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Road to Armies on Parade- The Sisters of Battle Project- Sisters of the Cleansing Flame+ Breast Cancer Awareness



Today in April 3, 2012 I have finally received all of the models need to start my journey to Armies on Parade. This blog will be a detailed record from starting with unopened boxes of sister models to the work of art that I am hoping that they become.

I will explain everything from concept ideas and fluff for the scheme of the models so that people will understand where I was trying to go with my vision.

The Story-
The name of the army, Sisters of the Cleansing Flame, is based off of self-written fluff that I do not wish to bored those who are here to so the evolution of this project.

The color scheme was chosen by a random and unexpected event. Last year I ordered a set of reaper models for Reaper.com. I was planning to paint the models up and sell them online for dungeon and dragon groups who like a good-looking model to use while playing their games. My order came with a special reaper paint that for Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This paint inspired me to make an army theme that will both help Breast Cancer Awareness and just plan look good. Over the year, I have painted models for charities just because I am able to. This was for not only Cancer, but also animal rights, conversation, etc. Now a year later, I am better painter and willing to show everybody that I am able to go the distance with this project.


The Models-
From what you can see in this picture that I have posted everything that I need to start my project. I have my battle board square. I have my General. I have units and transports. Tomorrow I will post the Army list so that people can see so you are able to mark off each model, as they are complete. There will be a terrain piece created for the battle board and a super heavy that will be a great centerpiece for the army.




Please follow, watch, and comment whenever you feel. I have a long road so today I shall begin.




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I must apologies, I had to reload the pictures for the blog.


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Night 1-
Like all of the projects that I start, I must make sure I do each unit one at a time. The first unit that I am starting with is the nine Sister Repentia Squad. This elite unit must be done up to a 3 inch standard like all of my models. That first thing I must do is to clip off all of the access metal and then file off all of the mold lines. I know that I will not get them all so I will do what I can for tonight and then check again on them tomorrow after work. This will be for my benefit and for those who look at my models.

This is the list that I have created to be the foundation for my project. This is an 1850 list using the point values in the new White Dwarfs Magazines. Before anyone asks or starts to pick the list apart, this in not a competitive list. ( So sit rules lawyers sit!) This list was made specifically so I can incorporate a different array of models for Armies on Parade. This will also be used as my checklist throughout this blog.

Saint Celestine
Uriah Jacobus
6 Celestian Squad (3 Stormbolters, Simulacrum Imperialis)
10 Repentia (1 sister superior)
Battle Sister Squad A (Heavy Bolter , Simulacrum Imperialis)
Battle Sister Squad B (Heavy Flamer, flamer, Simulacrum Imperialis)
9 Seraphim Squads (2 Two inferno Pistols)
5 Dominion A (2 Meltaguns)
5 Dominion B (2 Flamers)
3 Penitent Engines
Exorcist
Rhino Celestian
Rhino A
Rhino B
Immolator A
Immolator B

Day 2-
I started this evening by taking a good half hour removing the mold lines that I miss yesterday. I complete this by using a magnifying glass headset, not very stylish but it gets the job done.

Once I am through with the mold lines I rebase the model, I realized my PVA glue was too watered down last evening when I based them, which cause the sand to fall off with the slightest touch.


After the Bases dried, I used GW’s Skull white priming strap, which at room temperature gives off a smooth finish.



Now I had to decide by this point whether to paint them like a stock-standard sister unit, which is usually Caucasian skin color. Me, being who I am decided that this just would not do. I will paint them all in different racial oriented colors since I doubt that all Imperial Citizens are the entire Caucasian race. I took aside four out of the nine models to paint with the basic Caucasian, three will be paints with dark tone colors to indicate African orient, and the last will be a middle tan colors to indicate middle eastern to Asian orients.




Now what you see in the pictures above is just a base coat. The other models I did not touch yet for the reason that I like to finish before moving straight on to the next items.

Tomorrow I will do a second base coat to thicken the color before I start my highlights. Each model that I do, I will give a full two to three hours of my attention just to make sure I do what I am setting out to accomplish.

Day 3-
I must have to say that this was a slow night for my project. The first hour was searching for my paints. That was fun (please note the sarcasm). After the paints that revealed themselves to me within the last possible box that I own, I then started on the second base coat on the models to fill in the missed spots. I did not bother with pictures for the second coat just in case people asked.

Once the second coat was dry, I started highlighting the first models flesh tones. I find that flesh is the hardest part of painting the model so that is why I decide to do it first.

You can notice a big different between the nature shades on plain bases coat (model on the right) and the highlights and shadow tones that I have added (model on the left). I use a six-step system to wet blend and feather a model so that is looks more natural.



After the flesh tones dry, I pulled out the pink to start working on cloth areas that are there to tie the model into the army theme. As with the fresh tone highlights, I start with a base coat. I will use a mixture of purples for the darker shadows and soft white mixed with the pink to pull out the lighter highlight. A six-step process for highlighting will follow this up.



I would like to hear your feedback and suggestion. This will be and ongoing project that I hope to inspire others within the hobby.

There have been a couple things that are plaguing me will the sisters army that I am making. I need to figure out what type of terrain that I am going to paint the sisters. I am have been trying to narrow down what I want to do whether I should do a wasteland planets, the streets and fresh grasses of a Chapel hive. The Wasteland planet made visual by burnt areas dust and drying plants. The Chapel hive the models will look more clean and fresh grass on some of the bases and marble. This is a tough decision but one that will be made by the time I get home from work to start the project of day 4.

Day 4-
This evening I was motivated to press out two more of the models. I had started with the six-step highlight of flesh tone in each, this you can notice within the first two pictures. I gave them each a good amount of time to dry before applying the second coat of flesh tones. I will go back again with a second lighting source later to smooth out some of the blending work and feather the shades in better. I do this after the base of the model is complete. I do this to finalize my painting of the skin in cases any access color touch the flesh; it will be easier to clean up. I use brown wash on the tip of the thinnest brush I own to outline the space between where the flesh meets the clothing, chains, icons, etc. I did not use the wash for any of the highlighting. I find that it makes more of a mess and it is harder to clean up.





Next, I did the hardest part of any model, the eyes. I had found a technique that works for me when doing the eye. I find that painting the eye black first as a base color will bring the result to look more like eyelashes or eye liner in the end. I used a “2/0 Rosemary & Co Kolinsky sable SER 323” because of it thin and accurate tips to paint the eye. I used an off white for the eye itself. I suggest this for more of a realistic look. Then I do what anyone would do, I dotted the eye. Please, I cannot stress this enough, make sure that you know where you want the model to look. A model looks horrible when their eyes are going in complete disorder.



For the final touch for this evening, I started all of the models with the pink base coat. I only did one coat so that I have an idea on how they are starting to turn out. The pink will be highlighted with white-pink and purple, this step will not be started until Monday or Tuesday.



I will not be doing any work on this project on the weekend because of Easter. I will however be going to the local comic show to pick up supplies for this project such as new paints, models for conversations, and terrain piece for the board itself. This in all will take less than ten minutes to complete.

I do hope everyone has a great holiday weekend. Please post comments, questions, and support of this project. I will answer and give any updates for this project. Again, have a great Easter and hope to hear from everybody soon.

Day 5-
I will first start this evening with hoping that everyone had a greet holiday weekend.

Now to the models, today I had to complete an item for one of my college course. This took some time away from my little project. I made the decision to not continue with the Caucasian sisters today and work on the base colors of the Africa and Eastern sisters. If people remember the prior posts, I am not making all of the sisters in my army the same stock standard color. This is a decision to respect and honor everyone, that and it get boring painting the same sisters repeatedly. I believe that most people would agree with this mind set especially those who paint Orks and Skaven models.



I started with a darker brown to bases the African skin, I will be highlighting later with lighter colors to express a close by lighting source. The Eastern base color I used is a yellow-brown color. This is darker the base tan color that I had used with the Caucasian skin tones. You can tell the different between the three models. Once I start the highlights, you will be able to see more realist feature per model. I will also, when these models are completed, add addition detailing of scars, banding, tattoos, embroidery, etc.



Tomorrow’s goal is to work on the highlight on all of the models and complete the eyes and facial features. Again, please show support, comments, and questions. Night

Day 6-

I first tonight by doing the six- coated highlight for the African skin tone, This is accomplish with a dark brown for the shadowing, and medium light brown for the first layer of highlight, and then a tan color for the highest highlight. This is a four-colored process. I use paint retarder to slow the drying speed of the colors, this allows me to wet-blend the color sets together with a nature look. As you can see from the pictures below, the colors turned out very well.


After painting the highlights and letting them dry, I then start on the eyes. Since the skin one is already a darker color, I did not use the black to fill in the eyeball before painting the off-white. I warn people again, when painting the dot on the eye, think about where model is looking. I hate seeing a Space Marine in a battle pose, with his body facing a specific direction and the eyes looking up to the sky praying the Emperor is going to step on him .





Now I hate myself a little today for the fact that I had a “what the ….” Moment. I started to checkout some of the sisters that I have already highlighted, I was going to touch up on some of the areas, remember that I do six coats. Well, while I was evaluating the models, what do I find? (If people remember some of my older posts are going to love this) MOLD LINE!


I fell victim to my own pet peeve. I turned the model just right into the light and there is was, looking at me. I took the hobby knife and started to clear out the area. I will have to repaint the skin on the model; however, I cannot stand here and tell people that I am going to send a model to armies on parade with mold lines on it.

Now tomorrow I am not going working on the models. I have to give a speech for my Public Speaking course at college; however, I will have my IPhone with my to answer question that people may have throughout the day. Not only that I want to thank so far those who had subscribed to this blog so far and supported the project. Thank you HAZZER, SilverMK2, combat engineer, Mercutio, S’jet, and ghostmaker. This project still has a long way to good but I am glad to see that people are interested in this.



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I do have to apologies for the pictures of late. I use my IPhone camera; it works better than my Kodak EasyShare CX7525 when taking pictures of models. The problem is that my light bulb on my lamp broke and the only replacement that I have is not as strong as the original one. I will have to fix that soon but for now, I will have to use what I got.

Lorna wrote:Looking good so far. Will be very glad to see this through to it's conclusion, and hopefully will see it at games day.

Unfortunately, I know that this project will not be complete by this year’s GamesDay. I have come to terms with that. I started too late in the year for this to be a part of the 2012 GamesDay. I do not see this as a problem since I will have more time to work on the army and the battle board scenic base that the sister’s will be traveling on.

Day 7-

I decided to take this evening work a little easy because I am extremely tired from my Public Speaking class last evening. I did do a good amount of work in which I am surprise of in my current condition; however, like in previous posts I am not here to disappoint.

I start to do the first coat and highlights on the eastern skin. This did not turn out how I have expected. By the time that I realized it, my supposed eastern skin tone combination was too lite, making my eastern skin into and Asian skin. The results of this mishap are pleasantly pleasing to look at . I thought that I mix my yellow-brown colors into the mixture of the cream color to have a tanned Middle Eastern look. Only after the first model was not drying into the colors that I thought I mixed two nights ago, I found out that I only used that cream tones themselves and not the premix bottles. Therefore, instead of doing the whole job over again I stuck it out and added mix of highlights that made a great Asian tone.





Now please remember that these models not complete in any sense of the work. Every day I add a new layer of highlighting to smoothing out the texture of the model. I like realisms with the skin tones. Right now on the Asian tones, you are able to see the lining I did with the wash to draw out the lines from skin to clothing.

Once completing lining and first highlights, I pulled the African skin toned models for their second layer of highlights. As you may be able to see, the skin not is brighter where the light actually hits the model. I am doing a true light effect for the highlights of the model instead of the halo lighting that you see in most other models. Some people will complain I am not completing the model, I say that I am being true to the model.







Here with having all tree skin tones next to one another. I hope that you will be able to see the difference between all the ethnic groups that I had used for my sisters army so far. I like that there are slight difference within my sister’s army that make it just a bit different from other armies that I have seen.



With May approaching, my college course will be at an end. This means that I will be about to take more time to work on my painting and building of the models for this project. If anyone has read some of my other posts prior to this blog then you know that I have said that I have other projects that I wanted to start in May. I have to be honest that I do not thing that I will be able to get to those one any time soon. I have dedicated a lot of time, money, and thought to this project here to see it through to the end. I have people who want to see this project materialize and flourish to its final complete at armies on parade and hopefully Gamesday. I do not want to disappoint anyone ether.

As at the ending of each day, I hope that everyone enjoyed what I have shown you boys and girls so far. Please show your support, ask questions it you have them, comments if you want them (be kind, lol), and over all have fun and enjoy what I have to offer.

Oh, and I must make a comment on a private message that I have received. Someone ask me why I decided to make breast cancer awareness the focus for my army. Was there someone I know who has it, family, girlfriend, or a friend? The answer for the reason is this. Why not? Do I really need a reason to do something nice? I did this because it feels good in doing something that helps in the world occasionally. All I say is try it. What do you have to lose?




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I have gotten a better night sleep tonight so I hope that I will be more productive tonight.

HAZZER wrote:The different skin tones are supurb! You are such a good painter man! The different skin tones work very well together man! Would you have any tips for painting skin please? Because, I'm going to be doing GD YB hpefully this year so comments I could apreshate! Looking good so far man, keep it up!

I do my skin tones a little differently than most. Unlike what GW tutorials where the darkest color is you base coat and then build up to the lightest, I use a middle color. This middle color is the mean skin color. I work up the lighter colors for specific light source, which is usually my lamp directed into where the sun would be. Then I use darker colors to pick out all of the shadow areas that the light does not touch. I really do prefer natural lighting effects to the stock standard halo lighting that used in all display models. I like to have paint retarder close are hand during the highlighting process. It gives me more time to blend the colors smoothly together. The must suggestion is multiple coats of highlights, this will after a few time give a natural blend that is hard to notice. The coats do not have to be thick at all, just a little here and a little there. I hope this helps. It took me a lot of trial and error to get the looks that I wanted. Trust me, I am still learning.


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SilverMK2 wrote:The darker skin tone looks really well done. You also don't see too many models of that colour around, so this is nice

I believe changing models color is taboo to some gamers, painter, and hobbyists. It is not that they would mind to change the skin tones to other ethnic tones, it is just that people see them painted the same way every time, then it gets into their heads that they need to be painted like this. This can be skin color, armour color, energy color. I like it when I see an Ork painted completely red skinned and the fluff was that the tribe that lived on the planet skin pigment chanced due to the planets warp tainted atmosphere. I like see people make their own chapters and hearing the player fluff of their founding. I like to see power weapons that are not just blue. There is nothing in 40k fluff that says that all energy, physic or engineered, are required to be blue. That is why I painted my Sister skin, even the dark tones, into this army. The world and the universe is a large place. There are not just one color running around, there are many ethic races, and it is my personal preference to show that in my painting. This is not the Star Wars galaxy where Lando is the only black person within the entire universe. This is the 40k universe, the Emperor Protects


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Day 8-

This morning I thought that I would have been productive. The idea of being productive was great; however, this did not happen. Want I got home I realized that I had other things to do around the home before starting my models: Laundry, cook, clean, etc. The idea of fresh clothing was at the time better than my hobbyist instinct.

I did get an hour in of answering questions and comments for the subscribers. For the hour after that, I spent my time doing my next coat of highlight on each model. This highlighting had a purpose. This coat was there to thin out the areas where the brown wash for the lining bleed through. This is to fine remove some of the visual wash area but keep the fine dark line that are the border between the skin and clothing. This was hard to do without removing the line entirely.

Since today is Friday, I want to show everybody the work so far. These two pictures I tried to set up exactly the same way. You can see the models starting to take a life of their own yet unfortunately, some complications have arisen. One of the models broke from her base. She will be repaired as soon as I get a new drill bit; one of my friends borrows and breaks my bits without replacing them.





Now for those who remember my posts, comments, and rant about my pet peeve, on day six I fell victim to a problem of biblical proportions, MOLD LINE . This was not a single instant. After checking over the mold that have a mold line in the worse area possible I then examined her sister model, what did I find? I found a mold line in the exact same place . This was unacceptable for the Sisters of Battle . Does anyone remember the saying about Vanity, “Cut off your nose, despite your face.” Thispicture is the result of that.



I just thank God that this was only the base coat of pink. Now tomorrow I need to purchase the new GW white basing color, White Scar. This will allow me to fill in the filed down area to without problem.

This weekend I will try to get started on the leather and armour for these models. I may not be on a lot next week because I will have to work on my college finals. This will not hinder me from answering questions or comments about this project. I will take time out of my studies to replay when I can. I know that people are interested. For that, I thank you all.

Before I end today’s blog, I also like to hear suggestion as well as the usually opinion, questions, comments, etc. Please do not be shy and show your support. I plan to go the distance. Gamesday, I want you. (sorry, listening to “Eye of the Tiger” on repeat while I was painting, its motivational LOL )

Sunday Morning (pre Day 9-) -

I will not call this a productive day so far since I only woke up around 11 A.M. I will like to look at this morning as a new toy day. Recently I have been looking for some supplies for the hobby to make it easier for me to see and paint my models better. Yesterday was the day that answered my prayers. I made it known to everyone on Friday that my Saturday are the days were I restock my paints, green stuff, brushes (if necessary), and plastic card stock. I decided or at least requested my girlfriend to make a stop at the local Hobby Town USA in her area when we go shopping today. Now since I have been driving her around from mall to mall and shoe store to shoe store, she agreed that I deserve this one small mercy lol. I went in there with the thought of a single purchase, and there it was. This lamp I was looking for the past few years.



In case no one knew this, within all of my pictures, a little blue desk lamp is the main illumination of the models. This lamp is also the only light source I have to work with when painting these models. Now I have a better way to see and pick out the details that I want to work with. As costly as this new lamp was, it is better than my old method of bend and squint at the model praying that I did not miss something important.

I may have a day 9- up tonight as soon as I get some things done around the house for the day.

Day 9- (finally)

After a very gorgeous day today, I am extremely motivated to work on my models. I have a new magnifying lamp to help me see the finer detailed areas of my models so that I can paint. I am ready to roll.

Today I started to add a watered black wash to all of my models armored areas. This technique is to highlight all of the cracks and nooks in the armor and chains so that I can tell where on part ends and another begins. I only use this on white primed models. Now I can see these new areas, I then paint my middle grey color where there is supposed to be leather. I will paint those leather areas as a white-grey mix to resemble a shined black, which you can use as any non-metallic black. The then uses a lighter white-grey for the fabric of the masks and other clothes on the model.



WARNING, PLEASE DO NOT PANIC!!!
I must explain to people that I am changing all of the cloths from pink to an off-white linen look. I am not diverting from my theme, I am changing where the pink will be located on the model. I am stinking to the original theme where if you look on my Saint Celestian, the pink areas were located on the armor. I am doing the same concept with the Sister’s Repentia Squad as well with all of the sisters in the army. The armored areas are to be dark greys and pink. The clothes are going to be linens and silks.









Now seeing the grand scheme of things, I believe that I will be completed that Repentia sometime next week if I am lucky. I am not going to rush them but I really want to see them in completion. I will have a day 10 tomorrow; however, I will not have one on Wednesday. This is due to my finally on Wednesday night Public Speaking course.

I know the sisters do not look like much today but I am not here to disappoint anyone who has subscribed. I give my same ending as always. Please show your support. Do not forget I am here to answer any questions one may have about the army, painting, modeling, etc. Comment if you like. Bring party favors. Thank you all for sticking with me so far. I while work on this project until its completion. It will be a long road, so please join me on it. I’ll bring the beer .

Day 10-

I must apologize to all of the subscribers about how late this post is. Tuesday night was the set date for the Day 10 post; however, with much embarrassment I left my IPhone at work and was unable to photograph the steps of the model that day.

Now if you remember the last post, I painted all of the cloth into a grey base. I used the grey base color instead of white or black because I wanted to make my next layering a warming color. I start with a mixture of light brown and bleach bone for the first highlight. On top of the grey base coat, the mixture becomes a warm tan; this completed the effect that I desired. (I do promise that I will have the steps pictured on the next model since Tuesday was not taken.) Once I was finished my base coat I then layer the models cloth areas with pure bleach bone. The painted highlight was only painted where the light physical touches the model. Next for a finer feathering highlight, I use bleach bone and linen white, this is for a brighter shade of off white.

I decided to try something a little different from using a brown or blue-grey for the shadowing of white. I tried out a green tan that to my surprise pulled off a realistic look, can you tell? This green color makes of a perfect dingy look to the model. A sister of Repentia are beaten, tortured, and sent into battle with clothing that a pulpier would wear, and mine are not as different. Even with the themely pink, The models need to look like that had suffered in some way to receive that Emperors forgiveness.









For tomorrow, I am planning to finish this model completely to show everyone what the final produce on the unit may look like. I am having a problem trying to figure out what bases I would use for the model, something that may transfer easy to the battle board when all of the models are finished. If anyone has any suggestion about this, questions, or comments, please do be shy. This is a forum after all



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I just notice the blog page is over a thousand views. The Emperor Wills it! Thank you all so far

Day 11-

I have started out the night by trying to remember my painting steps. I do not realize that I did not write down my color scheme steps and now I am regretting that decision or lack thereof. I did a couple test mixings with different paints that gave me the desired effect.

I started out with the pink on the knee, ankles, and hilt. I started with watered down of the main pink from them bottle. This was followed up by a 2:1 of pink and bleach bone for the layering highlight. Remember to feather it in smoothly. Next, I used a 1:2 pink and bleach bone to give the lighted areas a fine highlight. For the shadowed areas, I used a 2:2 pink and warlock purple. The light directly does not touch these shadowed areas so it is hard to see, which kind of the point, its shadows. Now to blend the shadows I used a touch of purple wash, this in on the very tip of a finely pointed brush.

For the chains and metal areas, I decided to use metallic colors instead of non-metallic so that the gray painted areas are not mistaken for other parts of the model. This was done first by using black wash to pull out all of the areas nooks and crannies. Then I use the basic metallic paint scheme of boltgun, chainmail, and mithil, followed by a watered down black wash to not only blend the colors but to give an oiled look.


















I had started the base with a basic brown; however, I am hesitant to go any further with the base without a game plan. I am not sure about what I should do because the result will have to be replicated on to the battle board. I do not know which direction I am going with that yet. I do not think I am going with a snow theme; I have done that in two of my other armies before. For any suggestion, comments, support, please show the support. I hope that I will have a day 12 on Sunday. If I do not hear from anyone, then have a good weekend all.

SilverMK2 wrote:I am interested to know how you have got on with the magnifying light - I have a magnifying glass but find it really disconnects the whole painting thing and I find it really hard to use

With all honesty, I am not all impressed by the Mag Lamp. It is great as a lamp, good light and adjustable. The magnifying glass is good for when you are cleaning models and catching little details that I may have missed. The problem is that one it is not worth the money that I had paid for it and second it is very hard to paint while using both. I personally cannot adjust myself to figure out how far my brush is to the model until it is too late. I will need to set myself up and then look are the Magnifying glass, which is an extra step that I do not like.

Now for the bases I think I will go for the desert theme. This will tie a little into a guard list that I was writing, Achillian 83rd Artillery and Recon Division, Last and Final (god bless Gaunt’s Ghost First and Only)Do not worry the Last and Final is just a run on joke between me and a few of my friends.


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Does anyone have any good ideas on how to do a desert base? It seems that GW took down almost every one of there step-by step pages that I have used for ideas.... Jerks

Day 12-

Being that it is a rainy Monday, it seems that I am motivated to paint instead of working on my finals. This is good for all of you yet I think I am coming to suffer on it… oh well.

Now today I made sure that I just worked on something simple, base coats. Focus on the models main colors to be the first step to the final product that you see in the middle. I first start with all of the linen areas on each model. Like the previous post on day 11 I wanted a duller color so that is why I bases the linen grey with off-white as the second coating. The grey brings the bright color down to a milder shade.

Next, I bases all of the weapons and leather with Adeptus Battlegrey. This color I base for all the darker areas, it is a great foundation paint, just remember to water it down or you will have pigment clumps. The same for the off-white color. I usual do three coats just to me safe in getting the effect that I need.







I placed the finished painted model in the middle of the set so that you the viewer are able to see what I am trying to accomplish with the model. I believe that I am going to re-sand the bases with finer sand for the desert theme. I believe I have a paint scheme set for the painting of the sand. I know that I will have to purchase a spray gun in the near future to paint the battle board. I have some idea on that but I want to hear what you people have to say. So please do not forget to comment, support, of give your opinions, I am all ears

Before I forget, I do have finals this week so I do not know when day 13 will be up but there will be one I am sure of that.

Day (well none)

Good evening all,

I did not pick up a paintbrush or model because my mind is on overload from my finals. Those who are in college know exactly what I am talking about, final are stressful. Tonight I decided to gather my thoughts and throw-out some of my ideas for to the forums. I will talk a little about the battle board, some painting, and maybe some random thoughts.

Everyone who has been reading my blog prior to this post knows the basis theme of the army and the idea of what paint schemes it I am using to accomplishing my goal. Pink is the key. People, you can snicker all that you want but know that I believe that this is the most underrated color. This color should not only be used for Tzeeches horror or Slaaneshes Daemonette. The Sisters of battle are here for the Emperors will.

With all joking aside, I am using the color pink, yes, because it is an underrated color, but represents the premise of my goal, breast cancer awareness. As said before I have never known anyone who has this decease, nor even help this movement before. The only reason that I am doing this project for this movement is… well why not? I do not need a reason. It is a good cause, who needs a reason to do a good thing. This project is the going to be the first of many different charity projects that I will complete within the next few years.

Now the battleboard was something that was stressing me out for a while because I do not have a bases scheme. I wanted to avoid snow and winter themes at all cost, I completed and sold a Warriors of Chaos, Dark Elves, and Black Templars( I still own)all winter themes. This time with the help of the good people of the forums, I decided to do a desert theme.

The desert theme is good because now I have ideas flying left and right. My friends within the hobby get kind of scare when this happens, for me getting crazy ideas. You see, my friend have given me the nickname Hannibal as in the A-team. There are two quotes that I uses all of the time when thinking about ideas.

“Capt. Charisa Sosa: [about Face's team] I would never tell him this, but they are the best at what they do, and they specialize in the ridiculous. “

“Col. John 'Hannibal' Smith: Give me a minute, I'm good. Give me an hour, I'm great. Give me six months, I'm unbeatable.”

Now I need to explain this more into detail. When I get Ideas in my head, I more or less have to act on them ASAP. This is most of the in conversion ideas. With my ideas, I will make a badass conversion that will most likely cost more them my army did. The last time this happened to my friends and me were at the 2010 Baltimore Gamesday. We decided to try out the Conversion Contest just for fun. After seeing all of the bitz, my famous look on my face appear, and then I was off doing what I do best… I have no idea what that is, but I was doing it. Once I was done I gave the completed model is and thought nothing more of it until the end of Gamesday were I wanted to take it home. It seems like my little case of madness won me first place in the Conversion Contest. Now I have my eye set on armies on Parade and my ideas are targeted on the Desert them battleboard.

I have start drawing up plans for the battleboard (thank god for the single semester in Architecture class) and giving it a life of its own. I plan to make a ruined sandstone cathedral with broken half-sand cover statues. I have material ideas and scenery list that I will share on a later day. I think that you all will like what I have to offer.

Before anyone is assumes too much this project is not for armies on parade of 2012. It is intended for 2013. I do not want to rush myself in finishing something and it being half-assed. I think everyone can agree with me on that. As you can see, I am not a good candidate for Iron Painter Competition lol.

I hope you all enjoyed my thoughts, tell me yours, commends, questions, support, etc.

IdentifyZero wrote:I'm looking forward to future updates, seems we've both got something similar on the go.

I would be lying if l told people that this is the first of its kind. I know that the pink armor concept has been done before as you have shown in your blog, which a looking great by the way . I have just subscribe to your blog to watch the progress of these sisters. Very nice

The pink for Breast Cancer Awareness has been done all over the place as well. I have seen Empire, Warriors of Chaos, Nercons, and of course, Sisters. The only differences between those armies and mine are that this is my vision of them.

For my sister’s army, I change the idea of pink to certain pieces of armor to be more visually pleasing to the eyes, not overwhelming. I use color theory with my painting. I have pink as the main focus with which is a bright color by nature. I had to, using color theory, grey to tune the brightness down to find balance. I hope that you all agree.

HAZZER wrote:So far so good! I would suggest no buying a spray gun and buy a propper airbrush instead.

Can you explain to me the difference? I was just going to buy the GW spray gun but if the airbrush is better and is inexpensive then I may not mind trying it out. I have not used either of them so no matter what I am starting from scratch.

Capitansolstice wrote:

Eternalhero1983 wrote:

HAZZER wrote:So far so good! I would suggest no buying a spray gun and buy a propper airbrush instead.

Can you explain to me the difference? I was just going to buy the GW spray gun but if the airbrush is better and is inexpensive then I may not mind trying it out. I have not used either of them so no matter what I am starting from scratch.

A real airbrush is gravity feed compressed air spraying thin coats of paint. with an airbrush, and a little practice you can get stunning work likeeggroll With a spray gun, you can only basecoat. It also clogs up and is very cheap. I would recommend spending a hundred bucks or so and buying a nice iwiata or similar airbrush, with a dual action, gravity feed, compressor with tank, and interchangeable tips. It can, and will further your painting

This I believe is something that I can get into. Thank you Cap for the information on the comparison, I will look into a nice start set airbrush and check out YouTube for a few tutorials on how to optimize my use of it. I guess I will look on eBay while I am on lunch at work. Now I know were a part of next pay check is going.

Evening all,

Sorry, about my quick break that I was on. I was completing the last of my finals for this semester. I am happy to say that I did well and will happily never have to look at those books again.

I have not been idol this last week during my finals. I took a trip to Lowes and purchased a large bag of playground sand. This sand is finer sand then the GW sand that I was using previously. Let me think, $8.95 for a cup of GW sand or $20.99 for the bag of Lowes sand that will never run out. You do the math.

I have also purchased an Airbrush that I am waiting for to arrive from Canada, Thank you eBay. This only cost around $50.00 with shipping brand new, so it was a win-win for me

I am still trying to finish up things here and will post later this week with week 13, Finally!

Day 13 (1/2)-

I must apologies about not updating people on my resent work on the models. I just know how exciting it is for people for me to describe how I re-base my models with fine coursed sand. It was a riveting talk of adventure, action, drama… Well, it was twenty minutes of boredom to be exact. I did not wish to waste anyone’s’ time with the step-by-step explanation of glue, dunk, and drying of sand. I will promise you that hopeful I will be done to the Sister of Repentia and it will be able start the Mistress of Repentance for the unit.

The only problem that I am having with my army is that the new spray brush has not come in yet. I am a little disappointed in this but I will live. I will give it another week and then I will contact the seller.

does anyone have a better way to paint desert sand for bases?

Second Half

Day 13-

I must apologies again for this post being as late as it was. I have been having some delays in my painting days. Once school was over, I thought that I was ok wit painting as much as I can but then some problems have arisen. As all of you know, I was purchasing an airbrush on eBay to help me in this project. The problem was that is never arrived from where I ordered it. This was annoying at most but I am able to deal with it. From May 17 through 22, I was as Disney World for my vacation period. Of course, I should have posted but I was on vacation. Then finally, as I have been sitting here the last day and a half, Diablo III has called to me. This is an Evil little game. I like it.


Nevertheless, enough about the problems here is the long lasted 13th day, which I am not too proud of.


I have been having trouble finding a good desert sand paint scheme. GW used to have a good page where they had many different basing paint schemes to try out. Now that they have the new paint set for sale, they removed the tutorial from their site. I had to come up with my own scheme, which I believe is ok. I used these paints for the sand.

















I had also worked on the black-grey on the models as well. The blend came out very good. Tonight I am going to start with the metallic on the chains. Once that is completed, I will paint the final pink on to the armor. The pink will be my five-step process to bring out the best effect.





Now, before comments about the sides of the bases arise, No, they are not done. I painted a little Graveyard on the rims of the bases but what you are looking at is not the final product. I am going to have to lighten up the bases because I believe they are too dark. The rims are just a quick base to cover some of the white.

Please do not be shy with comments, thoughts, questions, etc.

Thanks and hope to hear from everyone for Day 14

Day 14-

Today I only spend about an hour working on the Sisters Repentia. I was not happy with the color of the sand that I used. I decided to lighten up tan of the sand so that it did not match the linen cloth as much.





Once I completed the new coat on the sand, I start placing the base pink on the sister’s armor. I based the entire unit of sisters now; however, I will be working on them individually so that each sister will be up to my specific standard.





Right now, you will still be able to see white near and between some of the armor plates and cracks. I am going to fill them in when I do the final touches on each model. I am also going to take some time to bruise and scar the sisters’ skin up a little with some techniques that I found on some websites and WD’s. This effect will not be resent wounds that are in this battle. I am not doing battle damage on this armor. This Sister of battle army is, in theme, ready for battle before the first shot is fired. The Repentia are bruise and scar because they are constantly in repenting for the sins against the Emperor. This is done by whipping, beating, etc.

This Saturday I was able to purchase a Battalion of Imperial Guard. Their bodies will be combined with some VC skeletons and will litter the battle board as a battle long lost. I am in need of finding ether the Battle for Macrage downed flier or I will have to purchase a Valkyrie to use as terrain.

I did not receive my airbrush yet I did get my money back from eBay. I am still annoyed at this. Say lave .

Please tell me what you think, any ideas, or comment; please do not hesitate to post.

Update-

Good Evening all,

I hope you all did not think that I have forgotten about you and this project. That is furthest from the truth. I explained to everyone within the prior post that I am going to take time on each of the Sister Repentia that I have, and I did not lie. Every day I have taken the minimum of two hours to work on each model to I am working on the second and third coats on some of them.

I did not wish to place the current pictures of them for the reason of repetition. I think that it I placed each model that has the some paint scheme over and over again just to post something, I believe that you the people of dakka would be bored at reading the same thing repeatedly. I have already completed a single model that I have shown you already, not coming soon; I will show you the final product of the Sister Repentia Squad. Once that is, done I will work on the Mistress of the squad and make the stand that the squad will be carried on.

Thank you all for your patience

Day 15-

Good Evening all,

Today I am posting the pictures of the almost completed paint jobs of the Sister Repentia squad. I had taken considerable amount of time on each of the models to get the effect that I was looking for. I had to work with four coats for the linen effect and pinks. This was a pain staking process and I know that I will have minor touch up before calling the models truly complete. I have added dead grass for the desert effect . I completed the chains and all metal with satifaction.



















The only things I will have to do to complete the paint job for these sisters are to touch up the skin in certain places from leaked paint and washes. Then I will have to paint the purity seals and the Sister Repentia will be complete. I will start day 16 with the beginnings of the mistress of the squad as well as the movement base that will be attached to the battle board.

Please give me some insight on what you think, Comments about the project, models, or painting. Let know what you think.

Day 16-

Good Evening all,

As I had promised all of you from yesterday, I did that final painting on the Sisters Repentia’s purity seals. This was completed in the most basic way as I used Snakebite Leather for the foundation of the seal. Once the leather was dry, I used bleached bone and linen white for the highlights then Moldy skin for the darker areas. I then used watered down Devan Mud was to give the seal an aged look. Finally, when the wash completely dried I then used a Pigma Micron 005 pen to write the script on the seal. People say that is cheating, I say each to their own.

For the wax of the purity seal I used Mechrite Red, Scab Red, and blood red. Once dry I washed it with the watered down Devan Mud that I used on the paper.












Today I am starting the preparation of the Mistress on the squad. This is the removal of mold line and other things that are not supposed to be there.






I had noticed a trend in the direction the GW is going with their models for 2012. The announcement of 6th edition is only three days away and the year of the squishy tanks and rise the planes . The part I am talking about is the Planes. I decided not only am I going to convert and create a new Sisters of Battle superheavy tank, I will also create a brand new Aerial Assault platform of this project. I will keep everyone update on this within this blog.

Please let me know what you all think. Comments, questions, I will be here to answer them. This is why IPhones were made lol

Good morning all,

I am trying to stick with my daily goals of this project. I am currently working on the Mistress of Repentance for the Repentia squad. Yesterday, I finished up with the removal of mold lines. I took two day removing the mold line because I know that I will miss something the first time I do it. This is no harm in taking ones time on this project; it is for next year’s armies on parade after all. I had also re-based the model with the courser sand for the desert theme.

One annoying thing happened yesterday as I was cleaning the model. The whip of the mistress snapped off . This is very vexing since I forget to pick up super glue and a next drill bit. I will move on with the project with the whip off since in my get in the way currently how it is.

Tonight I have two goals. Prime the model and the skin tone under the helm. The mistress’s helm shows her face from the nose down for those who have not seen the model.

I will have the before and after pictures up tonight for people to see. If you are new to the blog please check out the project from the beginning and tell me what you think. For those who have been following since the beginning, I thank you for your patience with this project and thank you for your support.

See you all tonight