Tactical Squad Complete!

So last October I discussed the new paint scheme that I'm pursuing with my Dark Angels. I started with a tactical squad from one of the box sets and have finished it. Since then, I've also bought a Vindicator, which is currently outfitted as a Rhino and included below.



The paint scheme has really turned out to my pleasure, though it looks a bit brighter in these camera shots than it usually does in the grim darkness of my home. I find that the mixed, heraldic look has nice table presence, also.



Above and below, you can see that some of the power packs are Dark Angels-specific bits that I scored from a buddy down here who got the DA sprues to liven up his chaos marines. Particularly with these rank and file, simply-posed marines, the packs bring just enough variation without being gaudy. (At least not within this context - golden skulls with swords through them are unfortunately not everyone's cup of tea.)



Here, we have the sergeant, who I've named for Sgt. Tarkus, in 40k's Dawn of War II. Bald, pragmatic and effective, I hope my Sgt. will take after his namesake on the table. It's not very clear here, but this is probably my most successful face paint job.



Next up are a couple pics of the Rhino. It's taken a lot of work to get to a point where I dig it. Color choices and patterns really weren't doing much for me at first, but some of the painted-on effects such as the tactical arrow and heavy weapons blast in red and the caution stripes, along with the large purity seals on the front, have brought it together for me. Even now, it may have some work ahead of it, like throwing some dirt onto those treads.



A cool thing about this model is that it is actually a Vindicator tank, which happens to come with all of the necessary Rhino bits - as well as the body modifications to turn it into a Predator - though it is missing a turret. I'll post soon about the magnetizing and prep that I've gone through to make this body an interchangeable base for either tank type.



Next up, you may have noticed the downed imperial ship in the background. This is one of five pieces included in the Battle for Macragge box set. It's turned out very well, though it looks a bit like a spacewolf ship without my intending to do so.



It offers a bit of detail work here with the port engine laid open. Again, the caution stripes do a lot for me in this piece by drawing the eye from the body and rubble, right into the heart of the model.



Lastly, I have finished the first five of my Deathwing terminators, first seen last October. I'm only now realizing that I never put anything on the scroll of my Sgt's chest.... I guess I'll have to give that some thought, or at least give it a weathered look. I'm trying to minimize the number of gaunt, bald, white guys I bring to a game, so I gave this Deathwing officer some style.



I'll check back soon with the Vindicator and some other forms of transport!

War Walker cont.

So here are a few additional shots of the now complete magnetized walker. All that's left is to paint this sucker up, and glue him together.

So the first tutorial i read on magnetizing your walker said to put 3-4 small magnets in the slot with the weapon tab would normally go (see above) and then to attach a larger magnet to the gun. Well as it turns out this connection was to weak for me. It held, but i didn't like the grip. Since the magnets were already glued in . . . i opted just to glue a larger magnet on top of them, while ideally i would have preferred the magnets be hidden, i may attempt a little green stuff to hide them. So the above shot of the weapon mounting brackets was the first go round, and was later modified (see other pics).

Here is a view with two Scatter Lasers attached . . . you can see the magnets now, but i think once painted and possibly green stuffed it won't even be noticeable.

Without the guns on the "new" magnet sits basically on top and is kind of an eye soar, but as you saw once the gun is attached it doesn't look nearly as dominant. When i put together the remaining two walkers of the squad i will try to countersink these magnets the first time around.

Here is a close up on the weapons, as you can see i sunk the magnets into the weapons base enough to make them flush. Once painted the magnets won't even look like magnets, they will just look like curved Eldar weapon forms.

Here is the walker and all the weapons in all the glory. From the top: x2 Star Cannons, x2 Bright Lances, x2 Shuriken Cannons, x2 Missile Launchers, and x2 Scatter Lasers.

Additionally below is a little video that shows just how strong these magnets are!

Terrain!

So I've been working on some terrain. Little bits here and there, that will theoretically all get completed around the same time and i'll end up with a handful of new pieces. Today is a little sneak peak of a ruined building I've been working on.

The above shot is the base with some card stock cobblestones and rubble. It's sitting in pool of Yerba Mate . . . a tea like substance that found it's way into my flock box. Jane had bought it to drink, and then found it was linked to cancer causing studies, so I commandeered it for modelling.

Here you can see it from a different angle with the ruined buildings in the back drop.

This is the semi completed structure. You can see the watered down glue in the background, i use that to both attach the flock and sand, but also to go over it a second time to create a more secure hold on the loose particles.

Two piles of textures: the left is the left over shavings of cintra, pvc, and other sign building materials. I grab massive jugs full of those shavings from an old employer who builds dimensional signage. It's basically plastic wood shavings. The right pile is the Yerba Mate -- lots of small dry/ground herbs and some small wood chips. It looks similar to grinding up some dead leaves.

A closer shot at the near completed ruin . . . now ready for painting! Notice the addition of some wire in the structures walls which will presumably look like the bent metal innards of the building once completed.

The Light Box

Okay Bill,

In lieu of re-typing what is already in existence, and a very thorough tutorial, i will simply link to you the Light Box guide i used.

HERE.

Now, this tutorial has you using camera flashes. But I've found some re-purposed lamps due just fine. If you have a desk lamp, you know the ones with the bendable limbs so you can redirect the light? Those work great. For me i use two of those and i set one of the large florescent light fixtures on top of the box. But I would prefer just utilizing three desk lamps.

I found this image online . . . this would be another alternative . . . in lieu of the 3 lights and the tissue paper diffusing. Aluminum foil and a back drop create a bright environment that creates an equal flow of light:

PS:
I'm not sure if copy and pasting to other blogs goes against any "Blog" etiquette but i'm hoping it doesn't. Props to the original authors, their work has thus far been incredibly helpful in my own hobbying.

War Walker

Below you'll find a few pics of my 'dry fit' War Walker'. The legs are glued together, but pinned to the base. The cockpit is glued together and pinned to the legs and the Guns and head are sticky taped to the model. I intend on painting this in pieces, and then gluing it all together in the end. Additionally the guns are going to be magnetized so i can switch them out as i need.

Update!

So i'm back in the saddle again. Proverbially that is. Cleaned up the basement, the hobbyist bug has hit full force again and my magnets came today.

Here is a size comparison of the magnets next to a primed Warlock.

Here are the 4 magnet sizes all next to one another.

These are 1.5 mm x 3 mm . . . the largest and usable primarily on vehicles and bases.

These are the smallest, 1/16th inch. Perfect for infantry sized models.

These are also 1.5 mm but much thinner . . . likely to be used for vehicle turrets!

These square magnets are not quite what i was hoping for, but will find a good use for any "tab & slot" connections. They are 1/16th inches if i recall correctly.