When Games Workshop revealed the new Aeldari kits, I was thrilled to see the return of classic Aspect Warriors with updated sculpts that retain their timeless elegance. I was even more excited to be included in their recent community showcase, featuring my take on one of the stunning new Aeldari Swooping Hawk models.
Go here to read the article and explore some stunning work by painters across the community!
Aeldari have always been a favourite faction of mine, combining grace, lethality, and an air of mystery. For this project, I wanted to emphasise the Hawk’s sleek and aerodynamic design. My approach began with blocking in the light points to establish areas of focus, followed by delicate glazing to blend the transitions and create a sense of natural light cascading over the model’s curved surfaces. The sculpt’s inherent elegance made it an absolute joy to paint, and I couldn’t be prouder to see it featured alongside so many talented artists.
A Journey with the Aeldari
The Swooping Hawk is just the latest chapter in my Aeldari painting journey. I’ve explored their diverse aesthetics with previous projects, each bringing its own challenges and opportunities for creative expression.
Take, for example, my Aeldari Dark Reaper, painted in a darker, moodier style that contrasted starkly with the vibrant energy of the Swooping Hawk. For the Reaper, I leaned heavily into shadow work, using deeper tones to enhance the model’s ominous silhouette and reinforce its reputation as a harbinger of death from afar.
How to Paint an Aeldari Dark Reaper
These tutorials cover everything you need to create stunning Dark Reapers. Learn to freehand a skull on their helmets and master techniques for painting armour, hair, and non-metallic gold (NMM) to display standard. Perfect for adding atmospheric detail and elevating your models.
And then there’s my Golden Demon 2024 entry, an Aeldari Autarch. This model became a deeply personal project for me. I opted for a refined, muted palette with soft transitions, aiming to reflect the Autarch’s balance of grace and lethality. The organic curves of the armour were painstakingly blended to maintain an aura of quiet power befitting a commander of the Aeldari forces. While my Autarch didn’t win, the experience of competing was invaluable. The feedback I received has motivated me to push my skills further, and I plan to revisit the model for refinement now that the competition pressure is behind me.
Aeldari Autarch (Eldritch Omens)
A series of videos on how I painted my Aeldari Autarch (Eldritch Omens). This includes the pearlescent NMM armour, the soulstones, sword and Death Spinner(s).
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