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Hi there!

So I'm returning to the hobby after a 20 year hiatus. Is that a record? Anyway, I've been busy working my way through painting the Dark Vengeance box set with a view to: 1) play some small games with my little bro to learn the ropes and 2) eventually expanding out both DA and CS armies and potentially join a club in my area.

I've since learned that both factions are considered somewhat lame ducks, but I really love the fluff of both, and it would be cool to be that smug beginner who beats an established player with a 'low tier' army. Or have fun being owned. Either's fine!

Following are some pics done in chronological order so you can see some progress from fumbled beginnings to, hopefully, an increase in skill.

Cheers!


My first model. Kinda want to do this guy again because of all the mistakes I can see now...
















My b£$%!d cat sat on the box I was keeping my models in and broke the tips off this guy's crests








This guy was a WIP when the photo was taken.


Obligatory group shot #1.


Obligatory group shot #2.

Here's my latest batch of finished paintjobs. It's been a while, but I gotta squeeze them in between work and dealing with two young kids! Also, I got variously distracted by assembling, basing and priming a set of Deathwing Knights, a Mortis Pattern Dread (complete with magnetised weapon arms), a Daemon Prince and Belial (also with magnetised arms). Actually, the Dread is fully painted and ready for photography.

As a side note, I'm really not a fan of resin. Be it Finecast or Forgeworld. Actually, I was massively disappointed in the autocannon arms for the Dreadnought. There's not a straight line on them. So many imperfections for so much money. What the hell is the deal with that?!

Anyway, I'm rambling. Pics or didn't happen, right?

Finished off the DW Termie with the chainfist.


First foray in to Blood for the Blood God tech paint. Awesome stuff.


Next up was this Cultist champion. More blood, because why not?




Turmiel. Lots of fun painting this guy, but took ages because every section or detail had a different colour scheme.


I'm particularly pleased with the shading on the cloak. Looks better in the 'flesh' though...


Kranon the Ridiculously Fiddly


Again, the shading on the cloak looks better in real life




Barachiel(?). My recipe for 'bone white' armour is super time-consuming. Oh well, only two more terminators to finish the squad... aaand then 5 Deathwing Knights to go.






Bros.


Another obligatory bro shot

Looks really nice. I like Balthasar

For the first guy I saw a couple of areas which could have been better but the rest are practically flawless. Nice one!

Excellent stuff, looks like you started good and got better!

Lovely, clean work!

Cheers for the kind comments everyone. I'll post more when I get more finished up.

I Like them a lot! are they for sale?

The dreadnought is especially awesome! I like them a lot.

Really impressive work!! I myself only returned to the hobby this year after many years away and was amazed how it all comes back once you pick up the brush again. Seems as if youve had no trouble picking up where you left off.

I suspect that either you were a pretty good painter when you left the hobby, or you've been maintaining your skills with similar pursuits. Regardless, really nice work. I think the Chaos are particularly well done, even if they are a bit "by the book" in their color scheme. Being a longtime Dark Angels player, I whole-heartedly encourage you to start a Sons of the Lion army

Actually, I was fairly crap at painting still when I gave up the hobby at age 14 to go and chase girls. Since then I've had 6 years learning to be and 11 years actually being a graphic designer and illustrator, so that may have something to do with my propensity for accuracy and clean lines...

As for the colour schemes, I wanted to go as 'canon' as possible, particularly for the Crimson Slaughter because on my forays on the internet I've only seen them painted that way by GW.

I have both a DA and CSM list I want to expand to, but I think DA will be first. Deathwing Knights are next on my shopping list!

They look great! Nicely done I look forward to seeing the set complete.

Want more!!! AAAAAACK!!!

Bloody nice job! Especially like the Chosen. Just started on the DV boxed set as well. 10 years hiatus, good to be back

I like the dark angels i still need to paint my dark vengeance models:p the hellbrute is very cool!

This is such good work!

really like the hellbrute great job

Don't repaint it, its too good!!

Thanks guys! More will be added in the new year. I've finished Kranon, the Cultist champ with the axe, the termie above who was half done and am halfway through Turmiel. Just need to take some pics when Christmas isn't keeping me so busy.

Will also have had my first game by then

Oh, is a welcome to Dakka Dakka in order?

Very very nice! The DeathWing are outstanding. I am actually painting the same lot right now and they are not as good

skills!

Update added!

Cool!
20 years, that's a really long time.

@ KaptinBadrukk - Yeh, it's actually more like 23. Makes me feel old. Last mini I painted back in the day I was age 13.

So much has changed, yet so much has remained the same. Space Marines still look pretty much the same, but the quality of the plastics has improved unbelievably. Can't believe the bloodthirster that was kicking around back then (if memory serves) has only just been replaced.