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I've done a smidge more work on the ravens, setting up another torso and legs using my current method, I have just a few left to construct now and I've actually run out of 32mm bases for the time being. I used up the remaining green stuff from the last batch to make some decorative shoulder pads to spruce up the ravens. I made a couple of simple raised arrow "tactical squad" markings, and I was really liking the black wings on the first mini of the project...so I made a couple more. They aren't perfect, but I'm sure I'll get better. C + c welcome.

In addition to that, I unboxed the Talons of the Emperor and just had to build those Custodes! Problem is, despite saying I wouldn't, I could not leave them unconverted. When I lined the first one up next to a Blood Raven, they were about the same size. I'm not true- scaling these, but I did feel they could use a small boost in height and width to perhaps one head above my true scale minis, even if just to be on the shelf next to each other. I have no intention (yet at least) of fielding custodes with the Blood Ravens so not worried about that.

To do it I added a strip of 0.5mm plasticard under the feet, and boosted the torso up a bit with a ball of green stuff on the abdominal part. For now the heads are just white tacked on so I can pose later.

Pics below.

Painting has gone swimmingly for these custodes. While I was enjoying the gold, I did feel there was too much, and that detail was being hidden by the singular colour (although it will pop out with shade/highlighting). I had already decided I didn't want these guys to have the red, partly because painting these is my break away from a mostly red army, and partly because I want them to look truly domineering and imposing. As such, I added more black to the armour detail and excluded the red elements from the plumes and ropes. (I'm told they changed to black accessories for a period after the Horus Heresy anyway).

Gold is not complete yet, still needs highlighting, eye lenses are unpainted and I may do them bright blue, or perhaps red if I'm feeling conventional for once. Still to paint the force weapons and fine details, and edge highlights to finish the lot.

In terms of basing, I haven't decided yet, although where I've boosted the height a little the two resting their weapons will need something to rest upon, maybe a rock, skull or CSM helmet perhaps.

Those custodes are stunning! the black looks awesome!

Thanks dude! Can't wait to get them finished up. Really fun minis to build as well, I highly recommend.

How does the matt Humbrol go with metallics? Last time I tried it, it killed the pearlessence, but they have changed their varnishes since then

 lindsay40k wrote:
How does the matt Humbrol go with metallics? Last time I tried it, it killed the pearlessence, but they have changed their varnishes since then

That's a good question. In my opinion the Matt cote hasn't dulled the metallics too much, but I often wash mine with lots of shade anyway as I like the dirty/dull look. I haven't tried it on the Custodes yet, but when they're finished I might do a test piece first, since assuming hasn't gone well for me so far haha.

I'll see what I can find and post a pic. I like the stuff though. Saving the Satin for something new and clean for contrast.

Wow those are beautiful! How did you paint the golden armor? Love the effect you have going on there.

Thanks very much! As yet unfinished, needs highlights. I did a primer base of chaos black spray, two thin coats (of course) of retributor armour for the base colour. Then I used Reikland Fleshshade to warm up the armour and add depth.

To me it looked too clean, so I then used Aggrax Earthshade all over. Once this dried and I had painted the other areas needing the next shade, I applied Nuln oil shade to the feet and lower legs, to darken and draw the eye up a bit more

I had seen a tutorial where the guy used a violet shade, which aged the armour nicely but still not dark enough for me..

Now I've had a brief break (nope, still haven't finished painting the custodes) i wanted to crack on with a couple more tactical marines for the Blood Ravens army. I wanted to do more units with just bolters, as I have a habit of giving them too many good bits (special weapons/assault weapons etc). To cope with this I've modified their poses slightly, one having fired off the last of his ammo doing a quick breach check, and another walking with his weapon held low, patrolling or resting between threats.

On the patroller, I've had a bit of an experiment to see if I could scratch build some mk4 style leg armour, after all those Blood Ravens will nick anything. Most of this was with plastic and and some thinner plastic from muller yoghurt pots, shaped and glued over the greenstuff I use to build up the legs.

great work on the conversion brother! I love the poses too!

It's been a while and I've been awful, this month only some small progress. I've had a couple of goes at painting the eye lenses on the custodes, image below shows the most recent effort, may need improvement, and I'm open to suggestions (except red).

I've also given them a few layers of highlights, starting with a dry brush of retributor armour, mixed 1:1 with auric armour gold. Followed by just auric armour gold, and final edge highlights using the last, mixed 1:1 with vmc chainmail silver. Pics below.

I didn't like the shields completely gold, so I've done my "black" on the wing parts, which I think makes the detail in the centre and edges pop out more. It's not in with the GW colour scheme, but when did that stop me.

Now for the power weapons/gems and the face/cape on the shield captain.

looking good. Primaris Marines. Thoughts

 STG wrote:
looking good. Primaris Marines. Thoughts

No complaints from me, though I don't see how I can bring them into my own true-scale project. I'd either have to use them as-is (and that's probably still shorter than mine) or do the same sort of conversion method to boost them to put them in scale with the rest, fine if the price is similar (which I doubt it will be), but I don't really see the point. Your opinion?

Ooh your converted poses have given me ideas for my bolter marines.

Thanks. Great work.

Plodmarine wrote:

 STG wrote:
looking good. Primaris Marines. Thoughts

No complaints from me, though I don't see how I can bring them into my own true-scale project. I'd either have to use them as-is (and that's probably still shorter than mine) or do the same sort of conversion method to boost them to put them in scale with the rest, fine if the price is similar (which I doubt it will be), but I don't really see the point. Your opinion?

I had been considering doing truescaling but imo primaris marines kinda defeat the purpose of it. (dont let me discourage your project). I personally like the models though, but frankly the fluff is garbage, so hopefully they'll fix that.

 STG wrote:

Plodmarine wrote:

 STG wrote:
looking good. Primaris Marines. Thoughts

No complaints from me, though I don't see how I can bring them into my own true-scale project. I'd either have to use them as-is (and that's probably still shorter than mine) or do the same sort of conversion method to boost them to put them in scale with the rest, fine if the price is similar (which I doubt it will be), but I don't really see the point. Your opinion?

I had been considering doing truescaling but imo primaris marines kinda defeat the purpose of it. (dont let me discourage your project). I personally like the models though, but frankly the fluff is garbage, so hopefully they'll fix that.

I know what you mean though, it's almost like gw were aware of all the true-scaling that's been going on and wanted an idea to make it irrelevant, to shut that outside creativity down. Regardless, I'm going to carry on, as I'm enjoying it, and then when I get bored I'll move on. Maybe I'll even chop up a few primaris marines just for a laugh. I'm going to have to think of a plan for true-scale termies and scouts so I might as well be inclusive.

Face painting! I have always been terrible at painting the faces on minis, doesn't matter how small a brush I use it just doesn't work. In the past I've used inks/washes (now shades) and drybrushing different tones, but I was never very happy with the realism, depth or tones.

As a rule I'm not using bare heads on my marines (why would you go bare headed when a ceramite helmet could save your life?) but I wanted to do a decent piece for the custodes shield captain. I did a bit of digging around and found that using more grey in the tones and some cold colours such as purple would add depth and realism to the colours i'd previously used.

I painted two heads, that way I could use the bald one as an experiment. Not perfect, but better than previous attempts. C+c welcome.

A little more work on these guys, painted the gems, and have started the process for lightning style power weapons, but I might repaint those as not keen. On a more positive note, I wanted to put the custodes on bases that express paving within ruins, so using plasticard and a few spares I've knocked up some individual bases for each. Particularly happy with the circular tiling effect on the shield captain.

I actually really like those bases, very tasteful.

 STG wrote:
I actually really like those bases, very tasteful.

Thanks STG! Hope you still find them tasteful once painted.

It's been a while! I've made some movement on multiple projects, though none are finished as yet.

Basing is painted for the Custodes, I went with a marble look that I added a gloss varnish too for a proper shine. Just need some PVA (my old bottle dried up) and I'll be putting some static grass in the crevices between the marble slabs, for a ruins type environment. In terms of finishing, then it will be just the power weapons to complete.

On top of working my way through the true-scale tactical units, I've cracked out the Land Raider and given that a base coat, and painted the interior (before completing assembly). My goal for this was to be a bit grim and messy, as if it's been used for many campaigns by busy marines with no time for concern on cleanliness. So, I painted within with Karak stone and ushabti bone paints, then used aggrax earth shade and nuln oil to add depth and grime to the surfaces. I've used some of GWs tech paint typhus corrosion in the recesses low and high and in areas of the floorpan to look like build up of dirt. Dotted about some dirty rusted patches as well. Pics below, will complete in more detail before I finish building.

Sadly, I've lost my airbrush, which I've been trying to find since we moved house, so painting of the tank exterior will have to wait a month or so until I buy a new one. Regarding true-scale for the land raider, I've chosen not to. In a way I'm playing it safe, it's already a large piece which will stand up next to the upscaled marines and with the working parts for doors etc I'd prefer to do a sharp job of it than risk ruining such a costly mini. That said, the Rhino will likely be getting the chop to build up to a size more proportionate to my marines. Perhaps there I will will learn what needs to be done to true-scale bigger projects in the future.

I've also begun work on the contemptor dreadnought, having chopped and separated most of the joints to rebuild in a more dynamic pose. Any opinions on whether a truescale army needs an upsized dreadnought? Or will the normal size be sufficient?

Land raider looks really awesome so far! love dirty tanks.
are the rust patches just tyhus corrosion?

If i were you I would truescle the dreadnought just because it would be cool to see, technically you dont need to as only the dreadnought sarcophagus would need to be bigger.

These are some awesome conversions!

STG wrote:Land raider looks really awesome so far! love dirty tanks.
are the rust patches just tyhus corrosion?

If i were you I would truescle the dreadnought just because it would be cool to see, technically you dont need to as only the dreadnought sarcophagus would need to be bigger.

Thanks again! Most is typhus, some is a dark brown mix of paint (some on top of agrellan earth the crackle paint) plus the shades make a big difference.

I'll have a look at the dread, but to be honest I think I could only realistically upscale the legs and arms, the sarcophagus would be very tough to maintain the right shape. That said, plenty of room in th abdomen and hips for a boost.

Aetare wrote:These are some awesome conversions!

Thanks, hopefully I'll get bigger and bolder as the army progresses.

Loving how those Custodes are coming together.

Top work on the Land Raider so far.

Also I love the bases for the Custodians, really splendid.

EDC

Thanks to you both.

A little more progress on the raider, also tried a bit of OSL and for the first time I think I've made it work (my attempts at this usually suck and get repainted!). I've also been painting up another batch of tactical marines, and finally the power weapons on those custodes, but no pics until next time.

Looking good! I'm going to have to try the sword idea with a Helbrute & a DP axe!

 lindsay40k wrote:
Looking good! I'm going to have to try the sword idea with a Helbrute & a DP axe!

Thanks! You totally should, that is one mean looking axe!

I've finally sorted the basing on the custodes, just need to paint the noise marine helmet under the captains sword and maybe (really maybe as I'm not sure I like it) glue on his cape. I think the lightning effect on my power weapons may need a rework, but i am very self critical. Your opinions are most welcome...

bases are looking slick! I'd be pretty happy with those blades, i'm sure you could do better but if i were you i would want to do something else as you have been doing the custodes for a long time now.