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

[ManusMarines]

Hello again, my friends!

It has been a long time since I updated this log, and for good reason(s)!

1) I recently started Substitute teaching in several districts around the area. Coupled with my other job, I have been quite busy and lacking in free time.

2) I recently moved into a new apartment with my girlfriend, and we have spent a while getting everything situated and such.

However, I am now back!

First up are some new workspace pictures!

Here is the general layout of my two-table set up.


Dual monitors ftw. That fun looking tower on the bottom of the desk holds my new baby, built a short while ago. (Can provide specs if wanted ).

And here is the hobby/work table.


There might possibly be a pet picture sometime in the near future, as we are looking into getting a cat.

~Manus

[ManusMarines]

*DOUBLE POSTIN'!*

But for good reason, as I have actually been working on some painting.

Presenting, Dreadnought #2 - Brother Castor.

Methinks he needs another batch of Badab Black wash to darken up his highlights....









And for comparison's sake, here is Castor next to the previously finished and showcased Hortan. See what I mean about the extra helping of wash to get the highlights closer to Hortan's?



As usual, comments/concerns are welcomed.

I hope to get back into a good painting schedule, but we shall see how that promise holds up with Modern Warfare 3 and Skyrim both releasing in less than two weeks time

~Manus

[Gearhart]

wow! thats alot of marines! its great too see another large army on here! keep it up, ill be watching

[Funky01chef]

Nice work on re-painting your army, it's a daunting prospect with a force that large, but your plan seems to be letting you make steady progress through it

Will be looking to see what comes next

[ManusMarines]

wow! thats alot of marines! its great too see another large army on here! keep it up, ill be watching

Thanks, Gearhart! You should see my Orks fully displayed as well. They are just extremely black/unprimed due to my neglected painting

Nice work on re-painting your army, it's a daunting prospect with a force that large, but your plan seems to be letting you make steady progress through it

Will be looking to see what comes next

Thanks, Funky. Always glad to hear from people who like watching my progress. I know I'm not the best painter, but I aim to have fun.

[ManusMarines]

*Update*

Just thought I would post a current Fully Painted army shot to keep things interesting.

This picture represents a fully legal (although small) force for gaming, comprised of 100% painted units. Not the most effective force, but it could get the job done.



Marine Task Force: 1135pts

[HQ] Space Marine Captain - 125
- Power Weapon, Hellfire Rounds

[ELITES] Terminator Squad Alpha - 230
- Assault Cannon

[ELITES] Brother Hortan, Dreadnought - 115
- Assault Cannon

[ELITES] Brother Castor, Dreadnought - 205
- Missile Launcher, TL-Lascannon

[TROOPS] Tactical Squad Anapest - 230
- Flamer, Missile Launcher, Power Fist, Rhino

[TROOPS] Tactical Squad Belepheron - 230
- Flamer, Missile Launcher, Power Fist, Rhino

Until next time,

~Manus

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATES*

I also figured I'd start showing more of the "Before" pictures of the squads that are being repainted.

So, here is the "before" shot of the squad I'm currently working on: Devastator Squad Alpha.



The squad is mainly made up of Tactical Marines from one of the AoBR boxes I picked up when it launched.
The two missile launchers, sergeant, and three other marines are from the box. The other two launchers, test-color marine and other unpainted marine are from random Tactical Squad box purchases throughout the years.

Although, on second thought, perhaps I should replace those Tactical Marines with the raised Tactical arrow with marines with non-molded shoulder pads so as to keep a unified Devastator squad... hmmm

I'm looking to take the first step of mold-line clean up tonight after work. Until then, cheers!

~Manus

[Funky01chef]

Thanks, Funky. Always glad to hear from people who like watching my progress. I know I'm not the best painter, but I aim to have fun.

Having fun is always the best motivator for painting, I'm really enjoying going back over and touching up my Fists at the moment, which is a huge contrast to the forced painting I had to do for the week running up to the Tempus Fugitives event recently (althought having a very finite deadline does work wonders for getting a force to a gamable standard )

I dont know what game size you normally play, but could I put a request in for you to tackle your Land Raider next after your current squad of Devi's? It would compliment the rest of your force nicely, and give you a delivery method for your Terminators, and round the force out for either 1,500pt or at a push 1,750pt games.

[Gearhart]

i also agree with funky, if you dont have fun then you will never finish as for me i believe painting is half the fun so although my progress is slow its surely extreamly enjoyable. keep it up, i shall take a look at your orks

[ManusMarines]

I dont know what game size you normally play, but could I put a request in for you to tackle your Land Raider next after your current squad of Devi's? It would compliment the rest of your force nicely, and give you a delivery method for your Terminators, and round the force out for either 1,500pt or at a push 1,750pt games.

Request granted

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

So as I mentioned, I ended up shuffling around some of the models currently assigned to my devastator squads (read: marines from AoBR).

Now, marines in the Dev squad will no longer have raised Tactical arrows on their shoulder pads. /end confusion.

I didn't have a ton of time to work on them, but here are the results of the first five marines of the Devastator squad.



Work Done:
- Armor/metals/etc all repainted
- General clean-up of mold lines and mis-construction
- Some detail work

Work Left to Do:
- Base/Rebase models
- Squad markings
- Washes
- Finishing touches.

Once I finish off these five models I will move onto the strength of the unit, the 4x Missile Launchers and remaining marine. Woot.

Also, I apparently neglected to bring my giant bottle of Elmer's/PVA Glue from my house when I moved. I'll have to pick some up before I can finish basing. Bah...

Until later,
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

More progress!

I've completed all of the work on the first five Devs, with the exception of completing the basing process.

Note the Battle for Macragge / 4th Edition starter set Marine second from the left. Oy..



Less than stellar Freehand squad markings



And I really enjoy this pose for some reason...



After I pick up some glue, I will finish basing these gentlemen and move onto the other half.

Until then,
~Manus

[dijital_llama]

Great to see another Ultra army mate, looks solid so far, you've got a consistent style. The gold on the heavy weapons is a cool take on things.

[ManusMarines]

Great to see another Ultra army mate, looks solid so far, you've got a consistent style. The gold on the heavy weapons is a cool take on things.

Thanks, Dijital! I've always enjoyed the heavily washed gold on my armies. Gives them a more antique, baroque style.

No new pictures as of late. This is simply my usual "I'm not dead, just checking in!" type of post.

Free time has dropped down to almost nothing these days. I was lucky enough to land a long-term substitute English teacher position at a local high school, and that occupies half my day.

The other half is usually spent at my other job, or delving into the depths of Skyrim. 75+ hours of work a week doesn't leave time for a devoted video gamer/painter

Break starts soonish (the 21st), and I will be doing a night-crew at my other job, so that will leave me a good chunk of time to do some painting! Yay!

So to my viewers/subscribers who have been following my humble painting attempts, I'm not dead!

~Manus

[Gearhart]

glad to hear your not dead! and cant wait to see more updqates

[sabouras]

Great work dude!!

How did you remove the first coat of colour before you re-paint them ?

[ManusMarines]

Thread-ro-mancy!

Hello again, sports fans. No, I'm not dead. Still painting (very slowly) and getting distracted by numerous things, but I'm back into painting.

For anyone who was following before, I will be posting more steady progress. For anyone new looking through the log, welcome!

Anyway, currently working on finishing the second portion of that Dev squad, and then moving on to fulfill funky's request of one of my Land Raiders. Huzzah!

~Manus

[BrotherTearz]

Atleast you have some stuff painted All of which is looking good.

Could you tell me how you made that lightbox for your pictures?

[ManusMarines]

Could you tell me how you made that lightbox for your pictures?

Thanks! And surely! All I did was grab a big sheet of foam board from a craft store, cut it up, and tape it all together. Very simple, and cost me maybe $1.50 for the whole thing.

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

I've completely finished the devastator squad. Just waiting on my washes to dry so I can snap some pictures.

After that, I shall be moving on to the Land Raider. It needs a bit of repair work, but then I can start its brand new paint job.

Pics of Dev Squad up in a little while. Happy Sunday, everyone!