The Emperor Reforged

[Brother Zeal]

Greetings all,

I've been a regular visitor to this site for over two years now, but only recently decided it was time to make an account of my own and take part in the community. One of the motivating factors was the loss of my "hobby mojo", an affliction that would see me sitting at my desk staring blankly at the many, many projects cluttering its surface. So, in an attempt to motivate myself, I've made an account in the hopes that the advice and critique of the many skilled brothers here will stoke the fires of my creativity again.

And where better to start than a redux of the model I once considered my finest work?

When Gathering Storm first hit the scene, my two brothers bought the set including Guilliman, Cypher and that Grey Knight chap whose name escapes me. One claimed Cypher, the other took the Grey Knight, but neither particularly wanted Papa Smurf, and so his sprues were given to me to feed my bitz addiction. Though many of the components of the Guilliman kit indeed went straight into the bitz box, I saw an opportunity to give my 30k Imperial Fists (and its allied squad of Custodian Guard from the Prospero kit) a worthy leader. Naturally, when the Custodes got their own 40k codex, I set about building an army around this model.

Though I'll happily throw this model down on the tabletop, over the last few months I've found myself squinting at it, unable to quite pinpoint why I feel dissatisfied with it. I only realised the truth a few nights ago, when I was looking at some of the INQ28 models I've made recently: I can do better. I tried re-painting parts of the armour, but the mix of varnishes I used will not allow any paint to enter the recesses, which will only result in the fine detail being clogged and lost if I were to continue.

And so, I begin anew.

Tell me, brothers, how can I improve on my previous work? What changes in stance and pose would make my new creation a more fitting depiction of the Master of Mankind? Or, if the stance is suitable enough, what should I do differently when I come to paint it?

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated!

[Sete]

I dig it.

[Gederas]

If you're willing to cut up the new Guilliman model for the Emperor, I'd recommend trying some more dynamic poses, like this one:
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/mediawiki/images/2/29/EmperorEOT.jpg

 

Or, potentially, some of the more 'iconic' poses for him. Like these:

 

Additionally, going off your model, I'd recommend making the claws on the Lightning Claw a bit "sharper". Ironically, you could potentially get mileage from the new Horus, err.... I mean Abaddon, model that was just revealed

[Brother Zeal]

... I'd recommend trying some more dynamic poses, like this one:

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/mediawiki/images/2/29/EmperorEOT.jpg

 

Funnily enough, when I was actually building the original model I had considered slicing off the lightning claw and rotating it so that I could then put the little blaze of fire (now at his feet) in the upturned palm, much like the Emperor is holding warpfire in his claw in that pic. It's definitely a possibility!

 

 

 

Additionally, going off your model, I'd recommend making the claws on the Lightning Claw a bit "sharper". Ironically, you could potentially get mileage from the new Horus, err.... I mean Abaddon, model that was just revealed

 

That would be all kinds of delightful reverse-heresy!

 

Spent a while this afternoon raking through my wee bag of Terminator bitz, eyeing up all the claws for anything more suitably stabby. Carefully carving/filing some standard Terminator claws might yield a better result than previous. I did come across the sprue for the Space Wolf champion from the Prospero kit, which I had been saving for a little mini-diorama involving him and Ahriman, but those artificer claws are far more ornate than those of vanilla Terminators...

[jeremy1391]

That is an amazing conversion!

[Brother Zeal]

That is an amazing conversion!

Thank you!

A wee bit of progress has been made; the essential parts have been cleaned and assembled, allowing me to begin experimenting with potential poses:

The "Hyah!" stance, in which the Emperor is lunging forward to slash at some poor git with his lightning talons. The model seems to have shifted slightly as the blue-tac struggled to keep it upright long enough for me to snap a pic, but I'm confident that it would look much more dynamic once glue and pins are applied.

The "Use the Force" stance, in which the Emperor is either holding aloft some psychic fire as a threat (or promise of illumination), pulling an Abaddon and staring at something scribbled his palm, or simply force-grabbing something off in the distance.

To achieve this latter pose, I would carefully saw off the left forearm and turn it upright so the articulation of his arm and wrist looks a bit more natural. With some careful filing I could also bring his right leg in and have it in a less belligerent position, or leave it raised as though he's stepping up onto a plinth/step/rock while proudly brandishing the little display of pyrotechnics.

What are your thoughts? Would either of these poses look good, or can you think of something else that would look more dynamic? All feedback welcome!

Edited March 11, 2019 by Brother Zeal

[Bjorn Firewalker]

If you use the "Use the Force" stance, you should add a xeno or traitor model to the Emperor's base, as a decoration. Use a rigid wire or a transparent plastic rod to suspend the enemy of the Emperor off His Immortal Majesty's base, with one hand gripping his own throat as if he's struggling to breathe, the other reaching for the Emperor as if begging for mercy...

[BrotherEndcat]

The images where the claws seem to curl in slightly is so unique and cool to the Emperor that I think thats a "point" (hehe) that needs to be made on the model personally. I imagine those lightning claws are more for sinking the talons around a target and ripping it apart than for actually stabbing.

 

Very keen to see how this project goes considering how epic the first one is!

[noigrim]

The mask needs some more filing

[Gederas]

I like the "use the force" pose. Feels more "natural" for the Emperor.

 

The images where the claws seem to curl in slightly is so unique and cool to the Emperor that I think thats a "point" (hehe) that needs to be made on the model personally. I imagine those lightning claws are more for sinking the talons around a target and ripping it apart than for actually stabbing.

Funnily enough, there is a Lightning Claw set that matches the curl on all the artwork of the Emperor's Lightning Claw PERFECTLY.

 

The Chooser of the Slain's Raven’s Talons from the Raven Guard Dark Fury Assault Squad from Forge world:

 

And, I believe those may fit on Guilliman's finger tips, size-wise....

[Brother Zeal]

If you use the "Use the Force" stance, you should add a xeno or traitor model to the Emperor's base, as a decoration. Use a rigid wire or a transparent plastic rod to suspend the enemy of the Emperor off His Immortal Majesty's base, with one hand gripping his own throat as if he's struggling to breathe, the other reaching for the Emperor as if begging for mercy...

"You have betrayed me for the last time, son of [insert Traitor Primarch]..."

"But... only the first... time..."

"Once is one mistake too many."

*Snap*

The images where the claws seem to curl in slightly is so unique and cool to the Emperor that I think thats a "point" (hehe) that needs to be made on the model personally. I imagine those lightning claws are more for sinking the talons around a target and ripping it apart than for actually stabbing.

Very keen to see how this project goes considering how epic the first one is!

The raptor-like curve of the Emperor's talons are a lot cooler than the standard claw design. Hopefully I can do it justice!

The mask needs some more filing

Indeed! The camera highlighted that better than the naked eye.

I like the "use the force" pose. Feels more "natural" for the Emperor.

I thought so too. So that's exactly how I positioned the arm!

I'm quite happy with the angle and position of the arm. The previous incarnation looked as though he was sweeping the talon to one side or loosening his shoulder for a swing, whereas this pose looks a bit more... purposeful? At least it matches the trend GW set for Head Honchos performing Hamlet. (Lookin' at you, Magnus and Abaddon!)

Here's a few shots of the Talon. As I lack the funds to scoop up that Raven Guard kit from FW, bending/filing/whittling Cataphractii Terminator claws into shape seemed like the best option. I won't describe exactly how I bent the claws, as I doubt B&C would thank me for promoting stupidity (needless to say, "What would Ferrus Manus do?" is not the best train of thought to board!) but once they were sufficiently curved, it was just a matter of carefully filing and sharpening the tips into something that looks vaguely like talons.

Looking at the second pic, the thumb-claw definitely needs a bit of filing. Any other suggestions?

[Tordeck]

I am so stealing that look for my Abbadon. Those claws will make him look even more menacing.

[Zephaniah Adriyen]

The God-Emperor himself, as a model... perfection. I'm excited to see how he turns out!

[Brother Zeal]

I am so stealing that look for my Abbadon. Those claws will make him look even more menacing.

Aye, I think that twisting the new Abaddon's outstretched arm ever so slightly will give the impression he's force-choking something, rather than performing Hamlet. Don't think it's ever been confirmed Abaddon can use the force but after ten millenia of dealing with the Pantheon I'd fully expect him to have at least some form of telekinetic ability.

The God-Emperor himself, as a model... perfection. I'm excited to see how he turns out!

I hope the results of this venture don't disappoint!

Speaking of results:

Here's a dry-fit assembly of the project so far.

In the end, I settled for keeping the right leg raised. The original position of Guilliman's leg is a bit awkward though, so I clipped the internal spar and filed it down to bend the leg into a more natural angle. Now he's standing on something instead of leaning against something.

Still a long way to go, but I'm satisfied with the progress thus far. As you can see, I've finally figured out how to use those pesky little Etched Brass aquilas without soaking them in glue. The tilt-plate on the Emperor's shoulder comes from the Primaris Intercessors kit, while the cross medallion replacing a very Ultrasmurf purity seal on the breastplate is one of the little decorations that come with the old Space Marine Commander sprues (one of my favourite GW kits!). The hip-plates are from the Custodes Terminator kit, as is the belt buckle and pteruges.

Next, I'll be adding the eagle to the Emperor's left pauldron, following the same process of using a wing clipped from a resin bas-relief aquilla from FW's Warhound Titan kit (sadly, not my model - but as ever my brothers were generous with the bitz they didn't need!) and an eagle's head clipped from one of the Custodian Guard shields.

Here's an alternative angle for the Emperor's head. This one is a bit more contemplative than the other, as though he's looking at the one-liners scribbled on his palm the blood staining his talons. I'm also considering putting a ball of psychic fire in his open palm.

What are your thoughts?

[noigrim]

My GLORIOUS overlord

[Bjorn Firewalker]

If you put a fireball in the Emperor's hand, he should not be looking at his own hand, but at the target he's going to throw the fireball towards. If he's looking at his hand, you might as well put a Traitor Primarch's severed head or disembodied hearts in it.

[Brother Zeal]

My GLORIOUS overlord

My brain automatically processed those words with the Pillar Men theme playing behind every syllable

If you put a fireball in the Emperor's hand, he should not be looking at his own hand, but at the target he's going to throw the fireball towards. If he's looking at his hand, you might as well put a Traitor Primarch's severed head or disembodied hearts in it.

Aye, I suppose only I would be daft enough to stare blankly at a ball of fire in my palm. Anyone else would chuck it or look around frantically for a tap!

Update time!

The left pauldron is now finished, however I opted for a different approach from last time. Instead of using a resin Aquila wing from a Titan kit, I used the right wing of the big eagle thing that squats on Gulliman's backpack and holds up his Iron Halo. The shape of the wing actually cupped the curve of the pauldron very nicely, then it was just a case of carefully hacking off an aquila head from one of the many Custodes shields in my bitz drawer and gluing it onto the end of the wing. I had to add a little resin putty to merge the two parts together.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with how this one looks so far. At the moment it still looks like Guilliman in a blinged-up version of his Plot Armour of Fate, but once we get a suitably regal cloak on him and sculpt a magnificent Conan mane then it'll look more like the Master of Mankind.

More advice sought: should I dispose of the Crux Terminus on the right shoulder, and attempt to make that strange warpfire pilot light that we see on the Emperor's armour on the cover art of Master of Mankind? Or do you think that the right pauldron would be fine as it is?

Edited March 18, 2019 by Brother Zeal

[Zephaniah Adriyen]

I say remove the Crux. Wouldn't make sense for a fragment of the Emperor's armor to be encased on a badge... on the Emperor's armor.

As far as my opinion on the current progress, already way cooler than just Giiiirlyman himself.

[Gederas]

Overall, I'm quite pleased with how this one looks so far. At the moment it still looks like Guilliman in a blinged-up version of his Plot Armour of Fate, but once we get a suitably regal cloak on him and sculpt a magnificent Conan mane then it'll look more like the Master of Mankind.

 

More advice sought: should I dispose of the Crux Terminus on the right shoulder, and attempt to make that strange warpfire pilot light that we see on the Emperor's armour on the cover art of Master of Mankind? Or do you think that the right pauldron would be fine as it is?

The glorious mane is needed, yes.

 

And yes, I agree. The Crux Terminatus needs to go. Try to do the warpfire pilot light. I know you can do it :lol:

[Brother Zeal]

I say remove the Crux. Wouldn't make sense for a fragment of the Emperor's armor to be encased on a badge... on the Emperor's armor.

Fourth degree warp :cuss ...

Try to do the warpfire pilot light. I know you can do it

Your faith in me is humbling, brother!

And, as any number of individuals from the 41st millennium will tell you (usually very loudly while waving a weapon emphatically), faith always yields results:

Warpfire pilot light complete! I thought it would end up looking a bit naff but it's actually not too bad. Once it's been painted up I think it'll look better. The pilot light thing itself is one of the optional left hands from Anvil Industry's vampire hunter model, and once again I borrowed a helmet from an unlucky Sigmarine to make the mask.

I had a little time to myself this morning, so I cracked open that new box of green stuff, uncorked the resin putty and went to work with the last blade of my trusty old hobby knife:

This stage was my biggest concern, as my sculpting skills are so poor an angry badger with sculpting tools duct-taped to its paws can usually produce superior work than my best efforts. But, despite a few unpleasant flaws in the green stuff, this is how the cloak turned out. Could be a lot worse, so it shall stay!

I should probably mention that the rocks on the base are not going to be part of the final model; they're just there to keep the cloak in the desired "wind-swept" shape. I'm still mulling over options for the base...

Edited March 20, 2019 by Grotsmasha
=] Do Not Dodge the Swear Filter [=

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Your green stuff sculpting skills are most impressive.

[noigrim]

I'd give the eagle some body and a tail

[Brother Zeal]

Update time!

Admittedly not a big update, but the construction of the model is more or less complete. Only thing left to do is add a purity seal to the tilt plate on the left shoulder, then I can get down to painting. Can anyone see anything I should modify before moving on?

Quite happy with how this one is turning out so far. Here's a comparison with the original:

Going forward, I think I'll try and use a bit more silver on this model. I've always liked the look of Genzoman's fanart of the Emperor which breaks up the gold bling with a reasonable amount of iron. It should hopefully look more like the Custodes he'll inevitably be leading to war on the tabletop:

Let me know what you think!

[Zephaniah Adriyen]

Hohoh. Just needs painted now, yeah? He looks great.

[Gederas]

Mm, mmm, mmmmmm. My GLORIOUS overlord.

 

I love the result! It looks really, really nice. And you can see the clear improvements over the old one.