Tutorial: How to paint Death Korps of Krieg Veteran Guardsmen

Basecoat the model with Grey Seer primer. Then paint any areas the primer didn’t reach with Grey Seer base paint.

Paint the texture of the base with Mechanicus Standard Grey, while leaving the rocks with Grey Seer. Drybrush the texture with Grey Seer, then wash the whole base with a 1:1 mix of Dark Tone and Strong Tone Wash from The Army Painter’s Warpaints [or Nuln Oil / Agrax Earthshade]. Drybrush the rocks with Grey Seer and Corax White.

Paint the armour with Vallejo Mecha Color Dark Steel [or Leadbelcher].

Wash the armour with a 1:1 mix of Warpaints Dark Tone Wash [or Nuln Oil] and Nuln Oil Gloss. Be generous, but if you notice excessive pooling, use a damp brush to soak up the excess.

Gently drybrush the metallic armour with Mecha Color Light Steel [or Stormhost Silver], concentrating on the edges.

Tidy up the coat and trousers with a layer of Grey Seer.

Create a wash by mixing Basilicanum Grey with Contrast Medium, about 2:3. Apply a liberal amount all over the uniform, let it settle for a moment, then soak up any excess with a damp brush. Put the model sidewards, so gravity won’t pull the wash towards the bottom, and leave it plenty of time to dry.

If you did it right, the thinned Basilicanum Grey should have created a beautifully soft shading that won’t need much more refinement. I added a highlight of Warpaints Spaceship Exterior [or Ulthuan Grey], but you could even skip this step when you’re in a hurry.

Apply a coat of Cygor Brown over all the leather details. Make sure you don’t miss the little straps that keep the shoulder armour in place.

Highlight the leather with Formula P3 Bootstrap Leather [closest GW colour would be Mournfang Brown] in a scruffy way to add a worn texture.

Paint the gloves, boots, and gas mask with Vallejo Model Color Dark Grey [or Eshin Grey].

Apply a wash of Warpaints Dark Tone Wash [Nuln Oil] over the dark grey areas.

Highlight the gloves, boots, and mask with VMC Dark Grey [or Eshin Grey].

Add a second highlight with Mechanicus Standard Grey.

Basecoat the light steel details on the weapon and gas mask with Mecha Color Steel [or Ironbreaker or Iron Hands Steel].

Create a wash by mixing Basilicanum Grey with Lahmian Medium about 1:1 and apply it over the silver details.

Wash the gas mask’s hose you painted with Dark Steel in step 3 with Basilicanum Grey.

Highlight the steel details with Mecha Color Light Steel [Stormhost Silver].

Paint the gun casing with Warpaints Matt Black [or Abaddon Black].

Edge highlight the casing with VMC Dark Grey [or Eshin Grey].

Add an even finer edge highlight of Dawnstone.

Basecoat the brass details such as the Imperial Eagles, the skull on the gun, and the buckle with Vallejo Game Color Brassy Brass [or Brass Scorpion].

Wash the brassy details with Warpaints Strong Tone Ink [or an Agrax Earthshade / Nuln Oil 2:1 mix].

Highlight the brass with Canoptek Alloy.

Basecoat the lenses with Khorne Red. Try to leave a fine black line between the silver frame and the lens.

Layer with Evil Sunz Scarlet, concentrating on the lower halves of the round lenses, aiming for a half-moon shape.

Apply an even finer highlight to the lower part of the lenses with Troll Slayer Orange. I know it’s hard because the lenses are so small. Skip this step if you don’t feel confident enough.

Add tiny white dots to the corners of the lenses with VMC White [or White Scar].

Basecoat the trousers and hems with Dawnstone.

Like in step 5, create a wash of 2:3 Basilicanum Grey to Contrast Medium and apply it all over the grey.

Finally, highlight the grey trousers and hems with Dawnstone.

To complete the model, painted the trim of the base with Warpaints Matt Black [or Abaddon Black] or in a colour that matches your gaming board.