Bonsai's very first attempt, Atlantian Spears WIP

[Bonsai Ghost]

Hello everyone, this is my very first attempt at modeling and painting so please give me as much advice as you can. I am honestly a little hesitant to post after looking through everyone else's WIP, so please be gentle .  

 

I am currently working on some Atlantian Spears, which is a minor footnote successor chapter to the Blood Angels. Their main claim to fame is not answering the call to return to Baal, and having a major emphasis placed on their Librarians. I chose them accidentally, I was trying to make Space Sharks and my attempts at a sea green/gray tinged armor ended up a much brighter teal than I expected. So a quick google search led me to the Spears, and I thought "screw it, let's go for that then".  I had the push together marines from the Recruit edition starter box, and they are all painted except for one last guy (the only one without a helmet, which is intimidating me into putting it off lol). 

 

So this is my group from the recruit box 

https://imgur.com/H22TfYT

 

https://imgur.com/ykrJAdD

 

https://imgur.com/8nS5rGS

 

https://imgur.com/rwlwikF

 

https://imgur.com/050vGDd

 

https://imgur.com/050vGDd

 

https://imgur.com/ChozWEF

 

 

I know they are very rough, but I am torn about whether I should try to go back and touch them up or if they are too chunky looking as it is. I had issues with trying to thin my paints, I could never get the ratio right and it seemed far too watery and light, so I'd end up going back over it not thinned at all to try and fill in the gaps. 

 

Which leads me to my next group, I started painting and was instantly hooked, so I already picked up a box of Primaris Intercessors and started to prime them as well. I enjoyed modeling them a lot as well, the recruit edition was push fit and very specific on what goes where so when I opened this box and realized I could just go crazy making them however I wanted I had a blast. 

 

https://imgur.com/2UjrlCf

 

This is some of my Intercessors after 1 coat of white Vallejo primer. I was actually curious because I could never tell how primed I needed it to be. This is after 1 coat and I feel like it's still way too gray, but my first batch took 3 coats until I thought it looked right and I'm wondering if that's part of the reason they are so chunky looking.  For comparison, here is the last of my squad from the starter set with 3 coats of primer on him, which I feel like looks way better but I am going into this completely blind so I may be doing everything wrong lol. 

 

https://imgur.com/6PKKP9g

 

 

Well, that's all I have right now, comments and criticisms are more than welcome! Like I said, I went into this completely blind, I watched two or three Duncan videos just to get some ideas but for the most part I just went for it. My main questions right now if anyone could help me out are

 

1.) Are my coats too thick? Everyone keeps saying "thin your paints" but I've never gotten a clear explanation of how EXACTLY to do that? I've been dipping my brush in my wash cup and tapping it dry on a paper towel, but it seems like it still makes the paint way too runny. 

 

2.) Where does everyone land on the primer? 1 coat? 2 coats? Until it's completely white? Or just enough that the paint holds to it?

 

3.) Did I mess up by gluing them to their bases before painting them? I may try to paint around their feet but I know it won't be pretty lmao. 

 

Thanks everyone, I know they're rough looking but I'm honestly loving the hobby and I personally can tell a big improvement with each new model I make. Hopefully a few more months of practice and I won't be causing all of you pros physical pain having to look at what I've done 

 

[phandaal]

For priming, try out Scale75's Grey spray primer or Tamiya Light Grey Fine Surface Primer. They are a very light shade of grey that will help your details pop when painted over.

 

Both companies make white primer as well if you want that. Both come in spray cans.

 

You will be shocked at the level of detail preserved while providing almost complete coverage on the models. I have accidentally sprayed on coats that looked like they covered every little detail with thick paint, only to come back later and find them dried and every single detail clearly visible on the model.

 

Once that coat is sprayed on and dried, you can go back with a brush and do a little coverage on areas that might have been missed like the underside of the model.

 

As for painting, you could go with the cheat code that a lot of us use - Citadel Contrast Paint or Army Painter Speedpaint. You could go one coat of that like the directions say, or two coats to make the color a little more even.

 

 

Give both of those a shot - spray primer and speed paint. You will be amazed at what you can do with them!

[Bonsai Ghost]

For priming, try out Scale75's Grey spray primer or Tamiya Light Grey Fine Surface Primer. They are a very light shade of grey that will help your details pop when painted over.

 

Both companies make white primer as well if you want that. Both come in spray cans.

 

You will be shocked at the level of detail preserved while providing almost complete coverage on the models. I have accidentally sprayed on coats that looked like they covered every little detail with thick paint, only to come back later and find them dried and every single detail clearly visible on the model.

 

Once that coat is sprayed on and dried, you can go back with a brush and do a little coverage on areas that might have been missed like the underside of the model.

 

As for painting, you could go with the cheat code that a lot of us use - Citadel Contrast Paint or Army Painter Speedpaint. You could go one coat of that like the directions say, or two coats to make the color a little more even.

 

 

Give both of those a shot - spray primer and speed paint. You will be amazed at what you can do with them!

The Speedpaint definitely looks interesting, I'll try to pick some of that up! I had read that spray primers are preferable but my issue is living in a small apartment with no ventilation, no outdoor area, and a baby, so I think I may be stuck with brush on primer for the time being. 

 

Would you say gray primer is the way to go? I ordered the white because it seemed like the most universally usable one, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have gone with gray because I think my colors are a little too bright. 

[phandaal]

 

The Speedpaint definitely looks interesting, I'll try to pick some of that up! I had read that spray primers are preferable but my issue is living in a small apartment with no ventilation, no outdoor area, and a baby, so I think I may be stuck with brush on primer for the time being. 

 

Would you say gray primer is the way to go? I ordered the white because it seemed like the most universally usable one, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have gone with gray because I think my colors are a little too bright. 

 

 

Grey will give you a bit more natural looking contrast when painted over. 

 

If you are stuck indoors without sufficient ventilation, then painting on will have to be the way. It takes more coats to get it on right and you will probably be left with some brush strokes visible in the paint, but once you paint over the primer some of that will go away.

 

Can also consider taking the minis out into a parking lot and spraying them when the weather is nice. Hard to do in some places though, like where I live - summer time here is approximately 200 degrees and 100% humidity.

[Rusted Boltgun]

I really like the colour for your marines!

I'm also new to the hobby (well, haven't painted in 30 odd years) so I'm in no position to offer tips but I will provide encouragement!

I have been using the Vallejo brush on undercoat too as I haven't been able to spray recently. Mine, however, was black so applied pretty evenly at the first go. I don't think that would work for you scheme. Spraying undercoat (I have used Tamiya grey and Corax white separately) did give better, thinner coverage.

Keep watching the videos, different ones have different tips and Duncan does show how to thin the paints and load the brush on the palette. If nothing else, they are a relaxing watch - my 7yr old loves them!

It does seem to get easier with practice even if progress is in small increments.

Keep at it and enjoy the results!