Customer briefing

The Embrace of the Phoenix: Transforming Warriors into Flames

He found us through one of those projects that don’t go unnoticed. He was drawn to our approach to combining visual narrative with technique, and he knew right away that he wanted to entrust his army to our studio. His proposal was clear: he wanted an army of Adeptus Custodes, but with an aesthetic that broke completely with the norm. The inspiration came from the Damned Legionnaires, those figures that seem to emerge from myth, consumed by fire but unbreakable.
He commissioned us to assemble and paint the entire force, applying a custom scheme where fire played a leading role. It wasn’t just about adding visual effects, but reinterpreting the Custodes as spectral warriors, constantly engulfed in flames, with details such as burning skulls or fire flowing through cracked armor.
The client also wanted all the miniatures to share a consistent base: a scorched desert terrain, with ruins and special details for some bases. For Trajann Valoris, he requested something that would make him stand out as the supreme commander: a molten lava base that would elevate his figure above the rest.

General picture of the project Ornate

Between Ruins and Lava: The Setting of a Ghostly Host

Every project has its own pace, and this Doomed Custodes one took us on a real journey through ashes and fire. We started with a test miniature that would serve as a guide for the entire army. After a few minor corrections, we came up with the final design: Custodes engulfed in eternal flames, set against a deserted and devastated world.
Assembly was the first collective step. The entire team assembled the units, integrating custom 3D effects, burning skulls, and unique details to achieve the vision the client had imagined. Once ready, we organized the painting into blocks: first the basic units, then characters and vehicles.
Throughout the process, we maintained constant communication. Through daily progress photos, the client could see each stage: from the first base colors to the final effects on armor, capes, and flames. The bases were worked on simultaneously, building desert ruins, charred areas, and special bases with glowing lava or enemy remains.