FINALLY! My dream project – The Black Coach

I was feeling a bit unsure about the colours I’d chosen, and how they would translate to the horses. I knew I wanted to keep the colour palette fairly small, so it would really pop against the monochrome work on the wood and the base. I love the purple on the curtains and the magenta on the driver’s shroud, so I figured I’d try it out on one horse and see what happened.

Firstly, I picked out the exposed bone in Flayed One Flesh directly over the black primer, followed by Bleached Linen. Next up was a nice layer of Screamer Pink over the main body of the horse, and I let the brush naturally skip over some ridges and curves to allow some black shadows to remain.

Even though the shop was rammed pretty much all day, and we had 2 deliveries, I managed to hide away at the back for a bit and do some work on 2 of the horses who pull the coach.

I had to trim off quite a lot of the swirly stuff attached to their hooves, as those parts were designed to stick to the base and I want them to be flying upwards into the sky. Big chunky flat bits hanging off their hooves would really not have looked good. I spent some time trimming and filing to make the swirly stuff a lot lighter looking.

After adding a couple of extra little details like a broken wooden cross (from a dunegon and lasers sprue), I covered the whole thing in a nice layer of primer.

I’m so happy with how the monochrome woodwork came out on the Coach body that I’ve decided to keep the whole woodland monochrome too. The only colour will be the rich purples and magentas of the coach as it takes off halfway across the bridge, flying off into the night.

That’s the plan, anyway.

I used the broken Nighthaunt sprues and clipped off pieces of spooks to hide in the trees. Once everything is primed, they’ll be nicely hidden, not the terrible turquoise eyesores they currently are.

I used the broken Nighthaunt sprues and clipped off pieces of spooks to hide in the trees. Once everything is primed, they’ll be nicely hidden, not the terrible turquoise eyesores they currently are.

I had an old GW forest thingy in the back, and I realised it would be perfect for the idea I had. I pulled the bridge off the base I’d originally stuck it to, and instead glued it coming out of the woods.

I also raided some more of the bits boxes in the back and found a ruin corner-piece and some old battered up Nighthaunt models. I also found a box of random monk parts which had been 3d printed ages ago and forgotten about. Luckily there were enough parts to make 3 whole monks.

After weeks of having absolutely no time at all for working on my own personal projects, I’ve reinstated Paint Project Tuesdays at the shop, so I am guaranteed at least a couple hours a week to actually paint. Today, I worked on the base for the Coach. Its turned into more of a diorama. . .

The driver was also an opportunity to use my magenta and purple colour scheme. I began with his clothing, using Flayed One Flesh highlighted with Bleached Linen for his under-robe, and Screamer Pink highlighted with Pink Horror for his top robe. I didn’t use inks or anything on this bit, as I loved the boldness of the colours against the dark coach.

For his mask and the metalwork of his weapon and whip, I used the same Tainted Gold/Nuln Oil as before.

His whip was painted in Army Painter Leather Brown, then Agrax Earthshade wash, and highlighted with Vallejo Old Wood and MSP Bleached Linen.

Finally, the ribbon was Naggaroth Night highlighted with Genestealer Purple and Dechala Lilac.

That’s as far as I’ve got today. Hopefully I’ll get a bit more done tomorrow, if the shop’s not too busy. This is without doubt my favourite thing I’ve ever painted, and it’s pushing me to do my best work. I honestly think I’ll be a better painter for having done this project, and I love that.