Brother Christopher's Purple Marines Project

[The Pounder]

Hadn’t seen that Tactical Sergeant before, looks great!

 

As for the shield on the other Serg, I think the Chapter sign and some squiggly text would be enough.

 

Looking forward to seeing what you do with him!

[Firedrake Cordova]

2 hours ago, Heraclite said:

I just looked at the translation for the french term "Lettrine" which seems to be "Drop Cap" in english, please correct me if I'm wrong

I'm pretty sure you got it right.  There's also illuminated text, which is fancier (often gold or silver, outlined, has a background, etc).

[gaurdian31]

Shield is looking really good! The suggestions from @Firedrake Cordova and @Heraclite are what I would go with. Chapter symbol, some litanies and some purity seals will look great, maybe do a black stripe down the middle like you did for the shoulder pad?

[Brother Christopher]

Thank you guys for the responses - the feedback is noted and I'll be implementing it soonish. I delayed replying here since I thought that I'll just post the finished minis.

 

Unfortunately, with my planning obsession, I spent all my hobby time on doing something else. The results are mixed but - again - the experience is valuable. I've started prepping another 5-man squad and used them as yet another set of test models for the ideas for streamlining the armour modification process.

 

While not entirely successful, I've pinpointed the things that work, the things that don't and the things that are just way too time-consuming. With this field-tested knowledge, I'm confident in the conviction for future plans. 

 

This thread is a chronicle of how reality can brutally kill dreams and passions. I set on this journey outwith the conviction that I'll do extensive modifications to the Primaris armour, all in an effort to 'fix' the design choices GW made and the absolutely boring uniformity. I'm sure that I can find posts specifying what I wanted to do: starting from the round ankle-bits, through backpacks, chest plates, abdomen armour.

 

Now, I think I've conceded. GW has won. Fixing their design takes way too much time.

 

I'll limit the modifications to the chest plates and knees. Even replacing the abdominal plates with proper, cool oldschool wires is too fiddly. I think I might have sworn that the assault marines are the last converted squad. Well, the next unit WILL be the last converted squad, showing faint glimmers of my ambitions.

 

I hate to like idea of Space Marines this much... Having to suffer the Primaris plague is quite painful. Let me reiterate this: looking at all the cool mixed armour of the Heresy marks and Chaos Space Marines - proper, modern reimagining of what Space Marines can be - is painful.

 

I'm quite looking forward to sharing the new squad with you and getting around to painting them. Oh, and to finishing the Assault Marines, too. 

[bloodhound23]

I'm almost as addicted to the PF Assault Sergeant's style of helmet as I am to basically any model with a rebreather on the lower half 

 

Excellent homage to the original model. 

 

EDIT: I'm also holding out hope we get some concession in terms of that design language of mixed armor marks. The new Reavers and the Blood Claws/Grey Hunters kits suggest that GW sees it is a viable option, and I'm hoping they'll go down that road. Until then, I'm switching my attention to human sized models within the range and scratch building terrain. I'll finish my middlehammer-sized Violent Gods, but it's been reduced to a lower priority, since the scale is off. I would love to start them over in the new scale, but am pretty ambivalent about a lot of the Primaris design language, as I know you are, too. One day though, we need to face off against your firstborn Black Templars!

 

Edited May 12 by bloodhound23

[Brother Christopher]

20 hours ago, bloodhound23 said:

Until then, I'm switching my attention to human sized models within the range and scratch building terrain. I'll finish my middlehammer-sized Violent Gods, but it's been reduced to a lower priority, since the scale is off.

 

This hit a bit too close home. I think that personally, apart from being a missed opportunity, the introduction of Primaris-scale models had a huge impact on other stuff, simply by comparison. The older minis feel off, even though they're perfectly fine on their own and - arguably - offer way more than Primaris do when it comes to cool concepts. I still have ~15 squat-templars to paint that I'm adamant on finishing... but not now, I guess.

 

I do hope that you'll continue with your Marines, though. They're one of the coolest kitbashes out there.

 

20 hours ago, bloodhound23 said:

I would love to start them over in the new scale, but am pretty ambivalent about a lot of the Primaris design language, as I know you are, too.

 

I'm very much curious how long it'll take till GW redo the older kits. I'm quite confident that we'll reach that point within the next 1-2 editions, after they churn out the models following the Primaris design language that must have been in the making for years.

 

20 hours ago, bloodhound23 said:

One day though, we need to face off against your firstborn Black Templars!

 

 

***

 

With all the 11th edition stuff, as I'm sure you've all witnessed, I did more soul-searching and conceded that kitbashing Primaris minis is made a bit too difficult by the nature of modern kits. So, I'm attempting to sell the slightly clumsy Assault Marines, as well as a 4th bolter marines squad to make room for the slightly-upgraded updates. I've also cranked the notion of 'get only the models you like' up a notch. I want a squad of more dynamic minis but 1 squad is enough. I think that I've discovered that I don't like how much room these minis take up, i.e. their diameter when viewed from the top. 

 

The old running/assaulty marines held their pistols and swords in a 'boring' way, closer to their bodies, which resulted in a nicer gaming footprint. The new ones are more dynamic and opt for a more outreached arms' position. It turns out that this is more of an issue that I imagined. In the product photos, I haven't really notices that too much and/or hoped that it'll be easy to reposition the arms. Alas...

 

This should also be my last squad of guys with this kind of modifications to the chest plates (though I have plans how to introduce more variety but I'll need the new kits to see if that works and with modifications to the abdominal armour.

 

I tested a new method of getting some 'square', mkIV-inspired, knee pads and I think they turned out quite fine - I will reintroduce these to future conversions.

 

I'll also be testing a new 'approach' to the round knee pads - I'll need to see whether simply removing the trim works for me or not. For the majority of my previous projects, I've extended the round knee pads using a bit of GS to make them slightly more oblong/tear-shaped.

 

Since I've also noticed/discovered that the heavy bolt pistol is the same size and shape as a Primaris bolter, I decided to equip these guys with proper bolters and chainswords (let's say that they are an Assault Tactical Squad or CC Tactical Squad, okay?) by replacing the stubby mags with some from the regular Intercessors kit.

 

 

 

I think that the tubes on the guy below are quite great - the best I've done. If I were able to quickly reproduce this, I'd be over the moon. Alas, the process is a bit too fiddly for my taste.

 

 

Here's a close-up of the knee pads:

 

And more focus on the bolters:

 

 

 

These are also my test models for a new painting approach. As you can see, I've placed these minis on plasticard glued on top of MDF bases. These are supposed to be temporary bases for painting; after the marines are done, I plan to paint the bases separately and reattach the bodies on finished bases. The theory/intention is that I'll paint the bases more quickly (and perhaps to a better standard) without having to worry about the marines on top of them.

 

I've also tested Vallejo's gap filler for the gaps left after modifying the knee pads (which seems to work fine), as well as adding a layer of gloss varnish to further seal the putty and the studs Im making with PVA glue.

 

As you can see, I've been treating these guys as advanced test models. On top of all the tests at the conversion stage, I'm quite looking forward to trying the new process for painting out - I even came to realise that using the sponge won't be as counter-productive as I thought since the alterations already damage the plastic and leave a bit of texture.

 

Do apologise if I'm a bit too rambly; it's been quite a long day.

[MoriyaSchism]

These look great so far. I especially like the Mark IV details on the leg armour and the heavy bolt pistol to bolt carbine conversion. I forgot to comment on your last update, I really love the Assault Sergeant with the power fist. Fantastic work as always. 

[Grotsmasha]

RE: the chest tubes. I saw someone elsewhere suggest cutting down zip ties. They won't be as round as a tube, but it looked pretty good.

[Heraclite]

The cables look great, but I particularly like the transplant of the skull and bones on the imperialis, and the sculpted Aquila. More than the kneepads, I really think that the lack of options for breastplates is the main problem for primaris marines (though it seems to get better with the last releases)

Edited May 14 by Heraclite

[The Pounder]

I feel we’re always our own worst critic. I reckon you’ve done a cracking job on all your conversions and added details.

 

As others have said the mkvi pads in particular are really well done.

 

 

[gaurdian31]

Great update, new marines are looking good. Love the marine with studs on his leg and I really like the new magazines you've added to the bolt guns. Great job all around!

[Rusted Boltgun]

It is amazing how much a change of magazine makes. It may be hard work but the cables look great too.

I'll be interested to see how you fare with the sponges. I've a couple but haven't tried them yet. 

[Rusted Boltgun]

It is amazing how much a change of magazine makes. It may be hard work but the cables look great too.

I'll be interested to see how you fare with the sponges. I've a couple but haven't tried them yet. 

[Brother Christopher]

Thanks for all the comments and support. I'm stoked you like them, I really am.

 

I think I've reached a comfortable level of 'mastery' when it comes to modifying the knee pads so I'll stick to doing that for the rest of my minis.

 

For the tubing, as much as it pains me, I've decided to accept the default MkX armour - the return on investment isn't worth the time it takes to remove the original plating and replace it with these tubes. I have to admit that they look alright but when worked on and inspected with a magnifying glass, I find them subpar. It's all a matter of 1mm (or smaller) gaps but they do irk me unreasonably. 

 

All in all, I came to realise that - apart from the helmets - the worst bit about Primaris marines is their abdomen: either the identical armour plating or the weird placement of tabards covering the abdomen and hidden under the breast plate. I'll hand it to GW: they've won. I'll live with their design choices and will stop trying to fix them.

 

***

 

I haven't done any tangible hobby work recently but I continued planning things and I think that I can confidently say that I know where I'm at with my Primaris-Era Purple Marines.

 

While this soul-searching has been going on for weeks now, I feel I've reached a decision as final as it can be in the ever-changing hobby landscape. I know the decision and plan is right because I've only felt this good about my plans once in my life: when I conceptually completed my Firstborn Templars. 

 

I will treat these guys as my "GW's Primaris-Era Marines Project." Provided that I manage to get the contents of the Armageddon box, I'm set in terms of the numer and variety of models, as well as a source of parts I need. I've even sold 15 minis to make room for the slightly updated Marines. I'm quite proud of myself here since I'm always finding it difficult to sell stuff. I'm one of those people who like to hoard things 'just in case,' particularly since GW is constantly (and significantly) increasing prices of their kits.

 

I expect to get into more detail about my plans soon, when I have more time. But the most important aspects are:

- no more purchases - even if the new models are cool (which they will be, I'm sure of it), I don't want more of virtually identical MkX;

- focus on 4th/5th SM edition SM codex structure;

- absolute focus on models rather than rules;

- focus on painting vanilla minis (except leg and chest armour);

- limit kit bashing to a minimum (I have some ideas for a Company Champion, Chapter Master, Commander w/ Jump Pack and perhaps a Master of the Forge);

- after I reach a 50% progress mark with infantry, I want to reintroduce working on vehicles (and I have a couple of neat ideas here);

- mix in other projects in the hobby loop.

 

Much of this is a reiteration of what I've been on about for the last couple of posts but it feels different this time. Like I've broken free of GW's grip on me. I think this has a lot to do with some non-Space Marine stuff that I won't be going into here. This should take me 3-4 years and in that time GW might re-release 'normal' Space Marines so that I can start yet another project/chapter.

 

All of this feels right. What really surprises me is how certain I am about it.

 

I'd love to share something more concrete with you but unfortunately, between work and other chores, my Internet and hobby time has recently been quite scarce. 

 

For now, I really should finish the Assault Marines for my 12MoH vow and, next, see whether the painting process I've envisaged really is more streamlined and relaxing, without much compromise to the overall feel and quality of the minis. But... somehow I don't want to go back to doing the Assault Marines :D For whatever reason, I don't have the heart to work on them. But I shall. No respite. No surrender!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Edited May 19 by Brother Christopher

[Doghouse]

Fantastic work on those conversions. The addition of the cables really makes them pop and great gs work.

[Brother Christopher]

Thanks! 

 

So, I've decided, basically, not to convert or kitbash my regular infantry... but, there's an ambitious dreamer inside of me that I can't seem to kill.

 

Prompted by the upcoming Call to Arms, for the foreseeable future, I decided to split my Primaris-Era-Project into two parallel task: 

1. allocate most of the hobby time to painting minis, i.e. finishing the Assault Squad and painting the prepped bolter&chainsword Assault Tacticals^TM

2. allocate 15-30 minutes daily to building a heavily-converted Techmarine/Master of the Forge.

 

I'm quite certain that given my design hesitancy and dexterity, the converting/scratch-building process will take hours (probably counted in the tens) but this has been an idea I've been toying with for months.

 

Given that I won't be spending as much time as I thought on adding tubes and breastplates to individual rank-and-file models, I think I can spare the time and waste it on a custom Techmarine... Right?

 

I also have a history with a DIY Master of the Forge for my Neurode Crusade. I know that I've made a lot of progress skill-wise but I can't help to wonder if I'll manage to end up with a more mature model or will I overdo and regret it in the future. Given my propensities, I remember that it had taken me years to finish that conversion - I had abandoned it but I eventually realised my vision. The break back then was extremely useful since I've abandoned rubbish green stuff work for a hybrid plasticard-and-green stuff approach that resulted in a decent mini. I really should find him and post photos...

 

I'm still not sold on using gravis armour as a 'regular' mark/variant in my Primaris-Era-Project, I think I'll reserve it as a kind of a custom power armour for my Apothecary Biologis (i.e. Chief Apothecary) and my Chief Techmarine/Master of the Forge. I have the heavy bolter mini from the Kill Team starter that I essentially don't need and will use him as a base for the project.

 

Keep your fingers crossed for two things: that I don't get discouraged/run out of steam and that I won't ruin him.

 

The initial concept is to give him a proper, oldschool servo harness: with two clunky power arms, a plasma cutter and a flamer. I also have some ideas for the armour, but I'll want to focus on the servo harness first.

 

I think I'll go with a mixed layout of servo-arms: for the top sockets, I think I'll go for a smaller servo-arm and the plasma cutter, while the bottom sockets will house a flamer and a larger forklift-type servo arm, like the one on the Techmarine operating the ancient Thunderfire Cannon (that's a name I haven't seen in years... I remember a time when their rules were super good).

 

Something like this (an image I've found online but can't credit the author):

 

 

Unfortunately, the servo arms I'm planning to make will be way more bulky - partially because of the limitations of hand-made stuff and partially to fit the ridiculous scale of the older models and the spare bits I have for the plasma cutter and flamer. However, I do hope the larger Gravis-clad Marine will help make the model at least somewhat believable.

 

I'm at a loss right now as to the rest of the mini. But that's a bridge I'll need to cross probably in a couple of weeks.

Edited May 20 by Brother Christopher

[Brother Christopher]

I think I'll call the Assault Squad painted. I only need to make base them and the 12MoH vow is done, too.

 

Apologies for the strange green tint on the desktop in the group photos: I've now idea where it came from.

 

 

 

Let's start with the worst bit: I kind of hate what I did with the tilt shield, but I don't want to redo it:

 

Initially, I wanted it to be white. Then I painted on the yellow chequers and blue cross and... it all sort of blended together. I decided to glaze some purple over it and removed the paint entirely from the chequered stripe. I think it looks better than it did when it was white but, yikes - that wasn't the best of choices.

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, I'm very pleased with the sergeant’s helmet - subjectively, I think it's one of the coolest ones I did. I also wanted to paint a charging-in-progress effect on the fist - as if the guy's running and energising the power fist in an attempt to shield bash his foe and then deliver mighty blow. That's why I decided to add some glow and lightning effect from the front and back, as if the main power generator is located around the middle of the weapon and, when fully-charged, spreads to cover the whole thing. It didn't turn out exactly how I imagined it, but I think I like it.

 

[Heraclite]

Love what you did with the stormshield. The tiny heraldic shields in particular 

[MoriyaSchism]

I love the Insignium Astartes inspired company and unit markings. 

[Brother Carpenter]

10 hours ago, Brother Christopher said:

I think I'll call the Assault Squad painted. I only need to make base them and the 12MoH vow is done, too.

 

Apologies for the strange green tint on the desktop in the group photos: I've now idea where it came from.

 

 

 

Let's start with the worst bit: I kind of hate what I did with the tilt shield, but I don't want to redo it:

 

Initially, I wanted it to be white. Then I painted on the yellow chequers and blue cross and... it all sort of blended together. I decided to glaze some purple over it and removed the paint entirely from the chequered stripe. I think it looks better than it did when it was white but, yikes - that wasn't the best of choices.

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, I'm very pleased with the sergeant’s helmet - subjectively, I think it's one of the coolest ones I did. I also wanted to paint a charging-in-progress effect on the fist - as if the guy's running and energising the power fist in an attempt to shield bash his foe and then deliver mighty blow. That's why I decided to add some glow and lightning effect from the front and back, as if the main power generator is located around the middle of the weapon and, when fully-charged, spreads to cover the whole thing. It didn't turn out exactly how I imagined it, but I think I like it.

 

Wonderful marines

Bravo

Really digging the thruster blueish glow.

[Firedrake Cordova]

I think they look great

 

I can see what you mean about the tilt shield - if it were white, it would draw attention from the yellow helmet, and if it were the same purple as the rest, it would blend in too much. I think it looks good as-is, although maybe the cross could do with being a bit darker, as it seems to lack contrast with the background..?

[gaurdian31]

These guys came out really well and I love the sarge's charging power fist, that is a great effect. I like the tilt shield and I do think @Firedrake Cordova's suggestion about darkening the cross on it would make it pop a little more.

[Heraclite]

Maybe it's because i'm a bit colourblind but I see absolutely no cross on the tilt shield... To me it looks like a subtle blending between purple and light blue + the yellow checkers and tiny details (super crisp I might say) and it looks beautiful 

[Brother Christopher]

Thanks to all of you for the replies. As always: I'm glad you like my work.

16 hours ago, MoriyaSchism said:

I love the Insignium Astartes inspired company and unit markings. 

 

Thanks for reminding me of this publication! I've forgotten about it bu will make sure to check it out for inspiration in the future. I want to add some individualises heralrdy to my squads.

 

Regarding the tilt shield: pushed by your feedback, I'll settle on redoing it. I think it's un-salvageable - I think I'll repaint it black and maybe take another stab at applying transfers. It should be easier than doing them on shoulder pads. Thank you guys for posting your suggestions.

 

***

 

Since yesterday was a painting day, today I decided to bleed some of my precious life into the sands of pointless hobbying  I've mentioned a new Techmarine project and here are the first steps. As with the tilt shield, this project revealed my poor judgement and lack of imagination (or foresight).

 

The photo shows my today's progress; I'm quite happy with the pace and quality of the results.

 

 

What you see in the photo is:

 > top-left corner - servo claw for the smaller servo arm;

> my today's failure - the original small servo claw for the smaller servo arm; unfortunately, I've greatly underestimated the scale of the thing and it turned out too big/chunky for my taste;

> middle row - components for the plasma cutter based on an old plasma gun and toothpicks; 

> bottom - the servo mechanism for the smaller arm.

 

Comments:

1. I'm surprised by the quality and size of details I'm able to make. All those years of doing plasticard vehicles are really paying off now. All of this makes me quite excited and/or hopeful that the final thing will look great once paint is applied. Sorry for this borderline brag, but I've exceeded my expectations here.

2. I'll need to cut my losses with the too large servo-arm. I thought it's small enough for a Gravis model and have intentionally chunked it up. Then, I dry fitted it onto the mini and found it to be too big. It's a shame since I quite like all the details and trim, but there's probably no room for it on the mini. I'll want a slimmer, forklift-type claw for the second servo arm. Maybe I'll pop this one on the base somewhere (or attach it to the Techmarine's belt) as a spare claw - like exchangeable dozer blades on actual construction vehicles. The upside is that I built the second claw which, I think, is even better.

3. I hope that you'll be able to make out some of the details/greebles - due to lighting conditions at teh time of posting this, I find it difficult to take good photos of white plasticard.

 

By the Emperor!! This kind of kitbashing/scratchbuilding is extremely time-consuming. But with the right mindset, it's also the best thing in the hobby. 

 

I don't remember being this excited about something hobby-related. The path of discovery, the mistakes, the focus, the annoying-yet-rewarding fiddling with bits this small... that's just great. I genuinely like it, even though there will be many obstacles ahead since I don't have a clear vision of what I want to achieve. Just some vague sketches in a notepad that must be out of scale and might be difficult to implement on an actual mini. 

 

Yeah, injection moulding or 3D printing is the way of the future. But I can afford this one last indulgence. 

[Firedrake Cordova]

You're right to be happy with it - it looks great, especially the claws