Billingsly's Ret Blog

**Billingsly** · 05-14-2011, 04:09 PM

So I've finally decided to put some of my minis up. I've sort of found myself unwittingly participating in the impossible dream challenge. For whatever reason I've been going through a painting craze. Last week I painted up my Invictors w/ UA (12pts) and my Maniticore (8pts).

For this week I decided to move on to House Guard w/ UAs (19pts). Initially I thought I would just be painting the Halberdiers but decided (in a fit of insanity) to also paint up my riflemen. So I have a 24 of these elves in formation on my painting table. Hopefully they'll be done by tomorrow (but honestly its looking more like monday).

After they're done I'll paint of my phoenix and maybe my two lights (Chimera/Griffon). No really sure.

I probably should have said this earlier but...its always really bugged me that Ret minis are painted super clean. They are a guerrilla force that operates in the field for weeks at a time away from their main outposts. Why are the so spotless? I never got that (that doesn't mean there aren't some beautiful Ret schemes that are crisp and clean--its just not my thing). So in order to counter-act that trend I've painted my Ret as dirty w/ colors that blend in a little better than say white.

Anyway here are the pics. I can take more if you'd like and C&C are always welcome.

**Billingsly** · 05-14-2011, 04:10 PM

and some more pictures

above HG rifleman is a WIP

**Der Tod** · 05-14-2011, 04:14 PM

I really like the quite simple colour style and the battle damage on your 'jack

Well done.

**YoungJohn** · 05-14-2011, 04:15 PM

Very gritty, my favourite type of Ret schemes. Fantastic. Mind telling us the colours used?

**Gladius** · 05-14-2011, 07:03 PM

I really like the Manticore. The work you did with the head and the vents on the back really adds to the Guerrilla look you're going for. I also really like the pose you gave it, which is something that the Ret' 'jacks struggle with - they're all so static.

**CryxianBoredom** · 05-14-2011, 07:04 PM

Awesome! I love the gritty military feel to them.

**Prismatik** · 05-14-2011, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by YoungJohn

Very gritty, my favourite type of Ret schemes. Fantastic. Mind telling us the colours used?

Hear, HEAR! Do tell, what *IS* your secret? I have a gaggle of dwarves that just might need this technique.

**code_b** · 05-14-2011, 11:13 PM

Your painting looks quite detailed and I appreciate the subtlety/realism in your highlighting and how the bases are done. My only complaint is that I think this effect might be lost on the tabletop. This comment is just what I am seeing in the pictures though and I know that I have seen models painted in this style in person that have blown me away w/out an up close view. There are some things the human eye can appreciate more in a real time view than a photograph can capture.

I would love to see some real close up shots too.

**loftybloke** · 05-15-2011, 12:36 AM

Awesoe work. I think you've certainly achieved the "in the field" look you state in your first post. The mod work on your manticore is superlative, great improvement.

Look forward to the next installment
Lofty

**Necra-Chi** · 05-15-2011, 04:27 AM

This is the kind of thing I'd like to do when I do a retribution army. Gritty and realistic/futuristic.

**CrimsonGuard** · 05-15-2011, 04:52 AM

Nice colors. The muted down look makes it very realistic. The only thing I miss color wise is something contrasting. I'd probably go with one bodypart in a different color. 1 red shoulderpad or something. Ofcorse it should look just as raw and dirty as the rest of the model but it will probably make it more visually appealing/interesting.

**Billingsly** · 05-15-2011, 06:37 AM

Well thanks for all the positive feedback.

To answer a few questions

YoungJohn

Very gritty, my favourite type of Ret schemes. Fantastic. Mind telling us the colours used?

To get the green-brown or brown-green (I honestly haven't decided which it is) I used two types of Vallejo Air paints and a wash.

Over black primer I airbrushed Vallejo Dark Earth followed by a coat of Vallejo Hemp. The hemp is sprayed on from an angle to get some highlights/shadows. After that dries I heavily wash the armor with a dark sepia wash (made using this recipe http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum...st/261541.page )

I hope that helps. I should say that it is not an exact procedure and due to the way color works its really dependent on the surrounding colors to achieve the tone that I got. Having said that its still a nice matte military color regardless of the final tone. (I should have written this earlier- you don't have to have an airbrush to use the Vallejo air colors so even without an airbrush you can get this color)

CrimsonGuard

Nice colors. The muted down look makes it very realistic. The only thing I miss color wise is something contrasting. I'd probably go with one bodypart in a different color. 1 red shoulderpad or something. Ofcorse it should look just as raw and dirty as the rest of the model but it will probably make it more visually appealing/interesting.

Looking at the photographs again I noticed that its kind of hard to see that the models do in fact have a contrasting shoulder-pad. Its a cream white though, not a red. Some of the models do have more prominent red on them (specifically the tassels) and all of them have red power-lines (though they are subtle). I'll take a picture of a profile/birds eye view to show you what I mean.

As far as getting a close up shot I'll try but I am not a good photographer. I'll do my best.

**Virgil** · 05-16-2011, 11:33 AM

Bring on the Red Sun!

**Billingsly** · 05-16-2011, 05:17 PM

Finally finished the paint jobs on all 24 of the HouseGuard. I'll post pictures of them later tonight as well as some detail shots.

**Watchtower** · 05-16-2011, 06:04 PM

I like the heads.

**nerdforest** · 05-16-2011, 07:57 PM

LOVE the realistic color scheme and the battle damage you put in there. Also enjoying the little bits you put into your bases. Nice work and can't wait to see your updated pics!

**Billingsly** · 05-16-2011, 08:54 PM

Ok so here are the pictures (I'll say this again: I am not a good photographer so apologies for the poor quality of the photos).

Group Shots

**Billingsly** · 05-16-2011, 08:56 PM

Some more

**Billingsly** · 05-16-2011, 08:58 PM

And More!

there they all are. Still need basing but I can't paint anymore today or tomorrow so it might be a couple days before they stand on proper bases

**Lanz** · 05-16-2011, 09:04 PM

Not a huge fan of the skin-tone. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be painted camo or something, but the shade makes it look sorta... undead.

I love the rest of the paint scheme though. If the intention with the skin-tone is indeed camo paint, I'd recommend splotches of another color, or something.

**Doppelbock** · 05-16-2011, 09:34 PM

Absolutely 100% better color scheme than the studio. Excellent work, it goes a long way to making me actually like the Ret models.

**loftybloke** · 05-16-2011, 10:15 PM

I'm truly stunned that you are maintaining this speed of output with such a high quality of painting. That and jealous!

**Billingsly** · 05-17-2011, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by Lanz

Not a huge fan of the skin-tone. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be painted camo or something, but the shade makes it look sorta... undead.

I love the rest of the paint scheme though. If the intention with the skin-tone is indeed camo paint, I'd recommend splotches of another color, or something.

It took me a little while to figure out exactly what you meant by the shade (probably because Ive been working with these for so long) but its actually supposed to be stubble. I think it may be a little clearer in person (and from further away than these close ups). Though I suppose I could darken it a little, which may help steer it away from undead splotchy skin. In any case Im glad that you like the rest of the scheme.

**Virgil** · 05-17-2011, 04:44 PM

Man, this stuff is sweet. This guy is my favorite by far:

because he is a G who doesn't take **** from nobody but also because the gold trim, battle damage (which is really, really excellent) and white skeletal debris make the armor and skin colors--which are very good, but fairly similar--pop like Suge Knight on his first day out of jail. So I think keeping in mind a touch of brightness when you get a chance to do the bases of guys like this:

would go a long way.

Also:

Need some mother****in' back flags up in here

http://www.thewarstore.com/product19221.html

they're pretty handy in a fight, too:

edit: Also, gotta say that these guys do definitely look like what I think the Retribution should be like: these are the rangers of Osgiliath, not the knights of Minas Tirith.

**Billingsly** · 06-01-2011, 09:55 PM

So I finished some Myrmidons! Four to be precise (I also started on Dhalia and Skarath but Dhalia still needs to be painted so I'll save them for later). Unfortunately in my haste to paint up Discordia I forgot to make a back flag for her. Still can and probably will but...not until I finish the MHSF, Stormfall Archers, and all the solos I need (not to mention a Caster or two). I again apologize for the poor quality of the pictures and I hope to get a light box soon. In any case here they are (unbased but finished).

Chimera

The Group Shot

The Griffon

**Billingsly** · 06-01-2011, 10:00 PM

And more...

Discordia

Discordia 2

Phoenix

Phoenix 2

And thats all for now. I should have Dhalia painted up this week as well as some solos (I may even paint up some Stormfall archers but I really don't know). In any case I hope you enjoy these and C&C are welcome as always.

**Lanz** · 06-01-2011, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Billingsly

It took me a little while to figure out exactly what you meant by the shade (probably because Ive been working with these for so long) but its actually supposed to be stubble. I think it may be a little clearer in person (and from further away than these close ups). Though I suppose I could darken it a little, which may help steer it away from undead splotchy skin. In any case Im glad that you like the rest of the scheme.

I mean like this guy here

That's some very green skin. Maybe it's the camera setting and the green is just bounce light off the armor, I can't tell. It looks like they have olive-tone skin, which is why I asked if it's just supposed to be camo paint, which I think would totally fit with the theme.

**Billingsly** · 06-01-2011, 10:28 PM

The skin is definitely not green (at least in person). I'm well aware that my photographic skills leave a lot to be desired. I suppose you'll have to take my word that they in fact have a normal skin tone. Perhaps I could try and take better pictures, though I'm not sure when that would be.

**loftybloke** · 06-02-2011, 03:13 AM

Those Myrmidons are awesome, I can't express how much I'm loving your new "smoke stacks"

Sceptical about how the back flags will look, but I'm sure you can pull it off!

Cheers
Lofty

**Lanz** · 06-02-2011, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by Billingsly

The skin is definitely not green (at least in person). I'm well aware that my photographic skills leave a lot to be desired. I suppose you'll have to take my word that they in fact have a normal skin tone. Perhaps I could try and take better pictures, though I'm not sure when that would be.

Okay. That's sorta what I figured, I was just curious. I recommend using a backdrop when you photograph them. While I think that it might be the armor, it could also be the environment that it's photographed in not having a solid color to neutralize it and catch the skin tone. Maybe try photographing them against a white piece of paper. NQ 35 had an article starting on pg 76 that talks about photographing set-ups and demonstrates an easy backdrop rig with a piece of paper and a box. That might help bring the flesh tone out better. Red might work better.

Anyways, I love the rest of the paint scheme. The Myrs look much more... I dunno, 'real'. Like it's more believable that they are machines made for combat.

**PG_Chris Cuevas** · 06-02-2011, 04:51 AM

It looks great, especially the Myrms. I have to admit that without the basing done, it takes a bit of work to get the full picture. What do you have planned for your basing?

**PG_Feeple** · 06-02-2011, 07:48 AM

The HGR Officer is one of the best model in the Ret range, and I think your paintjob exemplifies why. He's not some heroic Mage Hunter hiding in the dark, or some semi-aristocrat Dawnguard. He's a soldier, her's here to do a job, earn his pay, and maybe see his family again. He's tired, he's hurt, and he's still got a lot of targets and ammo left. I love the HG for that reason. These are great, Billingsly.

**Billingsly** · 06-02-2011, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Chris Cuevas

It looks great, especially the Myrms. I have to admit that without the basing done, it takes a bit of work to get the full picture. What do you have planned for your basing?

I have based a few of the models. Its just been so humid here I haven't been able to spray the bases.

Example of the basing:

**Billingsly** · 10-10-2011, 05:05 PM

So instead of starting an entirely new thread I decided to just continue using this one (although its been a long time since I last updated it). Any way I wish I would have been able to keep this more regularly (which I intend to start doing starting now) but life and travel intervened. In any case here are a whole bunch of new pictures of the army. I would like to restate that I am not a good photographer but I do have a better set-up now. Also I noticed that my miniatures have gotten dusty. I haven't been playing and am planning to dust them off when the next unit is finished. Alright. Enough writing, here are the pictures. (Comments and Criticism is always welcome).

First is a shot of the whole army.

Mage Hunters

Close-ups of Mage Hunters

Continued in next post...

**Billingsly** · 10-10-2011, 05:08 PM

Another closer view of the MHSF

Next is Eiryss

And Narn

Some Ghost Snipers

Continued in the next post...

**Billingsly** · 10-10-2011, 05:10 PM

A Close-up of one of the Ghost Snipers

Stormfalls

Close-up of two of the Archers

Dhalia and Skarath (who I promised to show once I finished painting her)

Continued in the next post...

**Billingsly** · 10-10-2011, 05:13 PM

The two Arcanists who have kept the Mrymidons running in the few games I've played with my Retribution

Here are newer photos of older units (hopefully they're better).

Invictors

Close up of the Capt.

Continued in the next post...

**Billingsly** · 10-10-2011, 05:17 PM

I love the Houseguard models and their rules (even the riflemen).

HG Rifles

A Close-up of the Capt.

Halberdiers

Continued in the next post...

**Billingsly** · 10-10-2011, 05:19 PM

Halberdier Captain

Now onto the Myrmidons.

My first painted Myrmidon: The Manticore.

My Phoenix.

Discordia.

Continued in the next post...

**Billingsly** · 10-10-2011, 05:25 PM

Light Mrymidons!

The Chimera.

The Griffon (Flank Buddy)

Now the WIPs.

Kaelyssa Conversion. I actually like her as a caster (in theory I have yet to play her...its been all Ravyn all the time). However, her model is way too static for a strike-force commander. I looked at some of the other Kaelyssa conversions on these boards and took from them. Hope you like it.

And the Next thing on my table. the Battle Mages, Magisters, and an Artificer. (I like to paint in large groups-don't ask why).

And finally...

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