The Warriors of the Renegade Legion and their allies

[simison]

After a year of working on the Halcyon Wardens, I finally have a unit I can paint. In addition to featuring my painting efforts (which I must apologize because I, quite frankly, suck at painting), I'm going to focus on the lore of the individual units.

 

Let's begin with, what else, my first Forgeworld unit ever: a breacher squad.

 

 

 

Finished the first layer. Plan on the sergeant being the model with the lightning bolts on his chest. Not sure if I should paint lightning as gold or a bright yellow. The eyes I'm planning on a vibrant red. Do people usually paint the individual bolts on the armor? 

 

Also, any advice for taking pictures?

 

Fluff: Logistics Designation (LD) I^st Squad, II^nd Company, I^st Cohort

 

[deathspectersgt7]

Nice Purple, I'd go with Gold for the LB. 

[War Angel]

Personally, I highlight the bolts. I treat them as though they were painted over like the rest of the armor, and because they are a raised surface they get a little light.

[simison]

Personally, I highlight the bolts. I treat them as though they were painted over like the rest of the armor, and because they are a raised surface they get a little light.

 

I've never heard about highlighting. What would an example look like? How do you do it?

[Black Cohort]

Good to see that the renegade legion is getting some models.

[simison]

 

 

An update! AlphariusOmegon was kind enough to paint up a Halcyon Warden for me. Here's his results. 

[simison]

An update! And a substantial one, too. I was able to scrounge together enough money to hire someone to do a commission on Alexandros! 

 

Here's the first sketch: 

 

 

It's a good start, but plenty of room for improvement. And, boy, did this first sketch help me gather my thoughts on what Alex looks like. I've spent an hour staring at Primarchs, reading up on Hindu mythology, and researching Greek history. 

 

The hair is right, but I'm not sure about the face. I think it's the eyebrows, but every other time I look at it, I get 'quiet crazed berserker' or sneering, instead of confident, friendly grin. 

 

I think the cape should be a little longer. 

 

After going through FW's Primarch line, I've discovered most, if not all, Primarchs have their legion number somewhere on their armor. I want to put II on one of the knees, at least. I'd like to do both for the symbolism, but I'm not sure if that's pushing it. 

 

With my research done, I want to have each pauldron represent a specific theme. His right pauldron, I want that to represent the Storm Riders and his connection and respect for the early legion before Alex came. I'm thinking it should be painted black, instead of purple with a golden Eagle, wings stretched , holding two lightning bolts in its talons. 

 

 

I specifically want it to evoke this eagle. This is the flag of Prussia, the foundation of modern Germany, and was a very war-happy nation. It captures the Storm Riders' aggressiveness and the German roots I've placed in there. 

 

On the right pauldron, I wanted to fill in the Indian vibe that was missing from the armor. 

 

http://rlv.zcache.com/om_hindu_symbol_sticker-r3b0c6f5df0d4463aa22487bcf57972b3_v9waf_8byvr_324.jpg

 

This is supposedly the most sacred symbol in Hinduism, the aum/om. The universal name for Brahman, and has the elements of unity I want Alex to represent from the Indian side. 

 

Since Primarch armor demands bling, I'd thought I'd place this on the belt buckle.

 

 

It's called the Vergina Sun. It's a distinctly Greek symbol, and might have been used as the personal symbol of Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great's father. 

 

Now, I would like to have Alex's helmet in the painting, if possible. But I'm not sure where. I've thought about having Xiphos sheathed and have Alex holding the helmet. Opinions?

 

Legion crest on the center of the chest. Technically, the rings are on top of a shield, but I'm not sure that's necessary.

 

Which leads to my final struggle: Aegis. I've always imagined it to be the classic hoplite shield. But the Warden's tower shield is definitely in the Roman style:

 

 

Is that right of me to do to have Alex's personal shield be an entirely different style from the rest of his legion?

 

Any thoughts, comments, or questions would be greatly appreciated!

[Doctor Perils]

That looks like a great start, but is that his shield strapped to his arm, with Xiphos in his hand ? It might seem like a strange pose ?

 

I'd say Xiphos needs to be a bit longer and a bit thinner, but the shape looks nice. You might want that to be blinged up a bit as well, since it is his signature weapon. It might be quite difficult to have too much bling on the guard or pommel in that pose, so perhaps the blade could have some sort of inscription ?

 

As you say, if you want to have his helm in the picture, it might be easier to have Xiphos in its sheath (nice blingy sheath, and in this case the guard and pommel could be more detailed). Alexandros could then hold his helm in his hand (to indicate he has just taken it off, in a gesture of peace just after fighting, rather than in the crook of his arm, which would indicate majesty, but where he would have been prancing around without it for some time). In this case, if you still need to represent the shield, it can simply rest against his leg ? This could also mean that it would be possible to see any patterns on the Shield (that Vergina Sun could be repeated for instance ?)

 

For the armour, it might be a good idea to imply some flexibility over the belly: I get the impression that greek muscled cuirasses were mainly meant to impress (and protect), rather than be especially good for combat. Though Alexandros wishes to impress in some measure, he still has a practical mind I believe. You might also want to make the Greaves (leg armour) slightly more form-fitting, to resemble Hoplite Greaves, but that's by no means an obligation.

 

I'm not exactly shocked by the length of the cape, but it would still look alright if it were longer.

 

Would the Om be represented as if it were in relief ? Same with the Prussian/Imperial Eagle/Aquila ?

 

Seems pretty good so far !

[MikhalLeNoir]

Okay. Here as well.

 

He looks at the moment not confident friendly, but friendly with a joke on his lips:)

 

And I imagined him looking older. He looks kinda young, to me about 20 where I imagined Alex from the looks to be in his mid thirties, early forties. A remowned leader, politician.

 

Put the sword in the scabbard and let him hold his helmet. For the halycon wardens the shield is the more important symbol.

 

Now for the shield. I think that you shouldn't take the hoplite shield for him. Give him the roman shield. Make it more ornate but the style of the shield should be imho the same.

 

On the cloak: i love long cloaks, so I think your plan to lenghten it is the right way.

[AlphariusOmegon108]

I love the first sketch, cant wait to see what it looks like when finished ;)

[simison]

You have a good eye, Thorn. It is not a very historical pose, but I was trying to get the shield and the sword in the same shot. Historically, a warrior would put his arm through one strap on the inside of the shield, while gripping another. 

 

I'm liking Xiphos in sheath, while holding the helmet. But having the shield rest against his leg feels unnatural when I think about it. And, I really do want to show the shield's face since that is one of the traditional ways a Warden would express himself is by painting on his shield.

 

Good notes on the armor. I've already seen a couple of other versions, like Guilliman's armor, that could work.

 

I was thinking the Om would simply be painted on, like the Aquila. I'm open to persuasion though.

 

Mikhal, the shield, whatever style I choose, will definitely be bigger. I was surprised to see it as small as it was, but that's an easy thing to fix with the artist.

 

And thank you everybody for the encouragement!

[Doctor Perils]

 

Legion crest on the center of the chest. Technically, the rings are on top of a shield, but I'm not sure that's necessary.

 

Which leads to my final struggle: Aegis. I've always imagined it to be the classic hoplite shield. But the Warden's tower shield is definitely in the Roman style:

 

 

 

Is that right of me to do to have Alex's personal shield be an entirely different style from the rest of his legion?

 

Any thoughts, comments, or questions would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry, what rings ?

 

I don't think that Alex having a different shield from the rest of his legion would be a problem: further, he shouldn't have the same kind of shield. As I said in the other thread (before seeing the modifications), he's not going to be fighting in the Shield Wall, whereas some characters might. Have you thought about using roman cavalry shields (the oval or hexagonal ones) ? Or as I said in the other post, the Indian Dhal Shield ?

 

 

You have a good eye, Thorn. It is not a very historical pose, but I was trying to get the shield and the sword in the same shot. Historically, a warrior would put his arm through one strap on the inside of the shield, while gripping another. 

 

I'm liking Xiphos in sheath, while holding the helmet. But having the shield rest against his leg feels unnatural when I think about it. And, I really do want to show the shield's face since that is one of the traditional ways a Warden would express himself is by painting on his shield.

 

 

Actually, a fair amount of Shields were center-grip shields, and not strapped to the arm. Generally (at least before the tenth century), center-grips were preferred by infantry and strapped shields were preferred by cavalry, because of certain advantages to each. The Hoplon is a big exception to this rule however. The Kite shield is a bit of an exception because most were strapped, but might have been very versatile.

For more information : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRILN48S62E&ab_channel=Skallagrim

and : Lindybeige's Hoplon Corinthian Helm Hoplite Sword Hoplite Cuirass

Skallagrim, Lindybeige and Matt Easton's Scholagladiatoria are three youtube channels with a great deal of informed knowledge about ancient weapons and warfare.

 

Yeah, the Shield resting against the leg seems weird, but it was just an idea. Could there be a shield bearer ?

[simison]

Syncing up posts now.

 

The legion crest is three inter-connected rings. You can see the legion crest on the center of Alex's chest. 

 

I hadn't thought about using using Roman Cavalry shields. And... I really like it. It's not as drastic of a difference between tower vs. hoplon, while being from the same time period. But oval or hexagonal? Hmmm...

[Doctor Perils]

I'd probably go with Oval, because Space Marines seem far less angular in the Heresy/Insurection than in 40k.

from the other thread (about shield wall tactics):

Would be a big wall:)

?

[simison]

He's joking that Alex's shield would essentially be a big wall if he went Roman-style.

[Doctor Perils]

hum...

[simison]

 

Behold! Sketch 2! So, the goal was to try to get the front of the shield and his helmet in the picture. Unfortunately, we couldn't do that, while he was doing his 'hand of friendship' pose. I'm sad about that, but it does look pretty good. Honestly, there's not much left at this point. I'm going to make it clear to him that I want the eagle to be an engraving/painting on the pauldron. 

 

And the last touch is a design on his shield. Since no 'hand of friendship' pose, I want the shield design to make up for it. But what to put on it? Hmm....

 

Also, I added a beard since facial hair is sorely lacking among the Primarchs.

[Chief Captain Redd]

He's looking incredible so far Simison! I love the design, fits Alexandros' personality perfectly.

[AlphariusOmegon108]

Very nice!!!

[MikhalLeNoir]

The design fits perfectly but his smile. Want to smash it out of his face. Don't know why, but it angers me ;)

[Doctor Perils]

That's pretty awesome! I'd probably try and find a way of making the helm more modern, by putting lenses for the eyes, and a kind of rebreather grill between the cheekguards... But overall the design's very nice.

 

Could the design on the shield simply be the Om ?

[simison]

No, I don't want to use the same design twice. I'm thinking this symbol.

 

 

It reminds me of the three interconnected rings, and has significant meaning to me.

[AlphariusOmegon108]

Ohhh, I like that symbol, maybe have it drawn that its like carved into the shield?

[simison]

Ohhh, I like that symbol, maybe have it drawn that its like carved into the shield?

 

I'll be honest, I'm not sure how an artist can show the difference between a painting and an engraving on a picture with the shield angled like that. Still, engraving seems to be the way to go when it comes to Primarch armor.

[AlphariusOmegon108]

true true, sculpting wise engraving would be the coolest I think ;)