Firstborn Templars

[Brother Christopher]

Another two Marines done:

 

 

Please note the attempt at painting a small skull on the shoulder pad cloth thingy:

 

 

 

 

And a group shot of all of April's models:

[Dosjetka]

Nice freehand work on the latest additions to your Crusade!

 

I must say, I'm a little surprised to see a Librarian in Black Templar colours: what's the reason behind this model, if you don't mind explaining please? :)

[Firedrake Cordova]

I really like the litanies/text on the cloth 

[Brother Christopher]

11 hours ago, Dosjetka said:

Nice freehand work on the latest additions to your Crusade!

 

I must say, I'm a little surprised to see a Librarian in Black Templar colours: what's the reason behind this model, if you don't mind explaining please? :)

 

Well, I was surprised with this shift in my perspective, as well. But I figured that I am entitled to this little act of defiance. GW has changed so much that I thought I can go with the flow and get a cheap model that I always liked. Funny thing is that I liked the model better when it wasn't painted; though, painting blue armour for the first time was quite fun.

 

In practical terms, I wanted to have the option to field a psyker. I expect that around 30-50% of my around-300-model-strong army will become invalid within an edition. I am not going to re-buy all of that so, I figure, I'll be left with proxying models either way. Even GW suggested to use squat-marine bikes as proxies for outriders and attack bikes as their ATVs. And if feel I'm forced to proxy stuff, I might be tempted to use other rules for my chapter and, finally, after many editions past, use some magicks for my marines.

 

The in-world justification is that my Crusade became renegades - they are loyal to the Imperium but under the influence of a warp entity that persuaded them to reintroduce Librarians.

 

... or as another forum member suggested, my neophytes need some target practice ;)

 

11 hours ago, Firedrake Cordova said:

I really like the litanies/text on the cloth 

 

Thanks! It's silly, but I'm particularly proud of these. Don't know why but they came out surprisingly crisp.

[Brother Christopher]

Progress has been slow lately due to a short holiday break I took, as well as me doing further preparations for my Primaris project. Currently, I'm working on some bikers and managed to get a banner ready.

 

 

 

I decided to go with something more simple this time, mostly due to the uneven surface of the banner; I was unable to smoothen it out after removing the the moulded skull. I probably could pimp it up a bit more, with the laurel wreath or with some additional badges but I sort of like it simpler.

 

I used a Polish cavalry banner as a source of inspiration for this:

[Firedrake Cordova]

I like the banner design

[Pearson73]

Great job with the banner! The script on the previous post is also really well done.

[Wolf Lord Duregar]

That banner looks real sweet, well done! Did da ladz shoot da holes in it?

[Brother Christopher]

Plodding along with these... 19 models done, 40 more to go. But to be honest, I feel like I'm making good progress.

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Firedrake Cordova]

They look good - I think the freehand on the banner came out well  

[Wolf Lord Duregar]

You sure are! Love those Bikers, especially the flag dude. That is manly, riding into battle like that! Great painting too of course.

[Brother Christopher]

Thanks guys!

 

10 hours ago, Wolf Lord Duregar said:

Love those Bikers, especially the flag dude. That is manly, riding into battle like that!

 

I know, right? :P I felt inspired by the Ravenwing knights kit. Unfortunately, m y version is quite crude compared to GW's original mould but I don't care that much about it - I feel the model has a nice 4th-esqe charm to it ;)

 

Unfortunately, I've been struck with some long-hidden doubts as to the viability of this army. I'd really like to get this loooooong stage of my life closed and am looking for ways to get rid of models and move on, with a clear head, to the next projects. But after inspecting the models, the only thing I feel I can do is try to sell some Space Hulk Terminators. I've been saving them for later, for many years, because I didn't feel like removing the BA iconography. I also don't feel I'd ever realistically need more Terminators for my army. I already have 10 Storm Shield, 10 Lightning Claws and 10 Regular Teminators (+2 of each special ranged weapon) so that's plenty to use in games.

 

My conundrum now is this: Should I sell the Spece Hulk dudes and save some time and get some money or should I stick to my dreams and paint some interesting but old and 'inferior' (to Primaris) sculpts.

[Firedrake Cordova]

It does sound like you'v got enough Terminators, so you don't "need" the Space Hulk ones.

 

If modifying them is what you want to do and it feels like being a chore, I'd say don't do it - a hobby should be fun, not work, and you may resent them for it.

 

I take it you wouldn't paint them up as Blood Angels or use them for Space Hulk?

[Brother Christopher]

I bought them with the intention of using them as my Templars. Right now, with the scale shift (Primaris and whatnot) I want to keep my oldmarines as a single project.

 

I've been considering leaving the BA iconography and painting the models as a special formation in my BT army; say they were crusaders looking for a grail (I thought about calling them the Brotherhood of the Chalice), with a slightly distinct paint scheme (bone or red helmets), but mostly regular Black Templars.

 

I mean, the sculpts are really cool but... that's another >10 marines, meaning >30 hours of work for - what feels like - nothing. I'm afraid that even though I want to focus on my dudes as they are, GW subconsciously affects the way way I approach my collection. As such, because of the changes in the scale and aesthetics of miniatures, as well as the ever-changing rules, I struggle to find the motivation to work on my rubbish marines.

[Rusted Boltgun]

I guess it is all about perception but for me, your oldmarines certainly aren't rubbish!

 

But if the thought of painting up the Terminators isn't bringing you joy then I'd maybe move them on and get something that is exciting you. 

 

If it was me, I'd probably put them back in the box until I'd swung back around to painting them . Seller's remorse is a terrible thing - costly in the long run.

[WAR]

Wow great stuff!

 

[Pearson73]

Those bikers are cracking. 

 

I'm inclined to agree with @Firedrake Cordova, the hobby should be fun and a free creative process. It defo shouldn't feel like an obligation. If those models have been sat around for years, it doesn't sound like you're really wanting to build and paint them (especially if you're now comparing them against the new Terminators). I´d say get rid of them and move closer to the new stuff!

[Grotsmasha]

I'ma throw a spanner at you.....paint the Space Hulk termies as Blood Angels THEN sell them. Guarantee they'll sell for double to triple whatever you paid for them.

Edited June 2 by Grotsmasha

[Brother Christopher]

Thanks for the feedback, guys! I've been offline for the weekend and then struck by a heavy load of work and didn't have the time to respond. Please accept my apologies!

  

On 5/31/2024 at 1:11 PM, Rusted Boltgun said:

I guess it is all about perception but for me, your oldmarines certainly aren't rubbish!

 

Ah, this is this little self-deprecating, tongue-in-cheek thing I'm doing. Over the years, I've read too many comments about how Primaris models "objectively better" and "clearly superior" to TrueMarines so as a twisted act of defiance, I decided to roll with this.

 

Rubbish-Marines or Squat-Marines are just words; sure the Primaris are better proportioned but don't have the soul of the older dudes ;)

 

But thanks for - what I read as - words of reassurance, brother!

 

On 5/31/2024 at 1:11 PM, Rusted Boltgun said:

But if the thought of painting up the Terminators isn't bringing you joy then I'd maybe move them on and get something that is exciting you. 

 

If it was me, I'd probably put them back in the box until I'd swung back around to painting them . Seller's remorse is a terrible thing - costly in the long run.

 

Seller's remorse is something that I've been considering and dreading for a long, long time. As you may gather, I'm sometimes overly attached to my Templars and a bit indecisive.

 

However, in an attempt to take ownership of my army I reached a decision: I'll attempt to sell some models and leave others. I think that what @Pearson73 wrote - while I really wanted to paint them, it seems like an unrewarding hassle, especially if I were to properly Templarify them. I expect that in the same time it'll take me to remove some BA iconography on chains, strings and shoulder pads, I can de-primaris-ify 3-5 new marines.

 

I think I'll leave the lightning claws guy, as well as 4-5 fist and storm bolter Termies. These models will reinforce my collection of 'regular' TDA Marines and allow me, should need arise, two full, 10-man squads with special weapons or 3-4 5-man squads.

 

I'll try to get rid of the remainder of 'regular' TDA Termis, special heavy weapons, and the three character-esque models (storm bolter + sword; hammer + shield and the Librarian) - these models appear to be more BA-specific in terms of aesthetics (e.g. the strange cape on the sergeant/captain - i.e. the sword guy) or small details (blood drops, angels and whatnot).

 

On 6/1/2024 at 8:56 PM, Pearson73 said:

Those bikers are cracking. 

  

On 5/31/2024 at 4:08 PM, WAR said:

Wow great stuff!

 

Thanks! This means a lot coming from you ;)

 

On 6/2/2024 at 10:57 AM, Grotsmasha said:

I'ma throw a spanner at you.....paint the Space Hulk termies as Blood Angels THEN sell them. Guarantee they'll sell for double to triple whatever you paid for them.

 

Some of the dudes are already painted, but I'm humbled by you thinking that my paintjob would increase their price ;)

 

***

 

In terms of plans for June, I think I'll get around to painting some more bikers. I think I'd like to get them done as soon as possible. However, this means I'd have to get around to priming them which is an entire process that also includes a cooperative weather and humidity is crazy lately.

 

That's why, I think, I'll maybe try updating some already-painted models: some  need an update in terms of colours/techniques used; some received new wargear; some were 'improved' after I couldn't live with my more amateur conversions. Luckily, usually the work that needs doing isn't extensive.

 

I think I'll revisit an old, metal veteran who was supposed to be a count-as bladeguard but now was demoted/promoted to an errant knight of my Crusade - a melee-oriented 'scout' of sorts, who roams the land in search for relics and glory.

 

Basically, the mini is based on a pewter veteran, with a modified tabard (I've added fabric on the torso) and who received my unique plasticard combat/storm shield. I was supposed to make 10 of these for my Van Vets but then GW changed their rules and I feel that it's a wasted effort.

 

Also, I reclaimed a backpack from an older conversion with the ammo pouches glued on top of it. I used to think it's a neat idea that also added much-needed bulk to the backpack that used to house large tanks of fuel for a custom heavy flamer guy.

 

The result is that my errant knight marine is just your standard guy but has some pouches and a shield on his backpack (similarly to bladeguard vets). How he removes the shield is a mistery, however :P

Edited June 4 by Brother Christopher

[Brother Christopher]

I revisited a biker model that was once supposed to be my Marshal on Bike. I butchered the model (a Dark Vengeance sarge) by customising him; unfortunately, I'm not particulary fond of these conversions. I'm not a huge fan of the Templar cross or power cable that I added to support the weight of the Evicerator / Teeth of Terra / Large ChainswordTM that he was supposed to be armed with. The guitar wire felt... a bit off. In an attempt to fix it, I added some green stuff couplings.

 

Unfortunately, I can't remove it because of how I installed it so I'll have to live with this. Even more unfortunately, the other arm is in worse shape - I added some plasticard strips to the forearm that were supposed to be a support for a storm shield (the model was supposed to be kitted out for 6th edition where a combo of Teeth of Terra and Shield Eternal, I think, seemed good for a biker character).

 

 

Also, as an experiment and in preparation for my Primaris Project, I figured I'll try to paint my last Templar apothecary white.

 

Here's the result:

 

 

Considering that this is my first ever stab at a predominantly white-white miniature and the age (and quality) of the sculpt, I must say: it turned out okay. I sure am more positive about how my Primaris Master Apothecary will turn out, with the sharper edges and smoother plates.

 

I think that I did quite a good job with controlling the paint. In real life, the model has some subtle transitions and 'depth.' I'm sure you know that I'm rather critical of my work but take my word: the chalkiness visible in the photo has a lot more to do with the ancient stripped metal underneath (or ancient glue that the model was treated by the previous owner(s) or my failure to remove all residual paint) than with the consistency of the paintjob.

 

For what the model is, I think I'm off to a good start. The next step is to ruin the quite clean white with poor brush control while adding other colours :D (hopefully, I'm just kidding - but painting large white models always terrified me because of how hard it is to cover up and fix mistakes).

[bloodhound23]

On 5/31/2024 at 4:56 AM, Brother Christopher said:

I bought them with the intention of using them as my Templars. Right now, with the scale shift (Primaris and whatnot) I want to keep my oldmarines as a single project.

 

I've been considering leaving the BA iconography and painting the models as a special formation in my BT army; say they were crusaders looking for a grail (I thought about calling them the Brotherhood of the Chalice), with a slightly distinct paint scheme (bone or red helmets), but mostly regular Black Templars.

 

I mean, the sculpts are really cool but... that's another >10 marines, meaning >30 hours of work for - what feels like - nothing. I'm afraid that even though I want to focus on my dudes as they are, GW subconsciously affects the way way I approach my collection. As such, because of the changes in the scale and aesthetics of miniatures, as well as the ever-changing rules, I struggle to find the motivation to work on my rubbish marines.

Why not paint them as Blood Angels for a bit of fun?

[Brother Christopher]

On 6/10/2024 at 9:58 PM, bloodhound23 said:

Why not paint them as Blood Angels for a bit of fun?

 

That's my backup plan, in case I won't find a buyer. Right now, I really want to move on to other 'proper' projects and - if I am to paint Space Marines - I'd like to stick to the new scale. That's the reason: letting go, I guess.

 

But, actually, as a backup plan, I might make a small diorama with the remaining BA Termies and some tyranids. A small piece... Oh, that's why I mustn't think about these things: I'm childishly excited about non-BT ideas and projects and tend to forget that my time is quite limited

[Brother Christopher]

Aaaand here's the oldschool Apothecary. For what he is, I'm pretty happy how he turned out. Painting him was definitely an interesting experience and a nice practice of how to paint white armour. I think that I've learnt a fair bit and hope that my Big-Guy Leviathan Apothecary will turn out even nicer. I probably should do something about the vents on the backpack, though. Only after taking the photos did I realise that I've forgotten to paint them darker.

 

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Great take on a classic mini.

[WAR]

nice