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Well, I feel a little intimidated, seeing all these wonderful miniatures that you guys tend to post here, but I also want to show my work. I've never been good at drawing or painting, but I dared to thread into the world of modelling, and built a 5 men Crimson Fists tactical squad.
Actually, the fact that they are Crimson Fists even have a reason related to a big moment in my life. If you guys want to know it, my story will be after the picture.

I know it's not good, but I feel happy and almost proud of myself. I had a lot of work on the details (and trust me, they look better in person ) and I'd really like some advice to improve myself, if it's not asking much. I appreciate your attention in advance!





If you're interested, here's my story:
Well, some months ago, I was suffering a harsh depression. After much medicine, I decided trying to do something with my life and try to make it better, worth living. Between the myriad reasons that broke my mind down was the loss of someone.
I've been a fan of the 40K universe for around two years and finally decided to try the wargame, as I only knew it through games like Dawn of War. When the moment came to choose the chapter I wanted to play, Crimson Fists caught my attention: I also had lost it all, and was still fighting a desperate cause. In my head, I was fighting a last stand against the annihilation of the life I've always lived. Fighting depression, fighting my losses, and though outnumbered, I'd not give up anymore. I felt, in a strange way, as Pedro Kantor should feel.
After some months I finally got this squad modeled together with a friend, and I do not know if the Crimson Fists will regain their former glory or be extinguished, but I am happy to announce to those that have read this far that I won my personal war. I regained my place at university, my job and my girlfriend, and even if this disease lurks around me as Chaos tries to invade the mind of a psyker, I am standing strong, ready to fight the Emperor's enemies.
They thought being outnumbered meant being defeated... think again, disgusting disease!

Welcome back from the void trooper! Glad to hear that you're doing better and things have taken a turn for the better.

Don't feel intimidated, even the pros were novices at one point. Your fists look to be table top, it's hard to see the details though. Maybe add a few more close shots?

GW has posted a ton of videos on painting, so those may be of help (if thats the look you're going for). They also have a how to paint book, a little pricey, but I bought it (prior to the videos), and the step by step pictures made things much easier and gave me a lot of ideas on how to achieve certain paint schemes. Keep practicing and one day when you have your own Golden Demon, you'll look back at the first miniatures you painted and smile.

Having said all that, if YOU like how they look and YOU feel proud of what you've accomplished, then that is all that matters.

I just got a bit emotional after reading your story. I feel bad for playing as Chaos now...

Posting on here is a great way to improve and for first attempts they look great. Better than mine did lol it's a clean job, looks like there's signs of layering, off to a great start. I've come a really long way since my first models 4 years ago, thanks to folk on here, online tutorials and guys at my local geedubs.

Well done for conquering your personal mountains, stay strong my fellow son of dorn. No pity! No remorse! No fear!

Welcome, young Aspirant! This hobby is a terrific way to work through and with depression, although I would encourage you to make use of your minis on the tabletop as well - the social Brownian Motion of wargaming is a powerful antidote.

Lesson 1 - Take better photos. I did a blog post about it for a dA group: http://games-workshop.deviantart.com/journal/Five-steps-to-taking-good-photos-of-miniatures-440784194

looks like a solid group of 5 mexi-marines In all seriousness they look pretty good, nice job.

aclive wrote:


Don't feel intimidated, even the pros were novices at one point. Your fists look to be table top, it's hard to see the details though. Maybe add a few more close shots?

GW has posted a ton of videos on painting, so those may be of help (if thats the look you're going for). They also have a how to paint book, a little pricey, but I bought it (prior to the videos), and the step by step pictures made things much easier and gave me a lot of ideas on how to achieve certain paint schemes. Keep practicing and one day when you have your own Golden Demon, you'll look back at the first miniatures you painted and smile.

Allright, I'll take some new shots! And I'll take a look at the videos and possibility of buying the book! Thanks!

 Matthew wrote:
I just got a bit emotional after reading your story. I feel bad for playing as Chaos now...

Thanks for reading it, man. It means a lot!

 precinctomega wrote:
Welcome, young Aspirant! This hobby is a terrific way to work through and with depression, although I would encourage you to make use of your minis on the tabletop as well - the social Brownian Motion of wargaming is a powerful antidote.

Lesson 1 - Take better photos. I did a blog post about it for a dA group: http://games-workshop.deviantart.com/journal/Five-steps-to-taking-good-photos-of-miniatures-440784194

I'll take some new pictures of each marine in details soon, and I'll use this hints. Thank you so much!!!
And I already started (trying) to play the tabletop. I must still use my squad, of course!

 optometris wrote:
Posting on here is a great way to improve and for first attempts they look great. Better than mine did lol it's a clean job, looks like there's signs of layering, off to a great start. I've come a really long way since my first models 4 years ago, thanks to folk on here, online tutorials and guys at my local geedubs.

Well done for conquering your personal mountains, stay strong my fellow son of dorn. No pity! No remorse! No fear!

Thanks! I'll do my best to improve now. Perhaps the next ones will be better? I found out I had a better outcome on the painting by using toothpicks instead of brushes. Is this a remotely good idea?

 Brennonjw wrote:
looks like a solid group of 5 mexi-marines In all seriousness they look pretty good, nice job.

Thank you! Though I didn't get the mexi-marines joke

Great to hear how you're doing better!

Also, those bases are already better than mine

If you look at all the names of the various Crimson Fists, most have a Spanish feel. Pedro Kantor, Alessio Cortez, etc. Hence the mexo-marines reference. Looks good so far. I would see if there's an ork player nearby and do some kill team games with them.

you got a fairly solid start there pal. my advice would be to keep doing it! you'll naturally pick up more techniques the more you practice. read articles online and watch tutorials for techniques, and the world will be your oyster.

Good first efforts. Keep it up!

First off, if you compare your first models to a lot of other gamers first painted minis (mine included) you'll find that you're miles ahead of almost any other beginner I've seen. Also you've picked a fantastic army. Crimson Fists are an awesome chapter with wonderful fluff and a seriously bada$$ special character.

You missed one key point in your connection between your own personal battles and Kantor's own struggle: the Sons of Dorn stick together. The Black Templars were the first to respond to their brothers aid, melding their squads with the Crimson Fists as a sign of solidarity. What Im trying to say is, we all stick together as gamers, particularly on the P&M forums. So welcome, brother.