How to paint Grey Knights

Painting Warhammer miniatures is not only a creative pastime, it is one of the most enjoyable parts of the hobby. This article walks through one way to paint Grey Knights, in seven steps.

Step 1: Basecoat with Leadbelcher

Games Workshop's Leadbelcher spray primer is ideal for Grey Knights. If you do not have that exact spray at home, do not worry — prime in any colour you like and brush the Leadbelcher on afterwards. What you want is an even base layer that is easy to work on.

Step 2: Grey Knights Steel

Next comes the paint called Grey Knights Steel — with a name like that it is hardly optional. Apply it with an airbrush, thinned with a little airbrush medium, or in thin layers with a brush if you do not have one. Leave out the areas you want to keep Leadbelcher, or mask them off if you are spraying.

Step 3: Shade with Drakenhof Nightshade

Drakenhof Nightshade gives the model a deep, bluish steel tone. Watch that the shade does not pool into patches, especially on the larger flat panels.

Step 4: Picking out the details

This step is really several smaller jobs, so here they are one by one:

Brass Scorpion: for the brass details and the lettering.

Khorne Red: for the storm bolter and the shoulder pad details.

Wraithbone: for the cloak.

Leadbelcher: for the swords, the shoulder pad details and the storm bolter.

Step 5: Nuln Oil

Now for everyone's favourite: Nuln Oil. It gives the models a used, working look. As with any wash, keep it moving so it settles evenly and does not leave patches — and if it does patch, no harm done, a damp brush lifts it straight out.

Step 6: Edge highlights in Grey Knights Steel and Khorne Red

Back to Grey Knights Steel to pick out every edge on the model and its armour. Then run thin lines of Khorne Red along the corners of the storm bolter.

Step 7: Final touches and assembly

Only a few small details left:

• Eyes: paint the front half of the eye (the half further from the nose) Teclis Blue and the other half Baharroth Blue, then put a White Scar dot right at the front.
• Belts: Wyldwood Contrast, or leave them as they are.
• Purity seals: paint the paper Ushabti Bone and the wax Screamer Pink. With a fine brush, write "script" in Rhinox Hide, then wash the whole thing gently with Agrax Earthshade. Add a touch of Pink Horror to the edge of the wax.

Originally published as How to Paint Everything: Grey Knights on Goonhammer / Tabletop Battles, by Alfredo Ramirez, Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones, Andrew "Pendulin" Haywood and Lungboy.