Finally, a first step.
You may well skip the next paragraph and jump right to the pictures below. Hope you enjoy!
However, since this is a WIP thread of sorts, I wanted to add some thoughts beforehand.
I never liked GW's 'grimdark' trademark. Since I was late bloomer in wargaming, though, all the posterboys and 'good guys' of mankind had been taken by my mates already, and I was left with critters/aliens and henchmen of Chaos. After all, it was the more interesting choice, of course. The advent of
New40k not only reignited my interest in the "GW hobby"
TM but also my wish to finally join the cause of humanity (in whatever perverted form). When I got the starter set, I was ready to jump on the Ultramarine bandwagon; easy to paint, well supported, and I do actually like their Roman-style appearance. Yet they're ubiquitous. I mean, literally. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that before painting the first test models. So I changed my mind and started to re-paint the minis as the infamous 'Kaisergrenadiere' (an in-joke for German readers). I'd read and watched a number of painting tutorials for how to paint yellow. It went fairly well and looked nice. But it was tedious, and I realised that's a bad perspective for a long-time project.
Hence I finally settled for Salamanders. Regarding their background they're arguably the most likeable chaps around. From a painter's view, however, their 'official' colour scheme looks garish at best or outright unimaginative. Come on, poisonous green, Hot Rod flames and jet-black skin? No thanks. Welcome excuse for an alternative was their slightly toned down scheme in the Horus Heresy timeline. Perhaps the Imperial archives never got that memo, and so the all-new Primaris recruits were clad in traditional colours? Insult to injury, the Administratum also ignored the Salamanders’ avoidance of tactical markings as prescribed by the Codex Astartes. Let’s be honest, plain green armour for all ranks is just boring.
There you have an explanation why it took me so long to paint just one understrength unit of shiny Primaris Marines. First off, some later stage WIP shots.
Like said, I opted for moss green tones. Some items may still change colours as I progress, but the main scheme is set. For your interest: I used Foundry’s Phlegm Green triad, base colour with A, drybrushed with B, then followed by a wash of GW’s Athonian Camoshade, a first highlight with C and a second one with GW’s Ogryn Camo.
And here in full glory. They're still in need of their Chapter markings, hope to find a source for transfer sheets soon. Basing was kept, well, basic. I prefer a dry, desert look (with some rusted debris thrown in) as it’s less distracting and easy to replicate.
Next in line are either some Reivers or the rest of second squad. Stay tuned.
01 May 2008, 12:56:58 PM
