thinking of starting a showcase gang regiment, looking for feedback and advice

[carrias]

I've always loved the fluff about imperial guard regiments recruited directly from hive gangs and, growing bored of trotting out space marine after space marine, I thought I'd try and build one.

I was thinking of using catachan models with minor conversions as a base for the rank and file, but using cadian officers as HQ choices with a related paint scheme - same planet, different social class. as for a paint scheme I was going to use dark grays, blacks and leather for the troops, and try to find a way to paint a variety of different races as well. I was also thinking of trying a LOT of tattoos, which is my first problem. I have a few ideas of how to go about painting tats (mixing a tiny bit of flesh with black/dark blue) but if anyone has tried it it would be really helpful. designs that are easy to do would be a great help too, I'm going to try sleeves, chest and back mainly but I want to work up to face and head as well. for designs so far I have aquilas, crosses, implied text, simple letters or numbers and large tribal designs but I really need more ideas. I'm not an amazing painter so I'm going to mainly stick to bigger areas which shouldn't be a problem with catachan models.

so yeah; any feedback or ideas for converting gang members or painting non-caucasian figures and tattoos would be really great

[Gundar]

Look into buying some Necromunda figs. They are from GW and actually are gang members armed with mostly Imperial Guard weapons.

For African colored flesh, I base my minis in Calthan brown foundation paint, then a layer of bestial brown. Followed by thinned purple ink, then a mix of bestial brown and snake bite leather (75% bestial, 25% snake bite). Slightly modifying this would get you Indian skin.

[carrias]

thanks gundar, I'll definitely try that paint combo (purple ink? I'd never have thought of it - I'll try it though). I wasn't going to go down the necromunda line, maybe individual figures but I want to stick with plastic, it's easier to manipulate.