Blood Angels Contemptor - Part III

 

When 40k meets Chariots of Fire.

Time for an update with the Blood Angels Contemptor now that all of the main colours are blocked in. The photo is a little out of proper focus unfortunately because I need to swap out the camera lens, but no matter - the basic impression is still visible.

While most of the details are actually fairly well complete by now, some of the weathering needs some work. The chipping I'm finding quite difficult to pull off actually - originally it was a brown (Rhinox Hide) and black mix, with normal highlighting along lower edges, but this wasn't very visible and just looked out of place. Some metal showing underneath for the most chipped edges works much nicer I find. Still, I find it actually not enough - chipping alone just means some banging around, and I really want to add scorch marks later - just that I'm not sure yet how to go about that. Perhaps if I pick the proper black and just kind of "drybrush smudge" it in places then that might work. I also have an idea to use a sponge to add chipping across the power fists, pushing each "finger" into the sponge for that random used look.

The metallic trim, which is just Balthasar Gold and Seraphim Sepia so far, is very dark and dull currently. Experience shows that after later highlight steps it will stand out some more, but that will have to wait until after varnishing.

I'm also trying to decide if more details should be added - decals, insignia, decorative trim, etc. It would definitely fit for Blood Angels, however it would also add a lot of extra time and effort onto a model that's already taken longer than I wanted.

The lettering across the torso is a small cheat in that I used a transfer. I did paint over it, but mostly it was another test to see how well decal lettering would turn out. I think it turned out well enough, and will probably need to print out a full sheet with a whole range of words one day. It's semi-cheating really - the print dots are visible, so painting over the top is still desirable, but it does lay out a guide to follow. I'll take it.

The base and gemstone on the helmet (which will be red - I had briefly considered purple, but decided that wouldn't be as harmonious with the rest of the model) then I can probably start to think about varnishing. Not much to go now - but I am painting the MkIV assault squad in the background, and the other dreadnoughts need bringing to the same level too.

-- silly painter.