Lightning, Elves, and Beer: A Painting Challenge

[Rhaegar]

Hello everyone,

A few months back a buddy of mine and I began a small painting challenge. The rules were simple; we were to create a list of models we would like to paint each month, and by the end of the month whomever did not complete their goals owed the other a bottle of a fine ale. So far only two bottles of ale have been purchased, one for me, and one for him. Lately we have become more realistic with our goals. I am a terribly slow painter and I typically finish a model a week, so I set my goals around four or five models a month. My opponent (Oden) typically cranks out a unit and a few other models in that same amount of time. He totally puts me to shame when it comes model count.

As of late we have been painting what we need for Adepticon in April. Oden is playing in the 50pt Hardcore and the team event on Sunday, while I am only playing alongside Oden on Sunday. Needless to say Oden has more models he "needs" to get done which has been a driving force as of late. I on the other hand only have about three models left and I'll be ready.

I am currently painting Retribution while Oden is painting Cygnar. I've been playing for about a year now, it will be a year in April since I picked up my Ret shortly after the last Adepticon. I'll let Oden explain his WM history in his posts if he chooses.

Enough with the blabber, here are some pics of what I have finished since our little painting challenge began. Oden plans on sharing his work as well when he gets some time.

Phoenix:


Scyir (haven't used him much, but I love the model.)


Min unit of Invictors with UA: I am currently working on filling out this unit for A-Con.


Close up of the Invictor UA


I'll share a few more pics in my next post.

Thanks for looking.

[Rhaegar]

Here are a few more shots.

Stormfalls: I loved painting these guys, not a huge fan of all the pouches, but I still plan on painting a second unit.


Ossyan:


Sylys and his wooden horse:


Group shot: There are a few things in there that I did not share individual shots of, some things were painted before our challenge began.


Here is what is on my list for March. I need to finish the unit of Invictors and paint eEyriss. I'd also like to get Hypnos assembled and ready for paint next month. If I can get started on him, awesome, if not I have time in April before the con.

Thanks for looking.

[Murkhadh]

These are exquisite. Well done.

[Crate123]

Looks pretty damn fantastic. I fail to see the lightning however.

[Antigonus]

Looks pretty damn fantastic. I fail to see the lightning however.

I'm currently presuming that relates to the other guys Cygnar.

I'm more disappointed - I was hoping for pictures of Ret figures which had been soaked in beer, then electrocuted...

[Mod_Gemini]

I love the paint style you have! I've always wanted to try painting this way, maybe I'll work on it when I eventually start up my Merc force.

[behlal]

They're like zebra elves or something.

But those are definitely pretty awesome looking. Good luck to you and Oden getting all your models done on time.

[Oden]

Here are some pictures of where I am at todate with my growing Cygnar force. March's workbench has only been assembling and priming to date. With some jacks and solos coming soon! I will be updating the thread with my 1/2 of the competition... or Rhaegar will be collecting another fine bottle of Ale!

[HellecticMojo]

woah, that Phoenix is trippy

[Shai-Hulud]

That's a very striking scheme, especially on the jacks. I love it.

[Raff]

Dude that Phoenix is absolutely amazing! I thought maybe I'd had too much to drink while I was looking at it, but then I remembered I'm still at work, so probably not. Be proud!

[R Gordon 1028]

Fabulous work. I play Cygnar but the Ret is awesome. Love the winter type color scheme. They must be fantrastic on a winter type table top. Keep the pics coming, PLEASE

[grimni22]

love the effective highilghts on that retribution army!

[Washburn]

Well, this looks to be the start of a great thread

Mate, your Ret are simply outstanding. Everything about them is just wicked, you have a very nice force.

One bottle of beer a month is not enough, make it a 6pk at the least. Keeps things interesting.

[breadhead]

Wow, really like the style of painting on those Retribution models.
Good work!

[Rhaegar]

Many thanks my friends. Oden and I plan on updating this blog as often as we finish new models. I'm hoping to throw a few pictures on this weekend, as of right now my last four Invictors are just about done. I get to pick up Hypnos tonight from my not-so-local game store and get started on him soon as well. Like I said though, I'm pretty slow so pics of him may not be up for some time.

Here are a couple pics of my first MHSF. I finished these last month as part of my goals, but decided to finish the Invictors this month. They are not my primary focus right now, but I'm going to come back and finish the unit after the con.





Thanks for all the feedback, it is a great motivator.

[lsuedd]

love the colors of your ret!

[volt_ron]

Dude, I love your painting style! Your Ret looks amazing!

[Jazz29]

Absolutely love the paint scheme. I have no idea how you did it, though. Is it time-consuming to get that "gradient" look?

[Rhaegar]

The scheme isn't too time consuming. It's basically four shades, a dark gray that is inked and then two shades of gray followed by straight up white.

It's by no means quick, but I do not take a ton of time blending each stage into the previous. I wanted something quicker, but something that caught the eye.

Thanks for commenting folks. What I have completed over the last couple of weeks will be posted this weekend.

[SorenRoses]

i got to say that your paint scheme is as AWSOME!!!! as it is unquie

[PG_Agamemnon]

That is a pretty cool effect you got going on there. I approve... now you are required to have as many painted points in Ret as I have in Cygnar.

[kneemus]

Exceedingly well done...

[Mod_Plarzoid]

Agreed, the cell shading style on the Ret is fantastic.

I want to see more Cygnar too! Some combat pictures of the armies facing off would be great, too - perhaps with beer bottle terrain?

[Rhaegar]

Well, March is drawing to a close and I promised I would post what I have gotten accomplished. I managed to fill out the Invictors to a ten man squad, finished Hypnos, and put a little paint on Epic Eyriss. I'm pretty pleased with my results. I'd like to finish Eyriss this week but I have a ton of grading to do.

Here are the pics!

Full unit of Invictors. I don't know what was wrong with my camera when I took this. I'll take better pics another time.


Hypnos's front. I really like the artwork from Wrath so I did my best to replicate the glowing fists and such.


Hypnos's rear.


My stable currently.


As always thanks for looking. The feedback has helped keep me motivated and I greatly appreciate it. The community here is excellent.

I'm hoping to get some shots of my force alongside Oden's in action this next month and when I do I will post those as well.

[Rhaegar]

Here's a WiP of eEyriss.

[Rhaegar]

Double post. My bad.

[Gdufner]

Those Ret models look great!

I do have to admit, I was hoping for a more challenging challenge....Like a 5 pint minimum before painting started....(Less if you're a light weight of course, or more if you have a liver of steel....)

[Jazz29]

Hypnos is awesome! The gradient scheme actually improves the look of the model far over the studio one. The glow effect is very convincing as well. Can't wait to see how that Eiryss comes out!

[PG_ratch]

That is a pretty cool effect you got going on there. I approve... now you are required to have as many painted points in Ret as I have in Cygnar.

DON'T ACCEPT!!! i just got done browsing that massive amount of models -_-;
I do love the Ret Scheme that is pretty awesome. bet its a pain in the backside to...

[Warcaster Feiss]

Loving the Ret 'jacks, almost like a cel shaded army. Needs moar 'jacks!

[Rhaegar]

DON'T ACCEPT!!! i just got done browsing that massive amount of models -_-;
I do love the Ret Scheme that is pretty awesome. bet its a pain in the backside to...

Lol. I won't. While it is an impressive task I would be an old man by the time I'd finish.

[FenrirsVice]

I used to think my ret were pretty, now I'm just ashamed. These are the most beautiful ret I have seen imho. The style lends itself very well to the models

[Faolan]

Love the design and paint style. Very cool.

[Washburn]

Love the jacks dude! Awesome

I'm still in awe of your paint scheme, you don't see to many armies painted like this anymore (I guess people often make things more realistic and gritty) these days. In 2nd and 3rd Ed 40k you would see this kind of painting all the time (Eldar).

Great work again dude, the glowing blues on the jacks is fantastic.

[Pod987]

awesome paint jobs on the jacks

[KamenRiderNecro]

Looking good, but I have to ask; where's Hypnos' head?

[SalsaShark]

I don't really like the Ret models but your scheme is fantastic. Especially your jacks.

[TheButchersHound]

Gorgeous! I love the glow on Hypnos fists. Wish I could paint that well.

[@ndreas]

... that. is. so. awesome!

Never saw a better looking Ret theme! The style is very unique and works both in close-up and while looking from farer away. Great execution also!

Those bases and the orange grass make them look even more alien.

I don't like the faction style/models, but your approach makes me reconsider