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Hello all, currently I have around 1500 points of guard that I am in the process of painting to a low-mid tabletop standard. These guys are going to be my primary army and shuttled around to local games and just tossed around without much worry. However I have been browsing through all of the beautiful models painted and converted by the dakka community and it has inspired me to really take my time and learn how to make the best model I can make.

With that in mind I want to start fresh and begin painting a new army. I won't be buying it all at once, but one model at a time, finishing it to the best of my ability and then adding another piece only once the previous one is done to my satisfaction.

I am leaning towards either Demons(khorne) or Nids because I like the look of their models, but I am also open to other races. I am not really interested in marine chapters though.

A strange and unique list is very appealing, and anything fluffy is also fun. I would like something that stands out in terms of looks and also in how it plays.

Does anyone have some fun ideas to get me going in the right direction?

To sharpen your skills, I'd say focus on one off models and spend weeks with them. I didn't really start getting deep into painting until I dedicated 3 months on one model (granted it was massive, you can see it in my gallery).

Painting an entire army to that level, more so when learning, might burn you out. I would say just search the internet for models you adore and learn a different trait or skill on that model (dynamic basing, NMM, OSL, etc.)

If it must be an army you want to play, build an allies list that will work with your current army, something that you can work towards getting on the table without shooting for 1500.

Unfortunately I don't believe either of the two you chose work well with that situation. Daemons offer a lot of variety in painting skills (metals, flesh tones, etc.), but Bugs are kinda 3 color chumps and are expected to be done in droves. You're not going to want to do a bizilliion gaunts at above table top; a swarm army is not a good choice for what you're shooting for! Daemons are a bit hordish too.

I hope that helps, I don't think anyone can pick what you like.

EDIT: Also, find a local painting club or competition and then find the winners (or guys with painting style you enjoy) and learn from them. Investing in quality supplies and learning about how even weather can change your painting helps. Things that I didn't invest in initially but have helped me greatly are my wet palette and kolinsky sable brushes. The latter can cost almost a full kit for one brush, but oh how long it lasts and how I love it! Also, Masters brush cleaner. It's at most $10 and can extend the life of any brush almost indefinitely.

I guess research first is the best first step

 TheKbob wrote:
To sharpen your skills, I'd say focus on one off models and spend weeks with them. I didn't really start getting deep into painting until I dedicated 3 months on one model (granted it was massive, you can see it in my gallery).

Painting an entire army to that level, more so when learning, might burn you out. I would say just search the internet for models you adore and learn a different trait or skill on that model (dynamic basing, NMM, OSL, etc.)

If it must be an army you want to play, build an allies list that will work with your current army, something that you can work towards getting on the table without shooting for 1500.

Unfortunately I don't believe either of the two you chose work well with that situation. Daemons offer a lot of variety in painting skills (metals, flesh tones, etc.), but Bugs are kinda 3 color chumps and are expected to be done in droves. You're not going to want to do a bizilliion gaunts at above table top; a swarm army is not a good choice for what you're shooting for! Daemons are a bit hordish too.

I hope that helps, I don't think anyone can pick what you like.

EDIT: Also, find a local painting club or competition and then find the winners (or guys with painting style you enjoy) and learn from them. Investing in quality supplies and learning about how even weather can change your painting helps. Things that I didn't invest in initially but have helped me greatly are my wet palette and kolinsky sable brushes. The latter can cost almost a full kit for one brush, but oh how long it lasts and how I love it! Also, Masters brush cleaner. It's at most $10 and can extend the life of any brush almost indefinitely.

I guess research first is the best first step

Well my thought was taking individual models and learning the skills on them and thus building my army simultaneously. I'm not aiming for 1500 points right out of the gate by any means, maybe three years from now that would be doable, but I'd like to have an HQ and two troops choices painted to excellence by the end of the year.

My reasons for leaning towards Daemons and Nids were their MC units. Nearly all of them are fantastic models with the demon prince being one of the best looking imo. While I certainly see where you are coming from in saying I likely won't want to paint a horde army to that level of quality... I must admit I am a bit of a masochist in that way and might tackle such a task regardless.

I recently ordered a 000 detail brush off of amazon that is a kolinsky sable, as well as some masters brush cleaner. I will probably get two more kolinsky brushes in the next month or so, just not sure what sizes would work best for me yet.

Great gallery photos by the way

I recommend larger brushes in the 0 - 4 sizes that are considered "full bodied". You'll retain more paint and it won't dry out. I live in an arid climate and this is almost a MUST for my painting and blending.

But good start. I wish you luck. I'd recommend testing out a paint scheme on the troops prior to investing in the biggest guys.

I have found the models which call to me the most. It shall be Dark Eldar!

Maybe it was never having seen them in person because I know of none who field them, or perhaps it was my general dislike of regular eldar models, but for some reason I never payed any attention to the wonderful DE. Now I am kicking myself for missing all of their beautiful models and generally awesome fluff!