I Went Down To The Crossroads...

I have come to a rather unpleasant crossroad, in regards to my Guard forces. From time to time I will look through an image archive I maintain for some painting inspiration. Today, as I was looking, I came upon and old painting commission I did for someone. The color scheme was meant to capture the look of Steel Legion, only the models were Cadian. Here's an example...

As I happily reminisced, my thoughts turned to my current troops project and my heart dropped. Bottom line...I don't like them. They have become overwhelmingly boring and it has been taking way too long to get even a squad completed. I suppose I brought it on my self, deciding to trim off ALL the shoulder pads and going with a certain direction with other details, like different heads that are metal (details are less defined) and trying to achieve a specific effect with some of the painting.

I am wondering whether I am simply bored with this color scheme, or if I am bored with painting all together. I had an idea is to start a different army for a spell but that doesn't sit well with me because I don't like to leave something unfinished.

And that's were I am right now. I am 80% done with my 2nd squad of troops and I still have the Command squad to finish. I don't really force myself to finish a painting project, but today I noticed I was becoming sloppy with the paint in an effort to get these done. I was trying to rush the process and it annoyed the hell out of me.

I will be taking a few weeks(maybe a whole month) off from painting to clear my head and get a better idea about what I will work on as I move forward. Ultimately, I want to be able to complete a project that I can set on the table and be happy to just look at it and know I did a good job. Maybe I will swicth between 2 different armies, possibly breaking things down into small, achievable pieces. Hmmm, not sure.

Has anyone out there ever come across this before? How do you deal with it? Should I go ahead and finish what I started before moving on? I am interested to know people's opinions.

The war goes on,
Hessler

The IG Laboratory Bubbles To Life...

I have to admit it, lately I have been in more of a building mode than painting mode. Although I did get my 2nd squad primed, I was drawn back to the creativity of the workshop. I must confess, I really love the hobby aspect of this obsession of mine. So here is my latest creation...

These are 97% Pig Iron, bodies are the Ferals and the heads are the Kolony Militia with covered helmets. For the sake of something "official", I transplanted some DKoK lasgun barrels onto the ends of their weapons...I never really liked the Pig Iron weapons so there you go. In case anyone is wondering, I did try some Cadian heads on these and they were too big.

To me, these models scream Veterans with camo cloaks. I picture them as the vanguard of a Death World unit, infiltrating hazardous terrain and environments while looking for any and all targets of opportunity.

I think I will go with a Vietnam style camo/color palette. I might try my hand at some water effects to add that "I've spent the last 30 days in the rainy jungle" look. Here's a close up...

Also, just for kicks and giggles, I thew together a few more officers...

This one will either serve as my Platoon Commander or possibly as a Sgt. for a Vet squad. He just has that "veteran" look about him.

I've never had cause to build this "classic" greatcoat officer so I made one, just so I can say I did. He needs something more...just not sure what.

I raided a few different kits for this Vox Operator. He will serve well, whether at the Platoon level...or higher.

Guess that's it for now. Cheers to my fellow bloggers across the pond and Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans. Here's to turkey and more turkey.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Drop Troops Test Mini

Assembly on my 2nd squad of troops is finished and I have completed the test mini for my new drop troops. Here's a pic to get things going...

I have used Pig Iron Heads, but gone with a lesser used style...they all have a bulkier helmet with mouth pieces. The grav-chutes are from Hasslefree. Legs, torso, and arms are Tau and the Las Carbine is a modified Catachan weapon.

I went with Tau components for several reasons. They suggest a slighter physical build than the Cadian models; this fits in perfectly with the fluff for this unit. The poses seem to convey a sense of alert, which is how one would be when dropping through the sky into the middle of a battlefield. The leg and shoulder "pads" represent a lighter version of flak armor, something that airborne/drop troops would favor.

I did some minor surgery on the Tau scanner and added some wire to make it more Imperial...at the very least, less Tau.

And, as an added bonus on this fabulous Friday the 13th, I received 3 Cadian Command Squad kits. These will be put through some serious paces this weekend...I intend to finish my infantry platoon and possibly start to work on some other unfinished elements of my army, namely more tanks.

That's it for now, everyone have a smashing weekend.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Still, I Walk Among You

I am still alive and still working on my precious IG. My business has swelled recently and I have been overloaded. I relax from that by watching zombie movies and, unfortunately, 40K work proceeds at a very slow pace. My second squad of troops is assembled and work on the Command Squad will proceed in the next week or so. Also, I have finalized my plans/designs of my drop troops and have finished work on the first "prototype". I will be posting some pictures just as soon as I can.

Cheers to all and keep fighting the good fight.

The war goes on,
Hessler