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Before I started I had seen it somewhere with gray pads instead (and subsequently thought that was the scheme), so thats why the libby got his painted like that.

I was going to leave them gray, but I can certainly paint them in black if that's what you'd like? Which would you prefer?
Ill break out the test marine to get reference pics of black vs gray pads.

I think the black adds a nice contrast, but yeah, Brother Testie (what?) can serve again!

Brother Testie

Well he rises to the occasion once more!



Ok. I rather like the black pads on them. xD

Did you want me to go back and get the Libby's pad painted black too?

I think it is good as is, it's the only grey part on him. Unless its bugging you, then go for it!

I also really like the black on the trooper though.

It doesnt bug me in particular- I honestly dont think anyone would notice it unless you pointed it out to them! Its merely a consistency thing in coherence with the rest of the army.
So if its cool by you, its cool by me!

And black pauldrons it is!

EDIT: Ah yes and on that note, though its still a little bit away, were there any particular squad markings/etc that you wanted on these guys? In particular, what would you want on the blank right pads?

A little more progress- mostly me putting black on the inner pads:



As can be seen in the picture, I've purchased a new bulb for my painting lamp! Its stunning to see the difference in color between a regular fluorescent and this daylight one!

Can really tell in the purple sword! Looking good.

As for the blank pad question, let me cruise through IA books. I think a lot of them have chevrons on there though.

A little work on the Marines today, mostly work on the yellows and started on metals.

Mostly I worked on my entry for The League's terrain competition:



Some desperately needed terrain (as WM will no doubt agree xD), which will probably end up as counts-as forests and other such area terrain!

I think I've about a day left to finish these guys and add some shrubbery!

Thanks for reading!

Ramos, do you plan on adding anything else onto those bases other then shrubberies?

I'm not really sure, Ice. I know they look rather sparse as is, but I think im avoiding putting too many bitz on as I tend to overbuild and overcomplicate things a lot (just see the Git Pit... I'm still adding stuff to it >< ).

Im making smaller barrel cacti to put on the terrain too, so the big saguaros wont be the only thing on there.
After that, Im probably going to scatter on some discarded tools/weapons here and there, especially in the little sandbag bunker. I think I have an IG heavy weapon or two sitting around here somewhere that might work pretty well.

Any thoughts on them? I always appreciate a little C&C- especially as this is some of the first terrain I've built!

I am no expert by any means but I have built a lot of terrain. Nothing for show purposes just for my own permafrost table. You are certainly correct about not over doing it on the "forest" bases but the cacti take up even less space then normal trees. How many of the smaller cacti have you made up?

Adding the minor details like discarded weapons is what will make your bases great. You shouldn't have to add much but a couple little things will give the terrain its own bit of history.

Ive about half a dozen so far of the smaller ones. Few are much bigger than 3/4 inch cubed.
I might try to whip up a few smaller saguaros to pop here and there in the "forest" Depends if I have the Milliput for it.

I got some Spanish moss that might be able to simulate vine growth on some of the cacti arms. At least I think there are some vines in the desert.... cant remember what theyre called but I remember seeing a pic of it once...

I guess it Doesnt help things that Ive never been to a desert

Some random logs and boulders might be nice too. Have you thought of matching them to your ork bases? Always nice to have a home team advantage.

Definitely gonna match my ork bases to them, but with a decidedly mechanical feel- like an old factory or depot on a desert planet.

Funnily enough, my marines are desert themed, but more towards the actual landscape as far as basing goes. So this'll work both ways.

Ill see about putting a boulder or two on the bases (maybe a burned out wreck- thats an idea!!)
Ultimately I want to have a "finished" product to submit to the contest, even if I still keep tweaking it afterwards

So today I put more details on my terrain pieces, as well as green on the cacti.



The spanish moss turned out to look like gak (you can see a little left on the dead tree thingy on the small cliff), so I think Ill be leaving it off till a more suitable option comes available. Im definitely going to go back and put bits of dead static grass here and there, just for visual interest. But that'll come later.


In other news, I managed to drop $410 on the Kingdom Death Kickstarter today. Wanted to spend more but alas.... no more money
It kills me to know that they might not show up till November, and that I might be in Japan then... but still.... SO MANY BEAUTIFUL MODELS!!!

The game itself looks pretty badass as well. Not only did I score a Black Friday special reward at the last minute (Giving me a deluxe version of the game for 50 bucks off, AND with Resin figures) but I also opted in for a good number of expansions for it, giving me a nice array of models to choose from when they get here. Definitely expect a review once I get em!

And now- I rush off to finish the desert bases. Then- MORE SCORPIONS!

Nice work on those terrain pieces Ramos. Cacti are great!

I almost did the KD kickstarter, but passed on it. May have you add the Sedition Wars and Relic Knights crossover for me. Deff want to try the game when you get it.

@Gits: Thank you! It was fun making them, to be honest. If ever I get a big table, Im definitely making it a desert one. Dont think Ill leave the sand rusty red, but it was a nice color test (might keep it for later projects).

@WM: Haha! Yeeeeeah I spent a bit more than I was planning.... Should have some nice models though! And Just let me know. Im always up for new models and new games! And assuming I'm still stateside, Ill definitely have ya over for a game of KD when it launches!

Todays update: The finished terrain!







The pics seem to have washed the colors out a bit, but its passable. For instance, the sand is a rather nice rusty Mars-like color.
I dont think its what Im aiming for, at least as far as my marines are concerned. For them I have a typical brown/tan sand desert. Though Im heavily considering keeping my Orks with the Mars theme. Though Im worried the red skin will blend in to the red sand!!

Thanks for reading- Im going out of town tomorrow till the end of the week, so no more work for this week. But when I get back its time for more Red Scorpions!

They look FANTASTIC! Just love the whole feel of 'em.

Fantastic! Nice work, Ramos.

And Im back!

@Gits & YB: Thank you! Im very pleased with their finish myself, especially considering it was something of a rush job in the end so as to make the deadline. Im definitely planning to go back and touch up pieces here and there, and certainly build more pieces!

The time off really put me in the mood for painting, so Ive been at it all day!



At this point, they are at their final levels of yellow and gray. Whites and metals have their first washes, then its onto reds and parchment/cloth/bone details!

Very good progress Ramos! Glad you're back in the saddle!

Indeed it is. Excited to see the first squad get done. Any idea which squad number you want to designate them as? A big old I seems a bit boring.

I definitely agree- EVERYONE puts I on their squads (Even me.... )
Im thinking perhaps IV or even an ornate Arabic numeral "4" I dont know why 4- Just seems right to me Then next squad might be VI, if I go with IV on this one. Kind of a mirrored effect?

If you're gonna use roman numerals, through in some X's. Perhaps a IX.

I need to do some reading, figure out where they differentiate between companies as well. As a codex chapter, VII and VIII would be the norms, or they would be form the 8th company.

@Ice: Yeah I like IX! Maybe the two squads will be VI and IX- 6 and 9. Bit of a mirror thing there too (what is it with me and mirrors today!?)

@WM: Yeah man. Let me know! Ill hold off on the numbering till then!


Last bit of progress for today: Now with 100% more reds!



At this stage its just purity seals and little details like litanies and scrollwork! The end is very near for these guys- then its the Razorback!

Catchya later!

Very nice. I like the chainswords a lot. Have you determined how you are going to do the razorback yet?

I agree with Ice, the red on the swords looks great!

Very nice, Ramos. The red really adds a lot to the squad. I really like the chainsword kn the guy in back.