How to Paint Warhammer 40K Models: Complete Warhammer 40K Painting Guide

Warhammer 40K lets you express your creativity and battle with completely customizable armies. Once you learn how to paint Warhammer 40K models, you can create brand new lore or add to existing factions with unique color schemes and designs.

Our Warhammer 40K painting guide will show you everything you need to get started. You’ll learn about color guides, equipment, sealants, and lighting setups.

Danireon is the #1 store in Canada to find equipment for painting Warhammer 40k figures. We carry a unique selection of Warhammer 40k paints and Warhammer 40k paint brushes, along with miniatures from all major factions.

You also get fast shipping across Canada, along with in-store pickup at our Ottawa location. Browse our store or talk to our team for help getting started!

What Do I Need to Start Painting Warhammer 40K?

Equipment is the first thing you need to consider before you learn how to paint Warhammer 40k models. Choosing suitable brushes, paint, primers, and lighting can be the difference between precise designs and a splotchy mess.

Paints and Brushes

Newbies to the world of painting Warhammer 40k often get overwhelmed by all of the paint and brush options available.

That’s why we recommend keeping things simple when you first learn how to paint Warhammer 40k models. Select a small handful of paints for your army of choice. This is typically a primary and secondary color. You should also get a few neutral tone paints, including metallic hues, flesh, and black and white.

Can you paint Warhammer 40k any color? Yes, but we encourage you to learn the basics first to build some confidence. Start with the shades you find in the formal Warhammer 40k painting guide to narrow down your decisions.

You want to focus on reliable brushes that produce consistent results. A medium base brush will handle the bulk of your painting, including armor panels and weapons. A small layer brush can handle details like eyes, insignia, and accents.

Water Pot, Palette, and Paper Towels

Maintaining a consistent workflow is a hidden secret to painting Warhammer 40k models. You don’t want to interrupt a model to replace your water, refill your palette, or clean up a mess.

Find a palette that will hold all of the colors you need. You’ll avoid delays and sections done quickly, encouraging you to keep pushing forward. Ensure your paper towels are absorbent to prevent spills that might divert your attention during the process.

Primers and Undercoats

You won’t get very far in your journey to learn how to paint Warhammer 40k models without including primers. Newbies to painting Warhammer 40k sometimes skip primer for a simple reason - the results aren’t immediate.

Priming a model may seem boring - your models remain the same base color until you add the main paint. However, every legitimate Warhammer 40k painting guide includes priming and undercoats for good reason.

Raw plastic isn’t a conducive environment for painting. Unprimed models are more likely to chip, peel, and decay. Primer allows your paint to latch onto the model. It also brings out deep colors, from vibrant blues to luminous whites.

There are three basic types of primers: black, white, and gray. Black primer gives a vibrant feel, white primer offers brightness, and gray offers a neutral tone that allows your paint to stand out on its own.

You can mix-and-match the primer styles for realistic shadows and lightning. For example, you can apply all-over black primer for vibrancy and add white primer in spots for natural lighting and depth.

Workspace and Lighting Setup

Most of our Warhammer 40k painting guide covers application techniques, but you can’t forget about your own personal comfort. You want to set aside a nice, clean workspace with good lighting.

You want to get into a flow when painting Warhammer 40K. Painting can be a multi-hour process. Choose a space that is at a comfortable elbow-height where you don’t have to hunch over or strain your arms. A rotation system is also helpful to move the model without smudging the existing paint.

Make sure you get proper lighting. Natural daylight bulbs in the 5000-6500K range will give you the best true-color results.

Newbies sometimes ignore ventilation when first learning how to paint Warhammer 40k models, but that’s a significant mistake. Ensure your workspace has an open window or running fan so you aren’t inhaling paint fumes all day. It’s a subtle difference that slowly adds up over the course of 5 to 10 hours.

Gather the Essentials for Warhammer 40K Painting at Danireon!

Quality equipment is a must when painting Warhammer 40k for the first time. You’ll find everything you need to get started at our Warhammer 40k shop!

We carry Warhammer 40k miniatures from every faction, along with paint, primer, and brushes. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help you every step of the way. 

We recommend starting by choosing your favorite factions and suitable minatures. You can then select shades from the official Warhammer 40k painting guide, or pick your own hues to fit your own unique lore.

From the vibrant blues of the Space Marines to the gold and red of the Imperium, we’ve got you covered. You can chat with our staff for color and equipment recommendations to ensure you have the best painting experience.

How to Paint Warhammer 40K Models: Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Warhammer 40K Models

Proper equipment is half of the battle when learning how to paint Warhammer 40k models. However, there are other things you need to consider. Can you paint Warhammer 40k any color? How do you prepare your miniatures? And what do you do with sealants? 

We’ll go through all of these and more step-by-step.

A Word on Mindset When Painting Warhammer 40K Models

First, a word of advice. Learning how to paint Warhammer 40k models is a journey. You might not get the exact results you’re looking for on the first few tries. Don’t let perfectionism get in the way of a final product you’re happy with.

Our advice is to practice on a miniature that you’re okay with messing up. Don’t just order your favorite mini and try to aim for perfection the first try. Learn how to shade, prime, and seal with other characters so you aren’t judging yourself.

Our golden rule is that your model only needs to look good from a few feet away on a table top or desk. No one is going to judge you for minute details, so don’t obsess over them.

Step 1: Prepare and Clean Your Miniatures

Pristine painting results start with a consistent preparation process. You need to spend time preparing the model so your paint adheres properly. Put your minis under warm water with a drop of dish soap. 

Scrub them gently with a small brush, and then let them dry completely. 24 hours of air drying is ideal.

Step 2: Assemble and Mount for Painting

It’s essential to consider assembly when preparing your mini. You want enough space to paint your 3-D model before gluing anything together. Can you reach your paintbrush in the tiny space behind the cape or underneath the helmet?

We recommend painting the model in groups. Assemble the torso and legs. Add the arms later. You can paint the weapons and heads separately and glue them on afterward.

Mounting each piece is a vital step. You don’t want your skin oils to interfere with the mini or smudge existing paint. Professional painting handles are affordable and our recommended option.

Step 3: Apply Primer or Undercoat

Primer is a must. You’ll end up with chipped or smudged paint without a solid undercoat. You’ll find spray-on and brush-on primer. Both can work, but the former is only advisable in room-temperature conditions.

You can mix primer colors for lighting (white primer) or shadows (black primer). Get creative and experiment with different blends, and you’ll learn how professional painters get lifelike results!

Step 4: Basecoat Your Model

After the primer, you’re ready to apply your first base coat. You’re about to turn your Tyranid from a grey figure into a terrifying and awe-inspiring monster.

Aim for two or three thin coats compared to a single thick coat. The paint should flow off the brush without a watery feel. Dilute the paint with a bit of water until it has a milk-like consistency. A wet palette is a must to control thickness.

Color choice plays a role here. Can you paint Warhammer 40k any color? Yes, but some are more forgiving than others. Dark blues, reds, and greens hide imperfections, while yellows and whites are more likely to show inconsistencies.

Step 5: Add Shading and Washes

Shading will take your miniature painting to a new level. Black and brown washes will flow into the empty spaces, adding natural shadows to your minis. Start at the top of your piece and let gravity do the work for you.

Black washes are better for hard materials like weapons and armor, while brown washes are ideal for skin and cloth.

Step 6: Layer and Highlight

Once you have a basecoat and shading, it’s time to add some layers. Highlighting your minis will add vibrant areas that catch your eye. However, you want to avoid going overboard and turning your mini into a neon sign (unless that’s the aesthetic you want).

You highlight by lightening your base color by 20 to 50%. Apply this mix to the edges of armor and weapons - anywhere light would naturally reflect.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

Minor details are where professional mini painters stand out from the crowd. Pupils and irises in character eyes create a lifelike feel. Tiny gems, scopes, or energy indicators on weapons add the heat of battle to characters. Dents, dust, blood, and scratch marks on armor also contribute to the design.

We also love introducing unique insignia and logos. They add a personal touch to your army, ensuring your minis stand out even when following a standard color guide.

Step 8: Seal and Protect Your Work

Miniatures can take multiple days, so you want to take all the necessary steps to protect your work. Choose a varnish to seal your miniature and protect further damage. You can choose a matte option for a natural feel, a gloss varnish for a hard and shiny finish, or satin for a nice in-between option.

Storing and Caring for Paints and Brushes

You have now finished your first mini, and that deserves a celebration! However, there’s one other thing to consider before you take pictures to show your friends - storing your equipment.

Clean your brushes with a gentle soap. You want to reform the tip of the brush while it is still damp and let it air dry. Place it in a brush tube or rack for storage. Avoid hot water, harsh soaps, and overscrubbing.

Keep your paint in a room-temperature environment away from sunlight.

Wrapping Up Our Warhammer 40K Painting Guide

You’ve learned everything you need about painting minis. Two things will set you up for success - a creative mindset and the right equipment.

Don’t be afraid to jump in and make mistakes. It’s the best way to learn. Try different primers and shading patterns. Soon you’ll be creating your own armies.

Danireon has everything you need to begin, including paint, primer, and brushes. Our friendly team will help you learn how to start Warhammer 40k painting and recommend equipment. Shop now to get speedy shipping across Canada!

Frequently asked questions

Are Warhammer miniatures easy to paint?

Painting is easy to get into, but hard to master. The right equipment can help you achieve good results that you can build upon.

What kind of paint do you use on Warhammer models?

Acrylic paints are the best option. They adhere to plastic and resin with good saturation.

Can you paint Warhammer 40K any color?

Can you paint Warhammer 40k any color, or are official colors required? The most exciting part of mini-painting is creating your own armies with personalized lore. You don’t have to follow any rules, though they can help you if you’re brand new.

Should you prime Warhammer models before painting?

Absolutely. Priming promotes proper adhesion and prevents chipping.