Dark Angels - Bastions - TO DONE!

The Bastions were another project that had been sidelined repeatedly. Although simple they required a fair amount of effort and taking on two, although efficient, was probably not the wisest course of action given how laborious they were.

I think this is actually the second Bastion, 'number 9' was the one that was already built that I added stuff to and had started to prepare.

Much like the Drop Pods with an initial model started 'number 4' was brought up to speed so I could duplicate each process. There are definite efficiency and consistency benefits to this, but it does of course increase the scale of the task at hand. I'm pretty sure the efficiency means I was saving time overall on doing them separately but it's mentally challenging and progress did seem slow.

I also threw in the Comms Relay [not on my list] I'll cover that in the MOAR SHOTS post.

Some close-ups of the detail. Those litany altars were installed because I misplaced the Heavy Bolter emplaced weapons. I've since found them but they turned out pretty cool so I'm happy to have them different.

Top down view. The red weathered floor took a bit to get right, the plan was to have some metal scuff marks but it detracted from the overall weathered look.

I downloaded a fair few real world examples of weathered red steel [I should share those examples] to try and get it right, but the end result was mainly thinned browns and blacks with some orange weathering powders in the corners.

More of the Comms Relay

Litany alcoves and the stenciled big numbers, replete with drips and stains.

'Inside number 9'.

Some of the rust spots are a bit dubious in places like some animal pattern but it's only noticeable if you go looking for inconsistency.

The ill-fated attempt at salt weathering is still making it's presence felt with salt stains continuing to bleed through the paintwork.

Interestingly I adopted the use of Army Painter Hawk Turquoise for my Verdigris - bluer and darker I really liked it.

Litany banners also came out better than expected.

Martian Ironearth added an extra dimension to the weathering.

As did my application of sand and grit to make the texture even more battered. A simple propaganda poster also added a little something, although I think the heavier stock paper we use would have been better replaced by a cheaper lower quality.

Close up of one of the litany banners and weathered gun emplacement.

The Quad gun and it's mount also got done, more on those next time

But for now it's been a while since I gave myself a proper Big Purple Stamp of Approval but these two are well and truly TO DONE!

Actually, as there's two Bastions I get another

TO DONE!

I got the opportunity to take a few pictures of items that have been TO DONE! at the weekend. I've been trying out my light box, tweaking it for better results. But with the weather changing for the better I'd give some [ill-advised by GW] daylight shots too as some have been pretty good in the past. Now the results are mixed, some of the light box shots are fantastic, some on the white background are good but others are pretty garish. The daylight shots are OK, but the Ferron background can look bleached because of the brightness and the single source of light does make harsh shadows [hence why they don't advise it].

Never fear though, there are a fair few pretty decent shots of my efforts and although it's work that's been completed upto three months ago, perhaps it will kickstart everyone else's Hobby Season. Currently I have a few things lined up to finish between now and August that are doable but even at this stage I'm reasonably happy with what's been achieved so far.

Regardless it does mean I have a bucket load of images to share that I'd hoped to start with today but missed my chance to type them up, so instead you get this public information notice ;)

Dark Angels tribal markings

A while back I was discussing the use of tribal markings on my Dark Angels. This of course harks back to the Deathwing origin story that centres around the 'native American' inspired recruitment world that subsequently is represented in the redoecoration of the 1st Legion's armour. In particular this Paul Bonner illustration inspired me with the triple chevrons on the side of his carapace. The 'Lame Bear' icon was also evocative, although I haven't gone that far quite yet.

This Jes Goodwin concept also evokes the heraldry used by the Dark Angels, although less overtly related to native symbology [except for the thunderclouds and lightning]

The more well known image would be this one however, with the Homeworld Symbols [including the storm icon no doubt building on Jes's work above]. The chevrons continue on the leg though which is where I'm drawing inspiration.

Incidentally I did come across these homeworld symbols a while back in case folk were after more inspiration. These definitely could form a starting point for folk to create even more icons.

And this non-hobby related picture dictionay that could easily be incorporated in our symbology.

Amusingly, considering how the wealth of detail on most marines [well compared to a Termagant] is a personal pain when it comes to painting, it would seem odd I would then paint on extra details, like the chevrons. However, I really think these extra touches add a lot of character to the model and help make them that little bit different.

The use of war paint is also something I want to explore more of but my ability, coupled with the scale is something I worry about if it's anything more than ssomethign simple like the 'Bear Claw' tribes stripes.

But they worked on the Dark Talon.

And the simple highlight itself was really effective.

It was also a good way to identify a unit.

I'm sure my experimentation will evolve over time, so that eventually when the army is finished [yeah right!] I'll have adopted so many styles that the originals will need re-doing! ;)

'nids part 210 - Lictor remodelling 1 - The Great Build part 5 - TO DONE!

Having settled on my Ravenwing as my 'projet du jour', it was clear I had to go off list. Technically the Lictor is on my Great Build list so I'm not too bad. Now, we all know the Lictor pose is pretty static and with five of them in the Forest Brood and Assassin Brood they'd all look pretty unispired without re-posing - there's only so much you can do with those arms and talons. Which lead to this... Now I know the pose is a bit goofy, that left hoof could do with pointing back [like the old skool Genestealers], but this is still potentially possible. I must say the pose looks more 'unnatural' in the pics than it does in real life. The sinuous flow that should be there is mroe evident but even so the pose could have been better.

However, I like to do things quick and dirty, with the least amount of green-stuff/Milliput. If I can get away with pins and super glue gel I will. For instance you cna even see the right leg, in particular the middle section - that's on back to front! In reality it should be the other way around with all sortd of sculpted ribbing streching the joints between the ankle and thigh connections. However, turning it round cleared up that issue and gave the leg extension I was after without any sculpting requirement.

I also pinned his hoof join but didn't trust the strength so added superglue and two chunks of florist wire to add strength, whether it works is anyones guess. It's not perfect, I know, but he's been sat in a box for a year or two, now he's built and different. He almost looks like a baby Dimachaeron here.

Actually, I just realised the pose isn't a million miles away from the Fulgrim pose, so if it's good enough for Forgeworld...

He won't be used very often so branching out into something more dynamic/scenic, even with it's flaws is something I can at least live with if not be chuffed with. Now, what about the other three? BIG PURPLE STAMP!