Firstborn Templars

[Brother Christopher]

I think that you're too kind! As always, I appreciate the feedback - it's an invaluable source of motivation, especially for work that is as dull as revisiting older models.

 

Speaking of... I decided to take a break from regular work that I've been doing recently and took advantage of the fact that I had a base-coated model in my collection. Warning: HERESY. You'll have to forgive me for the following, that's clearly contrary to the lore, but I don't care - I wanted to have the model (as well as the option to use him should I decide to play a game with 'regular' space marines). Here's my second (and last) transgression Black Templars Librarian.

 

 

 

 

 

And some close-ups:

 

 

 

I think he turned out pretty cool! I probably could improve him but I don't want to get bogged down with my Firstborn models too much. Considering my limited experience with painting other colours than black, I'm pretty stoked with how he turned out. It was definitely an improvement over the previous model. I also think that there's a significant difference in the overall quality of the paintjob between this recent model and the termies/models I've been redoing for the last couple of weeks.

 

Next up: more 'refurbished' Terminators. I really want to get them done before the year's end to start 2025 with a 'clan slate.'

[Rusted Boltgun]

Very clean and smart, the freehand text reads very well.

Does a 'clan slate' mean a pivot to Orks? Only kidding! Though perhaps the BT need an enemy?

[Firedrake Cordova]

Yay ... Space Hulk mini!  Nice and clean, and good job on the text and other freehand

[Pearson73]

I agree that the text came out really well on the librarian. I also really like all the bold colours, they definitely give a real retro feel to the piece.

[Nightwing]

Love seeing a blob of chaplains - such Templar vibes!

[Brother Christopher]

On 12/27/2024 at 12:51 PM, Rusted Boltgun said:

Very clean and smart, the freehand text reads very well.

On 12/27/2024 at 3:22 PM, Firedrake Cordova said:

Yay ... Space Hulk mini!  Nice and clean, and good job on the text and other freehand

 

Thanks for the feedback! It's silly to admit, but I really enjoyed doing these.

 

 

On 12/27/2024 at 3:24 PM, Pearson73 said:

I agree that the text came out really well on the librarian. I also really like all the bold colours, they definitely give a real retro feel to the piece.

 

The retro feel was unintended. I just used whatever blue paints I had. Since I've used to be almost elusively a BT painter, believe it or not, I don't have a selection of blues ;)

 

On 12/27/2024 at 11:15 PM, nightwing1511 said:

Love seeing a blob of chaplains - such Templar vibes!

 

I've always felt that there's no such thing as too many Chaplains; especially since we've been spoilt for choice when it comes to models. Unfortunately, while I still feel this way, my approach to collecting models changed and I put an end to buying more. But I suppose that the 8 ones I have is enough.

 

On 12/27/2024 at 12:51 PM, Rusted Boltgun said:

Does a 'clan slate' mean a pivot to Orks? Only kidding! Though perhaps the BT need an enemy?

Hahah, thanks for catching this. I love poking fun at unfortunate typos and the one I’ve committed is quite silly :D

***

With the end of the year drawing near, I'm feeling a bit introspective. This has been one strange year indeed!

Hobby-wise, I feel I’ve slightly underperformed. Not that I feel bad about it, nor is there anything wrong with this – I do this hobby when I feel like it. But for the last couple of years I have been taking records of the number of models I’ve painted and it averaged around 30-35 models per year. This year, I’ve painted 23 Templars. It seems that I still have 27 infantry models to go so finishing the Crusade is quite feasible next year.

However!

This year probably objectively was one of the most productive years in my living hobby memory, especially on the front of ending up with fully-painted models.

In addition to the 23 models painted from scratch for my Templars, I painted:

- 6 witchers for a board game,

- 5 purple marines (plus half a dozen test models),

as well as touched up/upgraded/repainted at least 27 models plus around 10-15 termies that I didn’t bother to count.

I also managed to sell some models – something I haven’t done before. I’m still considering pruning the remaining unpainted models but… I think I won’t go through with it. They are a part of my ‘sets of models’ and I think I should treat them as a part of my collection.

***

I hope that I'll find enough time today to finish the remaining couple of models to start 2025 with that clean slate I so desperately yearn.

[Brother Christopher]

So, just for once, I managed to mee my own deadline!

 

The last of the refurbished Termies and a marine with changed wargear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And my old, old kitbashed Chaplain. He is a bit... too much, but well, yeah... he was inspired by the metal TDA Chaplain, as well as the busy plastic remake.

 

 

 

 

And the crozuis in a power fist is definitely an overkill:

 

 

Happy New Year, Brothers!

[gaurdian31]

Great job on the terminators! Glad you got them finished by your deadlin. I think your Chaplain conversion is a nice balance between the old metal chaplain and the newer resin one that came out. The blue on the Librarian is very crisp, looks really good!

[Terminatorinhell]

I am loving the chaplain, he has this nice vintage look with the slight overdesign. 

[W.A.Rorie]

Love him

[Brother Carpenter]

Nice models.

Love the whole crusade

[ZeroWolf]

That Chaplain in Terminator Armour is overkill and I'm here for it, fantastic work.

[Brother Christopher]

So, I'm back to painting my small and old Crusaders for the Call to Arms 2025 event. Progress is surprisingly fast, particularly by my standards. I'm mostly done with my first vow, i.e. 6 Jump Pack Marines and an old pewter TDA Captain/Marshal.

 

 

Here's a little teaser on the repairs showing the updates and repairs I did. The old Metal Captain, originally on a small 25 mm base, which I got at an online auction, didn't have an original storm bolter arm and had a paper banner. Initially, I planned on removing the banner pole altogether to get the model done ASAP but... apparently it's not in my nature to 'disrespect' old models. Even if they are quite rubbish by today's standards.

 

Speaking of standards, the standard I made for him couldn't be an era-appropriate print. I also didn't want to 'waste' the original banner pole by replacing it with a more modern plastic substitute. Instead, I decided to do this properly. The banner is made out of an aluminium can.

 

 

 

After properly undercoating it, I decided to steal the idea for the banner from the new Grimaldus' retinue's banner:

 

 

I'm quite happy with how it looks in person. After doing a - pardon my boating - good job on the banner, I decided that I can't leave this model on the old base, especially since he's tiny, even next to more modern power armour models. So I decided to stick his old base on top of a 40mm one and build up a surrounding extension ring from cork.

 

 

All 7 models should be ready soonish. The Jump Marines need a final step of paint job (minor things), and I'll probably have to clean up some of the mess I made when I based the models. By the Emperor, do I hate basing models!!

 

I am many things, but I can't say I'm a quitter. Having said that, I think I'm continuing to paint these models out of a sense of duty. But… I must stress that I've found a lot of satisfaction in how quickly I painted the assault marines to a reasonable standard and - despite my hating to work on pewter models - I found painting the Captain/Marshal actually fun and rewarding. So even if I think I don't find joy in finishing this project, things somehow get out of hand I end up freehanding a banner made out of a coffee can. Clearly, I'm still a zealous Templar at heart, even if members of my army are short.

 

Assuming these models are finished, I still have:

- 3 cenobyte servitors,

- 4 jump pack marines,

- 8 terminators,

- 7 bikes

to paint. As well as some vehicles to finish/update. Even though I'm losing faith in ever using my collection in actual games (hence, making it quite obsolete), this thing is such a huge part of my life that I can't imagine getting rid of it.

[space wolf]

Brother that banner is beautiful, excellent composition and color choice. Really pops against the black armor. 

 

I didnt like basing either, but then when I started my Void Panthers, I decided to treat the base like a separate model, and this shifted my mentality. I rrally find enjoyment in making this beautiful base, that just looks good by itself, then sticking a nice model on there and making it blend in (putting dust on boots, etc.) Is very satisfying.

[Brother Christopher]

21 hours ago, space wolf said:

Brother that banner is beautiful, excellent composition and color choice. Really pops against the black armor. 

That's courtesy of GW - I've just ripped over their design on one of Grimaldus' servitors. But it was a blast to paint.

 

21 hours ago, space wolf said:

I didnt like basing either, but then when I started my Void Panthers, I decided to treat the base like a separate model, and this shifted my mentality. I rrally find enjoyment in making this beautiful base, that just looks good by itself, then sticking a nice model on there and making it blend in (putting dust on boots, etc.) Is very satisfying.

 

And you're doing an amazing job. I might try out this approach with my Primaris. For these Templars, for consistency's sake, I'll just make sure to add some grass and tufts after I seal the models.

 

Here's the finished squad: