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All roads lead to Chaos. This is my tale (Copy Pasta from my Intro thread)...

I started 40K with the 2nd Ed box set of mono pose marines and orks. I bought a lot of the old plastic marines with heads attached to the torso and started a Dark Angel army. I couldn't afford vehicles back then as I was a struggling student. After a while I realised how bad they looked and started a new, custom chapter of vanilla marines- The Purple Death legion around 4th Ed (I think).

I played them once at a local GW in Brisbane before getting busy with work, moving to a small country town and putting them away. I still bought most of the new starter box sets for each edition intending to start playing again, but never did.

Then I moved to Shanghai, found a GW store and decided I needed a hobby to stop me wasting all my spare time surfing the internet and watching tv. I thought "I'll just get a box of Dark Angel veterans and paint them up". I think I now have over 3000 points of Dark Angels painted up.

Then Death Watch came out and I thought they would be cool as a small allied force for my DA. Hmm... DW terminators can all have assault cannons? Half of Death masque was joined by another box of DW marines, Kill Team Cassius, DW terminators.. and I have about 1400 points of them painted up now.

Then, I got sick of painting dark marines. I looked at the bright coloured marine chapters, then thought "Why the hell am I starting ANOTHER marine army??". This was about the same time Thousand Sons got new models, right after I ordered the old 1K Sons finecast upgrade kit. I'd always liked the look of the Thousand Sons, and after reading the Ahriman series I liked them even more.

Like a lot of others I was waiting for Blue Horrors and Brimstone Horrors to get released, so I kept plugging away at the remaining Death Watch. I bought Lost Patrol and painted the genestealers and scouts up.

Finally, GW released the Blues and Brimstones! I grabbed a box and started painting up some lovely, bright demons. They were joined by the Start Collect Tzeench Demons box, but only the Pinks and a Herald have been painted so far. Once I had painted horrors to summon I finally splurged on a few boxes of the new Thousand Sons. I had crossed to the other side.

Let's fast forward through the last 18 months or so.

Dark Angels. My first, and now third army.

Next installment I'll move onto vehicles.

Cool Dark Angels, dude. I really like the dread with the hood.

EDC

 evildrcheese wrote:
Cool Dark Angels, dude. I really like the dread with the hood.

EDC

Cheers! After I finished it I read in the codex that all DA dreads are part of the Deathwing... Doh! Too bad. I'm not repainting it!

Vehicles, as promised.

These have only been base coated so far, making them WIP. They have just been in progress for about 6 months or more. I did finally get some Micro Sol and Set a month or two ago so I should finish them up.

Sammael in Sableclaw and a Darkshroud. Both just waiting on decals.

I usually practice new techniques on bases, but I had these squeeze bottle caps in my 'Potentially Useful' box...

Pretty simple, just sponged on some Rhinox Hide, then stippled on some Troll Slayer Orange with a stiff brush and wiped excess off with my finger.

The bases were painted yellow, then the black stripes were spayed on. Some Russ Grey sponged on before using a small brush to add some Administratum Grey. Bases then got some Agrax Earthshape and Seraphim Sepia splashed around to dirty them up.

Not totally happy with my sponging technique, but I think it looks okay.

Finally took some pics of my Death Watch that didn't suck. Lighting is tricky without a light tent.

So, here are my Power Armoured Characters and Veterans. I'll try and post the rest over the next few days.

I know, I haven't painted the base rims yet. I can't decide between black or yucky green to match the ground on the bases.

Edit- Oops, forgot the shield wall guys with storm shields.

Vanguard vets led by a Captain X, the Blackshield. He parkours and has a Xenos blade.

The 2 DW from Team Cassius have their normal weapons. I wasn't going to use the Blood Angel one, so he was my test model for the DW colour scheme. I ended up liking how it turned out enough to keep him. All other members of Team Blunt Trauma are magnetised- both arms and jump pack. I have a heap of lightning claw arms set aside as alternatives. I'll paint them up one day.

Terminators. Everyone apart from the Librarian is magnetised both arms, and the Cyclone launchers are also magnetised. I have enough assault cannons to fit them ALL with them, but probably won't. I am working on casting up a heap of melta fists but they're fiddly little buggers, so still WIP.

The sneak peek? Oops! I wonder who they are for...

I really like your base work so far, and i think those plasma generators turned out great.

 amazingturtles wrote:
I really like your base work so far, and i think those plasma generators turned out great.

Thanks, Turtles. It's nice to get feedback! I spent way too long on those bases. I wish I could go back to Goblin Green and flock

The bases for my latest project were much faster. I made a few master bases, then cast them in resin. I added a little Astrogranite, small rocks and skulls to some of them to break it up a bit.

That does sound like it would produce some very nice results! I am looking forward to whoever those bases are for, by the way!

So here's why I wound the windows down and headed into the rough part of town in search of more colour (and possibly even a hot little heretic) with the music blaring. One hand on the wheel and the other on my trusty bolt pistol I worked my way deeper into the Red Zone. As dark fell I realised I was, without a doubt, lost. Then the engine spluttered into silence... I cursed my car, I cursed the Emperor whose divine guiding light was inexplicably absent for the first time in my long life.

Then they came out of the darkness in a kaleidoscope of colour and magical flames, and I realised I was not only physically lost, but I'd lost my soul as well in this magical moment. Or had I finally found my true self?



Okay, so that brings me up to date. I started again when I got back to Shanghai about 18 months ago. So, in 18 months I painted more than I painted in the preceding 18 years.

Ha, whoa! they look great on those bases and overall.

 amazingturtles wrote:
Ha, whoa! they look great on those bases and overall.

Thanks Turtles. I originally bought the AOS bases for my Death Watch, painted up a few then went 'meh'. Then for this army I wanted to base them on Fenris, so I had a go at painting them up as ice world instead and liked the look. I didn't like the look enough to buy more to do my Thousand Sons, so I did up my own and cast them instead. Luckily, I had enough AOS bases to do all the demons.

Now, to stop procrastinating on starting my Sons as I've got the bases finished, but I've just been looking at them and surfing dakka instead.

Okay, after a busy couple of weeks where life and illness got in the way, I've finally started in my Thousand Sons. WIP pics of the first Rubric below.

These things are detailed. So much more decoration on each one than even the Death Watch guys. These guys will take me forever.

You might notice that they are base coated Sotek Green, then I used Temple Guard Blue, then a final highlight of Lothern Blue. I want them to look shiny and pretty. I'm still trying to decide on finishing it off with a coat of Girlyman Blue glaze, or not. I'll leave this guy on my desk for a few days before I decide.

Hey man, really nice work on those rubics. As for the glaze, i'd say go for it. You already gave your promo guy a nice, clean look, almost like he's glowing form the inside. And given their arcane nature, in my humble opinion, the thousand sons should do just that!

 VyRa wrote:
Hey man, really nice work on those rubics. As for the glaze, i'd say go for it. You already gave your promo guy a nice, clean look, almost like he's glowing form the inside. And given their arcane nature, in my humble opinion, the thousand sons should do just that!

Thanks for the feedback. I'm still undecided on the glaze, but you did remind me of the other thing I want to add- glowing green eyes.

Over 500 views! Thanks guys!

Slow, almost glacial progress on these guys..

The latest leaks for 8 Ed have killed my enthusiasm for the Thousand Sons, specifically the Psychic Focus special rule for Matched Play. My planned army of exalted sorcerers led by Ahriman seems to be severely gimped by this rule.

There are only 3 powers available to them (unless I've missed something), plus Smite (unaffected by Psychic Focus). Psychic Focus only lets you attempt to use each power once per phase, regardless of how many psykers know it. Each psyker can only cast a power once per phase (from the Psychic Phase section). So, instead of each Exalted Sorcerer getting their full number of powers, most of them just get one Smite each psychic phase.

Paying full cost for handicapped psykers? you, matched play! I guess I'm a narrative player now...

Anyway, enough ranting. Picked up my latest purchases yesterday. Forgeworld rhino bits and a contemptor dread (Hellbrute proxy) for my Gimp Sons of Magnus (not ed off, really! ) and Inquisition rhino doors for my Death Watch.

Right, picture time!

I'm still stalled on the Thousand Sons, due to work, lack of energy and motivation.

I was given a Primaris Marine and wanted to try out my old Purple Death Legion colours on it, so I asked mum to dig them out and take a photo of some of them for me.

So, here's a flashback to 4th or 5th Edition, whichever had the DIY chapter rules.

I'm currently relocating back to Australia with 2 (big) suitcases full of 40K stuff, and a small bag of clothes. Priorities, right?

Seriously not looking forward to paying Australian pricing, but I have a big pile of grey plastic that needs to be assembled and painted so I can put that off for a while. I ordered a copy of DI the other day, which will hopefully be waiting for me when I arrive. I ordered it from an online retailer and saved nearly AUD30 even after paying freight. I mostly just want the rulebook, but since there's GirlyMarines in there I guess I'll add them to my Purple Death Legion. I'm actually quite keen to paint the Nurgle guys, just because. I don't know if I'll ever actually use them.

Still not feeling the Thousand Sons, so they will likely remain packed up until their codex drops. Instead, I bought a Corvax Blackstar for my Death Watch. I figure I'll need a flyer. LOL at it carrying anything larger than a servo skull, but that's vehicle scale for you. It's assembled and base coated. That's as far as I got before I had to pack all my stuff up for the move. I thought I had some photos on my phone, but apparently not. It will have a funky base, like the rest of my DW. Infestation markers, tentacles, sprue plants etc. Maybe some skeletons if I can find some in my old stuff.

I've got a few hobby related plans and purchases to make when I get back. The main one is a compressor and airbrush setup. I'll be getting a big compressor as I will also use it with air tools in the garage, and repainting my car. That should annoy the neighbours! I figure it will probably run the airbrush for a couple of hours on one cycle. I also need to replace my resin casting gear and add a pressure vessel for better results.

Hopefully, I'll have some updates in a week or so, even if it is just a flashback to my earlier stuff. My first DA army is pretty cringe-worthy. I'll post a few comparison shots for giggles.

Okay, I mentioned my plans to acquire an airbrush. Coincidentally, when I got back I discovered that Aldi had just had a compressor and airbrush in the previous week's catalog. Anyone who has an Aldi nearby knows how quickly the special items usually go. On the off chance that they had some left, I wandered into the closest Aldi. They had 6 left! Now I have one.

I set it up and had a quick play around with it. I sprayed water on the bathroom mirror practicing brush control. Seems pretty good for what I paid (AUD99). I'll try and throw some paint through it later this afternoon. The compressor is pretty quiet, but I'm used to big workshop compressors. The tank seems pretty small, so I'll have to take it easy when spraying stuff.

Nice catch! Looks like a decent set up!

EDC

Okay, I'm getting back into it. TS are still packed, so I'm working on my Death Watch again. Seems everyone needs/wants a flyer or three, so I bought one.

I've left the tails separate to make transporting it easier. They clip on fairly well, so magnets aren't really needed. This is my first serious attempt at lenses the old 'Eavy Metal way. I think they're okay, but not great. I'm trying to use up my old white top paints. They survived more than 10 years in storage.

I had a bit of trouble with my airbrush when I was spraying the tails, but I think I've sorted it out. I pulled it apart and adjusted the needle and it seems to be fine now.

Enough talk. Look, photos!

Slowly making progress on the Corvax..

Any feedback on the canopy? I started with Leadbelcher, added some Runefang Steel to the middle of the glass areas. Then used green wash (Orc Flesh) to darken the corners and edges, then several layers of Waywatcher Green to the glass areas. I still need to touch up the frame.

Photos!

Still plugging away on this. Spending way too much time on it, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end and I'll actually get some feedback

I redid the canopy using dry brushed Stormhost Silver over Leadbelcher, then Green Wash and about half a dozen layers of Waywatcher Green glaze. Much happier with it now. Oh, nearly forgot- 'ard Coat over the green wash.

Then I started on the heat effects on the engines. I've only finished the main engines, but I think they look pretty good. I based them on reference photos I googled up. I'll include them below for anyone who's interested.

Nice job with the Corvax so far. The heat burn on the jets looks wicked.

EDC

 evildrcheese wrote:
Nice job with the Corvax so far. The heat burn on the jets looks wicked.

EDC

Cheers EDC!

Okay, I took a break from the Corvax itself to do start the base. Of course, it matches the bases on the rest of my Death Watch, only bigger.

I found my Cadian sprues, so there will be IG equipment scattered around, plus skulls. Just a few.. dozen! Nah, just a couple. I also have one painted sprue plant to glue on somewhere. I'm also thinking about some of the little alien slugs off the Genestealer sprues. Maybe just a couple. I don't want to make the base too busy.

Anyhoo... Pictures!


.

Still working on bits for the base. Skull of IG trooper is the latest bit. I've never spent so much time on a single skull before. Trying to make each tooth distinct.. Aaargh!

I noticed this Blog has received over 1000 views! Thanks guys!

To celebrate 1000 views, I'm including a picture of Brother Bethor painted about 20 years ago. He's got a date with Dettol soon before being updated with new left arm, moulded shoulder pad and modern bolter. He's metal, just like the Azrael I have had in a box for 20 years. His time will come soon, too.

So, after spending too much time on another site reading about how some of the top tier painters paint their miniatures I decided to start pushing myself more. I'm trying new stuff.

Up til now, when I paint flesh, it's been a quick basecoat, a wash over the whole thing, then maybe a little highlighting. Looks okay, but not great. So, I dug out a freebie AOS Khorne dude and slowly started painting him up. The skin isn't finished yet. He will be darker once my red glaze arrives, hopefully today some time.

WIP pics follow.