In this piece, I set out to capture a corrupted Space Marine from one of my favorite traitor Legions; the Word Bearers. While reading the Horus Heresy novel series I was enraptured by the absolute fanaticism, devotion, and insanity embodied by the Word Bearers. They stood out to me as different, being the only traitor Legion to knowingly and lovingly embrace the Dark Gods; not just for the sake of power, but as devoted worshipers of the religion. 

Therefore, when I was doing my research for this painting I wanted to make sure I evoked that sense of cult-like intensity and  pure control. Not a fall to darkness, but a loving embrace into its waiting arms. 

Of course I made sure to include the famous trappings that make a Son of Lorgar a true Bearer of the Word. Flayed skin inscribed with ritual markings. Disembodied hands, skulls, and heads. The ever present thrall of afflicted— gifted, worshipers scrabbling for just a slice of the Apostle's attention. Who could forget the massive tome chained to his waist and the candles burning with dark un-light, guiding his way. All of that immersed in the Sea of Souls, looked upon from every direction with horror, curiosity, anger, fear, and delight in equal measure. 

Lastly I made sure to include a grisly trophy from perhaps the Word Bearers' greatest rivals, dating all the way back to the destruction of Monarchia and repaid in kind at Calth, and time and time again in the millennia that followed.

-Sam Bogits

Process