Hearts of Stone - Imperial Fists 2nd Company

[TheFirstKnight]

I managed to snag a load of the new mk III marines, which I’ve fallen in love with. They don’t really fit in with the Thousand Sons I’ve already painted so I decided to start a second proper Legion with them.

 

I've always been a big fan of the VIIth legion, so decided to do a Terran themed force (I’ll be adding some Custodes and Solar Auxilia in time to come). I’ll get round to figuring out some fluff but decided to add as much Templar themed iconography as possible as I love them in 40k

 

Here’s a tester I’ve done for a Tactical Sergeant. He started off with a yellow chest plate and helmet, but felt it needed something to make it pop a little more, so painted the torso black instead. I’m unsure whether to do this for the entire force or just Sergeants and Veterans, maybe just do some vambraces or greaves black, will see how I get on as I go along. I’m also in the process of finishing up Fafnir Rann (because why not) and just started the first 5 tactical marines to go with my Sergant.

 

Also, to finish the figure off I bought a load of Unreal Wargaming Sacred Ruins bases. They’re absolutely gorgeous, so will defo be getting some more soon.

So yeah, here’s a pic of the sergeant before I changed the torso, and him completely finished. And c&c’s are most welcome!

Edited December 12, 2023 by TheFirstKnight

[Agramar_The_Luna_Wolf]

Nice! Well done.

I'll liked more with the yellow. The second version looks like he is wearing an apron

[TheFirstKnight]

47 minutes ago, AGRAMAR said:

Nice! Well done.

I'll liked more with the yellow. The second version looks like he is wearing an apron

Well, he’ll be serving traitor’s heads on a silver plate, so it certainly fits!

[LameBeard]

I love your style - these will look great in a unit. I’m pretty neutral on yellow vs black torso, but mixing in big chunks of black will give a heresy feel - and might also be a way of differentiating two different squads.  I like red as a spot colour but I’m not convinced by the nose stripe (save it for beakies!) - maybe a stripe on the knee instead, as a hint of some specific heraldry? 

[TheFirstKnight]

1 hour ago, LameBeard said:

I love your style - these will look great in a unit. I’m pretty neutral on yellow vs black torso, but mixing in big chunks of black will give a heresy feel - and might also be a way of differentiating two different squads.  I like red as a spot colour but I’m not convinced by the nose stripe (save it for beakies!) - maybe a stripe on the knee instead, as a hint of some specific heraldry? 

Many thanks! Was enjoyable to do, and in a similar style to my Thousand Sone.

Have to say, I rather thought the same after the fact, was just following the scheme for the older mk III helmets. I think I’ll just keep the helmets pure black or yellow (maybe even silver to mix it up).

[TheFirstKnight]

Finished Fafnir Rann, not quite as fun to paint but at least I’ve got an HQ until I do my own generic Praetor. Got the bits to make a Command Squad with Breacher shields too.

 

Now onto some Troops choices..,

Edited December 12, 2023 by TheFirstKnight

[Pearson73]

These chaps look great. For the sergeant I prefer the black plating, adds some heresy flavour and is a nice way to mark out veterans. I think the black helmet stripe is pretty characterful.

[TheFirstKnight]

4 hours ago, Pearson73 said:

These chaps look great. For the sergeant I prefer the black plating, adds some heresy flavour and is a nice way to mark out veterans. I think the black helmet stripe is pretty characterful.

Ah thanks! Yeah I like the black too, will definitely be sticking with it. I quite like how the fluff works for the Deathwing Companions so was thinking of doing something similar with my IF Vets company, maybe they got the idea having worked alongside the Dark Angels or something.

 

Here’s some progress of the next 5 marines. I was gonna do them all the same but like the variety changing where the black is provides. Also added some flashes of silver, the odd shoulder trim, a faceplate here and there etc.

 

 

[TheFirstKnight]

Day off today so got the oils done on my Fists vets and now building up the yellow. Also my second order of Unreal Wargaming Sacred Ruins bases turned up so happy (though I still need another 40 or so, they’re pretty darn pricey but absolutely worth it).

 

Edited December 16, 2023 by TheFirstKnight

[Pearson73]

Vets are coming on nicely, liking the markings on the knee plates. Those bases are really cool!

[TheFirstKnight]

Nearly finished the first 5 Tactical Marines, should’ve been done by now but work and real life beckons, alas! One thing I am enjoying though? Painting the bases.

[Pearson73]

Those look ace, very realistic. 

[Torbenos]

Love the bases, and the style you pain in general. I am a big fan of your Thousand Sons and I have no doubt these will be great as well. I enjoy the shades to the yellow.

[TheFirstKnight]

At long, long last I’ve finished the first handful of tactical marines. Now making a start on the rest of the 15-man squad (the transfers are probably the most tedious aspect of this, they’re a nightmare to apply being round themselves). Also, I changed the faceplate on the sergeant, I took off the red and painted it all black. Actually think it looks much better!

 

Quick family shot so far added at the end.

Edited December 31, 2023 by TheFirstKnight

[General Zodd]

Lovely work on these! If it helps for the transfers, I have taken to making a small incision on the transfer sheet (before soaking in water) starting from the edge of the black fist and going out towards the edge at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. That way you get ride of some of the excess as it slides over itself at these points. If you’re using some kind of decal softener like Micro-sol/Micro-set plus a decent quality cotton bud that will give you a nice smooth finish.

[StratoKhan]

These are really good, I think adding black to the squad gives variety.

I also really like the way you painted the horsehair crest.

And the Unreal gaming bases are great, very beautiful pieces - the way you’ve painted them is also excellent, they look very realistic.

 

[TheFirstKnight]

Couldn’t sleep last night and my daylight lamp kinda died, so thought I’d build up some Templar Brethren in the meantime as well as the 2 Sabres I got for Christmas. Managed to beg, borrow and steal 10 Templar swords and some of the old resin mk III arms. They’ll do for the moment! I’ll glue the heads and pads on after, as I’ll prime them yellow for ease of painting.

 

The Sabres were fortunately easy to put together, just waiting on the two Autocannons my mate got me from WHW.

 

 

[Pearson73]

Nice poses for the Templars. Looking forward to seeing you take on some vehicles too.

[Brother Kraskor]

You have really nailed the recipe for your yellow. And it is topped with a kind of gritty look, sometimes overdone, but spot on in your case! You are doing GW great favours selling the Mk3 to me too...!