leg work! I for one always feel inspired and motivated by the challenge. Great entry too Para, I think this one is a notch above your usual v high standard.
Brilliant entries all around, I'm very much looking forward to Feltmonkey and Modocks offerings too...
This is the first month for a while that I went out and bought a model specifically for the challenge (I took big stick a bit literally). Although I'm not a fan of the look, I decided to try out some OSL as self imposed challenge, you know the, 'don't knock it until you've tried it' philosophy.
In synopsis, I'm not happy with how it went and wish I'd taken some pics before I embarked on the saga (I think it looked better without the OSL). The problem was my patience ran out as I was getting a feel for it (i started out too subtle and spent far too long doing nothing) so further attempts may be better if I ever decide to bang my head against that particular brick wall again. I've a new found respect for those who pull OSL off well. I read a bunch of guides/tips and watch some videos but I still fell for lots of rooky mistakes... I like how I got the smoke to catch the glow and the skull is ok too but the rest is a bit poor and overly done. I'm glad I tried it but I wont give it another bash for a while I think, maybe something less ambitious next time.
Thanks for the info. Space Marine it is... It's pretty much all I have in my painting queue for now, so I'm ok with that theme myself... Now off to paint the Space Marines I'm entering this month...
Great work, Moolet - I think the OSL is really great, especially on the shoulders. Smoke is awesome, too.
Modock...man, I knew you'd do a great job on that mini and you didn't disappoint. As always, great blends and saturation of colour. Top stuff.
Anyhow, I ended up painting all of Steelheart's Champions (though I suppose only two of them count as wielding a big stick - the shieldbearer's hammer is puny by comparison).
I used this month to experiment with nmm in different colours and tones and practice the technique. I think they look a little caricatured but I'm okay with this as it quite suits the ridonculous armour on the stormcast models...
Wow, this month is super great! Modock- that slayer looks awesome. Chris56- all your nmms look amazing as well.
I finished my entry for this month, Chinbeard the giant. He carries a pretty big stick. I'm very happy to have this one done- I've had this model assembled for 10 years, I think.
Damn, I was really hoping to get into the top 3 slot this month, but then everyone started poping golden demon material... I'll be posting the final pictures of the second cinerator soon, I just have to finish up some gems and steel nuts and bolts.
Well, I was going to bow out, and then I sat down yesterday to fiddle with this guy, and realized he's holding...a big stick.
Malavyn Saal, the corruptor of the Wandering Sons (read: my kitbash which will use Fabius Bile rules). Fabius Bile is armed with the "rod of torment", so what better 'stick'?
I just finished painting and dipping him, will have him up tomorrow.
Well, somebody has to end that streak of awesome...
Here are my boys, I'm not quite happy with them in terms of this contest, but they will do nicely on the tabletop where those giant hammers will likely be used to smash big ugly things...
Looking forward to having a bit more time to paint for next month...
In synopsis, I'm not happy with how it went and wish I'd taken some pics before I embarked on the saga (I think it looked better without the OSL). The problem was my patience ran out as I was getting a feel for it (i started out too subtle and spent far too long doing nothing) so further attempts may be better if I ever decide to bang my head against that particular brick wall again. I've a new found respect for those who pull OSL off well. I read a bunch of guides/tips and watch some videos but I still fell for lots of rooky mistakes... I like how I got the smoke to catch the glow and the skull is ok too but the rest is a bit poor and overly done. I'm glad I tried it but I wont give it another bash for a while I think, maybe something less ambitious next time.
The only bit I can see that doesn't sit right to my eye is the right shoulder, since its the furthest point from Skull or the plume it should have the weakest light on it, its just a bit bit strong. Its a very good model regardless. OSL is very hard to do right (some say that's not even possible)
My Final pics for the Ork Nob with Waaagh! Banner The Freehand on the banner came out ok its not bad, but its that good either, feel it needs more depth to make it looks 3D, looks 2 1/2 D atm but at least it looks like an Ork Skull The Orks have their Marching song written on the back on the banner in case they forget the words....
Oh and a cool thing I just noticed. I searched for ere we go (to see if there were any other lyrics....yes really) and found that the thumbnail used for the song on you tube has my Ork heavy metal guitarist as the thumbnail
I think you're wrong about the freehand on the banner, MG - it's definitely good. Fantastic, in fact.
Here are my final pics. Last minute, as usual.
Treelord Ancient. He's not just carrying a big stick, he IS a big stick.
I guess I'm adding more weight here to MG's theory that OSL is impossible to do. I'd be tempted to agree, but if you google "Lost in the Dark" by David Powell, aka Bailey03 on the cool mini or not gallery, you'll see that it is indeed possible. (Really, google that if you haven't seen it. It's absolutely amazing.) I'm pleased with how the Treelord came out overall. As is always the case, I can't look at the pictures without seeing all the mistakes, but in an unusual sensation I also feel vaguely proud of the whole model. I'm not sure why I spent so much time painting wood grain on the dark panels - surely no-one would have even noticed if I hadn't mentioned it here. Incidentally, in the end I used blue to shade it. The effect is extremely subtle to the point of being invisible. As I predicted, "wtf? It's just brown" is the only sensible reaction.
woof! well I just managed to get Morty finished and photo'd in time!...this guy has been a bit of trouble for me this month, if I'm honest ...there's been so many radical changes in direction, repaints of major parts, etc, etc...it's been interesting
finished pics:
Spoiler:
(yes, ok, so in that last pic he technically doesn't have a big stick, but I just couldn't resist magnetising the scythe so I could have him going full gun-fu )
...now that's dealt with...good lord you lot! ...the past page or so is just stuffed with gorgeous entries...real nice work all!
Wow, these last two pages are filled with some of the best entries this challenge has ever seen... I think this might well be the best month we've had so far in terms of sheer quality across the board. Usually I'm fairly confident I can pick a winner, this month there's so much good stuff it's anyone's guess and that podium is going to be very tightly contested!
Kids are the worst sort of plaguebearers that Nurgle could contrive! After letting the torn muscle in my back heal up, I was ready to paint again happily. A friend of ours came to visit, bringing thier kid around who had been suffering from a very high temperature, but was "ok, its just a virus according to the doctor". So as you can imagine, I am now suffering the full effects of this virus, and have been off work for the past week. Even blinking hurts. If only common sense wasnt such a super power, and more... common.
Anyway, when I am better, I will finish up my model and post the images in the thread regardless, but I appreciate that I am out of the running for voting. Though looking at some of the models this month... out of the running was going to be the start and finish for me anyway ha ha!
Why would anyone take their virus-ridden kid round someone's house? It's not fair on you, and it's not fair on the kid, who probably just wants to go to sleep at home. Very inconsiderate!
They were originally meant to be coming around, but after a chat and several huge hints that its not a good idea... they turned up anyway.
To be honest I am more annoyed because I was really enjoying the painting. Having a minor tear in a muscle in my back was something I could just wait out easily, and let me plan my next step. This has hit me like a train, and to top it off my eldest is coming down with something too.
On the plus side, that model of yours is outstanding. Absolutely outragous skills on display, and the base itself is worth the price of admission.
Wow, that's fantastic. The face in particular is great.
@Garrlor thanks! My basing skills are pretty bad, but I made an effort with this one! And by made an effort I mean bought a load of stuff to make it easier.
Ill hopefully finish my guy up tonight or tomorrow and post him in here for completions sake. Still not feeling 100% but im at least sort of human now!
I've just had a look at all the entries in the updated first post. Blimey. Even by the standards we tend to get in this challange, this is a completely ridiculous month. I'm going to end up voting for over a dozen entries.
yeah I agree with the other comments I think this month has got to be the highest qualify so far. So many I would like to comment on but will wait for the voting thread
Hope you are feeling better Garrlor, looking forward to seeing your entry even if it is posted later
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...Morty's got a pretty big stick, with a honking great blade on the end of it! 
wish me luck!
