Grey Knight Nemesis Dreadknight Spiced Up (Spring Clean)

Well, I completely forgot to take pictures of the body as a WIP, but I was too in the zone to remember to, so *SHRUG*. I’m super happy with the results! I used some NMM techniques (first time trying it) to build up layers from a gunmetal grey to a bright aluminum, I also did muzzle burn effects with Druchii Violet, Seraphim Sepia, and Drakenhof Nightshade. Other than that, it was all fairly straightforward. For the base, I used some Vallejo European Thick Mud, then drybrushed a white over top to simulate a light dusting of frost or snow (interactions with the warp can get very cold). For the rocks, I did a simple grey base coat, then lightly drybrushed some ochre, red, and green. Then did a wash and a zenith highlight by dry-brushing a lighter grey! Last, I added some static grass patches and glued everything together. This was a great project, and thank you all for following along! Good luck to all in the Spring Clean, and have a wonderful summer (or winter for those in the southern hemisphere)!

Most people look at the Grey Knights’ Dreadknight, and comment on how it looks silly, like a baby carrier. While it does look a little silly (and the model being monopose is rather uninspired), those that say it is silly usually reference the Dreadnoughts of 40K as a ‘reasonable’ machine simply because it protects the pilot (a walking machine never makes sense in any context, as a helicopter or tracked vehicle is a far more stable way of traversing difficult terrain with a vehicle). I always thought those that dislike the exposed nature of the pilot are forgetting a key thing about this army, each Grey Knight is a powerful Psyker, so I always imagine the pilot being protected by psychic defenses. Thus, the print of the shield. Please let me know if you think this will make the model too busy, because if it will then I’ll save the shield for the next Dreadknight I build.

After a whole month, during which I primed my Dreadknight then promptly decided to paint some Tyranids, I’ve finally done some more work on this project! I painted the Daemons by base coating with Mephiston Red, then building up highlights with Evil Sunz Scarlet and a bright orange paint. I then glazed over all of this with a mix of the two red paints, using Carroberg (definitely not how you spell it) Crimson as a wash to darken down the recesses. For the blades, I based them with a black (same with the horns) then drybrushed the red moving up to a bright orange to give the glowing embers effect. For the tongues, I based with a black color then blended to a brighter purple. The eyes were darkened with a wash and a small dot of orange in the center.

3D printed a couple rocks to make the base a bit more visually interesting. I originally planned to have two bloodletters leaping off the rocks, but one of them was a little smaller than anticipated, so only one will be standing on a rock. I think I prefer it this way though, as it makes the base more visually varried.

I then put some PVA glue mixed 1:1 with water on the base, and sprinkled some baking soda over the base to give it texture. Once that dried, I used an old brush of mine to knock the loose baking soda off the base. There are a few other bits that I’ll put on the base, but I’ll paint them separately then glue them on. Next up, I’ll prime everything, likely a black, then its on to the painting!

Reposed the Daemons so they more organically fit into their positions, also added bullet wounds/damage to the charging bloodletters, as well as claw and sword gouges on the Dreadknight’s hull. Did this with a combination of careful hobby knife work and a hand drill (stay safe, always cut away from yourself and other people). For reposing the daemons’ limbs, I sliced them at a joint then carefully shaved off plastic at an appropriate angle to reposition the limb as desired. For the bullet wounds and gouges, I used the drill and knife to create a pockmarked surface. Next up, I’ll put the base together with a few 3D printed rocks and my baking soda method for texturing bases, gore, wounds, and dirt on vehicles.

Here’s another few mock-ups using poster putty and the newly posed and damaged models. I got some measurements for how much to raise each daemon and foot by off the base, so I’ll be 3D printing those pieces over the next week!

Built the Khorne Daemons on Friday (I’ve had LOTS of trouble making an entry, don’t know why the first few didn’t go through). One is posed to stand atop the machine, plunging a sword into the iron beast, did this by cutting off the handle and sword at the hand and swapping them. Another daemon is being crushed beneath the DK’s foot, I’ll repose the gun arm to be leveling it at the creature as well as do some pose editing with a hobby knife and putty to better accommodate the foot’s stability. The two charging on the ground will be scored and pockmarked with wounds, and two more are getting destroyed by the melee weapons (see photo gallery).

The Trygon with the T’au on the base, where I got the idea of smaller models fighting a larger model.