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Painting Games Workshop Models

Painting Is a Large Part of the Hobby

Painting Games Workshop Miniatures is one of the four pillars that make up the Games Workshop Hobby. Some of the most devoted hobbists spend more time painting their armies than actually getting them onto the tabletop to battle against an opponent. This is understandable - collecting and painting new troops to bring to bear on your enemies is exciting in its own right. Not only can you watch as the ranks of your army swell before your very eyes, but you have the satisfaction of knowing that you painted it all yourself.

If You Can Hold a Pencil, You Can Paint a Miniature

Putting brush to model and getting good results really isn't unattainable. From the oldest veteran wargamer to the youngest general, this part of the hobby is enjoyed around the world. The old adage "if you can hold a pencil, you can paint a miniature" has been proven many times over by many gamers. All you need is a reasonably steady hand, a bit of patience, and a willingness to practice a few easy techniques and you're already halfway there!

We Sell Brushes and a Huge Range of Paints

The Games Workshop Colour Paint Range consists of 73 different paints, washes, and metallic colors to choose from. We also sell a Warhammer 40,000 Assault On Black Reach Starter Paint Set, which contains 5 Space Marines, 6 Starter Paints, and one paint brush to get you on your way. If you're looking for paint brushes, we make a wide range of sizes: Fine Detail, Detail, Standard, Basecoat and Large Drybrushes are available in small and large sizes. Also available is the Tank Brush for your vehicle painting needs.

With a Few Tips and Techniques, You'll Soon Have an Army to be Proud of

Here are a few basic ideas and guidelines that you should remember when you sit down to paint.

Remember Your Goal and Stick to it!
When you start a new painting project, remember why you're painting it. Are you painting an entire army or just a single miniature for a painting competition, like the illustrious Golden Demon? A single model for this competition could take months to complete, but you wouldn't want to pour all this valuable time into painting a single miniature for a massive Ork army. Know what your goal is and stay on target!
Choose a Good Work Space
The value of a good place for painting can never be underestimated! A relaxing environment with a lot of elbow room is recommended. If you can secure an area that can be solely dedicated to the hobby, so much the better. Make sure that you have put down some newspaper to protect your work area, grab a handful of paper towels for those inevitable spills, and have everything else you'll need on hand. Some hobbyists prefer to work in solitude, but there's something to be said about painting with a group of like-minded individuals.
Use the Right Tools
You will need a minimum of two brushes: one small brush for details and a larger brush for painting bases and large areas of the model. You'll also want to have a mug of clean water on hand as well as a white palette, desk lamp with a color adjusted "daylight" bulb, and (of course) your Games Workshop model paints.
Undercoat Your Models
Use either black or white spray primer to undercoat your models before you start painting your models. The purpose of the undercoat is two-fold: it provides a flat base color to paint onto and it bonds to the metal or plastic much better than undercoating your miniatures with standard acrylic model paint. Use the primers in a well-ventilated area and away from open flame and surfaces that you care to not damage, like the bonnet of your father's sports car.
Relax! This is a Hobby, Keep practising
Don't get upset if things don't go right the first time you sit down to paint. This is a hobby that requires time and patience. Just take it slow and enjoy yourself. If you do run into problems, talk to other hobbyists at your local hobby store, read some painting articles on the internet, or pick up an issue of White Dwarf magazine. All three are excellent sources of knowledge and inspiration.

Basing Games Workshop Models

There are all manner of bases for Warhammer 40,000 models. They include both solid and "slottabases" (which include small slots for the tabs on the bottom of your miniatures to fit into). They also cover a range of sizes, from 20mm to 50mm and beyond. The size of your miniature will dictate the size of the base, and these bases offer a blank canvas for your creativity. Do you want your model to look like it's standing on a grassy field or in a muddy swamp? The choice is yours when you model your bases.

You should most often use Games Workshop polystyrene cement to glue plastic models together. Since the bases are also plastic, this glue can be used to attach the model to its base. To glue a metal model to a plastic base, use Games Workshop super glue to attach one to the other. Remember, if the model's tab doesn't fit into the base snuggly, use needle nose pliers to give the rail a slight bend until it doesn't shift around in the slottabase.