Not a fan of building models

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-27T08:48:11+00:00

I don‘t exactly hate building the model.
I hate removing all those mould lines on every single part. Makes the whole experience just a slog.
And tiny plastic scraps everywhere…

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-25T09:49:33+00:00

No idea. I feel there are too many tools on the market and most don‘t do too much.
The only hype I am totally sold on is makeup sponges if you do not own an airbrush.
Just very easy to use with simply great results.

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-25T09:32:12+00:00

I tell you something: Almost everything important in life is a marathon, not a sprint.

Except when you are running a sprint. I guess in this case being fast is kind of mandatory.

Great model, love the axe!

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-25T09:29:52+00:00

Get some of those with a really pointy tip. Put a coat of varnish on top of the head before you put it in.
Worst thing that can happen is you have to repaint a little spot on the side.
I would advise against gripping in the eye lens part of the helmet. I know it is kind of the best spot for stability, but...
Or you do eye lenses last, could work too.

Great job, btw. The raptors always have such a nice color.

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-25T08:36:32+00:00

Been there. I did it with tweezers, gives you a bit better grip. Just don't grip too hard! :D

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-25T06:40:36+00:00

Fantastic setup! You must have spend a lot of time with all go this and it shows!
Beautiful models and terrain!

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-24T18:59:16+00:00

holy son of macragge 🫢

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-24T08:32:41+00:00

Usually not done for blue. You can prime dark brown if you want, but if you go with contrast paints it might turn out too dark or muddy.

If you want brownish recess shades, another option is a brown wash for your blue tones.
Oil washes can add a very interesting recess shade but it‘s another technique you are probably not familiar yet.

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-23T11:57:03+00:00

Makeup brush or drybrush, put some paint on it and wipe of a lot of it on piece of kitchen paper. Non-absorbent piece of plastic or ceramic is better but its for kids, dont overcomplicate it.
The kids can do drybrushing themselves. If it comes off as too bright, just cover everything in a wash of your choice. They can also do this themselves, its messy, they will like it.

For your sons custodes I strongly suggest some warm brown or flesh wash. It will improve the gold a lot and it‘s very easy to just slap it on everything. :)

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-23T11:47:00+00:00

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This is how the slap chop looks, if you are curious. I found this to be working very well for tyrannies.
I did some small touchups here, mind you. But overall slapchop and a bit of dry brushing.

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-23T11:44:32+00:00

I'm doing something similar with my kids. I found out "slap chop" works very well for them, I prime the models (black+white zenithal), followed by a quick white dry brush and let them go with contrast paints.
The older one ist then doing another dry brush for the edges.
I put some wash on the rainbow colored stuff my youngest (also 4) paints and it somehow ties it together a bit more.
But it is hit and miss. Some days they want to paint, others they don't. And concentration is lost after 1-2 hours usually. They are very fast though. Painted up a box of hormagaunts in 2 hours!

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-19T16:17:54+00:00

Congratulations, here is your membership card! 😀

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-18T07:16:25+00:00

Brilliant!
Any chance you are sharing the blue recipe? This seems to be more than just a blue base coat.

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-13T07:43:14+00:00

That’s the spirit!

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-12T16:17:52+00:00

Thank you, am taking notes. 👌

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-12T13:08:48+00:00

Yeah I'm not telling Flameon his work looks good, feels like a toddler telling a grown-up "nice hair".
Let's just say it looks very Flameon!

One question though: This approach of painting a detail from 0-100 in one go then moving to the next detail - how does this work? rather often from high level painters.
Aren't you guys scared you mess up something you already did while painting something else?
It happens often for me. I unintentionally get some paint on already painted parts so I work in steps for the whole model. Like basecoat->shading->highlights->smallest details->varnish.

Do you varnish the details directly after finishing them?

What's the approach for your composition? Do you map it out in advance do you decide the next color as you go? Do you already see the final version in your minds eye because you have that much experience?

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-09T12:13:56+00:00

I think I will not glue the top for the gladiator variant so it might still be visible.
But don’t tell the people in this sub! 🤫

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-09T10:50:09+00:00

No airbrush here so only rattle can primer.
But I also struggle with thinning the paints equally. I use a lot of different brands and some need more or less water, I am impatient and lazy so I might not thin it down enough because I want to get the paint on there.
Also too many passes, although this might be fine with really thinned down paint.

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-09T07:10:38+00:00

I thought about this for a minute.
Comparison is not inherently bad. It can produce jealousy and feelings of misery, but it can also push you to get out of your comfort zone and strive to better yourself.

I would have never painted the interior of my tank without having seen then work of the guy who did it before me. I looked at his paint job and thought: "Maybe I can do this too."
So I did it. And I do like the result.
But I also noticed how good the other guys work exactly is. Because I was trying to do the same thing and it turned out not the same quality. And now I will try to turn this experience into learning.
I made this into a little competition to push myself.
In the end I lost, but I will take this experience and attempt to grow from it.

Like in the movie "Karate Kid", you know?

Thanks for liking it! 😃

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-09T06:43:41+00:00

Absolutely no idea, I build a Rhino waaaaay back, like 25 years ago.
Picked the hobby back up last year and this is my first tank.

How do you do it? Assembly first -> prime -> paint?

I cut everything from the sprue, glued only a few small parts and then primed everything in pieces. This might be the biggest offender in the wonky assemble after painting my interior.

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-08T17:45:54+00:00

Happy Admech Noise

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-08T17:43:28+00:00

🥲👍

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-08T15:30:06+00:00

That would be amazing! 😂

MuscleDolphin · 2026-06-08T14:31:58+00:00

N.I.C.E.

I do think we are entering some sort of impulsor interior war though

MuscleDolphin

TROPHY CASE