Mini Miscellany Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Hi all, I recently started an Astral Claws army. Initially this is planned as a small collection with the main emphasis placed on painting and modelling so I am going very much with what looks good rather than what units would be legal/effective in a game. I really like the new silver and blue colour scheme for the Astral Claws which is both striking and simple to paint. While I enjoy assembling Space Marines (the multitude of interchangeable parts makes this a real joy), I am less interested in painting all of those flat surfaces. A quick colour scheme will allow me to add models to the collection without having to spend hours painstakingly edge highlighting them (a mistake a made with my Dark Angels). It will also allow me to spend more time on the details. For this force I want to emphasis the fact that each Space Marine is a unique individual and so I will try and keep the armour and equipment used on the models fairly diverse. I also want to get across the Mesopotamian influence on the Astral Claws background and so I will be trying to give them a 'classical' theme. However, as these are Space Marines, I am less interested in adhering to any one real world reference than conveying a general classical influence. Blood Angels parts and the other Roman-style components will be useful for this. The main influences for this project are Tyler Mengel and 1000heathens whose fantastic Astral Claws can be seen gracing these forums. I'd like to say a big thank you to these guys for their inspiration. Anyway, without further ado, on to the pictures: http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3306_zpse51760ef.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3305_zps0f8a0c0f.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3303_zps00be9b5b.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3300_zps3c6a453e.jpg If you like my work please check out my blog where you can see my other models including my Dark Angels and Death Guard projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quixus Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Very nice. Isn't that an Iron Halo the tactical Marine is sporting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yosef Hausakluif Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Wow, they look friggin great! What a smooth looking silver armor color, and the weathering is just right too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Febelcrofas Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Real nice, I know what you mean about the colour scheme. And very well executed if I may say so. Keep up the sterling work. (Pun intended) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyaenidae Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 To hell with your Death Guard and Dark Angels. Spend more time building these bad boys! Great job, man. I'm glad I could help inspire such beautiful work. Now....Back To Work! Sensei demands it! Wax on, Wax off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mini Miscellany Posted May 4, 2013 Author Share Posted May 4, 2013 Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm glad you like them. @Quixus - The sergeants and combat squad leaders are all going to be distinguished by backpack icons. Back in the day all tactical squads had two back banners although that custom seems to have fallen out of use in recent codices and White Dwarfs. This guy is a combat squad leader (at least I think that's what they're called). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mini Miscellany Posted May 5, 2013 Author Share Posted May 5, 2013 Multi-Melta http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3340_zps54fad34e.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3341_zps0ea0861b.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3345_zps75c0a67b.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adeptus-Alaska Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 very nice, yep, Tyler and heathens are two great people two emulate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molgorain Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 Great silver, could you be kind and break it down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mini Miscellany Posted May 5, 2013 Author Share Posted May 5, 2013 The silver is simple: 1) Leadbelcher 2) Wash with Badab Black 3) Highlight with Leadbelcher 4) Highlight sparingly with Mithril Silver It's easy and fast but produces great results. This leave more time for painting fun details such as chips and scratches :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dosjetka Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 That's all? Well, you manage to make it look more complicated than that, which is a compliment (I think...) ;) Do you edge highlight with the Mithril Silver or do you do a pseudo-zenital highlighting of the model? Also, how do you manage to get such a lovely blue? Anyway, I'll now leave you with my pesky questions :P Looking forward to the next update! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quixus Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 One more pesky question: The chapter symbol is a transfer sheet, right? Forgeworld or printed yourself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mini Miscellany Posted May 5, 2013 Author Share Posted May 5, 2013 That's all? Well, you manage to make it look more complicated than that, which is a compliment (I think...) Do you edge highlight with the Mithril Silver or do you do a pseudo-zenital highlighting of the model? Also, how do you manage to get such a lovely blue? Anyway, I'll now leave you with my pesky questions Looking forward to the next update! I layer the highlights as you would for edge highlighting. The simplicity of the silver leaves more time for fun detailing. With my Dark Angels I made the mistake of using a very time consuming method on the green armour so for my Astral Claws I deliberately chose a quick technique. The blue is an old Citadel paint, Lightning Bolt Blue, washed with Asurmen Blue and shaded around the edge of the shoulder pad with Badab Black. It is then highlighted Lightning Bolt Blue. Once the decal is applied I give the shoulder pads several thin coats of Lahmian Medium to blend the decal in. This also gives the blue a more muted appearance. One more pesky question: The chapter symbol is a transfer sheet, right? Forgeworld or printed yourself? The decals are from Forge World. I fix them in place using Micro Sol and Micro Set and then paint over them with Lahmian Medium as described above. I hope that answers your questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dosjetka Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 It does indeed, thank you very much :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mini Miscellany Posted May 6, 2013 Author Share Posted May 6, 2013 I posted this guy on Twitter this morning. Another finished Astral Claw. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3349_zps0c960a2d.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3348_zps89728b82.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3350_zps7a338263.jpg The base is still blank as I haven't decided on a basing scheme for the army yet. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyaenidae Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 The shattered ruins of Hive Dominar? Stand and die with your brothers of the LXII Auxilia. Defend the Palace. The Lord Tyrant demands it, Brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dosjetka Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Like heathens, ruined cityscape-type bases would look great :tu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrox Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Superb looking Astral Claws. Painting metal can easily end up ooking blobby and thickly painted, but yours look great, especially with the subtle damage Cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mini Miscellany Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I've managed to get a few more Astral Claws painted, I nearly have a complete Tactical Squad now. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3353_zps9b86abae.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3354_zpsf27de1bb.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3356_zpsd83c306e.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3357_zps90010358.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3359_zps8ad08395.jpg http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3360_zpsc2f44de3.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dosjetka Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Congrats! That's a great-looking bunch :tu: That middle chap has a cool-lloking modified boltgun, would you mind if I asked how you achieved that? Use of Green Stuff, I presume? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mini Miscellany Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Congrats! That's a great-looking bunch That middle chap has a cool-lloking modified boltgun, would you mind if I asked how you achieved that? Use of Green Stuff, I presume? I assume you mean this? http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag113/Mini_Miscellany/Astral%20Claws/DSCF3356_zpsd83c306e.jpg It's actually an old metal bolter from my bits box. I believe it belonged to an old limited edition metal captain model from a previous Games Day. It really adds to the individual look I was going for on these models with each marine being a unique individual rather than all having identical weapons and armour.. http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mJKR9fYGZCNL4QW1g3PUZDg.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dosjetka Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Yep, that's the one. Sorry for being a bit unclear! And yes, it does indeed fit your concept very well :) Anyway, looking forward to the next update! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worrywort Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Hello ! I like very well your stuff. Maybe I want to restart a Astral Claws project. Your method seems to be really easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy1391 Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 :D amazing!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chapter master Benji Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Simply awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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