Imperial Swords Custom Decal (Part 2)

The last and final part of my decals which I am commissioning Bedlam Creations to get it done.
For some reasons there was several delays and Bedlam took a bit of time to respond to me.   Could it be a difference in culture or that he has heavy backlogs?

After a two week wait, the previews finally came but was wrong.  I replied to Bedlam to correct the mistake.  This time round the response was swift and correction was done within the same day. 

Here is a preview of the corrected copy.

I can't wait to get my hands on them as I have a backlog of models which I have painted which just needs the decals to finish it off.  That and the due date for the painting challenge was coming closer and closer.

Imperial Swords Custom Decals (Part I)

Just received a preview soft copy of the decals that I have commissioned Bedlam Creations to do on my behalf.   The decal will be printed on a 8" x 6" decal paper. 

It looks pretty good so far.  But I can't wait till I receive the actual decal itself to see if the blurry edges have been rectified.  If yes, I will also need to have Bedlam Creations do touch-up on the Infantry Decal and re-print them.   It is going to cost me no doubt, but I rather not have the decals looking half-assed considering how much we spend on the models and time spent painting them.

Update:
I received the custom decals.  And it looks pretty good so far.  Bedlam Creations got rid of the rough edges.  Now I just need to paint up a vehicle to put them on.

Too much stuff

Here are some pictures of the stuff I am trying to clear.  I have too many models/box sets and not enough time to get around to them.  I think I only have time for one army at one time. 

All items are brand new, although packaging is a bit old.  They are still be compatible with current 7th edition.

Creation of a new Space Marine Chapter

Introducing the Imperial Swords, my homebrew generic Space Marine Chapter! 


I used to collect a Dark Angels army and I really love the green little guys.  Though I never found much use for Deathwing or Ravenwing.  The models themselves look great in their own right but being the OCD that I am, I prefer that every model in the army would have a uniform colour scheme.  That and the only thing truly unique about Dark Angels was the first two companies which I didn't fancy all too much.

So instead doing what everyone else is doing, pick a founding legion or a GW created chapter.  I decided to break away and create my own Space Marine Chapter!  (I suppose collecting Space Marines doesn't actually qualify me as unique... )

And thus are the IMPERIAL SWORDS born!   The original chapter icon and name was drastically different from one shown above.   It was supposed to look like a sword within an iron halo and the chapter would be called Halo Swords or Hallowed Swords.... then I realized I cannot draw perfect circles and came to a compromise.

Below is the 2nd version of the chapter icon.  When I got the decals printed, it ended up not looking right when I finally got the decal.  

I thought the reason for that was because of my design.  Too much small little bits... and trip off the spikes.  I then ended up with the below which is the 3rd version and final version of the chapter icon.

I wanted more but since my freehand is terrible.  I will just have to make do.  I think the icon looks fairly decent...  it had to right?  Right?   Oh well.... it better... I poured countless hours into it trying to make it look OKAY.

Using Coat d'arm paints

My beautiful colors!

My Coat d'arm paints has arrived and I am quite pleased with the quality of the paints.  The consistency, hues and tint are what I am looking for.  Much better than relearning or trying to mix your own paints using the current GW range of colors.

I'm most particularly pleased with Dark Elf Green (Perfect for Dark Angels armor, any woodland green I am trying to paint.  Ranger cloaks etc...)
While Hairy Brown & Barbaric Brown form the basis of my neutral colors for anything leather or things in brownish nature.

What happened here "Gun Metal"?  :(

With exception of Gun Metal, which turn out to be thicker and much more grainier than I would have liked.

Buying Coat d'arms Paints

Sometime ago, I mentioned that GW revamped their entire line of painting products.  The color palettes that I am so used to are no longer the same even if it shared the same name as a paintpot from the previous generation.

After some research, I came across Coat d'arm paints.  The original company that supplied paints for GW.  Using the paint conversion chart.  I was able to source out all the original colors I'm so used to from GW. 

Unfortunately for me, non of the hobby stores or FLGS in Singapore carry Coat d'arm paints.  The only way for me to get my hands on this is to order them online.  Either through Coat d'arm directly or through one of their online suppliers. 

I decided to order from both as a means to test the services of both companies.


Ordering from the parent company.  Black Hat Miniatures.
Coat d'arm paints are manufactured by HMG Paints Ltd and sold online via Black Hat Miniatures

Processing time: ASAP to 1 week
Shipping time: 1 - 2 weeks
Estimated Average Cost: $6.66 SGD per bottle (Inclusive of shipping charges)

Comments:
The thing to note is that each package can only hold 4 bottles of paint.  If you buy more than 4 bottles, Black Hat will invoice you for additional amount.  I placed an order for 8 pots of paint that came in two separate packages.  In total cost me $48.02 SGD which makes it $6 SGD per bottle of paint.

In one instance, I placed the order on the 23rd of Sept.  The order was processed and dispatched on the 24th of Sept.  The shipment arrived in 1 week from the date of dispatched.  All in all excellent service. 


Ordering from a supplier in the USA.  Scale-Creep Miniatures

Processing time: 1 - 2 weeks or more
Shipping time: 1 - 2 weeks
Estimated Average Cost: $6.93 SGD per bottle (inclusive of shipping charges)

Comments:
I received confirmation of the order on the very same day I ordered them online.  However order stayed in pending status well over a week.  After an email correspondence, I was informed that the Scale Creep hasn't actually looked at the order.  I sent a 2nd email and no reply from Scale Creep since then.  It was only 2 weeks later, the items were dispatched.   However out of 9 items I ordered only 7 was available.

Considering Scale Creep is merely a supplier and paints are generally subject to stock availability at the time of order placement and any existing backlogs.  This means the paints that are listed as available on the site, might not necessarily be available when we placed the order especially if quantity is listed as 1 to 3. 

The Verdict.

Adding a cost factor into it.  It may seem like a better idea to order directly from Black Hat Miniatures if you live in Singapore.  It is more economic, items more readily available & gets processed/ships faster.

GW Paints

I mentioned earlier about my paints drying up.  After going through all my paints more thoroughly, I found some of the paints that survived the long hyperspace sleep!

I tried to re-constitute some of dried paints that looked like coloured mud.  But it is near impossible for 50% of the paints, those that I did succeeded in were rather thick and splotchy.  Not the kind of consistency you want on your models.

That being said, I notice an interesting trend.  The very first batch of GW paints survive intact, they were in the condition that I left them in 10 years ago.

A: 1st Gen GW Paint, B: 2nd Gen GW Paint (Boltgun Shell design) C: 3rd Gen GW Paint D: 4th & current Gen GW Paint

The subsequent batches did not fare so well and most have dried up.  I am unsure if the chemical composition of the paints had anything to do with it.  But it is likely that the design of the bottles were the reason for the longevity of some paints.

Lets take a look at the paints when we open the caps. 

Comparison of previous generation of GW Paints

A: Being the first generation paint survive fairly well into this day and I would still use this pot of paint.
B: Looks like moist Turquoise mud.  It might be salvageable but its hardly worth the effort.  The consistency would most likely be too thick to be used on models.
C: Is dried and cracked Dark Angels Green mud.  It is beyond salvage.
D: I didn't feature the current generation of paint since it was not subjected to test of time.  But we shall see over the next few months if this design fails me.

I can only conclude that the very first generation of bottles are significantly better at preventing evaporation and retaining moisture.  Some of the bottle caps from the 1st generation paints are cracked and damaged.  Yet the paint within it stays the same.

This is unlike the 2nd and 3rd generation design bottles.  The bottle caps are largely intact and made of sturdier material yet the paint within it does not survive the test of time.

 EDIT - 19th Oct 2014

Since then, I have bought several new paintpots of GW colors.  One of the color I needed most was White.  For those that don't know they are now two white colors for GW range of colors.
 Ceramite White (base) & White Scar (layer).  I went with White Scar seeing as the description states "They are designed to be used straight over Citadel Base paints (and each other)".

I need something of the right consistency that isn't too thick or thin.   The paint worked fairly well in most cases, although within 1 - 2 weeks.  It has turn into this....thick sludge of white sewage mess...

It is not just good to "Thin your paints!", it is compulsory now

Whereas, the other GW paintpots that I purchased managed to stay at the right consistency.  That is bewildering for me... the other GW paintpots maintained the same consistency.  So it can't be the design of the bottle... perhaps the pigment?