Help painting purple Sisters of Battle

[TheIrishCommissar]

Hi guys, I am looking for some advice. I am looking to start a sisters of battle army and I am looking to go with a purple armour scheme. I have always been a terrible painter so since I am starting a new army I thought I would do it right this time.

 

 

I am looking dor advice on how to paint this colour scheme ( see attached pictures, the first is my favourite). I want to try and keep to Games Workshop paints unless your sure that another company will do a better shop as Games Workshop is my local store and they're not impressed when you bring in other company stock.

 

 

My main problem that I can see is the Purple armour, as I have heard that it is hard to paint. What paints would I need for this type of finish?

 

By the way I am also completely open to changing the colour scheme around as long as purple stays the primary colour.

Thanks for any advice given.

Edited February 3, 2020 by TheIrishCommissar

[Marshal Loss]

Pictures don't show up, but you could look on WarhammerTV: there are some guides for purple armour

 

[TheIrishCommissar]

Pictures don't show up, but you could look on WarhammerTV: there are some guides for purple armour

 

 

Hi Marshall, yes I did see their guide and it look quite managable, however I wanted to see if anyone else had any other ways of painting purple instead. Maybe this link will work

 

http://bolterandchainsword.com/ss.php?bpe=AD00C4&bpj=D1BC00&bp=AD00C4&bpc=D1BC00&hdt=AD00C4&hdm=D1BC00&hdl=D1BC00&ey=058700&er=AD00C4&pi=AD00C4&reb=AD00C4&nk=AD00C4&ch=AD00C4&abs=AD00C4&bt=D1BC00&is=D1BC00&sk=E800DC&ull=AD00C4&lk=AD00C4&lll=AD00C4&lft=AD00C4&url=AD00C4&rk=AD00C4&flk=D1BC00&lrl=AD00C4&rft=AD00C4&slt=D1BC00&sli=AD00C4&fs=D1BC00&srt=D1BC00&sri=AD00C4&iss=D1BC00&slv=E800DC&ula=AD00C4&lla=AD00C4&lh=AD00C4&ura=AD00C4&rla=AD00C4&rh=AD00C4&ri=E800DC&tr=E800DC&gr=E800DC&rb=E800DC&bg=FFFFFF&

 

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Edited February 3, 2020 by TheIrishCommissar

[RolandTHTG]

On a test model, I got good results from using the GW contrast purple, and that's what I'm planning to use once I can prime again in the spring. 

[Lord Marshal]

It might be worth dropping Kizzdougs a PM, since he looks to be the master of all things rich metallic purple.

 

His work here isn't unsimilar to the image you linked:

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/236305-the-sekhmethh-emperors-children-alphas-vs-nls-3219/?p=5436270

Edited February 3, 2020 by Lord Marshal

[TheIrishCommissar]

On a test model, I got good results from using the GW contrast purple, and that's what I'm planning to use once I can prime again in the spring. 

 I looked at the contrast paints alright but are the end results as good as using normal paints? I want to try and get the best finish and I am not fussy about taking my time doing it. From what I seen the contrast paints seem to be great for getting loads of models done quick. 

It might be worth dropping Kizzdougs a PM, since he looks to be the master of all things rich metallic purple.

 

His work here isn't unsimilar to the image you linked:

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/236305-the-sekhmethh-emperors-children-alphas-vs-nls-3219/?p=5436270

 

Thanks Lord Marshall, I gave him a message there. I am still not 100% about the ropes though, any advice on what other colours would go well?

[Lord Marshal]

 

On a test model, I got good results from using the GW contrast purple, and that's what I'm planning to use once I can prime again in the spring. 

 I looked at the contrast paints alright but are the end results as good as using normal paints? I want to try and get the best finish and I am not fussy about taking my time doing it. From what I seen the contrast paints seem to be great for getting loads of models done quick. 

It might be worth dropping Kizzdougs a PM, since he looks to be the master of all things rich metallic purple.

 

His work here isn't unsimilar to the image you linked:

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/236305-the-sekhmethh-emperors-children-alphas-vs-nls-3219/?p=5436270

 

Thanks Lord Marshall, I gave him a message there. I am still not 100% about the ropes though, any advice on what other colours would go well?

 

 

If you're just using Contrast as a basecoat for your metallics then it can work as well as normal paints. The trick with Contrast is to use it as just another tool in your arsenal, compared with standard Base/Layer Paints. Using Contrast by it's lonesome does often look pretty bad and even in the good 'Contrast tutorials' they're using other paints, since Contrast can't be used for things like highlights.

 

As for the rope, XV-88 as a base, very carefully washed with Agrax and then highlighted with Balor Brown might do the trick? Despite what I said above, Snakebite Leather would also work well if you're very careful with it, since Contrast is great for things that need pooling. 

[Brother Cambrius]

Greetings!

So I've been painting purple armour for a few years with my Vanquishers and have been re-learning techniques since the name and recipe change for the Citadel Paints, but here's my method for when I painted these Intercessors last month for you to try, as I can see you want a slightly paler purple than mine:

PAINTS REQUIRED:

• GREY SEER/CORAX WHITE/CHAOS BLACK (SPRAY)
• NAGGAROTH NIGHT (BASE)
• XEREUS PURPLE (LAYER)
• DRUCHII VIOLET (WASH)
• GENESTEALER PURPLE (LAYER)
• WHITE SCAR (LAYER) - For mixing if you don't have Genestealer Purple available

BASECOAT:

1. Spray your models with Grey Seer or White. If you want a slightly darker, shaded tone of purple, use Black spray instead, which has been my go to for a very long time but I tried out Grey Seer on the ones linked above to see the difference.
2. Black out any areas required metal work later on before beginning the purple base coat
3. Apply 2 thinned coats of Naggaroth Night. This can be a little tricky to see with Black spray, but good lighting will help you out immensely.
4. Mix 2:1 of Naggaroth Night and Xereus Purple and thin down, before applying over painted areas

LAYERING:

1. Apply 2 thinned coats of Xereus Purple, being careful to avoid streaks across the armour or pooling in places
2. Dry brush a 1:1 mix of Genestealer and Xereus Purple (1:3 mix if using White Scar) across all of the armour. It might look very pale and off initially, but the wash will solve this
3. Wash model completely over all purple areas with Druchii Violet, allowing it to dry and cleaning up carefully with a clean, dry paintbrushin areas with too much pooling

HIGHLIGHTING:

1. Use a 1:2 mix of Genestealer and Xereus Purple (1:4 mix if using White Scar) to help bring some colour back across the shade and picking out higher areas, but keeping the depth of the wash in recesses and a slightly marbled effect on the armour plates if done well. This might take two drybrushing attempts, if you want a slightly paler look, use pure Genestealer Purple.

Hope that helps you. Good luck with your Sisters, TheIrishCommissar!

As an aside, with the gold, I found that painting it to look like a pale bronze or brass can work very well over gold on the purple armour, if you are having trouble with the metallics. Warplock Bronze and Runelord Brass, mixed with Seraphim Sepia on application, then washed with Seraphim Sepia on its own works wonders. :)

Cambrius

[TheIrishCommissar]

Greetings!

So I've been painting purple armour for a few years with my Vanquishers and have been re-learning techniques since the name and recipe change for the Citadel Paints, but here's my method for when I painted these Intercessors last month for you to try, as I can see you want a slightly paler purple than mine:

PAINTS REQUIRED:

• GREY SEER/CORAX WHITE/CHAOS BLACK (SPRAY)
• NAGGAROTH NIGHT (BASE)
• XEREUS PURPLE (LAYER)
• DRUCHII VIOLET (WASH)
• GENESTEALER PURPLE (LAYER)
• WHITE SCAR (LAYER) - For mixing if you don't have Genestealer Purple available

BASECOAT:

1. Spray your models with Grey Seer or White. If you want a slightly darker, shaded tone of purple, use Black spray instead, which has been my go to for a very long time but I tried out Grey Seer on the ones linked above to see the difference.
2. Black out any areas required metal work later on before beginning the purple base coat
3. Apply 2 thinned coats of Naggaroth Night. This can be a little tricky to see with Black spray, but good lighting will help you out immensely.
4. Mix 2:1 of Naggaroth Night and Xereus Purple and thin down, before applying over painted areas

LAYERING:

1. Apply 2 thinned coats of Xereus Purple, being careful to avoid streaks across the armour or pooling in places
2. Dry brush a 1:1 mix of Genestealer and Xereus Purple (1:3 mix if using White Scar) across all of the armour. It might look very pale and off initially, but the wash will solve this
3. Wash model completely over all purple areas with Druchii Violet, allowing it to dry and cleaning up carefully with a clean, dry paintbrushin areas with too much pooling

HIGHLIGHTING:

1. Use a 1:2 mix of Genestealer and Xereus Purple (1:4 mix if using White Scar) to help bring some colour back across the shade and picking out higher areas, but keeping the depth of the wash in recesses and a slightly marbled effect on the armour plates if done well. This might take two drybrushing attempts, if you want a slightly paler look, use pure Genestealer Purple.

Hope that helps you. Good luck with your Sisters, TheIrishCommissar!

As an aside, with the gold, I found that painting it to look like a pale bronze or brass can work very well over gold on the purple armour, if you are having trouble with the metallics. Warplock Bronze and Runelord Brass, mixed with Seraphim Sepia on application, then washed with Seraphim Sepia on its own works wonders.

Cambrius

Thanks for the advice Visum Colorator, I mgiht try going with that. Do you have any advice on how I mgiht paint the robes I have in the picture?

[TheIrishCommissar]

 

 

On a test model, I got good results from using the GW contrast purple, and that's what I'm planning to use once I can prime again in the spring. 

 I looked at the contrast paints alright but are the end results as good as using normal paints? I want to try and get the best finish and I am not fussy about taking my time doing it. From what I seen the contrast paints seem to be great for getting loads of models done quick. 

It might be worth dropping Kizzdougs a PM, since he looks to be the master of all things rich metallic purple.

 

His work here isn't unsimilar to the image you linked:

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/236305-the-sekhmethh-emperors-children-alphas-vs-nls-3219/?p=5436270

 

Thanks Lord Marshall, I gave him a message there. I am still not 100% about the ropes though, any advice on what other colours would go well?

 

 

If you're just using Contrast as a basecoat for your metallics then it can work as well as normal paints. The trick with Contrast is to use it as just another tool in your arsenal, compared with standard Base/Layer Paints. Using Contrast by it's lonesome does often look pretty bad and even in the good 'Contrast tutorials' they're using other paints, since Contrast can't be used for things like highlights.

 

As for the rope, XV-88 as a base, very carefully washed with Agrax and then highlighted with Balor Brown might do the trick? Despite what I said above, Snakebite Leather would also work well if you're very careful with it, since Contrast is great for things that need pooling. 

 

 

I'll try that out on the robes and see how I get on, I have a feeling I am going to be trying a few methods on the Robes as I just can't decide how I will want to have them 

[Brother Cambrius]

 

Thanks for the advice Visum Colorator, I mgiht try going with that. Do you have any advice on how I mgiht paint the robes I have in the picture?

 

 

You're welcome! I'm looking forwards to seeing how your purple turns out in the future. :)

 

Now with greys akin to your robes, I would do the following:

 

Basecoat: Mechancius Standard Grey in 2 thin coats

 

Layer: 2 thinned coat of Dawnstone, try and be careful of pooling in the recesses.

 

Wash: Thinned Nuln Oil. You can use Agrax Earthshade if you want them to look slightly dirtier.

 

Highlight: Drybrushing is difficult to do on the robes, so I'd rely on edge highlighting with Dawnstone.

 

Hope that helps you!

 

Cambrius