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Finished this up a couple weeks ago any finally got around to taking pictures. This is my second finished unit since I got an airbrush (first was a set of terminators). I've been painting just a shade over a year. I'm really happy with how this came out, although I definitely need to work on cleanliness and not marring finished areas while manipulating the model. But, if you need any convincing that an airbrush can boost the quality for even a rookie, this is it.

Worthy of note :

- Base coat, VMA French Blue. Highlights Calgar blue and Calgar blue + white.
- Vallejo liquid gold paints (rich gold, red gold and silver). However I did a fantastic job of smudging them up and deshining them before I finished the model. Really doesn't do justice to the glorious gleam of those paints. Oh well.
- VMA black metal on the legs. Did not spray well, unlike other VMA paints I've used.
- Black oil wash on the dread. Brown oil wash on the base.
- Edge highlights were also done with oils (bright mix of blue and white). The "eraseability" inherent in the oil paint makes it possible for klutzes like me to actually get sharp edges without having to get it right on the first try.
- Vallejo satin varnish.
- Took way too damn long.

Would love suggestions and criticisms for improvement from the pros.












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And while I'm at it, here's all the arms I did for it:

You might notice that the plasma cannon looks significantly cleaner than the others. I picked that thing up off ebay after the dread was originally done, and by being a little more focused things went noticeably better. The liquid gold paints really stand out there, I think.

It's..... Awesome!!! I like it! This miniature is painted extraordinarily. Very Nice work!

VERY nice looking work here!

Very well done.

I like how your attention to detail can add life to a model with lots of flat surfaces and "empty spaces". It is better looking IMO than the newer, more crowded models that leave no room for it.

Looking really good. I would only suggest adding some wash or powder to the silver on the Las Cannon.

Welcome to the world of airbrushing 40K armies. Over the 25 years of painting, the airbrush was probably the most influential piece for painting armies to a good standard in a very short period of time.

From your post, I'm betting what took a bit more time than expected was getting the paint mixture correct. I recently switched to Air Vallejo and can't believe just how easy it is to use the airbrush.

Overall, the model looks fantastic. I'd been told about how great the Vallejo Liquid Gold paints were and it really shows in your pictures. Definitely sold on them and will be looking to pick some up in the near future.

Thanks for posting. Great model all around.

Overall, the model looks fantastic. I'd been told about how great the Vallejo Liquid Gold paints were and it really shows in your pictures. Definitely sold on them and will be looking to pick some up in the near future.

You will weep when you see how fabulous the coverage is. Rarely will you ever need more than one coat. Make sure to follow the rules though:

- shake them a LOT before use. Like, the worst goopiest paint you've ever had? Shake it about 4x as much as that.
- thin only with alcohol. thin frequently on your palette.
- never paint out of the pot. close them immediately after pouring out a measure.

Looks great mate. You should be proud.

I love the extra gold touch on the plasma cannon.

Very nice dread. I like the way you've built up a contrast without going completely over the top, unlike a lot of dreads done in this style. Amazing work.