Monsterzonk's big 40k log

[Monsterzonk]

Hi there!

Hoping to finally finish a gaming legal army, I've decided to enter this year's Tale of 40k Painters. I'll be trying to paint up my DIY Space Marine Chapter - the Heralds of Faith.

I was really looking forward to this challenge, when it all went wrong... Yesterday both my computer and my camera decided to die on me. So I had to spend the hobby budget for the next months to replace my PC at least. I hope I can borrow a camera from one of my flatmates to document my progress.

Well, with that big hole in my budget, I'll need to change my initial plans and start painting all the Space Marine stuff I've collected over the years instead of going for a specific army list... Luckily, I've got enough minis to reach my aim of 1,500 points.

Those of you who've followed my Fantasy project log will know that I'm a fluff addict, and this one shall be no different! So next up is a bit of background information on my Space Marines, as well as a first test mini.

* * *

The HERALDS OF FAITH Space Marine Chapter

The Heralds of Faith are an Imperial Fists successor chapter founded in the 36th Millennium. They broadly adhere to the Codex Astartes, with some minor modifications. The chapter's company organization is where they deviate from the Codex most. Instead of having a Veteran 1st Company, each of the Battle Companies (1st to 5th) are made up of one Veterans Squad, five Tactical Squads, two Assault Squads and two Devastator Squads. The Reserve Companies also include one Veterans Squad each. This way, all the companies benefit from the experience and wisdom of the elite Battle Brothers.

The Heralds of Faith's armour is a deep black with bone coloured shoulder guards and faceplates. The company colour and squad number are featured on the Marines' left kneepad.

* * *

And here's my first test mini. I went for a scheme that wouldn't take much time but still look good and intimidating. As you can see, I'll be painting the 4th Company of the chapter.

I hope you like it!

Cheers,
Monsterzonk

[Brother Alexos]

This one should be good, subscribed.

[Hadriel Caine]

Cool scheme and DIY chapter background. My one suggestion is that the highlights on the black are a bit stark. Maybe try to mak them thinner or, even easier, badab black wash them to tone them down.

I'm aware the effect is probably more muted IRL too! My camera loves to exaggerate highlighting.

[Monsterzonk]

Thanks, guys!

@ Hadriel: Yes, that close up the highlights seem a little stark, but from a bit further away they aren't that hard... I hope the next few updates will show that.

Cheers,
Monsterzonk

[ilikebmxbikes]

very nice

when photographing figures i only post them slightly larger than they are in real life for that reason.

[Monsterzonk]

Thank you, ilikebmxbikes! I've been a long time follower of your Blood Angels log, and I'm really impressed by the combination of speed and quality you have achieved... I hope I can at least keep up with the To40kP, since I'm not the fastest painter.

Well, the Tale has officially started today, so I think it's time to tell you what to expect of this log.

Most importantly, I'd like to have a legal army, hence I'll spend the first two months to paint two full 10-man Tactical Squads of the Heralds of Faith 4th Company. Hopefully. After that, I'll see what takes my interest, saving the HQ choice for a month I don't have much time to paint...

I've always seen Space Marines in the more literal sense, i.e. as fleet based assault troops. Therefore, I chose the 4th, because their Captain bears the title of Master of the Fleet. This force won't have any tanks. Instead, the Tactical and Devastator Squads will have Drop Pods, and fire support will come in the form of Dreadnoughts and Land Speeders. 1st Squad will probably be made up of Terminators, since I have a few lying around.

Well, that's it for now. I'm off to paint a few Marines!

Cheers,
Monsterzonk

[igneous]

cool test mini

[npow34]

MZ!!!!!!!!!!! Long time buddy! I am looking forward to seeing you do some 40k goodness. I really like the start of your Heralds of Faith. Cool color scheme and nice painting. Concider me sub'd!

Ever plan on returning to your Nurgle WoC and the story?

[Monsterzonk]

Thanks, guys! I've been busily painting up my first Tactical Squad, but with my camera dead, I haven't been able to take proper pics yet. Well, I hope I can borrow one soon, when the last two Marines are finished, completing the first 195 points for the Tale...

Ever plan on returning to your Nurgle WoC and the story?

I'm pretty sure I will. Though at the moment they don't quite inspire me as much as they used to, so no real progress there...

Cheers,
Monsterzonk

[Monsterzonk]

Well, the first month of the Tale of 40k painters is over, and I must admit, I didn't quite make it on time... My goal was to paint up an entire 10-man Tactical Squad, and it all went well, until real life decided to stab me in the back. Hence, the sergeant is still very (very) much WIP. But at least I managed to finish the other 9 guys!

Here they are:

Had to take the pic with my crappy phone cam, because I still don't have a new proper camera... More and better pics will follow once I can acquire a decent camera!

Tell me what you think!

Cheers,
Monsterzonk

[Siph]

Love their muted tones with a splash of accent colour in the Bronze and Green. Will all types of squad have green kneepads (as in IV Company colours) or type (Tac, Dev, Assault...) They remind me of Mortifactors and LotD. Great stuff

[Monsterzonk]

Thanks, Siph! Yes, they'll all have green kneepads.

Still no new camera, but here's the next Tac Squad I finished for the To40kP, taken with my phone cam again:

C&C appreciated.

Next up will hopefully be my Chapter Master (counts as Lysander), based on FW's Tyberos the Red Wake...

Cheers,
Monsterzonk

[Breazer]

Monsterzonk!!!!
nice....glad to see a log of you again..its looking very clean!
do you have a plan for their sign yet?

in the meantime keep up the good work ill be following here

[Monsterzonk]

Thanks, Breazer!

do you have a plan for their sign yet?

I do. Well, I have a few, actually. I think it's going to be either a torch, or a flame, or maybe a sun. It'll definitely be dark red. Now I just have to figure out how and where to get custom decals.

Cheers,
Monsterzonk

[Argyle]

I really like these guys! The colour scheme is very cool, and your painting is great as always. More, please!

[igneous]

id like to see you paint up a tank. more please!

[Monsterzonk]

Argyle: Thanks, mate!

igneous: Thanks for your continued interest! Unfortunately I don't have any plans to include tanks just yet. Let me explain why...

The 4th Company's Captain traditionally bears the title of Master of the Fleet. Therefore I'll play to that theme by making it an assault company where all the squads (if appropriate) are using drop pods to assault enemy positions from orbit. They will, however, be supported by Dreadnoughts and Land Speeders. In other words, I want a force that includes only elements that can either deep strike or infiltrate (i.e. Scouts).

Still, I also have plans to include elements of the Heralds of Faith' 3rd Company, whose Captain bears the title of Master of the Arsenal, and thus will include Rhino transports and several battle tanks. I just don't know when I'll come around to that yet.


There's not much new on the painting front, sadly. I had to play a Joker for the Tale this month, since I got swamped with uni work... I am, however, working on my Chapter Master and a Dreadnought, though my cell phone cam won't take any decent pics of them. I do hope that I'll get a new camera for Christmas, so expect some updates then!

Cheers,
Monsterzonk

[igneous]

i would love to see the chapter master(dam your cell phone camera) looking forward to updates

[Monsterzonk]

Happy new year everyone!

Good news! I got a new camera...

I didn't manage to paint that much over the holidays, but at least I did enough to fulfill my target for the To40kP.


Ancient Brother Caligula of the 4th Company, Heralds of Faith

And, as an added bonus, a (rather crappy) WIP shot of my Chapter Master:

I hope you like them!

Cheers,
Monsterzonk

[Petay1985]

nice work fella, the chapter master looks particularly promising. The face is very well executed. looking forward to seeing more.