From the rock

[dblaz3r]

After a year of doing very little I have decided to start up my Dark Angels log and finally get some work done. This is my first attempt at painting since I was a youngster so any tips would be greatly appreciated

Here is what I have assembled and in various states of disrepair, I tend to start a job then jump around alot without getting any particular thing finished.



I also have 8 more vets and 5 scouts with bolters and shotties to put together as well.

Sorry for the average photos, it's all I can manage for now.

[dblaz3r]

Here is my first attempt at painting, they are very shiney because of GWs varnish spray. I still have a couple of guys to highlight to get the full squad finished.

[dblaz3r]

And now my 2nd tactical squad.




I'm not going to varnish these until I see what a coat of dullcote looks like on the previous tac squad.

I've tried different methods of highlighting on both squads, the first lot only got the one line treatment where as these later ones got the twice over.
Any criticism would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the multi posting, just thought it would look cleaner broken up instead of one massive post

[escobar]

really nice - prefer highlights on the second squad personally

keep it up!

[Ravenheart]

They are looking good! I wouldn't use the varnish spray if I were you though. Too shiny.

[dblaz3r]

Thanks guys, yea I'm definately not a fan of the shiney coats so they'll get stripped and redone once I have everything else finished.

Should have the assualt squad finished by the end of the weekend and I just ordered the forgeworld venerable dread, can't wait for that

[Drakon]

very shiny indeed. Looks like they spend too much time polishing their armour

Bout time you did a thread of your DA wheres the pic of your dread thought you were finished em.

Ill have to do a thread of my SW now

[Raellos]

You will strip them because of the shiny coat? Just spray matte varnish over the top of the gloss.

[Light of the Emperor]

Indeed, you don't need to strip them at all. Get your hands on a matte varnish and spray on top. Testor's Dullcoat is the best matte varnish by far. See if you can get some. It would be a shame to strip away a really good paint job.

[Drakon]

nah strip it then youll have some nurgle marines like mine .

I see your landraider has changed color from last time i saw it. Gana be a deathwing LR is it? that look quite nice barrelling down at my dudes

[Praexes]

Teehee, they remind me of Christmas ornaments! Hey, at least the Commander didn't get all shiney... at least from what we can see from the pic.

But all round they look good. Nice neat highlights, though perhaps you could use a less extreme one?

What spray did you use? I bought some Purity Seal on eBay, and haven't used it yet... hopefully it won't do the same thing to my models?

[dblaz3r]

Cheers for all the encouragement
If dullcote will help those shinners then that would be a bit easier for me.
@Praexes: I used 'ardcoat gloss varnish on the first squad and snot green for the highlights (abit bright for me, looking back). No varnish on the second squad and went with the "GW recommended" 80/20 then 60/40 (green/yellow) highlighting technique. I like it alot better as I'm just a beginner my confidence isn't too high. Practice makes perfect they say.

and no drakon my dread is still awhile off still trying to finish this assault squad

[dblaz3r]

And finally I have finished my assault squad.




Next up I will be finishing the missing members of the tactical squads and my dread. Hopefully abit quicker this time

[Drakon]

sweet not bad your starting to get through your dudes arent you. Game will look better next time we play.

Started stripping my DA's down last nite taking all the imperial signs of it better have your interagator chaplains up and running for the next time we play .

Looks like your skin is working out what is the blend your using?

plus how are you doing your robes? do you undercoat them with foundation over your black? and do you highlight and if so with what?

[dblaz3r]

This is the recipe I use for the robes. The skin is dark then dwarf then elf flesh/water (1:1) but I'm going to try something different next time. And yes a game with two painted armies will be something to look forward too

Even if one of them is SW

[Drakon]

true dat guess GW site is good for something

[Marovian]

Very nice Dark Angels, well painted. Another army to put on my wish list, damn you!

[Joewrightgm]

A man after my own heart; I love to see people who do the Dark Angels in (surprise) dark green.

Incredible work, especially the robes.

[electriceye83]

Nice look so far mate, be nice to see the FW dread.

Maybe once Im back home you lot can travel up and have a look/game whatever at the stuff Ive got.

[dblaz3r]

Well it's been a very slow month, lots of school work and some tediously slow painting but I've finally finished my pred, almost, just have to learn how to blend so I can get the blue light things to look good and figure out what I want to free hand on the scroll on the front. I haven't done any weathering either maybe after some practice on the rhinos.
Anyway, for your viewing pleasure (or not)







Got my forgeworld dread in the mail as well, beautiful apart from the mis-cast melta. Won't be painting any of my 1st company until I have the my regulars done though.