Cato Sicarius - Commission

[Jmaximum]

I also meant to ask: are you using a non-metallic metals technique on the gold trim?

[doogansquest]

I snuck in a little more time for painting. This time, I went away from my traditional approach of painting a detail to completion before moving on and elected to lay some base coats down. This helps give me (and you) a better idea of what's going where. Enjoy!

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/63189830@N02/7884076426/][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/63189830@N02/7884076426/]IMAG0978.jpg[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/63189830@N02/]jmcolbeck[/url], on Flickr

[doogansquest]

I also meant to ask: are you using a non-metallic metals technique on the gold trim?

Using NMM technique, but with metallics.

The banner uses NMM technique and color selection. Doesn't make much sense to have real metal plates on a banner.

[Jmaximum]

Using NMM technique, but with metallics.

<--- how does that work?
And the NMM on the banner is amazing!

[doogansquest]

@JMaximum: You use the shading and highlighting approach commonly found in NMM technique, only with metallic paints. Requires a bit of patience as the properties are different, but I find I like true metallics better myself. NMM can be great in certain situations.

Well, ladies and gents, here's the finished product (for now). I may go back and see things I want to touch up before shipping it out to the customer, but everything has technically been addressed here. The client asked for a simple, urban rubble feel, which was slightly difficult to achieve given how much space Mr. Sicarius eats up on the base. I think this works well here though.

Thanks for viewing! Feel free to leave comments, questions, etc., and visit my website.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/63189830@N02/7909274060/][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/63189830@N02/7909274060/]IMAG0979[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/63189830@N02/]jmcolbeck[/url], on Flickr

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/63189830@N02/7909282594/][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/63189830@N02/7909282594/]IMAG0980[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/63189830@N02/]jmcolbeck[/url], on Flickr

[SotonShades]

Great job. I'd be a little tempted to make the lower shins, feet and the base of the cloak look like they've been through a load of concrete dust,but other than that it looks fantastic! I certainly wouldn't be disapointed to recieve that had i paid for it

[Jmaximum]

Fantastic paint job! I would love to see a tutorial on your highlighting technique.

[doogansquest]

Great job. I'd be a little tempted to make the lower shins, feet and the base of the cloak look like they've been through a load of concrete dust,but other than that it looks fantastic! I certainly wouldn't be disapointed to recieve that had i paid for it

Thanks. And that would have made for an excellent addition. The customer basically wanted a "factory fresh" Sicarius, else you may have found some dirt, bullet holes, etc. Space Marines do take meticulous care of their armor after all.

As far as my highlighting techniques go, I keep wanting to put together some sort of video. Just need a good camera first, and I haven't decided where to begin. A friend of mine and I are looking to set up a more professional website, or an addendum to a site through our local store where we offer painting tips, tricks, and techniques ranging from competition level pieces to the most basic table top standard troopers. All major game systems would be included too.

Space Marines are a bit trickier, and that's often why you don't see the likes of Natalya, Jenn Haley, etc., working on them. It's not that they are harder per se, but they contain layers and layers of accessories and 1-off details that require geometrically sharp lines, and a plethora of colors. It's hard to remain within the rules of a 2+1 color palette theme, for example. A lot of the details are also stacked on each other, and made out of fine pieces which can result in having to go back over things multiple times (due to over brushing), difficulties achieving consistent "pop" from one piece to another on the model, as well as cast issues. This is why they will paint figures covered in fabric or muscle tissue, as it creates opportunities for smoother blends, flat surfaces for freehand, and more dramatic points of visual contrast.

Anyway, thanks again for viewing!

[Jmaximum]

I agree with the SM incons and deatail issues (I can see you had a filed day of those on the new Sicarius mini).
Whenever you get that video up, post here!