Test figure for the paint scheme for Red Talons

This is a picture post about a test figure from my new Red Talons army. I also am using the new Citadel paints for this so I will explain what colours I used to get the results.

Laying the foundation on the model

Base coated

The base will get more features on the actual models

The Red Talon markings will be more detailed and precise

I had an Assault On The Black Reach figure lying around (waiting to become a Plague marine with gouged eyes). He was suitable for my agenda. First I spayed the figure black. I then used the Base colours to formulate a foundation to my later paintings. 

• The Mephiston Red was used for all the red areas, the left side of the armour. Also the purity seal and the tactical squad arrow was painted with this. 
• Abaddon Black was then applied over the black areas and the rim of the base. 
• Averland Sunset was used to represent the 2nd company colour, which will be what my army is based on. Also the Imperial Aquila on the gun was painted with Averland Sunset
• I used Warplock Bronze on all the metal areas including the tubing and helmet antenna.
• The Imperial Aquila was painted with Zandri Dust along with the scroll of the purity seal
• The ground was painted with Astrogranite texture paint. I won't be using this that much on my actual models as I have the sand already glued to the bases. They also have this complex ruins on them (which I don't have a picture) that was painted like the metal parts.
• The eyes of the marines will be painted Caliban Green at this point also.
• The leather strap on the gun and the holsters were painted with Rhinox Hide

All of this was then washed with a Reikland Fleshshade to get the recesses looking good.

Fayering

After that I grabbed cans of Layer paints and started working. First I did a layer with a darker shade, washed it with a chosen Wash, and finally applied the second layer.

After a Wash and the first Layer

The model starts taking shape (or shade)

After the second layer

More of the good stuff

I ain't no 'Eavymetal painter. And this was my first figure for over a year. That said, I'd say the 2nd layer was beginning to show that by having good quality paints, a painting plan for each area, and good brushes can get you a long way. Here's what colours I used on the layers:

• The red armour (and the purity seal) was first painted using a 1:1 mix of Mephiston Red and Wild Rider Red. I would have used the Evil Sunz Scarlett, but the shop was out of it, so I improvised. This will however be changed with the actual models.
• I then washed the red areas with Seraphim Sepia.
• Then I Added thin coat of Wild Rider Red to smooth areas and highlighted the raised areas a bit.
• The black armour was painted using Eshin Grey. I tried to use as thin coats as possible as I needed the armour to be black. This did not play exactly as I planned it but it resulted in more worn out look for the model, which was nice.
• I then applied a coat of Nuln Oil followed by a coat of Althonian Camoshade. I wanted to use a greenish wash to make it contrast a bit more to the red side. Also this should have been to create a bit oxidized look to the armour. It might be showing in the closeups, but it was a bit too subtle effect.
• The metal was painted with Sycorax Bronze again to bring out the ancient feel on the gun. These guys have been around from the 33rd Millennium, so some of their equipment is quite old. ;)
• A coat of Nuln Oil was applied. Some areas were too thickly covered so the colour was lost. I need to make it thinner with the others.
• A final coat of Runefang Steel was painted used to highlight the raised areas. I intentionally left some parts untouched by the the brighter metal paint to keep with the ancient feel.
• The Imperial Aquila and the Purity seal scroll received a coat of Bestigor Flesh over raised areas, but I wasn't too tidy with my paint as it was getting another wash and layer.
• A wash of Seraphim Sepia was applied.
• Finally a layer of Ungor Flesh was used to highlight the feathers of the Aquila and the edges of the scroll.
• The rims of the shoulder badges and the Aquila on the gun were painted 1:1 Yriel Yellow and Bestigor Flesh. This provided a bit murky yellow shade to the rims.
• The yellow not washed as I thought that by washing the armour around it would suffice.
• Final layer was 2:1 White Scar and Yriel Yellow. I applied this only to the most prominent areas and to where I thought the sun would hit if using zenithal lighting.
• The Aquila on the gun was highlighted with Ungor Flesh. The future models will follow the paint scheme of the large aquila. 
• The leather strap and bags were layered using 3:1 Rhinox Hide and Bestigor Flesh. 
• This was still a bit too bright to I applied a liberate coat of Seraphim Sepia to the strap to make it darker.
• The last layer was a thin coat of Bestigor Flesh. This was dulled down with yet another coat of Seraphim Sepia.
• The base was washed with Nuln Oil and Althonian Camoshade. No layers were used on this as the colour was getting quite good. The browns on the Althonian Camoshade gave it an earthy look.
• I would have used  Warpstone Glow for the eyes, but since having none I tried it on another model which I don't have pictures. 
• this was then washed with Althonian Camoshade.
• Final highlight was given with a Moot Green layer.

Highlights, details and drybrush

After I got all the layers to look the way I wanted, I started to do some finishing touches. The model was already suitable for playing, but squad markings, battle damage and whatnot needed to be done. I might leave the rank-and-file troops at this stage put add the squad markings depending on my pace. I will however paint the sergeants and the characters with more details. This next will demonstrate how I did that on this test figure.

Squad markings and some battle damage

The squad number is presented on the knee pad also

The model was missing a backpack so it was quicker to paint

The highlighting was done to leathery parts as they did not have a texture to be highlighted. I also wanted them to be quite flat on colour as they were organic (or at least were). Some battle damage was done to the front side of the armour (these guys don't turn their backs on the enemy) and details were added to the shoulder plate. Also the armour and the metal parts received a drybrush.

• The red areas was drybrushed with Kindleflame. I thought it would end up pink, but it subtly highlights the most prominent areas making it almost shiny.
• The black areas got a bit too hard drybruding with Longbeard grey. I think I should have used the Terminatus Stone, but it looks pretty good to me with such striking highlights.
• The Aquilas got a drybrush of Eldar Flesh. The paint was thick enough (I love these new drybrush paints!) so that the paint stuck only to the highest areas. I really like how it displays on the model.
• The metal parts got a strong drybrush of Necron Compound. This made the weapons and the tubing look really good.
• The white details were painted using watered down White Scar
• The battle damage was done using the same technique as with layering the gun. This made the flakes more subtle. I think I need to make them smaller on the real models.
• The script on the purity seal was done using watered down Abaddon Black.
• The base was highlighted using the Longbeard Grey. It turned out fine but I will be adding Burnt Grass  to the base. This should give the appearance of a mechanized Forge world from where the Red Talons hail.
• The leather was highlighted using Ungor Flesh, but the highlights were really subtle.

The Red Talon 2nd company

So basically that's it. I will update my progress with the painting and be posting pictures here about the finalized figures. This is what I have converted so far:

• 2 Characters
• Power armoured captain with an artificer armour and a Relic Blade
• Vulcan He'Stan conversion. I'm not satisfied with this, so I'll do some work on it later
• 10 man tactical squad
• Sergeant with a scratch built servo arm
• 9 converted marines with bionics and stuff
• 5 man scout squad
• All heavily converted from servitors
• Razorback Stronos
• Scratchbuilt extra-armour plating
• Lengthened barrel on the Lascannon
• Scratch build dozer blade

So I'll be starting with the tactical squad and the scouts. Let's see when I have something to post here.