A knight through Time – The 40K Lion Conversion
The core concept of this project was a simple question: “What if the 40k Lion model actually looked like he belonged in the Horus Heresy, shedding the Witch-King aesthetic?”
While the modern 40k sculpt is undoubtedly beautiful, it carries the distinct energy of the Lion’s post-Resurrection phase—a wandering, slightly-unhinged knight. This works perfectly for the 41st Millennium but clashes with the era when he wore regulation armour and led the Dark Angels during the Heresy. Therefore, the commission’s goal was direct: to de-age the modern Lion model by 10,000 years.The Conversion Approach
The first critical step was removing the robes. Though iconic in 40k, they feel like cosplay in the 30k setting. Reworking the upper body and heavily trimming the tabard shifted the silhouette from “haunted medieval knight” to a Primarch in combat-ready power armour.
The sword and shield were easier. The original pose already suggests a duelist. Minor tweaks to the hilt, guard, and a subtle swap of icons made the wargear look consistent with his Heresy-era equipment, rather than a relic looted from a cathedral.
The biggest visual change was the armour’s colour. Instead of the familiar forest green, the commission specified black armour. This choice intentionally references the earliest Order aesthetic and provides a striking break from the standard palette.Painting Black: Achieving Depth and Readability
Black armour is technically challenging; it risks looking like dull primer or, if over-highlighted, turning grey. The secret on this model was strict value discipline:
- Main Plates: Deep, neutral blacks were used.
- Highlights: Edge highlights were tightly controlled and minimal in width.
- Panel Modulation: Kept subtle to avoid the “grey Space Marine syndrome.”
- Accents: Metallic trim incorporated warm tones to make the black pop without a gaudy effect.
The final result is a version of the Lion that feels perfectly rooted in the Heresy setting—severe, clean, and utterly uncompromising.
The 40k sculpt translates surprisingly well into a 30k version of the character. By stripping away the “wandering-knight” theatrics, fine-tuning the silhouette, and adjusting the palette, you achieve a piece that sits perfectly alongside the other Heresy-era Primarchs.
For those interested in mastering the exact workflow, glazing order, and “cheats” for painting rich, readable black armour—preventing it from becoming flat or glossy—the full breakdown is available on the Lil’Legend Studio Patreon.
This is a solid conversion with a powerful presence. Frankly, Games Workshop should have released a 30k variant of this sculpt—but this project got there first.
