Guardians of the Covenant WIP (First Time Painting)

[Deathstrike_Chimera]

Hey All! This is my first time painting minis. I have just started painting my DA army, and have decided to paint them in the scheme of the Guardians of the Covenant. I chose this because I play DA, like the color scheme, the fluff, and, since this is my first time painting, they seemed pretty easy to paint. I have only painted three of them so far but more will be coming as time progresses. This will be a VERY pic-heavy thread as I enjoy photography, so heads up!

 

also, sorry for the boring poses. I bought some of these off ebay and they came already assembled.

 

the three I have painted as of nowhttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/IMG_4010_zpsfae56d47.jpg

 

Here you can see the company insignia on the kneepad and the freehanded chapter emblem (sorry its blurry)

 

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/IMG_4017_zps39b7d01b.jpg

 

Tactical Emblem Freehand

 

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/IMG_4020_zps7fe99682.jpg

 

Detail on the gun

 

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/IMG_4018_zps3f1f08d9.jpg

 

Don't have a better picture of the beaky as my internet is on the fritz but will post one when I can.

 

Advice, comments, contructive criticism appreciated! Also if anyone can link me to a good drybrushing tutorial that'd be wonderful as my plasma gun looks iffy.

 

 

[deathspectersgt7]

Good start one thing alot of people will advise on .Get rid of the mold lines other than that nice free hand also.

[Deathstrike_Chimera]

Alright thanks! I will work on this on future models. They do look pretty jarring in these photos because of the light, in person it is much less of a problem. I will work on removing them on others though

[Larkyn]

That's not bad for first time painting. I remember my first models...Oh gods they were horrible. I think I might still have them in a box somewhere.

 

But yeah, mold lines are a big issue on those models.

 

And wait, that symbol is freehand? Better than I could do.

[greendestiny]

Looks good, I love it when people do non standard chapters. 

[Deathstrike_Chimera]

Thanks all! Is there a way to remove those mold lines after they are painted or should I just leave them and remove them on the next models I do?

[Forté]

Thanks all! Is there a way to remove those mold lines after they are painted or should I just leave them and remove them on the next models I do?

If you try and remove them now you'll be scraping of your paint first so don't. Treat them as a learning experience. Taking that little bit of extra time cleaning up parts and working on poses can really improve your final results.

 

I'm guessing you've dry brushed the main colour looking at the brush marks. If you did, can I make a recommendation. Try and wipe more paint off your brush on some kitchen roll and build it up slower. It takes longer but the result is smoother.

 

Nice to see your starting point too so keep posting. Be nice to see how you improve and learn new techniques.

[Deathstrike_Chimera]

If you try and remove them now you'll be scraping of your paint first so don't. Treat them as a learning experience. Taking that little bit of extra time cleaning up parts and working on poses can really improve your final results.

I'm guessing you've dry brushed the main colour looking at the brush marks. If you did, can I make a recommendation. Try and wipe more paint off your brush on some kitchen roll and build it up slower. It takes longer but the result is smoother.

Nice to see your starting point too so keep posting. Be nice to see how you improve and learn new techniques.

Yeah the poses couldn't be helped unless I cut the models up which I didn't feel like doing.

 

I guess I drybrushed them.. I didn't have much paint on the brush to begin with. I'll try your suggestion though next time I sit down at the painting table.

[Forté]

Do a search on base coating on YouTube. It's always easier to learn something when you can see it. And if you have any questions, just ask. Someone on here will be able to help.

[Deathstrike_Chimera]

Update: painted some tonight; scraped the mold lines off of the mini I stated working on, and tried my hand at hard edging/highlighting once I had finished everything else. Will post pics tomorrow and of the beaky

[Deathstrike_Chimera]

Alright back with some more photos of stuff ive done. tryed to improve and think im getting better

 

first off, one more basic marine I did. I have since thinned out the lighter metal color I have done. Yay no mold lines! :)

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0304141930_zps7rzitw8f.jpg

 

Next is my lasgun/heavy bolter conversion. And before you say its too much, remember, you can never have too much Dakka! :)

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0307140708a_zpsnnnrlspj.jpg

 

This is one of the models that I have based. I used GW's Stirland Mud to give it a rainy, and, well, muddy look. Note that this is one of the earlier models with the mold lines..

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0308141537_zpsuulflj0l.jpg

 

Started working on a sargeant. here is him part-way through:

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0308141650_zpsnhpm6b00.jpg

his banner was broken off when I received him so i am painting that separately and then regluing it back on.

 

Here's how he is right now. hope to be done with him by the end of the day.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0308141729_zps4izprhsk.jpg

[deathspectersgt7]

!!

[Kronus Stormbringer]

For first time models they are very good, i'll pass on comments that everyone here will say, thin your paints at least one to one and never paint from the pot. The mould lines have already been mentioned and youve tried drilling the barrels from what i can see.  Overall a great effort, it took me a while to start attempting freehand so your doing great :p

[Monstra Sumus]

Much better than my first attempt so with a bit of practice you'll be singing and dancing while you paint these bad boys. 

 

Thinner paints will help bring forth more of the models detail and allow you a smoother surface to work your free hand on, it's better than any free hand I can do. 

 

I approve totally of the Strickland Mud bases, it's what I've done for my entire army, trudging through wet mud, rain streaked. 

[Deathstrike_Chimera]

Ok so 1to1 good to know. I tryed thinning them but didn't do it quite well enough obviously. The one to one is working well for me right now though better than my first attempt was.

 

Yeah mold lines are gone on my newest models just didn't have one based that didn't have a mold line. Some models came pre primed so they still have mold lines.

 

The Strickland mud is pretty legit IMO. I'm liking the look a lot. Not sure if I should drybrush it yet

[Kriegsmacht]

Looking good. Still remember my first time painting space marines. Tried bleach bone over black primer. Needless to say it didn't go well. lol

What I've done is to wet the brush a bit before getting some paint. Most times it applies alright and other times I have too much water on the brush and the paint goes on like a wash. It might not be the best way to do it but I find it easy for me.

Edit: Also I use Army Painter spray primers. Which ever color the miniature will have most on it I use and then block paint the small stuff. That helps me a lot.

[Deathstrike_Chimera]

More stuff. haven't had much time to paint lately but got a few WiP pics to share!

 

Heres the finished product. Finished him a while ago. want to make the banner carrier skull thing look better just havent had a chance to pick up any other paints.also need to put a wash on the skin parts... but he turned out well.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0309142042_zpsz0mfxc95.jpg

 

So thats the first 5 done. Yes i'm a slow painter haha but i feel that Im getting better!

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0309142042a_zps1gegpqjr.jpg

 

Next guy ive worked on. Planning on using it as a lascannon or a hb if i so feel like it. may remove some of the slanted part of the lascannon bit and take off the rail thing on the bottom. still deciding if im happy with it. from a painting perspective i feel good about it.

 

the bolter part wasnt my priming job -- not good but not bad enough to need a stripping. sorry for the grainy photos, taking with my phone!

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0312142139_zpsgdhtvseh.jpg

 

finished product. i like it. its unique. missed a mold line on the head but it was hard to get to so I dont mind.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0317142111_zps7ledlqvc.jpg

 

need to add purity seal writing 0_x

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l131/Narsil_101/0317142112_zpspis6dym4.jpg

 

thats all I got. not much time these days for hobbies as the end of the quarter at school is coming up. hopefully ill get alot done in the next few weeks!