I picked up one of the new Games Workshop Gemstone Paints today – Soulstone Blue. I had tried to do vision ports once before by blending a light blue and white. It was a disaster and I haven’t tried since, that was 6 months ago. When I saw these new paints I waited for the how to video before buying and trying them out on vision ports. I also asked in the store before buying to make sure they would be suitable for vision ports.

Games Workshop Gemstone Paints Review

So today I took the plunge and gave them a go on the front vision port and the six side vision ports on an Astra Militarum Chimera. And I am happy! Very happy. While I am sure they are not up to the standards of pro and commission painted, compared to my first effort and the fact it was so fast (less than 10 minutes) I am really really happy.

Step 1 – Preparation

As stated in the video from Games Workshop I started out by painting all my ports a light silver, Runefang Steel in my case.

Front Vision Port in Runefang Steel

Side Vision Ports in Runefang Steel

This was easy! Step one done and dusted.

Step 2 – Using the Games Workshop Gemstone Paints

In the Games Workshop video Duncan uses the paint on an Eldar gem. This is done in one swoop of the brush across the gem. I found this method really hard to do. The vision ports are very close to other areas of the model. For example the front port is sort of inset into the hatch, it does not protrude like the Eldar gem. This made sweeping the brush over the port harder than over a gem.

I ended up with this after the first pass using Games Workshop Gemstone Paints

But I did manage to move the Soulstone Blue paint from the top of the vision port down to the bottom to get a decent effect, it just took longer than on the video and took several tries from varying angles. The side vision ports were slightly smaller and they are not inset.

Step 2.5 – Back to Runefang Steel

Once I was happy with having very little of the technical paint toward the top of the ports and more at the bottom I went back to the Runefang Steel and painted a think line at the top of each of the ports and then slightly down the sides. This was to ensure it was lighter towards the top of the ports.

The vision port after reapplying Runefang Steel to the very edges

Step 3 – ‘Ard Coat

I then used Games Workshop’s ‘Ard Coat varnish (for the first time ever) to try and give them vision ports a bit of a shine. Although it fairly hard to tell from the photo.

Final outcome – after applying ‘Ard Coat to the Soulstone Blue technical paint. I am happy!

Soulstone Blue on Side Vision Ports

Finally these are my photos from the side vision ports.

Side ports with Runefang Steel

Side ports with first pass of Games Workshop Gemstone Paint

Side ports after Runefang Steel being reapplied to edges

Final outcome for side vision ports

Summary of Games Workshop Gemstone Paints

Over the moon happy with the ease, speed and final outcome of my vision ports. The Emperor approves!

My next task is to use this technical paint on the Chimera’s spotlight.