crossbonesx11 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 The 'Knights Mechanicus' or 'Knights of Mars' (suggestions?), a remnant force of Imperial Fists that stayed when Sigismund chose to evacuate Mars during the Heresy. A fleet based force, scouring Imperium in efforts to exterminate all Dark Mechanicus cults. Until recently, they made their hunt without being noticed by the Inquisiton and other brother Astartes. Shedding the their Fists heraldry, they are now under investigation by the Inquisition in hopes to receive Chapter status and don a new heraldry. Being so closely affiliated with the Mechanicus they have been able to maintain ancient armors and battle relics, yet not able to replenish their losses they have turned to bionics to lengthen their eternal fight. The army is more of a modeling/collection project than a playable army. They will be influenced by a few different chapters conceptually; Black Templars - Visuals, Crimson Fists - Small band of elite veterans, and Iron Hands - Heavy in bionics. Originally the concept for the army was to have a very heavy Steampunk influence, I have since decided to scale that back a little bit. It is going to revolve around MotF/Techmarines and Dreads with a significant amount of bionics in the army. I was thinking I really wanted the bionics to appear brass (to go with the Steampunk theme). The plans to start with are: Master of the Forge in Servo-Harness w/4 Servitors Master of the Forge w/Conversion Beamer Contemptor Dread w/2x Twin-Linked Autocannons Relic Contemptor Dread w/Plasma Cannon Relic Contemptor Dread w/Heavy Conversion Beamer Tac Squad w/Bionics I have about half that stuff on order so while I am waiting for it to come in I have been working on some test schemes. I was think mainly black with a lot of Mechanicus red and brass/gold bionics. However I am terrible with highlighting black so I thought about a dark gray color. Here are some pics of ideas j have been working with (sorry for the bad pics, wife is getting a camera for xmas so that sill be rectified soon!): http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/e1bdb3c4.jpg Black w/Red http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/aaae7d4a.jpg Black w/Red - No Bionics http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/57042d16.jpg Black w/Red - Bionics http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/7bdba6f8.jpg Gray w/Red http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/4770c0ff.jpg Gray w/Red - No Bionics http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/d0434d0f.jpg Techmarine w/Bionics Would just like to get some initial suggestions and feedback so I can get a scheme hammered out and start practicing so I will be ready when the goods come in. Which scheme do you like best? Easiest/quickest way to highlight black effectively? Suggestions for doing the brass bionics? :: EDIT :: LPC 2012 Vow Checklist Master of the Forge w/Servo-Harness Master of the Forge w/Conversion Beamer Captain Librarian Command Squad Techmarine Contemptor Dreadnought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivepointedstar Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Id name them something like.. War Bringers ( ithink is already used, but not sure. Knights of the cog Cog knights Red Knights Lords of _ ( enter random forge world area) * try to stay away from using the knights of Mars, as most IH players, and Ad mech fluff people will throw the fluff book at you, since the entire planet of Mars, and sector it protected by billions of ad mech Skittari, and there titan legions. Also the only closer than close Asartes to the ad mechs on mars is the iron hands. hope that helps smash the dream of knights of mars. - Since your going for the red/ grey look try aiming for the one name you like which is " Mars" use the thesaurus for alt words, like Ares, and so on. Look to bibical references like the red horseman, and his name being "War" which is rightly the purpose of the Greek, and Roman god Ares/ Mars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted December 23, 2011 Author Share Posted December 23, 2011 Id name them something like.. War Bringers ( ithink is already used, but not sure. Knights of the cog Cog knights Red Knights Lords of _ ( enter random forge world area) * try to stay away from using the knights of Mars, as most IH players, and Ad mech fluff people will throw the fluff book at you, since the entire planet of Mars, and sector it protected by billions of ad mech Skittari, and there titan legions. Also the only closer than close Asartes to the ad mechs on mars is the iron hands. hope that helps smash the dream of knights of mars. - Since your going for the red/ grey look try aiming for the one name you like which is " Mars" use the thesaurus for alt words, like Ares, and so on. Look to bibical references like the red horseman, and his name being "War" which is rightly the purpose of the Greek, and Roman god Ares/ Mars. Not that it matters but I am a 3.5 year Iron Hands collector/player, I have about half a full clan. Originally this was going to be Iron Hands but could not justify them being so drastically different than 'normal' IHs. Then I was thinking about making them an IHs successor but could not justify all the Contemptors and the like. My fluff is all true to current cannon. Sigismund took a force of Imperial Fists to assist Mars in the Mechanicus Schism during the Heresy, he was called back back by Dorn to assist on Terra, leaving everyone and everything he could not take immediately. My guys are IFs left behind (they would not have left anyway)and have a particular grudge against Dark Mechanicus (who they were fighting during the Schism). They ARE directly related to the Mechanicus with full support from the Mechanicus. So fluff is not a problem AT ALL. Do not need help with fluff. DO need help with the name. Liking the idea of cogs and what not. Any help with scheme or painting techniques? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amadeo Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 Really liking the idea....I'm currently forming a similiar army, already have 2 master of forges, 1 contemptor pattern, and 4 dreadnaughts, with sternguard and devastators....running ideas through my head how to make the theme all come together with the adeptus mechanicus motif, your blog is a welcome contribution...as for bits,the hoses from dreadnought flamers and meltas work good for bionics and the finecast servitor heads are ace for marine head swaps, as well as the landraider crusader's gunner's helmet(my favorite) and the space marine captain's bionic helmet option...and adeptus mechanicus shoulderpads and torsos....not sure how it all works for fluff, but it works for me...looking forward to seeing updates...great work, you got me inspired to continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted December 27, 2011 Author Share Posted December 27, 2011 @Amadeo - Thanks so much for comment! I have a lot of those bits leftover from an Iron Hands army so I will definitely be using them! Do you have a link to your army? Update Well I decided to go with the gray scheme. I think it will be a better scheme for the dreads, plus I have Raven Guard and Iron Hands, that is too much black. I was able to do a little painting last night, here are a few pics: http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/84548259.jpg Test scheme on the legs. Needs a wash and highlights, but I think the scheme is going to work. http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/d61e3751.jpg Techmarine arm and backpack Once I get my orders in I will use my wife's new camera for better pics. Also it might be hard to update frequently because I have the best 6 week old on the planet! <3 http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/2d5ad63b.jpg Her name is Novi and she has beautiful red hair under that elf hat! I hope to have a finished Techmarine in the next few days. Stay tuned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted December 29, 2011 Author Share Posted December 29, 2011 This Techmarine started out as just a test scheme, but I have to say that I am really falling in love with it. No clue what I am going to do with the left arm and I would love some advice on what color to do the eyes that will look good on red and on gray. http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/345dde8a.jpg http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/8a3e4778.jpg http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/359d0fbe.jpg Comments and suggestions please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoldType Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Sorry no babies..unless your baby has Power Armour or is a Deamon HAHA :P Congrats man. And I do my TAu in the same colours, good choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I recommend green for the eyes, brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dez Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I LOVE the fluff for this army, and hope you continue with the red. Congrats on Novi :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ch@oZ Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Nice project You're running here- love the fluff- it's original, yet fits nicely into the universe. Also i think brass fits very well with both red and grey, so well done on that too. As for the name how about: The Clockwork Covenant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted December 30, 2011 Author Share Posted December 30, 2011 @BoldType - Thanks so much! Have a link to your Tau? @Olisredan - I was kicking around the idea of doing them Scorpion Green, what shade specifically were you thinking? @Dez - Yeah I really struggled with the fluff for a while. Did whole lot of research to really make it work. It gives me enough creative flexibility, while being grounded pretty solidly in cannon. I am planning on using the red for my secondary color and having all the techmarines be the solid red. You thinking I should have the primary red? Thank you so much, I am PROUD PROUD parent! @Ch@oZ - Thanks so much! Like I was saying to Dez, I worked real hard researching and making the fluff fit my idea for the armies visual concept. I can not remember ever seeing brass/gold bionics before so I was pretty worried on how it would turn out and how well it would be received, but the more tests I do the better is turning out and the more I like it. I really like that name, I think I will use it as an in chapter name, as a company or squad name. A similar name I liked was 'Order of the Cog'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subtle Discord Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Keep. It. Up. So great to see this go from a concept idea thread, to the miniatures being painted. The metallics are great, but I would add more Silver to the mix for some variety. Since it fits with 'mechanical hardware' really well, Silver is a great 'fall back' colour. I suspect you want to give an 'elite' message with lots of Gold/Bronze, but trust me, balance it with some Silver, and it will really add to the Mechanicus feel. (At least in my humble opinion) What you've got here is nice, but take your time with your metallics, and layer some pale Brown washes on them and they'll really get a nice ancient/tarnished depth to them. Add some light Black Wash to nooks-and-crannies to add even more to the effect. And finally, congratulations on the new member of your family. (Mine just turned two. *Twitch twitch*) Enjoy her while she's little. Will she wake you up at all hours of the night? Yes. But once she can get out of the crib on her own, you start wishing for the days when she was less mobile. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 @Olisredan - I was kicking around the idea of doing them Scorpion Green, what shade specifically were you thinking? I'd think to start with Dark Angels green, then highlighted up to Scorpion Green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted December 31, 2011 Author Share Posted December 31, 2011 @Subtle Discord - Where do you suggest using silver metallics? Bionics? Armor trim? Weapons? I played around with using both when I was testing the chapter scheme and I could never get both metallics on the model to feel right. The Techmarine has two coats of Ogryn Flesh, but no black wash. Think it needs mor brown wash or just try some black in specific areas? Also I was actually thinking about doing a dry brush of gold onto the bionics, but if you think they are too bright now, then that probably is not a good idea. Yeah it seems to be a double edged sword, I can not wai until she can talk to me or play with me, but I do not want to wish away the precious time of her being a baby! <3 @Olisredan - That was kind of what I was thinking too. I will do a couple tests on some grey and red helmets. Update My Techmarine in Servo-Harness w/Servitors came in and my buddy is donating and old metal version, that is banged up and stripped, to the cause. So I should have a pretty good update in the next few days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Just made my first LPC vow! I, Crossbonesx11 of the Liber Astartes subforum, vow on the honour of my Chapter to paint and present at least a Master of the Forge w/Servo-Harness, Master of the Forge w/Conversion Beamer, Captain, Librarian, Command Squad, Techmarine and Contemptor Dreadnought on or before the 31st of March, 2012. I promise to provide at least two WIP updates, preferably with pictures, in that time. I vow that if I should fail, I will provide the Librarium with an article and wear the Signature of Shame until my penitence period is done. The MotF w/S-H, Captain and Command Squad are all in various stages, still waiting on my FW and MM stuff to come in to really get down to work. Will add pics tonight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subtle Discord Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 @Subtle Discord - Where do you suggest using silver metallics? Bionics? Armor trim? Weapons? I played around with using both when I was testing the chapter scheme and I could never get both metallics on the model to feel right. The Techmarine has two coats of Ogryn Flesh, but no black wash. Think it needs mor brown wash or just try some black in specific areas? Also I was actually thinking about doing a dry brush of gold onto the bionics, but if you think they are too bright now, then that probably is not a good idea. Yeah it seems to be a double edged sword, I can not wai until she can talk to me or play with me, but I do not want to wish away the precious time of her being a baby! <3 When I say add some Silver, I'm suggesting to break thing up a bit. Maybe the 'clamp' of the servo-arm (or just the 'teeth'), or the round 'elbow' joint. I wouldn't make it a steadfast rule to do it the same way each time, just use it a bit to mix things up. With the leg and foot, I would consider doing the toes in Silver, and maybe the hydraulic rods. I tend to use Silver where I would thing of an object 'doing work' and needed the harder metal that I thing Silver is. Gold is left to the parts that are more ornate, or at least not moving/working parts. As always, this is just personal. I would steer away from Ogryn Flesh, since it's a skin wash, it has too much red/pink for my liking. I like a darkened Gryphonne Sepia (I add about 10 drops of Brown ink, and 2-or-3 drops of Black ink to a full bottle) for my Gold wash, since it's it's an Orange-Brown colour. Do an all-over coat to start, and let it dry. Go back and add selective blobs and dashes in places that need more depth/shadow. Smooth and blend the edges of these blobs and dashes with a second clean damp brush. Again, let dry. 'Rinse-and-repeat' until you get the desired level of tarnish. Then, go in and pick out some Silver details. For Silver I use a darkened Badab Black wash (not sure how much Black ink I add, been awhile since I mixed any) and follow the same process; Do an all-over layer, followed up with a selective layer that hugs edges, corners, and other logical places. Again, blend edges with a second clean damp brush. Take care where Gold meets Silver, and use the Black wash to make a nice edge. At this point you can also add a little Black wash to selective places on the Gold (blending with the second brush) to give more shadow and a bit of an oily/greasy look to mechanical parts. Shameless personal plug: Have a look in my WIP thread and you'll see a step-by-step of how I use this method to do my Gold. (I think it's on the first page, if memory serves.) Everyone always seems to like my metallics, and it's really not that hard. You just have to take your time letting the layers dry, and put all but the first layer in only selective places to emphasize depth. Sometimes all-over coats work, but the extra effort of controlling where the wash goes is worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 @Subtle Discord - Truth be told, I only used Ogryn Flesh because it was all I had available at them time, will switch to Sepia and probably darken it up like you suggested. I will eventually try more silver with the gold, when I get more experience with the metalics. Right now I have really fallen in love with the solid gold. :: UPDATE :: http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/bbb6d1d5.jpg Started basecoating MotF w/S-H http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/a83f2878.jpg Tease of my Captain w/PF and PP http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/9a83b1ee.jpg Tease of my Apothecary w/Narthecium and PP http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/679cb938.jpg Tease of my Special Weapon Vet w/BP and PAxe http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/6ed58229.jpg Tease of my Standard Bearer That means I am missing the Vet Sgt and Champion, both of which will be painted in parts. Let me know what you guys think! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimdarkness Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 You might consider toning down the bronze he looks a little blood for the blood god..ish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 LPC 2012 Vow Checklist Master of the Forge w/Servo-Harness Master of the Forge w/Conversion Beamer Captain Librarian Command Squad Techmarine Contemptor Dreadnought Well just completed my first piece of my vow. BEHOLD! http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/bc493019.jpg Techmarine w/Pw and Pp Progress on my command squad! http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/f9dcc82f.jpg Apothecary http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/ccd04dd0.jpg Champion (Not glued at the hip for painting) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/d2daa1b2.jpg Veg Sgt (Not glued at the hip and armpits for painting) http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/f0c3dbbd.jpg Standard Bearer w/o backpack w/back banner Whatcha think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 I need help! Yesterday was my first time painting white, found out I hated it! I have been having so much success with painting over a black primer with foundations, that I thought this would be equally successful, it was not. So here is my Apothecary. http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/509651af.jpg Typically when a mini is going as bad as this one was I get frustrated and quit, but I chose to stick out and see what I could do with it. I learned a lot, so I was going to call it finished (-backpack), deem it successful and move on. Now that is the next day I am looking at it and wondering if I should just paint him grey w/apoth shoulder pad being white or if I should just strip him and try again over white. I originally wanted to have all the specialists in their armor color - TMs in red, Libbys in blue, Chaplains in black AND Apoths in white. What should I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 Small update PW Vet for the Command Squad http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/15f315fd.jpg http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/2d885f01.jpg http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/9fc0b3a9.jpg Still need to do his shoulder pads and backpack, but he is really turning out well. I have decided I do want to start adding in silver with gold but I am going to slowly try it out and work on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Lost Swordsman Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Hopefully this helps. If I'm painting white, there are a few ways to get to a good white. You can start with a white spray primer, which is my preferred method. From there, use a bit of a badab black wash in the nooks and crannies to give depth. When the was is dry, try going over the white areas with white mixed with a small amount of fortress gray and a enough water to thin the paint a bit. The goal is not to paint the model white, but to get it close to white. Another option is to go from a black basecoat, then paint black mixed with codex gray and water, and be sure to leave just a small amount of space toward any crevasse in the armor. Next, when that is dry, the next layer is straight codex gray, then codex gray with fortress gray, fortress gray with some white, and then white with a small amount of fortress gray. Be sure to use plenty of water so you are using a thinned out paint, and also that you are not going for a pure white, but something close. And be patient. I have ruined more than my fair share of paint jobs going for white. Finally, I have been told that if you start with black, dry brush on boltgun metal, then drybrush on mithril silver, you can use the same fortress gray and white mix as above to get a decent white. One thing I do whenever I paint white is to use a micron pen to draw a black line into crevasses to add depth. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossbonesx11 Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 @ L.L.S - Thanks for all the advice! If/when I redo him I think I will make him a really light gray with highlights. I will practice your recommendations. UPDATE Look what finally came in! http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/f218f1bf.jpg Not glued at the waist and the right hip for easier painting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olis Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Are you going to magnetize the arms? :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd401/Crossbonesx11/2d5ad63b.jpgHer name is Novi and she has beautiful red hair under that elf hat! Call Inquisition! She's not power armoured! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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