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Hello everyone, just picked up a Blood Angels tactical squad. I'm following the Warhammer TV channel on YouTube which has been great help. However I'm looking to paint the gems/blood drops (not sure what they're referred to as) with a purple colour similar to those on the space hulk Blood Angels terminators, is there a tutorial that has already been done for them anywhere ? or would anyone be able to give a little advice on this?

Thanks for any help in advance

I did mine how I assume many people did theirs. Based with Naggaroth Night, shaded with Druchii Violet, although you may find that unnecessary, then highlight the part opposite where the light would hit with Xereus Purple, then a finer highlight with Genestealer Purple, a tiny bit of Dechala Lilac (although that's optional, too), and finally a white highlight where the light would actually hit. For example, this Blood Angel's arm gem (sorry about camera quality, this was on my old phone):

I just start with a black base coat, paint most of the gem with a dark purple that I just mix from purple + black, paint purple in a "J" shape down the side of the gem, mix in a bit of white to the purple to create a light pink and do a fine line over the bottom half of the J and then finally do a teeny tiny white dot or thin line near the top but not directly on the J itself so it looks like light is striking that part at reflecting directly. Finish it off by applying a gloss varnish.



I do the blue gems the exact same way, but using blue instead of purple. The only thing I find with the purple is to avoid making them look too pinkish you want to make the "body" of the gem slightly darker so that your "J" shape can in turn be slightly darker, that way the pink is only the most extreme highlight on the J and doesn't overwhelm it.

Make sure you use a good brush to get those super fine lines.

Not sure if this is the effect you're looking for, but you could mix the blue and red gemstone colours GW came out with last year? Haven't tried it myself yet though, so not sure it'll work.