I’m coming down to the last phase of this awesome model. Where I’ve loved painting it, I need to get it done so I can move onto other projects.

I’m saving the tail tip for the very end as I have something special in mind and I need to practice to pull it off.

Phase 4 Finally Begins!!!!

Shawn G. (SoI)

~Quick Update~

I’ve decided to do a slight color rotation on the wings. I found that the onyx feather idea I had was not suitably impressive for this paint scheme.

I’m going to make the triangular areas on the wings (normally blue lapis) into onyx to tie it back to the base. The feathers will be in lapis. It looks MUCH better.

Shawn G. (SoI)

Holy crap did this phase take forever! I really underestimated how long it would take me to get through all that metal. It’s done now and I’m happy with the turquoise.

Here it is blue tacked to the base again. I think I may glue it down here soon. I don’t want to handle the body while I’m working on the wings, tail, and torso.

Shawn G. (SoI)

I’ve been busy as hell for the last 4 days. I had a paper due Tuesday and had little time for painting. Things are coming back down to earth so I can continue with this awesome piece.

My wife recommended that I take more pictures as I go so here are some more from Phase II.

I have not done complex gems in a long time. I like the way the turquoise sections are coming out but I’m not quite satisfied.

Let me know what you think so far

Shawn G. (SoI)

Phase II underway and I’m having a blast painting this thing. My initial goal was to get this beauty painted by Sunday but that’s not going to happen. lol

I grossly underestimated the scope of this phase. I’ve burned quite a few hours and I’m barely scratching 50% completion and that’s not even including the wings & tail. There is a tremendous amount of metal detail to cover so to keep the updates for this project rolling I’ll be moving the wings/tail to their own section.

New Phase Schedule:

1. Sandstone body and base
2. Body armor
3. Tail, & wings
4. Torso, hood, & face

I’ll be away from the house for a long while today so I’m unsure if I can get this phase done today so here’s where I am at the moment.

Shawn G. (SoI)

My original concept was to follow the style GW’s heavy metal team provided except to paint the body as if it was carved from onyx instead. The blue while completely beautiful seems a little out of place to me. So I opted to change direction for this kit and challenge myself at the same time.

Here’s my concept:

Base

• 60x100mm resin base from Dragon Forge’s Temple line.
• Onyx paint scheme with directional highlighting.
• Gloss varnish

Body

• Sandstone scheme for contrast against the gloss/black of the base.
• Claws in gold

Armor/Wings

• Antiqued gold with multiple highlights.
• Blue/Red gem detailing
• Wing ‘feathers’ and body surrounding the abdomen cartouche will be in onyx to tie the model to the base.

Hood/Face

• Death mask will be gold matching the body. Someone knocked of the false beard at the store so that’s out.
• Hood will be in onyx with gold detailing

I’ll be trying to knock this out in phases:
I – Sandstone body and base
II – Body armor, tail, & wings
III – Torso, hood, & face

This concept will focus on contrast, color control, and balance. I have not challenged myself in a long time so this will be fun.

Shawn G. (SoI)

When I heard this model could be in a Black Box this I demanded that I’d be allowed to paint it. Ok, I begged again.

The only stipulation Bing gave me was I had to build it in the store which meant people handling it before it had time to fully dry/cure. It got knocked about quite a bit before I got to take it home (Note the missing beard extension). If I can’t find that missing piece I’ll have to putty over that hole.

I thought GW outdid itself with the Dark Eldar line. This new Tomb King stuff is nothing short of astounding.

I’m blown away by this model!

The sprue pics are from my cell at the store.