Warhammer’s lore is full of dark, gritty stories, but that doesn’t mean your models need to be painted up to match. In fact, there are loads of Warhammer Painters out there who paint their models in some super vibrant ways.
Now, that’s not to say there’s anything wrong with a more realistic looking model. In fact, Games workshop’s ‘Eavy Metal team have nailed a way to make a realistic style pop on the tabletop. But when someone successfully works a bit more colour into their paint schemes, the resulting models seem to have a lot more energy and become far more eyecatching.
I’m personally always on the lookout for great new warhammer painters on Instagram. It’s a great place to find miniature painters showing off their best work. We wanted to showcase some of the Warhammer painters I’ve seen who take colour to another level.
Brad Glover
Brad Glover is probably best known for his creative kitbashes. Brad’s armies are curious combinations of models that you wouldn’t normally expect. Looking through his past work you’ll see T’au blended with Idoneth, and Seraphon blended with Necrons.
All of these creations are picked out with super stylised paintjobs. The models use super bright colour combinations which other people would usually avoid and ties them together surprisingly well. The panelling on his Seraphon/Necron army is a great example of the almost comic-like approach which helps to give his models an almost surreal feel.
We asked Brad about his advice for people trying to improve their painting. Here’s what he had to say.
Just start slow, great things take time!
Brad Glover
Emma Svensson – Dice’n Demons
Emma Svensson (who goes by Dice’n Demons) has a really high-contrast style that uses neon colours to make her models stand out. Along with bold colours, you’ll see a number of other creative techniques used to add even more visual interest to models, such as cross-hatching used for shading and highlighting, as well as mosaic-like effects on scales and wings.
We asked Emma about her advice for people trying to improve their painting. Here’s what she had to say.
My best advice is to paint bravely. By that I mean don’t be afraid to experiment, just try to have fun and do whatever you want with your painting. They’re your models and you can always strip them and try again.
Emma Svensson
Juan Sanz – elminiaturista
Juan Sanz – or elminiaturista – has an amazing library of work. His miniatures feel believably grounded in reality, while at the same time punching up the saturation of colours. A common thing you’ll notice about Juan’s work is the smooth colour transitions and glows.
To make it even better, you’ll find a load of technique guides on elminiaturista’s Instagram page and Patreon that can help you understand how you can paint in a similar way.
Jose Antonio Olmedo – Akad Painting Studio
I’ve personally been really inspired by Jose Antonio Olmedo from Akad Painting Studio recently. A big reason for that is that he puts almost as much effort and attention into the bases as he does on the model itself. It’s a great demonstration of how a good base can highlight a model even further.
As well as the bases, the models themselves always look fantastic. There are some great choices of colours for highlights and shadows that really help the models to feel really bright and bold.
2 Dorks 1 Brush
If you ever wanted to learn how to paint a super colourful model by watching it happen, then you’re in luck. Tom & Rachel from 2 Dorks 1 Brush can often be found on Twitch, working on something, and it’s usually packed with colour. The finished models always end up looking super creative, combining colours in really explorative ways.
Kyle Dalton – Pale King Hobby
Kyle Dalton’s models have a unique way of making you see small details on models that most people would ignore. Just take a look at the detail and texture on his Mollog above. Kyle’s Warhammer Underworlds warbands are all particularly colourful, which really sells you an incredibly vibrant version of fantasy.
We asked Kyle about his advice for people trying to improve their painting. Here’s what he had to say.
Paint what you want to, not what you think you should. Don’t be afraid to try new things. And if you’re trying to improve, aim to be 1% better with each project. I average about 30 pieces a year, so if I can do that, I’m 30% better each year than I was at the start, and I think that’s a great mindset to be in.
Kyle Dalton
Louise Sugden – Savage Ork Guy
If you happen to be a subscriber to Warhammer+ then you may already have seen Louise Sugden painting on the Citadel Colour Masterclass. There are some great videos breaking down some more advanced painting techniques. The reason we included Louise in this list however, is because of the stunning models she’s painted up. Bonus points for painting up a Tzeentch demon in inverted colours. Just a little bit mindblowing.
I had the pleasure of seeing a few of these models in person on display at Warhammer World in Nottingham when some of the HoD team attended the Clash of Warlords tournament. I can confirm they’re just as impressive in person.
Snotling Discotek
Snotling Discotek’s models are as wild as the name suggests. You won’t be surprised to hear there’s a lot of greenskin representation, but each model is painted up in a super bright way that gives them a certain cartoon-ish energy. The page isn’t all snotlings though, and is very much worth checking out.
We asked Snotling Discotek about their advice for people trying to improve their painting. Here’s what they had to say.
Painting with strong, bold colours is more about the contrast and balance with the other colours on the model, than it is about maximizing the saturation of each colour. Also, colour theory is your friend – a secondary colour of your colour scheme can make a great shadow color on your primary colour. For example, if you have a mini with cold green armor and magenta details. Mix green and magenta for the shadows creating a nice blueish grey and you get some coherency as a bonus.
Snotling Discotek
Did you enjoy this article? You could always tip the author with a coffee (or something stronger). If you want to try out some of these styles on some new models then check out Element Games. They have great deals on a wide range of Warhammer and accessories. Finally, make sure you’re following us on Instagram to stay up to date and get involved in our community!
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