Repent Today: Angeli Tenebrosum Ephemeris

[Starchild]

UPDATED 1 Dec 2012

Salutations! As you may have guessed by the Latin subject line, this is a Dark Angels project log! Rather than clutter the entire thread with random images, I will be updating these first four posts as I slowly build and paint my Dark Angels army. Please check back often as older images are replaced by newer images. As you will see, my painting style tends more toward McVey-do than it does Blanchitsu!

[Starchild]

[Starchild]

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[Starchild]

This Deathwing squad is nearing completion. All that remains is the final highlights, transfers, and the metallic areas.

The extra decoration was taken from Jes Goodwin's original metal Deathwing squad. I always thought the latest plastic Terminators were rather bland, so I gothed these models out with some bitz.

The squad started out as the Assault on Black Reach Terminators. I had spare bitz to hand from a local gaming store for the lightning claws and alternate helmets. Some of the parts were taken from the Dark Angels chapter upgrade sprue.

My goal was to create something like what we'll get in the upcoming Dark Vengeance boxed set. This is how I think the new Deathwing models will look-- a different armament of course but with the ceremonial daggers and extra purity seals.

Coming soon: Azrael on a custom base with an alternate colour scheme, Sammael piloting a heavily converted Land Speeder, and the ever mandatory Belial conversion!

[Starchild]

thoughts, anyone?

[Nasha]

wow...the paint is awesome...wish my deathwing came out this snooth...may i ask your scheme my friend?

[Student]

Nice painting. I like your style and I really how you've done the bleach bone armour.

[zaran zod]

Thats cool. I'm about to start a Dark Angel successor log myself. I suppose we will see a lot more of them with the new starter box...
You have a nice crisp painting style. I'm not sold on the red, I find it a little too striking. Maybe a burgundy or purple would work better.
In any case it's just a matter of personal taste. Keep them coming !

[Starchild]

Thanks for the comments!

There are several techinques at work here that produce the smooth finish. First is that I never undercoat plastic models with spray cans. The propellant eats away at plastic, so I use thinned Testors enamel with an airbrush.

Secondly, I always mix paint with water. Basecoating is a 1:1 mix of paint to water (which requires at least two thin coats, sometimes three). Highlights are either 1:2 or 1:3 paint to water, depending on how small the areas to be highlighted (more water is better for larger areas such as shoulder pads).

Regarding the paint scheme, I'm leaning toward "classic" 2nd edition 'Eavy Metal styles. That's why the red is so bright, and indeed it is personal preference but also pragmatic-- scenery tends to be duller in colour so bright colours make the playing pieces stand out.

@Nasha: I'm not 100% up to date on my Citadel colours but the bone white started with a 2:1 bleached bone to snakebite leather mix. First highlight is a 3:1 mix, followed by pure white for the final highlight. The watery paint creates a transluscent effect which allows the layer behind to show through, which creates a subtle blending effect.

[Fugazi]

Just wanted to pop in and say I like your painting style. These models are turning out great. It is a bold red, but if you use it as a consistent look, I think it will look really cool.

I'd heard that once before about spray undercoats, but I've never had that problem myself. Have I dodged a bullet? I used GW black primer spray before switching to Armory black primer. (I should note that I've only painted over GW primer; I haven't gotten around to the Armory primed miniatures.)

[drydog77]

First the minis look fantastic. I started using Testors flat white spray to undercoat when I started and had the same problem you did. Once I changed to GW primer I never had a problem. The bold red seams to set your Angels apart from the norm. I like it.

[Astraeos]

Looking good! Gonna subscribe as I'd like to see how ambitious your conversions will be.

[Starchild]

Gratias for giving me the motivation to finish this army! The first pictures have been updated. As you can see, decals have been added to the first Deathwing squad and I'm working on the metal bitz.

Here's my take on Azrael (work in progress, but nearly finished... various bitz need to be worked on...):







Azrael's power plant backpack obscures the lion icon decal I applied. The banner top is from the Praetorian XXIV standard bearer. The stairs were made from two separate Hirst Arts molds (the ruined tower mold and one of the gothic dungeon molds), cast in plaster then glued together.

The back of the banner will be decorated at some point.

[Astraeos]

That model is such a classic! The banner top also fits really well. The bone armour looks good too, not the first time I've seen Azrael painted with it though.

[unwanted]

Bold painting with a very clean look, slightly reminiscent of Red Era 'Eavy Metal

[Malakai]

Bold painting with a very clean look, slightly reminiscent of Red Era 'Eavy Metal

Yup, Codex Angels of Death definitely. It's still nice to see a throwback style in this day and age. Keep up the good work dude.