More work has been done on the Hydra’s this week, with the main hull and metals done, and the red started.
Hydra’s WIP
Hydra’s WIP
Once the red is complete it’s only the details and adding some dirt to the tracks to do, so should be complete fairly soon. Then its onto an option of things, might be a dreadball team, more Tau or even something completely random…
I now have a good start on the hydra’s, the main hull colour and the battle damage are just about done:
Hydra’s WIP
Hydra’s WIP
I’ve used a common method of salting for the battle damaged, and found it a lot easier the more tanks I’ve done. The basic process is as follows;
I have noticed a few deposits of salt still left, so going to do a bit more scrubbing today and then get on with the next stage 😀
Finished off the final details on the Fireblade and am very chuffed with the results. Although the sept and cloak markings took a bit of patience I think I got the effect I was looking for. Now all I need to do is think up some background for this chap, as I always like a bit of a story to go with each of the models/units in an army, especially an HQ.
Cadre Fireblade
Cadre Fireblade
Cadre Fireblade
Cadre Fireblade
I do know that this guy will be leading the smaller forces I take, with a Battlesuit Commander taking over as the points go up. I have a list which I will share for you that is something of a target for the first chunk of the force:
Cadre Fireblade
10 Fire Warriors
10 Fire Warriors
5 Pathfinders
5 Pathfinders
Crisis Battlesuit:
Fusion Blaster, Burst Cannon, Target Lock, 2 x Gun Drones
Crisis Battlesuit:
2 x Burst Cannon, Drone Controller, 2 x Gun Drones
Which is 500pts on the nose. I think this is a good starting point as it is made up of a core units of any other list I’ll be making and I’ll explain why.
I’ll always have Fire Warriors as my troops because I really am not a fan of the Kroot models. I realise this will leave a fairly diverse squad out of the mix but I’m more of a painter than a gamer these days so aesthetics will always win out when I’m building my lists.
Pathfinders I feel are too cheap to not be taken, considering what they can do. Sitting these chaps behind the Fire Warriors and using there markerlights helps the rest of the force , but they have the bonus of being a great unit to support using their carbines. Although if they do get targeted, caught in the open, assaulted, looked at in a funny way etc. they will very likely suffer a horrible demise.
Battlesuits I love. I will be taking one unit of each kind in my completed force (a long way off yet :(), so the obvious place to start is with a couple of XV8’s. The main idea with these guys is that they eventually form a squad of 3, with 2 battlesuits with burst cannon, fusion blaster and target lock and one with 2 burst cannons, drone controller and the full complement of gun drones. I like the idea of having a unit that can pump out 28 strength 5 shots and has an extra couple melta shots that can target a different unit 😀
As this is my target I still need the Fire Warriors and another battlesuit. I already have a box of Fire Warriors on the way, so hopefully get to starting them very soon…
Really getting into the Cadre Fireblade now, and not gonna be long until he is finished.
Cadre Fireblade WIP Front
Cadre Fireblade WIP Back
I’ve been working on his cloak, the blue sections as well as finishing the skin and facial features. The cloak will be getting some extra work with some kind of freehand design, but not decided on what yet. I’m probably just gonna stick to some tau-ish lettering, in red, around the edge and keep it fairly simple. The reason I’ve decided on red for this is I think it will blend in with the rest of the model much better, I’m not looking for it to be flashy or in your face cos I don’t think that’s what the Tau are all about.
So continuing on with this chap I still have all of the sept markings to add, as well as lenses, both on the model and on the base. So as I said, not far to go 😀
Little bit of painting, little bit of modelling today. Started to fill the gaps on the Hydras with some plasticard, and to give you an idea of the gap here’s before and after:
Before & After
As you can see the plasticard does a rudimentary job, gonna need to do a wee bit of greenstuffing to smooth the whole thing over.
I also found myself distracted by the Cadre Fireblade, that’s been sitting on the table for a wee while now, and managed to add a few colours to the chap. Didn’t really realise how much of the model is armoured, this makes things a little easier on the model and means I can dedicate more on the cloak and the sept markings. These elements more than anything help to distinguish him from any old firewarrior. Anyway enough rambling, here’s a picture:
Cadre Fireblade
And just because they look cool :D, the tanks again:
Tanks!
So the next lot of Death Korp has changed slightly as the customer needs a few of his tanks built and undercoated for a tournament this Friday. The Tanks in question are two hydras and another basilisk:
Tanks!
I have been struggling with these all afternoon as they are a fair bit of work to put together. The Basilisk I already knew would be a bit of trouble (primarily due to warped parts), but I never once thought the Hydras would be as much trouble as they are. The kit does not fit together without leaving some quite considerable gaps at the back sides and the bottom, which I would not expect from such an expensive kit. Usually Forge World kits fit together superbly.
So tomorrow will be spent with the plasticard and the greenstuff out trying to fix these sections, and get these tanks looking top notch (hopefully :D)
The Harlequins are now complete, and if you’ve been following my progress on them you’ll notice the Deathjester has yet to make an appearance, other than being undercoated. This is because he’s my favorite of these models and I wanted to save him for last. So without further ado, here they are:
Deathjester
Harlequin Squad
Troupe Master
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Shadow Seer
I’m very pleased with how they have turned out, but will wait on the judgement of the customer before I call them a success ;P.
Next up to the modelling table though is going to be even more Death Korp! It’s funny how bored I can get of painting the same thing over and over again for my own army, but if its someone else’s I get really into it 
Just a quick update today to show the little bit of progress made 😀
Troupe Master
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Shadow Seer
The Harlequins are progressing at a fairly rapid rate now, and I’m very happy with how they are looking. Today has been spent mostly on adding the gold to the models (belts, shoulder pads, hilts etc), and beginning the bone on the masks, weapons and accessories, plus a couple of ribbons here and there.
Troupe Master
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Shadow Seer
So whats left? I hear you ask (if its not you I’m hearing voices :P). Well finishing off the bone sections is the obvious answer, but following that I will have the hair to and lots of bits and pieces on the shadow seer. For the hair I’m thinking Turquoise and another colour striped, but think I’ll have to try it out to see how it looks. On the Shadow seer I want to add a pattern to either side, crrently thinking moons and suns to go with the emblems dangling from the hood but need to figure out the colours I wold like to use.
I never realized how much work was involved in a squad of Harlequins, but am loving working on this squad :D. Each one has a silly amount of detail on them, making it feel like I’m doing a squad of characters, so I’m continually trying to keep them coherent and look like they should be fighting together. So here is each one individually;
Troupe Master
Troupe Master back
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Harlequin
Shadow Seer
DeathWatch Studios 