Making a model of this John Blanche Illustration

[PerfectChocolateMadeleine]

Hi guys!!

 

I've recently become obsessed with making a model of this exact astartes from this John Blanche illustration (pictured below):

 

 

It's specifically a Phoenix Guard Champion, and it's not in Terminator Armour, meaning I can't play it as a member of the Phoenix Guard on the tabletop so this would be purely a kitbashing / sculpting project, though I guess I could use him as a Veteran Squad Sgt or smth! I really want to try to get as close as I can to the illustration as a fun challenge! :D

 

I'm posting here to ask for some input on where to source certain bits and general advice. I've thought about it a bit myself but I figure it can't hurt to ask a big community for input since multiple heads are better than one after all!!

 

The helmet looks a lot like the "Suzerain" style Ultramarine helmet, which I could source from the Invictarus Suzerain Squad, with the spike of course coming from any Mk III helm or simply sculpted with greenstuff. I'd have to shave off the Ultramarine symbol, which should be easy enough.

 

I could source the legs from the Phoenix Terminator Squad and add more filigree, either through paint or greenstuff. This might make the model a little tall though, so maybe Mk VI legs would be better? The downside is they don't have that fancy border, which matches with the illustrated leg showing extensive filigree.

 

The Loyalist Champion Consul's legs might be closer to the illustration in terms of the thinner border, but with no built-in filigree, so not sure which to pick.

 

His torso almost looks like a Mk II torso with a Palatine Aquila, which should be easy enough if I can find Mk II torsos (so, not easy actually ).

 

A Custodes pauldron could do nicely for his right shoulder, though Custodes pauldrons have a different, more curved shape: maybe I could cast the pauldron's eagle with bluestuff and add it to a Mk IV or Mk III pauldron? And I can apply a wreath transfer to the left pauldron.

 

The axe looks somewhat similar to the Age of Darkness Praetor's power axe, though the double-hand placement, shorter handle and different blade shape might prove difficult: so far, I'm a bit stumped on this one, does anyone know of a blade that looks rectangular like that? I can always stick such a blade on a longer handle if need be.

 

The loincloth I could try sculpting with greenstuff.

 

And yeah that's a broad plan for this project!

 

If anyone have any recommendations for bits for this project, or any advice, I would very much appreciate it! Thanks :D

 

- Madeleine :>

 

 

Edited May 7 by PerfectChocolateMadeleine

[Lysimachus]

It's a great piece of art, good choice!

 

I'd say the Consul legs are closer, the filigree looks like it could be a paint effect so the nice flat greaves would be a bonus?

 

Re the Axe, the closest I can think of is the one from the really old (1992) Assault Weapons sprue. The lower edge is still curved, but the top of the blade has that rectangular look. If that is unfindable, the one from the Devastator Squad box is similar, I think?

 

 

[Firedrake Cordova]

I have no idea on the parts, but good luck - it's a cool project

[PerfectChocolateMadeleine]

5 hours ago, Lysimachus said:

It's a great piece of art, good choice!

 

I'd say the Consul legs are closer, the filigree looks like it could be a paint effect so the nice flat greaves would be a bonus?

 

Re the Axe, the closest I can think of is the one from the really old (1992) Assault Weapons sprue. The lower edge is still curved, but the top of the blade has that rectangular look. If that is unfindable, the one from the Devastator Squad box is similar, I think?

 

 

Thanks And I think you're right about the legs, honestly, I wanted an excuse to buy that beautiful Phoenix Terminator set haha.

 

For the axe, while those options' blades are closer in shape, they all look a bit small? I might be better off trying to sculpt the blade myself though I've never sculpted something so big before. But there's a first time for everything! :>

[Teetengee]

the axe shape shouldn't be too hard to rough out with plasticard as well, if you wanted to try your hand at it

[PerfectChocolateMadeleine]

7 minutes ago, Teetengee said:

the axe shape shouldn't be too hard to rough out with plasticard as well, if you wanted to try your hand at it

good idea!! i'll give it a try, thanks :D

[Grotsmasha]

The current Devastator Kit has the perfect Axe, you'll just need two and you can join them together,

[PerfectChocolateMadeleine]

50 minutes ago, Grotsmasha said:

The current Devastator Kit has the perfect Axe, you'll just need two and you can join them together,

hm looking at it again, it doesn't seem as small as I feared! I'll look into it, thank you :D