Some experiments

I've been debating getting an airbrush again for awhile.  Ever since Army Painter changed it's red primer color I have had a difficult time trying to figure out how exactly to get my guys the shade of red I like.  I've tried blending to match, buying other paints, lots and lots of washing, but nothing has made me happy.  So I think my Blood Angels are currently on hold until I get an airbrush.  I want a basecoat that doesn't require an assload of blending and washing in order to apply some simple touch ups.

In the meantime, I've been reading the new Necron codex.  I used to play Tomb Kings when we played fantasy so the new style of the army touches me in my nerd spot.  While out and about the town yesterday I stumbled upon this stuff.  Earlier I had seen a technique for giving metal a beaten/wore look online.  I thought it looked cool, but way over my skill level.  I said what the heck, grabbed two shades of silver, zoomed over to the hobby store and picked up a pack of necron warriors to give it a go.

First let me say how much of a deal Necron warriors are (for GW that is).  12 guys and 12 scarabs for $33!!!  You get 5 guys for the same price in all the new boxes.  Who says GW doesn't love their customers?

I approached this with the idea that I wanted a very simple, straightforward scheme that required little touch up and could be done quickly on a large scale.  The time it has taken me to paint my marines has gone up and up and the results are not any better then when I wasn't as meticulous.

So here is the quick and dirty...I primed the model with Atom's favorite stuff, Krylon camo (I used the black).  Then a spray of dark silver hammered finish.  Once that dries I hit it from above with the lighter silver hammered finish (which doesn't appear on their website, I hope they aren't discontinuing it).  This didn't add as much highlighting as I had hoped, but I feel that if I am a bit more conservative with the two silvers it will look better.  After that was done I washed the model in a blue wash in order to give that steel-blue metal look.  Finally, I just washed the crevices with some badab black.  Besides some touch ups and gun detail work, that was it.

with the blue highlights on the gun, and the blue wash on the armor, at certain angles he glows

As you can see from above, I highlighted the gun dark blue.  I wanted to stick with 3 colors, silver, green, and blue.  Besides the black on the gun, there isn't a lot to this guy.  I think I'm going to do the chest logo and gun a bit different (as far as what shade I'm going to use) but for the most part I am just going to try and improve upon this recipe.

One thing is I am not a fan of the base.  I just used some old gravel I had.  At Secret Weapon Miniatures they have some cool sand/dessert bases I may pick up.  After looking at my older BA's I want to step up my basing.

the beaten metal effect

I also played around with some weathering powders.  I did some silver on the raised areas, which provided a highlight effect.  In the joint areas I applied a rust color.  For Necrons warriors this looks great, but I am wondering if the poop-daddy Necron Lords would take better care of themselves?  I mean, it's obvious that plain ol' warriors can't take care of themselves, but what about their superiors?  Perhaps they are well greased and rust free?  I will have to think on that one.

After 64 million years they look pretty good actually.

So I am pretty happy with my experiment here and fully plan on finishing the box of warriors I got.  In a few weeks I hope to play a few combat patrol games and proxy some 'Crons and see what I may want to get next.  I may just build up a small force for combat patrol and wait to see what the next wave of models brings (Cylon Raiders!). I am also wondering if I could do some kitbashing with the newer Fantasy Tomb King models.  Some interesting possibilities.

More Necron's headed to the paint shed