From Barks: More 40K (136 points)

Because of reasons, this may be my last post this Challenge. I've not reached my ambitious target, but it has been good to get paint on figures. Starting with some 'nids:

10 termagants

6 genestealers. I really dislike these particular sculpts.
Full of moldlines and soft detail, and hard to parse what is what.

Next we have some more sneaky specialist marines, to round off the lads I did a few weeks ago:

Medic

Comms dude

Heroic commander

These next troops are Reivers, specialising in behind-the-lines terror with their signature Crocodile Dundee blades, skull helms, and anti-grav backpack vanes that I'm sure will snap off. I used 3D printed pauldrons- and I don't actually like them. They lack the charm of the hand-painted ones.

5 Reivers. I do like their dynamic posing.

Sergeant denoted by helmet stripe

So, 16x 28mm tyranids: 80 points

8 x big marines: 56 points

Can-opener +56 points

Skulls +20 (total 38)

I'll see if I can get a small amount more done before the end.

From Millsy:

More glorious 40K for me to drool over thanks mate!

I totally agree re these genestealer sculpts but unfortunately there's not a huge choice on offer so we have to make do. They look great regardless and will still terrorise your enemies I've no doubt.

I'm not sure how being bright yellow and eight feet tall qualifies as "sneaky", especially given how much electromagnetic radiation these guys must give off! Whatever else they may or may not be they're superbly painted and a reminder I must try your yellow recipe.

136 points added to your score Barks. Can you get to 1000 be Challenge end or will "reasons" prevail?

Cheers,
Millsy

From Barks: How I paint yellow Lamenters (Inconstant) (79 points)

For the last 18 months I've found myself painting Lamenters. I often get asked about my yellow technique, so I made a little tutorial.

Preparation

i. Remove moldlines and assemble. I glue sand etc. to the base now. I prepare and paint the backpack and head separately. 

ii. Undercoat Vallejo Bonewhite rattlecan.

iii. Paint the base.

iv. Drybrush white. I've found this subtle slapchop works well for me.

Okay, here's the real meat.

1. Contrast Ironjawz Yellow

2. SMS Umber Wash. This is an oil-based product by an Australian model paint company. I work it into all the creases...

3. ... then I clean it up with Artists White Spirit and a makeup sponge. I get rid of the worst excesses (e.g. back of the hand, shoulder pad) but it doesn't have to be pristine. That's it! Your yellow is done. No highlighting required.

4. Paint the rest of the Lamenter. The left pauldron (chequered) is hand-painted (another tutorial on my blog); the tactical symbol on the right is a decal.

I appreciate an Australian oil wash paint is a bit niche, but I'm sure a similar product exists elsewhere. The point is that I've found a reproducible way for me to get masses of yellow done without losing my mind with edge-highlighting. I've seen nice things done with pink pre-shading, but I'm committed to this technique now. It doesn't have to be too neat; the rest of the details hide major flaws in the yellow. These figures won't win individual prizes but they're done.

These marines are sneaky special forces infiltrators, stealthy 7' canaries. I'm thinking of playing Black Ops with them.

Do you find your Chapter, or does it find you? About two years ago something clicked and I realised Lamenters were for me. They've a striking colour scheme that looks good on the table. They are prone to severe melancholy and try to do the right thing, which is a rarity in the 41st millennium. They are, however, cursed by extreme bad luck. So if I have a terrible game, I'm playing them right!

No-one likes them due to their curse. They've been nearly wiped out on multiple occasions. They're experts at doomed last stands. They will sacrifice themselves to ignore orders and evacuate the last colonists from advancing hordes, only to find the colonists were secret cultists all along...

And so, I claim the Inconstant circle of Paradise ("think of something which may try its best but often falls a bit short").

7x big marines 49 points

Inconstant +20 points

Side duels

Can opener +49

Squirrel +1

Skullz +12

From Millsy:

I wish you'd posted this about six months ago Barks. I painted some yellow marines and was not at all happy with the outcome whilst yours are the bomb! Crisp, clean and the exact right shade for Lamenters (and other yellow chapters too).

Thanks for taking the time to explain in detail and with step-by-step images. That's worth another 10 points for adding to the collective knowledge base on the Challenge.

Nice work mate! 79 points for your tally.

Cheers,
Millsy