- Askurgan Trueblades - Full Painting Guide
The Askurgan Trueblades are a vampiric warband in Warhammer Warcry, blending vampiric grace with feral savagery. Their aesthetic combines pale skin, dark metallic armor, vibrant robes, various rope colors, and deadly weapons. This guide will walk you through painting each key feature of the models, with a focus on the dramatic details of the feral Trueblade.
1. Pale Vampire Flesh
The skin of the Trueblades is pale and cold, emphasizing their undead nature. We’ll apply subtle warmth in the shadows while keeping an ethereal, vampiric look for their pale skin.
Steps:
Basecoat: Apply Rakarth Flesh to all skin areas.
Wash: Use Reikland Fleshshade thinned 1:1 with Lahmian Medium to shade the recesses.
Layer: Reapply Rakarth Flesh on the raised areas, leaving the wash in the recesses.
Highlight: Use Pallid Wych Flesh to highlight the muscles, knuckles, and facial features, creating smooth transitions between layers.
Final Highlight: Apply White Scar sparingly to the sharpest points, such as the nose, brow, and fingers, for a ghostly, spectral finish.
2. Beastly Skin Tones (Feral Model)
The feral Askurgan Trueblade’s skin reflects its transformation from vampire to beast. The face, chest, and upper legs are pale, while the back, arms, and lower legs darken into a charred brown. The hands shift to a warm, reddish-brown tone.
Pale Areas:
Basecoat: Start by applying Rakarth Flesh to the face, chest, upper legs, and stomach.
Wash: Apply Reikland Fleshshade thinned 1:1 with Lahmian Medium to shade the recesses, especially in the ribs and abdomen.
Layer: Reapply Rakarth Flesh on the raised areas of the pale skin, leaving the recesses shaded.
Highlight: Use Pallid Wych Flesh to pick out the high points on the chest, legs, and face (cheekbones, brow, and muscles).
Final Highlight: Use White Scar sparingly on the sharpest parts of the face, chest, and leg muscles for a spectral finish.
Darker Areas (Upper Arms, Shoulders, Back, and Lower Legs):
Basecoat: For the upper arms, shoulders, back, and lower legs, apply Rhinox Hide for a dark, charred look.
Wash: Use Nuln Oil to deepen the shadows in the recesses, particularly on the back muscles and lower legs.
Layer: Smoothly transition the dark areas into the pale skin using Gorthor Brown. Apply it in thin layers to blend the darker tones with the lighter areas (upper arms into shoulders, lower legs into upper legs).
Highlight: Use Baneblade Brown to edge highlight the raised areas of the darker skin, like the shoulders, knees, biceps, and spine.
Reddish-Brown Hands:
The hands have a warm, aggressive look, using Doombull Brown as a base, with Tuskgor Fur to smooth the transitions.
Steps:
Basecoat: Apply Doombull Brown to the hands for a rich reddish-brown base.
Wash: Use Agrax Earthshade to deepen the shadows on the knuckles and between the fingers.
Layer: Reapply Doombull Brown to the raised areas, leaving the wash in the recesses.
Layer with Tuskgor Fur: Lightly layer Tuskgor Fur on the raised parts (backs of the hands and fingers) to add warmth and transition between shadows and highlights.
Highlight: Use Cadian Fleshtone or Kislev Flesh on the finger tips and knuckles for subtle highlights.
Optional Glaze: Glaze with Reikland Fleshshade thinned 2:1 with Lahmian Medium for a bloodied, warm effect.
Transition Zones:
Use thinned Rakarth Flesh and Gorthor Brown to blend the transitions between the pale areas and the darker tones, especially where the chest meets the shoulders and the legs meet the lower body. Apply thin layers to create smooth gradients.
3. Torn Red/Pink Skin (Feral Model)
The feral model has torn skin as it undergoes a bestial transformation. The tears look raw and irritated, starting with a Khorne Red base.
Steps:
Basecoat: Use Khorne Red to cover the torn skin areas.
Wash: Shade the recesses with Carroburg Crimson to add depth and give a raw, inflamed look.
Layer: Apply Mephiston Red to the raised parts of the torn skin, leaving Khorne Red in the deeper recesses.
Highlight: Use Evil Sunz Scarlet to highlight the sharp edges of the tears.
Final Highlight: Apply Cadian Fleshtone or Kislev Flesh sparingly on the sharpest edges to create a transition into the surrounding flesh.
Optional Detail: Stipple Druchii Violet or Carroburg Crimson around the torn areas for a bruised, irritated effect.
4. Metallic Armor
The armor of the Trueblades is dark, aged metal, with minimal highlights to bring out the fine details.
Steps:
Basecoat: Use Leadbelcher on the armor sections.
Wash: Apply Nuln Oil generously to darken the metal and add shadows.
Layer: Reapply Ironbreaker on the raised areas of the armor.
Highlight: Use Stormhost Silver for edge highlights along the sharpest parts of the armor (shoulders, chest plates, etc.).
Optional Glaze: Glaze with Guilliman Blue or Waywatcher Green to add a spectral glow to the edges.
5. Black Robes with Blue-Grey Highlights
The black robes feature cool blue-grey highlights that provide clean contrast.
Steps:
Basecoat: Use Abaddon Black for the robes.
First Highlight: Apply Dark Reaper to the folds and edges of the robes.
Second Highlight: Use Thunderhawk Blue for sharper highlights on prominent edges.
Final Highlight: Use Fenrisian Grey sparingly on the sharpest edges for a crisp, clean finish.
Optional Glaze: Thin Nuln Oil with Lahmian Medium (1:1) and glaze over the robes if the transitions need smoothing.
6. Orange and Red Robes
The outer robes are vibrant orange, while the inner robes feature rich red tones.
Orange Robes (Outer Layer):
Basecoat: Apply Jokaero Orange to the outer robes.
Wash: Use Reikland Fleshshade to shade the recesses.
Layer: Reapply Troll Slayer Orange on the raised areas.
Highlight: Use Fire Dragon Bright to highlight the edges and folds.
Final Highlight: Apply Yriel Yellow for fine highlights on the sharpest edges.
Red Robes (Inner Layer):
Basecoat: Use Khorne Red for the red robes.
Wash: Apply Nuln Oil to deepen the shadows.
Layer: Reapply Khorne Red on the raised areas.
Highlight: Use Wazdakka Red to highlight the folds.
Final Highlight: Use Squig Orange sparingly on the sharpest folds for extra contrast.
7. Rope Variations
There are multiple rope color variations across the models. Here's how to paint them:
Purple-Red Ropes:
Basecoat: Use Screamer Pink.
Wash: Apply Nuln Oil to the recesses.
Layer: Reapply Screamer Pink to the raised strands.
Highlight: Use Pink Horror to highlight.
Final Highlight: Use Emperor’s Children for sharp final highlights.
Beige/Off-White Ropes:
Basecoat: Use Rakarth Flesh.
Wash: Apply Agrax Earthshade to create depth.
Layer: Reapply Rakarth Flesh on the raised areas.
Highlight: Use Pallid Wych Flesh for highlights.
Final Highlight: Apply White Scar sparingly on the edges.
Pure White Ropes:
Basecoat: Use Pallid Wych Flesh.
Wash: Thin Nuln Oil 1:1 with Lahmian Medium and apply to shade.
Layer: Reapply Pallid Wych Flesh to the raised parts.
Highlight: Use White Scar for bright highlights.
Black Ropes (Feral Model):
Basecoat: Use Abaddon Black.
First Highlight: Apply Eshin Grey to the raised parts.
Second Highlight: Use Dawnstone on the sharp edges.
Final Highlight: Apply Administratum Grey on extreme edges for extra definition.
8. Claws and Talons (Feral Model)
The claws need to look sharp and dangerous with a glossy finish.
Steps:
Basecoat: Use Abaddon Black for the claws and talons.
Highlight: Use Eshin Grey for the sharp edges.
Final Highlight: Use Fenrisian Grey on the tips for a sharp finish.
Gloss: Apply Ardcoat or gloss varnish to give the claws a polished, deadly look.
9. Hair (Feral Model)
The hair transitions from dark brown to fiery orange, adding intensity to the model.
Steps:
Basecoat: Use Abaddon Black for the roots and most of the hair.
Layer: Blend Rhinox Hide into the mid-lengths.
Orange Tips: Apply Doombull Brown to the tips and blend into Troll Slayer Orange.
Highlight: Use Fire Dragon Bright on the ends of the hair for the brightest parts.
Highlight the Dark Hair: Drybrush Eshin Grey on the dark parts of the hair to add texture.
10. Tongue and Face (Feral Model)
The tongue and face are distinct, with the tongue needing a slick, wet look.
Tongue:
Basecoat: Use Screamer Pink.
Wash: Apply Druchii Violet to shade.
Layer: Reapply Screamer Pink on the raised areas.
Highlight: Use Pink Horror for subtle highlights.
Gloss: Apply Ardcoat to give the tongue a wet, slick finish.
Face:
Basecoat: Use Rakarth Flesh for the face.
Wash: Shade the recesses with Reikland Fleshshade thinned 1:1 with Lahmian Medium.
Highlight: Use Pallid Wych Flesh for the cheekbones, brow, and chin.
Eyes: Paint the eyes with Evil Sunz Scarlet and add a small highlight of Fire Dragon Bright for a glowing, predatory look.
11. Feet and Nails (Feral Model)
The feet are dark, with sharp black nails.
Feet:
Basecoat: Apply Rhinox Hide on the feet, blending into the legs.
Wash: Use Agrax Earthshade to deepen shadows around the toes.
Highlight: Use Baneblade Brown on the raised areas.
Nails:
Basecoat: Use Abaddon Black.
Highlight: Use Eshin Grey on the tips and edges.
Gloss: Apply Ardcoat for a polished, menacing finish.
12. Red Weapon Shaft Wraps
The red weapon shaft wraps add an extra splash of color.
Steps:
Basecoat: Use Khorne Red.
Wash: Apply Nuln Oil to shade.
Layer: Reapply Khorne Red on the raised areas.
Highlight: Use Wazdakka Red on the edges.
Final Highlight: Use Squig Orange sparingly on the sharpest points.
13. Basing
The Trueblades’ bases represent cracked earth with tufts of grass for a desolate, ancient feel.
Steps:
Texture Base: Apply Armageddon Dust for a cracked earth texture.
Wash: Apply Agrax Earthshade to deepen the cracks.
Drybrush: Use Karak Stone to highlight the raised areas.
Add Tufts: Add Mordheim Turf or dry grass tufts for the arid, wasteland look.
Final Touches and Optional Details
Blood Effects: Use Blood for the Blood God around the torn skin, claws, or tongue for a gory effect.
Bruising Around the Torn Skin: Stippling Druchii Violet around the torn skin can give a bruised, irritated appearance.
Dirty Feet: Drybrush Steel Legion Drab or Tyrant Skull on the feet for a dusty, worn look.
Conclusion
This guide helps bring the Askurgan Trueblades to life, emphasizing their undead and bestial qualities through contrasts in skin tones, sharp claws, and intense robe colors. From the feral model’s torn skin to the fiery hair and dark armor, each model will stand out on the battlefield. Feel free to adjust any steps to suit your personal style, and happy painting!
