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Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada


∙ Juggle model man! Juggle! You got that done? Well here’s three more things you gotta’ do! Hahahah! Juggle model man! Juggle!

Required to constantly keep swapping hats, I’m working on a new banner that I can use on the shop that can give a really focused condensed idea of the studio philosophy with a layout that can accommodate a range of photos. I’m hoping that if I can standardize some of the stuff like this I can make it a bit easier to add updated images to give more feedback on what the studio is working on. Being a simple setup I don’t get a lot of control over the shop site so for now I’m trying to do my best with the template as-is.

Ah well, more updates coming soon. I have a distinct urge to start painting the Kastelan ‘bots despite all the things I need to do. I’ve been sacrificing my weekends that I was forcing myself to take in an effort to keep my head screwed on straight and the lack of progress on personal projects has me getting quite itchy. The Mechanicus are so close to being done, I can’t help but get back finishing them, before getting lured and lost in Darker places…

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada


∙ Something(s) wicked this way comes… soon‘ish… I hope… *Sigh* Never enough time. Update brain-dump incoming.

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada


∙ Forgive me Omnissiah, for I have succumb to distraction and it has lead me to… innovate. I suspect that I will be unable to stop. *Harsh binaric screeching!*

Wall-o-text with some more images coming soon, I promise. Trying to lay the ground work for some bigger projects (work-in-progress pictured above being the first of some much more ambitious ideas) and I’ve got a brain full of thoughts that I’m still working to sort out into some kind of coherent ramble

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in nz
Strategizing Grey Knight Chapter Master





Auckland New Zealand

Ooh, that looks so good!

IceAngel wrote:I must say Knightley, I am very envious of your squiggle ability. I mean, if squiggles were a tactical squad, you'd be the sergeant. If squiggles were an HQ, you'd be the special character. If squiggles were a way of life, you'd be Doctor Phil...
The Cleanest Painting blog ever!
Gitsplitta wrote:I am but a pretender... you are... the father of all squiggles. .
 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

Studio Correspondence Message: I apologize to anyone reading this who may have contacted the studio over the last few months but have not received a reply. I try to keep up but sometimes I get swamped and/or distracted with things inside and outside of the studio and it becomes very easy to procrastinate on replying. I will be sending out a form letter to reply to the bulk of the emails and work to reply directly where it makes sense.

This ties into what I want to talk about in more depth, but I’ve got several things bouncing around in my brain so I figured it would be best to split them up. Right now, let’s have a look at what I’ve been working on for upcoming kits and soon I’ll discuss how one thing led to another and a fit of distraction made future studio projects started to take form, somewhat unexpectedly.


∙ With initial work for the Rhino done the venerable Land Raider chassis is next in line.

Now, the Land Raider is an old GW kit to say the least and it comes with a few issues with fit and dimensions; some parts simply don’t fit together quite right and there are numerous places where details should be symmetrical, and they aren’t, or should align, and they don’t. The best I can do is try to average out any differences and remember to provide a bit of tolerance to the fit of components I create. As with the Rhino chassis, once I’ve made some things that can give some feedback on the fit I can dial in the 3D model for future projects.


∙ It’s been sitting on my workbench begging me to give it some attention so I felt compelled to 3D model the Sicaran.

Someone had mentioned a while back that it might be challenging to make add-on kits for the Sicaran and I can understand why since RTV mould cast resin models can have some tolerances that might not be completely uniform for one cast to the next. After dealing with all sorts of strange issues with the Land Raider I figured ‘how bad could it be?’ and got to work. I quickly discovered that it’s true and it surprising just how much so. Many of the details are completely different from one spot and/or side to the other where they should be symmetrical or evenly spaced. Even the tracks start at the exact same spot at the back of the model but by the time they reach the front they’re slightly different lengths; this may have been done on purpose to make them look slightly different, but it’s just one of many odd details and off measurements. As with the Land Raider, but even more-so, I’ve simply tried to average out any of the worst examples of this.

It’s still a gorgeous model and most issues are small enough that you can’t really tell by looking at it, but it makes it very tricky to create anything with a tight fit over any of the complex geometry. I really just want to give the model some spaced armour plates, a siege ram style ‘dozer blade, and some tread plates that can be attached to the tracks, so I know I can do those without too much hassle. Anything more complex and it’ll be too much of a headache I suspect. Initially I wasn’t going to model the turret but once I got the rest of the model done I got lured in to the challenge of trying to do it; I’m not sure it I’ll make custom weapons for the Sicaran but at least now it won’t be hard to get started if I do.


∙ Next up, a ‘Raven that’s been sitting in the back of a dark a drawer for far too long.

If it’s not already apparent, I really enjoy the 3D modelling process so it’s not going to take much arm-twisting for me to get to work on the Storm Raven. Over the years it’s been requested more than a few times, so now that I’ve got the opportunity it seems like as good a time as any to get the preliminary 3D modelling done. I’ve finally got the means to really do it right and get the complex fits I’ll need to make add-ons for the ‘Raven.


∙ What’s that? You were expecting more than these little images of the tank model I previewed before? Looks like you’ll need to keep your comm-link active.

Working on modelling so many GW kits I couldn’t help but develop a nasty itch to create something that’s been lurking in the back of my brain for years. It also ties in well with some of the other things I’m trying to sort out and talk about, so I figured it would be a good hook for my next update. Everyone likes images after all, especially if it’s (likely) going to be accompanied with a wall-o-text.

This is definitely a project for the future, but I really want to show some of the more ambitious ideas I’ve got for future larger kits. Add-ons are just where I want to start but I really do want to create much larger and more ambitious complete kits and I want to start showing off what I have in mind so people can see the images I have in my mind, even if I can’t make them quite yet….

But, before I get to rambling too soon, I’ll stop here, and keep it for next time.

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut





UK

Some lovely and promising stuff here SD !

And after teasing with the flyer I hope you'll lengthen the hull, maybe add some stubby wings at the front and cover it it weapon systems right ?

Can't wait !

   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

Well then, just as I was about to get my crap together and start talking about my new plans for the studio, life the universe and everything conspired to toss a wrench into the whole works. As if I wasn’t trying to juggle and sort out enough stuff an unexpected new twist has come along and really thrown me for a loop, so, I’m still trying to stop my psyche from spinning and find my equilibrium. While the studio is by no means dead the last few months has completely tripped me up just as I was going to get stared and forced me to step back and rethink many things. Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, you just gotta’ figure it out as you go. *Sigh* Adulting is hard sometimes.

More studio updates incoming at some point, once I’ve got new considerations fit into the plans. I was already committed to exploring and talking about how I want to take things to the next level and that isn’t changing, but I need a bit more time to get things sorted out. Personal projects on the other hand, might just find their way into the gap, so that’s not a bad thing…


+++ … still waters run deep … +++


"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in us
Omnipotent Lord of Change





Albany, NY

Still love those custom robot bits, and that blue is very slick

KOW BATREPS: BLOODFIRE
INSTAGRAM: @boss_salvage 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

Ok, so this is going to be long-winded because I’m mixing the showcasing of this model with some of the bigger things I’ve been mulling over with regards to the studio. I’ve got no problem with the philosophy of ‘slow and steady wins the race’ and no matter how things pan out that’s how I’m approaching this entire endeavour and not expecting things to happen at any particular speed. However, I’m also seeing that I need to start considering something more ambitious, with more focus, and a larger game plan even if it starts vaguely. The smaller kits I’ve been making have been excellent to dial in Servitor Solus and learn most of the best practices I’ll need to follow in the future to create components but with limited labour and resources right now I need to consider some larger bread-and-butter products. I really like making unique add-on kits that can upgrade and/or transform the existing models, but it all just makes me want to get to create larger more ambitious projects for complete models like the one in this post even more. I don’t want to stop making smaller kits and add-ons, but I’m finding I don’t I have any choice but to start some bigger projects if I want to really start generating the returns I need to take the studio to the next level and really start to build a presence and reputation for the studio and the models being produced.

But, more rambling on this in a bit, first…

Hobbyist 1: Hey! You got your Sicaran in my Land Raider!
Hobbyist 2: No! You got your Land Raider in my Sicaran!
Subtle: Nope, you’re both wrong! You got your Land Raider and Sicaran in my Clouseau!

Maaany years ago I wanted to scratch-build a more aggressive-looking Rhino counts-as for my Chaos army. It was something I fiddled with before I started Legion Rising but the idea didn’t really go anywhere because I was still just starting to learn how to build with styrene and it seemed like a virtually impossible project at the time. The idea evolved some as it sat in the back of my brain while I started to get more skilled at scratch-building, dabbling with the studio, and then attending college; I wanted to make a transition chassis between the Rhino and the Land Raider that had a blend of the design elements that go into each model. At the time the idea was just too ambitious but that just made it something to aspire to. Sometime during those years I also came across the design drawings that some anonymous internet citizen made for the ‘Clouseau’ APC and it fed into what I had in mind. Then, the Sicaran model was released, doing a good job to officially fill in the gap that my idea was kinda’ aiming for, but I came to see that it also gave me some design cues that I could make use of to help in creating something unique. After 3D modelling the Land Raider and Sicaran for other studio projects the idea just wouldn’t let go and I had to see what I could come up with since the process of modelling them was still so fresh.

Oh yeah. Hey look, I can GIF! As a perfect example of another thing in a long list of things I want to learn how to do, I finally took the time to figure out how to make GIF images. There have been a few times in the past that I wanted to create an image that could transition to different points-of-view and/or subjects but it was something that would slip my mind or just seemed like too much work at the time. Over the years I’ve learned I’m a very capable person who can figure things out if I apply myself, but with the studio I’ve quickly learned that I can only do so much with two hands and one brain and it forces me to pick-and-choose what I can invest the time into. It’s a perfect microcosm of my situation with the studio, I can do almost anything the studio needs but there’s a limit no matter how capable and willing I am. However, when I can find the time its a lot of fun to figure something like this out.


∙ From the back my design is considerably different than the concept sketch but it still retains the major elements that have been rearranged.

The Clouseau design is a bit too narrow for my liking especially if it’s going to have a transport capacity and a ramp in the front. While I made the center hull a bit wider I also added the layered armour elements taken from the Sicaran to bulk it a bit more. From a straight-on view like this, it might even seem a bit too wide but it’s a trick of the angle and it looks much leaner from a three-quarter view shown below. I also really like the asymmetrical details in the design that give it some nice visual interest so it was something I wanted to really embrace with this concept; I like the offset exhausts but I just wanted them on the opposite side.


∙ From the top the concept sketch has more similarities to my design but I wasn’t too fond of the front so it needed some creativity.

My understanding of the fiction behind the Rhino and Land Raider chassis is that they’re more general-purpose vehicles intended primarily for civilian use but also with the capacity to be up-built with a military role in mind. So for me, the Sicaran represents a vehicle with a chassis intended for military use only and over the years my idea evolved further to build on that concept. I didn’t want to copy any of these vehicles directly but my goal was to use the Clouseau design as a starting point and then blend several of the design elements into the base concept to produce a ‘military grade’ chassis, as it were.

As I said, I didn’t really like the front of the center hull in the concept sketch and how the turret was placed in a very Land Raider manner but I did like the idea of using the octagonal shape. Instead of cutting into the hull I borrowed the same shape form the Sicaran which builds it out proving a good spot for the driver. I also pulled the center hull back a bit to take away some of the rolling-brick vibe and to give it the more aggressive feel that I wanted. The top view of the sketch doesn’t really give a good idea of what’s going on at the front but it does appear to have a hatch of some sort. Since the back is styled after the Land Raider by placing the engines and exhaust where a rear hatch might be it only seemed logical to try and add a ramp to the front to compensate and further blend the base elements of all the models incorporated into the design.


∙ The side profile of the concept sketch is where the similarities of the designs can be really seen and how it inspired my design.

However, there’s one major thing that can be reduced down to two words that needed to change. Hey kids! Can you say ground clearance’?! Very good! I knew you could! If there’s one thing that drives me crazy in many of the vehicles of the 40k universe it’s the lack of ground clearance in so many of the designs. 20-30cm of mud would completely bog down many of these ‘all-terrain’ tracked vehicles and/or the hulls are designed in such a way that they would likely wedge themselves into the ground at the bottom of any modest incline. No sir, you need some clearance so the suspension has some room to travel (even if it’s not visible) and the hull is properly suspended off the damn ground. Plus, it adds to the visual interest of the model adding some gaps of negative space and depth to break up the large solid slabs of armour that comprises the rest of the model. Ground clearance, “it’s a good thing.”

Obviously, I also choose to change the rectangular side doors from the sketch and made them round. Both round and rectangular shapes could work, really, but the round is just a bit more unique and suits the Sicaran inspiration this area of the model has. They also provide the opportunity to add a subtle convex shape and to recess them into the hull a bit to give it a bit more sophisticated look. Again, I wanted this vehicle to feel less utilitarian and more purpose-built, but there’s also the simple idea of trying to find places to add some rounded surfaces to accent the very flat and angular look of most Imperial vehicles. I’m tempted to round a few more spots but it’s something I don’t want to go too overboard with.


∙ The concept sketch doesn’t provide a proper front view and the top view is vague, so there was lots of room for some creative freedom.

A front view in the concept sketch might have been useful, but from what was shown in the top view I don’t think it would have stopped me from going in this direction. This needed to be an assault transport, after all, because… reasons. Naturally, the center hull is a separate component and with the power of digital design, that means there’s no problem creating alternatives. I’m already pondering how I can change it up to add a turret and sponsons to another version of the same chassis. This is easily going to become the base of several versions of this chassis, I suspect.


∙ With slightly smaller proportions than a Sicaran I think this chassis fits nicely between the Rhino and the Land Raider.

∙ I haven’t done anything to the inside yet, and I’m still not sure if I will, but I suspect my ‘attention to detail’ will compel me. Regardless, the doors and hatches do open.

∙ I’ve been asked I would ever do a full tank model, so I guess this is my answer. Yeah, I wanna’ try to make this (and much more) real! Would you support a Kickstarter for this?

Now, this model may look close to being finished but it still needs at lease some interior detailing and to be ‘chopped up’ into components that can be 3D printed; then sub-assemblies need to be made out of those parts in preparation for mould making. So, there’s still a lot more work to make something this ambitious real, but, this is what I can do with a solid idea in my mind, a reasonably good concept sketch (optional), and a pool of design elements that I can draw on to create something unique, yet familiar, and able to fit right in on a 40k tabletop; plus, if it happens to appeal outside of that market, well then, I’m not going to complain.

Smaller kits have been great to perfect my process and to dial in my equipment, and I enjoy making unique add-on kits and bits that can really transform the existing models or fill a gap in an official kit, but it all just makes me want to get to doing larger more ambitious projects like this even more. I don’t want to stop making smaller kits and add-ons, but I’m finding I don’t I have any choice but to start some larger projects if I want to start generating the returns I need to take the studio to the next level. I also need to stop investing all of the labour and materials upfront, before waiting on the return on that investment over weeks and months. It’s just too slow. Other studios are creating successful crowdfunding drives for single models (or small ranges) on par with this and generating exactly the kind of funds that I need to let me really dig in and get to work for many weeks and/or months at a time. I can see that the GoFundMe I set up is just too vague and I need to create something that’s focused on specific models (or small ranges) and simply build the studio’s selection and reputation that way.

However, even with more money I only have two hands and one brain. Still with me after 2,000+ words? Then maybe you’re the kind of person I’m going to need going forward. See, I’m not in a position to get a partner/employee into the studio to help me hands-on (yet…) so that rules out the hands. I guess that means I need another brain or two and hopefully they’ll come with hands attached. There’s so much to do building and managing an online presence that I’m open to the idea of a person or two who are willing to work from a distance. I’m constantly asked if I have a newsletter, ongoing back-and-forth with customers, I still have no social media presence, I need to get my online hosting and the like properly sorted out, at some point the web-shop needs a facelift, and once I get these new crowdfunding drives going it’ll just add to the list of tasks and communication needs, especially as I gain more exposure. Like I said in the beginning, I am capable of doing each task, but simply can’t do it all if I’m also 3D modelling, printing, prepping, mould making, casting, and much more. While in-studio hands-on help would be nice it’s just not an option yet so any other way I can find to reduce the workload will be a step in the right direction.

So, what am I looking for? First and foremost, serious hobbyists. Are you an active builder, painter, and/or player? Is the tabletop gaming hobby something you’re pretty sure you want to do forever? Yeah, you’re the kind of people I’m looking for. Yes, the studio needs people with specific skills but I want gamers because that will simply tie the shop to the community that much more and provide more opportunities.

Beyond that, if I were to give it a title it would be something like Online Communications and Marketing; and ugh, that sounds horribly formal but it’s about right. Put simply, I need someone who can help me with general communications, community interactions, and helping to market the studio starting with the aforementioned crowdfunding campaigns.

Critical skills: Communications (written, verbal, potentially video), internet & social media savvy, basic-to-intermediate digital graphic design (crop, edit, adjust images, layouts, etc.), basic understanding of MS Office (or comparable) applications, willingness to learn something new if the need arises.

Good to have: Strong digital graphic design (advanced image manipulation, good quality sketching, rendering), website creation experience, video editing, good quality miniature painting, photography skills, 3D modelling, active convention/competition attendance, crowdfunding experience, and again a willingness to learn.

NOTE: For the foreseeable future this will be tied to crowdfunding campaigns of the studio; both workload and compensation will be tied to these campaigns and they will start slowly at first with the intent to build a selection that can sustain the studio to a point that this position can become permanent.

Think you’re someone with the right skills in a position that this could work for you? Want to help me make awesome miniatures with the potential to make your own ideas real in the future? Send me a Private Message or contact me via The Dark Works and we can discuss this further. Right now I just need one or two people and I have no idea what the response is going to be like so please understand if I’m forced to pick from a few good candidates. It will also be several months before the first crowdfunding drives will be ready as I need to do some serious 3D modelling to get several solid projects to a point that they can showcase well like the APC in this post. This will start somewhat informal and as the studio gains some momentum and expands what I’m sure there will be many unknowns to be sorted out.

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in us
Is 'Eavy Metal Calling?





Affton, MO. USA

Love the new tank, fits the styling without straight stealing of design.

The only bit that drives me nuts about it are the headlights.sorry, just my personal feelings about round on one side and angled on the other. I have some real strong feelings angles, it drives my wife crazy with how I complain about them . I like how you have merged more rounded and angled areas of the tank together though. It has long been an issue with GW models in my mind that some are super angled and some have round elements, but there has been no “missing link” between the two.

LOL, Theo your mind is an amazing place, never change.-camkierhi 9/19/13
I cant believe theo is right.. damn. -comradepanda 9/26/13
None of the strange ideas we had about you involved your sexual orientation..........-Monkeytroll 12/10/13

I'd put you on ignore for that comment, if I could...Alpharius 2/11/14 
   
Made in nz
Strategizing Grey Knight Chapter Master





Auckland New Zealand

I'd back that for sure. I did my own attempt at a similar vehicle, just without the finesse you certainly show. as I wanted something just a touch different from a normal predator.

Spoiler:

IceAngel wrote:I must say Knightley, I am very envious of your squiggle ability. I mean, if squiggles were a tactical squad, you'd be the sergeant. If squiggles were an HQ, you'd be the special character. If squiggles were a way of life, you'd be Doctor Phil...
The Cleanest Painting blog ever!
Gitsplitta wrote:I am but a pretender... you are... the father of all squiggles. .
 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

Comment to reply directly coming soon, but first, a brief hobby tangent…


∙ Recently added to my arsenal of hobby stuff, this is my new favourite surface refiner and primer.

I first got the Grey 1200 in an effort to smooth some of the early 3D prints I had done outside of the studio. While it couldn’t really make the worst of the 3D prints usable it still performed very well and saved some; it’s self-leveling and sandable so it’s excellent to refine and smooth surfaces that have minor-to-mild scratches and imperfections. While it was good for that purpose, what it did really well was act as a primer so I got a bottle of the Black 1500 to try for that use and wow I really like the results. On styrene it has amazing bite and just doesn’t let go, period. On poly resin it holds better than any other primer I’ve ever used; it’ll still chip away with serious effort but it’s still as good as, or better than, any primer in a rattle-can that I’ve used.

The one real downside is that it is a thinner based product with, like, all the bad things in it that could possibly be in it. Through an airbrush you have much more control and the amount of overspray and solvents released into the air is greatly reduced but it’s still just horrible and you’ll want to have good ventilation and a proper mask with Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC) filters. But, if you’re already using rattle-cans to prime your models and have an airbrush I can say first hand that this Mr. Hobby line is really good.

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in us
Jinking Ravenwing Land Speeder Pilot





Pittsburgh PA, USA

WHY HAVE I BEEN GONE FOR SO LONG

Angels of Vengeance P&M Blog

A Tale of 5 Gamers!

Blood Knights Kill Team P&M

Crusade of Vengeance - A Tale of Sacrifce and Brotherhood
www..com/dakkaforum/posts/list/545145.page 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

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Comm-Link ∙ Active
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Motivation Subroutines ∙ Recalibrating… *HARSH BINARIC SCREECHING!!*
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Praxis Protocols Initialized ∙ Motivation Subroutines… Altered
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+++ Output Quota ∙ Inadequate +++ Incentive Reprimand ∙ Administered +++ +++ Information Exchange ∙ Update +++ +++ +++ Output Quota ∙ Adjusting Parameters… +++
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Comm-Link ∙ Active
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Update Incoming ∙ Standby…
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"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada


"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in us
Stone Bonkers Fabricator General






A garden grove on Citadel Station

The custom Kastellan hands look great. I also really like the bright blue scheme.

ph34r's Forgeworld Phobos blog, current WIP: Iron Warriors and Skaven Tau
+From Iron Cometh Strength+ +From Strength Cometh Will+ +From Will Cometh Faith+ +From Faith Cometh Honor+ +From Honor Cometh Iron+
The Polito form is dead, insect. Are you afraid? What is it you fear? The end of your trivial existence?
When the history of my glory is written, your species shall only be a footnote to my magnificence.
 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

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Comm-Link ∙ Active
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Data-Link ∙ Active
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Decrypting …
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Data File Lo.4313-7 ∙ Displaying…
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So, life, the universe, and everything keep pulling me in several directions the last while and that’s got my brain just a bit preoccupied. I want to sit down and write more, but wording is harder than usual right now. While I have been distracted and somewhat sporadic with updates I’m striving to not be idle in the studio or the hobby bench so I figured a nice dump of large images with minimal text was the order of the day.



∙ With decals finally ready to go I can get down to actually properly finishing some models, like the Kastelan ‘Bots and Datasmith.

I still think the contrast of white decals would have been interesting but I’m completely happy with the black and ultimately I think it’s a better match to the blue-and-black scheme. Maybe I’ll get some white ones done in the future and use them to make alternate units using them or something.



∙ To say I’m pleased with how the ammo hoppers and feeds turned out would be an understatement. They take some tweaking to get right…

… but the result is totally worth the effort; now that’s a Kastelan that looks like it could spray out some phosphor rounds. You’re usually staring at the backs of your models when they’re on the table so they may as well look good from behind.


∙ Is the Dragoon just a really large model or do I need to consider a larger photography backdrop? I think it’s both, yeah?

Being all legs and Tazer Lances the Dragoons are quite challenging to completely frame in the shot as a complete unit without cropping anything. Since the projects are going to get much larger over time *glances at the Knight and Kytan sitting off in the corner* I guess it’s time to consider a larger backdrop solution.



∙ I also overlooked priming the backpacks for the Skitarii riders, so they’re not quite finished yet… but so close!

I’ll get around to the backpacks the next time I prime some other stuff, so these will catch up soon enough.

Speaking of things that will need to be primed in the near future…


∙ Patiently waiting their turn for several years it’s so nice to finally get a unit of Onagers on the workbench.

The extra time was worth the wait.



∙ Yeah, that’s it, make a build for a model that’s already chocked full of all sorts of bits and gubbins, even more involved. Good call.

Well, it’s not like I can stop now, can I?

*Ponders a moment to consider the chorus of whispers endlessly taunting me with ideas and inspiration*

Yeah… that’s not going to happen.


∙ All dressed up and waiting on the final bits and pieces… so many, hoses, cables, ladders, rails, and antenna… seriously.

I’m learning to love to hate to love the Mechanicus line. So many little bits to add to the models that make them look excellent… and make them more complex to paint… and did I mention it’s only a matter of when, not if, you’ll snap an antenna off? Wonderful, delicate, detailed, frustrating, unique, and tedious all in one. Perfect for my mildly masochistic tendencies really, I suppose.


∙ And of course, I had to add one last bit to the mix. You’ve come this far, so know you saw it coming.

I was going to convert the Heavy Stubber included in the kit but I figured it would just be more straightforward to simply 3D model the entire bit in one go. Nothing too complex so it wasn’t hard to whip up. Still waiting on the first prints of this bit even as I write this.

Ok, so you can expect to see much more blue over the coming weeks as I apply many decals to many models and get them properly finished and table ready. I’m already eager to get on to some bigger projects but the foundation and first floor is almost done and I can’t get distracted quite yet.

Omnissiah guide my hands of inferior flesh so that I might make your divine inspirations real.

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in us
Is 'Eavy Metal Calling?





Affton, MO. USA

Amazing work. Still surprised GW hasn’t hired/hit you with a hammer yet , but awesome.

I was thinking “Man white transfers would look amazing on these” before I read what you wrote. I think user name Briancj has a white printer, maybe you could hit him up. Not sure he’s set for transfers or not, but it’s a pissibility, or might know a guy .

LOL, Theo your mind is an amazing place, never change.-camkierhi 9/19/13
I cant believe theo is right.. damn. -comradepanda 9/26/13
None of the strange ideas we had about you involved your sexual orientation..........-Monkeytroll 12/10/13

I'd put you on ignore for that comment, if I could...Alpharius 2/11/14 
   
Made in gb
Deadly Dire Avenger




The Webway

I am insanely jealous of the custom armour plates on the onagers and dune-crawlers. They look sharper than GW parts.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2019/11/29 04:38:15


Laugh with the Laughing God. Outplay the Great Enemy. 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

Theophony wrote:Amazing work. Still surprised GW hasn’t hired/hit you with a hammer yet , but awesome.

I was thinking “Man white transfers would look amazing on these” before I read what you wrote. I think user name Briancj has a white printer, maybe you could hit him up. Not sure he’s set for transfers or not, but it’s a possibility, or might know a guy .


There was a time when I would have jumped at the chance to work for GW or FW and I would even have made the move to the UK, but that was quite some time ago back when I knew I could do this kind of stuff but didn't have the skills or equipment to prove it. Now I recognize that if I was lucky enough to do it then I would also lose any agency over what I can create. This is likely the best outcome since I can do whatever I want now, and maaaaybe someday GW might actually consider 'affiliated studios' or something, if some of them are making bits that are really good, like better than FW good. *wink wink, nudge nudge*

That's the thing about white decals; it's either painfully expensive for a single sheet of decals and/or it's hard to find a reliable place/person to create them. Also, I've got a really good printer in my studio so I might as well take advantage of it.

TheEldanariPrince wrote:I am insanely jealous of the custom armour plates on the onagers and dune-crawlers. They look sharper than GW parts.


The Solus 3D printer punches well above its weight in the quality of prints it can produce. It's really something of a dark horse that's got a great reputation but it's not that well known. I own several FW models and a few of their newer kits created with 3D printed masters and I can say confidently that Solus produces better surface quality. The main trade-off is that the build area is rather small compared to most commercial grade printers so without any doubt FW has printers that might produce slightly lesser results in a few stubborn spots, but they can print HUGE parts as single prints compaired to what I can pull off, unless I cut the object down unto subparts. There's a lot of years going into these final great results, and if it's any consolation, most things I showcase in my WIP threads will become kits in my shop at a future time. I'm still tweaking and testing my limits before I start trying my hand at some larger and more ambitious projects as well as put all of these proof-of-concept ideas into production.

Not often, but every once-and-awhile something fits just right the first time…


∙ I think the barrels are just a little too low but the bit fits the spot perfectly. If I was someone else it would be good enough but it needs one round of adjustments.

I want to try another iteration with the barrel adjusted up a bit to center it in the round of the cut in the sloped armour. It just seems off that the round element of the model doesn’t line up with the round barrel of the bit; it lacks a certain logic that my poor hobby-OCD can’t ignore. But, with that minor quibble aside, oh my…


∙ … what have I done? Now I’m rather tempted to put twin Heavy Stubbers on the Onagers, because, look at it. Mmmmm… Stubbers.

If I had of known I was going to do this I could have left the Stubber off of the Neutron Laser and just put an antenna detail there, or something. Damn it, why do I do this to myself?! I can’t keep changing things all the time, but… *sigh* Opinions and/or input?

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada



∙ Hobby-OCD appeased… It's not a massive change but I'm glad I raised the barrels to align them with the round cut in the sloped front armour. The fit just feels more deliberate not.

I also adjusted the details on the barrel a bit to get the match really close to the Stubber under the Neutron Laser and then a quick mirror to make parts for the left and right, because yeah, I’m keeping all three Stubbers. Still lots of little bits to attach, but the custom stuff is done and they're in the home stretch before they get hit with some primer.

Ok, bed ways is right ways now. I have no idea what my next update will be, or when. We'll see what I get up to…

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

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Warning! Unidentified Relation ∙ Detected…
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Interference Variable Shift ∙ Increase 0. 037 – 0.874
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Initializing Wide Field Antenna…
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"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

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Scanning…
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Priority Communication ∙ Target H-74 Identified
Priority Communication ∙ Target Telemetry Uplinked…
Priority Communication ∙ 1st Triarii Skitarii Vanguard 75 Requesting Directed Support
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Cogitating ∙ Support Request Requirements…
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+++ Diverting ∙ 3rd Triarii Onager Maniple 25 +++ +++ 25.22 - 25.33 - 25.34 ∙ Telemetry Downlinked +++ E.T.A. ∙ 7.25 Minutes +++
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Interference Variable Shift ∙ Increase 0.621–1.136
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Comm-Link ∙ Attempting Reconnect…
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Scanning…
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"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in ca
Boosting Ultramarine Biker





Vancouver, BC

Any plans to bring any of this to market on your store site?

I have some of your items already and want more.
   
Made in nz
Sinister Chaos Marine





Christchurch, New Zealand

I'd really like to get my hands on the chaincannon and combi-weapon kits for my Iron Warriors any idea of a realease schedule for them?
Whats the best way to support you at the moment?

   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada


∙ Long overdue reply/s, update, and general long-winded ramblings arriving at some point in the somewhat near future, hopefully.

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in us
Deranged Necron Destroyer






I just saw this thread pop up and sorry that I hadn't seen it before. Lovely work throughout! I took a peak at your store and saw a lot of neat things that appear to be out of stock - namely the Signum Stone Artifacts and the Siege Wall Kit. When do you think they might be available again? I'd love to pick some up for my tabletop!

My painting log is full of snakes
Have any retro, vintage, or out of print models? Show them off here!
Games I play: 40k (CSM, Necrons); AoS/Fantasy (Seraphon/Lizardmen); Warcry; Marvel Crisis Protocol; Wargods of Olympus/Aegyptus; Mythos 
   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada


∙ Even longer overdue update, reply/s, and much rambling coming at some point in the near future, and this time I meanit, I think. But in the mean time…

Having officially entered genuinely ‘interesting times’ that it can safely be said will be a significant period in history that we’re all actually experiencing, I’ve tried unsuccessfully to gather several scattered lines of thought together on a few occasions and post something. Now that I’ve taken a bit of sabbatical time to let my brain settle back into my skull I’m hoping that I can get a long backlog of contemplation and consideration out. Warning, large brain dump, with some pictures, coming soon’ish.

"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
Made in au
Ragin' Ork Dreadnought






Albany, Australia

Can’t wait

   
Made in ca
Sagitarius with a Big F'in Gun





Toronto, Canada

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+++ Comm-Link ‧ Active +++ Neural Congress ‧ Initialized +++ Data Uplink ‧ Initializing +++ Decrypting Uplink ‧ Ongoing +++ Standby... +++
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"The old galaxy is dying, and the new galaxy struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters."


 
   
 
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