DarkPhoenix's Dark Angels WIP

[_Mr_NiD_]

I especially love the sword!! GJ hoowever i beleive the armour could use a little more highlighting. But, other than that it looks really fantastic!

NiD

[DarkPhoenix]

Thanks guys.

I had a lot of fun building this model. I only used the metal terminator captain model, but I liked his pose and did not want to get into the filing required of Lysander. The first problem I noticed with the model though was that he was the shortest model on the table. To add a bit of height, I cut up some spare floors from my Imperial City kit. That done, I looked at the model and thought of ways to make it more Dark Angely. I started kicking myself as I realized I had some filing to do... I lopped off the imperial eagle from the banner pole and replaced it with a DA topper. Next went the eagle on the right greave, doing my best to keep the wings. I cut the wings off the DA symbol of the skull-on-sword and glued it on. The next couple pieces of standard kit I put on were the DA storm bolter and skull-on-sword shoulder pad, the skull-on-sword shoulder shield (not sure what it is actually called), the TDA deathwing topper, purity seals, & on the back some belt pouches and another DW symbol. Having finished all that planning, it was time to paint!

I actually separated the painting into sub-assemblies: body; SB arm; sword arm; banner pole; shoulder shield; TDA topper; and base. I guess I should touch on why my Deathwing is not bone-white... I really don't appreciate the colour (though I have seen some amazing work on these boards!) so I could not see myself taking the time to paint it and make it look nice. I will probably also paint Sammael and my bikers green too (already built but not painted). After painting all my Dark Eldar black, I am not in the mood to paint black marines or I would have done a pre-heresy DA army. Besides, I like the unified feel of one army colour (you should have seen my circus Deldar before I repainted them black!) and green is my favourite colour.

My technique is fairly simple and straightforward, I think. For the armour, Chaos Black primer, drybrush DAGreed, dry brush Snot Green. The robes and white areas started with space wolf grey. The robes were then painted bleach bone with a generouse helping of gryphonne sepia. After the SWGrey, the white bits were painted Skull White, Badab Black, then the raised areas were manually picked out with Skull White. The power weapon started with Red Gore, drybrush Blood Red, Skull White lightning, and a mild Red Ink.

Like I've mentioned previously, I have copped out on the banner. I will think of what I want a little later. I have certainly seen many fine Belial banners. For now the DW Company banner will due until I make a banner bearer at which time Belial should not have the same banner on his back that another veteran in TDA is carrying in his hand.

hoowever i beleive the armour could use a little more highlighting. But, other than that it looks really fantastic!

I agree completely. I will go back to that. I did not use enough drybrushing layers and when I attempted to go back and manually paint the raised areas I could not keep a steady hand and gave up.

I reckon you should paint the sand on the base though, I find it a little bit odd that it's one solid colour.

When I painted my first DA Marine, I glued beach sand to the base, painted it Scorched Brown, and drybrushed Bubonic Brown overtop. After a few squads, I skipped the painting part and just used Chestnut Ink. When they discontinued the Inks, I started basing my minis in GW sand and sealing it with 'ardcoat. I liked the 'natural' look I think it provides. I have been toying with the idea, in my head only, of trying a Scorched brown ink and drybrushing Bubonic Brown again. Any thoughts/experiences?

Thanks & Cheers, DP

[_Mr_NiD_]

Yes i find keeping a steady hand for highlighting difficult to that is why i use my drybrush method. However ive started to use blending as a way to highlight. But whatever look the best to you is ok with me.

Nid

[DarkPhoenix]

With Belial finished (barring some of your suggestions), my 1000pt Deathwing force is complete. C+C welcome on both the models and the army list.

Belial, Sword of Silence, Storm Bolter
Deathwing (AoBR), Cyclone
Deathwing (AoBR), Cyclone
Dreadnought, TL Lascannon, DCCW/SB
Land Raider Godhammer, Storm Bolter
TOTAL: 1000pts

Every unit can reach 48" if they have to and take out heavy armour. The Terminators and Dreadnought are both capable of laying down fire until it is time to launch an assault. Feel free to make any suggestions. This list does not have to be pure DW.

While I would have preferred to replace the Land Raider with another squad of Terminators, I don't currently own another and don't plan to buy any for a while.

Thanks

[sovietspace]

Thats a very solid looking force mate - I particularly like the LR and Dreadnaught (though I would suggest drilling out the barrels )

As for list suggestions... I for one think a Dreadnaught is wasted on any D'wing list under 1750pts. I also think that you should get yourself some assault termis and convert a banner and apoc. Added together with a LRC and you have a recipe for good times! It's no secret they are my favourite combined unit in the whole DA list!

For the Lion! And all that jazz...

(EDIT: Just read that you don't fancy buying any more termis soon. Hmmm, I that case I might suggest either some Ravenwing if you want to stay small and elite, or some mounted tactical marines to bulk up numbers & of course add scoring troops)

[DarkPhoenix]

Thanks sovietspace. I'll probably go that route when I get more termies. As part of my Ravenwing painting, I can swap out the Dread for two MM Land Speeders. Although a mounted tactical squad is tempting too.

I can't believe I got all the storm bolters and forget the vehicles... Bah

[DarkPhoenix]

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Be advised there have been sightings of Eldar pirates in your sector.

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OK, so after a year of painting marines exclusively, my Dark Eldar are making a push to take back my painting station.

Wych Cult 1.jpg Wych Cult 2.jpg Wych Cult 3.jpg

I've spent the weekend cleaning, basing, and priming them. Today I managed to get the Elf Flesh on them all. Below is what they should eventually look like. This one was painted in '98 by my wife, also an avid Dark Eldar player but currently working on a Tyranid army. I've not painted my own wyches since the late nineties as well. These were mine, but stripped before I started work on my Dark Angels.

Wych.jpg

[forumjayz]

Great stuff Phoenix!!! love the dark Angels but those Dark Eldar are looking stunning aswell!! your skin painting is very good you should be proud!!

Cheers CJ

[Sknight]

Nice work! Your Dark Angels army is mighty impressive at the moment, really liking the dreadnought. The Dark Eldar also look fantastic. I agree with Jayz, the skin looks very nice along with the whole model.

Cheers
Sknight567

[DarkPhoenix]

Maximus, 3rd Company Master, finally has a painted command squad and ride!

Now I'll be able to devote time to Interrogator-Chaplain Raniel, his Veteran Squad, and their Razorback (yes, they do all have Power Fists...but since they are magnetized (except the IC), I'm planning to paint Power Weapons and Chain Swords later).

ps. looks like I've got to re-upload all the prior photos... silly lapsed Photobucket account.