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I'm going to do an enrmous paiting of Fulgrim, sort of as a prop replica of the demonicallly-possesseed portrait of him that is hung in La Fenice (for those of you who know not of this painting, read "Fulgrim" or "The Reflection Crack'd" by Graham McNeill).
The reference image I will be using for Fulgrim's facial structure is this (taken from the 40k wikia) as I feel it represents his effeminate and androgynous nature



What I'm trying to do is find an image of a real person (actor, model etc.) to work from, as I want to capture a degree of realism. I've been debating using this image of Ben Barnes, who played Dorian Grey in the 2009 film (a very similar character to Fulgrim, I must say).


(I am truly sorry, I haven't a clue how to make this smaller)

However, I'm not entirely sold on it. If anyone knows of a better image that more closely resembles a live-action version of the image of Fulgrim that I've posted, please post it in this thread!

The first and third images aren't working.

I always mentally associate Fulgrim with David Bowie, whenever I read novels about him that's the face / voice I imagine.
I'm not sure if that's quite the look you're going for though...

Bill Kaulitz would work IMO. Most androgynous looking man I've ever seen.

Hes handsome and a little effeminate, but not an actual bloody woman. Grimtuffs picture is a bit ridiculous in my eyes, the guy is meant to look feline and graceful but ultimately, a big muscular bad ass fether, not like an actual woman.

Same goes for Bowie. I think the actor you picked is an excellent choice, just change his hair colour.

Or, actually here, you could use me, my missus said I look effeminate as feth.

Your welcome.

hese images are actually from GW (unlike that weird anime thing in the first post), though they're after the fall - so a bit sunken and hollow-eyed.

[imghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbusJ2QqaXM/TgeElfme8vI/AAAAAAAACNc/1y6eihRQsUs/s1600/Primarch+Fulgrim+of+the+Emperors+Children..JPG[/img]
[imghttp://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110323041261/warhammer40k/images/4/4d/Ferrus_Manus_vs._Fulgrim.jpg[/img]

Weirdly, he looks a bit like Richard E Grant or Peter o'Toole in one of those pics - so delicate features, and refined, but not as 'pretty/girlish' as some of the emo references above. He's often referred to as androgynous and attractive, but I've never seen him refered to as 'youthful'.

So, maybe the David Bowie reference is the closest so far - here's some pictures of young Richard E Grant and Peter o' Toole?

What you think he's better than the top bloke he already posted?!

I don't know the actor from Adam but he would look excellent for the job if his hair was died. Grant isn't classically handsome, the top dude is.

The primarchs are gene rinsed Gods! They almost overdo the endless description of how they are all

a) Big muscular fethers
b) Handsome fethers.
3) Awesome to gaze upon.

Grant isn't very good looking, and he looks a weed. I reckon his own choice is the best so far, maybe Brad Pitt in Troy or something as well, but not just blokes who look a bit girly.

Ive read all of the HH books and I always took Fulgrim for being lithe and graceful, slimmer than other Primachs, but still super toned and muscular, he is always described as larger than Space Marines. And sure with a slim face, but with a hard as granite chin and big cheekbones.

As I said, a classically handsome somewhat effeminate bloke, but not a skinny wimpy looking fether like Richard E Grant or a man who actually almost entirely resembles a woman like Grimtuff suggested!

 ArbitorIan wrote:
hese images are actually from GW (unlike that weird anime thing in the first post), though they're after the fall - so a bit sunken and hollow-eyed.

Sorry, I didn't actually mean to post, I was just trying to correct the Images that AI used.

How about Sephiroth, I know he isn't a real person but I think there are a couple of similarities there.

As it so happens...

I did not make this, as it happens.

 Grimtuff wrote:
Bill Kaulitz would work IMO.

I think you're on to something there.



Or maybe (sans moles of course)

Now the next question comes. It's a tossup between Ben Barnes and Bill Kualitz, but there's a more important question.

The painting alternates between being horrifically deformed and demonic, and being majestic and regal (depending on whether the demon or Fulgrim is inhabiting it at any given time).

Which version should I paint?

Well first off I really think you should consider using Andre as your model.

Second, to whatever extent you incorporate the horrific, Fulgrim should be portrayed as at least somewhat sexually desirable if only in a broad and purely carnal sense. That's the baseline. The portrayal should motivate the desire to serve as well. Think of it terms of adjectives: sleek, alluring, majestic, and vital.

One more:

I do like Andre, but the one reason I prefer Barnes over him is simply because Barnes' face has the capacity to have a hint of cruelty to it.
Andre is too angelic, too good-natured. He'd make an amazing Sanguinius, though.
Fulgrim's beauty is a bit...I don't know how to put this, but the word crueler comes to mind.
There is a slight curve to Barnes's lips, a slight glint in his eyes, that I feel has the ability to be interpreted as the harsher, untouchable beauty that Fulgrim embodies.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
But what people think about the demonic/honorific motif?

I can see what you mean, he has thinner lips. But Andre looks pretty cruel in that armor.

At the same time, I don't believe cruelness is at the heart of Fulgrim's character.

I'll keep him in consideration.

But seriously guys, demon or no?