WIP Tutorial

How to paint Imperial fists space marines

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    02 Aug 2025
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A guide on how I paint my Imperial fists space marines.

  1. Undercoat your model with your choice of primer. I used citadel's Grey Seer simply because it's the one I had closest to me at the time.
  2. Undercoat your model with Wraithbone base paint. If you used the spray equivalent of this paint in the previous step then still go over it again with the base paint.
  3. Wash the model with Skeleton Horde . Aim for the armour you wish to be yellow and the shoulder trim. It is fine if you get some paint on other parts of the models as you will paint over it later.
  4. Drybrush the model with Pallid Wych Flesh . This doesn't have to be a light drybrush.
  5. Wash the armour with Imperial Fist . Try to avoid other parts of the model such as the gun and the shoulder trim.
  6. Paint any black areas with Black Legion . Be as careful as possible doing this
  7. Paint the silver areas with Leadbelcher .
  8. Paint the eyes, aquila, and purity seals with 2 coats of Ulthuan Grey .
  9. Paint any bronze areas with Balthasar Gold . This includes bullet shells.
  10. Shade the parchment on the purity seals, the bronze, and the model's boots with Agrax Earthshade .
  11. Paint the aquila on the Space marine's chest and the wax on the purity seals with 2 or 3 coats of Magos Purple .
  12. Carefully wash the model's eyes with Frostheart .
  13. Wash the silver areas with Nuln Oil .
  14. Edge highlight the black with Dawnstone .
  15. Base your model with your preferred method.

darthcosicat

Hello :) I have been into the warhammer hobby for over a year and in that time I have painted numerous models from both warhammer 40k, kill team, age of sigmar, and underworlds. I have around 3000 points of blood angels space marines, some beast snagga orks, kraken tyranids, necrons, emperor's children, knights excelsior stormcast eternals, Christmas themed Kruleboyz, some gloomspite gitz, the Blooded, intercession, and Plague marine kill teams and more.

Citadel Painting System 14
Base 3
  • Balthasar Gold
  • Leadbelcher
  • Wraithbone
Shade 2
  • Agrax Earthshade
  • Nuln Oil
Layer 3
  • Dawnstone
  • Pallid Wych Flesh
  • Ulthuan Grey
Spray 1
  • Grey Seer
Contrast 5
  • Black Legion
  • Frostheart
  • Imperial Fist
  • Magos Purple
  • Skeleton Horde
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