GWAIHIR

Before starting to assemble the model, the tips of the wings were bent so they appeared less flat and outstretched. Both wings were bent so that they were symmetrical in appearance. Then the wings were pinned to the body, filling in any gaps with Green Stuff. All the models were given an undercoat spray of Chaos Black, using watered down Chaos Black paint to cover any areas that the spray had missed.

PAINTING THE MODEL

The entire model was given a basecoat of Scorched Brown mixed together with Chaos Black in equal amounts.

Starting at the back of the wingtips working forward, the highlights were applied to the feathers. Different layers of feathers were highlighted with successively lighter tones. The first layer on the back of the wings was left with just the basecoat. For the next layer, approximately 40% Vermin Brown was added to the basecoat mix and painted on. The individual fronds of the feathers were also painted and, whilst this may seem like a long, laborious process, it's actually quite quick (you could drybrush the feathers without lessening the effect a great deal if you prefer though). For the next layer a small quantity of Vermin Brown was added to this mix, so that it now contained approximately 60% Vermin Brown, using this tone to paint the rest of the layers. Once the paint on the model had dried, an equal quantity of Vomit Brown was added to the mix and painted onto the front edge of the wing.

The same method that had been used on his wings was applied to Gwaihir's body, leaving the basecoat showing on his tail feathers.

To highlight the basecoat on the tips of the dark feathers at the back of his wing and his tail feathers, Codex Grey was added to the original basecoat of Scorched Brown and Chaos Black.

The underside of the model's wings and body were left with the original basecoat showing. Patterning was added to the feathers by painting on a mix of equal quantities of Codex Grey and Bestial Brown, adding increasing amounts of Skull White to this mix to paint on successive highlights. On the underside and tail section of the model, this is applied in a symmetrical pattern. Patterning to random feathers on the top side of the wings and body was also added.

When highlighting the crest on the figure's neck, 100% Vomit Brown was used followed by painting the head area with Dark Flesh. This was highlighted with an equal quantity of Vermin Brown added to the basecoat, and then further highlights were made by adding a small quantity of Bleached Bone to the mix.

The beak was painted with Chaos Black first, adding increasing amounts of Bubonic Brown to this, each time smoothly blending the paint towards the back of the beak. Finally the nostrils on the beak were highlighted by mixing equal quantities of Bleached Bone and Bubonic Brown.

The eyes were painted with a mixture of equal quantities of Vermin Brown and Skull White followed by a wash of Chestnut Ink once this had dried.

The legs were painted a basecoat of Bestial Brown, adding an equal quantity of Bubonic Brown to Bestial Brown for the highlights, and finishing off with a highlight of Bleached Bone. The claws were left with the original basecoat but given a final highlight of Codex Grey.

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