Models were painted with a variety of techniques for testing.
Gallery link here as the images are higher-res than on this post.
https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-132414-66247_Dark%20Angels%20Test%20Models.html
The Squad
So, second time using contrast paints to try and create an actual effect. Learnt a lot. The "slapchop" hasn't
really worked, but the outcome is alright. I believe a stronger grey gradient going through to white will produce the effect. Chaos Black spray -> all over all round drybrush of Eshin Grey -> more selective all over drybrush of Dawnstone, ensuring anything I want gold, bone, leather, red or purple is fully layered -> azimuth all round drybrush of Administratum Grey with layered sections being all over -> azimuth zenith drybrush of White Scar.
Veneur
de VI
What I like: The armor sort of worked. I wanted "from green-tinted black" transition to the highlight parts. The headdress feathers I think I have done well enough. I need to be more patient with them though as they are a touch blobby on one layer. The non-metalic
cough gold I actually think hasn't come off toooooo bad. But over the chaos black it's completely lacking hence the extra anticipated grey layering above. A touch of layered Ungor Flesh with a zenith of screaming scull I think would really clean this up. HOWEVER, I am very tempted to forgo any gold in favor of paining all the parchment, feathers and purity seals the same bone colour varying the technique slightly. Maybe a less-is-more approach? I did the laziest
OSL for the plasma pistol coils as well. In the photo it looks alright.
What I don't like: The purple over black. Should be fixed with grey layers. Need to be more patient with the eyes. I was super lazy with the
OSL from the plasma pistol. I was a last minute "eh a drybrush and she'll be right". I couldn't be bothered highlighting any grey and I probably should have done. Basilicanum Grey is lost over black. I also don't really like the
Angels of Death embossed on the chunky writing along the sword. It seems so... 3rd edition.
Intendante
What I like: It took some work to fix up the banner. Glad I didn't loose any details and I think it has fairly decently worked out. I didn't want as bright a base as Wraithbone so it was eventually built up from Morghast Bone. First crack at any form of freehand on the banner as well. The Flesh Tearers Red over the basecoat was alight and I think some decent subtle highlights can be wad with Wazdakka Red and Evil Sunz Scarlet. Probably not pushing it to Wild Rider Red. This wasn't quite my favourite way to do red though.
What I don't like: brightness of the Basilicanum Grey and the brightness and patych-ness of Dark Angels Green over the Administratum Grey - it's too bright for what I wanted. The brightness of the pink for purity seal wax ect. I know I said I didn't like it on the previous and I don't like it this way. So somewhere between Chaos Black and Administratum Grey is something I'll like. And I think my layer of Eshin Grey drybrushed with Dawnstone will get it. Pushing it with an edge highlight and a wash maybe.
Consacre
What I like: The non-metallic gold. While I don't feel like it's anywhere near nailed, it's a step in the direction I want it. And it took some fixing too. I also really think I did a good job on the parchment and purity seals.
What I don't like: this model was base coated with Admin Grey, so everything from the above in terms of armor and greys. I also really don't like the bolter. Has a touch of orange to it, whilst I know that's quite traditional for Dark Angels, I feel it clashes for what I want AND how dark I want the armor. If I was doing a pretty standard over-Wraithbone contrast I think it would look great as it ties in. I'm also not over-sold on the mixing of my gold technique and bone colour. Trouble is I can see where I want it to go on this model for both colours but it still looks... busy. Muddled.
Baptiste
What I like: the fact his face turned out alright and I was super lazy with it, as I don't intend on having any un-helmeted models again. The red is also not bad, but my grey layering didn't really work with the Flesh Tearers Red - it all came out rather dull. But looks good with an edge highlight. I'm not opposed to the edge highlight but I'm trying not to rely on it for this run, I want more an azimuth+zenith thing going on. I think Blood Angels Red over is the way forward.
What I don't like: I was in a bit of a rush here with the Dark Angels Green and I think it shows. The Basilicanum Grey is also pretty much lost. I cooooooould add some layers and highlights to it to give off more a non-metalic metal look but I probably won't at this stage. Also the purity seal wax. Too dark as previously written about.
What's Next?
So from here I can easily give a liberal-ish highlight on the green with Warpstone Glow and a selective highlight of Moot Green. I may just do it to see how it comes out. I think however I've taken the model too far with details to successfully stipple it on in an azimuth/zenith style. The grey I can go over with, probably, Dawnstone and an edge of Administratum Grey. Careful thin layers built up.
I also hit a block part way through. I think it's all in your head but looking at some parts of it essentially finished and some still showing an Admin Grey basecoat, or just patchy and needing a re-work got me thinking
this on more than one occasion. Then I just remembered I'm doing this to switch off from work so I'm under no obligation. Slow progress is still slow especially if I have a bit of fun while doing it. Even if it's just one lay of paint every few days.
Oh and almost forgot. Mistakes were made on the chapter insignia. I think I fixed it best I could but it's not where I want it. I know I don't want them the very clean white usually seen painted - maybe a toned done version of the bone just to step away from the rainbow effect.
Anyway. Would appreciate anyone's pointers or input. Chur.