Preparing the Models

Painting, Step i

When dry, models were lined up in units of about ten. Painting ten models at a time makes the process a little faster. Some Knights with complex heraldry were first marked in pencil. All models were then painted in their basic colours.

Painting, Step ii

The next step was to shade the models with washes. Generally the following washes were used:

• Flesh Wash for Bronzed Flesh
• Armour Wash (or Black Wash) for Mithril Silver
• Red Wash for Blood Red
• Yellow Wash for Sunburst Yellow
• Blue Wash for Enchanted Blue
• Orc Flesh Wash for Emerald Green

Painting, Step iii

After the shading the details were painted with a very fine brush. Some important or large models were also highlighted by drybrushing them with lighter colours. Finally the bases were painted Goblin Green and flocked with PVA glue and GW flock.

Painting, Step iv

If you expect your models to be handled a lot you should now spray them with matte varnish. Avoid using gloss varnish as this will make your army look more like toy soldiers. You can however apply gloss varnish with a brush to those areas that should look shiny, like armour and weapons.

ll Knight models need heraldry. Heraldry should be individual. Historically it was used to tell Knights apart on the battle field. This meant that the heraldry had to identify the bearer at a distance and with minimal risk of being mistaken for someone else. Basic guidelines for designing heraldry are to be found in the Bretonnian Army Book. Geometric designs should first be drawn directly on the base coated model with a fine pencil. Painting geometric designs is fairly easy, but if you want more sophisticated symbols you are well advised to use the available transfers.

Example

This model was base coated with white spray paint. It was then painted with Dark Angels Green, Goblin Green, Brozed Flesh, Snakebite Leather (hair and moustache) and Mithril Silver (for the sword). When that was dry all dark green areas were washed with Black Wash, face and hands with Flesh Wash, hair with Brown Wash and the sword with Armour Wash. Then belts, pouches and the bow were all painted Snakebite Leather. All feathers were painted Chaos Black and then dry brushed Skull White or Blood Red. Finally the eyes were painted Chaos Black and then the whites were carefully painted Skull white.