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So I decided to Marine Ally for my IG army, and went with the Mentor Chapter. Of course, since a red eagle's head for me seems to bland, I went back to the old symbol, and tried to copy this guy http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110707004027/warhammer40k/images/thumb/8/80/Chapter_Master_Nisk_Ran-Thawll.jpg/1000px-Chapter_Master_Nisk_Ran-Thawll.jpg
But then I lost my Devastator Sgt's head in the sink while stripping it of paint, so I went with a bald guy, worked the Company Champion's paultron so it could end up in a point too. Since it was also the first time I painted a cape, I tried to do shadow, I think it worked well, if only a bit too tick. The first time I used white as well, I put on a coat of Codex Gray first, it worked all right.

Gonna pass it as Relic blade with Artificier Armour. Let me know what you think.

pretty good for a first attempt! I would take some darkflesh (If you have it) and water it down into a wash. then run it over the face, so that you can pick up more of the detail. then highlight with a lighter flesh tone.

I don't collect Mentors, but if I did I would definitely be stealing the idea for that owl-head shoulder pad. Neat work.

It looks like the paint's going on a little too thick - it notices most in the white, which admittedly is a tough colour to get right. Try thinning the paint and taking the time to use multiple layers rather than quickly covering in one go.

I LOVE the beaky shoulder pad idea!

Double the amount of layers you're using, and thin the paint appropriately.

Looks good, great first try. Water down those paints and use more layers!!! Maybe base the armor in an off white then use a pure white for highlights. White armor is hard to get just right.

Great work, a good start and some nice neat base colours.

Some purely take it or leave it advice.

1. I would recommend using a Wet Palette to thin your paints.
2. Use nice (quite large brushes with a good point, I recommend Kolinski Sable if you get them).
3. Look after your brushes, so clean them properly and ensure they are preserved (masters brush soap is amazing).

Otherwise it looks to me, like you are well on your way to becoming a painting addict. Seriously, carry on for 12 months doing this, watching Tutorials on Youtube, reading articles and tutorials and asking questions on dakka and your will look back and see how much you have progressed in the first year. It's almost exponential how quickly you can become a good painter...

The cape looks cool.

I recently found a good way to get a nice white. I use Army Painter 'Uniform Grey' as a spray undercoat, but a grey basecoat should suffice.
From there, i mix Wolf Grey and Dead White at a 3:1 ratio. 2 layers of this, over the grey basecoat, and it covers well (Note, i dont thin this).
Then, i use Dead white (pure white) to edge highlight.
First glance it looks 'white', but upon further investigation it's a dulled white, with defined edges.
I use Vallejo Game Colour, FYI.