To the Walls!: A Competitive Imperial Fist army painted over 5 days.
This year I have painted entire companies of Space Marines. Of all eras, legions, chapters and designations. It's something I enjoy as much now as I did 10 years ago upon returning to the hobby. This next project, a competitive Heresy List for some lads of the VIIth Legion, had a few considerations.
It had to be completed to a strict deadline due to being needed for an event. The list was assured, so the event Minis would be completed before in the first wave, with non event minis being saved for the second wind. This included 69 Space Marines, 4 tanks, 3 Dreadnoughts and a Primarch.
It was all pre built by the client, and had to be painted to match their existing collection. This presents challenges not seen when given free rein to paint up something for someone else. A tester marine was completed and signed off by the client, so from there it was time to plan the project.
The project:
25 Templar Brethren
15 Recon Marines
3 Land Raiders
1 Rhino
3 Dreadnoughts
10 Tartaros Terminators
5 Seeker Marines
10 Assault Cannon Heavy Squad
1 Chaplain, 2 Apothecaries, Tybos Rufio
Rogal Dorn
The project was broken down over 5 eight hour days. Batch painting and productive sequencing would help ensure the work was executed effectively, to a good consistent standard and cost effective to the time constraints and hours given to complete the army.
Tuesday - 25 Templar Brethren
Wednesday - 15 Recon Marines
Thursday - 3 Land Raiders and 1 Rhino
Friday - 3 Dreadnoughts, 10 Terminators and 5 Seekers
Saturday - 10 Heavy Support Marines and the Characters
Sunday - Dorn and finish basing
Now, quick maths tells us that this took 6 days and not 5. This was due to a couple of list adjustments from the client. Originally, Dorn, the Seekers and 1 Land Raider weren’t in the initial list. Thankfully this was easily bolted on to the plan and although would eat in to my weekend, would ensure the event project would be completed for my client.
The biggest obstacle I felt would be the Templar Brethren. So I tackled these immediately. The important focal points I chose for them was going to be the yellow pauldrons, the shiny metallic trim and the power swords. I would have loved to have put more time on the black armour, but the black elements on the pre painted bits for the army were fairly simple so I kept in tradition of that.
These Templars were almost wholly finished in one day, and when completed, the rest of the army was almost comfortably attainable within my means to complete. This project is a great example of one of two ways commissions are offered to me:
“Go your own way”: I paint it to a rough brief, but entirely of my own volition. (“I want Alpha Legion. So long as I can see they’re that, go nuts.”). This is always awesome. As my initiative kicks in and I can have a great time experimenting schemes and techniques.
“Like X, please.”: this normally involves painting to a precise brief or to match a current collection, like this project. As nice as it is to have a set and detailed brief, it can be restrictive, but also very rewarding when emulation goes well.
With the main barrier overcome, and the tester for the ‘main scheme’ approved. The rest all fell in to place. Airbrushing a warm gold yellow, filling in base colours, varnishing, transfers, varnishing, weathering, oils, Metallics, basing. To achieve maximum use of time, processing the day in to a breakdown around the schedule meant less waiting about. Oils and basing material were applied before I went to bed each evening. Early starts ensure the early sun got those washes and thin metallic base layers dried while I was painting the next batch. Daily updates with the client to ensure he was happy with results meant I was constantly working to ensure he and I were both happy with the output.
I do NOT expect this army to win any awards. There are plenty of studios out their charging far FAR more for their quality. But for the price tag, result and turnaround, I am very happy with the end result of this project. I followed my tried and tested processes. Applied the “Don’t worry, it’ll be reet.” ethos and ended up with one of the largest and fastest projects i’ve been hired to work on.
Something else I do when working with large projects to maintain momentum is have a treat at the end. Get the challenging bits done first, then have something to look forward after. Sandwich this to the point you have something you’re REALLY excited to commit time to at the finish line. This would of course be Big Daddy Rogal Dorn. He's a right dream to paint up. The gold photographs terribly, but it reads beautiful and burnished on the eye. The bold red cape means he'll stand out on any tabletop, and I spent a good time getting his face to a really nice standard.
With him finished, I lined up the army ready to have the basing finished. They were all textured using Pro Acryls basing paste on previous evenings. At this stage I just had to airbrush a colour on their, combine two pigment powders in a dish and apply them to every base and the tracks of the tanks, then paint the base rims black. Complete!
And that’s how we do. The traitors at the event these chaps are off too are in for a rough ride.
Enormous heart felt thank yous as ever to the client for the opportunity. I hope they kick some severe ass! A special thank you goes out to my partner who not only brought me snacks and tea while I worked over the weekend, but also took me out to see Tenacious D last night, and it was a superb show!
Want to know how much this job charged? Best way to find out is to reach out and enquire about your own projects. But to give you a hint, the 4 tanks were painted in a day for my current rate of £150.00, all in.
So don't delay, drop us a message, an email or a request form (found here on my website) and let me and my awesome team help you get your tables covered in amazing collections of painted miniatures.
Peace! 🤘🏻
Chris - The Unrelenting Brush
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