Death Guard Test Model - feedback needed

[Widowmaker]

Greetings one and all,

 

So,I've been working through the stacks of models I have accumulated and have decided to start into my chaos models.  First up are the Death Guard.  I had started painting these a (LONG) while back, using the old school colour scheme...

 

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/P1010676.jpg

 

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/P1010673.jpg

 

While I still like that scheme, I really like the versions I've been seeing with the almost pre-heresy scheme.  As such, this is the test model I came up with.

 

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/20140818_173443.jpg

 

First up, apologies (for several things)...

 

1) I'm afraid it's just a WIP test, but I figured I'd post a sneak peak before I went too far...  there is a lot of fine detail work still needing to be completed. 

 

2) Apologies for the poor pic quality.  I used my camera phone, so the rust, and some details get lost, but I think you still get the idea.

 

That being said - some questions -

 

1) What d'ya think?  I'm liking the white more than the green.  Should I continue?

 

2) The forward grip of the gun will not be white.  Should I go for a brown/wood finish? Something tarnished? Simple black?  On this model wood grain would be the easy choice, but the majority of chaos bolters have the standard molded grip, so I think something else is needed.

 

3) Any thoughts on the best colours for the guts/pustules/boils?  I'm thinking purple/red for the guts and pink/orange for the boils.

 

As always comments and criticism are welcome (and desperately needed).  Thanks for stopping by.

 

Cheers,

 

Widowmaker

 

[batu]

Hey widomaker,

I like the white armor. You have stated the best points to improve the looks of your model and its presentation yourself

Black grip is a solid choice. Wood grain on the other hand could really look cool though.

Purple, red, orange, and pink will all look great, but I would constrain myself to only two of those colors.

I'm not sure but I think I can spot some molde lines. On the arm with the knife and the backpack. I strongly advice you to take care of those before you prime your model. Doesn't metter how good a painter you are if one can still see those; the model just looks bad

I hope I could help !

[Widowmaker]

Cheers batu, I appreciate the feedback. And well spotted on those mold lines. Not sure how I missed them, but I'll take care of them.

 

I know what you mean about having to constrain myself to two of the contrast colors - the model might get too busy if I'm not careful. Especially with a red bolter casing. We'll see what happens though. That's what test minis are for, right? :D

 

Anyone else got any thoughts? Or is it "full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes"?

 

Cheers

 

Widowmaker

[Packe]

I like the test model alot, and as a Pre Heresy Death Guard painter myself, I might have some ideas.

 

I think you should make it dirtier / rustier,I like the dagger the rust is nice.

 

 

 

I would change the color of the shoulder pads to a more Catachan Green /OD (it looks like you used Dark Angels green or equivalently)

 

 

As for puss and all that stuff I would used GW's Nurgle Rot and Blood for the Blood Gosld / Tamiya Clear Red X-Something, because the are easy to use and give great effects.

 

 

 

For the grip I would go with black, but if you can go wood where it's easy, such as on your test model.

 

 

Otherwise looks great!

 

And now for some shameless advertisement, if you want to get some inspiration for rust, look at my thread, lits of rust and such. :)

[Widowmaker]

Cheers Packe, I appreciate the feedback! And kudos on your own DG - lots of very cool techniques used. I think I'll have to wait till you post some tutorials before I can recreate some of the things I liked most.

I think most of the rust on it was washed out when I used my camera phone. The metals are actually pretty rusty. Saying that though, while the armour is grimy, it doesn't have much weathering. If I can figure out the technique you used for the weathering on your marines (I think you mentioned "chipping paint") I may dirty them up further. The green is indeed Caliban green, though just an undercoat - more layers to come. I appreciate the feedback and the ideas - very helpful.

So I've added a little more work to the model - still haven't fixed the mould line batu pointed out, and in fact managed to find several more in the interim. They seem to be breeding like tribbles, which is more than a little annoying Haven't got to the bolter yet, or the fine highlights for the armour, but see what you think. If nothing else, the pics are better.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Daemons/Nurgle/In%20Progress/DSCN1060.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Daemons/Nurgle/In%20Progress/DSCN1061.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Daemons/Nurgle/In%20Progress/DSCN1062.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Daemons/Nurgle/In%20Progress/DSCN1063.jpg

In the last pic, you can see the massive mould line I missed on the left leg.

Anyway, comments and criticism are encouraged, appreciated, and still desperately needed. Any thoughts as to suitable basing would be greatly received as well. Currently I'm thinking basic sand with rhinox hide with a drybrush to make it look like mud/dead earth.

Cheers

Widowmaker

[AlanofAngels]

Really cool test model, man! I dig the aesthetic as well, since the model seems to reflect the Death Guard legion scheme a bit more than generic plague marines. Honestly I don't have much in terms of tips to offer, since I don't weather models to heavily usually! Any ideas yet in terms of basing?   

[Packe]

With the new photos it looks alot better, now you can actually see the work on the metal.

 

For the flesh I think I would "glaze" it with blood for the blood god / Tamiya Clear Red (though I am not used to painting flesh and gore)

 

The green also looks better now, I still like the more OD look, but that's a personal thing.

 

I'll try to get the tutorial up tomorrow, no promises though.

 

My only complaint now is that the armour looks to not scratched, but you already noted on that so I don't think there is any more. :)

[Widowmaker]

Thanks for the comments guys, I appreciate it.

 

@AlanofAngels - Cheers mate.  Not really sure about the basing yet.  Something dark probably, so as not to distract from the mini.  I may go as far as putting some rusted machinery or something on there to give more of a Nurgle vibe, but I haven't got there yet.

 

@Packe - thanks mate.  I might have go with the blood effects, though normally I try and shy away from bloody models as they all too frequently come out overdone.  I'm going to take some areas up a few highlights into the green/grey palette to emphasize the diseased/infected look, but a gentle wash to also give it that "flayed and bleeding open sore" look might be what it needs.  The green might get one more wash to it, but I'm resisting the urge to completely redo it.  Thanks for the continued comments, I appreciate it.

 

More will follow shortly.

 

Cheers

 

Widowmaker

[Packe]

I see what you are saying and I totally agree with the blood it's really hard to get right, but when you get it right it looks bloody amazing, can't remeber the guys name but he's painting Pre Heresy World Eaters, and my god that guy knows his blood, if you ask me. You could also look at my latest post to see some more "subtle" blood work. I am quite happy with it.

 

And there was some delay on the tutorial due to the loss of Mortarions right arm.

 

I think your ideas sound good, take it slow and try on small areas first, I know the pain of having to do a model again (done it 2 times so for my Contemptor and Sicaran ...)

 

And no problems I like to help, even though my respond time can be way too long sometimes.

[Dark_Apostle_XVII]

Really like your new version, and the new photos look even better. Definitely continue like that as I'm looking forward to seeing a full squad.

 

Nurgle's Rot is a great paint to use, not that it needs it but I like the sickly green slime effect it gives. Might be worth using on the flesh to glaze it/let it seep into the crevices and in the cracks in the armour where the pipes run etc. Might look cool trickling down the bone white armour too.

[K0rtmer]

That tester of yours comes out really nicely. I really like it.

Personally speaking I don't think the purple fits in for the boils and ... yeah, that material on his bolter arm. I would've gone for something yellow to orange because I think it'd fit better with the white armor. But, having said that, it's clearly a matter of personal preference. I think your grimy white is just perfect and it works really, really well with your choices of green and red. 

 

[Widowmaker]

Wow! This thread dropped 4 pages back in just 3 days - crazy! Who knew the WIP forum was so busy?

@Packe - Thanks as always man. Yeah, I'm still kicking the idea about, but haven't committed yet... Still, work continues.

@Dark_Apostle_XVII - Cheers - I appreciate the comments. I've been playing about with the idea of using both Blood for the Blood God and Nurgle's Rot. Haven't bitten the bullet yet and purchased either yet, but I might do that depending on how folks feel about the models below. I'm working on several full squads right now, so you won't have to wait long. Hopefully

@Brother Kortmer - Thanks man. Yeah, I went back and forth on the purple. I am still trying to work it up into the fleshier tones - not quite orange, but I think it'll be suitably gross by the time I'm done. Glad the white seems to be getting approval.

Anyways, so I have a little more work done on my test model, and he now has friends.... see what you think. (apologies for the not so great pics)

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1127.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1128.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1129.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1130.jpg

And his mates...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1131.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1132.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1133.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1134.jpg

Group Shots...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1135.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1136.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1137.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1138.jpg

Mostly I just added the fine highlights over the models. I still need to work on the bolters, and of course figure out what I'm gonna do for basing, but this is where I'm at for now...

You'll notice the paint scheme of the backpacks differ, as does the painting of the shoulder pads. Partly this was to represent different originating squads/heraldry (though perhaps not heraldry on Deathguard, as fluff suggests they wouldn't really care about such things), and I figured that over the 10,000 years since the heresy, these guys "might" have invested differing levels of care in their armour.

As always, comments and criticism are welcome.

Cheers,

Widowmaker

[Packe]

Staying on the front page is hard, unless you update more than daily and people likes to comment.

I like the different backpack/ shoulderguard, it bringa personality.

I so however not like the purple pus on the shoulders there is no contrast, it kinda floats together. :/

But otherwise, it's looking good.

[Widowmaker]

And we're back.

@Packe - thanks for the comments. Yeah, I see what you mean. I was going for a kind of "necrotic flesh" look for it, but I may have skipped straight past that into "just plain odd looking"... Anyways, I changed it up a little, hopefully you approve. OK, I have my first full squad up for review... I added basing and some highlights to the armor... though I think the armor highlights were a bit heavy handed, especially around the greaves, so look weird. I might need to go back and dull them down with more wash.

See what you think...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1151.jpg

And individually

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1152.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1153.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1154.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1155.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1156.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1157.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/DSCN1158.jpg

Having taken the pictures, I kinda hate how these look up close and personal. Squad level, they look ok, but the bigger pics make them look terrible. I guess we refer to that as "Table Top quality"

The highlights on the bolter are brighter than shown, but I may go back and redo them - certainly I need to pick out the studs on the bolters. And drill them of course...

Other than that, I'm fairly happy with how they turned out. As always, comments and criticism welcome. Hopefully these will start appearing in HOH soon.

Cheers

Widowmaker

[Packe]

Now this is just Nurgle damn disgusting, just as he wants them!

 

I don't know what level you are going for but I think they look awesome, yes some highlight were a little bit sharp, backpack on the first bolter guy and some greaves, but except that I think it looks more than fine.

 

The flesh looks so nasty, I would say it's perfect.

 

Of course there is always, and I mean always (even for the GD guys) room for more improvement, but you definently got something going on here.

 

I am looking forward to your next batch. :)

[disease]

looking really good mate - love that tanker for a backpack  -where is it from? 

 

I followed Lorezen's guide for heresy DG armour and then adapted it for the corrupted look my force has.

 

I would say to push these to the next level you could look at some mild sponge chipping and streaking - although Packe is the weathering master so would be more help than I.

 

look forward to seeing more!

[Packe]

@ Disease I totally forgot about chipping.

 

That would make them look even better.

 

And thanks for the title. :D

[Widowmaker]

Man, how time flies when you're dealing with real life...

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments.

 

@Packe - Thanks mate, glad you approve :D

 

I'm going for at least high end table top but preferably above, but really I'm just trying to improve over time. With these though, I'm also trying to blast through a bunch of models I've had lying about for ages before GW goes and releases something that makes them all redundant :-) I have another wash to put on, then I think I'll call these done. For now at least :-)

 

@Disease - Thanks man, I appreciate it :-) Both tanker backpacks come from the Skaven Globadiers. I'd seen the conversion before and knew I had to give it a shot.

 

I may need to take a look at some sponge weathering. I thought about adding chips, but in this case, I batch painted like crazy until I got to the fine detail stages. The upside is that I have 40 odd Marines almost ready to hit the HOH. Unfortunately, it also means I'm past the point where I'm able to use Packe's chipping method (as I understand it, I'd had have to laid down chipping fluid much earlier). I guess I could go back and hand paint damage, but I didn't 100% like how that turned out on my Imperial Fists, so I'm reluctant to try it on this paint job... I do agree that he's the weathering master though :-)

 

Anyways, new pics will be coming soon, and then it'll be over to HOH!

 

Thanks again for looking.

 

Cheers

 

Widowmaker

[Widowmaker]

Alrighty then...

 

So I've been working on a Lord for these guys. I've liked the WHFB Nurgle Chaos Lord model, but rather then just using him with 40K arms, I wanted to try something a little more involved. It's a little static right now, but it's just a work in progress, so...

 

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/20141006_001453.jpg

 

Or...

 

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/20141006_00142_edit_1412572726559.jpg

 

As always, comments and criticism welcome.

 

Cheers,

 

Widowmaker

[disease]

What will you be running him as? - I can see the appeal in both - but the rhino head is too bulky for my taste, it just looks like a terminator with wrong legs. I think the bare head with a few wires could be really cool and gets my vote either way.

Check out my thread, I heavily converted my lord too- may give you some ideas

[Widowmaker]

Thanks for the comments Disease.

 

Hmmmmm. You ask a good question.

 

Not really sure what I'll run him as. Mostly, I seem to have accumulated a crazy amount of Death Guard models, so I'm just trying to build and paint them into some kind of coherent army. I have a Typhus, which would be my Lord of choice, so this is basically a second choice Lord for smaller games, or a figure to make up the terminator squad to a Nurgle favored 7 in larger games (gotta love the old fluff).

 

I've made a couple of changes since I posted - lowered the ax hand and straightened it a little; removed the trophy racks... I'm trying to find an old kai gun I had making around somewhere, which I think might be a good fit.

 

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/20141006_17060_edit_1412633236708.jpg

 

The legs are still a problem; in fact, I think they're the biggest problem I have with the conversion. Generally I have no problem with WHFB legs on 40K models, but these seem... Well, a little weird. I'm not sure whether to leave them as is (perhaps the bloated belly and thin legs is a good look for Nurgle) or try and bulk them up by giving them the Doghouse treatment.

 

I like your Lord, good use of the forgeworld parts and the DA mace is a great. I used the FW parts on my soon to be posted terminator squad, but I wanted to do something different with this guy, hence the choice of base model... Though like I say, it leaves me with a problem about what to do with the legs.

 

Anyway, more to come.

 

Cheers

 

Widowmaker

[Justoneguy]

I think it is a great mini and a great idea. You are right about the legs, but i don't think the solution it's just bolk them up, you problably should make them slightly larger. Maybe cutting above the knee and adding a little more height.

[disease]

Oops no this guy is my Lord.... ( you must have seen the winged terminators)

 

 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/Madoktopus/W40k/IMG_22171_zps0d7ac8d6.jpg

 

What i meant was, the addition of wires gives a really nurgle feel without going spikes. I also used water filter beads and sand to give him pustules that weren't sculpted. He is used as a power armour Lord with lightning claw and burning brand

[Widowmaker]

Thanks guys,

 

@Justoneguy - Thanks mate! Yeah, pushing up the height could work. I'm afraid I'd mess up the GS work if I try that though... I might try and raise it via cork or some such thing though. I associate the idea though - if you have any other ideas, keep them coming!

 

@Disease - whoops! Yeah, you're right... Nice Lord, I like it! The guitar wire works really well. I'll have a look and see whether I can add some in somewhere. Thanks fir the ideas, and the pic. I appreciate it.

 

Anyway, I found the Kai Gun... What d'ya think?

 

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/20141006_182430.jpg

 

I'm leaning toward using the bare head, but adding a hood of some description... Stay tuned.

[Widowmaker]

Ok, so....

 

"To cape, or not to cape, that is the question"

 

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/20141009_014523.jpg

 

Or

 

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/widowmakerphotos/Games%20Workshop/Warhammer%2040K/Chaos/Marines/Death%20Guard/In%20Progress/20141009_014622.jpg

 

I like the Cape, but think it actually makes the legs look even thinner.

 

What does every one think?

 

 

Cheers,

 

Widowmaker