How to Paint Harbinger of Decay – Face, Beard, Felt Hood, Horns!

This is the first in a series looking at how to paint the Harbinger of Decay model that Games Workshop sent me. This will be my main Golden Demon entry for Adepticon! In this video I look at how to paint his face, beard, horns and felt hood.

Video Tutorial – Harbinger of Decay – Face, Beard, Felt Hood, Horns

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The following paints were used: on the Harbinger of Decay:

Games Workshop: Skavenblight Dinge, Bugman’s Glow, Cadian Fleshtone, Mournfang Brown, Deathworld Forest, Death Corps Drab, Morghast Bone, Ushabti Bone, Screaming Skull, Rhinox Hide,
P3: Morrow White

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Preparing the Harbinger of Decay Head

  • The head is modified using a combination of existing models, with details like the beard sculpted on. The horns are simplified by removing excess details.

Step 2: Base Coating

  • Start with Deathworld Forest for the beard, applying it thinly.
  • For the face, mix Bugman’s Glow with Skavenblight Dinge.
  • Use Death Corps Drab for the base color of the hood.

Step 3: Refining the Face

  • Apply highlights to the face using Cadian Fleshtone mixed with white, focusing on raised areas.
  • Adjust the nose and eyebrow areas for natural shading.
  • Consider adding green irises for a more demonic look.

Step 4: Detailing the Beard

  • Lighten Deathworld Forest with white (or Morghast Bone) and apply to the Harbinger of Decay beard in layers.
  • Enhance the beard texture with thin lines, gradually lightening the colour towards white.
  • Glaze with a mixture of Deathworld Forest and white to add depth and maintain a hint of green.

Step 5: The Hood

  • Apply textured highlights to the hood using a mixture of Death Corps Drab and white, building up towards pure white.
  • Ensure the front section near the forehead is the lightest to draw focus to the face.

Step 6: Painting the Horns

  • Begin with a mix of Death Corps Drab and white.
  • Add successive layers of Deathworld Forest mixed with Morghast Bone, then Morghast Bone on its own, and finally Screaming Skull for the highest highlights.
  • Glaze the horns with Mournfang Brown, focusing on the tips, and add details with Ushabti Bone.

Step 7: Final Touches

  • Refine the horns with Deathworld Forest and Morghast Bone to enhance the green tinge.
  • Add more texture to the hood using very light colours, blending towards white.
  • Continually review and refine the Harbinger of Decay, ensuring harmony in lighting and colour across different parts.

Note:

  • The process involves alternating between highlighting and glazing to build up texture and colour depth.
  • Keep the paint thin for stippling and glazing, allowing underlying colours to show through for natural transitions.

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Harbinger of Decay
Harbinger of Decay

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