I haven't been painting much recently, and decided to try using the Deathwatch painting challenge as motivation to get back into the habit again.
Over the last couple of weeks, I've been digging through leftover marine bits and pieces and converting some figures to assemble a Black Spear strike force: a Watch Master, a Dreadnought, and an Aquila Strike Team. Here's what I've put together so far: Watch Master Torvald Silverhand Torvald served in the Deathwatch as a young Grey Hunter; honing his battlecraft in countless warzones. A century later, he returned to the Watch Fortress to swear a permanent oath of service: leaving the Space Wolves to serve in the Deathwatch command. http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/Morsla/Deathwatch/2016-09-03%2016.48.29_zpso714nvyw.jpg Rune Priest Valtar Ghostwolf, Space Wolves Torvald's mentor and pack-brother serves as the Librarian attached to Aquila Team Invictus. The priest wears the markings of Krom Dragongaze's Great Company in place of his former Chapter insignia. http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/Morsla/Deathwatch/2016-09-09%2010.04.42_zpswio1wx8t.jpg Watch Sergeant Lazial Invictus, Ultramarines A son of Ultramar, trained in the ancient Suzerain tradition. Invictus leads a close assault Kill Team, tasked with the difficult challenge of keeping the Deathwatch command elements alive... http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/Morsla/Deathwatch/2016-09-05%2021.11.07_zpsdbvekeei.jpg Aquila Team Invictus - troops This team is equipped for close assault: shotguns, storm shields, and a terminator with a thunder hammer. The team members are drawn from the Crimson Fists, Angels Ascendant, Silver Skulls, Iron Hands and Howling Griffons. http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/Morsla/Deathwatch/2016-09-05%2021.14.53_zpsmh5ghodb.jpg Ancient Veran Pelegath Pelegath once served as the Chaplain to Silverhand's Watch Company, leading a Strategium command squad tasked with engaging the most heavily protected enemy command elements. An engagement with the Farsight Enclaves left him beyond the skills of the company Apothecaries to save, and so he was interred in a Dreadnought chassis - ready to fight on as a permanent member of the watch. http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/Morsla/Deathwatch/2016-09-09%2011.41.24_zpsarmulgwl.jpg
I'm aiming for 1-2 figures each week, in order to hit the Nov 12 deadline. Here's the first painting WIP :) http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt200/Morsla/Deathwatch/dw-ultramarine-sergeant_zpssb8nnblk.jpg I've been experimenting with different ways of painting black armour, and have settled on P3's Thamar Black, Coal Black and Underbelly Blue (lots of turquoise shades, essentially). I couldn't work out why I was having so much trouble getting sharp highlights, and then realised I was using a ten year old paintbrush... it's been much easier since finding a newer one to use ;) Still needs some more shading and highlighting on the metals, particularly the gold. I'll probably add some weathering powders to the model, too - this is as far as I got last night, though.