EdT Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 So I was at a loose end this weekend, and I thought I'd have a bash at making a Custodian to tag along with some of my Pre-Heresy marines. It's something I've tried before, but have never been very happy with the results- to my mind it's far too easy to end up with something that looks like a Marine painted gold, with a silly hat. Guardian spears generally look rather silly too. My liking for true-scaled Marines also cuts down on the parts that might work- no point making a Custodian if he's going to look weedy next to his mass-produced cousins, is there? Then I saw a chap called Enzephalon on Dakka Dakka had the brilliant idea of extending High Elf Phoenix Guard legs by chopping off their feet and sticking the lower legs from the White Lion set on instead, and it all fell into place... http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/330/b/f/custodian_periphas_by_edthomasten-d5m7u8s.jpg I'm not entirely happy with the Guardian Spear- it's a Cataphract combi-bolter with a Phoenix Guard halbard attached- but it'll do. I really like how he manages to be roughly the same size of a Marine, perhaps a little taller, while having a much more slender look- fits in nicely with the idea that Custodians are made using similar, but different techniques to the Astartes. Here's a comparison photo with a Salamander Apothecary and a baseline human adherent of the Promethean Cult... http://alternatehistory.com/discussion/attachment.php?attachmentid=191321&stc=1&d=1353855745 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrautScientist Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 While my own Custodes fall squarely into the "Golden Marines with silly hats" camp, this is still fantastic! More please! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sword brethren Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 very nice, the guardian spear is very individual and looks very pre-heresy with the use of those bolters. spot on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honda Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 This is quite impressive looking. Like other comments about the weapon, I'm not totally sold on it just yet, but the helm and body work is just ace. Do you have a WIP thread that shows it unpainted? Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SickSix Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 The giant mold line on the base is really detracting from an otherwise outstanding job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artemid Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 While it looks really good as is (excellent paint job too sir!), I think the combi bolter is just a bit too big and bulky, if the staff's bothering you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urauloth Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I like the weapon, personally. My only complaint would be that he seems to have really tiny legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpediem Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 @A Kvlt Ghost: Unfortunately artwork would suggest that the teeny legs are a feature, not a bug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oojamaflip Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I like this, instantly recognisable as a Custodes, and the small legs give it a John Blanchey look (which I love) because his figures aren't always completely in proportion. Top marks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdT Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Really glad people like these! Having had a rummage about, I have enough parts to make my Custodian two or three new friends- I'll do one tomorrow and take WIP photos as I go, although there's nothing too complicated on there. Watch this space. Thanks for the spot on the mold line- can't believe I didn't notice that in painting him. Will get rid sharpish. On the boots, the Custodian certainly has considerably svelte calves compared to his Astartes cousin, but as has been mentioned, that does reflect the artwork somewhat. I suppose the obvious alternative would be Greatsword lower legs, but that probably gives you the same problem. I'm not sure what can be done without using Marine legs or sculpting something new, which is a bit beyond me. Finally, on the Guardian Spear, I'm still not entirely happy, although in fairness neither of the photos I took really show it at a decent angle. Hopefully when I do a second I will feel a bit more positive about it. To be honest, the only Guardian Spear equivalent I've ever really found particularly convincing was the old RT-era Nemesis Force Halberd- but I haven't really got the time or inclination to scour eBay for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdT Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 So I've been busy... My original Custodian now has three friends in varying stages of completion. Furthest along is the leader of the group, who is currently my favourite; I haven't quite finished painting him yet but he's getting there, as you can hopefully see from this rather blurry photo; I also did a quick tutorial for making Custodes this way; really the only bits that aren't completely self-explanatory are the Guardian spear and the legs. Everything else just goes together quite naturally. http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/334/a/a/custodian_guard_tutorial_by_edthomasten-d5mm9yy.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxyogi Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 :lol: Looks like a Marine in drag!!! :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdT Posted December 16, 2012 Author Share Posted December 16, 2012 I've finally finished some friends for my initial Custodian. The plan now is to put together a small taskforce of throne agents sent out from Terra at the onset of the Heresy to do something highly top secret. So in addition to this little group of Custodian infantry, I plan to add a couple of jetbikes and then some representatives from the Silent sisterhood to bolster their ranks. I may also, at some point, attempt the infamous hover-Rhino... Anyway, photos. First up, the leader of the Custodes, Decurion Vetranio; and then his four bog-standard Custodian buddies... Providing heavy support for the group is Custodian Valentinian, who has brought along a Volkite Caliver; ...and Custodians always like somebody to guard, so I made this chap, who is meant to be a senior member of the Imperial Administration and a close friend of the Sigilite; Here they are all together in a group. Next up, Custodian jetbikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercadius Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Nice work, very ornate and unique models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Colossus Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Those Custodes look pretty imposing next to that Adminstation rep. Nice conversions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarKHaZZ13 Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 I really like them. Their weapons do look a bit...unwieldy though. Personally I'd drop the combi-bolter and go with a single bolter if possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Cirrius Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 These are incredible! If ever someone were to make a diorama of the golden throne, guards and all, it'd certainly be you. Food for thought :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdT Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 Glad people like these. I agree that the Guardian Spears are a little clunky; in my view these are generally the weak point in any Custodian conversion, and while I think these ones just about work, I'm sure there's a better way of doing them. I just used the combi-bolters as that's what I had lying around. A diorama would be fun, but I'm not sure my conversion skills are quite up to it! Plus post-heresy Custodians are all in black, and that's nowhere near as nice as their pre-heresy red colouring. So, yesterday I had a nice early christmas surprise in the post. My jetbikes arrived! I've always loved this image of Custodians speeding around the place, so here's a rather blurry WIP of attempt to emulate the artwork. The jetbikes themselves are Machinator's excellent Thunder Assault Speeder. I've been hugely impressed by them; good casting, easy to put together, a pleasure to embellish, and for a reasonable price too. (I'm not on commission, honest... :rolleyes: ) Should have these painted for the weekend, touch wood... Edit: Not a great photo but the first jetbike is done. Need to work on the rider though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdT Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 So the jetbikes are done! I'll take some better photos when the weather permits, but hopefully this gives a good idea of what they look like. Overall I'm pleased, particularly with the bikes; the riders were rather furstrating. Set on their own, the proportions are completely out, with a huge torso, short arms and tiny legs. Their placement on the bike was also a bit difficult; the arms were a little too short to fit on the handlebars and sit properly. However, they look ok when actually riding, which is a relief. Anyhow, here are the (rather rubbish) photos... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarKHaZZ13 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Nice jet bikes. Different without being over the top. And I totally did not know that post-heresy custodians wore black! I totally need a fluff reading session ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Cirrius Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 And I totally did not know that post-heresy custodians wore black! I totally need a fluff reading session :P Yeah he kinda schooled me with that one :ph34r: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chronotonic Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 well done.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daevyll Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Brilliantly done. I especially like the 'group photo' , the Custodes escorting the adept looks like is comes straight out of a novel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malika666 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Finally some Custodes that actually look like Custodes rather than just gold Space Marines! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdT Posted December 29, 2012 Author Share Posted December 29, 2012 Glad people enjoyed these. On the Custodes being black post-heresy, I'm positive it says it somewhere (which is actually a shame IMO, but there we are- probably shouldn't have let their master get entombed), but I'm not exactly sure where. Still not been good enough weather to take a decent photo of the Custodian Jetbikes, but I do have some progress to show; A not-that-good photo of Sister Amata Kordun, Oblivion Knight of the Brass Hawk Cadre. As is probably obvious, she's mostly made from Dark Eldar parts, but I think she looks fairly distinctive. The Imperial eagle tatooed on her forehead isn't that visible in the photo, sadly. She's based on these ladies. And here's a not-that-good comparison photo of Sister Kordun and one of the Custodians. As you can see, as a mortal human she's rather dwarfed by her comrade. I'll take some better photos when it stops raining. So sometime next April, at this rate... ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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