Test Model

[Rogue Trooper]

Hullo!

I recently started painting again and have finally settled (after much 'designing' and fiddling) on a colour scheme for my Space Marine Chapter.

Firstly I worked off the SM Painter images I produced (click thumbnail):

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8132/chaptercopyst8.th.jpg

Once I'd settled on that, I produced my first painted miniature in 6 years! I can honestly say I forgot how enjoyable and rewarding it is!

Constructive critiscism would be more than welcome; it was actually the first time I had ever tried highlighting a model, as well as being the first time I'd attempted blacklining. I believe there's a little sloppiness to the technique at the moment. Chalkiness with drybrushing seems an issue once the image is enlarged, although it looked fine in scale, so I may have to work on getting that a bit more clean in future.

The colour scheme is also part of their fluff, which I'm working on, the premise being that the Chapter "Sons of Camael" renamed themselves after their original Chapter Master lost his arm and died during an attack on their fortress monestary (sketchy so far, I am aware). In his honour they renamed themselves after him and painted one of their arms bone, to represent his sacrifice.

I also noticed a bit of mould line on the foot - which is annoying. I made this model all them 6 years ago, but it's still no excuse haha! The photo also appears to have turned his eyes red - in reality they're a deep orange with red lining.

Anyway, I'll stop blathering and allow you all to criticise me. If anyone can come up with ideas for a logo it'd be appreciated (I was originally planning on a white Maltese Cross, similar to the Black Templars but with a sharper central point). I'm also considering using the Dark Angels red Tactical arrow that comes in the transfer sheet for use on the Bone shoulder pad - any thoughts on that won't go amiss.

Thanks,

Rogue Trooper

[Rogue Trooper]

I forgot to mention (so sorry for double post) - basing ideas have left me empty. I was considering a very dark urban base, using patterned materials such as flagstones rather than pure rubble, but I'm not sure if it's not too common or how well it will set off the colour scheme - anyone?

[Kable]

Im liking that color scheme Rogue Trooper. No sloppiness i can see! Good contrast between the arm and the rest of the Armour. I also like your idea of you chapter honoring their fallen chapter master too.

 

As for your chapter symbol why dont you use the Dark Angel shoulder pad and paint/green stuff the Black Templar cross in?

[asmodai650]

I don't know, that foot mold line is killing it :) .

 

Seriously though, it looks great. A whole army like this would be great to play against. As for basing, I think the stone would look great. You can get the flagstone plasticard from hobby shops to make it easier.

[Rogue Trooper]

Thanks for the kind words guys;

 

Kable, the contrast was something I really wanted - the fluff kind of came out from it. Camael is actually a Judeo/Christian Angel who is occasionally referred to as the General in Heaven who defended the gates. From there I just fluffed out a rough idea of a newly founded Chapter being attacked prior to completion of the Fortress Monastery and his dying defending the gates and sustaining a suitably vicious loss of arm attack!

 

I have considered the moulded Black Templar shoulder pads but I don't really like the chunky feel to the cross itself, the only way I can think of is to explain with an image (which, thanks to Photoshop, I happen to have lying around!):

 

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/3713/camaelcrossbk7.th.jpg

(Click to expand).

 

I think the only way to do that is either make my own green stuff mould (something I've never done but have always considered something worth trying) or attempting to have my own transfers printed out, though from what I've seen and heard/read of those who do so regularly it takes a lot to make them look good (although there's no doubt that the fully gadgeted transfers that look painted have no equal!).

 

The symbol itself is what I was considering to be, perhaps, a little common? Although it does give me a vague link to the Black Templars, who I considered a similar model in my considerations of this chapters' puritannical streak as I was considering linking them in some way to that branch of the Space Marine Chapters - Imperial Fists, Crimson Fists, Black Templars etc).

 

asmodai650, Heh - you laugh, but I felt such a muppet when I noticed that mould line the first time. I greatly appreciate the confidence in the model itself. The contrast, as mentioned above, was meant to be for large groups as well as have a more striking feel. I've no idea how to recreate it on vehicles, but I'm only planning on a Predator for the moment.

 

I've seen plenty of the moulded plasticard around, but now that I'm interest I can't seem to find some - any recommendations for good (preferably UK based) stockists would appreciate. Is scale a concern? Truth be told I'm probably more likely to make my own but if something particularly interesting peaks my interest then I'm not beyond cheating a little!

 

Thanks Chaps,

-RT

[Akozz]

For me he looks great. I will use some light colours for base and juicy grass for contrast. Its only my opinion but i don't like Rogue Trooper, this white arm is just so random for me. he might be awesome Crimsonfist or Ultramarine. But its your choice, if you only like it.

[Rogue Trooper]

Akozz, it's funny that you mention it - but so far the Bone Armour on the model's right arm has actually polarised opinions. I was surprised no-one had said they didn't like it so far, expecting as I was to hear more variance. The randomness (per say) is completely purposeful, it was more to set the chapter apart from any others whilst opening interesting fluff avenues.

 

Thanks for the comments on the blue - unfortunately I don't think I could ever play Ultramarines as they are too far removed from my idea of puritannical and inhuman warriors (in fact, they're a little too cuddly for me). Crimson Fists was something I considered with some of their background (although the blue was actually chosen out of necessity to escape red - having collected Blood Angels in the past, the deep colours designed to contrast the bone). I decided in the end that it's just too much fun to have your own chapter that can't have their entire fluff changed by a single book, not that I've ever disliked any of the fluff novels to that extent - I just find that peoples perceptions of an army, race or even character can differ massively and (for me atleast) the best way to avoid that is to emulate those characterists you enjoy whilst creating your own stuff!

 

Back to the topic though - is there anything in particular that you would describe as off on the Bone armour? So far I've been told that the off white is the issue, what with being neither yellow enough or white enough to contrast with the blue - is this similar to your own thoughts? As much as I personally disagree, I'd like to know if that's a genuine concern for furthering this scheme.

 

Thanks mate,

RT

[st.germaine]

I like the idea for the name and color scheme but something about the execution seems flat. The image for the scheme seems more purple where the miniature seems far more blue than purple. My personal preference is the purplish shade over the blue. While I love the idea of the bone colored arm, this shade seems more white than bone. I'm not sure if it's the photo or if it actually is that white. Perhaps additional shading would make it more of a bone shade.

[Rogue Trooper]

st.germaine - thankyou for your comments. The purple on the SM Painter I think is more due to me simply picking a dark blue - I went for an overall quick fit for a scheme I liked, rather than an exact match (I tried various blues on bits and bobs and chose a preferred one in the end).

 

I think it may be that the image is washed somewhat with the bone (lit in an all white room, with an all white backdrop in very white lighting) - it's difficult to tell with our current 3 hours of sunlight and my having to make use with the living room ceiling lamp until I buy a new painting lamp, but to my eye it is certainly stronger in reality. I was concerned about using too strong a detail colour for shading (such as a deep brown like Bestial Brown or Snakebight Leather) as I thought it may detract away from the scheme too much if there was even more contrast added into the mix (the brown and bone contrasting alongside the bone and blue). Obviously I'm not experienced enough to judge it but I may take another model out and repeat the bone slightly darker to see if there's a difference.

[Peredyne]

Armorcast makes a great set of templar crosses in several colors.

[FateSealer]

Hey bud, nice looking model after so long a time. I've been away for two years and am also trying to get my skills back.

 

Try using these decals: LINK

 

I've used them for years on my templars and they are fantastic. Here's how they look on some of my models.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/ryanchen/Games/Warhammer/IMG_2117.jpg

[Rogue Trooper]

Cheers FateSealer - I'm rather worried about the white crosses (the ones I'd need to make use of) being too large for the shoulderpads, going by comparitive sizes between your example photographs and the transfer sheet itself.

 

I do have some transfer paper of my own (or rather, I purchased it not 10 hours before reading your post); however my major concern is an obvious inability to print white, meaning I may have to place a geometric background of white and then apply darker transfers on top. Which would be rather a lot of hassle.

 

Glad to hear someone else coming back to the hobby, or already having come back - something about it seems stuck in the head even after you think you've kicked the habit!

[kanan]

hail fellow Battle-Brother ~grins~ love the model...beautifully painted...keep up the great work and wish you the best in 2011!!! ~high fives you~

 

 

Good Luck Battle-Brother

 

 

 

peace

[Brother Captain]

I'm not sure about the paint scheme as I think that having only one arm painted in bone colour doesn't balance well with the rest of the armour. I would suggest keeping the mini blue and maybe going for bone shoulderpads. I know it will upset the fluff of your chapter but it will look more balanced IMHO. Anyway this is a matter of personal preference so go with whatever paintscheme you like.

 

The quality of the paintjob on the other hand is very good especially considering this is your first mini after 6 years. :huh: My only criticism would be that you should highlight the eyes more and use slightly bigger reflection dots. Also the helmet could benefit from having some of its details painted in a metallic colour. As for basing I usually go for simple urban bases, usually GW sand painted black and then drybrushed grey and white. Come to think about it though I'm not that original when it comes to basing so I guess you'll get better advice from other people. :(

[Rogue Trooper]

Heh, thanks for the replies chaps!

 

This model was done over a year ago; I've since redone the scheme and have changed to bone and crimson. I'm working on the first three at the moment and I'll update with pictures once they're done!

 

I'm going for a dark wasteland style basing to set off the red and black with the new logo being a skull with a red tear on a bone and grey/brown chequerboard pattern. Hard to describe but I think that it sticks with the fluff but looks slightly more balanced.

 

EDIT: 2 years actually... damn!