Knights of the Raven - Army Blog

[socalsox]

I've been out of the hobby for a long while now and have only played a few isolated games in the last 2 years. For a long while I have planned to get back in but time and money (God knows this isn't a cheap hobby) hasn't really allowed me too. Determined to get back in I began to go through my stock of minis, I found that I had a ridiculous amount of plastic sets just sitting around unassembled most of which were loyalist marines my first love in the 40k universe. I got started with Marines when I got into 40k just as the release of third edition hit the shelves, then moved on to Orks, Gaurd, LAtD & Chaos but always picking up a box of Imperial Marines claiming that I was going to get around to making a new army of them someday. Now I'm ready to get back in, there is a new edition on the shelves that I haven't had a go at, I have plenty of marine models lying around and there is a new codex on the way...... everything seems right.

 

I knew i wanted to use some of the great Dark Angel and Ravenwing plastic bits that had come out in the past year+ but I all but loath everything Dark Angel. (alright Deathwing rules you'll get that much out of me) I decided to go with Blood Ravens, then switched to Angels of Iron when I figured it would be cool to have another metallic based Marine army (Iron Warriors... with only 2 Oblits, I just like the fluff! I swear!) then finally setteld on Knights of the Raven.. a chapter that is unknown but seems to be popping up here and there more and more latley (a la 5th Edition rulebook)

 

So I've built my first a squad and I am almost finished painting them. the guns still need the be finished, the chest plates need their shading details and I need to touch the armor up in a few spots but otherwise I'm thrilled with the results!

 

Pic 1

 

pic 2

 

pic 3

 

pic 4

 

Sorry about the picture quality, first time I have done this. I believe I saw instructions on how to take good pics of minis in the Librarium but I cannot find it even with the search bar. Any advice or a point in the right direction would be much appreciated.

 

I'll be back with more soon! All comments appreciated!

[Peredyne]

A dip or wash would make a world of difference with these models. They need some depth. Here's my procedure for metallic marines:

 

1) Prime with Black Gesso (Gesso, IMO, is the best brush on primer out there for miniatures. A solid, thin coat of gesso will shrink into the details).

2) Heavy drybrush of Boltgun Metal

3) Light drybrush of Mithril Silver

4) Chest Eagles, skulls, and other details with the colors of your choice (I use Vallejo Brassy Brass for this)

5) Helmet lenses (I do my GoC with mechrite red lenses)

6) A coating of my custom dip (8 parts Future Floor Finish, 2 parts sepia brown ink, 1 part black ink). This really makes the layers and recesses pop out to the eye. This also seals the model very effectively. My custom mix works on all color schemes that I have tried to date.

7) Final detailing work (if needed). If the model has a bare head, I put a layer of flat varnish over the exposed skin and highlight accordingly.

8) A layer of bestial brown on the base.

9) Flock/sand the base accordingly.

[socalsox]

A dip or wash would make a world of difference with these models. They need some depth. Here's my procedure for metallic marines:

 

1) Prime with Black Gesso (Gesso, IMO, is the best brush on primer out there for miniatures. A solid, thin coat of gesso will shrink into the details).

2) Heavy drybrush of Boltgun Metal

3) Light drybrush of Mithril Silver

4) Chest Eagles, skulls, and other details with the colors of your choice (I use Vallejo Brassy Brass for this)

5) Helmet lenses (I do my GoC with mechrite red lenses)

6) A coating of my custom dip (8 parts Future Floor Finish, 2 parts sepia brown ink, 1 part black ink). This really makes the layers and recesses pop out to the eye. This also seals the model very effectively. My custom mix works on all color schemes that I have tried to date.

7) Final detailing work (if needed). If the model has a bare head, I put a layer of flat varnish over the exposed skin and highlight accordingly.

8) A layer of bestial brown on the base.

9) Flock/sand the base accordingly.

 

They are washed and have a TON of depth... That is the problem with the pictures. it's getting lost in the photo. The custom dip however does look intresting.. I may have to give it a try some day.