So taking inspiration from all of you, I've taken a deep breath and started painting my Dust Tactics miniatures. I'm in two minds about the bases but the one thing I've decided is to colour code the armies (blue for allies, black for axis, red for SSU) using that angled strip of the base.

I'm waiting for my decals to arrive.Anyone have any experience ordering from dust-models.com? I had verification of payment from PayPal but no word from the company itself. Also, anyone from the UK order from them? I have no idea how long those bad boys will take to arrive.

Another question, has anyone painted the Punisher or Fireball Heavy Assault Walker? It's winging itself to me and I've no idea how to approach painting the thing.

Delivery is normally pretty quick from Dust models, normally before 10 days.

Major Mishap said:

Thanks. Is that to the UK?

yup, delivery to uk, I've not paid any duty yet either.

Major Mishap said:

My decals arrived from Dust Models within a week! Anyone have any advice on applying these particular decals?

I've started on my take on Rosie. I've been dreading painting this figure and it was screaming for something different.

Gah! Her face is really, really maddening…

OK, my take on the Blackhawk…

A few more pics of the Blackhawk. (Don't even ask how long this took)

A few more bits and updates. The Priest is a prime example of how the new Agrax Earthshade can glossify. It isn't so easy to see in the picture but it looks as if it is coated in plastic--horrible.

I've worked on the bases for the Death Dealers and added some decals. I'm still disappointed I wasn't more daring with them but they were my first so I'll have to chalk that up to experience or tweak them forever.

I've started work on the Hammers. I decided to play around with skin tones and colours. I've learned the lesson to use lighter colours to compensate for washes.

Also, I'm having trouble with some of my paints as they're doing odd things while sitting on my palette (baking sheet over moistened paper towels in tupperware). The paint seems to be separating into different pigments--I'm not sure what it's doing.

it just happens sometimes as different pigment will have different desity ie some float/sink and at different rates. Just mix it back together before you use it. Also your paint may be old/bad(not sure about this one as a cause)? what brand are you using?

Dakkon426 said:

I'm using Vallejo 70967 Olive Green. It probably is just a case of continually mixing it, but it seems to separate so quickly. You can actually see the result on the middle Hammer above. I've recoated him since but it wasn't until the paint dried that I realised what was happening. I wonder if I should I be using baking paper?

U use vellejo as well you need to shake the paint a bit more give it a good 5-10 min shake before you start a session and a good minet every time you drop out more paint.

Dakkon426 said:

I agree Valejo can take a bit of work to get mixed properly but they have the greatest colors.

mgentile7 said:

Thanks Dakkon, I haven't been shaking it that much. Will give that a go.

And Mgentile7, they are great colors and I prefer the drip bottles as well. I've used the GW paints as well but they've been hit and miss though I've only started using them after the new range came out.

Anyone else feel like they're almost done with painting a figure for several days? I've got the decals on the Hammers and started on the washes. The central cylinder of their packs is going to be a neon blue.

Siouxfire said:

Dont feel bad I start minis some times and finish them months later. Ya just loose the focus on them and go in different directions at times. It happens to us all eventually.

mgentile7 said:

I'm sure that will happen but my problem is that I can never let go, I keep tweaking and tweaking and tweaking. I don't think I consider anything finished.

I started on the bases creating some bricks/rubble from clay. (I keep noticing bits that need touching up when I upload these photos)

My progress so far on Marcus. I wanted him to be different from the other gorillas so I went for the obvious option of making him blue.

I've started work on Hans. Nothing too dramatic and I'm not too sure how far I'll take the weathering on this one.

Back view

Just started on the BBQ squad…

I've just about got Totenmeister done. I made a dark blue with a bit of gunmetal mixed in and toned down with Vallejo's matt medium. I'm pretty happy with it so far; just not sure how to handle the weapon.

I used a thin coat of Vallejo's matt medium to tone down the gloss on the Hammers which were glossified thanks to GW's new range of washes. And I starting on my first camouflage with the Hell Boys which was much easier (and more fun) than I expected.

Finally, I'm getting close to finishing Hans.

Any suggestions, tips or comments are welcome!

I like the weathering on Han's "wings" how did you made that?

Lska said:

Thanks. These are the steps and I probably did them in the wrong order but here they are:

1. After applying the primary color and decals, I "chipped" the decals with the primary color

2. I highlighted the edges with a mix of the primary color and some pale grey.

3. Then I used a touch of gunmetal on the edges sparingly. When the brush was quite dry I added a few scratches.

4. The first coat of wash I put on was GW's Agrax Earthshade which is horrible for figures but fine for the walkers. This was pretty loose and light.

5. The second coat of wash I put on was GW's Nuln oil. I'd applied it to the metallic bits of the legs and when the brush was slightly dry I painted it onto the wings in vertical lines which gives that well worn look.

Hope that helps. So nice getting feedback.