Hi everyone, it’s Amy here showcasing my first finished miniature of 2016 – Archaon Everchosen, the Exalted Grand Marshal of the Apocalypse. I think this one of the best miniatures I have ever painted and probably my favourite, click to view more photos!
Archaon is, without a doubt, the biggest and most complex miniature I have ever painted. I have never really liked any of the Chaos models before, and have always painted the good guys when it comes to miniature painting. However, when I first saw this model I instantly fell in love. I was lucky enough to get it for Christmas and started him during the New Year break.
The detail on this model is incredible, it is such a beautiful sculpt. It was an incredibly daunting prospect painting him, I also wanted to make him look the best I possibly could and really wanted to challenge myself with him. It was already a challenge being the biggest model I’ve ever done.
I painted the model separately, leaving the three heads and Archaon himself off, if you are painting or are going to get this model I highly recommend this, it makes it so much easier. I followed the video tutorial on the Warhammer TV YouTube channel adding bits in myself. I really took my time with him and believe that was worth it.
I’m really happy with how the wings turned out. They were painted Rakarth Flesh, Pallid Wych Flesh and then Agrax Earthshade mixed with Lahmian Medium was stippled on using a drybrush getting gradually darker towards the edges. The golds on the model were painted Retributor Armour, Reikland Fleshshade, Agrax Earthshade, and then Runefang Steel edge highlight.
I wanted to go for a dark Chaos feel to the base, adding cracks revealing fiery lava underneath. I applied texture paint on the base, and then added clear crackle glaze on top. Once all of this was dry I painted it all black then drybrushed greys. The fire was painted Mephiston Red, Troll Slayer Orange, Yriel Yellow, White Scar then glazed Bloodletter and Lamenters Yellow. I’m really happy with how it came out. I bought a box of the Varanguard and the Tzeentch Gaunt Summoner so I’m interested to see how the bases will look together!
As I mentioned above, I left Archaon off for painting to make it easier. Before I put him on Dorghar I took two photos of him finished on his own. I really took my time with him and tried to be neat as possible, especially with the blending. I’m especially proud of the horns, they were painted Zandri Dust, washed Reikland Fleshshade/Lahmian Medium, and then I applied lots of thin layers of Karak Stone blending it into the Reikland recesses. I then edge highlighted them with Screaming Skull. I much prefer this method of painting bone, it is shown in the Warhammer TV video, I really like the Reikland wash I feel it’s not as harsh as Agrax. I also used a similar blending and glazing technique for the sword which I’m very happy with. A lot of the model was painted using multiple thin layers, so much so I finished my pot of Lahmian Medium for the first time ever! I also wanted to make Archaon’s eyes stand out, I chose green because this would contrast nicely with the lighter and more reddish colours around him, so I painted them white and then applied a few glazes of Waywatcher Green and Lamenters Yellow and added the white back in, I feel this makes them glow nicely and quite menacingly.
Overall, I am very happy with how the whole model came out. It was so much fun painting him, and I highly recommend getting it, it is totally worth it! Let me know in the comments what you think, and have you bought or are you painting this fantastic miniature, how are you finding it? 🙂
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Definitely want to convert that Archaon on foot at some point! Lovely job
I think it would be cool to have him on foot, his leg stance may be a little bit wide however I think you could probably get away with it!
Definitely will cut his legs up a bit first 🙂 Don't want a sumo
looks great you should be very proud of the job you have done
It is in my wish list to paint but being dragged deeper into 30k
Thank you very much! 🙂 it is a truly amazing model and so much fun to paint, you will not regret buying him! 🙂
This, this is pure art!
Great work with the model and excellent colors used to show the insane detail =)
/leffegnu
Thank you very much! 🙂
Spectacular effort! I'm amazed at how quickly you paint – this guy would take me years to finish (no exaggeration)! Whilst the whole model is great, I think the way you've painted the horns and gold trim is particularly awesome. Good shout on the green eyes too – very sinister!
Well it did take me a while to paint him, about 3 weeks or so haha
Thank you! I'm particularly happy with the horns, as painting bone has always been tricky for me, I think a combination of different paints this time and a bit more patience, thinner paint and not a lot on the brush worked for this! 🙂
Fantastic work Amy! I read in one of your earlier posts that you haven't been painting for very long, but it doesn't show at all. This is a very complex miniature (which I am preparing to paint myself) and it takes so much effort to complete such a huge project. Keep up the good work -it's certainly inspired me!
I used to be very daunted about the idea of painting massive and complex models, and don't get me wrong I was for this, it took me a while but I really learnt a lot painting him and so happy I did it! Thank you for your lovely words, I'm really glad I have inspired you! 🙂
No doubt you did an awesome job on the model. But personally, i don't like the model itself. I was/am more into the classic Archaon with Dorghar still looking like a horse. It was kind of minimalistic, but had that majestic expression. With the new model its just too much overall.
But as I said, it's just my opinion on the sculpt, not on your (impressive) paintjob.
GW have really changed the style of the Fantasy models. To begin with I was a bit too and throw, but I'm really beginning to like it. I like this model and wished I had the time to paint it. Even the naked Dwarfs I like. By the way Amy it looks fantastic.
Amy, This is inspiring and amazing! Flawless, even. Thank you for sharing.
Amy, I really felt the same as you, I've never been into the chaos models that much. But when I saw the new Archaon I was gobsmacked. It is really something and I hope to paint this miniature one day too. This must have tested the limits of your painting and brought them to new heights. Awesome effort =D
It looks to me as though GW are leaning more towards a high fantasy look with their AOS miniatures and disposing of the Arthurian / Tudor / Germanic influences of old WhFB. Personally, I think the new style is great, as it potentially allows for more diverse imagery.
I've just picked up a box of Varanguard and have built them in such a way that each represents one of the Greater chaos gods (currently Khorne, Nurgle and Tzeentch). So, do I go for the all-black box art colour scheme, or paint each in a scheme suited to their patron deity? Any suggestions?
I think it would be really nice for them to be suited to their God, I think that would look really nice 🙂 you could maybe use one colour across all three to tie them together perhaps. 🙂
I quit. 🙂
Its nice, but must agree that it is identical to the one on warhammer tv.
Not constructive, buddy – how could the paintjob be improved, maybe? Gives a comment credibility
What a beautiful compliment. Amy hasn't been painting long, I'm sure she'll be over the moon being compared to Warhammer TV. Brilliant stuff.
Really, really excellent paintjob. Nothing more to say…..
Keep on……
I already had commented on FB about her work on this project. I think she has done an outstanding job, in fact, better than GW video at least. One thing that I think might be improved is the "lava" cracks. I only say this because of a GW video on doing the very same thing. They have a very good outcome that gives more of a 3D effect with the "lava" showing through the cracked earth. The free hand that was done looks great! Great job overall, keep up the good work Amy!
I guess i was abit harsh.
You say your struggling with bone?
Here's a good way to produce good realistic done that can be done quickly or you can take your time and make it as good as you want it.
Base with a medium brown (i use reaper harvest brown) then create those stripes down the length of the tusks or high light skulls etc (I use menoth white base).
Do that with as many layers as you want then take some Vallejo smokey ink and water it down a bit with lahmian medium and apply that starting from the lightest part dragging down to the darkest point of the surface where the stroke ends. Also dont put much ink on your brush or you will get a big puddle at the end.
Smokey ink is the key here as there is no substitute i know of.