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OK, so I head to my local GW store last night to pick up some gifts for my gaming group and I figured I'd ask the guys there for some help as I'm currently applying transfers to my Ultramarines, thus finishing the army.

I always noticed that the Ultras in the store had much smaller U symbols on their shoulder pads, and considering a lot of my sarges had the shoulder pad with a metal strip on it and thus I can't use the large transfers on those shoulder pads, I figure hey they probably have some transfer sheets I don't.

So I pick up the stuff and start talking to em.  Mention that I want to get the transfers they used on those there marines.

THEY WERE ALL FREAKIN PAINTED ON!

....

After complimenting them on their skill, admiring the Imperial Fists where they free drew the hand symbol on all the shoulder pads and then and assuring him that no, I couldn't do that myself and would make do with the transfers, I kindly left the store.

Somewhat embarassing that I thought their paint jobs were so good they had to be transfers.  Also disheartening that I could never manage to paint a freakin upside down Omega that well on a tiny ass shoulder pad.

I hate them to. they suck.

They are evil. Clearly this is discrimination. We, the pigmentapplication challenged should file the appropriate legal actions to end this discrimination. No longer will we be oppressed by the pigment application gifted. Instead they will have to do community service working on our minis. Is ten minutes of painting a day too much to ask your honor? I think not.

All of my Ultra symbols are painted on as well. It's really not very hard. If you want I'll show you how to do it.

Transfers on shoulder pads are horrible because they always get rubbed off. I'm sure the curved surface is part of the issue.

Dave from the store offered to show me and even do a couple, but I'd rather try and find my own way. My painting skills are like a monkey on crack, I just don't have that kind of control for freehand. I may try it out to test on some of the models I don't care about but I'm not expecting good things.

I do like the way the transfers look when on the models, I like the large symbols, but I'm going to have to figure something out for some of my command models.

You could always make yourself a stamp out of foam, rubber, or sponge. Custom-cut it to fit the curved shape of a shoulderpad to avoid having to roll it.

It would take some work to get it right, but you'd only have to do it once.

I somehow think that applying a stamp cleanly might be tricky.

I've used transfers for unit numbers on my IG, and never had them rub off. I put them on after painting, but before the two layers of varnish (1 Gloss, then 1 Matt). They get sealed in there quite firmly.

we hates them, we hates them so much,

I'm sure I can show you how to do it rather painlessly in no time.

It's all about back cutting. You paint a sloppy "U" in white, then cut back with the blue, and you get nice, sharp lines and edges.

Or you can get the 3D shoulder pads from GW make a Greenstuff mold of the symbol and make 3D U's. I had a friend do that for me and it worked out great. Here is a sample of how they turned out.



Capt K

I cant get control very well, the only time I can get control is if I prop my hands on one knee. Its safe to say it looks weird because I look like Im in the fetal position.
Backcutting ftw.

I don't hate them I enslave them }:->

I hate people who complain that they can't paint because they are too busy on the internet to practice.

check the link engine has shown, Hate him, he is one of those talented painters and converters. Die Die Die

It's really not that hard to do the shoulder icons. It's doing large amounts, and making them all look the same that is hard.

Posted By engine on 12/08/2006 10:34 AM
I hate people who complain that they can't paint because they are too busy on the internet to practice.

Quoting for truthery. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can paint to a decent standard provided they practice, practice and practice. There is no innate talent required. One does not need to be some art guru to paint well. Just take the time to practice and be be patient about what you are doing. Do this and you are guaranteed to eventually get results. Give up at the first mistake and you'll never improve.

edit: Hell, I painted on these shoulder pads Land Speeder (where you can see 'em). That also shows you what *not* to do when applying decals, as I didn't put down a gloss coat before applying them nor did I add one afterwards. Lesson learned. Speaking of which, didn't we already go over the easy way of flawlessling putting decals on SM shoulder pads in another thread recently? This stuff really isn't half as hard as most make it out to be, it just takes a lot of time.

You also have to understand what you are doing, understand the technique.

You can paint all day, but if you stop to think and understand it. you wont get anywhere. Which is what practice is suposed to develope.

Yes and the average person can get really good at golf if they play all day every day. Whats your point?

Posted By engine on 12/08/2006 10:34 AM
I hate people who complain that they can't paint because they are too busy on the internet to practice.

I'll make sure next time I have a few minutes of down time at work I'll have my models and paints near by instead of just posting on Dakka.


The main thing wasn't so much about people being more skilled than I am at painting, it's more about I couldn't imagine people actually painting symbols on and not using transfers.

Anyway I figure I'll throw up what I've done figure wise.  I agree that if you practice enough you'll get better, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm no good at freehand, and just can get away with spending a ton of time trying to touch up all the mistakes I make as I paint on other colors.






Not the greatest work ever, but I'm relatively proud of it.  Still no where near as good as what nyarlathote posted, but I'm happy to have them painted and on the field.

And yes, I'm aware I still have to drill the gun barrels out.

They are fine for table top. If you're happy with the result, then that's all the matters. I would rather play against a painted army, either poorly painted or nicely painted, than against bare or primered models.

Those are fine and nothing to be ashamed of. As Vero mentions, I rather play against an army that has a very basic 3 colors + flock than a bare metal/plastic or primer only army any day.

Here are two great shortcuts that will both speed up the process and help you get better looking figures:
1) Spray primer, works best if you can get it in the base coat color of your army though that is not always possible. Depending on the brightness of the base coat, prime black, white or grey.
2) After blocking out the main base coat colors (before picking out any details), apply "Magic Wash": basically a 50/50 mix of water and Future Floor Finish (called Klear in the UK IIRC) and enough black or brown ink so that it washes into the nooks and crannies of a figure without painting it that color. Make sure you let the wash dry, but after that, all you need to do is a light drybrush of the base color and pick out what details you want.

The above two will both help speed up the process and get you easy results that will garner you compliments down at the local store. There is no genius or special talent required, just practice and the knowledge that comes with it.

@voodooboys, I personally have found that Ultramarines are the easiets to paint as you can drybrush them and get fast results.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/vittorio_13/e30e80d5.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/vittorio_13/librarian.jpg

Posted By engine on 12/08/2006 10:34 AM
I hate people who complain that they can't paint because they are too busy on the internet to practice.

What if they freely admit that they're lazy and hate doing it, taking full responsibility for their lack of skill?  Does that make it ok?

Then don't complain about it. It's fine if someone is lazy and/or hates painting, but don't come a complaining about it when you don't want to do the necessary work to improve you skills.

The problem lies not within other people's ability to paint but in the fact that you collect Ultramarines. Just change to Chapter that doesn't suck and all your problems will be over. ;p

Seriously though they are right when they say its all about the practice. I would reccommend getting one of those starter sets just to bash around getting used to freehand and inking/drybrushing etc. Then you aren't risking messing up models you already like and you WILL get better.

And quit yer *female dog*in, your's it just a U. I collect Blood Ravens and paint the icons freehand. Oh sure a raven with a drop of blood on a bone background was a brilliant idea guys! >.<

there nothing wrong with the boys in blue. Check my painted one out on the previous page, very easy and quick to paint with reasonable outcome.

I don't hate skilled painters, I strive to acheive similar results through patience and practice. I've been going at this for 5 years now, and I'm only starting to become proud of the work I do.

Transfers are a pain in the arse UNLESS you use that stuff from Micromark that "melts" the transfers on.

Is what I use. It makes it so the transfers look painted on, no extra glare or that damnable edge that is noticeable.

Ummm... here's a good link for it.

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82400

now where could i get that or something similar in the uk

I got my Micro-set and Micro-sol from GriffonGames.com - they may ship overseas, not sure.

You can see the results of Micro set and Micro sol and their custom printed decals that they offer in the very back of your 4th ed Space Marine codex - check the Dreadnought.