Vindicators almost done

Taking shape. One of them is missing a gunner and the loading crane thing and still needs a decal and finishing the tracks.

Then both need a Devlan Mud airbrush to give it a muddier feel and a little black dry brush for soot around the exhausts. Keeping those two last steps light as to not overdo it.

Now I just hope they can destroy my enemies!

Weathering

This is Vindicator #2. It needs details, washes, tracks, and some airbrushed mud. I used Chardon Granite for the weathering, just putting it on a piece of pluck foam and "dabbing" it on where it would be worn. The color worked really well in this case. At least I think so:) Click (or tap) the image for a larger version to see for yourself.

So, looking good or looking bad? Thinking of adding a few larger scrapes to the Siege Shield too.

Imperial Fists Gunner

Tried something new. I pre shaded a marine with Tausept Ochre and here's the result! It's still missing the lenses on the bottom part and Imp Fist logo on the shoulder, other than that it's ready for the table top. I think I'll paint up the Devastators using this method as it is cleaner than the post shading. I just need to remember to paint in the black before I do yellow:)

Looking good/bad?

Current state of the Vindicator, Vindi #2 has hit the assembly lines and Vindi #3 is still sitting on a shelf waiting for me to buy it:) Planning on making the third one the lead one so it will get a few extra bits and bobs. Going to paint on some large scratches (black, bolt gun, mithril) and use a piece of foam to give it smaller scratches. Then end it with a spray of devlan mud on the lower parts all around.

Also found myself some matte varnish today so I can airbrush it on. Going to give it a go and if works well I am going to use it before any tape touches a model again.

Painting

I have gotten questions about what I use to thin my paints with. Here it is! 1/4th of the Liquitex on the left, 1/4th on the W&N on the right and to top it off 2/4th of water. I use tap water but I've thought of trying to pick up some distilled water instead.

Is this the best thing ever? No, not really. But I like it:) I picked it up on the internet and it's suppose to be Jennifer Haley's old recipe. I might try out some other one in the future when I run out of these. In fact, I really recommend learning about the various tools that are out there.

Another version I've heard of is just using airbrush medium. Should work.

What I do then is to drop a few drops of the mix on a palette, get some of the paint, and mix it directly on the palette. I don't mix up a big blob but rather mix in a little of the mix into the color until it gets the right consistency. Figuring out what works for you and how to get a good mix that goes on smooth is an absolute must. Bad coverage and streaks is not a stylistic choice, it just looks bad :)

So how do you guys do this?