Hey CLBenarius, I find that putting models up on forums and trying out the advice people give is a great way to improve my painting. I used to avoid trying new techniques because it would mean my models wouldn't be uniform, but I think that was really holding me back. Since I've started trying new techniques, each of my squads looks better than the last. Eventually, I'm gonna have to go back and update my old squads, but it'll be worth it.

I am much happier with the eyes. I'll have to thank MostWanted for that, as it was his suggestion and a picture of his Terminator that helped me pull it off.

I didn't want to make the flamer look too worn, since I want the Terminators to look pretty ornate, hence the golden flamer tip in the first place. Layering on the washes worked really well, and I think I'm going to have to experiment with these techniques a bit more.

The skulls are all based in grey highlighted up with thin layers of skull white. There is some texture there, but I'm afraid the picture doesn't show it from that angle.

I have used one of the micro-pens, mostly for black lining. I really liked it, but it dried out and I switched back to using my fine detail brush and have since grown to like the finer control I can get with it. Mostly I'm concerned that if I try to highlight over the black writing, it will take too many coats to cover the writing again and give me starker highlights than I want. I think these guys will have to keep their brownish purity seals, but the next batch I hope to look more like Brother Weasel's.

I use Testor's Dullcote as my matte varnish. It provides a great seal and doesn't alter the colors as far as I can see (and I've varnished 3 armies with it so far). The only thing is that it is really matte. I like this as it removes the shine from the inks I use, but it also really tones down the shine on metallics. I like the muted effect this gives, but I've known some people that repaint their metals after they varnish to regain the shine.