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Hello All,

I am an old 40k player dipping his toes back into the hobby. I have a Sternguard Veteran squad I would like to paint up as Brazen Claws to get a battle force going. However, I have no idea where to start on the paint scheme. It is worth noting that I have never been a great painter but I want to take my time and try to do these guys right. I have been watching tutorial videos like they are going out of style. I am particularly impressed with Lester Bursley's work - found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/awesomepaintjob/video

But back to the Brazen Claws, has anybody painted up these guys and would you mind sharing your paint list?

I assume I would start with a white underbase and the base colors will be:

- Kantor Blue
- Mephiston Red

After this very basic start I get lost. Any idea on decent shades/layers/washes/highlights?

Any and all input is appreciated.

Thanks in advance. FYI I put this same post on a few other forums so you may see this same thread twice.

For red i use this recipe.
base with meph red>wash with carroburg crimson>highlight wazdakka, highlight evil sunz.

I used this to wet blend my highlights, so you may be able to drop a layer of highlight if you're just going for a edge highlight.

For blue i don't remember i think i start with kantor blue>wash of nuln oil of the blue one GW makes then i think i highlight with maccrage and something else.

Hope that helps or atleast gives you a starting point.

Just so happens I have been thinking of this exact same color scheme for a little side project of Altdorf Fantasy troops.

GW sells their paints as "triads" meaning you have a base color, then two layers which are lighter versions of that color you can use for highlighting edges etc.

If you were to stick to their classic triads, You can go for Macragge Blue and its highlights Altdorf Guard Blue and Calgar Blue.
http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Ultramarines-Paint-Drop

For the red, Use Mephiston Red and its Highlights, Evil Suns Scarlet and Wild Rider Red. The picture you posted above looks much closer to Wazdakka Red however, so that is your call.
http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Blood-Angels-Paint-Drop

I'm not saying you need the whole bundle, just have a look at what is meant to look good together. The blue bundle was use to paint the Ultramrines on the site. The Mephiton Bundle was used in the Blood angels. The Wazdakka red is mostly used on Chaos/Krorne uunits. Take a look at the site and decide which looks best for you.

When it comes to shading, I would use diluted Nuln Oil wash for both. This will create realistic shadows, AND make the armor look uniform.

Me personally; I think that the really primary and saturated colors look a little gaudy. This is why I try to use darker/or less saturated versions of the reds/blues. For my Altdorf troop I will be using Thunderhawk Blue and Wazdakka Red personally.


Hope this helps, Cheers!

Thanks for the feedback! Someone on another forum posted the suggested colors from the How to Paint Tactical Marines eBook. The colors are as follows:

Red Armour

Mephiston Red - Base
Agrax Earthshade - Shade
Wild Rider red - Layer

Blue Armour

Kantor Blue - Base
Nuln Oil - Wash
Lothern Blue - Layer

So how would you guys approach the painting the armour with these colors?

Bases first obviously, then shade/wash over the entire model, then edge highlights with the layers? Would you suggest another layer with 50/50 Mephiston Red/Wild Rider red and 50/50 Kantor Blue/Lothern Blue on the respective areas?

Irish I have replied to your PM.

As it happens I am about to post up some more pics of my growing Brazen Claws chapter.

CW