Thursday 22 October 2015

Rogue Quest level Five : The paladin !


So here we are, time for level five of the Rogue Quest ! After my wizard and Axiom's Rogue, it's time to get on with some new characters !


This week's entry is special for me, I've always had a great fondness for Paladins as previously discussed. They are one of the most iconic and characterful classes you can have and because of the many rules and limitations for them, you have to be in tune with that sort of characters they are to fully enjoy them.

Interpretation by Olivier Ledroit, see how he's lawfully good AND gets the (dirty) work done ?
The ideal paladin is obviously a lawful good warrior that fights for the good of all, always puting his own safety and personal interest in second place. A good paladin will usually take the greatest care of his gear and body as they're his tools to do his duty. A paladin will usually have a great constitution along a high charisma. To represent that I knew I had to use a space marine but didn't which one to use. I've considered using a terminator at some point to represent their tanking role but that looked silly amongst very lightly armoured models so I opted for this one piece Space marine designed by Bob Naismith (IIRC). It had just the perfect heroic pose I was looking for !

The model is also nicely linked to the marine you can find on the cover of Rogue Trader as he's basically a mirror reflexion of him with the helmet to his belt.


Like many of the models he was released along with, his power armour is a little more crude and less refined technically speaking with the model being very fine and precise at the same time. the work with the undercuts on this one is particularly striking and if you've never looked at it closely, just see for yourself if you have it under hand.
I like those one piece marines with their wires and cables all around, you can see a great attention to details has been had and the later ones with their big leg armour (which will remain a signature after that) must have been designed to simplify things (someone must have understood that they'd be sculpting a good load of those...).

Picture from Solegend
I often use fantasy models I convert to use in 40k but for once I had a 40k model I wanted to link with traditional fantasy. To achieve this, I simply used the property you often find in magical items : elements.
Most fantasy spells use elements like fire, lightning, wind, etc. and enchanted weapons are often upgraded with elemental properties. To reflect that on the model, I decided to divide it into 2 parts : Fire and Lightning.
You can see in the picture below the left side is the lightning side with the power fist charged and the plasma pistol ready while the meltagun on the right arm is glowing from the heat. This opposition reinforces the duality of the elements and makes it a little clearer I think.


To reflect this a little further, I painted the main skull on the shoulder plate with a side white and the other black to reflect the duality a little more nothing to do wih Malal I'm afraid).

Fire side
The armour was treated in true metallic metal and to have a nice vibrant metal I used glazes of blue on the undersides of the armour to make it look better with added brown in the nadiral direction. This does not show obviously but more in a suggested way which was the purpose. I did not want a blueish armour but just one that looked worn out but well looked after. It was tempting to get a paladin in rusted armour but that doesn't fit with the archetype. The only bit of aging I did was the repair made on the right thigh to reflect the Paladin had to fix his armour as he could at some point but that he still keeps good care of his suit.

Lightning side
As you can see below the model is clearly different from the other 2 I've used so far. That's not much of a problem honestly, it's an interesting path to use all those different models from different artists really. I'm still having troubles with sculpted pupils in the eyes as it doesn't leave you much room for interpretation but I'm not one to stop at details like that so I just painted the left eye as he was meant to be and that was all !


I'm now at 50% of completion for this project and I'm eager to work on the next classes !

I'm terrifyingly late on my Orctober entry and I've just made arrangements for a game to use my Chaos renegades against a force of squats. I will probably have to paint some more chaos to have enough so that means all my present WIPs are going to get a bit of delay... Not much of an issue as long as I manage to finish my commisions in time ;).
I hope to have more painted by the end of the week so cheer me up and receive all my good waves for your own projects !

PS : Do not forget to follow Alex's take on the Rogue Quest project. The damn guy is already at his 4th character with a new Bard !

22 comments:

  1. Wow, you've made him really stand out by using a simple but imposing silver uniform, JB. He's a great fig to paint that's full of character. Those old C100 boys really suit a metallic colour scheme. Excellent stuff! This lot will look great when complete.

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    1. I didn't really know what to do with thise on as he's the only of the kind I had. Using him for this project was the perfect opportunity so that he still looks like a marine but can visually differentiate himself from the later Mk6. I don't have to tell you how good those are but I was actually very suprised by how neat both sculpt and cast were and how cleverly designed the model was (shouldn't have doubted that).
      Thanks Ed !

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  2. Lovely work as always JB - and I love the thought you put in to this... beautiful.

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    1. Well with you 2 guys around, I have to try and make things right ! ^^'
      It's nice to see the same idea with 3 different takes really, as time goes by, we'll also start to have several versions of a same class which will be even better (the fighter and barabarian have already been done twice iirc).
      Cheers !

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  3. Lovely work as always. He looks suitably worn but heroic. I do also enjoy your explanations of the careful thought that goes into your models. Something to aspire to!

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    1. Thanks ! I really find that with average painting skills, one can make a little difference with easy details as model selection, colour schemes, creativity and backstory. I've chosen to give those aspects more importance as I've found a balance in the quality/quantity on the technical side.

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  4. The two 'sides' of the character do really add a nice touch to the quite monolithic stance of the traditional paladin. Your grim darkness version sure stands out as well at it mixes nicely with your previous characters.
    Nicely done !

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    1. Cheers, I think the idea of using this opposition came in very early in the process (as soon as I had the model chosen I think). That was my way of hiding the fat the model could have had a sword to look more like a paladin...

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    2. It works really well. So well that we don't even notice or bother whether he carries a sword or not. The raised armed and the colors really fill the 'paladin stance' quite well :) I'm very jealous of your light blue glow effect (just as on your law warband) !

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    3. Cheers, the recipe for the light blue glow is really simple, I'll make a tutorial soon about how I paint those champions of Law so you'll have it there if you're willing to give it a try !

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  5. That figure is a great choice for the trope JB. A more recognisable MK6 or later would cloud the impression I think. The less recognisable armour type suggests the sort of individualism more suited to an RPG.

    The elemental approach is nice too. Great stuff all round.

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    1. That was my thought really, this more archaic armour looks like a model mostly anyone could have whereas the later ones seems more reserved for Imperial Marines. Glad you approve, I sometimes wonder if I'm not oversthinking my design process ^^

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  6. Awesome armor JB. This is one really awesome painting project you're in.

    The lightning glove is looking very cold, great effect

    ++ Charles

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    1. Cheers bud ! Problem is, with the end nearing I need to find a solution for a good cyber dungeon to get to play with those ! I said I'd start midway through the paniting process which means it's now !
      Glad you like the powerglove, I'm always a little worried when doing that sort of thing ;)

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  7. You know, I'm coming to the same realisation as you JB, about the extra amount of detail on these old sculpts. After painting up my space orks I was really impressed with all the other "bells & whistles" that they came packed with. Never noticed it until I started painting them.

    These old marines appear to be the same. Looking at your dude....with all the cabling, the disc thingy on his leg, the unique visor on his helmet, these guys rock!

    Great stuff JB :)

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    1. The guys could sculpt for sure and when you have the chance to pick a cast that was made early in the mould's life, it's a pure pleasure really.

      Cheers mate.

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  8. Absolutely great choice of mini (tons of charm with those weapons) and extra top notch paintjob, I love the ideas you poured on this one and the whole take on him. Man, this is gettin' awesome! More, we need more!!

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    1. Well, you're getting 3 more from me, another 4 from Axiom and 2 from Alex !

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  9. Such a simple colour scheme, but even more striking for it. The metal armour is perfect for the paladin, but also acts as a nice neutral backdrop for the striking colours.

    Others have already said it, but you've got a great technique mastered for the glowing lighting effects. The power glove is particularly effective.

    I only hope my paladin can live up to yours!

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    1. With the elemental weapons I had to keep a neutral armour and steel does remind of fantasy armours so that was all for the better. I'm eager to see your paladin, with my barbarian, they'll be both doubles in our respective collection ;)

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  10. You're consistency is admirable and I hope you keep the mojo going past the character classes and go so far as retainers, animal companions, mounts.... I'm getting ahead of myself, best of luck with the rest of your party!

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    1. hum, you said mounts... now that is something I hadn't considered yet but It does sound a good opportunity here... I'll have to think about that. Regarding the rest, I'l lfirts use the models I have (space orks, robots monsters and all) but I may have to pull up the sleeves to broaden the choice ^^

      Many thanks mate !

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