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I love how the pose mirrors an actual Mantis!

Was this intentional or fluke when you found that picture?

He looks great Gits! But I think he would look better with a Red Corsairs Shoulder pad!

Are you having problems with ur air brush? I dont know if it just me, but it looks like your getting alot of splatter?

Really love that pose Gits, can't wait to see what you do with the rest of that model.

DarkStarSabre wrote:I love how the pose mirrors an actual Mantis! Was this intentional or fluke when you found that picture?

Definitely on purpose! My image of the vanguard is that they take (as much as they can), true preying mantis form. Thus the weapons forms (double chainswords, power swords w/ arm extensions) and insect wings.

Styrofoam04 wrote:He looks great Gits! But I think he would look better with a Red Corsairs Shoulder pad!

Are you having problems with ur air brush? I dont know if it just me, but it looks like your getting alot of splatter?

I hadn't noticed in RL but zooming in on the pic you are absolutely correct. Hmmmm. The pressure from this compressor seem's a little "soft" to me, even though it's set at the proper PSI according to the regulator & does have a tank. I may try turning the pressure up a bit to see if that helps. It's also probably time for a new needle. Thanks for catching that Styro.

Alfndrate wrote:Really love that pose Gits, can't wait to see what you do with the rest of that model.

Hope to do some painting tonight. Took last night off (from everything) to fight off a cold. Feeling much better today though.


I received in the mail today... a large box from middle earth. I'm VERY excited about it. Will enjoy my "Christmas in June" this evening. :-)

More later... IF you're worthy...

Tonight's work:

Wings, front and back. I'll put some kind of very light vein pattern on the front part of the wings... something to add interest to the gradient. But not tonight... Spent 1 hour painting and 2 hours fixing!

Have to see what the finished model looks like...right now the light blue is a bit glaring and ...I can't find the exact word. Good blending though.

It's just the base coat... I think the veining will help considerably.

Great Work! Even only partially painted, I can imagine that bastard stabbing into a raptor. Actually, I just got a diorama idea, Assault Marines vs. Raptors, mid-air.
But seriously, that guy comes flying at me I'll crap my pants
Plat

I think the blue works brilliantly on it's own as it looks like a blinding mirror. Maybe just a gloss varnish to finish it off?

If you are putting veining on, doing it in a blue that's only slightly darker would work. Anything darker might spoil the effect you currently have going

It's a bright blue. The 'veins' will probably balance that out. But the effect is there with that sort of dazzling gossamer sheen effect you get from bug wings.

I can almost convince myself that the wings are reflecting the color of the sky...


Unfortunately in this pose his wings would be reflecting the ground, so that illusion doesn't last very long. :-( However that is something to consider for future versions...

I actually like the "jarring" effect... it's what I was going for. Something that contrasted strongly with the green of the body, that would frame it and make it stand out. I also wanted something reminiscent of a power weapon effect as the conduits on the back are transferring energy to the wings so they move and shift as proper control surfaces should. Not that they should "glow"... but that there is a tell-tale nimbus of energy about them.

Well, we'll see what tonight brings... I have a day to think on it and get ideas/opinions from you guys. That always helps clarify my thinking.

Hmmm. I see what you mean about it not reflecting the right surface.

I'd almost be tempted to say it's couple of tiny spotlights on his back, under the wings that are pointed at the shiny surface so that it dazzles the enemy, regardless of the lighting conditions. I just really love the blue contrast and the glow you've got going on with them.

I take it the undersides were painted white and then airbrushed blue at the tips?

I can also see you're going for making Ygg squee. Planning some OSL with the jump pack?

I love how he looks Gits, well done! the contrast is great and the backs of the wings look spot on, still mechanical without being ridiculous! I like the inside of the wings like that, a bright glaring distraction as he plummets from the sky his twin blades slicing and rending in furious combat! good work dude! keep going please! :-)


Nerdfest09

endtransmission wrote:I'd almost be tempted to say it's couple of tiny spotlights on his back, under the wings that are pointed at the shiny surface so that it dazzles the enemy, regardless of the lighting conditions. I just really love the blue contrast and the glow you've got going on with them.

Actually my friend that gives me an idea. Not quite spotlights, but I could take the airbrush and add fuzzy white areas on the underside of the wings just opposite from the main power couplings on the back side, as if the energy from them was pulsing through the wings strongly in those areas and giving you the blinding effect you're looking for. Also that way I wouldn't have to worry so much about the OSL as the light sources would be far away from the rest of the figure. I could also add a couple of fine white streaks to the wings to add to the illusion of being a reflective surface.

I take it the undersides were painted white and then airbrushed blue at the tips?

Yep. Next time I do this I'll paint the wings before attaching them and the whole operation will be much, much easier and cleaner.

DarkStarSabre wrote:I can also see you're going for making Ygg squee. Planning some OSL with the jump pack?

For the jets? Yes. Roleplayer did a nice little tut back in his Blood Angel's blog and I thought it would be a nice effect.

nerdfest09 wrote:I love how he looks Gits, well done! the contrast is great and the backs of the wings look spot on, still mechanical without being ridiculous! I like the inside of the wings like that, a bright glaring distraction as he plummets from the sky his twin blades slicing and rending in furious combat! good work dude! keep going please! :-) Nerdfest09

Thanks my friend. With luck, there will be more progress tonight, though I may work on some other parts of the figure before coming to a final decision about how I want to finish the wings.

Have you thought about getting some airbrush stencils for the "insect vein" pattern? May take a while to source them but would make it much more uniform and tidy and realistic imo.

edit: Forgot to say how awesome it is!! I really love the bright blue, insects are meant to be eye-catching and dazzling, perfect imo.

Awesome Gits! Everything is looking stunning! The wings are phenomenal, and the pose is brilliant! Most impressed, and looking forward to seeing how he progresses!

I love how your title says the last update was three weeks in the future.

Also, nice work on those wings. That blue/white gradient looks really cool.

Those wings are nice, reminds me a bit of the Harlequins Ifalna was working on, the blending is beautifully done.

Nice work! those wings look the !
ill echo the words of others that the veins shouldnt be too dark, cant wait to see him finished

I think it looks fine Gits, the blue makes it look almost transparent, as if they appear to float without any technological aid; outstanding.

Cant you use clear resin for the wings?

Discussed earlier Miss Dee, see last page.

@Reiko: Thanks man... still deciding if there should be veins at all, but if I do they'll be very light.

@ DE: Thank you sir! Very glad the effect is working for you. :-)

I do like the back-lit idea, thats pretty cool, just thinking of continuing the theme as it were

I like the veins idea...especially because it sounds difficult and I am not doing it.

Sorry gits was suffering with painful knees

Ah, no problem Miss Dee. My knees prevent me from READING all the time!

;^)

*poke* *poke*

I went into the back of a car that pulled out infront of me while going down hill on a bike

Ouch!
Glad ur OK

Yeah, glad you're still with us. Accidents like that can be very dangerous. Lots of motorcyclists killed that way each year.