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Hello everybody. I just recently got back into WH40K, and just finished up my first two SM. So here's my first two. I haven't painted any SM since 2006, and sadly don't have any of my old models. Critique's are welcome, as that's how we get better, right?

As far as these guys go, however, I haven't washed them, as I don't want that "dirty" grimy look to them. I do need to wash them so some details pop, but not sure how to get that without the wash staying on the rest of the armor.

Welcome to Dakka! The basecoating is definitely nice and clean, but you're right that a wash would really help everything 'pop.' It might help to maintain a clean look if you used a darker red or brown wash rather than black, or if you watered down the black. I would certainly suggest black on the metallic parts. It'll also help if you just put the wash directly into the recesses where you want the shading to be. Alternately, wash the whole thing and then go back over most of it with another layer of your basecoat, leaving the wash in the recesses but smoothing out everything else. I think a little bit of highlighting would really help give some more 'pop' too.

That said, it looks like you've got down the nice, smooth, crisp basecoats, which is a great start.

Thanks. On the Bolter Marine you can see the attempt at washing him, which made me 'meh' about it. I'll have to try what you said about the recesses. sounds like that might help allot with that.

Yeah, I noticed it especially on the backs of the legs and the shoulderpads. The shoulderpads do look a big grimy and the extra layer of base color after the wash could help to clean that up a bit. I think it looks good on the back of the legs, but make sure you're happy with it too.

The basing's also definitely looking good.

Thank you. I took care to make it stand out a bit. Next time I want to try water effects, or something neat, but that can be worked on later.

I'm happy with them overall, though. I thought the orange would look much darker than it is, or just look 'off' some how.

Man, dey are orange.
I like!

Thanks. Orange is my favorite color, though abs a SM chapter color, it's a bit hard to work in. Glad you like them as well.

Welcome. Needs more colors.

Washes don't necessarily make things "dirty" as much as shade them. You could liberally wash your entire model with Gryphonne Sepia and it would just add some shading in the recesses. I think it would make your Marines really pop too. A Badab Black wash on the metal parts would work as well. Edge highlighting is something you may want to eventually look into as well, but first things first.

The bolter guy looks like a good start, but the missile launcher looks unfinished. The knife and belt buckle being the same orange as the armor just lets these details melt into the model and you kind of lose them. Pick them out in black, silver, gold, or what have you.