The Apocalypse Crusade

[Honda]

The time past matters not. What is important is what you do today. You're brothers believe in you. You are shielded by the faith of your brothers, freeing you to accomplish tasks that not even Helbrecht could imagine.

 

Release your sword from the shackles of your mind. Duty will armor your will. You are free to pour out a full measure of your wrath upon the tasks ahead.

 

Let none stand before your might.

 

For Dorn!

[tvih]

First stage of Marshal Calwar. He insisted he'd need to be prepared to watch over the completion of the rest of the force, so I've been working on him today. Plus even thinking of doing edge highlighting on the LRC (or anything else) is just giving me a headache. So anyway...

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-tda-marshal-wip1.jpg

 

Struggling a bit with the color selection, as usual. For my previous HQs I generall keep the cloak and tabard black, with the red "inner" side, just like in this one one now. But it does leave a bit to be desired since everything ends up so black. So I was considering the white shoulder pad idea, kinda like how Reinhard (IIRC) does it. It looks good and brings some nice "pop" to terminators. But problem is so far all my Sword Brethren and HQs have black base shoulders, except for Helbrecht. And not just that, but the white is still such a pain in the arse. Why can't things ever be easy?

[Krikey]

Nice, clean look on your models, tvih. You may consider them tabletop quality, but the cleanliness sets them a bit above. The gaming pics are a bit small to see detail, but I bet they look great on a gaming table. Keep going. These are something to be proud of.

 

And yes, I have a problem with highlights, etc rubbing off as well. You get a mini highlighted perfectly (and use weathering powders and fragile base bits, etc), and some clumsy git knocks one over or picks it up to take a look (often without asking) and his oily, dirty fingers ruin whatever they touch. Played a guy once who was using nice-looking smoke clouds on destroyed tanks. I realized a bit late that it wasn't cotton -- it was steel wool sprayed with poorly adherent spray paint. Ended up with a few scratches and his cheap paint on the top of one of my tanks (pre-Templar phase for me).

 

Sorry. Tangent.

 

I'm still looking for a good, heavy finish coat that doesn't dull highlighting or weathering powders or ruin the metallic nature of metallic paints. I usually end up putting a heavy dull coat on before weathering powders and final highlights and then very lightly spray them with a sealer. Even then I have to paint over the metallic bits with gloss coat at minimum if not a new layer of metallic enamels -- PITA for minis you would take to game with.

 

~K

 

edit: Marshal Calwar would look good with white shoulder plates, but you might need some white elsewhere so he doesn't look unbalanced. You have a precise brush-hand; have you considered a checkerboard pattern on his right greave? You could add some white to his left knee-plate as well. Do you use the Foundation paints at all? A coat of the light grey (don't have my paints with me -- in the hospital break room ATM and don't recall the color name) covers extremely well. One coat of that over the black provides a good background on which to paint a clean, bright white.

Edited June 17, 2013 by Krikey

[tvih]

And yes, I have a problem with highlights, etc rubbing off as well.

That's only half of it though. For me the problem is getting an even highlight to begin with. When the highlight lines are uneven in thickness, it looks like wear & tear rather than a highlight, which kinda sucks if that's not the effect you're aiming for! And as far as wear and tear goes, other than the wacky highlight lines I don't have the skill to do it properly so it's not much of an option.

edit: Marshal Calwar would look good with white shoulder plates, but you might need some white elsewhere so he doesn't look unbalanced. You have a precise brush-hand; have you considered a checkerboard pattern on his right greave? You could add some white to his left knee-plate as well. Do you use the Foundation paints at all? A coat of the light grey (don't have my paints with me -- in the hospital break room ATM and don't recall the color name) covers extremely well. One coat of that over the black provides a good background on which to paint a clean, bright white.

I don't consider my brush hand all that precise - although I do have problems with brushes being even less accurate. If only I could DRAW on the models pen-style instead of fighting brushes that don't want to cooperate!

 

Generally when I do white I use fortress grey or codex gray and white on top of that, but the whites themselves suck, whether ceramite white or white scar. It just doesn't want to get put on evenly. Can't thin it because then it won't cover anything even in 10 layers, but can't just put it on because it looks terribly uneven. Talk about a dilemma! Doesn't help that the Skull White spray is absolutely useless.

 

I was planning on a bit of color on his knee and such, and of course adding purity seals etc to break up the blackness a bit. However the shoulderpad issue is indeed troubling as a whole, because if I do decide to go with a white base on them then it should apply to all Sword Brethren, past, present and future! Which retroactively means at least 17 models. Or at the very least to terminators, when it would be 7+ (plus this one).

[Honda]

...except that a Marshal can be different looking than the rest of your termies. I'm just throwing this out there, but what if you did his armor in gold?

 

Most important thing: Persevere. You are really close on this guy, so keep on it. Also, don't get too hung up on looking for the perfect solution. Sometimes concentrating on trying to derive the answer, drives the answer away. Try doing something else to take your mind off of it and then come back.

 

It might shine in a different light.

 

You can do this.

[Marshal_Roujakis]

For Vehicles I normally edge Drybrush the suckers, edge highlighting is a pain for me especially for anything bigger that a Marine. For BT vehicles I Drybrush Codex Grey, then a thinner Skull White on top, then Wash with Nuln Oil, the results are surprisingly ok for me, besides if I edge highlight I wouldn't meet the quota for the ETL 2.... so far 45% completion on my 1st vow, 3000 pts is a lot... :( How bout you tvih?

[tvih]

...except that a Marshal can be different looking than the rest of your termies. I'm just throwing this out there, but what if you did his armor in gold?

Can be different yeah, and to a point he already is. Regular termies don't get black tabards/cloaks Metallic armor is pretty much reserved for Helbrecht in my army. It's not that it wouldn't/couldn't look good (like a bunch of Iron Fists would look nice), just not all that... templary in my opinion.

 

Most important thing: Persevere. You are really close on this guy, so keep on it. Also, don't get too hung up on looking for the perfect solution. Sometimes concentrating on trying to derive the answer, drives the answer away. Try doing something else to take your mind off of it and then come back.

Well, probably I'll just have to paint one bunch of terminator shoulders white and see what comes of it. I mean, I have quite a few Templar shoulders to spare from the upgrade kits anyway - the crux terminatus pads on the other hand, not so much  I was also contemplating on making the upper part of the tabard either white or red one point. But that's not as easily reverted as swapping a shoulderpad

 

On another note, I think I got brain cancer again from spraying a Land Speeder. Should've sandpapered the whole thing once again beforehand. Sigh. Anything with flat surfaces is still such a pain because of the material not being uniform.

 

Should probably just start painting the command squad or something, less stressful :P

[tvih]

Sergeant Gottfried (or at least his suit, as the man himself appears to be AWOL!) ended up being the first WIP prototype for a white-shouldered terminator.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-tda-sergeant-wip1.jpg

 

The white is still such a pain. The stuff in the paint jar is more putty than paint, anyway, and even thinning it out only helps so much. Pfft. Same problem whether it's Ceramite White or White Scar. Still, painting terminator shoulders is easier than the power armor shoulders, because you don't have to worry about the edges - with which it tends to be "oops, black spilled on the white area, apply so white to cover it.... oops now it went too much over the black" etc ad nauseum

 

The blotchiness of the white paint surface compared to the oh-so-SMOOTH black aside, the white + black does look pretty good. I'm just still not sure if it's worth it considering the extra effort needed, though. An airbrush with non-GW white paint would certainly help in getting the even white, so I might have to consider that route. Skull White spray is still 100% useless, too bad I wasted money on actually buying a can last year. At any rate I'd have enough upgrade shoulders to do both color variants for every terminator I have, except it wouldn't really work with the AOBR/DV ones and I want to keep the regular Crux Terminatus shoulders on each model, and those I don't have spares of (unless I end up keeping some termies unassembled). Blah. Well, I guess I'll just save the shoulders for last.

 

In other "news", most of my work since the last post has been spent on the command squad part of the vow. All 8 torsos/tabards are painted, so now it's mostly the equipment and heads needing the attention.

[tvih]

Chapter Banner + bearer WIP:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-chapter-banner-wip1.jpg

 

I was rather happy with the quality of the minis I made in the LPC, but now it seems everything ends up sucking. The banner itself is meh. I was hoping for something more grandiose, but then reality set in (i.e. my complete lack of skill at freehanding) and I opted for something simpler. Sadly even just the cross is off-center, now. Sigh. The cross's left side is a bit smaller so making that a bit bigger will somewhat balance it, but not fully I reckon (the size difference is exarberated by the photo angle). The white paint was really testing my patience again, too. Not sure if I'm gonna stick with that or strip it. Not that the new attempt is likely to come out any better, anyway.

 

Regardless, I suppose next up is finishing up the LRC, Venerable Dreadnought and Command Squad. Having problems deciding on colors and decorations on the Dread. I came to the conclusion that I prefer regular dreads for modeling and painting... :P

[tvih]

Venerable Dreadnought Decus WIP:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-ven-dread-wip1.jpg

 

As mentioned, not 100% sure on the colors (mainly the tin parts, and the lack of white/red) and decorations. The sword's supposed to be the one he wielded as a Castellan before being interred, long ago. The templar crosses on the "shoulders" look a bit crappy because of the crappy white paint. I wanted to give him a banner, but it'd need some sort of mounting base if I were to put it in the middle, or otherwise the banner pole would have to be elongated. I'm also thinking of maybe making the "poles" of the head section metallic color to get him that tiny bit less black.

 

Of course, unlike the tabarded infantry it's pretty much mandatory to highlight vehicles to not have them be 99% black, but that's yet to be done 'cause I suck at it. Probably going to try to do it for Decus tomorrow.

[Marshal_Roujakis]

If I may... the Banner from the Ironclad is Dreadnought sized in both pole length and Banner Width... it even fits Land Raider middle sections and doesn't make it too akward looking...

if you could trade one from a friend... ;)

[tvih]

Hmm... I do actually have an Ironclad. Forgot it had a banner. Though come to think of it, since my freehand is crappy I'm not sure what I'd paint on it. Heh. I suppose I could also use one of the narrow banner things from the BT upgrade, just as a way to get some extra non-black color.

[tvih]

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-ven-dread-ready1.jpg

 

I think he's pretty much done. The highlighting is terrible, as usual, but it seems it's the best I can do on that department. Can't keep the lines consistent at all. And at some point I need to do this for the other 7 vehicles... argh.

[Aegir_Einarsson]

I know your pain brother. When I think about highlighting my Land Speeders Ifall into rage... But I like your model. One thing that I would make myself different are darker purity seals. It is to clean for me. But that's just my opinion, in general very nice painting job.;-)

[Marshal_Roujakis]

I usually go for the more real/surreal effect on my vehicles drybrush grey/white for edge highlights and then wash the entire model with black wash the effects are...

http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o622/Marshal_Roujakis/Warhammer%2040k%20Displays/DSC_0020_zpsa9143079.jpg

 

It's not perfect but then again we're not "Evy' Metal"

It's good to aim to get better but insta talent doesn't come instantly ;)

[Aegir_Einarsson]

It's a bit of inspiration for my lrc for etl. I love scripts you have made. Is there any good technique to make them looking like words...? I try to make some, but even if I use insaine detail brush they are a bit blurry...how ie your way to do that.?

[Firepower]

When I do scriptures it's a dot dot dash dot dash sort of deal, with just tiny up strokes and down strokes every now and then, but not too much or else it just looks like a squiggle.  Super mega tedious, but it looks cool enough.  I've never had the patience to do as much s you see on some BT vehicles though, with scripture covering whole panels or the whole damn tank.

[tvih]

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-lrc1-ready1.jpg

 

Finally "Witchbane" is nearly ready. Only missing perhaps some decorations, and then the storm bolter, smoke launchers and searchlight that I happened to vow for it. Also unfortunately missing a headlight, because apparently I've lost the part at some point! I suppose I have to try creating a mold and make one that way at some point.

 

Next I think I'll wrap up the command squad. Hopefully tomorrow!

[tvih]

Finally done with the command squad. It's ridiculous how long it took. The Emperor protects, but unluckily he doesn't make one a faster painter!

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-command-squad-ready.jpg

 

Next up... probably the terminator command squad.

[Honda]

You are doing an amazing job. I really like your LRC, very sharp looking.

 

 

 I've never had the patience to do as much s you see on some BT vehicles though, with scripture covering whole panels or the whole damn tank.

 

Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous what some of the people on this forum are doing.

[tvih]

Seems like I'm working on the Predator today!

 

However, I figured I'd give you a "sneak peek" on what I had in mind for my second vow, "The March of the Marshals":

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-vow2-before.jpg

 

Since the ETL rules allow for "counts-as" regardless of color scheme, here's what I was thinking:

- Vulkan counts-as Marshal: Lance, Combi-Flamer, Mantle, Artificer, Honors, Frags -> 176

- Kantor counts-as Marshal: Fist, master-crafted Storm Bolter, Iron Halo, Honors -> 165

- Lysander counts-as Marshal: TDA, master-crafted Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield, Mantle -> 200

- Calgar counts-as Marshal: TDA, master-crafted Power Fist, Power Fist, Mantle -> 205

 

I tried to make their BT stats similar to their original - hence Dorn's Arrow is represented by master-crafted, same for Gauntlets of Ultramar and Dorn's Fist. Combi-Flamer is as close I could get for Vulkan's Flamer. The Bolters in Calgar's gauntlets can't really be represented unfortunately.

 

The other three are:

- Marshal: Thunder Hammer, master-crafted bolter, Mantle, Holy Orb, Honors -> 186

- Marshal: Power Fist, Lightning Claw, Mantle, Honors, Jump Pack (not pictured, obviously) -> 200

- Marshal: Power Sword, Combi-Plasma, Mantle, Honors, Frag+Krak -> 163

 

At one point I was considering making these three into additional C:SM Honor Guard... but the AOBR Commander just seems so Templar-y with his almost-full-tabard that despite his regular items being perfect for a HG I reckon I'll make him into Templar colors instead - though I suppose I could field him in HG if need be regardless He'd be so cool if it was easier to give him a different left-hand weapon, but sadly any conversion (beyond the power weapon swap) would mean irrevocably damaging his bolter, and I do like his default pose. As such it's uncertain if he'll be seeing much use as a Marshal. He'd really need a storm shield for that.

 

The DV Commander on the other hand is just too obviously DA with his robes, so I figured I'll just paint him as is into DA colors. Every Crusade needs its traitor scapegoat after all, right? And as for the commander box dude... well, he might end up being painted as either CF or BT. I have so many BT HQs after all, but only special characters for C:SM.

 

If I can actually get so far as finishing these early enough, I do still have a third vow planned that's all BT. And also I've been tweaking some items in my first vow which ups the points total a bit, to partially make up for all the delays in actually finishing them.

[Honda]

Some comments:

 

1. Awesomely cool idea

2. I am going to attempt a similar exercise, though with chaplains

3. From an ETL perspective, very strategic and an excellent use of points

 

Bravo!

[tvih]

Well, I have to make up for foolishly painting 500+ points of BT HQs for LPC. Hehe. Glad you like the idea though. I must say I'm a bit nervous about all the different color schemes in that bunch, not really having painted anything but black so far!

 

Now, if I could just get this damned first vow with all the damned vehicles out of the way...

[tvih]

Predator's done, except it seems I forgot to attach the headlights for the pic. But too lazy to take another pic just for that It may also receive some additional decorations at some point to give it some more colors. Also the highlighting sadly isn't quite as strong as it looks in the pic.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-predator-ready1.jpg

 

TDA Command squad swell the rank of painted forces as well:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-tda-command-squad-ready1.jpg

 

Need to install the magnets for the arms, though. Made the other three guys the black shoulders for now, tired of the useless putty GW likes to call white paint. Ceramite White, White Scar, Skull White Spray... all frickin' useless, dunno what it is with GW and whites. Felt like I was ruining the terminators trying to paint the tabards.

[Dorns Templar]

Excellent work Brother. I'm really liking the look of the LR and the Predator. I too hate doing edge highlights, its a real pain in the butt getting them consistent, but yours look good. As for white, that's the reason I switched to using cream/off-white instead, much easier to do.

 

Keep up the good work.