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Hey guys, Xend here!

Some of you might remember my custom Legion of the Damned squad from my showcase thread. Unfortunately they were not considered complete and while I did gain some very helpful tips (special shout out to those guys) the thread was ultimately closed.

Well they're back and with with some considerable improvement thanks to the advice given
I just wanted to get a last opinion on them from you guys before I base and complete them.

Skull-face


Candle Guy


BonePantsGuy


Skeleton Dude


Sgt. Sarge


As well as picking out the highlights I also touched up the shading of the bones and such. I also printed a photography backdrop and experimented with my camera till I found the right settings.
Anyway let me know what you think.
Cheers

 noneoftheabove0 wrote:
You missed the purity seal on the first model's right calf. Aside from that, they look fantastic. What are you thinking of doing for the bases?

Yikes! Nice spot. Thanks
For the bases I'm tossing up between a graveyard theme, classic lava, or clear bases.
One day I do want to use Clear bases for an entire army but I'm not sure if it will be these guys.

 whalemusic360 wrote:
Very nice. Plans on a whole army?

Plans indeed

Alrighty...
I've started working on my Termies.
So far I've sculpted an nice skull over the front of the captain's breastplate. I've also cut the feet and hands to a more skeletal look.
I'm looking forward to the heavy flamer Termie as I will be sculpting a brazier on him somewhere.So if anyone knows any good fire sculpting tutorials it would be much appreciated.
It's too late at night right now but I will throw in some pictures tomorrow asap.
Cheers

 M4cr0Dutch wrote:
I have to say, I still prefer the flame colouration the other way around, i.e. orange at the base worked up to yellow tips, EVEN though it is ridiculously unscientific. It has something to do with the contrast with the black being a bit clearer.

Yes, I somewhat agree about the contrast however I do not wish to reverse the flames since, as several good people (including yourself), have pointed out that the fames run yellow to red not the other way around.

I'm thinking that instead I will paint the first layer of flames in yellow then paint the red, orange and finally yellow again. This way I hope to outline the flames and give them some depth.
If anyone has any other good ideas give a shout!

Cheers

Time for an update!

Here is me Terminator Sergeant

Still not fully painted as you can see but the majority of the work is done.

Unsure of how to go about doing up the banner.

I will post more pics once completed

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
Nice you could do an tutorial on GS'ing skulls

It's actually been a while since I did a GS Skull (the termie skull was done a while back) but you have to do it in layers. the first layer should form a basic outline for the eye sockets, nose bridge and upper jaw.
With each different layer add more detail. Looking at lots of different pictures of skulls from all angles helps you to know what shape you're aiming for.

For a better idea on what I mean by layers, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq_GMIAEHqk
different material, different size, but the fundamentals are the same.

Finally, don't be afraid to just give it a shot. if you're worried about ruining a model do some practice skulls on other things till you feel up to it.
Not exactly a tutorial I know but there are others (better than I could do) out there and this is the best advice I can give.

Progress update on my Terminators


The sergeant is all painted (albeit a bit rushed)

Base-coated this guy a bit hastily. Still some green-stuff'ing to do.

Can counts as both a Power Fist and Chain Fist

BLING!

Since the candles on the regular PA marine seemed to be fairly popular I put some on this guy

Not sure if I'm over-doing it or not...
Tell me what you think!

:Minor Update:

Slightly clearer (not really) picture of the Skull-Dude. sculpted the skull a little more and thickened the top brow with GS.


Much clearer picture of Fire-Guy. Added a bone on the left shin and replaced the cloth with armour plate. Not sure if this looks better or not (suggestions?)

So I decided to lend my completed LotD guys to the flgs to put on display in the hope I'll attract some commission work. After all, it would be great if this hobby could pay for itself

But for some reason I feel uncomfortable thinking about them being there... I mean it's not like I have a lot of models (especially not complete ones) And the shop manager is well... awkwardly intimidating? I haven't spent much time in that shop and I always get a bad vibe from the dude, despite trying to be friendly.

I think I gotta get em' back. I don't want to risk them getting damaged by him or anyone else taking them down from the shelf to look at.
Feels a bit embarrassing though. I'll just tell him I wanna use them in a game.

Update!

Finished the Skull-Dude. I decided to replace the GS skull I made with one I sculpted from a Corvis helmet.

TBH I'm not a fan of the Corvis helmet so I was not worried about destroying the helm while trying to sculpt it. The whole front cone of the face was chopped off and under the eyes carved out. carved in some teeth and nose holes then shaped the cheek bones and eye sockets with GS...

ANYWAY

here he is

More GS shenanigans


I'll file the fingers a little thinner once the GS has set.
Also managed to get my hands on 4 small horned skulls that came with the WE Glade Guard box which my GF bought a while ago.
They're small but fit the theme fairly well. This guy actually has one on top of his armour however it is blocked by the sensors in this photo.
I would take a better shot but I barely managed to get this one before my camera died

Update time!

Just finished painting this guy tonight.


Please click and rate image

The helmet is a conversion I did inspired by FW's Terminator Lord Zhufor. I cut away a good portion of the front of the helm before adding a the GS. I then worked with it in stages to get the jaw and teeth the right shape.

Comments and criticism would be much appreciated


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Aaaaand I just realised that the image is flipped the wrong way... Ah you get the idea

Taken a break from painting for a bit but I'm starting to feel the itch again. Here's a group shot of what I have so far.



I think I need to stop taking such close photos as my camera isn't too great at handling close-ups. Really need to do something about the lighting too.
Once I've completed the other Termies 2 I'm gunna base all I've done so far.
Oh and here's a sneak-peak of something else I've been working on.



Yes/No to the Aux Grenade Launcher?
Peace out

Haha okay I can give it a shot but I'm not sure if I can pull it off.

Just painted this badass

Amendments have been made to the paint job.

Here's my first attempt at replicating glowing embers.
I wanted to give the base a sort of scorched concrete look however I think it looks too monotone atm so I'll be giving it another shot some time soon

Just finished my final terminator (for now )
I had a lot more fun converting this guy than I though I would and I think I did a pretty decent job especially considering this was my first attempt at painting sculpted flames.
It was also my first attempt at sculpting a more detailed fire and I am fairly happy with my result.

Unfortunately my photography is not on par with my painting/sculpting and these pictures have not been doing my models the justice I feel they deserve. After all, what's the point in painting them so carefully if the camera just sucks the detail right out?
My photos always tend to come out too grainy, washed out, or overly dark in places. I'm not sure if it's the lighting, camera settings, or my backdrop that is causing these problems.
possibly all 3

As always C&C is much appreciated and I would also love to hear some tips on photography!
Cheers

Okay warhams (that's you )
Here's what I've been working on.

I'm pushing my GS'ing to the limit with this guy. Once it's dry and hardened I will file/sand certain areas to look neat and smooth. I tend to use more GS than necessary for most details so some parts will need to be filed down to size.

I'm thinking about using the eagle-head backpack and putting a few candles on it.
My only concern is that it might look a bit ott with the eagle crest at the back of his head (Too much eagle??)
I'm also considering removing the pouch from his waist and adding in a small link of chains to the belt buckle, maybe something can hang from the chain?

SmallVictory wrote:Nice job customising each model, my favorite is the bones on the power fist.

Thank you, and yeah, he's my favourite too.

SickSix wrote:I am loving this. I love the LotD. Your GS skills are pretty darn good! I love how you cut the back of their legs to look like bones.

Really great job and can't wait to see the rest.

Thanks buddy, I feel my skills coming along steadily but with each model I can see the improvements in my ability. Hopefully one day I will be able to sculpt especially awesome models

Anyways, C&C and new ideas are much appreciated.
Cheers

Quick update here.
Captain is all green'd up and ready for paint (OR IS HE!?)


I like him but something feels like it's missing.
Maybe I should do something more with his Bolter? Or possibly give his cape a more torn/ragged look?
Also I'm still not entirely sure about the eagle head backpack
Decisions, decisions...

Drop me a comment and let me know what you think.
C&C welcomed and appreciated!

Cheers

After a while of trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to do with the Bolter I decided to experiment with different arm poses.
I decided that if I can find a decent pose then I'd swap the Bolter for a Storm Bolter. (I dig Storm Bolters )

I wanna know which pose people prefer. I can easily change arm positioning at this point so your oppinions are greatly appreciated.


A part of me still feels that the original Bolter brings more character to the model but I'd first like to experiment with the SB and see if I can make it work.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Thinking that I might go with this



I personally do not mind this pose. I just have to decide between this and the regular bolter. I shall address the issue in the morning.
As for now... sleepytimes

Okay guys, here's where I'm at.

I made a press mould of a little skull so I could have a few lining his shoulder pad separated by studs, added more dripping wax to the candles and fixed up several damaged areas of the model (particularly the SB) with GS too.

I'm thinking I could give him a hood but is that too much?
Also I'm still trying to decide on what to do (if anything) to his other shoulder pad. I could repeat the pattern or do something different.
Suggestions?

This is just a test hood. the final thing would be better sculpted.

C&C welcomed
Cheers

Painting has begun. I don't really like painting as much as sculpting so progress has slowed to a degree.
Anways, here's where I'm at:


Bone parts and metallic parts are done aside from the bone handle which I somehow missed completely I'll have to make a few touch-ups here and there but that will come later.
It is only now that I fully realise how difficult it's going to be to paint certain parts of this model, such as the inside of the cloak and the underside of his arms. Granted these are areas that are not usually closely inspected I still like to get a bit of paint down in those areas if just to please critical eyes

 BrotherOfBone wrote:
I think the hood is a bit much, you want to make a model look cool without overdoing it on customisation :/ I way overdid my first few space marines, and I now regret it because I don't repaint them as a keepsake, and they still feature on the board occasionally xD

Yeah I completely agree. I used to have that problem as well when it came to customising. There would just be too many ideas to play with but no real structure or ultimate design to work with.
I think (I hope) that I've learned to control this and mediate my creativity.
That is unless I ever make an Emperor's Children army in which case I won't hold back

Anyway, I would like to hear what you all think would be the best way to go about painting the cloak and tabard.
C&C welcomed and appreciated.

Cheers

 BrotherOfBone wrote:
This is looking fantastic so far mate, keep up the good work The obvious option would be to go for some flames on the bottom edges of the cloak etc. but feel free to do whatever

Thanks
And yeah flames from the bottom is what I'm going to do it is just what colour to paint the actual cloth that I am struggling with.

 BrotherOfBone wrote:

 Xendarc wrote:

 BrotherOfBone wrote:
This is looking fantastic so far mate, keep up the good work The obvious option would be to go for some flames on the bottom edges of the cloak etc. but feel free to do whatever

Thanks
And yeah flames from the bottom is what I'm going to do it is just what colour to paint the actual cloth that I am struggling with.

Well, I guess black xD Or bleached bone (or whatever that is now) to contrast with the darkness of his armour ;D

Well I would have gone for a bone colour however, the majority of the surface area of this model is cloth and I think that bone coloured cloth would not contrast so well with all the bone coloured bone.

How's this? Royal enough for you?

I'm thinking it could go for another wash to make it a bit darker and then maybe some additional highlighting.

Also, excuse the shiny patches. The wash is still wet in places

KingCracker wrote:You're doing a great job on these so far. I'll definitely be watching this one

Cheers buddy! I promise you more, progressively better conversions in the near/distant future

BrotherOfBone wrote:Wow, that looks excellent mate ;D As I said, it'll really make him stand out from the rest of the army, and that's what you want in a commander

Thanks BoneBro I appreciate the colour advice.
Sometimes I feel a bit colour dyslexic


I think I might hit the cloth parts with a wash of Agrax Earthshade to really bring it closer to the musty/dirty look I'm going for. Hopefully the ropes will look good in contrast to the darker cloth if I leave them as they are since at the moment they're looking a bit ordinary and don't stand apart from the cloth.
Before I do this though I'm going to test it on a piece of sprue as I do not wish to ruin what I've got going on already.

Anyone, please let me know if you think the Earthshade wash is a bad idea. I'd hate to go through with it if there is a better alternative.

On a completely unrelated note; At first I hated the Helldrake model, but after seeing so many awesome conversions people have been compelled (by the ugliness) to make, I'm starting to appreciate it as a means of encouraging people to give it their best shot and whip up something truly unique to themselves.
Also has me contemplating making one for myself one of these days.

Cheers

Well it's been some time but I've stirred from my skeletal slumber and got some painting down.

Unfortunately I've not finished painting him yet. I am still to paint flames on his front cloth and various spaces on his armour.
The cloth is the part I'm avoiding as it with be difficult to manoeuvre the brush in behind his weapons. Alas this is a problem I've created for myself due to my lack of insight


My lack of focus has been in part due to receiving the Dark Angels half of a DV box my friend and I split
In relation to that, who can guess what I'm working on next for my LotD?

Hello again Dakkadakka

I thought it was about time for me to announce my new project.
You can follow it more closely and better offer feedback here in the P&M thread
I will be shelving my LotD Captain for now until I can work up a desire to paint again.


Skull has replaced his regular head and the wheels have been completely removed.

I took the wheel from earlier and made a press mold


At the moment I am letting some GS cure a gap in the mold from the wire that I'd fed through the centre of the wheel.
After that I'll be doing a press of the mold and probably let that cure overnight.
I will only be making one side of the second wheel as only half will be exposed from under the bike. I will cut the wheel in half then fit the two faces back to back.

Please, if you have any questions, comments, or criticism drop me a comment.
Cheers

Xend here, back with some sweet, juicy progress

I finally cobbled some handlebars together. The bits on the end are pieces that I cut from the inside of the handle, then decided to stick on the outside and the pieces I stuck in their place I can't even remember where I found
Actually most of the handlebars was a matter of cutting bits off then sticking them back on in a better position.
Anyway, I'm just glad it's out of the way...



I'm unsure of what to do about the wings on the back. I think they're chapter specific to DA but either way they don't really match with my LotD.
Right now I'm torn between cutting off the feathers and using the posts for something or just cutting it all off at the base of the posts.

Let me know what you reckon.
Cheers