Itsacon's 15-year catch-up conversion and painting project log thread thingy

[Itsacon]

As I mentioned here, I'm currently coming back to the hobby after a 10-year hiyatus. After taking inventory, I was appalled by just how little of my quite considerable armies is actually painted.

In order to actually get myself to paint my minis for a change, instead of only converting and customizing the ever-living **** out of them, I've decided to stop allowing myself to field unpainted minis. If I want to play, I got to paint. And, as said, not just 3 colours. Fully painted to my personal standard, based and varnished.

I'll use this thread to record my progress and show some of my work. I'll generally include links to my own website where more pictures can be found.

A Large but possibly incomplete list of what I've got left to paint:

(italic entries are unfinished conversions)

Warhammer 40k (Dark Angels):

• Master of the Ravenwing on bike
• Master of the Ravenwing on jetbike
• Master of the Ravenwing on landspeeder
• Azrael
• Helmet bearer
• Ezekiel
• Asmodai
• 1 Techmarine on bike
• 1 Ravenwing sergeants
• 3 Ravenwing bikers with special weapons
• 4 Ravenwing bikers
• 2 Ravenwing landspeeders
• 1 Company master
• 2 Librarians
• 1 Chaplain with jump pack
• 9 Command squad/Veteran squad marines
• 1 Company Champion
• 1 Standard bearer
• 1 Apothecary
• 1 Techmarine
• 4 Servitors
• 8 Space Marine sergeants
• 7 Space Marines with special weapons
• 14 Space Marines with heavy weapons
• 52 Space Marines with boltguns
• 2 Assault Marine sergeants
• 4 Assault Marines with special weapons
• 14 Assault Marines
• 2 Terminator captains
• 1 Terminator standard bearer
• 1 Terminator champion
• 4 Terminator sergeants
• 10 Terminators with heavy weapons
• 39 Terminators
• 2 Razorbacks
• 3 Vindicators
• 6 Predators
• 9 Rhinos
• 1 Drop pod
• 6 Aegis Defence Line sections
• 1 Quad cannon
• 1 Dreadnought
• 1 Scout sergeant
• 1 Scout with close combat weapons
• 1 Scout with sniper rifle
• 1 Scout with missile launcher

Some other Warhammer 40k models:

• Colonel Schaeffer
• 11 Last Chancers
• 1 Chimera
• 1 Eversor assassin
• 1 Callidus assassin
• 1 Vindicare assassin
• 1 Culexus assassin
• 1 Inquisitor in terminator armour
• 3 Servo skulls
• 3 Psykers
• 1 Grey Knight Librarian
• 2 Grey Knight terminator justicars
• 2 Grey Knight terminators with heavy weapons
• 7 Grey Knight terminators

Warhammer Fantasy (Dwarves):

• Thorgrim Grudgebearer
• Ungrim Ironfist
• King Kazador
• Runelord Kragg the Grim
• Josef Bugman
• Gotrek & Felix
• Malakai Makaison
• Long Drong
• 1 Dwarf General
• 2 Runesmiths
• 2 Anvil guards
• 1 Anvil of Doom
• 1 Battle standard bearer
• 1 Hammerer champion
• 1 Hammerer standard bearer
• 1 Hammerer musician
• 8 Hammerers
• 1 Longbeard standard bearer
• 1 Longbeard musician
• 25 Longbeards
• 2 Warrior standard bearers
• 2 Warrior musicians
• 34 Warriors
• 1 Iron Breaker champion
• 1 Iron Breaker standard bearer
• 1 Iron Breaker musician
• 24 Iron Breakers
• 1 Thunderer champion
• 1 Thunderer standard bearer
• 1 Thunderer musician
• 18 Thunderers
• 3 Quarrelers
• 1 Miner champion
• 1 Miner standard bearer
• 1 Miner musician
• 13 Miners
• 1 Bugman's champion
• 1 Bugman's standard bearer
• 1 Bugman's musician
• 18 Bugman's Rangers
• 1 Deamon slayer
• 1 Dragon Slayer
• 2 Giant Slayers
• 1 Slayer standard bearer
• 1 Slayer musician
• 13 Troll slayers
• 1 Pirate standard bearer
• 1 Pirate musician
• 17 Slayer pirates
• 1 Cannon
• 1 Organ Gun
• 1 Bolt thrower
• 1 Goblin Hewer
• 2 Stone throwers
• 3 Gyrocopters
• 21 Warmachine Crew

Battlefleet Gothic:

• 2 Battle Barges
• 6 Strike Cruisers
• 1 Nova Frigate
• 8 Hunter destroyers
• 36 Thunderhawk markers
• 6 Orbital mine markers
• 3 Transports

Bloodbowl:

• Boomer Eziasson
• Morg 'n' Thorg
• Zara the Slayer
• 4 Dwarf Blockers
• Dwarf apothecary
• Dwarf coach
• 1 Referee
• 3 Cheerleaders
• 1 Ball
• 18 Tokens

Necromunda:

• 1 Arbites Proctor
• 5 Arbites Judges

Warhammer Quest:

• Basic set:
  • 12 Skaven
  • 12 Giant bats
  • 12 Giant spiders
  • 6 Goblin spearmen
  • 3 Minotaurs
• Expansions:
  • 1 Pit fighter
  • 1 Warrior Priest
  • 1 Imperial Noble
  • 1 Elf Ranger
  • 1 Trollslayer
  • 1 Chaos Warrior
  • 1 Wardancer
  • 1 Witch Hunter
  • 1 Bretonnian Knight
  • 2 Goblin fanatics
  • 6 Black Orcs
  • 4 Goblin netters
  • 4 goblin clubbers
  • 4 goblin wolf riders
  • 6 Squigs
  • 2 Squig hunters
  • Gorgut
  • 3 Big'Uns
  • Skabnoze
  • Bogoff
  • Gubbinz
  • 1 Squig hound
  • 3 Tomb guardians
  • 12 Skeletons
  • 12 Skeleton spearmen
  • 12 Skeleton archers
  • 12 Ghouls
  • 9 Zombies
  • 1 Carrion
  • Gunther Laransheld
  • Dread king + throne
  • Grimoire
  • Luther
  • 1 Rat Ogre
  
  

Space Hulk:

• 1 Blood Angel Librarian
• 1 Brood Lord
• 11 Blood Angel Terminators
• 22 Genestealers
• 1 Throne
• 1 Chalice
• 1 C.A.T.
• 6 Space Wolf Terminators
• 10 Ultramarine Terminators
• 10 Deathwing Terminators

Assassinorum: Execution Force:

• 1 Eversor assassin
• 1 Callidus assassin
• 1 Vindicare assassin
• 1 Culexus assassin
• 1 Chaos Sorcerer
• 1 Familiar
• 3 Chaos Space Marines
• 15 Chaos Cultists

Dreadfleet

• 10 Warships
• 9 Auxiliaries
• 7 Islands
• 5 Wrecks
• 3 Monsters
• 9 Tokens

Models finished since the beginning of this thread: 320

2014: 51
2015: 106
2016: 163
2017: 0

Dark Angels:

• 2 Scout sergeants (1,2)
• 4 Scouts with close combat weapons (1)
• 4 Scouts with sniper rifles (1)
• 1 Scout with heavy bolter (1)
• 1 Librarian in terminator armour (1)
• 2 Aegis Defence Line sections (1)
• 1 Terminator chaplain (1)
• 1 Terminator apothecary (1)
• 2 Terminator sergeants (1)
• 2 Terminators with heavy weapons (1)
• 5 Terminators (1)
• 1 Deathwing Knight Master (1)
• 4 Deathwing Knights (1)
• 1 Perfidious Relic bearer (1)
• 2 Landraiders (1)
• 3 Ravenwing sergeant (1)
• 4 Ravenwing bikers with special weapons (1)
• 3 Ravenwing bikers (1)
• 3 Ravenwing attack bikes (1)
• 1 Ravenwing landspeeder (1)
• 3 Whirlwinds (1)
• 1 Techmarine
• 4 Servitors
• 1 Chaplain on bike
• 1 Librarian on bike
• 1 Mortis Pattern Dreadnought
• 1 Tactical Marine Sergeant
• 1 Tactical Marine with special weapon
• 4 Tactical Marines
  

Other 40k models:

• 1 Tau Fire warrior Shas'ui (1)
• 2 Tau Shield drones (1)
• 18 Tau Gun drones (1)

Warhammer Quest:

• 1 Barbarian (1)
• 1 Wizard (1)
• 1 Elf (1)
• 14 Dungeon doorways (1)
• 5 Orc archers (1)
• 1 Goblin fanatic (1)
• 12 Giant rats (1)
• 12 Snotlings (1)
• 6 Goblin archers (1)

Necromunda:

• 2 Van Saar Leaders (1,2)
• 4 Van Saar Specialists (1,2)
• 6 Van Saar Gangers (1,2)
• 4 Van Saar Juves (1,2)

Blood Bowl:

• 4 balls (1)
• 8 Human Linemen (1)
• 2 Human Blitzers (1)
• 2 Human Catchers (1)
• 2 Human Throwers (1)
• 6 Orc Linemen (1)
• 2 Orc Throwers (1)
• 2 Orc Blitzers (1)
• 2 Black Orc Blockers (1)
• 2 Dwarf Runners (1)
• 2 Dwarf Blitzers (1)
• 6 Dwarf Blockers (1)
• 2 Dwarf Trollslayers (1)
• Grim Ironjaw (1)

Battlefleet Gothic:

• 1 Battle Barge (1)
• 4 Strike Cruisers (1)
• 5 Nova Frigates (1)
• 16 Hunter Destroyers (1)
• 24 Thunderhawk markers
• 36 Torpedo markers

Space Hulk:

• 20 Doorways (1)

Other:

• 1 apocalypse survivor (1)

[Itsacon]

While I work on my first completed squad, some pictures of models I did actually paint all those years ago.

Dark Angels 5th Company Dreadnought with plasma cannon & missile launcher:


Dark Angels 5th Company Dreadnought with assault cannon & lightning claw/heavy flamer:


More pictures, including conversions, can be found here

[Itsacon]

Ok, progress is being made.


I've spent some time on my scout squads. The first is being fitted with transfers, and after that just varnish and they're done.

For my other squad, I finished converting my sniper sergeant and heavy bolter trooper


For the heavy bolter I added a camo cloak, as he'll be deployed with the snipers. It's a basic GS sculpt. Note that the Grey stuff is simply another brand of Green Stuff. The actually green GS is liquid GS I used to touch up sections I wasn't happy with.


The sergeant is based on the Sergeant Naaman model. I removed the chainsword and replaced it with a sniper rifle I got from ebay, to which I added a scope made of the SM tactical scope and a laspistol barrel.
Since the rotation of the wrist was different (the model had the back of the hand facing up, but it had to face backwards), I used GS to rotate the greave, and moved the skull emblem to the back.

Also, while taking inventory, I came across some Warhammer Quest Arrer Boys that were almost finished, so I finished those for a quick win:


And since I took the pictures anyway, here are their close-combat brethern:


I also came across some more Warhammer Quest and Blood Bowl models that need painting, I've added them to the list in the OP.

[Bob Hunk]

That is a long old list, good luck! I like the assault cannon dread, btw.

[ScottyDoo42]

Good Luck. Painting is one skill that takes time and may become tedious, but looks awesome when done.

[Sparda]

That sniper is awesome, can't wait to see that list shrink!

[HereBeDragons]

Well that will keep you going! I'm very excited for the warhammer quest stuff! Breaking it down into stages is a good idea. Helps with motivation a lot! What's in this 150pt kill team then?

[Itsacon]

Thanks for support and compliments!

The last few evenings have mostly been spent cleaning up and assembling models.

For instance, I've been cleaning and assembling 20 drones. Let me tell you, cleaning the mould lines from 36 pulse carbines is a PITA, not to mention drilling 72 half-milimeter barrels...

But the first scout squad is pretty much done. Just a coat of varnish and the finishing touches on the bases.

Some other stuff I've been working on:
- Cleaned the flash and lines from my Catacombs of Terror models (those pre white metal models are really tough to clean. The metal is so soft it's very hard not to scar it). Also assembled the Dread king.
- Found an old goblin fanatic in my bit box, which I repaired and assembled so I can use it with Quest.
- Stripping paint of some models I bought half-painted and ones I will need to modify for use under the newer rules.

I also found even more models to add to the list, like the Lair of the Orc Lord models for Quest. I will update it.

That is a long old list, good luck! I like the assault cannon dread, btw.

Yeah, it's models like that that make me prefer metal over plastics (or resin, which is currently completely absent from my collection).

Well that will keep you going! I'm very excited for the warhammer quest stuff! Breaking it down into stages is a good idea. Helps with motivation a lot! What's in this 150pt kill team then?

The kill team will be a 10-man scout squad. Those Tau drones (and the Shas'ui in the background) will be a brute squad. And the Quest stuff will probably get interspersed with the other models. My gf has taken an interest in Quest, so getting those models painted has moved up in priority.

[Itsacon]

Huzzah! The first Scout squad is done.



Small conversion on the sergeant: I swapped out the blade on his chainsword for that of a power sword. And there's some slight battle-scarring on the armour here and and there on all models.


This is actually quite a milestone for me. My first completely painted unit ever (Not counting vehicles and those Warhammer Quest Orcs), in 17 years of this hobby.

On to the snipers!

[Itsacon]

Some progress on the second scout squad:

[Festus]

Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!

Well this brings back memories...

Festus

[Itsacon]

Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!

Thanks!

Did some more work on the snipers, and I am prepping the brute squad for priming:

All the bases for the drones are done:



Those four drones on the bases came assembled, and not very well. Let me tell you: Cleaning mold lines of a lot of drones is a pain, but cleaning several cubic inches of superglue of a model is even worse...


I also did some work on the Shas'ui. The model I'm using didn't have a shoulder pad, so I decided to practice my sculpting a bit.



It's not done yet, still too roundish in some places and needs to be polished some more on the top. I also need to remove some bulk from the bottom and I still have to add the caste-mark in the center. But I'm not too dissatisfied, considering it's been more than 10 years since I last sculpted something, and it was never my greatest skill.

[Itsacon]

Finished the shoulder pad:



So the Shas'ui is ready for primer.

Also primed all the drones and their bases. Surprisingly enough, my can of black primer was still good, even though it must be at least 12 years old. Interesting how the different paints weathered the years better or worse:

Primer: No problem (Did end up shaking the can for about half an hour before I trusted it completely though)
Previous generation Citadel paints (bolter shell cans with screw-tops): Completely dried out
Generation Citadel paints before that: (6 sided cans with flip-tops): Needed some thinning but otherwise perfectly fine

[Daniel36]

Hey man! Good start. Not a big fan of 40K but looking forward to more of your fantasy work. Your Orc boys are suitably old school.

[Itsacon]

Well, I spent a lot of last weekend painting, but not in vain. The second scout squad is finished (and with that my first waypoint, the kill team).

Some pictures of the unit:


I also finished the leader of the brute squad, the Shas'ui:


I'm not extremely satisfied, but the problem was the paint (that Tau yellow colour is horrible, it's impossible to get a smooth layer. It's like it's a textured paint). Since it's not part of my primary army, I'm not going to sweat it. I am happy with how the shoulder pad turned out though.

BTW: If anyone would like to see more pictures of a specific model, don't hesitate to ask. I'm currently mostly showing proof of work, but if anyone want more details, it's little effort.

[Itsacon]

Well, the shield drones are finished, the gun drones nearly so (just highlighting). I'll shoot some pictures this weekend when they're all done.

[Karak Norn Clansman]

Nice painting and colour choices.

[Itsacon]

Finally, the entire brute squad is finished!



Glad they're done, drones are incredibly boring to paint. Won't be starting a Tau army anytime soon.

To re-wet my appetite (conveyor belt painting is depressing), I'll be painting something completely different next:



I've had this Fanatic in my bitbox for nearly forever, so I recently realized I could use it for Warhammer Quest. It needed some repairs (the chain was broken), and since then it has been on my desk, so I figured I might as well paint it.

[Itsacon]

Wow, it's good to be working on models you can finish in a single evening.

Goblin Fanatic: Done.

[Daniel36]

He is sweet! Love the frustrated expression on his face.