Changing of the Colors!

Honestly, I don't know whether to be mad or happy. As everyone knows, Games Workshop will be doing away with their old paint line and releasing a whole new line of colors at the end of this month (and probably raising the price too). In light of me starting a couple of new armies, it's kind of nice to know that I have a whole new selection of paints to choose from, but what about the projects that I have part way completed. I swear, sometimes I think they do this stuff on purpose. No, strike that. They do actually do this stuff on purpose. Either way, they win. Hobbyists run out and spend money to stock up on the old line OR hobbyists go out and buy a whole new line of paints. I'm only glad, I haven't started painting yet.

First Warmachine Model Painted

Commander Coleman Stryker was the first Warmachine model to fall victim to my mediocre painting skills. I had a difficult time with this piece. I think more because of the fact that I haven't painted anything in a while. I missed a couple of mold lines during the cleaning, but it can't be helped now. Unless I want to re-paint it - which I don't. But all in all, I gave it a decent effort and I'm on to the plastic Ironclad. The lighting sucks, but photographing models will be something I learn later. Nearly every color on the model was from GW paints because that's what I had on hand. But I want to check out some of the P3 paints in the future. I'd like to finish the Cygnar battlegroup before Christmas, but we'll see. I got this model done in one evening, while watching TV, so...who knows. Stranger things have happened.

I've spent the last couple of days reading the background and history of the Warmachine setting and I like it a lot. That mix of fantasy and military is really hitting the spot. So far, my two favorite factions are Cygnar and Khador with the Mercenary faction following a close, close third. Anyway, comments are always welcome.

Painting High Elf Mage (Island of Blood) - Part 2

My Island of Blood High Elf Mage is finished. I had decided to paint this model before assembling in order to make it easier on myself...and am I glad that I did. It took long enough to do it with easy access to every detail. I couldn't have imagined doing it after it was built. Anyway, here's a shot of the painted mini still on the sprue. Painting was nothing special. Once again, extensive use of washes rather than highlighting. I want the army to have a darker feel to it. After all, the Storm of Magic is nothing to dress up about!

Okay, Just One More Blood Angel...

I couldn't help myself. I wanted to paint one more. I actually enjoyed painting them, now that I got the colors right (well, at least the way that I wanted them). This is another Tactical Marine from the same squad as the previous model.

Let's Do Some Blood Angels

I decided to take a break from the High Elves for a day and paint a space marine or two. So, I chose my Blood Angels. I wanted to give them a gritty, battleworn appearance. This particular model represents a battle brother of the 2nd Company (right shoulder), 5th Tactical Squad (right knee). The decals didn't go on perfectly like I was hoping, but from a distance on the gaming table, I suspect it will look okay. I still may go back with some orange and try some light highlighting later. Anyway, back to the High Elves.

Oh and Yay!! I now have 100 followers. Thanks to everyone for visiting Kantor Base. I will do my best to update regularly.

Noble - finished!

I finished paintin the Noble for my High Elves. I still have to base it, but wanted to get an update on the blog. No more long absences from me. No, sir. It's time to start spending time on things that I like doing. All of the models in this phase are built and ready for painting, so I am making progress.

I used all GW colors for this model and solved the 'rank up' dilemma by putting him on a diagonal slotta base instead of a straight one. I just primed my High Elf Mage, so I'll have that one up soon.

Since I haven't played Fantasy in seveal years, I'm going to have to learn all over again. So here's how I'm going to go about it. I started reading the new 8th Edition rules and I'm assembling an opposing test army comprised of a couple of regiments of Chaos Warriors and a hero. I can use that to run through my own in-house demos to get the mechanics down. Like I said, it's been a while, so stay tuned for questions that I mayhave.

Quick Product Review - Krylon Primer

Due to my increased role as Mr. Mom (the wife has been working a lot of hours), I've spent zero time working on anything gaming related, so I haven't had much to report on. However, I would like share a favorite product of mine. One I use extensively on my models. I've been a pretty loyal fan of GW products, despite their unreasonable prices - but the one item that I cannot bring myself to buy is their black primer, which is a spray version of their Chaos Black paint. I've resorted to a much cheaper brand, that is, in my opinon a way better value for the money. Krylon Flat Black Primer runs about $4 - $5 a can at the local hobby store. If you can find it at a Wal-mart, it's about $3. Aside from the price the other big thing for me is how fast it dries. It goes on smooth and in a fine mist, which dries to the touch in about 4 minutes. If you're into working fast, this is a great primer.

I found the GW product much thicker and heavier, which results in a longer dry time and can tend to run and obscure detail if you're not careful and this hobby is way too expensive to waste materials on.

Finally, the primer comes in White, Grey and a host of other colors. I highly recommend this product, especially in these stressful economic times.

Raptors Colors

Using the Space Marine painter over at Bolter & Chainsword, I've come up with the paint scheme that I'll be using to identify sergeants and veterans. I'm thinking of going with red helmets for sergeants (squad leaders) and white helmets for veterans. The apothecary will probably have a white helmet with a red stripe down the middle and sergeants of veteran squads will have white helmets with a black stripe.

Campaign Banner - Declates Crusade

Just a quick one. I found the image of this banner out there on the web. In one of my previous posts, I mentioned painting campaign badges and such on the models to give them a more personal touch. In that post I had mentioned that the Crimson Fists had fought side by side with their brethren from the Black Templars during the Delcates Crusade. Well here's the banner that was carried by the Emperor's Finest. Hope it gives you all some ideas.

Crimson Fist Update

I finally completed the Tactical Squad and got it just the way I wanted it. I added several details including a campaign badge, some random striping on some of the helmets. The goal her was to give each model it's own look. While none of them are Golden Demon material, I'm finally happy with the squad. Now I can move on.

It's in the details

Hand painted tactical arrows

scripture on armor and scrolls

armour scrapes

I was working on my Crimson Fists the other night and kept thinking that something was missing. How can I add something that would make them just a tiny bit different than your run of the mill space marines. So I figured that I'd add a little detail here and there on ever model. For me, it does two things. First, it makes them different than generic marines. And second, it makes each model unique.

In my research, I did learn that the Crimson Fists had conducted joint operations with the Black Templars, another chapter descended from Rogal Dorn. During the Declates Crusade, battle brothers from both chapters exchanged iconography as a symbol of unity. So, my plans are to display that exchange on some of the models. I'll paint a templar cross or use some of the black templar shoulder guards throughout the army.

I'm kicking around a few more ideas and using scripture and hand painted tactical arrows, just to change things up a bit. So let me know what you think.

Painting Purity Seals

While painting my Crimson Fists, I finally found a technique and color combination for painting purity seals that I am finally happy with. It's fast and easy and doesn't require mixing colors.

Blood Red, Bleached Bone, Devlan Mud Wash. Done.

Latest Pics - Kantor

Here's my most recent version of Master Kantor. Like I said, he doesn't look much different except for some color changes. I went with blud trim around the right shoulder guard instead of the boltgun and went with red on the ridge of the left shoulder guard instead of boltgun. I tried to drybrush a little metallic highlight around the laurels and other bling, but the shot doesn't really show it.

Crimson Fist Pics

Check the model on the left. That's an example of when a decal turns out right. I used the 'ardcoat (as shown on the model, second from the left) before applying the decal. Then I used the sealant (Testor's - the GW stuff sucks).

How To Paint Crimson Fist Space Marines

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I found a better way (at least for me that is) to paint my Crimson Fist models. The previous way involved me mixing colors. Something, I CANNOT stand doing for a variety of reasons, least of which is laziness. I used the steps below on a test model and I was pretty happy with the result. I found this on the internet and the site name escapes me, but I thank whoever it was and that came up with this simple process. I invite whoever that is to step and accept a hearty 'Kudos' from the Hammer.

Preparation

1 - Clean and assemble models.
2 - Glue sand to the tops of the bases.
3 - Spray with Krylon Flat Black Primer. Dries in 15 minutes and it’s about $6 cheaper than GW stuff.

Blue (armour)
1 - Start with a basecoat of Necron Abyss.
2 - Then liberally highlight with Regal Blue. Be sure to cover all edges while doing this. I covered abut a third of the blue armour in this stage.
3 - Carefully pick out all the edges with Ultramarines Blue.
4 - Pick out the most pronounced edges with Space Wolves Grey.
5 - Wash all over the blue areas with Asurmen Blue.

Crimson (armour, purity seals, lenses, squad/chapter markings)
1 - Start with a basecoat of Mechrite Red.
2 - Carefully pick out the edges with Blood Red.
3 - Wash with Gryphonne Sepia

Khaki (cloth, leather, parchment)
1 - Basecoat with Khemri Brown.
2 - Highlight with Kommando Khaki, leaving the previous colour only in the recesses.
3 - Make small highlights with Bleached bone.
4 - Wash with Delvan Mud.

Black (weapon casings, hair)
1 - Basecoat with Chaos Black.
2 - Liberally highlight with Adeptus Battlegrey.
3 - Carefully pick out the edges with Codex Grey.
4 - Pick out raised edges with Fortress Grey.
5 - Wash with Badab Black.

Metal (weapons, chest eagle, decorative elements)
1 - Basecoat with Boltgun Metal.
2 - Liberally highlight with Chainmail
3 - Pick out raised edges and wing tips with Mithral Silver
4 - Wash with Badab Black.
5 - Lightly Drybrush blades with Mithral Silver

Flesh

1 - Basecoat with Dark Flesh
2 - Highlight with Tarllan Flesh, leaving the previous colour only visible in the recesses.
3 - Make small highlights with Elf Flesh, focusing on nose, eyebrow ridges etc.
4 - Make tiny highlights with Bleached Bone.
5 - Wash with Ogryn Flesh.

Painting Tactical Arrows

After much agonizing over my dilemma about what to do with the unit markings for my Tactical Squads, I decided to (as suggested by several fellow hobbyists) apply the GW White arrows provided in the tactical squad box and then paint over them with red paint (Mechrite Red). Following another suggestion, I cut the decals right along the lines in order to eliminate [or minimize wrinkles] and applied the decals using Micro Sol and water. Once the decals were dry, I applied another coat of matte sealer. After the model was completely dry, I used the decal as a guide to paint the red tactical arrow.

The pics above also illustrate the poor quality [at least in my opinion] of GWs Chaos Black spray paint. It causes a noticeable pitting to occur in the model. For a much, much smoother and quick drying primer, I highly recommend Krylon Flat Black Primer, which goes on very light and dries in minutes.

Rhino was his name-o!

Rhino 1 is complete and as I like to call it, 'Table Ready'. I don't know about most gamers, but my definition (at least regarding my personal armies) of 'Table Ready', is a completely painted and based model.

Anyway, Squad Ramos' transport is ready for deployment after a rather chaotic decal session. It was disaster, gang. I gathered all of my materials to apply the decals that I wanted and even cut out all of the ones that I was going to use ahead of time. I had my tweezers, my water, paper towels - everything laid out. Well, one wrong move tipped over the bottle of Micro Sol onto most of the decals, which resulted in a stream of obscenities that I'm glad my kids weren't around to hear. I was then forced to hurry the job to salvage the decals. In the end (and a half bottle of Micro Sol later), I finished the Rhino.

Painting the Red Arrow - I was able to find the template in a older issue of White Dwarf, which I copied, cut out and traced onto the roof with a pencil. Except for touch ups, it went pretty well. I painted it Mechrite Red.

Last night, I decided to prime Master Pedro Kantor, so he's ready for painting and three models from Squad Tobias are now built. See ya all soon.