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I've started trying to drybrush highlights onto my models to try and give them the look you see on most vehicles out of the codices. My wraithguard weapons were a moderate success, and I don't want to call my Fire Prism a failure, but it is clearly a novice attempt.

I layered red from Blood Red to a medium orange along the spines of the tank to give it some depth (most noticeable on the turret I think), then mixed up some bright orange with a yellowish white about 50/50 and drybrushed highlights along the edges of the plates. Before all this, I ran some carrionburg crimson wash down each of the grooves.

I used a #2 chisel tip brush to drybrush (it is getting old, and spreading a bit). What can I do to improve the look? Any general comments are welcome!

Allright I'll bite

First, it looks pretty good on the pics. Hats off, as red is a tricky color to play with sometimes.

I see two things. One easy one trickier.

First, the black weapons, highlight them with a dull grey, something to help see the shape and depth from further out. It will make the barrels stand out.

You could also paint some lighting or energy on the fire prism's bent thingy that points at the crystal. That part looks all black and flat. Maybe a bit of color like lightning or gemstones painted or something to make it pop a little bit.

Second thing. One you are pretty sure you are done seal everything with a gloss varnish (Yes gloss for many reasons just trust me on this.)

Go for a pin wash or oil lining depending on how you want to call it. Pick either a dark red, very dark grey (charcoal) or black.

Fill up all the lines on your Fire Prism. This will make each armor plate stand out on it's own from afar.

One you are done with the oil wash. Re-seal in matt varnish and boom you are done.

These are just suggestions of course

I think you've captured the 2E look perfectly with a faded red and drybrushing. But then again, that brings up connotations of dog-eared books with faded yellowed pages.

If you want a vibrant model that pops use a brighter red and do clean edge highlighting with a detail brush instead of drybrushing the highlights.

It all depends on what kind of look you want, sleek and crisp or battle-worn relic.