Guilliman's 2nd GD Diorama - Imps vs. nids

[Dullmohawk]

I'd go with the left as well, looks way better

[Zywus]

I agree on the left leg being placed behind his body. It gives a better sense of the marine striding forward. Which is what I assume you are going fore.

[Ithor]

Left leg behind adds more impetus to the chainsword swing - as if he's putting his weight behind it.

[Bobtheogre]

The front most leg should be the one that is currently attacking. Im a righty and when I fight with sword and shield, I extend my right leg into my swing or stab so my unshielded leg is only exposed when my opponent should be on the defense. This also extends the range of my strike. Plus it is also my intent for my opponent to give ground on my attack. This is also the same when Im fighting with two swords(Florentine).

[Melchor]

Hand/foot agreement.
Left leg back looks more natural I think. For the reasons Bobtheogre stated.

[Guilliman]

Hmm, well, the model is glued together now anyway. I did go on the net yesterday to get some support for my pose though. It's funny how I always seams to find exactly what I'm looking for. This is what I cut together from the Space Marine game to show you what I'm trying to achieve:



I'm trying to go for something around pic 4 or 5. I'd say this actually supports Bobtheogre's theory since his left arm is actually his attacking arm. The problem with the pose I've shown before is the firing arm. I've been aware of that it should be pointed more to his side, as if still firing in an arc. I'm intending to add shot down nids to give evidence to this as well as a streak of smoke from the barrel and a flapping purity seal on his arm.

The space marine game also shows how to solve the waist problem. Here's what I'm going to try to achieve today:



As for the colour scheme I'm putting it to the side atm to focus on the converting. All markings will be freehanded anyway. It will definately be something uncommon (though official) and bright. I love it when you see something you don't expect on the side of all the common chapter once in a while. Like the Scythes of the Emperor attack bike this UK GD.

[Kyrios]

I would suggest one of the seccessionist from the Badab campaign as they are very unusual as loyal chapter go, has very few marines (although really experienced at the point and probalbly quite badass) and is on a pentinent crusade straight into the maw of the tyranid swarm. Either a Lamenter or a Mantis Warrior as they wear bright armour.

[Chiron]

After last time, subbed

[Goat of Yuggoth]

I love it already! I have a suggestion or two for you, if you're interested.

1. How about trying to get the piece to follow a warm/cold atmosphere, where either one of the groups is portrayed in warm tones, and the other in cold ones. Personally a favorite of mine in dioramas, brings out a far more artistic approach in my mindset.

2. Acid splashes. I know 'Nids aren't portrayed having acid blood in the background, but something like a spitting Genestealer would be awesome to add. Brings out the "Colonial Marines" prospect I always love to imagine when Space Marines fights Tyranids.

3. The effect of the hive mind. You could add a simple Synapse Creature to the piece, and have it posed at the time of its death, with nearby Gaunts screeching in terror from the synaptic recoil it produces.

4. Make it a fun project and don't stress out too much, you'll definitely top the last piece (not to say it wasn't pristine).

Well that's about it. I'm looking in anticipation at what you can and will achieve with this.

Cheers,
Goat of Yuggoth

[Guilliman]

Some great tips Yuggoth, thanks!

Progress on this guy's pretty slow, but here's where I'm at atm:





Remember the head will be replaced one I get my hands on what I'm after. I've struggled with the waist. It's not often you see any details on the area between the belt and chest. I took some inspiration from the inquisitor marine:



I'm also unsure if the belt needs any adjustment or more details.

*EDIT*
Just remembered I will be adding some pouches and grenades on the finished model. It'll allow me to trim down the belt a bit as it won't show. So it'll look something more like this:



Different pouches:

[The_Dark_Raven]

Excellent progress in my opinion. The task is a certain research heavy one because it comes down to the anatomy of a sci-fi race, alongside human references and limitations.

It looks extremely promising at this point, I have a feeling the end result will see your name yet again appear on the Golden Demon Winners announcements.

[No-One]

You decide on a chapter yet? My vote is for Howling Griffons, nice bright red and yellow, with the silver left arm, would look very nice in my opinion

[imm0rtal reaper]

Looking good so far. Enjoyed your last project, looking forward to this!

[Cygnusmaximus]

You decide on a chapter yet? My vote is for Howling Griffons, nice bright red and yellow, with the silver left arm, would look very nice in my opinion

I have always been under the impression that the Deathwatch shoulder pad was only worn on the left arm (which was also silver) while serving with the Deathwatch, and that it was moved to the right arm (which was painted in normal chapter colours, leaving only the shoulder pad silver) when the marine returned to his chapter.

And, since you're after yellow, I also vote for a Lamenter. They were almost wiped out by Tyranids and there aren't many left, so I think it makes the most sense to have a lone Lamenter helping the IG stave off the Tyranid horde (or die trying).

[Griffonclaw]

Great work guilli. I would go with the bigger pouches, makes him look more heavy and intimidating ! My vote for chapter (considering your leaning towards yellow/orange) would be lamenter of imperial fist!

[Brother Alexos]

I think that you should look at the different pictures in the Tyranid codex. There was a story based around a small PDF bastion that was all that was left of an Imperial world, and how their final days went.

Also, I think that adding an Adeptus Mechanicus agent or two that have gone berzerk seeing their religion's exact antipathy realised would be nice.

[Guilliman]

I have always been under the impression that the Deathwatch shoulder pad was only worn on the left arm (which was also silver) while serving with the Deathwatch, and that it was moved to the right arm (which was painted in normal chapter colours, leaving only the shoulder pad silver) when the marine returned to his chapter.

And, since you're after yellow, I also vote for a Lamenter. They were almost wiped out by Tyranids and there aren't many left, so I think it makes the most sense to have a lone Lamenter helping the IG stave off the Tyranid horde (or die trying).

I've probably read the IA article three times now and haven't seen anything about the arm after the deathwatch service.

About the Lameters; Kyrios almost convinced me with the same argument yesterday, but we'll see.

I'm struggling with the tyranids struck with the sword atm. I think I have a pretty good Idea with one being sliced through and a second being pushed onto a third, halt torn up by the sword. But I haven't done anything like this ever before and would be super grateful if anyone know of any good reference pics of some sort? Don't have access to a nid codex atm either. So far I've browsed through all duel and diorama entries from en last 8 years of Golden Demon, but more would be helpful.

I think I should try getting started on the base soon to. My thoughts are scattered on different details and I have trouble getting a good overview of the project atm. :/

*EDIT*
I was just told the statement about the arm after retirement is from the deathwatch Chapter Approved article. After reading it it only feels like an excuse to use them in normal marine armies (but still having to get the bitz).

Btw, gaunts are really huge even compared to my marine! I've prepared one gaunt and tried a pose, now I'll just have to get the chainsword halfway through it. I'll probably only have him cut down two of them, not sure there's so much room around him.

[Jacobite]

Hey Gulliman

You, sir are an amazing hobbiest. You SHOULD have won the Deamon for your Diorama, hands down, the skill you have with GS is flabbergasting.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this one develop like I did the last. Anyway enough fauning over you like a slaanesh deamon.

Lew_b81's conversions of his Orge Maneaters could be of interest to you in regards to gore and the like. Especially his Tzeentch and Nurgle Orges. The thread can be found here 96 pages but its very interesting.

Hope it helps

[Brother Alexos]

If you want a really dynamic base, I think that you should focus it on an Imperial Trench, with a single Bunker. The bunker should be near the middle of the trench, with a huge hole blasted into it, tearing it open. There would be a few dead guardsmen, maybe the marine's helmet laying on the floor of the bunker. The marine will be charging from the bunker, with a few dead nids around him. one section of trench is being fought over in hand-to-hand with nids, while the other half is being held up by a squad of guardsmen.

Just some thoughts here.

[Munchy]

Guilliman,

This looks like it is coming together really well, but just make sure you don't overcrowd the base! I think there is an extremely fine line with battle diorama's between perfect and too much.

The other problem is that if you have models fighting hand to hand, because of the sheer size of a hormagaunt compared to a guardsman if you have more than a couple of these fights near each other you may lose any conversions or scultping in the overall 'blob' of fighting, if that makes sense? It can be hard enough on the tabletop to work out the details in models on bases in combat let alone on a diorama.