Tuesday 6 September 2016

Dark Angels - Land Speeder Typhoons - To Done!

I'd been holding out for the weekend to get my To Done! pics done. I make the fundamental mistake of using natural light and with autumn approaching that's going to be in short supply. I've a plan to fix that though so 'bear with'.


I wasn't overly impressed with the pics but seeing them now they don't look too bad. In fact it's these pics that are convincing me I've done a half decent job on them. In fairness I should have taken pictures alongside the rest of my Ravenwing to compare the consistency, you can definitely see brighter and more highlights on these than the Dark Talon, but it's a smaller model with more edges so there would be more going on.


I'm still dubious about the orange missiles, but I've used orange throughout for grenades and missiles so I felt compelled to stick with it. Consistency is hugely important across the force, despite huge variation in the three wings and a riot of detail competing for attention so long as some things remain the same it ties all the disparate pieces together.


I plan to get at least another Typhoon to complete the squadron. If I ever do another unit I'll mix up the edges a bit so that there are red borders elsewhere - I don't imagine I'll have more than the three Typhoons so that element will be transposed on a different part of the model.


The jets turned out OK, I haven't added any gloss varnish. Liam brought me to task on its use as a glow effect. Whereas it may be appropriate on the white bits the rest isn't. I may well add those little bits at some point but for now I've just left it.


The Book turned out OK too, I could have done some more illumination on the page but I struggle with this sort of thing so it looked all right in the end so I'll take it as a win.


The Ravenwing pilot is called 'Maze' after the nickname for the demon Mazikeen in Lucifer, well it had to be a short name to fit on the plaque ;) Both marines had the Ravenwing symbol painted freehand, the gunner's is a bit ropey because I was painting it through the speeder frame but I think they pass muster.


These guys had markings moulded into their shoulder pads so the winged skull was a bit easier.


I also put the company number and squad tribal markings in to break it up although I think I should have stuck with one direction. The gunners eyes are a bit wonky but only if you look dead on, which is difficult as the heavy bolter obscures both eyes. They're so small though and such a pain I think they'll do. This pic does seem to suggest the highlights are too extreme, I may look to be more subtle with my Deathwatch and in turn make them easier to paint...


Just a shot of the complete underneath


So close to being completed in last Season, but I really sabotaged myself in that respect. Nevermind it's all done and I look forward to adding them into my existing force. I think they'll easily replace my Deathwing with a few more points to spend. I think they'll give me more long range firepower with potential to hide in my back field and should they last sneak around stealing objectives. Anyway, my first Big Purple Stamp of Approval!


10 comments:

  1. They are really well painted. I love the crisp highlighting and the freehand painting on the shoulder pads but the book looks really nice too.

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    1. Another project that only really reveals itself at the end. Once again I've been wracked by so many doubts. For the most part I'm happy but there are definite elements I wish were slightly different. It's such a fine line to tread for me with these.

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  2. They look fantastic Dave! I really like the orange spot color and script work you did.

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    1. Thanks Joe, I'm satisfied with the orange now, could probably photoshop it to see what red would look like instead but other people liking it fills me with more confidence, cheers.

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  3. Great work Dave - personally I like the orange missiles, so stick with them. Have you done a verdigris tutorial somewhere?

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    1. Ditto on what I said to Joe, you confidence in the orange gives me confidence, ta.

      The verdigris is really, really simple. All it is is my Anita's Turquoise craft acrylic watered down. Now this is my first bottle, the one I first got to paint the Tyranids over 6 years ago now. There is still some left in the bottle.

      I was terrified of running out and Evan from Facing the Grey Tide got two bottles for me and sent them over from the States. They're not quite the same though, thicker paint but bizarrely less opacity and slightly lighter. http://www.40kaddict.uk/2013/09/what-happens-when-wells-run-dry-oh-no.html

      Anyway the original paint thinned with water is just washed into the crevices. Its properties are just perfect for this effect. I may look at getting some Nikholai Oxide Technical paint but it looks a little lighter than my turquoise.

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  4. Truly fantastic - I love the use of the orange and verdigris colors, great work!

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  5. I actually really like the orange missiles. They are one of those details that can be hard to paint, as the wrong choice of spot colour will throw the whole thing. Also, you are giving me verdigris envy again: time to paint some Iron Snakes ;-)

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