It’s time for another update on my latest projects! I’ve been making more progress for Legions Imperialis, some of which I already shared earlier in the week on Instagram. This month has been all about tanks and titans, with a particular focus on painting and expanding my Blood Angels demi-company.

Spartan Tanks

I’ve been dedicating past couple of evenings painting a pair of Spartan assault transports, and they’re finally starting to take shape. They are a joy to work on, with just enough flat detailing for showing off legion markings and decals and bring them to life.

Colour scheme and techniques

  • Base Colours: I started with a grey to white pre-shade (airbrushed) developing a really strong white over the top surface in particular. Over this went my favourite Contrast Blood Angels Red, Exhaust Manifold for the tracks and gun mounts and flat black for the assault ramp and front.

Next Steps

Decals and Markings: Tonight’s plan is to add the decals to doors and hull. Then pick out some of the detailing to personalize the not-so-tiny transports further.
Basing and weathering: Yep, these are going to be based in same style as the other Blood Angels vehicles on magnetised 2mm MDF bases and some additional weathering will complete them.

Vanguard slot

In addition to the Spartans, I’ve also added a detachment of Outriders to the demi-company. Six fast moving squads equipped with point defence and plasma to run in advance of the Rhino’s and Raiders. Not sure how they will fare in a game yet, but they look amazing alongside the transports!

legions imperialis blood angels

The Imperial Fists weren’t left out and got a new support detachment as well. Details can be found in their gallery.

Legio Astraman Maniple Completion

It’s finally done! Well, almost done. Technically I still want to add weathering and finishing detailing ‘but’ I’m calling it as good as completed. Legio Astraman has been one tiny-titan short of a legit ‘Precept’ battle line maniple with a primed, but unpainted Warhound awaiting its colours in the cabinet since start of the year. I got a bit distracted by the Legions Imperialis and other larger Heresy painting.

But it’s more or less done now, which gives me a playable maniple of Warlord, Warbringer, Warhound, (optional) Reaver and an (optional) DireWolf standing in for a second Warhound. Once I have applied the hounds weathering and taken a few photos for its gallery page, I’ll do a new updated “family” photo of the complete maniple together.

legio astraman warhound

A new legio

The Warhound wasn’t the only engine I worked on past couple of weeks. There’s a new Reaver in the cabinet, also just needing some weathering. It’s the first one I have painted for legio Fureans (Tiger Eyes) and features the iconic yellow and black color scheme, with plenty of flames and heraldic symbols. It’s also sporting a warp missile because traitors don’t need friends. I’ll probably do a  couple of other weapon options for the carapace as well, thinking Apocalypse launcher (obviously, given I have a ridiculous number of them available), or a Gatling which will look cool.

Yeah, it also has a ridiculously oversized back banner. I think this has become my thing now, given how much I love creating them.

Future Plans

Expanding the Traitor Legio: I’m excited about adding more Titans and legions units to this new force. I love my legio Mortis engines, but they are too closely linked with the Death Guard legion and, despite evidence to the contrary are not the legion I want to paint as my first traitor force for Imperialis. That honour if you hadn’t guessed already is going to the Emperor’s Children. Hence the Tigers Eyes Reaver. I’ll talk a bit more on that once the Spartan’s are completed. If I don’t I’ll easily end up getting distracted and they will end up half done. A bit like a certain warhound was.

Finally, a big boi for another new legio. The Warmaster is built and ready to get primed up. I know which legio I want to do, and why. But you’ll have to wait a while longer. This one won’t just represent a new direction I’ll be taking my Titan’s in, but also a new Knight Household will be revealed.
This has been a fun month of hobby progress, and I’m eager to see how these projects develop, especially the new engines. Stay tuned for more updates and, as always, feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments or on my Insta/Facebook page. Happy painting!