Appy 'n Teckie (WIP)

Continuing with the nicknames we have a new project in the works: a pair of early edition support marines.  A Techmarine with a toolbox (070133/74) and an Apothecary with a bolter (070133/63).  It's interesting that for a long time the Apothecary with bolter loadout was supported, but it seems recently they stopped with that.  Because WYSIWYG is important to me, I'm going to attach a chainsword to his backpack, and the sculpt already has a bolt pistol on his hip, so it should be fine.

Both of these are from the 1991 catalogue so I think they are safely considered Rogue Trader era.  Traditionally these models came with standard Space Marine backpacks, but I wanted to make sure that they had silhouettes and loadouts that are close to the modern datasheets, so I'm going to use 2nd edition backpacks for both.  These slightly newer but still very old backpacks give a better approximation of what modern models look like, but still have a very classic look.  Really the main thing was the servo-arm, making sure that was on the Techmarine was important since its an iconic thing that has been there since 2nd edition and is a special weapon unique to the datasheet.  I can probably get away saying the toolbox has some other weapon/thingy.

I'm excited to work on these, I've found some great examples online of these models and gives a good guide to shoot for.

Faustus Battalion on Parade

My Rogue Trader era Ultramarines army has reached a milestone: I have completed my HQs and can field a healthy Strike Force size detachment!  And, I have not yet exhausted my complete supply of retro 1st and 2nd edition models!  So, stay tuned, more are on the way as I get to an onslaught!

Joining Captain Faustus at the head of the battalion:

Chaplain Tarquinius Regulus

and Lieutenant Commander Psigoras

++++ Transmission END

"Long after the monuments to these men crumble, their deeds will continue to shake the galaxy!" - Chaplain Regulus during his benediction and appointment to the Faustus Company
3047021.M42

'Chappy' Regulus is Complete!

Terminator Chaplain Praelior Tarquinius Iulian Regulus:

What a name right?  More on that later...

Perhaps my favorite model in my collection, I had been working my skills up to paint it for a long time.  I must say I was nervous to start, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out, and he's the center piece now for my army.

It's funny because it is one of the newest models in my army - according to wh40k.lexicanum it looks like its a 4th edition model from between 2004-2008. So not strictly 1st or 2nd like almost everything else in the collection.  I was going for all Terminator HQs and Elites, and by now it is 'oldhammer' anyway, so it fits right in.

Unlike Lt. Commander Psigoras, the reference paint job for this model was exactly what I wanted.  Whomever did the paint job for the GW packaging model did an incredible job, and while I am proud of my work, it became clear (especially with the scroll text and skull helm) how much more I have to learn.  Also, I think perhaps my primer/basecoat let me down a bit.  But nevertheless, I feel I have achieved quite a lot even as there are yet more levels to reach for.  Anyway, it was great to have a reference model with every angle that I could look at while planning out my color scheme.  I think a year or two ago they finally retired the model (its a shame) so the 360 view (or any view) isn't available on the official GW site anymore, but images are still floating around online and I had saved off several.

I even replicated the litany inscriptions on the bolter and armor since they looked so neat!  I wish I could have replicated the aquila on the belt scroll, but it seemed that was just a bit beyond my reach for now.  I was really happy with how my freehand Ultra iconography turned out on the shoulder - it started off going badly but some how turned around!

Its interesting that there are a few pictures out there of the GW reference model and at some point it seems he lost his halo.  I'm not sure if this happened because their model broke and they lost it, or if they removed it because the rules changed with 'iron halos' - but its funny because it came off of my model which was one of the reasons he got shelved for a bit.  It seemed to go back on ok, but some of the primer is chipped up there, and so luckily its all under some glue.

Really excited to bring Chaplain Regulus to the table-top - Chaplains and their litanies seem so much fun, just like psykers/librarians, and I've been looking forward to this for a long time!

Back to the name, first regarding named characters in 40k in general - I feel like there are too many, their datasheets create a lame choice between optimization and customization, and I don't think I'm alone in the criticism.  (rant over)  I have enjoyed collecting, painting, and naming my miniatures and so it's very important that they represent unique characters that I named.  Awhile back I sat down to finally name all of my HQs and I wanted to make sure they had Roman-esque names to fit the Ultramarines theme.  There were so many great sounding choices that I started chaining them together, ha!  Thus, my characters have somewhat silly long names.  Additionally, I liked the librarian ranks (Lexicanium, Codicier, Epistolary and Chief Librarian which might not be cannon anymore?), so I imagine that there would be other ranks for Chaplains and such.  Not exactly sure where I came up with it, but 'praelior' translates from Latin as "battle" or "to fight" - so I use it as a Chaplain rank for a 'Battle Friar" or "Warrior Priest".

(Same with Primus Faustus the Terminator Captain - 'the first' captain)  I think there's more about Roman military ranks (here maybe) and I should probably come up with some ranks for Psigoras and Aurelius that fit in the scheme (as well as some sergeant and standard troop ranks).  Fun stuff.

Lt. Commander Psigoras Complete!

With the OSL effects complete, Lt. Commander Psigoras is done!  Notice he is "Lt. Commander" - because on the table-top the model will flex between using either a Lieutenant or Captain datasheet depending on the list.

This model is a classic Jes Goodwin (070268/6 from the 1992 Citadel Catalogue) and I bought him new a very long time ago.  Actually 2 of them came in the blister pack! (What am I going to do with the second one?)

So I had a very long time to think about what I wanted him to look like.  It was clear that the armor had an elaborate breastplate with a planish metal finish (also known as hammered metal) that should probably be gold, but otherwise there is a lot going on.  Along time ago it was just too much to parse so I think it was intentional that I avoided working on this miniature until I knew what I was doing and what I wanted.

In the end, well today rather, I had a much better sense: I wanted it to have the same color scheme as the battleline tactical squad troops (rather than my elites).  This is because he wears standard power armor (albeit a bit more fancy) as opposed to Terminator Armor, so it makes sense to wear similar colors.  Also, now that I have Lt. Aurelius, I wanted them to match a bit.  This time however, with the hammered metal I was going to use metallic gold instead of golden yellow.

Just to be sure I did a few internet searches to see what other people had done with him.  I stumbled across about 7 different ones.  4 were valent attempts by hobbiests and 40k enthusiasts, and while I wont show them (mainly because I am not sure who to give credit to), my main critique (skill level aside since I'm not a pro either) was that they were all riots of color.  Just way too much going on.  The 3 I will show I believe to all be professional jobs by Games Workshop 'eavy Metal staff (so credit to them).

None of these schemes look good to me.  

The first one is a blue and silver theme (probably to mirror the blue and white of the Ultramarines) and perhaps came before it was established more firmly that yellow/gold was the Ultramarine secondary color (and that the white of the Ultra Iconography was mostly just reserved for the icon and is more of a tertiary color).  It looks like it comes from 'eavy Metal in White Dwarf.  Overall it seems very dark, but I give credit for keeping the color scheme fairly simple.  I don't like the green chest laurels (which seems to be a staple in every example), but you've gotta love the classic goblin green base.  This pro did an incredible job with the plume and the checkering on the knees. (edit: found references: Warhammer 40,000 2nd Edition Rulebook, pg. 64)

Next is what I think is probably the best and closest to what I ended up with.  I think this was probably painted late 1st or early 2nd edition and it matches the scheme of the time (and therefore also my scheme).  I think this also came from a White Dwarf, but again not sure who the artist was (edit: found reference: Codex: Ultramarines 2nd edition pg 29 or 87).  Notice the red weapons and the inclusion of a lot of gold and yellow.  There's too much going on color wise though - 3 different colors of leather?  Why do we insist on the green laurels?  The red and white plume was cool though, I kinda wish I had tried that.  Interesting that this one and the next one didn't have the cape.

The last one I found that I'm going to show looks like a modern recreation of number 2, but with a few twists.  I think they did a great job, but still too much color for me.  I think this one might have been by a private painter, but pro or near pro level.  If it's yours or know whos it is, let me know so I can give credit.

So with the reference examples, it was pretty clear what I didn't want, and so a lot easier for me to zero in on what I did want.  Gold hammered metal (and gold laurels), matching leather, and otherwise the same scheme as my battle line: Blue, Yellow, Red, and White.  So a red cape (to match Lt Aurelius), brown leathers of the yellow tone, white for the plume and iconography, and finally matching power sword and plasma pistol effects that I had done previously (though amped up a bit I hope).  Also, a bit of color theory here - the yellows and reds seem to be a good split complimentary pair to the blue, and so I think this scheme works so well for that reason, but really 3 should be the limit.

This angle really shows the OSL effect and the subtitle reflection on the side of the helmet.

I'm really happy with the result.  Not a riot of color, elevated but still related to the main battle line and the core color schemes of my army.  Let me know what you think!

PS: "Psigoras" is a nod to one of my dad's gaming callsigns.  He introduced me to making models at an early age and would take me to hobby stores.  He always encouraged my model making hobby and helped a lot with tools and such.  Thanks dad!

OSL Fun times

The final stage for my Captain was the OSL step for the plasma pistol.  My army seems to have hydrogen or nitrogen plasma (there was a reddit post about it awhile back and there's cool info and images here) so I make sure they all glow with a pink color (Screamer Pink).  In hindsight I wish I had picked something that didn't look like Pepto, but I was trying to differentiate the effect from everything else, and purple/pink was basically the only available tone.

My older models didn't really achieve any OSL effect, but looking back at them you can imagine them as either warming or as not in 'plasma overcharge' mode.  Recently I decided to go for it on my Mk 5 Sergeant and it turned out pretty good.  This time I wanted to also add the effect to the front vents and nozzle/barrel as well.

Also, last time I pretty much winged it, so this time I wanted to follow someone's process.  I went with Juan Hidalgo's plasma tutorial which was pretty good and basically followed what I had seen before.

I converted his colors to mine (which was Volupus Pink Contrast instead of Blood Angels Red Contrast, and then various mixes of Screamer Pink and Vallejo White going from pure Screamer, then 50/50, up to 80 White + 20 Screamer) and then set at it.

The first step was to undercoat the coils white.

Then paint on contrast.

Next was the coils, vents, and nozzle 

Then the OSL glow effect as a glaze on raised areas around the coils and vents, and by the adjacent surface.  Its really important to be subtle.

It wasn't quite right when I went to bed and I realized that I didn't have a proper wash consistency on the 3rd step to flood the coils and get the capillary action into the recesses of the coils so I had to go back this morning and really bring it up a notch.  I also gave a bit more of the metallic 'concentrated' reflection to the side of the helmet which really improved the effect.  The lighting for the final shot was a bit brighter than the in process pictures (sorry), but I'm pretty happy that it does look like it is glowing now.

So moral of the story is, be sure to have a wash/glaze consistency to flood into the recesses, and you can always go back and fix things.