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Recently we’ve done a small Imperial Guard army with Krieg Grenadiers used as veterans, It was a nice mix of Forge World models and Games Workshop plastic vehicles. There are also some ratling snipers sneaking in the trenches to spot for you There are more photos in our gallery
I'm personally not crazy about the red banner with the white circle and black symbol in the middle. It looks too much like something else that was horrible. My 2 cents.
Not only does the symbol resemble a Nazi swastika, but it is also pretty much the exact symbol used in the music video for Disturbed's 'Land of Confusion'. Although I'm not sure about the wisdom of painting an army up to look like fascists, if the aim was to recreate the army in the video I think that's pretty cool.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/11 00:19:27
Scylla wrote: Not only does the symbol resemble a Nazi swastika, but it is also pretty much the exact symbol used in the music video for Disturbed's 'Land of Confusion'. Although I'm not sure about the wisdom of painting an army up to look like fascists, if the aim was to recreate the army in the video I think that's pretty cool.
This was one of the inspirations of the customer for the theme, great that you spotted the reference
One of the fluff elements that has always spoken to me is that the Imperium is a totalitarian nightmare regime, somewhere in between Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany, and that somehow in the grim darkness it's the best that humanity is going to be able to come up with.
I think the design is cool and very well executed. Obviously it wouldn't be cool to pain literal swastikas on your models but this fits well with DKOK.
Seriously enough with the Nazi accusations, the video it was inspired by is even in this thread for Pete sake. If you see Nazis then that is based on your own perception, and that OK by the way, but it is ironically a very fascist mind set to put down someone elses artwork because of your perspective.
No one is accusing anyone of "Nazi". The symbol is very similar, even if it's based on another symbol that's supposed to be very similar. That's the point of the video, btw. Art is supposed to stimulate a response. In this case, for some people, it's a negative one. Nothing "fascist" about that. Isn't that point of art? To stimulate a response and then discuss that response?
There is no doubt that the army looks amazing. That being said, I personally can't look at very well done replicas of German WWII military models. The visceral response for me is too strongly negative. Regardless of how well the artist reproduces the work.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/13 23:47:52
No one is accusing anyone of "Nazi". The symbol is very similar, even if it's based on another symbol that's supposed to be very similar. That's the point of the video, btw. Art is supposed to stimulate a response. In this case, for some people, it's a negative one. Nothing "fascist" about that. Isn't that point of art? To stimulate a response and then discuss that response?
There is no doubt that the army looks amazing. That being said, I personally can't look at very well done replicas of German WWII military models. The visceral response for me is too strongly negative. Regardless of how well the artist reproduces the work.
Um, you realize it is literally the dollar sign right? It isn't similar at all actually.
Also, sorry you have such a personal response but in the end it is important to stimulate said response. History should be acknowledged and learned from. I myself understand that the colors are similar, but the symbol is entirely different and I didn't see Nazism at first but acknowledge that some can see that. Personally I think the Aquila is much closer to the head of the Nazi banner and is present on all imperial units, which btw I always figured was intentional.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/14 06:02:55
Also, sorry you have such a personal response but in the end it is important to stimulate said response. History should be acknowledged and learned from.
I'm seriously confused by the reaction that the paint scheme is in poor taste.
The whole game is literally inspired by totalitarian states. Y'know, the whole 'grim darkness'? The Imperium is on the whole a fascist empire. The DKoK are themselves literally directly inspired by the history of totalitarianism in real life. By the same reasoning, the entire game of 40k is wrong and immoral, right?
Not to mention, where does this idea come from that art which reveals the ugly side of life is itself unethical, as if depicting evil is itself an evil act?
As regards the paintwork, it looks great apart from the masks of one of the Grenadier units. The glow of the goggles is overdone on one, which could be looked out for when doing the next commission.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2016/03/14 17:12:36
Very beautifully done, and its a shame you've got such rediculous responses. Agreed on the grenadier goggles though, the OSL is way too much, apart from that the paintwork is excellent though
Beautiful job, I love the contrast between the bright insignia and the otherwise dark colors.
And for people who are offended by an artistic reference/parody of a Nazi symbol, perhaps a game/universe where the main protagonist is a xenophobic and genocidal state that has no problem with condemning billions of people to death isn't the right game for you?
The soldiers reminded me of the movie Iron Sky btw
And for people who are offended by an artistic reference/parody of a Nazi symbol, perhaps a game/universe where the main protagonist is a xenophobic and genocidal state that has no problem with condemning billions of people to death isn't the right game for you?
Let's say a family member of yours was killed by Anders Breivik. Then you show up to game at your favorite store and someone breaks out an army with a likeness of his image painted on their army. This wouldn't cause you to pause and have a negative visceral response to the image?
Come on. Let's all back away for a moment. The image is meant to have an impact and it does and did. That's why it's there, painted on that army. Anyone who knows any World History knows exactly the type of response a likeness of that symbol would have. It's not right. It's not wrong. It just IS.
Perhaps it would be better to not pick apart how people feel about something and let them express themselves without passing judgement, huh? Oh yeah!! This is the internet!!! Never mind...
so....nobody should paint Praetorian IG in case it triggers memories of what the British redcoats did in South Africa......or paint up Valhallans because of Stalin's atrocities......or paint up Catachans because of My Lai and what the Americans did in Vietnam.....where does it end?
doc21 wrote: so....nobody should paint Praetorian IG in case it triggers memories of what the British redcoats did in South Africa......or paint up Valhallans because of Stalin's atrocities......or paint up Catachans because of My Lai and what the Americans did in Vietnam.....where does it end?
Nobody said that at all.
Sheesh. If you do decide to do that, expect a response. Both positive and negative. That's all there is to it. So you can paint an army with symbols that remind people of something terrible and not expect a reaction??? Come on. Seriously? Again, that's what art IS.
And for people who are offended by an artistic reference/parody of a Nazi symbol, perhaps a game/universe where the main protagonist is a xenophobic and genocidal state that has no problem with condemning billions of people to death isn't the right game for you?
Let's say a family member of yours was killed by Anders Breivik. Then you show up to game at your favorite store and someone breaks out an army with a likeness of his image painted on their army. This wouldn't cause you to pause and have a negative visceral response to the image?
Come on. Let's all back away for a moment. The image is meant to have an impact and it does and did. That's why it's there, painted on that army. Anyone who knows any World History knows exactly the type of response a likeness of that symbol would have. It's not right. It's not wrong. It just IS.
Perhaps it would be better to not pick apart how people feel about something and let them express themselves without passing judgement, huh? Oh yeah!! This is the internet!!! Never mind...
For all you know a family member or friend of mine WAS killed, but if someone wanted to name their pulp-universe Inquisitor Breivikus, purger of innocent heretic children, no it would not bother me to the point of complaining about it on an internet forum dedicated to miniatures painting as long as it was clearly done for purposes of arts/aesthetics, not pushing a political ideology Because I am able to separate between supporting a horrible ideology and using it as inspiration for an aesthetical art project.. If I didn't, I would either stick to my Tumblr safe-space or move to a place without freedom of speech because I might get offended. Should I stop listening to Laibach because they have references to totalitarian ideologies without supporting them? No. Should people complain about Black Templars because they use obviousy Crusading imagery and can be said to indirectly support the Catholic church's genocidal crusades in southern France, the middle east and eastern Europe? I lost family members to the Nazi occupation of my country, and I have lost friends to later extremism, so I know the history...As Awaken Realms is also based out of Poland, I would assume they would have more reason to be offended by Nazi symbolism than most people, and leave any moral judgements to them.
Perhaps it would be better if people did not push their personal sensitivities into a hobby that mixes artistic creativity with a fictional pulp universe that's over-the-top grimdark, that mixes every evil ideology throughout human history together and pitches it as the good guy, because every other option is even worse, because the whole setting is tongue-in-cheek and over-the-top ridiculously evil... As has been mentioned earlier: should people not paint Catachans and Praetorians? The atroticites committed in Vietnam, which I shouldn't have to detail here to bring to mind, happened a few decades before the Catachans were released, yet they are rarely considered controversial.
But this is going way off-topic, so further discussions should be taken on another forum or in private messages. Apolotiges to the OP for participating in derailing the thread.
To return to the topic; I really like how the reds and blues "pop" in an otherwise dark and monotone army, but the use of different shades of grey and highlighting is very well done and would have made the army look captivating and "fresh" even without the contrasting colors. The Ratlings too provide a touch of color and pop, but I wish there weren't identical models in the group. 3rd party models, conversions or just a simple re-sculpt would have gone a long way to make every miniature individual-looking, but I guess this is not the painting studio's job
Perhaps it would be better if people did not push their personal sensitivities into a hobby that mixes artistic creativity with a fictional pulp universe that's over-the-top grimdark...
Or perhaps we can discuss it civilly as in that is the purpose of art. To stimulate discussion. I don't feel I'm pushing my sensitivity on anymore. I'm not expecting a "safe place". I am expressing my opinion on a piece of art. Just because it's not in line with your ideology or views doesn't make it any less valid.
It's really too bad that we can't discuss these things in these forums without finger pointing and hurt feelings over varying opinions. I was asking you in particular a question. You answered it. Thanks.
We disagree. That's fine, too. You and anyone on these forums are certainly allowed to paint anything they chose. If you post something for people to admire, expect responses. If you don't like the responses, perhaps it is you that needs a ""safe place" and maybe you shouldn't post the pics of your finished work.
This is the internet after all. With that, I don't feel I can add anything else to this discussion. I certainly hope others continue to feel free to comment on other pics, whether the people on this site agree with their opinions or not.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/14 23:28:46
@Mdlbuilder your first comment was completely reasonable.
You're second comment made sense till you reach the part where you can't look at replicas of German WWII vehicles. I understand you may have experiences which cause you these negative feelings, but you must understand that it is unhealthy reaction to have if it is actually affecting you to that degree.
You keep talking about not wanting a safe-place but have also made it clear that this is a personal issue to you.
If this is something you feel you need to talk about please seek someone who might help you with these unhealthy negative feelings and please don't come into a forum of strangers and expect them to sympathise.
I personally love the paintjob.
OSL looks good on most of the models and the red band is quite powerful and really makes the models pop.
I'm quite fascinated with powerful symbolic imagery, not just historically but also in modern context.
The US flag itself is quite powerful in that all you need is a red stripe, a white stripe, and a white star on a blue background and almost anywhere on the planet people knows what it means (mostly what it means to them individually.)
Either way I feel that If you dont like the meaning of something, you change it. Like this paint job has changed common iconography to mean something else, or how certain groups of people choose to change the meaning of what was once an insult toward them. you don't let the past hold you back.
You accept it, learn from it, and move on.
P.S. Most Nazi Iconography was borrowed from other cultures. The swastika itself is over 12,000 years old and pretty much right up till Hitler was seen as a positive symbol of well-being.
http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/symbol-swastika-and-its-12000-year-old-history-001312 Understandably it's a lot to expect to be able to restore it to that meaning so soon (historically). But only by letting bitter memories fade can we begin the healing (goddamn that sounds cheesy)
Automatically Appended Next Post: Also, In the disturbed filmclip the second tank that rolls past at 00:20 Looks so much like a Rhino. like... I dunno, I'm pretty sure it is.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/03/15 08:42:55
There are more photos in 
- 22nd Rhayé Storm Division : 2000points (Spetsnaz-themed IG)
- Ordo Xenos : ~700pts
Death Korps of Krieg Siege Army 1500 
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(goddamn that sounds cheesy)