Archidon Leonopteryx

So, I finally got my Archidon in the mail yesterday! w00t! I cleaned up, put him together, and green-stuffed the seems so I could start painting tonight. Which, of course, is the hard part.

Because he's a beast, a flying beast at that, the possible color schemes out there are just mind boggling. What do you use as a reference? Modern reptiles? A render of one of the many flying dinosaurs, maybe? A dragon? Perhaps one of the zillion different kinds of birds?

Well, in the end, I decided to take my inspiration from the flying creatures featured in the movie Avatar, the Banshees and the Leonopteryx (or Toruk). I really like their dramatic, swirling color schemes, and the stark contrast offered by the black stripes.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DMEvfG3ymq...ar_banshee.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41oWtrTqGQL.jpg

So here's my start:

http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/1.png

http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/2.png

I started with a base coat of Skorne Red, and used an airbrush to paint the gradients: Ember Orange on the underbelly and wings, with Beaten Purple on the wingtips and chin/nose protrusions.

I will post more pictures and things progress. For now: Sleep! :P

awesome scheme, i hope your not done the highlights cus the arms could probably need more tone/definition

that is very nicely done I like it a lot

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drachenfels

awesome scheme, i hope your not done the highlights cus the arms could probably need more tone/definition

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Yeah, that's why I stopped where I did, as a matter of fact. I figured it would be pretty silly to continue with the striping until I actually DO the shadows and highlights. :) I was so excited to get started and experiment, I completely forgot about, you know, the proper order of things. heh

Excellent choice, It will be a really striking piece on the table... but could you have made it harder for your self? I dont know.... maybe tie a hand behind your back as well ;)

The start looks great and really looking forward to seeing the finished product. Good luck

incredibly cool looking... keep us informed on your progress!

That's a very nice start to your Archidon, chief.

I think that is fantastic, and its barely started lol, I definitely cant wait to see this finished. In fact this could be one of those models that you'd love to play against (no matter where in the world they are) just to see the paint job in real life.

Question about the markings....the black stripes, did you paint them yellow first? So you could see what the stripes would look like and then fill in with black, allowing you to paint the original colours back easily if you didn't like how things went (ie so you didn't have to paint over black). Or did you go around the edges of the black afterwards with the yellow? Either way look great!

That is incredibly cool, I can't wait to see it finished!

Thanks everybody! I certainly hope he turns out at least half as good as he looked in my head when I started, heh!

@daveholliday: I painted yellow stripes first, and then went back and painted the black, trying to stay inside the yellow so as to leave a nice outline. It's working out pretty well so far.

Another update:

Shading, Highlighting on the arms and back, as well as some additional pattern work.
http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/3.png

Some shading/highlighting on the underbelly:
http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/4.png
http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/5.png

Great inspiration for a color scheme and as others have noted you are off to a great start. Looking forward to seeing where you go with this and thanks for sharing.

Looking awesome so far. Love the wings.

Defo gonna buy one now likes. Paint scheme is fantastic

simply amazing love the transition of color

Wow, can't wait to see this one finished. Very nice choice of colors and the blending is superb.

Wow...just simply amazing. I'm jealous that my Archidon will be nowhere near that good.

that's pretty sweet looking...i can imagine putting a ferox rider on it. ;)

Again, thank you for the kind words, everybody. :) I must say, I've had more fun painting this guy than I have any other model in quite some time.


Base coats and inks/washes for the armor/accoutrements

http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/6.png
http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/8.png
http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/9.png

Amazing!

Okay Mnkylord, I just might have to copy/steal that! My Archidon arrives next week hopefully and I did not have a plan on how I was going to paint him but after seeing yours (love the color choices!) I think I might have to do the same (or at least attempt it!

WoW.... I can't wait to see the finished product, please please keep posting more pictures! :-)

Very nice job!

wow, very nice work! I love the pattern/color scheme, very nice idea!

keep up the good work ! ^^ (now I need to see more of your models)

Holy unobtainium Batman!!! That is a great looking model. I cant wait to see it finished... one question do you plan to pattern the underside of the wings.

Great paint job. Using the Avatar creature for inspiration was a good idea.

That thing is amazing! Great job!

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Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Holy unobtainium Batman!!! That is a great looking model. I cant wait to see it finished... one question do you plan to pattern the underside of the wings.

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Thanks! :) Yes, I do plan to pattern the underside of the wings, too, but I will probably use something a little more subdued. I'm afraid if I make it too zany both above and below, he'll look "noisy".

Thats going to be sick! You should paint all your Skorne with blue skin now... :p

Bejaysus Mnkylord! That thing pops off the table and right into my frontal lobe! Or whichever brain part stores my supply of awesome.

You are getting seriously handy with the airbrush. This thing is gonna inspire a legion of striped and mottled Archidons, I'm guessing. Mine included. *goes off to order one on the quick fast

Holy crap on wheat toast! You are doing an amazing job there! :)

Impressive, most impressive. I definitely can't wait to get mine now. I'm planning on going with a blue/white fade color scheme with mine personally.

I want an Airbrush.. now...

Awesome work man!

Impressive.

Looks sweet. Wings appear to be very smooth, or did you fix them up?

oh, no!
it´s so cool, I have to buy one now, very interesting color scheme

I don't even play the faction and I want to buy the model!

Holy Jeeze I want it!

Some additional detailing around the head and mouth. I tried painting the gums and tongue (pinkish, like that of a snake or crocodile), and was horrified with the result. I think it was just too bright, with too many different colors on the model. Went back and based the mouth interior with a mix of bloodstone and skorne red. I'll get back to it later...

Also painted the more subdued markings on the underside of the wings.

http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/10.png
http://jlbeck.com/images/archidon/11.png

That is so ****ing badass I think my balls just dropped a second time... Seriously, words can't express how impressed I am with this model. Extremely well executed sir! With your skill, you should consider going "Avatar" with your whole skorne army.

wow.. Very well done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snapshot_superhero

That is so ****ing badass I think my balls just dropped a second time...

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L...O...L. Dude, seriously, I do believe this is most awesome compliment I've received in the last 10 years. Next to the occasional "Your gentleman's vegetables are INCREDIBLE!*", of course.

* - this never actually happened

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mnkylord

L...O...L. Dude, seriously, I do believe this is most awesome compliment I've received in the last 10 years. Next to the occasional "Your gentleman's vegetables are INCREDIBLE!*", of course.

* - this never actually happened

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Your gentleman's vegetables are INCREDIBLE!



Seriously... that thing looks absolutely gorgeous.

I now sit here eagerly awaiting the arrival of my airbrush...