Salamanders project log

[Gothical]

I've been collecting 40K for many years, starting and selling many armies. After nearly a decade, I realised I don't have a painted, playable force (well, stand-alone force). So, after touring a few forums and becoming incredibly envious of people with fully assembled, painted and based models, I decided it was time I got myself in gear and actually tried to get something done.

 

I've made a post or two about these before, but every time it's fallen on it's face due to a lack of time from work and me simply forgetting to update/paint anything. So, this thread will replace all the old ones I've made and never updated (I'll hunt them down and delete them later, the comments on them were most appreciated).

 

However, I have two days off, so I'm thinking these might be a very useful thing to get my Salamanders up and running. I'm going to need a lot of support with this - encouragement to not watch a movie but paint another Tactical Marine instead, and also I am seeking to improve my models as I go.

 

I want to have a large portion of this force done by the time the Guard codex is realeased - that gives me a month. This is a little unrealistic, but hopefully I can get the Infantry painted to a reasonable level, and then work on my Tanks whilst I paint my Guard Infantry in May, with the odd unit/character rolled out for my High Elves so I don't get too bored.

 

Here's a shot of what I have to paint:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/Startofdrive.jpg

 

It's an entire 1500 point army, minus a 5-man Assault Squad, a Rhino and 2x Land Speeder Typhoons. In this pic the Terminator Sergeant and Captain are still WIP, but I've finished those off now (pics further down). Alright, so it's about 300 points down - and doesn't look too bad, but it's daunting enough for me, as I know I cannot paint them as fast as my Guardsmen (about 1-Marine-per-day, about 1-Guard Squad-per-day; but I can't work on them every day)

 

Here's a list of what units I have to work on. I'll cross them off as I complete them:

 

Captain Olokun

 

Terminator Squad Eshu

 

Tactical Squad Shango

Rhino "Ozain"

 

Tactical Squad Oya

Rhino "Erinle"

 

Tactical Squad Aganju

Razorback "Babalu"

 

Assault Squad Buluku

Rhino "Omiero"

 

Land Speeder Squadron "Ochosi"

 

Predator "Ochumare"

 

Vindicator "Ogoun"

 

Here's the level to which I can paint - I can't paint particularly well so I would like some tips on improving my models as I go, since firstly there are some truly enviable models out there (I think due to blending and weathering) and secondly because you only get better by practicing.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/varnished.jpg

 

 

I've not managed to get a lick of paint on anything yet (apart from that practice marine), but I have virtually finished assembling my Captain, the Terminator Squad and the Terminator Sergeant. The Captain and Sergeant are awaiting greenstuff, that'll come later today (I intend to paint something this morning).

 

Here's the Captain. Everything is stuck down except the head and the backpack (so that I can get at his cape to sculpt a Salamanders Mantle).

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/1%20Headquarters/CaptainOlokun.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/1%20Headquarters/CaptainOlokun2.jpg

How do you think he turned out? I'm pretty happy with it, he's in more of a "surveying the battlefield" pose suited to his role of hanging back protecting the home objective. It also has a bit of a "Bring it!" attitude about it - which again is very suited to hanging out on the objective! What do you think of the Mk3 "Iron" Armour now I've finished the helmet, and also of my "Angel of Death/Iron Halo combi-backpack"?

 

Here's the Terminator Squad. The shoulder-pads were a nightmare to get to fit, I think that's where most of my time went!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/2%20Elites/SquadEshu.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/2%20Elites/SquadEshu2.jpg

Pretty standard, but do you think they look alright?

 

Here's Sergeant Eshu. I had one phrase in mind when building this, my favourite phrase from the Horrible History books - "At least we'll be fighting in the shade!"

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/2%20Elites/SergeantEshu.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/2%20Elites/SergeantEshu2.jpg

He looks a little small compared to the other Terminators, so I'm going to stick a regular 40mm base under his scenic one to make him the right hight relatively discreetely. Also needs GS detailing on shield (and filling in the gap in his hammer arm - hence no shoulder pad!).

 

Well, that's it for now - not too impressive for 6hrs work, I apologise but I was having trouble with my superglue. I'm off to find some sustenance & a cuppa tea, and then will get down to painting some Tactical Marines. All comments, and most especially encouragement, really appreciated!

[mega_marines]

I love the hammers on the captain, though I get the sad impression that they are just for show. They don't look imposing at all and they don't suit his size. If you could, use legitimate Thunder Hammers for a beastlier and more grim-dark look. Though, everything looks great!

[cathar the great]

Even though I myself like the crazy giant weapons of Space Marines, I really like the feel of your captain. He has this underlying sense of badassness.

 

Did you use the picture of that Chapter Master in the codex as a reference/inspiration?

[Gothical]

Even though I myself like the crazy giant weapons of Space Marines, I really like the feel of your captain. He has this underlying sense of badassness.

 

Did you use the picture of that Chapter Master in the codex as a reference/inspiration?

 

No, the inspiration came from a post when the SM codex was a whispered rumour, something along the lines of "poster 1: Can you get more awesome than a Marine slaughtering his way through a broodnest with a thunderhammer? poster 2: How wading through a brood nest with two thunderhammers?", the original story of Vulkan fighting off a horde of Dark Eldar with mere Blacksmith's hammers, and the stuff Perrin carries in the Wheel of Time series (what is it with Blacksmiths being awesome?).

 

I was slightly worried that the hammers would look too small, but I felt regular thunderhammers are too large to be wielded 1-handed (I envision the smaller hammers being wielded quite quickly, using the momentum of each other). The bigger hammers need lugging 2-handedly. Or at least that's how I justify the ecta attack from the pair!

[Inquisitor Xenthor]

Excellent work so far! Keep it up!

 

What model is it you used for the Captain?

[Gothical]

Excellent work so far! Keep it up!

 

What model is it you used for the Captain?

 

Thanks!

 

The Captain is from the Masters of the Chapter boxed set - the one that normally has a sword and a powerfist. Helmet is a conversion from an old Iron Warriors helmet and the Hammers are from a Fantasy Warrior Priest.

[Gothical]

After 6 hours I don't have a lot to report.

 

I've undercoated 6 Marines (including a sergeant) of squad Shango and an experimental razorback (so I can play with the spraygun and maybe some weathing effects if they have any in the hobby shop).

 

But, I have spent a few hours getting my main coat done on one guy. Please can you let me know what you think of it, and if it's showing promise of being better than the other model shown at the top of this here page?

 

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/IMG_0522.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/IMG_0524.jpg

 

I'm just worried about the highlights and stuff now. I know I'm going to glaze it and varnish, but I can't blend too well still and my edge highlights aren't too sharp either.

[Gothical]

After finally getting up the courage to start highlighting this guy, here's what I've got It's highlights of 50/50 Snot/Scorpion highlights. How do they look (indeed, can you even see them in the pics?)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/5050highlight.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/5050highlight2.jpg

 

I'm hoping to add a sharp edging of Scorpion Green to the highlighted areas, and then wash with a very, very thinned coat of Thraka Green to take away the slightly "chalky" effect. I managed to get a little blending/feathering going on, completely by accident (and with only a single brush too), such as on the side of the helmet (the curve is highlighted, but it blends in quite well).

 

Do you think that will be good enough for a relatively high-quality tabletop force (I believe in trying to paint everything to the best of your abilities. Sadly, mine aren't as great as how I imagine things turning out - a little better than I thought I was, I admit, but still)?

[Inquisitor Xenthor]

Thanks!

 

The Captain is from the Masters of the Chapter boxed set - the one that normally has a sword and a powerfist. Helmet is a conversion from an old Iron Warriors helmet and the Hammers are from a Fantasy Warrior Priest.

 

Sweet deal, Thanks!

 

As for the highlights you've done, from what i can tell, the highlights look good. its subtle, but does the job. ;)

[Gothical]

Should I try to brighten the highlight more, with a 25/75 mix, or should I just edge the whole thing in Scorpion Green? Since I'm going to glaze the model with ink, I'm thinking it might be best to add the extra layer of highlight, or should I just edge the model and ignore the glaze?

 

I've undercoated a whole squad now, so hopefully over the next week this guy can get some friends. Will try to Orkhide them all tonight, but with a broken lamp my painting time is reduced.

[son of nocturne]

Nice models so far buddy! as for the most recent model i think you need to highlight it even if you do plan to wash it after as the last highlight would help exentuate the edges that you have already picked out.

Give it a go on one and see how you feel about it i say, i have always thought that the first squad that anyone paints in an army can vary a little from others as this is where you find out what you like and as you work through the models you will get a more solid view of what you want them to look like so you can start standardising and banging them out! :D

Ooh and i cant wait to see the results of your weathering on the razorback!

S.O.N.

[DibbZi]

I always love salamander armies!

[Gothical]

Looong time no reply, I apologise for that. I've shifted my army list a little, so I'll re-edit that first post when I have time.

 

However, for now, and severely hoping this makes up for my lack of updates, here's a peek at what I've been working on; my "counts-as" Vulkan He'Stan.

 

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/1%20Headquarters/Vulkancountsasside.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/1%20Headquarters/Vulkancountsasfront.jpg

 

I really liked the DA model and thought to myself "that cloak would make an awesome Salamander Mantle"! I like the not-in-combat pose because the older Salamander background has them as a 'non-hasty' chapter that doesn't rush headlong into battle, but is calculating and methodical. Hopefully this comes across in the pose.

 

Loads of work to do yet:

 

1) Sculpt a right hand to be holding the hammer and to attach the hammer.

 

2) Add an arm to the flamer hand, it'll be done as a "perspective", so the arm will taper out and disappear where the elbow would be, beneath the cloak.

 

3) Add some folds to the cloak to conceal the new "arm" and make it blend in to the cloaked shoulder

 

4) Add scales to the cloak - a very long and tiring process, but I've figured out a relatively quick method. Just need a day to do it in now :)

 

5) Do the small detail work - adding a 'foregrip' to that plain plastic part on the hammer (think bolter-style grip), alter the symbol on the chest from a DA sword into a winged Thunder Hammer, possibly change the halo'd skull into a Salamander motiff, add the purity seals back onto the right leg in a more dynamic way, add fuel lines to the flaming braziers on the backpack etc.

 

But what do you think so far?

[turelhim vampire]

Excellent work, very nice painting so far. I am loving the captain and the Vulkan model, impressive, and inspirational too. I have that Dark Angel Master mini coming to me in the post at the moment and I am aiming to do something similar with him - I thought he'd make an excellent honor guard.

[Tyrannicide]

Nice work so far, especially your conversion of the Dark Angels Master. That's an extremely difficult model to convert and finish appropriately, props on getting it down. :)

[Terminatorinhell]

some sweet conversions here, i like the first captain the most :) The painting is great, the highlights nice and subtle!

[KYR GKIKAS]

Great looking so far mate.Keep it going

[Vadskær]

After finally getting up the courage to start highlighting this guy, here's what I've got It's highlights of 50/50 Snot/Scorpion highlights. How do they look (indeed, can you even see them in the pics?)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/5050highlight.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/5050highlight2.jpg

 

I'm hoping to add a sharp edging of Scorpion Green to the highlighted areas, and then wash with a very, very thinned coat of Thraka Green to take away the slightly "chalky" effect. I managed to get a little blending/feathering going on, completely by accident (and with only a single brush too), such as on the side of the helmet (the curve is highlighted, but it blends in quite well).

 

Do you think that will be good enough for a relatively high-quality tabletop force (I believe in trying to paint everything to the best of your abilities. Sadly, mine aren't as great as how I imagine things turning out - a little better than I thought I was, I admit, but still)?

 

Hi Adam,

 

First of all: your Tacticals look great! I like the subtle highlighting but the dark recesses between the armour plates and details I would rather wash with Babdab Black instead of actually painting them black, as it seems you've done on the pictures. The wash gives it a more down-toned quality and I think the black stands somewhat out in a not-so-positive way.

 

Keep painting and flaunt your results :)

 

Cheers,

 

/vadskær

[commander alexander]

Here's the Captain. Everything is stuck down except the head and the backpack (so that I can get at his cape to sculpt a Salamanders Mantle).

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/1%20Headquarters/CaptainOlokun.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/Treadhead2005/Space%20Marines%20-%20Salamanders/1%20Headquarters/CaptainOlokun2.jpg

How do you think he turned out? I'm pretty happy with it, he's in more of a "surveying the battlefield" pose suited to his role of hanging back protecting the home objective. It also has a bit of a "Bring it!" attitude about it - which again is very suited to hanging out on the objective! What do you think of the Mk3 "Iron" Armour now I've finished the helmet, and also of my "Angel of Death/Iron Halo combi-backpack"?

 

Where did you get that armor :o ? I must know!!!!

Also, just something ive noticed... Everyone loves DA bits and modells, no matter the chapter! Ive seen people with non DA armies, and have more DA bits than me!!(im a DA player)

[Gothical]

Hi Adam,

 

First of all: your Tacticals look great! I like the subtle highlighting but the dark recesses between the armour plates and details I would rather wash with Babdab Black instead of actually painting them black, as it seems you've done on the pictures. The wash gives it a more down-toned quality and I think the black stands somewhat out in a not-so-positive way.

 

Keep painting and flaunt your results :geek:

 

Cheers,

 

/vadskær

 

Thanks for dropping by - yeah, I tended to paint the lines back in with black ink (I'm lucky enough to still have a pot). So in future should I not worry about the recesses and let the wash sort it out? I was planning to give the model a glaze of Thraka Green to tone down the highlights and the black recesses - would that work?

 

Where did you get that armor ohmy.gif ? I must know!!!!

Also, just something ive noticed... Everyone loves DA bits and modells, no matter the chapter! Ive seen people with non DA armies, and have more DA bits than me!!(im a DA player)

 

THAT armour is the guy from the Masters of the Chapter box (normally has a power sword and power fist) with a helmet converted to an Iron Armour-pattern helm from the old Iron Warriors boxed set. Backpack is home-made.

 

As for the Dark Angel stuff...I think it's because the models are slightly more "gothic" (like Cypher), or (like Ezekiel) look very Monk-ish. I personally liked the Captain because it's slightly shorter but broader than a normal Marine, so fit the feeling of "quiet power" I wanted to give off.

 

As it happens, it was Vadskaer's Dark Angel captain that convinced me to do it.

[commander alexander]

Oh so I have seen it before... Well everything looks like s**t when you paint it smurf colors. Well, anyways I want to use it to make a chaplain. But i think I will file off the chest eagle and GS something......