Brother Christopher's Purple Marines Project

[kabaakaba]

late tought, but, if you wanna add something to simple edge highlits then use the art's light rules. gloss things gives hard highlights, matt small and soft. metalls must be highlighted with same hue but lighter. also u can highlight only from direction light is comming(for the most cases we highlight like light source above the model) but you can add some highlights from bottom to but add some colour of you basing colours. 
wish no one hit me for this heresy 

[Brother Christopher]

My real-life workload is quite brutal right now so progress is slow. Regardless, I shall endure the turmoil of real-life obligations and continue on the Emperor's righteous path!

 

It seems like I'm still trying to figure out what I want with these guys. While painting the most recent model, the power sword guy, I've decided to take a slightly different approach. However, it seems that whatever I try, I end up with results that are more or less the same.

 

This, I think, means something: perhaps, subconsciously I know that this the right purple and I arrive at it regardless of the path I take.

 

Below is a comparison shot of three models: 1. the power sword guy (new method); 2. the headless bolter guy (my hitherto go-to method) and 3. the finished prototype model.

 

Can you spot any difference between the three? And if you do, which one do you find best?

 

 

 

 

And here are some close-ups on the most apparent, larger surfaces:

 

Model 1: 

 

 

Model 2:

 

 

PS: These photos really stretch the limits of the publishable level of magnification of these models.

 

 

[gaurdian31]

Just looking at the purple between the two new ones I don't see much difference. The highlights on the original prototype look a little bluer if that makes sense, but over all the purple looks good on all of them to me.

[Grotsmasha]

Agree with @gaurdian31, the Purple itself is indistinguishable to me, but the power sword guys highlights ... pop ... more, like the other's highlights were washed to subdue them a little, and these weren't.

I like both.

[space wolf]

Agreed, powersword guy highlights "highlight" more.

 

[Tallarn Commander]

Both look great to me.

[Brother Christopher]

Thank you all for the feedback. You are right about the highlights - the power sword guy's highlights have a bit more pink added to the mix, maybe that's the reason for them to be 'stronger.' @gaurdian31 The prototype's were based on a cooler purple, so that's well spotted, too! Thanks.

 

As it often is the case with my 40k, the hobby took a setback due to work but I'm slowly working on the models. I've been struggling with some major decisions about colour scheme. I'm not sure that I've sorted that out, to be honest, but I'm stalling for time. Maybe because of the work-related mental load, I find deciding about my chapter's colours oddly prohibitive or even stressful. While I know that there aren't any wrong answers, I feel I'm placing a bit too much pressure on myself to make sure I get things right. But that's a matter for a separate post.

 

Right now, once again, I'd like to ask you for advice - this time about the bases.

 

I think I like the dark one (the one on the right) the most. What do you think?

[gaurdian31]

I like right most and left most, leaning a little more towards right most (darkest one) as well. Also the marines are looking good! Really like the stripe on the backpack and that white looks great!

[space wolf]

I think you should go with something much brighter for your bases. Right now your color scheme is primarily a dark purple. If you go with the dark gravel you risk washing out the models as its kind of dark on dark. I think you should go with either a desert tan or maybe a mars red. I went with jungle bases for my Void Panthers for just this reason. A shock of bright green provides the eye with interesting contrast. For that reason, i think the white arms and helmets really work with your tone of purple. I think you should pick one other color to add into your scheme.

 

It follows the 70/20/10 rule. 70%- main color, 20% - accent and 10% - other accent. If you decide to go with purple and white, id probably pick a warm tone to further contrast, either a red, orange or yellow. Since white is kind if a neutral color, id stay away from grey or brown.

 

Heres an example i mocked up in Impcat:

 

Edited July 11 by space wolf

[Brother Christopher]

On 7/10/2025 at 7:00 PM, gaurdian31 said:

I like right most and left most, leaning a little more towards right most (darkest one) as well.

 

Thanks; I probably should try and tweak the left one a bit and see where it takes me. The rightmost is also the fanciest since I've put a bit more effort into it.

 

On 7/10/2025 at 7:00 PM, gaurdian31 said:

Also the marines are looking good! Really like the stripe on the backpack and that white looks great!

 

Thanks a lot! I'll make sure to properly showcase my paint scheme soon. I think I've almost made up my mind.

 

@space wolf I don't like what you wrote because you've addressed my concerns. I do feel that the bases should be brighter/warmer but I was hoping that I can get away with the dark one. As I've already mentioned, I'll be tweaking these with the aim of making them warmer. Maybe a sepia wash or a tan drybrush will be enough here. 

[Firedrake Cordova]

I think with the bases it's a little hard to tell from the top-down shot - one that's more front-on might give a better idea of what they'd look like when viewed normally? 

 

Normally, the colour for bases are chosen either to be neutral, or to contrast with the model itself, so as @space wolf says, going for a lighter or warm-toned colour would normally be the way to go. Having said that, I do quite like the right-most one. Have you considered using weathering powders to lighten the colour, or change the tone?

[space wolf]

2 hours ago, Brother Christopher said:

 

@space wolf I don't like what you wrote because you've addressed my concerns. I do feel that the bases should be brighter/warmer but I was hoping that I can get away with the dark one. As I've already mentioned, I'll be tweaking these with the aim of making them warmer. Maybe a sepia wash or a tan drybrush will be enough here. 

Lol, not trying to be a "debbie downer." What you have here is really good.

 

I must have missed where you addressed base warmth, thats my bad. Dont mean to give reduntant advice. Im sure youll get them to where you need them to be. 

[Brother Christopher]

5 hours ago, Firedrake Cordova said:

I think with the bases it's a little hard to tell from the top-down shot - one that's more front-on might give a better idea of what they'd look like when viewed normally? 

 

I'll make sure to post them properly next time; the idea was to draw attention to the bases themselves but taking away the context of the whole model might not have been the best idea.

 

5 hours ago, Firedrake Cordova said:

Having said that, I do quite like the right-most one. Have you considered using weathering powders to lighten the colour, or change the tone?

 

No, I haven't - to be frank, I don't know what they are :P I mean, I know that these things exist but I haven't used them. Having said that, I might look at some YT tutorials or whatnot. This might actually tie in with another pending decision, i.e. whether to keep the boots and shins clean or add some dust/dirt.

  

2 hours ago, space wolf said:

Lol, not trying to be a "debbie downer." What you have here is really good.

 

I must have missed where you addressed base warmth, thats my bad. Dont mean to give reduntant advice. Im sure youll get them to where you need them to be. 

Not at all, my intended tone must've gotten lost here - I appreciate your feedback. Also, nothing you types was redundant - I don't think I've voiced these concerns before. I was looking for proper, impartial feedback, not affected by my worries and you delivered. Similarly to @gaurdian31 mentioning the leftmost base, I figured I shouldn't cut corners here and make this one more push to find an even better solution. I'm very apprehensive of making a mistake here! Thanks for motivating me do do things properly.

[Firedrake Cordova]

3 hours ago, Brother Christopher said:

I don't know what they are :P I mean, I know that these things exist but I haven't used them.

They're just finely ground pigment that you can apply to a model, either "dry" (out of the pot), or "wet". If you apply them "dry" they'll need "fixing", though (using pigment fixer, airbrush thinner, or varnish). Angel Giraldez has a video using them one on desert bases, and Don Suratos has a Star Wars Legion one which seems appropriate. Vince V has a general primer, too, if it's helpful.

[Brother Christopher]

I see - I'll take a look at the vids. This seems like a nice hack for bases.

 

In the meantime, here are some updated/tweaked bases:

 

 

Model on the left: black base colour + tan paint drubrush.

Model in the middle: Vallejo Saddle Brown base colour + tan drybrush.

Model on the right: grey base colour + tan drybrush + sepia wash.

 

At this stage, I think I like each variant. However, it seems that for consistency, it'd be best if I stuck to one method. Oh, and I plan to add some grass/tufts after I varnish the models.

 

Thoughts? 

***

 

I'd also like to share with you what I've come up with on the topic of my chapter livery. After much going back and forth, I decided on the following:

 

- primary colour - purple (duh!)

- secondary colour - the nice blue that I bought "accidentally," just because I liked it; I want to believe that I subconsciously felt it'll go fabulously with this purple

* the secondary colour will be used for the chapter symbol (unimaginatively, a Maltese cross), the stripe on the backpack, as well as squad markings

* the stripe on the backpack was supposed to be a squad designation (i.e. each squad was supposed to have its own colour) but in the end, all regular models will have the same light blue stripe;

- shoulder pad trim - the trim colour will be the company designation; in addition to the trim, the round bit on the back of the backpack will use the same colour;

* I went for a white for my rank-and-file models since I think it works with the primary and secondary colours very well;

* I considered leaving the trim purple but the models were kind of bland: the purple was a bit overwhelming and a trim painted with a different colour helps with creating some more contrast/interest

- squad designation: each squad will bear the squad marking (tactical/assault/devastatorfire support) painted in a different colour on the bottom leg armour;

* I figured that I want to mix in some other colours somewhere and this seems like a good place.

 

Specialist squads will have a slightly different colour scheme, i.e., I'll pick different colours for the arms. I'm thinking white for elites/veterans (like the prototype models), black for assaults and grey/silver for the fire support units.

 

I also aim to organise all my squads in 6-man units (this is a slight deviation from my original plan). Each tactical squad will have 4 bolter marines, 1 sergeant with different weapons and 1 special weapon (plasma, flamer and I'll have to figure out where to get a multi-melta - whether to buy one from an eradicator kit or convert one using some firstborn bits).

 

Right now, I'm also thinking about using the same organisation for the assault and shooty squads.

[space wolf]

Id go with 1st born weapons. Thats easier. Apparantly there is a rumor out there that mixed weapons squads will be coming in the next year or so. So might want to wait until we know what those look like...or dont, lol.

 

Also I think your scheme looks good. What color were you planning on doing the helmets? I think white would look great, maybe the light blue for the sgts?

[Firedrake Cordova]

Looking at those pictures, I like all of the bases, but I think the Marine stands out more on the left-hand one, and tends to blend into the base a bit on the middle one, at least to my eyes.

[Brother Christopher]

12 hours ago, space wolf said:

Id go with 1st born weapons. Thats easier. Apparantly there is a rumor out there that mixed weapons squads will be coming in the next year or so. So might want to wait until we know what those look like...or dont, lol.

 

Oh, I'm expecting the new edition to reintroduce proper tactical squads. But given my hobby half-life (I can't say that I've been particularly active on the gaming front), I'm working on myself to really believe that I shouldn't care about weapons. After all, subjectively, GW changes rules and invalidates stuff more frequently than I play or model my minis. That is why, I think I'll just limit this project to >10th edition models and will try to arrange for a suitable primarised melta gun.

 

I'm not planning to support GW beond the 11th ed starter, too. Even now, I have around 70 purple primaris marines to paint - I really don't need more, especially since I'm planning to use my Templars as the core of my gaming models. I can't imagine myself getting into properly playing 40k, at a tournament level, so for friendly games, my painted Firstborns should be enough to fill in for any potential Primaris model configuration.

 

12 hours ago, space wolf said:

Also I think your scheme looks good. What color were you planning on doing the helmets? I think white would look great, maybe the light blue for the sgts?

 

Before I bought and decided to use the light blue, I was set on using a bottle green for my sergeants. I'm not yet sure how the blue interferes with this idea - if it doesn't work, I'll definitely go with the blue.

 

2 hours ago, Firedrake Cordova said:

Looking at those pictures, I like all of the bases, but I think the Marine stands out more on the left-hand one, and tends to blend into the base a bit on the middle one, at least to my eyes.

 

I sometimes feel like a rookie with these kinds of things - you're definitely right. Right now, I'm definitely forgoing the middle one.

[space wolf]

Oh i forgot to mention which basr i preferred, hate to say it, but i think the middle one is better. For me its all about contrast, and the warmer base imho will look better with your cooler models. Especially, if you get some weathering powders and spread some around thier feet. That will tie them both together.

[gaurdian31]

I like all of those bases, but I think I like the left most one the most. 

[Brother Christopher]

Emperor damn me, it's silly how I'm obsessing about these. In the end, I should be smarter than this and I'll take the cowards way out of this conundrum - I'll just decide on the bases on a per-squad basis (does this count as a pun?). I think I should keep reminding myself that whole Primaris thing was supposed to be an attempt to try new things out. And here I am, wasting my time, effort and mental energy on looking for consistency which gets in the way of creativity and fun.

 

Since these models are supposed to be more of a gateway into more "modern" painting and modelling, I really should explore new stuff. Truth be told, @space wolf's Chaplain, with the cool, colourful base, is an inspiration for this "idea."

 

Moreover, I don't think it should affect my project as a whole - after all, my dudes can be deployed in different parts of a planet. I can try different colours, textures, types of plants/foliage or even perhaps do some urban bases - things that can also help out with GW's scenic bases, large tactical rocks and tactical corpses.

 

Now, I should probably save this post and reread it in a month when I'll forget all about it...

 

On a different topic, I did a quick test for my Sergeants' helmet:

 

Allow me to introduce Greg the Marin. I've been using him to try stuff, so he's pretty battered at this point but a large portion of the model is painted with 'my purple.' My wife, whose opinion on colours I value a lot, said that the green doesn't work with this purple. I'm not sure, though.

 

The other, more conservative option, is the light blue. This might also be the smarter choice in the context of the 'less is better' philosophy: by sticking to the chapter-specific secondary colour, I won't be adding another to the scheme.

[Brother Anderson]

That green is sumptuous! I'd say it definitely works for me, it's an uncommon combination but that makes them stand out which is the point of sergeants painting their helmets differently I'd say.

 

Covering old ground but I've only been lurking for ages, that purple power armour is so, so good too.

[space wolf]

Well, I'm flattered that Im a source for creativity . Maybe, you can do both. Perhaps they are fighting over an urban ruin that has been long destroyed, so the industrial rubble has become overgrown with weeds and other flora? Im thinking dark grey rubble/ rusted metal intermixed with bright jungle greens, yellows and reds...that could be really striking!

 

 

As for the helmet color, I agree with your wife, the green doesnt quite work. Not sure why since they are next to each other on the color wheel....

 

However, I was really bored and had my phone so maybe you'd like one if these combinations? I did it using a free program called impcat. A real time saver, when it comes to testing schemes.

 

 

May fave is actually the most conservative one (UL corner), of course there is something to the one I call the "Megaman" (UR corner) lol

Edited July 15 by space wolf
Spelling

[Firedrake Cordova]

I like the @space wolf's upper-right example too (although personally I'd have the backpack all purple to further highlight the head), although I also like the idea of the helmet matching the shoulderpad trim like the one in the bottom right...

Edited July 15 by Firedrake Cordova

[gaurdian31]

Yeah, I think white helm for the standard marines and the blue helm for the sergeant would work well, or you could bring back the white helm with green stripe, that was nice as well.