WIP Practice Model

[freshwater]

Here is a model (obviously, not an actual EC model, just one I had lying around) I've been using to practise the colour scheme of my warband, the Stardust Crusaders (AKA. Ziggy Marines), named this due to them all bearing a Ziggy Stardust lightning bolt on their armour. Of course, they have no idea who David Bowie is, and the canonical reason behind their symbol (pictured in 4th image) is that it just looks neat!

The paintwork is pretty sloppy, but that's what practice is for! By the third tasset I was pretty confident with leopard print, but I still haven't gotten the hang of zebra print yet! (Would be on left pauldron)

I would usually enthusiastically accept criticism, but this model is not necessarily meant to look pretty... so be nice!

practice model 45 front

• freshwater
• Apr 29, 2026

Quick + dirty practice model, 45° front angle, unfinished - freshwater

practice model 45 back

• freshwater
• Apr 29, 2026

Quick + dirty practice model, 45° back angle, unfinished - freshwater

practice model profile

• freshwater
• Apr 29, 2026

Quick + dirty practice model, profile view, unfinished - freshwater

Ziggy Marines Insignia

• freshwater
• Apr 29, 2026

Symbol of the Ziggy Marines

> Pink is a mix of Volupus Pink and Lahmian Medium
> Black is Black Legion
> Gold is Retributor Armour with Drakenhof Nightshade
> Pale Blue is Briar Queen Chill
> White (Which I don't think you can see...) is Vallejo Dead White
> Yellow Leopard Print is Averland Sunset with Black Legion and Balor Brown
> Pink Leopard Print is the same pink as the rest, with Black Legion and Screamer Pink added for spots. Vallejo Dead White was used for the white rings.
> All primed with Grey Seer

 

[freshwater]

When finished, left foot will be pink and left pauldron will be zebra print with silver/gold (haven't decided yet) trim. Haven't decided on accent colours for weapons yet.

 

[Sea Dragon]

Love that pink, looks clean and super pleasant! And the bolt is really cool too! You could even try to paint it into some officer´s faceplate like in David Bowie´s face! For the weapons, perhaps each marine a different metallic colour, for some glam-rock colour riot?

All in all, I find this scheme really cool and thematic, now I can´t wait to see it fully realized on an EC mini!

 

[freshwater]

Love that pink, looks clean and super pleasant! And the bolt is really cool too! You could even try to paint it into some officer´s faceplate like in David Bowie´s face! For the weapons, perhaps each marine a different metallic colour, for some glam-rock colour riot?

All in all, I find this scheme really cool and thematic, now I can´t wait to see it fully realized on an EC mini!

Thinking of picking up some Tormentors or FBs today! Really glad you like it, and your weapon idea is certainly tempting

 

[Sea Dragon]

The tormentor kit is amazing, a glorious playground of bits to customize, I love it! As for the metalized colours, a simple way to get an easy and good result is to base-coat in metallic paint and then apply contrast (or any non-Citadel similar paint) on top

 

[freshwater]

The tormentor kit is amazing, a glorious playground of bits to customize, I love it! As for the metalized colours, a simple way to get an easy and good result is to base-coat in metallic paint and then apply contrast (or any non-Citadel similar paint) on top

Just picked up a box of Tormentors from my LGS, looking forward to getting them built and painted!

Edit: You weren't lying about the customisability, this is like a kitbasher's dream! Will definitely be converting a couple models into proxies when I'm done.

 

[Sea Dragon]

Just picked up a box of Tormentors from my LGS, looking forward to getting them built and painted!

Edit: You weren't lying about the customisability, this is like a kitbasher's dream! Will definitely be converting a couple models into proxies when I'm done.

Great! You are in for fun times! Cant wait to see your creations!

 

[freshwater]

Update: I finished this model!

zig1.jpg

• freshwater
• May 1, 2026

practice model

zig2.jpg

• freshwater
• May 1, 2026

practice model

zig3.jpg

• freshwater
• May 1, 2026

practice model

zig4.jpg

• freshwater
• May 1, 2026

practice model

This was a lot of fun to do, really enjoyed the challenge of painting the animal print and I'm really happy with the final product. Paintwork is a little sloppy in places but I didn't really want to spend too long on a practice model.

Paint Used:
> Zebra print is Vallejo Dead White + Black Legion + Nuln Oil
> Leather is Mournfang Brown + Seraphim Sepia + Poxwalker
> Grey Metal is Leadbelcher + Nuln Oil
> Red Metal is Leadbelcher + Baal Red + Nuln Oil
> Thunderbolt is Teclis Blue + Evil Sunz Scarlet
> Weird Green vial or grenade thing is a thin layer of Lupercal Green with a layer of Caliban Green, with a layer of Warpstone Glow for the bright green parts
> Green eyes were made using a thin layer of Warpstone Glow over the existing gold, probably should have used a bit more

> Targor Rageshade was added to the pink areas
> Poxwalker and Nuln Oil were added to the pale blue areas
> Everything not mentioned is the same as before

 

[Unicronicorn]

Amazing!
In your opinion, is there a "method" to painting tiger/zebra stripes like that, or just free-balling it?
I've always liked the idea of putting that on my models, but painting anything other than flat colors always makes me nervous

 

[freshwater]

Amazing!
In your opinion, is there a "method" to painting tiger/zebra stripes like that, or just free-balling it?
I've always liked the idea of putting that on my models, but painting anything other than flat colors always makes me nervous

For the leopard print I placed big dots of black then put smaller dots of the accent colour on top.

For the zebra print there wasn't any real method to it at all, but it might help if you draw down the pattern in pencil first.

 

[Sea Dragon]

Update: I finished this model!

zig1.jpg

• freshwater
• May 1, 2026

practice model

zig2.jpg

• freshwater
• May 1, 2026

practice model

zig3.jpg

• freshwater
• May 1, 2026

practice model

zig4.jpg

• freshwater
• May 1, 2026

practice model

This was a lot of fun to do, really enjoyed the challenge of painting the animal print and I'm really happy with the final product. Paintwork is a little sloppy in places but I didn't really want to spend too long on a practice model.

Paint Used:
> Zebra print is Vallejo Dead White + Black Legion + Nuln Oil
> Leather is Mournfang Brown + Seraphim Sepia + Poxwalker
> Grey Metal is Leadbelcher + Nuln Oil
> Red Metal is Leadbelcher + Baal Red + Nuln Oil
> Thunderbolt is Teclis Blue + Evil Sunz Scarlet
> Weird Green vial or grenade thing is a thin layer of Lupercal Green with a layer of Caliban Green, with a layer of Warpstone Glow for the bright green parts
> Green eyes were made using a thin layer of Warpstone Glow over the existing gold, probably should have used a bit more

> Targor Rageshade was added to the pink areas
> Poxwalker and Nuln Oil were added to the pale blue areas
> Everything not mentioned is the same as before

Looking amazing! All the print patterns are great, and the pink is gorgeous! When you translate this colour scheme to EC minis it shall be glorious!