Dark Angels

The Dark Angels were the first of the founding Legions, led by their Primarch Lion El'Johnson, they became feared across the galaxy as one of the Emperor's most potent weapons. During the Horus Heresy however the Dark Angels were riven by treachery, a fact concealed to this day, and they and their successor Chapters, collectively known as the Unforgiven, seek to erase this stain on their honour so that they may once more be considered the Emperor's most faithful warriors. Colours and markings from Codex: Dark Angels.

I love the imagery of these guys, dark and gothic, with secrets and hidden agendas. Plus their dark green colour scheme and winged sword chapter symbol is cool. My first army was a Dark Angels force, one day I'll take some photos so you can see how awful the paintjobs were. However below you'll find some more recent , hopefully far less embarrassing, work.

Click for larger image.

Dark Angel Tactical Marine with Flamer

This guy sports a flame from Kenzer & Co's Hackmaster miniatures range (K&C4073 - Fireball Spell Effect), with a little Green Stuff to connect it to the flamer nozzle. It's also been pinned into place with 1mm brass rod for extra strength. Thanks to Commander Y at the Bolter & Chainsword forum for some tips on how to paint the flames and also for the lighting effect on the flamer nozzle.

Painting Recipe

Black spray Undercoat.
Dark Angels Green, 2 or 3 layers so it's actually green, not black-green.
Blackline to add depth.
Highlights are a couple of layers of DA Green/Snot green. As this guy was among the first I actually layered it's probably only 3 broad layers. 75/25 DA/Snot, then 25/75, then a final touch of Snot Green. These days I'd add another layer or two and smooth the whole thing out. I'd probably also give it a wash or two with Dark Green Ink (or Green Ink, whatever's available these days), say 5:1 or 10:1 water:ink.

The white is Codex Grey over the black underocat, then Fortress, the Skull White. Again, these days I'd use the same technique I did on the Iron Snake's right shoulder pad - it give's better white IMHO.

The black (flamer, ribbing, piping etc.) is just highlighted with 50/50 Black/Shadow Grey then straight Shadow Grey. Codex Grey works instead of SG too...

Eyes are Scab Red, then the front half is Red Gore, with a dot of Blood Red at the front, but other people have much better tutorials with much better results for eyes so I'd only use that as a last resort...

The flame is just lots of layers of reds, oranges and yellows, applied until it look OK, so sorry, no recipe for that...

There, that should be everything, if it's not, let me know...