Adeptus Mechanicus Imperial Guard - a WIP blog

[proximity]

Hi guys,

as part of a "tale of X gamers" type deal, I'm doing a semi mech IG army, painted up with a bit of converting as well to represent the Adeptus Mechanicus.

Each month we're aiming to do about 300 points, and with a couple of weeks off I've made a decent start on April! I've never really done any weathering before, so wanted to make the vehicles feel fairly well worn, so far it feels like I'm achieving this reasonably well, that forge world painting book really is a godsend!

First up I did a test model for the guardsmen. I expect once I start converting squads, they will be quite a bit more different to this, but initially I just wanted to stick a figure together and paint it to kind of prove the concept to me in my head, I'm never really sold on an idea until I can see it infront of me.
For this, I took some pretty heavy influence from "The Hoff" after some googling about.

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/test1.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/test2.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/test3.jpg

As mentioned, I hope to change these quite a bit for the rest of the army, I'm thinking a lot more needs to be done with the arms, gun, shoulderpads, and perhaps the odd bionic limb too, amongst other things. I'm also going to sub out the bone cogs for pure white (before dirtying it up).

[proximity]

Next up I painted a valkyrie. This was a huge undertaking! I've magnetised all the weapons, and have left the roof detachable to view the interior.

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/valk1.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/valk2.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/valk3.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/valk4.jpg

[proximity]

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/valk5.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/valk6.jpg

I had some of the most fun I've ever had painting when doing this, especially the weathering of the white cog. Masking fluid = FUNTIMES!

Just this morning I finished painting a Banewolf, which took about a day and a half all up. I can't help but think of that motivational poster, but with a twist; "Drive me closer, so I can hit them with my ..errr..intricate series of hypodermic needles and whippy things..I think!" doesn't quite have the same twist.

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/banewolf1.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/banewolf2.jpg

[proximity]

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/banewolf3.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/banewolf4.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/banewolf5.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/banewolf6.jpg

It was amazing how much easier this was to paint than the valk, considering I have another 6 or so chimera chassis vehicles to go, that gives me a bit of hope :D

[Force21]

...



THAT IS AMAZING WORK!



the Valkyrie is just pure awesomeness...


I think I cried a little... on the inside... :D

[poisonfrog]

this is amazing, i hope you already realize that . this is the first mech based army that caught my eye. The valk steals the show thats just mini porn, excellent job.

oi oi
frog

[Atrocity]

Wow amazing looking stuff you have there

[OCdt Mephiston]

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN!!!!

And thats all I have to say about that :eek:

[B to the Bop]

huminahuminahumina. Wow, I love the gears on the valk wings. That last sentence was superfluous considering I love all of it, but I stand by my words! ;)

[Phairsto]

very, very cool. I always loved Tech-guard. keep up the fantastic work!

[proximity]

huminahuminahumina. Wow, I love the gears on the valk wings. That last sentence was superfluous considering I love all of it, but I stand by my words! ;)

They're easily my favourite bit too :D

I started by sponging on very small amounts of Windsor and Newton Art Masking Fluid. Its normally used by artists for water colours to stop spreading into other areas and what not, and costs about 6 bucks US for what will easily be a life time supply.
Then I just painted the symbol free hand over the top in white, once I was done, I went back with a bit of stickytack/bluetack and my finger, and just rubbed off all the dried latex. Because I'd done about 6 coats of paint over the top of it, this took some quite big chunks of paint, and wasn't too easy, but had the desired effect :D

Then I just went back over and sponged on some chardonite granite + black + scorched brown if it was on a black piece of model, or mechrite red + blood red if it was on a red bit. Extremely easy, but producing a very satisfying result :D

[Sparda]

The wings on the valkyrie look amazing as does everything else, and the weathering looks really good to. And for the forgeworld painting book, how good is it? And how does it compare to the GW one that I wasted $25 on? >_>

[gorepants]

really nice work. The colours work well together.

The FW painting book is really good. It's more like the old (ancient) from around 1990, mixed with a traditional scale miniature painting guide. The only complaint I've heard was that it was too advanced, but I think it's more that no matter how much you read you still need to actually try things out to see how they work.

[Lord Azaghul]

I'm still picking my jaw up off the floor!

You made me want to never paint again!:)

[Brass Scorpion]

That's a terrific looiking army!

[Magos Bellum]

Very impressive paintjob! Though they seem to have a rather large number of Imperial symbols for Ad-Mech.

[eldargal]

That Valkyrie is absolutely stunning, really beautiful.

[Fantomex]

Fantastic!
Most certainly one of the nicest Ad-Mech selections I've ever seen!
Now I just need to get on with my Iron Hands..

[Ole]

*******it thats COOL

[proximity]

Very impressive paintjob! Though they seem to have a rather large number of Imperial symbols for Ad-Mech.

Yeah, I'm wanting to keep them very loyal, so a smattering of eagles amongst the gears/cogs, similar to how marine chapters have their own iconography mixed in with the aquilla, etc.

I've thrown each of them up on CMON, http://coolminiornot.com/247967 and http://coolminiornot.com/247966 :D

[joescalise]

Amazing, those are some of the best models I have ever seen.

WOW

[Lycadon]

Wow... thats really amazing, both modeling- and paint-wise. I really love the way the colors pop out. The Black, Red and White simply look stunning all together. Also the interior of the Valkyrie is very detailed and realistic looking, i bet most people will leave this the basecoat since nobody will ever see it, hehe. I hope you will post some more pictures of your work in the future :)

[fade_74]

Bravo! Nice stuff. I really like the weathering on the mechanicus cog on the valk wings.....perfect.

[Hairy Piggy]

Really really awesome work!Great freehand on valk wings and the back of the banewolf and the colours are very well done on the armour plating as well. Keep it up!

[proximity]

Thanks again for all the kind words guys, it really helps drag me back to the painting table when I try to distract myself with...ANYTHING else I can find!

Mount meningococcal or what ever that Icelandic volcano was called tried to delay them, but it looks like I passed my reserve roll in time for the second month ;D!

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/reinforcements.jpg

Also I've finished a small special weapons squad, so I'll get some pics of them up on Friday :D

[Rusty Dice]

These look great, lovely paint job!

[proximity]

I'm looking at turning that defiler into a knight, does anyone have any pictures/WIPS/Links or ideas they could provide? It would help a lot in working out how to approach the task.

- Charlie

[person person]

Prolly the best Mechanicus Guard army I've seen.

The scheme is awesome, it catches the eye with all the red and black.

[proximity]

Really stuck for what bases I should use.

I've narrowed it down to one of the following 4 ranges:

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8118/whichbases.jpg

The Iron Halo ones come in a considerable amount cheaper than the rest, but each time I look at them I'm a bit put off by the inconsistencies, one minute it's tiled flooring and cogs, then its just giant cogs, then its wood. It's just a bit all over the show and I don't know how much consistent painting could bring that back.
I've based an army on their bases in the past, and could only use 2/3 of the particular theme I chose, if I wanted it to look consistent.

The second pic look okay, room for a bit of metal and rust effect, but I'm not overly joyous about the brick.

The third pic I'm not very sold on, I think I would have to add some slate to it which is probably a fair bit of work. Not a lot of height to them either, although its bad for gaming purposes; I quite like a little bit of height in the base.

The fourth pic I think is sneaking in as my favourite at the moment? It's reasonably clean looking, a little bit of metal here and there for some rust, very consistent looking, what are peoples thoughts?

I'm pretty stuck for ideas, haha!

[Madness]

I like set 3 best, it's not as busy as the others, which is good imho. Set 2 is also somewhat compatbile, allowing for some mix'n'match.

[Tsen]

I think that the bottom three could all work together well and provide a good variety if you keep it city fight

[Rusty Dice]

I concur on the last set!

Itching to see where you take these next :)

[Javin]

Dragonforge delivers quickly. I like their ranges and they sometimes give extras if you order alot of bases! Highly recommended.

[fuzzbuket]

id say set 1 because they look very ad-mech ish however theres a lot of detailon the so itd be better for they to be for charecters and use option 3/4 or just plain bases painted with warning stripes and the like!:D

that valkire is stunning

-fuzz

[Hashshashin]

Great looking army so far, I really think the Valk is super Sweet!

Great Job!

As far the bases go I think the last three look good, I like the gears and stuf, but really were would that be at? inside a giant clock? clock-reactor maybe? for a couple of characters I think they could look sweet but, meh...

I think you could mix or match some of the bottom three if done with intention, but the last set you like look good as well, so if you like them go for it.

no matter what you decide, they look great so far

[Archon]

One of the finest attemps to build a mechanicum army - very well done - keep up the good work and try some elite skitaari and a knight:cool:

[ratgirl]

Awesome work, and your weathering on the cog is amazing. Keep up the great work, can't wait to see further additions!

Ratgirl

[proximity]

So despite the total lack of updates (I've barricaded myself in the lounge sitting on a heater, watching media and searching for a Siberian Husky breeder that is local, whilst doing the occasional bout of painting) - I did actually get my 300 points done for last month!

First up, I finished another Valkyrie. I didn't bother to take many pictures, as it's nothing you haven't seen already.

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/secondvalk.jpg

And heres a quick very bad snap of them together!

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/valkybrothers.jpg


Next up I got a 6 man special weapons squad done. They're a bit of a poo choice, but it allowed me to convert a few up and have them as an intact squad, plus there are worse ways to spend 50 points I guess :D

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/specialwepsquad.jpg

[proximity]

Then my PBS arrived, and I got painting! Really happy with how these guys came out. There's one more than is in the photo, didn't realise I had dropped him on the floor until after I was done taking photo's!

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/pbs.jpg

I also got a chimera done. Photographing with bright lights at night = suck, so from a couple of angles the light is reflecting off the individual varnish granules and making the odd panel look weird. It looks normal under normal circumstances, so ignore that :P!

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/chimera1.jpg

Lastly, my bases also arrived. I got most of these painted, as a bit of batch painting.
http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/randombase1.jpg

http://proximity.orconhosting.net.nz/Figures/Adeptus%20Mechanicus/randombase2.jpg

Well, that's all from me for May, hopefully I'm a bit more consistent and regular over June eh?

[Duke]

This is all looking very very cool. Makes me want to start my own mechanicus list...

[BlackKnight15624]

Sweet Valkyries! I may steal that color scheme for my AdMech guard

[PedroKantor]

Then my PBS arrived, and I got painting! Really happy with how these guys came out. There's one more than is in the photo, didn't realise I had dropped him on the floor until after I was done taking photo's!
What models are these actually. I love em!
Thanks!

[Bigdaddy]

very beautiful army.
I like really the skitarri. And the work on the Valkyrie is really superb

[proximity]

What models are these actually. I love em!
Thanks!

They're from Microart Studio, I wouldn't recommend them to anyone however. All of the ones I ordered were the same figure (despite it being advertised as a random variation... 6/6 the same is NOT random!), each was in a terrible state, requiring a LOT of greenstuff reconstruction because they're too tight to remake molds when they get damaged/old, and took a painfully long time to arrive.

[SombreBrotherhood]

They're from Microart Studio, I wouldn't recommend them to anyone however

Aww. I am disheartened. It's looking pretty dern sexy, though! Great job!

[emperorsaxe]

Cool very cool lookin' indeed.
Emperorsaxe