Model designs to represent psychic blanks

[Lucerne]

What would be good ways of visual storytelling with model/design choices to show that there's something unnatural and soulless about, say, a Blank that's part of an Inquisitor/ Inq28 retinue?

[Mendi Warrior]

The one thing that comes to my mind is a blank facemask, similar to the AT Warlord-Sinister just released https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-GB/Adeptus-Titanicus-Warlord-Sinister-Psi-Titan-2020 or the face masks of the Drukhari wracks https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Wracks-2014
This could be combined with a hood, to conceal the unsettling aspect of an unnatural and soulless being (eyeing towards some AoS nighthaunts models for inspiration e.g. https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Nighthaunt-Bladegheist-Revenants-2018).

[Sandlemad]

Paradoxically having them look extremely normal compared to the rest of the retinue? That's not really an answer though... It's a tricky one.

 

Having a psyker or other non-blank visibly freaking out on their base could work, though it depends on the size of the base. A lot of the most obviously suitable bits would be hard to find though, stuff like the ordo hereticus penitent or the FW rogue psyker clutching his head or that one cowering dude on the base of the old WHFB giant. It'd be a nice contrast, a perfectly normal looking guy in fatigues or civilian dress with someone losing their mind in front of them.

 

Again it'd depend on the size of the base but maybe you could model part of the base's surface differently? Like if you do the rest of the retinue's bases as though they're lit in some manner, as though from tempestuous enemy psychic power, or even looking a bit cracked with terrain paint. Then the blank's base could be visibly different to represent a kind of normality surrounding where they stand, perhaps represented with a finer basing material, e.g. Martian Ironearth where the others have Martian Ironcrust. Perhaps the area nearest the blank's feet is 'normal' but further away it's the same as the rest of the retinue's. Like modelling an invisible field. This would only really work by contrast with the rest of the group though.

 

It's a tricky one, it's something that seems resistant to easy visual representation. Ravenor has some tech-gear which is meant to let blanks limit or temporarily 'turn off' their effect. I think it was a collar device or something similar? You could follow that up, have a normal looking person but for a visible collar or similar bit of arcane looking equipment.

[Mendi Warrior]

Going that road, I could picture a psyker whose head is exploding as a result of being in close presence of a blank. But it shouldn'd look like two psykers duelling of course.

Definitely interested in seeing what you'll do.

[Arkhanist]

I rather like Artel W's approach with not-Bequin.

 

 

I think possibly any sort of psyker-style model but conspicuously absent of any spell effects or 'active' casting might work.

 

I do like Sandlemad's idea of changing the base too. Perhaps the bottom part of a 'warp bubble' using UV resin?

 

(this review tests drying it on a balloon which gives the sort of effect)

 

https://youtu.be/W-2BF1rcMz4?t=359

Edited February 18, 2020 by Arkhanist

[Lucerne]

I was already thinking of the "blank mask" or "uncanny" style, so I think I'll figure out a base model and do something like the faceless visor, or otherwise do something a bit off for their proportions/facial features without being full gribbly or warp-ish.

[Fajita Fan]

Paint their eyes solid black?

[Lucerne]

The one thing that comes to my mind is a blank facemask, similar to the AT Warlord-Sinister just released https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-GB/Adeptus-Titanicus-Warlord-Sinister-Psi-Titan-2020 or the face masks of the Drukhari wracks https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Wracks-2014

This could be combined with a hood, to conceal the unsettling aspect of an unnatural and soulless being (eyeing towards some AoS nighthaunts models for inspiration e.g. https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Nighthaunt-Bladegheist-Revenants-2018).

Something like this or is it too obviously dark eldar-based without the bodyswap or full kitbash?

 

https://i.ibb.co/42dPFjn/image.png

 

On that note, does anyone out there sell "empty human hand" bits for relatively cheap/in bulk?

Edited February 19, 2020 by Lucerne

[Mendi Warrior]

Well, imho that would be a bit too obsiously dark eldar. This said, it could be a good base. The torsos are, I think, quite fine as human torsos. The legs might need some work to hide the dark Eldar hints. Going back to the idea of a hood, have a cloak, maybe a ragged one.

 

I would have a look at the AdMech stuff, thinking electro-priest but it might be too obviously electro-priest of course, maybe also the AoS Empire aka Free Cities range, there are some fancy pants tying nicely with an inquisitorial warband imo.

 

Heavy infantry hands, maybe not exactly what you are looking for https://www.conversionworld.de/index.php?pageId=produkt&language=en&id=48&kategorie=Bitz%20by%20Compatibility&tag3=Games%20Workshop*&tag2=Warhammer%2040k/30k*

 

I would navigate some bits sites also to try and find some inspiration or identify possible sources. And, of course, let sink the idea and make notes and sketches of ideas when they come.