Brother Christopher

@Bob Fossil No worries, Brother. Thank you for reply. This is a long-term project and I'm still collecting feedback and deliberating on my final decision. In the meantime, I'm still wasting time on trying to figure out what I want with the base colour. Over the last 2-3 weeks I've wasted watching photos and tutorials but I'm not sure if this produced any results. I might consider using some contrast paints (or the like) but at this point, I suppose, I managed to convince myself that what I have looks okay. I even managed to half-assemble two first Primaris models and do another test paintjob (model on the right). I also tried slapping some paint on a grey undercoat but I suppose I prefer the black undercoat. The colours are more dull but I think I've grown to like that about it - it adds a bit of grimdarkness to the thing, I guess. Let me know what you think. I suppose I'll go with the tools I have; painting the model on the right was actually every pleasant, satisfying and relaxing. At lest way better than doing black. Next up, conversion time. I think I'll want to prep my first 5 models and see how the changes I have in my mind actualise. As a side-note, the quality of the Primaris models is quite superb - definitely an improvement. The sculpts, though, are kinda meh. In person, they are definitely larger than squat-Marines but don't feel properly imposing; they feel a bit... fat, but that's probably because of the extra plates on the thigh armour.

It's all fine, he's sanctioned by the not-Emperor who joined my Crusade. And since this powerful and not at all suspicious warp entity said it's okay, who is but a humble Marshal to question His word! ... rr I just want to have the option to use a psyker when I don't feel like using BT rules or playing a game of OPR.

Two more Crusaders join the ranks of my rubbish marines: This brings me to a total of 16 models painted this year. By my standards, this is exceptional progress. Unfortunately, this still means that I have 40 infantry and bikes to do. Sometimes I think this is an utterly wasted effort, especially given how GW changes rules and how they made all the models bigger. Regardless, the Crusade is Eternal. Or at least shall last until I paint all of the squat-Templars I bought. So help me Emperor! Next up: HQ bikers.

Well, I was surprised with this shift in my perspective, as well. But I figured that I am entitled to this little act of defiance. GW has changed so much that I thought I can go with the flow and get a cheap model that I always liked. Funny thing is that I liked the model better when it wasn't painted; though, painting blue armour for the first time was quite fun. In practical terms, I wanted to have the option to field a psyker. I expect that around 30-50% of my around-300-model-strong army will become invalid within an edition. I am not going to re-buy all of that so, I figure, I'll be left with proxying models either way. Even GW suggested to use squat-marine bikes as proxies for outriders and attack bikes as their ATVs. And if feel I'm forced to proxy stuff, I might be tempted to use other rules for my chapter and, finally, after many editions past, use some magicks for my marines. The in-world justification is that my Crusade became renegades - they are loyal to the Imperium but under the influence of a warp entity that persuaded them to reintroduce Librarians. ... or as another forum member suggested, my neophytes need some target practice ;) Thanks! It's silly, but I'm particularly proud of these. Don't know why but they came out surprisingly crisp.

April's vow complete: Some more photos:

Another two Marines done: Please note the attempt at painting a small skull on the shoulder pad cloth thingy: And a group shot of all of April's models:

While I agree with this general statement, I think I'd be leaning towards what Wormwoods said. 70:30 for leaving the mask without the tusks. Sometimes less is more. However, this doesn't mean that they look bad.

I do appreciate your feedback! All of this is so silly, me posting 90% identical images of dudes in power armour and I am really, really happy that you're taking time to respond to this silliness. Based on your feedback, I'll go with the purple main field of the shoulder pads for the regular infantry. Even though I didn't want to make any more test models, I think I'll make another one with a grey undercoat (for the previous attempts, I used a black primer). I think that this should give me a more vibrant purple that I can later tone down by glazing.

I don't know how I've missed this thread so far. I'll need to 'bookmark' it and carefully read through all the posts but the most recent updates on this page are absolutely great.

By the Emperor, I'm struggling to finalise my paint scheme. By the life of the Primarch, I can't decide on the colour of the shoulder pads. I'm thinking about purple, grey or dark grey/black. Luckily the Space Marine Painter comes in handy; I've generated a number of images to help me with the decision and thought that I might share this with you for some extra feedback. v.1.1. v.1.2. v.1.3. v.2.1. v.3.1. v.3.2. All are cool in their own ways, I guess. I would probably like to go with the grey pads but that'll make the use of transfers more difficult (most transfers appear to be white). The purple version feels somehow lacking, but I don't know why. I suppose that the versions with a gold or grey trim helps. As for the dark grey/black, it adds a tertiary colour and would make the application of transfers easier.

Ahaha, I can always count on you, Brothers! I'll give my best and try to convert the models I have to make them more in line with the old aesthetic. However, I cannot promise that I'll stick to this; I'm a bit concerned about the amount of work/time this'll take. However, I vow to try! This sounds very familiar. I don't want to count the point of my target collection, though. I decided to really focus on the adage: get the models you like. And I mean it; while the prospect of using them in a game of mainline 40k is a constant, I try not to think about it - after all, I have my useless squat Templars for that purpose. However, the 'get the models you like' started spiralling out of control; after all, in terms of poses, Primaris kits are pretty cool and it'd be a waste not to use most of the cool poses. And in order to do that, I needed more bodies. Now, the collection is absolutely complete. If anything, I might try to sell some of the models (maybe 5 Infernus Marines and 5 Intercessors, but for the latter, I'll make the final decision after I organise and assemble most of the models). Also, I think I bought all the models from the Primaris range that I actually liked over the years, maybe apart from the over-costed heros. I mean, I'm lucky enough to afford them but my moral compass prohibits this. After all, most of the lieutenants/captains are just regular Intercessors with the tiniest smidgens of bling but cost 70-80% of a 10-man squad. No, thank you, GW - I'll bling up some regular dudes using leftotver bits. Also, in terms of infantry, I don't see myself buying anything new... well, maybe apart from the 11th Edition Starter wherein I hope to see some Terminators, Vanguard Vets or upscaled Devastators. I'll be also creating my own chapter but I intend to take things a bit further. My Marines, you see, are not Primaris Marines. They are just your regular 4th-5th edition Marines but from a slightly alternate universe, with slightly different (i.e. modern, by real world standards) wargear. Cadia is still there, etc. And I'll be following your progress! :) Overall, I'm extremely glad to have won the Leviathan box. Sure, it opened the floodgates, but I do hope that I won't fall into the old habits (at least not more than I already did). I'm very much excited about most of the things connected with the Primaris ProjectTM. I think it's mostly the prospect of working on better-proportioned models, as well as (hopefully not) ill-founded belief that I can fix the "boring kits" and end up with something akin to 'true scale' Space Marines. An unexpected drawback, though, is t that the prospect of working on the Primaris models makes me regret having a way too large of a Firsborn army. My motivation to finish the better designed but clumsy models is more and more diminished; but well, I made a commitment to finish that so I shall. *** There is another development in the concept stage of the project. Initially, I wanted to stick to the Leviathan box + 10 Intercessors. Unfortunately, after inspecting the push-fit sprues, I figured that converting the models from Leviathan to fit my needs would be too much of a hassle and it would be more time-efficient (and overall better) to get proper kits. Well, long story short, I ended up with probably 15 models more than I initially planned. I think that this will somewhat force me to change my painting philosophy. I wanted to paint the models using 120% of my skills: to really push myself and see what I can do. Now, though, I don't feel like it. Firstly, I'm a bit afraid of the time commitment. Secondly, I'm a bit afraid of failure. Thirdly, and most importantly, I feel that actually attempting to reach my limits won't really work with heavily converted models. Marks left by filing and cutting, as well as sculpted/scratchbuilt bits, I think, won't go hand-in-hand with the "do my best" attitude. I suppose, I'll try my best with the more 'vanilla' models: Bladeguards or members of the Command Squad. But for the rank and file models, I'll try to streamline the process. Speaking of streamlining, I wanted to see how that'll work and painted one more test model. I focused on the base colour, i.e. purple. And I suppose I'm quite happy with it. The result is very similar to what I painted before but the painting process is way more enjoyable and, hopefully, should be easier to replicate. And some close-ups: @Firedrake Cordova Once again thanks for the YT tutorials recommendations. I watched some of the videos, digested and spat out their contents (I'm not as pro as some of the people from these videos). As a result, I have this bastardised, simplified approach: a recipe that's manageable skill- and time-wise but works pretty well, for my needs. I'll probably further refine it after I've worked on the first batch of Primaris and get a better 'feel' of the models. In the second part of April, I will want to juggle between painting more Templars (I want to finish 3 Initiates nad 3 biker characters) and perhaps butchering converting the first batch of 3-5 Primaris models. In terms of planning, I still need to decide about secondary and tertiary colours: shoulder pads, eyes, as well as a chapter symbol. For the trims of shoulder pads, I think I'll go with silver for regular troops and gold for sergeants/veterans. For the 'main field' of the pads, I'm thinking grey (the same tone as the arms), dark grey (in case I decide to use transfers for the chapter symbol) or purple.

I think I've finished the purchasing and collecting stage of my Primaris Project. I bought probably a bit too many models but I felt pressured to do so, taking advantage of the limited availability and the perceived threat that GW may increase prices. All in all, I feel I bought most of the models at a bargain price, i.e. price that I used to pay years ago when I bought most of my Firstborn stuff. On average, for the models I bought, the price per model is around PLN 20. For reference, GW sells 10 Intercessors for PLN 210, but my collection includes a number of characters, as well as 3 ridiculously-priced Bladeguard Veterans. I am quite sure that I bought a bit too much for my needs but that's good since I have a nice buffer in case I want to make something not following the 5-man-squad model. Today, if I have the time, I want to try out a new idea for my painting recipe and perhaps make the final decisions regarding the colour scheme. But, more importantly, I'm having second thoughts about the "heavy conversions," i.e. oldschool mixed marks of armour*. It seems like an exciting prospect but I'm worried that a uniform look would or could be better... After all, this appears to be GW's current approach to Space Marines, with all the Primaris looking the same, as well as single-mark Tactical Squads for Horus Heresy. Right now I'm sort of inclined to go with mixed armour marks for the Troops Choices (i.e. Intercessor models who will be my count-as Tactical marines) but stick to a single 'mark' for some "specialist" squads, e.g. the command squad, Bladeguard squad or Infernus squad. What are your thoughts? *The scope of conversions for the "marks of armour" include alterations to knee pads, breastplates, tassets and helmets.

Holy Terra! This place is like a hobby pocket universe where each day the playful gods roll a D100 dice to see what's on the menu. It's absolutely entertaining to see someone so passionate and creative.

Any pretext to get back into the hobby is a good one. I do hope that this might convince you to reconsider ;)