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I completed my first Warhammer 40k model. It's a Space Marine from the Black Reach set. I didn't want to go with the Ultramarine color scheme so I opted for the Salamanders, mostly because I like green. So it was a learning process and I am more or less happy with the results. I hope to get better with practice. The toughest part was doing the highlights as my lines are not very clean. Comments and advice is very welcome.

Hey, that looks awesome.
If I were you I'd be stoked to have an entire army painted to that standard.

you done a good job but with the pipe things on his helmet you should of painted them balck or some thing

Nice work. thin your paints and it will look alot better.

Hahahaha, first model? Nice try liar.
Please tell me you were kidding. That freehand would be great for an experienced painter, and this is your first model? Sheesh.

My advice... go into the figure painting business right now

This looks great. I cant see much to fault it. Personally I would shade the parchment from the purity seal, but that's just a personal thing, I like them darker. Other than that all I can say is keep up the good work.

THAT CANT BE YOUR FIRST MODEL IT'S SO GOOD!!!
HAVE YOU PAINTED MINIS BEFORE 40K?

Actually now that I look again, it's not...mind blowing or anything. But simply the fact that it's your first model, is fairly impressive. It demonstrates a lot of good brush control, and a knowledge of basic colour theory.

Very good first model, awesome freehand.

Thin your paints a wee bit and it'll look even better!

It is my first finished model. I've got two other attempts sitting in a bath of castrol super clean.

I did my best to follow the awesomepaintjob youtube video for Salamanders so I have to give credit where it is due there ...

What is a good ratio for thinning the paints? I'm using the Vallejo Game Colors if that means anything. When I thin it seems like they get too wet and I lose control as the paint just seems to want to flood everywhere.

What is going on, the new painters are TEN times better than i was when i was new. This is great for a new hobbyist, i like it alot.

Oh and vallejo is my favorite, i use model color. It is more for the Pro style than the gaming style. I believe the consistencies are different.

It looks good

But like brush_slip Im curious about the trend of people posting thier first figs that are better than stuff I was painting after 3 years of practice O.o

I'll just go back to dip painting and dry brushing details on accident

Yeah, wow.

First time... what is your "day job"?

Brush control is excellent, no slips or you are fantastic on touch-ups.

I agree from a prior critique that the purity seal parchment is a bit day-glow white but I find little fault with anything else.

What makes it hard to believe is not just painting, I have trouble finding any mold lines on the model, that in itself is worthy of note.

Good work, I expect your painting to surpass mine by about your second model.

wow exelent job on your first mini mine was not so good lol (and noone will ever see them again) after a while your painting skills will be very good.
nice job

I wish my first mini was even remotely this good :(

My first mini was terrible...

Unlike this one.

thats great to be your first finished mini!try painting the pipes on his helmet.you are way better than me when i started.

Excellent first mini! My first one sucked, you should be bloody proud of this.

db

Boy your good!
My first model was an iron knight. It looked pretty good, but your free hand on the salamander and the flame are very impressive.

Keep up the good work.
I'd like to see your entire army like that.

Someone asked to see the squad when I finished. Here is an updated look before I move on to the Terminators.

For first minis, these are great.

Are you an art school student or something?

Those are amazing. Very nice work for your first models.

My best advice. Thin your paints a bit..and buy this.

http://www.amazon.com/Winsor-Newton-Kolinsky-Sable-Brush/dp/B00251AAE8/ref=pd_sim_k_1
and maybe
http://www.amazon.com/Winsor-Newton-Kolinsky-Sable-Brush/dp/B00251AAJS/ref=pd_sim_k_1
and perhaps some
http://www.amazon.com/Mona-Lisa-Pink-Soap-Ounces/dp/B001QWUHOU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1272986773&sr=1-2

Its amazing what some good brushes will do. I've had mine for 1.5 years and they are still going strong. Best purchase I ever made for painting supplies. Also you might want to consider using some matte medium when you do blending. It helps to smooth edges a bit when you are doing tones like fire and such. I might also recommend you hit your models with a light spray of Matte Varnish. It helps to dull the paint sheen and blend edges, as well as creates a protective clear coat over your model to prevent chipping.

Great models though, light years ahead of my first painted figures.

Here is my dreadnaught. Needs some additional touch ups. What am I supposed to write in that scroll work on the leg? The AOBR box and manual has "ULTRA" written - but I'm sure that isn't gonna work.

How 'bout "Vulkan"?

Great stuff! Incredible for your first model. You have alot of natural talent.

As for the scroll, I would do either Vulkan or Nocturne.

falseramona wrote:What is a good ratio for thinning the paints? I'm using the Vallejo Game Colors if that means anything. When I thin it seems like they get too wet and I lose control as the paint just seems to want to flood everywhere.

I gotta say, I've been having this issue too. If the paint is too watery, it goes everywhere and doesn't stick to the model where I want it to go. If it's too thick, it makes the model look too textured. So I'm curious about the answer to this too.

I'm quite impressed by your work, and must shake my fist in envy. The highlighting in particular is good, and I have to wonder just how the heck you manage to keep your hands steady enough for that kind of work; I keep getting paint on parts that I don't want to paint with that color.

Wow. If my first minis looked like that 30 years ago, I'd have started a painting service long ago.

falseramona wrote:What is a good ratio for thinning the paints? I'm using the Vallejo Game Colors if that means anything. When I thin it seems like they get too wet and I lose control as the paint just seems to want to flood everywhere.

There's no good answer for this, though this article helps: http://www.reapermini.com/TheCraft/15. The best suggestion I have is to add water one drop at a time, and then test out the paint before you slap it on your mini by painting your thumbnail. It should flow easily, stick in place, but still leave the slight striations on your thumbnail visible.

This is awesome. For the scroll check out the salamanders book for some ideas