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So i am going to begin a new legion. I have been doing the deathguard for the longest time and browns and greens have gotten stale. Plus i want to add some units to my list that would benefit from different marks. Word bearers have the advantage of being chaos unbound. I can play slanneesh, khorn or tzneech though out of respect for Nurgle that will probably not ever happen. I also relish the thought of putting together some blood thirsters or some bloodletters. Just a bit more variety for me to play around with.

I am in the process of painting up some test models using different meathods and color schemes. Having a grip of old metal terminators has helped facilitate this for me. I am trying to incorporate some of the techniques that i have seen over the years but never been able to use since my deathguard are all painted the same to keeep the feel and the look the same. Mostly i would like to use Zenithal painting and washes to speed up the production of a planned army and facilitate a look that is unique and striking. I would also like to incorporate some of the tools other hobbiests use like graphite to distress the armor, lots of paint chips and weathering powders when it is all done and said.

So... here is the first humble test pic. I would like your opinions please. The models have all been painted using different techniques though they look fairly similar. The one on the far left is just red primer with a layer of red ink and a layer of devlan mud. The center model has been painted using Zenithal highlights utilizing a brown base with a red highlight applied from above, then red ink and devlan mud. The far right model (the darkest one) has a base of deep red almost maroon paint, Bright red zenithal highlights and then red ink and devlan mud wash. I am shooting for a gritty dark looking model that looks like pooled blood. They are going to be festooned with scrolls and liturgies of battle when they are all done but the deep red is what i am shooting for. I want them to be unlike blood angels in that they will be an even deeper color.
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Opinons or thoughts are welcome.

Glad to see some Word Bearers here - they seem to get very little exposure.

Of the three colour tests you've done, the one on the right seems the best. Have you considered using a purple wash as part of the recipe? It results in a really nice crimson that is perfect for Word Bearers.

Thanks Malus Calibur
One vote for the far right so far. That mini is much darker appearing than it looks in the photo. I am going to experiment today on the same test models using rizza rust as a highlight to see how it works. Post some photo later.

Any other votes for which base coat to use. They all look very similar. but in person there are larger differences not visable here. also. what color should the paint chips be?

Looking forward to watching this project take shape.

I tend to agree: the terminator on the right looks fiercest.

Thanks for the feedback. I will post some shots of the final pic.
I am doing the Zenithal paint job, farthest to the Right. I am uzing a maroon primer base with Zenthial Red sprayed from above. Ryza rust highlights then washed with red and devlan mud washes.

The end result has highlights that are very bright red coupled with deep reds that fade to a nearly purple shade. Overall i feel its a nice contrast, great enough to draw the viewers eye to fact that i have invested in some more advanced techniques, and easy enough that i can easily paint my wordbearers contingent a bit faster than my nurgle marines.

Feedback on the chips and battle damage would be appreciated.