Sci-Fi Painting Guide

Below is an ever-growing list of painting ideas and recommendations for our sci-fi miniatures. Because MGVs can appear with either metallic or live camouflage – or both – there is literally no limit when it comes to painting options. In the background of some photos may appear various types of terrain from the Invisible Enemy rules for MGV combat.

Silver/Sepia Scheme This scheme starts off with a base color of silver, with two layers of Citadel Gryphonne Sepia laid down over the top. The first layer of sepia is a light, overall coverage. The second layer is heavier and used to highlight key features. Selective use of a black wash between the two sepia washes can help to highlight crevices and joints. On the Chameleon units, a popular thing to do is "stripe" them with the second layer of sepia wash. When doing this, make sure to wash only one side at a time, otherwise the stripes will run. The MGVs shown above are Californian L35 "Chameleons" and L63 "Whiptails." Hit the BACK button to return from each photo.

Red/Black Tiger Stripe Scheme This color scheme starts off with a base color of Copper, with a heavy wash of Citadel Baal Red. After drying, each side is given a second wash in Badab Black. When applying the black wash, first even coat one entire side and then use the side of the slightly wet brush to dab along the length of the model, creating fine "lines" of black wash on the main coat. Setting the model on its side to dry, the lines will disperse slightly into the rest of the wash - but not entirely. You can control how sharp or dispersed the "stripes" are by varying drying time and wetness of brush. The models shown at left are K817 "Blue" medium MGVs (All Selangor built MGVs are code named after sharks; Blue, Thresher, Blacktip, etc.). Hit the BACK button to return from each photo.

Gold/Tan/Brown Camouflage More of a true camouflage, this starts with a base layer of gold. Then use two or three camouflage colors like Sand, Olive Drab and Dark Brown, mixing each color with gold paint before applying it. Mixing the camouflage colors with gold before painting them on blends them in with the base color better, giving a more natural look. Wrapping it up with a light to medium wash of Citadel Thraka Green helps blend all the colors into a cohesive pattern. The model shown at left is an AU8 "Sarrisa." Hit the BACK button to return from each photo.

Gold/Blue/Black Camouflage This is a more unusual and vivid camouflage, which starts with a base coat of gold. Applying a wash of Citadel Asurmen Blue over the gold, and then apply lines of "camouflage" using black wash. The black wash camouflage can take any of a number of forms, from heavy branch-like capillary patterns to a more vertical set of variously intersecting lines. In the EU11 Mace shown here, the lower half of the hull has been painted black, with extra blue wash used to blend the upper and lower hull sections. The models shown above are EU11 "Mace" and EU12 "Falcata." In the background of the rightmost picture are two Californian MGVs. Hit the BACK button to return from each photo.

Bronze with Desert Yellow/Mud highlights Shown here applied to a J90 Python, this scheme begins with a base coat of bronze. Highlight the hull features with a drybrush coating of desert yellow, and finish with a wash of Citadel Devlan Mud. Hit the BACK button to return from each photo.