Sternguard Veterans Step-by-step Tutorial

A tutorial regarding some of the techniques I used on the Ultramarines commissions is now available as a .pdf file here. Covered are preparation and cleanup of metal miniatures and zenital highlighting. I hope this is found interesting and helpful.

Deathwing Company Master Belial

Belial, done as a conversion of a standard Terminator Captain metal miniature. The metal figure is substantially smaller than the modern plastic Terminators, so he's been mounted on a largish piece of slate to bring the height up a bit. Combined with the banner he's imposing enough. The robe and heraldry has been sculpted with greenstuff. The skull on the banner pole was also sculpted, to cover where the feet of the Eagle that was removed from the pole were.

Deathwing Terminator Squad Praxis

Deathwing Terminator Squad using Forge World shoulder pads and parts from the Dark Angel Veterans box set. All arms are magnetised as is the Cyclone Missile Launcher torso (here used from Squad Turiel). An additional standard Terminator torso, 2 sets of Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, and 3 sets of Lightning Claws are included with this squad.

Deathwing Terminator Squad Turiel

Deathwing Terminator Squad using Forge World shoulder pads and parts from the Dark Angels Veterans box set. All arms are magnetised, as is the heavy weapon torso. An additional Storm Bolter, Assault Cannon, Chainfist and Cyclone Missile Launcher torso are included with this squad.

Deathwing Land Raider; Doors closed

Land Raider #4 of the Deathwing. Doors are hinged and magnetised. Sponsons are magnetised. Full interior paintwork. Weathering done by sponge and stipple, with spot washes for stains and streaks.

Deathwing Land Raider; Doors open

Land Raider #4 of the Deathwing. Doors are hinged and magnetised. Sponsons are magnetised. Full interior paintwork. Weathering done by sponge and stipple, with spot washes for streaks and stains.

Ultramarines Rhino

Fairly simple work done on the Rhino. Sculpted icon and scroll on the portside (left) door. Heat-stretched styrene for the whip antenna. Use of various tank bits and pieces for detailing. The camo net is made from fine netting with leaf scatter from http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/ hairsprayed on.

I hate the smell of hairspray, but it's the best stuff I've found for the job. Liberal amounts of superglue used in training the netting to sag properly.

Ultramarines Sniper Scouts

Pretty much straight off the sprue sniper Scouts. Greenstuff hoods added at client request, as was the use of the heavy bolter. Bases are resin, by Secret Weapon Miniatures.

Ultramarines 2nd Co, Squad V (b)

Some hefty conversions here. The simplest are the two guys with the copy of the 40k rulebook; pretty much just kitbashing with parts from the Dark Angels Veterans, Terminator and Command Squad sprues.
The smoker has a bolter from the Dark Angels Veteran sprue, and is scratch built from the waist down for a lazy, leaning pose. The head is Catachan in origin, and screamed out for a purple tie-dye scheme. The hand holding the cigarette (yeah, right) is from the Sniper Scout sprue, and has had the appropriate fingers spread and a new wrist sculpted.
The marine with damaged armour uses a Catachan arm with a sculpted shoulder. The original marine arm was drilled out and bits of guitar wire were used for cabling. The gun arm is a simple cut and glue repose.
The missile launcher marine is almost completely rebuilt. Rather than sculpt the legs entirely from scratch, they were cut at the hips and knee. The kneepads and feet were removed. The head is Catachan, with the headband and hair removed and replaced with a greenstuff scalp and guitar wire cable. The canteen, strap, knife sheath, feet and kneepads are also greenstuff. A little water effects was stretched between the mouth and canteen, and down the chest to represent water. Or booze. Probably booze. Bases are resin, by Secret Weapon Miniatures.

Ultramarines Terminators

Pretty much straight off the sprue Black Reach Terminators. The sergeant's back icon has been replaced with a banner, and a spare assault cannon has been donated as a heavy weapon. Bases are resin, by Secret Weapon Miniatures.

Ultramarines 2nd Co, Squad I (a)

Only the sergeant and plasma gunner are converted here. The plasma gunner is my version of the classic 'NOT THE FACE!' gunner seen many times before, and was done by resculpting the upper arm and elbow joint on the gun arm, and using a reposed missile launcher support arm for the off hand. The sergeant has a completely sculpted sword arm, excluding hand and uses a head from the Dark Angels Veterans set. The chapter icon on shoulder and breastplate, and the skull on the kneepad are also greenstuff. The icon on the backpack was provided by the client. The cable to the power sword is guitar string. Bases are resin, by Secret Weapon Miniatures.

Ultramarines 2nd Co, Squad VI (b)

Another squad containing a few interesting conversions. A number of sets of kneeling legs were provided by the client (from the Command Squad box set I believe), one used here. The metal lascannon was provided by the client without a targetter. The shellcase-on-chain honours are made from 9ct gold chain, with a turned styrene boltshell. A Dark Angels Veteran's bolter has been used for some variety (2nd from right). The stock on the squad leader's boltgun was scratchbuilt, and required a partial resculpt of his arm. Bases are resin, by Secret Weapon Miniatures.

Ultramarines 2nd Co, Squad II (a)

Deceptively simple conversions here; the running legs are courtesy of the Assault Marine sprue. The knife-wielders have 2nd edition plastic arms for the closed fists. These have been offset from the shoulder, with gaps filled with greenstuff. The grenadier has a sculpted thumb and wrist, and uses a bolter arm from the Dark Angels Veterans set. The Sergeant is the limited edition Aurelius figure, and is unconverted.

Ultramarines Dreadnought

Some conversion and sculpting work on this dreadnought; the hips have been repositioned, with greenstuff ribbing to help lift the right foot. Both feet have had toes repositioned to help with the pose. The Eldar under the right foot is painted in the colours of the client's usual opponent, and has been chopped and filed to get him as flat as possible. Weapons are magnetised. The multi-melta and power fist here are from the Black Reach dreadnought. All weapons have had the inside face filled. The base is resin, by Secret Weapon Miniatures.

Ultramarines Sternguard Veterans

Sternguard painted out of the box. Bases are resin by Secret Weapon Miniatures. The pointing marine has been painted as the sergeant as I prefer the pose and stat-wise Sternguard are all the same. The actual sergeant should be the marine to the left of centre (with power fist).

Ultramarines Drop Pod 47

Drop pod with removable console. Turnaround time of around 5 days.

Ultramarines Captain Sicarius

Limited Edition miniature, magnetised to allow display with original backpack/banner. Let's face it, a claw captain needs a jump pack. The base is resin, by Secret Weapon Miniatures.

Ultramarines 2nd Company Strike Force Group Shot

First section of a very large commission for a client in New Zealand. Total time taken for this group was around 4 months, including breaks over Christmas / New Year.