The 24th of July was the first proper post I ever did on the Cerastus, five months late and this baby is complete. It's one of the benefits of having a blog in that you can look back at those WiPs and remind yourself of the effort put in to reach this stage.
It's certainly worth projecting that feeling forwards on your next project, reminding yourself that in two or three months whatever enterprise it may be will complete and shiny alongside this effort. Of course that's me I know a few people who can crack these sorts of things out in a week or so but it's great to have one of those big project feelings, like I got with my Tyranid fortifications.
Just in case you're wondering I don't ever envisage going much bigger than a Knight, I'm not one of these Warlord fans, although I do like the Chaos Reaver and Warhounds but I think I'd rather have these guys. You can put a marin nect to them and they look suitably impressive and don't take up the whole of my shed.
Anyway, there's not a huge amount to say about this that hasn't already been said, there are still some decisions I could make regarding weathering powders, extra purity seals and banners but I want to progress some other projects first.
And as an exercise in decals, well although I think I could have achieved something similar, perhaps been more comfortable doing so I also think the need to damage the pristine decals was an easier decision to make because they were perfect - so I got another experience in the process a twofer.
I think this manages to capture the dynamic pose pretty well.
The eyes work too.
You can just see the scratched chest pieces and hardly any of that pipe work underneath, but I know it's there!
The OSL worked really well here, I managed to find another darker orange in my stash of paints to help add some more tones.
The view from the back, very metallic, similar to my Dreadnought in that the front is liveried up but the back view is all metal.
Close ups on the plasma reactors, more win.
And views of the feet and how the shin guards look when in place.
Couldn;t really get the lighting right in these, too much orange reflections.
Yep, that's not working ;)
Nevermind, you've seen it before.
He really has been in the wars, I should probably have scruffed the brass in places too.
The back vent wasn't the greatest, I think Ishould have done it bronze too, the glow effect doesn't really work on top of a similar colour but I think I salvaged it, just.
I'm really happy with the centre of the shield. I add the gloss varnish as it helps accentuate the glow effect. When you move around light catches on it so you can never quite tell if it's the painted reflection or the actual reflection.
Not sure it's how anyone else does lighting, or if it's 'accurate' but I think it's an interesting effect.
I was pleased with the end-result for the lance, although I have just looked at some of the WiP pics and I do wish I'd been able to capture both the glow effect and the patina underneath but it was a bit of a salvage job after it went south a touch.
And here we go the Big Green Stamp of Approval
Simply stunning, I can't really say anymore as there's too much to compliment! I think it's the most impressive knight I've seen.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick, I've a couple of examples of other knights that are truly impressive but I'm pleased with what I've done an buoyed byt so many positive comments from you and the rest of the commeters
DeleteSupreme amounts of jealousy Dave :)
ReplyDeleteCheers Rob, youve a million Dark Angels painted so I'm jealous of you too!
DeleteLike a lot of us grizzly old vet he been through the wars lol great work Dave.
ReplyDeleteWhat things he must have seen?! Nah, this branch of House Raven has a lot to atone for, one day I'll fill you all in on why.
DeleteLoads of work put in there Dave, Great mninature mate well done......now for the next one ;)
ReplyDeleteNext one indeed, I'm paradoxcially afflicted with a desire to work on something else and dread at starting another big project. I want stuff done but I have that overwhelming feeling that there's so much still to do, bleurgh! And the winter hobby lull could start any time soon :( still I'll just keep plugging away and se ehow far I get.
DeleteGreat work Dave, beautiful job fella
ReplyDeleteCheers Siph, that means a lot.
DeleteAwesome! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, and it's ticked off my To Do List too :)
DeleteThat is absolutely spectacular, man - bravo!
ReplyDeleteHi praise indeed, cant wait see what's next.
DeleteThe painting on that has blown me away, something to be truly proud of.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t get the pose at first during the WIPs but now it's all together it's ace, really looks like something is charging at it and it's bracing for impact. If nids come with a gigantic monster next dex you have to have it in a companion pose mid charge rearing up to strike.
It was definitely tough to get my head round the pose too but having seen the Forgeworld example I knew that was the one I had to replicate. Mine’s a little more extreme, but hopefully I’ll get a chance to show a more striding Cerastus at some point [no immediate plans yet].
DeleteHopefully a new nid will come forth but I've other nids that can suffice in the mean time, afterall I can imagine those 30 Genestealers clambering on top of this beast to try and get at the pink stuff inside.
The painting on that has blown me away, something to be truly proud of.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t get the pose at first during the WIPs but now it's all together it's ace, really looks like something is charging at it and it's bracing for impact. If nids come with a gigantic monster next dex you have to have it in a companion pose mid charge rearing up to strike.
Amazing job sir tip my hat to you!
ReplyDeleteAnd I touch my forelock in return ;)
DeleteDamn, that looks good! Very nice work sir.
ReplyDeleteCheers Padman, it’s been a lot of work, in which time I’ve seen other folk paint Warlord titans, but for me it’s a pretty big achievement and all things are relative. It may not be as big as my Tyranid Bastion or Skyshield but the variety and experimental new elements mean this was probably the most significant challenge I’ve faced over the last five years, who knows what will be next?
DeleteLovely lovely lovely Dave :) really impressed! I love everything about it, but particularly the top carapace. Love the red and hazards :)
ReplyDeleteThe hazards came out far better than expected I have to admit. The highlights on the yellow and a black that I'm happy with, hopefully I can replicate these effects elsewhere.
DeleteAmazing work on him. It's been great to watch as he comes together bit by bit. You've hit a great balance between a weathered, beaten machine and the colorful, gothic look of the Knights. I particularly like your brass work
ReplyDeleteCheers Joe, and we'll get to do it all again with the Paladin, just a different colour. Hopefully I can progress quicker with it after the confidence built on this project. The metallics have been both a blessing and a curse as I do feel confident doing them, they'r ejust a bit monotonous, especially when you spend a lot of time getting it just so, then cover it up with weathering! Still I may take short cuts with the next one and that should help with my Ravenwing bikes, which will be brassed and bronzed at the same time [should my sanity allow].
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