Ultramarines: A work in Progress log (6/29/15)

[Assembly_Language]

Hello all, I'm Assembly_Language. I am a Twitch.tv broadcaster that does a weekly educational series on my Twitch channel. I am teaching the basics of the hobby to those that might be interested in getting into Miniatures Wargaming. Right now, I am using Warhammer 40k Space Marines as they are the most iconic, and by far one of the easiest plastic kits Games Workshop produces.

 

Since the goal of the series was to show potential new players what is required from the hobby side of the game, I've started with one HQ choice and two Troops Choices. A Space Marine Captain and two Tactical Squads is what I've chosen and is the most basic and best place to start. I've also used parts from the new Ultramarines Upgrade sprue. In the previous three episodes I covered what tools are needed, the steps to clean and assemble, as well as how to keep an overall aesthetic coherency within each unit and across the entire army. I've finished assembly and the next episode I will begin painting.

 

While I know this sounds like an advertisement, it wasnt meant to be. I am posting these here to show a running progress report for those wanting to follow along. I will post more pictures as painting progresses from start to finish.

 

I'll be using Army Painter paints throughout the series. They have been currently primed using Army Painter Ultramarines Blue spray primer.

 

 

Here is a close-up of the Captain. Standard model but replaced head with one from Ultramarines Upgrade sprue.

 

 

Close-ups of the Veteran Sargeants. Sadly the Power Sword from the Upgrade sprue is Right Handed, just like every other weapon option on the Tactical spues.

 

 

These are the two Veteran Troopers. No rules, just a hold over from my Rogue Trader days. They will lead one half of the Combat Squad.

 

 

I went pretty Codex with the weapons loadout for these Squads. Just Flamers and Missile Launchers.

 

 

And then the rest of the squads. Bolter Brothers

 

 

I'll  start painting them live this Sunday from 7pm EST to 10pm EST. If you would like to follow along feel free to join me on my Twitch channel at http://www.twitch.tv/assembly_language . Once I have more progress pictures taken, I'll update this log. 

 

[Vel'Cona]

I think this is a really cool idea! You may be on to something original here; I can totally see myself tuning in to this while I work on my own projects.

[The_Chaplain]

I think this is a really cool idea! You may be on to something original here; I can totally see myself tuning in to this while I work on my own projects.

Yep, I may do just that as well. Great idea!

[MagicMan]

Awesome, i'll be checking this out. :)

[Assembly_Language]

Thanks all. I stream Sunday-Thursday starting at 7pm EST and working till whenever, usually about 10-11. I'm a little out of practice, so sitting for hobby is something I am working to do for longer. This is going into my fourth week so far, and I'm having a blast doing it. I like to say that streaming on Twitch like this adds a social component to an otherwise solo activity. Its really helped me to stat focused. Please come and hang out if you are so inclined!

 

Monday and Tuesday are usually build nights.

Wednesday is one night I've set aside just for painting.

Thursdays is a bit of a wildcard, whatever I feel like doing to relieve stress. That could be building or painting or whatever.

Sunday is of course the educational series. It's geared towards beginners, but I do plan to cover more advanced things later on. 

 

I'm not the only one streaming hobby stuff either. The Creative Channel on Twitch has really grown in the last 6 months or so. There are the usual assortment of cute cosplay girls making costumes, there is a glassblower, leatherworking, several making armor, and the plethora of artists doing their thing. As far as the Miniatures side, there are 5-6 of us doing various things, but mostly 40k and Infinity. It's great to see other things going on besides just watching other people play video games. 

 

For me, I saw people coming into Creative that were interested in what was going on, but no one really showcasing what the actual process was or the work involved or how easy it really is despite how hard it looks. I've been wanting to give back to the gaming community that I've been a part of for 31 years, and I figured this would be a good way that I could do it. 

 

I actually owe this all to a friend of mine. I was telling him about what I was seeing on Twitch and what I wanted to do. He saw my enthusiasm and excitement, and invested in my idea. His investment has allowed  me to buy the hardware to allow me to stream. I owe it all to him and his friendship. I couldnt have done this without him. 

[Faith]

Every time I see Ultramarines I'm happy. So this is a glorius day.

[geektom]

Awesome! Happy to see support and joy of the hobby going out into the world in any form!

[Assembly_Language]

just a heads up, I wont be able to stream tonight. I have to take a friend into work this evening. 

 

I should be back on schedule tomorrow.

 

Sorry all

[Assembly_Language]

Been home about an hour. I decided to paint one of the marines to make sure the method I planned to use was going to work as I wanted.

 

I must apologize, some of these pictures are not the best quality. 

 

Here he is with just a base coat of Army Painter Ultramarine Blue. Even though he is primed with Ultramarine Blue spray, I wanted to make sure he had a nice even coat.

 

 

 

Here he has had a Dark Tone wash and a heavy drybrush of the base Ultramarine Blue.

 

 

Here he has a drybrush of Electric Blue.

 

 

 

More to come.

[Assembly_Language]

I've now glazed the armor with Blue Tone to unify the drybrushing.

 

 

I think its going to work very well. Thoughts?

[MagicMan]

Looks good! Fairly simple as well, which will be good for beginners. :)

[Assembly_Language]

Looks good! Fairly simple as well, which will be good for beginners.

Thanks!

And yeah, that's my goal with this. I wanted to use the most basic of techniques so that new painters could follow along and be able to field good looking armies with the least amount of time. I dont think you could make this any easier (but if there is, please let me know).

I've started blocking in the details.

[Assembly_Language]

No progress of late, nor was I able to stream as we had a family member in the hospital. 

 

I am hoping to be back on schedule later today (6/25), but it is a little early to tell yet.

 

As of right now, Sunday's episode is still on track.

[Assembly_Language]

No new updates yet, but I am going live at 7pm EST (in about an hour). I'll be working on the test marine, try to get it completed this evening. 

 

Feel free to stop by and hang out if you like. See you then!

[deathspectersgt7]

Looking Good!!!!!

[Assembly_Language]

Didnt get to stream for long tonight but I got some good progress done. 

 

 

There is a bit more work to be done, but its going well. I am almost done. I'll have more progress shots up tomorrow or Saturday.

 

 

I'll be streaming again on Sunday night at 7pm EST for the start of painting in earnest.Check back then!

[Assembly_Language]

Waiting on the last bit of wash to dry before I do final highlight on a few metallic areas. I'll post a pic when its done with the painting. 

 

I'll still have to do decals (ordered new sheet, need to pick it up), and the basing, but I want to show it off when painting is done.

 

This is the list of colors I'll be using for these Ultramarines. All paints are from Army Painter.

 

Armor:

Ultramarine Blue spray Primer

Ultramarine Blue Base Coat

Dark Tone wash

Drybrush Ultramarine Blue

Drybrush Electric Blue

Blue Tone glaze

 

Ultramarine Icon:

Ash Grey base coat

Matt White

 

Gold Trims:

Matt Black Base Coat

Greedy Gold

Soft Tone wash

Greedy Gold highlight

 

Bolter:

Matt Black Base Coat

Gun Metal

Dark Tone wash

Plate Mail Metal drybrush

 

Pouches:

Leather Brown base coat

Strong Tone wash

Leather brown highlight

 

Laurels:

Angel Green Base Coat

Greenskin Highlight

Goblin Green Highlight

Green Tone glaze

 

Eyes:

Dragon Red Base Coat

Pure Red

Lava Orange

Matt White

 

Joints:

Matt Black

[Assembly_Language]

Other than decals and basing, I am calling him done

 

 

 

 

I think this was the easiest and most effective method. Perfect for showing the basics to someone new to the hobby. I think it will work perfectly for my educational series. 

 

I would still like your comments, criticisms, and thoughts. 

 

And no, I am not drilling out my barrels ;)  For new hobbyists, its not something I would recommend. I will be painting a black dot for the barrel however. I didnt see that I'd missed it until I was looking at the pics.

[Vel'Cona]

I think this is a great tutorial with achievable results! I'm sorry to hear that r/l has been interrupting your Twitch streaming; hopefully you'll have more luck with this in the future. In either case, look forward to seeing more!

[Assembly_Language]

Just letting everyone know that Episode 4 begins tonight at 7pm EST. I start with the basics of painting.

 

I look forward to seeing everyone there!

 

http://www.twitch.tv/assembly_language

[Assembly_Language]

Tonight's stream went very well. I got everyone mounted to their painting stands, base coats on 10, and the Dark Tone wash on the Sergeant.

 

 

 

While it might not seem like a lot of progress, remember this is an educational series so there was a lot of ground to cover. Overall it went very well.