Prot Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I just got the paper copy of the Black Legion codex. In it I see inconsistency of how they highlight the black armour on the Black Legion models. It seems they went really old school on some of the Chosen by using a blue/grey highlight. I kind of like how it looks but am not sure if that's the way I would go. Does anyone have Black Legion models painted this way? If so could you link pics? Does anyone know what colour recipe the 'Ard Boyz have used to create this effect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oojamaflip Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Personally, I like to highlight Black legion using a mix of black and warpfiend grey. The slight smidgen of purple in it stops it being a straight black->grey highlight and also is a great complementary colour to the yellow legion symbol. Plus, it looks a little...off, wrong perhaps. I like the effect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron-Daemon Forge Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 When I've painted Black Power Armour, it usely been the Fang (Shadow Grey) & Russ Grey, which have that blue grey tone.IP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachymike123 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Subtle Discord has a really good recipe for his BL models and also gives great advice on what you're painting too. IIRC, he differentiates between painting say black metal or black leather etc, and actually uses green/brown combos but i can't remember which way round it was. Might be worth dropping him a PM if he doesn't show up n here. Here's a link to an older thread you may find useful: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259565-painting-black-legion/ edit: Oops, wrong person i was thinking of, name changed to correct one, and link to thread added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prot Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 Very good suggestions. I can't decide what looks better. Both are pretty attractive. When I did my Black Templars, it took about a year before I came to a very sharp, grey to almost white (not quite) But I think the reason I liked that look so much is there is no metallic trim on Black Templars.... For example: Actually this guy does have gold trim. I did not paint him that well though... ++++EDIT++++ I was googling stuff, and low and behold I found an old Photobucket account of mine with some figs I forgot about: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/Protilious/BlackLegionSquad1.jpg Ooooold generation (1st and 2nd Iron Warriors I found: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/Protilious/Iron%20Warriors/IWTroops.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/Protilious/Iron%20Warriors/IWDPXerxesandArmour.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sception Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Here's what mine are looking like these days: http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z142/Malisteen/Black%20Legion/CSM18_zpsf4ce9199.jpg I undercoat black (duh), overbrush with a very dark grey (3 or 4 parts abaddon black to one part P3 ironhull), maybe very lightly drybrush a slightly lighter mixture on character models and other fancy bits, wash with nuln (be sure to shake thorougly and don't mix with water, if nuln separates it can leave a gross white buildup in recesses - exactly the opposite of the desired effect), touch up with a 5 or 6 to one black/grey mix if needed after other areas of the model are painted, one final nuln wash if needed, and then edge highlight with slaaneshi grey (which is also the final highlight for my purple soft armor, as well as most of the daemonic flesh bits I paint which helps to tie the model together - you might use a similarly low saturation pale blue grey or just plain grey otherwise). I like my models well enough, but I'm not sure I'd recommend my methods over anyone elses. Discord has probably the best looking black legion I've seen, and you can see his stuff here: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/241839-legion-rising/ Another plog worth looking at is Sithari's who gets a very good effect from a more restrained methodology with less edge highlighting: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/271438-the-gate-aflame I'm really not convinced that my method on the black is ideal in terms of overall effect or efficiency in painting time. However, what I do feel some authority in saying is this: show restraint with your palette in terms of other spot colors and details. When I first started painting black legion I used a lot of different colors - the orange eyes of Horus which I still use, but also blue power weapons, green plasma coils, red wires, more saturated purples in the soft armor, and so on, thinking that models with such a drab starting color would need the extra color in the details to stand out on the table. Instead they just made the models garish and destroyed the somber, menacing feel that an army in black armor should have. In actuality, the more limited the main color scheme is, the further spot colors go, and the more restraint you have to show in using them to avoid ruining the overall effect. IMO pick one or at most two vibrant spot colors, and keep other colors to a minimum - both in number and in saturation. The other thing I'll say, which has nothing to do with black armor schemes in particular, is to try to vary your skin tones. The Black Legion are an equal opportunity employer. They take any marines who will swear to the Despoiler, and create as many new warriors as they can from whatever young warriors and stolen geneseed they have available. They aren't like some small loyalist chapter, using only a single geneseed line and recruiting only from a single warrior culture of a single planet. Neither does the Black Legion consist of mass produced clone troopers (at least not primarily). It has as many stories, as many reasons for hating the Imperium, and as many paths leading to Abaddon's banner as it has warriors fighting in his name. Varying skin tones on those of your models that have skin showing is the easiest way to hint at that diversity. Don't vary the painting method, but do vary the particular tones used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenebris Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I have found that the classic GW recipe for black works great. Basecoat Chaos Black, Abbadon Black, Dark Reaper, and some extreme highlights just dotting the tops of the armour with Thunderhawk Blue (which I fell in love with, perfect for bolter casings and the like). Even skipping the Dark Reaper the result is awesome IMO. Very cold looking armour, very digital like. I have made a commission of Iron Hands with this highlighting and I was astonished by the good looks of it. Clean and simple, great with either silver or "light bronze" trim. Perhaps a bit too spent for a shining gold trim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prot Posted July 30, 2014 Author Share Posted July 30, 2014 Those look really good Malisteen. I agree with classic GW recipe looking good. I'm not sure but I think maybe the greys are the way to go for me. (I am just testing some ideas right now.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subtle Discord Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 If you don't want to go wading through Legion Rising (and to add reference here) this is what my boys in Black are looking like today using this 4-step Blue-Grey highlight spectrum. http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2013%20WIP%20Photos/Legion_Highlights_01.jpg http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2014%20WIP%20Photos/Black_Legion_03.jpg http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2014%20WIP%20Photos/Black_Legion_04.jpg The four steps of my method is a bit labour intensive, but I like the pop it adds to the model from 2-3+ feet away. The Black gets to stay dark and rich while the highlights bring out just enough detail. They even look ok without the highlights, but they are just too flat for my liking. It's a bit intense up close, but during normal use you're never that close. If I was to start again I might look at simplifying it a bit with just three steps, Dark, Medium, Light, with my preferred brand of paint. Just remember that shifting from Neural Grey to a Warm or a Cool can have a great subtle effect on the entire army. Match/balance it with your basing colour and/or main accent colours and it unconsciously ties the scheme together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A D-B Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I heart this thread. You guys do amazing work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I heart this thread. You guys do amazing work. Didn't you sus out a good black? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 When I've painted Black Power Armour, it usely been the Fang (Shadow Grey) & Russ Grey, which have that blue grey tone. My choice also - it gives a great highlight without looking overtly sharp or out of place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prot Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Great stuff guys. Some really good stuff for me to think about as I try out a few test models. I confess I also have an idea for revamping my (3rd?) Iron Warrior army. lol But I did just get the Black Legion Codex in the mail yesterday and thought of a few ideas for that army as well. I heart this thread. You guys do amazing work. Thank you ADB. I hope in some way we inspire you as you inspire us to come up with some cool stuff. (Looking very forward to your Abe release!) - Discord, thanks for dredging that up. I was definitely messing around your thread, but did not see that specific post. Thanks for that. I'm not opposed to a 4 step process... it's pretty much what I do now but it's cool to see your colour combo in pictures. I noticed the pictures in the Black Legion codex show a blue/grey highlight on many Chosen (but I don't think this is consistent throughout the codex). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 It won't be consistent because the rest of the miniatures were painted years ago using older paint ranges and techniques. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 And different painters, most probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minionboy Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 The way I do my black legion is GW black primer, then a dark grey line highlight (eshin grey?) and a dot of light grey (Ulthuan grey?). It's pretty simple, but really makes the models pop. http://www.thediceabide.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/black_legion_6.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperors Immortals Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Very nice guys keep it up, I'm currently collecting to convert most of my stuff tobBL. Malisteen it seems both links go to discords awesome work, which i have been trawling for about 3weeks to find - great timing! . Subtle discord I was looking to borrow heavily your trim ideas if OK? Looks like I can't go past your detailing for the Eye of Horus malisteen, its so good I'll practice until I can do it :-) Seriously great tips guys, hope I can post something soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sception Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/271438-the-gate-aflame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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