Hi All,

I have been converted to the greater good and with help from you fine fellows @ ATT, have sorted out my list to 1500pts.

The concept behind the army is a Third Sphere army surging outwards recapturing the worlds and outposts that were lost during the Damocles Crusade. This will be lead by Commander Shadowstorm (One of Shadowsun's lost sisters) and as a newly replenished army will have all the neat toys plus Auxiliaries.
I really like the colour scheme for Shadowsun so the entire army will be done as such.

Here is the first finished tester that I am finally happy with.
I purchased a box of GW jungle plants back when the Lustria campaign was on, so now is a good opportunity to use them.




Any comments, suggestions, criticism are welcome!

Beautifully clean, nice highlights and a nice base!!

Critique, the neck 'balaclava' needs to reach up into the helmet area more (you will notice little folds at the back of the head)

other wise, keep up the great work!

cheers

Warhound

Thanks,

Where do you reach it up to? I find there is not a line that divides it btwn 'armour' and 'cloth' Is it more guess work than anything?

Very neat, Sirath!
It's a really interesting scheme, and you've got it just right colour-wise. the highlights on the rifle are very crisp, as are you're sept markings.
I must say, the best part has to be the base. you've a real talent for basing!

It's sharp, very sharp, sickeningly sharp. Can't wait to see the rest of your army.

That is one very nicely painted model!

It's got the kind of sharpness and colour separation that I can only dream of!

Almost finished my first test Kroot. Good fun to paint.
Even sculpted my first feather.
He still has a few bits i need to finish up - Base, woodgrain on the gunstock, etc


I am not happy with the 'gore/sand' on the blades, probably scrape it off and use greenstuff instead

Some of the best looking models I've seen. The fire warrior especially, is well done.

If you continue that scheme, the Fire Warrior teams will look fantastic as a group. The reason being: The Pulse Rifle is destinguishable at a distance. That fact alone will make your army stick out with the white (very good choice btw) while at the same time gives the eyes recognizable destinction of what it is looking at (A troop, holding a gun).

I hate to say this... but, the helmet could be a bit more destinguishable. I love that white so much I don't want you to change anything! it's that from a distance all people will see is "some white / black form" holding a gun.

May I suggest... once you have a squad done, stand back and imagine the helmets painted with gloss Ard Coat. (Might be just the trick to give the eye something to catch at a distance) Or perhaps take a picture and PhotoHammer the models at a distance to help pick up the models in the squad.

If I had to paint another army (Tau of course) it would be white. It's just so clean! - I would also experiement with gloss and matt parts. That's my humble opinion. Gosh... I LOVE the work you have done!

For the record... if I had to paint another army:
(This is the other color theme I almost went with for Path Of Tau)

White / Light Grey / Dark Red
All models primered in White. With Tremclad white layer on top.

All armor (Plates or vehicles) would be white.
Secondary parts would be light grey. (Fortress + Skull mix 1:1)
Cloth / clothing / exposed areas would be Dark Red (Gore Red + Blood Red highlights)
Details / accented segments would be Dark Red (Gore Red + Blood Red highlights)

Fire Warrior (For example)
Dark Red clothing and Helmet (fading to blood red)
White Armor
Light Grey Weapon


Devil Fish (For example)
Completely White
Airbrushed light grey shadows & Camo Pattern
Light grey Mechanical Parts
Dark Red Accented segment on 2nd vertebrae & Engine Intake Manifold (highlighted to the max with Blood Red and Fiery Orange)

The only reason I didn't do this theme, was because the theme before was paitned in Red Gore and White Highlight (Another good color for Tau)
Sigh
Edit: I was trying to delete this post, because after writing it I realized I didn't want to steal any thunder from your thread Sirath! I was about to migrate this note to my member profile. (haha) I can't delete, once someone precedes the post.

Thanks a million, great to hear!

Yeah the whole 'viewing from a distance' thing is tricky, but if figure if you see the white it makes you zoom in for a closer looksee.

As to the varnish, that my main issue at the moment (other than finding more time to paint )
I have bought some Matt Estapol Varnish, it is good for every colour (not color! ) except white! (it stains the white)

I am not sure about the gloss, I will have to try it out. The armour would make sense as a glossy white i suppose, but if find white shinny enuf (or is that bright?) as it is. Hrmm. In addition i like the lenses and scopes to stand out (as they are glossed...)

Cheers

I like the striations on the kroot, very nice work!

Do you also plan to include the Shadowsun model in this army?

Thanks Kai

Yup except she will be Shadowstorm.
Going to covert the shadowsun model to have the AFP and MP, plus I want to use both the helmet AND the bare head. The idea is to have the helmet off, in the crook of the left arm...

Here is the outline of the list I am building the army towards, it is roughly 1500pts
Going for the balanced army.

Shas'el - AFP, MP, MT
3 Deathrains w. Flamers
2 Fireknives
2 Fireknives
10 Fire Warriors
- Devilfish
10 Fire Warriors w. Shas'ui
10 Fire Warriors w. Shas'ui
10 Kroot w. 2 Hounds
10 Kroot w. 1 Hound
2 Tetras
2 BASS
Hammerhead

Been working on a Devilfish, superdetailing the interior and adding magnets.

Seeker Missile



So you can see the interior detail, the right side plate will be detachable using magnets.


Working rear access door

Working side doors

Interior details - Hand rail w. straps, grenades, bonding knife etc
Going to add pulse rifles and other items (helmets and the like...) before painting.

Thats a very well done interior. Would you consider putting a firewarrior or two inside, especially since the wall is removable to make everything easy to see.

Sorry, been busy the last few days!

In answer to your question, have a look at some artwork in the codex/ colour pages, these should show you were it starts and ends on the cowling/helmet.... in fact, this is the best example
http://advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?t=973

It is a pain that they didnt sculpt in a more defining line, but this will make it look a LOT better.

In regards to the kroot- well done on choosing to line shade/highlight the flesh!! Most people get scared of this technique (other than Jutami), and you have used in the best context for the style. Flesh/ organic surfaces take this paint style very well indeed- also good choice on the colours!

One critique now: I would be tempted to put a brown/black ink wash in areas where 2 materils meet each other to higten contrast. For example, where the kroot rifle meets the hand and also the metallics.

Otherwise- sterling work!

Wa'Rhound

Love your Kroot - well done.

I have to say, I've been watching this thread for a while, and the models are great. The Fire Warrior is exceptionally neat and clean, while the Kroot has some of the best flesh I've ever seen.

Good Job!

EDIT: Forgot to comment on your 'Fish! Love the super-detailing so far, Look forward to seeing the finished piece!

Would you please come over to my apartment and detail the inside of my fish?

Thank you.



Really nice work. No criticisms, just can't wait to see it with paint on.

Thanks tons y'all. Really cool to hear.


I had thought about this but vetoed it. The idea behind the removable wall is to show off the interior at tourneys - the FW squad will be depolyed so there will be no-one home!

Got it now, not much helmet huh?

Hrmm, Didnt think of that. Will do.

Um, no, you come to NZ.