Metallica redux

I really want to get this engine over the line in the next couple of painting sessions if I can. There's something really motivating when the armour gets attached and it starts looking like the legio war engine its supposed to represent, as opposed to a metal skeleton. 

If you hadn't guessed already from the 'in progress' photos, my first Warmaster Heavy Titan will be for Legio Metallica, cognomen the 'Silver Skulls'. 

Most of the armour is now glued in place and had the first pass of painted battle damage. The next stage is to go back over all of the metallic trim to build up the proper tones and highlights. Once that is done, I break out the airbrush for the weapon muzzles and the reactor vents. 

The carapace mortars (not shown) also need painting. I added 3mm x 1mm magnets to these the other evening so I could swap out the different weapon options and they snap in place with a really satisfying click!

Without a doubt, the biggest challenge was to try to recreate the colour of the armour from the art in the campaign book. The original Metallica red armour had a warm orange tone, and this was emphasised even more in the books art panels. They looked much more orange when I added the gloss varnish and my hope was this would soften once the reflection was reduced after decals went on and I applied a matt/satin finish. I honestly couldn't be happier with the result. Don't worry, I'll go through the palette in detail when I've completed it.

I'm also adding a few 'easter eggs' that will hopefully link this kit with its predecessors heritage. All to be revealed when it is done.

The base is one of the previous series 'Titan Wars' bases from Unreal Wargaming Studios. I was impressed by these when they first came out, but they have been out of production for some time. The good news is, they are back again as a whole new series of bases and they are absolutely gorgeous. 

The new series is even better than the first set, with far more height variation and an increased density of detail. A complete set arrived today and the casting looks wonderfully sharp and clean. I did a quick stock take and between the original series and the new ones it looks like I won't be stopping at twenty engines. Not even close.

I opted for a lighter coloured palette for the base, similar to the ones I have been doing for Legio Astraman (Morning Stars). Felt it would work better with the bold colours of Metallica. Once the Titan is done I will come back to the base and add a few extra touches and pigment washes. 

The Warmaster is at that really exciting stage where I can visualise the final result in my head. There is a specific look I am going for, which, if I can execute it well enough should be immediately obvious to any one who played the original 'Space Marine'. If I don't, it's probably going to look a bit weird.

I really hope it doesn't.