An updated and refined method to achieve a red glow effect in place of the usual blue Adeptus Astartes power sword style.
- Basecoat the blade Leadbelcher or a silver of your choice. I'd probably give a thin coat of Stormhost Silver now as well, to brighten the glow.
- Glaze several thin layers of Mephiston Red towards the source of the glow. Build up layers closer and closer
- If you want lightning streaks, draw jagged random patterns with Mephiston Red .
- Within the Mephiston Red layer, glaze Evil Sunz Scarlet and then Wild Rider Red . Getting closer and closer on each layer to the source. Paint within the lines of the lightning at this stage, leaving previous colours showing.
- At this stage, line in Wild Rider Red around the source specifically, and in any joins/recesses.
- Do the same with Fire Dragon Bright , but very fine at his point. Use this to dot highlight where the lightning pattern intersects.
- Add a very fine, final line with Yriel Yellow . I also added fine dots in the recesses or perceived hottest points / source as well as a tiny dot over the intersects on the lightning.
- Add a final dot of White Scar on the hottest part.
- Glaze the whole blade with Contrast Medium with a tiny dot of Flesh Tearers Red . This can be repeated a couple of times over the visible Mephiston Red bits where they meet the blade to smooth transitions.
- Shade the blade with thinned Black Templar , pulling towards one direction (see picture). This can take a couple of layers.
- Highlight the blade edges with Stormhost Silver . You can also dot on scratches, and if you paint around the lightning sparingly it can help emphasise the effect.
Collector of Black Legion in 40K; Daughters of Khaine and all things Dark Aelven in AoS.