Friday, December 24, 2010

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 9 (basing continued)

Continuing the thread of trying for advanced basing…

Once the layout is done, the green stuff cured and the ”ruins” removed I begin the next stage… for which you need glue and Sand.

The Glue is basic White Glue, or “glue all” (see link), cheap, basic and effective.

The sand is a mixture of playground grade, hobby grade and some mixed leftover crud from the bottom of the terrain box giving a nice variety of sizes and shapes giving a more interesting and realistic look to the base. The Photo is overkill but it gives a good example of the different grits I am working with.





I start by applying a layer of white glue mixed 10 to 1 with water. A lot of people seem to vary on how much water to use but this is what works for me. Quickly, one base at a time I let sand sift through my fingers onto the base, twice letting a nice uneven layer build up, the second time around focusing on the light or bare spots. Once that stage is done I let the bases dry overnight, which believe it or not is key.

Once dry gently dust them off, using a large Dry Brush over the tub of sand, to save as much as possible. Check again for bare spots. If needed repeat the steps above


Then immediately prime with two solid layers (but don’t over do it) of a black primer.

Dupli-color Premium Sandable Primers are what I suggest for the following reasons;

1)It’s cheaper then Games Workshop primers, $5.20 vs $15.00, for about the same volume
2) It’s actually a primer instead of a spray paint.
3) Even though it’s a “gap filling” product as long as you do several light coats you will not loose any detail
4) For it’s price it’s a quality product! 15 minute dry time in perfect conditions.
5) Once dry, if you totally screwed up the project Simple Green will strip it right off
6) Last but not least, in Washington, DC’s variable climate, from humid to dry, frigid to broiling, I have just to have it bubble, crack, spit or cause any of the other headaches a lot of other products cause. I have sprayed in 20 degree weather, left it outside for an hour, finished the drying in another room and it's perfect

A special thanks goes to my good friend, The Brotha, who turned me onto the product, oh and BTW the Hot-Rod black is actually a Matt color, just sound like a gloss product.

I then Drybrush the following colors in order:






And Finally Skull White (GW)

After that I go back and pick out any details I built into the bases (skeletons, broken weapons or armor)
 




 
 
 
 
Then Finally I add back on the ruins and other terrain bitz to finish the bases.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The finished product I am proud of, and now I can focus on building the riders.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, December 20, 2010

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 8 (basing continued)

Because I play in enough GT style tournaments and high quality basing can add those extra couple points to the total score to tip you over the edge I am trying to push the envelope.

I am making the squad’s bases interlocking puzzle pieces that I am hoping will really pop on a display board and should make everything look more dynamic.

I first lay out the pattern I want.


Then Build up the bases with Green Stuff, making anchors for the rocks and ruins.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The ruins have magnets drilled into the matching pieces, strong enough to attract but not enough to cause a problem when picking them up.

It does take alot longer per base set, but I think it's worth it, if your really trying to make your figures pop great basing helps!

Monday, December 13, 2010

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 7 (All your Bases Belong to me!)

I know I know it’s an over used gag, but I love it!

The “Bikes” themselves are done, working on basing them quickly before I build the Space Marine riders. The reason for that is I want as a dynamic set of poses as possible, and if I have the horses placed I can adjust the position of the arms, weapons, head etc with a greater degree of effect.

The bases themselves are Dragon Forge resin bike bases, the heroic sized 40mm x 75mm. I know this is slightly larger then the average bike base, but since I have seen bikes on the table bare to a 60mm round base I figure this will put me some place in the middle. The Attack Bike will be on the larger 60mm x 100mm base.

For those who claim I am modeling for advantage (as I get accused of almost weekly) I counter with the following.
1) The horses are just too damn big to fit and allow any posing of the figures.
2)Wait and see the massively intricate set of interlocking display bases I put on the table.
If you really believe I am putting this much effort forward to “cheat” through modeling I will never be able to convince you anyway!

I am adding between 2 and 8 magnets on each base, the display board I am planning to use will have a magnetic base, allowing easier and safer transport between games at the next tournament I field them at.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, December 3, 2010

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 6

3rd Squad of “Bikes” is done!!!!

Well at least the horses are done, before building the riders I am going to base them, breaking them into squads to split up the horse “breeds” and making the squads by basing, shields, and rider legs…



























I added a bit of a green glow effect to all the horses, I like it, not sure how it looks in the photos.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 5

Work was a bit rough last week, actually HAD to leave my house! Seriously though, between the holidays and the new job not as much time to paint, but managed to get another 8 done and ready for basing once I finish them all...
























 









And to answer a local question, final highlights and shading will be done once based and riders on....

More soon!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 4

Back from Austin for a month, I am a bit overdue for a post!

I actually found I didn’t get as much accomplished while I was in Texas, between the new city to explore, the amazing BBQ everywhere and my co-workers there just were too many distractions to spend more then a hour or two a night of quality painting time…

Once I got back however that changed!

The first 8 horses are done; I am waiting to complete the 24 horses and 3 attack bikes before I build the riders. I want to break the squads up not by the color of the horses skin, but by the riders legs and the shields I will equip them with! So horses, then bases after that I will start construction and painting of the riders.

Feedback welcome, another 8 should be done by the end of this week.