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 KrautScientist wrote:


@ Matt.Kingsley: Aww, you do me too much honour! Plus there are a few guys participating in that contest that'll probably blow us both out of the water painting-wise, so take heart!

You are probably right there, unfortunately

Well, we'll just have to do our best, in any case

Speaking of which...

Some time ago, I showed you my WIP model for my World Eaters’ counts as Dark Apostle. Now since I wanted to enter the finished model into cormadepanda’s modelling/painting contest , I had a real incentive of actually painting up this guy sooner rather than later. So today, I would like to talk about painting the model and show you the finished piece.

Here’s where we left of last time:



Before breaking out the paints, I seriously considered adding a backpack to the model to 40k-ify it a bit more. Yet after trying several options (regular CSM backpacks, old Space Crusade backpacks, still sporting that semi-organic look of the Rogue Trader days, and even one of the new Dark Vengeance Chosen backpacks), I found out that adding a backpack would always mess with the model’s silhouette, especially with the nice flowing lines from the huge warhorn along the model’s horned head and down its left shoulder to the left hand. So I decided to just leave it off and come up with a fluff explanation for the unconventional armour: After all, it could be a relic from the Dark Age of Technology, a custom job from the Dark Mechanicum or even a prized chaos artifact: In any case, I would rather have a cool-looking model than be 100% correct about background minutiae all the time ;-)

Anyway, this model was a joy to paint, mostly because I managed to glue everything together at the start, instead working in four tidy sub-assemblies, as suggested in my earlier post. So while every area of the model remained easy to reach with a brush, the different components could just as easily be slotted together whenever I needed to take a look at what the complete model would look like.

The different portions of the model could be finished independently from one another, so I always had something to do while waiting for a particular colour to dry. The first part that was actually finished was the base (with a part of the model’s right foot):




The colour did a good job of blending together the sculpted plastic rocks and the bits of cork added by me.

Here’s another snapshot of the PIP model, with the base colours and washes in place and some areas of red just receiving their second coat of colour:



As for the overall colour scheme, I stayed true to my tried and true recipe, with dark red armour, bronze trim and very pale skin. The one deviation from my usual approach was that I chose to paint the model’s cape in a dark turquoise to add in an additional spot colour.

All in all, this guy was finished fairly quickly, in about two sittings. The first one took about 2-3 hours and ended with the model mostly complete. The second sitting (about one hour) was just to finish the fine detail, add a few visual flourishes etc.

Anyway, without further ado, here’s the finished model:















As you can see, I added quite a few accents to the cape, in order to give it as much depth as possible. The pictures also nicely show off the depth of the sculpt. It really is a lovely model!

Here’s a couple of additional detail shots:



Even though I tend to limit the use of chaotic mutations for my World Eaters, the horned head works rather nicely in this case. The Khorne rune is a nice touch as well.



I had originally planned to paint the runes on the horn in a small OSL effect to show that they are glowing with daemonic energy, but I feared that would have made the model look a little too busy, so I chose a different, simpler approach. I feel this might have been the right decision.



In hindsight, maybe I should have painted a small planet into the gaping maw on the model’s right bracer. It would have looked even more like a stylised representation of the World Eaters’ legion badge…



I think the armour of the model comes together rather nicely. Oh, and I also added a skull trophy before painting — the codpiece was looking a little funny, and a few dangling skulls are never the wrong way to go with a follower of Khorne…

Lastly, here’s a closer look at the base:



I have never been a huge fan op piling huge amounts of skulls on bases, but I hink it works this time. The base also fits in really well with the bases on my other models.

So with that, the model was complete. I am rather happy with how it turned out:



As is my usual custom, I also thought about the models actual background, and wrote a short piece of fluff to add a bit more depth to the character. Check it out:



Huntmaster Stian Gul, Bearer of the Horn of Leires

Many forces of the traitor legions let themselves be inspired by the flaming words of heretical preachers and orators, among them the fanatical Dark Apostles of the Word Bearers. Yet the warriors of Khorne’s Eternal Hunt have little tolerance for sermons: For them, war itself is the sole worthy act of worship, and the sounds of hunting horns, howling chain weapons and pounding artillery are all the inspiration they need. And so the task of fueling the fires of their belligerence falls not to any preacher, but to Huntmaster Stian Gul, also called the Apostle of War:

Even in a force of superhuman warriors, Gul is an arresting presence: Clad in full baroque plate of uncertain origin, his head crowned with a set of horns, Gul resembles the appearance of the archetypal god of the hunt as described in a million different mythologies. He wields the Horn of Leires, a huge warhorn etched with runes of dark power, said to be fashioned from the horn of a Greater Daemon. Its sounds incite the legionaries’ rage and bloodlust far more than any sermon ever could. And it is well, for Stian Gul is a mysterious and taciturn figure, only seeming truly alive at the heart of battle, while shadowy and reclusive between engagements.

Those who have to face the World Eaters’ 4th assault company in battle fear the mournful sounds of the Horn of Leires, for they signal not only the beginning of battle, but also the fact that the Apostle of War has come and demands his due, to be paid in blood.


C&C always welcome! And, as always, thanks for looking and stay tuned for more!

Oh wow. That looks amazing!

Such a great conversion! Super smooth, looks like a normal production model Where is that horn from again?

In hindsight, maybe I should have painted a small planet into the gaping maw on the model’s right bracer. It would have looked even more like a stylised representation of the World Eaters’ legion badge…

Not too late, you know I think it would be a great touch!

Keep up the great work!
Rawson

He looks beautiful, in a savage sort of way

In all seriousness, great work! Now I need to finish my entry...

What an intimidating model. Well done sir!
I agree with Rawson. You should go back and paint a world. Even if it's not for the competition, i believe it would be a perfect finishing touch and would tie the model together.

Really liking Gul, I love the way you have done the cape its very effective. Have you used him in a game yet? If so, is it worth taking a DA?

Very nice, KS. I really like that horn. The bone color is beautiful. The bright blue eyes on the armor are really nice, too.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

Now I did of course go back to add that small planet on the bracer -- you people will be the death of me one day

Unfortunately, the result turned out less spectacular than you might have hoped -- it is a really small area after all, plus I seriously suck at freehanding:



Still, probably an okay little addition.

@ Rawson: The horn is the musical instrument from the Chaos Daemons Bloodcrusher kit. I would have loved to use the Skullcrusher horn instead, but it was on the wrong gand

@ Matt:Kingsley: Go for it, mate! Not much time left!

@ Biohazard: Sorry buddy, but it's actually been ages since my last game, so no firsthand experience on using apostles. Sad, isn't it? The common opinion seems to be that they're a little expensive and fragile for what they actually do, though. In any case, I just needed an excuse to convert one more chaos lord...

Nice work

Cheers mate!

Just a small update today: Imagine my elation when, after a particularly grueling week at work, I came home today to find the parcel from Dreamforge Games containing the models I had funded by participating in Mark Mondragon's Kickstarter late last year had finally arrived (four weeks after leaving the USA - the German postal service really has it in for me at the moment):



The box contains 20 Eisenkern Stormtroopers, another box with an almost ridiculous amount of conversion bitz for them, plus three Kickstarter exclusive models -- all in glorious plastic.

Here are the Stormtroopers:



At least some of these will probably end up doing service in my Traitor Guard in the end. Expect a more detailed look at the kit on my blog soon -- a first impression, though: The level of detail and quality of the sculpt are simply fantatic!

Oh, and I also started yet another hobby project. Check it out here , in case you're interested!

Thank God it's Friday!

Having followed your fantastic conversions for quite a while now, I love your non-stereotype and narrative approach to chaos. I wish my own talent in this direction was only a part of yours!

- As you seem not really satisfied with your end-product concerning the World Eaters Logo on your Huntmaster, may I humbly suggest the following approach:

Paint the world ball on paper (you could even print out something, but I think it would be not fitting concerning the overall colour structure) then use a leather hole-punch to get a correct circle with sparply defined edges. Glue it on and then use varnish on it to seal it up and blend it in to the rest of the figurine.

The outlines of the continent will not be real important to the result, only the edge of the circle is what really matters. For the pauldron is bearing relief, the tiny ledge due to the thickness of the paper should even contribute to the result.

That is a seriously cool huntsman. You've given me a few ideas now for that model
Keep up the beautiful work and fluff for each model

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

@ Hruotland: Thanks for the tip! To tell you the truth, though, I guess I'll just leave it as it is: The area in question is TINY, and I don't believe I'd do a better job using a different approach -- quite the opposite, actually: As soon as glue is involved, I am sure to mess up irrevocably (probably ruining the rest of the model in the process ). The best way would have been to add a small piece of GS before undercoating, using it to sculpt the basic shape of the planet. Too late for that now, though...


Anyway, no World Eater today, but a small side project I started a while ago.

You may recall that work in progress Nurgle Terminator I posted. This is what we looked like when we last saw him:



In the meantime, I was taken by a fancy to actually finish this guy, so I put a bit more painting in.

All in all, the objective here was basically not only to get the model done (and have it look at least halfway presentable), but also to experiment will all kinds of rust and weathering effects and see whether I could make them work on a model. So I tried my hand at different effects for rusty metal, verdigris and just general signs of decay and decline. And here’s what I ended up with:













The model’s mutated right hand and strangely organic trophy spikes were painted in a slightly distressed flesh tone to contrast with the muddy green armour. And, as you can see, the different weathering effects on these guy did receive quite a bit more attention since the WIP stage: All the bronze areas were washed with a watered down mix of Vallejo Halcon Milenario Turquoise and white to achieve a verdigris effect. I also thinned down GW Vermin Brown, using it much like a slightly heavier wash in the recesses of the armour to build up a rust effect.

And I finally painted the model’s huge warscythe, adding the same weathering effects. With rusty metal like this, instead of painting everything silver and then suitably dirtying it, my usual approach is to paint the whole area in brown, then stipple on additional rust in a haphazard pattern, using a lighter shade of brown and only then add a small amount of actual metal colour to the edges and surfaces. Like so:



You may also have noticed that I added a small OSL effect to the eye and the skull atop the scythe, trying to achieve a simple lighting effect similar to the one I use on plasma pistols and the like, only in a different colour.

In order to finish this guy, I also built and painted a base for him:



While the base is similar enough to the bases of my World Eaters (you never know…), it also features the same disgusting ichor as the base of the Plague Champion I built earlier for my Ruinous Powers mini series:



The fluid was done by covering a part of the base in a thick layer of wood glue, then wait for it to dry, creating a slightly muddy looking surface that was then painted in several shades of green and yellow and coated with gloss varnish.

All in all, this guy was both quite a bit of fun to pain and a great way of experimenting with different effects! Plus I learned that using different colours for undercoating can make painting quite a bit easier: I have sinced used brown spray paint for my first Orc test model as well, and it was definitely a good choice — but more on that soon…



So while I am in no hurry to paint up a whole Nurgle army – or even just a unit of Plague Marines, for that matter, trying all kind of weathering techniques in this guy was a blast. And it’s nice to know that I now have a few more tricks up my sleeve

C&C always welcome! And, as always, thanks for looking and stay tuned for more!

You don't stop do you?

I like the Nurgle Terminator, he looks like a 10,000 year veteran that could have been there when the Heresy started. The weathering is perfect and the OSL is just right.

 KrautScientist wrote:

Coincidentally I've started on the Nurgley part of my chaos force, and I'd like to know... Where's that amazing head from!?
Also, I'm not sure if it's just the lighting but the nurgle terminator looks quite blue in some of the pictures. is it a rust effect or the colour of the sky?

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

@ ExNoctemNacimur: Ah, you know how it is: Always just one more...

@ Dreadclaw69: Cheers, mate!

@ Know No Pear: That's a WFB Zombie head (the kit may be horrible, but some of those heads are still ace!), combined with a rebreather from the Cadian command squad kit.

The blue parts on the Termie are a verdigris effect I added to the bronze areas, using a thinned down mix of Turquoise and white.

dude that is one super nice nurgle termie, count him as typhus and go fuq up some poor sods day

When I left this forum almost a year ago I was in love with your models and the skills You have in the Hobby.
Now is all even better.

He looks immense buddy, great job on the OSL especially.

The Nurgle termie is looking really nice, he reminds me of a gladiator.

That's one nasty-looking nurgle termi

Thanks a lot, guys!

The termie was really just a way to experiment with different effects and a different kind of undercoat, but it's still good to know you like him

@ SelvaggioSaky: Welcome back mate! I used the time during your hiatus to step up my game, obviously

@ GiraffeX: Well, what can I do? I am such a World Eaters fanatic that my love for gladiators may occasionally bleed into my other hobby projects as well...

If only there was a way to transmit this blog directly into my brain...

@ Marine-With_Heart: Well, considering the social media revolution we are currently experiencing, the guys over at Silicon Valley may already be working on something like that

Some time ago, I showed you some test models for a small squad of traitorous Space Wolves. I had put off painting the first test model until now, since I wanted to use a dark grey undercoat on them, and I had to wait for my FLGS to get its next shipment of Army Painter spray cans.

But lo and behold, when I swung by the store last week to spent yet more money on plastic crack, a can of Army Painter Uniform Grey was already waiting for me, so I could finally start to experiment with the paint recipe for my Khorne Wolves.

I wanted them to still look fairly close to the original Space Wolves’ colour scheme, yet with parts of their armour picked out in red and bronze to serve as subtle clues as to their new allegiance. I also wanted the armour to be more of a dark grey, as opposed to the bluish grey of GW’s loyalist Wolves paint scheme.

Anyway, I chose this model for my experiments:



I think we can all agree that, for this guy, any coat of paint would be a huge improvement

So the first step was to get the model undercoated. I had never worked with Army Painter spray cans before, and had only recently read a horror story about someone ruining a couple of models using them, so I was really careful. My worries were unfounded, however, since It turned out that the paint worked almost like GW’s undercoat, only in a different colour. So this is what the model looked like after undercoating:



Surprise, surprise: It turned out that Uniform Grey wasn’t nearly as dark as I had hoped. In fact, it looked pretty much exactly like unpainted GW plastic. Here’s a comparison shot with an unpainted Marine leg for reference:



With the grey much lighter than anticipated, I felt tempted to call this a failure altogether, abandon the project and return to painting more Blood Bowl Orcs , but I persevered. After all, no telling what the rest of the paintjob might yet achieve, right?

So I picked out the details in different colours: GW Mephiston Red for the shoulderpads and parts of the armour, Vallejo Tinny Tin for the armour trim and decorations, GW Boltgun Metal for the weapons, flex fitting, cables etc. and GW Snakebite Leather for the teeth and bones. Here’s what the model looked like after this step:



So my first lesson with using grey undercoat: The model will look even worse with just the base colours blocked out than when I use Chaos Black. Not exactly a reassuring observation, to be sure…
I knew better than to stop now, however much I would have liked to throw away my brush in frustration. I was reasonably sure applying some washes would save the day once again…

So here’s the same model after a healthy dose of GW Agrax Earthshade and GW Nuln Oil, respectively:



Definitely better, if only because there is much more depth to the model now. The armour came out looking slightly worn and dirty, but I guess I like the effect well enough. I then added GW Bleached Bone to the areas of bone, GW Dwarf Bronze to the edges of the armour trim, and I painted the model’s eye lenses a piercing blue:



At this point, I thought the model looked okay, but still quite a bit lighter than I would have liked. I was afraid this guy didn’t read as a traitorous wolf, but rather as a member of the 13th company at best. Would I have to rethink my whole approach?

I still kept plugging away at him, finishing the details, painting the backpack and adding a chaos star decal to his left shoulder pad. So here’s the finished model, photographed this time without the garish flash







So what would I call the result of this exercise? Slightly inconclusive, to tell you the truth. While the grey armour is quite a bit lighter than I would have preferred, I have to admit the model has grown on me. But the question remains: Does he look chaotic enough?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this! C&C always welcome! And, as always, thanks for looking and stay tuned for more!

It honestly looks fine to me. Some SWs are grey like this, so it looks like a dirty SW. He does look chaotic, but somehow I feel that his helmet doesn't fit him. Perhaps choose a more SW helmet? Or let him go unhelm'd(no matter how much i don't like that) 'cuz SWs usually don't wear their helmets for some reason. They have rather distinct hairstyles, so you could use that to show their ex-alliegiance!

Aside from the Khorne shoulder pad, there's nothing that really stands out as chaos to me. I could just be a space wolf veteran at first glance.

It's mostly there though, but I definitely think you could go darker with the colors. If you have a way of creating a very dark bluish grey (german grey or paynes gray) I think it would look better... use the color that you have for the highlights, pretty much... also, anything ragged or sharp and mangy looking, rather than the chains and skulls, also red eyes not blue, would go a long way some really torn fur pelts (not hard to do with greenstuff, considering it doesn't have to look neat) might do the trick.

I think he looks just about right. Maybe if you have him standing near some of your chaos models and things or your renegade guardsmen he may blend in a little more despite the grey armour. Maybe the odd skull or two (there can never be too many at times) would help show his dark and sinister intent as a skull taker of Khorne now. Possibly add the odd Khorne rune or chaos marker like over the eye of his helmet or something?

Yeah. Adding some chaos runes or the chaos star would make his fall from grace more obvious. And i'd think that a fallen SW would probably land in the bloody fold os khorne. So some blood splatters on his weapons and armor and bloody skulls on his base could be a nice addition.

But other than that he doesn't need to change. The colors fit.


Just a question. Where is his chainsword from? Is it a SW one? I can't remember seeing a double sided chainblade on such a slim frame on regular Marines or CSMs.