Desert Dogs -> OptiMAT's Guard Army (13/10)

[optimat]

I went with a larger back pack mounted camera on the sarge, his is the feed of the jump to command. Unfortunately after messing around with conversion options prior to putting a head on it does sort of look a little like the camera is just pointing at the back of his head but maybe it's on a pivot and it just happened to be there when he was modeled (rolling eyes...)

Good shout though they'll all have the same size cam in the same place, else. As far as other equipment goes yeah they'll all have different pouch placement, but I'll start thinking of ways I can give each guy his own marking too, for sure. I'll show the squad when I build all 10 rather than clutter with individual shots of the 4 I have so far.

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

Nice looking stuff, OptiMAT! I especially like the work that you put into your tanks.

[optimat]

Thank you very much 1974! There's another on the way so hopefully I can dream up something to set this one apart from the other two. Especially work on the Tank Commander. I quite how the two at the moment could be arguing about which way to go (one has a map, the other is pointing) so maybe this third one will have binoculars perhaps.

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

Or have him gesturing with a sword in a "Drive me closer! I want to hit them with my sword," sort of way.

[optimat]

Long time no update. Here's how the Valk is getting along. It's taking a long time.



I have also built my Tank Commander Leman Russ variant, with Extra Armour, and Forgeworld conversion kit.



And started a SM Scout / Cadian super tactical squad, to match the shotgun veterans from the previous few posts. They've had the under plates on their stomach filed out and then smoother off with GS to give them a more mobile look, and the Sarge (shown) uses a tank commander arm I extended and attached to give him a hand signal pose. There will be a CCS in the same vein to be my new Warlord. He looks a little messy in this picture but in real life it's not so bad.

[teku18]

That Valk is looking good.

[optimat]

Thanks. There are definitely a few mistakes made but I've learnt them for the next two that are planned. Will be doing those differently for sure.

[Paxole]

This army looks great Optimat. Using the flamer nozzle was a great idea and the cadian recon sergeant looks great! I'm looking forward to more.

[optimat]

Just getting this out of the way that I havent had the internet for a while for just moving out. Have really missed this forum actually as I have been getting into the hobby more. Still not amazing but the Captain at the end is my latest paint job and I think I've improved a lot. The Valk is the biggest model I've painted and have found it difficult, there's a whole new set of challenges when the model size changes. It still needs touching up here and there but it's table worthy now and that's good enough for me to leave it on the back-burner.

So I have a few new photos to share. The Valk is 99% complete (these pictures have the canopy off but now it's on... waiting for magnets before attaching the under-wing weapons.





Also, took a few new photos of my current fave miniatures. Including the ones I entered in GG, with terrible photos. I swear they looked fine at the size I'm used to seeing them but blown up they were pretty shocking. Hopefully these are a bit clearer.





And yes on the left there is the new Captain for my Crimson Fists detachment. He is designed to be a suitable stand in for Pedro Kantor, so has the same loadout, including wrist mounted storm bolter. Being a captain for the 10th Company, I wanted to make quite a bit out the captain sprue's Eagle backpack but painted it up like a Hawk. His moniker will be 'The Hawk Lord'.

[Jackal-0311]

Really nice!

[Adkenpachi]

Valk is amazing. End.

[Paxole]

The valk is looking great! Hopefully we can see more troops soon?

[optimat]

Yes, now that I've gotten those out of the way I do intend on slowly chipping away at the infantry. Having moved the hard part part is now finding somewhere safe to spray!

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I intend to use Purity Seal on the Valk to keep it fresh as it is a large model and don't want it chipping. Has anyone got any experience with using varnish on the glass-plastic? Should I mask them off first or are they safe?

[poptart11]

Really nice guard army you have here! Really loving the valk and the camo on your infantry. Not a big fan of the shiny on your models though, but thats just my opinion. Keep up the good work!

Peace,
Poptart

[optimat]

I would come out and say that is a mixture of a heavy wash (which unfortunately does tend to have a bit of a shiny finish) and flash. Under natural light they're only shiny where I gloss them which is on glass.

Thanks though.

[kobracommander]

Optimat! Optimat! Optimat! That is a great looking Valk! Loving the white belly. The tanks are very impressive too. The only thing I can find to critique is the infantry. If I'm not mistaken you're using quickshade on them? They come off a shiny. You need to spray some anti-shine varnish on them and then they will be good to go! Sorry for all the exclaimation marks! I'm excited!

[optimat]

Cant wait to show the pictures with the magnets and the canopy...

But thanks. There's been a fair amount of cock-ups with it, including a right mess up with the canopy glass on one side, but it's all liveable on the knowledge that it's my own work, and unless you go looking for mistakes you shouldn't find them.

The shine comes from the Earthshade wash, which I use heavily to stain the yellow and get shading (as you do). when it dries it can leave quite a shine. This is why it's prominent on the faces. You can lessen the effect when you re-cover the flat surface areas, but it's still visible when the flash goes off.

A matte varnish is definitely on the buy list but I have a box full of so much crap right now I've decided to wait until I get a few more models painted.

Now get back to Nightlords.

[optimat]

Well, it's been a while.

This took me ages, but I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, and am not regretting the decision to add some green into the camo scheme (as such I have added some to the camo on the painted spec ops troops, which aren't very many).

My new tanks will all be named after Acts of God, as befits the might of the Emperor!





The mini display board I've been working on is coming along too, as you can see. I have some more scenery to paint up before it becomes fully operational.

[dangerrod]

Looking very nice!

The added green really works well

Danger Rod

[Paxole]

Good to see you back and that manticore is looking really good. The terrain itself is also looking really nice. Keep it up!

[optimat]

Thanks guys really appreciate it

Some more Artillery... sort of, in the form of MoO! Pretty standard stuff I suppose; old man, gold(ish) armour and some Manticore-driver-matching olive drab overalls. A little blemish I forgot to file/cut off until it was too late on the front of his skirt, but I was really pleased with the depth in the face so hopefully that pulls away from it.

[Bobulus]

Wow! The manticore looks amazing!

[teku18]

Stuffs looking great. Very nice work.

[Cosmic]

Manticore is superb, Optimat. Love the pictures too!

[optimat]

Thanks both. The only thing that really irks me about the Manticore is the Decals! why did GW decide to make a decal that is a halved circle where the 3 is off centre! Grr! I dont trust my handwriting or paint-writing enough to do it freehand so I'm left with a crooked 3.