A few questions for all of you wolves

[Rune_Priest_Rhapsody]

As the title says, I have a few questions to ask, for the sake of conversation.

 

Question #1:

When you get a new kit of Space Wolf goodness, how do you go about assembling it?? What I mean is, explain to me the process you take when cutting pieces off the sprue, trimming mold lines, etc. Do you do each model individually, or in an assembly line style group??

 

Question #2:

Much like question one, how do you paint your wolves?? Do you labor over a single model, assembly line it, spend too many hours painting your HQ's separately??

 

I want to know what kind of rituals and incantations you evoke when sitting down to begin you modeling adventure.

 

Also, I have primed and basecoated (even got some paint down on a couple) my Thunderwolf Cavalry and as I labor over them I begin to notice my uneven primer application. To the point where detail is lost in some places. This is what I get for buying Armoury Primer, I know... that is another story all together though. Any ways, I was recommended by a friend and long time modeler to try out Scalecoat 2 Wash Away as he says it removes even primer and does so very rapidly. Have any of you used this product?? I've read a few reviews online and gathered rather mixed feelings about the product. Any suggestions??

 

Thanks Brothers!! Rhap's out.

 

End of Line

[Cate]

#1: I would say that I usually sit down with the sprues for a while, Imagine how I should put the whole pack together. Then I cut all the legs and glue them on the bases, at this point I should base them, but many times I am to eager to start with the painting that I jump that stage, then it is time for mold trimming, and after that base coating. That is done in an assembly line style. After that I do every wolf individually, hey they are individuals as it says in the codex. ;) I usually keep the heads separated till after I am done with all the armour.

 

#2: I do about one model each evening. HQs and vehicles take longer, maybe two evenings each.

 

I can't give any reviews about scalecoat, Sorry.

 

 

/C

[-Volsung-]

I usually just cut everything off the sprue and toss it into a smaller box labelled "Grey Hunter" or "terminators" or whatever the sprue is. Saves me a lot of space. But I always use a wire cutter or a nail clipper. I dread those sprue dents and damages from twisting pieces off, so I avoid doing that as much as I can.

 

Can't do assembly line. It feels like multi-tasking to me, and I suck at it. Haha, and I notice I rush when I do that and my wolves look crappy. One by one is the way to go for me. Takes time, but it pays off at the end. Besides, you spend time with each one, it makes each model endearing to you.

 

On the subject of painting, do you guys know if automotive primer is stronger than other primers?

[Wulfebane]

I cut every bit, trim the mold lines, then toss everything into my bits box. I don't want my next model(s) to be restricted by a single box of wargear, so doing this opens up my thought process when building. I build one model at a time, spending as much time as is necessary to get even the standard GH looking like a hero.

 

When putting them together, I always think to myself, "Is this guy worthy of being a main character is his own book/movie/tv show?" I also try to keep in mind when is enough enough.

 

I start off assembling by joining everything together with blue poster tack, making sure the arms fit how I want or if the body gestalt is how I envisioned, etc. Once satified, then I'll start gluing, leaving off bits that would make it hard to get a paintbrush into areas, and paint those separately. For HQs, I'll almost always add GS and/or converted elements, but if I feel a GH needs some too, to make them look more dynamic or cinematic, then I won't hesitate.

 

Painting is where I get into trouble. I treat every single model the same, as a piece of art or canvas. Each model has a story, not just the HQ. Maybe if it wasn't a Space Wolf, I'd think differently, but every SW, from BC to WP has a voice, and I want them to scream it through a dialogue of visual elements. The problem is that this means I spend hours upon days working on even a Grey Hunter. I don't spray prime anymore, having dealt with the loss of detail far too often, opting instead to handpaint the primer on. If wanted, I'll go over my lengthy painting processes, but I'll leave that here for now.

[Rune_Priest_Rhapsody]

Well Wulfbane, I'm certain that I could listen to you wax poetic about your processes any day, every day. So if you feel the urge to divulge, I know that I won't be the only one eager to read about it.

 

#1

I cut every bit off of the sprue and put them into a very anal retentive (that's the way I roll...) bits system. Once that is done I shave all sprue lines off of all of the legs from the kit and get them on the base. After that, I look at each set of legs for pose capabilities i.e. leading right foot forward means left arm back, anatomy stuff. Then it's a single model at a time for me, especially now that I have built over thirty terminators and at least fifty grey hunters. Mind you most of my early attempts have been traded off or sit shamefully in a box in my basement. While a grey hunter with two power fists LOOKS cool, it's not a legal war gear set up within the codex... I've been working on my GS abilities, so adding a bit here and there to even the Wolf Guard is a timely process for me.

 

#2

I prime all of the models I assemble at one time, or at least in groups of five. This also goes for base coating. Then I pick up each model as my afore mentioned anal retentiveness kicks in I cannot help but want each model to look good way beyond my abilities. Painting a single model can take me days, sometimes even weeks. I will do things like complete all the cruxes on a TDA pack at once however, this surprisingly enough does not save me any time...

 

Recently I have had a good friend/amazing painter 'volunteer' to paint my models in exchange for some Demon kits and a 6th edition BRB. Deal. So I have really been working on kit bashing, green stuff, and making sure my poses are dynamic and fluid.

 

I am most likely going to purchase a bottle of Scalecoat this week and throw a couple 'test' models into it. I figured that $13 isn't too much for a product that is said to work and be reused many, many times.

 

Thanks so far brothers!! Now lets hear your story stranger!!

 

End of Line

[Rik84]

1 - For me i build the models one at a time, looking over the spures for the parts i want to fit the picture i have in my head of how i want him to look. The only thing that i would do in a mass group would be large scale bases 40mm +, id get the cork board on them and the slate stone.

 

2 - i get the base coat of the armour on each model one after the other, Once thats done i'll get the armour shaded and highlighted. Once there all done i'll then stick to one model to finish untill ive worked through the whole pack. For HQ models i'll i'll spend more tim eon them as i treat them as center piece models.

 

 

rick

[Arez]

1.I cut off the bitz and put them in to my bitz boxes,when i go to make a model i think of what im going to make then take a pair of legs then get the torso then the weapons,after the models made i look for a head that i think looks good with the pose.I usually only do one model at a time but for the ETL i've been doing the entire vow at once.

 

2.I usually only do one as i tried batch painting before and disliked it,i found i spent more time on the pack then if i did it one member at a time.Like making model for the ETL i've been batch painting so i cant wait to focus on one model again.

[RipherChost]

#1: I have tons of bits and I tend to buy new kits with a specific project in mind any more. I do have sprue cutting OCD and if I clip one bit off I have to do the rest and toss them in the bit box, far to many bits to clean up before use though.

 

#2: My first army painting experience showed me that if I paint one or two models at a time over time my paint colors look off and the quality is a little strange. I now get my entire planned army built then build an army carrier then once they will have a safe & cozy home I begin painting by an afternoon of base coat spraying EVERYTHING in one go then work on one squad at a time in batches of 1-5 depending on the detail required ( I went as many as 8 at a time for my nids).

 

My ritual for building and painting is to have either a movie or music playing.

[Quillen]

I use the hobbyknife to cleant hem on the sprue and put a primer coat on while on the sprue. I sometimes put a base coat of grey on them too. Then I take them off the sprue and put legs on bases them join torsos. Then I start looking through the bits I have bought cause I always add stuff to them. Then I pose and then paint. I do assembly line till the basic stuff is done then I come back and do details one at a time.

 

I once did 50 Marines and 3 rhinos in a day in a half for a tourney. No detailing though. Air brishing is your friend. Find a really good airbrush.