Project: Honour Guard

[ShinyRhino]

The first Guard is just about finished! He's gotten his first blast of Dullcote and is just waiting for his freehand, a base, and another blast of Dullcote to complete the process.

Here's what he looks like now:

 

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/01paint8.jpg

 

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/01paint9.jpg

 

He'll get an agemo on the gutplate, text on the ribbon of his right shoulder and backpack, and an insignia on his right pad. I haven't decided what to add there yet. Either a skull (for Command unit designation, via Codex Astartes) or a fancy agemo or something.

I wanted to put something on his right shin as well, but am not sure what. I'd originally wanted to freehand on a XIII marking (Thirteenth Legion Astartes), but am not sure it'll look right. Another option is to freehand some small gold designs around the edges, like the art of Captain Ventris has on the cover of The Chapter's Due.

 

The final decision to make is whether I paint the cables on the top of his helmet. I kind of like the all-gold look, and I'm afraid that adding color to that area will look really off.

 

I've decided to go with a base similar to the one found in this entry at From the Warp:

http://fromthewarp.blogspot.com/2010/03/bl...ng-step-by.html

 

I won't be using the same painting technique, but I will be using the tiles scattered in sand look. If you're not a regular reader of FtW, I highly recommend it. Ron is awesome at what he does, and his tutorials are always valuable.

 

Guard #2 is already built, as you;ve seen before, so I just need to put a pin in his foot so I can attach him to the painting rig (old, battery-powered Dremel that died) and get him primed up. The next model after that is the stock GW Champion. Not the best model in the range, but I want the unit to be at least playable at 3-strong. I also have to decide if I'm going to use the stock GW Standard Bearer, or kitbash one from plastics.

[Grizzly_bear]

He's looking very clean and spot on, but a few things if i may, the blue looks a little flat along with the gold, i dislike painting gold so i take my hat off to you for painting gold on quite a large area.

 

concerning the freehanding, just practice on a few shoulder pads you have spare, doing roman numerals is actuly alot easier than you may think and if you are freehanding the Ultra badge then my freind you have the eaisest chapter badge to free hand.

 

I know how much fun doing honour gaurd are.

 

Looking foreard to seeing the next gaurd.

 

Rob

[ShinyRhino]

I'm an old hand at freehand work. I've never used a decal in my life :mellow:. Do you think the numeals will look out of place on his leg, though? That's my concern with them, the overall composition of the figure.

 

My blue is what it is. I've used the same recipe on my entire army. I don't do zenithal lighting or anything like that. I started with 'Eavy Metal style paint work, and can't switch to a new style til my Marines are done. Can't have 3000 points of my army in one style, and the next 2000 points another :).

 

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. It helps the process keep moving onward!

[Grizzly_bear]

I'm an old hand at freehand work. I've never used a decal in my life :mellow:. Do you think the numeals will look out of place on his leg, though? That's my concern with them, the overall composition of the figure.

 

My blue is what it is. I've used the same recipe on my entire army. I don't do zenithal lighting or anything like that. I started with 'Eavy Metal style paint work, and can't switch to a new style til my Marines are done. Can't have 3000 points of my army in one style, and the next 2000 points another :).

 

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. It helps the process keep moving onward!

 

 

I wasn't saying your blue is bad so i apologise if its that what my comment seemed.

 

Right back to the numerals, i dont think it'll look out of place on the leg at all, my CF's have the numerals on their legs and shoulder pads, and no worries about teh feed back, this is what the sites all about and hobbie.

 

rob

[blackbabyjesus]

I find numerals look good wherever they are!

[ShinyRhino]

I find numerals look good wherever they are!

 

Indeed. I think the thing I'm hesitant about with numnerals on these guys is making them look like more than painted-on markings. Painted-on marking are great for Marines on the line, but these guys are supposed to be wearing the most ancient and decorated armor on the field, and stenciled lettering seems out of place.

I had thought about goign for broke and trying to replicate an embossed effect using paint. Basically paint a brown section where I want the numeral plate, then paint the numerals in gold while leaving the areas that are supposed to be recessed brown for shadows/depth. I will have to practice on a sheet pf primed plastic or something, so I don't mess up the otherwise well-done model with a sub-par freehand job.

[Alpha PTP]

I think the gold is pretty flat and boring as far as metalics go. You really should have a highlight of a brighter color whether it be Mithril Silver or Burnished Gold (or any other painting range equivilent.)

[Race Bannon]

Comin' right along! I really like the smooth blue.

[ShinyRhino]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone.

Here's the second member with some paint applied. I'm nearing the end of his gold, and am about to push on to reds:

 

Just a little peek at his backpack topper:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/02paint1.jpg

 

And the Marine:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/02paint3.jpg

 

 

As usual, the harsh lighting murders my golds. It looks better in person (don't they all?).

 

After he's done, I'm tackling the stock GW Champion model, with his piddling combat blade replaced with a bolter+aux launcher. One messed up on that model is that it's impossibl eto get a backpack to fit on him. In typical GW metal model fashion, his shoudler pads block the ability to attach the pack to the moutning point on his back. I solved the problem by using one of the very old metal packs on him. I had a choice between Ezekiel's skull pack and PA Calgar's eagle head pack. I went with the Calgar pack (and secured a spare for when I get to painting that Calgar model).

[ShinyRhino]

Another quick photo update.

I've completed the second Marine, and I have moved on to the Champion. I went with the stock GW model and switched his combat blade for a bolter (mostly because the auction from which I bought the model didn't include the blade bit). It's a very nice model in general, but suffered from some unfortunate mold lines. Normally they'r enot a huge issue to remove, but these ones are all on detail pieces, or in hard to reach spots. I did what I could. Maybe someday in the far-off fututre I'll do a kitbashed version with a thunder hammer, but this is good for now:

 

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/03paint1.jpg

 

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/03paint2.jpg

 

As of these shots, I'm at the point of painting silver metallics. The base coat is down, and it has been washed with Badab Black. After that is the midtone and some small highlights. I keep my silver metallics simple. It's a stylistic choice. I just hate seeing six layers of overhighlighted metal on a bolter.

I'm largely following the stock GW color scheme, with some minor deviations. The laurel on his right shoulder will end up green instead of gold. Little stuff like that.

 

Then there's a very quick shot of the first two models poised for battle:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/1and2.jpg

 

Just a fun shot to show that they really are done. :) I'm thinking of adding a small tuft of static grass to their bases to break up the sand. Nothing large, just a foot-sized tuft to represent a weed growing out from under tiles or rocks.

[Reyner]

Very nice. The blue and gold look great. The Champion looks better with a bolter instead of the combat blade, looking forward to the rest :)

[ShinyRhino]

The Champion is now complete, and in the spirit of my quick, crappy photos:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/03paint2-1.jpg

 

He was a lot of fun to paint. Lots of cool detail.

This also means it's now a playable unit! Champion and two Guards is the bare minimum. Sadly, should I get a chance to play, and use these guys, the Chapter Master model will pale in comparison to his Honour Guard. Someday I'll paint up both versions of Calgar to lead them.

 

Next in line is a Guard firing his bolter:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/04paint1.jpg

 

Pretty underwhelming right now, and I'm honestly not super psyched about this one. He's got the standard aux launcher/bolter, a small sheated spatha/gladius (actually a sheathed blade from a WHFB Empire kit), and his bolt pistol. I do really like the small blade from the WHFB kit. Not every Marine carries a huge claymore of a blade, especially Ultramarines. This small shortsword style looks nice.

I do have to remember that he'll look a lot nicer when dressed up in gold and with his backpack attached. He's got another Grey Knight pack, with the winged skull banner topper from the Command Squad kit. The banner toppers are really making the models stand out.

 

However, some models do need a big, nasty weapon. Hence, this guy:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/05assemble1.jpg

 

Massive. It's a Sanguinary Glaive with the spikes trimmed off the top, and all blood drops removed. I do have to go back and make sure I fill in any recessed blood drops in the blades of the axe with Liquid Greenstuff. Sanguinary Guard head, Mk4 torso, Death Company legs. I need to fill the gap between the left arm and hand. I didn't want any Angelus boltguns on this guy, so I used one of the arms from a vehicle gunner set instead. A little GS and it'll look fine.

One thing I'm struggling with is placing his boltgun. I'd wanted to try putting one underneath his backpack, like Captain Titus is shown doing in Space Marine, but the boltguns for our models are just WAY too large for that. Looks like I'll have to break down and try the sling method, unless someone has any other ideas? beyond just gluing it to his base as if discarded. I've never been a fan of that idea.

[ShinyRhino]

I'm still working on these guys. There's a 2012pt tournament at the FLGS in 15 days, so I'm hoping to get one or two more done so I can field them at that event.

 

Here's progress on the bolter-firing Guard:

 

Front:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/04paint2.jpg

 

Back:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/04paint3.jpg

 

Pack:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/04paint4.jpg

 

 

Again, gold is washed out by the light. This guy is pretty boring compared to the others. I'm not personally a huge fan of what I did here. Maybe better shoulder pads might have fancied him up enough to look more Honour Guard-y. I think I'm going to try to use some gold freehand to do inset designes at the edges of his armor plates to try to make up for his plainness.

 

Work from this point forward will be slow, as my son was born last week. He mostly eats, sleeps, and poops, but for some reason it's still hard to find time to sit down an put brush to model. ;)

[Olis]

Work from this point forward will be slow, as my son was born last week.

 

Congratulations, brother! ;)

 

The model looks alright to me, so far. The freehand idea sounds interesting.

[krzywy]

where does the holstered bolter come frome? or is it converted?

 

thanks alot :D

[stuka06]

@krzywy: Afaik it is from the Attack Bike set.

[Tellos05]

Good stuff. Very nice conversions and paint job. Where is that power pack from? O and congrats on the baby!

[Olis]

Where is that power pack from?

 

I believe it to be a Grey Knights one, brother.

[ShinyRhino]

where does the holstered bolter come frome? or is it converted?

 

thanks alot :)

 

As stuka said, it's from the Attack Bike kit.

 

Good stuff. Very nice conversions and paint job. Where is that power pack from? O and congrats on the baby!

 

Thanks. As Olisredean mentioned, it's from the Grey Knights plastics.

 

Thanks for the feedback and well-wishes, everyone.

[ShinyRhino]

I have been managing to steal an hour here and there topaint, and managed to complete the fourth Honour Guard:

 

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/04paint5.jpg

 

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/Project%20Honour%20Guard/04paint6.jpg

 

He ended up pretty plain. I tried and tried to paint some gold etching designs into his leg plates, but just couldn't pull it off. It always ended up looking painted-on, instead of etched-in. So, I left the legs blank. Better plain and well done than fancy and poorly executed.

His pack topper is HUGE. I didn't realize how tall it was until I mounted it on his back. I'll have to repeat usage of some of these toppers (from Command Squad, Commander, and Terminator kits) and this will not be one of them :yes:.

[Race Bannon]

Ah, to have an hour to paint :P

 

Looking good and inspirational :ph34r:

[Grizzly_bear]

really liking that last honour gaurd, top notch, well done fella

 

rob

[DibbZi]

This is wicked! This is giving me some crazy awesome Ideas for my Inferno Guard (Honor Guard) for my Capt. Mir'san model!

[ShinyRhino]

Thanks, all. I'm glad people are liking them, despite the vanilla look.

 

I'm now picking away at the two-handed axeman, one armor plate at a time. :)

I did decide not to put a bolter onhim, though. I figure it falls under that "standard wargear doesn't need to be illustrated" rule. I tried a zillion different locations and orientations for bolters on him, and none looked right. Rather than clutter the model, I left it off.

[greatcrusade08]

looking good mate, keep them coming.

 

great news, congrats on the newly arrived initiate