Beginnings of the KHAR AYANGA - White Scars 5th Brotherhood

[Bjornas]

After many hours of painting and re-painting white, I've finally finished the first six members of my Covid project. White Scars are an old love for me so it's great to get back to them. More to come in the future (next 5 intercessors finished approx 2022 lol), for example I got some cool plans for a shaman apothecary.

 

The origins of the KHAR AYANGA (“black thunder”) taskforce

 

The Khar Ayanga hail from a group of tribes living at the base of a Chogorian mountain chain, which they frequented for hunting, protection and religious rituals. A spiritual people, they were closely connected to the multitude of animal gods in the region and, above all, to the god of the heavens.

 

Prior to the assault on Chogoris by Huron Blackheart, the mountain tribes had a long history of loyalty to the chapter and had bred generations after generations of strong recruits. However, the Broken Mountain Massacre nearly severed this heritage, as the Red Corsairs issued heavy bombardment on the mountain chain and sent a horde of daemons and cultists to swarm the survivors. The last few thousands of tribesmen were surrounded on the flattened remains of what was previously one of the central mountaintops, it giving them protection for one last time just as the Primaris Marines dropped from the skies to wreak havoc on the Chaos minions.

 

Mad with feelings of sorrow and want for revenge, the able survivors were recruited into the Fifth Brotherhood of the White Scars due to their affinity with the elements. Fittingly, the brotherhood’s company colour suited the temper with which they swore their oaths of loyalty and vengeance. When all the beauty they had known in the world had been pulverized, burnt and ridiculed by the foulest of enemies, only one feeling remained inside their chest to guide them: Thunder. Black thunder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry for the unprofessional pics, lacking lightbox etc, but hopefully you get the idea
 

/Bjornas

[gaurdian31]

These are lovely! How did you do the white on the armor? What is your recipe? 

[Brother Dallo]

Those are really impressive. Roll on 2022 to see the next five.

 

Dallo

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Great job on the models! The skulls mounted as trophies atop the Marines' backpacks, are welcome additions.

[Ahrimanjjb]

Stunning stuff, really liking the extra touches to make them not quite as clean cut as the baseline Primaris.

[Bjornas]

Thanks, guys! Pretty excited for how this project will develop!

 

These are lovely! How did you do the white on the armor? What is your recipe? 

It's GWs "how to paint white armour" recipe, Ulthuan Grey basecoat, Agrax Earthshade in the recesses, and pure white highlights. I especially like the Agrax part since it gives a warmer and more interesting feel to the armour, compared to a grey or black wash.

 

Stunning stuff, really liking the extra touches to make them not quite as clean cut as the baseline Primaris.

Thanks, yea it's a fine line to tread between baseline Primaris and just making them white Space Wolves, which I'm trying to avoid.
 

[Pearson73]

Super solid work, the top knots and skulls add a lot of character.

[Rockybaerboa]

really amazing, very nice painting. Love them

[Bjornas]

Roll on 2022 to see the next five.

So almost a year later, here we are! 2021 turned to be quite busy with life, Cursed City and starting a Ph.D.

 

Without further ado, I give you these models which were completed last year year. I just haven't gotten around to posting until now:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm pretty pleased with how the red stripes and throphies give them an individual, yet unified look. Also, as a little teaser, the backpacks for the WIP Sergeants:

 

 

Finally, a sketch and some WIPs for my Bladeguard. They may look simple right now, but there's actually a fair bit of work in getting them together: Left hands and right forearms have been cut from 30k Space Wolves arms (Grey Slayers?) and fit into shape on Primaris arms. Also, Bolter grips were cut and added to the empty Primaris bolt pistol holsters. Plus random bits, fur, etc. After the painting's done I will add GK swords, 30k Wolves shields and 30k WS heads. Heh!

 

 

 

That's it for now. I should be able to post the Sergeants soon-ish (1-2 months). Also have finally gotten the pieces together an Apothecary/Shaman character that I've been having in my mind since almost a year. Really psyched for this one!

Edited January 5, 2022 by Bjornas

[Brother Captain Vakarian]

Your Scars are absolutely masterful! What great work with white and red. Excited to see your next steps!

[gaurdian31]

Newest batch is looking lovely as well!

[Pearson73]

Keeping up that nice clean work! Looking forward to seeing what comes next.

[Bjornas]

On 1/6/2022 at 12:32 AM, Bjornas said:

I should be able to post the Sergeants soon-ish (1-2 months).

Well things didn't go quite that fast, but tonight after a lot of work my two Sergeants finally got the finishing touches:

 

 

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...that means I finally have a playable army of 2x5 marines and 1 HQ now! Had to take a few snaps of them the painting desk:

 

Sorry for the crap pics but hope you get the idea.

 

/Bjornas

 

 

Edited September 19, 2022 by Bjornas

[Mithrilforge]

Beautiful work  

I'm working on a Scars Killteam at the moment and these are done the same way I'm doing them (not as good as yours though ) I love some of the red markings, hope you don't mind if I "Borrow' some of those idea's  

The Sarge's banners & Faces are superb  2x  * are the banners done with decals or freehand ?!?...

 

Cheers, M.

[Majkhel]

I really like the clean look of those Scars! Lovely red markings too. 

I would suggest going more wild with the leather holsters' highlights though - especially the flat surfaces do not match the overall esthetics of your minis  I see you;re not afraid of using contrast paints selectively, so perhaps that would be a solution for you?

[Bjornas]

On 9/20/2022 at 1:41 AM, Mumeishi said:

Beautiful work  

I'm working on a Scars Killteam at the moment and these are done the same way I'm doing them (not as good as yours though ) I love some of the red markings, hope you don't mind if I "Borrow' some of those idea's  

The Sarge's banners & Faces are superb  2x  * are the banners done with decals or freehand ?!?...

 

Cheers, M.

Thanks and please do borrow!! It's FWs 30k White Scars transfer sheet, expensive but there's tons of cool transfers on it. 

 

23 hours ago, Majkhel said:

I really like the clean look of those Scars! Lovely red markings too. 

I would suggest going more wild with the leather holsters' highlights though - especially the flat surfaces do not match the overall esthetics of your minis  I see you;re not afraid of using contrast paints selectively, so perhaps that would be a solution for you?

Thanks for the suggestion, I just wouldn't know how to spice the holsters up to be honest. Their highlights look a little better in person.

I don't use any contrast paints actually, only washes. What parts look like they are contrasted? :)

[Majkhel]

1 hour ago, Bjornas said:

I don't use any contrast paints actually, only washes. What parts look like they are contrasted? :)

I thought that Imperialis on the chests and skin on the standard were contrasts. To be fair, contrasts are simply more pigmented washes so I wasn't that much off

But if you use washes, then you would still get similar result with a wash. In that case, i would still do a standard edge-highlight like you do or with a drybrush. If drybrushing, I would apply the highlight to a whole holster's surface and then bringing it all together with a brown wash. When highlighting normally, I would add additionally a couple of random lines and/or dots onto the surface to make it more interesting and then apply the wash. 

Edited September 21, 2022 by Majkhel

[Bjornas]

 

Time for an update on this project! I just finished my Apothecary-shaman (Shamathecary?) and am pretty proud with how he’s turned out. I leaned a lot into imagery of mongol shamans and tengrism when coming up with the conversion. I really wanted to emphasize the more-than-usual spiritual connection that I imagine the 5th brotherhood to have.

 

 

 

 

 

If you look closely, there is a pattern on the drum. Drums are ofcourse an essential item for mongol shamans.

The pattern is inspired (but not copied) from a pattern commonly found on shamanic drums:

 

Also, regarding the mask. Mongol shamans hide their eyes as when they are possessed by spirits, it is very bad luck for people around them to see the eyes. Instead, a ‘face’ is drawn on the mask:

 

I contemplated how to make a conversion like this but couldn't stomach the complexity required. Instead, I GSed the eyes of a Space Wolf mask and painted eyes on it (tried to give it a 'painted' look too!). Also, he is a space marine after all so a feather head would be a bit too ridiculous:

 

 

I am also close to done my my ‘khan’, or what’s left of the original model post-conversions! Only have the head and backpack to go. Look forward to sharing him with you shortly.

 

/Bjornas

 

Edited January 31, 2023 by Bjornas

[Valkia the Bloody]

You really put some effort into this!

Love the research- I learned something new today.

Could imagine you listening to "the Hu" during painting....

Anyways- that shaman looks stunning. Great conversion and lots of thought put into him.

[StratoKhan]

Nice clean white, really neat markings, the Shaman is a really characterful addition. Loving everything I've seen so far.

Maybe I would have added a mustache to the shaman? apart from that, nothing else to add. 

 

Bladeguard concept sounds very promising btw.

Edited February 1, 2023 by StratoKhan

[Mithrilforge]

Awesome Work !! , Happy to see you come back with something, been missing seeing work from you 

I love the drum idea 

 

-  That marine casualty looks like someone went at him with a Heavy Bolter... point blank 

 

Cheers, M. 

[Pearson73]

Very cool work, I love the attention to detail. The drum skin and fallen marine's wounds are really nicely painted.

[Grotsmasha]

That Shamathecary out a genuine smile on my face, exceptionally well done

[Doghouse]

Very creative stuff, I really like how much thought you are putting into these when it comes to the conversions.

[One-eye]

I love your scars, pretty neat white you have.

And your shaman is amazing, you're inspiring me to continue my own Scars !