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I agree with youwashock, in the last group shot it looks like shadows collecting naturally in the folds - as you say, they are not very deep, so the lighter grey shadow works (for me).

For my CSM, I wanted to do a white that was very clean-looking, I ended up doing white primer, Asurmen Blue, then several thin coats of Corax White. It ended up being an intense time investment for regular troops, and if I did too many coats it ended up a bit chalky. White is very difficult! This is why I started painting things that were not Chaos Space Marines!

Yeah I really quite like the white, in the picture at least it looks quite natural!

Those barded horses were always shallow, but I agree with everyone else that it looks great. Three hours is a labour of love and together the unit is nearly done and is looking excellent together.

Ezki wrote:Painting white is always a pain. I understand the feeling when you lose the will to continue, especially after painting so much white.

Did you use a white primer? If I'm to paint white, that's usually my way of cheating.
I also tend to avoid pure white, and paint the areas with Ulthuan Gray for example, then highlight the highest parts with pure white.
An off white color looks a bit more natural in larger areas and the coverage is slightly better.

However, in my opinion they are looking quite good already!

It sure is a pain, I’d forgotten just how much! I did use white primer, I don’t think I could manage doing white over black primer! I think on my last Spearmen I stopped at Ulthuan Grey which didn’t look too bad. Once I added the white on the horses though it just seemed crazy dark. I’ll see how I go next time around.

youwashock wrote:Up close the transition may seem harsh, but in the pictures it looks good.

Thanks man, the picture is a bit over exposed on the white which makes it look much brighter than in real life. The white is a little patchy, but I might be able to live with that.

Don Qui Hotep wrote:I agree with youwashock, in the last group shot it looks like shadows collecting naturally in the folds - as you say, they are not very deep, so the lighter grey shadow works (for me).

For my CSM, I wanted to do a white that was very clean-looking, I ended up doing white primer, Asurmen Blue, then several thin coats of Corax White. It ended up being an intense time investment for regular troops, and if I did too many coats it ended up a bit chalky. White is very difficult! This is why I started painting things that were not Chaos Space Marines!

That’s some bright CSMs! They look really cool, but I can see why you didn’t do more . I think some of the folds may actually have natural shadows, it’s hard to photograph the white ponies against my black cutting mat!

Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll wrote:Yeah I really quite like the white, in the picture at least it looks quite natural!

Thanks Gwyn, it looks much better in the photos than RL. It’s quite blotchy, but it’s medieval style cloth so imperfections are bound to be present even for Elven fabrics. Right?

ListenToMeWarriors wrote:Those barded horses were always shallow, but I agree with everyone else that it looks great. Three hours is a labour of love and together the unit is nearly done and is looking excellent together.

Thanks, I’m certainly beginning to fall back in love with them after they pushed me to the edge!

Enough talk of white, I got the paint sticks out again tonight and actually had some fun. I tidied up the inside of each of the horses Caparison with Celestra Grey. I followed that with a bit of Bassilicanim Greg Contrast 2:3 with Contrast Medium. It was tricky and for something that no one will see, quite a bit of effort. Next up o tried to paint the Champions steed. She was already a Grey, so I went with that but added a bit more interest with Socks and a dark tail. I also made an attempt at a Blaze. Getting a pattern on the horse was pretty tricky as theres not much on show.



Keeping with the one horse at a time I decided to crack on with the unicorn. She got a bleached bone layer to cover up the dry brushing overspill. I then decided to apply Seraphim Sepia to the recesses and mane.


Applying the wash it really stuck me what a beautiful sculpt this is, a very regal pose, kind of like you’d see in a coat of arms or on a wind vane on a palace. Sadly it was too late to press on with highlights, they’ll have to wait until next time

Thanks for looking!

Very cool work so far and I like your dedication to painting all the bits no one will ever see! And love the symbol on the horse's head, is this freehand?
Nice color on the unicorn, good contrast to the normal horses. And with those mad red eyes it fits the description of the unicorns in Discworld novels.

Aye, that Unicorn is just one of those classic sculpts that work, iirc wasn't it Marauder miniatures rather than GW? Not that I ever fully understood the difference. Even pre highlights it is popping nicely already.

Edit, here is the write up on Marauder:

http://solegends.com/marauder/index.htm

The image on unicorn was MM83, not so close to being WW84.

Viterbi wrote:Very cool work so far and I like your dedication to painting all the bits no one will ever see! And love the symbol on the horse's head, is this freehand?
Nice color on the unicorn, good contrast to the normal horses. And with those mad red eyes it fits the description of the unicorns in Discworld novels.

Ha! Yeah quite a bit is hard to see underneath the caparison, but equally quite a bit can be seen from low down to the sides. The Horses head does have a freehand symbol, though it looks like I might have to fix the SW leg of the symbol.

ListenToMeWarriors wrote:Aye, that Unicorn is just one of those classic sculpts that work, iirc wasn't it Marauder miniatures rather than GW? Not that I ever fully understood the difference. Even pre highlights it is popping nicely already.

Edit, here is the write up on Marauder:

http://solegends.com/marauder/index.htm

The image on unicorn was MM83, not so close to being WW84.

Yeah, it’s a Marauder Miniature, thanks for finding the SOL entry. I’m not sure where MM came from or went, the SOL entry talks about it being set up by/for the Morrison’s but with no clear reason for creation/disappearance. Great miniature anyway, even Mrs gobert thinks it looks cool

Nice eye on Uni. The rest is moving in a good direction. Nice work on the head symbol.

Good work gobert.

White is a hard color to do if you start with it as the base...as there really is no where to go with highlights. So using the grey or tan has worked out for both models.

Cheers,

CB

Very nice free hand on horsie's head. And the unicorn is coming along nicely too.

But how do the elves get their horses garments so brilliantly white? Some say it's the Detergent of Untarnished Reputation, but an ancient legend tells of a cleaning agent more powerful still, the Bleech of Blemishless Virtue!

Now I want to see a magical elf washing machine. Because naturally, elves aren't going to wash their clothes by hand. How vulgar!

The unicorn really does look like it's posing for heraldry, such a neat sculpt, and great paint work!

 amazingturtles wrote:
Now I want to see a magical elf washing machine. Because naturally, elves aren't going to wash their clothes by hand. How vulgar!

Well then you get into the realm of elf washing machine repair mages and more amazing still, elf extended warranty call centre staff in a tower filled with palantir cubicles. Or maybe they're run by dark elves with a bank of slaves taking the calls. Now I want to see someone use a runaway killer washing machine as a counts as Dark Elves Hydra.

Calvary looks good man, the freehand on the horse is exceptional. I too want to see the magical elf washing machine. :-)

youwashock wrote:Nice eye on Uni. The rest is moving in a good direction. Nice work on the head symbol.

Cheers man, teenage gobert is pleased you liked the freehand!

Captain Brown wrote:Good work gobert.

White is a hard color to do if you start with it as the base...as there really is no where to go with highlights. So using the grey or tan has worked out for both models.

Cheers,

CB

Yeah, I tried to use Ulthuan grey but the white is still tough

theCrowe wrote:Very nice free hand on horsie's head. And the unicorn is coming along nicely too.

But how do the elves get their horses garments so brilliantly white? Some say it's the Detergent of Untarnished Reputation, but an ancient legend tells of a cleaning agent more powerful still, the Bleech of Blemishless Virtue!

Thanks theCrowe, the elves haven’t revealed how they make their garments so white. I did hear tell of a famed wash mistress, Lenor

amazingturtles wrote:Now I want to see a magical elf washing machine. Because naturally, elves aren't going to wash their clothes by hand. How vulgar!

The unicorn really does look like it's posing for heraldry, such a neat sculpt, and great paint work!

Sadly there was no washing machine in the 4th edition range, but I imagine the Repeater Bolt Thrower might double as the drying rack of a thousand febreezes.

theCrowe wrote:

 amazingturtles wrote:
Now I want to see a magical elf washing machine. Because naturally, elves aren't going to wash their clothes by hand. How vulgar!

Well then you get into the realm of elf washing machine repair mages and more amazing still, elf extended warranty call centre staff in a tower filled with palantir cubicles. Or maybe they're run by dark elves with a bank of slaves taking the calls. Now I want to see someone use a runaway killer washing machine as a counts as Dark Elves Hydra.

And thus Slaanesh was borne unto the Old World, all because some cheeky Elf tried to make a false claim on the extended warranty

Yorkright wrote: Calvary looks good man, the freehand on the horse is exceptional. I too want to see the magical elf washing machine. :-)

Thinking about it I might have one of those Empire Hellblaster Volley Cannons, perhaps it can be adapted to take a load of washing?

A good evening of painting tonight, Uni got pretty much finished and is looking even more heraldic now she’s a bit closer to being white. I ended up just mixing gradually more white in to the old bleached bone I have then finishing with a few spots of white. I think she looks pretty decent, though I think I could’ve done better on one of the haunches.

All that’s left is the hooves, I’m thinking of transitioning from their current grey down to black, possibly going paler at the top of the hoof too. I may shod her with horse shoes of disdain too. What do you guys think?

I also made progress with one of the horses too. Again I tried some boots, this time Basilicanum grey of Ushabti Bone. The horses are quite fun but being mostly Caparison I’m limited to patterns on their noses. I’ll have to try something fun when I finally get to the Chariot!

Just the silver bit and hooves to do on this pony and it’ll be done, though I might try some freehand on the Caparison. Maybe a stripe on the bottom with an elven rune perhaps?

Thanks for looking

I'm loving that unicorn all day. Looks great, man.

What Youwaschock said, a great job on the Unicorn. That base really sets off the white nicely.

unicorn looks mega. Very mythical.

Horsies are very clean and white but here's an idea you should feel free to totally ignor.

Great job on that freehand on the horse!

The unicorn is truly an magnificent model like you said! And your paint job compliments it well.
The added highlights really bring to life.

youwashock wrote:I'm loving that unicorn all day. Looks great, man.

Yeah, it’s a great sculpt and a pleasure to paint!

Yorkright wrote: What Youwaschock said, a great job on the Unicorn. That base really sets off the white nicely.

Thanks, I’m liking the bases against the pale steeds too, somehow I’ve even managed to stop them getting lots of random colours on the base!

theCrowe wrote:unicorn looks mega. Very mythical.

Horsies are very clean and white but here's an idea you should feel free to totally ignor.

Spoiler:

I wonder could you get away with a very fine light grey filigree of runes etc over the white caparisons. I know it would be a time sucking endeavour but it would manage an element of fine craftsmanship into the the otherwise plain areas without killing the super white look too much. You might even be able to accent down the grey in the recessed areas for extra contrast.

Cheers theCrowe, I like the idea but I’ve not gone full blown filigree. I even shaded some bits of the markings!

 Ezki wrote:
Great job on that freehand on the horse!

The unicorn is truly an magnificent model like you said! And your paint job compliments it well.
The added highlights really bring to life.

Thanks Ezki, Uni has been really fun to paint, I’m glad you like the paintjob!

So this evening was spent with the painting sticks and the horses. Each of them got either a shade of Ushabti Bone or Grey. They all got at least one boot, either dark or light. Having read theCrowe’s suggestion I switched my plan from Runes in blue to bluish grey. Each horse got a different rune, I probably should’ve written down what they mean;

I even did a stripe around the bottom which got the aforementioned shade. The hooves got an Agrax wash to distinguish from the fur. I then remembered to do the Horseshoes of Aloof Disdain;

Some of them were really hard to get to, but I managed decent enough for most. That’s the horses done I think. I’m pretty happy with them, though looking at the pics I realise that the symbols should’ve followed the shape of the Caparison... I’ll just call it Elven magic that they’re just projected on to the surface and done move with the fabric The riders will be next, most just need the odd touch up, but Mage and Standard Bearer need more work.

In other news I branched out to terrain this afternoon. The kids were doing some crafting so I thought I’d do some of my own. I’ve had the idea to make a little display board for the Void Panthers so bought some Sector Imperialis ruins a while back. It’s pretty cool how modular they are, great job GW! I plan to make a road between 2 ruined buildings but will tile the interiors and have found some packaging that looks a bit like tread plate.

I’ll make a few casts of interesting features on Sector Imperialis bases and probably the more intact ruin pieces so I can place them as debris. If I do a bit here and there I might have it ready for paint over Christmas. We’ll see.

Thanks for looking

Really like the runes you've put on the horses and the simple strip going round the barding. It's little details like that that can really make models pop and something I for one always overlook on my own models :p

Nice terrain be good to see it painted

Nice set up on that display board terrain - what size is this? Armies on Parade size or larger?

Enjoy those tiles too

Nice progress on the silver helms, the freehand looks great and breaks up the white nicely without taking over. Your Void Panthers are well deserving of a display board, look forward to the finished piece

Really spot on with the gray runes. Perfectly simple and nicely judged.

Also, Lenor! Cracks me up.

howie wrote:Really like the runes you've put on the horses and the simple strip going round the barding. It's little details like that that can really make models pop and something I for one always overlook on my own models :p

Nice terrain be good to see it painted

Thanks howie, they were looking a bit bare, so I felt they needed something and the guys on here keep encouraging me to push my comfort zone!

darkkt wrote:Nice set up on that display board terrain - what size is this? Armies on Parade size or larger?

Enjoy those tiles too

I can’t recall the exact size, but it’s about 2ft x 1ft, so about half an AoP board I think. I might be expanding my shelves at some point so I should look to make it modular. As for the time, I blame you and your tiling! Mine are just snips of card so may not work as well.

Maharg wrote:Nice progress on the silver helms, the freehand looks great and breaks up the white nicely without taking over. Your Void Panthers are well deserving of a display board, look forward to the finished piece

Thanks Maharg, the freehand was actually fun, not as nerve wracking as I was expecting! It might take a while for the board to come together, but hopefully at some point relatively soon it’ll be done

theCrowe wrote:Really spot on with the gray runes. Perfectly simple and nicely judged.

Also, Lenor! Cracks me up.

Cheers man, the grey seems to work well, probably better than the blue I had planned, so thanks! As for Lenor, I figured I couldn’t compete with your writing, so I’d go for bad pun Instead!

With the ponies done I spent some time on the riders. Only a short painting session so I concentrated on tidying up the reds, with them also getting the flesh/red wash treatment. The Mage and standard also got theirs done.

The previously painted bunch are nearly done now, just a bit of white, silver and fleshy bits to tidy up. I’ll do the standard and Mage at a the same time but they have a few other bits to do too. I didn’t want to start another colour, so grabbed the terrain. I cleaned mould likes and glued 2 of the ruins together.

I tried to use the squares in my mat to get them roughly at right angles. It’s a really cool kit this and so modular. If I do expan the board I’ll have to get a bigger ruin

Thanks for looking

Now there's some nostalgia... Loving it!

They're looking better and better each time!

Getting there, gobert. Looking good!

Classic High Elf cavalry there gobert.

Cheers,

CB

Excellent work on the elven horseman. I kind of want to see them amidst the 40K ruins when they are both finished in a glamour shot...

If you haven't looked at the front page today, gobert, you should check it out. One of your boys is there in his purple and gold splendor.