Scheme Inspiration
This Yen-Lo-Wang variant Centurion is painted in a Trans Pirate color scheme of intertwined lightning bolts over black. The scheme, inspired by lightning claws in Warhammer 40,000 was fun to paint and was quick, while also allowing for mistakes, made for something splashy, but surprisingly simple.
Artist Notes
I started with a black prime, then to homogenize the black shade to what I had on-hand, I base coated the model with Vallejo Model Color Black. Then, using a damp makeup sponge, I blended the black with Vallejo Model Color Basalt Grey to make a “light black” to apply to upturned panels and leaving the gaps shaded.
I then used Vallejo Game Color Electric Blue and Vallejo Model Color Sunset Red to base coat all of the pink and blue areas with a paintbrush, using the model’s shape to find where I wanted to plot where the lightning bolts were going. I used this chance to “weave” the lightning bolts by making it look like certain stripes were going over or under others. Following that, I used a smaller brush to paint within the lines and add Vallejo Game Color Sunrise Blue and Vallejo Game Color Squid Pink and brighten the scheme. After this, I used the smallest brush I have to apply ProAcryl Bold Titanium White to the lightning bolts, making them stand out against the black and making the blue and pink feel cohesive.
Next, I base coated the metallics with Vallejo Game Color Chainmail and then washed them with Two Thin Coats Oblivion Black Wash. I finished the metallics by selectively bringing them back up to the Chainmail color.
The cockpit canopy was base coated with Vallejo Model Color Black. I then applied Vallejo Model Color Yellow Ochre selectively over that before washing them with a thinned down Two Thin Coats Battle Mud Wash. I reapplied a bit of the ochre color over the yellow areas and then added gem spots with ProAcryl Bold Titanium White.
The bases were topped with air dry modeling clay, using a sculpted clay design roller, and primed black with the model. Anywhere that needed a touch up, I used Vallejo Model Color Black before blending it with Vallejo Model Color Basalt Grey and using a damp makeup sponge to apply it over the ground with various textures and mixes. Following this, I applied the street lines with Vallejo Model Color Yellow Ochre and used the black to add scratches into the road to make it more realistic, and to cover up any mistakes.
