Pigshead Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 Hi again. So after about a year and 4 months of playing, painting, and generally getting excited about dark angels, I decided to re-visit the first squad I painted back in May last year. I'm still getting a feel for technique, and mixing paints, and all sorts of things, as I've done nothing artistic for about 20 years, but I'm quite happy with these results so far.Here's 1st Squad, as they were until this week, these were the first models I painted when I got into 40k last year.http://imgur.com/a/dNEc8#0 And here's one of the guys I've spent a little more time on today. I'm quite happy with him so far, but I would appreciate any C&C. He's the first model in a heft Dark Angels campaign I have coming up, so he has to look his best.http://i.imgur.com/ZfUL3gM.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egon1six Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 Very well done! The only thing I can pick at, and it is a small thing, the highlight on the right knee is a bit harsh. Overall though nice job!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillyfish Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 I agree with egon - he's well painted and you have a nice combination of subtle highlights and shade. If you want to take it to the next level, you would look at thinning the knee highlight or use a mid-tone to blend it in a little more and provide a more gradual highlight (a more natural approach). Alternatively, you could go for a second highlight layer to provide stronger contrast, but you have to use it sparingly or you end up with 'tron-marines'. It depends on which direction you want to take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnakeChisler Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 The thing that took my painting forward more than anything was using a wet Palette and subsequently experimenting with wet blending Also thinning my highlights Very nice though a credit to the legion, DA always look good on the table top they paint very well and have a lot of pimp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shabbadoo Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 You are definitely on the right track. You have the two main things down, and those those are preparing your models properly and neatness. Without these two things one will never have well-executed models, as a lack of either of them detracts from the whole. Your highlighting lines are a bit on the thick side, but not to the point that they detract from the overall effect. After having looked at your collection via the link, I don't think you really need too much advice, as you seem to be progressing in the right direction, that being continual improvement. Keep up the good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigshead Posted September 8, 2014 Author Share Posted September 8, 2014 Cheers guys, I agree the highlighting is a bit thick in places, but I'm still learning, gaining experience, and so I won't be too critical of myself. I'm happy with this guy as long as the next one is a little better I've started using a wet palette, and wet blending is something I plan to try on the next squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother dean Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 My own opinion is that you need to have a bit more depth on the white. This can be done by using greys to low light between the wings and the sword and my other nitpick is that the natural material on the base (tho fine) looks just a bit unrealistic. I prefer painted textured bases but as I said it is a minor nitpick... bad pict. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/fred40k2002/Dark%20Angels/DSCN9548.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Truckin Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 My own opinion is that you need to have a bit more depth on the white. This can be done by using greys to low light between the wings and the sword .... Thanks for this - I've been having problems with mine as well. I tried lining with nuln oil but it doesn't look as good as yours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother dean Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 For any white, it is a step process Celestial grey, (to cover your primer and be shadowy. nuln oil Maybe a touch up of celestial grey to fuzz the edges of the nuln oil. Ceramite white (but dont paint it where the shadows are supposed to be.) White scar.. edge highlights. I've got better picts somewhere. Have a Black Knight.. http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/fred40k2002/The%20Ravenwing/DSCN9786.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyro X Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 what grass supplies did you use on the top model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Truckin Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 For any white, it is a step process Celestial grey, (to cover your primer and be shadowy. nuln oil Maybe a touch up of celestial grey to fuzz the edges of the nuln oil. Ceramite white (but dont paint it where the shadows are supposed to be.) White scar.. edge highlights. I've got better picts somewhere. Have a Black Knight.. Cool! I'm off on a business trip next week. When I get back I'll try this out and post before and after shots! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigshead Posted September 11, 2014 Author Share Posted September 11, 2014 what grass supplies did you use on the top model? It's the GW Middenland Tufts. http://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Middenland-Tufts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigshead Posted November 20, 2014 Author Share Posted November 20, 2014 So I've been doing a little more going back and retouching some of my earlier models. This time with deathwing. Here's a pic of my dark vengeance deathwing squad as they were...http://i.imgur.com/rbK0Qbi.jpgAnd here's the assault cannon dude as he is now, the whole squad are done but I singled this guy out...http://i.imgur.com/64cHGls.jpgAnd here's a rear view to show my first real attempt at freehand...http://i.imgur.com/4yMEfQj.png Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaplain Lucifer Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Very good model. I just have to point that you have to highlight the eyes in the same light source direction. The way you out the two wwhite dots on the eyes, looks like he's cross eyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigshead Posted November 20, 2014 Author Share Posted November 20, 2014 Judging by the terrible dice rolls I get whenever he fires he is cross eyed!Good point though, i'll take it under advisement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnakeChisler Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 I struggle with writing on the small surfaces well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillyfish Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Good work on the free-hand. I have a couple of minor suggestions for you and these may be the result of the flash, but it looks like the highlights to the red areas and the purple threads could do with a couple of extra touches. For the red, the highlights look a little pale (could the flash, as I said). Try pulling them back with a wash of red ink - that should pull the highlights back and smooth them for you a little. For the purple it looks like a little more depth could be used. Try a thinned brown wash which should provide depth to the recesses and pull back some of the brightness. But overall he's a really nice model and well painted. You should be proud of him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firepower Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 These are pretty good overall. Out of everything, I think the way you paint your white feathers is the best part. You have pretty good brush control for the lettering, too. On the purples, it should be noted that purple simply is not a friendly color. Highlighting and shading is always a tricky business, because there are so many tones involved in purple, and they can shift in so many different directions that you can't simply go 'dark purple, medium purple, light purple.' It's more like 'deep violet, reddish midtone, merlot red, burgundy,' and so on and so forth. I hate working with purple, but if you find the sweet spot, it looks epic. Anyway, just saying, don't worry too much if you struggle with purple for a good while. On the first model there are three things that pop out at me. First, the highlight(s) on the exhausts of the backpack: I don't know the reasoning behind it, but I think it would be best just to stick to highlighting the edges rather than painting lines across the globe. Second, the eyes. These are a pain, and always will be. But the thing to watch out for is where the white dots ride up on the ridge of the cheek. Without a distinct line between the lens and the armor, the reflective lens effect is almost always lost. Try using just a tiny dab of wash in your models' eyes after putting in the reds, and it should naturally gravitate towards the edges (a small dry brush can dab up anything that lingers in the middle, or if you use too much wash on accident). Just be careful with getting that white dot on target after the fact. Third, and this is just a super tiny nitpick, but it bothers me that the Bolter's slide is red instead of metallic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy1391 Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 I've been painting for a decade and my stuff still isn't that good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigshead Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 So after somehow deleting my entire Imgur accounts contents (it was probably beer related) I've decided to re-vitalise this old thread since I've almost completed painting my entire 8000 point Dark Angels army to a standard I am happy with.So, for starters, this is what my 3rd Company 1st Squad looked like a couple of years back after I first started painting and playing 40k.http://i.imgur.com/3oK57Uz.jpgAnd this is them now...http://i.imgur.com/AAnUMJv.jpgI decided I didn't want to be stuck with just a plasma gun option, so I made one of each special weapon (this was before grav guns appeared in the codex)...http://i.imgur.com/v26ayYM.jpgThis inevitably lead to me wanting Sargeants to be equipped WYSIWYG, so I made three with different load outs depending on the role I want for that squad...http://i.imgur.com/DWJ8Ioy.jpgOf course, they needed a ride...http://i.imgur.com/YD65vt7.jpgSo they could go tank hunting...http://i.imgur.com/gbccfpy.jpgOr so they could simply all take a road trip together...http://i.imgur.com/pEBxw05.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egon1six Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Very nice work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigshead Posted December 9, 2015 Author Share Posted December 9, 2015 Thanks Egon, Next up, 2nd Tactical Squad...http://i.imgur.com/6Wf2QkQ.jpgAgain, I felt I needed a selection of Sarg options, excuse the power sword, it seems I never finished it, not sure why...http://i.imgur.com/vTyjmwR.jpgWeapon options again, including an answer to the question of "What do you do when you want a plasma gun but you have no left arms in your bits box but you do have a DV ravenwing plasma gun?"...http://i.imgur.com/gmjEaKo.jpgAnother incredibly dusty Razorback...http://i.imgur.com/8Gk891v.jpgGroup shot with a Rhino...http://i.imgur.com/CaH2V5l.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigshead Posted December 9, 2015 Author Share Posted December 9, 2015 Next, a 7 man assault squad, a salvage job from ebay, a little blurry, but for good reason...http://i.imgur.com/sGkq6tE.jpgAh the sweet perils of ebaying...http://i.imgur.com/5ehekay.jpgSolo Sarg...http://i.imgur.com/pEt57In.jpgNext up a placeholder jump pack chaplain made of spare parts, he will eventually be replaced...http://i.imgur.com/MfyZjwl.jpgExperimenting with engine glow..http://i.imgur.com/Z3vn8C3.jpgOne of my favourites next, a slightly modified DV Company Master with Mace of Redemption...http://i.imgur.com/pdIOib3.jpg http://i.imgur.com/4HWFRgE.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigshead Posted December 13, 2015 Author Share Posted December 13, 2015 Time for some more updated photos.Next, a Lascannon Devastator Squad...http://i.imgur.com/XAwsV5O.jpgAnd a missile launcher Devastator Squad... who I have just noticed are missing some shoulder icons, must rectify that...http://i.imgur.com/zrrStY5.jpg Some ebay rescued scouts...http://i.imgur.com/6bLuk4o.jpg And the Dark Vengeance Librarian...http://i.imgur.com/PvYM33q.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/gIsTa0w.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epher Posted December 14, 2015 Share Posted December 14, 2015 Looks like you have been very busy! You have a nice clean looking bunch of marines. Your librarian turned out especially nice. I never had the steady hand to make the eyes look real, good work! The assault marine could have had a rough landing or is in the midst of a deep strike mishap. I too often wonder about people and some of their modelling choices. I have a few in my collection too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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