Those Kroot look great! Very colorful and full of character. And the bases aren't too shabby either! Well done!

What color scheme did you have in mind for your Stealth Suits?

Hmm.. I am still considering options here.
Either I will just use a variant of my current cadre, or -inspired by ATT contributions- I will try to do some kinda cloaking effect.
Frankly it is too cool to ignore.

Inspiring examples:
http://www.advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=14496&p=182556&hilit=cloaking#p182556
http://www.advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=11694&p=161522&hilit=cloaking#p161522
http://www.advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15595&p=199811&hilit=stealth#p199811

So far I am unsure how to execute the effect, start off with black prime or grey... use my airbrush... choices,choices,decisions,decisions!
No worries, I'll figure it out!

I absolutely love the other links effects, though it's nice to see my stealth suits got some attention. I haven't found the link yet but there's some people making transparent suits as well out of resin molds? Something like that would be cool if they were highlighted and given some paint with a stealth effect.

Great work, with very graphic style, particularly evident in the Devilfish interior image. Nice rich colours and details, looking forward to more

- Tael.

It took me some experimenting -and failure- to achieve the desired look for the XV25 units,.
First of I tried to make them scheme-wise look like my regular firewarriors. This made them look slightly silly, with them big half orange helmets.
They looked far too toy-like. So I decided to go for the -cliché?- dark look. They integrate nicely into my current army.
Just like my first posted FW's they lack the antennae, which I will add later on. Is it allowed to place the antennae on another location?
I am considering the top of the backpacks.

Well, here are my -somewhat WIP- XV25 units.







So there you have it, save some drones I have completed the battle force.
I will spend some time fixing small overlooked stuff and completing the detailing of the Devil-fish and then it is on to battle force # 2
I already purchased another battle force. It is the older version with the 3 Crisis suits and I was able to buy it at a great bargain.

When Battle force 1 is truly complete I will post all my units in one shot. Time to make up some fluff!

Patchero, you continue to amaze.
I really like the Kroot, especially the head quills - I always struggle with those. Although I'm not a fan of the orange cloth - it doesn't contrast enough with red skin IMHO.
The stealth suits also look great, I really like the gray highlighting / wear and tear. The stealth effect is very nicely done, although it looks a little too 'straight' in some spots. I would advise you to let it flow a little more.

If you place the even a millimeter off where they are supposed to go, Doombringer will lead a crack team off disgraced Shas'ui looking to regain their honor on a mission to destroy every member of your cadre.

It's your army, put them wear you like! ...although I don't see any other good spots. Maybe shoulder pads would look cool?
WAIT, you don't have their shoulder pads on! Why is that? They are super cool!

Looking forward to it!

Slow progress on the fish. tried some engine glows but they all turned out quite cartoony, so I decided to use a less "in your face" approach and hold back on the glow effect.
When i have fun doing stuff I tend to end up in a neverending WIP modus, and never know when to stop. So I decided to consider the Fish finished (err... for now... the light next to the gun needs some attention... and and and... aaaahhhh!!).
Next up are the drones and pilot. I will show these when they are done.
Spines, trackers and all that kinda stuff will be added later on when I get to grips with the wargaming aspect of Tau.

Allright, let the pictures do the talking.

Your Devilfish is double, maybe even triple awesome. The light weathering and chips are at exactly the level I want on my own urban cadre, may I ask if you used weathering powders, or is it all airbrush work?

I love what you're doing with your army. The painting is clean and crisp, the conversions are cool, and your basing looks great. Keep up the good work.

Must not copy Patchoro's Devilfish....
Must not copy Patchoro's Devilfish....
Must not copy Patchoro's Devilfish....

Ahem...

I really love what you have done with it so far. I have not tried my hand at any weathering effects yet. I'm poking through stuff to see what kind of weathering desert terrain would render.

When an effect is very localized I use drybrushing, my airbrush is rather basic and in fact more a blunt instrument useful to create general effects.
I haven't -yet- used weathering powders but I am curious about them. I am considering to buy Tamiya powder to try it out for some rust effects.


lol @ your comment. Stay strong! Trust your own Fio powers. Use them for the greater good.

Right now I am working on my freshly bought Sky Ray. Once I realised this box contains all configurations in one purchase (thankyou ATT) I just had to buy me one! What an awesome buy! Devilfish / Hammerhead and Skyray all in one box!
I have spent an afternoon magnetising it up so I can switch configurations whenever I need to.

@ the moderators: my topic is currently in painting,maybe Project Logs would be more appropriate?

Quite nice. I like the urban theme you are going for. I'll be updating my tau when they get a new codex, your devilfish gave me some good ideas!

That Devilfish is beautiful! I really like the orange accent colors and the camo pattern.

As for moving this to Project Logs, we keep threads in Painting if they are showcasing just that, painted models or models currently being painted. Unless there is conversion work involved, things usually stay in the painting forum.

That sounds like a challenge.... Why not throw some background in while you're at it?

Anyways. Patchero, this is one of the most inspiring 'logs' I have ever seen with regards to painting. As I've said before, wonderful color scheme and just the right amount of weathering. I really wish I could come up with a color scheme of my own - only my pride is preventing me from flat-out copying yours!
I know it's a lot to ask but - could we perhaps see a step-by-step of your painting process?

Thanks for the kinds words Jester! Such positive feedback can be a real boost!
And yes, I consider this a challenge! So instead of showing the finished product I will post about all the aspects of me building a Sky Ray.
Since I have completed my first DevilFish I am now a little less unfamiliar with building this cool machine.
So, to keep it exiting, my ambitions are now set a little higher. I want the Sky Ray to be configurable with different weapon loadouts, the turret must be multi-config and the doors must be able to open close. So this build must be able to function as a Devilfish / Hammerhead / Sky ray.

I read some ATT recourses on how to proceed with the turret but wasn't entirely happy.
Unable to swing gun up and down: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=14454
Too complex: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=14513
So I had to come up with a KISS (keep it simple, stupid) method of my own.
I used a nail which fits nicely in the drilled hole with a little magnet in the end. Works like a charm!
later I saw the PDF at ATT modeling resources which instructed roughly the same method (without the nail)







The doors where easy but I had to buy some stuff to get it done:
0.5 mill drill to drill the holes for the door axle and to 0.4 mill fishwire as axle.
As you can see the doors and door frame are already magnetized.



The guns where quite simple to magnetize. I opted for the use of a bigger magnet, just for it's raw magnet powah!
That railgun musn't slump down and accidentally punch a hole in it's own Hammerhead hull.
Now that wouldn't be in the spirit of the greater good now would it?



For the Ion gun I had to cut the magnet in half because it wouldn't fit. I allso had to elevate the magnet a bit with some sprue stuff to make a nice fit with the connecting nail.



I am quite happy how they turned out, I can even tilt them a bit!
So here i am now (no parts are glued on just yet!):

Railgun config with door closed


Ion gun config with door open


So far, so good!
Next up is the interior. This must be fully painted before i can assemble the Sky Ray any further.
I will keep you guys posted.

Yeah, I just learned the hard way that any painting done to the outside is a bit of wasted effort until the interior is done, and then assembled. I had to sand and shave some spots, ruining an otherwise perfect paint job. Not that I can't do it again, but still.

I glued my side doors shut, as I do not have the tools or resources with which to do them otherwise. Though, how do you get the rear hatch to stay up without using magnets... or is that the only solution?

The magnetization for the guns are brilliant! I have to try it on the next devilfish i get!

Ooh, now this looks great! I think this would be an excellent option for other members to consider when doing their magnetizing. I will talk with the higher ups about getting this into the Resource Articles. What are you planning on doing with the SMS/Burst Cannon mounts? Are you gonna magnetize anything or just stick them in by the little nubs?

Oh and consider this Project Log material now.

Looking good.. we're going to get a step-by-step all the way through then? That would be neat.
I like the swinging doors, however - whenever I see that it seems the doors have a habit of falling down. So I would advise maybe putting a magnet in the top of the hull / matching magnet on the door?
Another thing - the standard plastic stands are really fragile. While you're at it with the magnets, why not make a sturdier magnetic mount?

Anyways, like I said I'm looking forward to seeing this. Are you planning on modifying the interior at all?

PS. Congrats on the project log!

Wait, it comes with the railgun too?