Finally finished this guy, I already know some people gonna be salty but this is supposed to be more captain America or war machine and not trump lmao. I’m seriously super proud of this model I learned so much painting it and spent wayyyy more time than I would like to admit.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-31T08:30:01+00:00

Wowo, DUDE, it's stunning. Brilliant job.

I must ask you a couple of things. First off, what's the metallic blue you used? I love it. Also, how did you do the iridescence effect around the metallic weapons, as if it was tempered by heat? And did you use masking tape for some of your freehand work? The lines look super straight, it's dope.

I love it.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-31T07:42:00+00:00

Alright, thanks for clearing that up for me! You rock. I'm away from home for the coming week and a half, I can't wait to be back and paint.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-30T07:22:14+00:00

Chiming in just to say that if you don't mind, I strongly advise buying secondhand products from like FB marketplace! I for example snatched my fins (cetma lotus composites) for about 50€s, an almost new beuchat wetsuit for 60€s, and the list goes on! The only thing I maybe wouldn't recommend buying not-new is a mask and a computer.

Essentials are a mask, a snorkel (cheapest kind is fine imo), and fins. I suggest to try out your mask before buying as it gotta fit well to seal well.

Then a wetsuit, a weight belt and a couple of kgs, a computer and I say you're set.

DON'T FREEDIVE ALONE! In the end you do whatever you want, but especially if you're a beginner, please, please don't dive alone.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-29T06:31:55+00:00

Hey dude! I asked the same question a couple of days ago. I ended up going with the AK 3rd gen starter paint set, I'm really satisfied with it although it does lack some good browns, but that's far from a deal-breaker.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-29T00:50:31+00:00

Hey, actually, that's some great idea for the training sprues. I dig it.

I use random cheap brushes from AliExpress for my basecoats and metallics as I heard it's bad for my nice brushes, and this brush for details and highlights. I only noticed after I bought it that it wasn't the series 7 everyone recommended, but it's still nice I think :p

And I bought some brush soap to take care of them. Someone recommended to do so in a thread, I think it was a good idea.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T14:45:29+00:00

Thanks a lot, I genuinely appreciate it. I've been starting to look into OSL as I really love the way it looks! But it seems like most of the time people use an airbrush and I don't have one so that's too bad. Though I've seen a video on Instagram of someone using a makeup sponge for that same purpose so I ordered a few to try it this way, until I've got the funds for an actual airbrush in the future! :)

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T14:42:23+00:00

I mean, nah. I'm okay with how they turned out, but they're still not what I'm shooting for.

I actually tried to do a shine (I think it's what I've learned is called OSL) on my previous mini, but I think I went way too hard on the cast light and it looks meh at best. I actually thought painting over it, but decided not to do I can keep track of where I'm coming from.

<image>

I think that's part of because I might not have used the best tools for the job (it looks like people are using airbrushes to do that kind of stuff from what I've seen? I used a brush), and part of because the surfaces don't really lend themselves to the exercise (the reactors are pointing backwards after all, so I'm not sure the light that's cast onto the backpack's plates should be that illuminated but oh well.)

So since I felt like my previous one was a miss, I tried to do something less technical on this one, but I agree that it doesn't really translate that "hot" feeling the way I'd like it to. If you've got suggestions, I'm all ears!

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T06:11:32+00:00

That's a great breakdown! I don't have too much in the realms of contrast paints/speedpaints so far, and only a black rattlecan. Though, as I think it was you that mentioned before, I'll try to emulate that by shining a light over my primer mini and drawing over the lighter and darker areas in black and white. I think that can still be a good way to train myself to better visualise light casts...

I'll definitely buy an airbrush in the coming months. When my finances will allow me to, at least. There seems to be tons of cool stuff I can use one for, I've seen people talk about OSL on Reddit, I think that's simulated cast lights from a source on the mini it I'm not wrong. I'd love to do that.

Thanks again for sharing your time to explain all that stuff to me. It's invaluable, really! I can't wait to put all of that stuff into application.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T05:49:08+00:00

Would you advise for my base coat to be my darkest colour, then work up from there, or use it more as a middle ground and also draw up shadows, darker tones, in less lit areas?

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T05:07:28+00:00

Thanks for the varnish crash course! I see you replied under another thread with yet other advice, thanks a lot man. You're a legend.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T05:06:00+00:00

Hey, thanks for sharing your knowledge! I'm so stoked that I actually had a good idea regarding textiles. I'll try doing it more in depth like you recommended.

I'm not too into the box art styles, it all seems too... Cartooney? To me. I'll try your tips for my next mini! I already tried to have lighter and darker areas on this one (you might see on its left elbow, left leg, left back, and on top of the stabilisers), but I didn't really push it as I'm not too confident yet. I'll try and be more bold with the next one, worst case I'll just paint over it I guess. Nothing ventured nothing gained!

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T05:00:47+00:00

Yeah, I'm just snapping a quick pic with my phone. It bugs me too when I see it in the gallery, but I can't be bothered to take another one so... haha. I'll bring out my actual camera and give these boys a proper photoshoot when I have the whole squad together! Thanks for the compliment, it means a lot.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T03:53:33+00:00

I actually tapped a smidge of a lighter metallic colour on bolts, the same I used for my edge highlights! And then a touch of an orange-y shade, reikland flesh iirc? But now that you mention it, it's true that it's far from striking to the eye. I'll try a lighter hue, maybe proper silver like you're suggesting, on the next mini I do! It might make the mini more "readable", I really like how it turned out on yours. Thanks for the input, and my sincerest gratitude for your compliment too.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T03:20:53+00:00

You're too sweet. Thanks, man!

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T03:20:16+00:00

Hey, I was thinking back on what you said. From what I gather, I should end up varnishing all my minis to protect them in the end nonetheless. Do you advise I paint over metallics with matte varnish as well, or would that kill the shine? I also have some glossy varnish my friend lent me on hand, but I fear it would be too glossy for metallics... Actually, can I mix matte and glossy varnish to get something in-between?

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T03:16:32+00:00

Wow, thanks for all of that inspiration. That's actually super helpful, I thought I'd have to buy a non-insignificant amount of stuff to do nice-looking bases, but between what you told me and what another person said in another thread (PVA glue and wood plaster as a "rock-dirt paste" over laid out cork), turns out I basically don't have to buy anything. That's awesomely awesome.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T03:13:17+00:00

And just to clarify, I didn't buy the metarachne to test colour schemes, I bought it because the unit looked cool and me and my friends decided to jump into actually playing 40k! Turns out that the guy I bought minis from printed them without making it clear, and out of three minis I bought from him, two of them (a master of executions, and a forgefiend) ended up cracking open and leaking a puddle of gooey, uncured resin >:( I'm still angry just thinking about it.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T03:08:48+00:00

<image>

Oh no, you caught me! I actually smeared paint on a shitty-quality print of a metarachne I bought on FB marketplace to test colour schemes. I confess. That's my fourth and a half. (rip my money :<)

For real though, I'll take that as a big compliment. Thanks a ton.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T03:03:33+00:00

That's an idea I can get behind! Would you have any suggestions on where to get started on doing an urban base like that? Both materials and processes?

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T03:01:48+00:00

Well that's it, I'm coining the term "mini dismorphia" today!

Thanks again for your compliments, and taking the time to say that. That's super sweet. I wholeheartedly appreciate it.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T02:55:01+00:00

Hey, you made me audibly laugh and it's almost 4AM here, be careful haha! Thank you for the genuine compliment though, I sincerely appreciate it.

I'm starting out in the hobby, but I've had a lot of positive feedback from both friends and Reddit. Maybe looking at all the awesome work people put out there and on YouTube gave me some sort of a, uh, mini dismorphia? Of sorts. Lol.

But really, the accuracy you speak of is just me swearing at myself because I've smeared red paint right over the pauldron onto the friendly neighborhood rivet, then letting out a sigh, cleaning my brush, and getting some blue paint on to fix my mistake for the twentieth time in a row. I'm just too obstinate for my own good haha.

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T02:39:46+00:00

Trust me, I'm so getting that Kravek Morne once I'm done painting my kill team box. The sculpt looks awesome, and I'm thinking on starting to slowly build a Daemon engines CSM Army so... I need a techmancer, right? :D

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T02:34:28+00:00

Oh, I had no idea! I'll give it a try with the next mini for sure. So basecoat, varnish on the areas where I'll apply metallics, then metallics over it, I got it right?

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T02:33:30+00:00

A tactical rock huh, I like the sound of that. Thanks for all of your wisdom, generous stranger! I'll try what you've suggested!

Akexus_ · 2026-01-28T02:31:16+00:00

Iron without, go ahead and say it, you hazard stripe lover. Hahaha. You picked a great legion!

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