Adding new colour to the Vth.
If you’ve been keeping up to date from my Instagram and Facebook posts, you have probably caught some images of the new White Scars Jetbikes that I’ve been weaving in the time that I take a some pauses from Horus. Freehand on the 5th legion has changed little with the process thats one of slow and steady work in order to illustrate the sawtooth and circular patterns I create. But also the proper illustration of the volume that the freehand sits on. Making sure that highlights and shadows align with the one laid down by the airbrush across the body of the bike. There is if you’ve noticed a couple of new colours I’ve introduced into the legion markings that I would like to elaborate on; as well as some new colours I’ve been using for the red that has changed since the original White Scars bike tutorial introduced in the Model Series.
The introduction of Gold isn’t entirely new in the legion, but its a first in the markings that replace the red. I think colour is important in both representation and identifying various aspects of the legion and this is true to any of the Space Marine legions present in the Heresy as well into the 41st millenium setting. With a simple colour change, I’m able to illustrate easily on the battlefield as well as in the perspective of an astartes taking to the field of battle, the units senior leader. I love painting gold, and its use is in a form of showing rank. Keeping the same patterns used by the rest of the legion shows uniformity, and the gold being distinguished. Even more so is the use of a brighter warm jade green iconography which is meant to distinguish the units apothicary. I wanted a warmer green to separate the blue-green of the Boreal Green used in the shadows of the white so as to not confuse the viewer. As well jade is considered a precious stone and commonly paired with properties of health and protection. (Old chinese supersicions that jade worn around various parts of the body would break before the wearer comes to harm). Given the theme of my White Scars, I found this idea be very fitting and the ones fitted in charge of healing and preserving the life force of the legion would have this distinct honour in wearing the colour.
I really enjoy adding these personal touches to my work and encourage anyone to think about how they can encorporate a bit of themselves into their own armies and miniatures. The legions of the Horus Heresy are huge, vast and with rich culture to what they are based. Finding the roots of what many of the legions are written from, reading what the amazing authors at Forge World, Black Library and Games Workshop have published, and finding interesting overlaps and more importantly gaps for you to fill. There is soo much room for your own interpretation that its easy to find areas to express yourself. When you do start putting your own little characteristics of markings, symbols, colour swatches in your units throughout the army. You start to invite viewers in closer to your work. They pick out little details in which can surprise and appreciate the extra steps you’re willing to put in and making your army that much better to view and even play on the battlefield. Who knows, you may do something really awesome and have an excellent idea that others will be inspired and want to copy you? If thats the case, then wear it like a badge of honour and be glad someone else enjoys your ideas and wants to view the Heresy from your point of view.
As for the updated red recipe, here are the colours used all from Scale Colour
Deep Red, Antares Red, Aldebaren Red, Tenere Yellow
Antares and Aldebaren Red are note of very similar reds both in value as well as hue but with a feature which separates them. When they are highlighted either with white or raising the value in this case with Tenere Yellow. Antares is colder in temperature where Aldebaren is warm. Antares leans further into Magenta, where Aldebaren starts going upward near orange. Using the Colder in the lower mid-tone and shadows, then moving with a warmer tone in the highlights gives us a wider dynamic range in temperature as well as value. Creating a richer red and helps illustrate the volumes better. I don’t use white as it pulls too much colour away and shifts into too much pink. The Tenere yellow raises the value being the brightest colour and it also includes some white in there. This keep as much colour in the work as possible making it more vibrant.