Bahamuts GSC paint motivator

[Hive Bahamut]

No more excuses for the grey tide. This thread is going to be for my continued GSC paint project. Hopefully, I can get some feedback, and welcome constructive criticism, but I also understand that my skill is mediocre at best.

GSC is a blast to paint in contrast to Nids with a plethora of detail, but they are tedious and time-consuming, for cheap models that die by the handfuls.

First up are the HQ: mind you the only one I am past phase 1 with is the Abominant because that is THE BEST MODEL IN 40k. I tried to capture the true pain and despair in its eyes, gifted the sensation of pain, because..

[Hive Bahamut]

The aim of the game is to get everything tabletop, but then to expand past that and get it as high quality as I can. The standard Neophytes are next, the green Icons are beautiful, and a direct connection to my Hive Fleet, and tattoo.

I wanted to do Bladed Cog colours, but really dislike the Light blue, so used a hybrid of that and 4arm. The light blue is still used on the tubing when I get there.

[naviedzony]

Overaal, they look good. Photos are overlighted as hell, so it is really hard to say some more, but as it is I don't really like the green elements. They look like they don't fit well in this colour scheme. And due to almost no shading on them and this strange type of green, makes them look a little bit too plastic. But it's only what I can see in the pictures.

[trashcan01]

I like how they turned out. Like you said - tabletop quality 1st, then improve. I think the green is a good touch, as it adds to "my guys" feel for the army. With a bit of highlights on the green, at least on the big banner, it would look even better.
Keep the updates coming. It is good to see work on all skill levels and it is especially rewarding to notice the improvement as you paint more.

[Hive Bahamut]

I usually have dark photos so that is a WIP too. Hehe.

Good points so far. I haven't figured out what shade to get for the Icon colour, and I am from the viewpoint that gold icons were out for me. These are scavengers, not royalty. Why are they lugging around gold icons? Initially I tried the purple wash but disliked its look.

The idea behind the bright green (besides it being my favourite colour) is from my Hive Fleets toxins/tongues. Nature uses bright colours to warn predators that the entity is poisonous. Part of why the banner Nid bits are space wolf grey and black. My Hives Flesh tone and carapace respectively.

Long ways to go but using this as a springboard motivator. Thanks for the input so far.

[hivefleetkerrigan]

I like the pic of all of the neophytes. Army shots are awesome!

I think that the green icons really draws a lot of attention as it's so bright on a relatively dark model. I might recommend doing a darker green base and edge highlighting with the green you're using now. It will still look bright but not as bright.

I'm liking the paint scheme, but it appears the paint was applied pretty thickly. You might get better results if you thin it slightly.

The models also appear a bit shiny. Was that an effect of the camera flash? If not, was it intentional? I've accidentally had that happen when I didn't shake my nuln oil wash enough.

Have you thought about how you're going to base your models? I've found I really enjoy basing for some reason.

All in all, good paint scheme and I'm looking to see more of your army painted!

[Hive Bahamut]

Ahh yes the "thin your paints dilemma," was something I was trying to avoid but I struggle with keeping on task as is and it was "either paint it, or not" scenario. Again, novice level painter, aiming to becoming amateur. I have since replaced my brushes and am looking into a proper "wet palette."

The sheen is from the glossy shades, that I bought intentionally for Genestealers as I wanted their carapace to shimmer akin to xenomorph, but I am still on the fence whether it transitioned to clothing, and other humanly bits ok. Never painted anything other than Tyranids and Shadowsun and an Avatar.

I will have to look into a darker green as this seems to be a common issue, and can see how just an edged highlight would work well. Also, the day of Ascension should be IMO a colour that pops, as these icons are taboo in regular society until this day.

The basing is actually one of my next questions, as I was initially going to buy scenic bases but the cost is ridiculous on an already high ratio army. I have been looking into textured paints from both GW and Vallejo and am trimming it down to a basic crusty urbanscape colour. Any suggestions?

Going to lay them all out today to do a family photo, as hopefully it can keep the mojo a go going.

Again, I appreciate the input, and look to further learn and progress.

[Hive Bahamut]

Managed to get it all laid out today for a pic. The Brood Bros, 2 Leman Russ and the Las HWT were all inherited from a member of our group that quit playing (then Cadia blew up, go figure,) and so I am going to update them but keep the colours akin to what they are. The Sentinels and extra Iconward (extra Magus and Primus not shown) will be sold, as they are useless in my construct. A squad of Flamer Acolytes, another 2 boxes of Bikes and Aberrants to fill up and possibly by then a few vehicles. Now to get it all coloured and based.

PS: Oops on the bad pics, I really am not a photographer by any means hahaha

[hivefleetkerrigan]

Nice. I like seeing the progress for scale with the whole army.

For urban bases I can see using gw grey texture base or just painting them black or dark grey and putting dividing lines/cross walk lines like they're standing on a street.

[Hive Bahamut]

Well, this is the end of the Neophyte project for now. I still need to touch up some colours and finish the bases but where I am calling it for now. For each squad, I tried to do something a little different for designation. Squad 1 gets gold bands on their shoulder, with all Reikland. Squad 2 is silver bands, with a mix of Druchii and Reikland. Third is rags (Sgt has Bronze) and a liberal amount of Druchii.

I am going to do the special and heavy weapons once I get another box of Neo's to round out the Lasers to 6, grenades to 6, and pairs of the unique options.

Hopefully, with 2 pictures it is a little easier to see. Again, any critique is welcome but to be honest this is just a motivator log. Keeps the progress ongoing with visuals.

[Hive Bahamut]

I come back from the dead! Unfortunately we had a huge hiccup in life and so my painting suffered. Non Covid related luckily?..??

Ironically now we have wrapped up 2842 points. 20 Flamer Acolytes, Biophagus, Sanctus, and about 16 odd weapons for Neophytes/Acolytes left.

Was going to start linking pictures but it said the site maxed out. Alas. The Hive broke before I painted a single army.. For fun I have battle ready:

Patriarch x2 Familiar
Abominant
Acolyte Iconward
Magus
Primus
Jackal Alphus

3x10 Neophytes (optional Lasers)
2x10 Acolytes w/4 Saws Banner
5x Acolytes

Kelermorph
Clamavus
Nexos
20x Purestrains
8x Hammer Aberrants
8x Pick Aberrants

8x Jackals
3x Ridgerunners

3x Goliath

Almost there. Can't believe it. Might do Brood Bros after but feeling Nids nice and easy after this.

[Hive Bahamut]

Minor note about painted models working better, had my first big win with my first 2000 painted list.

88-54

First time past 75.

[Hive Bahamut]

I have a pic posted for the Community site GSC army. Kill the OPPRESSOR! (Sorry low quality pic)

Not quite done and missing the Genestealers and 20 Hand Flamers. Brood Bros working on next from previous owner. Should look great.

[gigasnail]

2 year old reply:

There are many inexpensive solutions to basing. You can get amazing results with just dirt, sand, debris and a PVA glue mix. On my hobby thread I have a couple of links to some home made sealant for basing as well (and it scales up easily to making a large batch), though you'll need to dig around a bit for it. That thread is long lol.

[Hive Bahamut]

20 Hand Flamer Acolytes added. Over 3000 battle ready now with just Biophagus, Locus and Sanctus left. Also a handful of special weapons and 20 Autogun Neophytes to convert to shotguns.

Been playing 40k for a long time. Never thought I would see the day I fielded a fully painted army. Now no excuse for tournaments.