Raptors Paint Scheme Questions

[BitsHammer]

Finding myself struggling to paint gold (sorry Custodes, you're not that fun to paint for me right now) I finally broke down and started the all Primaris army. And thanks to GW's video on how to paint their OD Green armour I started drifting closer and closer to running a Raptors chapter (the other option was a Red Hunters chapter but honestly I find Marines who actually use camo and other tactics usually only employed by the Imperial Guard rather interesting, plus it gives me a reason to do camo patterns on Marine vehicles for no reason but to confuse everyone else), and since I've started painting them I've realized I haven't been able to find some details I felt I should ask about:

 

Is there a standard color for the aquila? I haven't seen anything poking around online and lacking a copy of the Badab wars I don't know if there is a more common approach to painting these.

 

And while I've taken to painting things like capes in a camo pattern to match my OD green armour (I basically shoot for a woodland camo pattern by doing OD green for the base then using Baneblade Brown and Abbadon Black to make a splotchy pattern) I haven't been able to come to a clear decision on how to approach some of the specialist roles. Do Apothecaries in the Raptors bother wearing white? Likewise, does a Librarian have to be wearing blue?

 

The Primaris Chaplain getting black and wearing a camo jacket works visually I think (the same way I think giving Reivers bone colored skull plates works) so I've got that worked out, but I haven't been able to figure out how to approach some of the more usually color coded positions in the chapter since I'm not doing a basing theme that would make white or blue blend in as a camo pattern (looking at doing a dirt base with bits of some of that new Death World scenery worked in to give the impression that they're skulking about the brush instead of standing out in the open).

 

Thanks for your help! I greatly appreciate it!

[Race Bannon]

Ooh ooh me first!

 

There is no standard for the Aquila.  The art depicted in FW's IA3: Taros Campaign and IA ..9 (iirc) strongly suggest a "light grey".  But really, it is what you want as it is your army ^_^

 

Likewise, the specialists dudes don't have to wear their Codex colors.  The beauty of the Raptors is they are known for their pragmatism and certainly get their individuality from the Raven Guard.  As such, if you want a Librarian to not have any blue, then do it :tu:.  Why?  Because he is more likely to maintain since sense of place through the shoulder plate (and let's not forget he wears a psychic hood, don't tell me Joe Raptor has one when he's not a psyker).

 

Maybe Apothecaries only use a white helix on their helmet?

 

The color field is wide open and I recommend you do what gives you joy - again, it's your army and you will be looking at the models more than anyone else.  So they need to look good to you.

[BitsHammer]

Ooh ooh me first!

 

There is no standard for the Aquila.  The art depicted in FW's IA3: Taros Campaign and IA ..9 (iirc) strongly suggest a "light grey".  But really, it is what you want as it is your army

 

Likewise, the specialists dudes don't have to wear their Codex colors.  The beauty of the Raptors is they are known for their pragmatism and certainly get their individuality from the Raven Guard.  As such, if you want a Librarian to not have any blue, then do it .  Why?  Because he is more likely to maintain since sense of place through the shoulder plate (and let's not forget he wears a psychic hood, don't tell me Joe Raptor has one when he's not a psyker).

 

Maybe Apothecaries only use a white helix on their helmet?

 

The color field is wide open and I recommend you do what gives you joy - again, it's your army and you will be looking at the models more than anyone else.  So they need to look good to you.

 

Well that makes me happy. I've always been interested while at the same time annoyed by how brightly color coded Marines are (I dig Imperial Fists mostly because being bright yellow in a warzone is definitely a sign of having too much self confidence). The Raptors OD Green looks good to start with, so taking that up to 11 and ignoring codex standard colors in favor of tactical effectiveness just makes more sense to me.

 

Basically it tickles that part of my brain that looks at things from a military vet side of things.

[Race Bannon]

Dude, if you have not already looked, there are some pro-Raptor plogs in this very forum that have some amazing work in them!

 

Just remember: pics or it didn't happen :lol:

[BitsHammer]

Dude, if you have not already looked, there are some pro-Raptor plogs in this very forum that have some amazing work in them!

 

Just remember: pics or it didn't happen

I'll have to go digging then.

 

And I plan on doing pics, though I need to make some choices (like how to do those icons on my Gravis Captain, or how I'm doing the inside of his cape because making both sides camo (while it matches the camo poncho I used to have) doesn't seem to quite have the right level of pop.

 

Then again I'm still debating if he should be geared towards having a burning sword or a better amour save.

[Dracos]

I like your ideas on the chaplain. I think we've spent so much time in the Middle East that when I hear "camo" my brain jumps to desert khaki. I can't wait to see the pics of how your woodland pattern comes out. :)

 

If you haven't started yet you might want to experiment a bit. My experience is simulating a particular effect like camo means sometimes simplifying the paint scheme as opposed for a more realistic look. Sort of how movie superhero costumes need to be tailored to the particular media style because of an inability to simulate comic book art in detail.

 

Best of luck.

[BitsHammer]

I actually started a bit last night (and stopped at 4am so I actually get some sleep). I took some inspiration from one of the WarhammerTV Daily vids for painting camo on Cadians (it's more of a dark blue camo, like for night ops) for how to do the effect. I built up an OD Green cloak just like the armour as a base and the created layered squiggles first using a light tannish-brown (pretty sure it was Baneblade Brown but I'm away from my paints atm) and then did the same with Abbadon Black to break up the tan/green seperation.

 

So nothing too complicated, but I feel like it fits pretty well. I'm planning on using slightly different colours for the Death World terrain I'll be working into the bases so that they don't just blend in completely.

 

Thinking about it, I'm kind of thinking of doing the inside of the cloth like worn leather (add in some scratches around the edges and keep the colour more towards a warm brown which I'll carry over to the regular guy's pouches) Purity seals I'm looking at giving something like a dark blue or purple for the wax (red pops just a touch too much while dark blue/purple is a little more neutral and cooler so it won't clash with the warmer leather).

 

 

Basically the colors are still more nueteral overall, and don't really have a lot of pop but I feel like mixing some warmer colours that are a bit darker will let the green stand out without taking away from the camo effect.

 

At least that's my vague attempt at least.

[WAR]

First welcome to the ravenspire!

 

Second nice choice raptors rock!

 

I have been working on my Raptors for a bit and recently basecoated my scouts in zandri dust for that nice desert scheme. Only the chaplains in my army will remain in black armor the rest of the specialists will have their one shoulder pad in the right color cause it looks better.

 

Chest Eagles I think I did boltgun metal or bone....I can’t remember honestly

[Claws and Effect]

Could do the inside of the cloak in white or cream. That way if they find themselves in a winter environment they can simply flip the cloak for camouflage.

[seriade]

First off painting gold do not use gw paints use p3 or any one else's paints.  2nd point related to the custodies they do not all have to be gold the gold guys are the emperors personal guard the ones that go out on campaign tend to paint there armor black or white.  Librarians are like tech marines they will put some of there armor in the appropriate colour but if your going for a fairly camo schemed i would probably only paint small parts like the helmet possibly the arms like a normal ravenguard vet etc partially so you do not naturally los your own guy as he blends into guys near him.

[MajorNese]

Could do the inside of the cloak in white or cream. That way if they find themselves in a winter environment they can simply flip the cloak for camouflage.

Did that, back in the day. But I'd use one woodland, one desert side. White or cream really pops out, that would destroy the camo effect on the remaining model. White only works in a full winter scenario, otherwise it is really obvious. Khaki/brown areas can be right next to green areas, that seems a bit more useful.

[BitsHammer]

Could do the inside of the cloak in white or cream. That way if they find themselves in a winter environment they can simply flip the cloak for camouflage.

Not really a fan of making it too bright. Plus snow/winter camo tends to have black and blue greys mixed into the white, which may pull visually away from the Gravis Captain when looking at him from the front.

 

First off painting gold do not use gw paints use p3 or any one else's paints.  2nd point related to the custodies they do not all have to be gold the gold guys are the emperors personal guard the ones that go out on campaign tend to paint there armor black or white.  Librarians are like tech marines they will put some of there armor in the appropriate colour but if your going for a fairly camo schemed i would probably only paint small parts like the helmet possibly the arms like a normal ravenguard vet etc partially so you do not naturally los your own guy as he blends into guys near him.

So to paint gold don't use paint? I think you misunderstand me though, I like the gold scheme I used fine, I just don't find painting them fun. I also know they come in other colors but a couple decades of seeing them in gold makes me find gold feel more "correct" in my mind. To put it simply, it's like telling me there is an Imperial Fists company that wears blue. Sure, it could be canon, but it won't feel as "right" to me to paint it.

 

Anyways, I decided to pop the backpack back off as I needed to touch up the feed cable to get better highlights and figured I'd take a picture of the back of the cloak while I was at it. I apologize for the shine as it's a side effect of my apartment lighting. It's great to paint under, not so great for pictures.

 

 

For anyone who is curious, I'm shooting for a blackened blade look in the end, so all bladed weapons are going to be black with some subtle grey highlights and the blades themselves are done in Stormhost Silver to try and give them a razor sharp edge look. Power nodes were done in Leadbelcher to make them stand out less in comparison.

[Race Bannon]

Niiiice! And cool jdea on the blade color too :tu:

[BitsHammer]

Thanks on both counts! The blade idea came out of a weird niggling in the back of my brain that complained that bright silver weapons were to obvious when you're trying to conceal your position.

[Dracos]

I want to say thanks. This discussion helped push me to think in a different direction on the color scheme I planned on using for my DIY Primaris Chapter. While the models have relit my desire to play again, modeling aesthetics are just as important to me as building a force that will play in a manner I'll enjoy (win or lose). I'd decided Raven Guard suited my play style best, especially with Primaris models but the paint scheme I was stuck on was too colorful for a force who preferred to work in the shadows.

 

The discussion on alternate camo styles based on environment reminded me there were other pattern out there besides forest and desert. Suddenly it occurred to me "urban" camo or greys and blues would do the trick nicely. I won't be doing a true camo pattern (no skill for it) but it should hint at one and I again thank you and your thread for stimulating the idea for me. I look forward to starting my project as soon as the LGS gets my orders in. 20 Intercessors, 10 Hellblasters, 6 Interceptors, and what I think will be my favorite unit the 10 Revilers. After that maybe some armor or Crusader Devestators (yeah not Primaris but they should be and I want one standard marine unit to be this Chapters "mentors" and they would run nice with the Gravitas Captain) ;)

 

Thank you.

[BitsHammer]

If you're crazy (and own an airbrush) there are ways of using salt to do digital camo, but honestly squiggles to make camo like what I've done are suprisingly easy. Get your base color down, then do the light color, then your dark color over the top. Play with shapes and don't worry if it looks weird, the shapes only exist to break up the person's outline anyways.

[Race Bannon]

I can't copy/paste with this PC, but if you want to see digital camo, then look for the plog titled "Duz does RG" on page 2 (as of this post) ^_^

[WAR]

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/324644-duz-does-rg/page-6

 

There you go