Welcome to the 46th round of the Unofficial Painting Challenge! For the unfamiliar, the challenge is a friendly competition open to any Dakka members, whether you're painting your first model or your 1001st! The more rounds you enter, the more points you accrue based on a public vote, and these are tracked in a League Table over the course of the year.
This month, there is no theme, as it's an Open Round. So whether you're painting hurriedly between festivities, making an early start on Christmas presents or even painting up a gift for someone else, this is the chance to pick whatever minis you like (all other rules still applying) and flex your creative muscles.
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 December and will end at midnight UK time on the 31st of December. After this, I shall compile the finished entries into a new thread, and voting will run for 5 days.
Myself I've got a new project this month but I'm also going to really busy both in work and with family so I'm not sure I'll get the time to complete it by New Year.
If it's still in a state that would be suitable for a Proof photo (ie. basecoated/single colour blocked in) then yes, otherwise, you'll need to enter something else.
I normally do an Ork Xmas themed entry but struggling to think of one, previous years have had a flying Ork Santa's Sleigh, Santa in his grotto giving out presents and the Grot choir carol service.
Also I really want to do another of the new Ork Vehicles but this time convert it. I'll do a bit of research first and see where my mind goes.
Would I be able to enter a mini diorama with HO scale miniatures? I do have some unpainted Wh40k minis that I should work on but I’m not too motivvated at the moment, and I don’t have much time. Thinking of doing a sort of ‘last stand’ diorama with some soldiers defending a small foxhole or something similar. WIP shots will hopefully be up tomorrow.
Paradigm wrote: If it's still in a state that would be suitable for a Proof photo (ie. basecoated/single colour blocked in) then yes, otherwise, you'll need to enter something else.
Here is my proof photo: A Panzer II, not sure if I'm turning it into an F or G yet but most likely an F as I'm going with Afrika Korps. Will only enter the tank commander with it as the rest of the models will go over the cap.
This was supposed to be my entry for October, buuuut only finished building the thing a few days ago. Why think I'll be able to paint is in a month is not clear though ^^ !
So I had The Boy this weekend, and he’s going to try to get in an entry of his own as well this month. Hopefully at least the guy in the middle, maybe more.
Assuming he can find where the cats hid his pot of black paint...
Well, let's give this a shot.
Never have taken part before, but it might be fun. This could also motivate me to finish a conversion project for once...
My entry will be this guy that I just acquired from a friend of mine.
The goal is to Orkify it a bit.
We'll see if I can manage to complete it in time.
I've been meaning to get in on one of these... props to all of the regular (and even occasional) entrants. So maybe this is the one, finally... with no restrictions, I can hardly complain. Here goes: single model, a classic Inquisitor Gideon Lorr from back in the day. I'm thinking I'll proxy him as Col. Straken-- iron hand + plasma pistol-- in a Guard force done up as Witchhunters backed by local militia. I'm determined to play Inquisition, even when they aren't playable, so counts-as Astra Militarum will have to do.
Since I need to paint these models for a list I'm planning to run, I'll just make them my entry in this month's challenge:
Sorry for the dark photo, but it is two Wolf Lords on Thunderwolves and a Rune Priest with a Jump Pack.
Nothing fancy, but I need to get this done ASAP for our D&D Secret Santa next weekend, and with the holidays approaching, I don't know what else I'll have time for.
I will enter again, if only to pressure myself to finish on a plan that has been stalled all year. Converting two Seraphim into Geminae Superia to escort my metal Saint Celestine.
Just starting out Infinity so my entry is a couple over 5 models, painting the pan ociania side of operation ice storm. Hopefully I will actually finish this time
So my update. Actually found another Seraphim Superior to use instead of the one from the blister. Although as you can see the one I dug up has not been painted.
Removed one Bolt Pistol from one Seraphim and added a Power Sword. Used that Bolt Pistol to replace the Plasma Pistol on the Seraphim Superior.
Elbows wrote: Gah! I just painted a figure for this, and forgot to snap a before pic...I'll scrounge and see if I took one at any point.
EDIT: It's a Blackstone Fortress figure...so I guess that could count as the before? Since he's been out like two weeks.
Yeah, that seems fine to me, I'll take your word for it. I think a good portion of us regulars here have forgotten or deleted a proof at some point, I certainly have, so it's not the end of the world.
As I stated earlier, don't have a "real" before pic, as I painted this guy more or less on a whim last night (while watching Willow!) The closest I have is a pic of him just after I dipped him.
Brother Castor wrote: Myself I've got a new project this month but I'm also going to really busy both in work and with family so I'm not sure I'll get the time to complete it by New Year.
Well I got one model built yesterday evening (the other won't be ready to pick up at GW until tomorrow) so I'm not going to get a chance to prime until the weekend now. With Christmas rapidly approaching I'm going to have to concede that I'm not going to be able to fit an entry in this month
Some progress on day 1. I've clipped, filed, assembled, and undercoated Haldor.
Unfortunately, I opened my Russ Grey citadel paint and it had black liquid and was almost completely empty. I am deploying at the end of the month and the wife is making me take a trip to Charleston over the next couple of days; so the saga will have to continue this weekend when I go to buy more paint from the FLGS.
Side note: the airbrush I bought worked like a charm and took it took me a tenth of the time vs undercoating the miniature by brush. I have absolutely no idea why I haven't been using an airbrush for the last 10 years.
Getting there with angron. So hard to get decent photos when it's dark when I go to work and dark when I get back! Just got to finish gorefather, gorechild and the leather straps on his armour, then will probably go back and tidy some details on the bronze trims. Not sure if I'll get the base fully finished before close but it will be something like.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also, the lore states his chain axes have dragon teeth but not sure about the bone colour. Might change them to metal.
@DV8: What you call "Quick and Dirty" I call great detailed work! I'd be proud to have painted that.
@Jjohnso11: Haldor was my entry last month, so I'm looking forward to how yours turns out!
Quick WIP of my entry: I've only really begun working on the wolf mounts, so here's where they are at:
Just the basic pattern of the fur laid down, next will be some shades and highlights on that before I start picking out all the little details like bionic parts, claws, teeth, etc. I also need to get a move on with the riders and the Rune Priest.
I learned today that my iPhone automatically adjusts the warmth of the white. Hm. It's funny, but I think my "painting" got better when my camera improved.
Some great work appearing already! Lovely job, DV8, I like the loose, painterly style you've used.
I've been trying to think of something christmassy to enter, but I haven't really got anything that fits the bill. I do have some models that I got for christmas two years ago that are still in the box. Maybe I should do them.
So I'm thinking about redoing the top knot and I still need to fix the shoulder pad(Averland Sunset was a goopy mess) but I've done some base coats and a few washes. I just need to finish the washes and get to highlights and I should be done.
Fantastic work, Modock. How are you finding the AK Interactive paints? I bought a few to try out at a railway modelling show I found myself at a few weeks ago, but I haven't used them yet.
I'm having trouble getting onto the forum. Chrome tells me the connection isn't private, so I've had to switch to firefox. Anyone else having this issue?
feltmonkey wrote: Fantastic work, Modock. How are you finding the AK Interactive paints? I bought a few to try out at a railway modelling show I found myself at a few weeks ago, but I haven't used them yet.
Thanks FeltMonkey!
I really love them. They may not have the covering power like Vallejo but are excellent for layering and glazing. Also the paints are extremely flat (awesome) and
they leave, for my taste, the best looking finish. What I do is base coat with Vallejo or a mixture of Vallejo and Ak Interactive Figure range (this way I achieve a flat finish)
and then I will do highlighting or shadowing with AK paints. All my latest miniatures are done this way.
feltmonkey wrote: I'm having trouble getting onto the forum.
Chrome tells me the connection isn't private, so I've had to switch to firefox. Anyone else having this issue?
Yeah me too, all the pictures on dakkadaka were broaken, getting better now....weird
Cheers Midget Gems!
Yours is looking grand as well. Looking forward to see it finished.
More progress:
Finished building the dread a week ago and started throwing some colors on it.
Just the drill hand finished so far. Also finished the first iteration of the base.
Some great WIP shots and finished shots from those above me. Love the Hellcat, Modock, looking to get into Infinity myself but there's no one playing it where I live :(
I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this month as I've been distracted but over the past few days I've been working on the diorama part of my entry. Here's some progress shots, all pre paint but I'll get it primed over by the weekend I hope:
Brother Castor wrote: Myself I've got a new project this month but I'm also going to really busy both in work and with family so I'm not sure I'll get the time to complete it by New Year.
Well I got one model built yesterday evening (the other won't be ready to pick up at GW until tomorrow) so I'm not going to get a chance to prime until the weekend now. With Christmas rapidly approaching I'm going to have to concede that I'm not going to be able to fit an entry in this month
starting to wonder if I'll be able to finish mine on time...I've been having some weird joint pain issues in the thumb on my painting hand over the past week and a half, so that's been slowing me down a whole lot...and I'm only about half-way done :/ ...hopefully it'll start clearing up a bit and I'll be able to go full-steam on it again in time, otherwise, s'pose I'll just keep chipping away at it when I can...we'll see. vOv
Modock - as usual, that looks bloody gorgeous...you always bring out the best in those infinity minis!
Ezki - looking good!...if the rest of it turns out anything like that arm, that'll be one great looking dread!
ZoBo wrote: starting to wonder if I'll be able to finish mine on time...I've been having some weird joint pain issues in the thumb on my painting hand over the past week and a half, so that's been slowing me down a whole lot...and I'm only about half-way done :/ ...hopefully it'll start clearing up a bit and I'll be able to go full-steam on it again in time, otherwise, s'pose I'll just keep chipping away at it when I can...we'll see. vOv
Modock - as usual, that looks bloody gorgeous...you always bring out the best in those infinity minis!
Ezki - looking good!...if the rest of it turns out anything like that arm, that'll be one great looking dread!
I hope your hand gets better soon so you can finish the entry and btw what have you been doing with those fingers man?
queen_annes_revenge wrote:Do you use a paint handle?
nope, well, sometimes I attach a model to the top of a small bottle, or cork or something, but I don't have a GW painting handle...do you use one? are they really "that good"?
anyway, the problem's in the thumb on my brush hand, so I doubt that would've made any difference for that
I still have absolutely no idea what I did to it...only thing I can possibly think of, is that I must have tried to forcefully insert my thumb into the wall or something in my sleep? ...however! it started feeling a little better last night, and today, it's actually almost fully healed, just feels a little bit stiff still...might leave it until tomorrow, just to be safe, but then the painting shall commence!
oh yeah I disregarded that fact. maybe try some myofascial release techniques on your forearms, and some wrist stretches. do these before and after your paint sessions.
Bionics, or in severe cases full biotransferance. The flesh is weak. Don’t let its limitations hold you back.
Or, if you tend towards green, look into replacing your hand with a squig. Should only cost a couple of teeth, and how bad could it be?
Update (need a pic, but The Boy is still asleep in my workroom)
Started the washes on Guiliman. Despite all the work I’m doing, I still feel like I’m just phoning it in. Like I should be working harder, but am not. Still a lot do do, hoping for some good progress this weekend.
Nevelon wrote: Bionics, or in severe cases full biotransferance. The flesh is weak. Don’t let its limitations hold you back.
Or, if you tend towards green, look into replacing your hand with a squig. Should only cost a couple of teeth, and how bad could it be?
Haha! Oh you might be onto something there!...I could get a bionic hand, like the one the painboy has, with a hobby knife, pin vise, a couple of brushes and an airbrush, all built in!
Spoiler:
Q.A.R - looks good!...however, I'd bet anything that it looks a lot better in person...I think your camera's being a bit temperamental.
Yeah they always look worse in photos but I never stipulate this as I feel its often said by folks to justify substandard work. My phone has the best quality camera, it's just not that good up close. Should probably invest in a decent camera or at least a macro lens really.
Nevelon: Yeah, I'm kinda feeling a bit burnt this month as well, but hey, you're at layering and washes, so the end is in sight!
From my side, did get a werewolf done from primed the past two weekends, minus the base, so I'll probably have SOMETHING to put in, even if its the third try at getting something done after the other two stalled out staring at base coat errors...
I'm not sitting on his lap, and if he comes down my chimney the mince pie, carrot and whiskey will only slow him down for so long while I leg it (p.s beautiful painting on the face again)
Lets get some WIPs up before every gets busy over xmas
Hes mine, Greenstuff done (apart from a sack/bag) and some paint on it but still a long way to go :p
Ron's looking very angry, queen_annes_revenge! Always loved the rage and aggression in that model and that's a really mean-looking take on it, the face is excellent as always!
As for my entry, actually painted this one way back at the start of the month, but between essay deadlines and coming home for Christmas I've only just got round to photographing her. Meloda, from Mierce Miniature, in metal (try saying that ten times fast...)
Hopefully some better pics too, a bit bigger than what I normally post and with a new background that I think makes a world of difference. Any thoughts welcome!
And finally, a shameless plug, I've just started up a new blog as the last one kind of tailed off over the last few months, so if anyone wants to follow my work (sporadic as it is these days) this is the place to do it!
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/768720.page
here's the state mine's in so far...this model is actually quite a pain in the butt...finecast, for a start...but there's all those little fiddly detail pieces, which, because of where he stands on the base, they'll almost entirely be obscured from most angles...he's just standing there over on my desk, looking smug, and I kinda just want to swear at him a bit
*edit: ...and while I was typing this, there's Paradigm like a ninja, with that lovely, gritty piece!...nice work there mate, given that model a lot of depth and atmosphere, which really fits it
Thanks guys. The face was fun to paint but a little different to usual with all the little ruts and crags. I love the model but he does need to hit legs a little more in the gym! Nice to see some festive entries!
I've not got a close-up of the face at the minute, but here's a larger pic that should be zoomable when you click through to the gallery page, so you can see any part of it in a bit more detail. The zoom doesn't necessarily do the paintwork any favours on a mini this small, but here it is anyway!
The face paint is fantastic; I’ve got reasonably good at doing skin tones, but I find doing tattoos or body paint is fraught with difficulty. Too often it just looks like I’ve smudged paint onto a nicely finished model.
To be honest, all that war paint is is a thin line of blue across the eyes (whatever the current Ultramarine one is) and bridge of the nose, followed by a wash of a darker blue to give it some definition around the eye sockets. There's really no more to it than that!
I initially hadn't planned to do it at all, but I messed up highlighting the brow pretty badly so applied the warpaint to cover it!
WIP. Second coat of blue down on the legs. Slow going detail work. So much detail work...
Started in blocking in colors for the base. Tons of detail there as well. But it’s going to get a heavy black wash over it, so I’m a little less worried. If it pisses me off too much, I’ll glop some snow down on the parts I don’t like.
So I thought I might try my hand at salt weathering, so here’s my proof and a couple of work in progress shots; it went really well (with a few areas to improve), so I might add in some more Necromunda stuff before the end of the month.
I'd like to enter this month! It's a bit late, but I started on this and I've made some pretty good progress!
It's a bit different than what I usually paint, it's a bust from the Panoceania faction. A new scale has been a fun challenge for me.
Almost done. Just need to go over him once more and see if I missed anything major.
Question for the crowd; I asked over in my blog but will ask again here. I normally snow base my Ultras. Should I dollop around some snow on BG’s base, or just leave it as is?
Question for the crowd; I asked over in my blog but will ask again here. I normally snow base my Ultras. Should I dollop around some snow on BG’s base, or just leave it as is?
Oh, snow for sure. The base feels oddly flat without it, and the moulded details just finish all of a sudden. If you're careful/artistic about it, snow should be a grand way to sort that out, with maybe most of the snow around the edge of the base.
Question for the crowd; I asked over in my blog but will ask again here. I normally snow base my Ultras. Should I dollop around some snow on BG’s base, or just leave it as is?
Oh, snow for sure. The base feels oddly flat without it, and the moulded details just finish all of a sudden. If you're careful/artistic about it, snow should be a grand way to sort that out, with maybe most of the snow around the edge of the base.
Second that, I didn’t fill that gap on mine and I’m still not happy about it (I’ll probably go back and fix it someday). Also, with the torches and stuff on the base, snow would really work.
Some really lovely entries since I last checked in, here's another WIP of my Tank and the diorama base. Any opinions on what I could use to cover up the sides of the foam?
As for a theme suggestion, I'm not creative enough to think up a theme!
If you're still taking suggestions for themes for next month, I have a few:
Exploration- could be anything from Space Marine Scouts or Eldar Rangers, to Rogue Traders or Kroot Trackers, or anything else that would explore separately from a main army.
Dwellers in the Dark- Could be Chaos Cultists, Genestealers, Ur-ghuls, or other things that lurk in the shadows.
Rogues & Scoundrels- Lots of choices here, but not anything regular like Space Marines. Mercenaries and other irregulars would be the preference here.
I totally have no agenda with these suggestions. Honest guv (as the British say)!
Here's my finished product! Had to be a quick and easy one this month due to uni work and travelling home for christmas. I proudly present Deathwatch Killteam Paesanius. Please note that Sergeant Caesarius Paesanius of the Ultramarines was painted months ago and is only included for a cool squad shot and should not be counted in the vote.
From left to right, I present:
Brother Relentius, Howling Griffons; Brother Fida, Silver Skulls; Brother Maldohr, Brazen Claws; Brother Daedalus, Minotaurs
Here's my belated proof, some Skaven Blood Bowl players, which I got for Christmas two years ago, and have only just got round to starting. I'm not going to paint them all, just two or three.
I took the photo a couple of weeks ago, so I've started painting them. Here's a WIP -
I'm painting them using the brushes I got for Christmas this year -
The brushes are looooooovely. My Mum bought me an official Games Workshop water pot, so I'll use that as well.
Thanks to those who gave me suggestions, you've inspired my own final border for the diorama. I think it's safe to say I'm done, I left out the tank commander in the end because I couldn't find a nice position to place him that wouldn't interrupt the overall look of the scene.
I love the MkII. Only thing that stands out is the MG34 on the bipod sitting on the back. Any movement and it'd fall off immediately just due to vibrations (picky!) If it's supposed to sitting there static...better
Soooo much finicky detail. I tried to get it all, but I’m sure I messed up some of it. Happy with the sword. Tried using Duncan’s tutorial with the paints on hand. Not happy with the smoothness of my transitions, so I hit most of it with a yellow glaze and then re popped the white. Like how it turned out
But glad to get him off the bench. And if all goes well, onto the battlefield tomorrow.
Final pictures for my werewolf:
Better this time, but still not where I want the pictures--admittedly, some of that is the model not being up to snuff. I swear the ears and pads aren't that pink in person, and I needed to work the fur more, though some is the camera not seeing it. Thinking just another light so the shutter isn't open for a quarter second, but open to other ideas.
Midget Gems wrote: Well done Brother Castor, oddly the photo makes it look grainy?
Yeah - a combination of drybrushing and photographing without decent lighting. It's not going to win any prizes unlike some of the other entries here but it produces a tabletop standard I'm happy with without needing too much time/expertise.
Some fantastic entries! I really love the texture that your drybrushing has created on the cloak, Brother Castor - I'm trying to think how I can incorporate it into my own models...
Awesome weathering on the tank, great fur on the werewolf and a lovely job on Robbie G, Nev.
Crisp and clean work, WishWarGaming - I really love the slime.
This month was a bit difficult but I was pretty happy with the 'Master Blaster' idea, so I'm glad to get him finished.
Wow, great stuff this month! Love the Master Blaster and the Panzer II diorama.
I got mine done just in time, here is Jeanne d'Arc from the Panoceania faction of Infinity. I am really not used to working in this scale, so it was a fun challenge and I have a lot more to learn and practice!
So I finished a second tank to go with the first and took some decent photos:
First attempt
Take Two
Although I don't think I took a proof of the second one, hopefully that can be allowed to slide?
Ironically, for experimenting with salt weathering, the thing I'm most proud of is the sepia ink to do the rust runs down the side, which I initially did purely by accident (I thought the ink might work better than the usual agrax wash, it didn't and I had to wash/wipe it off in a real hurry, which left some initial streaks that I then copied.)
Jadenim wrote: So I finished a second tank to go with the first and took some decent photos:
First attempt
Take Two
Although I don't think I took a proof of the second one, hopefully that can be allowed to slide?
Ironically, for experimenting with salt weathering, the thing I'm most proud of is the sepia ink to do the rust runs down the side, which I initially did purely by accident (I thought the ink might work better than the usual agrax wash, it didn't and I had to wash/wipe it off in a real hurry, which left some initial streaks that I then copied.)
That sepia wash works well. Maybe try some more concentrated pin wash streaks down the middle using the same wash. Will give the rust some depth and show that it's been exposed to the rain for a long time. If you like weathering check out ak interactive streaking fluids too. They rock.
Here are my final pics. I ended up finishing three of my skaven Blood Bowl team in time. As I mentioned, they're christmassy because they were a Christmas present two years ago, and I painted them using the brushes and official GW water pot I got for Christmas this year.
Here's to a great 2019! Well, obviously it's going to be terrible, but lets at least hope we're all here in twelve months time, and haven't all been turned into glowing, brain-eating zombies or feral canibals from the nuclear fallout/brexit-related food shortages. Merry new year!
I'm calling my entry finished. Three Space Wolves characters: two Wolf Lords on Thunderwolves, and a Rune Priest with a Jump Pack:
I had loads of fun working on these models, especially the Thunderwolf mounts themselves. I know these aren't my best work by a long shot, but I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. I do look forward to being able to see (and vote for) everyone else's entries. That's one nice thing about our December rounds; since the theme is open, there's always a nice variety of different things. See you all in the voting thread when it goes live, and Happy New Year everyone!
@queen_annes_revenge, thanks for the tips, I’ll certainly bear them in mind if I do weathering on a more important model/diorama. Probably won’t go back to these, as they’re just standard gaming terrain; I tend to go with “good enough” on terrain, so that I can spend time getting more of it painted.
Also, open question, but I find that if terrain is painted in too much detail it can distract from the models; I much prefer more simplistic, “impressionist” terrain as a backdrop. Anyone else have that?
My son sent me pics of his entry last night while I was out. I need to scrub them a little, as the white balance is off.
Para, you actually have me entering twice on the list. The second one (Salamander reiver) is him.
And done:
Due to him finishing late, there wasn’t time to get good lightbox pics. But these are not bad for a phone camera and whatever he cobbed together as a backdrop.
There might be a small delay in the final update for this one as I'm just finishing off another essay, but it shouldn't be too long. Ta for bearing with me.
Proof pic and finished result. Spent waaaay too much time painting this, and I'm not really happy with the result. It would seem that when I apply the same colour scheme that I used on the guija on a smaller model like this, contrast is lacking. I will need to revise my yellow recipie.
Maybe I should do them.
detail work...
