Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Just wondering, but would it help if almost every guardsman is moded? Like adding extra guns, pouches, backpacks and what not?

If they are not painted then I would go for it. But guardsmen are a bit on the tiny side so I would be careful with scale.

And I would not call that converting. Adding things is moding them. Converting is taking one type of model and changing so much that it is no longer the original. The best example i can think of is a normal Space marine Terminator and changing it to be a Grey knight terminator.

I guess what I am saying is that When people convert they take a plain jane type of model and change it around to to be apart of a diffrent faction or race for that matter.

I have seen people convert normal SM troops and convert them in to Space wolfs or nergel warrior. These conversion are not a tree leftover type of thing.

I am not putting ya down just trying to clear it up for ya.

No offense taken and edited my message.

Personally, I think that "modding" miniatures by adding ammo pouches, extra guns, etc, most often makes them look cluttered, and more like toys than models. It is something I feel looks childish unless done very well. If you do it, I recommend restraint and subtlety.

Regarding other issues - everyone has covered it.
1) Matt varnish (yes, this is a personal choice, but most people prefer matt. If you have a preference for gloss, go for that, but if you don't mind, go for matt)
2) Bases - just some thin PVA and some sand before undercoating black and it will be better. Leave it black, then highlight grey and you'll have a decent looking finish, though not amazing.
3) The names. You seem to really want to keep them, so some suggestions. This may be extremely time consuming, but will look potentially a lot better, if you really love your names.

It is very difficult to write with a paint brush, so don't go for a conventional writing style. Paint the rim of your base black. Then, work out how much space you need for the rim. Coat that much with a thinned down layer of gore red. Figure out where each letter will be, roughly. Put a thin layer of blood red there, as a blob. Next, paint a thin layer of blazing orange in the approximate shape of the letter. Next, paint each letter in thin golden yellow as well as you can. Next, touch up each letter with thin sunburst yellow. (I think I have my yellows the right way round. The lightest and brightest one last). It'll take ages, but will look good, and should help overcome the issue of writing with a brush looking scruffy.

that is looking rather splendid i must say. keep it up and you will be there in no time.

Everyone seems to have said some variation on this, but don't let the critics grind you down, a frined of mine refuses to paint any models 'cos he thinks he can't.
To be fair, no, he can't paint well, but no-one just picks up a paintbrush and is 'Eavy metal quality straight away, my old models look far worse than yours, but now I can paint to a decent standard.
It all comes down to one thing: Practice!
Good luck, may the dark gods smile on you!