Dark Eldar Archon–The Finish

Thanks again to all those who have followed this project.  This is the closing chapter, the model is completed and has been passed on to its rightful owner.  If you read the first post to this project you’d know that I painted this as gift; to show my appreciation.  Without further rambling, I present the finished Dark Eldar Archon…

There are lots of step in between my last post on this project to the finished state, but for me to keep the finished model somewhat veiled until I could gift it away, this needed to happen.  Follow the jump for step-by-step tutorials of the completing stages.

As always, thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned for what’s in the pipes as I’ll have some reviews of a great product line that recently made its way to the USA.  Cheers!

Dark Eldar Archon-Flayed Skin

Just another update on the Dark Eldar Archon.  I finished the flayed skin and fur pelt on his back.  Sadly, I couldn’t stop and take step-by-step photos for this one as wet blending doesn’t really allow for it, but the steps are typed out for you below the picture.

Step 1.  I started by basecoating the flayed skin with Tallarn Flesh.

Step 2.  The flayed skin was shaded with a 1:1 mix of Dark Flesh and Liche Purple that was thinned and applied into the recesses.

Step 3.  The whole area was washed with Ogryn Flesh.

Step 4.  I then highlighted the flayed skin with thinned Rotting Flesh.

Step 5.  The flayed skin was highlighted again with a 1:1 mix Rotting Flesh and Skull White.

Step 6.  Further highlighting was done by adding more Skull White to the previous mix.  Approximately 2:1 Skull White to Rotting Flesh.

Step 7.  Lastly some edge highlighting was done by adding in more Skull White to the previous mix.  Approximately 3:1 Skull White to Rotting Flesh.

 

Dark Eldar Archon-Bronze Step-by-Step

The title pretty much says it all.  I’m really pleased with how this model is coming along I may even end up mounting him on a plinth.  On to the tutorial…

 

Step 1.  The bronze details were first basecoated with a 1:1:1 mix of Tin Bitz, Dwarf Bronze, and Scortched Brown.

Step 2.  A second basecoat was applied using a 1:1 mix of Tin Bitz and Dwarf Bronze.

Step 3.  A 2:1 mix of Devlan Mud and Chaos Black was carefully applied into the recesses and joints of all the bronze details.

Step 4.  The raised areas, spikes and edges were highlighted with a 1:1:1 mix of Tin Bitz, Dwarf Bronze and Mithril Silver.

Step 5. A fine edge highlight of pure Mithril Silver was then applied to only the most prominent features and tips.  The bladed edge of the spikes then got a wash of the 1:1 mix Devlan Mud and Chaos Black and were finished off by taking the mix from step 4, thinning it heavily and glazing it over the washed edge.

Disclaimer: If you choose to apply this tutorial and/or the last one covering the gold details to your new Tomb Kings army… You will never finish painting your models.  ;)

 

Dark Eldar Archon-Gold's

As promised I’m back with another step-by-step painting tutorial with photos.  This time around I’m doing the gold bits of the Archon.

 

Step 1.  The gold bits were base coated with a 1:1 mix of Scorched Brown and Shining Gold.

Step 2.  They were then layered with Shining Gold to bring up the color.

Step 3.  Shading was done with a 2:1 mix of Ogryn Flesh and Leviathan Purple.  This mix was applied to the recesses and parts where shadows would form.

Step 4.  To further shade the gold Devlan Mud was washed into the recesses.

Step 5 & 6.  The edges were highlighted with a 1:1 mix of Burnished Gold and Shining Gold followed by an edge highlight of pure Mithril Silver.  These two steps are combined because sometimes it’s necessary to go back with the gold mix and ‘glaze’ it onto the extreme highlights to tone them down a bit.

Next up I’ll be tackling the brass details of the shoulder guards, knee pad and helm so stay tuned and as always, thanks for stopping by.  Cheers!

Dark Eldar Archon-Reds

Hi all, just a small update on the Archon.  I didn’t bother to stop and take step-by-step photos on this one because there just isn’t that much to cover.

 

Step 1.  Lay down a base coat of Mechrite Red.

Step 2.  Build up the colour with Blood Red.

Step 3.  Apply a wash of Devlan Mud directly into the recesses.

Step 4.  Highlight with thinned Blazing Orange.

Step 5.  Edge highlight with Vomit Brown.

Step 6.  Wash with Baal Red.

 

The next update will be a step-by-step with photos of the metals so check back soon.  Thanks for stopping.  Cheers!

Dark Eldar Archon–Armour Step-by-Step

Wow… I need a drink… OK, Now that I have my Rum & Coke I can type out this post of paint mixing followed by more paint mixing and finish it off with completely absurd paint mixing.  So on with it then…

Step 1.  After priming the model Chaos Black I laid down the base coat of the armour using a 2:1:1 mix of Enchanted Blue, Dark Angels Green and Chaos Black.

Step 2.  Thinned Chaos Black was painted into the recesses of the armour and between overlapping armour plates.

Step 3.  Edge highlight the armour plates using a 2:1 mix Enchanted Blue and Dark Angels Green.

Step 4.  Also what I call completely absurd paint mixture step.  Build up the edge highlighting on the armour with a 6:2:1:1 mix of Rotting Flesh, Enchanted Blue, Dark Angels Green and Scorpion Green

Step 5.  The last and the easiest step.  Highlight the sharpest edges of the armour plates with straight Rotting Flesh.

That’s all folks.  I’m going to go finish my Rum & Coke and relax for the rest of the night.  Thanks for stopping.  Cheers!

Side Project: Dark Eldar Archon

While I’m pretty sure I have the equivalent of hobby ADD this side project is for good cause.  So for the time being all of my other projects have been put on temporary hold.

I’m painting this Archon for a friend who’s incredible act of generosity compels me to repay his kindness.  Since he refuses any monetary reimbursement, I’m repaying his hospitality as best I can.  Despite the Archon being one of the most evil and selfish figures in the entire 40K universe it’s his favorite sculpted miniature.  So I bought one and plan on painting it as best I can for him.

I finished the base tonight…

Front

I extended the rock that is under the right foot using green stuff (obviously).  I then used Vallejo Black Lava to texture the base and added some GW basing sand to give it a little more character.

Back

I’ll finish the base off with some GW static grass after the model is finished being painted.  Once all is done it should be very close to the one on depicted on GW’s website.

Thanks for stopping.  Cheers!