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You've got a lovely level of detail on those models. For some reason I can never get that quite right these days. maybe i need my eyesight checked. Or just a really small brush

The latest one is eastily the best. The dark grey looks a lot better.

So I managed to scrounge up an ancient predator to do some test painting for vehicles on. This model is still VERY VERY wip. It's missing some of the very key paints like all of the metal and so on, it also has a lot of errors, and in general is a gak model which was covered in tons and tons of paint before the test scheme. Anyways this is my attempt at zenithal highlighting with an airbrush, not sure if im a huge fan of how it looks thats why I'm kinda stuck.. I'l probably end up doing the other side of the model in a much more traditional fashion. Anyways heres a pic of it As always tell me what you think would work better/differently and where I've messed up. Thanks

The sides of the tank look great, but the sponson looks really off. It may just be the lighting, but for some reason, it just sticks out like a sore thumb.

I think that may be because i did a poor job on the highlights, made it a tad to bright compared to the rest of the armor on the side. Not sure tho. Also hopefully have my final infantry test model done tonight so we will see how that goes.

So I managed to get a tiny bit more work on a different test model.... Last test model for infantry I swear! Anyways its my first attempt at source lighting the eyes, adding some glow to the model, I'm fairly happy with how it came out. Although it took ages and will eventually look better with a bit of practice.



As always I'm happy to hear criticism, advice and comments. Thanks.

Nice, looks great!

@Boss 'eadbreaka Thanks!

Looking really freaking good. I'd say perhaps try toning down the highlights on the chest aquilla ever so slightly. My eyes can't tell whether to go to the aquilla or the eyes first.

These are some great sons of Sanguinius you got here! Can't wait to see what you'll do when you stop making "test" models

@fafnir Ya the model kinda became a throwaway tester after a bit, tried a few different color mixtures and what not, Also wanted to try out the eyes.

@Iamwalrus I just finished putting together a few of my actual infantry, I will try to get started on them this week

Definatley the best test model out of the 4.

This is some great looking stuff.

How did you paint the chipped armor/ glowing lenses?

@l33tninj4 The chipped armor was fairly easy, I sponged on some black onto the model underlined it with a lighter color then the unchipped armor, then added metallic coloring to particularly large chips.
The eyes were awfully annoying, I applied a TON of glazes, scorpion green, another color I can't remeber at the moment, a mixture of those 2 then, some livery green (can't remember the GW name for this paint).The livery green is really what makes it pop and actually gives it that glowing look.

Note to self: find an orange equivalent to livery green

I wouldn't do a urban base since it is common... I like the idea of a swap with a murky purple too the floor.. and these are test models so you can adjust to add sum bits to make them look like they are trekking through a swamp... that would be a unique twist

I've been thinking that maybe I'l put them in a broken down factory or something, some tile flooring all torn up and what not, pipes with green goo all the fun stuff. The army is gonna be made for tournies, so I'l be making a display board for it.

Nice looking models, I will be following this thread.

My current project is also space marines (a chapter of my own devising), that happen to be black and red, so your models interest me greatly.

Out of interest, what steps did you go through to get your red? As has already been said, it is quite a nice shade, and I would like to compare your technique to the one I am using at present. Apologies if you have already addressed this in a previous post.

The chipping is excellent, as it isn't too overwhelming, but adds a 'grittiness' to the models.

The eyes look great, but may be a little too bright; it's hard to tell from the photos (models always look different in real life). In saying that, they are a beautiful focal point to the model, and work well as a contrast to the red and black (I went with blue eyes and lens, but green is far more eerie!).

Depending on what type of bases you decide to do, have you considered a sort of weathering / mud / dirt effect on the lower half of the model? For example, I have gone with muddy war zone type bases, so I have applied mud (a mix of PVA, sand, etc, hit with water effects after painting) on the feet and lower half of the legs of my models, and all over the tracks of the tanks; looks pretty good, and makes them look very 'battle worn'. As I said, it depends on what bases you go with, but I think some damage from the elements, so to speak, would look great on your models.

Maybe a few bullet holes, scratches, battle damage, etc? The grittier the better in my opinion!

Sorry to keep comparing to my own guys, but I just wanted to explain the context of my comments.

Again, great looking models so far; keep up the good work!

Ya I've actually added some battle damage to the first squad I'm painting up, not a ton tho because the models may end up a bit "busy" looking if i do too much bling/chipping/damage. I am actually planning on purchasing some mig pigments in the upcoming future, but the big deciding factor on which pigments or pigments at all is on how I end up basing them.

I use vallejo paints and I can't remeber the exact names of there GW equivalent but this is what I do. Airbrush Gory red, wash of badab black over entire model, reapply gory red with brush, leaving the darkened areas that I feel won't get hit by as much light the darker color, highlighting of 2to1 gory red to scarlet red, a few thin layers. Highlighting scarlet red, then 2to1 scarlet red to bloody red. and finally a very small amout of edge highlighting with bloody red to make it pop a bit.

The big reason I think I've decided to do the source lighting from the eyes, and most likely throughout my models is that its VERY hard to make a marine army standout, especially at a tournament. Hopefully the eyes will help them stand out, and if I can do a good enough job the weathering.

I'm still unsure of how I want to base them. I've been thinking of doing a ruined/blown up warehouse/workshop/factory kind of display board for the army but that still leaves me with a lot of options for basing. Perhaps some really brokenup tile flooring with lots of mud rusty pipes and green goo would be good. Maybe thats the next "test" I should do after I've painted up a 5 man assault squad.

Thanks for your opinions, it's the main reason I'm posting this blog, trying to do the best job that I can

Excellent, thanks for the great breakdown on the red. A lot of layers going on there, as I expected, hence the great blending look it has.

The light sourcing on the eyes does look good, and it does make the models stand out. Your idea about green goo and such on the base may aid this even more. I can imagine gross green goo and eerie, green, glowing eyes working very well together.

I know what you mean about too much damage and such making the models 'busy'. A little is a lot, as they say. Your ideas about this sound good; keen to see the results (especially with the weather powder).

Your idea about a "ruined/blown up warehouse/workshop/factory kind of display board" is a great one, and as you said, gives you a bit of freedom on the basing front. Maybe subtle variations on each squad? Like some guys moving through a broken tile section, scouts or such seeking through a more sewerage looking area, etc; just have to tie it together properly.

I'm just throwing ideas around for you in the hope that it will spark further inspiration, and encourage you to continue with your project; your Flesh Tearers look better than my marines!

Keep it up mate!

I absolutely LOVE that glowing green effect on the eyes!

Fantastic job!

And, I also LOVE the old school Predator!

Great stuff!

Subscribed!

So I've managed to get very very little painting done as of late, but I did manage to start working on my first assault squad....

Heres a WIP shot of the sergeant, I'm still missing the flesh tearers shoulderpads from GW but I can still paint it up for the most part



I'm unsure of how I should paint the lightning claws, I have a few to paint up and I haven't really thought about it a ton, I was thinking a green lighting effect, and possibly a bit of source lighting for them.
I'll have to work on getting some better pictures as well... Also I got a treat, should help a ton with my vehicles



Anyways, hopefully I can have a full squad done soon, the rest of the squad has been basecoated and washed so the squad shouldn't be much longer before I'm detailing it.

I always thought that purple power weapons contrasted quite well with with reds, though I admittedly have used green on a few of my models. Either would look great I'm sure.

So was that one of the guys you had to repair?

Anyway, I'd suggest using a blue-green. Straight green would be too... christmassy. A little blue would still keep it on the opposite side of the spectrum, but be a little softer on the eyes.

Mm true about the christmasy thing, didn't even think about that.

Blue or purple may be the way to go then.

I think traditional light blue would look the best on the claw.

I've always been a fan of purple power weapons myself.

SoG

Nice work T.

liking the models. i would use urban bases!

So after a bit of time not painting/not really getting anything done... I managed to mostly finish my first assault squad sergeant. He's still missing a flesh tearer shoulderpad, and I have to do some source lighting coming from his lightning claw.

Anyways heres a few pics of him. I still need to figure out how to take better pics .






As always let me know what you think of it, I'm still not too set on the coloring of the lightning claw.. but the source lighting should help a bit with that. Anyways thats all for now, hopefully I can finish up the rest of the squad ASAP.