[The Scythes] A collection revisited

[The Scythes]

Hi All,

 

After a couple of emails from Kurgan, I have put together a brief introduction to this project and an overview of how I have gone about building these new marines in my collection. This is part showcase, part explanation of techniques. I'm known for being terrible at step by step, but I hope my work, reference and technique inspire something in your own hobbyist imagination.

 

I recently took a break from major Tau modelling for the moment as I have been drumming up some ideas for a themed warband of Scythes of the Emperor, survivors from the fall of Sotha. Alot of the forthcoming work is inspired by and utilises elements of modelling I have seen on Dakka by others (mentioned and linked below).

 

My own collection of the Scythes (since 1997 physically/1998 Online here) has waxed and waned, with only my favourite pieces and characters remaining in my display cabinet. Now, I've decided to rejuvenate the army, but at a squad scale. Also.. upsize them significantly to something more in proportion to the historic marines of yore. I'm going to focus on delving deeper into the drive behind this band of warriors, few in number, but focussed on the fight and defeat of their Nemesis, the Hive. I'll work on characters that have long been apart of my collection, now reimagined. A Dakka Blog has been keeping tabs on my progress.

 

The Scout.

 

Inspiration (the very images which caused me to begin the Scythes of the Emperor in 1997 even..)

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/seven/scy_art_card.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/images/seven/SHIPS4.jpg

 

In the artwork you can see the original style of SM Scouts, the flowing arm cloth, half power armour carapace. Mohawks..etc

This led me to think, I need at least one example of the Scouts. In doing so I thought about scaling him right up, to the heights similar to that of my future Marine work. But, I decided against that, to focus on his enhanced physique sure.. but ultimately denied full emergence as a complete bio-enhanced marine and therefore, be slightly shorter in stature to his fully armoured brothers.

 

Ardan, sole survivor from the Tenth Company of the Scythes.

 

http://www.the-scythes.com/ardan_tute/ardan_tute1.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/ardan_tute/ardan_tute2.jpg

 

On the left is the original effort, followed by a revision based on a new approach which rose from my approach to space marine upscaling technique. In general I used the following parts;

Cadain Legs (Shaved upper portion)

Space Marine 'Boots'

Marine Upper Torso

Space Wolf Upper Torso with 'Abdominal belt'

Catachan bare arms, Head and backpack (Heavy Weapons pack)

Chaos Marauder Arms

Various SM Pouches and Equipment

One Orc pouch for the displayed 'Special Rounds'

Kroot Mercenary Shoulder armor

 

My approach came from researched examples. I felt the arms required little modification as anatomically, they are very close to normal even after leg extension. So my approach to the legs was first at the thighs.. then this evolved into working on the shins also. It gave a more even length to the lower section and developed into something more 'lanky' as befitting a normal human. I removed the cadian jacket flares and worked a more rounded 'nub' to add the upper torso section on. The spacer within the legs are 1.5mm inserts cut to fit then cleaned up with green stuff.

 

Later, I decided the initial was too modern and reprised the large belt of old and added that to the torso armor with some careful effort, shaving and gluing. The key, as always, is slow and careful.

 

I believe in dry-fit checking and once I felt the 'look' was right I instinctively put things together from that point. I rarely have step by step photos, as the manner in which I build models is very organic and stopping and starting.. well, it just doesn't work for me. So I do hope these photos and parts reference give you an inspiration to develop your own approach as I and several others have. :)

 

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/ardan_pntd1.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/ardan_pntd2.jpg

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/ardan_pntd3.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/ardan_pntd4.jpg

 

You can pick out Ardan's only remaining Scythe emblem, some of his modified Bolt rounds and the 'Big One' MeltaBomb he keeps handy. This with assorted super-krak and super-frag grenades.

 

Yet to finish some shading, and details. Overall, some of the subtle hues are lost in the images, such as the grey to soft black of the armor and the deeper hue to the yellow armor lines. Hopefully more easily shown by the other camera I need to get for the final shoot.

 

Quick Size image :

 

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/scout_size.jpg

 

More to follow...

[The Scythes]

The Marine.

 

Here's WIP on my first Marine, after this first 'Dry Fit'..

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/marine1_wip1.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/marine2_wip2.jpg

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/marine3_wip3.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/marine4_wip4.jpg

 

I'd love to pack on more kit, since with fewer marines.. more gear to go around, a comment made by a fellow Scythes enthusiast I'm bouncing ideas off with here : http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=56151

 

Parts;

Space Marine Rear Torso

Terminator Legs and Fore torso

Terminator Shoulders modified with plasticard strip and Greenstuff

Marine arms

1mm and 1.5mm card (spacers, boots and shoulder rims)

Catachan Heavy Weapons Head, shaved and modified.

 

Overall, the images showcase where I fill in detail and where else I create further detail to ensure a closer likeness through scaling.

 

I'm being cautious with this first model, with an idea to simply produce a classic "Marine".. so boltgun to the fore, For the Emperor! (staccato muzzle flash), steady pacing. Essentially, this guy is the rifleman of the group, taking ground and laying down some close quarter's cover fire.

 

Modelling wise, I ever so slightly adjusted his left leg to point outwards by mere mm's. Crazy the difference that makes. For the shoulders, I'm going to build up atop the 'shoulder' mount of standard marine arms, since I found (and curious for critique here) that it seems about right in relation to his neckline. So I'm merely bulking out with the Shoulder armor. I've been using thin plasticard for shoulder rims and torso, then 1mm - 1.5mm spacers for the limbs. All this is cleaned up with greenstuff when dry.

 

He's a solid git alright..

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/marine_wip_compare.jpg

 

Further WIP shots and technique based upon Pfreck's idea of using the Terminator chest piece and blending a SM Back onto this. It works and when doing the GS, the sweep about the rear side is easily achieved and uniformity is maintained. I chose this chest as it matches that of Ardan, and I'll keep the theme throughout the collection. Yet to settle in and do the belt 'buckle', torso and abdominal plate, that is something I may end up doing last when I have the twist of the torso -just right- for the pose. This will be completed with a replaced SM belt 'buckle' and possibly a small plasticard disc.

 

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/marine_torso1.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/marine_torso2.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/images/wip/marine_torso3.jpg

 

For those curious, I mentioned previously that I adjusted the left leg outwards by a fraction, which opened up the original pose more. My next piece will be far more adventurous.

 

The normal marine arms, ..I actually feel are just about right. I mean, if you stand up.. observe the size of your arms in relation to your legs, and where they touch around the hip region.. you soon realise how monkey like they are on a standard marine. At this 'Scale' they suit well enough and when positioned flush of the new shoulder line, they work. From here, just like in the new terminator plastics, there is an inner shoulder plate to bulk out the area upon which Terminator shoulders are glued. I intend to follow suit. I do admit they are slim in appearance, but the visual length is satisfying enough for me, the most important critic :D

 

Brother Stavus.

 

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/gallery/stavus_wip1.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/images/gallery/stavus_wip2.jpg

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/gallery/stavus_wip3.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/images/gallery/stavus_wip4.jpg

 

Quick Size image :

 

http://www.the-scythes.com/images/gallery/stavus_wip_compare.jpg

 

I decided to post what I have done so far, with a new freelance project looming it would be awhile before I eventually complete Stavus. So yet too add some more details, but for now all on hold, I'll repost when I have done the final spots (some are obvious) though for now, I am really unsure if I want to weather this crisp finish :)

 

~ Sebastian.

 

Thanks for reading, be sure to check out Apologist, Migsula, Pfreck, Modhail, Xanthos and CMdante's work for some inspiring stuff, that I am sure.. is being updated! chuckle.. onwards to more =I=Munda & TScale Marines!

 

http://www.the-scythes.com/ardan_tute/marine_tute1.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/ardan_tute/marine_tute2.jpghttp://www.the-scythes.com/ardan_tute/marine_tute3.jpg

Marines by Pfreck, Apologist and Migsula. In that order.

 

 

Here is a list of my favourite threads and those that inspire my work :

Apologist's TS Tutorial

Apologist's Ultramarine Heritage and Historical Materials (ie. More uber TS Marines)

Modhail's Boarding Party =I=Munda

Migsula's Alpha Legion Marines, TS among IG conversions (inspiring oh my!)

Pfreck's =I=Munda with TS Marine (Gave me the idea of the torso conversion as it retained the Aquilae on the chest)

Xanthos' work on =I=Munda

CMDante's class Genestealer Hybrid thread

[Cedric]

I take my hat off for your modelling and painting skills!

 

Very nice conversions, crisp yellow and smokey black.

[Midas]

You have won the Your Amazing Award congrats

[ozris]

Always loved your Scythes - the painting, everything! Good to see some more skilled painters/converters jump on the "True Scale-Wagon" :pinch:

 

What's up next?

[Silber]

Great work! Inspiring, too....

 

What is =I=Munda, though?

[Terrible_Trygon]

Very nice. The pose is great and there is a taste of old school with his bolter attachment. Two pointers though. I reckon his arms are very skinny. I suggest replacing them with termie arms or bulking them up. And I also think the lower leg spacers were not necessary. They make the lower legs horribly out of portion in comparison with his upper legs. If it was to make the marine bigger then the scout, well that is nothing to do with the legs themselves. The scout has a more upright pose then the marine. What I normally do for my non-stand straight True Scale Marines is just stand them on something, like a broken rhino door, or a raised base to keep their imposing height which they retain when they are standing up straight.

[tituspullo]

beautiful work man, keep them coming!

[Contention]

The scaling is amazing and makes me want to rush out and buy more stuff to try it myself while the paint is crisp and really well done. Can't wait to see more.

[Terminatorinhell]

*shakes his head in amazement* wow..... the ardran guy looks awesome very badass! The TS marines are looking cool too! mind if I borrow the scout idea?

[Brother 'Ussell]

Nicely done! If someone was interested in starting a Scythes of the Emperor army what kind of fluff resources would you point them to?

[Ekkanus]

Thats some nice work, and the fluff is awesome. What's the recipe you use for that yellow?

 

Ekkanus

[wiplash]

your posts just command respect sir

you should be prud of yourself you are very good at what you do

 

wiplash

[Dark Brotherhood]

Fantastic and inspiring work, sir. In this hobby of ours, i love to see top notch stuff from folks who are truly gifted. Consider me subscribed.

 

EDIT: Could someone post a link here to the ]I[ Munda rules set?

[The Scythes]

Thanks for the feedback all, I notice the thread was moved, which is fine by me :) Wasn't sure if I met what Kurgan was after in the way of a 'tutorial'.

 

With regard to technique with spacers, good points Trygon. Stavus was an experiment in the technique for sure. When I have a chance to finish the next model I may reprise Stavus in a new fashion.

 

For sources on the Scythes, PM me. I've been compiling information with another Scythe enthusiast covering every GW official piece of Scythe background from various proven resources. There's alot of fanmade background out there of the Scythe origins. I am happy to supply you the raw info, but in the near future will have a neatly laid out PDF for folks to download and know, its GW Canon.

 

The =I=Munda concept is a hosted project on Dakka, essentially it is Necromunda+40k Second Edition, with "Inquisitor" thematic detail added. There is variations on the 'rules' but =I=Munda is the collective term for the Game type.

 

Hope this sparked some ideas and got your Modelling hats on!

 

edit! - Ah! just remembered the painting question. My Yellow?

 

White spray undercoat

Bad Moon Yellow base

Wash - Golden Yellow (watered down)

Wash - Vallejo 'Flat Earth' (watered down)

Highlight - Badmoon + White (varying mixes for 'lightness')

Line Wash - Flat Earth

Light Wash - Leather Brown (Vallejo Game Colour)

Dark Line work - Dark Flesh (gw)

 

Those are the colours based on how I enrich my yellow and then darken the creases and armor lines. The photos washed out some of the subtly in this, but the results do give a very rich yellow.

 

best,

Sebastian.

[Terrible_Trygon]

Here is a picture of a standing Actual-Scale Marine next to a human sized model. This marine has a beefier chest then a normal actual scale marine and also has no waist or belt yet, but the scale remains the same.

 

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k156/Terrible_Trygon/Warriors.jpg

 

Perhaps trying a more upright pose without spacers and seeing how it looks would be a good direction?

[Hal]

Wow, nice work.

I'm so glad to see more of your work, seeing your scythes is what inspired me to take up 40k (what seems like a long time ago).