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Edit: Keeping Track of everything in this thread:

Space Wolf Army

Blackmane Battalion
Ragnar Blackmane
Erling Skybreaker (Kit-bash Wolf Priest)
Lukas the Trickster (Kit-bash model)

Wolf Scouts (all snipers. Might not be practical but I love these models)
Wolf Guards with Plasmas
Wolf Guards with Storm Shields and Battle Axes and Bolter Pistols
Blood Claws (4 with Wolf Guard Leader)
Blood Claws (4 with Wolf Guard Leader)

Thunder-wolf Cavalry
Swift Claws

Redemptor Dreadnought

Rhino
Razorback
Predator
WIP Scratch-built Rhino

Stormhawk Interceptor

Primaris Battalion
Krom Dragonze
Aggressors
Suppressors (not yet painted)
Eliminators
Infiltrator Squad
Incursor Squad

I have a necromunda palantite enforcer squad on its way, and I'm hoping to turn them into two squads of wolf scouts for the primaris section.

Death Korps
I'm excited to get going with this group. The officials models haven't arrived yet. They have yet to fully be profiled in this blog yet.

Leman Russ (battle cannon)
Leman Russ (battle cannon)
Chimera's x2
Two Steel Legion Squads

not here yet
DKK Infantry Squad (2x)
DKK Grenadier Squad
DKK Death Rider Squadron
DKK Death Rider Commissar
DKK Mars Pattern Leman Russ
DKK Centaur Artillery Tractor
Proxy Mortars from Shapeways (arrived and shown in thread) with DKK artillery crews

I have found the thunder wolf Calvary quite difficult to build. So to save myself frustration, I’ve put them aside and focused on the next of my to-do list.

I’ll be taking a standard old model tact squad, and with the help of an upgrade kit, and leftovers from the “getting started with space wolves” kit, I should be able to make a great squad of grey wolves.

Hi all- another update.

Thunder wolves are being built, but they’re a pretty slow process.

I decided to go with blood claws over grey hunters, because I think they look cooler with chainsaws etc.

However, that’s not the update!

I found a great deal on a primaris redemptor dreadnought easy build, and 24 hours later it’s built and painted! (Photo below.)

You might notice a pretty interesting scratch build in the background. I’m trying to build a drop pod. I’ll do a separate update once it’s farther along. Hope someone is enjoying this thread!

I've started this week back in the office, so my tinkering between calls etc. has ended, sadly.

However, I got to finish up my blood claws tonight. I'm a lot happier with the orange on these guy's hairs. I'm not a great painter by any means, but, by the group shot, I think I'd be happy with how they look from a far on the table..lol.

Nice Progress! I've always liked the look of space wolves. If I was to offer a painting suggestion, It would be to try an ink wash on those blood claws. It's a pretty quick technique and it helps to shade all the recesses. It does darken the model overall, however, so I understand if its not for you. But as I said, nice work knocking those models out. Its a super-satisfying feeling to be able to look at a finished squad.

 brushcommando wrote:
Nice Progress! I've always liked the look of space wolves. If I was to offer a painting suggestion, It would be to try an ink wash on those blood claws. It's a pretty quick technique and it helps to shade all the recesses. It does darken the model overall, however, so I understand if its not for you. But as I said, nice work knocking those models out. Its a super-satisfying feeling to be able to look at a finished squad.

Thanks! It's been nice to accomplish little things while being stuck at home! I agree, by all accounts, the next step in my "painting ability" will be to do a wash. I just did it so poorly on the rhino the first time, that I'm terrified of doing it again. It's on my to do list to watch a bunch of youtube tutorials.

No worries! The nature of a rhino tank makes it kind of ill suited to a wash anyway. A lot of flat, horizontal panels for the wash to pool in weird ways. For tanks, it's usually best to do a pin wash, where you just paint it into the recesses. The infantry are a little easier. There's a youtube channel called "how i paint things" where you can see him apply washes in real time, if that helps. Anyways, looking forward to whatever's next in the pipeline.
Cheers!

416_SpaceWolves,

I do not wash tanks either. Just two light drybrushings to my tanks base colour (with each being lighter than the base colour) before starting on other colours. Especially for Space Marine and Sister's tanks who seem to ignore camouflage.

Cheers,

CB

brushcommando wrote:No worries! The nature of a rhino tank makes it kind of ill suited to a wash anyway. A lot of flat, horizontal panels for the wash to pool in weird ways. For tanks, it's usually best to do a pin wash, where you just paint it into the recesses. The infantry are a little easier. There's a youtube channel called "how i paint things" where you can see him apply washes in real time, if that helps. Anyways, looking forward to whatever's next in the pipeline.
Cheers!

Captain Brown wrote:416_SpaceWolves,

I do not wash tanks either. Just two light drybrushings to my tanks base colour (with each being lighter than the base colour) before starting on other colours. Especially for Space Marine and Sister's tanks who seem to ignore camouflage.

Cheers,

CB

Thanks to you both. I will start a new adventure with washes on the infiltrators/incursors I am doing for the July painting challenge, or on the primaris aggressors I just put together.

I've almost finished the thunderwolves. I think it'll be a while before I do another set of them. Haven't gotten the wolf painting down yet, which is a bit of a shame, because they're my favourite model in the SW range.

I've received my next batch of projects, and have some more in the mail/with my receptionist to pick up. I have a growing pile of shame, and my girlfriend keeps giving me looks about it!

416_SpaceWolves wrote:
I've almost finished the thunderwolves. I think it'll be a while before I do another set of them. Haven't gotten the wolf painting down yet, which is a bit of a shame, because they're my favourite model in the SW range.

Fur, like tanks is another surface that dry brushing works quite well and since animals have natural variation whatever you do is perfectly acceptable.

My two cents,

CB

As I'm starting to build the primaris units for my space wolves army, I've started thinking about how they fit into the space wolf lore, and how they fit into my idea of the space wolf lore. I like the idea of them being welcomed into the legion with open arms, but maybe have them as a separate company within the overall battalion. Now, how do I show that on the board, I asked myself.

My brilliant idea is to paint them a bit differently. Below you'll see three potential painting ideas done on three easy build reivers my buddy gave me. Soliciting feedback. I like the two lighter colours, but excited to hear your feedback.

I agree that the lighter colors look better. Never was a fan of really dark grey for space wolves. I think the one on the left is the most visually different, while still having a space wolf feel.. That's where I'd cast my vote.

Agreed, the one on the left with less blue in the grey is more distinct while still being clearly Space Wolves.

brushcommando wrote:I agree that the lighter colors look better. Never was a fan of really dark grey for space wolves. I think the one on the left is the most visually different, while still having a space wolf feel.. That's where I'd cast my vote.

Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll wrote:Agreed, the one on the left with less blue in the grey is more distinct while still being clearly Space Wolves.

Noted with thanks!

I agree. The darker navy looks great, but is too dark IMO, and the other is too close to the current blue/gray I do. I will do my three primaris agressors with this scheme, and hopefully have pictures later this weekend.

I now have also completed the kit-bash on three swiftclaws, and the build of five to-the-T infiltrators (for the July painting contest.) Pictures to come when there are more exciting things to show!

Update from what I've done today.

While I love the light grey on the aggressors, it does seem like a wall of grey.. thinking about painting one other part one other colour, but I'll sleep on that.

Almost done Krom as well. Really loved this model.

They're looking good! As to varying up the color, you could try painting the face plate of the aggressors in either yellow or the brass effect you use for the chest eagle -- similar to the effect on the model in my avatar pic. Alternatively, space wolves tend to look great with some red. Maybe red helmets? If you google retro-space wolves or 2nd ed space wolves you might be able to dredge up some cool pics of the really old-school paiint schemes for inspiration. But good progress. I also really like your (is it called a wolf lord? I;m not up to date on my space wolf terminology) He looks great with that yellow cloak.

Or some darker washes around joints and recesses will break up the grey.

Hope that helps,

CB

Another odd idea would be to use your original blue-grey on the more recessed plates (between the shoulder and gauntlet or between the waist and knees, maybe even the fingers). that might tie them more to your other companies. You'd have to see how those colors interact, though.

brushcommando wrote:They're looking good! As to varying up the color, you could try painting the face plate of the aggressors in either yellow or the brass effect you use for the chest eagle -- similar to the effect on the model in my avatar pic. Alternatively, space wolves tend to look great with some red. Maybe red helmets? If you google retro-space wolves or 2nd ed space wolves you might be able to dredge up some cool pics of the really old-school paiint schemes for inspiration. But good progress. I also really like your (is it called a wolf lord? I;m not up to date on my space wolf terminology) He looks great with that yellow cloak.

Thank you! Yes its a Wolf Lord "Krom Dragonoze" who isn't that great from a tactical standpoint, but I just really loved the model. I am considering red heads for sure. I realized the biggest thing I was missing was on the shoulders, and adding some SW decals really made a difference. It is on my to-do list to get back to these guys.

Captain Brown wrote:Or some darker washes around joints and recesses will break up the grey.

Hope that helps,

CB

Thanks Captain. I promise you I'll try a wash someday soon!

JulietTango343 wrote:Another odd idea would be to use your original blue-grey on the more recessed plates (between the shoulder and gauntlet or between the waist and knees, maybe even the fingers). that might tie them more to your other companies. You'd have to see how those colors interact, though.

Great idea! I'll try it on my test models to see what that looks like.

As for an update- I finished the squad of 5 infiltrators, for the July painting contest. I used baking soda and white craft glue to make the snow on the base, and I'm really really happy with how they turned out. Pretty straight forward build, no conversions, other than a SW head on the squad SGT.

I'm building the stormhawk currently, have a cardboard and plasticard scratch build rhino in the works, bought an old Ragnar Blackmane metal figure off of ebay, and have a primaris vanguard kit on it's way. I'll be looking at 1000 points of standard SW and 1000 points of Primaris SW by the time I work through all of these projects!

I've also got a few Death Korp Models on their way to satisfy my desire to do something beyond SMs, and will be incorporating some Shapeways 3D printed canons into that battalion as well. I think the DKK Riders models are brilliant, and couldn't help myself. I think it'll lend to some cool and interesting fluff to have a small group of DKKs integrated with my space wolves.

416_SpaceWolves,

Good luck in the competition.

Cheers,

CB

Not a super exciting update- nothing major to share with you all. The swift claws are built and primed, and I’m starting to paint them now. I did the bases the stone and snow I started on the last group of infiltrators. I made a little too much snow, so I went back at added it to some of my “bigger” models: the dreadnought, the thunder wolf Calvary, and Wolf Lord Krom.

I think it adds a lot to the model.

Also arrived in the mail today was the “getting started: vanguard marines” which I’ve assembled the eliminators and 1 suppressor from. These are both incredibly cool models imo. I also think the eliminators will be a great model in battle. (No photos of them yet, nothing special done to them.)

I also, however, had an impulse purchase arrive in the mail today. A Bolt Action Char B1. It needed some work to get close to being a Leman Russ stand in, so I widened it. It should be raised (it looks short) but that might require too much skill for me. I have a few leman russes in the mail, so I’ll have a great comparator in a few weeks. At the very least it could be a special command tank or something for my DKOK.

Hope everyone is well who keeps reading my average modelling blog!!

I like the snow. Adds a nice space-wolfey touch to your bases. Are you going to make a space wolves LR exterminator like they used to field in 4th edition?

 brushcommando wrote:
I like the snow. Adds a nice space-wolfey touch to your bases. Are you going to make a space wolves LR exterminator like they used to field in 4th edition?

Thanks brushcommando. I agree, now that I've done this on some, I feel like I really should do it on all.

The LR will be for the DKOK army I'm building out of interest as a side project. One of the two guys in my "covid bubble" who I'll get to play with also has a SW army, so I figured I should add some variety just in case there is toooo much Fenrisian going around.

EDIT: updated to include my swift claw I've finished today (pending decal). Also- the heavy mortars I ordered from shapeways came. Good quality. Not sure how they size up.

That swiftclaw looks ace. Your painting skills are markedly improving as you go. Excited to see what you do with DKOK. Have you seen wargames atlantic les grognards stuff? Very cheap models compared to forgeworld, and they look the part well enough.

 brushcommando wrote:
That swiftclaw looks ace. Your painting skills are markedly improving as you go. Excited to see what you do with DKOK. Have you seen wargames atlantic les grognards stuff? Very cheap models compared to forgeworld, and they look the part well enough.

Thank you so much! As they say, practice makes perfect! I've been fortunate to get to spend a lot of time on 40k over the last few months.

I have, I'm waiting for a re-stock to buy some!

Nice progress! I like the camo cloaks on the scouts. Also the snow is pretty awesome.

Swift Claw looks good.

Cheers,

CB

JulietTango343 wrote:Nice progress! I like the camo cloaks on the scouts. Also the snow is pretty awesome.

Captain Brown wrote:Swift Claw looks good.

Cheers,

CB

Thanks for the support my friends!

Painting on the Incursors and Eliminators continue, so there will be updates on those in short time.

Story time: Every battle rep I watch, every SW strategy discussion I read, everyone repeats the same line: "Ragnar Blackmane is the best 120 points you can spend in your SW army."

From his performances in the aforementioned batreps, I knew this to be the case. So, how would I get a Ragnar for my army? GW was sold out. As was my FLGS. I lack the talent (and the green stuff currently) to scratch build one. So, off I went to ebay, looking for a deal. My preference was the classic metal model.

I saw a great deal on ebay, and bought it immediately. The photo wasn't great, so I figured I'd need to strip and repaint. However, my friends, this showed up at my condo today. It is light years ahead of any painting I could do, it is incredibly based, and was shipped in pristine condition. I am incredibly happy that he became mine for $25 plus shipping (about the price of a new unfinished model.)

Also in the mail today was the start of my second army. Lots of BIG DAKKA.

Nice score on eBay 416_SpaceWolves.

Cheers,

CB

416_SpaceWolves wrote:
[
I saw a great deal on ebay, and bought it immediately. The photo wasn't great, so I figured I'd need to strip and repaint. However, my friends, this showed up at my condo today. It is light years ahead of any painting I could do, it is incredibly based, and was shipped in pristine condition. I am incredibly happy that he became mine for $25 plus shipping (about the price of a new unfinished model.)

I wouldn't sell yourself short. You've legitimately come a long way from that first squad you painted to your latest swiftclaw. As you progress you could incorporate pin-washes and edge highlighting and I could easily see you reaching that level of skill. One thing that I found helped me immensely was watching Duncan Rhodes GW tutorials. Things like using only the very edge of your brush when edge-highlighting or how to thin your paints properly. It vastly improved my painting skill and I imagine you could learn a lot from him as well.

That said, it is a beautiful paint job and I wouldn't recommend stripping it. Also:excited to see your DKoK come together. A word of advice: If you get the les grognards infantry, spring for some cadian canteens and ammo pouch bits from ebay. They tend to be pretty cheap, as they're not hugely in demand. But the models look way better for adding them. They tend to be a bit thin around the waist and giving them the extra pouches helps hide this. If you want me to spoiler in a few pictures to show you what I mean, just let me know.