Upgradin' The Smurfs: A massive Ultramarines 2nd Co. Repaint!

[ManusMarines]

Hello!

It has been some time since I've actively posted in my other logs, but I have been keeping busy. And while I still fully intend to make more progress on my other armies, there has been a growing thought/nagging in the back of my mind for some time now.

Simply put, my Ultramarines generally look like utter crap. This is due to several reasons:
1) They were my first army when I entered the hobby 6 years ago.
2) I almost universally neglected mold-line cleaning.
3) I often hurried paint jobs, or simply skipped painting altogether in order to assemble and field the army.
4) My painting skills were utter rubbish.

I found it high time to remedy the army's shoddy situation and get things rolling again.

That being said, I present to you all:

Upgradin' The Smurfs: A massive Ultramarines 2nd Co. Repaint!

While my paint skills have advanced a ton since I first started, I don't pretend to be some master painter. Basically, I just want my first army to be presentable.

I aim to put paint on models every single night, even if just one model. I've quickly discovered that the only way to keep my creative juices/drive to paint flowing is (surprise!) to keep painting.

UPDATE: NEW WORKSTATION PICTURES ON THE TOP OF PAGE 2

Here is the master list of my (massive) army. I'm basically treating each unit/model/vehicle as if it has no paint on it what-so-ever.

Full Army Shot Pre-Repainting (To Show Scale)



Re-Painted Army Shot (To be updated as things are completed)



Newest Completed Unit(s) (Page 3) - Storm Talon & Vindicator



Last Updated: 10/01/13 (Kindly put in the non-US date format of Day/Month/Year.)

Painting Key:
Blue = Currently Working On
White = Assembled
Orange = Primed/Based
Red = Finished


[HQ]
- Marneus Calgar, Chapter Master of the Ultramarines
- Gumbercules, The Red Fist (Counts-as Pedro Kantor)
- Captain Jothux, Master of the Fleet
- Captain Alathan, Master of the Watch
- Captain Jonas, Master of Recruits
- Captain Astynax, Master of the Armory
- Captain Brosious - with Jump Pack, Relic Blade, Storm Shield
- Captain Alverex - with Terminator Armor, 2x LC
- Unnamed Captain
- Captain Lucius (AoBR)
- Unnamed Captain (AoBR)
- Ortan Cassius
- Chaplain Johanas (Jump Pack)
- Epistolary Otto (Terminator Armor)
- Honor Guard (5)
- Command Squad (5)

[ELITES]
- Terminator Squad I (5) - with Assault Cannon
- Terminator Squad II (5) - with Assault Cannon
- Terminator Squad III (5) - with Assault Cannon
- Terminator Squad IV (5) - with Heavy Flamer
- Terminator Squad V (5) - with Cyclone Launcher
- Terminator Assault Squad I (5) - 3x TH/SS, 2x LC
- Dreadnought, Brother Hortan
- Dreadnought, Brother Castor
- Dreadnought, Brother Sonne (AoBR)
- Dreadnought, Brother Truan (AoBR)
- Ironclad Dreadnought, Brother Scarithanx
- Sternguard Squad (10) (5 unbuilt)

[TROOPS]
- Tactical Squad Anapest (10) - with PF, Missile Launcher, Flamer
- Tactical Squad Belepheron (10) - with PF, Missile Launcher, Flamer
- Tactical Squad Cerberus (10) - with PF, Multi-Melta, Melta
- Tactical Squad Daimos (10) - with PF, Plasma Cannon, Plasma Gun
- Tactical Squad Excelsior (10) - with CS, LasCannon, Plasma Gun
- Tactical Squad Fortunato (10) - with CS, LasCannon, Plasma
- Scout Squad Alpha (5) - with Shotguns, Heavy Bolter
- Scout Squad Bravo (5) - with Sniper Rifles, Missile Launcher
- Scout Squad Charlie (5) - with Sniper Rifles, Missile Launcher
- Sergeant Telion

[FAST ATTACK]
- Storm Talon - w/ Typhoon/Skyhammer Missiles
- Assault Squad (10) - with PF, 2x Flamer
- Assault Squad (10) - with PF, 2x Plasma Pistol
- Land Speeder - with 2x Heavy Bolter
- Land Speeder Typhoon - with Typhoon Launcher, Heavy Bolter
- Bike Squadron - with PW, 2x Melta, Attack Bike w/ Multi-Melta

[HEAVY SUPPORT]
- Vindicator
- Vindicator
- Whirlwind
- Land Raider
- Land Raider Redeemer
- Devastator Squad (10) - with 4x Heavy Bolter
- Devastator Squad (10) - with 4x Missile Launcher

[DEDICATED TRANSPORTS]
- Rhino 1
- Rhino 2
- Rhino 3
- Rhino 4 / Razorback
- Drop Pod 1
- Drop Pod 2
- Drop Pod 3

[MISCELLANEOUS MODELS]
- Marine with Flamer
- Marine with Flamer
- Marine with Melta Gun
- Marine with Plasma Gun
- Marine with Plasma Gun
- Marine with Missile Launcher
- Marine with Missile Launcher
- Marine with LasCannon
- Marine with LasCannon
- Marine with Multi-Melta
- Marine with Plasma Cannon
- Marine with Plasma Cannon
- Marine with Plasma Cannon
- Sergeant with Thunder Hammer
- Sergeant with Chain Sword & Bolt Pistol
- Sergeant with Chain Sword & Bolt Pistol

As you can see, I have my work cut out for me...

This shall take some time.

PLANNED EVENTUAL EXPANSIONS/ADDITIONS
- 2x Storm Talon
- 1x Predator (AC & 2x HB)
- Terminator Assault Squad (so I can do 5x Thunder Hammer/Storm Shield AND 5x Lightning Claws)
- 1x Drop Pod
- 3x Rhino
- 2x Razorback
- Other "New Codex" goodies whenever it drops.

[khaosBlizzard]

post them pix!

[ManusMarines]

Now that I've constructed a new light box, let there be pictures!

The following pictures are of my first Tactical Squad repaint.

Each model has undergone the following treatment:
1) Mold lines scraped away
2) Base taken back to black and repainted
3) *NEW* Thinner coat of paint for all of the model
4) *NEW* Badab Black wash to darken, and define the armor plates
5) *NEW* Squad markings to further designate and categorize the squads.

Presenting, Tactical Squad Anapest with Rhino Transport.



The Squad by itself.



If I decide to Combat Squad, these five gentlemen work together as an "Assault" element.



Conversely, these five marines make up the "Shooty" portion of the Combat Squad.



A closer look at the Sergeant.



And finally, the specialized weaponry of the squad.



NOTE: I can take closer pics of individual Marines if requested.


Next Post:
- Squad Anapest's Rhino transport
- (Unnamed) Captain.

Cheers!
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Let there be pictures!

Here are a few closer shots of Tactical Squad Anapest's Rhino.

The Rhino received the following:
1) Mold lines scraped away.
2) Repainted entire model with a thinner coat of paint.
3) Better, more recognizable markings (Tactical Arrow, Squad designation (I), Ultramarines symbol, etc)
4) Heavy Badab Black wash. Yes, it looks splotchy in some points, but it's supposed to have a "dirty" feel.

Rhino I, as viewed from the front/top.



Rhino I, as viewed from the side/top.



Closer view of Ultramarines Symbol.



Also, as promised, is the freshly painted AoBR model, Captain Lucius. I really enjoyed painting this model!

The Captain from the front.



The Captain from the back.


That's all for tonight.

Up next on the painting block:
- Tactical Squad Belepheron
- Rhino II, Belepheron's transport.

Updates again in the next day or so.

Cheers!
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Let there be pictures!

Here are some shots of the second rhino I'm currently working on finishing.

Profile.



Side shot.



Top shot, showing Freehand Tactical Arrow (slightly off-center).


There is still a lot to do on the model, including: general touchups, highlighting, washing, finishing the markings, etc.

I also realized I didn't paint the headlights of the first rhino. Going back to correct that as well.

Until later,
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Let there be pictures!

I have finished the second rhino.



Overhead View.



And for fun/comparison's sake, both of the freshly painted Rhinos together!


If you didn't notice, I added the mandatory Storm Bolters to each Rhino. Unsure why I didn't have them on there in the first place. Also, I painted the headlights of the first Rhino to match the new one.

Comments?

Next on the painting table: Tactical Squad Belepheron!

~Manus

[steevn]

i like them, you might want to drill out the boltergunmuzzles, will make them more realistic with minimal effort

[ManusMarines]

i like them, you might want to drill out the boltergunmuzzles, will make them more realistic with minimal effort

Thanks for the advice. Was actually already thinking of that after I drilled out the barrels for the Rhino Storm Bolters.

[ManusMarines]

Let there be pictures!

Well, more like picture.

Proof of progress! I have been continuing to attempt to paint at least a little bit every night, and thus far I have stuck true to that.

I've completed the first half of the second Tactical Squad.
This is the "Assaulty" half of the Combat Squad.


I will post more individual pictures once I complete the second half.

In the meantime, enjoy! Comments are appreciated.

~Manus

[Alsharoth]

Very nice army but as steevn said, you need to drill out the barrels.

[logan054]

To be honest mate I think you need to tone down the highlights on the rhinos, what you could do is base coat the ultramarine blue, then do a 30/70 mix of skullwhite and ultra marine blue, after that do a 50/50 mix of skull white/ultramarine blue just on the corners and then use a watered down blue was over the whole thing to try and blend the colors together better.

[ManusMarines]

Thanks for the advice, mate.

I've always been a fan of the more extreme highlights on vehicles, but I shall keep your tips in mind. Shadow Gray might be a better choice of base highlight instead of Space Wolves Gray...

[ManusMarines]

Let there be pictures!

Sorry for the delay in updates, but I was on vacation for a week visiting the gf, and then got caught up in a whirlwind of work.

I have, however, been keeping my promise to put at least a little bit of paint to model every single night. Huzzah.

Yesterday during a marathon of most of Dr. Who Season 1, I finally finished off my second Tactical Squad.

Here is Tactical Squad Belepheron, including previously completed Rhino.



The "Shooty" portion of the Combat Squad:



The upgrade portions of the squad:



And just for fun, a shot of everything newly painted thus far: a very tiny, 100% legal marines force:




Next up on the painting table: The first of six (soon to be seven) terminator squads. Enjoy the "Before" picture...



As I move forward, my tentative plan for painting squads will go in phases something like this:
- 2x Tactical Squads (with transports)
- 2x Terminator Squads
- 1x Assault Squad
- 1x Devastator Squad

And then repeat until everything is painted. While it doesn't necessarily break up the monotony of painting power armor, it does give variety in what squads are being painted.

Cheers for now!
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Let there be pictures!

Here is a PIP picture of the first terminator: Standard Storm Bolter/PF combo, but he also sports an added "battle standard" of a dead World Eaters rhino driver.



Back Side:



And a comparison shot between the old paintjob (Left) and new paintjob (right):



I still need to finish painting the base on the dude, as well as his 4 squad mates. And just spotted a hiding mold line on the back of the dead WE. Piss..

To be continued!
~Manus

[lestat82d]

this is progress dude! jesus i remember my first army.. inch thick paint.. haha

but yea this picture shows how much youve come on in your time in the hobby

[Serpent]

The progress you show is really inspiring. Great job!

But the WE Rhino driver must really be a stiff corpse, the way he's hanging on to his Bolt Pistol...

[ManusMarines]

lestat: Thanks, dude. Looking back at some of these models makes me cringe a little. Yay for correcting past mistakes. I know my new paint jobs aren't the most crisp, clean, or amazing, but I do enjoy them

Serpent: Speaking of past mistakes... I thought about removing the pistol and replacing it with more of a limp arm, but I decided on leaving the ridiculous nature of the clenched pistol to remind me of the past.

Thanks for the comments!

After I get home from work today I will be working more on the squad.

Until later,
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Let there be pictures!

I've been working on the Terminator squad and have finished another two members.

First up, Heavy Weapon support in the form of an Assault Cannon-toting badass:



Side Shot:



Another battle brother:



Side/Back Shot:



The three completed brothers:


Work continues on the remaining two, before I move onto an Assault Squad.

Cheers!
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Let there be pictures!

I had to take some time off from painting for job-related matters, but am back at it.

I present, the last two battle brothers of Terminator Squad Alpha!

Chain-fisty!



Side View:



The Sergeant: Much to the dismay of his battle brothers, he refuses to reveal the origin of his massive power halberd.



Side View:



Whole Squad:



Side View:



Another squad down! Tons to go. Before I move onto an Assault Squad, I'm going to knock out one of my 5 dreadnoughts.

~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Let there be pics!

Wait, what's this? Two updates in one day? Has the earth stopped spinning?

To be fair, I didn't really have all that much to redo on this particular Dreadnought, seeing that I modestly repainted it months ago to a better scheme. However, it still needed touchups and other details to bring it to my current standards.

Presenting, the new, NEW improved Brother Hortan, Dreadnought of the 2nd Company! Here he is in generic Assault formation.


Power Fist Side:


Assault Cannon Side:



Here he is in Tank-Busting formation:


Missile Launcher Side:


LasCannon Side:



Cheers!
~Manus