Captain Psycho's Second Company

[Captain Psycho]

I've always wanted to post pictures on the B&C of the Blood Angels I've been working on (and off) for the last few years (mostly off) - problem was I couldn't seem to ever finish them.  In fact most of them are still unfinished in that there are details I want to add, but I decided to post pictures anyway.
 

First up, is the tactical squad I started in 2008 (still unfinished!)

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4974_zpseb8579e5.jpg

 

From the original tac box I painted a few test figures from different chapters and decided that I loved the BA color scheme and fluff (plus the codex was free, this was still 4th ed!).  After starting a few of the marines I lost interest in the project and they sat on the shelf for a couple of years.  Then in 2010 I saw that GW was releasing a new BA codex with new plastic DC and my interest was rekindled.  I picked up the new codex, DC box (I still think it is one of GW's best releases ever), assault squad and a single action Badger airbrush to make base coating easier and got to work again.

Or at least I tried to - what I discovered was that I have miniature painting ADD.  I'm easily distracted by a new video game (it was the Dawn of War games that got me interested in the minis in the first place) and by list building.  It was much easier to post lists here on B&C than to paint!  The other thing that happened is that as I was working on the original tac squad I got the crazy idea that I wanted them all to have matching shoulder pads from the new DC box.  So I grabbed 4 additional sets of shoulder pads off eBay and incorporated them into the squad.  I decided that all bareheaded marines in my company would have the blonde BA pretty boy heads from the DC box so I grabbed some of those too.  Here you can see the result from the other half of the tac squad.

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4969_zpsf74b93e5.jpg

 

BA Pretty boys (the black shoulder pads still need highlights)

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4939_zps86f6fb23.jpg

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4971_zpsc2cf55c8.jpg

 

I incorporated blood drop icons from the DC box wherever possible to give the generic tac squad more of a BA feel

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4950_zpsf5b34a25.jpg

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4976_zps69f0c285.jpg
 

These pics are crappy, the edge highlights show up much better in person.  Also they're still a bit shiny in places as they are still waiting on a matte varnish.  The reason they aren't finished is that they were going to be first squad, second company.  But when I tried to apply the skull icon from the generic Space Marine transfer sheet I found it was too big for their knee pads (which is why the knee pads in these pics are just painted black).  So I need to go back and free hand the first squad skull icon (I should have just picked up some of those limited edition Flesh Tearers transfer sheets but I thought it would be fun to freehand - I'm such an idiot).

Next up is the assault squad.  The other thing that I discovered about myself after I got into this hobby is that I am a toy soldier shopaholic.  Before I had even finished the tac squad I found myself buying minis from other ranges such as Warmahordes, Infinity, Warlord Games, Perry Miniatures and other 40k armies such as Orks and Grey Knights (it is so much easier to shop online for new minis than to paint the ones you already have).  I only got around to painting the assault squad last year, again with all the DC bits I got off eBay incorporated into the squad.  They still need freehand squad markings on the need pads.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4977_zpsffe75689.jpg

More BA pretty boys - the sergeant's torso is from the Baal Predator kit

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4943_zpse33e0531.jpg

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4979_zps60d0389c.jpg

Next up is a Death Company squad led by a converted Reclusiarch/Chaplain.  Earlier this year I picked up a dual action Harder Steenbeck airbrush (did I mention my shopping problem?) and this was one of my first attempts at zenithal highlights with an airbrush.  After airbrushing the highlights I found they were too grey at the top so I ended up giving all of them a thin black glaze.  As a result the effect is too subtle to see in the pics (and probably on a gaming table) but under strong lighting it is definitely visible.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4981_zpsac76c934.jpg

My Reclusiarch/Chaplain conversion.  Head is from the tac or assault squad box (I can't remember which), Rosarius amulet bit from termie squad (I think), head of the Crozius from command squad box, shaft from the GK nemesis warding stave and back pack from DA veteran box.  The inspiration was the Space Marine Chaplain with Crozius and Bolt Pistol so I grabbed bits from the DC box that had a Chaplain feel and added the DA vet back pack (the candle idea came from the Dark Vengeance Chaplain).

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4947_zps487d053c.jpg

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4948_zpsc55e3f53.jpg

My attempt at NMM on the chalice on the chest of this DC marine

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4949_zps605b732e.jpg

Lastly my current work in progress, a rhino/razorback (TLAC or TLLC) for my tac squad.  For the base coat I tried color modulation with the airbrush but I think it is too subtle, I ended up edge highlighting a lot of parts (again none of it shows up in these lousy pics)

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4984_zps35ae56ca.jpg

So that's where I am right now, 20 marines in 5 years, seriously what the ****???  If only I could just stay off the computer and paint more.  Also, I'm not sure if I'll go any further, GW's pricing has gotten out of control since I got into the hobby (the new plastic Wraithguard box is five models for $50 USD!).  On top of that each edition/codex change seems to break certain units (I picked up dozens of cheap Ork Black Reach Slugga Boyz off eBay - now everyone runs Shoota Boyz in 6th).

Having said that, this company was my intro into the hobby and the minis I learned to paint on so it holds a special place in my toy soldier collecting heart.  If the rumored Space Marine update in the Fall includes all new minis I will probably fall for the "ooh shiny" trick again and find myself expanding the company.  More pics to come on the rhino/razorback.

[Kurgan the Lurker]

You need to use the DIRECT LINK option to the right of your pictures rather than the URL at the top of the page.

 

You'll get this, instead of what your post is showing currently:

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/IMG_4974_zpseb8579e5.jpg

[Captain Psycho]

You need to use the DIRECT LINK option to the right of your pictures rather than the URL at the top of the page.

 

You'll get this, instead of what your post is showing currently:

 

 

 

EDIT:  Fixed it, thanks Kurgan

[Captain Psycho]

Thread Necromancy! Well after two and a half years of inactivity, I am finally working on my Blood Angels again.  I picked up the new transfer sheet (overpriced but really nice) and some bits and I've started painting again.  First thing I've done is re-paint the rhino with TLAC and TLLC razorback options pictured in the last image of the original post.  Here are some pics, they are a bit washed out, in reality there's much more contrast between sections of the vehicle (I went with a color modulation approach to highlighting as opposed to zenithal highlighting).  In my time away from this army I've learned a lot about weathering vehicles, I'm super happy with the results here (I used weathering powder made from pastel chalk).

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20151127_134156_zpsikbpavi7.jpg

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20151127_133549_zpsvsv1xeaq.jpg

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20151127_133704_zpswrl89frx.jpg

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/df581c23-2717-4f2e-867d-9f99d4a0665e_zpshteibxcs.jpg

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20151127_133734_zpsdev8ip4d.jpg

 

The BA symbol on the back is from the new transfer sheet.  I'm going to finally add squad markings (and battle honors) to my tactical and assault squads.  I'm also going to swap out the backpacks on the DC squad and chaplain for jump packs and add a fifth DC marine to make the unit 7th ed legal.  A few other weapon swaps and a librarian conversion and I'll have a small starting force for 7th that I can expand upon.

 

I'm debating whether or not I should rebase the entire army on 32mm bases so that as I begin adding new units they will all be based the same.  My favorite ebay bits seller is Blackdagger Games, but their 32mm bases are a bit pricey, does anyone know of a good alternative in the US?

 

It's good to be back to work on my Blood Angels as these were the first miniatures I painted.

[evildrcheese]

Nice Razorback.

 

I'm having a similar dilemma re: Bases. I think I'm going to rebase everything to 32mm, but it's just finding the motivation to do it.

 

EDC

[Paikis]

Nice Razorback.

 

I'm having a similar dilemma re: Bases. I think I'm going to rebase everything to 32mm, but it's just finding the motivation to do it.

 

EDC

 

This might make it easier for you?

[evildrcheese]

Interesting. But then the frame would bug me...

 

Is is easier to base small parts of a base in a ring than just rebasing an entire model? Now that is the question.

 

EDC

[Nicodemus Doloroso]

That's a nice red you've gotten there.

 

I am struggling with the same debate re: 32 mm bases and I ultimately decided to start switching everything over gradually, while I base anything new on 32s.

[Canadian_F_H]

Yeah I have over a hundred marines around here on 28mm bases... I'm debating and dreading making that change... Tho I'll admit they do look better on 32...

[Blindhamster]

Just bite the bullet and do it. I have replaced most of the bases on my battle company and they look so much better for it

[Charlo]

Since I got back into the hobby I've gone 32mm on everything and it's badass. Marines look like gods as opposed to little armoured doodz.

 

Lots of space for Base decoration too.

[Captain Psycho]

This might make it easier for you?

 

Interesting and definitely cheaper, but it might be a real pain getting all those little edges to line up properly to the 25mm bases. I have a feeling that if not done right they'll just look like @ss.

 

That's a nice red you've gotten there.

 

Thanks. It is P3 Khador Red. When I first stated painting Blood Angels in 2008 I used the old GW Blood Red, terrible paint, very splotchy and poor opacity. P3 Khador Red is great, thins down wonderfully, I thin it 50/50 with water to airbrush (that's how I did the razorback).

 

Yeah I have over a hundred marines around here on 28mm bases... I'm debating and dreading making that change... Tho I'll admit they do look better on 32...

I agree, if you look at the first pic in my original post you can see how the feet of the tactical marines hang over the edges of the base, always bugged me. 32mm bases just look right on space mareens.

[Captain Psycho]

In a previous post I mentioned that I was going to update my existing Blood Angel minis, here are the pics.

 

First up, the tactical marines that I started way back in 2008.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_124510_zpsbnvxf4ge.jpg

 

As you can see I went ahead and swapped out the 25mm bases for 32mm, which imho looks way better as the 32mm bases really “frame” the mini.

 

When I based my BA minis a few years ago I went with an “urban rubble / ash wasteland” theme (i.e. plain grey) using basing grit of different sizes with some dry brush highlights. I didn’t have much enthusiasm for basing back then and if you look at the pictures in the original post I think it shows. For this project I wanted to try something I’ve been thinking about for a while which is basing with weathering powders. I’m going to post a quick tutorial in the “tutorials and how to’s” forum so I won’t go into details here. It took a bit of time to do 22 bases at once but I think it was worth it because I’m really happy with the results. I went with a dusty plains theme this time around, which also matches the weathering on the rhino / razorback.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_124603_zps4xfgp6ow.jpg

 

Here is a close up on one of the tactical marines. You can see how the weathering powder gets all over the mini’s feet, which really makes it look like he’s been walking around in the dirt and dust.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_124639_zpsavyifr8g.jpg

 

Next up, the updated assault marines.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_124938_zpsenmceieu.jpg

 

In addition to giving them squad markings, I replaced the yellow helmets on three of the marines as I was never happy with the previous yellow paint job. Guess what? I’m not happy with the new yellow paint job either. I hate painting yellow, there’s just no way around it. I tip my cap to anyone who paints Iron Hands.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_125021_zpsdlw7cllj.jpg

 

I replaced the power fist and bolt pistol on the sergeant with an inferno pistol and chainsword and added another meltagun to the squad. Does anyone drill out the barrels on their meltaguns? Even my largest pin vise drill bit would be too small, I thought about painting a black circle on the end of the barrel but I don’t know if that will look convincing so for now I’ve just left them as is.

 

Next up, the updated Death Company squad and Chaplain.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_125357_zpsvrif6v5y.jpg

 

I swapped out the backpacks for jump packs and added a fifth DC marine (in the foreground on the left) now that a DC squad is a minimum of 5 models. I’m happy to finally have jump pack DCs in my BA army, when I was painting these minis (5th edition) they were much more expensive to run with jump packs and subject to the old version of the rage special rule.

 

Here’s the new DC marine with a couple of squad mates – I replaced a left hand bolt pistol with a boltgun so that I could use the right hand power fist from the DC sprue. I love the DC kit, so easy to make really dynamic poses like this. He reminds me a little of the BA sergeant that was on the cover of the second edition 40K starter set – maybe he finally went batsh#t crazy and got assigned to the death company.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_125446_zpsreqitieu.jpg

 

A close up of the new DC marine – I love painting the faces on GW minis, the highlights and shadows are so easy to pick out.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_125512_zps7ag8cmqu.jpg

 

The updated Chaplain – I added a bit from the Grey Knights sprue to his jump pack to make it a little more unique. From this angle you get a better view of the Rosarius amulet bit that I added to the mini.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_125614_zpswjbsyxy8.jpg

 

While a Chaplain is a capable (if not flashy) HQ, I decided to finally add a Librarian to the force, which is something I had always intended to do.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_125126_zpsomvooaov.jpg

 

Here is my BA librarian conversion. I started the conversion years ago when I was painting the original force, but I never got around to finishing him until now. He’s a mash up of Death Company and Grey Knight bits with a few odds and ends thrown in for good measure. The horned skull on his chest plate comes from the Furioso / Librarian Dreadnought kit; it is on the armor plate that goes on the left arm. I just carved away the rest of the armor plate and glued it to a regular space marine chest plate; the chalice bit on his waist is from a DC shoulder pad I think?

 

The keys come from a WHFB sprue - the empire flagellants kit maybe? It’s been so long I don’t remember. Space Marine Librarian models always have three keys, but I can’t find anything in the fluff that says why, does anyone know?

 

The blue is P3 Cygnar Blue / Cygnar Blue Highlight, airbrushed with zenithal highlighting, none of which is visible in these lousy camera phone pictures (I zoomed in to close on this pic, it is really washed out).

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_125156_zpsgt0tv8jv.jpg

 

The DC power sword will count as Valour’s Edge or a generic force sword. I thought about giving him Gallian’s Staff, but I don’t really get the appeal of that relic, re-rolling a 1 is only going to be useful around 17% of the time, and you risk rolling a 6 on the re-roll which could lead to a Perils of the Warp roll. Valour’s Edge is AP 2 at initiative, which becomes even better with Quickening (D3 initiative and attacks), especially on the charge (a point of strength from Furious Charge) in a Baal Strike Force list (another point of initiative from Red Thirst). With a charge bonus attack and extra attack from the bolt pistol that’s between five to seven weapon skill 5, strength 5, AP 2 attacks at initiative 6 or better. Me likey.

 

The shoulder pad with parchment is from the DC sprue, it reminds me of the left shoulder pad on the librarian with power axe and plasma pistol that was painted up as a Blood Angel librarian in the 5th edition codex.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_125209_zpsuca7zvsc.jpg

 

In older editions, the book on the right should pad would have marked this librarian as an Epistolary.

 

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p651/MikeRC97/Blood%20Angels/20160131_125244_zps9kbazi7j.jpg

 

So that’s all of the pics for now. Where that leaves me is about 750 points which is a good start. Here’s the “just for fun” list I came up with based on the minis above:

 

Baal Strike Force detachment

Chaplain (Warlord) with The Veritas Vitae and jump pack

Librarian with Valour’s Edge and jump pack, ML2

5 man tactical squad with flamer in razorback with TLAC or TLLC

5 man tactical squad with ML

5 man Death Company squad with jump packs, power fist

5 man assault squad with jump packs, inferno pistol and 2 x meltagun

 

As I said in a previous post, I have a soft spot for this army as it was the first I collected. I would like to expand my BA collection at some point but in the near future I have some other projects to work on.

 

In the meantime, any comments or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

[Charlo]

Those are wonderfully crisp and clean! Love your style :)

[Father Mapple]

Live the conversions on the librarian. Great idea carving the furioso plates up. Good painting as well! Very clean.

[Dolchiate Remembrancer]

Live the conversions on the librarian. Great idea carving the furioso plates up. Good painting as well! Very clean.

+1

Going to steal that when i make my counts as mephiston!

[Captain Psycho]

Thanks guys. I get frustrated when I post pics because my camera phone sucks - the highlights and shadows don't show up in these pictures at all, so I really appreciate the complements.

[Xenith]

Great work!

 

On the librarian (lovely conversion?, why not keep a force staff\gallians and swap the pistol for valours edge?

 

You already pay for the force weapons, and it seems a waste to pay 20pts to gain ap2 and lose force.

[Xenith]

Double post

[Captain Psycho]

Oh sure, now you give me that good idea, after I've already finished the mini!!!!

 

j/k, thanks for the compliment and definitely something to consider for a future update.

[Boudan]

Awesome stuff! You paint faces in a way I find appealing.

[Xenith]

Oh sure, now you give me that good idea, after I've already finished the mini!!!!

 

j/k, thanks for the compliment and definitely something to consider for a future update.

Seeing as next time BA get an update we will 100% get some kind of librarian conclave formation, no reason not to paint up some more ;)

[Paikis]

Oh sure, now you give me that good idea, after I've already finished the mini!!!!

j/k, thanks for the compliment and definitely something to consider for a future update.

Seeing as next time BA get an update we will 100% get some kind of librarian conclave formation, no reason not to paint up some more

Don't count your librarians before they've hatched!

[Xenith]

Oh sure, now you give me that good idea, after I've already finished the mini!!!!

j/k, thanks for the compliment and definitely something to consider for a future update.

Seeing as next time BA get an update we will 100% get some kind of librarian conclave formation, no reason not to paint up some more

Don't count your librarians before they've hatched!

I'm going by the fact the space wolves just got one, and they don't even believe in the warp!