+ Chaplain Savonarola (Amaliel 7:13)+
Blessed is the mind too small to doubt.
+ Imperial aphorism +
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+ Theoretical +
+ It's a very distinctive look that I don't think has turned up elsewhere, but works really nicely. It's particularly suitable for the Blood Angels, I think, as it complements the golden armour of their heroes and champions and contrasts with the black armour of their Death Company. +
+ Appearing as it did at the back end of Rogue Trader, the image differs from the black-armoured Chaplain of the studio army and elsewhere; but it's such a striking look that I wanted to include it. +
+ Of course, this raised the question of whether to tackle it with non-metallic metal (NMM) techniques – as in the original artwork – or with metallic paints. The former would have worked well alongside my Captain Tycho, where I used a NMM approach; while the latter would sit better alongside the rest of the army. +
+ Unable to decide, I split the difference and decided to experiment, using metallic paints alongside non-metallic paints to create a halfway house. +
+ Practical +
+ I was not at all confident that this would work, but gave it a go anyway – that's the only way I know to improve! When approaching a model like this, I find it helps to start with some safe elements – those bits you can do easily. Here, I painted the robe. Having something like this finished or blocked out is reassuring when the experimental areas go through the (almost inevitable) stage where they're a bit crap looking. +
+ I started the silver itself with a base of Fenris Grey (one of the old Foundation paints) mixed with Payne's grey acrylic ink. This gave a nice, deep, cool underpainting. +
+ I then overlaid this with a mix of Iron Warriors acrylic paint, and both Payne's Grey and White Pearl acrylic ink. The latter is material I bust out when I need to dilute metallics. It's effectively a clear carrier of metallic flakes, which means that it doesn't alter the hue of what you're working on. This allows you to thin metallic paints without losing the metallic effect; and also lets you give non-metallic paints a sheen. +
+ The effect is pretty clear here in this shot of a later stage. I've worked up through various metallic paints including Chainmail and Stormhost silver. All had White Pearl acrylic ink added, to ensure smooth transitions. However, even the lightest tint of GW's metallics are slightly grey, so for the final touches I took a photograph of the figure under a spotlight, then used a mix of Instar paint's Arctic White and White Pearl acrylic ink to copy the reflections. This let me create the forced highlights that you can see. +
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+ And so to the finished figure. He was turned around in an evening; and I'm pretty pleased with the result. I'll certainly call it a successful experiment. Omricon suggested the technique might suit Stormcast, too; which is a good idea. +
+ Polishing this figure off (ho ho) means it's just the Librarian and Land Speeder left. +
2 comments:
That is fantastic - what a cool result, great and unique approach - great work!
Fantastic use of white for highlights, really does look like artwork and really shiny chrome reflections.
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