Return to Prospero

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

 

Quote

"The greatest tragedies and triumphs of Man are reflected in the Great Ocean, forming raging storms. Yet, unlike our own realm, these reflections are not bound by our limited appreciation of causality, for often times the unwary athereal traveller may be caught in storms formed by malign events that they have yet to experience, and in their struggling they find themselves inexorably drawn to that fate.

 

Excerpt from the Book of Magnus

++ Vox-Transmission: Hobby Log Reclamation – Segmentum Obscurus ++

 

“What century is this? What world do I tread upon? Where are my wayward Brothers?”

 

So begins my return to these once-hallowed halls, where the echoes of unfinished works linger like the ghosts of failed crusades. It has been many solar cycles since last I walked these corridors of creation. As ever in this grim age, fervour fades, project-data corrupts, and once-glorious legions are left to gather dust upon forgotten shelves.

 

Yet, with the resurgence of Horus Heresy: Edition Tertius, a spark rekindled within my soul’s darkened and dormant forge. The Emperor—or perhaps something far less benevolent—has granted me the will to try once more. I shall undertake one final attempt to muster the Sons of Magnus, a host thrice begun and thrice undone since the release of Inferno, near a decade past in the reckoning of Old Terra.

 

For years uncounted, the perfect crimson eluded me. I sought it across countless data-scrolls and vid-archives, from the sacred formulae of Forge World to the noospheric sermons of YouTube’s Tech-Adepts. Yet each hue fell short of the vision burning within my mind’s eye.

 

Only now have I uncovered the heretical truth—the betrayer was not the pigment, but the final varnish itself! Such cruel irony that the very seal meant to preserve my work was its undoing. Through the guidance of the Powerfist Vox-Cast and their venerable Patreon archives, I was set once more upon the path to knowledge.

 

Now the brush feels like a weapon once again. The red flows true—deep, defiant, and glorious as Prospero’s burning sky. The Sons of Magnus shall rise anew, clad in the colour of knowledge, vengeance, and fire.

 

All is not yet dust…..

 

++ End Transmission ++

 

 

Edited November 4 by Lord Commander Eidolon
Fixed illegible text

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

++ Entry: Reclamation Protocols Initiated ++

 

Each great crusade begins with but a single step—so too does this humble endeavour. Here stands my tester, a weary veteran torn from the wreckage of failed campaigns past. Once cast aside in shame, he shall now serve as the vessel of renewal.

 

Through the alchemy of patience and the sacred art of sculpting newly mastered, this broken warrior shall be restored—reforged in crimson and purpose alike. His scars shall not be erased, but sanctified, a testament to lessons learned through ruin and perseverance.

 

Soon he shall march once more beneath the banner of the Sons of Magnus, reborn through devotion, skill, and the will to begin again.

 

 

++ Data-Note: Even the smallest spark may rekindle a legion ++

 

 

So… I’ve done it. I’ve completely torn apart my old Thousand Sons project. Gone. Dusted. Reduced to a tragic pile of plastic shame. To make matters worse, a bird actually nested in the box I stored them in — and when it finally flew off, it scattered Marines all over the garden like some kind of avian Chaos ritual. RIP, little plastic brothers.

 

Now, truth be told, the old paint scheme wasn’t awful… but it just wasn’t right. The shadows lacked punch, the varnish dulled everything down, and that glossy, candy-coated finish I was dreaming of? Never quite got there. So, into the stripping vat they went.

 

And while I’m ranting — can we talk about the newish MK6 kits? I’m sorry, but those single-pose legs and torsos are a bit of a buzzkill. Remember the good old days of multi-pose kits and endless kitbashing potential? Yeah, I miss that too. The old FW legions specific resin torsos don’t help either — they’re just that tiny bit smaller so you need to break out the scalpel and do some serious surgery to make them fit. Hobby joy, right?

 

But! There’s hope on the horizon. I recently joined a Hobby Camp run by Anpharius and Medders, and it totally reignited my mojo and taught me a fair few Green stuffing skills. I’ve even got a shiny new assault tank in the works (because who doesn’t love a big tank?).

 

First, though… it’s back to basics. Time to get a tactical squad finished. Because every great crusade starts with the humble footslogger.

Edited November 3 by Lord Commander Eidolon

[Firedrake Cordova]

Oof, the sounds frustrating about the bird - are you sure it wasn't a miniature Lord of Change?  

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

++ Progress Report: Reclamation of the Lost ++

By the Emperor’s will—or perhaps by the subtle hand of darker powers—I have managed to resurrect several fallen warriors from the ruins of my former host. Once cast aside as failures, these marines now stand upon the threshold of rebirth.

 

To honour their reborn purpose, I shall adorn them with sculpted tabards, each woven in the Prosperine style, that their bearing may better reflect the arcane grandeur of their Legion. Though this labour may seem modest, such refinements breathe new life into their forms, banishing the blandness of their previous incarnations.

 

Soon, the first coats of crimson shall flow across ceramite once more. Once the initial batch is complete, I will bring the full scheme to bear upon a chosen test subject—a single warrior to carry the standard of my renewed vision for the Sons of Magnus.

 

++ May knowledge guide the hand, and purpose steady the brush ++

 

.

Managed to dig up (or should I say resurrect) a few more Marines from my last ill-fated Thousand Sons army attempt! They’ve seen better days, but with a bit of TLC — and maybe some green stuff magic — they’ll be back in action. I’m adding a few sculpted tabards to give them that proper Prospero flair; nothing too over the top, just enough to break up the armour and make them look a bit less… well, bland.

 

Next up: getting some rich red down on a test batch and finally locking in the full paint scheme on a tester model. Fingers crossed this one nails that candy gloss finish I’ve been chasing since forever.

 

 

[Brother Ezra]

Looking good so far! Very curious to see how you'll tackle the candy gloss effect. 

Also, the fact that a bird nested in your box of minis feels... weirdly appropriate for the Thousand Sons  Tzeentch certainly has its eye on you...

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

++ Archive Entry: The Reddening ++

 

Since the fateful release of The Burning of Prospero, the true hue of Prosperine Crimson has eluded my grasp. Countless cycles have I spent in pursuit of this sacred pigment—poring over ancient tomes, deciphering lost formulae, and seeking, through meditation and madness alike, the whispered guidance of Magnus the Red himself.

 

Each attempt brought me closer, yet never close enough to capture that ineffable radiance—the red that burned like knowledge made manifest, the colour of pride and ruin entwined.

 

But now, at long last, I sense the currents shifting. The pigment flows true, and the light upon it speaks of Prospero’s dying sun. After long toil and many failures, I believe the crimson is, at last, upon the correct path.

 

++ The flesh of paint remembers; the spirit of colour endures ++

 

 

So, this isn’t exactly a true tester — mostly because a small graveyard of Rhino side panels was sacrificed in the name of experimentation — but I’ve been tinkering with ways to get more depth and interest into the red.

 

It’s the usual recipe: dark/light silver preshade followed by many (and I mean many) thin coats of Tamiya Clear Red. The idea is to keep that rich, candy-like depth while letting the underlying metallics peek through. Once the oils and transfers are done, I’ll knock the shadows back to a  more matte finish to give the whole thing a bit more contrast.

 

Those super-thin layers also help show off the damage and scratches underneath. After a few coats, I went back in with some silver sponge chipping and edge highlights to build up layers of wear and tear. It’s a slow process, but it really sells that battle-worn look — especially since you can’t exactly “undo” mistakes with a clear paint scheme!

 

Right now it’s sitting in full gloss glory, waiting for transfers and a pin wash. Looking shiny, dangerous, and just a little bit magical — exactly how a Thousand Son should

Edited November 3 by Lord Commander Eidolon

[Firedrake Cordova]

That really is a very rich red  

[Brother Ezra]

Beautiful work! 

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

++ Chronicle Update: The Reclamation Continues ++

The work of reclamation endures, strengthened by the counsel and encouragement of my brothers in the Great Work. Their words are as fuel to the flame, guiding my hand and steadying my purpose.

 

Within the leather-bound tome Inferno lies the hallowed record of Prospero’s Fall. Therein are recounted the bitter days when the Thousand Sons stood defiant against the wrath of the Imperium, their city of glass and knowledge reduced to ash beneath the wolves’ merciless advance. That same sacred volume details the esoteric livery and panoply of the Legions—armour gilded in wisdom and ruin. Guided by these venerable records, the Tech-Adepts now labour to restore the lost splendour of the Prosperine relics, sanctifying their craft in the fires of remembrance.

And it is not the Legion’s forges alone that burn bright once more. Across the fractured Fellowships, new aspirants rally beneath the crimson banners, and long-silent veterans return to the fold. The sons of Magnus stir again, their purpose rekindled, their destiny not yet spent.

 

All is not yet dust…..

 

++ From ashes, wisdom; from ruin, rebirth ++

 

I’ve been chipping away at the red again (pun absolutely intended). The tank’s had its pin wash and then got fully taped up for the black areas… and of course the gloss varnish decided not to do its job. The masking tape was just tacky enough to lift some of the red layers right off. Classic case of “buy cheap hobby tape, cry twice.” So now I’m back to rebuilding those red coats — very carefully, and giving the black parts a wide berth!

 

Before painting, the whole tank got the full detailing treatment: dremelled, scored, nicked, and generally bullied into looking less like smooth plastic and more like a hulking slab of real metal. That’s why some areas may look a bit blotchy, but honestly? I’m into it. I did the same thing on my Death Guard and loved the texture. It might be a little at odds with a candy-coat finish… but hey, we’re experimenting. Let’s see where it goes!

 

Thanks again for all the likes and kind words — honestly, it really does keep the hobby mojo topped up.

 

I’ve been chasing this paint scheme ever since Inferno dropped, so finally getting it to work feels pretty great. Still not 100% sure whether I’m going full-gloss across the whole tank, or if I should tone down the black sections a bit for contrast. Might need to stare at it with a cup of tea and overthink it for a while — as is tradition.

Edited November 12 by Lord Commander Eidolon

[Brother Ezra]

It's shaping up nicely! Out of curiosity, how are you tackling the white, marble-esque parts?

[Firedrake Cordova]

Oof, the tape issues sound very frustrating.  I guess sometimes it's worth just sucking up the cost and getting the Tamiya tape.  

 

The physical weathering you've added to the vehicle works very well, and creates quite a distinct visual effect

[Brother Christopher]

I understand the frustrations all too well. Having said that, I dig the paint scheme - the colour choices, as well as the decision which sections to paint with what colour. The thin stripes, with the runes, extending to the top and bottom of the rear hatch are a particularly noce though.

 

I actually like the texture a lot. It's not a style that I'm most familiar with but it looks striking. 

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

On 11/9/2025 at 8:09 PM, Brother Ezra said:

It's shaping up nicely! Out of curiosity, how are you tackling the white, marble-esque parts?

It is the good old dried baby wipe technique. Essentially dry out a wipe, pull and gently tear it to make a template and airbrushed light grey over a black base. It tends to be trickier on flat panels as it’s more difficult to get a tight wrap - it is much easier on smaller bits like hatches or doors. Should I do this again I’d probably do that panel before assembling

 

On 11/11/2025 at 5:09 AM, Firedrake Cordova said:

Oof, the tape issues sound very frustrating.  I guess sometimes it's worth just sucking up the cost and getting the Tamiya tape.  

 

The physical weathering you've added to the vehicle works very well, and creates quite a distinct visual effect

Yes indeed, although to be fair it generally works ok on flat schemes. I think a more robust varnish may have been better or I should have let the paint cure longer. 
 

I’ve used the texture and chips on Death Guard before, but dirt and grime is expected. It’ll be interesting to see how it’d work on a candy scheme. There was a fair bit of unwarranted criticism of a ‘blotchy’ finish in Facebook which I found somewhat disappointing.

 

On 11/15/2025 at 2:16 AM, Brother Christopher said:

I understand the frustrations all too well. Having said that, I dig the paint scheme - the colour choices, as well as the decision which sections to paint with what colour. The thin stripes, with the runes, extending to the top and bottom of the rear hatch are a particularly noce though.

 

I actually like the texture a lot. It's not a style that I'm most familiar with but it looks striking. 

 

Well I can’t take too much credit for stealing the scheme from Inferno! I did actually try to add even thinner stripes but decided against it . I may however try to push it on further projects.

 

I’ve been doing the texture on tanks for a while now, I just find the smooth flatness of the plastic doesn’t quite fit a weathered armoured vehicle - plus it helps hide gaps or glue seepage!!  I could push it further with weld beads and rivets, but I struggle to finish things as it is!! Check out Nightshift on YouTube or the Cult of Paint series on the Fellblade if you want to know more…..

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

++ Artisan’s Chronicle: The Fellblade Decree ++

 

The sacred labours upon the Land Raiders have faltered. Their foundations stand firm, the basework near-complete, yet the required litanies, sigils, and intricate detailing remain untouched. The rites of oil washing and the rituals of weathering await their due recitation—but the spark of motivation dims. Thus, the Tech-Adepts have been re-tasked, for a matter of far greater significance has arisen.

The Cult of Paint has sounded the augury of a Superheavy Challenge, and such portents cannot be ignored. The signs converge, and destiny calls for works of grand magnitude.

And so, by decree of the Crimson King himself, a mighty Fellblade has been commissioned from the forge. In its crafting I hope to uncover deeper mysteries—secrets of weathering, chipping, pigment alchemy, and other venerable arts of the militarum modelling tradition. When this Lord of War finally rumbles onto the field to safeguard the fiercely-won lore of Prospero, the might of the Thousand Sons shall blaze forth in righteous splendour.

The venerable behemoth has been fully prepared: hull textured, armour sanctified, machine spirit appeased, and all is ready for the first layers of Prospero’s sacred  lacquered ruby. The method shall echo that of the Land Raiders, proven and reliable. Yet the true question lies in the accents—how many, how few, and how best to let the crimson dominate. I feel the Fellblade may bear a purer mantle of red, with only white accents to honour its lineage.

 

Yet this grand endeavour is not without cost. It diverts attention from the infantry—the humble but essential core of any Legion force. Ten Sons of Magnus stand assembled and cloaked in Tizcan Ruby, but their armour awaits its final details. The tabards must be rendered in the proper shade, the distinctive white bolter casings perfected with unwavering discipline.

The ubiquitous tactical squad may lack the grandeur of a superheavy, and their toil is long and wearying—but the Primarch’s will must be enacted.

++ For knowledge. For Prospero. For the Crimson King. +

 

Thanks again for all the kind words — it really does help keep the motivation going!

 

Not a huge amount of progress on the Land Raider this week. I’m planning another black pin wash before tackling the metallic sections, then it’s onto the next round of chipping. I’ll probably test a couple of mixes on a spare part first — not sure whether to stick with a straight silver for the chips or try a slightly lighter metallic red. Both sound good, which of course makes the decision harder.

 

Over on the infantry side, I’ve got the red finished on a squad of ten tacticals… and now I just need to actually finish one of them. I’ve been dithering over tabard colours like it’s a life-or-death choice. Painting over Tamiya’s gloss is such a pain that I keep putting it off. I think I’m settling on a soft, creamy warm white for the robes, paired with a cooler white for the trim and bolter casings. It’s almost like painter’s block — just staring at them, willing inspiration to arrive.

 

 

 

And naturally, right in the middle of all this, the shiny new Fellblade dropped and Cult of Paint launched their Superheavy Challenge. So of course I had to jump in. The same techniques I’m using on the Land Raider will carry over, but I’m hoping to pick up a few new weathering tricks along the way. I’ve already done the pre-weathering: roughing up the edges, adding texture and gouges, and slapping on some Mr Surfacer — pretty much in line with the first video. So from here I’ll be painting along with the series.

 

 

 

Plan is to get the Fellblade up to the same stage as the Land Raider and then finish them both together. Which means, yes: two tanks might get done… and still no actual Marines ready to form an army. Classic hobby priorities

 

[Brother Ezra]

I wish you strength for those Tacticals, brother! Maybe you could use a test model to test the colour for the tabard?

 

Looking forward to that Fellblade! How easy is it to assemble?