Just a brief post here, having recently returned from a well deserved, or at least well appreciated, holiday. If one ever gets the chance to visit the Games Workshop Hall of Miniatures, then take it.
At any rate, today's musings are on drilling holes, and the colours of the W40K universe, and are very short. No photos today.
I was originally dubious about the effect drilling holes into gun barrels would make, but it does actually add substantially to the model. It's a case of the little things that matter. The trick is to not go overboard: holes shouldn't be too large, or too liberally applied.
It's fairly easy to do in the end: just use something with a sharp point to place a guide hole (or dent) into the gun barrel, and then use the hobby drill to make the hole. Try to get it on centre too - off centre is worse than simply painting a black dot on the end. So nothing special. It doesn't take much effort to drill through the plastic though, so be careful not to go too far with it.
Mistakes can probably be fixed easily enough with green stuff, so there's a use for any spare left over from modelling: roll it into a cylinder and use for replacing ruined gun barrels.
Another point I just wanted to jot down is that there's sometimes discussion about the practical nature of various colour schemes (mostly with Space Marines, or Eldar). I find it odd that people apply the lighting conditions, human visible colour range, environmental shapes and colours (e.g of plantlife), and combat technology of Earth today to the 40k universe. I personally see the army colours being more psychological in nature, and would be adapted as appropriate to any given situation. As an example: if your enemy only sees in the IR spectrum, bright colours might actually help you to see where your own troops are in the midst of battle, making no difference to the enemy.
Final note: from experience long ago of decals on shoulder pads, this time around I'm going to try see if moulds and green stuff can make a raised edge better for painting on. Blood Angels are supposed to have ornate looking armour as well, so I'll probably give veterans and older battle brothers more attention, while leaving more standard appearances for those just promoted from the scout ranks to full power armoured warriors.
-- silly painter
