In need of thread bump. The rarely updated Plog.

[Daniel36]

If I ever get to paint a wraith or other such model, this is the log to go to for inspiration... Looking at the wraith once more, I am in absolute awe.

[Farseer Emrys]

I'm in compleate awe! Damm................. nice!

[TheProcrastinator]

Thanks everyone.

Missing? Second right arm?

Yeah. Its not unusual for models, to hide some details in the casting dead-zone, but the way this sculpt is positioned, it seems like the sculptor simply forgot about the limb.

I've been recently tidying up my workspace, and found out that I have enough loose, plastic Space Marine bits, to make about 6 battle-brothers. So I decided to make a small Ultramarines Combat Squad. I allready ordered some additional plastic and resin bitz, to add some extra bling to them.

Here is an Ultramarine test model:



It was a quick, rough paint-job, to test some of the techniques to use on the proper squad. I used it to try out several diffrent mixes of blue paint, until I got just the right kind of Ultramarines cobalt that I like. I also experimented with diffrent textures. Normally you give the model a coat of matte varnish, to unify the look of the figure. Here however, right after I finished highlighting and shading, I applied a coat of semi-gloss varnish to power armour alone, and given the rest of the figure a matte finish. After that I started the weathering. It was supposed to create a diffrence in textures. A contrast between the dry, matte, dusty weathering in the recesses, and the slightly glossy look of the polished ceramite, showing through.

The results were mixed. The diffrence in texture is indeed noticable. It doesn't clearly show it, in the pictures, but its well visable when holding the mini in hand, and moving it around in light. Also the overall look of the figure is more toned, and realistic. There were some drawbacks however. In the beggining I was very happy, with the mix of blue, the model was basecoated with, but the application of the semi-gloss coat, has darkened it considerably. Normally gloss varnishes, intensify the contrast of the colors, in a usualy pleasing way. Here however it made the basecoat darker, and the highlights less defined. As this was a fast, test paint-job, I didin't bother with smooth highlighting, or precise weathering, but at the end, I've applied a series of very fine, small scratches to the armour. Now they are almost invisible. Perhaps the varnish got spoiled, by the air conditions.

To improve this method next time, I would have to:
-add more enchanted blue to the mix, and make the highlights more defined, to compensate for the glosse coat. Perhaps use a white undercoat, instead of black
-gloss the figure after highlights, but before applying the shadows, and all the scratches. It would add to the realism, by preventing the reflective glare to show up in shadowed areas, and dented/scratched battle-damadge.

This method can give nice results, but it needs a lot of work, and I am not sure I want to do that for the whole squad. I think I am gonna stick with the more traditional, Eavy-Metal type of painting. It might be less realistic, but its more defined, eye-catching, and requiring less work. I wont be repainting the test figure. Its gonna be a gift to my little brother, for donating all his Space Marine kits to me, right after he decided he wasn't interested in miniwargaming after all....a week after he bought them. Kids.

[TheProcrastinator]

Some first, rough, blu-tack mock-ups of the proper squad members, to figure out the poses.

Brother Ortan:



I've slightly converted the arms, to make an aiming pose. I also made a green-stuff recast of the Marneus Calgar Ultramarine badge, and applied it as a shoulder pad symbol.

[TheProcrastinator]

Brother Cator:


I wanted a dynamic tactical marine pose. I used the assault marine legs, and slightly tweaked the position of the arms, to convey movement. I didn't make a chapter symbol for his shoulder pad, as I plan to try to paint some freehand design there. The little trinket hanging from his belt is from the Grey Knights kit.

[TheProcrastinator]

Flooded by work in recent months. No time to paint. I did however manage to finish a squad of Necron Immortals:




I wanted to give them that Heavy Metal, dark cast iron look. The scratches on the metal are not a representation of wear and tear of the actual armor - since Necrons "magic alloys" are probably immune to such nuisances - rather its meant to represent scratches on the dust and patina of age, that covers their metal skins. I did however paint some heavy weathering on the blue and gold decorative elements, since those were probably standard ceramics. Unfortunately it's not very visable in the photos becouse of the refective glare. I've covered the blue areas in semi-gloss varnish, perhaps I should change it to matt.

If You like em, please vote in my new CMON galery:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/298404?browseid=482440

[Shush]

I'm amazed by your painting. Especially the genestealer, I absolutely love it!
The only one I am not quite in love with is your space marine who looks a bit rougher but I think that is deliberate anyway!

I am subscribed and must give you 5 blobs!

[juicytomatoes]

Those immortals are da bomb!

[TheProcrastinator]

Here's what I bought a few days ago:


Wow, GW plastic kits really have gone a long way. Its the most complex wargames model I've tackled, so far. This is probably going to take forever to finish. Anyway, first wip shots:

The necromancer



Underside of the main carriage wip




I'll try to post an update every one or two days. The sooner its finished, the better.

Oh, and by the way. The Immortals are now on sale
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-Painted-...item231a39f0b8

[Bingo the Fun Monkey]

Wow, dude. This is quite a plog! Love the wraith and the skaven. Not crazy about marines but the quality is really good. Can't wait to see the Mortis Engine completed.

[TheProcrastinator]

Small update.

Top part of the carriage:





I think I may re-drybrush the flagstones later, since the black wash has toned down the highlights, and drained them of most colour.

Next up: The hellish bone.

[Caiphas Cain]

Damn I wish I was Polish.

I'm really not too fond of that kit, but that necromancer is just brilliant. You're very good at blending a color to black. Great work!

What colors did you use on the necromancers staff? It looks great!

[TheProcrastinator]

What colors did you use on the necromancers staff? It looks great!

Basecoat of Scorched Brown. Highlighted by adding more and more Snakebite Leather to the brown, and finished with pure SL and a little bit of Bleached Bone. When highlighting was done, I flooded the whole staff with a mix of Badab Black and Develan Mud washes.

When highlighting the staff, its not necessary to worry about smooth blending, since the highlights are meant to represent scratches and wear that occur on the edges of the wood, and those are pretty rough. Also the final washes help to blend it all togheter.

[korinth]

Very nice flag stones, not sure it needs much more of the highlights you mentioned. It looks very realistic as it is (ofc, I haven't seen it prior to the wash).

How did you do the fine pattern of the robe for the Necromancer?

[Little Joe]

Holy crap, I like the (vampire) style a lot! Dark yet bright, very nice. The other miniatures show you sure have the skills as well, such attention to details.

[Jormi_Boced]

That is looking really solid so far. Can't wait to see it put together.

[Abraham Danglebreech]

Everything in this log is so intense. I have a mental picture of this chap bent over with brush in hand and the mini about 3cms away from his face, spending as much time on plain bit of armour as he does on a face. Remarkable stuff. As for that "rushed" Space Marine... are you kidding? That's one of the nicest Marines I've seen. Very impressive. Looking forward to seeing the VC thingie finished. A lovely looking model.

[TheProcrastinator]

How did you do the fine pattern of the robe for the Necromancer?

You mean the imitation of fabric and worn cloth? Very quick strokes, with dilluted paint, and super fine detail brush. The key to get those small, fine lines is to paint them in very quick, succesive,instinctive motions. Don't try to "aim" and draw the line with the brush, just apply quick , jerky brushstrokes. You just have to hold Your hand in a proper distance from the surface of the model, so that only the very tip of the brush will touch it. Performing such quick and decisive motions with the brush means that it will connect with the surface with much force, so its important to get the distance right. Otherwise the effect will be opposite to what You wanted. I hope I am making sense. When highlighting the robes with this method i simply painted a set of horizontal stripes on the raised edges of the model, and then applied shorter, and shorter stripes with each succesive highlight stage.



Another small update. Work in progress on the hell-formed bone. Its still far from finished. The highlights are too bright and contrasting and I haven't shadowed it yet, so the whole thing is gonna be flooded with several black glazes before the end. The bone elements are definitely the worst parts of the painting procces. Highlighting and blending all the soft shapes, and bone edges is a pain in the ass. And there are still more of those to do.

[Lord Azoth]

really nice painting, applying different textures...looks wonderful!

[juicytomatoes]

wow, the painting on the hell-formed bone is superb!