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Nice! Good for a 'combat blade' but I wouldnt want to do power weapon effects on that.

I have been following your Blog's for a couple of months now, but have finally decided to register and post a reply. I have a 7 year old that is starting to express interest in what I am doing (though at the moment its primarily Orcs and Goblins for Warhammer Fantasy), and have enjoyed seeing that you have been introducing your kids to the hobby, but have also found the time to paint up your own army. I love your style of painting, and the pushing yourself to get better by trying new things.

I like the kitana, not over the top, but fits in nicely.

For the sternguard I have a couple of thoughts.

The first one on the left is the best of the bunch, great pose, good paint job so far, really fits in with the overall feel to the army. For the guy in the middle it just looks like the plasma gun is to heavy for him (probable just the sculpt). To me the figure is saying, oh man why do i have to carry this thing, can't someone else have a turn.

And the sarge which is the main reason for my post. The eye is drawn to his chest straps, I realize that you worked on reposing the figure and did a good job, but I would suggest maybe another tweak. To me the whole figure is looking off to the left, so having his power fist come across his chest would improve the overall look and feel to me. Like he is in the act of turning to the left to shoot at something, but the turning of his torso forced his right hand across his chest. I realize its a bit late for the suggestion since you have started to paint, but its a thought. Maybe the camo will help to draw the eye away.

Cloudburst

Grr. Stupid page wrap eating posts again...

monkeytroll wrote:Looking sweet gits

For the powerfist, how about reversing the scheme like on the ven dread's head?

Boo, I was going to suggest the same thing, but I was afraid Git would think I'm really STUBBORN with my reverse-camo thing...

So I can see I'm not the only one, so I'll go with it:

Git, why wouldn't you try reversing the camo on the Sarge's fist?

1. It would make him stand out ;

2. It would match the Dread ;

3. It could be a sort of "rank badge" for the most veterans among the tranquillity veterans. The highest-ranking Marines of the Tranquillity Campaign would have the right to own a single piece of gear with reverse camo on it.


On a side note : Welcome to Dakka, Cloudburst!!! Git, you have to add another thing to your long list of achievements : one guy joined Dakka thanks to you!!!!

The katanas make sense to me sizewise, like they are the weapons the marines used before they were "upsized" and crammed into power armour to become marines

The katana looks good, but I think the arm holding it should be at ease, or something.

wolfshadow wrote: Nice! Good for a 'combat blade' but I wouldnt want to do power weapon effects on that.

Meh, my power weapon painting pretty much stinks as it is... a smaller weapon just means it's less obvious how bad I am at it.

Cloudburst wrote: The first one on the left is the best of the bunch, great pose, good paint job so far, really fits in with the overall feel to the army. For the guy in the middle it just looks like the plasma gun is to heavy for him (probable just the sculpt). To me the figure is saying, oh man why do i have to carry this thing, can't someone else have a turn.

And the sarge which is the main reason for my post. The eye is drawn to his chest straps, I realize that you worked on reposing the figure and did a good job, but I would suggest maybe another tweak. To me the whole figure is looking off to the left, so having his power fist come across his chest would improve the overall look and feel to me. Like he is in the act of turning to the left to shoot at something, but the turning of his torso forced his right hand across his chest. I realize its a bit late for the suggestion since you have started to paint, but its a thought. Maybe the camo will help to draw the eye away.

Very good comments Cloudburst, and welcome to the blog! The guy on the left was an old, old metal melta-gunner that I added the bolter bits to in order to fit the idea of a combimelta. Took some creative thinking to get the scope on in a way that makes sense with the pose, but it worked out. There are so few 40k figures that are in shooting poses that every time I find one I feel obliged to use him... this guy was a good addition to the force.

As with the previous figure, this is a very old... solid metal model, indicative of the time it was made. All plasmas back then were the "Foster's Lager" style so there is little I can do about that or the pose as it's a solid casting. This one is actually destined for Sageheart as part of our trade, as such... it works out as he's armed with a combination of weaponry that my army can't use but apparently Sage's can.

I agree with your comment on the power cables and have been unhappy with the look myself. While this is the same way I've done all of my power cables, they are mostly hidden on the other figures. I don't like they way they look here and will probably re-paint them in order to make them blend back into the background. Keep in mind though that once the camo is on, the power cables will be no where near as visually prominent as they are right now. I see what you mean about the power fist, though for the same reason as you suggest, I modeled it where it is. I figure something startled him and he whipped around to face the threat, when your body moves like this, moving a heavy object like the power fist around your body would in essence force your whole body to rock until stable, messing up your aim. The heavy fist "behind" him acts as a counter-balance to the gun and adds stability without adding unwanted momentum to his body motion. Stylistic preferences aside... if you remember the sergeant is a "frankenfigure" cobbled together of bits and pieces, all very old (20+ years). I'm not sure I could pull off the shift at this stage without doing major damage to the figure and these bits were never made to be very poseable in the first place. Changing the angle of the elbow 90 degrees is pretty major surgery.

Thanks for sharing your ideas, please feel free to pipe in whenever you feel like it!

monkeytroll wrote:For the powerfist, how about reversing the scheme like on the ven dread's head?

Yggdrasil wrote:Git, why wouldn't you try reversing the camo on the Sarge's fist?

I'll consider it. Of course that means all my nice blending on the fist is for naught. His damaged helmet will by lying on the ground next to him... should I do that in black too, so all the sergeants have black helmets w/ black fists (if they have them)?

BLACKHAND wrote:The katanas make sense to me sizewise, like they are the weapons the marines used before they were "upsized" and crammed into power armour to become marines.

Yeah... they look like normal weapons, as opposed to space marine weapons. I could see all troopers of Asian origins (as opposed to western) wearing them not only as a side-arm, but as a way to set themselve's apart from the "old order". I need to work out how to make a good scabbard & then we'll see where we are.

battle Brother Lucifer wrote:The katana looks good, but I think the arm holding it should be at ease, or something.

Don't get hung up on the figure, he was just stuffed in a baggie and had a hand in the right configuration to experiment with the sword. He's actually one of the original color "test models" as noted by the "4" on his base.

Thanks for your comments guys, most helpful.
Gits

Gitsplitta wrote:I actually kind of love the fact that other folks are taking a whack at making mantis warriors... even if it is just a one-off thing rather than an entire army. Makes me feel like I've accomplished something beyond my own little army.

I painted a mantis warrior once but he died and so I put him in a chair and sent him home. : )

It's nice to see all the intrest you have generated brother! Keep up the good work and congrats on a long lived blog. But I lament...

Thanks for the kind words on the terminator!

Oh. Well he has a great pose (save the awkwardness of both hands raised)
Do you have other models with that pose?

Also, I'm going to go put on my painting & modeling attire (old charity T-shirt with tons of paint streaks, sweatshirt with tons of paint streaks, cargo pants with tons of paint streaks and glue drops) and build both marines, and attempt to paint both. So no right pad for your Son of Ouroboros?

@Solar_lion: Long time my friend! How've you been?? (rhetorical of course on the blog... but still... glad to have your input again). I take it that it's been a while since you've been able to check in... the termie was like... 8 pages ago! LOL! Hopin' to have a good progress shot by this weekend... keep an eye out. I want to finish up the details tonight so I can start the camo pattern tomorrow.

@BBL: LOL! What? Is he giving up already?? I know my dice rolling is bad but at least give me a chance... That's right, leave the right pad off please... I've got a nice Inquisition pad sitting here all filed and ready to go.

Gitsplitta wrote:I'll consider it. Of course that means all my nice blending on the fist is for naught. His damaged helmet will by lying on the ground next to him... should I do that in black too, so all the sergeants have black helmets w/ black fists (if they have them)?

Well, I rather think one piece of equipment would be enough... Plus, at the time of the Tranquillity campaign, they had a real need for camo, so I don't think they would have gone too far with custom outfits!

On the other side, a black helmet would definitely look good... That's a good question!

Lol, no worries, they said a week to 10 days for shipping, and there is also the weather here to consider.... just excited to see if you got them.

I do not recall arranging for any bits to be shipped to me, however feel free to send over bits if you want, I would be honoured to make something for you.

Yggdrasil wrote:Well, I rather think one piece of equipment would be enough... Plus, at the time of the Tranquillity campaign, they had a real need for camo, so I don't think they would have gone too far with custom outfits!
On the other side, a black helmet would definitely look good... That's a good question!

Yes... I know it's a good question, that's why I asked it! What I need is a good answer!

dantay_xv wrote:I do not recall arranging for any bits to be shipped to me, however feel free to send over bits if you want, I would be honoured to make something for you.

Thanks dantay, but I only have about 4 more infantry models to build (for Adepticon) & I'm guarding those jealously. Besides... building is the easy part. It's painting that's the real bugger to do.

Like the katana, where was that from?

On the reversed camo, if you're thinking of giving it to all the sarges then I'd have to go with the helmet over the fist, don't really want to start reversing out a variety of different areas, it'll get a bit messy. Thinking about it, that would look pretty cool actually (the helmet idea that is, not the messy look ). But that doesn't help you with what to do with the fist in that case

I always thought it would be fun to do the palm of a power fist the same way as you'd do a power sword... all blue and crackling with energy. Risky though... I'll have to see how the glow from the plasma gun turns out.

Interesting idea, know I wouldn't be able to pull it off as nearly all my power weapons are plain, never got that crackle effect to look good. You thinking just the palm, or fingers too? Possibly throw a tiny smidgeon of OSL in there too.

Basically the whole hand as you'd look at it from the palm side... OSL techniques and all. And there's the rub actually... my OSL form is pretty rough. Going to be scary enough doing OSL on that plasma gunner, not to mention my own sergeant. That's the kind of thing I practice on a spare power fist before trying it on a figure.

Just because I would love to see some "New Mantids" in your army I have a proposition for you Gits.

I would be quite happy to make a Vangaurd Squad for you (with Katanas and Angelous weapons). Like I previously mentioned I have 5 spare single-thrust jump packs. I also still have 4 pairs of the running SG legs, so if you could provide me with: 5 BLACKHAND sculpted MW heads; ; A pair of running legs and 5 sets of BLACKHAND's wings I could start work on them. I would also be happy to paint them if needs be. (NB. I'll buy some MW pads from Chapterhouse)

So...

does this seem like a fair proposal?

Done, and Done.

Your finished marine my good sir




(The ink wash is still drying of course. I took these pics the second I finished.


Hey, shoot me your addy so I can get him to you right away
Also, when you send the pad and head, think you can hook me up with a katana if you have an extra?

liking that marine BBL!

Lucifer, did you just build, paint and get pics up in an hour and a half? By the Emprah's right teat how do these peeps do it? mumble..grumble...bullet time..snazzle...frazzle..sniggle...hypnotise the lot of 'em...bibble..babble..young whipper-snappers...burble


edit: oh yeah, looks good by the way

Yep. I also wrote up a song about the traitor primachs to the tune of a muppet song, bought Minecraft, and finally joined Facebook.

For serious, it takes me a damn month to make a Dreadnought!

OH, forgot to answer the question.... the katanas (actually sold as nagis) are from Perry Miniatures in Nottingham.

@GS: I appreciate how it must be torture to wait for me to get the work done, but I actually do enjoy building my own figures... especially for things like the vanguard where I have a very specific mental image in mind. When I get all the parts from BLACKHAND... I will drop whatever I'm doing and make one of the new Van just to give it a try. Promise. I do really appreciate your offer to help out... but much as I gripe, I want this to be my own work no matter the time involved.

@BBL: Looks beautiful... and amazingly fast. Wooosh! Color me impressed. I expect a U-tube video with you singing your song soon??

If I was batter at drawing, I was going to animate it myself

Gitsplitta wrote:@GS: I appreciate how it must be torture to wait for me to get the work done, but I actually do enjoy building my own figures... especially for things like the vanguard where I have a very specific mental image in mind. When I get all the parts from BLACKHAND... I will drop whatever I'm doing and make one of the new Van just to give it a try. Promise. I do really appreciate your offer to help out... but much as I gripe, I want this to be my own work no matter

Yeah, that's fine. I'll still be making one to trade to you (along with the 30 odd Chainswords and the marine I promised you). I'll probably give him the katana style weapon. Fluff wise he could have been a new recruit or use him as an objective maker. It's just I don't have any use for some bits as I don't have a loyalist force any more.

With all these folks makin there own MW, maybe you could have a squad of five MW painted/modelled by others. Kinda like another Deathwatch where they're all Mantids.

That's certainly a possibility... be pretty neat actually.



Automatically Appended Next Post:

Update: All the eyes are done. Also completed the sternguard sergeant's head. It looks incredibly crude in this magnification but even a close inspection with minor magnification it looks quite good. I made all of the suture and attachment points look angry and red... nearly infected, as well as tarnishing the metal side of the skull prosthetic. Trying to show the uneasy melding of man and machine I guess. I could try and touch up the eye but to be honest it's so small that anything I could do would be a wild guess and as likely to muck it up as anything.



Tomorrow night... the shoulder insignia!

I agree that perhaps the greatest achievement of gits's project is how it's inspired others. Katana's now flipped ([facepalm]), added a Wakizashi but looked too cluttered, so I might just leave it.

@ gatheringstorm: I've got a couple of BH's MW heads, and a pad from gits. And, like, we're local to one another: saves deranged shipping costs.

Congrats on the 100,000 views! Thats pretty damn cool my man!

Ps, don't worry guys I am getting around 5-6 sets of wings cast every week so I am almost ready to send a care package to Gits. Trust me I want to see what Gits can achieve with his vanguard as much as anyone

Great work on that head. Incredible detail work. Gives me some nice ideas for my bionic bitz. :-)