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Hi,

As part of my Dark Angel army, I have a bunch of Rhinos and Razorbacks that I want to put DA iconography on (the winged sword thing). You can see an example of what I want below:

http://k43.pbase.com/u20/sisko11/upload/9057325.DSCN0022.JPG

Basically, I am looking for a reliable method of getting the DA chapter symbol on the top and sides. Presumably this isn't freehanded? It looks too neat to me - in which case I am guessing it is stencilled? Any tips for the best way to go about doing this and some links to maybe some relevant stencils? I have wanted to do the same for other SM armies too but have always been put off mainly due to my poor freehand skill.

I freehand mine, you need to break the symbol down into its basic shapes and then apply the detail, with a steady had you can do very good looking winged daggers. If you can't use a paintbrush to that level yet try painting the shoulder bone (A La Deathwing) then get a fine marker and draw it in. There are some great tutorials about breaking chapter badges down to their component shapes and building detail up.

Don't know if it's clear in the photo below but I highlighted the tops of the wings just to make it pop a little more, this was done with a GW Detail brush that I've had for many years (about 15) the trick is not to use too small a brush. Use one with a good point that can hold a nice amount of paint and remember to thin your paint to allow it to flow properly. Most people who try to do detail and fail is because of too thick paint, practise on paper first and paint 10-20 until you have it nailed then apply to shoulder pads and doors. I even paint them onto belt buckles sometimes.

HTH




Automatically Appended Next Post:

filbert wrote:Hi,

As part of my Dark Angel army, I have a bunch of Rhinos and Razorbacks that I want to put DA iconography on (the winged sword thing). You can see an example of what I want below:

http://k43.pbase.com/u20/sisko11/upload/9057325.DSCN0022.JPG

Basically, I am looking for a reliable method of getting the DA chapter symbol on the top and sides. Presumably this isn't freehanded? It looks too neat to me - in which case I am guessing it is stencilled? Any tips for the best way to go about doing this and some links to maybe some relevant stencils? I have wanted to do the same for other SM armies too but have always been put off mainly due to my poor freehand skill.

I would say the vehicle is freehand by the looks it's not that hard to do. Plus the benefit of doing freehands is you can incorporate different styles of winged daggers into your army to give it a truly unique feel.

Thanks for the heads up - could you point me in the way of some of the freehand chapter symbol tutorials that you mention? I have to confess to feeling somewhat intimidated by the thought of freehanding what is quite a large symbol on a vehicle.

If you pm me with your e-mail address I can send you a pdf containing all the DA banners from the old Blood & Dark Angels codex that I drew free-hand (therefore no copyright issues).
You can use a pin to mark out the key points then use a mechanical pencil to draft out the whole image before doing a 'painting-by-numbers' on it.
Adam

I find just marking out in pencil first works well, or on a large area like the top of the tank, you could make a stencil

mark it in pencil or water proof pen.

filbert wrote:Hi,

As part of my Dark Angel army, I have a bunch of Rhinos and Razorbacks that I want to put DA iconography on (the winged sword thing). You can see an example of what I want below:

http://k43.pbase.com/u20/sisko11/upload/9057325.DSCN0022.JPG

Basically, I am looking for a reliable method of getting the DA chapter symbol on the top and sides. Presumably this isn't freehanded? It looks too neat to me - in which case I am guessing it is stencilled? Any tips for the best way to go about doing this and some links to maybe some relevant stencils? I have wanted to do the same for other SM armies too but have always been put off mainly due to my poor freehand skill.

Lol, that's me! Sisko11 was my BandC name. The Rhino in question was indeed freehand, due to it's size, it wasnt too tough. There are plenty of things on it line yourself up with.

Freehand, ugh. I just print out my design on decal paper, give it 3 quick coats of high glosss enamel, the next day I've got decals sized however I need them. Only way to roll when putting them on flat surfaces like the metal boxes (!!!) that marines travel/cower in.