Friday 4 December 2015

Imperial Knight - Cerastus in manufactorum pt 14

Another decision made, although I wanted a predominantly red Knight every time I placed the front shin guard in place the whole red panel looked too much. I didn't really want to chevron it like the right guard as that wouldn't work with the planned AdMech cog decal I wanted. So I just went black, like House Raven. I know I've introduced white in places but adding highlights as I did to the chevrons has really tied this together. I love the slightly textured nature, it's almost looks like it's been coated in leather. I wonder if I can achieve this on my Ravenwing. Regardless I'll definitely try and find a way to use these craft acrylics to texture up my next Knight.


I then gloss varnished the shin guard and applied the House Raven symbol and an AdMech cog. I'm not 100% convinced now, the decals look too perfect. It was definitely worth doing and the models is far from ruined but I'll be finding ingenious ways to try and make them look less pristine.


I may be just a little hasty in my assessment though, it could just be the gloss finish. With some shading and maybe overpainting the cog so it isn't pure white, battle damage and a matt varnish it'll blend it in. The sad thing is I probably could have painted that cog freehand, and I'd have retained the lovely texture underneath too.


I've just spotted this isn't quite perfectly aligned as I'd thought, just a degree or so clockwise but the decals are fiddly. Still I'll weather this in too.


I also wanted to add some numbers on to the chest plate. Big numbers always look great on things. Not sure it's as effective as I'd hoped as the decal numbers are a bit measly but it adds some more interest and if I weather it up it won't stand out as much


Having spent a significant amount of time applying all the extra decals and being satisfied with the results but not exactly overwhelmed I decided to delay no longer my bronze weathering. All I wanted to do was the Power Lance, but I managed to do the carapace too. The actual realism in the verdigris is suspect. I'm still not sure exactly how it forms, I always imaging it'll be worse in areas where rain pools. Or, where the surface tension of rain would mean it was wet longest. So, for instance, you can see the top of the Lance has less patina than the lower edges. It's probably far from accurate but I definitely think it works and amongst the mild disappointment with the decals the verdigris has lifted my spirits.


I wanted less weathering on the carapace, principally because I thought I'd done a pretty bang up job on the metallics so I didn't want to cover it all up. So I was more sparing in the application with concentrations only around the rivets, creases and the bottom edges where it might pool slightly.


It reminds me of the sensitive weathering Marc van Holst did on his Iron Snakes. I'm pretty sure my process is a poor imitation, I'm just thinning down turquoise but I'm really happy with the results.


The only other thing of note was I tried using some of my new Anita's turquoise. Believe it or not I'm still using the same pot of paint I bought 5 years ago that has covered every nid I've ever painted, including the fortifications. It hasn't quite run out so I only occassionally dip into the new supply Evan S got for me. I'd already noticed the formulaiton is slightly different, it's not as opaque, even though it sounds thicker when I shake it, it's just a shade lighter and when watered doesn't quite behave in the same way for verdigris. It's a small annoyance I'll have to come to terms with eventually but for now it was back to my trusty pot [while it still lasts].

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18

10 comments:

  1. I am loving the texture on the armour panels, it reminds me of the (venerable) ferries we have on Sydney harbour. Have you tried using a decal softening solution? It may bring some of the texture back. I have used it on Battletech miniatures before so that decals can fit over segmented armour, it softens them so much that they can mould to the contours of the cracks.

    Every time I see your progress I wish I had a knight to paint; it is excruciating! Looking at the beautiful work you have done on the verdigris makes me all kinds of jealous :-)

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    1. I used the MIG decal softener, thought using it to remove it from the backing paper and as a substrate underneath and in top would have done more but those decals are really tough.

      Will have to look up some pictures of those ferries. I can heartily recommend the Knight, I'm looking at my plastic one now and in my next update on that you'll be able to judge if that's a cheaper/better option to begin with. Its harder to be dynamic in pose, although I've only tried a little bit with it. You could always try and win one in my AdSense competition, we're up to £16+ now ;)

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    2. I actually coat the decal in softener repeatedly as it is setting. Fiddly, but it seems to work.

      Next time I'm on one of those ferries I will take some reference photos. Usually I am too busy dodging them in a 16ft sailboat to take a shot ;-)

      I am planning to give your AdSense competition a go, mainly because I haven't explored your downloads section yet and I love a challenge. At the moment I am looking to order a Lancer in July, but swap the head with an Acheron for that Greek Hoplite style.

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    3. That's great that you're going to give it a go andd there's loads of time to prepare and fit it into your schedule, I can't imagine it'll reach it's total for another 9 months at least.

      Good luck with your Lancer, I like all the Cerastus actually. Always wanted one with lots of shooty so the Castigator was what I would have really wanted. That said the Archeron's flame cannon and the additional twin linked Heavy Bolters make it potentialy the best out of the three. I'm less impressed with the Atrapos because it shares so little of the design cues from the others but you never know. In truth I wasn't overly keen on the Cerastus design initially but I'm beginning to prefer it to the Paladin.

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  2. Dave the models looking great fella I especially like the verdigris on your brass work which is also no notch by the way.

    Considering the texture left by the paint you may of been best using microsol for you transfers if they aren't sticking good that is..if they are forget that lol, all i do to weather transfers into the miniature is to get some of the background colour and break up those edges slightly granted thats harder when background colours different shades like yours, Then i just add a wash to dull it back down.

    Keep up the good work Dave it's stunning mate :)

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    1. Thanks Jamie, yeah the MIG softener wasn't quite as effective as I'd hoped but I think I've made it less obvious now so I'm happier. Its all been a big learning experience anyway, lots of new things done in ways I'm comfortable with, that have turned out as well as I could have hoped for - so much win!

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  3. This is shaping up to be a top quality Knight, great stuff.

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    1. Thanks Siph, he may well appear at the next not-Blog Wars if I can progress with everything else.

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  4. Dude, that looks absolutely fantastic - superlative work!

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    1. Thanks Mordian, home stretch and lots to think about my next project to come.

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