Leo Martínez
Painting Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children miniatures is a rewarding endeavor for Warhammer 40,000 enthusiasts, as it allows you to bring to life the once-proud and noble legion before their tragic fall. To achieve an authentic look, focus on a clean, elegant color scheme that reflects their obsession with perfection and beauty. Start with a smooth white or ivory base coat for their armor, symbolizing their purity and grace, and layer it with subtle highlights to create a pristine finish. Incorporate gold accents for trim, aquilas, and iconography to emphasize their imperial prestige. For the legion’s signature purple, use a deep, rich shade for cloaks or shoulder pads, blending carefully to maintain the refined aesthetic. Don’t forget to add intricate details like gemstones or ornate weaponry to capture their pre-heresy opulence. With patience and attention to detail, your Emperor's Children will embody the legion’s former glory on the tabletop.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base Colors | White (e.g., Corax White or Ulthuan Grey) for armor, purple for accents. |
| Armor Scheme | Primarily white with purple trim, symbolizing elegance and nobility. |
| Purple Accents | Xereus Purple, Genestealer Purple, or Druchii Violet for cloaks and details. |
| Gold Details | Retributor Armour or Balthasar Gold for icons, trim, and weaponry. |
| Gemstones | Blue or green gems using Temple Teal or Waywatcher Green. |
| Oils/Shading | Purple or blue oils for depth in white armor, black for recess shading. |
| Icons/Transfers | Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children symbols (e.g., the original legion icon). |
| Base Theming | Marble or ornate terrain to reflect the legion's opulent aesthetic. |
| Weathering | Minimal to maintain the pristine, pre-Heresy appearance. |
| Techniques | Layering, glazing, and edge highlighting for smooth transitions. |
| Contrast Paints | Contrast paints like Gorgoroth Brown for quick shading on cloaks. |
| Unique Features | Elaborate helmets, flowing capes, and intricate weapon designs. |
| Inspiration | Official Warhammer 40k art, Forge World models, and community tutorials. |
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What You'll Learn
- Gathering Materials: Acrylic paints, brushes, primer, palette, water pot, and a painting handle
- Priming Miniatures: Use a white or grey primer for best color vibrancy and adhesion
- Base Coat Application: Start with a smooth, thin layer of base colors for consistency
- Layering Techniques: Build up colors gradually, highlighting raised areas for depth and detail
- Detailing and Finishing: Add final highlights, edge highlights, and apply a protective varnish
Gathering Materials: Acrylic paints, brushes, primer, palette, water pot, and a painting handle
Acrylic paints form the backbone of any miniature painting project, and for Pre-Heresy Emperor’s Children, their iconic teal and gold color scheme demands precision. Opt for high-quality acrylics with strong pigmentation to achieve the vibrant, regal hues associated with this Legion. Brands like Citadel, Vallejo, or Army Painter offer specialized ranges, including metallics for the gold accents. Ensure you have a base teal (mixing phthalocyanine blue and green oxide works well), a bright gold (such as Vallejo’s Gold or Citadel’s Retributor Armour), and a deep purple for shading (like Xereus Purple). Always test colors on a scrap surface to confirm they match the Legion’s aesthetic before applying them to your miniatures.
Brushes are your most critical tools, and selecting the right ones can make or break your project. For base coating, a size 2 or 3 synthetic brush with a rounded tip provides smooth, even coverage. Detail work, like the intricate trim on Emperor’s Children armor, requires a smaller brush—a size 1 or 0 with a fine point. Keep a separate brush for dry brushing, such as a flat, stiff-bristled size 4, to highlight edges with gold or silver. Maintain your brushes by cleaning them thoroughly with water after using acrylics, and consider a brush soap for deeper cleaning. Investing in a brush holder will keep them organized and prevent damage to the bristles.
Primer is the unsung hero of miniature painting, creating a surface that allows paint to adhere properly. For Emperor’s Children, a white primer is ideal as it brightens colors, ensuring the teal and gold pop. Spray primers are efficient, but apply thin, even coats to avoid obscuring details. If using a brush-on primer, dilute it slightly with water for smoother application. Allow the primer to dry completely—at least 30 minutes—before painting. A well-primed miniature not only looks better but also saves time by reducing the need for multiple paint layers.
A palette and water pot are essential for managing your paints efficiently. Use a ceramic or plastic palette with wells to keep colors organized and prevent them from drying out. Wet palettes, which use a damp sponge and parchment paper, are ideal for acrylics as they maintain paint consistency for hours. Change your water frequently to avoid muddying colors, especially when switching between light and dark shades. A small container with a lid, like a jar or repurposed food container, works well as a water pot and can be easily cleaned between sessions.
Finally, a painting handle is a game-changer for miniature painting. This simple tool attaches to the base of your model, allowing you to paint comfortably without touching the miniature itself, reducing smudges and fingerprints. For Emperor’s Children, with their intricate details and multiple sub-assemblies, a handle ensures stability during painting. You can purchase handles or make your own using cork, paper clips, or even Lego pieces. Once painted, carefully remove the handle and reattach the base, leaving you with a pristine, professionally finished model.
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Priming Miniatures: Use a white or grey primer for best color vibrancy and adhesion
The foundation of any great miniature paint job lies in the primer. While it might seem like a minor step, choosing the right primer color can dramatically impact the final result, especially for the vibrant, regal aesthetic of Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children. White and grey primers are your allies here, each offering distinct advantages.
White primer acts as a blank canvas, allowing colors to shine at their truest, most saturated selves. Imagine a shimmering purple cloak – a white base will ensure that purple pops with regal intensity. However, white can be unforgiving, highlighting every brushstroke and imperfection. It demands a steady hand and careful layering for a smooth finish.
Grey primer, on the other hand, provides a more forgiving middle ground. It offers a subtle base tone that enhances color depth without the starkness of white. This is particularly useful for achieving the nuanced metallics and rich blues often associated with the Emperor's Children. Think of it as a subtle undercoat that adds complexity and realism to your miniatures.
Grey primer is ideal for techniques like glazing and layering, allowing for smoother transitions and a more painterly effect. It's a great choice for painters who want to achieve a more organic, textured look.
Ultimately, the choice between white and grey primer depends on your desired outcome and painting style. If you crave bold, vibrant colors and are confident in your brush control, white is your weapon of choice. For a more nuanced, layered approach that forgives minor mistakes, grey primer provides a solid foundation. Remember, priming is an investment in the future of your miniature – choose wisely, and your Emperor's Children will shine with the glory of their pre-Heresy splendor.
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Base Coat Application: Start with a smooth, thin layer of base colors for consistency
A smooth, thin base coat is the foundation of any successful miniature painting project, especially when recreating the vibrant, regal aesthetic of the Pre-Heresy Emperor’s Children. This legion’s iconic purple and gold color scheme demands precision and consistency, which begins with this critical step. Applying a thin layer ensures the details of the miniature remain sharp, avoiding the muddied recesses and obscured textures that result from heavy-handed priming or basecoating. Think of it as the canvas for your masterpiece—flawless preparation yields flawless results.
To achieve this, start by thinning your base colors to a milk-like consistency. For the Emperor’s Children’s purple armor, a 1:1 ratio of paint to medium (such as Lahmian Medium or water) works well. Apply the paint in smooth, even strokes, following the direction of the miniature’s armor plates or fabric folds. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to avoid pooling in recesses. Allow each layer to dry completely before assessing coverage—impatience leads to streaking or uneven buildup. Two thin coats are almost always superior to one thick one.
Contrast this approach with the temptation to "get it done quickly" by slapping on undiluted paint. While faster, this method sacrifices detail and creates a rough surface that complicates subsequent layers, such as shading or highlighting. The Pre-Heresy Emperor’s Children’s scheme relies on clean transitions between colors—gold trim, white cloaks, and deep purples must sit side by side without bleeding. A thin base coat acts as a barrier, ensuring each color remains distinct and true to the legion’s opulent aesthetic.
Practical tips include priming the miniature with a neutral undercoat (such as grey or white) to enhance color vibrancy. For purple armor, a white primer reflects light better, while grey provides a natural midpoint for shading. Use a size 2 or 3 brush for basecoating to balance precision and efficiency. Work in a well-lit area to catch imperfections early, and consider using a wet palette to keep paint from drying out during application. Remember, this stage is not about perfection but consistency—subsequent layers will refine the finish.
In conclusion, the base coat is where the Pre-Heresy Emperor’s Children’s grandeur begins to take shape. A thin, smooth application preserves detail, ensures color accuracy, and sets the stage for advanced techniques. It’s a step that demands patience and care but pays dividends in the final result. Master this, and the rest of the painting process becomes a joy rather than a struggle.
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Layering Techniques: Build up colors gradually, highlighting raised areas for depth and detail
The Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children are known for their opulent, almost decadent aesthetic, and mastering layering techniques is crucial to capturing this essence. Imagine their armor as a canvas where each layer of paint adds depth, richness, and a sense of history. Start with a smooth basecoat, preferably a deep purple or blue, to establish the foundation. This initial layer should be thin and even, allowing the primer to show through slightly, creating a subtle texture that mimics the natural wear and tear of battle-hardened armor.
Next, introduce midtones by applying glazes or thin layers of slightly lighter shades. Focus on raised areas like edges, trim, and musculature to create the illusion of light catching these surfaces. For instance, mix a touch of white or a complementary color into your base shade to achieve this effect. Use a fine brush and a light hand, building up the color gradually to avoid harsh lines. This step is where the miniature begins to take on a three-dimensional quality, transforming flat surfaces into something more lifelike.
Highlighting is where the Emperor's Children truly come alive. Reserve your brightest colors for the most prominent edges and details. A pure white or gold edge on a pauldrons or helmet can evoke the legion's pre-heresy elegance. Apply these highlights in thin, precise strokes, ensuring they remain sharp and defined. For a more natural blend, feather the edges of the highlight into the midtone, creating a seamless transition. This technique not only adds depth but also emphasizes the intricate details of the miniature.
Caution must be exercised to avoid overloading the miniature with too much paint. Each layer should be thin and transparent, allowing previous layers to show through. This approach ensures that the colors remain vibrant and true to the legion's aesthetic. Additionally, practice patience; allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next to prevent smudging or blending where it’s not intended.
In conclusion, layering is an art that rewards precision and restraint. By building up colors gradually and focusing on raised areas, you can achieve the depth and detail that define the Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children. This technique not only enhances the visual appeal of the miniature but also tells a story of craftsmanship and dedication, befitting the legion's reputation for perfection.
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Detailing and Finishing: Add final highlights, edge highlights, and apply a protective varnish
The final stages of painting Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children miniatures are where your work transforms from good to exceptional. Detailing and finishing involve precision and patience, but the payoff is a model that truly stands out on the tabletop. Start by adding final highlights to areas like the armor, weapons, and trim. Use a fine brush and a color slightly lighter than your base shade, such as a mix of white and your primary hue, to catch the highest points of raised surfaces. This mimics the natural way light interacts with metallic or polished surfaces, giving your model a lifelike sheen.
Edge highlighting is the next critical step, particularly for the sleek, elegant aesthetic of the Emperor's Children. Thin your paint to a near-glaze consistency and carefully apply it to the very edges of armor plates, helmets, and weapons. This technique not only sharpens the model’s silhouette but also emphasizes its dynamic pose. For example, a pale gold edge highlight on purple armor creates a striking contrast that draws the eye. Be mindful of consistency—too much paint will obscure detail, while too little will lack impact. Practice on a test model to refine your technique before tackling your main piece.
Once detailing is complete, protect your hard work with a varnish. Choose a matte or satin varnish to preserve the model’s finish without altering its appearance. Apply it in thin, even coats using a spray can or airbrush, holding the nozzle 6–8 inches away to avoid pooling. Allow each coat to dry fully before adding another—typically 15–20 minutes between layers. This step is non-negotiable, as it shields your paint job from chipping, fading, and handling damage, ensuring your Emperor's Children remain pristine for years to come.
While these steps may seem straightforward, they require a steady hand and keen attention to detail. For instance, edge highlighting demands a brush with a sharp tip and a light touch, while varnishing necessitates a well-ventilated workspace to avoid fumes. The key is to approach each stage methodically, treating your model as a masterpiece in the making. By mastering these techniques, you’ll elevate your Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children from mere miniatures to works of art that capture the legion’s pre-fall elegance and pride.
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Frequently asked questions
The primary colors include white (for armor), gold (for trim and details), and deep purple (for capes and accents). Additionally, use red for chapter symbols and black for shading.
Clean the models with soapy water to remove mold release residue, prime them with a white or grey spray primer, and ensure all details are visible before starting.
Start with a white base coat, apply a light grey or blue shade in recesses for depth, and layer with progressively brighter whites to highlight edges and details.
Use a metallic gold paint for the base, shade with a dark brown or black wash, and highlight with a brighter gold or silver mix for a polished, regal look.
Begin with a dark purple base, shade with black or a darker purple, and layer with lighter purples or pinks to create smooth transitions and highlights.
