The Twistweald Warband, emerging from the depths of enchanted forests, embodies the balance between primal nature and arcane magic. Their models reflect this blend, with intricate details like living bark armor, glowing sigils, ethereal weapons, and even mushrooms sprouting from their forms. This guide will walk you through painting these dynamic models with a step-by-step, efficient approach, ensuring that their natural and magical elements stand out on the tabletop.
- Twistweald Warband Full Painting Guide
The Twistweald Warband, emerging from the depths of enchanted forests, embodies the balance between primal nature and arcane magic. Their models reflect this blend, with intricate details like living bark armor, glowing sigils, ethereal weapons, and even mushrooms sprouting from their forms. This guide will walk you through painting these dynamic models with a step-by-step, efficient approach, ensuring that their natural and magical elements stand out on the tabletop.
1. Preparation & Priming
Start by cleaning the models, removing mold lines, and assembling them carefully.
Priming: Use Grey Seer or Corax White to maintain the brightness of the skin and glowing effects while providing a good base for darker bark and ethereal tones.
2. Skin (Pale Green & Blue)
The skin of these models reflects both their natural and magical origins, with pale green and vibrant blue tones creating an ethereal feel.
Pale Green Skin: Basecoat with Pallid Wych Flesh. Shade with a thinned mix of Gauss Blaster Green and Lahmian Medium in the recesses. Highlight raised areas with Pallid Wych Flesh and finish with White Scar on the highest points.
Blue Skin: Base with Temple Guard Blue. Shade with Drakenhof Nightshade and highlight with a mix of Temple Guard Blue and Baharroth Blue, using Fenrisian Grey on the highest points for sharp, glowing accents.
3. Bark (Standard, Dark, Green, and Warmer Brown Quiver)
The bark represents the ancient forests from which the Twistweald draw their power. It ranges from darker, corrupted wood to vibrant green, living bark.
Standard Bark: Base with Dryad Bark, shade with Agrax Earthshade, and highlight with Gorthor Brown and Baneblade Brown.
Dark Bark: Use Rhinox Hide for the base, shading with Nuln Oil, and highlight with Gorthor Brown and Baneblade Brown.
Green Bark: Basecoat with Castellan Green, shade with Athonian Camoshade, and highlight with Elysian Green and Ogryn Camo.
Warmer Brown Bark (Quiver): Base with XV-88, shade with Reikland Fleshshade, and highlight with Balor Brown and Ushabti Bone on the edges.
4. Vines/Thorny Tendrils
The thorny tendrils transition smoothly from light to dark, making them appear alive and dangerous.
Base (near the head): Use Pallid Wych Flesh for the lightest areas of the tendrils.
Midsection: Blend into Doombull Brown or Tuskgor Fur for a warm brown transition.
Tips (dark ends): Finish the ends with Rhinox Hide or Dryad Bark, adding Abaddon Black to the very tips for a sharp, menacing look.
5. Leaves
The leaves growing from the warband’s bodies should stand out against the darker bark, representing their connection to nature’s vitality.
Base with Caliban Green. Shade with Coelia Greenshade and highlight with Warpstone Glow and Moot Green.
6. Ethereal Blue Weapons & Shield (Bow, Staffs, Sword, Arrows, Shield)
The ethereal blue weapons and shields glow with mystical energy, with darker tones in the recessed areas and lighter tones on the raised sections.
Basecoat with Baharroth Blue.
Recessed Areas: Shade with Aethermatic Blue or Stegadon Scale Green to darken the recesses.
Raised Areas: Highlight with Ulthuan Grey, adding White Scar on the sharp edges for a bright, glowing effect.
Blending: Use Guilliman Blue or thinned Baharroth Blue to smooth transitions.
Final Glow: Glaze the entire weapon or shield with Waywatcher Green for a subtle glow.
7. Glowing Sigils/Runes & Mouths (Green)
These glowing sigils and mouths represent the magical power within the Twistweald warriors.
Sigils/Runes: Base with Moot Green, highlight with Flash Gitz Yellow or White Scar, and glaze with Waywatcher Green to create a soft glow.
Mouths: Paint with Moot Green, highlighting the deepest parts with White Scar. Apply Waywatcher Green for a glowing effect.
8. Glowing Cores/Crystals (Yellow or Purple)
The cores or crystals embedded in the models’ bodies radiate magical light.
Yellow Core: Base with Flash Gitz Yellow, blend outward with Averland Sunset, and shade with Seraphim Sepia.
Purple Core: Base with Xereus Purple, blend into Genestealer Purple, and highlight with Dechala Lilac or White Scar.
9. Eyes
The glowing eyes of the Twistweald warriors reflect their primal magic.
Base with Corax White or White Scar for a bright glow. For a magical touch, add Moot Green or Ulthuan Grey around the edges.
10. Bees (Black/Yellow to Ethereal Blue Transition)
The bees transition from natural to ethereal as they swarm, reflecting the warband’s magical influence over nature.
Yellow and Black Bees: Base with Averland Sunset, adding Abaddon Black for stripes.
Transitioning Bees: Glaze with Lothern Blue or Fenrisian Grey as the bees move closer to the hand.
Ethereal Blue Bees: Paint with Baharroth Blue and highlight with Ulthuan Grey or White Scar for a glowing, ethereal effect.
Wings: Use Ulthuan Grey or Fenrisian Grey, and glaze with Guilliman Blue or Waywatcher Green.
11. Mushrooms (Dark Grey/Blue)
The mushrooms sprouting from the bark and skin add a sense of decay and growth.
Basecoat with Dark Reaper.
Shade with Nuln Oil or Drakenhof Nightshade.
Highlight with a mix of Dark Reaper and Thunderhawk Blue, using Fenrisian Grey or Russ Grey for sharp edge highlights.
Optional Glow: Glaze with Guilliman Blue for a magical effect.
12. Beehives
The beehives are part of the warband’s natural arsenal, serving as a home for their swarming protectors.
Base with XV-88, shade with Agrax Earthshade, and highlight with Zamesi Desert and Ushabti Bone around the openings.
13. Bases (Forest Floor or Overgrown Terrain)
The warband comes from deep, overgrown forests. The bases should reflect this untamed environment.
Base with Stirland Battlemire for an earthy texture. Drybrush with Steel Legion Drab and highlight with Karak Stone.
Foliage: Add tufts of Mordheim Turf or Citadel Static Grass for an overgrown effect.
Roots: Paint exposed roots with Dryad Bark and highlight with Gorthor Brown.
Final Varnishing and Finishing Touches
Use Munitorum Varnish for protection. Apply Gloss Varnish to glowing areas like the cores, runes, and eyes to enhance their shine.
Conclusion
This guide captures the natural, decayed, and mystical elements of the Twistweald Warband, allowing each model to stand out on the battlefield with a rich combination of organic textures and glowing magical effects. From the dark grey-blue mushrooms sprouting from their bark to the ethereal glow of their weapons and eyes, these models are designed to feel both alive and enchanted. Follow this guide to bring out the full character and depth of these wild, magical warriors.
