Here be Dragons...

Yeah alright, lame post title...

The first of the Fire Dragons is finished - took a little longer than expected, but I think he was worth the extra time spent.  It's amazing how pictures can show up little things I couldn't see with the naked eye, so there are a couple of things that will need to be neatened up, but otherwise I'm happy with the end result.

The "business end" of the fusion gun might also need a little extra work, it was meant to have a "ceramic" look to it and I'm not sure if I've pulled that off very well.  

The paint scheme used:

• Green elements:  Catachan Green, Devlan Mud, Catachan Green + Camo Green
• Weapon: Orkhide Shade, Orkhide Shade + Rotting Flesh, diluted Devlan Mud wash
• Weapon end:  Scorched Brown, Badab Black, Scorched Brown + Snakebite Leather, Snakebite Leather, Snakebite Leather and Dheneb Stone
• Wraithbone elements:  Khemri Brown, Devlan Mud, Khemri Brown + Dheneb Stone
• Armour:  Scorched Brown, Badab Black, Scab Red, Scab Red + Vomit Brown, Vomit Brown, Tausept Ochre
• Yellow Helmet: Tausept Ochre, Gryphonne Sepia, Iyanden Darksun, Iyanden Darksun + Dheneb Stone

I decided not to paint the curved line of "bumps" on the helmet as jewels, as I thought that would be a bit excessive, so I've gone for the green I've used on other parts of the mini (and the the same colour as the Striking Scorpions' armour).  I wanted a deep red for the armour to fit the arboreal/autumnal theme to the army, and even if I do say so myself it works rather well. Plus, I really don't like the orange scheme that 'Eavy Metal used.

For the combat patrol project at the local store we had to set ourselves challenges, to do something different from what we usually do.  I set myself these challenges:

1. Finish an army that wasn't space marines
2. Paint a multicoloured army and make it look cohesive
3. Don't use metallic paint

I'm definitely succeeding with 1 and 3, and it's 2 that I'm trying to focus my attention on.  So I'd like some feedback on how people think I'm doing on getting the force to look "cohesive" (if that's even the right word):

I think the weapons do a good job of tying the different colour schemes together, I'd considered giving the Fire Dragon a green helm, but I don't think that would have worked.

Let me know what you think...

As always comments and criticism welcome.

Slow progress, but something to show for it...

The combat patrol project is still going and I've finally got some pictures to show.

Rangers

These are the chaps who won the squad category of the local painting comp:

The paint scheme used:

• Coat Brown:  Scorched Brown, Devlan Mud, Scorched Brown + Bleached Bone
• Coat Green:  Catachan Green, Devlan Mud, Catachan Green + Camo Green
• Gloves and Leg covers: Camo Green, Devlan Mud, Camo Green + Rotting Flesh
• Gun: Orkhide Shade, Orkhide Shade + Rotting Flesh, diluted Devlan Mud wash
• Body Armour and back pack:  Scorched Brown, Devlan Mud, Scorched Brown + Bestial Brown, Bestial Brown + Dheneb Stone
• Wraithbone elements:  Khemri Brown, Devlan Mud, Khemri Brown + Dheneb Stone

Some individual shots:

Really chuffed with these guys, and the colour scheme works well with the next group...

Striking Scorpions

Now I'm really pleased with these chaps, a much brighter colour scheme than I would usually do, but not anywhere near as bright as the GW scheme.

The paint scheme used:

• Armour Green:  Catachan Green, Devlan Mud, Catachan Green + Camo Green
• Weapons: Orkhide Shade, Orkhide Shade + Rotting Flesh, diluted Devlan Mud wash
• Wraithbone elements:  Khemri Brown, Devlan Mud, Khemri Brown + Dheneb Stone
• Pouches and straps:  Scorched Brown, Devlan Mud, Scorched Brown + Bestial Brown, Bestial Brown + Dheneb Stone
• Yellow stripes: Tausept Ochre, Gryphonne Sepia, Iyanden Darksun, Iyanden Darksun + Dheneb Stone
• Braids: Chaos Black, Adeptus Battlegrey, Codex Grey, Astronomicon Grey

Some individual shots:

While these guys won't win any competitions, I'm hoping they're going to look good on the tabletop.  Next up are Fire Dragons, hopefully some pictures of these guys soon.

As always comments and criticism very welcome.

Dark Son: Making progress...

Not too much to report, but nearly done with this chap.  

Not entirely sure about the dirt on the leg, and the white on the backpack has come out a bit rough, but I've got to the point where I'm itching to get on to the next project, so it will probably have to do.  Really all I have left to do is the chapter symbol and static grass on the base, and this chap is finished.

...and what have I learned from this?

Painting white is still a real pain in the backside, and I'm not sure I want to do a whole army of these guys...

As always comments and criticism welcome.

Up next:  The local GW store is running a combat patrol project, so I'm taking my recently triumphant Rangers as the required troops choice, and adding five Striking Scorpions (assembled, based and awaiting undercoat spray) and five Dark Reapers (yet to be purchased) to make up 400 points.