Calyptra's stupid humans

[Calyptra]

[Photos have been edited because the Inquisition prefers thumbscrews to thumbnails.]

 

Hi!

 

I'm new here, so I hope I'm doing this right.

 

My plan is to use this as a plog for all my 40k projects involving humans. I'm using the term in the broad sense, so that includes abhumans, posthumans, posthumans with tentacles, etc. I figure if the Imperium can't tell the difference between Dark Eldar and Craftworld Eldar, why should I bother keeping track of all their species subcategories?

 

This begins with a cautionary tale.

 

Back in the days of 3rd ed, I realized that I basically had a small Space Marines army sitting in my bits box, so I figured I might as well paint them up and a secondary or lender army. I picked up a few more models to flesh them out a bit, and painted... well, most of them. And then a lot of years passed.

 

Relatively recently, I decided to finish off the army I had originally painted most of almost 20 years ago. I painted the handful of models I hadn't gotten to. I touched up the squad and chapter badges. I felt pretty good about it. The last thing I needed to do was finish up some freehand work on the Rhinos, but I thought, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if I tried some weathering effects?" And it was pretty cool, so I thought, "Hey wouldn't it be cool if I applied the same weathering effects to the whole army?"

 

...

 

So this is the story of how I took my finished, fully painted army, declared it unfinished, and started repainting it, because I make poor life choices.

 

Here's the first Tactical Squad and their Rhino.

 

http://i.imgur.com/tL3dS7P.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/O0wmZLS.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/qo5KxkE.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/rf6GsSC.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/YejZx0v.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/PGZ2lBy.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/6g410hJ.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/BR3Lx6l.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/9dUudsu.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/Jwkfdd2.jpg

 

One thing that's been fun about this is remembering how much I learned from painting these models the first time. I discovered translucent layering as an alternative to drybrushing. I realized that I hate waterslide transfers, and that I'm better off just painting Chapter badges and other details by hand. (Some of the models have decals on them which I painted over before eventually swearing them off for good.)

 

The paper banners are a relic of their time. I'd planned on leaving them alone, but... I had an idea. (Banners loosely based on the illuminated manuscripts!) I'm compromising with myself: I won't replace the banners with elaborate sculpted ones until I've updated all the paintjobs.

 

Questions, comments, and xenocidal threats are welcome.

Edited February 18, 2018 by Calyptra

[Grotsmasha]

Although it seems like a step backward, that weathering is pretty damn cool :tu:

 

It's totally going to have been worth it once you've got it done.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[E_50_Panzer]

Fantastic stuff. Better than mine! Did you use any weathering powders or pigments?

[Calyptra]

I'm itching to try weathering powders, but I haven't yet. These models are some of my first attempts at sponge weathering, so maybe I should be content with learning one weathering technique at a time...

[E_50_Panzer]

I think that your sponge weathering is on point. Go right for the powder!

[Calyptra]

[Photos have been edited, because the Inquisition prefers thumbscrews to thumbnails.]

 

:-) I will go for the powder when my hobby budget can sustain it - I keep having to allocate those funds to paints, varnish, etc. But I have some Necrons set aside to experiment on once I have powders to experiment with.

 

The brother-sergeant for my second Tactical Squad was a 2nd ed model that I've always really liked, but after I painted him I discovered that he was slightly smaller than his plastic 3rd ed battle brothers. The size discrepancy always bugged me, so I knocked this guy together to lead the squad, and gave him some green stuff details so he can be fancy.

 

http://i.imgur.com/NDf7SVP.jpg

 

Here's the second Rhino. I haven't looked at it in a while, and I'm really tempted to go back and do more work on it. It could use some heat/soot effect on the exhaust pipes, and more variation in the metals in general, and maybe some more script/prayer/vows, and I'm not going to. I'm working on other things right now, and I want to finish them.

 

http://i.imgur.com/d0qi8X9.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZybdntJ.jpg

 

And the battle brothers for the squad.

 

http://i.imgur.com/eOcKFSk.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/7gbv636.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/uXPQD83.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/3LZpOmR.jpg

 

Edited July 11, 2017 by Calyptra

[Calyptra]

I'm still trying to figure out how best to post images in a post-photobucket world.

 

I uploaded the pictures of my Griffons to Bolter & Chainsword because it seemed like the appropriate thing to do, but they're a bit thumbnaily unless you click on them.

 

Today I made an Imgur account and started uploading my pics to it.

 

Do you think it's better if I share photos like this?

 

http://i.imgur.com/tL3dS7P.jpg

[E_50_Panzer]

I'm still trying to figure out how best to post images in a post-photobucket world.

 

I uploaded the pictures of my Griffons to Bolter & Chainsword because it seemed like the appropriate thing to do, but they're a bit thumbnaily unless you click on them.

 

Today I made an Imgur account and started uploading my pics to it.

 

Do you think it's better if I share photos like this?

 

http://i.imgur.com/tL3dS7P.jpg

 

 

It seems to post them at full size without me needing to click on them, so I would think so. I use imgur for pictures myself.

[Calyptra]

While I'm wondering if I should repost the lot of them from Imgur, here are some Squats I painted for the fun of it.

 

http://i.imgur.com/piUBafb.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/aUQxKAP.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/dhlKNKx.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/QYHTHhx.jpg

[E_50_Panzer]

Now that's heresy of the highest level. I do quite like how they turned out though, the highlights are quite soft.

[Calyptra]

Now that's heresy of the highest level.

 

What? They're not Chaos Squats! I don't even own any Chaos Squats. (I know, because I just spent an hour rummaging through my bits boxes checking to see if I had any. I'm kind of disappointed.)

 

Squats are abhumans, and the Squat Home Worlds were part of the Imperium (despite being relatively autonomous, and not controlled by the Administratum).

 

I have a few more, including a couple of wonderful models from the Squat Adventurers range. I've been thinking that I could use them in an Inquisitor's retinue, but suddenly I'm wondering if I could take that further:

 

Does anyone know if a Squat could be an Inquisitor? I can imagine one being recruited into the Ordo Xenos after escaping the destruction of the Home Worlds.

[E_50_Panzer]

Simply because I think it would be edgy, DO IT! Squat inquisitor FTW

[Calyptra]

I don't know when I'll get to it, but I am absolutely going to make a Squat Inquisitor, tentatively named Inquisitor Stump.

 

Ye olde Imperial Assassin.

 

http://i.imgur.com/Q6JMxyo.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/WYTOOpw.jpg

 

This is another old paintjob that I updated, though in this case "updated" means "pretty much repainted the whole thing except the eyes."

 

I've always found this model's design to be a bit more compelling than the assassins that followed it, because of the blend of medieval European and Asian elements. Fortunately, his equipment fits with the Eversor's rules (if not the Eversor's flavor), so I've always used him as such.

 

I'm really happy with how the black came out this time. It took me a little while to figure out how to paint whites way back when, and I've never had problems with yellows, but I've always had trouble painting blacks. I understand why, but color theory is only half of painting, with the other half being the physics of the emulsion and the actual, specific pigments. If you mix directly across the color wheel (blue and orange, for example) you get black. I typically just get it close, and then add some out of tube (or pot) black to ease it over the threshold. I find this to be much more difficult with miniatures paints, so it's not something I usually do on my models. In this case, I just kept mixing for a while along the blue-orange line, and eventually I ended up with something pretty good, which even lightened up nicely for highlighting.

 

I also added some spot colors to connect the model visually with my Howling Griffons and Praetorians. I hesitated a bit with that, because colors and shiny metal don't seem like good fashion choices for an assassin. However, this is an assassin in the 41st millennium, and things like pragmatism, functionality, and sanity don't play much of a role in humanity's decision-making process. Honestly, it would look out of place if he was attired practically - and suspicious. Practicality is a clear indicator of heresy.

[Widowmaker]

Lovely work Calyptra!

 

The Howling Griffons are excellent!, and I love seeing all the old school minis! Takes me back to my early days in the hobby. Are they yours originally? Or have you been trolling eBay?

 

Looking forward to seeing more!

 

Cheers,

 

Widowmaker

[Calyptra]

I got the Squats relatively recently from a friend of mine. The rest of what's posted here so far I bought when it was new and the world was young. Some of the first models I ever got, before I settled into Bad Moons as my first army, were the original metal Terminators box set. (I may not have gotten RTB01, but I did get the Terminators.) They're Howling Griffons now, and I intend to spruce them up once I finish my new fancy sergeant. Also, my Griffons Dreadnought is metal (also purchased new), and makes a very satisfying thump when you put it on the table.

 

My Howling Griffons had to purge heretics uphill both ways, and knew that *real* Dreadnoughts go thump, unlike these whippersnappers nowadays with their plastic wiffle Dreads.

 

...sorry. It is late, and I am tired.

[Calyptra]

I finished my fancy new bro-sarge. Here he is with the last two members of his squad.

 

http://i.imgur.com/tfcd95S.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/tNliQZh.jpg

 

Ordinarily I would take a group shot of the squad with their Rhino, but my little photo studio isn't quite big enough for that (it's a milk crate). I don't have space to set them up elsewhere at the moment because things are kind of in upheaval here right now. Family photos are going to have to wait.

 

New bro-sarge has the old backpack and banner of his predecessor, and I'm increasingly irritated with those old paper banners. They were fine back in 1999 when I made them, but they are fine no longer. Also, one of the things I loved about working on my Vampire Counts army (until some hateful monster blew up the setting) was putting a lot of work into the banners, so this would be a nice excuse to do that again.

 

I want to at least get the Terminators, Devastators, Dreadnought, and HQs repainted before I start ripping off the old banners. Time will tell if I have the willpower.

 

I'm also not sure how to make new banners. Green stuff? Heated styrene card? Pillage them from Fantasy kits? I could probably use some advice on that.

 

As always, questions, comments, criticisms, etc are welcome.

[Thrillhouse]

Wooow! Been away for a good while and im just starting to catch up on plogs. These griffins are great!!! Distressed yellow look awesome, and you do it really well. I also love the heraldry freehands, and the text on the scrolls. I hope youll keep these guys going.

As for the banners, and im sorry if i missed something, but couldnt you use the newer plastic banners? There must be a million of those in bits boxes around the world.

[Calyptra]

Thanks!

 

I originally built and (mostly) painted my Howling Griffons back in the early days of 3rd ed. I've been updating the paintjobs, but the bases and banners continue to be relics of the time. The bases are bland but fine - I might add some lichen or something - but the banners' days are numbered.

[Calyptra]

I painted a couple of alternate weapon options for the tac squads.

 

 

 

 

These are completely new paintjobs rather than updates of models I originally painted when the world was young, and I realized while I was finishing them that my approach has shifted somewhat. I stopped drybrushing models a long time ago because I thought it was messy and I didn't like the results. That hasn't changed, but these models were painted mostly without washes either. I didn't plan it that way (and I'm not giving up washes in general); it just sort of happened.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job on the Howling Griffons.

[Calyptra]

Here are some completely different (but equally stupid) humans.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job on the Guardsmen.

[Major_Gilbear]

Hooray for the Praetorians! B&C needs more classic Imperial Guard metal models I feel. :D

 

It's surprising how much darker they look overall on the green and black bases than the more usual desert bases you tend to see. Although I get that you've based these to match your Howling Griffons, I don't supposed you've been tempted to lighten them and/or add some tufts have you? I think it would really lift both schemes.

[Calyptra]

I've been struggling with ways to make the bases more interesting, to be honest.

 

20 years ago (oh god) the Griffons happened because I discovered I'd acquired a small Space Marines army without realizing it, and I figured I might as well pull them out of my bits box and paint them, possibly as a lender army. As such, I didn't want to spend a lot of time on the bases, so I kept it simple.

 

I stupidly decided to rebase the Terminators, and after that terrible experience I would very much like to be done forever with rebasing models. Instead, I've been trying to come up with things I can add to the bases as they are now. I prepared a couple of test bases and glued various things to them - sand, static grass, etc - but the only thing that I thought worked was the plant I whittled from a bit of sprue, and that was too big to fit easily on most models' bases. On a hunch, I went out and got a bag of old school lichen, and I think that helps, even if it is a bit retro.

 

I hadn't thought specifically of lightening the bases up, but it's an intriguing idea. I've been considering mushrooms and half-buried bones, and I haven't decided how I'm going to paint the cork the rebased Terminators are standing on, so I think another test base may be in order.

[deathspectersgt7]

Your HGs Rock!!! by the way . On basing add an odd helmet now and then.