Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Ok, as of now, Im not in the states, Im somewhere else..BUT this is giving me alot of time to really think about how Im wanting to do my Space Marines, once I get back in the states. Iv never been the one to really follow a specific codex army in full...and now Im starting to lean towards Raven Guard, but like I said, Im not following it fully.
IOW, Im doing my own color scheme, kinda revolving around a desert theme. Iv seen some armies do this, and I didnt like them. Iv also looked on GW.com and studied alot of SM player's color scheme and how the painted everything. There was one that I like and Ill go ahead and describe it with using my colors:

The chest, legs, and arms along with the trim of the shoulder pad will be Desert Yellow (after a base coat of white), and the rest of the shoulder pad, the helmet, and the back pack will be Bleached Bone. At first I was going to use white instead of Bleached Bone, but I thought it was too bright, and not very "tactical". NOW, heres the question... for things like the unit symbol, wheather it be the tactical up arrow squad symbol (and all other unit markers), or the chapter symbol, what color should those be? I know everyone is going to say, "use a contrasting color", but Id like to stick to natural desert-like colors. I was thinkin bubonic brown, or maybe a darker brown. As for the helmets, Im going to paint them different colors depending on their unit, ie TAC squads will be Bleached Bone, Devestators will probably be the dark brown I decide on, VET squads will have white helments (common I know, but I like it), and JUMP squads will probably be red. Now if anyone has any tips, Id appreciate it.

PS- Iv also used that interactive SM painter on GW.com to test out my scheme, Im just wondering what people would think.

@Redmond:

I would use either black for tactical markings/Chapter symbol or maybe as you suggested a darker brown, maybe scorched Brown?? It has a bit of red to it and that might help with bringing a bit of color into your chapter while remaining within your desert scheme??

Just some thoughts...

Thanks,
Chappy P!

PS: I am a huge fan of Graveyard Earth highlighted with progressive amounts of Khaki! If you are interested I can post some pictures...

That would help out, Id appreciate it.

I have to chime in on the side of brown for markings instead of black as was suggested. Also not keen on the idea of red for the assault helmets. I'd use a mahoghany or other very reddish brown instead.

I would like to agree with the use of scorched brown for the markings. It is pretty dark in color and has a reddish tint to it, so it will go very nicely with the scheme. I would steer clear of the stark reds or whites on helmets as they are too "non-tactical" The red especially. Maybe the one squad could have bleached bone that has more extreeme wite highlights on the egdes to make it appear more white, but not actually be skull white. As a substitute for red, I would suggest a very dark red...maybe even use a scab red over scorched brown and only the tiniest of blood red lines at the extreme highlights.

anywho... thems be my suggestions. Make it back in one piece and get started on 'em!

Ok, sounds like some valid points. Now, what do you think of the scheme on how Im going to paint them? THink itd look good?

I think it has a lot of potential but if you're planning on actually painting camouflage on the marines I'll advise you against it. Camouflage Marines generally don't look so good. But I like your idea and it sounds like it could come out very nicely.

I like the idea of your color scheme. I will be anticipating pics of them whenever you get back. I'm a fan of subdued or more "realistic" (yeah I know... I said "realistic" while referring to a fantasy genre) schemes as opposed to super bright "shootme" schemes.

I think you can really make this work. I use browns greys and greens (just a tiny bit of purple contrast on power cables and eye lenses) for my Nurgle IG. Once again, I'm a fan of more subdued or gritty schemes for troops of just about any army.

The biggest thing to think of is:
Marines aren't too heavy on the camo schemes. They're more the realm of the Guard and the Tau, namely due to the fact that those power armor/terminator models just don't look good camo'd up. Keep that in mind while planning. However, if you went Scout heavy, there's the opportunity right there for camo schemes.

I understand that SM are not going to put camofladge on their armor, which was never my intent in the first place, it was the use of solid colors, no camo types at all. Now the scouts and their cloth uniform pieces may have camo, but thats about it.