Fort Falk Stormwall WIP

[kommander_redfinger]

Hello all,

Here are some progress shots of my Fort Falk Stormwall. For those not familiar the Fort Falk colors were based on some fluff and a studio scheme from the MK I Escalation days. Since Caine is going to be my go to caster for Cygnar I thought it would be cool to go with Fort Falk, apparently that is where Caine was stationed at one point...or something... I decided to go with the grey/yellow color scheme for my whole Cygnar army, all the jacks will look akin to this one. I am also going for a more "realistic" weathering and painting approach. So I have been painting this guy like I would a WWII tank or other modern military vehicle. One thing you might notice for example is that the metal parts are not painted, but metallic pigment has been used instead.



I went to local construction sights and took tons of pictures of tractors and other industrial equipment to help get an idea of how I wanted to the weathering and rust to look. The lower legs will get a final dusting of weathering powder once the model is based. I also still have the arms and other detail parts to do. My box was missing the head, so I am waiting on a replacement part form PP as well.



I did not realize that the upper torso has such a forward lean to it. Consequently the chipping and scratching is at an odd angle. I think it looks close enough though to be ok. I still have not decided on what color to paint the swan, I was think brass with some patina on it would look good, but then a nice blue might help add a little accent to it.



Here on the foot you can see how the oils colors I used for the rust and the metallic pigment combine to give a very realistic metal effect.



One more shot form the back. The boiler cover will be painted brass and weathered as well. The smoke stacks will receive a nice dousing of soot. The back half of the model is a much darker grey than the front, this was done to try and create some variety in color and simulate the sooty nature of the fuel being burned.

I will get some photos of the base in the next post

Ashton

[kommander_redfinger]

Ok here is the base I am doing. It has been modeled up to look like a trench with the Stormwall about to step over it.

Here is the base with the Stormwall on it;



Lastly here are some shots form the side, showing how the wall of the trench where the Stormwall is stepping is giving way;

[GrandMcMuf]

Red this is an awesome piece. The weathering is some of the best I've ever seen. Ever. The only criticism I have is the back of the leggs. They look very clean.

[Minotaur]

Very, very awesome. I love the base, and the model's pose and paint job are most excellent.

[John Q.]

The weathering effects are some of the best I've seen.

The base is fantastic too.

Not sure what your plans for the base are, but I think you should have the trench wall buckling slightly under the weight of the Stormwall's foot.

[Drzombieface]

Lovin' the weathering.

[watchgeorgerock]

Looks, great. But aren't Stormwalls new to Cygnar? Your's looks like its been sitting in a junkyard for 20 years.

[PG_Saturated Phat]

Wow fort falk take horrible care of their stuff. ;]

[Yertle4]

That looks cute.

*pinches cheek*

[ArkenTyre]

Epic. The paint on that is top freaking notch.

[raincaller]

Looks, great. But aren't Stormwalls new to Cygnar? Your's looks like its been sitting in a junkyard for 20 years.

considering the battledamage on the studio model...
Looks like something that has seen some serious front line use. lovely painting.

[deademon]

freaking awesome...

[Arlaharen]

Yeah, that's beautiful.

When you say you painted the metals using pigments, how do you do that? I've got small bottles of various MIG pigments but they're all dry. Do you use something else entirely or do you dilute it with alcohol and then paint? I'd love to see a step by step tutorial in the future

[Wishing]

That looks amazing, extremely realistic. It's nice to see when techniques from old school military modeling is used in wargaming.

[Washburn]

I love it mate, nothing more to say except keep up the awesome work.

[Lucius]

Awesome.. Keen to see how it looks all finished..
Great work on the base.. makes me think i'll have to step it up once I get my Mountain

[Pudgeinabowl]

Love it, my only critique would be the base, the trench wall should be buckling a little to help convey the shear weight of that behemoth. Then again that is coming from someone far too lazy to flock his own bases, let alone build an epic trench for it .

[Strangelove]

The paint job is amazing so far. I would second that I would like the trench to be caving in a bit where he's stepping. And maybe have him not as far back on the base if possible. Regardless, this thing is fantastic.

[stonet13]

That is one of the best weathering jobs I have seen. Extreme weathering while still not over the top and very realistic. Can you provide a listing of the paint colors you used on the rust effects?

[Stanislav]

Very nice Ashton! Really digging the weathering!

[IronComrade]

Waaaaaannnnnntttttt MOAR

[ForestZ]

That is an amazing weathering paint job. Looks great.

Also, to all you people who keep saying the trench needs to be buckling..did you even *read* the post? It's right there, in non-edited black and white...the trench IS buckling under the weight...*sigh*

[Strangelove]

Also, to all you people who keep saying the trench needs to be buckling..did you even *read* the post? It's right there, in non-edited black and white...the trench IS buckling under the weight...*sigh*

Then I'll be more clear: it looks fine, but I think it could be pushed further.

[Khador247]

Let's see, how should I put this?...

AWESOME!!!

[thedrake]

add me to the group of "This is amazing"

[Prismatik]

This makes my pigs hurt. No matter how much you scratch the thing, you can't bring 'er down!

Awesome... awesome work.

[PG_Agamemnon]

Very nice indeed.

[kommander_redfinger]

Thanks for all the responses!!! To answer some specific questions;

Re: the base

The base is quite heavy and the ground work has been made using pre-mixed concrete patch, so as a result everything is quite set. While I agree that a little more give would be nice on the base, at this point I would have to go back and rebuild the whole thing. I dont think that will be happening anytime soon.

Re: the pigments.

You can paint with pigments, and perhaps my statement came off a little unclear. I did not actually paint with pigments, I rubbed them into the surface using a makeup applicator. I use secretweaponminiature.com pigments. They are pure pigments and ground to an incredibly fine consistency. Some pigment companies use wax fillers like carnuba to help the pigments adhere better, I suggest staying away from these, you get better control with out the additives. The specific powder I used on this model so far is there metallic iron. Once the Stormwall is fixed to the base more dirt and dust will be applied to create a more weathered effect.

Re: paint and process.

It is a little complicated but basically the painting process described in the new Colossus book. One big difference is that I did not use hairspray, I used a product by a company called AK Interactive. It was found by a guy named Mig Jimenez, he was really one of the first modelers to pioneer this technique of using hairspray to create a weathered look. With the hairspray it is really easy to get out of control, as the paint can come off very easy, the AK Interactive really helps give more control in removing the paint. As far as colors used it was something like this;

Base coat- Auto Primer Red
Seal w/ acrylic based sealer
AK Interactive chipping fluid
Vallejo Air Burnt Umber
distressed paint w/ tooth brush
Sealed layer
Tamyia Falt Brown + Tamyia Black
Seal w/ acrylic based sealer
AK Interactive chipping fluid
distressed paint w/ toothbrush
Sealed model

At this point I had a nice multi-colored rust effect going on

Masked off all the areas that were going to be yellow
Seal w/ acrylic based sealer
AK Interactive chipping fluid
Grey base coat was acheived with a 4:2:1 ratio of Tamyia Flat White, Nuetral Grey and Deck Tan. Airbrushed on
Color modulation was applied using flat white and neutral grey.
Seal w/ acrylic based sealer
AK Interactive chipping fluid
distress with tooth brush
seal layer

at this point the grey was complete, and had nice areas of rust showing through
next I masked off all the grey areas that are still the rust color because of the first masking

The yellow was a achieved by a 4:1 Tamyia Flat Yellow and Flat Earth
Paint was applied via airbrush
Color modulation was achieve by adding a little more flat earth and a little white to each each shadow and highlight.
Distressed the paint with a tooth brush
sealed the layer

At this point I could begin adding in the oil streaks, the fading and other such weathering effects.

On the areas where there is the steel, I had kept these areas masked, and then once all other areas were done I sponged over the rust colors, very thin, transparent colors of dark and light grey. I then rubbed metallic weathering powder on these areas and buffed it to a shine.

On the areas of heavy rust, like around the feet, I added a little of this metallic powder onto the edges, and random spots, this helps give the illusion of bare metal.

So that is about it, I know it is a lot of steps, but in the end it really pays off. I will make sure and post more pics later as soon as there is more to post!

Ashton

[raizieldragon]

As a fan of the studios weathered look, I must say I think this is amazing. I am usually not a fan of the color yellow. On anything. But, I think you used it quite well on this to make it look like a large piece of heavy machinery. Personally, I think either black or some sort of metallic (maybe iron) would be best for the Cygnus. If it's black, it will sort of go along with the construction-equipment paint scheme you have going in, but a rusty, weathered cygnus might also look good. No matter what, however, if you paint it as well as you painted the rest of the model, I'm sure it will come out looking great.

Would you mind adding pics to the Stormwall compilation thread I created, once it is complete?

[John Q.]

Then I'll be more clear: it looks fine, but I think it could be pushed further.

Exactly. Currently it's bulging out, but it's not showing any downward effect of the weight of the Stormwall.

Maybe I wasn't clear, but this is what I meant, signs of the downward pressure of the colossal's weight.

But if the base is set then keep going. I don't mean to say it doesn't already look amazing, because it does.

[Strangelove]

I apologize, I wasn't trying to get down on the base or any part of this at all. I think it'll look great and only made my suggestion before knowing how set it already was. I can't wait to see this guy's progress.

[kommander_redfinger]

@Strangeglove/John Q - No apology is needed. I hope my response did not come across as defensive. I welcome and appreciate the criticism, that is what will help me do better when I build my Konquest on a similarly epic base!!

There probably wont be any more updates for a week or two, I have finals coming up and I can already feel my brain getting full! But thanks again everyone!

And just as a last teaser shot, here is the Stormwall on my base, next to the Konquest, it is not my model, one I am doing for a buddy. It gives a nice comparison of how much taller the Stormwall now stands!

[PPS_Matt DiPietro]

Looking great! I'll be watching this thread for the finished piece

[Mercykiller]

That is one hell of an incredible weathering job! Can't wait to see the finished piece!

[NickedKenDoll]

Looks great and I'm very happy to see more yellow armies, but this does beg the question of why Stormwall? Did Nemo build it, paint it for Fort Falk, and just leave it under a waterfall for a few weeks?

"Ok, looks like we're all ready to ship out your new Stormwall Caine. Just sign here and we'll be on our wa-"

"Stop! It doesn't have rust on it yet!"

"Rust, Artificer General?"

"Yes, rust! We need it for...electricity? Whatever, just put it back in that dank box under the Stormwall Falls."

"...ok."

[PG_derSid]

Impressive!

[Patryn]

Have you tried sealing the metallic powders in yet? I've found that when applied dry, powders change drastically when sealed.

[Gooby]

That is simply beautiful.

[PG_Dalthoraz]

Dude awesome work never seen a yellow cygnar i liked, now i have. Can't wait it see it completed

[kommander_redfinger]

Have you tried sealing the metallic powders in yet? I've found that when applied dry, powders change drastically when sealed.

The metallic pigment powders are the very last thing I put on. I will do all my painting and detailing then seal the model completely, then add the metallic pigments. Otherwise the clear coat will effect the look of the pigments. In my experience metallic pigments are pretty safe to handle after they have been applied. I use a eyeshadow type makeup applicator to apply the metallic pigments. As I apply the powder I am also buffing it in at high speed as well, this polishes the powder giving the metal effect. Once that polishing takes place it wont come off very easily.

I hope that answers your question.

Ashton