5 essential Warhammer painting tips everyone should learn

2024-01-18

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(Image credit: Tom Percival)

Two miniatures being painted

1. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

(Image credit: Tom Percival)

A cutting mat with various tools laid out on it, wit a model sprue in the center of it

2. Priming makes perfect

Image1of2(Image credit: Tom Percival)(Image credit: Tom Percival)

Image1of2

(Image credit: Tom Percival)(Image credit: Tom Percival)

(Image credit: Tom Percival)

Someone paints a Warhammer model’s cloak with a brush loaded with purple paint

(Image credit: Tom Percival)

A brush and paint pot sit on a palette covered in black, with purple paint on top

Whether it comes from an aerosol can or a paint pot and brush, the first layer of paint you give your model should always be a primer. This is important for two reasons. The first is because primer gives your other paints something to hold onto. Without it, the paint on your models can flake off, and they can end up looking like something even Nurgle would turn his nose up at.

Still, there’s a more important reason to get to grips with primer, and that’s because the color of primer you choose is fundamental to the final look of your model.

The reason for that is that properly prepared paint (more on that later) is imperceptibly translucent. As a result, if you throw some Baal Red on a Space Marine that’s been primed white, the red will appear bright and noble, perfect for the sublime sons of Sanguinius. Meanwhile, if you paint the same color on a model that is based black, the red will look darker and more shadowed, making it more suitable for a World Eater Bezerker.

If you’re feeling particularly bold, you might want to try a zenithal highlight

Other colors, like gold and silver, meanwhile will give the paint a slight metallic sheen (with gold making the metal look warm, while silver will give it a cooler look), so feel free to experiment with primer colours until you find the one that works for the paint job your working on. If you’re feeling particularly bold, you might want to try a zenithal highlight – which is my next tip.

3. Reach the zenith…al highlight

(Image credit: Tom Percival)

A diagram showing the effect of a zenithal highlight

A zenithal highlight is a technique where you prime a model with a dark color and then apply lighter paints over the top to create a natural gradient. The idea is that this imitates the look of natural light and shadow. A zenithal highlight is usually done using an airbrush to prime a model entirely black, then adding a layer of grey to the top 2/3s of the model, and finally, some white to the top third. Once the models are correctly primed, the colors you paint over the top should (if properly prepared) show a natural gradient that looks realistic.

The cool thing about working within a zenithal is that you can move the gray and the white paint to change where the ‘light source’ is coming from, allowing for some really cinematic and dynamic-looking models. With that in mind, Zenithal is a bit tricky, so it’s best reserved for the showcase models in your army — named characters or generic HQ units come to mind.

4. Thin your paints

(Image credit: Tom Percival)

Someone holding a Warhammer model paints it with a brush

The general rule is that your base paints (the paint you use on the bulk of your models) should be two parts paint to one part water, but this changes depending on the brand of paint you’re using and the colour, so it doesn’t always hold true. An easy way to see if your paint is the right consistency is to use a palette primed in the color of the model you’re painting. If you do this, you can quickly see how the paint will look as it dries without sacrificing a model for the greater good (not the Tau kind) of your paint scheme.

The first thing to do is not overload your brush with paint

5. Don’t be scared of edge highlighting

Image1of2(Image credit: Tom Percival)(Image credit: Tom Percival)

Image1of2

(Image credit: Tom Percival)(Image credit: Tom Percival)

(Image credit: Tom Percival)

Someone edge highlights the sleeve of a model with the side of their paintbrush

(Image credit: Tom Percival)

A diagram showing the side of a brush

Even the most experienced of painters can get a little intimidated when they hear the words ‘edge highlighting.’ This is a pretty simple technique where you apply paint to a sharp edge on a model to create a highlight. Like a zenithal highlight, the idea is to suggest that the light is hitting a hard surface and being reflected off, and this can be a great way to breathe some life into a flat-looking model. So, what makes it so intimidating? Well, it involves painting some pretty thin lines, and that can be scary, but if you do these three things, you’ll quickly get to grips with it.

The first thing to do is not overload your brush with paint. You only need a small amount when highlighting, so there’s no need to go overboard. Secondly, it’s ten times easier to do a highlight when you use the edge of a brush instead of the tip. Using the edge, you’ll have more control over the brush, and usually, you’ll be able to move more smoothly along the edge instead of stopping and starting and getting paint everywhere.

The final recommendation comes down to stance. A shaky hand is the enemy of a good highlight, but if you put your elbows on a stable table and put your wrists together (forming a sort of triangle), you’ll give yourself a really strong grip on your model and brush, which will make highlighting all the easier.

Bonus tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment, and have fun!

(Image credit: Tom Percival)

A cutting mat with various tools on it, along with a miniatures sprue

There are many different techniques you can learn and technical paints you can use, all of which will make your models look amazing. With that in mind, you should definitely try your hand at everything – from drybrushing and edge highlighting to Contrast Paints and recess washes – because there’s no wrong way to paint your minis, and it’s only through experimentation that you’ll find the methods you love to use while painting and those you hate.

Finally, remember this – no one can tell you your paint job sucks. As long as you had fun doing it and are satisfied with the end result, then you’ve done a good job. And if you’re not happy with it, well, guess what? You can always paint another one.

Want to get going with 40K for the first time? We’ve got advice on which of theWarhammer 40K starter setsyou should buy.

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1. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

2. Priming makes perfect

3. Reach the zenith…al highlight

4. Thin your paints

5. Don’t be scared of edge highlighting

Bonus tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment, and have fun!

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