Customer briefing

I want to start my Custodes army with the Watchers of the Gate box.

Daniel, our client, discovered Art-W Studio through one of our previous projects. He appreciated the darkness and particular style of our work, capturing the vision for his own army of Adeptus Custodes. From the first contact, Daniel presented a clear and challenging idea.

He requested that the Grimdark Custodes carry the classic Emperor’s Chosen colour scheme, but with a twist: our signature dark touch. He also wanted the weapons to display OSL effects, emulating crackling energy. The complexity didn’t scare Daniel; on the contrary, he added an extra layer: magnetisation. He wanted tactical versatility on the battlefield, and we understood that we had to achieve a level of interchangeability and adaptability never before seen in our pieces.

Overview shot of the project, Premium level

Custodes in Grimdark style

Daniel’s challenge called upon three of our best painters. From the first stage, every detail was meticulously planned and executed. The assembly of the miniatures, the elaboration of the sample for the client, and the meticulous task of magnetisation were carried out with precision.

With the approval of the Grimdark Custodes sample, we moved on to the airbrushing phase, enhancing the bright golds and burgundy tones. This colour scheme required precise application to achieve the visual harmony Daniel was looking for. Next came the tricky part: the OSL effects, which had to reflect the crackle of the energy weapons.

Each painter played a role in different aspects of the project, allowing for a harmonious and efficient progress. Throughout the process, each of the 100 magnets used, and each of the 66 interchangeable bits were carefully incorporated. The final satisfaction was to see all the pieces, perfectly painted and magnetised, ready for action.