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Looking for tips to help make painting complex models such as warp talons, heldrake, etc easier and/or faster. Whenever it's time for me to paint these types of models, I get overwhelmed and feel like I can't finish them in a reasonable amount of time. The last complex models I painted where my metal chaos terminators, and those took way longer than they should have.

Chaos models just take time, that's all there is to it. I don't mean to discourage you, but the only way to get those painted is to slog through them. Chaos models in particular are time-consuming because they have all that metallic trim. That's the tedious part. Once you get past that, it's way easier. I've been putting off painting my Heldrake for the same reason; it's going to take time, so I'm waiting for a good opportunity to get it done (i.e. when I don't have more important projects to do).

I have the same problem so I'm probably not the best person to give advice, but what I try to remember is that more complex 'elite' models, characters, vehicles, etc are worth 2, 3, 5, 10, 20 times or whatever standard infantry and so should take proportionally longer to paint, and that's ok

You're absolutely right, all that trim is what makes it daunting. The talons and heldrake specifically have a ton of extra trim. I guess the silver lining is that these talons are my last squad to paint for a while. All I've got left after them is a few single models. I've really put them off lol.

I suppose you're also right about slogging through it. That's what I've done in the past. I was just hoping for a non-slog option lol. I normally have lots of motivation to paint, especially when there is a big tournament coming up. Not so much right now.

If I were to paint another Heldrake (and there is another one in the pile) I'd base it with the trim colour first and then fill in the main panels, what really took the time was edging the raised trim pieces, because I did the standard inside out process (where you paint the recessed parts first and gradually work your way out to the most easiest to access bits.)

Also, sub assemblies, many, many sub assemblies.

This is one reason I don't buy many current GW figures. I dislike the aesthetic, but also I would never consider painting something so ludicrously over-styled.

 Azreal13 wrote:
If I were to paint another Heldrake (and there is another one in the pile) I'd base it with the trim colour first and then fill in the main panels, what really took the time was edging the raised trim pieces, because I did the standard inside out process (where you paint the recessed parts first and gradually work your way out to the most easiest to access bits.)

Also, sub assemblies, many, many sub assemblies.

This is solid advice. Also choose paints that layer well over each other so you only need single coats. For example, my Plague Marines are brown with bronze trim. Brown and bronze go over each other easily, and they take the same colors of washes, making life easier.

If you choose high contrast colors, choose your paints carefully - to use GW parlance, use base paints rather than layer paints. For non-GW paints, high pigment paints (Reaper HD, etc) reduce the number of layers. Sometimes it's worth putting down a high density layer of a paint before your chosen color (like a mustard yellow before a bright yellow).

I play WE so I use a red's of course and do the trim in brass usually. I'll definitely consider the outside in approach when it comes time to repaint the Drake(I bought it 2nd hand) I had originally considered using Army Painter red primer to cut base coating down. Is this a viable option that's has good results?

I'm painting a DV chosen right now. To make things even more tedious I'm using NMM. I found it easiest to paint the primary colour of the armour, then the trim, then the fleshy bits, then the metal, then the details. Basicaly of you don't want to lose your mind paint the surfaces in order of their size. It's easier to see your progress that way, the bigger picture gets better and better, it's more encouranging this way.

Funnily enough I have Raptors, CSM Terminators, Berserkers and a Helldrake all waiting for brass edging to be done...

You could try painting all the trim and stuff first then painting all the other colors within the borders of it.

There are also videos of people who use gold or silver sharpie markers (I would never consider, but maybe you would)

Just spitballin'

Good Luck

As a fellow chaos player, I too spend hours painting up warp talons, raptors, and other highly detailed units. The method I find best to work with is to paint the model the main trim color first, mine being lead bealcher, darken with null oil, THEN painting the main color on top of that. This method works for me, cause I have a army of wordbearers, an if I want to, I can scrape some of the main color off and call it paint chipping, and it's easier to get rid of the main khorne red off if I paint over the trim.

hope this helps