Female Custodes AI art is reshaping Warhammer 40k, learn about the rise of women Custodes art, key artists, and the community’s response to this canon change.
Female Custodes AI Art & Women Custodes in Warhammer 40k: Key Artists & Fan Reactions
Warhammer 40k isn’t exactly known for breaking molds—except when it comes to superhuman warriors smashing the skulls of their enemies. But recently, we’ve seen the universe throw a curveball that has the community buzzing: Female Custodes AI art is here, and so are female Custodians, officially recognized in the lore.
What started as a fan-driven project has now become a much larger conversation, thanks to both artists and AI tools pushing the limits of creativity. From Instagram thumbnails to full-scale DeviantArt galleries, women Custodes art is rapidly gaining visibility, and we’re all here for it.
The Introduction of Female Custodes in Warhammer 40k
From the Tithes show.
2024 brought something Warhammer fans never thought they’d see: female Custodes confirmed as canon. Games Workshop, in a Twitter post (or X if you want to keep up with the times), officially stated that women Custodians have been part of the Imperium’s elite protectors all along.
You’d think fans would be excited about the expansion of the universe, right? Well, think again.
Canonical Announcement of Female Custodes
When GW confirmed female Custodians, it was like dropping a plasma grenade into the middle of the fandom. Some fans celebrated the inclusion, saying it was a natural evolution of the Adeptus Custodes’ lore. After all, why wouldn’t the Emperor choose both men and women to guard him?
Others, however, were less thrilled, seeing it as an unnecessary shift from tradition. For years, the Custodians have been these towering, golden guardians who you’d assume were all men. Changing that up hit a nerve with purists who didn’t expect GW to make this move.
Suddenly, female Custodes 40k art was everywhere, as artists like Mydinh, who had been ahead of the game since 2021, gained a lot of attention. Now, fans have taken sides—whether it’s through heated debates on Reddit or meme wars in the Grimdank subreddit. But one thing’s for sure: this reveal has sparked creativity.
Adeptus Custodes History: A Male-Dominated Lore
Let’s be real, the Adeptus Custodes weren’t always the most inclusive group. Historically, these golden-clad warriors were known for their towering male forms, not only in the lore but also in the game’s miniatures.
These guys aren’t your everyday soldiers; they’re handcrafted from infants, genetically engineered to serve as the Emperor’s personal guard, never questioning his will. For decades, 40k art and novels portrayed them as the ultimate masculine protectors—part philosopher, part warrior, and all about that shiny, golden armor.
It’s hard to deny that the imagery of male Custodians shaped the entire aesthetic of Warhammer 40k. If you thought of a Custodian, you pictured a 10-foot-tall man crushing enemies underfoot while holding a spear taller than most buildings. But now, the arrival of female Custodes is shaking up those long-standing visuals.
Retcon or Canon Alignment?
Naturally, there’s been a heated discussion over whether this addition of female Custodians is a retcon or if it’s just bringing Warhammer 40k’s lore in line with what some fans and creatives have hinted at for years.
It’s not like the Emperor left a strict instruction manual that said, “Guys only,” but the fact that the models and stories have only ever shown men left fans thinking that’s the way it was meant to be.
This isn’t Warhammer’s first lore tweak. Remember when the Necrons went from silent Terminator-like robots to full-blown political players with personalities and motivations? That change was just as surprising, but now it’s accepted as part of the universe.
Warhammer’s lore has always been fluid, often leaving room for new interpretations or creative shifts. And this change to the Custodes? Just another chapter in the long, ever-twisting saga of the 40k universe.
In the end, whether you think this is a retcon or an overdue canon expansion, one thing’s clear: female Custodes AI art is now a vibrant part of the Warhammer 40k scene. The fanbase may be divided, but the artistic interpretations are taking off like a Land Raider at full throttle.
Female Custodes Art: Where It’s Coming From
Art from SupremeGod777.
So, female Custodes are officially a thing now, and the 40k art community is buzzing. Long before Games Workshop (GW) made them canon, a few trailblazing artists were already reimagining these golden warriors as women. From traditional illustrations to AI-generated masterpieces, female Custodes 40k art has exploded across the internet. Let’s take a closer look at where this surge of creativity began and where it’s heading.
Leading Artists in Female Custodes Art
When it comes to women in Custodes art, a couple of names rise above the rest. These artists didn’t just hop on the bandwagon after the GW reveal—they’ve been sketching and painting female Custodes long before it was cool (or even canon).
Mydinh: Pioneering Female Custodes Art
First up, we have Mydinh, an artist who practically saw the future of Warhammer 40k lore. Back in 2021, while the rest of us were still arguing about whether there should be female Space Marines, Mydinh was already putting brush to canvas (or stylus to screen) to create stunning women Custodes art.
Mydinh’s work stands out because it perfectly captures the mysterious, almost otherworldly presence of the Custodes while subtly weaving in feminine features. One key piece shows a female Custodian, helmet on, standing in the typical stoic pose we all recognize.
The twist? You can’t tell the gender at first glance—a reminder that the Custodes, male or female, are all about duty, discipline, and a whole lot of golden armor.
In another piece, Mydinh presents an unarmored Custodian, showcasing the character’s strength and poise, blending traditional femininity with the raw power of a super-soldier. Mydinh’s art has always reflected the idea that gender doesn’t detract from the epic nature of these warriors, and now that female Custodes are canon, their early work is getting a lot of well-deserved recognition.
Thomas Reidy (Goatboy) and Muscle Mommies
Image Credit: Thomas Reidy (Goatboy)
Next on the list is Thomas Reidy, better known by his online handle Goatboy. If you’ve been hanging around the 40k community, you’ve probably come across his work. Known for his bold, in-your-face style, Goatboy jumped right into the new female Custodes 40k art trend, adding his own flavor—something fans have dubbed the “Muscle Mommies” aesthetic.
Goatboy’s take on female Custodes is unapologetically intense. These aren’t dainty, delicate warriors; these are towering, muscled women who look like they could crush a tank with one hand. His pieces have been popping up all over social media, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
Some are even asking for his art to be slapped onto t-shirts and posters. It’s clear that Goatboy’s interpretations are resonating with fans who love the idea of a 10-foot-tall woman wielding a spear of doom.
The Role of AI in Female Custodes Art
Art from Scrib.
Now, let’s talk AI. In recent years, AI art has been all the rage, and Warhammer 40k fans have jumped on the trend. Programs like Stable Diffusion are now cranking out more female Custodes art than ever before. The best part? AI isn’t bound by the constraints of traditional art, allowing for a rapid expansion of styles and interpretations.
Platforms like DeviantArt and Pixai are currently flooded with AI-generated art. One of the biggest draws is that AI can create an army of female Custodes in all their armored glory within minutes. This has opened the door for fans who want to see different iterations, from stoic golden protectors to unarmored warriors with flowing hair and striking features.
While some purists argue that AI art lacks the soul of traditional art, it’s impossible to deny its role in amplifying the presence of women Custodes art in the 40k universe. And with tools improving every day, AI-generated pieces are only going to get better and more immersive.
Fan Reactions and the Social Media Debate
The introduction of female Custodes has sparked endless debate across the Warhammer community. And when I say endless, I mean we’re talking forums on fire. The topic has practically torn the fanbase in two.
Division in the Community
From Stable Diffusion.
On one side, you have fans who are all for it, embracing the new lore and excitedly sharing their favorite pieces of female Custodes art. They argue that it’s about time Warhammer included more diverse characters, especially in the elite ranks of the Imperium’s forces.
The reactions come from Twitter/X.
On the flip side, there are the traditionalists. For them, the idea of women Custodes is a retcon that disrupts the established lore of 40k. They argue that since Custodes were created using only male infants, this shift feels forced and out of place.
Reddit, especially the Grimdank meme board, has been ground zero for these debates. Mods have even allowed posts on the topic for a limited time, knowing full well that the community just needed to get it out of their system. Read more community reactions here.
The Future of Female Custodes in Warhammer 40k
Where does this leave us? Well, whether you’re for or against the change, it’s clear that female Custodes are here to stay. The growing body of AI-generated art and fan-driven pieces suggests that we’ll be seeing even more interpretations in the future.
Who knows, maybe we’ll even get an official miniatures line with unhelmeted female Custodians.
The debate will rage on, but one thing is certain: female Custodes 40k art has opened up a new, exciting chapter in the Warhammer universe, and there’s no stopping it now.
The Aesthetic of Female Custodes in AI Art
In the world of Warhammer 40k, the Adeptus Custodes are the Emperor’s personal bodyguards—10-foot-tall golden warriors who embody perfection. But when female Custodes were officially added to the mix, things got a bit more interesting.
With female Custodes AI art quickly taking over fan galleries, the debate on how these warriors should look is alive and well. From gender-neutral armor to unarmored portraits, artists (and AI tools) are crafting some truly unique takes on these golden warriors.
Gender-Neutral Aesthetics in Armor
Let’s talk armor. One of the most iconic aspects of the Custodes—male or female—is their shimmering golden armor. It’s the kind of gear that screams, “I’m here to protect the Emperor, and you’re not even worth the effort it takes to look at you.”
When it comes to AI-generated female Custodes art, the armor plays a key role in maintaining the gender-neutral aesthetic these warriors are known for.
Most AI-generated art takes advantage of the fact that, when fully suited up, you really can’t tell who’s underneath all that shiny gold. That’s intentional. The Custodes armor doesn’t care about gender; it’s about function, protection, and intimidation.
This gender-neutral approach in AI art aligns with how the Custodes have always been depicted: as walking walls of golden power. Whether the figure inside is male or female, the armor stands as the great equalizer.
But don’t let that fool you—AI artists are also starting to explore subtle blends of masculine and feminine features in these warriors. This includes slimmer silhouettes or slightly different stances that hint at a feminine identity without diminishing the imposing nature of the Custodes.
In these pieces, women Custodes art manages to balance that fine line between power and elegance, adding a new layer to the Custodes’ timeless look.
Depicting Unarmored Female Custodes
While armor is the great equalizer, there’s no denying the allure of unarmored depictions in female Custodes AI art. When these golden warriors aren’t suited up, things get a bit more interesting. Many artists have taken liberties here, creating unarmored women Custodes that contrast starkly with the traditional male imagery we’re so used to.
Popular unarmored styles often showcase a balance between power and grace. Instead of the usual hulking male Custodian with rippling muscles, we see female Custodes with defined, muscular builds but with softer features.
This version of women Custodes art often emphasizes their agility, showing them in more dynamic, mid-battle poses that highlight their athleticism.
One iconic element that remains consistent across both armored and unarmored art is the use of key Custodes symbols, like the misericordia (the ceremonial dagger) and the shields they carry. These traits, long associated with the Adeptus Custodes, tie the unarmored female Custodes back to their lore, ensuring they are still unmistakably part of the Emperor’s elite guard.
Conclusion: The Future of Women Custodes Art in Warhammer 40k
Image Credit: Thomas Reidy (Goatboy)
The presence of female Custodes AI art across digital platforms like DeviantArt and Pixai is on the rise, and it’s clear this is only the beginning. Artists are continually pushing the boundaries of what female Custodians can look like, and AI tools are helping to generate new interpretations at an incredible pace.
As the lore around the Adeptus Custodes continues to evolve, so too does the artwork, reflecting these changes in imaginative and bold ways.
For many, the addition of women Custodes breathes new life into the Warhammer 40k universe. It opens up a whole new avenue for storytelling, character development, and artistic expression.
Whether fully armored and gender-neutral or depicted with their helmets off and unarmored, female Custodes are leaving their mark on the fanbase and the broader artistic community.
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
What do you think about the inclusion of women and Female Custodes (Femstodes) in Warhammer 40k lore?
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
