Cheers TP. Kinda feeling my way through on this way. making up some stuff as I go along - the chipping technique for instance is the first time I've done it that way. Taking a snap of the big pauldron at each stage so can put together a wee stage-by-stage later on. Think I'll put him to the side for now as I figure out the insigna/markings/designs I want and sketch them out.

Got a decent bit of work done on the upper body's armour plates. Happy with the transitions but they are taking an insane amount of glaze layers to do. Worth it though. Quick top glaze of eshin and I'll call that a night. Chipping comes tomoro!

I can't imagine how many layers that is taking! Looks ace though!

I cant believe I have never taken the time to look through your blog before now. I feel like I should put myself in DakkaDakka jail. This stuff is fantastic, the knight with the marble armor is probably the coolest I have ever seen.

@Zambro - I'm not saying! It's ridiculous and there's still a few more to go!

@40FSU - Cheers very much fella and thanks for looking in. The Knight took an age but still one of my favourites. Awesome kit adn a lotta fun to do. Defientely gonna have to do another one......at asome point!

Working on the chipping. Nervous work this o.O

Is that still wip? It looks different than the test part. I think it is going to be one of those things that looks weird, until you have it finished, and the other areas distressed and really pull it together.

Still WiP. I had a glass of wine after doing the chipping so decided to leave it at that for the night. Still need to put in some shadows to the chipped paint and then a few fresh scratch highlights and then a final filter over the whole plate. So far it's going along nicely. First time doing such a dramatic effect with this method and I decide to try it out on a not too cheap FW model that I'm entering into a competition!!! Doh!!! Thankfully all going according to plan so far (touch wood!!!!!)

I'm a fan of the 'dramatic' chipping, but I agree with WhaleMusic. The rest of the metal could use some scuff marks.

The actual shape of the chipping looks very natural so far - I am sure it will look ace with the shadows and highlights added to it.

 Blimy wrote:
I'm a fan of the 'dramatic' chipping, but I agree with WhaleMusic. The rest of the metal could use some scuff marks.

Spoiler:

ps: I know you posted it ages ago, but that is some superb magnetisation you've done on that knight!

It's coming. Haven't even gotten near to working on the bare metal parts yet. Focusing on the painted armour plates for now. Will add the shadows and filter to the chips tomoro then maybe onto the brasswork next or back to working I the base.

Cheers about the knight. It's such an awesome kit I wanted all the options so magnets ftw!! Took a bit of doing but definitely worth it

Thx Bottle. Happy hoe they turned out. How's the trip going? Sojued out yet? Lol

Blimey, for me that chipping looks excellent Jan. Looks like the kind of result that people get with salt weathering but more natural.

Cheers T. Have photo'd every stage so will be putting together a wee stepbystep over on my other blog at some point once all is done.

I have to add my voice to the choir. That chipping is looking great, and the shading really brings it over the top.

Cheers Az. I started doing the shadows on the chips this morning and after firstly forgetting that the light was coming from above not below (one wrist plate now has upside down shadows - easily fixed though) got a decent amount done and well happy with the way it's begining to look. Was interrupted by having to go on a school trip but should get some more done this evening.....hopefully

Wow. It's really coming together now eh?

Edc

Getting there EDC, getting there. Trying out some new stuff on this one alongside some of my favourite techniques. Long way to go yet. It's a lovely model and love the character of it. Can definitely see me getting the 'lunchbox' variant too at some point

Another quick wip. Chipping is coming along. Made a start on some of the other metals while I waited for the varnish to dry.

Fantastic job there Jan. What were you varnishing?

The armour plates. just to seal them before I do the next step

Yup, that's looking fantastic.

Cheers Insaniak. Have put the big fella to the side for today while I figureout how I'm going to do all his markings and insignia etc etc and to give some other figs I'm supposed to be workin on a little brushlove

That is taking it to another level again bud, just amazing.

You know that we will all be trying (failing) to do this for the next year or two, Thanks!

Oh and your theme is transferring fantastically between all the units, you have it balanced perfectly.

Stellar work as usual, Jan

@ Cam - hey - thanks very much fella Took a fair bit of thought and scribblings to decide on the theme/scheme that I liked. I think the Sydonian Dragoon was the test subject for it and am really happy how well it seems to have transfered accross the ranks and different units from stick troops to large automata. There is actually a whole pile of fluff and a couple of mini shorts written all about the cogboys of Achlys III and how their decidly non-Mars look came about. Must actually edit and polish it some time and put it up....somewhere!!!! Maybe!

@AoV - cheers mate. Taken a wee break from the Thanatar this evening and did a little bit of Space Hulk paint and got a fair bit done on The Ashen - a squad of Ruststalkers. Love those figs. really really nasty cool!

Here we go. Break from the big fella to do some work on these vicious fethers. Ruststalkers. Love ' em. Cracking figs. Ruststaker Squad Thanatos Rho-Theta aka 'The Ashen'. They're get my usual AdMech scheme; aged metal, brass trim, black pressure suits and grey armour plates and robes but also doing their faceplates in what will be a very pale ash grey. That's me done for the night. Got some other stuff done as well. Seriously productive day of paint

Nipped home at lunchtime to make a start on Than's markings. This is just the first stage. Back to work I go. Lol

My mind boggles that you 'nipped home' at lunch and did that!

EDC

Well.......I do live about 3 mins walk from my school!!! I've been putting off doing the markings so decided I just needed to get on with it and make a start

Looks brilliant. Great start

Shoulder looks amazing!

Cheers lads. Long ways to go yet. But that was another method I hadn't tried before. Seems to be a runner.

Wow. That is insanely good!

I'm curious, do you have some sort of formal training at art/painting? Are you self taught - Practise, practise, practise? I wonder how you got to that level of painting.

No formal training. Just self taught. My father is an artist so I've been drawing and painting pretty much all my life. Never went to art school or any of that though. For painting figs......I watch a lot of videos on youtube, read a load of articles etc etc. I 'study' a lot for new stuff - methods, techniques and the like.

I like how your just starting is about where my painting stops. Looking great so far. Let's see how many layers of detail you can squeeze into this one.

lol. funnily enough with the thanatar, most of the major detail stuff is on the back, pipes, hoses, pistons, stuffthatprobablyhasapropername but I just call bits. I've swticed over to the ruststalkers for a few days and they should be finished soon....hopefully.

 Januine wrote:
Test armour plate.

What the hell? That is crazy Jan! I legit thought that was actual chipped paint, the 3d effect is out of this world! We NEED a metal tutorial from you. I think you and Nerdfest do the best metal on dakka.

Cheers Mymearan. I've been snapping every stage on my iphone as I did that large pauldron and will put a wee tut togehter with pics once it's all done
will be a short one on the bare metals and another on markings as well

Woke up st silly o'clock so decided to get a pot of coffee on and do a little more on the Ashen. Really love these guys.. Tempted to go get another box of them just because. Like I don't have enough other stuff to be getting on with. Lol. Faceplates have come out really well though the pic has made them a bit white whiter than the are and all the armour and blue glows bits are now done. Brass trim next

These guys are looking great so far!

Cheers Az. I'm toying with the idea of puttin a blood slash mark over their one 'normal' eye of not.

Loving the white masks. Aren't the bits from that kit just amazing?!

Absolutely. The ruststalker kit is cracking. Actually all of the new AdMech kits really are top banana.

Ah is there a squad leader? Maybe reserve the blood marking just for him? Kind stand out from the crowd sort of thing?

The Alpha is the one guy that I can't really give the mark too as he doesnt have that blank faceplate. I'll leave it to the end and see how they're looking

Really liking these Skitarii models

Awesome paint work!

I reckon a blood stripe across one eye would look epic! I'd keep it similar on each model, just as Ad Mech don't really do individuality! Great stuff.

Aye - I'm kinda torn......I'm loving the clean cold emotionless pale faceplates but t the same time a little snap of red could really make it as well.......ah - we'll see

They're coming along very nicely Jan! Do they fit on the bases okay? Their legs are so lanky I have seen them dangling off even the 40mm that they come with.

A splash of red somewhere might make a nice spot colour I agree. But I don't think they need it as the cool blue (I presume) of the swords will draw the eye nicely. Will you be going for the sonic pulsing effect like the studio models?

(Edit: and to answer your previous question, yes I am very Soju'd out right now lol)

Whayyyy - Bottle's back! They fit.....just about....I think! I just just the bases with some cork adn ag earth so should (hopefully) get the figs pinned to them this weekend. Only got the swords left to do plus a few final touches and they'll be all good to go. Sonic pulsing effect ftw!!!

Sunday - the day you paint trans sonic blades inbetween making a salmon and goats cheese quiche o.O.

Final WiP before the last few details and then proper photos. Hoped to finish last night but was knackers. Pouches and claws to go and we're done. Love love love these guys. Swords are a dick to do though lol

Ohh very nice, I am half considering taking the ones I have and using old WoC swords to replace them. But seeing them like this is making me think twice.

Ohhh I love the swords that come with them - really cool design. technically if they have a chord claw they should have the shorter trans blade rather than the sword but rule of cool demanded the swords lol

Looking fab Jan. They are looking like ninja psycho nutjobs - excellent!

Trams sonic blades and quiche. That was quite a productive Sunday. Hope the food turned out as well as the mechanicus!

lol - yup! I love cooking almost as much as I love painting. Do almost as much of it as well! The ruststalkers are now totally finihsed. Just need to get their photos taken

Bit of progress on the tech priests robes. Nice fig to paint

Lovely stuff Jan!

What's all that in the background?!

Current painting shelf. 2 dark eldar me and the missus are painting. Couple of space hulk Genestealers and terminators. And a Hive Spyrer in a yeld suit

I don't think I've seen that Tech Priest before, is it a FW model?

EDC

Yup. FW (Titan?) Tech Priest. An older model I think but still totally holds up. Some really nice details to him. He also has a pair of servo arms which I'm painting seperatly.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Finally - the Ruststalkers are done and phot'd. Still getting the hang of lighting and such with this new lightbox but reckon the photos came out pretty well. Really really happy wit how the figs turned out. Knackered so off for some snooze, hope yez like them

Those Ruststalkers look amazing! Really nice work on them.

 Januine wrote:
Aye - I'm kinda torn......I'm loving the clean cold emotionless pale faceplates but t the same time a little snap of red could really make it as well.......ah - we'll see

Photoshop comparison time!

Cheers Az. Really happy with them. So far have left the red bloody marks off.....still mulling it over. I would try the ol' photoshop trick except I dont have it. Should be able to do it on Gimp though. Need to go back now and reshoot them on a white background for something else......bleugghh... too tired for now - lol

For a moment there, I thought you were referring to Word Bearers. They have a sect in their Legion called The Ashen Circle (I think they're Kor Phaeron's guys?)

Aye - they were the boys that went around destoying anything iconic of other cultures or something. nah - different folk. The ruststalkers are just 'The Ashen' for .....reasons....

You keep teasing about your back story. You need to let us have at least a taste of the story behind these delicious models.

It'll come

Those killer robots look great Januine.
Your color scheme only has cold colors in it, but it works pretty well for emotionless destruction machines. Don't change anything.


As for the magos, is this a GW model or is it from FW or another brand ?

Great work as always. What are you using for your bases? Is that GW textured paint?

@Minus - hey there fella and thanks very much. Aye - I wanted a purely cold pallette for my admech - utttelry devoid of any warmth or feeling to echo thier nature. Think it worked out pretty well. The Magos guy on the previous page is a Forgeworld tech priest. Think he's actually meant to go inside a Titan.

@ 40kFSU - cheeers muchly. The bases are pretty simple. Didnt want to build them up too much and distract from the figs. It's just a few bits of cork and cork crumbs and then agrellan earth technical paint. Then some typhus corrosion to feathered out from the recesses to give a little depth

Great work on the Ruststalkers, the trans sonic blades and off-white faces look especially good.

Damn auto-append, I missed those Ruststalkers, which are fething fantastic! the metals, the blade effects, the freaky white masks, just perfect!

For future reference, one handy Dakka trick; if you attach a file to a post, it won't auto-append, it'll show up as a new post. You can then delete the file straight away, and voila, everyone can see the awesome minis, even inattentive idiots like me!

cheers Para. That auto-append thingy is annoying as feth at times. very very happy with how the rusts turned out. Dracosan should arrive today for conversion into a Skit armoured transport. My first ever tank - wheeeeee!!

There are a few ways around it, but the easiest is to pm someone and get a bump.

The Ruststalkers look pretty good, Jan! I think the weapons (whatever they are called) are the best part. How long did it take to knock these out in total (actual painting time)?

Honestly, no idea. I never really keep track. Might drive me nuts if I did!!!!! I'd guess at about 10 hours total. But that totally just a guess

Final WiP before this fella gets his go

Awesome as usual, Jan
Loving the axe and robes

Great job. The robe loos awesome.

BTW, do you ever sleep? It'd explain how you manage so much if you didn't...

Cheers lads
Yeah - I sleep. Just in a different time zone to most here

Rust stalkers are absolutely spectacular. The masks have come out really well. Your speed of work is also going flat out as well. Wish I could get the time to keep my own stuff up to date.

Very nice!

Thx folks. Been working away at different things this month bit by bit. Now that the tech priest is finished its only to finishing up a few more 'stealers and termies from space hulk. Hopefully have them done by the end of the month. Proper tech priest photos in the morning

What's next for the AdMech guys? I just want to see you keep on painting this stuff!

Cheers Az.....funny you should mention it......just got this fella finished up and photo'd. Tech Priest Enginseer Dendris of Achlys III. Currently attached to the Freeblade 'The Orphan's Wrath'. All praise the mighty Machine!

He will be crushed underfoot by the might of my chaos knight

In all seriousness he looks amazing

Not to detract from the paint, but the most impressive part is that you cut him off his resin base without ruining his feet, cloak, or staff.

lol. Yeah - that resin base had to go - eughh. sprue clippers and a dremel did the job

Lovely work!

That Techpriest is something else, Jan. Awesome stuff! Love it

That techpriest is magnificent, full of details, yet still an humble servant of the machine god.

Cheers lads. Decided to do a bit of fiddling so chopped up the solar auxilia gunner that comes with the Dracosan and made him a skitarii gunner with a twin linked las cannon instead gonna replace the main weapons as well with......... We'll see

Really nice stuff Jan, it's really making me want to get on with painting my ad mech.

Thx James - get stuck in!! Am loving all the admech stuff at the minute. Going for a nice mix b/t the GW stuff and all those lovely FW automata

It's only because I'm working on other stuff. I did get them all built recently though, so they are getting there.

You're doing a great job on them, and watching this unfold is giving me some good ideas for using all those extra bits and the tentacle roller...

Great work on this guy! And yeah, I don't really understand what they were thinking with the resin base for him. It's unusual, out of character and unnecessary. Just very odd indeed.

Think he's kinda old fig but still nasty base - snip snip off it came - lol

I concur, the Ad Mech are excellent fun to paint, may have to dig into mine again soon.

Cracking work on the Tech Priest and the Dracosan gunner fits in perfectly.

Cheers Thraxas. The whole force is coming along nicely. Takes up two shelves in my cabinets now and soon will need a third lol. The last bits of AdMech I have now to paint are the two biggies - the Dracosan and the Thanatar. They're going to take a bit of time but should look pretty cool when finished.......he hopes!

Awesome job!

Love the Dracosan tank! Such an awesome piece!

Not much time for painting this evening but did get a wee bit more work done on the Thanatar's base. Just some shadows, weathering on metals etc. Getting there but still loads to be done

That is a beautiful base!

I've finally caught up. My my you've been busy. Love the base. The glowing goo is a nice touch.

Waheeeyy Bash is back!!! Cheers man. Hoping to see loads more stuff from yourself too soon

I love all the little details you've added, like the liquid leaking out the pipe for example, really nice work .

Thx hk. Still a few more bits'n'details to add yet that am painting seperately before assembly.....you'll see

Half day at work (it is Wednesday after all ) sooooo.... Painting time!! Banged out this little chappie to go on the above base. Love painting servo skulls. Now back to the Than himself

Cool! Is that a kitbashed one or one of the FW ones?

This lil guy is one of the old FW ones. They've been around forever but still totally hold up. They come with various wee tools and bits you can stick on (with a teeeeeeny pair of tweezers!) The wire support/stand you need to make yourself

Ah man, I'm so behind the curve on this thread. I'll just say the rust stalkers and tech priests looks great.

EDC

cheers

Onto something other a little more 'whooooomph' - started highlighting the helix pattern mortar

The servo skull is cool, i like the red 'skull' paint tattoo.

Servo skulls. Easily one the grimdark things I hate to love. He has a cool eye tatoo.

thx folks. I really like painting servo skulls.....no idea why o.O
They're kinda cute in their own little grimdark way

 Januine wrote:
thx folks. I really like painting servo skulls.....no idea why o.O
They're kinda cute in their own little grimdark way

I definitely like the servo skulls better than those creepy little cyber babies. Ugh!

Although, I am currently painting one of the creepy little cyber babies for my Dev squad (an Armorium Cherub).

I kinda like the cherubs.......... ish!!!!!! They are creepy as hell though.

Wip on the Thanatar. Working on the plasma mortar still. Then onto the lower body. Coming together

That's looking pretty magnificent!

EDC

Cheers EDC - looooong way to go yet

That is excellent work on the mortar you did, it really makes the whole thing pop. Also have a soft spot for the servo skulls, i need to get back to my servo skull army.

beautiful work, love your admech stuff soooooo much!

that Thanatar - is the FW kastellan version/kit? curious how you found working with it was? I'm not a huge fan of resin

course you make it all look good ^_^

The thanatar is a different kit to the castellax. They are much much smaller. I painted up one a while ago. The Thanatars are a bigger siege automata - about 2/3rds the height of a Knight. Working with themis fine. I quite like resin now- has a nice weight to it. But takes getting used to

Yeah OK, its beautiful, and your scratches look amazing, and the skull is fantastic, depressed now, thanks. Just blooming brilliant. Ta.

Just kidding, great work, as usual round here. These are a great kit, struggling to think of any I have seen that are bad, but this is right up there with the best I have seen of them. And yes that damaged paint paint job is outstanding. Looking forward to your take on Nerdy plasma. Keep it coming dude.

Cheers Cam Will do!

Looks great so far. When you are done can we get a side by side with your Knight?

Sure thing. I'm going do a big family shot of the whole AdMech force as well/.......eventually

 Januine wrote:
Sure thing. I'm going do a big family shot of the whole AdMech force as well/.......eventually

Oooh god yes - I need more minis to drool over

 Januine wrote:


Wip on the Thanatar. Working on the plasma mortar still. Then onto the lower body. Coming together

*dribble*

This thing is going to be insanely awesome when finished, I eagerly anticipate final photos with a multitude of angles..

Concur with the servo skull love in, they're always fun to do and a hugely characterful part of the universe.

Woah.

Let's be having some updates. Got back last night and hit the hay almost immediately so could get up at the crack of dawn this morning to get some paint down. Here's what's been happening with the big T. Plasma thingys (veins, panels, coils whatevertheyrecalled) are pretty much done. Brasses and base chipping down up there too. Leg armour is finally done and markings painted. Freehanding that broken chain was....scary. But only took 5 mins and came out pretty well. Off to do the dishes!!
Cheers for looking in and hope you like the slowgress

Jan

Freehand work turned out nicely. And nice colour scheme by the way. Very different than usual.

Loving the plasma coils on that mortar!

Indeed, those plasma coils are excellent, am loving the freehand cog motif as well. Cannot wait to see it finished.

Cheers veru much. Working on the chipping at the mo. weird - destroying all the neat work already done - lol

That's one of the big reasons why I can bring myself to do weathering

It's a lot of fun! Looks the business afterwards. I don't go too nuts with it. Just try and make it look a bit more worn and battle used rather than straight off the manufactorum assembly line. The Thanatar is getting a bit more chipping than I usually do but he's an ancient automata so would look a bit daft if he was spotless and pristine.

Looking very good, as others have said already plasma coils are excellent. And the free hand is exquisite.

Stunning work on the Plasma doda, all looking great, going to be another amazing model, you do have a problem though, how the heck you going to top this?

Titan!!!!

unbelievably good Januine! such a cohesive palette, and distinctive style! love all of them. to add to the others, the plasma coils and freehand on your latest piece are perfect.

Beautiful. I'm sad to see it get weathered as a mech is one of the armies that respect machines and I have no doubt that they would have a staff of servitors to bless the machines with new pack jobs to keep them happy.

Thanks very much San76. Glad you like 'em bit work still to go yet on the big fella and then it's on to converting a Dracosan to being a Skitarii transport. Cheers for stopping by

Not massively exciting but started on some incidentals, odds n sods for the Than and his base

Jealousy inducing work as always!

>covets bilbo<

lol.. Wee fella doing ok?!

Bilbo's rite of war: Pride of the cabinet

Yeah, he's got 'master of the legion (hobbits)'
He's outclassed a warhound titan already, i can see him outshining the to-be-finished knight household too.
Answers a question nobody asked - how mant god-engines can you fit in the shadow of a hobbit? a Warhound and eight imperal knights apparently.

Hahhahaa. Thinking about getting a warhound later this year. Mars pattern. How long I'll take to paint that fether up........ Rofl

Nice evening run with the missus then home for a bit more painting. Canticle scrolls are all finished - even a hulking great automata needs the omnissiah's blessings from time to time! Well chuffed how they turned out.

Looks great, Jan!

 Januine wrote:
Hahhahaa. Thinking about getting a warhound later this year. Mars pattern. How long I'll take to paint that fether up........ Rofl

Do it, join club Titan.

Cheers Bottle What you working on these days?

@Whale - oh I'll be joining!! I need to have it sent to my home in Ireland though as the customs charges here are ridiculous - 30% on anything over $150 :/ So it'll be a while yet....but tht warhound will be mine!!!!!!

I think you misspelt that, it's Warlord...

I was just catching up a bit, thats some great freehand on the plasma thingys.

@Para - lol.....nah. I'll start with the wee fella first. Actually the Warhound is my favourite (the Mars pattern, not that Lucius pattern lunchbox).

The Warhound is quite a bit more usable in games as well, as a Lord of War in a high points game (like 2000+). 750 points is a large chunk, but the 3000 for a Warlord pushes it to being your 1 model apocalypse army.

Scrolls are looking superb. Great job Jan

Finally begining to see light at the end of the tunnel. Big fella is starting to come together

What brown did you use for the script? It looks really nice, also the red for the wax too.

The script colour is a mix of mostly rhinox hide with a bit of khorne red, mournfang brown and abaddon black mixed in. I just fiddle about until I get the colour I want. The wax is just khorne red was with nuln oil and then highlighted with khorne red and pallid wych flesh. Then a final wash with Carr Crimson to give it a little waxy sheen

Looking great Januine! The whole upper carapace/head/shoulders piece is fantastic and the weathering on the leg plates!

Cheers San

It is looking absolutely amazing. Is going to be an absolute piece of art when he is finally assembled.

Dry fit him together today as was a bit worried about the bit ammo belt feed. All good on the fitting front and gotta say, the big fella was looking pretty rocking!!!!

Looking forward to seeing it all together!

Hopefully soon enough. I'm off till next monday so hoping to have him all done and dusted by then. I've a ton of other stuff to be getting on with and the big fella has kinda been a bit of a hog!! HAve thoroughly enjoyed painting him though. Wonderful model

honestly, i want one badly....

enjoy your long weekend mate

Will do. Have had the whole week off actually so it's been some sweet hobby time with some wife's family madness thrown in today to keep everything real - lol. Back to the brushes in the morning

You think this guy is bad, but want a Titan? You know those are like, way bigger, right?

Yuup!! Can't wait to get one (barring all the pistons.....which I love and hate in equal measure) It'll be a while before I get the warhound but have already started planning out livery and that. Might need to get a few larger chisel brushes too....and some bigger magnets - lol

Wow Januine! It's been a little while but you sure have been busy! San76 suggested I paint some ad mech and so here I am stopping in to see to what it's all about! Fantastic work Januine, I'd be very proud to feild that army you've got there, and it'd be a joy to. Play against. Congrats! The weathering/chipped paint on the first Titan is fantastic by the way...
Cheers

Bebop

Thx very much bebop and cheers for looking in. Hopefully shoulf have the finished Thanatar up soon..ish

 Januine wrote:
Finally begining to see light at the end of the tunnel. Big fella is starting to come together

Spoiler:

<regains composure>

My word.


I absoluteley think that you should go and buy a wahound titan now (like stop reading this and go buy one now, kinda now)

Good job on the thanatar dude, that thing is going to look epic on the tabletop!
<dismounts>

Magnificent.

EDC

Base meet legs. Legs, this is your new base! Progress!!

Man that thing looks awesome!

That's gonna look awesome when you've finished

He's built, constructed and assembled for the final time. There was glue!! Final touches and we can call this big boy DONE!!

Squeeeee! So excited

Well the big fella is now totally and utterly done. Super chuffed with him ( though the final scratches and glints were almost a bridge too far). Won't be doing proper photos till later in the week bcs reasons! Here's a few wee badly taken details though to give you an idea

Even the 'badly taken' pics make him look amazing!

EDC

Awesome

Beautiful

Cheers lads!

I can't wait for the final pics. It looks incredible from those little tidbits you've shown

Cheers Zam. Yeah - pretty damn happy how he turned out. In the cabinet now with the skitarii swarming aorund him. lol. He took a bit of time but well worth it. Hopefully get some proper photos sorted tomoro or the day after and pop them up then

Ha, your "badly" taken photos look awesome. Such an exceptional paint job Jan, inspirational work indeed.

 Januine wrote:
Cheers fella. was really happy how the dragoon turned out. Got some weathering powders with the Castellax, so I'll add a bit to that dragoon too. That'll be the colour scheme for all the admech I'm planning on doing. The new GW stuff is lush and FW has some gorgeous figs too for it. My wallet shudders at the thought!!!

You getting stuck in with the WHQ Silver Tower then mate?

Man the loyalists are looking pretty good, it would be a shame if they fell to chaos

Superb work Januine. Looking decidedly grim!

@Ustrello - never!!! (I do have plans to make a few heretek priests up at some point though - give the loyalists something to burn on those cold dark nights

@bebopdrums - thx very much fella

Finally, FINALLY - the big fella is totally finished and I got some photos taken....too many photos but hey ho, I'm really chuffed with him
Here's the big guy ready to fire

That is fething amazing Jan. I'd be well proud with that!

I think you've actually one-upped your Knight from last year with that, it's absofethinglutely beautiful!

Cheers lads. Seeing the photos now, I really am chuffed as a Chuffy MacChuffChuffy. Pulled out all the stops for this big boy and tried out a few new things too (which thankfully all worked out and nothing backfired badly!!). Gorgeous model to build (barring one or two wee things) and paint. Really have enjoyed putting this fella to the brush.
How do I top this one....... I think we all know what'll be coming next .......but not for a while yet. I have a Dracosan to convert and paint first - lol

Stunning.

Really nice work Jan, the battle damage looks really good, especially the attention to detail on the metal beneath.

Beautiful work Jan, you've really outdone yourself.

EDC

Many thx folks

Fantastic work. Your efforts have really paid off. Amazing stuff.

It's as awesome as we all knew it would be. Great job.

Wow. Words fail me. Seriously awesome.

Have you entered any painting competitions? You could be taking home awards. Top level stuff.

Again, wow.

Certainly looks like an award winner to me. Sublime Sir!

All your pictures make me realize I need to buy an actual camera, or a stand so they aren't as shaky with my phone. Beautiful stuff as usual though jan!

Well, it took a while coming, but as with all things, good things came along as a result. That is a beautiful piece of work and I know all of the time and care you out in to it. Well done Jan, you deserve to be proud.

Gotta ask - "7 delta 3"? Tell us more. The name oozes ominous.

And can I also ask everyone to apply weight to Jan to post his stories somewhere even if it's here in Dakka fiction section. I've been waiting ages to read about Achlys tertius and I am getting ore than a little impatient :p

Super freaking f**kin' awesome sauce dude - you should be chuffed! it's freakin awesome.

Now make me one

FAAABULOUS!

 Guildenstern wrote:
Super freaking f**kin' awesome sauce dude - you should be chuffed! it's freakin awesome.

Now make me one

LMAO!

Well if you're getting one, I want one too

Crikey - thx for the really kind comments folks. Means a lot.
I've never entered any competitions yet but the big guy will be getting entered in something later this year. We're not really supposed to talk about it though.
The designation 7-delta is just a larger variant of his smaller brother (the castellax I did a while ago) designation 17-delta. They were unearthed and reclaimed together so share a common thread. The '3' at the end is just the photo number as I made 3 of those collage photo thingys.
Sorry folks, no free Thanatars to give away at the mo!!! It'll be a while before I paint one again. I do want to add a few more castellax and a few vorax though at some point. And some tech thralls and some thallax and some ....... You get the idea
Thanks a million again for all the comments though guys.
Next thing to be seen here will be the reclaimed Dracosan apc at some point. Still figuring out how I'll scratch build a lightning cannon for it. Lol

That sound you heard a little bit ago was me picking my jaw up off the floor. That Thanatar is really amazing. All those little details, and you made it all work together into one really, truly amazing model!

Beautiful work. You've outdone yourself.

Your work gets better with every model painted. This one makes all the previous ones pale into comparison. So eagerly awaiting your next piece of work. Any idea who is next on the painting table?

Cheers again folks
@Archer - I try to learn and use/practice some new stuff each new model/fig. I usually spend a chunk of off-time on others'blogs and glued to youtube for new techs/methods et al.
The only big thing on the painting table at the mo is a converted Dracosan for the skitarii. Nearly finished building it - just need to scratch build a lightning cannon and some sort of comms array for it and then it'll be up for painting. That aside - making a wee vignette for Larkin - one of the Gaunt's Ghosts figs and in the middle of painting up a few termies and 'stealers for Space Hulk. Few other bits n bobs there too

Your work doesn't need to be big to be spectacular eye candy, but I am interested in your conversion. I loved the initial Gaunt;s Ghost novels. just couldn't handle the attrition rate to continue to enjoy it.

The conversion is nothing spectacular or massive. Just swapping out the weapons, added a few admech bits and converted the gunner from solar auxilia to skitarii ranger. Still working on the forward gun but you get the idea

That's a pretty tidy looking tank . How was it to assemble?

I saw the Ursurax at Warhammer Fest yesterday Jan, I think some have your name on them.

The Dracosan looks great.

Drac was ....ok..to build. Bit of mould slippage that needed fixing and the floor plate need to be filed back a touch to let the side fit keenly. It's a pretty simple tank really. 3 large hunks of resin and a floor plate. few bits of fine tuning needed though.
And yes - defintely want some of those ursurax at some point!!

Not much going on admechwise - just the beginnings of a lightning cannon. Need a new drill bit to finish it off though. Lots of other stuff to be getting on with though

Sweet. Can't wait to see more of the apc.

EDC

Cheers EDC. Hopefully get the main body base sprayed this afternoon. Looking forward to getting busy with the paint on this one - first ever tank and all that

Oooh, nice! Anything in particular it's going to count as?

Reclaimed Dracosan. Found by the forge - repaired and a few changes made to upgrade it. If I were using in game could count as an explorator or mass conveyor I guess.

Counts-as 'awesome sauce dispenser', perhaps?

EDC

Lol - awesome electric sauce when I get the Lightning cannon built and installed

Great work, Jan'. Lovely battle damage.

Just seen the finished Thanatar, and It looks absolutely stunning.

It's great to see one of my favorite mini's, painted up to such a high standard .

The Thanatar is mind blowing. I love the 3D effect on the battle damage. Never seen it done quite like that before and it looks boss!

They might as well make you a permanent fixture in the Flickr pool on what's new today, too! :-)

Cannot wait to see that tank... thing, you are making too.

Ta very much lads. Happy with how the battle damage turned out. It's not particularly hard to achieve - just a mixture of a few different techniques that come together nicely.
Maybe make a start on the tank this weekend.

The damage paint job came out really good on the Thana!

Can't wait to see how the Dracosan turns out
Are there rules for running the Drac with Skit?

Not that I know of. Need to have a check through the Taghmata book. But rule of cool trumps all so they''ll be flying about in their reclaimed Drac. I've got it primed and it's one hell of rocking looking vehicle

Your Thanatar made it to the GW Blog's Flickr pool, Jan. Nice work matey

Nice one!! Cheers AoV

The Thanatar is so well done, I've been staring at it for a good 5 minutes just checking out all the details.

I really love that you've managed to get a fairly dyanmic pose out of it given that it's quite a static model.

Thx Sock. I love doing all the little details - lenses, scrolls etc etc. brings a fig to life. When I started the first thing I really wnated to change was the pose as he is, as you say, a very static model. I reversed the stance so is right leg is back and his left is forward as if to brace for firing the mortar. Ttoally changing the stance around caused a very wee problems, esp with the fitting of all the pistons but nothing unsurmountable. Think he looks better for it

Jesus man that robot is insane! Have you been featured in WD/Visions yet?

not yet. maybe someday

Not much to report today. Did finally build the Lightning cannon for the reclaimed dracosan though. Started painting All the door holders for space hulk as well. Drac need a wee repair as one of those skid thingys (am sure there's a proper name) had snapped. Meh

It hurts my brain that it is clear, need to get some paint on that bad boy.

lol- yeah know what you mean. Will get it sprayed today and all shall be well

Excellent sculpting. Looking great bud.

There we go. All ready for paint.......sometime

Looking good. I assume you used some kind of device to get the uniform look of the...what the hell is the word, the bumpy bit on the gun anyway?

My mind can't fathom that level if precision sculpted by hand!

EDC

The ribbed bit around the barrel? Yup - put green stuff around the barrel and then rolled the whole thing in a GS tentacle/cable maker. She it was all cured, just trimmed off the edges

Love it!

Ohhhh, I'm so excited how this big boy is going to look with your incredible paint scheme on it!

Edit : Have moved this here from the other thread as the Dracosan is going to be a transport for a squad of Skit Rangers of my AdMech war convocation

First part below is just a quick little cheap and nasty technique for getting a nice base metal down which as some depth to it rather than just a flat plain metal base. Next I'll start doing some grey armour panels which will then get chipped and weathered back to the base metal in places. As its paint being chipped away, I prefer to chip the paint back to an underneath raw metal rather than painting metal chipping on top of the painted plate if that makes sense - just seems and looks more legit and realistic. This is basically the same techniques as I used on the Thanatar a few months back

I love my metals and metallics - TMMs all the way. Bright, shiny and new metals are nice but I prefer the dirty, stained and old metals for the most parts. This works nicely as an esy way to get a good old and worn metal base to then further work on.

Base whatever it is with a black spray first (I've alwys used GWs Chaos Black spray and always found it to be top notch)
Once dry, get out your drybrushes - its fun messy time.
We're going to put down a succession of three different metallics to give a nice tarnished patina'd effect.
First up - roughly drybrush with warplock bronze - this gives a nice dark depth to the metal finish



nice and light. get in there! Wash out the drybrush thoroughly and let it dry
Next drybrushing time again, this time with ghenna's gold. This will give patches of stain, tarnish, oxydation etc etc. Dont be as thorough with this layer as before - let some of the bronze show through in places



washy washy, dry dry......drybrush the final layer with runefang steel. This will seem really too bright and shiny but it needs to be as the washes later will bring it right down.
Be quite thorough with this layer but again heavy in some places, lighter in others



Leave to totally dry and then some. Finally wash the whole thing with ye olde faithful Nuln Oil - don't be scroogey with this wash but try to avoid pooling. Even if you do get a few coffee stains here - it doesnt really matter as it just fits right in with the overall intended effect.



Once this is dry you have your base aged metal done. From here, you can add other targeted shades/washes to add further stains, grime etc - agrax and coelia are great for this.
Later some dabs of typhus corrosion into corners and lower recesses complete the fithly metal effect

Hope all of that makes sense and helps some folk out

Cheers
Jan

Next steps: (I'm just going to continue adding to this post so the whole thing is together and in one coherent read)

Base coats for the armour. This is in the livery of my homebrew Forgeworld, Achlys III - mostly dark grey with twilight blue as a secondary colour.

Base coat is 2 thin coats - Grey > Mech grey followed by Eshin Grey
Blue > Steg cale Green followed by Dark Reaper



Next we add some nice oily grimy depth and shadow with Momma's old fave - Nuln Oil. Applied quite liberally here



Next thing we'll do is lighten up the panels again in some areas and add in the highlights. But first, gotta take the dog for a haircut!! @_@

Lightened the armour panels up after the wash. As this is my first tank, I wasn;t sure how to go about it -so went with several progressively lighter layers for dry drybrushing. seems to have had the desired affect. Next will glaze the panels to soften the transitiions and reafffirm the deep shadows. The grey went from eshin grey>dawnstone>administratum grey and the blue was dark reaper>ulthuan grey. About 5/6 layers I think



With the panels given a light glaze to soften the highlights in, time for some markings. I could use decals but they won't chip later when I do the damage and chipping to the panels so I make stencils instead.


After a kind of stiple/drybrush on the masking tape stencil we get this



Bit of tidying up, add a touch of colour to shade, bit of freehand for a squad designation and here we are



Next e get to the fun but 'oh god what am I doing' part

Wednesday again - halfday equals bonus painting time day



Started on the heavy heacy chipping - showing battle damage, ramming through buildings damage etc. No, I didnt paint the unit designation backwards, I just photo'd the wrong track/side half and flipped it so all the pics are going the same way!

Next added in some highlight and shadow lines to the chips - just rhinox hide and pallid wych



Sorry the quality of the photos is a bit gakky, Clears up if you zoom in in the gallery



Onto the brasses - not going too nuts with brass, just a few points and places. washed and stained the brasses then. Next we'll move onto rusts and streaks around the steels

I think I am going to have to try this metal technique when I've next got some big machinery to paint up!

What's the next step, the weathering?

Yup - chipping the painted panels, then built up grime, rust, streaks, and a final glaze

Damn that looks really, really good.

Cheers Archer. It's a little further along now; chipping time!!!

Added a few more photos and steps to the dracosan in the ongoing above post

Looking lovely Jan, love your metals! when you're chipping are you using chipping fluid btw?

I'm wondering how long one can leave that on an undercoat and still have it work to come off, is all.

Anyway looking forward to seeing more of it!

Cheers Guildenstern. Yup - I use Mig chipping fluid for the big damage chips. When I did the Thantar, I left the fluid on and painted over for about a week and it still worked fine.

Brasses are done now; shaded, stained and a little verdigris here and there.
Next, breaking out all the browns for a rusting good time (that was so much funnier in my head o.O )






Automatically Appended Next Post:
Progress. Damn I love this beast of a thing

Absolutely stunning.

Thank you for the tut on the painting, very helpful.

Your colour scheme is transferring perfectly across all areas of the army, this wee beasty is looking stunning in that livery. Fantastic sir.

grats Cam. Glad how well it has been transfering accross so many different types of units - from rank and file troops to special characters to large booming automata and now to vehicles......whatever will be next

Get in loser we are going to kill hereteks

Ohhh man that is awesome looking! well done Jan loving it!

cheers cheers
lightning cannon - when you want to fry your hereteks inside out and crispy!!!

That looks freaking awesome. When making your stencils, I assume you just pencil them in and cut them out with a hobby knife? Do you draw the stencils on tape?

EDC

Yeah - kinda.......I draw the design onto a piece of tracing paper first. then stick a piece of masking tape on some band-aid backing paper. tape the design over the masking tape and cut it out with a new bladed craft knife. peel the masking tape of the backing and then put it on the model carefully sealing it down with a clay shaper tool. The gentley stipple/drybrush on the paint. Peel of the masking tape and boom - there you are

Just seen your Imperial Knight in Warhammer Visions July matey- very nice!

Loving your ad mech tank seriously jealous of your paint skills lol.

Sorry.....what??!!!! Visions.....the magazine......sorry....WHAT?!!!!!!!

Ha! Send a cease and desist as they have not got your permission. But seriously well done Jan. And AoV do you buy Visions? I always get sticker shock from the cover price.

I'll send them a big sloppy kiss! They asked me back in.....february I think for photos of my admech war convocation on a white background. Hadn't heard anyhting in ages so had kinda just put it to the back of my mind. Crikey..........think I'll crack me a beer open.....after I do these 'stealers

 Thraxas Of Turai wrote:
Ha! Send a cease and desist as they have not got your permission. But seriously well done Jan. And AoV do you buy Visions? I always get sticker shock from the cover price.

I do. It provides some nice inspiration for me I've found.

Any chance you could pop up a photo AoV? Can't get my hands on a copy for a few weeks

I'll drop one here when I'm on the iPad later matey

Sweet. Cheers bud

Here you are, sir . Straight from the Reader's Models section this month.

Congrats

Congrats indeed! That's a mighty achievement and well deserved! You've got to get to Warhammer World for a Golden Demon event one of these days, you'd easily be holding your own with the best of them!

Congrats buddy! Totally deserved. Chookahae

Thx a million lads. Super happy. Like that photo - the ol' 'cmon then, let's be having you....' Pose. Need to try n get a copy somehow

Congratulations! Awesome work!

Surely you could request a free copy since it features your work? Such an amazing model.

I knew GW wouldn't be able to pass up that awesome Knight. Congratulations, Jan!

Cheers much folks

Is it this month's visions? If so I don't mind picking up another copy and posting it out, or holding onto it until you are next back in the UK.

Congratulations as well, hopefully we will see more in there in future.

Apparently it's in the July issue. Thx very much James but I'll pick a copy up when I'm on Seoul next weekend. Cheers again

Congrats Jan, well deserved!

EDC

Congrats Mang!!! Well done, i hope you cracked open more than one brewski for such an occasion! Well deserved dude.

Bebop

Arrgh I've not got my July copy yet!! Man I hope my FLGS didn't mess up my order again.

That's so cool Jan and very very well deserved!!

Well done, Jan'. Not something everyone can claim.

Good tutorial, interesting.

I use masking, like you did for the cog effects, for circumstances where I want a certain "look" that differs from freehand and transfers.

Cheers Dr.H. I've started just making stencils for most of my markings now like the cogs instead of using transfers. Transfers are realy useful but I like the more weathered effect I get from stencils. Transfers can be a little bright and perfect for what I'm wanting to acheive. Should finish up that tutorial in the next day or two. Just rust, streaking and a final filter to go I think. Oh and some powders

Page 135. Well done, again.

Cheers Az. Glad the Knight made it in. Spent a lot of time and learnt a lot from painting that big fella. Still haven't got a copy of the mag yet though - lol

Progressing nicely

Any of you fine folks bought a warhound Titan yet. Any idea roughly how much it weighs and the size of takes up NIB? Just curious o.O

...Jan potentially painting a Warhound.

Is it too early for me to grab the popcorn?

EDC

Just ....... Thinking about it at mo....... Plasma blastgun and laser destroyer btw. Just thinking ....... It's not like I've already come up with my own legio and warhound's names or started sketching heraldry and colour schemes or anything...no, no..... 'Course not

o.O plasma and laser (warhound NOT warlord. The wife'd bloody dob me in to the Inq if I ordered a warlord!!!)

 Januine wrote:
o.O plasma and laser (warhound NOT warlord. The wife'd bloody dob me in to the Inq if I ordered a warlord!!!)

My bad hahaha. Err don't know then.

Hahhaha. No worries. Just 'looking' at the mo.

Well done on Warhammer Visions and the Dracosian is coming on really well. Great job on a first tank.

Cheers TP. Dracosan is coming along nicely.

Flicking through some back issues of WD Ihadnt gotten to and saw this from issue 125. My dragoon!!! Nice surprise to start the day. I had no idea it had been featured. gakky weather but happy day

Wow, that's great! I wish my painting was worthy of the pages of WD. Congrats!

Cheers Zerg Keep at it - you'll get there