Blood Ravens - Secondborn

[SkimaskMohawk]

How to start this off?

 

The easy answer is this; I saw the thread for Blood Ravens Index back in June and, coupled with buying all the re-released forgeworld paints I decided to paint a test Blood Raven using those them, specifically the clear red. I liked the result, and had the perfect excuse to paint up the Vanguard half of Shadowspear and finally start the mono-Primaris force that's been niggling at me for a while now.

 

The longer answer is, well, longer.

My first army as a 12 year old was Space Marines, specifically Ultramarines (of course). I collected and painted a medium-ish force and brought them to mega battles at GW and had a blast. But soon enough, I was distracted by a new Chapter, in a new format; the Blood Ravens in Dawn of War. And they were so cool; a mysterious chapter that sought knowledge, had a shadowy past and were even forced to fight against forces of the Imperium. Best of all, you got to see their heroes be heroes in real time. So not long after, I had decided to strip my faithful Ultramarines, buy some new boxes and paint up some Blood Ravens as my second army, aided by their rules included in 4th edition marine Codex. I made a Force commander modeled after Davian Thule, an Iron Halo sporting Librarian with Veil of Time and a bunch of other units that looked cool. Years later, after retiring the Blood Ravens from the table, I would play Dawn of War 2 relentlessly and loved the single player campaign in the first two games in that series (though not as much as the multi-player) and the characters and lore they introduced. Fast forward to when I finally got the paint scheme down, and I knew I had to collect them again, regardless of how the rules came out in the White Dwarf.

 

Second ever army; second time doing them; Secondborn.

 

Now, on to the painting!

 

So first of all, the lighting is going to vary across the pictures, so apologies in advance for that. Secondly, I'm really uncreative with basing; I just don't really find it as compelling as painting, so expect a lot of the pre-done bases for 32mm.

As for the scheme itself; my old scheme as a 14 year old involved Mechrite Red, a layer of Red Gore and a highlight of Blood Red. They were fairly dark and that's what's always stuck in my mind with how they "should" look, reinforced by the Dawn of War games' lightning engines and camera. The new scheme is Gal Vorbak Red, with a zenithal Word Bearers Red, diluted gloss black wash, highlight and then Angron Clear to get a red that manages get the perfect balance between the original scheme I did and the video games. It also has a satin shine that they started attempting to incorporate around DoW2 and Space Marine. The battle damage helps break up the red, though I'm not satisfied on any attempts on the shoulder guards.

 

The first test mini, I really like everything about it, but that shoulder chipping. It's since been repaired and awaiting the chapter symbol and a better technique.

 

 

The second fully painted model I finished was the Vanguard Captain. This model is so cool for me, as I'm a sucker for Phobos and because I figure this is Cyrus after having undertaken the Calgaran Rites and ascended. It just fits him perfectly with the facial hair, scar and bionic eye...on the wrong side of his face . I like 95% of how it turned out; I have to go back and tweak the helmet and his face, as the scar doesn't pop. I really wish I had painted the face separately as it was very awkward to get some detail. Also the lighting is washing out a lot of stuff like the transition on the servo-pad and the light brown stubble on his head. I also have to mention that I tried Thallax and Valdor Gold for the first time on this model and wow...I love those two paints. I usually do my gold with sycorax bronze, but these two really make me re-evaluate going forward.

 

Remember how I said I wish I had done the face separate on Cyrus? Well I did on this guy and imo the results speak for themselves. The detail is still a little washed out, but regardless, I'm very pleased. Other things of note is the satin that really shows up, as some of my highlights were too light and the clear building up a bit too much, as well as the experiment with the black chest eagle. Not sold on the eagle tbh, will have to see how it contrasts on the end model. Also the eyes are just so slightly different sizes; I'll blame the brush instead of not enough practice doing pupils.

 

 

Last finished model as of now, the Vanguard Librarian. I really like the model for two reasons; he feels like a mage-assassin and there's way less bling than the normal ones. I also really like how the blue came out, as the Clear paint really changed the hue in the way I was hoping for (it was Russ grey before). I wasn't the most psyched about the sword initially, but I really warmed up to the almost slimy looking power he's channeling through his force-weapon. Also because Jonah Orion is lame, this guy is the new Chief Librarian as of the leaked rules!

 

Last up is my WIP Primaris Captain. I decided to really throwback the scheme to the games, and so have the full gold knee pad and eagle pad; I couldn't bring myself to go full gold chest however. So far though, he's been just as fun to paint as the rest of the primaris, though I don't have any DoW character to feasibly base him off. Maybe Hairgel crossed the Rubicon too?

 

 

 

That's it for painted models for now, though I still have almost all the Apocalypse box to go through so there's a lot more to come. Thanks for looking and any feedback!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent works.

[SkimaskMohawk]

Thanks Bjorn!

 

Not much to update as I'm juggling a few comissions at the same time, but I put some time aside to finish up the captain excluding the base. Now once again, the photographs are a little wonky, but its something to fix for next time.

As with the Librarian, I really like this model. The amount of bling goes almost hand in hand with the Blood Ravens, and the primaris design is just really cool and still new for me, despite 8th being 2 years old now. I had planned to sub assembly this guy, but got caught up in building him, so unfortunately the shrine thing on his tabard isn't going to have windows. Also, due to my oingoing fight with lighting, the chips on the bone colour got their highlights washed out but pop nicely in real life. I do need to go back and touch up the green eye and ammo in the gun though.

Some things I like the end result of; the bone, I got the shade i wanted; the numeral for 5th company, though I needed to hide some messy parts with battle damage; true metal blade; crest, as it stands out without being too bright.

Some things I'm going to try and improve on; the highlights, as they were done too dark and the clear paint blended them in too much; bone chips, the distribution doesn't feel quite right and I feel like I can still go brighter with their highlight.

 

 

Down the road I plan to get Gabriel Angelos in all of his somersaulting glory, but unfortunately the head is the worst. I'm not too sure why they went with the official artwork and gave him an ugly face, as in DoW3 the in-game model is missing all of his scars, but they went wwith it and executed poorly. The good news is I saw a pretty good head swap with the following:

 

 

This will be the next Blood Ravens thing I paint up, to try and redeem the rest of Angelos' model. I just hope there won't be too much fiddling with the head to get it to fit.

 

Thanks for looking!

[SkimaskMohawk]

Instead of sticking to one thing in particular, I got distracted by freehanding the chapter symbol. And boy, does it ever bring back memories of trying to do this 10 years ago.

 

So, after about an hour I finally was left with something I was satisfied with, but could still use some improvements on. The tail area and blood drop size are the main things I want to even out, but I'm still quite pleased with the end result.

 

 

I also went and battle damaged the pad after to finish off the model. I still need to get better at chip size and placement on the bone, but at least the highlights are visible in this picture.

 

 

 

Next, on to Angelos' head (for real). Thanks for looking!

[Gederas]

The test model looks good! :tu:

 

I have to ask though: Where's that head you're going to replace Gabriel's with from? It looks like an Intercessor head?

[War Angel]

The freehand looks great, keep it up

[SkimaskMohawk]

Thanks guys!

 

@gederas it's actually a reiver head, part 69 on the sprue

[SickSix]

Looking good! Always enjoy seeing Blood Ravens in physical form.

[ranulf the revenant]

Always liked the Ravens and you're doing a great job ☺️

[Mithrilforge]

Great work here, as for head 69...thanks for the heads up ...that is a pretty cool looking face he's got..

 

Can't wait to see more, now you have some proper WD rules   

 

Cheers, Mithril

[SkimaskMohawk]

Thanks guys, means a lot.

 

I'm going to take some pictures tomorrow of the progress I made on angelos head and the knife intercessor, but Im looking for help/advice on what to give the seargents of the intercessors. I know there's a new Datasheet leaked, but for now should it be fists or swords? Do normal marine versions fit well on the primaris torsos? Or should it just be mono bolt rifle?

[SkimaskMohawk]

Well its been over a day, and the reason for that is I just can't paint angelos' head to a satisfactory result. There's something about that head that has very little flat space, but at the same time the details feel overly broad like the eyebrows, nose, cheek bones and chin. Using the same process as on the other bare head adds up to something I'm not happy with and would require a lot of pain staking blending to make the raised areas come out well. It's getting stripped and I'll see if I can't change to one of my other skin recipes.

 

But speaking of the other un-helmed marine, he's now complete with base and everything (as is the captain). I decided against the black eagle as it just lacks a certain something, as well as the video game versions always having it in gold. The chapter symbol took far less time, though I could have squared up the feathers a bit better; I also added a squad designation to his other pauldron, though I'm considering changing it to a tactical arrow. The lighting really washed out the chips and stuff on the face unfortunately. I really need to charge my actual camera and stop using my phone.

 

 

And the captain with his new, very low effort base

 

 

I'm going to be building up more intercessors next to complete a combat squad; 3 bolt rifles and an aux grenade launcher. Still very unsure about equipping the seargents with either the sword or fist, as well as what parts actually work well in that respect.

 

Thanks for looking!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent work on the new models.

Is that an Inquisitorial "I" on the Marine's right pauldron? Does it mean something, e.g., this Blood Ravens is a trusted ally/agent (or puppet/pawn) of the Inquisition?

[SkimaskMohawk]

Ah no, just a rather large Roman 1. I did consider making it a slimmer version and as I mentioned, just replacing it with the tactical arrow.

 

And after the events of dawn of war 2 and 3 I would be really surprised if the inquisition trusted the Blood Ravens as their chapter master and half the chapter turned to chaos, as well as their next chapter master defying multiple inquisitorial mandates.

[SkimaskMohawk]

It's update time again!

 

Still some rather slow progress as this is done in the middle of a few other projects, but the impending codex release has me motivated to paint and assemble more. I've also got my actual camera going again, so there's less loss of detail outside of non-stable pictures.

 

First one up is the second fully painted Infiltrator. Now this model iirc had a few different iterations of the scheme and could have honestly been stripped as a few of the details are now a bit shallow on it. I also need to not be afraid to go for brighter highlights, as the clear does blend the colours a bit and any highlights that are too subtle seem to get lost. The chapter symbol also takes me far less time, though I do wish I could get it as crisp as I would like; something to work on for the future.

 

 

Next up are 3 Intercessor seargents with bolt rifles and power fists. I actually have 15 intercessors at this stage of painting, but decided on just showing the seargents as they actually have some variation (but not much if we're being honest). All the power fists I own are from the mkIV kit, so the stance is very reapeated, but I think they're all unique enough in the end. And yes, the barrels will get drilled before they're deemed "complete".

 

 

 

The last update is the knife intercessor's shoulder pad. I wasn't that happy with the numeral, so I did a tactical arrow and numeral inside that. I like the end result far more, though as with all my freehand I want to sharpen it up.

 

I'm really excited for the new marine book and all the wargear and units that are getting updated. Just so many options and combos, that go even further as Blood Ravens can mix and match the "scions" and chapter tactics.

 

Thanks for looking!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent work on the Primaris Blood Ravens.

[SkimaskMohawk]

Thanks Bjorn, always trying to get better.

 

having said that, I took a group shot of the chapter symbols so far to see if I was being a bit overly critical;

 

 

 

And honestly I think I have been. I'm quite pleased with the general consistency across the size and silhouette, despite changing up technique after the first. It's also easier to spot mistakes at the resolution of the photos.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The weathering is well done on the Marines, but why aren't their weapons weathered? Were they issued new bolt rifles to replace those damaged in battle, and returned to the armory for repairs?

[SkimaskMohawk]

That's a really good point lol. I'll do some minor wear and tear on them

[helterskelter]

The reddest birbs. These are really nice, your free hand ravens are great too

[SkimaskMohawk]

Thanks! As I'm learning, practice makes perfect.

 

Now I have a problem. My roommate wanted to get some nid devourers from forgeworld, so I figured I'd order angelos while we were at it. He just came in, no casting issues...But his head isn't separate.

 

Do I get access to a dremmel and carve it out for the reiver one. Or do I just bite the bullet and try to make it look good? I was having problems getting the reiver head to a satisfactory level, so maybe I'll give his real face a go and then opt to dremmel if it's a disaster

[Gederas]

Thanks! As I'm learning, practice makes perfect.

 

Now I have a problem. My roommate wanted to get some nid devourers from forgeworld, so I figured I'd order angelos while we were at it. He just came in, no casting issues...But his head isn't separate.

 

Do I get access to a dremmel and carve it out for the reiver one. Or do I just bite the bullet and try to make it look good? I was having problems getting the reiver head to a satisfactory level, so maybe I'll give his real face a go and then opt to dremmel if it's a disaster

It shouldn't be too hard to get rid of his head from the model. Remember: Resin is softer than plastic, so a dremel should remove it easy.

 

Just uhh... Wear a mask and eye protection mate :lol:

[SkimaskMohawk]

I've decided to paint up his current and replacement face and then decide. It might seem a bit weird to take the power tool to a fully painted model, but I feel like doing my best to be fair.

 

That being said, they really do all they can to make that head a pain to paint. It's really in there, and behind a gorget too. I feel like it got sculpted in there which is why it looks so off compared to a free standing one.

[SkimaskMohawk]

Update time on Gabriel Angelos!

 

First off, I'm going to have to go on a little rant about the model. This sculpt feels like Forgeworld got the order that they needed to have an Angelos model done and ready to go with a week's deadline. There's a lot of details that feel a little too chunky when compared to some of the older sculpts; models like Korvydae, the Praetor set and the like. The trim on the shoulder pads, the chain on his left wrist and the cord/embroidery are all really exaggerated, especially when compared to his game model. There's also a bunch of details missing, like the actual rim of the terminator hood (instead its just the iron halo as the entire piece), extra cord over his chest, lights on the corners of his tartaros armour and the rivets on the gorget. I also think the chapter symbol should have been sculpted on his crotch plate, even though it's not actually embossed in-game.

 

The last thing that's "wrong" actually made me think there was a production issue with my model until I got a proper look at the 360 viewer on the site. You see, in game they coloured the first "half" of the top of the armour (and front) gold; Tartaros has a divide down the middle reminiscent of how jump packs have a seperation. But this model doesn't, it  has a roughly inconsistent patch where it looks like someone badly shaved down a mold line instead. And that's how it's supposed to be apparently; their officially painted one has the same thing going on. 

 

Oh and he should be bigger; the guy is pretty much bionics at this point and should really be about the same size as a primaris

All that said, I actually don't think the face is all that badly sculpted, the hyper-clean paintjob the official model got just really didn't work very well. I am also going top be matching the "official" look form the game (with my battle damage too), so stayed tuned for a massive amount of bling. Might stay away from the trim on vambrace, elbow guards and hip guards though.

 

[SkimaskMohawk]

Quick update, but my earlier suspicions were confirmed. The face was done a pretty big disservice by the forgeworld paintjob; by adding texture around the scars/studs and exaggerate the shadows I found that I could really leverage the sculpted detail. I also used paler colours than the other unhelmed models so far; rakarth and pallid wych instead of killer and flayed one. The end result is a grizzled, scowling Gabriel who looks like he's really suffered in his resurrection as chapter master. He had to have lost his tan after being rebuilt and readjusting to his bionics. And learning how to front flip.

 

There are some parts the sculpt shows its awkwardness, like the really long head and hair that starts way too far back on his right side, but it can easily be redeemed.

 

 

Thanks for looking, any suggestions are appreciated!