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I. Introduction

Hey everyone, this is my first thread on Dakka. I've been playing the game for about 8 years now, and my parents were, of course, the ones that got me my first models. Unsurprisingly, Space Marines were one of my first armies, but I long abandoned them in favor of Tyranids. Then came Crudd-face, who then destroyed my swarm of bugs. Being a teenager, I was competitive, so I threw out my old codex, and started playing around with other codexes, and eventually, got settled on Dark Eldar. Then, recently, I matured a little bit more, with a new set of laid back, beer and pretzel friends. Good guys, really, that made me realize that having fun is the whole point of playing with plastic men and going PEWPEW.

Which brings me to my point: a P&M blog dedicated to my own little world of painting and modeling, and further evidence why children with addictive personalities should be kept away from 40k (and later on in my life, Fantasy).

II. Table of Contents

Opening statement: Page 1

IV. Hive Fleet Leviathan

First Pictures: First Attempt at Pegging the Way of The Beetle; Page 1

And without further ado, I'll start this off with my first project. Bringing my old Tyranids to life, once again. I need to get a camera charger that works, so I can start posting pictures, but, I'll start off with some musings and discussion to keep the ball rolling until then, and I may even attempt some cell phone pictures. Hehe.

So, first of all, my color scheme; based on natural colors that insects use to convey messages to their predators. And for this, I'm using something similar to a bombardier beetle.



Also thinking of modeling a similiar defense mechanism onto my monstrous creatures and synapse creatures, at the very least a beetle-Tervigon.

Thoughts?

I like your color scheme... starting with a natural example is always a good way to go. That gives you a clear pattern and good color relationships right from the get-go.

Thanks Git, I was hoping to maybe get some work in tonight and show off the basic framework, and ask for some advice on how to flesh it out and really bring out the idea that I had.

Any suggestions for using the "camo"-like pattern as show on the bombardier beetle? Also, in your experience, is it worth it to spend time on the Tyranid's "exposed muscle" that is inset in their carapace? A' la' Genestealer arms and legs.


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And I managed to swallow my pride and post my first attempt, probably a WIP; I also stomached my cell phone camera, but being a smart phone (at least, that's what everyone tells me it is, despite it being pretty "stupid" ), it actually wasn't half bad. Probably need to wait until day time or use some day bulbs.

But, here it goes. C&C welcome.

One thing I notice on the beetle is that the area around the spots is a dark orange, rather than just going from bright yellow to black. Mimicking that and edging the break between the yellow and black would probably make it look more natural.

Qoppa wrote:One thing I notice on the beetle is that the area around the spots is a dark orange, rather than just going from bright yellow to black. Mimicking that and edging the break between the yellow and black would probably make it look more natural.

I actually JUST noticed that too, thank you for the input!

Any ideas on how to make it look like a naturally done transition instead of just a sharp change?

well not only is there that orange ring transitioning into the black, if you look at the legs, there is an orange hue to them as well, so you could go from a pure yellow center then up to a yellow orange outer edge to give some lighted effect to it. Also consider using some dart grey to highlight the black a bit and give it some depth.

Enslaviour wrote:well not only is there that orange ring transitioning into the black, if you look at the legs, there is an orange hue to them as well, so you could go from a pure yellow center then up to a yellow orange outer edge to give some lighted effect to it. Also consider using some dart grey to highlight the black a bit and give it some depth.

Believe it or not, I actually, still, to this day, for the life of me, have no idea how to properly highlight or do transitions of any sort. I have never had anyone that would sit down with me to teach me these things.

http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1273
That is one on feathering, which I think will work well for this project.


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I should add, it is very simple to do, and they explain it in that article.

Enslaviour wrote:http://www.coolminiornot.com/articles/1273
That is one on feathering, which I think will work well for this project.


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I should add, it is very simple to do, and they explain it in that article.

Thank you for the link! I'm going to favorite this and try to do some feathering tomorrow. Do you think that the way the carapace is "ribbed" on Genestealers would be an obstacle to feathering them?

Shouldn't be. Once you get the blending technique down you should be able to do it on any surface.

One issue you're going to have. You need better photographs if you're going to want help. Once we get past this "general painting advice" stage... if we can't clearly see what your doing there won't be much we can do to help you.

Gitsplitta wrote:Shouldn't be. Once you get the blending technique down you should be able to do it on any surface.

One issue you're going to have. You need better photographs if you're going to want help. Once we get past this "general painting advice" stage... if we can't clearly see what your doing there won't be much we can do to help you.

What git said on this. It will work on any surface and it should have a great look to it.

Yeah, the pictures are bad. I need to get a cord for my camera, and I'm gonna be getting one soon. So until then, crappy pictures for all, and for all a good night.


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More news, I managed to dig out all my Tyranids and will be working hard to get them table top ready ASAP. Does anyone know of any cheap Tyranid MCs or MC bits?

I like the colour scheme and agree with all the above: once you have the technique down it's pretty simple.

Iranna.

With the feathering, do yall think I should just edge the carapce that's yellow and transition into the black?

I don't like using straight black on anything. Pick like a dark green or even dark red. Black just looks sooty or dirty, not organic.

Well, Jon, I'm not sure I agree with the inogranic statement. I mean, the beetle is black and yellow.... Perhaps if I lighten it up a little?

Also, I made SOME progress today. I had to help install a door, so I only really had time to assemble some Hive Guard, and order a new battery and a new charger for my camera. I've had it since 2006, so it's no wonder it's finally pooped out on me.

Unfortunately, I got them back when they were in metal. Also, I have this horrible habit of losing Tyranid limbs. Oops. Oh well. When in doubt, bio-volve? Bio-mold? Bio.... Bio... Bi- it. I'm going back to work on my bugs.

I found this from the thread: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/403147.page#3436049

Shadowmyth515 wrote:Karnac buddy.. pick up a nid dex and rule book Toxin sacs give poisoned weapon rule 4+
Its invaluable.... only thing you dont take toxin sacs on are MCs or shooters.

just to keep math easy we will use space marines
charging hormagaunt
hits a 4+ 50/100
3 str to 4 tough wounds on a 5+ 33/100
chance score a wound 1,650/10,000 = 16.5% wounding chance (this is before armour saves, just to score a wound)
3 attacks on a charge 49.5% chance to wound
for a 6 pt model

where as you add toxin sacs
hits a 4+ 50/100
toxin sacs wound on a 4+ 50/100
chance score a wound 2500/10,000 = 25% wounding chance (this is before armour saves, just to score a wound)
3 attacks on a charge 75% chance to wound
8 pt model
---------------------------------------------------------------------
keep in mind thats a marine with 4 toughness... not all models have 4T on a 3T toxin sac is... rediculous as it allows a re roll for failed wounds if str matches or bests targets toughness
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
toss on:
adrenal glands
toxin sacs
hits on a 4+ 50/100
4+ to wound regardless 4+ 75/100 w reroll addition
out off 100 hits 50 fail, re roll 50 failed
same chance 50% 25 score actuall hit chance
50 +25 (re roll wounds) =75 out of the 100
chance score a wound 3750/10000= 37.5% wounding chance (this is before armour saves, just to score a wound)
3 attacks on a charge 112.5% chance to wound
----------------------------------------------
keep in mind adrenals only help with the charge, if they charge you no bonus, in 2nd round of cc, no bonus
I do not run adrenals on my gaunts but i run toxin sacs on anything non-MC
I do not run toxins on my MC's but i do run adrenals on all of them, this allows better tank busting (their already good at) and a chance for better initiaivefor slaying say..... heros lol
_______________________________________________
In closing
toxin sacs for 2 pts is invaluable toxin sacs on anything non mc or dedicated shooty (i dont run them on my termagaunts)
also while fighting anything like tau or well anything with toughness 3 or less... toxin sacs on hormagaunts.... if you dont roll that... your not doing them justice
I dont run both on my hormagaunts even though most my enemy toughness is 4+.... i only take toxin sacs just because i can feild a few more guys for same price and to have a better well rounded squad.

15 toxin sacs is better than 20basic loadouts even when you have more basic loadouts to feild...
its just better statistics wize and point value to wound chance ratio....
even when 5 or 10 die
5-10 vs 10-20.... the toxin sacs point to point still add up far better

Toxin sacs are just a rediculously valuable choice- its stupid to not take them on all mellee non

Got some pictures of a little warrior custom job I did. Need some suggestions with how to make it look less.... Green-stuff-ified (??).

Add plates to the top of the tail.

New picture, added some carapace plates.



Also hoping to get some other work done tonight. Going to see about starting on a Tervigon after I get the ol' brain juice churning.

And after all this time, I actually got some work done! Huzzah! Behold, my "other" project.








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Yeesh. Those came out worse than anticipated. I'll have to get to work on getting a new lamp bulb, I think this one is kaputz.

Haven't updated in a while, been busy with college, work, and gaming; however, I have made some progress with my Necrons. Just did a Cryptek today, of the "Harbinger of Despair" variety.

Went with a dark, smoky, Obsidian-esque stone for the staff's stone and "power orb" at the end, and went for purple for the staff's head and end, along with the "powered up" parts of the Necron (i.e., the eye, crotch-orb, and spinal tubing/back-orb.). Went for an appearance that screams "warlock", and hopefully, I achieved.

Hey dude. Nice colour scheme, and like Qoppa said, do the orange bleed into the black/yellow. It'll look a hell of a lot better.
Might try getting a better camera or using the "macro" setting on it, too, if it's got it. If it's a new-ish camera it should have the macro setting. Helps a lot.

Yeah, I can't tell you how many times I've heard that. Lol.

The macro setting is the tulip button, right?

Orminah wrote:Yeah, I can't tell you how many times I've heard that. Lol.

The macro setting is the tulip button, right?

I believe it is, it could also have a "D" on it if it's a Canon. The tulip with a D.

Yeah, it doesn't seem to work properly for me....

Got an update on some work I've been doing. Got my Necrons tidied up, and it's time to start on another project I'm hoping will be short and sweet.



My Warmahordes armies!

Right now, I'm busy with Skorne, trying to get them in shape for WargamesCon next year in Austin, TX.

More to follow. I hope.