Basing With Dirt

It surprises me that more folks painting miniatures don't base with dirt. When I want a dirt like texture, the best way to achieve that is to just use dirt. Nothing complex here at all. I just wander into the median near my home a grab a few spoonfuls of dirt. I use elmers white glue to affix the dirt, and a soft brush to clean off the models afterwards.

Sometimes I don't even paint the dirt.

Dirt: The ultimate weathering powder.

OOP Metal Scouts & This Weird Ultramarines Captain

I painted these yesterday during a rainy day. These models are old metal space marine scouts, as well as a very iffy space marine captain from the dark days of GW past . I think he looks fit to lead these guys into combat.

Is it time to paint something modern? I'm not sure. My desire to paint old stuff that has lingered for years is still strong.

Calgar & Honor Guard

Back from vacation, and needing a little painting time, I completed my old school metal Ultramarines. I love the older sculpts, and am having a blast creating a retro force. The down side, is that metal models chip like crazy. I think I dropped the banner bearer at least a dozen times while painting him.

Ultramarines Banner WIP

I've had this metal miniature for ages, and while I may not have enjoyed painting it when I first bought it, It is quite enjoyable now. I think the trick has been to have no expectations. This miniature is being painted in the same carefree way as the rest of the squad, and I think these early photos are starting to show the advantages of that. Like before, this guy was airbrushed and then wet-blended and glazed. I'm looking forward to having the united completed so I can see it all together and compare my regular style to it.

On The Painting Table: Calgar & Honor Guard

More old metal models receive paint! These were put away at least a decade ago before I finally decided to paint them this week. I'm painting really loosely here, blocking in color, partially finishing an area, and then arbitrarily moving to other more interesting areas to paint. I think they are turning out well, despite this ad-hoc approach.

Tyrannic War Vets Completed

I had fun with these. The enamels did not work as expected, turning grainy on me, but I think that was a case of grabbing the wrong thinner. The fuzziness comes from AK-Interactive ultra-matte, which I failed to thin down enough. All problems aside, these tiny miniatures are a lot of fun to look at. I'm happy they will be joining my Oldhammer force.

WIP Old School Tyrannid Hunters

Painting the original whirlwind and razorback gave me an itch to paint more old models from my collection. What you see here are three metal veterans, and four metal Ultramarine tyrannic war veterans. I love how characterful these old models are. However, they are absurdly small compared to Primaris marines. I'm not sure a force would look reasonable with both types of model. Anyone else on an old-hammer kick?

Old School Whirlwind & Razorback

After a wonderful NOVA Open, I needed a painting break. So, I did what many long time collectors do. I dug down to the lowest, dustiest, most forlorn part of my collection and pulled out some janky old models. I never had these when new, but I managed to cobble them together after a few years of convention bits collecting. As damaged as these were, I knew they needed to be weathered heavily. So with the freedom that comes from painting purely for the experience, I set to work and painted these over an evening. I'm happy with them. I think they can stand with any of the modern kids. (provided you don't look to closely for gaps!)